Salud Carbajal

Mr. CARBAJAL

Mr. CARBAJAL. Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairwoman Lowey for yielding to me. I rise in support of an amendment that includes a provision I coauthored with Representative Panetta to send a clear message to this administration that our public lands are not for sale. We will not put the interests of Big Oil over our people and sit idly by as the Trump administration seeks to open up the Carrizo Plain National Monument and other public lands in my district for oil and gas development. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes.''

Mr. CARBAJAL

Mr. CARBAJAL. Madam Speaker, each year, through the Women of the Year Award, my office extends special recognition to women on the Central Coast who have made a difference in our community. I would like to recognize one outstanding Women of the Year Award recipient, Noha Kolkailah of Arroyo Grande, California. Noha currently serves as the Principal and Director of Olive Grove Charter School in San Luis Obispo. She has been a fierce champion for education and social justice for many years. After the 2016 election, Noha mobilized the Muslim community to speak out for a positive and just future for all people at the Women's March SLO. The following year, she organized a ``Get to Know Your Muslim Neighbors'' event attended by over 800 people, advocating for compassion, kindness, commitment to diversity and unity, global awareness, and responsibility. She also helped start the Muslim Student Association at Cal Poly. Noha founded the Peace Academy of the Sciences and Arts, which offers an enriching summer program for children ages 6 to 11, with a focus on self-awareness, global citizenship, social justice, and environmental awareness. Through real-world applications, students are empowered to learn more about each other, embrace differences, and learn how to build on each other's strengths in a way that inspires creative innovation. Despite experiencing prejudice, Noha remains a compassionate advocate for a world in which we can co-exist in peace and harmony, and leads with her heart, courage and kindness. She is a strong Muslim woman and she is not afraid to speak her truth, setting the example for others to do the same. Her work on the Central Coast in educating the community at large on the issues marginalized communities face, her tireless efforts to bring people together in understanding and accepting differences, and her resilience in facing adversity with grace make Noha a wonderful asset to our community. As a champion for youth, women, and the marginalized, we are so lucky to have Noha in our district. I ask all Members to join me today in honoring an exceptional woman of California's 24th Congressional District, Noha Kolkailah, for her incredible service to her community.

Mr. CARBAJAL

Mr. CARBAJAL. Madam Speaker, this important measure reauthorizes the Coast Guard and adopts important safety reforms for small passenger boats based on legislation I sponsored. Last September, we tragically lost 34 lives when the Conception dive boat caught on fire in the waters off Santa Cruz Island in my district. This is one of the worst maritime disasters in recent history. We have now learned that NTSB had previously made recommendations to the Coast Guard to improve maritime safety operations. This amendment would require implementation of some of those reforms to prevent tragedies like this from happening again. Madam Speaker, I am grateful to the Coast Guard and to local law enforcement for their help with search and rescue and to Chair DeFazio and Chair Maloney for their support on this issue, and I urge my colleagues to support this amendment.

Mr. CARBAJAL

Mr. CARBAJAL. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of this bipartisan relief package. The funds we are adding to the PPP and EIDL programs will go a long way in providing necessary support to small businesses. I am glad that small farms and ranches will now be eligible for the EIDL program and that we have secured additional resources for hospitals, workers, and testing. While this is another great bipartisan step forward, more must be done, especially for our States, cities, and local governments. People are hurting. Time is of the essence. We must act now.

Mr. CARBAJAL

Mr. CARBAJAL. Madam Speaker, on March 2, 2020, I regrettably missed votes in the House of Representatives due to unexpected flight delays. Had I been present, I would have voted: AYE on Roll Call No. 79--the Fair Debt Collection Practices for Servicemembers Act (H.R. 5003), and AYE on Roll Call No. 80--the Ensuring Chinese Debt Transparency Act (H.R. 5932).

Mr. CARBAJAL

Mr. CARBAJAL. Madam Chair, I thank Representative DeGette for yielding and for her leadership on this very important legislation. I am honored to represent the central coast of California, one of the most beautiful districts in the Nation. Places like the Los Padres National Forest and the Carrizo Plain National Monument contain some of the most stunning, unique, and diverse ecosystems found anywhere in North America. Today, I am pleased to support H.R. 2546, the Protecting America's Wilderness Act. This bill would preserve the ecological beauty and recreational activities available to communities in my district and beyond as well as for future generations. This legislation includes my bill, H.R. 2199, the Central Coast Heritage Protection Act. I am proud to have worked with Chairman Grijalva and Representative DeGette and local stakeholders to ensure that California's central coast was included in this measure. Title III of this legislation would designate and place into conservation nearly 250,000 acres as wilderness within the Los Padres National Forest and the Carrizo Plain National Monument as wilderness areas, one of the highest forms of protections available. This is a major step to preserve and protect our community's future for future generations, allows for responsible forest management and firefighting activities. It also creates a 400-mile-long Condor National Recreation Trail, connecting the northern and southern portions of the Los Padres National Forest by a single hiking route. This legislation has been the result of years of collaboration with local stakeholders. It is supported by nearly 500 central coast landowners, businesses, farmers, and local officials. This reaffirms that protecting our environment and growing our economy are not mutually exclusive. Our public lands are an essential asset to our local economies. In California alone, the outdoor recreation economy is worth $92 billion and employs over 650,000 individuals. I want to thank Chairman Grijalva, Representative DeGette, and the committee for their support of this legislation. Madam Chair, I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' and continue uplifting local businesses and local economies that rely on outdoor recreation.

Mr. CARBAJAL. Mr. Chair, I thank Mr. Panetta for offering this important amendment which further clarifies that nothing in this bill would hinder any fuels management or fire suppression activities on our public lands. I represent the central coast of California, and we have seen our share of wildfires. I believe that, if we can take preventative measures to address any wildfire risks, we should. As a former county supervisor for Santa Barbara County, I have experienced firsthand the obstacles and challenges of balancing red tape and coordinating amongst stakeholders. As a supervisor, I helped implement the first community wildfire protection plan in Santa Barbara County. I support Representative Panetta's amendment because it reaffirms that this legislation would not interfere with any firefighting or fuels management activities. The underlying bill we are debating here today would not do that. Specifically, section 305(b) of my bill explicitly addresses these concerns. I urge my colleagues to support this amendment as well.

Mr. CARBAJAL

Mr. CARBAJAL. Madam Speaker, today, I rise because there is an epidemic in our country. One hundred Americans die every day from gun violence. We are 25 times more likely to die from guns than people who live in comparable nations. Gun violence is personal to me. When I was a young boy, my sister took her life with my father's revolver. In 2014, my community was devastated by the Isla Vista shooting that killed six people and left 14 injured. I rise because there are commonsense solutions to curb this violent trend. One of those is my bipartisan Extreme Risk Protection Order Act of 2019, which will help ensure people who have demonstrated that they are at risk of hurting themselves or others temporarily don't have access to guns. The bill passed out of the committee. I now ask the House to bring this legislation to the floor. The House has already sent two bipartisan background check bills to the Senate; yet, Senate Majority Leader McConnell has not acted. There is no excuse. I will continue to rise until we end this epidemic.

Mr. CARBAJAL

Mr. CARBAJAL. Madam Speaker, while none of us came to Congress to impeach a president, the evidence against Donald Trump has become abundantly clear. The president used the power of his office to solicit foreign interference from Ukraine into our elections, he attempted to withhold congressionally approved military aid to advance that request and he undermined our national security, all for his personal political benefit. Moreover, he directed his administration to defy congressional subpoenas to try to obstruct our investigation into his wrongdoing. These actions run counter to the oath that presidents make to uphold our Constitution. These actions are a direct threat to the security of our democracy. When I joined the Marine Corps, I swore an oath to our nation. As a member of Congress, I made that promise again. I will vote to impeach because all of us who hold public office take an oath to defend the Constitution--the president has abused this responsibility, but I refuse to do the same. December 18, 2019 will be remembered as a serious and somber day in the U.S. House, but it is also a day where my colleagues and I made good on our oaths to support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic.

Mr. CARBAJAL

Mr. CARBAJAL. Madam Speaker, I rise on behalf of the people of my district, California's central coast, who are worried about healthcare and the high cost of prescription drugs. Earlier this month at home, I spoke with people at retirement communities, town halls, and at their doorsteps delivering food for Meals on Wheels. Throughout these conversations, one thing was made clear: We need to lower the cost of prescription drugs. I am proud the House passed H.R. 987 to strengthen health protections and bring down drug costs. I am excited that we are looking ahead to do more to ensure people never have to choose between lifesaving medicine and putting food on the table. That is why I cosponsored H.R. 3, the Lower Drug Costs Now Act. When we give the power to Medicare to negotiate prices directly with drug companies and make these lower prices available to everyone, we all win. H.R. 3 gives power back to the patients. It is what people in my district are working for, and I am proud to support it.

Mr. CARBAJAL

Mr. CARBAJAL. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee be removed as a cosponsor of H.R. 4603.

Mr. CARBAJAL

Mr. CARBAJAL. Mr. Chair, I rise in support of H.R. 1941, the Coastal and Marine Economies Protection Act, to ensure we safeguard our environment against the threats of offshore oil drilling. I am proud to have worked with Chairman Grijalva, Chairman Lowenthal, and Representative Cunningham to make sure that this measure also includes my legislation, H.R. 279, the California Clean Coast Act. This would make certain that there is no future offshore oil and gas leasing off California's coast and put the interests of the American people first. We cannot put corporate profits of Big Oil above protecting our environment. My constituents in the central coast have seen firsthand the damage oil spills inflicted on our communities and our local economies. During the 1969 Santa Barbara oil spill, over 100,000 barrels of crude oil spilled into the Santa Barbara Channel. This was the largest oil spill in California's history. It fundamentally harmed Santa Barbara's unique marine ecosystem and wildlife, recreational interests, and commercial fishing.

Mr. CARBAJAL. Paired with the 2015 Plains Refugio oil spill, where cleanup costs hit $92 million, these incidents show us that we cannot afford another disastrous oil spill. In contrast, California's coastal region tourism generates over $1.9 trillion of GDP per year. It also supports more than $731 billion in wages. Any future oil drilling would pose a direct threat to our local economies and the success of local businesses that are tied to clean oceans and healthy ecosystems. We must safeguard our planet and economy for future generations, including my two grandchildren, Roman and Gianna. This is why I urge passage of H.R. 1941, the Coastal and Marine Economies Protection Act.

Mr. CARBAJAL

Mr. CARBAJAL. Madam Speaker, to mark the conclusion of American Grown Flowers Month, we honor a great citizen who has been instrumental in starting the movement to support American Grown Flowers, Kasey J. Cronquist, the outgoing CEO of the California Cut Flower Commission and Administrator of Certified American Grown. In 2007, Kasey Cronquist took the helm of the California Cut Flower Commission and in his successful tenure, he spearheaded an aggressive legislative advocacy program targeting elected officials in Sacramento and Washington, D.C., and retail promotional campaigns to attract consumers and industry stakeholders to the benefits of American Grown Flowers. His efforts have brought industry and consumer attention to the value and importance of domestically grown flowers and foliage, helping consumers connect the ``Farm to Fork'' trend with floral, and driving home the message that the bouquets at the center of our tables should be as fresh, sustainable, and homegrown as the food on our plates. Prior to joining CCFC, Cronquist held posts as president and CEO of the Carpinteria Valley Chamber of Commerce and CEO of the Shelton-Mason County Chamber in Washington State. A firm believer in service to the industry, Cronquist is an active volunteer for the Buy California Marketing Agreement, the Agriculture President's Council of California, and the California Department of Food and Agriculture Nursery Advisory Board. A committed nonprofit leader, Cronquist is a graduate of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Institute for Organizational Management, was named a Santa Barbara Foundation's Katherine Harvey Fellow in 2007, and is the former recipient of Produce Business magazine's ``40 under Forty'' award that identifies the produce industry's top young leaders. As a Co-Chair of the Congressional Cut Flower Caucus, I laud Kasey for his service to this iconic sector of American agriculture and wish him the best in his future endeavors.

Mr. CARBAJAL

Mr. CARBAJAL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the military service of World War II veteran Melvin L. Marks, a Santa Barbara city resident in my district, who turns 95 years old on July 10, 2019. Mel Marks was born in Des Moines IA in 1924, and enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1943. In his three years of service as an intelligence observer in the 124th Battalion, he participated in a number of notable campaigns, including the Battle of Britain and the Battle of the Bulge. His service brought him to England, Holland, Belgium, and Germany, where he crossed the Rhine in March of 1945. Mel Marks is a member of the Greatest Generation, as journalist Tom Brokaw calls it, meaning the men and women who fought not to seek fame or recognition, but simply because it was the right thing to do. Of the more than 16 million who served in the United States Armed Forces during World War II, fewer than 500,000 are still with us today, and we're losing about 350 of them every day. After the war, Mel came to Chicago and married the former Mary Harris, who herself just turned 89, and the two of them have raised three children, have five grandchildren spread across the country, and will be celebrating their 69th wedding anniversary this Fall. Mel has had a distinguished career as a journalist, management and marketing consultant, and published author. One of his best-known books is ``Yesterday's Warriors,'' which recounts his experiences in the War and his band of brothers who remained friends for a lifetime. It is with particular pride that we recognize the service and wonderful life of a veteran who is not just still with us, but alive and kicking.

Mr. CARBAJAL

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

Mr. CARBAJAL. Mr. Chair, I am offering an amendment to make it clear to the administration that we will not sit idly by as they attempt to open up our shores to further oil and gas development. We will not allow our treasured natural resources to be sold to Big Oil, and we will not put corporate profits above protecting our environment and our local coastal economies. My amendment would put in place a moratorium on offshore oil and gas drilling and related activities in the four planning areas off the Pacific Outer Continental Shelf for fiscal year 2020. My constituents on the central Coast have seen firsthand the devastating impacts of some of the largest oil spills in California history, like the 1969 Santa Barbara oil spill. Most recently, the 2015 Plains All American oil spill in my district cost $92 million to clean up. These incidents show us that we cannot afford yet another disastrous oil spill. In contrast, California's coastal region generates over $1.9 trillion of GDP and supports more than $731 billion in wages. Future oil drilling would pose a direct threat to our local economies, businesses, and tourism, which are tied to our clean oceans and healthy ecosystem. Since the 1969 oil spill in Santa Barbara, there has not been a new or expanded lease in California State waters, or one in Federal waters since 1984. This policy has enjoyed support from both Republican and Democratic administrations. Yet this administration today seems tone deaf to this reality. Instead, they are asking to hold seven new lease sales in the four planning areas off the Pacific Outer Continental Shelf. I urge passage of my amendment, which would protect nearly 650,000 jobs in our region. Mr. Chair, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Washington (Mr. Kilmer).

Mr. CARBAJAL. Mr. Chair, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. CARBAJAL

Mr. CARBAJAL. Madam Speaker, today I rise to celebrate the life of Etelvina Menchaca. Ms. Menchaca was a dedicated activist in my district who was very passionate about her community and public service. Etelvina Menchaca was born in Santa Barbara, California on September 8, 1938 to Isabela Davila and Juan Gallegos. She was raised by her Godmother Feliz (Pita) Menchaca and Antonio Serrano as well as long- time family friend Jose (Tuti) Hernandez. Ms. Menchaca was influenced at an early age, by her adopted mother Pita, to be a community activist. She began serving food to the homeless and helping Latino immigrant families transition to the United States. Ms. Menchaca was also a leading voice on children's education through migrant education. She marched and worked alongside Cesar Chavez, lobbied in Washington DC alongside Dolores Huerta, and helped organize and train thousands of Latino families throughout the western United States for over fifty years. Ms. Menchaca joined parents from throughout California in advocating for AB 1308 and SB 218 which authorized Migrant Education programs under Chapter 1 Categorical programs. She worked with Santa Barbara County Superintendents of Schools Dall'Armi and Cirone on a partnership to implement those programs locally. She was also appointed as parent representative from the Santa Barbara School District for Migrant Education, State Parent Advisor for All Chaptered Education programs and State representative at the federal level. Additionally, Ms. Menchaca served in leadership roles on the boards of many community and state organizations including La Casa de la Raza, the Mariachi Festival, C.I.N.A.C., and the Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie #442 Woman's Auxiliary. Ms. Menchaca also received Latina Woman of the Year. It was an honor to know and work with Ms. Menchaca. Today I join the Menchaca Family and Santa Barbara community in celebrating the extraordinary life of Etelvina Menchaca.

Mr. CARBAJAL

Mr. CARBAJAL. Madam Speaker, today I rise to celebrate the life of Mrs. Nannie E. Wilkins, a matriarch of CA-24's NAACP Chapter. Mrs. Wilkins was described as ``a social justice and human and civil rights champion,'' because of her hard work fighting for equal rights in the Central Coast. Nannie Elizabeth Browning was born in Mebane, North Carolina on March 13, 1927 to John Henry Browning and Annie Pearl Richmond. As a young woman, she studied at North Carolina AT&T and earned a bachelor's degree in Business Administration and Commercial Education--an extraordinary accomplishment for women of color at the time. In 1951, Nannie E. Browning married Smiley Edward Wilkins, a member of the U.S. Air Force. Nannie was an ambitious go-getter; she encouraged Smiley to become an officer and used her education and fiscal know-how to raise and run the family. In 1972, after Smiley retired from the military, the Wilkins family moved to Lompoc, where Nannie continued her life in community and public service. She selflessly served as a hospice volunteer and on the Executive Committee of the Santa Maria-Lompoc Branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) for more than forty-three years. Alongside her husband, former President of the NAACP, she tackled race-based discrimination in their community. She was a Silver Life and Golden Heritage member of the NAACP, serving as the Communication, Press & Publicity Chair. Among her valiant strides towards justice, she also served as a Diaconate at the Valley of the Flowers United Church of Christ for thirty years and was a dedicated member of Lompoc Alpha Club for twenty-five years. Nannie passed away on May 9, 2019 at her home in Lompoc, California at the age of ninety-two. Her soul and legacy as a Civil Rights champion lives on in her loving family, her friends, and every community member liberated and inspired by her courageous efforts. Madam Speaker, I am honored to join the nation and the Wilkins Family in celebrating the special life of Nannie Elizabeth Wilkins.

Mr. CARBAJAL

Mr. CARBAJAL. Madam Speaker, today I rise to celebrate the life of Conrad Gonzales. Mr. Gonzales was described as ``an ordained minister with street experience who was very passionate about his work and who had a rare gift to inspire, motivate, and guide teens.'' Mr. Gonzales was born and raised in the small town of Santa Paula, CA. For a few years, he and his wife lived in Santa Barbara before permanently moving to Lompoc in 1984, where he dedicated thirty-three years of his life to helping youth and preaching the word of God. While in Lompoc, Mr. Gonzales had a reputation for his ability to mentor troubled and at-risk youth, earning the nickname of Lompoc's ``Kid Whisperer.'' Most of his work in Lompoc was carried out at the church he founded, Cornerstone Church, and at the Boys & Girls Club. During the thirteen years that Mr. Gonzales directed and oversaw Lompoc's Boys & Girls Club teen program, he expanded it from a small group of 25 kids to around 400 strong. As a result of his work, Mr. Gonzales had received numerous accolades during his life. One of those being the renaming of the teen center at the Boys & Girls Club to the ``The Conrad Gonzales Teen Center.'' Other honors included being the first recipient of the Valley of Flowers Peace Prize Award as well as being the recipient of a Distinguished Service Award from the Kiwanis Club of Lompoc. Mr. Gonzales passed away on December 27, 2018, after a bout with Lou Gehrig's disease, but his soul lives on in his loving family, his friends, and every troubled and at-risk teen he aided and inspired along the way. Madam Speaker, I am honored to join with the nation and the Gonzales Family in celebrating the special life of Conrad Gonzales.

Mr. CARBAJAL

Mr. CARBAJAL. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 6, the American Dream and Promise Act of 2019. This Nation was founded by immigrants who believed that if you work hard and play by the rules, you can achieve the American Dream. When the Trump administration announced its heartless decision to rescind DACA protections, it turned its back on the core beliefs of our country and put over 800,000 young immigrants who know America as their only home in a state of fear. Dreamers are hardworking and law-abiding Americans. They are our military servicemen and -women, our neighbors, and our children's classmates. They make our country a better place for all. After years of tireless advocacy and living in distress, Dreamers and TPS recipients deserve clarity. I am proud to support H.R. 6, which will offer them an earned pathway to citizenship. Now more than ever, we must stand firmly behind our Dreamers and acknowledge their countless social, economic, and cultural contributions to the United States. Please know that I will not stop fighting for all young immigrants and Dreamers. I urge my colleagues to support the passage of H.R. 6 this week.

Mr. CARBAJAL

Mr. CARBAJAL. Mr. Speaker, this weekend we will be celebrating the life and legacy of one of my exceptional constituents, Nancy K. Johnson, who left us on January 10 of this year. Nancy was truly a force to be reckoned with. Born in Chicago, she later moved to Santa Maria, California, with her husband, Ned, where they raised five children. She was very active in the community and was a founding member of the Santa Maria Valley League of Women Voters, a board member and counselor at Planned Parenthood, a member of the Pismo Beach Presbyterian Church, and a nationally recognized city and county planning commissioner. Nancy also volunteered her time with the Santa Barbara Foundation, Transitions-Mental Health, SBCAN, and the Women's Fund for North County. She had a true passion for the arts and was a longtime supporter of PCPA community theater and the Santa Maria Symphony. It was an honor to know and work with Nancy. Nancy will always be remembered for her passion and work towards justice and equality for all.

Mr. CARBAJAL

Mr. CARBAJAL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the importance of buying American-grown flowers. Whether it is celebrating a wedding or graduation, or sending condolences, flowers have been used to mark significant occasions for thousands of years. I have seen the value this industry adds to our economy and communities during my visits with our hardworking central coast farmers and workers. The cut flower industry generates thousands of jobs and produces $1.2 billion in economic activity each year through flower farmers, distributors, and florists. California grows an astonishing 75 percent of American-grown flowers, yet only a fraction of the flowers sold across the country were grown here. That must change. This week, Senator Feinstein and I introduced a resolution to designate July as American Grown Flower Month and to encourage consumers to buy flowers with the ``Certified American Grown'' label. By passing H.R. 379, we will honor the beauty this industry brings to our homes year-round and help keep our American-grown flower industry prosperous. I urge my colleagues to join us in this effort.

Mr. CARBAJAL

Mr. CARBAJAL. Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize Dr. Tania Israel for her Congressional Women of the Year Award and for all the incredible work she does to improve the quality of life on the Central Coast. Dr. Tania Israel is a Professor of Counseling Psychology at UCSB who has provided leadership in the Santa Barbara community and beyond for decades. In 2010, Dr. Israel collaborated with several Santa Barbara nonprofits to lead a community-based participatory research project which surveyed the LGBTQ community about their perceptions and concerns, which led to a mandatory 5-hour workshop on LGBTQ issues for all sworn police officers in the City of Santa Barbara. The workshop almost immediately proved to significantly improve relations between police and the LGBTQ community. Most recently, Dr. Israel has designed and presented a two-hour interactive workshop, titled Beyond the Bubble, to help participants engage in productive dialogues across political lines by building their skills in active listening, managing emotions, and perspective taking. Hundreds of people in Santa Barbara County have taken advantage of Beyond the Bubble in workshops delivered to the Santa Maria-Lompoc NAACP, the Santa Barbara Progressive Coalition, Congregation B'nai B'rith, and a League of Women Voters community forum, among others. Dr. Israel has not charged any of these organizations or their participants for her time and expertise, instead describing the workshop as her offering to our community.