Mike Garcia

Mr. GARCIA of California

Mr. GARCIA of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life, memory, and legacy of a great Californian and one of the great philanthropists in California's 25th District, Charlotte Kleeman. A devoted servant to her community, a loving wife, and an amazing mother, Charlotte exemplified what it means to give back and live your life in the service of others. Like many who are blessed to call the 25th District home, Charlotte was not a native of Santa Clarita. Born in Chicago and raised in North Hollywood, she came to Santa Clarita in 1965 with her family, where she wasted no time in immersing herself in the philanthropic community. Throughout her life, she served on the board of the local Child and Family Center, Boys and Girls Club, Foundation for Children's Dental Health, and Samuel Dixon Family Health Center, in addition to serving on the Foundation committee for College of the Canyons and as an ambassador to the local Chamber of Commerce. Both Charlotte and her late husband Frank, were recognized as Santa Clarita's Woman and Man of the Year in 1996 and 2002, respectively. Even after earning this prestigious award recognizing her lifetime of contribution to charitable causes in her community, she was still driven to continue finding ways to give back in any way that she could. Her contributions to the many non-profits and organizations in our valley are immeasurable, and our city is a better place because of her efforts. I have long held the belief that charity is one of the most important moral cornerstones of our great nation. There are few things more honorable than living your life in the service of others, and Charlotte Kleeman is the benchmark for what it means to give back, help others, and blaze a trail of light that touches countless lives. We will always remember her service to the Santa Clarita Valley, and we will continue to honor her memory through acts of charity and by helping those in need.

Mr. GARCIA of California

Mr. GARCIA of California. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to call up H.R. 471, the PAUSE Act, to protect all Americans from Biden's border crisis.

Mr. GARCIA of California

Mr. GARCIA of California. Madam Speaker, the Chinese Communist regime under Chairman Xi is certainly our greatest opponent. His vision and mission is to eliminate the United States by 2050, and his investments are aimed toward this end. The CCP is not on our team, and we should not encourage competition from China, as the White House has stated. In many domains, they are outpacing us. In lower altitude hypersonic weapons development; in the advancement and proliferation of high-altitude nuclear ICBMs, such as the DF-41; in the space domain; in the cyber domain; in shipbuilding--they are currently building two ships per month; in the construction and networking of UAVs, or unmanned aerial vehicles; and in the advancement of low observable fighter jets both in terms of capacity as well as quantity, China certainly is our greatest threat. They are not on our team, and their progress and their advantages are designed to be used against us in a coordinated fashion in all of those domains. But the single biggest threat to our Nation is not China alone. It is our own weaknesses within--weaknesses from people who are supposed to be on our team and weaknesses from those who seek to cooperate and profit from the CCP's behavior that ultimately enables the CCP in their atrocities. Those who may chastise the CCP with Twitter posts in the same day enable them with joint ventures, small words compared to large supporting investments or bills such as the ones brought to the floor this week. This is exactly what Chairman Xi wants: big carrots and small sticks. We must disentangle all of our interests from China. But above all things, we must disentangle our corporate interests from China as soon as possible. Disentanglement takes courage, which is often not present in most boardrooms and certainly not present in our own Treasury Department. American corporations and our own Treasury are exchanging their own long-term security and our collective security for the short-term high of profits and business in a market they have been seeking for a long time. These corporate leaders think they are fishing in knee-high water in a trout farm. But in reality, the water, that market space, is filled with piranhas, leaches, and sharks. The bare and bloodied ankles of our economy and our intellectual property and technology are now fully exposed to these very intelligent predators. The Chinese Communist Party is not on our side, and our own greed and a willingness to compromise the integrity of our business ethics system in order to profit from endeavors with China are our greatest weaknesses and, I would say, our greatest threat. We cannot afford to profit from selling the rope to China that will ultimately be used to hang us by 2050.

Mr. GARCIA of California

Mr. GARCIA of California. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman and shipmate from Indiana for this evening's Special Order. Madam Speaker, we the people really aren't asking much of our elected officials. Above all things, we just want them to do what is right for our country and be on the side of Americans. This isn't a party thing. This isn't a Republican versus Democrat thing. Regardless of party affiliation, we just want them to do what is right for the country. The current Presidential administration and its policies have failed us in this regard and in a frighteningly short period of time. In just 1 year, this administration and its policies have eroded America's status as the lone, premier superpower; eroded our energy independence, making us once again beholden to OPEC, literally begging Middle Eastern nations to provide us with more oil; eroded an economy that was thriving before COVID and beginning to recover in the midst of COVID, and now, we are experiencing inflation that we haven't seen in 40 years; eroded our Nation's security, tucking tail against a group of savages and terrorists in Afghanistan after 20 years of fighting for the right reasons. After almost 2 years of no American deaths in Afghanistan and relative stability in a country that was formerly a breeding ground for terrorists, this administration set an arbitrary exit date and backed that date up with absolutely no plan. This admin stranded hundreds of Americans in Afghanistan and left our allies high and dry. The ad hoc and sloppy withdrawal led to the death of these 13 precious American servicemembers--absolutely avoidable and absolutely the fault of this administration. We are really not asking for much from our elected officials. We the people just want this administration to stop giving hope to the bad guys and to start taking care of our Nation, our workers, our jobs, the small business owners, our children and their education, and to allow parents the right to understand what our children are being taught in school, the right to make school choices for our children. We are asking that the administration stop calling parents terrorists and start preventing actual terrorists from infiltrating our country. We are asking for secure borders, so we don't see 175,000 human beings come across our border and into our Nation each month without any accountability. If you care about the Dreamers, if you care about the potential DACA recipients, like many of us do, then you must first end this man-made border crisis. We are really not asking for much. We just want someone to stand up and fight against this ridiculous defund the police movement and make our streets safe again. We don't want the cost of goods and supply chain issues to overcome our income. We are asking simply that we fairly value the time, the skills, and the experience of our workers so that when they work harder and provide quality service, they make more money and keep more money. We don't want higher taxes only to see the government at all levels squander our hard-earned money. Madam Speaker, above all things, we just want the President to be on our side and to have the backbone to stand up for the good guys. We are not asking for much. We just want this administration to stop giving hope to the bad guys.

Mr. GARCIA of California

Mr. GARCIA of California. Madam Speaker, I want to commend both sides of the aisle for a rather strong National Defense Authorization Act and commend the gentleman from Alabama (Mr. Rogers) for his revisions. Madam Speaker, it is a good top-line NDAA, it makes the strategic and tactical level investments necessary to catch up and keep pace with China. A lot of this technology that we are investing in is developed, built, and tested in my district, the 25th Congressional District. This removes red flag provisions. It allows for those who don't want to get vaccinated to be separated from the service with an honorable discharge. Clearly, I support this bill and it is an excellent NDAA. I do think we need to do better when it comes to our troops' base pay. Some may tout the 2.7 percent pay increase. I see it as anemic, frankly, and it is actually aggravating the pay gap between military servicemembers and their civilian counterparts. With record inflation, our troops, especially the junior enlisted, continue to be hammered financially. If we want to deter threats and win wars in the modern battlefield, which we have to, we need to attract and retain more talent. If we want to end things like conscription, and we should, we need to better incentivize our enlisted ranks to join and stay in. I urge support.

Mr. GARCIA of California

Mr. GARCIA of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend and honor California's 2021 Representative for Teacher of the Year, Mr. Jim Klipfel. A U.S. History teacher and Athletics coach from my alma mater of Saugus High School, Mr. Klipfel is the embodiment of academic passion, humility, and service to others. While his family, friends, and students would be the first to say that Mr. Klipfel is not one to embrace the spotlight, there is not a shadow of a doubt as to whether he truly deserves the honorific title of ``Teacher of the Year''. At Saugus High School, Mr. Klipfel has served as an athletic and academic mentor to generations of students, going above and beyond what is normally expected of an educator to impart the leaders of tomorrow with invaluable lessons and qualities to help them succeed and make the world a better place. He has always challenged students to think for themselves, reject the status quo, and ``pull back the curtain'' to expose the faults of existing systems in the hopes of improving them. He has poured his heart and soul into his profession and the success of those whose education he has been entrusted with. It is not a responsibility that he takes lightly. His friends, colleagues, and most of all his students bear witness every day to how much Mr. Klipfel gives of himself to ensure the success of his students. He does so with unbridled intelligence, kindness, and above all else, passion. Recognizing the unique challenges that American high schoolers face today, Mr. Klipfel has prioritized students' well-being and mental health while also pushing them to go beyond their comfort zone and realize their full potential. He achieves this by putting in the work to make himself available to any student who needs help and by walking them through mistakes in order to learn from them. He routinely holds after-hours study sessions to help students better prepare for tests, and never shies from lending a helping hand to those who may be in difficult situations outside the classroom. He always strives to teach his students lessons that will help them beyond academics, such as the value of charity, making the best out of difficult situations, and the importance of civic engagement. In the face of numerous challenges over the past two years, Mr. Klipfel has proven to be a resilient figure in the CA-25 community. After a school shooting in November of 2019, he helped his school rebuild and become stronger in the aftermath of tragedy. As the world transitioned to online learning and Zoom classes, Mr. Klipfel worked to keep students engaged and active in the classroom to ensure their continued academic success despite the odds facing them. I am proud that such an exemplary teacher was selected to represent California's 25th District and California at large on the national stage and honored for his service and accomplishments. Mr. Klipfel no doubt represents the best of what teachers can be, and the promise of the future when we invest ourselves into helping young people realize their full potential inside and outside of the classroom. California's 25th district, our state, and our country are grateful for all Mr. Klipfel has given our community as he continues to inspire and educate the leaders of tomorrow.

Mr. GARCIA of California

Mr. GARCIA of California. Madam Speaker, I look forward to maybe more contested Army-Navy games in the near term. Madam Speaker, in our battle against our internal demons, there is nothing more powerful than veterans helping other veterans. I rise today to discuss the need to support our veterans battling post- traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury, otherwise known as TBI. Prior to coming to Congress I served in the U.S. Navy as an F/ A-18 strike fighter pilot. I served from the age of 18 until the age of 36. I was honored to fly combat missions during the first 6 months of Operation Iraqi Freedom over the skies of Baghdad, Fallujah and Tikrit in 2001 in support of our soldiers and marines on the ground. As a veteran myself, I understand that individuals serving in the military or those who have served often take pride in their ability to compartmentalize things or to compartmentalize events in their minds. This is how we cope. But during my journey I lost too many friends, and many of them to suicide, because they thought they were able to compartmentalize when in reality they needed the help. When someone makes a decision to leave the military, they often think that by going back to the real world they will lose their experiences and that the memories that terrorize many of us will come off with the uniform. This simply could not be further from the truth. The memories are always there weighing on you mentally, physically, and emotionally. This is why it is crucial that we raise awareness for those dealing with PTSD or TBI. The mental toughness taught in the military does not mean staying silent or not reaching out for help. Instead, I believe that receiving help and talking with a professional or a fellow veteran shows resilience. It shows you are longing to heal, Madam Speaker, so you can be a better spouse and you can be a better parent and a better friend. That is what real toughness looks like. It is abundantly clear that there is a dire need to improve access to the critical mental health resources for our veterans battling PTSD and TBI. This is what H.R. 1476 does. And I commend Representative Zeldin for introducing the bipartisan bill, the PFC Joseph P. Dwyer Peer Support Program Act, which would establish a peer-to-peer support program for military veterans suffering from PTSD and TBI. Private First Class Joseph P. Dwyer, an Iraq war veteran, is just one example of a life taken too soon because of PTSD acquired during his time of service. There is a bond amongst those who have served that cannot be broken, and this program will create efforts that take into account this bond and this friendship and this kinship, and it provides a way for veterans to heal alongside one another. Madam Speaker, I strongly support this legislation and encourage others to do the same. Our precious warriors deserve our support. Our precious warriors and their families need our support. God bless all those who serve.

Mr. GARCIA of California

Mr. GARCIA of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today to speak on an important facet of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022. While I am pleased that the NDAA bill delivers good top-line and procurement financial support for our Nation's defense capabilities, the bill is not perfect. Specifically, I want to share my frustration with the bill's failure to properly increase our Nation's military pay, specifically for our enlisted personnel. The 2.7 percent pay increase for our military servicemembers is simply not enough. Throughout today, during the debate over the NDAA, we will hear Members from both sides of the aisle talk about the 2.7 percent, almost touting this. I want to put this in perspective. For the average junior enlisted personnel member, this translates to roughly $1.80 a day more for their service. This is unsatisfactory, especially given the gap between military pay and their civilian counterparts is currently at an all-time high. The reality is that many of our U.S. servicemembers and their families must serve 3 years and gain the rank of E4 before they can be at or above most States' minimum wage. This is also based on the assumption that they are working only 40 hours a week, which we all know is not true. Most servicemembers are actually working 50 to 60 hours per week, given the current operational tempo worldwide. We should never have to discuss food insecurities for those protecting our security, but the reality is that we have a significant percentage of servicemembers and their families who actually qualify for food stamps. This is unacceptable. We should start by paying them an adequate amount of base pay and avoid the burden of food stamps for our military. Earlier this year, during committee markup of the FY22 Defense appropriations bill, I offered an amendment that would ensure that all servicemembers make the equivalent of $15 an hour, or $31,200 a year, in base pay. These are not seismic numbers. These are not numbers we, as a Nation, cannot afford. When considering the 2.7 percent pay increase included in the FY22 NDAA, we must realize that this would still leave many servicemembers below that $15 minimum that I advocated for in July. Not to mention, the 2.7 percent pay increase actually falls below the current inflation rate, so they are actually losing ground relative to current prices. It also fails to keep pace with servicemembers' pay relative to their civilian counterparts. If we want to attract and retain the requisite skill sets and warriors needed in a complex battle space against a threat like China, we need to be willing to pay our troops a living wage. In the grand scheme of things, this pay raise for our enlisted ranks is extremely affordable. It not only pays for our servicemembers and their families, but also deepens and solidifies our Nation's security. This is a priceless return on a relatively small investment. While the amendment I offered to the FY22 NDAA bill was not included in the final bill, I secured a commitment from Defense Subcommittee Chairwoman Betty McCollum that she would create a working group to find a way to address the necessary military pay raise in conference negotiations with the Senate, and I appreciate the Chairwoman's willingness to work with me on this issue. Let me be clear: While the FY22 NDAA is not perfect and it does not properly raise our military's pay, I plan to support the overall bill as it does make important strides to provide a large majority of the necessary funding and, frankly, the initiatives that our Nation's military needs. I also promise to continue to work on ensuring our servicemembers receive the pay raises that they actually deserve. After 20 years of unprecedented deployment cycles during the global war on terror, now is the time to invest in our precious servicemembers and their families who provide our beautiful nation its security blanket on a daily basis. $15 an hour or $31,000 a year is a reasonable minimum base salary for our troops.

Mr. GARCIA of California

Mr. GARCIA of California. Mr. Speaker, had I been present, I would have voted ``nay'' on rollcall No. 270.

Mr. GARCIA of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of my critical, bipartisan, bicameral bill, the Military Spouse Licensing Relief Act, which was included as an amendment in this en bloc package. My amendment would support military families by allowing military spouses with valid professional licenses in one State reciprocity in another State where their spouse is stationed on military orders. This effectively allows the spouse to cross-deck their professional license to another State while their spouse is on Active Duty. More than 30 percent of our military spouses work in a field requiring professional licensing, and when these families receive move orders to a new State, military spouses often must spend time and money to reapply for a professional license that they already have. On average, military families lose thousands of dollars per move in lost wages and fees caused by relicensing barriers, and in many cases the spouse ends up not even applying for the license because it takes too long or is too costly to do so. The struggle often threatens the economic security and quality of life for these families, as their loved ones serve our Nation. No military spouse should have to decide between job security and being with their family. Military families already sacrifice so much in service to our great country, and we must work to protect these families. At a time in which our communities are also facing critical shortages of skilled professionals, like nurses and teachers, I urge my colleagues to support this commonsense amendment that will drastically improve the quality of life for our military families as well as our communities.

Mr. GARCIA of California

Mr. GARCIA of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today, joined by my colleagues, Rep. McCarthy, Rep. Calvert, Rep. Issa, Rep. Nunes, Rep. McClintock, Rep. LaMalfa, Rep. Valadao, and Rep. Obernolte to commemorate the birthday of one of our Nation's greatest First Ladies and a true American patriot. 100 years ago, on July 6th, Nancy Reagan was born. Throughout her lifetime she served in many roles--from movie star to loving mother, from First Lady of both California and the United States to distinguished philanthropist. No matter her position, she fulfilled her duties with grace, elegance, and above all: class. As First Lady of California, Nancy became involved with important charitable work, including visiting Vietnam war veterans, homes for the elderly, and schools for physically and emotionally handicapped children. She participated in events raising awareness about prisoners of war and service members missing in action. She also promoted the Foster Grandparent Program, a volunteer opportunity for older Americans to mentor, guide, and care for children with exceptional needs. This program continues to make important contributions to this day. As First Lady during President Reagan's two terms, she spearheaded the re-beautification of the White House, restoring it to its rightful former glory. She also led the charge on educating our Nation's youth on the dangers of drug use and addiction, teaching a generation of children and young adults to ``Just Say No.'' In 1985, she hosted First Ladies from across the world for a briefing in Washington and Atlanta on the topic of drug abuse and what can be done to help those who are suffering from it. Her drive to educate young people about the dangers of illicit drugs demonstrates her commitment to the future of our Nation. After her time in the White House, Nancy had a profound impact in our own communities through her support of the Reagan Library in Simi Valley. It was through her guidance and influence that the Reagan Library became one of the most esteemed centers for learning and presidential scholarships in the country. She also continued the push to educate people on the perils of substance abuse and established the Nancy Reagan Foundation and the Nancy Reagan Afterschool Program to support this mission. After President Reagan passed away, she became a leading advocate for individuals suffering from Alzheimer's Disease and their caregivers. Nancy worked with the National Alzheimer's Association and its affiliate, the Ronald and Nancy Reagan Research Institute in Chicago, Illinois, to find a cure or treatment for this terrible disease that plagues so many in our country. She courageously continued President Reagan's legacy in serving our country until her death in 2016. She is buried on the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library grounds next to her husband. On the centennial of her birth, we commend Mrs. Reagan for her service to our communities, the State of California, and the United States of America.

Mr. GARCIA of California

Mr. GARCIA of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to call on Congress and the Biden administration to hold China accountable for its role in the COVID-19 pandemic. The evidence suggests that this virus, like too many other things in the world, was made in China. Despite the growing evidence surrounding China's lack of transparency and mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic, House Democrats continue to stonewall Republican efforts to investigate the origins of COVID-19. Republicans have made numerous calls for the need to investigate the origins of COVID and hold China accountable, but the majority has yet to hold a single hearing on it. This is shameful. Americans deserve transparency, and they deserve answers. We must hold China accountable for its coverup of this deadly virus that has taken the lives of 3.8 million humans worldwide, including 600,000 American lives. Under the Trump administration, we had an investigation in place to investigate the origins of COVID-19, but that necessary investigation was ended by this Biden administration. Instead of holding our adversaries accountable, the current administration is bowing down to them. They have chosen a strategy of appeasement rather than accountability. If America wants to remain a leader on the global stage and if we want to remain a safe and secure nation, then we must hold China and other adversaries absolutely accountable. My Republican colleagues and I stand ready to work across the aisle to deliver the transparency and answers that Americans deserve. I hope that our colleagues across the aisle will join us in our efforts.

Mr. GARCIA of California

Mr. GARCIA of California. Madam Speaker, mankind has existed on this beautiful blue marble that we call Earth for nearly 200,000 years. Yet, just 118 years ago, we learned to fly in our own planet's atmosphere. As a nation, we are thirsty for something to rally behind, something that unifies us, something that we can all be invested in, be intrigued by, be impassioned about, and something to be positive about. There isn't a better movement to get behind than our Nation's modern space program. Some question the value of spending precious taxpayer dollars to overcome our planet's gravity to go to space, but those people aren't seeing the big picture. In the early 1900s, many questioned the value of spending so much capital and risking so many lives in hopes of conquering flight, and now we can't imagine a world in which we don't have the luxury of modern aviation. We had no idea that a little canvas glider flown on a beach in North Carolina would evolve into the modern fighter jet. We have no choice but to think outside the box, think outside of our own solar system even, to make sure that we not only understand the answers to our most profound questions but also discover new questions for tomorrow that we can't even fathom asking today. We have no choice but to better understand the extensions of God's creations, to know if we are alone in the universe, to know if there is a second home somewhere out there beyond our sights and imaginations. Failing to press on is a disservice to previous generations who have sacrificed so much and worked so hard to get us here today. Failing to press on is a disservice to current and future generations who benefit from our progress today. You see, space is a domain where we, as a nation, can thrive, but it is also a domain where we can be vulnerable and susceptible to the malicious intent of foes such as China, Russia, and Iran. There are existential threats right now in space. Any decision on our part to divest from this adventure will not dissuade our foes from advancing their own space programs. It would only serve to highlight a massive strategic vulnerability and potentially create capability gaps that will be impossible to fill in the future. A path of divestment is an unforgiving one and the damages irreparable. While we as a nation currently hold an advantage in space, our lead, like the nearly 118 years that separates today from the Wright brothers' first flight in 1903, can vanish in the blink of an eye. In this new frontier, time is as precious as money. Now is not the time to slow down. As big as space is, we must, as a nation, be bigger, be bigger as a united team. As a nation, we must recognize that this investment in our future is more than science and curiosity; it is more than resolve and perseverance; and it is more than just discovery and challenges. It is about survival, excellence, and inspiration; it is about national security; and it is about planetary security against threats that are not slowing down. It is about a new golden era for the American space program. As a result of the construction of the International Space Station, we have not had all humans together on this planet for over 20 years. That is remarkable to think about. In 2020, SpaceX, a critical commercial partner in our quest for low- cost and frequent space travel, averaged one rocket launch every 2 weeks. That is 26 launches in a year or almost three times the number of flights that the space shuttle did in its best year. Earlier this year, NASA successfully landed a JPL Mars rover on the Martian surface for the fifth time. We were the first and only nation to have done this until recently when the UAE and China just landed on Mars. In April, we flew a helicopter in the Martian atmosphere. No other nation has done that, but the United States now has. In 2024, we plan to once again land Americans on the Moon and further make history with the first woman on the Moon. Still, to this day, no other nation has done that. During our lifetimes, we will land Americans on Mars. No other nation has done that. The U.S. will be the first. As Americans, we are, in fact, exceptional. Our successes in space are testimonies to this. We should take pride in those successes, take pride in our exceptionalism, especially in the space domain. In 1962, JFK had to inspire us with his moonshot speech. Today, we have no excuses not to be inspired. We in Congress have no excuses to not support these exceptional programs in earnest and with pride. We have no choice.

Mr. GARCIA of California

Mr. GARCIA of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in direct support of our most critical ally, Israel. Rarely in history has the strategic alliance between two nations been more meaningful and necessary to the pursuit of worldwide stability than the modern partnership between the United States and Israel. I believe the recipe for a lasting relationship between our two nations and achieving stability in the region in pursuit of peace, is comprised of the following key tenets. Number one, maximum foreign military funds from the U.S. to Israel with a focus on providing Israel a qualitative military edge. Number two, an undivided Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. Number three, the Golan Heights must remain under the control of Israel. Number four, the worldwide elimination of boycott divestment and sanctions against Israel and Jewish communities here in the U.S. Such practices are blatantly anti-Semitic. Number five, prosecution of and defense against mutual threats to Israel in the United States. Any threats to Israel should be treated as a threat to the United States. Number six, we cannot allow a nuclear-capable Iran, and we should not reenter the JCPOA nuclear deal. Mr. Speaker, I have seen war firsthand. War is an ugly thing, but failing to unequivocally support an ally as critical as Israel in pursuit of worldwide stability is the ugliest of things, especially at a time like this when stability worldwide is eroding in front of us. Mr. Speaker, I urge Congress and this administration to fully support Israel.

Mr. GARCIA of California

Mr. GARCIA of California. I thank Mr. Johnson for hosting this very important Special Order hour. I rise today to share my concerns about our crisis at the southern border. As a first-generation American, I understand the opportunities that this Nation provides and why every human being on this planet should want to come to the United States. I am a product of the American Dream, but I also value the law. I value law and order. The first step in fixing our broken immigration system must be securing our border. In March we saw over 172,000 migrants attempt to illegally cross our border. That is a 71 percent increase in just one month. The Biden administration continues to fail to address this crisis. This is no doubt a product of the Biden administration's policy, but make no mistake, this is now our collective problem. It is affecting our local neighborhoods, it is affecting our governments, it is affecting those who have come here legally, who are now being cut in front of by folks who are breaking the law to come here. Communities in border towns are stretched thin and running low on local resources as more migrants flood their communities. This isn't just about the border. The crisis impacts all of us across America, including my district, the beautiful 25th District, where we see a rise in crime tied to illegal immigration and human trafficking. This is being aggravated by the defund the police movement. The crisis at our border is about security. It is about safety, and it is about humanity. No human being should be experiencing in their entire lifetime what hundreds of thousands of humans are experiencing right now at our own southern border. Let me be clear. We can be a welcoming nation, but we can also be a nation that abides by its own laws and enforces them simultaneously. We need to secure the border, provide the resources to our Border Patrol agents, and stop incentivizing people to come here illegally. When we do those things, we can address the rest of our problems.

Mr. GARCIA of California

Mr. GARCIA of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today in opposition to H.R. 6. As a first-generation American, I know firsthand the opportunities that America provides. I understand why every person on this planet should want to come to this beautiful country. We are a land of immigrants, built on hard work, and blessed by freedoms that are protected by law and order and secured by our Constitution. I sympathize with the Dreamers, I really do, but this bill should not be considered before addressing our broken immigration system that led to this very problem. Providing amnesty to Dreamers while ignoring the crisis at the border is like cleaning up spilled water before fixing the broken pipe. If Congress fails to reform our immigration system and fails to secure our borders, future migrants will be subjected to the same situation in which Dreamers today find themselves. We need to fix our broken immigration system and secure our borders. If my colleagues are sincere about their care and passion for the Dreamers, they should work with us to secure the border today so that the Dreamers have a chance tomorrow.

Mr. GARCIA of California

Mr. GARCIA of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of my dear friend, Peggy Sadler, who is now with the Lord. Peggy and her husband, David, met while attending the University of California-Santa Barbara. In the mid-1960s, they moved to the beautiful Simi Valley. David passed away last year as well, so they are now reunited in Heaven. Peggy was the mother of two children, Robert and Leslie. She was a tireless public servant for over 40 years, supporting local public leaders and volunteering throughout the community. Peggy spent her retirement helping raise her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, serving as a docent at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum, and serving her community as a volunteer at her local church. I am grateful for the friendship that Peggy and I shared. The city of Simi Valley is a better place because of Peggy Sadler. May we all pray for her family, and may God bless Ms. Peggy Sadler.

Mr. GARCIA of California

Mr. GARCIA of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a fallen hero who graced our glorious Nation for 47 years. Mr. Bill Reynolds, one of my best friends and a loyal wingman, crossed into heaven to be alongside the Lord on January 11. As a young man, Bill also crossed oceans to fight for this Nation in the jungles of Vietnam in 1967. In fact, he was one of the few surviving members of the well-known ``The Boys of `67,'' the Army's Charlie Company, 9th Division, 4th Battalion, 47th Infantry Regiment. He was wounded in combat on the Mekong Delta on June 19, 1967, in one of the fiercest days of the Vietnam war during the Battle of My Lai. Despite being wounded, Bill continued to fight alongside his fellow Americans as they took on heavy fire. His brave service earned him the Bronze Star as well as the Purple Heart. From an early age, Bill was a scrapper. He was a real patriot. He loved his friends, he loved his family, but his deepest love was for the United States of America and those who served to protect her. The blood he shed and the sacrifices that he made overseas during combat operations were matched only by his commitment and his passion to take care of veterans back home. In fact, in my hometown of Santa Clarita, there is a veterans' memorial that stands today because of Bill's hard work and his advocacy. In the halls of a local veterans' support center, there are several dozen biographies of our city's local heroes, our veterans; and all of these biographies were written by Bill after he personally sat down, interviewed, and discussed their experiences with them each, individually. Bill loved our veterans because he understood what it meant to truly serve, and he understood what it meant to truly sacrifice. In his own words he said: ``America was founded on the courage to fight for freedom, and that is what the veteran community does. They take pride in that. There is no better family than the veteran community,'' he said. Bill was a steward of those who protected our Nation. A warrior with a big heart and a sheepdog with a big bark and an even bigger fight, and he knew what that flag, Mr. Speaker, stood for, and he would do anything to protect it. And underneath all the passion and fight was a kind and gentle man, one of the most soft-spoken and caring men I have ever known, a husband to Meg, a role model to his sons, and a friend to thousands. Bill knew better than anyone that our Nation is a precious one and that its survival is not pre-ordained. He knew that our Nation is sometimes vulnerable. It is an experiment of government still in its infancy, a developing Nation that is underpinned by goodwill and dependent on the labors of good Americans willing to serve her and to fight for her for the right reasons. We are indeed a Nation that sometimes wobbles and, in doing so, we require the steady hands of patriots and leaders. We are a Nation that is kept stable by the exertions of great Americans. People like Bill Reynolds. Bill was an American who cared until the very end and will continue to look over us and our precious Nation like the loyal wingman that he has always been. May God bless Bill Reynolds and his family. And may God bless this great Nation that he gave so much and fought so hard for.

Mr. GARCIA of California

Mr. GARCIA of California. Mr. Speaker, while most Americans were sitting down to dinner and enjoying a relaxing evening with their families on November 23, a young California Highway Patrol officer by the name of Andy Ornelas was on duty in the bucolic city of Palmdale. At 7:05 p.m., a vehicle turned directly into the path of Officer Ornelas' motorcycle, causing a terrible accident. After a valiant fight for his life, Andy succumbed to his injuries and passed away 9 days later on December 2. I rise today to pay tribute to this precious hero who was taken from this world too soon. Men and women like Officer Ornelas make sacrifices and face danger on a daily basis while we, the average citizens of this beautiful country and the beneficiaries of their service, remain wrapped in the warmth of the security blanket which they provide. While he was alive, we didn't thank Officer Ornelas enough. We didn't appreciate him enough, and we certainly didn't support him enough. As a society, we need to remember that these precious guardians of peace and security that they provide are subjected to dangers that the average American cannot fathom. While they are alive, we need to honor our first responders more. Andy did things right. He did things for the right reason. He worked hard, he played hard, and he loved his friends and his family with purity and intensity. We were all blessed to have him on his watch. My deepest condolences and prayers go out to Andy's family. His mom and dad, his brother and uncle are all law enforcement officers. His wife, Taylor, now, more than ever, needs the full support of her Nation, the support of her State, and the support of her community. Andy is with God, and, Taylor, we are with you. At all times, we are at your disposal to support you in any way that we can. Honoring the Service of Bob Kellar

Mr. GARCIA of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a good friend who is retiring after nearly six decades of noble and loyal service to our Nation and to our State of California. Today, Mr. Bob Kellar is officially retiring from the Santa Clarita City Council after more than 20 years in that role. During his tenure, he also served as mayor four times. Before his time on the city council, Bob Kellar also served our community as an LAPD officer for 25 years, and before that, he was a Green Beret in the U.S. Army. His list of accomplishments and leadership roles in our community is too long to list here today. In the end, it is his kind character, his humble comportment, and his playful sense of humor that makes this patriot and public servant so special. I want to also thank Bob's wife, Kathy, for making so many sacrifices in support of our community and country. Bob, I am proud to call you my friend, and I am honored to know you. Sir, you are one of the best Americans I have met. Congratulations on your retirement. Honoring the Life and Service of General Chuck Yeager

Mr. GARCIA of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of an American legend and aviation pioneer, General Chuck Yeager, who passed away this past Monday, December 7. Daring to be the first to break the sound barrier over California's Mojave Desert, General Yeager achieved aviation history in 1947 and launched the modern jet age. He did what many thought was impossible, and he did it over the skies of my district. But his dedication to our Nation and contribution to aeronautical sciences was greater than this one crowning achievement. He served in World War II as a fighter ace, shooting down 13 German planes--5 in one day. In 1953, he set a world speed record by flying at nearly 2\1/2\ times the speed of sound. From commanding the school training astronauts at Edwards Air Force Base, to flying 127 missions as commander of a fighter wing in Vietnam, to testing a Russian MiG-15 obtained from a defector, Chuck Yeager's service to country and advancement of aviation never stopped throughout his lifetime. These accomplishments might have seemed unlikely in the beginning. Possessing only a high school degree and becoming sick riding in his first military flight as a passenger, he might have seemed an unlikely milestone maker in military aviation. But, as he said in his memoir: ``All I know is I worked my tail off learning to learn how to fly, and worked hard at it all the way.'' As a fighter pilot myself, this is difficult for me to say, but Chuck Yeager was truly the best fighter pilot this world has seen. Hard work, determination, bravery, and service made Chuck Yeager a role model and a uniquely American hero. May God bless Chuck Yaeger, his family, and the Nation that he served, and I hope Chuck is up there in Heaven setting more records.

Mr. GARCIA of California

Mr. GARCIA of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a dear friend and to honor the life of someone very special to my hometown of Santa Clarita. Ms. Cheri Fleming, a radiant mom, a beautiful wife, a savvy businesswoman, and an avid philanthropist, passed away on November 16. Cheri was an icon in the Santa Clarita Valley. She was the brilliant and shining essence of everything that is great about my hometown. She led with grace. She succeeded in business with humility. She supported charities with endless generosity. She loved her friends and family intensely, always giving one of the most warm hugs you can imagine. As a philanthropist, Cheri was one of the primary reasons why so many nonprofit organizations in our district are thriving and providing services and hope to countless thousands. Today, she is with God, but she will always remain in our hearts, Mr. Speaker. My deepest condolences go out to her family and especially her husband, Don, who is also one of the greatest Americans I have ever known. May God bless the Cheri Fleming family, and may God bless Santa Clarita in the wake of her loss.

Mr. GARCIA of California

Mr. GARCIA of California. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to call up H.R. 8265 to extend the Paycheck Protection Program to keep millions of employees on the payroll of America's small businesses.

Mr. GARCIA of California

Mr. GARCIA of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a fallen warrior and a true American hero from the beautiful 25th District of California. Gunnery Sergeant Diego Pongo of Simi Valley was killed in action by enemy fire in the Makhmur Mountains of Iraq back on March 8 of this year. Diego was a marine and part of the elite MARSOC Raiders unit charged with eliminating entrenched bastions of ISIS in Iraq.

Mr. GARCIA of California

Mr. GARCIA of California. Madam Speaker, I thank my distinguished colleague from Texas for yielding. Madam Speaker, I stand here this evening inspired. More specifically, I am proud, and I am in awe of our American space program and the monumental step that they took this morning with the launch of the Perseverance Mars rover on the back of an Atlas V rocket. But the rover is just one element of this amazing story. While humans have lived on this planet for millions of years, it was a mere 117 years ago when Americans were the first to solve the mystery of sustained, powered flight in our own atmosphere. That is a mere blink of an eye in the long arc of our planet and our own species' history. Now, just a few hours ago, besides the rover vehicle, we also launched a small helicopter named Ingenuity that will ultimately fly in the atmosphere of another planet. Madam Speaker, we will operate a helicopter on Mars. We will also collect samples of the Martian terrain and eventually return those samples back to Earth in about 6 years for further study. However, even while I and so many others applaud and celebrate these American successes, others question our pursuit of such endeavors amid the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting economic challenges thereof. They see this endeavor as unnecessary to our survival. My response to those individuals is simple: You haven't been paying attention. You haven't been paying attention to what makes this country the greatest country this world has ever seen. As Americans, we carry an inherent desire to push ourselves forward through adversity. In mankind's evolutionary journey from the caves all the way up now to Mars, there is no greater enemy to the American spirit than complacency and self-doubt. Madam Speaker, when you look back upon our Nation's history, the truth is that there has always been a conflict or a reason not to reach further towards the next milestone of monumental exploration. But we have never let that stop us before, and we cannot allow it to stop us now. With this mission to Mars, we are inspired not only by the journey, not only by the machinery, not only by technology and this marvelous team that got us here, but by the very name of the rover vehicle: Perseverance. You see, this morning's launch of this precious payload, the combined efforts of the thousands of Americans over the last 10 years working for NASA, the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, United Launch Alliance, and others is about to payoff, despite the many technical challenges, as well as the challenges that COVID-19 produced. Just days after the 51st anniversary of the Apollo 11 Moon landing, we once again sent American hardware beyond the surly bonds of Earth toward another landmark mission. And while we celebrate this achievement of American innovation and our ability to work through challenging and seemingly impossible problems, we must also remain vigilant. While our aim and our mission are admirable, not every country carries that same passion and desire for peaceful exploration. We need look no further than the Chinese Communist Government and their willingness to antagonize us while continuing to increase their footprint in the vacuum of space. Madam Speaker, they are not a near-peer threat; they are, in fact, a peer threat, especially in this domain. It is too great a threat to our national security and the rest of the world to let their efforts go unmatched or uncontested. For the sake of science and the defense of our precious planet, we must persevere. What sets the United States of America apart from the rest of the world is our resolve, our ingenuity, and our commitment to progress for noble missions. I spoke earlier of the American spirit. It is a story of exploration, and it is a story we haven't finished writing. We continue the next chapter so that our children and our children's children may know what it means to succeed where others thought we would stumble to accomplish what others thought was impossible. And as we meet here today, two astronauts continue to orbit overhead thanks to a successful SpaceX rocket launch a couple of weeks ago that launched American astronauts from our soil to the International Space Station. Those astronauts will return in just a few short days, and today we continue writing the story for future generations with yet another mission to Mars in parallel. To not only land on Mars, but also fly a helicopter in the Martian atmosphere, we should take pride in this. We can hold Communist China accountable and limit its dangerous power grab. We can survive COVID-19 and develop and deliver a vaccine to our entire country as well as the world, and we can continue to persevere in our quest to become a multiplanetary species. We can do all of the above, and we will. History will not forgive us if we fail to do so. Madam Speaker, this evening I say, Godspeed to the Perseverance team and the thousands who have supported today's successful launch. With over a decade of preparation, today they demonstrated the true meaning of American perseverance.