Susan Davis

Mrs. DAVIS of California

Mrs. DAVIS of California. Madam Speaker, I want to talk about the administration's move to cut hundreds of thousands of people from SNAP, our Nation's safety net for those faced with food insecurity. By the USDA's own estimates, nearly 700,000 people will be hurt by this policy. 700,000, that is appalling. That is 700,000 people who will struggle to feed themselves while they work towards getting back on their feet. That is 700,000 people who will have to decide whether to pay their bills or go hungry. But this doesn't just affect those who will be cut from the food assistance program, this affects everyone. SNAP dollars are spent in local small businesses and help bring money to struggling communities. Simply put, this rule will make more people go hungry and hurt our communities in the process. In Congress, we worked together on this issue. We reached a consensus, and we passed bipartisan legislation. So this policy is not what we passed, and it is not what the American people want. I am calling on this administration to stop this cruel policy.

Mrs. DAVIS of California

Mrs. DAVIS of California. Madam Speaker, I rise with admiration and respect to honor the career of one of San Diego's most dedicated public servants and leaders, Dr. Cindy L. Miles. Dr. Miles is retiring after ten years as Chancellor of the Grossmont- Cuyamaca Community College District, where she transformed public higher education in eastern San Diego County and opened the doors to college for thousands of students. In the decade since Dr. Miles joined the college district as chancellor, the number of graduates from Grossmont and Cuyamaca colleges increased by 78 percent, and the number of degrees and certificates awarded at the colleges rose by 178 percent. Under her direction, the district has been recognized nationally for removing barriers to student success and eliminating longstanding equity gaps that have impeded students of color in their educational pursuits. One of Dr. Miles's most successful innovations was the creation of the East County Education Alliance in 2014, which initially began as a partnership between the district and the Grossmont Union High School District to ensure a smooth path for students between high school, college, and eventually, into a career. In 2019, the Mountain Empire School District joined the Alliance, ensuring that every public high school student in eastern San Diego County could benefit. As evidence of this fact, the Alliance was selected by the League for Innovation in the Community College for a national Innovation of the Year award. The prestige of the two campuses was significantly advanced during Dr. Miles's service as chancellor. In 2018, the California Community College Chancellor's Office awarded Cuyamaca College the John W. Rice Diversity and Equity Award and Grossmont College was recognized as a Champion of Higher Education. Dr. Miles has played an influential role in state and national community college organizations. She served on committees and task forces for the American Association of Community Colleges, the American Council on Education, the California Community Colleges Chancellor' s Office, the Community College League of California, and the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges. While her presence in the Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District will be missed, Dr. Miles has created a culture of progress that will endure for years to come. I extend my congratulations and best wishes to her for a well-deserved retirement.

Mrs. DAVIS of California

Mrs. DAVIS of California. Mr. Chairman, we know that there have been foreign attacks on our election infrastructure. That is a fact. Knowing there are those out there who seek to rob us of our democracy, why would we leave our door wide open? Why would we not create a shield when our democracy is under attack? The SHIELD Act, carefully drafted by my colleague and chair, Ms. Lofgren, requires that political campaigns report any information they receive from foreign agents to the FBI so we can centralize information and stop attacks. Why would we not want to do that? The SHIELD Act establishes strong penalties for online voter intimidation by foreign actors. Why would we not want to do that? The SHIELD Act closes loopholes that allow foreigners to spend their money in our elections. Why would we not want to do that? There are enemies out there every day trying to cast doubt on our elections. We have no excuse--no excuse--for not doing all we can to make ourselves less vulnerable. This should be a bipartisan no-brainer, Mr. Chairman. I urge my colleagues to support the SHIELD Act to protect our democracy.

Mrs. DAVIS of California

Mrs. DAVIS of California. Mr. Speaker, it is hard to believe that some have already forgotten the lessons we have learned from the BP oil spill disaster. It was only a few years ago that we saw millions of gallons of oil being spilled into the Gulf of Mexico, and, sadly, many areas are still recovering. In California, we have seen the disastrous effects offshore drilling can have on our oceans and the lives that depend on it. We had our own disaster in Santa Barbara exactly 50 years ago. Night after night, we saw images of birds and sea otters drenched in oil and pictures of dead seals and dolphins. It was heartbreaking. And this is why we say never again. Offshore drilling is not the answer to our country's energy challenges. We can and we must invest in clean, renewable energy. California, as everybody knows, has one of the most beautiful coastlines in the world, and we have to keep it that way. So I urge my colleagues, vote to keep our oceans clean and reject more offshore drilling.

Mrs. DAVIS of California

Mrs. DAVIS of California. Madam Speaker, I am sorry to learn of the passing of former California State Senator Wadie P. Deddeh. Wadie was the first Iraqi-born American ever elected to public office in the United States. He served in the state legislature for 27 years-- first in the Assembly, then in the Senate. He was known as the ``Father of CalTrans'' because he introduced and guided the legislation that created California's Department of Transportation. During the dedication of a new CalTrans Building in Old Town in San Diego--a building that was being named after him--Wadie recalled the first time he ran for office in 1966. He was told Wadie Deddeh was a funny name and he might want to change it. He acknowledged it was a funny name but he would not be changing it. ``People can vote for Wadie P. Deddeh or they don't have to vote for me,'' he said. He was deeply proud of his Iraqi Chaldean heritage. And he was deeply proud to be an American. In 1979, during the height of the hostage crisis in Iran when 52 Americans were held 444 days, the United States sought to re-establish diplomatic relations with Iraq. President Jimmy Carter asked Wadie if he would go to Iraq and meet with Iraq's Foreign Minister in this effort. He said he would of course return to his homeland on behalf of America. While that initial effort to restore diplomacy was not successful, it showed the status he had not only in our state but the nation. Born in Baghdad, Wadie emigrated to America in 1947. His story is a shining example of the positive impact immigration has--and continues to have--on the United States. Wadie epitomized public service--an example that lives on in his son Peter, a Superior Court Judge. I worked with Wadie on numerous efforts and experienced firsthand the highly respected judgment associated with him. My deepest condolences go out to his family. They can take pride in knowing that an Iraqi immigrant, inspired by the words of the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution, left a legacy in California that lives on to this day. As Wadie was known to say, ``Only in America.''

Mrs. DAVIS of California

Mrs. DAVIS of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today in honor of Agustin Silvas ``Gus'' Chavez, who passed away surrounded by friends and family on August 18th. He was 76 years old. Agustin, affectionately known as Gus, was an exemplary community leader and activist who worked tirelessly for the Latino community in San Diego, California. He advocated for the importance of education as the most effective way to achieve economic success and self- sustainability. Born in Texas, Gus arrived in San Diego in 1963 after joining the United States Navy, where he served as a Hospital Corpsman at Balboa Naval Hospital. It was during Gus's time in the Navy that he first began to work within the San Diego community and found his passion for activism through education and social justice work. After he was honorably discharged from the Navy in 1966, Gus earned his Associate of Arts degree from San Diego City College and later his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from San Diego State University. Throughout his education, Gus worked with several student associations to fight for equal access to education. His work led to the founding charter of the Latino student group Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlan (MEChA), as well as the Brown Berrets and MAPA. In 1969, Gus co-founded the Chicano Federation of San Diego, a group dedicated to improving the lives of people in the Mexican American community in San Diego. The Chicano Federation started as a way to provide valuable resources and services to the Latino community. Today the organization offers child care programs, nutrition assistance programs, and affordable housing for families and seniors across all underserved communities in San Diego. Gus served as the Director of the Educational Opportunity Program at San Diego State University for 30 years. Throughout his tenure, Gus took personal interest in students. He constantly motivated them to reach new heights and celebrated their accomplishments. I loved his sense of passion and excitement at the success of his students. I always felt a kindred spirit with Gus and his enthusiasm for lifting every student he worked with to their full potential. Gus never stopped advocating for educational equity and educational access for all, particularly on behalf of first-generation students from marginalized communities. He firmly believed in the value of service and mentorship, and instilled that same sense of purpose into countless students. I send my deepest condolences to his family and friends. I take comfort in knowing that Gus leaves behind a legacy of service and empowerment.

Mrs. DAVIS of California

Mrs. DAVIS of California. Madam Speaker, I stand today to remember Gracia Molina Enriquez de Pick, who passed away on August 11th at the age of 91. A fierce feminist, educator, and philanthropist, Gracia will be remembered for her work in both Mexico City and San Diego. She was a tireless activist whose incredible contributions to San Diego and the world will not be soon forgotten. Gracia was born into a politically active family in Morelia, Mexico. As a teenager, Gracia had the opportunity to meet Diego Rivera and Frida Khalo, whose words--``the importance of social responsibility mandates fighting for those who cannot defend themselves''--became a lesson Gracia would return to many times during the course of her work. Before moving to San Diego, Gracia fought for women's suffrage while living in Mexico City in the early 1950s. Gracia was known for taking a literal soapbox to the city's open-air markets and advocating for the right to vote to anyone who would listen. Mexican women were granted full citizenship and suffrage in 1953. While living in Mexico City, Gracia met Richard Allen Pick, whom she would later marry and relocate with to San Diego in 1957. Gracia earned her Bachelor of Arts degree, teaching credentials, and her Master's degree from San Diego State University and went on to teach junior high school in the National City neighborhood of San Diego. She later became a faculty member at Mesa College, where she helped found one of the nation's first Chicano Studies programs. Gracia went on to teach at Third College (later Thurgood Marshall College) at the University of California, San Diego. In addition to teaching, Gracia was involved with politics in San Diego. She served as the Chicana Caucus Chair of the National Women's Political Caucus and the National Council of La Raza (now UnidosUS). She was a published author, whose 2008 book ``Mujeres en al Historia & Historias de Mujeres'' explored the history of indigenous women in Mexico. Later in life, Gracia turned to philanthropy. She donated money to scholarships at UC San Diego and Mesa College and helped fund the construction of the Logan Heights library branch. Gracia is survived by two sons and a daughter. She will be remembered by her life of service and her commitment to uplifting her communities.

Mrs. DAVIS of California

Mrs. DAVIS of California. Madam Speaker, it is with great sorrow that I mourn the passing of my friend, my neighbor, and San Diego icon: George Mitrovich. I often joked that one of the reasons I ran for office was so that George could introduce me at events. He was a dynamic and articulate speaker with a velvet voice. It was always an honor to be introduced by him. During the debate leading up to a vote on the Affordable Care Act in 2009, I held a town hall meeting with constituents to hear their thoughts. I knew interest in the meeting was very high and there would be a big crowd. I thought to myself, who do I know who could control a large, feisty--possibly angry--group of people. Of course the answer was George. When I asked him if he wanted to take on the challenge, he said he was delighted. More than 1,200 people attended that town hall and people were fired up. With his commanding presence, George deftly moderated the event-- kept folks in line and the proceedings on course. It is virtually impossible to travel around San Diego and not see George's impact. He was on just about every board and every commission. What an incredible amount of boundless ideas and endless energy he had. And he kept it up until his final days. It wasn't just San Diego that benefited from his talents. George was active in causes and events in many cities around the country. George was a writer, a public speaker, and an athlete. But mostly, he was a trusted and loyal friend. Above all, I send condolences to his loving family. It is safe to say that San Diego won't see the likes of George Mitrovich again.

Mrs. DAVIS of California

Mrs. DAVIS of California. Madam Speaker, I'm very ``animated'' to announce that this year is the 50th anniversary of San Diego Comic-Con. This event began with a heavy focus on independent artists and cultivating a community of folks with similar interests--comics. Comic-Con has always been about supporting creative communities and celebrating what makes us special. Today, Comic-Con has grown to include industry legends, independent artists, TV stars, and movie studios--but it never stopped being about fans coming together to share their interests. This new era has expanded the levels of interest to a wider audience and brought in more fans of current media. In an industry that was once dismissed and disparaged as not serious art, celebrating inclusion is an important staple of our community. I am excited for the next 50 years of panels, whether in the traditional comic book or celebrity style, to flourish in Comic-Con of San Diego.

Mrs. DAVIS of California

Mrs. DAVIS of California. Madam Chair, I rise today to support the amendment offered by my colleague from California (Ms. Speier). It provides our servicemembers with medically accurate educational resources to help prevent unintended pregnancies and the spread of sexually transmitted infections. The courageous Americans who put their lives on the line for our country deserve the best wellness education we can offer, and keeping them healthy helps maximize our military's readiness. This commonsense amendment is recommended by the Pentagon's nonpartisan Defense Department Advisory Committee on Women in the Services, and, therefore, there should be broad bipartisan support. I encourage my colleagues who support our troops to vote for it.

Mrs. DAVIS of California. Mr. Chair, I want to first thank my colleague from California for her work to undo the damage the President has done to transgender servicemembers and our Armed Forces. This ban endangers transgender soldiers and tells all transgender Americans that they are not fit to serve their country. The Harry Truman amendment will reverse the President's harmful ban and protect transgender soldiers from further discrimination. Though the administration cited concerns over readiness, unit cohesion, and medical costs to justify its ban, it has been unable to back up its claims. Mr. Chair, transgender troops have served openly at home, overseas, and in combat zones since 2016 without incident, a finding supported by the Chief of Staff of every service branch. The Truman amendment extends Federal protections to transgender soldiers and makes it unlawful to exclude anyone from service based on their gender identity. Transgender servicemembers, as my colleague noted, testified in the House that serving openly dramatically improved their quality of life and their service to our country. Mr. Chair, I urge a ``yes'' vote on this amendment.

Mrs. DAVIS of California

Mrs. DAVIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Armed Services be authorized to file a supplemental report on the bill, H.R. 2500.

Mrs. DAVIS of California

Mrs. DAVIS of California. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of the SAFE Act. No matter what my colleagues conclude about the Mueller report, I think we can all agree it shows our elections are under foreign attack. What would happen if a foreign government actually succeeded in changing the results of a Federal election? All bad actors have to do is break through the defenses of even one-- even one--of the over 10,000 election administration jurisdictions in our country. As we all know, questionable results in just one county can derail an entire Presidential election and throw our country into a tailspin. Election security is national security. Election machinery is the machinery of democracy. The SAFE Act gives States what they need to upgrade and maintain safe and resilient election infrastructure. In the House Administration Committee, we debated whether paper ballots are the safest way to go. It does seem ironic that our answer to cybersecurity, in fact, is old school, but we know what works. As Oregon's Secretary of State Dennis Richardson said, ``You can't hack paper.'' We can recount and audit paper ballots with a certainty that we just don't have with machines.

Mrs. DAVIS of California

Mrs. DAVIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the rule and the underlying bill. Mr. Speaker, let me just tell you about a family at our local shelter in San Diego. The mother and the father owned a successful fruit stand in Guatemala, and they were threatened by a gang for money. If they didn't pay, the safety of their children was in jeopardy. Eventually, one of their kids was injured on his way home from school, and the mother shared that it was common--common--for the gangs to shoot into the air and for shrapnel to hit unintended objects and, sometimes, people. The gangs also targeted young, female children, attempting to use them as prostitutes. The question that we have had before us is: What do we do? What do we do with families? What do we do with children separated from their families that come 1,000 miles to escape violence? What are our choices? Do we shut the door? Do we keep them detained under inhumane conditions or hear their case? So, we must consider who we are as a country and what are our values. The least we can do--the least we can do--is to provide basic care while their case is heard. Today's proposed funding is crucial to helping improve humanitarian efforts at the border. This crisis, we know, will only get worse if we don't act now, so let's act now. Let's act now. Let's pass this rule, and let's pass the underlying bill.

Mrs. DAVIS of California

Mrs. DAVIS of California. Madam Speaker, due to a personal conflict I was unable to vote during two series on June 11, 2019. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 245; YEA on Roll Call No. 246; YEA on Roll Call No. 247; and YEA on Roll Call No. 248.

Mrs. DAVIS of California

Mrs. DAVIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to be here this evening and to have a chance to talk about my friend and my colleague, Ellen Tauscher. Ellen, as we are all hearing, was really a trailblazer. She was a trailblazer, a businesswoman. She was a single mom, a philanthropist, a diplomat, a mentor, and for so many of us, a dear friend. If you were a woman in California politics in the last three decades, Ellen probably had a significant impact on your life. She showed us all that kindness and charity can go with strength and wit. We all have personal experience with Ellen. I actually met Ellen about 1996, I think it was. We happened to be at a National Women's Political Caucus meeting. What was funny about that is that we kind of caught one another's eye. We have heard people talk about no-nonsense Ellen. Something was going on. We were a little impatient, and we kind of both looked at each other like: Is this really what we came for? That was the start of a friendship. When she learned later that I was considering running for Congress, she got in touch with me. She said: If you are coming to D.C., then I have a place for you to stay. Please stay at my house, and let's have a chance to talk, sit down and really get to know one another. That was pretty cool because, as I said, it had just been a small encounter that we had had sometime before. So we sat at her dinner table, and I remember asking her about what she was doing and what she was learning in Congress. She told me about the Strategic Forces Subcommittee, and I was really very impressed with that because the thought of working on arms control just seemed like, first, a fantasy and, then, just a really hard thing to do. She said that one of the reasons that she was interested in doing that, aside from the fact that she lived so close to Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and she had a real interest in having them be a premier lab for much of the testing in the future, was she felt that she wanted to show that women could do that job. Of course, we knew that she was the one who was capable to do that and probably was the first woman to have served on that committee. I remember, too, at her table, just talking about her daughter, Katherine, and how proud she was of Katherine, all her hopes and dreams for her, and how tough it was being a mom and also wanting to make her schedule work for her daughter. Then, of course, as a colleague on HASC, we were both on the committee when our country faced the great tragedy of 9/11, and just being able to respond to so many of the issues around that. I always went to Ellen when we had a chance to talk about what we either had to vote on or what we were facing on the committee. Sometimes I would share with her: I am not sure what to do in this instance. She would look me straight in the eye, as she would always--and you can tell in her eyes here--with that kind of wry smile. She would say: Susan, you are going to do the right thing. Honestly, it gave me the confidence to do the right thing, and I knew that Ellen was going to do that as well. A number of years into her term and the great job that she did here presiding in the House, at the request of President Clinton, she became and was able to be interviewed for and go before the Senate as Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security, as people have mentioned. In that role, she traveled extensively and was really the face of our country in those negotiations with the Russians. Quite honestly, from the discussions that I had with Ellen, I think they didn't know what to make of her because she was so direct and so strong. She wouldn't take anybody's nonsense in that role. We were all so proud of her, knowing what she was able to accomplish, and people have referred to that as well. I want to be mindful here of the role that she played on nuclear weapons policy, how she came at that, and how she felt it was so important for a woman to be in that position someday. She didn't know that she was going to be the Under Secretary for Arms Control and International Security. I don't think she even thought that was a possibility at one time, but she wanted to be ready. She wanted to be prepared. That is what she did so much of her life. Following a number of years facing cancer, being a survivor and all that she went through with the best attitude in the world, even in recent months, she was still speaking before the Armed Services Committee on nuclear weapons policy. Her work on nuclear security made this world measurably safer and will have a lasting impact on future generations. We relied so much on her knowledge and her counsel as we considered the most sobering aspect of national security: weapons with the power to destroy life as we know it on this planet. We looked to Ellen for that. While her work was critically important, always, for Ellen, her family came first. So our thoughts today are with her daughter, Katherine, everyone who was close to her in her community, and those she worked with throughout this world. Our thoughts are with all of them, and our blessings go with that.

Mrs. DAVIS of California

Mrs. DAVIS of California. ``On Saturday, June 17, 2017, the President called McGahn and directed him to have the special counsel removed . . . In interviews with the Special Counsel's Office, McGahn recalled that the President called him at home twice and on both occasions directed him to call Rosenstein and say that Mueller had conflicts that precluded him from serving as special counsel. On the first call, McGahn recalled that the President said something like, `You gotta do this. You gotta call Rod.' '' Volume II, page 85.

Mrs. DAVIS of California

Mrs. DAVIS of California. Madam Speaker, on Saturday, as members of our Jewish community in San Diego and all over the world observed the final day of Passover, a 19-year-old chose hate. He stormed into the Chabad of Poway synagogue, shooting at the congregation, leaving beloved community member Lori Gilbert Kaye dead and three more wounded. The congregation's brave rabbi, Yisroel Goldstein, reflected: ``I do not know why I had to witness scenes of a pogrom in San Diego County like the ones my grandparents experienced in Poland. . . . I don't know why I had to see my good friend . . . hunted in her house of worship.'' This Thursday, Madam Speaker, is Israel's Yom HaShoah, a day to commemorate the Holocaust and the 6 million Jews who were murdered for being Jewish. We are reminded of the hate, bigotry, and intolerance that we continue to face today, whether it be in San Diego, Sri Lanka, Christchurch, or Pittsburgh. Hate and violence had no place then and still do not today. We need to say ``never again'' and act.

Mrs. DAVIS of California

Mrs. DAVIS of California. Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize an important milestone in the history of San Diego as Dr. Adela de la Torre is set to be inaugurated as San Diego State University's (SDSU) ninth President on April 11, 2019. Her inauguration is taking place at a unique juncture in the history of San Diego State University and has the potential to impart a significant impact on higher education throughout San Diego County. SDSU is, and always will be, a major driver of San Diego's economy. With an annual economic impact of over $5.67 billion dollars, it is important that we continue to support SDSU and the thousands of students who graduate from the institution every year; more than 60 percent of whom stay in San Diego and put their degrees to work in our local communities. Dr. de la Torre is a graduate of UC Berkeley, and holds a master's degree and Ph.D. in agricultural and resource economics. She has been a dedicated leader in the higher education space for over 30 years. Dr. de la Torre was appointed as SDSU's first woman president in June of 2018. Throughout her first year in this position, she has spent significant time ``listening and learning'' to stakeholders in the region and embarked on a listening tour throughout San Diego County to ensure she has an intimate understanding of the unique needs of the students SDSU serves. As she assumes control of SDSU, Dr. de la Torre has an opportunity to establish her vision for the future. At a time when the University is planning a major expansion in Mission Valley, it is important that its leaders clearly articulate their plans for growth and development. Under Dr. de la Torre's leadership, SDSU embarks on a journey to increase its local footprint and establish the infrastructure necessary to support students over the next century. By engaging with the community, she has positioned herself well for success. As I reflect on Dr. de la Torre's past accomplishments, and on her vision for the future, I am inspired by her dedication to social justice, and to improving higher education for the good of all students. I believe that her experience has prepared her well for achievement of SDSU's lofty goals. I am pleased to be able to welcome Dr. de la Torre as SDSU's new president, and look forward to seeing her vision for SDSU take shape. Under her guidance, SDSU stands poised and ready to greatly expand its impact, and emerge as a mecca for innovative higher education in California and beyond. I extend my congratulations to her on her appointment and inauguration. In the short time she has been in San Diego orienting herself to every opportunity here, she has epitomized the future of our community. Dr. de la Torre is SDSU and will surely touch lives.

Mrs. DAVIS of California

Mrs. DAVIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in solidarity with our transgender servicemembers and to stand against President Trump's proposed ban of transgender people serving in the military. Transgender troops have been serving openly since 2016--at home, overseas, and in combat zones--without incident. When I met with transgender servicemembers last month, I was impressed to learn that by serving openly--I want to make a note of that--by serving openly, the quality of their service improved, and, in fact, the obstacles--and there are many obstacles, Mr. Speaker--the obstacles they have overcome informed their greater ability to do their job. Their impressive records speak for themselves, and there is no doubt that each of the servicemembers I met with have served their country with distinction. As already stated, this ban is blatant discrimination poorly disguised as concerns over readiness, unit cohesion, and medical costs associated with transitioning. We already know that there have been zero reports of issues regarding unit morale or cohesion since the ban was lifted in 2016, a fact that has been supported by the chief of staff of every service. The cost of medically transitioning has also been proven to have minimal impact on the military's healthcare budget. This administration is resorting to misinformation; misinformation to exclude capable, qualified people from service to their country. At a time when the Army is failing to meet recruitment goals, and the Navy and Air Force opted to lower their quota in order to reach their own recruitment goals, we cannot be turning away dedicated, able-bodied recruits simply because they happen to be transgender.

Mrs. DAVIS of California

Mrs. DAVIS of California. Madam Speaker, I rise to mourn the passing and celebrate the life of a wonderful friend and former San Diego City Councilwoman, Judy McCarty. It is an honor to have worked in the same community as Judy. Throughout her accomplished life, Judy's selflessness and commitment to others never wavered. As a journalist, a community volunteer, and a dedicated public servant, Judy always remained focused on building community and improving the lives of her neighbors. Judy brought a zest for life into everything she did. One of her biggest passion projects was the founding of Mission Trails Regional Park. Judy was a key figure in establishing this beloved public recreational amenity that is now the largest municipally owned park in the State of California and the 6th largest park in the entire country. This is just one of many accomplishments of Judy's, in a lifetime of service and dedication to the greater good. Those who have had the pleasure to cross paths with Judy likely know that she was a woman who valued the little things in life. She loved volunteering, tending to her garden, and cheering for the Indiana Hoosiers, but above all, she loved being a mother and a grandmother. I wish her family the comfort to know that Judy left San Diego a better place than she found it, and that we are all better off because of her vision and leadership in our community. I am grateful to have called Judy my friend and will miss her presence in the community. The joy she brought into life will live on in the thoughts and actions of everyone she has touched along the way. Though she will be missed dearly, the impact she made in San Diego will always endure.

Mrs. DAVIS of California

Mrs. DAVIS of California. Mr. Chairman, this bill was not rushed. It is long overdue. I recently joined our colleague and civil rights icon, Congressman John Lewis, on the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, commemorating the march and the fight for the right to vote. We can never forget how many people have risked and lost their lives for that right. Fifty-four years later, our election system is still stacked against many Americans. Some eligible voters are still prohibited from voting by mail and can't make it to the polls. Some eligible voters have still been unfairly purged from the rolls, and some communities still do not have enough polling locations, leading to long lines. We need justice. We need to expand the fixes that have been proven to work in so many of our States, and that is exactly what H.R. 1 does. If we are for the people, not just the ones we think will vote for us, then we should be for this bill.

Mrs. DAVIS of California

Mrs. DAVIS of California. Mr. Speaker, today is a momentous day, one that makes me proud of this Chamber. After years of inaction, Congress is moving to address our country's gun violence problem. We have seen some of the worst mass shootings in our Nation's history in just the past few years. Las Vegas, Thousand Oaks, Sutherland Springs, Parkland, Sandy Hook--these are only a few of the names that recently shocked us to the core. And, sadly, each time, Congress failed to act. But today--today--we are offering more than thoughts and prayers. We are offering legislation. This bill has bipartisan support--finally, something we can all agree on. Strengthening our background check system is a small but a very important first step. We simply cannot allow criminals to take advantage of loopholes. Background checks work. They keep guns out of the hands of criminals, and background checks will save lives. No more excuses. It is just common sense.

Mrs. DAVIS of California

Mrs. DAVIS of California. Madam Speaker, I rise with great admiration to honor the efforts of a humble hero in San Diego and our LGBTQ community, Michael ``Big Mike'' Phillips. Big Mike may have received his namesake due to his tall stature, but there is nothing bigger about him than his enormous heart. Those who have had the pleasure to cross paths with Big Mike know him as a warm, empathetic, and gregarious soul, dedicated to improving the lives of others. He has a unique way of welcoming total strangers and making them feel included, loved, and a part of our community. Throughout over four decades working in all aspects of the hospitality industry, Big Mike has come to be an expert in the art of serving others. Whether he's serving food and beverages to friends or new friends, hosting a charitable event, or photographing history in the making, his main concern is always the happiness and fulfillment of the people around him. Big Mike's selflessness may be what helps to make him such a talented photographer. When he looks through a lens, his focus remains solely on the people and the moment. He has captured local historic LGBTQ events, multiple LGBTQ Marches on Washington, and even photographed four living U.S. Presidents and First Ladies at the opening of the Clinton Library. In all endeavors, Big Mike gives one hundred percent of his head and his heart. He has contributed to so many charitable organizations that I could not possibly list them all. When Special Delivery San Diego, a nonprofit that provides meals to individuals living with HIV/AIDS, was in need of funding, he inspired 128 other bartenders to enroll in an effort to donate to the program. He has the rare ability to inspire others to be a part of something greater than themselves. Using this skill, Big Mike helped to found Ordinary Miracles and The Rob Benzon Foundation, two non-profits with the mission of welcoming individuals to add their own light to the world that when joined together, illuminates and eases the needs of the abused, sick, and hungry. When leaders in our community search for a sense of direction and initiative, they often look no further than Big Mike--which can explain why he has been appointed to serve on community advisory boards under almost every single mayor in recent San Diego history. Though he has lived an accomplished life, Big Mike is quick to give credit to his caring adoptive parents, his loyal friends, and all who have supported him along the way. It is exceptional to find a person who has carried out their career and lived their life almost entirely for the benefit of others, and I can honestly say that Big Mike is one of them. Even on his birthday, he cannot help but use the opportunity to make the world a better place to live. Every year, Big Mike hosts his Birthday Fundraiser to boost awareness and support for various non- profit organizations and invaluable local resources. On the 20th Anniversary of his first Birthday Fundraiser, I commend Michael ``Big Mike'' Phillips for his continuous and substantial efforts to lend love, hope, and a helping hand to all in need. I extend my congratulations and best wishes to him for a successful event and a wonderful year ahead. Though Mike was born in Germany, and raised in Texas, I am so pleased that he adopted San Diego as his home. San Diego is an even finer place to live because Big Mike was born.

Mrs. DAVIS of California

Mrs. DAVIS of California. Madam Speaker, this Trump shutdown is forcing servicemembers and retirees to go without pay. Yes, our President is withholding Coast Guard pay because of his reckless demands. Who does that? A constituent wrote to me: As a Coast Guard retiree, I am facing no pay during the shutdown. It is outrageous that, after 26 years of service, I face financial troubles due to my country not facing its obligations. I agree. This is unacceptable for those who served our country, and it is unacceptable for those currently serving and not getting paid. Can't we agree that supporting the Coast Guard is better than having a stalemate on a political issue? We must take action to help our servicemembers and hardworking government employees, and our whole economy, which is being hurt even more than we thought. Madam Speaker, how can the President think it is a good idea for national security to not pay those who protect us?