Jim Costa

Mr. COSTA

Mr. COSTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to talk about the challenges that we face, not only in my constituency as it relates to California agriculture, but a host of other issues as well. We are in the process of trying to reauthorize the farm bill, something we do every 4 years. It used to be--and we hope it will continue this year--one of the more bipartisan efforts we are engaged in. I represent not only the heartland of the San Joaquin Valley, but third-generation farmer. Last week--as I do every weekend when I go home--I was walking the rows of the almond trees on my ranch outside of Fresno, California. They are beautiful. They are in full bloom this time of year. There is not a time, though, in the year, in the San Joaquin Valley, where the incredible bounty of the 300 crops that we grow are not on display because they are always out there. The blossoms in the spring grow into the almonds, walnuts, and pistachios until late summer. Tomatoes are harvested in August and September, followed by cotton in October and November. The dairymen and dairy processors work every day because those cows have to be milked every day year-round to produce the finest quality milk, cheese, and butter. As I walked through my orchard, I remembered the countless stories and insights by my fellow California farmers, ranchers, dairymen and - women shared with me over the past year, and I think about my father, who farmed all of his life, and my grandfather. In anticipation of the 2018 farm bill, I have held round tables and listening sessions, attended agriculture townhalls, and met with our farmers and farm workers, who, every day, work so hard to put those food products on America's dinner table. I have done this to hear firsthand the concerns and priorities of our local producers, farm workers, and nutrition organizations regarding our Nation's food supply. I have also had numerous meetings with key agriculture and trade officials, including Agriculture Secretary Perdue, who has been out to California a number of times. And as we in Congress move together with farm bill negotiations, we must maintain strong support for the cultivation and production of fresh fruits and vegetables, which are the foundation of a healthy diet. California produces over half of the Nation's fruits and vegetables. It is truly amazing. Three hundred crops. We must also make sure that we do not abandon our Nation's most vulnerable through inhumane cuts to the nutrition programs that provide a steady source of food to our Nation's food supply. We are talking about our safety net, we are talking about the SNAP program, and we are talking about Women, Infants, and Children. This has been part of the glue on a bipartisan basis that has kept Democrats and Republicans together in the reauthorization of the farm bill. But we must have a safety net for those who are most unfortunate in our society. We should work to expand foreign markets for our products and to incentivize sound conservation practices and research. Research is very important to ensure the sustainability. Sustainability is critical--and continued growth of American agriculture. We have the opportunity with the farm bill to address the crippling agriculture labor crisis afflicting our farms, and it must be addressed as we look at a broken immigration system that not only impacts our Dreamers--the DACA program--but a reliable supply of farm labor. These are all among the issues that we must address to ensure that our Nation's food supply is reliable, because, guess what, it is a national security issue. People don't look at it that way. People go into the grocery store and they think: Well, what is the problem; grocery stores have all the food in the world. They go to the restaurants, and they have all the food that you need. But the food doesn't go to the grocery store or to those restaurants without it being grown by America's men and women who labor--less than 3 percent of the Nation's population--to produce the finest, highest quality, greatest yield, most nutritious food anywhere in the world, every night on America's dinner table. That is why we must come together--Democrats and Republicans--to improve our Nation's food supply by passing a strong, bipartisan farm bill. Fifth Anniversary of Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act

Mr. COSTA

Mr. COSTA. Mr. Chair, as I had said, it is time to make these important changes, and this bipartisan legislation does that. It protects our children, providing them the ability to confront their abusers, including those who knowingly promote and advertise these crimes. Mr. Chair, I thank the gentlewoman, and I am thankful for the bipartisan leadership in this effort.

Mr. COSTA. Mr. Chair, I thank the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson Lee) for her leadership on this important issue. Mr. Chair, as the co-chair of the Victims' Rights Caucus with my colleague Congressman Ted Poe, I am a proud cosponsor of this important legislation for victims in America who have suffered from these crimes. A free and open internet, we all believe, is essential to economic growth, entrepreneurship, and enterprise in the 21st century, and America leads the way. This new technology age has reshaped our lives and allowed for greater access to learning, greater ability to shape our own futures as Americans, and with economic benefits we could not have imagined 15 years ago. Sadly, there are some people who look at these freedoms and the openness of the internet and see ways to exploit, abuse, and prey on innocent children and teenagers in the name of profit. It is outrageous, and it is a crime. I am speaking of the scourge of sex trafficking, which has impacted the lives of too many young people in the San Joaquin Valley that I represent and throughout America. Today, here in Congress, we look squarely at traffickers, pimps, and victimizers and say we must do a better job in protecting our citizens. As a result of this legislation, our laws will no longer be manipulated and used as a cover for their abuse. No longer will these people be able to hide behind the shield that the internet provides you when knowingly contributing to this horrible crime. The Fresno Bee, a local daily newspaper in the San Joaquin Valley, recently ran a 6-week-long series about human trafficking in the Valley. The paper reported that nearly every 16-year-old girl in Fresno has been approached at one time or another by sex traffickers. Imagine that: nearly every 16-year-old girl in our county. Police have seen sex trafficking victims from every high school in Fresno County and most of the junior high schools. It is horrible. This is a tragedy, and it cannot and should not be allowed to continue. Today, we say it is time to make important changes. This legislation does that. It will help protect our children and provide them the ability to confront their abusers.

Mr. COSTA. Mr. Chair, I include in the Record these excerpts from a series of articles entitled ``Slaves of the Sex Trade'' by Rory Appleton from the Fresno Bee: ``Don't kid yourself. Sex slaves are all around us--and you may know some of them'' (November 2, 2017), ``She was a hospital worker. He sold her for sex before, during and after her shifts'' (November 2, 2017), ``Police: 'Every 16-year-old girl in Fresno' has been targeted by sex trade recruiters'' (November 9, 2017), ``Once sold for sex, she now helps lead the fight against human trafficking'' (November 15, 2017), ``How do you rescue women forced to walk the streets at night? It's not easy'' (November 16, 2017), ``To break the cycle of children sold for sex, the legal system is trying something new'' (November 28, 2017), ``All of us must help beat the scourge of human trafficking. Here's what you can do'' (December 7, 2017). The full series can be found at http://www.fresnobee.com/news/ special-reports/human-trafficking/. These seven articles demonstrate the impact of sex trafficking on our communities. I commend the Fresno Bee on their important reporting. [From the Fresno Bee, Nov. 2, 2017] Don't Kid Yourself. Sex Slaves Are All Around Us--and You May Know Some of Them (By Rory Appleton) Rebecca Rodriguez-Brown still remembers the room where he imprisoned her--the charming man she met and fell in love with while still a teenager. She mapped it out with her hands as she sat in a central Fresno office nearly 20 years later. ``They would have a little microwave there, and they would have a little ice chest right there by the sink,'' she said. ``I still remember the color of the ice chest.'' Rodriguez-Brown isn't sure whether the room was in an apartment or hotel. But she does remember that for seven months she was kept in this room under guard and forced to perform whatever sex act the strangers entering the room asked for. The room was punishment for refusing to do the same at her trafficker's home. Her captors brought her all of her meals. If she defied them, she'd be beaten--sometimes with her hands bound. The Bee normally does not identify the victims of sexual assault, however Rodriguez-Brown agreed to be named. Her story is not uncommon in Fresno, or anywhere in the world. It is one of cyclical abuse, habitual arrest and unspeakable trauma. Women and children are bought and sold every day in Fresno--online, in street corners, while at school. They are raped, branded and beaten. They are taught that they are the problem, not the people who force them into this life--causing psychological scars that may never heal. It is what many refer to as ``modern-day slavery.'' Full article is available at: http://www.fresnobee.com/ news/special-reports/human-trafficking/article182090031.html ____ [From the Fresno Bee, Nov. 2, 2017] She Was a Hospital Worker. He Sold Her for Sex Before, During and After Her Shifts (By Rory Appleton) At her lowest point, the days seemed to stretch on forever. Eight hours a day as a hospital administrator, five hours-- sometimes more--as a prostitute. He would wake her up at 4 a.m. to walk the streets. She hated it--not that the house calls were much better. But when she begged to stop, he would convince her the fault was hers. Eventually, she would apologize and allow him to drop her off before the sun was up. ``He wanted at least $300 before I went to work at the hospital,'' she said. So she would work the streets for three hours before starting an eight-hour day scheduling appointments in the nephrology unit of a San Diego hospital--a job she had enjoyed before she met him. He eventually forced her to have sex with men during her lunch break, in addition to before and after work. On the weekends, he took her to neighboring cities--a common tactic to avoid law enforcement or reach a new clientele. ``If it were up to him, I would have never slept,'' she said. The mood-altering drug Xanax helped with the anxiety stemming from the intense guilt she felt. She was ashamed to talk to her friends and family--not that she could have if she wanted to. He had her phone now, and he made sure she never heard about her mother's attempts to contact her. This woman, now 34, is one of thousands who are sex- trafficked in California each year and one of hundreds of victims now living in the central San Joaquin Valley. Full article available at: http://www.fresnobee.com/news/ special-reports/human-trafficking/article182089821.html ____ [From the Fresno Bee, Nov. 9, 2017] Police: `Every 16-Year-Old Girl in Fresno' Has Been Targeted by Sex Trade Recruiters (By Rory Appleton) It was about 2 p.m. on a Tuesday when the 15-year-old girl left her central Fresno hotel room. She climbed into a car driven by a stranger, who would take her to another stranger with whom she had agreed to have sex for money. If it had been a few minutes later, the girl could have easily blended in with children walking home from school. She was not dressed provocatively; she wore a red Fresno State sweatshirt and jeans. She was not wearing excessive makeup. She carried a backpack. Who knows how many times she had followed this pattern-- strange men and strange cars. Online advertisements showed her in various states of undress. That's how the vice unit of the Fresno Police Department found her. Today, these strangers were both undercover officers. Tonight, she will be safe. ``She said she hasn't eaten in five days,'' Sgt. Curt Chastain said. ``No real family--an unreported runaway. She's in the sex trade to survive.'' ``She wants help,'' he continued. ``She wants to be in school, but mom won't sign her up.'' One of Chastain's undercover detectives confirmed this is not a rare occurrence. ``I've had (sex trafficking) victims from every high school in Fresno County--and most junior high schools,'' the detective said. The Fresno Bee is not identifying him due to the sensitivity of his work. These traffickers, he added, use a variety of tactics to lure children and young women into ``the life.'' Full article available at: http://www.fresnobee.com/news/ special-reports/human-trafficking/article183592286.html ____ [From the Fresno Bee, Nov. 15, 2017] Once Sold for Sex, She Now Helps Lead the Fight Against Human Trafficking (By Rory Appleton) Arien Pauls doesn't look like someone who's been through hell. She flashes an easy smile as she speaks. Her voice is soft, but her words are deliberate and flow with eloquence. She has a distinct rockabilly style, with one arm bearing a tattoo modeled from Disney's ``The Little Mermaid'' and a hair clip featuring two large pink roses. Looking at her, it's hard to imagine that a man she loved forced her into slavery. For four years, Pauls was sold for sex on streets and in hotel rooms across the western half of the United States. She was barred from contacting her friends or family. She was arrested multiple times and treated like a criminal--a stigma that even now, five years later, is difficult to shake. Her worst moments seem unimaginable. Pauls' trafficker--a man she believed to be her boyfriend-- refused to take her to a hospital when one of the men he sold her to raped her. When she became pregnant with her trafficker's baby, he forced her into an illegal, late-term abortion. When her reeling body began to produce breast milk after the abortion, her trafficker saw it as a moneymaker: Those with certain fetishes would pay extra now, he told her. It took a daring late-night escape--her trafficker's SUV roaring behind her getaway car on a Las Vegas street--to get out of that life. But once she returned to Fresno, her arrest record kept her from working in her chosen career, and she has struggled with the mental scars inflicted during her past life. Full article available at: http://www.fresnobee.com/news/ special-reports/human-trafficking/article184943988.html ____ [From the Fresno Bee, Nov. 16, 2017] How Do You Rescue Women Forced to Walk the Streets at Night? It's Not Easy (By Rory Appleton) For decades, the women rescued from the hotel rooms and apartments in Fresno where they had been raped, beaten and forced to have sex with strangers for money had few alternatives. The first--and it was seldom optional--was jail. They could also go to rehab, provided they had a drug problem. But more often than not, they returned to the sex trade. That is no longer the case. In 2012, human trafficking became a crime in California, carrying with it new language for dealing with the crime and harsher penalties for traffickers. Local law enforcement found success against traffickers by treating girls and women in the sex trade as victims, not complicit criminals. Over the past few years, a growing network of advocates has added new avenues of help for the hundreds of women who are trafficked. These groups have provided victims with shelter, counseling and the tools to rebuild their lives. Many who work with human trafficking victims consider the practice to be modern-day slavery. If that's true, this advocacy coalition is the underground railroad. Full article available at: http://www.fresnobee.com/news/ special-reports/human-trafficking/article184943793.html ____ [From the Fresno Bee, Nov. 28, 2017] To Break the Cycle of Children Sold for Sex, the Legal System is Trying Something New (By Rory Appleton) Defense attorney Kristin Maxwell remembers when a client came to her Fresno office shortly after being discharged from a hospital. The teenage girl had been beaten, raped and dumped in a neighboring county. Police found her unconscious, lying naked in an alley. ``There are some parts of the body that bruise easily, and some that don't,'' said Maxwell, who's worked in the Fresno County Public Defender's office for 11 years. ``Looking at her, you knew she had been through it. She had been beaten really badly.'' This case stands out for its brutality, Maxwell said. But it was the sheer number of human trafficking cases crossing her desk when she took control of the Public Defender's juvenile office in 2015 that shocked her into action. The legal community has partnered with advocacy groups, law enforcement and the Fresno County Probation Department to improve the criminal justice system in an effort to get children out of the sex trade permanently. Their work will soon bear fruit: On Jan. 19, Fresno County's juvenile court will establish a courtroom dedicated solely to human trafficking cases. This new court--patterned after similar courts in Sacramento, Los Angeles and other California counties--will allow a judge with specialized training to work with the various partner agencies to ensure children caught up in the sex trade receive help that's customized for their needs. Full article available at: http://www.fresnobee.com/news/ special-reports/human-trafficking/article186937063.html ____ [From the Fresno Bee, Dec. 7, 2017] All of Us Must Help Beat the Scourge of Human Trafficking. Here's What You Can Do (By Rory Appleton) Pimps have ensnared Fresno middle-school students who were selling their bodies for extra spending money. Young women have been tricked, blackmailed and forced into having sex with strangers to support men they believed were their boyfriends. People--especially children--with low self- esteem, mental illness, unstable home lives or living in poverty are the preferred targets of an industry operating in the shadows. Human trafficking is a complex issue. Police, advocacy groups and the Fresno legal community have formed a unique partnership to tackle the growing problem in new ways. But what can the rest of Fresno do to fight human trafficking? Talking to your children or younger family members about the issue can educate them and help keep them out of harm's way. Nonprofits that help trafficking victims would welcome financial donations. Residents can urge governments to allocate more resources to those policing and prosecuting traffickers. And far larger strides can be made to address a major underlying issue in the sex trade: the people, mostly men, who buy sex. Full article available at: http://www.fresnobee.com/news/ special-reports/human-trafficking/article188526804.html

Mr. COSTA

Mr. COSTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Ms. Theresa DiMaggio as the Heroine of the Month for California's 16th Congressional District. Theresa is a fierce advocate for veterans. She has dedicated her career to ensuring that veterans receive only the best care and treatment. Why? She is a veteran herself. For over 11 years she has worked in the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, including the VA medical facility in Fresno, California, which serves veterans in my district, an important hospital. Here, I had the pleasure to work with Theresa to make sure that our San Joaquin Valley veterans and their families received the high-quality care and service they deserve. Theresa will continue to serve our veterans in the Veterans Administration San Diego Healthcare System. We will miss her in our valley. Stephen Bauman, the director of the Fresno VA hospital, described Theresa in this way: In my 40 years in working with the Federal Government, I have rarely worked with someone that is so focused on supporting our fellow veterans. Theresa's dedication and her commitment to our Nation's heroes is unparalleled. She works tirelessly to ensure each veteran is provided the best support possible and has truly been an inspiration to me. She will be missed by all of us who worked with her. Theresa is a veteran herself. She proudly served, as I said, this country in the United States Army. Altogether, she has been serving our Nation honorably for 19 years, an incredible record. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the outstanding service of Theresa DiMaggio, her strong commitment to supporting our veterans, and the example that she has set for all of us. We cannot thank her enough for her service to our country. Congratulations on a job well done, and God bless.

Mr. COSTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak about the vital role that mentors play in the lives of young people every day. Mentors provide our young people with guidance and support at a time when they begin to make important decisions that will affect their lives forever. Mentoring programs have demonstrated positive impacts on youth across the country. Young people who meet regularly with their mentors are 46 percent less likely to use illegal drugs. Young people who are at risk for dropping out of high school but who had mentors are 55 percent more likely to enroll in college and 78 percent more likely to begin volunteering regularly in their own communities. We have great mentoring programs in our San Joaquin Valley that I have the honor and privilege to represent filled with individuals dedicated to providing support and guidance to youth. Some of the critical programs include, but are not limited to, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central California, Focus Forward, and Care Fresno. When I was a senior at Fresno State, just a few years ago, I was a mentor in the Big Brother program. And let me tell you, my little brother, Phillip Yancey, I still remember to this day. I thought I was doing a good thing by giving some of my time, but I will tell you that I gained much more in appreciation for the challenges that this young man had. For the 18 months I was his mentor, I hope I made a difference; but, clearly, I know that Phillip made a difference in my life. So, it is a two-way street. Mentoring is not just helping those young people in our communities, but, I will tell you, it is a rewarding experience. Sadly, still, there are an estimated 9 million young people throughout the United States who do not have mentors or positive adult role models as a part of their lives outside of their home. That is why I join with many of my colleagues in cosponsoring the resolution to make January National Mentoring Month. We need to raise awareness of the significant roles that mentors play in the lives of young people across the United States, and we need to promote the creation and expansion of quality mentoring programs. Lastly, I want to take a moment to thank out there all who have participated in various types of mentoring programs across this great country of ours. You are making a difference. Honoring Theresa DiMaggio

Mr. COSTA

Mr. COSTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today along with my colleagues Mr. Clyburn, Mr. Lewis, and Ms. Waters, to pay tribute and honor the life of Reverend Dr. James Hester Hargett. Reverend Dr. Hargett was a community and civil rights activist who dedicated his life to helping others. He passed away on January 1, 2018 at the age of 87. His presence will be greatly missed by those who had the opportunity to know him. James Hester Hargett was born on July 24, 1930 in Greensboro, North Carolina to Reverend F.A. and Mrs. Florence Hargett. Throughout his childhood and into high school, he forged a love for reading, music, and extra-curricular activities. Following his graduation from Dudley High School, he attended Johnson C. Smith University in Charlotte, North Carolina. He graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Political Science. While attending university, James met the love of his life Louilyn Funderburk and married her in 1954. In his senior year of college, he responded to the call of Christian service; the culmination of his childhood and influences from a professor in college. Reverend Dr. Hargett would go on to earn a Masters of Divinity from Yale University Divinity School. Shortly after his graduation in 1955, he was named Associate Minister at the Church of Crossroads in Honolulu, Hawaii. After three years in Hawaii, James moved to Los Angeles in 1958 to join the Congregational Church of Christian Fellowship, United Church of Christ. The predominately African-American church focused on social justice in the community while also initiating change in vital areas. This included the development of a mental health clinic for low income earners, a student transportation program for overcrowded schools, and an enrichment program for minority students. James would march with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama in 1965. He also helped organize the Poor People's Resurrection City in Washington, D.C. In 1969, James became the Secretary for Black Ministries, United Church of Christ Council for Church and Ministry in New York City. Through this role, he mentored young people and facilitated the creation of scholarships for seminary education. His journey would eventually take him to New Jersey, Chicago, and San Diego. No matter where he served, Reverend Dr. Hargett's ministry always focused on the recruitment of African Americans in Christian service in addition to community advocacy, education, human relations, mental health, and social justice. Reverend Dr. Hargett retired after 42 years of service to the United Church of Christ in 1997. He was named Pastor Emeritus of the Christian Fellowship Congregational Church, UCC, San Diego. Following his retirement, he was awarded numerous honors, including being named a Living Legend by the United Black Christians and the Ministers for Racial, Social and Economic Justice of the United Church of Christ, General Assembly. James leaves behind his beloved wife of 63 years Louilyn, daughters Meloni and Hester and son Darryl; sons-in-law Joseph and Eric; 5 grandchildren and numerous cherished family members and friends. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join us on this day for a moment of silence in memory of the life and service of Reverend Dr. James Hester Hargett. His generous spirit and selfless way of living should serve as an example to us all. Reverend Dr. Hargett's memory will live on through the contributions he made to countless individuals. It is my honor to join his family and many friends in celebrating his life.

Mr. COSTA

Mr. COSTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak about our need to invest in America, to invest in our future. Sound infrastructure is literally and figuratively the foundation of our Nation's economy. But, for quite some time, we in Washington have not provided the critical funding for our infrastructure projects that our communities around the country need. We must stop living off the investments that our parents and grandparents made generations ago and, instead, start intelligently investing in our infrastructure again. The American Society of Civil Engineers estimates that, to update our infrastructure system, we need to make an investment of over $1 trillion. And, of course, the President has talked about such a bipartisan package. One key to intelligent investment is the Federal Government matching infrastructure funds for State and local governments. This is needed, and it has been historic to, in fact, make these projects a reality. As we see from our history, infrastructure projects in this country move forward most effectively when we have a combination of local, State, and Federal dollars to invest. Across the country, State and local governments are raising funds to repair and improve infrastructure, often making tough political choices for raising taxes or making difficult decisions when required to do so. This is happening both in red and blue States alike. In all three of the counties in my district, Merced, Madera, and Fresno Counties, they have voted to increase their local sales tax by a half cent in order to pay for essential transportation projects, including road repairs and construction of new road systems and highways. Last year, the California State Legislature and the Governor enacted a bill to increase the State gas tax and vehicle fees to pay for bridges, roads, and other transportation improvement projects over the next 10 years. Currently, these are tough decisions, tough political decisions, but the policy implications, notwithstanding the political risks, are worth it. Our State and local leaders in California have taken these risks. It is the right thing to do. It takes dollars to fill potholes. That is the bottom line. To repair bridges and improve road systems, it takes dollars. It is not magic. And now the Federal Government needs to step up and face the challenge head on. We need to be responsible in our Nation's Capital. I have been working hard for years to improve the infrastructure in California's San Joaquin Valley, both in the statehouse and now here in Congress, and we have made some progress. But what we are lacking is the Federal component. It is essential that we build a transportation and water infrastructure system to meet the 21st century system needs, not only of California, but of our entire Nation, and the valley I have the honor and privilege to represent. We need a more reliable water system to supply our farms and cities that are growing, and with climate change, we know we have to take that into account. We also need a better 21st century system of transportation. What is missing? I will tell you what is missing: Federal funding; Federal participation. To make this happen, we in Congress should incentivize States and local governments like in California and the counties I represent that have already raised funds for these projects, with a Federal funding stream that will complement these State and local efforts. California and the San Joaquin Valley are already doing their part, and we need, here in Washington, to do our part to invest in our country's future. This will require Democrats and Republicans to work together to engage in a serious bipartisan deliberation and negotiations this year to make this national infrastructure project a reality. Last week, we in the Problem Solvers Caucus released a report to the State of our Nation's infrastructure and made bipartisan recommendations on how we get there. These recommendations can serve as a foundation for consensus on which bipartisan collaboration can build the policy that repairs, advances, and invests in America's infrastructure. Although we have not seen a lot of bipartisan deliberative policymaking here lately, I am urging my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to show some profiles in courage. We must come together to invest in America's infrastructure if we expect to have the capacity for the economic development and innovation for the future of America in the 21st century. I have made this a priority throughout my years of service in the San Joaquin Valley, both in Sacramento and now in Washington, D.C. I invite my colleagues to join me in investing in America's infrastructure; work with the President; work on a bipartisan basis. After all, that is what we are supposed to do in investing in America's infrastructure and, therefore, our future. This has been our tradition in the past and how we have gotten great projects completed, and this is the kind of investment we need to make today for America's infrastructure. Let us work together. It is the right thing to do.

Mr. COSTA

Mr. COSTA. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Texas for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to stand with the DREAMers, both those living throughout the great San Joaquin Valley whom I have the honor and the privilege to represent, as well as those across the entire United States. We in the valley--as we like to say--and throughout our Nation are, let us remember, a nation of immigrants, past and present. So we know the integral role, both historically and today, that immigrants have played throughout the great history of our Nation in terms of the development of our economy and our communities. The contributions that have been made are the story of America. And our DREAMers, these young immigrants, also make immense contributions, and their story is a part of America's story. It is estimated that roughly 685,000 of our Nation's workers, our DREAMers, with protections through the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA, program, that if we, in fact, remove them as some are maybe suggesting, it would impact over $460 billion to our Nation's economy, to our GDP. Think about that. In my home State of California, it is estimated that there are over 193,000 DREAMers who are currently legal, who are working and contributing with these DACA protections, and that removing them from the workforce in California would cost an estimated $11.6 billion to the GDP of California. Does this make any sense? No. But the DREAMers also serve in our military, protecting our Nation both at home and abroad, in harm's way. They are our friends. They are our neighbors. They are deacons in our local churches, and many of them are students, hoping to contribute to the betterment of America. They, too, want to be a part--and they are, in fact--of the American Dream. In my district alone, we have over 600 DREAMers at the University of California, Merced, and more than that at my alma mater, Fresno State University. But these DREAMers are young men and women. They are not just numbers. These are people. They are people, many of whom we have trusted to be a part of our country, to uphold its word, when they basically enrolled to be a part of the DACA program. Just today, I spoke to two DREAMers in my office. One of them is a remarkable young person, currently getting her Ph.D. in physics--she is 27 years old--at the University of California, Merced, focusing her research on solar energy. Just think about this: helping America with the next generation of our energy development. Her name is Bo. She hopes to work in renewable energy when she gets her Ph.D., but now with the possible removal of DACA, her future is uncertain. She came here when she was 3 years old. Her DACA protections expire in less than 1 year. Another DREAMer I spoke to today was a student body president while working on his bachelor's degree at Fresno State, my alma mater. His name is Pedro. He has graduated now. He has earned his master's degree in public policy and urban affairs and is contributing to the economy of our valley and to our State. His DACA protections expire within months. Think about that. Think about the gravity of these two students, Bo and Pedro. In less than a year, they don't know if they are going to be here. This is their country, as far as they are concerned. Our DREAMers have shared stories time and time again of uncertainty and fear that is gripping their families and our communities as they are forced to wait and see if the only home that they have ever known, this country, will keep its word when they enrolled in the DACA program and create the protections that allow them to stay here and ultimately become citizens. That is the question. That is what we are trying to achieve. So I stand here today to say to my colleagues, as Members of the Congress, we all take an oath every 2 years. We swear to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States from all enemies, foreign and domestic, and to promote, guess what, the general welfare for the good of our country. Well, that is what this is all about, promoting the most positive things that can be a part of our country. These DREAMers are a part of that. So this has to be a part of our permanent solution. Eighty-six percent of the people in this country support providing legal designation for these DREAMers, and it is imperative that we do the right thing. This is America. I will continue to work with my colleagues on the Congressional Hispanic Caucus and other Members of Congress in a bipartisan fashion to ensure that we do the right thing. This is the American way. More than just protecting these young people, America needs a stable, just, and commonsense immigration policy. Let's face it, our immigration system is broken. I will continue to work on a bipartisan basis for comprehensive immigration reform more broadly so that we don't end up back right where we are here today in bickering and in partisan, piecemeal, and often contradictory fashion that does nothing to fix our broken immigration system. We must improve the dialogue and the debate. This problem is very solvable. It really is. Let's get past the political posturing, let's fix DACA and provide support for our DREAMers, let's move on in the second phase, which the President has suggested, and let's work on the other elements. We are for border security. It is important. We all support border security. Let's do the other things that are a part of fixing this broken immigration system. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Texas for recognizing me.

Mr. COSTA. Mr. Speaker, the gentleman is absolutely correct. That is why this debate is so important and that is why we must come together not just on behalf of Bo and Pedro, as I cited their examples, but for the 800,000-plus DREAMers across this country and their families. This is just good common sense. It is the right thing to do and it is the thing that we must do to move our Nation on a positive track. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for all his hard work. I am honored to be a part of this Special Order.

Mr. COSTA

Mr. COSTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise to oppose this amendment--I think it is in the wrong direction--and to support the underlying bill. The bill, I think, strikes a balance. Americans cherish and strongly want us to protect their privacy. We all agree on that, and I think this bill threads the needle. The underlying bill protects our Fourth Amendment through the FISA process through this improved effort. We know we live in a dangerous world. Terrorism is a constant threat that we all clearly understand. When we take our oath of office, we swear to protect and defend our Nation from all enemies, foreign and domestic. I believe this underlying bill does that with increased transparency. Clearly, it is not perfect. We never vote on any perfect legislation. But this is an improved piece of legislation. The amendment is an overreach in the wrong direction. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the underlying bill.

Mr. COSTA

Mr. COSTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to talk about the national debt and our shared future. Our country has been on an unsustainable fiscal path, regardless of which party has been in power, and we all know this. As a result, our national debt is the largest it has ever been. As of this week, the national debt is in excess of $20 trillion. This works out to be an average of $62,670 debt for every man, woman, and child in the United States. It is outrageous. It is a completely unacceptable amount of debt, and we have it because of irresponsible governing and a lack of political courage here in our Nation's Capital. Sadly, this Congress has chosen to continue this irresponsible and unsustainable fiscal course. The tax cut legislation that Republicans rammed through the Congress last month will add $1.45 billion to our deficit over 10 years, estimated, and over $2.2 trillion to our national debt. We are going in the wrong direction. But there is something I think that I have learned about this tax legislation last month, and that is that it seems that deficits matter under Democratic administrations, but under Republican administrations, deficits don't matter at all. So when it comes to lifting our debt ceiling later this year, I would expect or hope to see every Republican who voted for the tax bill that adds $2.2 trillion to our deficit--our debt to vote to increase the debt ceiling, seeing as deficits no longer matter. Let's think about this $2.2 trillion tax bill that will add to our debt. That is $2.2 trillion in additional moneys that our children will have to pay for unless we do something. We can be fiscally responsible, and we must be fiscally responsible. But to act to change this course, we must stop digging this hole bigger. I had a farmer friend who once told me: Jim, I've got a theory about holes, and that is, once you find yourself in one, just stop digging. Sometimes you think if you dig harder and faster, you're going to get out of it. Just stop. Mr. Speaker, this will be difficult, especially considering the opportunity we missed to put the Nation back on a fiscally responsible path with the tax reform effort last year. Yet there are important steps that we can take--and Congress should--to balance our budget and to keep it from getting worse, like the amendment proposed by Representative Stephanie Murphy from Florida, a balanced budget amendment. We should also move to implement targeted reforms on government spending, both mandatory and discretionary spending, in ways that contribute to economic growth and invest in our future. It is tough work. It requires political courage and the willingness to reach across the aisle, for Democrats and Republicans to join hands and jump, in essence, on these tough decisions. The last time we had such an opportunity to address the challenge was in March of 2012, when Congressman Jim Cooper from Tennessee presented a budget resolution similar to the recommendations under Simpson- Bowles. That plan would have reduced the deficit over $4 trillion over a 10-year period. Sadly, the political courage was in short supply then on that day, as it is now. There were 38 of us who were willing to support the plan. I was attacked by political groups on the left and on the right for taking such a vote, but that vote was the right thing to do and I was proud to take it. Congress has a chance to do the right thing now. Congress has to come together. We need Democrats and Republicans to put our Nation's fiscal house back in order for the sake of all Americans. The Blue Dog Coalition, of which I am a co-chair, has a long history of standing for fiscal responsibility, even when it was hard. Bridging the divide between Republicans and Democrats, both in Congress and this administration, is what we must do. So as we are debating today how to put together the votes for the concurrent resolution to fund our Nation's budget for the rest of this year, let's think about this. Let's work together. What a novel concept. As I stand here today, as a Blue Dog, as a proud Representative of California's 16th Congressional District, and as a concerned American, ready to reach across the aisle to create the bipartisan, long-term policy solutions that will help us tackle our national debt and our deficit, and that will help put us back on a fiscally sustainable path, I invite my colleagues and my fellow Americans to join me. This is what good governance is really all about. This is where responsible leadership is necessary. It is what Americans want and need, and it is what we should be doing.

Mr. COSTA

Mr. COSTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to stand with the DREAMers, both in the San Joaquin Valley and throughout our country. Protecting our DREAMers is the responsible, moral, and just thing to do. The majority of Americans want legal protection for our DREAMers, and Congress must listen. I have been listening to those who have visited my offices, university presidents, religious organizations, my constituents, who simply want us to provide legalization for these individuals who have come to this country at an average age of 6 years of age. This is the only country they have ever known. Passing the Dream Act is a priority for Democrats and has strong support for many Republicans. We just need to vote on the bill. I am a cosponsor of the Dream Act, and I have joined nearly 200 of my colleagues signing a discharge petition to bring this legislation to the floor. I now call on my Republican colleagues to do the right thing and allow a vote on the Dream Act. I will continue to advocate for policies that protect our DREAMers. I urge our DREAMers to continue to make their voices heard, as they have across this country, and to urge people in Congress to do the right thing. We must stay vigilant in our efforts to protect these individuals, and we as Americans understand what these individuals mean to our country. Pass the Dream Act now.

Mr. COSTA

Mr. COSTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Dr. David Zoldoske on the occasion of his retirement after 35 years of dedicated service to the Jordan College of Agricultural Sciences and Technology at California State University, Fresno (Fresno State). He has been a leader in the effort for sustainable irrigation techniques across California. David earned his Bachelor's degree in Agricultural Economics from Fresno State. He worked as a student research assistant, specializing in irrigation, before being hired as a full-time research technician in 1983. David has worked at Fresno State for over 30 years. He currently serves as Director for the Center for Irrigation and Technology, the California Water Institute, and was also named the Executive Director of Water Initiatives at Fresno State. Through this capacity, he guides the university's water technology, water resource management, and policy initiatives. David has served in a number of leadership positions throughout his career. He served as the President of the Irrigation Association, and the American Society of Agronomy California Chapter. David was also the founding Executive Director for the Water Resources and Policy Initiative for the California State University System, Senior Fellow with the California Council on Science and Technology, as well as member of the ``SMART'' Water Application Executive Committee. David has also been named an Honorary Member of the American Society of Irrigation Consultants. David has been a member of the California Department of Food and Agricultural Nitrogen Tracking and Reporting Task Force. He was Co- Chair of the Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance Committee, Vice- Chair of the California Department of Water Resources Strategic Planning Caucus for New Water Technology, and served as a member of the A-2 Subcommittee to the SBx7-Agriculture Stakeholders Committee. Over the years, David has received numerous awards from his colleagues and peers. This includes being named ``Person of the Year'' by both the Irrigation Association in 2013 and the California Irrigation Institute in 2015. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I applaud Dr. David Zoldoske for his many years of tireless work on behalf of the Central Valley. His dedication to education is extremely commendable. I have personally worked with David for years in my capacity as a Member of Congress and I can proudly call him my friend. I ask my colleagues to join me today in recognizing the commitment, dedication and success of Dr. David Zoldoske, and wish him well as he embarks on new endeavors.

Mr. COSTA

Mr. COSTA. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall Vote 642, I had intended to vote ``nay'' when I voted ``yea.''

Mr. COSTA

Mr. COSTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate California's Sikh American Awareness and Appreciation Month and to recognize the contributions that Sikh Americans have made not only in California, but throughout the country. This community originally came from Punjab, India, like other immigrant groups from all over the world, to have a better life for themselves and for their children. In 1910, the Sikhs had become a cornerstone in California agriculture's Sacramento, Imperial, and San Joaquin Valleys. In addition to sharing the rich culture and the contributions that they have made to our economy, they are farmers, businessowners, physicians, and in all walks of life. Sikh Americans stand with all Americans in their patriotism and values. Beginning with World War I, Sikhs have served in all of the American wars. Sikh communities promote the values of diversity, equality, freedom, justice, and giving back to our country. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing and celebrating the many contributions of Sikh Americans, which have made us a stronger nation and play an integral role in the health of the San Joaquin Valley and our Nation.

Mr. COSTA

Mr. COSTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Vera Souza as she celebrates 40 years of dedicated service to the Cabrillo Civics Club of California. It is both fitting and appropriate to honor Vera, who has dedicated much of her time preserving and advancing the Portuguese culture in the Central Valley and California. LaVera Teixeira was born and raised in the Central Valley. Vera spent her career working for the Central Union School District in Kings County, California, as an administrator. She worked there from July 1, 1961 to June 30, 1999. Vera retired and then worked part time for the district until 2007, culminating a 46-year career. Vera and her husband Bob Souza first joined the Kings County Cabrillo Civic Club No. 9 in 1960. The Cabrillo Civics Club of California is a service organization dedicated to the progress of Californians of Portuguese descent. The club is named after John Rodrigues Cabrillo, a Portuguese navigator and explorer, best known as the first European to navigate the coast of present-day California. Today there are nine clubs statewide with over 1,975 members. The club members work tirelessly to ensure the preservation of the Portuguese culture, while engaging in service activities to benefit their local communities. From the beginning, Vera's dedication to the club was evident. In 1978 Vera became Kings County local club secretary and for one period served as both secretary and president. During the 1990s Vera held double duty again, serving as local secretary and Cabrillo Club State secretary from 1991 to 1994. Even after 40 years, Vera will stay on to serve as an active board member for the state and local Kings County Cabrillo Club No. 9. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the achievements of Vera Souza. I congratulate Vera for her dedicated service to the Cabrillo Club and ask that you join me in wishing her continued success and happiness.

Mr. COSTA

Mr. COSTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the life of Dr. Napoleon Washington, Jr., a local business owner, advocate, minister and community organizer in Merced County who passed away after a battle with cancer. Dr. Washington's boisterous laughter, leadership, humility, and genuine compassion for the people of Merced were qualities that will be deeply missed by our community. Born on April 12, 1948 in Fort Baker, California, Dr. Washington moved to Merced California with his family in 1961. He graduated from Merced High School in 1966, and then went on to earn an Associate of Arts degree from Merced College and a Bachelor of Arts in Social Science at Chapman University. He received two doctoral degrees, one in Business Administration from Trinity Southern University and one in Theology from Anderson Theological Seminary. In his youth, Dr. Washington also served in the U.S. Army before he began his 47-year career in the insurance industry in 1970, starting with Metropolitan Life Insurance and Farmers Insurance. He then established Napoleon Washington Jr. Insurance Agency as Owner and Insurance Broker. An active member of the Merced community, Dr. Washington was the former President of the Merced/Mariposa Life Underwriters Association, Former Director of North Merced Rotary Club, member of the American Legion Post 83, member of Merced County Jail Ministries, member of the Merced City Parks and Recreation Commission, and 18th President and Executive Board Member of the NAACP Branch 1047. While community engagement was a principle of Dr. Washington's, his faith and ministry were his most focused passions. He served in various ministerial capacities throughout the state of California, including as a member of Christian Life Center in Merced, bible teacher for the Merced County Rescue Mission and chief organizer of the ``Feet Changing Lives'' walks in Merced. Dr. Washington is survived by his wife of 49 years, Nadine Reed Washington, and his children Gregory D. Washington, Kimberlee Taylor and Geoffrey Napoleon Washington, Sr. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in celebrating the life of Dr. Napoleon Washington, Jr. As a leader, minister, advocate, and friend, his unique approach to life and faith have impacted countless lives in our community. He will be deeply missed by all of those fortunate enough to have crossed his path.

Mr. COSTA

Mr. COSTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and career of Art Doucette. Art is a science teacher at Sequoia High School, a community day school in Merced that provides second chances to at-risk students. Art's passion for teaching and the enthusiasm with which he relates scientific concepts to even his most challenging students has made him a classroom favorite at Sequoia and a model for teachers throughout Merced County. Born in Arkansas to a military family, Art moved over seventy times across the United States and abroad as a child. One ofhis childhood homes was in Merced County, a community that would greatly benefit from Art's work in the years to come. As a young adult, Art worked as a finish carpenter until a serious injury prompted him to attend Cuesta College in pursuit of a new career. It was there that Art met the love of his life, Holly, whom he married in 2000. After studying chemistry and biology at Stanislaus State, Art began his teaching career. He eventually found himself back in Merced County, where he has now taught and inspired countless students for over a decade. Teaching at Sequoia High School offers a unique set of challenges not found at most high schools. Sequoia students often come from adverse backgrounds and struggle with a wide range of behavioral problems. It is in this environment that Art has flourished as an engaging and dedicated educator, characterized by a genuine passion for his subject and unwavering faith in his students. Not long ago, Art was diagnosed with cancer and has since had to spend much of his time outside the classroom, seeking medical care. It has not been an easy road, and the pain and heartache associated with such a diagnosis is only made more acute by the absence felt by Art's students and colleagues. However, with his wife, Holly, and son, James, by his side, Art is courageously undergoing treatment and hopes to be back at Sequoia soon. In his honor, Sequoia High School and its affiliated network of schools are celebrating Art's devotion and lasting contributions to his community with an Art Doucette Honor Square Dedication Day. I stand with the students and staff of Sequoia High School in my support and encouragement for Art and his family during this difficult time, and in our shared gratitude for the difference he has made in Merced. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in honoring the life and career of Art Doucette. Art's relentless positivity and eagerness to resume teaching--even in the face of immense personal hardship--is both humbling and inspiring. Though the impact Art has made on the community has not waned, his presence at Sequoia High School is greatly missed. His colleagues, his students, and I all look forward to his return to the classroom.

Mr. COSTA

Mr. COSTA. Mr. Chair, I thank the gentleman from Illinois for yielding. Mr. Chair, I rise in support of H.R. 3043, the Hydropower Policy Modernization Act. Mr. Chair, I believe, and I think others do as well who have had experiences within their constituencies, within their congressional districts, that the hydro relicensing process is plainly broken, plain and simple. Let me give you a couple of real-life examples of why this legislation is needed, and why it is needed now. They both provide energy in my district for the people in the San Joaquin Valley, for households, for farmers, and for people in the valley, and they are the same two examples that Congressman Denham spoke of a moment ago. The Turlock and Modesto Irrigation Districts have worked through the licensing process in good faith for more than 8 years, and they have spent over $30 million to renew the license for Don Pedro Dam, a facility that has been in operation for almost 40 years. The districts estimate that, when they are finished with this process, they will have spent almost $50 million. Meanwhile, the Merced Irrigation District, my constituency, has spent over 10 years and $20 million to relicense the Exchequer Hydroelectric project. This process is still not finished. This facility has been in operation for over 60 years. Since these are public agencies, these costs are passed on to the ratepayers in mostly small, rural communities that Congressman Denham and I represent. It raises their electric costs. It makes no sense. This is about maintaining clean, renewable energy. This is about reducing the regulatory burden and not passing these costs on to the ratepayers. Given the experience that I have just given you, my constituents believe that, frankly, this bill could go further in removing inefficiencies in the relicensing process, but it is a good first step. It is a work in progress. It is certainly not perfect. I support the legislation, and I urge my colleagues to do the same.

Mr. COSTA

Mr. COSTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the career achievements of Carlos G. Mendoza, the U.S. Small Business Administration's Fresno District Director. Mr. Mendoza retired on Nov. 3, 2017 after more than 40 years of federal service. He has worked tirelessly in his career for small businesses and community development. Mr. Mendoza began his federal civil service career in 1975 as an architect at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard. He is a graduate of the University of California, Berkeley and has advanced degrees from Princeton University and California State University, East Bay. After successfully completing several assignments for the U.S. Navy, he transferred to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and quickly rose into the managerial ranks. In 1992, Mr. Mendoza began his term with the U.S. Small Business Administration, becoming the Deputy District Director of the Los Angeles District office before serving as District Director in El Paso and Fresno. As District Director in Fresno, he was responsible for small business development in Central California and the Central Coast. He expanded resources in the Central Valley, bringing in the Emerging Leaders mini MBA program, several PRIME grants, a Women's Business Center and the Small Business Development Center. Mr. Mendoza is known for his passion to make a difference. His work has received recognition from the Environmental Protection Agency, the Small Business Administration, the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Chambers of Commerce and the North American Development Bank. For example, during The Great Recession in 2008, he was the first person in the country to offer a dedicated technical assistance phone line to respond to small business owner's needs. This accomplishment helped shift the focus from the lack of loans to an emphasis on ``small business survival skills.'' Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the career achievements of Carlos G. Mendoza. I congratulate Mr. Mendoza for his many accomplishments throughout his career and ask that you join me in wishing him and his wife Lydia, continued success and happiness.

Mr. COSTA

Mr. COSTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak on behalf of the people of the San Joaquin Valley in favor of H.R. 3922. The people of the valley whom I represent in California did not send me here to put the lives of children at risk. I have made a commitment to improve access to healthcare for families that I have the honor to represent here in the House. I will continue to meet that commitment. The question is: Will Congress do the same and extend the Children's Health Insurance Program? My congressional district has perhaps the largest percentage of children who qualify for the Children's Health Insurance Program in the entire country. The coverage is vital to families throughout my district, but it is particularly important to communities like Gustine, Planada, Chowchilla, and Biola, where these healthcare clinics provide such important, valuable healthcare to these children and their families. Approximately 71 percent of the children in my district receive their medical coverage through the combination of the Children's Health Insurance Program and Medicaid. We cannot let this end. This bill is not perfect, to be sure, but these children cannot be put at risk with further delays in funding for the important programs that this bill extends. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.

Mr. COSTA

Mr. COSTA. Mr. Chairman, the benefits of improved management will not only help with wildfire suppression, putting out these fires, but it will benefit the environment. With more effective management, healthier headwaters will provide for an estimated increased water supply of 300,000 acre-feet of additional water--that is significant, certainly in a State like California--and improved water quality downstream. In closing, I urge my colleagues to work together to improve this legislation before it is sent to the Senate for consideration, because it is very clear in recent weeks, in recent months, and over the last 2 years that the status quo is unsustainable. We must do a better job in managing our forests.

Mr. COSTA. Mr. Chairman, I thank my friend and colleague from Minnesota, Congressman Peterson, for yielding this time. It is clear, I think, for everybody in this Chamber to know how devastating the fires have been, not only in California over the last recent weeks but throughout the West, and it has been this way for several years. It is long overdue for Congress to address the many issues facing our forests under Federal management, and that is what this legislation attempts to do. Years of mismanagement have contributed to the rise of catastrophic wildfires, not only in my home State of California but throughout the West. The heart of the problem is simple: money that Congress has allocated to prevent wildfires has been used instead to put them out. Now, there are other factors involved as well to be sure, but for years what we have done with densely overgrown forests that need managing is we have set ourselves up to allow these densely overgrown forests to be the subject of very destructive fires if something should go wrong; and, of course, we have lightning strikes and we have other natural conditions that cause these fires. This year alone, the United States Forest Service has spent about $2.4 billion on putting out fires and has transferred nearly $576 million from management activities. These management activities would go to thinning the forests and to allow for better overall growth. This would be a preventive means to decrease the ability of these fires to grow. I have concerns with some of the provisions in this legislation and believe it can be improved with some modifications, specifically to the way fire borrowing is addressed and the size of categorical exemptions under public disclosure laws, but this is a work in progress, and we can deal with that. Let me be clear. We must reform the way our Federal forests are managed, particularly the impacts as a result of the changing climate that we have and as it becomes more pronounced, such as drought conditions.

Mr. COSTA

Mr. COSTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the dedicated service and achievements of Mr. Gary Singh Chahil; outgoing District Director for my Fresno and Merced District offices. In the nearly two years since Gary has assumed this role, he has served as an advocate for the people of the 16th Congressional District. My staff and I will greatly miss his presence, generosity and sense of humor. Gurjinder ``Gary'' Singh Chahil was born in the great state of Michigan, son of Jaswant Singh Chahil and Bhagwant Kaur Chahil. He is a proud Detroit native. Gary attended the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, completing his Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, a Masters of Business Administration and a PhD in Business Administration. He is a fiercely proud Wolverine and frequently enjoys watching Michigan football on Saturday afternoons. Gary married the love of his life Kamaldeep ``Kim'' Kaur Deol, daughter of Sarbjit Singh Deol and Surinderpal Kaur Deol in 2004. They are blessed with two boys Kanvar ``Kamran'' and Bashan. Gary started his career with Ford Motor Company in Dearborn, Michigan. He spent five years at Ford before job opportunities brought him and his family west to California. He initially settled in San Jose, before moving to the San Joaquin Valley. I first met Gary in 2012 at an event I hosted for the Indian community. Throughout the next few years, I would frequently seek Gary's council on matters relating to the Indian, and specifically Sikh American, communities. An interest in politics and desire to serve the Valley led Gary to accept the District Director position in my office in February 2016. Throughout his tenure as District Director, Gary has cultivated relationships in Fresno, Madera and Merced counties and worked hard to serve the people of the district. Gary has worked on a number of high profile policy issues, including immigration, international relations, water and agriculture. One project he is particularly proud of is the creation of the exchange partnership between California State University, Fresno and the Punjab Agriculture University in India. Mr. Speaker, I would also like to note that Gary is the first Sikh District Director in the United States Congress, an achievement that speaks to the great diversity we have in the San Joaquin Valley. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I congratulate Mr. Gary Singh Chahil on his successful tenure as District Director for the 16th Congressional District. My staff and I are proud to have had the opportunity to work with him over the past two years. I urge my colleagues to join me in recognizing his achievements and ask that you join me in wishing Gary, his wife Kim and their two boys continued success and happiness.