Gilbert Cisneros

Mr. CISNEROS

Mr. CISNEROS. Mr. Speaker, as every local businessowner knows, every penny counts, especially during the holiday season. Elsa Duenez, owner of Paradise Gym in San Dimas, took this busy and valuable time to use their business to give back to the community by organizing a month-long fundraiser and toy drive to support the children and families of the City of Hope, one of the largest cancer research and treatment hospitals in the United States. Paradise Gym encouraged patrons and community members to donate new toys to children and their families, sharing the message that donating toys not only gives joy but offers hope to those navigating cancer treatments and care for their loved ones. The support and community of southern California is unlike any other, and I am so proud to see our neighbors come together and give back. This is a true testament to the character of Paradise Gym and the power of community and service. I thank Elsa and the staff at Paradise Gym for their commitment to service. We are so grateful for them. Congratulating Rorimer Elementary School

Mr. CISNEROS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge an outstanding accomplishment by Rorimer Elementary School in La Puente, California, a part of the Rowland Unified School District in California's 31st District. Rorimer Elementary has been designated as a 2026 Seal of Excellence School by the California Association for Bilingual Education, one of only four schools in California awarded this designation after undergoing an extensive review process. This award recognizes schools for their strong vision for biliteracy, multicultural competency, and educational equity. As a Spanish dual language immersion school, Rorimer Elementary has demonstrated notable gains in academic achievements and bilingual proficiency among English learners using effective research-based instructional strategies. Rorimer Elementary's success has been built through creation of a school-wide culture that embraces and celebrates developing students' bilingual language proficiency and cultural awareness in grades TK-6. The strong relationship built between Rorimer's teachers, staff, and families has been central to the school's success. Congratulations to the team at Rorimer Elementary for setting an amazing example for bilingual education. Recognizing Christopher Nigg on His Retirement

Mr. CISNEROS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize former La Verne Fire Chief Christopher Nigg for his distinguished time of service with the La Verne Fire Department. While in service at the department, he led significant operational and organizational advancements, strengthening emergency response, workforce readiness, and regional integration. Chief Nigg worked collaboratively with regional partners to enhance service-and-response delivery, fostering a culture of professionalism, trust, and shared accountability focused on serving the community. Notably, he led the department to streamline emergency response with an efficient ambulance operator program and established a comprehensive succession plan for long-term organizational stability. I am so grateful for his leadership and service, promoting safety for the community in California's 31st District. He will be remembered as a team player, fierce advocate for fire prevention, and an innovative leader. We wish him the best in the next chapter of his life. Celebrating 100 Years of Route 66

Mr. CISNEROS. Mr. Speaker, 2026 marks the 100th anniversary of the most famous road in the country, Route 66, and it travels right through the 31st Congressional District in California. Last month, the city of Azusa unveiled its Route 66 centennial monument and mural at the newly designated Route 66 Tribute Corner in honor of this historic highway. This new mural and monument are part of a series of monuments that will be unveiled from Chicago to Santa Monica as part of the official project organized by the U.S. Route 66 Centennial Commission. Mr. Speaker, we are excited that many will continue to get their kicks on Route 66, as we celebrate this historic highway that connected our community to the rest of the country and opened up a pathway for migration, tourism, and development in the San Gabriel Valley and the great State of California.

Mr. CISNEROS

Mr. CISNEROS. Mr. Speaker, like many people on Sunday, I went to church. I went to church and prayed for the victims at my alma mater, Brown University. Eleven kids were studying for their economics final exam and dreaming about going home to their families for the holidays when a gunman entered the room and started shooting. I prayed for the families and those who were shot and wounded, and I hope they all have a speedy recovery. I also prayed for Mukhammad Aziz Umurzokov and Ella Cook, who both lost their lives to the unimaginable, senseless shooting. They were cherished members of the Brown community and had years of life and bright futures ahead of them. In one moment, it was all taken. I prayed for them on Sunday, and I will continue to pray for them, but it is not enough. It will never be enough. We have a problem with gun violence and mass shootings in this country. Twenty-six years ago, at Columbine High School in Colorado, 13 people were shot dead and 20 others injured. Thirteen years ago, at Sandy Hook Elementary in Connecticut, 26 were fatally wounded. In 2018, 17 were killed and 18 were wounded at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Florida. These are just some of the more high-profile shootings over the last 26 years. There have been countless others at schools, movie theaters, parades, shopping centers, and even a concert in Las Vegas, where a family friend lost his daughter. From 2000 to 2022, the United States has had over three times as many mass shootings as 16 other politically similar countries combined. The one thing that has remained consistent during this time is that Congress has failed to act. Mass shooting after mass shooting, death after death, Congress has done nothing. To my colleagues in Congress, I compel you to end this tragedy. As a practicing Catholic, I put my faith in God, but He is not going to solve this problem for us. The prayers might make us feel good, but they are doing nothing to stop the scourge of gun violence threatening our communities. There is not going to be a miracle from Heaven that will end gun violence for us. We need to do it. Mr. Speaker, I ask: Where is the outrage from my Republican colleagues? The President was outraged over the shooting and death of American soldiers in Syria this weekend, and he should be. My sympathies are with those American heroes who gave their lives for our country fighting terrorists, but all Donald Trump had to say about the Brown University shooting was: ``Things can happen.'' Mr. Speaker, really? Now is the time for action. It is what the American people want. Over 90 percent of Americans want universal background checks. Mr. Speaker, 60 percent support an assault weapons ban, 75 percent support red flag laws, and over 83 percent support gun safety storage. Some of my Republican colleagues will argue that guns don't kill people. People kill people. Anyone who does this must have mental health issues. This is all the more reason for the background checks and the red flag laws. We cannot continue to act like nothing is wrong in America. We have a problem with gun violence and mass shootings in our country, and Congress must finally act. Will enacting these laws eliminate mass shootings, gun violence, or suicides completely? No, but commonsense gun laws like this will make a difference, and it is a start. This past weekend was one of the worst that I can remember. I spoke about the Brown University shooting and mentioned the soldiers in Syria. We also lost a great American and artist in Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele, this past weekend due to an act of violence. Mr. Speaker, I must say I was appalled by the President's response to his death. It was nothing more than shameful and disrespectful and unbecoming of the person who is supposed to be the leader of our country. I also send my condolences to the Australian people who suffered through their own mass shooting this past weekend, a mass shooting that was a hate crime that targeted the Jewish community in Australia with 15 people dead, including a 10-year-old girl and a Holocaust survivor. Fortunately, in Australia, they are already talking about how they can change things to prevent this from happening again. I can only hope there will be similar action in our own country and Congress will finally act. If history proves us right, I very much doubt it.

Mr. CISNEROS

Mr. CISNEROS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the South El Monte High School Lady Eagles volleyball team on their first-ever CIF Southern Section Division 9 championship. In a hard-fought match, the Lady Eagles fell behind two sets to one before rallying back with determination and grit to take the lead. They forced a decisive fifth set, battling point-for-point until the score was tied 12-12. Senior Zaira Garcia then delivered back-to-back kills, sealing the championship for South El Monte. Mr. Speaker, I congratulate the Lady Eagles volleyball team on this historic achievement. El Monte High School Eagles Football

Mr. CISNEROS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the amazing victory of the South El Monte High School Eagles football team in the 2025 CIF Division 14 championship game. The team claimed the school's first-ever championship in a nail-biting 14-6 win. Under the leadership of their head coach, Frank Gallardo, the team devoted countless hours to training this season. Their hard work and competitive spirit carried them forward when the game was tied at six. In the final minutes, Eagles quarterback Michael Maldonado stepped up under pressure and delivered a perfect 10-yard touchdown strike to Gabriel Canchola. This touchdown pass put the Eagles in the lead. With 21 seconds still left, the Eagles' Ivan Lopez broke through the line to sack the opponent's quarterback and seal the championship. Mr. Speaker, I congratulate the Eagles football team for their first championship. Their hard work and teamwork shined through, and myself and our community are very proud of them. Baldwin Park Braves Football

Mr. CISNEROS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the inspiring 2025 football season of the Baldwin Park Braves. After enduring a five-game losing streak, the Braves turned their season around with determination and teamwork and ultimately secured an at-large bid into Division 11 playoffs. In the playoffs, the Braves became a different team and dominated their way to the CIF Division 11 championship game. This was the first CIF Southern Section championship appearance for Baldwin Park since 1991. Unfortunately for the Braves, the goal of a championship would end when their opponent kicked the game-winning field goal with 8 seconds left on the clock. Although they did not take home the title, their teamwork and determination reflected the true spirit of a champion and serves as an inspiration to all of us. Mr. Speaker, I applaud the Baldwin Park Braves football team on their success this season. Their perseverance and commitment have made their community incredibly proud.

Mr. CISNEROS

Mr. CISNEROS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I am grateful for the opportunity to speak as we take up a set of five bipartisan bills that will expand services available to our country's 36 million small businesses. These businesses are crucial to our economy and national security, creating two-thirds of all new jobs, employing half the private-sector workforce, and generating almost half of our Nation's economic activity. Despite forming the bedrock of our local communities, small businesses are increasingly feeling uncertain about the future of the country. The small business landscape is littered with obstacles like finding qualified workers, dealing with supply chain disruption as they adjust to the President's tariff regime, and adopting new technologies in order to stay competitive. These economic headwinds make SBA services more important than ever. The bills before us today reflect the monthslong, bipartisan effort to strengthen the services offered by the SBA and bolster the support for small businesses across the country. These five bills were negotiated in good faith and in the spirit of collaboration. Together, they help expand access to capital for businesses central to our national security, expand the reach of the SBA's Office of Rural Affairs, hold fraudsters accountable for exploiting the pandemic relief programs, and modernize the SBA's IT infrastructure. These bills are quite simply common sense and would meaningfully improve SBA services for small businesses across the country. I am proud to support them, and I thank my colleagues for the bipartisan effort. Mr. Speaker, turning to the first bill, I rise today for H.R. 3174, the Made in America Manufacturing Finance Act. Small manufacturers account for more than 98 percent of U.S. manufacturing firms and employ 4.8 million Americans. They play a critical role in regional economies and in maintaining supply chain resilience. There is no doubt that reshoring manufacturing is a top priority. We all lived through the pandemic and saw the downsides of streamlined just-in-time supply chains. When it comes to industries critical to our economic and national security, such as pharmaceuticals and weapons, ensuring the viability of domestic supply chains is paramount. Let's all be honest, as a result of the crushing use of tariffs imposed unilaterally by the President, small businesses are clamoring for options in their supply chains that avoid massive and ever-changing taxes at points of entry, but a renewed economic focus on making things in the U.S. cannot happen at the snap of a finger. It takes large investments and longtime horizons. This bill is a way to approach filling the gaps in manufacturing financing. It raises the loan limits for the SBA 7(a) and 504/CDC loan program from $5 million to $10 million for small manufacturers. In fact, helping small firms with the upfront capital investment is one of the main goals of the 504/CDC program, and there is broad support for increasing the loan limits in particular. Whether this is a prudent use of the 7(a) program is a conversation that is still up for debate, and one I look forward to continuing to work through with our Senate counterparts. Mr. Speaker, I support the bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. CISNEROS. Mr. Speaker, I will close by thanking the chairman for his commitment to working on behalf of small businesses to open up avenues of financing for small businesses hoping to contribute to the reshoring of manufacturing. Mr. Speaker, I support this legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. CISNEROS

Mr. CISNEROS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise today in support of my bill, the SBA IT Modernization Reporting Act, and I thank the chairman for his support. I also thank Representative Jack for joining me in introducing this bill, which will go a long way to help SBA modernize its IT infrastructure and improve its services to small businesses. Billions of dollars in Federal contracts are awarded to small businesses every year, and the SBA plays a vital role in promoting small business participation; however, over the years the SBA's outdated and inefficient IT systems have made it harder for entrepreneurs to access the resources they need. After repeated unsuccessful attempts to develop and deploy a platform that would be a one-stop-shop for contracting certifications, the committee requested the GAO review the SBA's efforts to figure out why they failed. The report identified the critical gaps in the SBA's modernization efforts from risk management to cybersecurity and budgeting. My bill directly addresses these issues by requiring the SBA administrator to implement the 11 recommendations in the GAO report, mandating a clear plan of action and ensuring Congress is kept in the loop. This means better oversight, better execution, and most importantly, better services by the SBA for all small businesses. An efficient and fully operational IT platform is critical for the SBA to conduct the certifications that allow for so many small businesses to participate in the Federal marketplace. The SBA IT Modernization Reporting Act will ensure that the SBA addresses the root causes that lead IT projects to fall behind schedule, increasing costs, or outright fail. I am grateful for the partnership of Representative Jack to introduce this commonsense, bipartisan legislation which shows that modernizing how the SBA works is not a partisan issue. Together, we can ensure that the SBA is prepared to meet the evolving needs of small businesses. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill to ensure we give the SBA the modern tools it needs to support the success of America's small businesses. Mr. Speaker, I close by once again thanking my colleague Representative Jack for partnering with me on this important legislation. By bolstering SBA's IT infrastructure, we can improve services to small businesses and open up doors to thousands of new entrants in the Federal marketplace. I encourage my colleagues to support this legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. CISNEROS

Mr. CISNEROS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise today in support of H.R. 4495, the SBA Fraud Enforcement Extension Act. This bill builds off the work done by Ranking Member Velazquez in a previous Congress. That bill extended the statute of limitations for investigating fraud in the PPP and EIDL programs. All of the major pandemic relief programs, including the Shuttered Venues Operators Grant Program and Restaurant Revitalization Fund, will have extended statutes of limitations from 5 years to 10 years because of this bill. Passing this bill into law will send a strong message to fraudsters that their behavior will not be tolerated, and those who committed fraud will be held accountable in the years to come. The pandemic upended regular SBA operations, and the agency executed 14 years of lending in 14 days to keep small businesses afloat. While these programs helped millions of small businesses, the implementation was not without its flaws. As we now know, potential fraud could range from $36 billion up to $200 billion. While the exact number will never be known, we do know that the vast majority of that fraud came in the first 9 months under the first Trump administration. Recognizing the potential for fraud, the Biden administration instituted strong upfront controls for RRF and SVOG. To date, the Office of the Inspector General's work has resulted in charges against 25 individuals, 14 criminal convictions, and more than $61 million in recoveries. Now, the OIG has 31 open RRF cases and 6 open SVOG cases. While modest in number, these cases are complex, involving layered transactions, false documentation, and financial concealment. These cases will take time to investigate and prosecute, and we owe it to the experts doing the work to give them the tools they need. Extending the statute of limitations is only part of the equation. We must provide full funding to the Office of the Inspector General so that they have the resources to root out the fraud. Moreover, we need to ensure proper staffing at the SBA to review the 1,892 active SVOG awards totaling over $3.2 billion. Mr. Speaker, with that said, this legislation is a step in the right direction. I commend Mr. Downing and Mr. Conaway for leading this effort. We need to make sure that no one gets away with fraud simply because the clock ran out. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. CISNEROS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from the great State of New Jersey (Mr. Conaway).

Mr. CISNEROS. Mr. Speaker, I will close by thanking Mr. Conaway, Mr. Downing, and Chairman Williams for their work on ensuring taxpayer funds are protected from fraudsters. This is a commonsense measure to rebuild public trust, and I encourage my colleagues to vote ``yes.'' Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. CISNEROS

Mr. CISNEROS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this commonsense legislation to enhance the Office of Rural Affairs at the SBA. I commend Representatives Goodlander, Wied, and Golden for their commitment to making this office operate more effectively for rural small businesses. Rural small businesses are powerful drivers of economic growth across the United States, fueling the agricultural, tourism, manufacturing, and energy sectors. Unfortunately, they receive disproportionately fewer SBA loans and resources than their urban counterparts and face greater challenges, including access to affordable capital, unreliable internet access, and access to talent. Created in 1990, the Office of Rural Affairs at the SBA could play a key role in helping small businesses overcome these challenges. However, throughout its existence, the office has either been dormant or the collateral duty of a regional administrator. In 2020, an acting SBA director was named, and in 2021, the SBA appointed a permanent, full-time career deputy director to stand up the office. This bill would elevate the role of director to an assistant administrator, ensure that assistant administrator meets certain qualifications, and requires the office to host webinars and outreach events. With clear lines of communication and the outreach that will come from the office, small businesses will be able to access resources that should be readily available to them. I will, once again, thank Ms. Goodlander, Mr. Wied, and Mr. Golden for their bipartisan efforts on behalf of America's rural small businesses. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from the great State of New Hampshire (Ms. Goodlander).

Mr. CISNEROS. Mr. Speaker, I yield an additional 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from New Hampshire.

Mr. CISNEROS. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I am prepared to close. Mr. Speaker, I will, once again, thank my colleagues, Ms. Goodlander, Mr. Wied, and Mr. Golden, for their bipartisan efforts to pass this legislation. By strengthening the Office of Rural Affairs, we can ensure all small businesses have adequate access to the resources at their disposal. Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. CISNEROS

Mr. CISNEROS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 2066, the Investing in All of America Act. Small Business Investment Companies, or SBICs, are an essential part of the small business lending ecosystem. Under this program, SBA works with and licenses private institutions to provide financing to small, high-growth companies. Unfortunately, due to statutory constraints, investors are often limited in their ability to participate in the program when focusing on rural and underserved communities, small manufacturers, or small businesses critical to national security. Due to their capital-intensive nature and early revenue profile, these small businesses operating in the critical technology sector need institutional investors with longer term time horizons to raise capital. That is why this bill makes statutory improvements to provide SBICs with access to additional leverage when they invest in these businesses. Providing SBICs with additional leverage flexibility will ensure the capital needs of small businesses in our critical technology sector are met by the SBIC program. This will enable the SBA and DOD to successfully implement their joint Small Business Investment Company Critical Technology Initiative. In addition, this bill provides another avenue to extend private investment to small businesses in rural and underserved communities, something that lenders and policymakers have repeatedly fallen short on. This additional bonus leverage will encourage more investment in communities that need it most. I applaud Representatives Meuser and Scholten for leading this bipartisan effort, and I thank Chairman Williams and his team for their collaboration on this bill. Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to vote ``yes'', and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. CISNEROS. Mr. Speaker, I would like to close by once again thanking Mr. Meuser and Ms. Scholten for their leadership on this bill and their efforts to extend additional capital to rural and underserved entrepreneurs, as well as the critical technology industry. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to support this bill and encourage all of my colleagues to do the same. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. CISNEROS

Mr. CISNEROS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge and uplift Small Business Saturday this year. Every year, our country celebrates Small Business Saturday the weekend after Thanksgiving. This year that will be November 29, and I encourage my constituents in California's 31st District and all Americans to participate by shopping small business and supporting our local businesses. Coming from California's 31st District, I am proud to represent a thriving and diverse community of small businesses in the San Gabriel Valley. From cafes and restaurants, to bookstores, toy shops, party supply stores, and many more, our district is fortunate to have an abundance of locally owned small businesses bringing life and community to our cities. Mr. Speaker, as we approach Small Business Saturday and the holiday season, I encourage everyone to shop small and take some time to support your local businesses. By doing so, you are supporting your neighbors, growing your local economy, and making your community stronger. Recognizing Mr. Kenneth Singleton

Mr. CISNEROS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize an extraordinary military servicemember now serving our public schools. Mr. Kenneth Singleton has dedicated decades of service to our community. From serving in the U.S. Army and completing several tours, including in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Saudi Arabia, his commitment to service earned him the Meritorious Service Award five times. For Mr. Singleton, public service didn't end after the uniform came off, though. His second mission serving our next generation began in the Monrovia Unified School District as the director of food service. He has been a vital part of the school district, ensuring our students have healthy, nutritious meals every day to focus and thrive on their studies. Mr. Singleton has brought discipline, leadership, and a commitment to service to our schools in Monrovia Unified. Our community is fortunate to have a dedicated public servant like him. Mr. Speaker, I thank Mr. Singleton for his military service and his exemplary public service to our students and schools. Recognizing Penny Stevenson

Mr. CISNEROS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize an outstanding community member, veteran, and leader in California's 31st District in the city of San Dimas. Penny Stevenson is the board president of the San Dimas H.E.R.O.E.S. Organization, whose mission is to honor all San Dimas veterans by engraving their names on a permanent monument at Freedom Park in San Dimas, California. As a U.S. Marine veteran herself and with a family of veterans, Penny has shown incredible commitment, sacrifice, and leadership serving as president to this organization dedicated to honoring our veterans and servicemembers. This is Penny's last year serving as board president, a position she has held since 2009. Mr. Speaker, I thank her and commend her for all the work she has done to recognize our servicemembers for the past 16 years. Just this past Veterans Day, I was honored to visit the H.E.R.O.E.S. monument at Freedom Park, and I can attest to the honor it brings to our veteran community. I, again, thank her for her leadership and tireless efforts. Honoring 2026 Teachers of the Year

Mr. CISNEROS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the exciting achievement of two dedicated educators in California's 31st District. Mr. Rene Romero and Dr. Heather Povinelli were both named 2026 California Teachers of the Year. Mr. Romero is an 11th and 12th grade international baccalaureate language and literature teacher at South Hills High School in the Covina Valley Unified School District. He has been teaching for 21 years and has developed an outstanding reputation for his creativity, compassion, and dedication to his students. His inclusive and supportive classroom has exemplified good teaching, and he has well-earned the title of Teacher of the Year. Dr. Heather Povinelli is a second grade teacher at Bradoaks Elementary Science Academy in the Monrovia Unified School District. For 25 years, she has dedicated her career to teaching in elementary classrooms. Living with dwarfism, Dr. Povinelli uses her own lived experience as an opportunity to empower students and teach about disabilities, inclusion, and equity. Not only is she an incredible teacher, but she is an inspiration and a trailblazer to students of all backgrounds. Mr. Speaker, I thank both Mr. Romero and Dr. Povinelli for their commitment to teaching our future generations and congratulate them on these immense achievements.

Mr. CISNEROS

Mr. CISNEROS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to address the dangerous actions of the Health and Human Services Secretary in regard to vaccines. Vaccines play a critical role in protecting our entire population in the United States. They are the most powerful tool we have against serious infectious diseases. They help our immune system learn how to fight against viruses and prevent disease from spreading to our neighbors, communities, and loved ones. A 2024 CDC study showed that routine vaccines have prevented over 508 million cases of illness in children. The impact is immeasurable. That is hundreds of millions of children who are saved from having to suffer through a miserable illness. On top of that, their family, friends, neighbors, classmates, and loved ones are all able to stay guarded from these viruses and diseases. It is really all thanks to modern medicine, science, research, and the proven success of vaccines. The United States military administers 17 vaccines to military personnel on the basis of occupation, location of their deployment, and mission requirements. Once common diseases like polio, tetanus, and hepatitis B are now almost unheard of, thanks to routine vaccinations. Vaccines have become so effective that people have forgotten the serious threat that they guard against in our communities, and now, they are trying to politicize one of the most revolutionary developments of modern medicine. Health and Human Services Secretary Kennedy has been on a mission to spread misinformation and fear-mongering to scare parents away from getting their kids lifesaving vaccines. Not only that, he is attacking the research and medical institutions that advance our health systems. He has canceled nearly $500 million in contracts to develop vaccines. This blatant disregard for the health of our communities is reckless and puts all of us in danger. As Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness at the Pentagon, I oversaw public health efforts at the Pentagon during the COVID-19 pandemic, which included acquiring and distributing vaccines to military personnel. In order to maintain the strength of our military, we need people equipped for whatever the world throws at them, and that includes diseases. Operation Warp Speed was a success. Over 95 percent of Active-Duty personnel were vaccinated. While no vaccine is perfect, only three individuals who took the vaccine while on Active Duty died from COVID- 19 complications. Operation Warp Speed was so much of a success that Secretary Esper included a binder labeled ``Operation Warp Speed'' in his official portrait. It is just too bad that no one can any longer see it hanging in the Pentagon. I find it ironic that the President who spoke out against the distribution of the vaccines for so long is now trying to embrace its success. Our society has become healthier and more productive because of vaccines. Vaccines have become a global investment in a strong public system. In our modern times, we no longer need to worry about sending our kids to school, going to large sporting events or concerts, or even traveling, all because of the major reduction in the spread of disease. Vaccines are to thank for that. There are several consequences to rejecting vaccines and the science behind them. Mr. Kennedy's recent comments attacking vaccines are destroying decades of work and community trust that has fostered safer and healthier communities, trust that is based on good science. It is careless and dangerous, but he continues to follow in the footsteps of the President and create false narratives to spread fear and distrust. This anti-vaccine mission he is on is going to prevent families and children from getting the proper healthcare that they need. It is going to significantly limit the resources that families have to keep themselves healthy and protect themselves against infectious disease. It should not be a political issue. This is about the health of our people, the health of our Nation. Every American should be alarmed about the detrimental impact that this will have on our communities across the Nation and globe, which is why I am fully committed to keeping our country safe and healthy, lowering the cost of healthcare, and making medical resources more accessible. All Americans deserve access to quality healthcare, including critical preventive care like vaccines. Secretary Kennedy should be lauded for his campaign to remove dyes from food, and I think that is admirable, but removing dyes from drinks and foods won't protect kids from the threat of measles, chicken pox, polio, or other diseases. Vaccines are safe, effective, and our best defense against life- threatening diseases. I urge all Americans to trust our scientists, our doctors, and decades of research. Get vaccinated to protect yourself, your families, and our communities. We have the power to maintain a healthy society and prevent deadly infectious disease.

Mr. CISNEROS

Mr. CISNEROS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate and honor the achievements of Glendora letter carrier John Bromstead. John recently retired after a 40-year career in the U.S. Postal Service. Throughout this time, he drove 1 million accident-free miles, delivering letters, packages, and smiles across our community. John was honored as a member of the National Safety Council Million Mile Club, and he received the Million Mile Award, a truly remarkable achievement. Too often the stellar work of letter carriers like John goes unnoticed, but they play an essential role in ensuring our society, commerce, and community functions effectively. I thank John for all the years of connecting our community through mail and spreading cheer around our neighborhoods. Now it is time for him to put his feet up and enjoy his well-earned retirement.