Suzan DelBene

Ms. DelBENE

Ms. DelBENE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the 2013 Bear Creek High School boys soccer team. On November 23, the Bear Creek Grizzlies won the 1B/2B state championship, ending their impressive season with a record of 21-2-0. I congratulate them on this impressive achievement. This championship victory was especially fulfilling for Bear Creek High School because it settled a rivalry between them and Grace Academy. The Grizzlies' only two losses during the season were to Grace Academy, with both of those games ending in 0-0 draws and decided by penalty kicks. Tied 0-0 at halftime, the Grizzlies would not let history repeat again, and they came together to win the state championship game by a score of 2-0. I would like to give special recognition to Jesse Leuenberger and Nathan Sim who scored the two goals of the state final. Goalkeeper Blake Denniston also played a pivotal role in the final game, earning a shutout in the championship game. The Grizzlies' defense racked up 16 shutouts this season and the offense outscored its opponents by 87-7. The Grizzlies' impressive record this season is also a testament to the team's high level of coaching. Coach Chad Pohlman provided the boys with encouragement and training necessary to achieve this notable feat. Again, I congratulate the Bear Creek boys soccer team on all of their success. Their accomplishments and success are hard-earned and well- deserved.

Ms. DelBENE

Ms. DelBENE. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Madam Chairman, from the Judiciary Committee's examination of abusive patent litigation this year, it is clear that there is a need for legislative action. This issue has harmed companies large and small, from big tech companies to small retailers, restaurants and credit unions, and in recent years, even our public transit agencies have been targeted by these so-called ``patent trolls.'' In my home State of Washington, King County Metro was hit with a lawsuit in 2011 from ArrivalStar, a company that claimed infringement of a patent that was so broad that it could potentially cover any system that tracks a vehicle. With this lawsuit, King County's innovative bus tracking technology and a popular mobile application called ``OneBusAway,'' which relies on Metro's data, was threatened. Even if there were a strong case to be made for challenging the patent's validity, fighting a suit like this can run into the millions of dollars, all at taxpayer expense. So King County had to settle with ArrivalStar, costing taxpayers $80,000. King County was not alone. At least 11 transit systems settled with ArrivalStar in response to lawsuits over bus tracking systems rather than undertake expensive and time-consuming litigation. This kind of litigation abuse does a disservice to the U.S. patent system and to our innovation economy. In the case of ArrivalStar, it harmed taxpayers in King County and many other agencies across the country. Because of the widespread impact of abusive litigation like this, there is broad support across industry and among public interest groups for measures that reduce the financial incentive for bad actors to bring predatory patent suits, measures such as: curbing the excessive costs of litigation and discovery abuse, making patent cases more efficient, and requiring plaintiffs to be precise in their claims of infringement. The Innovation Act would do all of these things, and it does so by targeting abusive behaviors rather than singling out any particular type of patent holder or business model. I am pleased to support this bill today, but I also believe we must continue to make improvements to the bill as it moves forward in the legislative process. I will also be supporting several amendments on the floor today, and I will continue to work with my colleagues in both Chambers to get legislation passed that strikes the right balance in protecting and strengthening our patent system.

Ms. DelBENE. I rise in support of this amendment. Madam Chair, as an entrepreneur and businesswoman, I know how hard it is to get a business off the ground. We know that small businesses are on the receiving end of frivolous litigation, and it is critical that we work to pass legislation to disincentivize such abusive behavior while also ensuring that we do not adversely affect the small inventors and start-ups who need to protect their IP and have access to the courts for their legitimate claims. Many folks have had concerns. I think it is important that we continue to work together to address these issues. During Judiciary Committee consideration we heard concerns about this issue from diverse stakeholders who rely on a strong patent system, from the National Venture Capital Association to the American Association for Justice. I support the underlying bill, but I also believe that we can continue to work towards a more balanced change to the current fee shifting standard as the bill advances in the legislative process. For this reason, I support the Ranking Member's amendment and look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues to improve the bill.

Ms. DelBENE

Ms. DelBENE. This is an important moment for immigration reform. My district in Washington State is very representative of why we need reform. We have a northern border and a diverse economy with a rich agricultural industry, including dairy and berry farmers. In the southern part of my district, there are some of the world's most innovative companies, including technology, advanced manufacturing, biotech, and countless startups. These businesses have been making the case that fixing our immigration system must be a top priority for our economy. Whether it is an ultrasound manufacturer who needs an acoustic engineer or a video game developer looking for a 3-D modeler, companies in my district are in need of specialized high-skilled workers. We have to ensure that foreign graduate students can stay here to start new companies or support ongoing research that will lead to future breakthroughs in many areas. Also, farmers need immigration reform in order to find a stable, skilled, and reliable workforce to help us grow our food and our economy. That's why I helped lead the introduction of H.R. 15. This is a bipartisan bill with 190 cosponsors. In light of Veterans Day earlier this week, I can think of no better way to honor our Active Duty military servicemembers who are immigrants--currently, there are more than 65,000 immigrants, or 5 percent of the force--than by taking action on immigration reform. Unless Congress takes action, there are many DREAMers who were brought here as children and are undocumented who want to serve their country but cannot do so as the military can currently only enlist people who have legal status. The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program that we talked about earlier that the administration announced last year allows many DREAMers to apply for a reprieve from deportation and a work permit, but it does not confer legal status, which means that recipients of this deferred action remain ineligible to serve. The American people want our broken immigration system fixed, and they are tired of congressional inaction. The time to act is now, and I join my colleagues in asking us to act as quickly as possible.

Ms. DelBENE

Ms. DelBENE. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this motion and thank the ranking member for his work. Reauthorizing nutrition programs for 5 years is sound policy and the right thing to do. The farm bill has always been built on a successful coalition of rural and urban communities and Members of Congress who come together in a bipartisan way to create responsible farm and food policy. By authorizing farm policies for 5 years, but only extending nutrition programs for 3 years, we are leaving millions of working families, seniors, and children with great uncertainty when they need our help the most. Let's be honest. Changing the authorization for nutrition programs reduces the likelihood of Congress passing a bipartisan farm bill that works for our farmers, food producers, and families. So, too, does repealing permanent farm law, as the current House bill does. For the last 2 years, Congress has failed to act. Why are we making it even harder to pass a final farm bill? SNAP helps nearly 47 million Americans, including over 22,000 in my district, afford nutritious food and not go hungry. It has proven to be efficient and effective with error rates at historic lows. It helps Americans at every district across the country by preventing them from falling into poverty and lifting them up through job training and education programs. I am proud that I was able to include a SNAP employment and training pilot program modeled after a program from my home State of Washington in the nutrition bill that will go to conference. Even at the height of the recession, 60 percent of those in Washington's programs found employment, and more than half were off assistance in 2 years. This is a commonsense policy to increase education and job training while decreasing the number of people who need SNAP. This bill has been hijacked long enough. Let's get back to the bipartisan, cooperative process in which the House Agriculture Committee drafted the farm bill. Let's not make things more difficult than they need to be. We were sent here to do our jobs, to govern and pass policies that will grow our economy, and it is no secret that Congress has been failing at fulfilling this basic responsibility. So I urge my colleagues to support this motion to authorize both farm and nutrition programs for the full 5 years. Let's get to work and pass a 5-year farm bill.

Ms. DelBENE

Ms. DelBENE. Many of my colleagues today have been highlighting the impacts on sportsmen and -women who are unable to access our National Wildlife Refuges and for other public lands. As they've made clear today, this is a serious problem that's costing our country millions of dollars and is denying access to those who would otherwise be enjoying the great outdoors. In my home State of Washington, there are 11 wildlife refuges where the public can hunt or fish. All of those refuges are closed because of the shutdown. But it's not only recreational users that are being impacted. Commercial fishermen in my State will be seriously hurt in the coming weeks if this shutdown does not end. Right now, fishermen from Washington State are in Dutch Harbor, Alaska, getting ready for the Alaska king crab season that's supposed to start in less than a couple weeks. These are the same fishermen and boats that you see on the reality show ``The Deadliest Catch.'' But because of the shutdown, they may not get to start fishing this season. That's because the staff at the National Marine Fisheries Service have largely been furloughed. As a result, no one is available to issue the rules and individual quotas for boats and processors that will permit our commercial fishers to work. The Bering Sea crab fishery is worth hundreds of millions of dollars to fishermen from Alaska and Washington. And now, because of inaction by Congress, the fishing fleet, the captains, their crews, and the processors stand to lose millions. So instead of a fiscal cliff, right now we're facing a fishing cliff in the Bering Sea unless Congress acts before the season is scheduled to start on October 15. If the season doesn't start on time, the cost to industry is significant. A delay could mean they'll miss out exporting to the all- important Asian holiday market when demand is at its highest and most lucrative. Missing the Asian market when it's in peak demand means prices significantly decrease by as much as 20 to 30 percent, which means millions of dollars in lost value. This would be a crippling loss to these businesses. In addition to the potential loss of millions of dollars caused by market disruptions, the effects of the shutdown will be felt in other ways. Fishing boats typically incur costs of roughly $1,000 per day while sitting tied to the docks. Things like moorage fees, fuel, and food to feed the crew all cost the boat owners money. A delayed crab season means processors will have empty facilities and an idle labor force that still has to be housed and fed. So processors will be contending with costs for housing, fuel, electricity, food for laborers, and more while not bringing in any desperately needed revenue. Every day this shutdown continues, we're hurting the fishing industry. Without knowing when the season will start, these businesses have no certainty or visibility to plan. If we delay the start of the crabbing season by even a few days, we risk costing the entire industry millions of dollars in lost market value. This is unacceptable. Our fishermen deserve better than this. Their families deserve better than this. The processors, suppliers, and other businesses that rely on a vibrant Alaskan king crab season all deserve better than this. It's clear that this shutdown is hurting people, businesses, and our economy. It's time to end it and get to work on passing a long-term budget that will grow our economy, reduce our deficit, and responsibly create jobs. I urge all of my colleagues to work together and do the job the American people sent us here to do. We must end the brinkmanship and do the responsible thing and reopen the government.

Ms. DelBENE

Ms. DelBENE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak about the critical need for Congress to act now and support our struggling economy. Like many families and businesses across my district, I've been disappointed by Congress' inability to address our Nation's fiscal challenges. We need to stop lurching from one manufactured crisis to the next, budgeting 90 days at a time, because it's actually the most expensive and inefficient way to budget. As a businesswoman and entrepreneur, I understand that you don't just manage a business for a few months at a time, but you plan for the long term. Businesses and families deserve a long-term budget that provides them with the visibility needed to plan for the future. Every day we fail to do this, Congress is harming the economy. We must take a balanced, long-term approach to the budget and end the irresponsible across-the-board cuts that were triggered by sequestration. We must act now to prevent a government shutdown. I remain committed to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to pass a budget that reduces the deficit and creates jobs. We must come together now to get this job done.

Ms. DelBENE

Ms. DelBENE. Madam Speaker, we're debating an extreme bill with no chance of becoming law, when we could be weeks into conferencing a farm bill. SNAP has prevented millions from falling into poverty. In the western part of Washington State, 690,000 people are still experiencing hunger, and we should not be arbitrarily cutting off aid. This bill would force States to cut off people struggling to find a job, also stripping them of transportation and childcare assistance. If States don't comply, they lose funds for the SNAP employment and training programs like the model program we have in Washington State that has led many to self-sufficiency. Even at the height of the recession, 60 percent in Washington's programs found employment and more than half were off assistance 2 years after the program. House leadership says this bill will lead to more people working. But how does cutting programs proven to help people find jobs accomplish this? All this bill does is cut the lifeline for 3.8 million hungry American families, children, veterans, and seniors. This is not a serious proposal. I urge my colleagues to vote ``no.''

Ms. DelBENE

Ms. DelBENE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to speak on the importance of college affordability. This is very personal for me. Growing up, my parents struggled financially, but with student loans and financial aid, I was able to go to college and get a great education. I would not be standing in this Chamber today otherwise. I am pleased that we will be voting on a bipartisan bill this week that will reverse the doubling of student loan rates that took place on July 1. The bill is a compromise, so it's not perfect. It doesn't include all of the protections that I believe our students need, like lower interest rate caps to keep costs down over the long term, but it does reduce interest rates for over 7 million undergraduates taking out loans this year, and it will save a college student with Stafford loans $3,300 compared to today's rates. This bill is a start, but it isn't enough. I call on my colleagues to continue working together on ways to bring down the costs of college for working families. Doing so will expand opportunity for all, spur long-term economic growth, and strengthen our middle class.

Ms. DelBENE

Ms. DelBENE. Mr. Speaker, I rise with great disappointment today. It's a shame that the House has allowed the farm bill to get to this point. We should be voting on the bipartisan bill the Agriculture Committee passed and I supported, not this bill. This bill has been hijacked by divisive politics and is simply not good enough. It's not good enough for our farmers because reforms that would have protected Washington State's dairy farmers and consumers have been stripped out. It is certainly not good enough for the millions of working families, seniors, and children who count on nutrition programs and have been excluded from this bill. And it's not good enough for this country. Our constituents sent us here to work across the aisle to deliver results. This bill is certainly not what they had in mind. While I appreciate the funding for specialty crops, which I fought hard for, and is in this bill, this is the wrong way to conduct agricultural policy for the future. Our country's farmers and families deserve a farm bill that works for everyone. Instead, they've been given this. I am incredibly disappointed today, and I urge my colleagues to join me in voting ``no.''

Ms. DelBENE

Ms. DelBENE. Thank you, Mr. Peterson. I rise in strong opposition to the Goodlatte-Scott amendment which would create unnecessary market volatility and uncertainty for our farmers. The Dairy Security Act creates a new, voluntary insurance program and will help consumers by eliminating the price spikes that are common today, ensuring stable milk prices. There has been a great deal of misinformation about how the Dairy Security Act would affect consumers, but researchers like Dr. Brown at the University of Missouri, estimated milk prices will only rise between one-half of 1 cent to a few cents per gallon. The current volatility in the market is far more harmful to consumers than that very slight increase. Simply put, it is poor policy to commit funds to a dairy program without fixing the underlying problem of oversupply, which is what this amendment would do. An insurance-only model poorly addresses the symptom of low margins and completely misses the issues of supply and demand. The stabilization program also has safeguards that will protect the U.S. export market, which is critical for dairy producers. In my district, I've had long conversations with local dairy farmers, been to their farms, and the sentiment is unanimous: dairy farmers oppose this amendment because it will hurt them and consumers. I urge my colleagues to follow their advice and vote ``no.''

Ms. DelBENE

Ms. DelBENE. I want to thank the gentlewoman for the time. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to oppose this rule and discuss the importance of protecting college affordability. One of my top priorities is to ensure that all students have the opportunity to get a high quality education and acquire the skills needed to compete in the 21st century economy. I know personally how important this is. When I was young, my father lost his job and my parents never got back on track financially. But thanks to student loans and financial aid, I was able to get a great education and build a successful career as a businesswoman and entrepreneur. I'm very disappointed that the proposal we are considering today makes college more expensive. If we did nothing and let interest rates double in July, we would actually save students more money in the future than if we pass the underlying bill. It's incredibly disappointing that in our work to make college more affordable, this bill instead makes the problem worse. I urge my colleagues to join me in opposing this rule so we can work together on a long-term solution that supports our students and their families.

Ms. DelBENE

Ms. DelBENE. Mr. Speaker, on May 11, 2013, I was honored to join the National Association of Letter Carriers for national ``Stamp out Hunger Day'', the 21st annual food drive held by this great organization. I joined with a number of letter carriers to unload trucks packed with food at the Kirkland Post Office in my home district. It is no surprise that the letter carriers have one of the most successful food drives in the Nation. Last year alone, the event collected over 70.7 million pounds of food, an incredible achievement which undoubtedly made a profound impact for countless families in need. Since 1991, on the second Saturday in May, letter carriers from across the country have collected non-perishable food, and have distributed the donations to local food banks. This effort is by far the Nation's largest single-day food drive. Since its inception, the effort has collected over a billion pounds of food. This is another example of the letter carriers' steadfast commitment to the communities they work in every day, and their effort should be commended. I am extremely proud of the work the letter carriers are doing to combat hunger and food insecurity, and I would like to thank them for inviting me to take part in their food drive. I look forward to working with them on future national ``Stamp out Hunger Days'', and am grateful to know that these important efforts will help families in need across the country.

Ms. DelBENE

Ms. DelBENE. Mr. Speaker, today I'm proud to introduce the bipartisan Enhancing Employment and Training through Education Act. This bill will help improve access to opportunity for struggling families by helping people get jobs and an education while reducing the need for government assistance. It will spur pilot projects across the country, modeled after my home State of Washington's Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program's employment and training program. Washington's program is an extraordinary example because it provides targeted education services leading to economic self-sufficiency. This focused strategy helps participants gain the necessary skills to succeed in their careers. Even at the height of the recession, when jobs were scarce, 60 percent of those enrolled in Washington's programs found employment. In one study, less than half of the participants remained on government assistance 2 years after starting the program. This jobs bill is a prime example of how the government can spend a little money now and save a lot in the future. I urge my colleagues to support this critical legislation.

Ms. DelBENE

Ms. DelBENE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce a bipartisan resolution in support of specialty crops, with support from Members of Congress across the country. Specialty crops, such as fruits and vegetables, are a significant part of agriculture, with annual production valued at over $50 billion. This is about half of the value of all U.S. crops, but specialty crops aren't given the same attention or financial support as our traditional commodities. Specialty crops are a major source of economic activity, jobs, and our Nation's food supply. Every State has at least some specialty crop production, and my district is no different. In Whatcom and Skagit counties, hundreds of specialty crops are grown, totaling millions in sales each year. Specialty crops grown on farms in Snohomish and King counties provide fresh, quality foods to our schools, restaurants, and farmers markets. As Congress begins to consider another farm bill, it is important to acknowledge how vital specialty crops are to our country. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this resolution, and I look forward to continuing to work together to ensure that programs in support of specialty crops are highlighted and fully funded.

Ms. DelBENE

Ms. DelBENE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Barbara Geller, who sadly passed away this past weekend. Barbara was a committed and active volunteer in her community, serving a number of leadership roles over the years with local civic organizations. She was someone who believed strongly in the value of political participation and civic engagement to build a better Washington. Barbara was a strong leader who many, including myself, came to rely on for advice and support. She demonstrated a great ability to bring people together around a common cause to make a difference in her community. I was fortunate to have known Barbara and to have worked with her. She impressed me with her passion and devotion to whatever issue, project or person she decided to help or work on behalf of. She was committed to the democratic process and the positive change that could happen when people came together, organized and stood up for what they believed in. She will be missed by all of us who valued her calm, wise, and elegant way of working with others. My thoughts and prayers go to her husband Arthur, her children Randy and Betsy, and the rest of her family.

Ms. DelBENE

Ms. DelBENE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce the Green Mountain Lookout Heritage Protection Act, along with my colleague Congressman Larsen. Green Mountain Lookout, located in the Glacier Peak Wilderness, was built in 1933 as a Civilian Conservation Corps project. During the Second World War, the lookout was used to detect fires and to spot enemy aircraft. It is no surprise that with such a rich history, the Green Mountain Lookout is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Unfortunately, severe weather caused the Green Mountain Lookout to fall into disrepair, and the U.S. Forest Service began taking steps to preserve the historic structure for future generations. However, a group based out of Montana filed a lawsuit against the Forest Service for using machinery in order to conduct repairs, and a U.S. District Court ordered the Forest Service to remove the lookout. This legislation would protect the Green Mountain Lookout, one of the few surviving fire lookouts in the West, by allowing critical maintenance while keeping this iconic structure in its original home. The Green Mountain Lookout represents a significant piece of the Pacific Northwest's history and it deserves to be protected for outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy today and in the years to come. I urge my colleagues to preserve a part of our Nation's history by supporting this bill.

Ms. DelBENE

Ms. DelBENE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Andrew Lewis, who tragically and suddenly passed away this weekend. Andrew was a volunteer leader for the Sierra Club for over 25 years, serving most recently as the chair of the Washington State chapter. He was a local leader known for his intelligence, humor, and dedication, and Andrew was also a friend. Over the course of his life, Andrew was a strong advocate for the protection of our wildlands and rivers--natural resources that make the Pacific Northwest such a special place. As an avid rafter, Andrew had a great love for the rivers of Washington State. His early advocacy work helped lay the groundwork that eventually led to bipartisan legislation to protect the Middle Fork, Snoqualmie, and Pratt Rivers and expand the Alpine Lakes Wilderness, a bill that I'm proud to cosponsor. I was fortunate to get to know him when we both served on the board of our children's school. Here, I saw his passion and love for his community and his family. Andrew was a man that was large in stature, voice, and heart. My thoughts and prayers go to his wife Maaike, son Peter, and his entire family. He will be missed by all of us who were fortunate to have known him.

Ms. DelBENE

Ms. DelBENE. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of S. 47, the Senate- passed version of the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act. I want to thank the Speaker for bringing this bill to the floor for debate. In a time when we must resolve some real disagreements on how to move our country forward, I'm pleased that we're taking this important step towards the shared goal of reauthorizing the landmark Violence Against Women Act. However, I cannot support the House substitute amendment, because it fails to include critical improvements passed by a large bipartisan margin in the Senate that would strengthen our efforts to combat violence against women. I'm particularly disappointed that this amendment omits provisions that would enable tribes to address domestic violence in Indian country. This is an issue that's critical in my district. The Lummi Nation, for example, which I visited just last week in Bellingham, Washington, has seen significant increases in violence against women over the past several years. The House substitute would continue to allow for disparate treatment of Indian and non-Indian offenders, while the bipartisan Senate bill includes key provisions that fill this legal gap. There are many other ways in which the House substitute amendment unfortunately falls short. For these reasons, I urge my colleagues to oppose the substitute amendment and support the Senate-passed reauthorization bill.

Ms. DelBENE

Ms. DelBENE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce a bill, along with Congressman Larsen, to designate part of Illabot Creek as a wild and scenic river. Illabot Creek is a beautiful stretch of land spanning from the Glacier Park Wilderness to the upper Skagit River, falling 7,000 feet along the way, and is a critical habitat that deserves to be protected. Designating Illabot Creek as a Wild and Scenic River ensures the preservation of significant wild lands that are home to several threatened species. It also guarantees that people will continue to enjoy this area for hunting, fishing and other recreation for generations. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this bill which will ensure our natural resources and wildlife remain protected for future generations to enjoy, and I thank my colleagues for joining me in working on this important issue.

Ms. DelBENE

Ms. DelBENE. Mr. Chair, on rollcall No. 36 I was detained in a meeting. Had I been present, I would have voted ``aye.''

Ms. DelBENE

Ms. DelBENE. ``But in all such cases the votes of both Houses shall be determined by yeas and nays, and the names of the persons voting for and against the bill shall be entered on the Journal of each House respectively.''

Ms. DelBENE

Ms. DelBENE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to call on us to work together quickly. We have an opportunity to accelerate the Nation's recovery, create jobs, and reduce our deficit but only if we are willing to do it together and take a balanced approach. Failing to do so will hurt millions of families and will create unnecessary uncertainty for small businesses. We will be hurting families like Blaine and Jeannie Parks, with whom I met last weekend at their home in Redmond, Washington. Blaine is a truck driver, and Jeannie works at an elementary school. Blaine also owns a small fishing guide company. They told me how worried they are about higher taxes and cuts to programs they count on, like our schools. They work hard, pay their fair share; and for them a tax hike would make it harder for them to make ends meet. It would hurt Blaine's business and would prevent them from taking care of basic things like simple repairs to their home. I hope that the next time I see the Parks family, I will be able to say that Congress came together, saved them from a tax hike, and got our economy back on track.

Ms. DelBENE

Ms. DelBENE. I want to thank Congressman Dicks and Congressman Hastings for the very kind introduction. It's a great honor to be here. Mr. Speaker, Leader Pelosi, members of the Washington delegation, and Members of the 112th Congress, it's truly an honor for me to be here with you today. I would first like to thank all those who supported me throughout this journey; in particular, my family; my husband, Kurt, who is up in the gallery; and my children, Rebecca and Zachary, who are both off in college right now. I am very grateful to share this moment with them. It's a great privilege to represent the people of Washington's First Congressional District, both the current and the future versions of it. I am honored to be given this opportunity by the voters of western Washington, and I truly appreciate their support. I will work very, very hard to serve them well. I look forward to working with all of you, and I am honored to be able to serve alongside the very distinguished members of the Washington delegation. I am very excited to roll up my sleeves and get to work right away. Thanks again. I appreciate all of your support.