Ami Bera

Mr. BERA

Mr. BERA. Mr. Speaker, just over a week ago, we all took the oath of office, all of us, Democrats and Republicans, and part of that oath was to support and defend the Constitution against all enemies, both foreign and domestic. It is quite clear what happened last Wednesday: a domestic attack on our government, a domestic attack on this body. Republicans have already acknowledged who instigated the attack. The lead instigator was the President of the United States. Now it is our solemn duty to uphold that oath, to defend our Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic. There is nothing more solemn than what we have to do. If my colleagues don't want to invoke the 25th Amendment--that is one mechanism--we will give you an opportunity tomorrow to impeach the President. That is our duty. That is what we have to do. Let's uphold our oath.

Mr. BERA

Mr. BERA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Chief Michael McLaughlin and celebrate his retirement from the Cosumnes Fire Department. Chief McLaughlin started his fire service career in 1988 as a Reserve Firefighter with Contra Costa County Consolidated Fire Protection District. Throughout his fire service career, he has served for South Lake County and Lawrence Livermore before being promoted to Assistant Fire Chief. He then became a Division Chief for the Merced Fire Department before serving with Cosumnes CSD Fire Department which covers my district. During his time with the CSD Fire Department, he has held the title of Deputy Fire Chief before his promotion to his current role as Fire Chief. Before Chief McLaughlin became a firefighter, he worked as a paramedic in Alameda and Contra Costa Counties. He was also instrumental in the creation and growth of the South Lake County and Lawrence Livermore Paramedic Programs and has been a licensed Paramedic in California since 1990. Mr. McLaughlin has an Associate of Science Degree in Fire Technology from Yuba College, along with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Fire Department Administration from Cogswell Polytechnical College. I want to extend my congratulations and thank Chief McLaughlin for his hard work and dedication to keeping California safe. Chief McLaughlin also assisted in the development of the HERO Act, legislation I introduced to provide first responders access to critical mental health resources which passed the House of Representatives this fall. I ask my colleagues to join me in celebrating Mr. McLaughlin for his work in the community and wish him the best in retirement.

Mr. BERA

Mr. BERA. Mr. Speaker, today I am proud of American democracy, and I want to talk about American democracy. In this election, record numbers of voters turned out to cast their ballots, with very few voting irregularities. A record number of young people turned out to cast their ballots and express their voice by voting. We saw civil servants and folks tabulating those ballots. We saw American democracy at work, and we ought to be proud of that. On January 20, we will welcome President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris in a peaceful transfer of power. God bless the United States, and God bless our democracy.

Mr. BERA

Mr. BERA. Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Engel for his leadership and support. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of my bipartisan measure, H.R. 6334, the Securing America From Epidemics, or SAFE Act. This legislation, which I introduced alongside my friend, Congressman Ted Yoho, would authorize U.S. participation in the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations, or CEPI. CEPI was created in the aftermath of the 2015 West Africa Ebola epidemic. Its founders understood that due to factors like climate change, overcrowding, malnutrition, and the proximity of people living next to animals, the world would see deadly epidemics more and more frequently. The most effective countermeasures to these epidemics are vaccines. CEPI sought to fund vaccines for several pathogens like MERS that could potentially explode into pandemics. And it sought to help develop universal vaccine platform technologies that could be adapted to quickly address emerging outbreaks. The individuals in CEPI could not have predicted the current COVID-19 pandemic, but they knew it was just a matter of time until we would see something like this. Since the start of the pandemic, CEPI has devoted major funding to nine vaccine candidates to defeat COVID-19. In January of this year, CEPI was one of the first investors in Moderna, providing catalytic funding to spur additional research and development. That early funding has paid off. It looks like Moderna's Phase 3 trials have been successful. CEPI's early investment in Moderna is a reminder of the critical role CEPI plays and will continue to play: investing in smaller companies to boost their capacity, so that larger players and actors can help scale and bring those vaccines to market. This is what happened with Moderna and may happen with other vaccine candidates. USAID recently announced the collaboration with CEPI, funding $20 million over 5 years to combat noncoronavirus priority diseases, like Lassa fever and Ebola, but we need to do more. By authorizing U.S. participation in CEPI, this bill will enable the United States to firmly claim a seat at CEPI's table, shape its priorities and governance, and allow Congress to provide contributions to the organization. U.S. participation in CEPI was one of the recommendations of the final report issued nearly a year ago at the Center for Strategic and International Studies Commission on Strengthening America's Health Security. It was prescient in its recommendations, and I am proud to have served as a commissioner. We knew then that the next epidemic or pandemic was around the corner. It is here with us now, but it will not be the last one. We need to be a full and active participant in CEPI's work. By working through organizations like CEPI to develop new vaccine technologies, we will ensure the world is far more ready for the next pandemic. Mr. Speaker, I thank Mr. Yoho and all the cosponsors of this important legislation, as well as the work that the Committee on Foreign Affairs staff, like Katy Crosby, and my own staff, like Ryan Uyehara, did to bring this legislation to the House floor. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this measure and call on the Senate to pass it as well.

Mr. BERA

Mr. BERA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to urge support of my resolution, H. Res. 1012, which recognizes the transformation of the U.S.-South Korea relationship into a strong and enduring partnership that benefits the entire world. As the proud co-chair of the Korea Caucus and the co-chair of the Congressional Study Group on Korea, I know how important this relationship is to our two countries. This spring, I introduced this resolution because I wanted to acknowledge and highlight the shared history and ties between our nations. It was over 70 years ago that the United States rushed to the aid of the Republic of Korea after they were attacked by its neighbor to the north. The United States, leading the multinational coalition of the United Nations Command, successfully defended the Republic of Korea. But the war devastated South Korea. Forty years ago, South Korea was one of the poorest countries in the world. Today, they are one of the most advanced. It is a miracle, and it is hard work. The Republic of Korea became a democracy in the late 1980s. Today, it is one of the most widely respected countries in Asia and the world. It has been incredibly successful against the COVID-19 pandemic and has helped the United States in our own battle against it. President-elect Biden has recognized the value of our relationship with Korea, and his call to President Moon Jae-in was one of the first calls to a foreign leader. Our ties with the Republic of Korea are enduring. They are based on our shared people-to-people values, our vibrant Korean-American community, American expatriates in South Korea, and our economic ties. We have shared values and respect for democracy and human rights. We will work together to confront the challenges of this pandemic, as well as other challenges, like climate change. I thank my colleagues on both sides of the aisle who support and sustain this alliance, as well as Chairman Engel and Ranking Member McCaul and their staff, like Theresa Lou, who helped bring this resolution to the floor.

Mr. BERA

Mr. BERA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the Sacramento Area Water Forum. I commend the Water Forum's work on the Lower American River and for forging lasting partnerships with diverse organizations, including the US Bureau of Reclamation. The Water Forum and the Bureau of Reclamation have been strong collaborators on multiple habitat enhancement projects and on implementing the Modified Flow Management Standard. With negotiations starting in 1993, the Forum has come a long way to provide cohesion in responsibly handling the water supplies and care of the Lower American River. Although the agreement was signed on April 24, 2000, today we celebrate this milestone of 20 years virtually as a community. I want to thank the Water Forum members for the progress towards providing a safe and reliable water supply and the preservation of the fishery, wildlife and recreational values of the lower American River. I stand with the Water Forum today celebrating the opportunity to serve the Sacramento region in the future as we address climate change in our own community and across the nation.

Mr. BERA

Mr. BERA. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 5760) to provide for a comprehensive interdisciplinary research, development, and demonstration initiative to strengthen the capacity of the energy sector to prepare for and withstand cyber and physical attacks, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. BERA. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous material on H.R. 5760, the bill now under consideration.

Mr. BERA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of my bill, H.R. 5760, the Grid Security Research and Development Act. I first want to thank the chairwoman of the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, Ms. Johnson, and the ranking member, Mr. Lucas, for their help in passing the Grid Security R&D bill out of the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology and bringing it to the floor. I also thank my colleague, Congressman Randy Weber from Texas, for joining on as a bipartisan cosponsor. Mr. Speaker, the Grid Security R&D Act supports sustained investment across Federal agencies in research and technology to keep pace with the rapidly evolving threats to our electrical grid. The bill focuses on protecting our grid from two major threats: Cyber and physical. Access to reliable power is core to our economy, and the impact of physical threats to our electric grid have never been clearer than now. This summer, in my home State of California, the scenario of high winds, combined with lightning strikes and dry ground, have created some of the most dangerous wildfires in our State's history. In addition to burning millions of acres and causing loss of life, these wildfires put a significant part of our region on notice for potential emergency power shutoffs to reduce the risk of new outbreaks and further wildfire damage. However, these shutoffs are not as simple as turning off and on a light switch. It takes time to de-energize transmission systems in advance of a severe weather event and to reenergize the system after the threat has passed. While safety and preventing wildfires is a high priority, these shutoffs can leave hundreds of thousands of people without power for a few days. Dangerous wildfires, intense periods of drought, and other severe weather events have become increasingly more common in recent years because of climate change and will continue to threaten our grid. Furthermore, the inability to protect our grid from these severe weather events becomes more magnified during significant emergencies like the COVID-19 pandemic. Our hospitals and emergency rooms are working around the clock to save lives. They need access to reliable power and the assurance to know that the power will not go out during an important surgery or stop a ventilator from running. In addition, food banks and restaurants rely on refrigeration to continue supplying food to those in need and our small businesses cannot reopen if they can't keep the lights on. Ensuring access to electricity is critical in times like this. That is why I am proud to lead this bill, which would help strengthen the resiliency of our electric grid against physical threats. Our bill would also provide funding to develop technologies that would toughen our grid against wildfires and other natural disasters by improving early detection of deteriorating electrical transmission and distribution systems. This aging equipment can tend to spark and come in contact with vegetation during high-wind events and natural disasters causing wildfires. This bill will also spur the development and implementation of microgrid and battery storage technologies, provide backup power options so that in the event of an emergency power shutoff, a more targeted shutoff will impact less households. The threat of climate change in our electric grid is real. We have an opportunity to continue the modernization of our power system infrastructure, and this bill is a step in the right direction. Mr. Speaker, the other focus of our bill is improving cybersecurity across our electric grid. As the grid and other forms of critical infrastructure become more digitized, the risk that cyberattacks would shut down critical systems has increased, and in some cases these attacks can even cause physical damage to the grid. The types of cyberattacks also continue to become more sophisticated. Last year, cyber hackers remotely attacked electric grid networks for the first time, affecting several Western States, including California, Utah, and Wyoming. Given how critical reliable access to power is to our daily lives, these attacks highlight the need for investment to address this evolving threat. H.R. 5760 would authorize a comprehensive, coordinated research effort across Federal agencies to advance cybersecurity capabilities for the energy sector. Research areas would include: improving rapid detection of cyber intrusions, integrating cybersecurity features into the energy infrastructure, and focusing in on cyber solutions through our defense sector that can be modified and transferred to the civilian power sector. Lastly, our bill invests in strengthening our cybersecurity workforce. As our electric grid continues to modernize with renewable energy and energy storage technologies, a high-skilled workforce will be needed who understand the evolving threats. I look forward to working with the Senate to get this bill passed into law so we can continue to improve the resiliency of our electric grid. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this commonsense legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time. House of Representatives, Committee on Homeland Security, Washington, DC, September 2, 2020. Hon. Eddie Bernice Johnson, Chairwoman, Committee on Science, Space and Technology, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Dear Chairwoman Johnson: I write to you regarding H.R. 5760, the ``Grid Security Research and Development Act.'' H.R. 5760 contains provisions that fall within the jurisdiction of the Committee on Homeland Security. I recognize and appreciate your desire to see this legislation implemented and accordingly, I will not seek a sequential referral of the bill. However, agreeing to waive consideration of this bill should not be construed as the Committee on Homeland Security waiving, altering, or otherwise affecting its jurisdiction over subject matters contained in the bill which fall within its Rule X jurisdiction. I would also ask that a copy of this letter and your response be included in the legislative report on H.R. 5760 and in the Congressional Record during any future floor consideration of this bill. I look forward to working with you on this and other important legislation in the future. Sincerely, Bennie G. Thompson, Chairman.

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

Mr. BERA. Mr. Speaker, I, too, also want to recognize the bipartisan nature of this bill. It shows what we can do when we get together. I recognize the hard work of the staff from the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. Mr. Speaker, I have no additional speakers, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BERA. Mr. Speaker, I, once again, urge support of this commonsense, important legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. BERA

Mr. BERA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the passage of my bipartisan measure, H.R. 1646, the Helping Emergency Responders Overcome Act, or the HERO Act. The HERO Act is the best of what we do in this people's House, which is accessible to our constituents and others, and that is why we love the House of Representatives. Over 2\1/2\ years ago, two of my fire chiefs, Mike McLaughlin and Maurice Johnson, visited my office here in Washington to talk about some issues. In passing, they also talked about the number of firefighters and first responders that succumb to suicide, and the stresses of the job. We talked about it and we started to do a little bit of research. We realized we didn't have good statistics on the actual incidence of firefighters or first responders that were succumbing to suicide. We started to talk to others, the International Association of Firefighters, and we talked to law enforcement. We realized the stresses that these individuals, men and women, who are out there protecting our communities every day, face. They see untold challenges that normal human beings don't see. So we started talking about this. We looked for those statistics, talked to the Firefighter Behavioral Health Alliance founder, Jeff Dill, and again, realized we ought to challenge the CDC to collect these statistics, and we ought to do something about it. We ought to help relieve the suffering of these first responders, firefighters, law enforcement individuals. So we went about writing a bill and working with our partners. That was before the COVID-19 pandemic hit. What we have seen since the pandemic is untold pressures on our frontline healthcare workers, our nurses, the folks in the hospitals. And I want to applaud a fellow doctor, a Republican Member, Mike Burgess, who is the ranking member on the Energy and Commerce Healthcare Subcommittee, he realized this fact. And working together with our staff, we amended the HERO Act to include and recognize the unique stresses that these frontline healthcare workers are facing. We talked about how they don't need to suffer by themselves, how we could put in place peer-to-peer contacts where folks could reach out, create a space for some of these individuals that might be suffering alone to talk about what was going on. Mr. Speaker, I also want to thank Chairman Pallone and Ranking Member Walden on the Energy and Commerce Committee, as well as the chairwoman of the Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee, Ms. Eshoo, for helping get this bill to the floor and getting it passed yesterday evening. Again, the HERO Act demonstrates what we can do when we come together as Democrats and Republicans, when we listen to our constituents, and we work with those folks that are out there. I, again, want to applaud the frontline healthcare workers, the firefighters, the law enforcement individuals, and emergency responders that are out there keeping us safe every day. You have got our back, we have got your back. So thank you to all of them.

Mr. BERA

Mr. BERA. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 908, led by my colleague Representative Grace Meng. I do feel compelled, though, to respond to my colleague on the other side of the aisle, Mr. Jordan. I was that subcommittee chairman. We held the first coronavirus hearing in this new pandemic addressing the issues. Yes, we did identify it by its geographic origin as the Wuhan coronavirus. We also learned that as soon as we started to see instances of racism, violence against Asian Americans, that was a mistake. We stopped using that term. That is what we do as adults. We are not here to instigate racism. We are not here to instigate violence against any ethnic group. What we are here to do is actually defeat this pandemic. In that hearing, what we talked about is it is fine doing a travel ban from a country. That would buy us some time. But we also rightfully identified that that travel ban wasn't going to prevent the virus from coming to the United States. It wasn't going to protect us. We had to get ready. We squandered that time. Look, this is a virus. It doesn't understand a country of origin. It doesn't know whether you are a Democrat or Republican, what religion or God you worship. It is a virus. It is shameful for Members of this body or anyone to continue to use language that potentially incites violence against any of our fellow citizens. That is what this resolution is about. Let's actually learn from that. I don't call it by its geographic origin. It now has a name. At that time, it didn't have a name. It is called SARS-CoV2 or COVID-19. We ought to call it by its name. We should not willfully or intentionally use language that potentially incites violence against any of our fellow citizens, that incites racism. We should be better than that. Let's show the American public that we can actually learn, and let's lead by example. That is what we should be doing in the House of Representatives. Again, we called it by its area of origin because the virus didn't have a name. We have learned from that. We don't do that. And we shouldn't intentionally use terminology that would incite violence against any ethnic group, religious group, or any of our fellow citizens.

Mr. BERA

Mr. BERA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and celebrate the 100th birthday of Richard B. Blackwell from Sacramento, California. Mr. Blackwell was born on August 28, 1920, in Franklin, Indiana where he lived and worked on a family farm and graduated from the local high school. Mr. Blackwell went on to receive his Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing from Indiana University. Shortly after, he enlisted in the United States Navy in 1942 and attended Midshipmen's School. Mr. Blackwell served aboard the USS Colorado in the Pacific Theater during WWII as a Deck Gunnery Officer. He bravely served the United States and received the Purple Heart and seven stars for his time in the Asiatic Pacific Theatre and Philippine Liberation campaign. After four years of service, he was honorably discharged in 1946 and moved to California to pursue his career. Mr. Blackwell worked in marketing and insurance and worked his way to become Vice-President of Cal-Farm Insurance. In 1969 he married his late wife, Ana Maria Morales, and lived in Oakland before moving to Sacramento, where he still resides. I ask my colleagues to join me in sending Mr. Blackwell and his family best wishes and great thanks for his service to this country as they celebrate his 100th birthday today.

Mr. BERA

Mr. BERA. Mr. Speaker, as a doctor and public health expert, I know we don't defeat this virus until we have a safe and effective vaccine. It is time for the United States to work with the rest of world to develop that vaccine and inoculate the world. This bill allows U.S. global leadership to reemerge. The President may not want to lead, but let the world know the United States Congress is ready to lead and work with CEPI and the rest of the world to defeat this virus.

Mr. BERA

Mr. BERA. Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of National Police Week and to honor a fallen law enforcement officer who served my community, Sacramento County Sheriff's Deputy Mark Stasyuk. On September 17, 2018, Deputy Stasyuk and Officer Julie Robertson responded to a call at a local auto parts store. A gun battle ensued at the store and Deputy Stasyuk was killed in the line of duty. Sheriff's Deputy Mark Stasyuk was a four-and-a-half year veteran of the Sacramento County Sheriff's Office. Deputy Stasyuk was a beloved son, brother, and newlywed husband to his wife, Amy. He was a member of Sacramento County's vibrant Russian- American community, had a strong faith and a love of the outdoors. Deputy Stasyuk had planned on creating his wife's dream backyard at their new house. Tragically, he was killed before he could fulfill her dream. To honor his life and service, his fellow deupties at the Sacramento County Deputy Sheriff's Association stepped in--working with local contractors to make sure that the backyard was finished and could be a healing place for Amy and the Stasyuk family. This week in May marks the annual observance of National Police Week. Deputy Stasyuk's bravery and sacrifice for the Sacramento community and his fellow deputies' support of his family is a testament to the commitment to service that law enforcement officers bring to our communities every day. Today, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring all those have taken the oath to protect and serve, and who have fallen in the line of duty. We are forever grateful for Deputy Stasyuk's sacrifice, and he will not be forgotten.

Mr. BERA

Mr. BERA. Madam Speaker, as a doctor, I'm proud that the United States has been a leader in global health. Around the world, millions of people are healthier and more safe because of the efforts of the United States. Through smart and strategic investments in the State Department and USAID, we have led the international fight against diseases like HIV/AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis. We should all be proud of the far-reaching impact of our global health, development and humanitarian assistance programs. Several decades of leadership and investment in global health have not only saved the lives of people across the world, but have proved vital to protecting the health, security, and economic interests of Americans within our own borders. In our interconnected world, it can take 36 hours for a virus to travel from a remote village to all six continents. The sooner we act to contain a public health emergency abroad, the safer our citizens are back home. The urgent need to contain the COVID-19 pandemic and protect our constituents has reinforced the importance of contributing to global health challenges abroad. Since originating in China in December 2019, the virus has quickly spread to 170 countries and has now reached over 200,000 deaths worldwide. The United States has been hit particularly hard. With over 50,000 reported deaths, the pandemic is putting significant strain on our first responders and health systems. States are beginning to make the difficult decision whether to lift stay-at-home orders in hopes of jumpstarting the economy. But no matter how successful we are in fighting the pandemic here at home, we will never defeat it unless other parts of the world are equipped to prevent outbreaks from occurring in the first place and to contain them when they do occur. Left unaddressed globally, COVID-19 will find its way back to the U.S. Before the virus hit the U.S., the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warned that a staggering 70 percent of countries were underprepared to prevent, detect, and respond to a public health emergency. Many nations, particularly in the developing world, aren't equipped to deal with COVID-19 or future pandemics. Far too many countries suffer from weak health systems, with challenges such as unsafe water and inadequate sanitation tools to lack of health centers altogether. Other nations are reeling from years of conflict, natural disasters or other humanitarian conflicts, doing their best to support inadequate health systems already operating well below capacity. COVID-19 does not recognize borders. It doesn't know the difference between someone back in my district and one of the over 65 million forcibly displaced persons in the world. The secondary economic and food shortages have hit us hard here in the U.S. and we in Congress are doing our best to address them. The predictions for the future around the world are bleak--the World Food Program recently estimated that by the end of 2020 the number of people around the world who are starving could double, reaching 265 million people. All these risk factors around the world only increase the likelihood of this virus reemerging at our doorstep. They also leave us exposed to future public health threats. Now, more than ever, the U.S. must continue to lead on global health. As Congress works towards additional funding and response efforts to fight this global pandemic, it's critical that our actions include funding to fight COVID-19 around the world. Decades of U.S. global leadership in foreign assistance has shown us that smart and strategic investments are critical to protecting the homeland. Our efforts have defended the safety of our nation and saved countless lives. I ask my colleagues to join me in calling for the prioritizing of a U.S.-led global response to combatting coronavirus. If we don't keep one eye abroad, we unnecessarily leave our families, friends, and neighbors at risk.

Mr. BERA

Mr. BERA. Madam Speaker, we are in the middle of a global pandemic. This isn't a Republican virus or Democratic virus. It doesn't recognize the color of your skin or the country of your origin. It doesn't know what god you worship. We are in this together, not just as a city, a State, a country. We are in this together--all of us--and we will get out of this together. Let's find our human kindness and our better nature. We will persevere. We will be more resilient. And we will come out stronger and kinder and gentler.

Mr. BERA

Mr. BERA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today as a doctor and a public health expert, someone who has spent his time in Congress thinking about global health security and pandemic preparedness. I rise today because the novel coronavirus is on everyone's mind. We have to talk about it, and we have to think about how we got here, what we know, and where we are going. First, let's think about how we got here. If you think about it, in late 2019, we heard the first reports that there was a novel virus occurring in China. In early January, we saw China take unprecedented steps to enact containment, locking down Wuhan and large portions of their country. We had our first briefing about 7 or 8 weeks ago. At that briefing, I identified four areas that the administration really had to focus on: Number one, you need a command control structure. You have to identify one person who is not political and not partisan but is a public health expert who has that ability to work across the interagency process. Number two, you had to do an emergency supplemental and get resources out to the hospitals, the public health experts, et cetera, to make sure those who were on the front line had what they needed. Number three, we had to get our scientists and experts--we have the best in the world at the CDC and NIH--to the epicenter, to the hot zone in China. That was delayed not because we didn't want to get there, but the Chinese would not allow us direct access. Number four, we had to be transparent with the public. We had to let people know the facts as they were occurring. Fast-forward, 6 weeks ago, I held the first hearing in my Subcommittee on Asia, the Pacific, and Nonproliferation on what was going on. We focused on the first step: containment. It was evident at that hearing with the public experts that we had that you really couldn't contain this novel coronavirus now known as COVID-19. We knew, based on the public health recommendations, that we would likely be seeing community events and community spreading; that was pretty evident. We lost time. The fact that China tried to contain things gave us a little bit of time, but the fact that we didn't develop a test and we didn't put things in place really set us behind the eight ball. Two weeks ago, we had the first community case in my home county, Sacramento County. That patient was transferred to UC-Davis, which is my home facility. Based on that, we changed the testing criteria. We still don't have enough tests out there, but we changed the criteria to allow the health professionals, if they suspect a case of coronavirus, to be able to order that test. Now we have got a problem though. We don't have the tests that are available. We now are moving into the second phase of coronavirus, which is mitigation. In order to do that, Congress took the first important step last week with the $8.3 billion emergency supplemental. We have to get the resources, the protective gear, the masks, and the tests out to the community who is on the front line. The reason why I am saying that is, yesterday, we had the first community case in my home city of Elk Grove, in the school district. We had a grammar school child who tested positive. Both his parents have also tested positive. Elk Grove Unified School District became the first school district in northern California to shut down for a week. I don't know if that is the right move or the wrong move, but I understand, having spoken to the superintendent, the security and health of the children are paramount. Now we have to make sure that our folks on the front line and the folks who are having to make some of these decisions have the best advice possible. That is why we have got to make sure the CDC puts out guidelines and updates those guidelines on a regular basis. We have great personnel at the CDC: Director Redfield, Dr. Messonnier, and others. We have got to let them do their work. Even if it is not what the administration wants to hear and even if it is bad news, it is important for us to put out transparent information and guidance to the public. Now, I also got on the phone and talked to my hospital directors and others. What is concerning to me is they are starting to get those calls, et cetera. They still don't have the testing capabilities that they need. That is of paramount urgency right now. I applaud Vice President Pence for allowing the commercial sector to step in here and start developing those tests. Let's remove those bureaucratic barriers and give our private sector, public health labs, and academic health centers the support that they need to get testing capabilities up and running. Now, I think about this as a doctor. It is important for us at the local level to have good command control structures in place and good lines of communication. Let's let the doctors and the scientists do their jobs. Our job as Congress is to support those on the front line and make sure they have the resources that they need, and we will get through this.

Mr. BERA

Mr. BERA. Mr. Chair, I missed the following vote due to a committee hearing. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall No. 87. Amendment No. 9 Offered by Ms. Mucarsel-Powell

Mr. BERA

Mr. BERA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the life of Lina Fat. Born in Hong Kong, Lina moved to the United States to attend college in Tennessee. She eventually graduated from the University of California, San Francisco School of Pharmacy. She married Ken Fat in 1940 and worked as a pharmacist. Lina then made a career change and studied at the Culinary Institute of America, Le Cordon Bleu, and the Dickson Culinary School. In 1974, the Fat Family opened China Camp in Old Sacramento, which celebrated the Chinese connection to the Gold Rush. It was Lina's idea to base the menu on grilled meats and she became the chef of China Camp. Eventually, she became the Fat Family Restaurant Group's executive corporate chef and later the vice president of culinary research and development. In 2000, Lina was named businesswoman of the year by the Sacramento Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce. In 2007 she launched the Sacramento World Music and Dance Festival. Lina and her family also were generous supporters of the Asian American community and other civic efforts. I am pleased that the Sacramento Asian Pacific Chamber of Commerce will honor Lina's legacy by renaming its ``Small Business of the Year Award'' to the ``Fat Family Legacy Award.'' Madam Speaker, I invite my colleagues to join me in remembering Lina's life and her contributions to our community in Sacramento.

Mr. BERA

Mr. BERA. Mr. Speaker, I missed the following vote. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall No. 647.

Mr. BERA

Mr. BERA. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to talk about one of the great service-based programs in America, the AmeriCorps program. Since 1994, more than 1.1 million Americans have served in AmeriCorps. Today, more than 75,000 AmeriCorps members serve each year at over 21,000 locations across the country, including nonprofits, schools, public education agencies, and community and faith-based groups. AmeriCorps members come from all across this country. They are young men and women looking to learn leadership and give back to our country and our communities. They serve critical needs like fighting poverty, sustaining national parks, responding to and preparing for disasters, and mentoring youth. They mobilize and coordinate millions of volunteers to serve alongside them, which promotes a lasting impact on the volunteers and the communities that they serve. I was recently fortunate to speak at the induction ceremony for the AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps, one of three AmeriCorps programs. AmeriCorps NCCC members are assigned to one of four regional campuses, one being Sacramento, California, the district I represent. Before becoming AmeriCorps members, the inductees have to take the AmeriCorps member pledge; and, as I read that pledge, I thought this is something that we ought to think about as Members of Congress. Mr. Speaker, let me read that pledge to you right now. It says: I will get things done for America, to make our people safer, smarter, and healthier. I will bring Americans together to strengthen our communities. Faced with apathy, I will take action. Faced with conflict, I will seek common ground. Faced with adversity, I will persevere. I will carry this commitment with me this year and beyond. I am an AmeriCorps member, and I will get things done. Imagine, if these young Americans can take that pledge, what if we just changed that last line to ``I am a Member of Congress, and I will get things done''? We can learn something from these young people. Let's come together as a body. Let's emulate what we are teaching that next generation, and let's get things done, Congress.

Mr. BERA

Mr. BERA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the retirement of Major General Lawrence Haskins of the California Army National Guard. As Commander of the California Army National Guard, General Haskins oversees a force of over 18,000 soldiers. General Haskins has served for over 40 years and first enlisted in the California Army National Guard in July 1975. After 9/11, he was mobilized as the Commander of Task Force Guardian, a brigade in support of Operation NOBLE EAGLE III, providing extra force protection forces for 88 Army and Air Force installations across 21 Western states. In 2008, he became Chief of Staff of the CA Army National Guard. On April 1, 2011 General Haskins became the Deputy Commander, responsible for day to day operations. In October 2012, he assumed the duties of full time Commander. General Haskins has received numerous awards and decorations including the Legion of Merit, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, and the Army Achievement Medal. Madam Speaker, I invite my colleagues to join me in thanking Major General Haskins for his service to the state of California and our nation. We wish him the best in his next stage in life.