Judy Chu

Ms. JUDY CHU of California

Ms. JUDY CHU of California. Mr. Speaker, as businesses, families, and entire communities struggle, Congress must step up. The HEROES Act does just that, helping us through this crisis. Our priority is a healthy economy, but there is none without healthy workers. So this bill ensures a plan for testing and contact tracing. State and local governments will be able to pay workers on the front lines. Families will be able to get help to survive unemployment, stay in their homes, and keep their small businesses alive. Mr. Speaker, we cannot afford to wait one minute longer.

Ms. JUDY CHU of California

Ms. JUDY CHU of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act. In order to reopen our economy and conquer this virus, we need to have a real count of who has been infected, but we still don't know the true impact of this pandemic because our Nation is facing a severe shortage of COVID-19 tests. That is why it is so important that Democrats fought to include $25 billion in this package to expand our testing capacity. Also of critical importance is that this legislation has the Paycheck Protection Program set aside $60 billion in lending authority for small community lenders, helping the countless small businesses turned away by big banks, like my constituent Tony, a dentist who has had a business account with Bank of America since 1983 but was denied the opportunity to even apply for PPP. This set-aside authority gives our smallest businesses the resources and hope they need that they can survive this pandemic.

Ms. JUDY CHU of California

Ms. JUDY CHU of California. Mr. Chair, had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall No. 88.

Ms. JUDY CHU of California

Ms. JUDY CHU of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today to help commemorate the Baku and Sumgait Pogroms and to reaffirm that the U.S. stands on the side of democracy and peace--and that means standing with the Armenian people. Thirty years ago, as the lines of the Soviet Union were fading, the people of Artsakh were united and voted for greater independence from Azerbaijan. But this peaceful movement for self-determination was followed by premeditated and government-sponsored attacks. Over the next two years, the Armenian population of Artsakh was repeatedly victim to brutal and racially motivated pogroms. Hundreds were murdered, and thousands were displaced; not only in Baku, but in places like Sumgait and Kirovabad as well. These pogroms were a direct assault on the right of self- determination in Artsakh. And it is an assault that is continuing today. I know, because I have recently returned from my first ever trip to Armenia and Artsakh. Since being elected and getting to know the Armenian community myself, I have wanted to visit Armenia. And this visit was so much more than I could have imagined. I was able to meet both the Prime Minister and the President, have incredible dialogues with the new parliament of Armenia, and take in the beautiful country. But I also knew that while I was there, I had to visit Artsakh. Prior to my trip, my office was visited by the consulate of Azerbaijan. They told me not to go, that it was too violent, and that there would be consequences. But I knew I had to go, and I had to see for myself. Not only was it not a war-torn area, as Azerbaijan would have you believe, but Artsakh was beautiful and charming. And I was able to see and feel the national pride that was there. Azerbaijan may not want to recognize Artsakh, but all you have to do is walk around and talk to the people there and you will know. The Armenian people are alive and thriving in Artsakh. But something else I saw while I was there was the lingering damage caused by Azerbaijan's war on Artsakh. Land mines still make so much land unusable, threatening the lives of farmers, children, or people just out for a walk. And Azerbaijan's military still threatens the peace along the border. That is why, last year, I introduced and secured House passage of a pro-peace amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act. This common-sense amendment urged all parties to agree on the non-deployment of snipers, heavy arms, and new weapons; the deployment of additional OSCE monitors, and; the placement of gunfire-locators along the line-of-contact. But sadly, despite overwhelming support in this House, the Senate caved to pressure from Azerbaijan and stripped this amendment. And now, in another gift to Azerbaijan, the State Department seems ready to end funding for demining. This is unacceptable. I was privileged to visit the HALO Trust in Artsakh, which leads the demining work there, and I was amazed at how much land was cleared and made usable again. Thanks to HALO, thousands of mines and unexploded ordnance have been identified and removed, and Armenians in Artsakh are able to reclaim lands that had been too dangerous before. We cannot let this work go unfinished. I am committed to standing with the people of Artsakh though, and that is why, as we consider Fiscal Year 2021 appropriations, I will be supporting no less than $10 million for Artsakh demining and rehabilitation services. You can count on me to always stand with the Armenian people and to stand up for democracy and peace in Artsakh.

Ms. JUDY CHU of California

Ms. JUDY CHU of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Dr. William Caton, who passed away on February 6, 2020 at the age of 74. Dr. Caton was a lifelong leader in the field of neurosurgery and led a distinguished career that had lasting impacts on my district in the San Gabriel Valley and throughout California. Dr. Caton was born in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania on July 7, 1945 and spent his childhood in Georgia and Massachusetts. He received his bachelor's degree from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and then moved to California to attend medical school at the University of Southern California (USC) School of Medicine. He received his M.D. in 1971 and completed his residency in Neurosurgery at the Los Angeles County--USC Medical Center in 1977. After completing his residency, Dr. Caton began his practice in Pasadena, a community he would serve for the next forty years. Dr. Caton's dedication to his patients earned him the reputation as one of the top neurosurgeons in California. He was a representative for the California Association of Neurological Surgery (CANS) at National State Council meetings for twenty-five years and served as President from 2009 to 2010. He also represented CANS in meetings with LA County that resulted in developing a county-wide system of trauma care centers in 1983. He was appointed to serve as Chairman of Neurosurgery at Huntington Memorial Hospital, the leading trauma center within the San Gabriel Valley, a position he would hold for over twenty years. His work was also well known around the globe. He collaborated on a project in Bangalore, India, where he advised the development of a brain cancer treatment center, and he created an international symposium on healthcare, also located in India. He was a strong advocate for higher education and passed his knowledge on to multiple generations of students. For almost forty years, he was a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Neurological Surgery Department at USC. He was also a long-time faculty member at California Institute of Technology (Caltech) in the Department of Biology and Bioengineering. While there, he founded the Caltech Students Medical Mentor Program, served as director of the Caltech M.D.-Ph.D. Clinical Outreach Program, and became director of the Pasadena Neuroscience Fellowship. Because of his distinguished service and contributions to higher education, Dr. Caton received an honorary graduate degree from the Caltech Alumni Association in 2008. Additionally, he was a strong advocate for the education of women and served on the Board of Trustees for Mayfield Senior High School, an all-girls college preparatory high school, from 1986 to 1997. Dr. Caton leaves behind an enduring legacy of service, patient advocacy, and leadership to the San Gabriel Valley, Los Angeles County, and California. He is an inspiration to all who knew him, and it is my distinct honor to commemorate his life.

Ms. JUDY CHU of California

Ms. JUDY CHU of California. Madam Speaker, since women gained the right to vote 100 years ago, we have made incredible progress--rolling back laws like those that kept us from serving on juries, owning land, or even getting our own credit card--and this Congress has more women than ever. But true equality is still a goal, not a reality. The fact is women are still paid less than men for the same work, and we still have men passing laws that dictate our choices about our bodies. It is clear, if we want equality, we need the ERA, and the people agree. We saw that at women's marches across the country and in the groundswell of the #MeToo movement. That energy is leading to change. The people are speaking. It is up to us to listen. Arbitrary deadlines are no reason to silence our voices. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' and give women the same rights as men.

Ms. JUDY CHU of California

Ms. JUDY CHU of California. Mr. Chair, I rise in strong support of H.R. 2546, the Protecting America's Wilderness Act. This legislation includes the text of my bill, H.R. 2215, the San Gabriel Mountains Foothills and Rivers Protection Act, which is the result of years of grassroots advocacy and community engagement to improve protections and access for these treasured lands. The San Gabriel Mountains are the crown of the Los Angeles area. They provide 30 percent of our water, comprise 70 percent of Los Angeles County's open space, and are home to historic habitats of species like the California condor and Nelson's bighorn sheep. This immense natural beauty exists right in the backyard of one of the densest urban areas in our country, offering recreational opportunities like hiking, fishing, and camping to the more than 15 million Americans who live in the urban area nearby. That is so important because the Los Angeles region is one of the most park-poor areas in the country, which means that too many communities do not have access to outdoor recreational opportunities in their own neighborhoods. Access to outdoor space has real, documented benefits for public health. That is why protecting these lands is so important. In 2014, President Obama recognized the decades of grassroots support for this goal and granted my request to designate the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument. Immediately, this made available more resources to the mountains that resulted in cleaner rivers, improved facilities like picnic areas and hiking trails, and more rangers to interact with visitors. Most importantly, it brought the entire community together to develop a management plan for the San Gabriel Mountains, with over 40 members representing a variety of stakeholders, such as water agencies, local governments, and the business community. But we are still far from done. This same level of resources and protection is needed across the San Gabriel Mountains and the communities that serve as their gateway. The legislation before us today would build on the success of the National Monument designation by expanding the monument's boundaries to include the western Angeles National Forest, establishing new and expanded wilderness areas, and protecting more than 45 miles of waterways as Wild and Scenic Rivers. It would also establish the critical new San Gabriel Mountains national recreation area to bolster the connection between urban and wild spaces, helping communities in the foothills and along the river corridor improve access to the mountains and offer new recreational opportunities for Angelenos. This bill represents the work of so many, and they have come together for a plan that would complete the vision of a community seamlessly connected to the beautiful wild lands of its backyard. Today, we have an opportunity to realize that vision, and that is why I urge support for H.R. 2546, the Protecting America's Wilderness Act.

Ms. JUDY CHU of California

Ms. JUDY CHU of California. Mr. Chair, before I begin, I enter into the Record letters in support of the PRO Act from the American Federation of Musicians and the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees. American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada, New York, NY, February 4, 2020. Dear Member of Congress: On behalf of 80,000 members of the American Federation of Musicians, I write urging your support of H.R. 2474, the Protecting the Right to Organize Act (``PRO Act'') and ask that you oppose any amendments or any offensive motions that may be offered during House deliberations. The PRO Act strengthens the National Labor Relations Act by supporting the ability of working people to have a voice on the job. The bill would update the National Labor Relations Act to allow workers to have a greater say in such important workplace issues as higher wages and retirement security. Once workers vote to form a union, the National Labor Relations Board could seek enforcement and relief in federal court allowing for swifter justice. In addition, the bill would prohibit employers from forcing workers to attend captive audience meetings designed to encourage workers from voting against the union. Companies and corporate officers would be confronted with stiff financial penalties for violating the law. The PRO act also establishes a mediation and arbitration process to prevent employers from avoiding the completion of a first contract. Historically, many employers attempt to stall first-contract negotiations in an effort to frustrate and in some cases stop the collective bargaining process, often after union organizers and negotiators have worked for years to finalize a first contract. The bill also supports workers' right to picket or withhold their labor in order to push for workplace changes. It also protects employees' right to strike and prevents an employer from hiring permanent replacement workers and allows unrepresented workers to participate in collective action and class action lawsuits against unscrupulous employers. Finally, HR 2474 eliminates state right to work laws which over the years have given more power to billionaires and special interest groups at the expense of lowering worker wages, eroding pensions and healthcare coverages in states where such laws have been enacted. We urge you to support the PRO Act. Thank you. Sincerely yours, Raymond M. Hair, Jr., International President, American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada.

Ms. JUDY CHU of California. Mr. Chair, when I was a young college professor in the Los Angeles Community College District, the board of trustees passed a measure that would lay off over 100 of us, even though we had tenure. It was my union, the American Federation of Teachers, that organized the protests and stood up for us. The union saved my job. Yet, today, we see that there is a decline in union membership. It is not because workers don't want to be in a union. It is because employers have been allowed to use antiunion tactics, such as paying millions of dollars to professional union busters who come into the workplace to intimidate workers in captive audience meetings. Even when workers vote to approve a union, more than half of them still do not have a collective bargaining agreement 1 year later. That is because employers face few penalties for bargaining in bad faith, while employees can be fired for striking and exercising their rights. The PRO Act is the best way to protect the right to organize and to help workers have the quality of life they deserve. Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this bill.

Ms. JUDY CHU of California

Ms. JUDY CHU of California. Mr. Speaker, earlier this week, President Trump delivered his State of the Union address in this very Chamber. At one point, he praised the Second Amendment and gun rights, but neglected to even mention the 100 Americans who are killed with guns every day. That number is only part of it. This week is National Gun Violence Survivors Week and their stories fill out the picture of the reality of guns in America. Over half of adult Americans have or know someone who has experienced gun violence, and about 3 million children experience gun violence every year. That doesn't even include the millions more students who go to school afraid that they could be the victim of a mass shooting, all because the NRA and the Republican lawmakers they fund refuse to even allow the most commonsense gun legislation, like H.R. 8. This legislation would ensure that no one could buy a gun without a background check, and a bipartisan majority of Americans agree. It is time to end the NRA stranglehold, and end gun violence.

Ms. JUDY CHU of California

Ms. JUDY CHU of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of Congress Member Khanna's resolution to prevent any funds from being used for an unauthorized war with Iran. Just a few weeks ago, America and Iran were on the brink of a terrible and destructive conflict. Fortunately, both sides stepped back, but the tensions and volatility remain. Make no mistake, Iran continues to be a challenge and continues to threaten U.S. interests in the region. However, as the Iran nuclear deal demonstrated, conflict is not inevitable. But with a President committed to a campaign of maximum pressure, we cannot simply wait for the next crisis and hope for the best. That is why we must reclaim Congress' constitutional authority to declare war and prevent the President from leading us into a war of choice. Already, the House passed a bipartisan War Powers Resolution to force the President to seek congressional authorization for any war with Iran. Today's resolution would help enforce that by prohibiting the use of funds for an unauthorized war. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes.''

Ms. JUDY CHU of California

Ms. JUDY CHU of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Dr. Jean G. Champommier on his retirement from a distinguished career in community organizing and social work. He has dedicated his life to creating programs that improve the lives of those in underserved communities throughout Los Angeles County. Dr. Champommier began his career in social work during the 1960s when he took on a field-work placement at the Kennedy Child Study Center in Santa Monica. Through this position, he worked with children with developmental disabilities and their families, solidifying his passion for helping his neighbors and his community. Since 1983, Dr. Champommier has served as the Executive Director, and later President/CEO, of Alma Family Services. This agency provides communities throughout Los Angeles County with multilingual and multicultural services, including helping families and individuals cope with substance abuse, emotional difficulties, and developmental challenges. Through his role at Alma, he expanded the agency's first contract with the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health and oversaw Alma's growth as a provider of community-integrated social programs. During his tenure, Alma has added social rehabilitation programs for child abuse, gang prevention and reduction programs, and has grown to 16 sites throughout Los Angeles County. In 2015, Dr. Champommier was appointed by County Supervisor Hilda Solis to Los Angeles' Public Health Commission. Eventually serving as chair of the Commission, he supervised the Public Health Department's programs and made recommendations to the Board of Supervisors to ensure that community input was heard in matters of public health. Dr. Champommier's impact stretches outside his field work and into the classroom. He has taught courses in child welfare and community organization at UC Santa Barbara, Cal State Northridge, and Cal State L.A., and has also been an instructor in social work for USC and UCLA. Additionally, he has coordinated conferences on youth empowerment and farm labor for UC Santa Barbara Extension. Dr. Champommier's career demonstrates his admirable dedication and service to his community. I thank him for his 40 years of contributions to Los Angeles and wish him nothing but the best in retirement.

Ms. JUDY CHU of California

Ms. JUDY CHU of California. Madam Speaker, I thank Congresswoman Tlaib for putting this Special Order hour together. I truly appreciate it, especially during this very, very significant week. Monday marked the third anniversary of the Muslim ban. We had a press conference on that day. It was incredible to see the Senators and the House Members and so many groups of great diverse backgrounds all coming together to say that now is the time to pass H.R. 2214, the NO BAN Act. The failure of this ban was apparent the day it began. I will never forget that day in January of 2017, just 3 years ago, when Donald Trump announced his first Muslim ban, creating chaos and separating families with no justification. I was on my way to a community event when I received a frantic call about 50 Muslims who were being detained at LAX for hours with no end in sight, despite the fact that they had green cards and were legal. At that point I decided to drop everything and help in any way I could. I rushed over to LAX to advocate for these people, and once I arrived I found out that indeed there were scores of people there with a legal right to be here kept for hours with little food and blocked from receiving legal advice from an attorney. It was outrageous. When I pressed Customs and Border Protection for answers, they resisted and blocked me. I even got them on the phone only to have them hang up on me. I had never been more disrespected as a Member of Congress, but disrespect and chaos is what this Muslim ban is all about. The pain and psychological trauma this travel ban has caused are long lasting, spouses and fiances being separated, weddings, funerals and graduations have been missed. People have not been able to come to take care of sick ones. Over 5,000 adopted children of U.S. citizens cannot join their families. None of these people are a threat to the U.S., and we have every way of knowing that through our extensive vetting process. But they have been made victims of this hateful ban nonetheless. It just doesn't have to be this way. When the Supreme Court upheld the President's ability to issue these bans, the Court also required the administration to grant waivers to ensure that the program had a legitimate national security interest. But despite that requirement, the State Department has approved only 10 percent of these applicants. That means that the Trump administration believes that 90 percent of all travelers from these countries are threats to our national security, and it renders this waiver process virtually nonexistent. That is outrageous. That is why we have to fight back, and that is why last spring I introduced the NO BAN Act with Senator Chris Coons, which is the best way to reclaim Congress' power and stop this ban. First, it would repeal all three versions of President Trump's Muslim ban, putting an immediate end to this family separation. Second, it requires a report on the total number of waivers that were granted and the total number that were denied, so we know the truth about what has happened. Third, our bill says that if a President does want to implement such a ban in the future he would actually have to prove actual evidence of a threat. This ensures in the future no individuals are denied entry into the U.S. based solely on their religion. With the President confirming that he now wants to expand this ban to even more countries, now is the time to act. The response to the NO BAN Act has been tremendous: 214 Members of Congress have cosponsored the bill in the House, and over 480 groups have endorsed it; 39 Members of the Senate are cosponsors. In September of 2019, the House Judiciary and Foreign Affairs Committees held a joint hearing that examined how few waivers have been granted to individuals since the ban was issued, even though most people applying for entry into the U.S. pose no threat to our country. Just this week, Chairman Nadler announced that the bill will be marked up in the Judiciary Committee in 2 weeks, and Speaker Pelosi announced that the NO BAN Act will be brought to the floor for a vote. This vote cannot happen soon enough for people like Ismail Alghazali, who will be my guest at the State of the Union next week. Ismail is a U.S. citizen who works at a small neighborhood market in New York, and, in 2013, he married his wife, Hend, in Yemen. Hend applied for a visa to join her husband in the U.S., but before her interview at the U.S. Embassy in Djibouti, Trump's hateful Muslim ban went into effect. Hend was 8 months pregnant, and her pregnancy has been difficult. Doctors had discovered she had a heart condition. Ismail and Hend hoped that that meant that they would be granted a waiver due to medical reasons. But after an interview that lasted just 5 minutes, Hend was denied a visa and left to give birth in Djibouti, while Ismail had to return to the U.S. He was not able to witness the birth of his first child. Last year, in April, Hend gave birth to another daughter, and Ismail has not been able to even meet his daughter for several months because of the ban. Luckily, however, the family has now been reunited in the United States. But too many others are left waiting for no reason, other than the President's prejudice. We have every ability to vet people like Hend as we have done for years. Leaving families divided by this ban is a choice. That is why we need the NO BAN Act. It is essential that we take away the President's power to put prejudice into policy before more countries and more families are impacted by this hateful ban. Madam Speaker, I thank all my colleagues who are here tonight for their steadfast support of this bill, and I thank Congresswoman Tlaib.

Ms. JUDY CHU of California

Ms. JUDY CHU of California. Madam Speaker, America does not need or want a war with Iran. There are no political objectives we can reasonably achieve through force, and the President must not be allowed to fabricate a pretext for a conflict that will leave America, our allies, and the whole region less safe. But that is what he has been doing since tearing up the Iran nuclear deal and beginning a campaign of maximum pressure. Today's War Powers Resolution reasserts Congress' authority to declare war and imposes crucial restrictions on the President; namely, he cannot start a war without demonstrating an actual threat. This is something the administration has failed to do, according to both Democrats and Republicans from yesterday's intelligence briefing. The best way to constrain the true threat of Iran is through the multilateral diplomacy that achieved the historic nuclear deal. With this clear congressional statement that Congress has not authorized a war, I urge the President to immediately stop his erratic and impulsive provocations and take us back from the brink.

Ms. JUDY CHU of California

Ms. JUDY CHU of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of the improved USMCA. With the changes demanded by Democrats from the original proposal, this agreement marks a historic step that will stop the bleeding of American jobs to other countries. Free trade agreements have often meant lost jobs or lower wages for American workers, and the Trump administration's initial USMCA was no different. But Democrats fought back to win new labor protections that make this deal actually work for Americans. I have seen firsthand why these protections are so important. Earlier this year, I traveled on the Committee on Ways and Means' trip to Mexico to investigate the labor challenges we are facing. At a Goodyear plant, I spoke directly to workers whose starting pay was only $2 an hour and even less after deductions. Then, when these workers went on strike to demand better wages, nearly 50 labor leaders were harassed, threatened with violence, and fired. This means that a company that pays American workers $23 an hour and made $15.5 billion in sales last year would rather fire Mexican workers than pay them a fair wage. It is one of the many examples that explains why companies outsource jobs and exploit labor in other countries. And it is why Democrats fought so hard for a USMCA deal with strong labor protections to ensure a level playing field. This trade deal isn't perfect, but it is an important step in the right direction and protects American jobs.

Ms. JUDY CHU of California

Ms. JUDY CHU of California. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 5377, which will stop the double taxing of millions of Americans. Restoring the ability of Americans to deduct their State and local taxes is about fairness. It is about fairness for the households in my California district, where the average SALT deduction was nearly $21,000, more than double the current $10,000 limit. It is about fairness for the married teachers making $60,000 each, who now receive only half of the deduction of unmarried couples, effectively creating a marriage penalty. It is about fairness for our local governments that struggle to provide important services such as education, public safety, and infrastructure. And it is about fairness for our teachers and firefighters who get an additional deduction in this bill to help them afford work-related expenses. The 2017 tax scam was unfair. The top 1 percent and corporations got a massive handout, while American families were left holding the bag. A vote in support of this bill today begins to restore that fairness, and I urge my colleagues to support it.

Ms. JUDY CHU of California

Ms. JUDY CHU of California. Madam Speaker, we know that President Trump withheld needed military aid to Ukraine. We know that he used it to demand Ukraine interfere in the 2020 election for his own benefit, and we know that Ukraine knew. None of these facts have been disputed. Instead, the White House has tried to hide the truth. But the President is not above the law. Nobody is. Corruption and obstruction; the President is guilty of both. The blatant abuse of power was made clear from over 100 hours of testimony before three committees and was clear in the call summary released by the White House. The obstruction has been made clear by the President's refusal to cooperate at every turn, even when ordered by a court. Setting a precedent that any President can abuse their power to interfere in our elections is an existential threat to our democracy. It is also a betrayal of the oath of office and the Constitution. Therefore, in fulfillment of my own oath of office, it is with solemn purpose today that I vote to impeach President Donald Trump.

Ms. JUDY CHU of California

Ms. JUDY CHU of California. Madam Chair, I rise today in support of H.R. 3, the Elijah E. Cummings Lower Drug Costs Now Act. Americans are sick and tired of getting fleeced by Big Pharma and have had enough of skyrocketing prescription drug prices. In my district, an uninsured patient with diabetes has to pay $655 for a monthly supply of Novolog Flexpen, a popular brand of insulin. But, in Canada, that same supply of insulin can be purchased for just $47. This is outrageous. Why should Americans have to pay so much more than any other developed country for the exact same medications? Why should my constituents have to plan trips to Mexico and Canada to get the medications they need to stay alive? Because even with the cost of travel, it is still cheaper to buy their insulin abroad. And why are drug company profits soaring while patients go bankrupt? This is simply not right. H.R. 3 is a landmark piece of legislation. It gives Medicare the power to negotiate for lower prices directly with the drug companies. It makes those lower prices available to those with private insurance. Seniors will not have to pay more than $2,000 out-of-pocket for their drugs. And drug companies can no longer rip off Americans while charging other countries less for the same drug. This bill is an important first step in addressing the skyrocketing cost of prescription drugs. I am proud to stand here today as a cosponsor of H.R. 3. And I am committed to continuing our work for the people to bring down the cost of prescription drugs for all Americans.

Ms. JUDY CHU of California

Ms. JUDY CHU of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Dr. William Chun-Hoon, who passed away on October 1, 2019 at the age of 91. Dr. Chun-Hoon was a lifelong leader in his community, utilizing his role as the first Chinese-American principal in Los Angeles Unified School District to bring people of diverse backgrounds together. Dr. Chun-Hoon was born in Honolulu on September 8, 1928 and grew up working in his parents' grocery stores before moving to Los Angeles to become a teacher. Initially, he served as a history and English teacher in East Los Angeles, before becoming an Assistant Principal for Counseling for two middle schools in the San Fernando Valley. In 1973, Dr. Chun-Hoon was appointed as principal of Castelar Elementary School, a position he held for the next 19 years. As the first Chinese-American principal in Los Angeles Unified School District, he implemented a variety of initiatives to ensure that the school would be a center for community and engagement. At Castelar, Dr. Chun-Hoon spearheaded a pilot program that allowed students to study either a Chinese or Spanish bilingual curriculum, fostering an environment where students of diverse backgrounds could flourish and learn. At the same time, he provided adult classes for the parents and grandparents of these children, giving them an opportunity to improve their language skills. He allowed community organizations like the Chinese Historical Society and the Friends of the Chinese American Museum to use Castelar as a space where people living both inside and outside of Chinatown could meet, organize, and provide services to the community. Dr. Chun-Hoon also coordinated with other Chinatown leaders to establish the first public library in the community. Dr. Chun-Hoon is survived by his beloved wife of 62 years, Marjorie; their children, Craig and Kristina; and their grandchildren, Sarah, Carly, James, and Scott. He leaves behind an enduring legacy of dedication, inclusion, and service to Los Angeles and the San Gabriel Valley. Dr. Chun-Hoon is an inspiration to all who knew him, and it is my distinct honor to commemorate his life.

Ms. JUDY CHU of California

Ms. JUDY CHU of California. Mr. Speaker, I have just returned from Armenia, where I went to the Armenian Genocide Museum. I cannot get the pictures that I saw out of my mind: Armenian women and children murdered in mass graves, Armenian leaders hung as examples to others, Armenians forced onto long death marches without food or water. There were 1.5 million Armenians killed in this genocide in 1915. I saw the documents of the many who had witnessed it, including U.S. diplomat Henry Morgenthau, and yet over 100 years later, the U.S. has never officially acknowledged it. This vote to finally acknowledge the Armenian genocide should have come sooner, because of people in my district like Joseph ``Bebo'' Manjikian. When I met him, he was 104, but from his wheelchair, he told me about the many family members he lost in the genocide. Bebo passed away before he could see this day. He didn't forget them, and neither can we. Mr. Speaker, for the sake of Bebo and so many others, I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this resolution.

Ms. JUDY CHU of California

Ms. JUDY CHU of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Brian Moriguchi on his retirement from a remarkable career in public service and law enforcement. For the past 34 years, Brian has served in multiple capacities with the Los Angeles County Sherriff's Department. From the start of his career, Brian fought tirelessly for systemic change within law enforcement, devoting his professional and personal life to fighting for justice and fairness. While working as a Sergeant, Brian helped develop the Sheriff's Department's hate crime policy. He then became the chairperson for the Los Angeles County Human Relations Commission's Network Against Hate Crimes, which develops programs to combat racism and prejudice in the county. In 2008, Brian was elected president of the Los Angeles County Professional Peace Officers Association (PPOA), which represents over 9,000 active and retired law enforcement officials. He held this position for more than 10 years, becoming the longest serving president in PPOA's 68-year history. As president, Brian successfully undertook a variety of initiatives. He improved communications with PPOA's members, modernized its digital presence, and improved its outreach. Brian also increased funding for the organization's Star & Shield Foundation, enabling PPOA to better assist the families of fallen officers. Moreover, Brian is also lauded for protecting the members' pensions, negotiating better contracts, and providing support for numerous local charities. Outside of his career, Brian has engaged in a variety of civic activities to continuously improve the communities around him. He served as president of the San Fernando Valley Chapter of the Japanese American Citizens League (JACL), the oldest national Asian-Pacific American civil rights organization in the country. As president, Brian helped organize protests, educational programs, field trips, and other activities to cultivate awareness of Asian-Pacific American history and the ongoing fight to combat injustice and bigotry. Brian also devoted time to other significant community organizations, serving as a board member for the McKinley Children's Center and A Safer California Foundation. Brian's lifetime of service is a testament to the tremendous impact one person can have on a community. I thank him for his 34 years of contributions to Los Angeles and wish him nothing but the best in retirement.

Ms. JUDY CHU of California

Ms. JUDY CHU of California. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3299) to permit legally married same-sex couples to amend their filing status for income tax returns outside the statute of limitations, to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to clarify that all provisions shall apply to legally married same-sex couples in the same manner as other married couples, and for other purposes, as amended.

Ms. JUDY CHU of California. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the bill under consideration.

Ms. JUDY CHU of California. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise today in strong support of the PRIDE Act, the bill I authored with Congressman Andy Levin of Michigan, to bring equality to our tax law. Last month, we celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall riots, which marked the launch of a pivotal movement for gay rights in our country and across the world. Since then, the LGBT movement has fought battles on the local and Federal level to gain the equal rights that all Americans deserve. To the enormous joy of millions of American families, the Supreme Court ultimately ruled that same-sex marriages are equal. ``Love is love'' went the cry, but you would not know it by looking at our Tax Code. Today, a same-sex couple filing their taxes is still forced to contend with out-of-date references that no longer reflect what marriage looks like in this country. Filing taxes can be unpleasant enough as it is. No family should feel excluded in this process. Most importantly, our Tax Code should not be defining families in outdated and discriminatory ways. That is what this legislation will fix. With a simple change to gender language removing requirements for ``husband and wife,'' instead using words like ``they'' and ``married couple,'' we can put the equality promised by our Constitution into the Code. This bill corrects a second injustice, as well. For years, the Defense of Marriage Act prevented the Federal Government from recognizing same-sex marriage, even as States began allowing for it. That meant that married couples were being denied the Federal tax refunds they earned simply because of whom they loved. That was blatantly wrong, which is why DOMA was struck down by the Supreme Court in 2013. But though DOMA was gone, many of the impacted families were unable to amend their tax returns because of a restriction in the Tax Code that only allows married couples to amend returns from 3 years ago. That restriction was keeping money out of the pockets of families who had earned it. That is why my bill corrects this, to allow the IRS to provide refunds to same-sex couples who married in States that recognized same- sex marriage before DOMA was overturned. This is expected to give over $50 million back to the families who should never have had to file separately in the first place. These are commonsense changes that recognize the reality that marriage does not just mean one man and one woman. That is a lesson already recognized by children across the country who know that no matter who their parents are, they are a family. They should not be told otherwise by an outdated Tax Code. I urge my colleagues to support this measure, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. JUDY CHU of California. Madam Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Neal), the chair of our committee who has led us in such an excellent way.