Mark DeSaulnier

Mr. DeSAULNIER

Mr. DeSAULNIER. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members be given 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks.

Mr. DeSAULNIER. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I want to thank my colleague from Pennsylvania on his kind observation about my own personal health. Just in regards to this debate, as somebody who went into the ICU on the first date in the State of California that the Governor of California actually required shelter in place, and I was then put on a ventilator for 4 weeks at the same time that the country was dealing with this pandemic, maybe I have a little unique perspective. So evidence-based research maybe is in the mind of the beholder. I trust my doctors. I know they are human, and I know evidence-based research is the reason I stand here in front of you, Madam Speaker, by following the doctors. I think of what the Speaker is doing and what the President is doing, and that is following evidence-based research and statistically protecting Americans. We know if Americans get vaccinated, we know if we are sensitive to distances around us and masking, we still have challenges. And for somebody like myself, who has an underlying health condition, I am particularly sensitive to this. Not everybody is in the same position vis-a-vis their medical risks. So with all due respect, the debate is always a good one, but from my perspective I wish that people would keep in mind that this pandemic is not done until the evidence-based research indicates that it is done. I know everybody wants to get back to normal. I know I do too, as well, but I would like to be able to enjoy this wonderful existence that we all are allowed to do as well. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the distinguished gentlewoman from Michigan (Mrs. Dingell).

Mr. DeSAULNIER. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Just briefly on the points that were just brought up. As somebody who represents a county that has four refineries in it, those four refineries produce much of the refined CARB-certified fuel on the West Coast and in California. Also, a county that is headquarters to the second largest energy company in the United States, Chevron, this isn't about ending the fossil fuel industry. It is about the transition from that energy source to a new, cleaner, renewable, alternative fuel energy source. It is about being independent and being mindful about what our global competitors are doing; what the Chinese are doing to get ahead of us in this energy source. So with all due respect, as someone who knows the benefit and also the dangers and the opportunities to the fossil fuel industry, as we have experienced it in this country, those four refineries only employ people, as required by State statute, who have graduated from State- approved apprenticeship programs, the best apprenticeship programs in the world. Each one of those jobs have a multiplier of 14. We like those jobs. We want to keep those jobs. But we want to meet the reductions we have to have to be leaders in this country on climate reductions, and prepare for a future that isn't dependent on the fossil fuel industry; both for our public health, and our environment, and for our economy. Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from Oregon (Mr. Blumenauer).

Mr. DeSAULNIER. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. A couple of points. I appreciate the attention to the Clean Corridors Program. Again, this is about preparing for the future, from my perspective. This bill prepares for the future, and it prepares American workers to transition to that future and future generations. On the Clean Corridors Program, Chinese are already doing this. In December, they produced 100,000 new charging and alternative fuel stations to prepare for the future. The Chinese have over a million of these stations. The U.S. has less than 50,000. So if we want to talk about energy independence, right on. That is what we want to talk about. We want to prepare America for the future, while we protect the planet. The State of California gets more venture capital for research and renewables and alternative fuels than the other 49 States combined. Why is that? Because we are preparing for the future. We want to be competitive, and we want our workforce to continue to be the best in the world when it comes to energy. And we want to compete against the Chinese so that we are ready to capture these new energy sources. And we are doing it. It is not only good for the environment, it is good for the economy. And I would say, as a Californian who has been in the middle of this--and I will agree to being a liberal. I was once described as a liberal Republican under former party affiliations. I don't think there is any such thing anymore, probably. This is about preparing for the future. And mostly it is about preparing our American workforce to continue to be what they have been for so long, the best workforce, the best workers in the world. But you give them the tools to do that. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Sires), my good friend.

Mr. DeSAULNIER. Madam Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. I want to thank my friend and colleague from Pennsylvania. I do appreciate his comments about my personal health and also his collegiality. His comments about being bipartisan, I completely agree with. But compromise requires, from my perspective--and granted, we do have a different perspective about how we get there and who is giving and how much is given. I really think this bill is an incredibly important bill for the future of America and American workers and innovation. As far as changing to renewables and alternatives, that electrical system has to be upgraded. We have seen what has happened because of climate change in the Gulf. We see the struggles we have on the West Coast with fires, all because, as evidence-based research tells us, what we have done with the environment and the benefits we have gotten from fossil fuels over the course of the last decades and century. But now is the time to change and prepare for that change--not mindlessly. This isn't a radical proposal. This is about preparing for the future. In terms of the infrastructure that gets those new alternative fuels, hydrogen fuel cell cars, battery electric cars, in California, we have acknowledged that we need to get these cars to be available to everyone, including people from disadvantaged communities. That is why we have changed the tax code to make it easier for everyone to get an alternative fuel car, not just wealthy people, and get the benefits of that. I want to read a quote from Forbes magazine about infrastructure and electric cars: ``These vehicles use a different kind of fuel and plug into our electricity system, and the good news about that is there are a number of cost-benefit studies,'' numerous ones, ``that are showing this can be really beneficial to all ratepayers, not just the drivers of the vehicles.'' The critical mass of changing helps everybody. It brings down the cost of energy. So, for those rising costs at the pump, there is a bend in the arc that will come sooner rather than later that will help everyone, as opposed to the opinions by my colleague and some of his other speakers today. Matt Stanberry, the managing director for the advanced transportation program at the trade group Advanced Energy Economy, says: ``As you increase electricity sales for charging the vehicles, it has the effect of driving down rates for all ratepayers because it spreads the fixed cost of the system out across a larger volume of sales.'' Madam Speaker, this is about preparing for this new energy future. Whoever gets there first, as a country, as always in our history, has a predominant role in foreign affairs and the leadership on this globe. The Chinese are trying to beat us to that. We can't let that happen. We talk about global competitiveness. We need to get the infrastructure in. Yes, they need to do a better job at reducing pollution, traditional pollutants and carbon. The Clean Air Act, originally signed by Richard Nixon, and then changed and amended by Ronald Reagan, two Republicans, and the waiver that, unfortunately, previous administrations gave to California through multiple generations, have fueled, pardon the expression, the benefits we have gotten in public health and traditional pollutants. It is fueling today the States that join California, like Colorado, which are pushing this innovation. Madam Speaker, this is about the future of America and America's excellence and its energy independence and its workforce, staying at home and providing for this energy independence for future generations. Madam Speaker, in a moment, I will offer an amendment to the rule to make in order the amendment offered by Ms. Slotkin, which amends the underlying bill to prohibit using transit funds for artwork and nonfunctional landscaping. Amendment Offered by Mr. DeSaulnier

Mr. DeSAULNIER. Madam Speaker, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. DeSAULNIER

Mr. DeSAULNIER. Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. DeSAULNIER

Mr. DeSAULNIER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the life of James ``Jim'' Alkire. Jim was born in West Virginia in 1934. When he was 10 years old, Jim's family relocated to Arizona where he spent the rest of his childhood and attended the University of Arizona. In 1957, he was drafted into the United States Army and served two years of stateside duty. Jim then returned to his education and graduated from Texas Western College. From there, he obtained a master's degree in public administration from the University of Pennsylvania. After completing his education, Jim pursued a career in public service. He served as the director of finance and assistant to the city manager in Highland Park, Illinois, and then the city manager of Centralia, Illinois. In 1970, Jim and his family made a final move to Pleasant Hill, California, where he served as the city manager until retiring in 1987. Jim is remembered as an outstanding leader who fostered positive working environments. In his personal life, Jim married his wife, Margaret, in 1960, and the couple had three children. Jim was a long-time Rotarian in Illinois and California and joined the Pleasant Hill Rotary Club in 1970, where he participated in many years of invaluable community service. Jim was also an emeritus member of the Pleasant Hill Community Foundation and active member of St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church. He coached baseball for his sons, listened to jazz music, and was known for his sense of humor. In retirement, Jim and Margaret traveled the world together. Sadly, Jim passed away in April of this year. Please join me in honoring Jim for his leadership and many contributions to our community.

Mr. DeSAULNIER

Mr. DeSAULNIER. Madam Speaker, I rise today with Congresswoman Barbara Lee and Congressman Eric Swalwell to recognize the life of Tom Guarino. A lifelong Californian, Tom was born in Hollywood in 1953, and grew up in Covina. Tom graduated from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona in 1977, and later earned a certificate in Organizational Management from the University of California Los Angeles. In 1978, Tom moved to northern California, where he began a career in journalism. He worked as a radio news director, correspondent for the Sacramento Bee, and freelance writer for the Associated Press, United Press International, Mutual Radio, and NBC Radio. Tom later joined Assemblymember Chris Chandler's office in Yuba City, where he continued building community relations. Tom's experience was further broadened by his work as the CEO of the Chico and San Leandro Chambers of Commerce. In San Leandro, Tom worked with the City Council on a project called ``Business Walk,'' where the chamber and the council visited every business in the city to assess their needs. Tom's ability to make connections between the public and private sectors not only increased chamber membership in San Leandro, but also helped develop successful partnerships and new opportunities. Tom combined his many years of experience and began working for Pacific Gas & Electric Company (PG&E). We were fortunate to have Tom as PG&E's Senior Government Relations Representative with the East Bay Public Affairs Team. His breadth of experience and vast knowledge allowed Tom to navigate relationships with elected officials, community leaders, and organizations. He was known for always answering the call for help and successfully engaging individuals with their public utility provider. Tom's involvement in the community, however, went beyond his work with PG&E. His personal philanthropy extended to, among other things, the arts, parks, youth; especially those in foster care; and aging adults. He supported numerous local organizations in any way he could, including volunteering his time. It was through Tom's natural ability to build authentic connections that he became a friend to so many. Sadly, Tom passed away in December 2020, at the age of 67. He was a cherished member of Contra Costa and Alameda Counties, and he will be remembered for his generosity, integrity, and humor. Please join me, Congresswoman Barbara Lee, and Congressman Eric Swalwell in honoring Tom for his many contributions to our community.

Mr. DeSAULNIER

Mr. DeSAULNIER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the service of an esteemed leader in Contra Costa County, James Donahue, and congratulate him on his retirement. In 2013, James was appointed as the 29th president of Saint Mary's College of California in Moraga with more than 20 years of experience in higher education executive leadership. He and I both graduated from the College of the Holy Cross. From there, James obtained a Master of Divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary and then earned his Ph.D. in Religious Social Ethics from the Graduate Theological Union. James has held numerous lecturing, professorial, and administrative positions at institutions such as Santa Clara University, Boston College, and Georgetown University where he was also the Dean of Students and Vice President for Student Affairs. From 2000 to 2013, James served as president of the Graduate Theological Union, a consortium of nine theological schools and affiliate centers in Berkeley. During this time, James strengthened the schools' interreligious and academic programs. He also oversaw campaigns that increased financial support for students and established the Center for Islamic Studies. James also worked with Saint Mary's College administrators and was an advisory board member of the Center for Engaged Religious Pluralism. In addition to his work in higher education, James has also served as an ethics consultant for the Levi Strauss Corporation, the Department of Defense, and the Catholic Health Association. As President of Saint Mary's College, James has led with a commitment to the highest quality education in conjunction with a focus on diversity, inclusion, and religious development. He is the first layperson to serve as president in the university's 150-year history and has successfully carried on the legacy of the Lasallian core principles. I wish James well in his retirement and thank him for his enduring commitment to the education of our students. Please join me in honoring James Donahue for his many contributions to our community.

Mr. DeSAULNIER

Mr. DeSAULNIER. Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize the life of Major General Dan Helix. Dan grew up in West Berkeley, California, and enjoyed a distinguished 41-year career with the United States Army and Army Reserve. On top of his service in the military, he served on the Concord City Council for 8 years before serving as a director of the Bay Area Rapid Transit District. After being away for some time, Dan eventually returned to the city council and served two terms as mayor during both of his tenures. In 1989, Dan retired from the U.S. Army as a major general. As a Korean war veteran, Dan earned numerous recommendations including: the Army Distinguished Service Medal, the Silver Star, the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star with ``V'' device, and the Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster. Sadly, Dan passed away last month at the age of 91. He was a cherished resident of Concord who dedicated his life to helping others. He was a mentor to me and to many others. Please join me in honoring Major General Dan Helix for his many contributions to my community and to this country.

Mr. DeSAULNIER

Mr. DeSAULNIER. Madam Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 303 and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. DeSAULNIER. Madam Speaker, for the purpose of debate only, I yield the customary 30 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Burgess), pending which I yield myself such time as I may consume. During consideration of this resolution, all time yielded is for the purpose of debate only. General Leave

Mr. DeSAULNIER. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members be given 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks.

Mr. DeSAULNIER. Madam Speaker, yesterday the Committee on Rules met and reported a rule, House Resolution 303, providing for consideration of H.R. 7, the Paycheck Fairness Act, under a structured rule. It provides 1 hour of debate, equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking minority member of the Committee on Education and Labor. It self-executes a manager's amendment from Chairman Scott and makes in order six amendments to H.R. 7. It also provides for one motion to recommit. The rule also provides for consideration of H.R. 1195, the Workplace Violence Prevention for Health Care and Social Service Workers Act, under a structured rule. It provides 1 hour of debate equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking minority member of the Committee on Education and Labor and makes in order six amendments to H.R. 1195. It also provides for one motion to recommit. Finally, the rule provides for an en bloc authority to Chairman Scott or his designee for both bills. Madam Speaker, before I begin, I just wanted to take a moment--this is the first time I have been on the floor since we lost Congressman Hastings--to say for myself, personally, how much gratitude I have for having known him and been able to serve with him. I regret that I won't see his smiling face, at least in this body, again. Madam Speaker, the two bills we are talking about today have the potential to drastically improve the working lives of millions of Americans. In 2019, nearly 1 in 9 women in the United States lived in poverty, with even higher rates for women of color. More than 1 in 3 families, headed by unmarried mothers, lived in poverty. And 60 percent of all poor children lived in families headed by unmarried mothers. The coronavirus pandemic has only deepened the divides that already existed in this country. Women are especially likely to be on the front lines of the pandemic. At the same time, they are also being paid less than their male counterparts. Madam Speaker, 93 percent of childcare workers, 66 percent of grocery store cashiers, 70 percent of food servers, and 77 percent of clothing, shoe stores, and retail salespeople are women. Women-- disproportionately Black women and Latinas--make up more than 8 in 10 of those working as home health aides, personal care aides, and nursing assistants. They are also at great risk for contracting COVID-19. Madam Speaker, 6 months ago, deep into the pandemic, 1 in 6 Latinas and 1 in 5 Black women reported not having enough food in the previous week, and many reported being behind on rent or mortgage payments. Even before the pandemic, women typically lost more than $10,000 every year to the gender wage gap, with even higher losses for women of color. More than five decades after the passage of the Equal Pay Act of 1963, a woman in America still makes only 82 cents on average for every dollar earned by her male counterpart. Compared to White men, Black women are paid 63 cents. Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander women are paid 63 cents, American Indian or Alaska Native women are paid 60 cents and Hispanic women are paid 55 cents. Based on today's wage gap, a woman who works full time year-round stands to lose over $400,000 over a 40-year career because of this disparity. This is not the United States that Frances Perkins, the first woman Secretary, envisioned, and we have an opportunity today to make a real change. Madam Speaker, I am proud to have joined with my very dear friend, Chairwoman DeLauro, to introduce the Paycheck Fairness Act, which is an important step towards ending gender-based wage discrimination and ensuring that all women receive equal pay for equal work. It is time to make equal pay for equal work more than just a slogan and turn it into a reality. Madam Speaker, we are also here to talk about the epidemic of violence against healthcare and social service workers. Last year, Department of Labor statistics show that they were nearly five times as likely to suffer a serious workplace violence injury than workers in other industries. The General Accounting Office found that rates of violence against healthcare workers in hospitals, nursing homes, and residential care facilities is 5 to 12 times higher than the estimated rates for workers overall. Between 2011 and 2016, 58 hospital workers died as a result of workplace violence. Madam Speaker, for me, this matter strikes close to home. In 2010, Napa State Hospital technician Donna K. Gross was killed outside of Napa State Hospital by a patient under psychiatric care. Donna was a constituent. She entered the profession to honor her mother, who battled mental illness and was a patient at this very same hospital. She was the mother of three grown children and was raising her granddaughter. Her colleagues described her by saying: ``First and foremost, Donna was a human service-type person and loved being with people and working with people.'' Donna's life was cut short when a patient brutally murdered her to steal jewelry and cash. This story is just one of thousands, and incidents are on the rise. Sadly, violence has become so commonplace for healthcare workers that they think it is part of their job, resulting in only 30 percent of violent incidents actually being reported. Some States have stepped up to enact laws to require employers to establish a plan to protect against workplace violence. Donna's story, for example, inspired action in California that I was proud to be part of. That action in California served as the basis for the bill before us tomorrow. These workers deserve national action, and they deserve it now. At the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, these workers are not receiving the urgent attention they need. OSHA takes at least 7 years to put out a standard. But in some instances, it can take more than 20 years. People like Donna Kay Gross cannot wait any longer. To protect the people who dedicate their lives to caring for us, we need to move now. In truth, we needed to move years ago. The longer we wait, the more people are suffering. The longer we wait, the more people like Donna will die. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. DeSAULNIER. Madam Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. McGovern), the distinguished chair of the Rules Committee and representative of the beautiful city of Worcester, Massachusetts.

Mr. DeSAULNIER. Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Lois Frankel).

Mr. DeSAULNIER. Madam Speaker, I have no other speakers, so I am prepared to close. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. DeSAULNIER. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time, and I move the previous question on the resolution.

Mr. DeSAULNIER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I include in the Record a March 25 New York Times article entitled `` In 25 Years, the Pay Gap Has Shrunk by Just 8 Cents.'' [From the New York Times, Mar. 25, 2021] In 25 Years, the Pay Gap Has Shrunk by Just 8 Cents (By Francesca Donner and Emma Goldberg Megan Rapinoe is a two-time World Cup champion who has played to sold-out stadiums around the globe; what she has in common with nearly every American woman is that she's underpaid. On Wednesday, Ms. Rapinoe testified during a hearing held by Representative Carolyn B. Maloney to examine economic harm caused by gender inequalities, particularly for women of color. Today is All Women's Equal Pay Day, Ms. Maloney said. But it's not Equal Pay Day for all women. Black women would have to work until Aug. 3, 2021, to earn what men made in 2020. For Latina women, the date doesn't come until Oct. 21. ``This is a disgrace,'' Ms. Maloney said. ``And it has long-term consequences for women and families.'' Wage discrimination isn't limited to any one sector or income level. Take Ms. Rapinoe, whose fight for equal pay has become something of a calling card for the U.S. women's team, and who played a central role in the team's lawsuit on unequal pay filed in 2019. ``One cannot simply outperform inequality,'' she said. ``Or be excellent enough to escape discrimination.'' If it can happen to me, she said, ``it can--and it does-- happen to every person marginalized by gender.'' In Her Words looked at the history of Equal Pay Day, the reasons for the wage gap and what can be done to close it. It's a symbolic day that illustrates how far into the current year American women would need to work to earn what their male counterparts earned last year. Put another way, because there is a disparity in what women and men are paid, women would need to work around 448 days to earn what men earn in just 365 days. Race plays a part, too: For Black and Hispanic women, the numbers are worse. For Asian women, the numbers skew a bit better. Estimates vary on how much the wage gap will cost an American woman over the course of her career. The National Women's Law Center puts it at $406,280 in lost income on average, but that number can top $1 million for Hispanic women and is just shy of $1 million for Black and Native American women. How did it become a thing? Equal Pay Day was established in 1996 by the National Committee on Pay Equity. Today marks the 25th. But debates around pay equity date back much further than that. Carolyn York, secretary-treasurer of the National Committee on Pay Equity, pointed out in an email that in 1942, as huge numbers of women began replacing men in the work force, the National War Labor Board urged employers to make ``adjustments which equalize wage or salary rates paid to females with the rates paid to males for comparable quality and quantity of work on the same or similar operations.'' But two decades on, in the 1960s, women were still earning only around 59 cents for every dollar a man made. Do other countries have a gender wage gap? Of course they do. According to this O.E.C.D. study, the United States falls behind Canada and ahead of Mexico. In addition to Canada, other countries that have a smaller pay gap than the United States are Romania, Colombia, Belgium, Costa Rica, Denmark, Norway . . . the list goes on. And on. Has the pay gap narrowed over time? Yes, but not by much. We're talking pennies. This year, it's estimated that American women will earn around 82 cents for every dollar that a man earns. A decade ago in 2011, it was 77 cents. In 1996, the first ``official'' Equal Pay Day, it was around 74 cents. And this top-line number doesn't account for differences in earnings among different racial groups. How is the wage gap number calculated? The pay gap refers to the ratio of female to male median annual earnings for full-time workers. Think of it as a fraction: The numerator is the difference between male and female median earnings, and the denominator is male median earnings. The actual number might look different depending on the source it's coming from, because some sources factor in characteristics like age, family size, education level and industry. ``We treat this issue as if you could summarize it in one number,'' said Claudia Goldin, an economics professor at Harvard University. ``It's the headline,'' not really the full picture. Are there jobs where women are better paid than men? Not according to C. Nicole Mason, president of the Institute for Women's Policy Research. When men enter female- dominated sectors like nursing or education, the job begins paying more, she explained. But the inverse is not true: ``When women enter male-dominated spaces, they don't get paid more than men.'' How long will it take to close the pay gap if we do nothing about it? Mark your calendars for 2059; if current trends continue, the gender wage gap is expected to close in a mere 38 years. For Black and Hispanic women, the deadline is a whole century away. If we do nothing, ``my daughter, and daughter's daughter, will not see pay equity in their lives,'' Dr. Mason said. So what exactly explains the gap? There are many factors at play, according to the American Association of University Women. One of them is that the fields in which women dominate tend to pay less than fields dominated by men. This is irrespective of education or skill required. The ``motherhood penalty'' also complicates the wage gap. Moms are less likely to be hired, they receive lower salaries when they are, and are less likely to be tapped on the shoulder for promotion. (Ironic given research suggests moms are some of the most productive employees.) And women work around two-thirds of the low-paying jobs in the United States; jobs that not only put workers at an economic disadvantage, but also tend to be more unstable. There is also ``invisible labor''--things like caregiving responsibilities and household chores--that women do in addition to their full-time work. ``Women perform up to 30 percent more unpaid labor,'' Dr. Mason said. Not to put too fine a point upon it, but ``unpaid labor is unpaid.'' And it's very hard--if not impossible--to do both your job and take care of the household at the same time. There's also good old-fashioned sexism at play: Even when men and women are performing the exact same jobs, women tend to receive less compensation thanks to overt or unconscious biases, as well as stereotypes that make it more difficult for women to negotiate. The pay gap is caused by a ``layering effect'' of all of these things, said Kimberly Churches, the CEO of the American Association of University Women. Ultimately, ``this really is how we value women and how we value women of color in our society,'' she said. Did Covid make it worse? In a year of devastating job loss, especially for women-- hence the talk of a ``she-cession''--the Institute for Women's Policy Research released a piece of research that seemed, on its face, like good news. In 2020, it found the weekly gender wage gap for full-time workers shrunk to 17.7 percent from 18.5 percent. Seems positive, right? Not so fast. As Ms. Goldin of Harvard explained, if the female labor force is reduced, but most of those reductions are from the bottom part of distribution (restaurant servers and retail workers, for instance), then women's wages relative to men's will rise. This manifests as an overall rise in women's wages. And that's what happened here. But underneath the top-line number, Dr. Mason pointed out, many, many lower-paid female workers are struggling. What should companies do about it? Closing the wage gap demands an investment of time and resources. First, companies can audit workers' pay and collect data to determine the levels of disparity between their male and female workers, said Serena Fong, a vice president at Catalyst. Salesforce, for example, committed to reviewing all its workers' salaries in 2015, and over the following years spent more than $9 million on adjustments to give women equal pay. Salary bands, which give the range of pay for a given role, can also help level the playing field between male and female workers in salary negotiations. (Though broadly speaking, a wide salary band can provide ``too much range to pay people unequally,'' Dr. Mason said.) And governments? The Equal Pay Act, passed nearly 60 years ago, made it illegal to discriminate by sex in setting wages. But in practice, it can be hard for women to know whether they're actually being paid equally. It's not common to ask your colleagues what they make while you're chatting by the water cooler. In the last decade, more than a dozen states and the District of Columbia have adopted legislation prohibiting pay secrecy in the workplace. Still, a 2017-18 survey found that nearly half of fulltime workers were discouraged or prohibited from talking about their pay, meaning more legislation and enforcement is needed. Ms. Churches also supports passing the Paycheck Fairness Act at a federal level, ``so we can ban the use of salary history questions in the hiring process.'' Such questions ``just compound women's lack of earnings going forward as they negotiate their salaries.'' And individuals? Ask your colleagues how much they make, as awkward as that may sound. Negotiation is also key. Research shows that women who consistently negotiate their salaries make more than $1 million more over the course of their lifetimes, compared with those who don't. But of course, Covid hasn't helped: A new survey from Ann Elizabeth Konkel of Indeed suggests women feel even more uncomfortable asking for a raise or promotion than they did prepandemic.

Mr. DeSAULNIER. Mr. Speaker, on the anniversary of Women's Equal Pay Day, U.S. women's soccer player Megan Rapinoe, in a congressional hearing said: ``One cannot simply outperform inequality.'' Wage discrimination isn't limited to any one sector or income level, and Congress must act to stop it. Mr. Speaker, the importance of this issue is really about the proper enforcement of a bill that was first enacted in 1963. We generally agree on the importance of that legislation. Where we disagree is enforcement. And we have had years to see what the proper disincentives are and incentives for proper behavior when it comes to protecting women in the workforce, and on the second bill-- predominantly women--but people who work in vulnerable positions where they are subject to greater violence. On pay equity, we look at States like California where I am from, and we can see that our laws, our aggressive laws have worked, at least to help with the pay equity situation. Who can deny, in our lifetimes, the benefit to the U.S. economy, to all of us, for having women in the workforce? We should be able to compensate that benefit that we have all gotten. As a survivor of cancer, I have been taken by how many young women went into the medical profession, and they helped to develop the medicine that has saved my life, a disease that, 15 years ago, at stage IV, when I was diagnosed, there was little that could be done to extend people's lives. That research came from brilliant people, many of them women. Why would I want to inhibit or disincentivize any young person, any woman, any young woman from going into that field? I know that my friend from Texas knows this, we want the best and the brightest to help with our medical challenges, irrespective of what their background is or what their sex is. Mr. Speaker, every day we wait to pass these bills, healthcare workers are being harmed and families are going deeper and deeper into poverty. Our inequality issues get worse, not better. We should not waste another moment. Mr. Speaker, I urge a ``yes'' vote on the rule and the previous question.

Mr. DeSAULNIER

Mr. DeSAULNIER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the life of Major General Dan Helix. Dan grew up in West Berkeley, California and in 1948 he began his 41- year career with the United States Army and Army Reserve. He enlisted as a private, but was soon commissioned as an Infantry second lieutenant in 1951. Dan continued to rise through the ranks, serving as a platoon leader and company commander of a rifle company with the 45th Infantry Division during the Korean War. Following the end of the war, Dan worked for Army Intelligence in Japan where he met his future wife, Mary Lou. The couple dated for a few short months before getting married in 1953. Dan and Mary Lou moved to Concord, California in 1955. Dan attended the University of California, Berkeley where he earned a bachelor's degree in History. He later went on to obtain a master's degree in political science from San Francisco State University. It was while teaching high school government that Dan decided to enter local politics. He was first elected to the Concord City Council in 1968, serving for eight years before eventually going on to serve as a director of the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) District. During Dan's time with the BART District, he worked to provide discounts for senior riders and supported the promotion of a woman to the then all-male board of directors. He returned to the Concord City Council in 2010 as an appointee and was elected to one final term in 2012. During both of his tenures on the City Council, Dan served terms as mayor. In 1989, Dan retired from the U.S. Army as a Major General. As a Korean War Veteran, Dan earned the Army Distinguished Service Medal, Silver Star, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star with ``V'' Device, and Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster among other commendations during a distinguished career spent both in active duty and with the Army Reserve. He is also a member of the U.S. Army's Infantry Hall of Fame. As a leader in Concord, Dan was a former president of both the Concord Rotary Club and the former Mt. Diablo Hospital Foundation, Concord campus, as well as a member of a U.S. Congressional commission that evaluated potential changes to the Department of the Army. He also advocated for the preservation of the Lime Ridge Open Space, helped establish the Family Justice Center, and was instrumental in the building of the Senior Center. Sadly, Dan passed away in March at the age of 91. He was a cherished resident of Concord who dedicated his life to helping others. Please join me in honoring Major General Dan Helix for his many contributions to our country and our community.

Mr. DeSAULNIER

Mr. DeSAULNIER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the service of Michael Finney as he celebrates his 30th anniversary with ABC7 News Bay Area. Michael's interest in journalism began as a child. While attending Ray Lyman Wilbur Junior High School in Palo Alto, California, Michael took a journalism class in which he did a story on bike thefts. His story contributed to the school's decision to build a fence to prevent any further thefts. Michael later graduated from California State University, Chico and went on to pursue a career in journalism. He worked at television stations in Idaho, Bakersfield, and San Diego before returning to the Bay Area. Michael joined ABC7 News in 1991 and has since become known for his ``7 On Your Side,'' segments, which focus on consumer advocacy. The segments highlight Michael's investigations into consumer complaints including faulty products, suspicious business practices, and industry problems. Through this work, Michael has helped return millions of dollars to consumers and earned the trust and respect of the community. Michael's work has not only made him a household name in the Bay Area, but has also earned him numerous accolades for his work in broadcast journalism. He has won an Emmy from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences and a Golden Mike, in addition to being honored by Press Clubs, the Radio Television News Directors Association, and the Associated Press. He has also been honored by several community groups including Consumer Action, Consumer Watchdog, and the National Association of Consumer Advocates. Michael is known by his colleagues as a reporter who upholds the highest journalistic ethics. We thank Michael for his dedication to helping Bay Area community members and wish him many more years of excellent reporting and helping consumers. Please join me in honoring Michael for his many contributions to our community.

Mr. DeSAULNIER

Mr. DeSAULNIER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the life of John Knox. John was raised in Richmond, California, where he attended John F. Kennedy High School. He graduated from the University of California, Berkeley and went on to obtain a Juris Doctorate from Berkeley Law in 1987. After completing his education, John began working as an attorney at Orrick and dedicated himself to his career as a public finance lawyer. After six years, John was promoted to partner. He mastered the technical aspects of being a lawyer, but also understood the importance of developing strong business relationships. John built a local government practice throughout the Bay Area, which he transitioned to a municipal restructuring practice. John and his law partner guided cities through bankruptcy with John handling the public financing and restructuring of debt. In 2012, John and his partner helped Stockton, CA file for bankruptcy protection, which was the largest U.S. city bankruptcy filing that year. This work with cities earned them recognition as ``Attorneys of the Year'' by California Lawyer magazine in 2013. John received this same recognition, known as the CLAY award, in 2005 and 2017. In addition to this work, it was also John's idea to use Social Impact Bonds to revitalize distressed properties in Richmond and transition them to those in need of affordable housing. In his personal life, John met his future wife, Aracely, in high school when they were partnered for a class project. John and Aracely married in 1981 and had four children. John also had a love of music, especially jazz, which he developed during childhood when he started playing piano. As a teenager and young adult, John played music professionally as part of a band. His friends and family remember his piano playing as effortless and always drawing a crowd. Sadly, John passed away in February at the age of 64. Please join me in honoring John for his many contributions to our community.

Mr. DeSAULNIER

Mr. DeSAULNIER. Madam Speaker, I rise today, along with Congresswoman Barbara Lee, to recognize the life of James ``Jim'' Matzorkis. Born in Chicago in 1952, Jim moved with his parents to California as a child. He later graduated from the University of Maryland with a bachelor of Arts in Business Administration. After gaining experience in both the private and public sectors, Jim began working for the Port of Richmond in 1998 as a Marketing Manager and became the Executive Director in 2001. One of Jim's many accomplishments is completing the Honda Port of Entry, which brought significant profitability to the Port. As a testament to Jim's leadership, out of the 149 ports in the United States, the Port of Richmond is currently ranked 27th in total trade. The Port has generated millions of dollars in revenue for the City of Richmond and brought local and international business to our community. Jim's professional knowledge and dedication led to him serving on the Bay Planning Coalition Board of Directors and the California Association of Port Authorities Executive Advisory Committee. He also participated in Richmond's sister cities program and helped facilitate a strong and lasting relationship with Zhoushan, China, one of Richmond's three sister cities. In his personal life, Jim married his high school sweetheart, Beverly, and the couple had two daughters. He was known as the patriarch of his family, organizing family reunions and ensuring everyone stayed connected. He loved to travel, especially to Greece where his family would all come together. Jim also enjoyed regaling others with stories from his time working as a concert promoter and security in the rock and roll industry. Sadly, at just 68 years old, Jim passed away at his home in Oakland, California in December 2020. Jim is remembered by his friends and colleagues as kind and enthusiastic, and someone who made sure everyone around him was happy. Please join me and Congresswoman Barbara Lee in honoring James Matzorkis for his many contributions to our community.