Marie Gluesenkamp Perez

Ms. PEREZ

Ms. PEREZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a community effort in southwest Washington. The ongoing war in Ukraine has resulted in countless Ukrainian citizens being forced to flee their homes, leaving behind everything they once knew. However, in the midst of all this chaos, turmoil, and pain, it fills me with hope to witness Washington extend a welcoming hand to many of these refugees, offering a safe haven and a chance to rebuild their lives. One example of this is the School of Knowledge, a place where Ukrainian children can learn important subjects, like reading, math, music, and Bible studies, all in their native Ukrainian tongue. For Ukraine refugees in my district, this Saturday school serves as a vital lifeline, allowing them to stay connected to their culture and heritage while forming new bonds with our community. I ask my colleagues to join me in remembering that as we support Ukrainian refugees in their journey to start anew, we also enrich our local communities' culture and self-sufficiency. Knucklebusters Provide Hands-on Experience Through Community Engagement

Ms. PEREZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Skamania County Knucklebusters Association Skills Center in my district, a place that resonates with my own background as the owner of an auto repair and machine shop. I visited the Skamania County Knucklebusters this past May, and I learned about the free auto repair program they offer to teenagers. The diverse range of hands-on skills development classes they host include shop safety and tool usage and brakes and tires. These classes equip young students with essential life skills, like how to use a wrench. Nobody sitting in these classes asks themselves when they will use this in real life, yet they deeply complement STEM and fields like geometry and physics. In addition to their educational efforts, they also provide services to the community at a reasonable cost, making it accessible to all and providing teenagers with access to hard skills and self-sufficiency. What is even more commendable is that the Knucklebusters are an all- volunteer organization, which means they are motivated by the simple desire to pass on their knowledge to the next generation. They are discerning about their volunteers, ensuring that they are all quality mechanics committed to producing quality, safe work. I am so grateful for folks like the Knucklebusters for embodying education principles beyond just theoretical learning and instead involving practical, hands-on experiences through community engagement.

Ms. PEREZ

Ms. PEREZ. Mr. Chair, I rise today to urge the support of two of my amendments in this bipartisan en bloc. My first amendment supports farmers and healthy soils by asking the USDA to conduct research on the amount of microplastics in farmland. Microplastics are showing up everywhere: in our bodies, in our waters, and our soils. My amendment would support efforts to understand microplastics and support healthy soil, which is essential for our farming communities and our agricultural sector. My second amendment is the idea that the USDA should be able to fix its own stuff. We shouldn't waste taxpayer dollars on tractors and other farm equipment that cannot be repaired easily--and by USDA technicians--when it breaks. My amendment allows the USDA to be better stewards of taxpayer dollars and supports the longevity of the equipment they use to perform groundbreaking research. Mr. Chairman, I encourage my colleagues to support my amendment.

Ms. PEREZ

Ms. PEREZ. Mr. Speaker, today, I rise to thank president Chris Bailey, who is retiring after dedicating 12 years to Lower Columbia College. Throughout his tenure, he diligently served students, staff, and the community, transforming Lower Community College into a vital educational hub in the region. As a testament to Chris' leadership, Lower Columbia College developed the Lower Columbia Regional Center, enabling folks to work and access higher education pathways. Chris was pivotal in introducing the college's first two bachelor of applied science degrees, as well as a vocational skills center, reflecting his commitment to expanding career opportunities for those at the college. We have been lucky to have a leader like Chris at Lower Columbia College. Mr. Speaker, I thank Chris for his dedication and wish him all the best in a well-deserved retirement. Recognizing Mallonee Farms

Ms. PEREZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mallonee Farms, a family-owned dairy farm in my district. A few weeks ago, I was able to visit the farm in Curtis, Washington, where I met the farm's owner, Maynard Mallonee. Maynard is a third-generation dairy farmer and a member of the Organic Valley co-op. During my visit, I toured their farm, saw their new robotic milkers, and heard how Congress can support small, organic farms. Maynard is passionate about working for something bigger than himself. He works to be a good steward of his land, and he is already taking steps with his son, Jack, to ensure that the family farm continues for generations to come. Everyone at Mallonee Farms is fighting hard for their farm, and I am grateful to be in this fight with them. My focus is to ensure that Federal policy supports small, family farms like theirs. Cowlitz Complex Fires in Gifford Pinchot National Forest

Ms. PEREZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to address the Cowlitz Complex fires in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. Thirty fires might sound like a bad movie plot, but with 695 acres in flames and 342 hardworking folks trying to keep it all under control, it is the reality of our community. To the diligent task forces--the California Incident Management Team 13 and Rocky Mountain Incident Management Team 2--patrolling and monitoring the fires, especially around Pothole, Jackpot, and the Adams Fork regions--your steadfastness does not go unnoticed. We are thankful that potential threats, like the heat near Pothole, turned out to be benign. The task forces' preemptive actions are the backbone of our community's safety. Mr. Speaker, I thank the folks working these fires. Their tireless efforts protect our homes, our forests, and our future. Their commitment to contain these forests showcases the resilience of our community. Honoring a Dedicated Public Servant, Sergeant Richard Kelly

Ms. PEREZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a dedicated public servant and cherished member of our community, Sergeant Richard Kelly. On August 10, we lost Sergeant Kelly unexpectedly due to a medical emergency while in the line of duty. He was only 54. Sergeant Kelly's commitment to safeguarding our community was unwavering. He served the Battle Ground Police Department since 2005, where he ultimately rose to the rank of sergeant in 2019. Not only was he an officer of the law, he was a husband, father, brother, and a pillar of our community. He was respected and loved by all who had the privilege of knowing him. I personally recall his attentive presence at my Battle Ground townhall, a testament to his deep sense of duty and connection to the people that he served. His loss leaves a void in our community and in the hearts of all who knew him. Today, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the life and service of Sergeant Richard Kelly. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, his colleagues, and the entire Battle Ground community during this time. May his dedication serve as a lasting inspiration to us all. Remembering and Honoring Corporal Zachary ``Zac'' Clayton Merrill

Ms. PEREZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to remember and honor Corporal Zachary ``Zac'' Clayton Merrill, who passed away on August 20. After graduating from college, Zac joined the Army, distinguishing himself as captain of the 82nd Airborne and leading an explosive ordnance team in Afghanistan. His commitment and valor earned him the Bronze Star, among other commendations. After the Army, Zac's call to service led him to the Vancouver Police Department, where he became an integral member of the crisis negotiation team and was eventually named unit leader. However, beyond the badges and commendations, Zac was a loving husband, son, brother, and uncle. He also had a profound bond with his grandfather, Stanley Merrill, also a Korean war veteran, which speaks volumes about his deep roots in service and sacrifice. Corporal Merrill's legacy of service, both on the battlefield and on our streets, will forever inspire and remind us of the sacrifices made by those who choose to serve. Mr. Speaker, I send my deepest condolences to his family, friends, and all who had the privilege of knowing him.

Ms. PEREZ

Ms. PEREZ. Mr. Speaker, I thank Ranking Member Grijalva for yielding time. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 1450, the Treating Tribes and Counties as Good Neighbors Act. This bill is critical for districts like mine. Why? This bill gives back the flexibility that is critical to counties and Tribes, who understand that wildfires and natural disasters do not discriminate between Federal and non-Federal lands, and ensures that we use all of the tools at our disposal to mitigate the effects of wildfire and maintain healthy forests. In the 2018 farm bill, Congress expanded Good Neighbor Authority to make Tribes and counties eligible to enter into Good Neighbor agreements. However, Tribes and counties were not afforded the same authority as States to retain the receipts from these GNA project revenues to reinvest in conservation. This fundamentally reduced the ability to engage and partner on critical management projects like wildfire mitigation, invasive species management, and habitat maintenance. Additionally, the 2018 farm bill removed the ability to carry out restoration services that were agreed to under the Good Neighbor Agreements to take place off of Federal lands. You can literally get out in the woods, and you can see the boundaries and political boundaries between the treated land and untreated land that has resulted. As a result, adjacent Tribal and county land that is essential to the health of national forests can no longer be restored as comprehensive landscapes. Rural, timber-based Skamania County, my home county, is leading innovation with Good Neighbor Authority by hiring foresters with these funds to advance timber harvests for forest health, fire management, and invasive species management, all mounting issues in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest that have not been addressed for decades. Skamania County was the first to build a relationship with the State Department of Natural Resources to determine how this Good Neighbor Authority could help the forest health conditions of the national forests, which make up 80 percent of Skamania County. This partnership between the Forest Service, the State agency, and Skamania County has been hugely successful. The additional flexibility provided by this bill is a commonsense fix to a program that has been proven to be highly successful. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this legislation. I thank Congressman Fulcher for his leadership on this bill. I thank Chairman Westerman and Ranking Member Grijalva, as well as Chairman Thompson and Ranking Member Scott, for their support of this critical legislation.

Ms. PEREZ

Ms. PEREZ. Mr. Chair, I rise in support of the amendments en bloc. Following recent meetings with veterans in Lewis County, I am deeply concerned about a number of issues impacting constituent veterans who receive care through the VA Puget Sound Healthcare System. First and foremost, veterans in Lewis County have seen their access to care reduced dramatically in recent years. The 2021 closure of the Chehalis Community Based Outpatient Clinic cut many veterans off from nearby care. Travel times went from about 1 hour to more than 2 hours to get to a VA Puget Sound facility. Not just that, but the wait times are horrific. I am hearing from veterans that they are waiting at times over 6 hours on the phone for it to be answered. In rural communities with sparse specialty and mental health care options to begin with, the closure of a full CBOC has put lifesaving care out of reach of our veterans. I offered two amendments that are included in the amendments en bloc that will hold the VA accountable for protecting access to care for veterans in rural areas like mine in east Lewis County. Amendment No. 15 would require the VA to submit a report to Congress on their efforts to ensure access to healthcare for veterans residing in geographic proximity to a Department of Veteran Affairs community- based outpatient clinic subject to closure. Amendment No. 23 will require the VA to update Patient Experience Compare Data published on their public website to break down data by county. This would give our body and Americans valuable insight about how the patient experience with a medical center may differ based on location within the center's jurisdiction, not just the jurisdiction broadly. We can compare whether it is a rural issue or an issue with the center itself. In return for their service to our country, we have made a promise to our veterans that we must uphold. It is our responsibility to ensure they have the access to healthcare necessary to lead a full and healthy life after their time in the armed services has ended. Mr. Chair, I ask for support for these two amendments that will help increase transparency and hold the VA accountable for access to care for my constituents and other vets in rural areas.

Ms. PEREZ

Ms. PEREZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate Tru Most, a freshman at Mark Morris High School, who recently placed first in the YETI Junior World Finals of Barrel Racing in Las Vegas. Competing against 164 other teams, Tru and her horse, Rockette, dominated the field with a run of 14.722 seconds. Her success is the result of years of hard work. She started racing when she was just 8 years old. I am so proud of her success and for making a name for southwest Washington, and I am so excited to see what is in store for her. Her talent and her work ethic make our community proud. Tunnel 5 Fire

Ms. PEREZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to address the pressing issue that has ravaged my district in southwest Washington, the Tunnel 5 wildfire. We have all become sickeningly familiar with the feeling of your heart stopping when you get the call that there is another wildfire in your community. Over the Independence Day weekend, I and so many others in my community got that call. To my neighbors who lost their homes, my heart breaks for you. My team and I stand ready to help you in any way that we can, whether you need to get another passport issued or you need advice navigating FEMA. If you are trying to get your military records reissued, we stand by to help you. I thank the firefighters who chose to spend their summers felling trees, digging lines, and sleeping in tents in sweltering heat. When I visited that fire line, I saw firsthand there is a lot of gray hair out there. Thank you to the folks who choose to spend their retirement not in Cabo but fighting wildfires in places like Skamania County. Your experience is invaluable and your self-sacrifice an example to us all. Finally, I thank the volunteer firefighters, first responders, and linemen from our PUDs. We are all so proud of them. I hope they are all able to take some time off, go to a swimming hole, and relax with their families. The path to rebuilding is long, but folks like them are the reason that our community is worth the fight. Steigerwald Restoration

Ms. PEREZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Steigerwald Restoration Project in my district. In 1960, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers built a levee along the Columbia River to protect communities from flooding. In doing so, they cut off Steigerwald Lake and created flooding from Gibbons Creek and destroyed a wetland. This wound up decimating the ecosystem and introducing new floods. In 2013, the Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership began the Steigerwald Restoration Project. This project took 10 years. It was a massive undertaking. The team removed miles of the existing levee and built two new setbacks to protect the community from floods. Thanks to their painstaking effort, port and city infrastructure, State Route 14, and nearby private residences are no longer at risk of flooding, and the natural habitat has been restored. A few weeks ago, I was able to visit and see how the area was transformed. It is now being used as a recreational space. I appreciate any chance to get my boots a little muddy and plant a couple of trees. Investments in our ecosystems are investments in our future. Recognizing Small Community Banks

Ms. PEREZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize small community banks. Small community banks often serve as lifelines for local businesses and individuals. Banks like Raymond Federal and Security State Bank have a finger on the pulse of their community and are often able to lend to members in the community when the big guys can't see the value these guys provide. These small community banks are also able to respond quicker to local events, like a strike at a local lumber mill, by offering automatic loan modification to striking workers. Small banks are facing a number of pressures like high interest rates and capital consolidations that benefit the big players in the financial world such as big banks, insurance companies, and companies like Apple and Amazon entering the banking space. That is why I believe when we talk about supporting rural areas, we need to add regional community banking to the list of critical services to protect. Recognizing NASCAR Driver Eric Johnson, Jr.

Ms. PEREZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Eric Johnson, Jr., a 20-year-old race car driver from Woodland, Washington, who made his NASCAR debut in early June. Eric placed 10th at the Portland NASCAR Xfinity Series. He competed in a field of 24 racers, most of whom were older and had years of experience on him. Inspired by his father who was a former NASCAR driver, Eric began exploring his passion for racing and cars. Eric actually started driving race cars before he started driving on normal residential streets, going 100 miles per hour on the racetrack before going 20 miles an hour in a neighborhood. Eric began building cars when he was just 15, before he got his driver's license. As an auto repair and machine shop owner myself, I know this meticulous, hands-on work requires a lot of attention to detail and creativity. I congratulate Eric on his impressive debut at such a young age. I look forward to seeing where his career takes him.

Ms. PEREZ

Ms. PEREZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to my distinguished predecessor, a true statesman, and above all, a dear friend, Don Bonker. I had the honor of knowing Don personally and can attest to his generosity. When he heard that I was shopping for a suit for my husband at Goodwill, he mailed out one of his old suits for us to borrow. His generosity really knew no bounds. He was a real source of guidance during those early days. He was always able to take my calls and answer my questions. I will forever cherish our memories and our conversations together. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in keeping Don's beloved wife, Carolyn, and his children, Dawn and Jonathan, in our thoughts and prayers. May they find solace in knowing Don's legacy will live on in the hearts and minds of those who had the honor of knowing him.

Ms. PEREZ

Ms. PEREZ. Madam Speaker, I rise to speak on a huge threat facing salmon and other fish in Washington State. Salmon are not just a fish for us. They are a cultural touchstone, an economic bedrock, and also a huge part of meeting our Tribal obligations. In Washington State, we have a long series of dams along the Columbia River and others, and that slows the speed of salmon as they travel up to spawn. Sea lions have figured this out. There is an all-you-can-eat buffet waiting for them at the dams, and they are exploiting that. These are not cute, Disney-level sea lions. These are about the weight of a Volkswagen Bug, about the size of a bear. These are serious creatures, and they are not just a small predation risk. Almost one out of two fish at Merwin Dam on the Lewis River is returning with sea lion bites out of it. Sea lions come up the river, chunk up on the salmon, and then go back out to the ocean to breed. Other sea lions see this, these glossy guys, and they say, ``Hey, where did you get that?'' and they follow them back up. There is a massive amount of recruitment. There was actually a really interesting natural experiment on the Willamette River, where there was a smaller number of sea lions. They were able to effectively remove all of them at once and end this cycle of recruitment. Right now, our Federal policies don't allow the effective removal of these sea lions, so the recruitment continues. As a result of the actions at Willamette, fewer sea lions died, and more fish were saved. We have to act faster, in a more rational way, to end this cycle of recruitment. Celebrating Tenino's 150th Jubilee

Ms. PEREZ. Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the 150th Jubilee of Tenino, Washington. Jubilee is not the kind of word you are going to hear a lot if you visit Tenino, Washington. It is one of those words my grandpa would say costs a quarter when a nickel will do. Folks in Tenino are really proud of our working-class heritage. It is originally a town based on logging and quarrying, and it is actually where my great-grandparents are buried. It was built on the determination of people who believe in hard work. They are creative thinkers. When the traditional currency collapsed during the Great Depression, they invented their own wooden currency. It worked because this is a community where people trust each other, where they believe in each other. That kind of independent thinking is exactly what has brought the town resiliency today. I am so excited to honor the legacy and future of this great city. I sincerely thank all the folks who put their shoulder behind the wheel of making it a great town. Honoring the Service of Chris Rust

Ms. PEREZ. Madam Speaker, I rise today to thank retiring Superintendent Chris Rust for his 8 years of service to the Toledo School District. During his tenure as superintendent, Chris demonstrated a passionate commitment to his students, staff, parents, and the community of Toledo. Throughout his career, Chris always sought to learn and improve, and he approached each new challenge with creativity and humility. The construction of the Toledo High School is a testament to this. Under his direction, the school came in $2 million under budget, and as a result, people in the town had lower taxes for 4 years. Rust's dedication to our community is further demonstrated by his use of pandemic funding to bolster the district's mental health staff, proactively addressing this growing crisis and ensuring access in schools to a safe and supportive environment. Leaders like Chris do not come around very often, but we are lucky to have them when they do. I thank Chris. I wish him all the best in his well-deserved retirement. Thanking Rural Firefighters

Ms. PEREZ. Madam Speaker, I rise to tell you about rural firefighters. Rural fire districts are 100 percent volunteer staffed and can have annual budgets under $100,000. That has to pay for medical supplies, fuel, vehicle maintenance, training, insurance, and administrative costs. Because of these financial limitations, rural departments can offer training but not permanent paid positions. The result is effectively a farm system for more urban districts. Rural departments expend resources to train the firefighters who end up leaving for bigger towns, causing perpetual staffing shortages. One emergency manager was telling me about their son, who started out his firefighting career in one of these rural districts. He was scheduled for a one-off, one-on for 6 days, but because of staffing shortages, he was on for 6 days nonstop, responding to life-critical emergencies while barely able to keep his eyes open, all without getting paid. This type of schedule is not sustainable for any job, much less a volunteer gig, let alone one with the physical, mental, and emotional challenges of a firefighter. I stand with my community in thanking our rural firefighters for their efforts and service. I will always be an advocate for programs that support rural firefighters. Paying Tribute to Don Bonker

Ms. PEREZ. Madam Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to my distinguished predecessor, Don Bonker, a dear friend. I had the honor of knowing Don personally before he passed. His loss will be felt deeply by all of our community members.

Ms. PEREZ

Ms. PEREZ. Mr. Speaker, earlier this month, Thurston County Sheriff Derek Sanders was injured in a car accident while driving his patrol car. Since the accident, I have been in touch with Sheriff Sanders. He has incredible strength and resilience. Amazingly, just 2 weeks after being airlifted to Harborview Medical Center for his injuries he has been cleared to return to work. Mr. Speaker, as I stand here in Washington, I will continue to send my thoughts and prayers to him and his family back home. I hope he has a speedy recovery. I am so grateful to Sheriff Sanders and officers like him who accept the risks of their job to keep our public safe. Veteran Wait Times

Ms. PEREZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to bring attention to the long wait time veterans endure when trying to get through to the VA. As the granddaughter of a veteran, I have deep respect for the sacrifice that comes from serving our Nation in uniform. We make a sacred promise to veterans: If they step up to serve, the Nation will be there for them when they take off the uniform. Yet, the wait times for primary care appointments at the Vancouver VA hospital in my district are 3 weeks; physical therapy, 4 weeks; and mental health, 8 weeks. To make matters worse, those times are absolutely an underestimate. The Veterans Health Administration reports average wait times on its website using the time at which an appointment is scheduled by staff rather than when the appointment is requested. This does not take into account the time veterans are forced to wait on hold just to get an appointment. Last April, the Office of the Inspector General called this out in its report, but it still has not been remedied. A lot of time is spent in this Chamber talking about our national debt, and rightly so, but we already have a kind of debt that we are failing to serve. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to join me in keeping our end of the bargain and making healthcare more accessible for our veterans. Postal Service Delays

Ms. PEREZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to bring attention to the unacceptable state of the Postal Service in my community and across rural America. Those of you who live in urban communities might have experienced the mail just comes on time. I have constituents whose bills are delivered weeks or days after they are due, making it impossible to pay them on time and ruining their credit. This summer, a mail carrier in my community got sick and there was no one to deliver the mail for months. In another instance, a postal master key was lost in Clark County, which has led to incredible, rampant mail theft in the area. In all of these cases the Postal Service seems unwilling or unable to fulfill their mandated duties. Mr. Speaker, this isn't just about southwest Washington, it is all across rural America. This state of affairs is unacceptable. The United States Postal Service is a lifeline to our communities and a critical piece of infrastructure for connecting our Nation. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to stand up and find a bipartisan solution with me to fix these issues, reform the Postal Service, and improve service for Washingtonians. Consolidation

Ms. PEREZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak out of deep concern for growing consolidation of agricultural farms throughout the food supply chain. These mergers put small farmers, small businesses, and workers at a huge disadvantage. There are fewer options for processing plants, cold storage, distribution, and retail. I have heard concerns about consolidation at farm bill listening sessions I have hosted in Centralia and Battle Ground. We are seeing consolidation everywhere, including meat processing plants, fruit processors, and beverages distributors. In my community, Corwin, a local beverage distributor was just bought out by a huge conglomerate, and now their beer and wine division is closed. The potential merger between Kroger and Albertsons would only add to this pressure. It is hurting our small producers. The cost to transport and distribute goods is no longer sustainable and is forcing small businesses to close. This drives up the cost at the checkout stand, and it makes it more challenging to rely on American-grown goods. This is a national security threat. Mr. Speaker, I am here to serve the people of southwest Washington, not big businesses. Every merger that cuts costs and skirts accountability is a blow to working people; to farmers, to processing plants, grocery cashiers, and families at the checkout stand. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to stand with me to find a solution to these critical issues. Celebrate Loggers