Mike Honda

Mr. HONDA

Mr. HONDA. Mr. Chairman and Ranking Member Kaptur, I echo my colleague's comments and thank you for your collegial leadership of the subcommittee. Funding the synchrotron light sources adequately is a competitiveness issue for the Nation's economic well-being. Companies from my district, throughout Silicon Valley and around the Nation, utilize these unique, large-scale scientific facilities to advance next generation technologies and to grow our Nation's economy. Other nations are catching up. We must make sure to make the investments that retain our leadership. Thank you for your willingness to address this issue.

Mr. HONDA

Mr. HONDA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to address the unresolved issue of the World War II sex slaves. Also known as ``comfort women,'' these 200,000 women from Korea, China, the Philippines, Burma, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Taiwan, Indonesia, and East Timor were kidnapped and sexually enslaved by the Japanese Imperial Army during World War II. These young women were coerced and suffered serious physical, emotional, and psychological damages as a result of their ordeal. On the solemn occasion of the 70th Anniversary of the end of WWII, the survivors of this horrific ordeal are still seeking their long overdue justice from the Government of Japan. Today, we have one of these survivors in Washington, D.C. Her name is Yongsoo Lee. She has become the voice of justice, peace, and reconciliation. In 1944, 16-year-old Lee was forcibly taken to Taiwan, where she was victimized by multiple Japanese soldiers every day for a year. Her suffering was unimaginable and unspeakable. Sadly, she was not alone in this nightmare. And yet, out of the 200,000 of her sisters, today, she is one out of a handful of survivors from across the Asia-Pacific still alive. When the Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe addresses a Joint Meeting of Congress on April 29, he has the opportunity to do right by these women. He can make a full, unequivocal, and formal apology on behalf of the Japanese government. In 2007, in the very same chamber the Prime Minister will be issuing his address, the House of Representatives sent a profound message to the Japanese government by unanimously passing House Resolution 121, which I authored. The resolution called on the Japanese government to formally acknowledge, apologize, and accept historical responsibility in a clear and unequivocal manner for its Imperial Armed Forces' coercion of young women into sexual slavery; publicly refute any claims that the sexual enslavement and trafficking of the ``comfort women'' never occurred; and educate current and future generations about this horrible crime. We are still waiting for their government to comply. Time is critical. Today, out of 200,000 survivors, there are fewer than 100 surviving women across the Asia-Pacifc. Most of these women are in their 80s. They have been denied justice for too long. Mr. Speaker, I will be in the House chamber when Prime Minister Abe delivers his address. Ms. Lee will attend as my guest. Both of us hope the Prime Minister will finally, and firmly, apologize, and commit to educating the future generation honestly and humbly. Ms. Lee and her sisters deserve no less.

Mr. HONDA

Mr. HONDA. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the subject of my Special Order.

Mr. HONDA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to address the ongoing horror and nightmare that is violence against women. Whether in times of conflict or disaster, too often we see the worst battles fought on women and girls' bodies. Tonight, Mr. Speaker, I am honored to recognize one woman who has survived unspeakable violence. She is a survivor. At 87 years old, she traveled all the way from South Korea. Her name is Lee Yong-Soo, known to everyone as Grandmother Lee. She has become the voice of justice, peace, and reconciliation. In 1944, 16-year-old Yong-Soo Lee of Tasegu, Korea, was lured by a friend of hers to meet with an older Japanese man. The man took the two of them and three other teenaged girls by train, then ship to Taiwan. There, the girls were forced into sexual slavery, serving four to five Japanese soldiers every day for a year. Ms. Lee suffered beatings and torture, was infected with venereal disease, was fed paltry amounts, faced temperatures so cold that ice formed on her body, and was never allowed outside. Only the end of World War II brought her relief. Ms. Lee is just one example of the over 200,000 women from Korea, China, the Philippines, Burma, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Taiwan, Indonesia, and East Timor who were kidnapped and sexually enslaved by the Japanese Imperial Army during World War II. These so-called comfort women suffered serious physical, emotional, and psychological damages as a result of their ordeal. Of her 200,000 sisters, Grandmother Lee is but one out of a handful of survivors across Asia Pacific still alive. Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton was right when she reportedly called these victims, rather than ``comfort women,'' ``sex slaves.'' When Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe addresses a joint meeting of Congress next week on April 29, he has the opportunity to do right by these women. He can make a full, unequivocal, and formal apology on behalf of the Japanese Government. The Prime Minister's visit is indeed a historic one. He will be the first Japanese Prime Minister to address a joint meeting of Congress. He will address this institution on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II and the 50th anniversary of the normalization between Korea and Japan. Prime Minister Abe will address this hallowed Chamber, where President Roosevelt delivered an address to our body as America entered war. There is much to be expected and anticipated in next week's address. According to yesterday's editorial by The New York Times, the success of Prime Minister Abe's visit ``depends on whether and how honestly Mr. Abe confronts Japan's wartime history, including its decision to wage war, its brutal occupation of China and Korea, its atrocities and its enslavement of thousands of women forced to work as sex slaves or `comfort women' in wartime brothels.'' Mr. Speaker, in 2007, the House of Representatives sent a profound message to the Government of Japan by passing H. Res. 121, which I authored. The resolution stated: ``That it is the sense of the House of Representatives that the Government of Japan: ``(1) should formally acknowledge, apologize, and accept historical responsibility in a clear and unequivocal manner for its Imperial Armed Forces' coercion of young women into sexual slavery, known to the world as comfort women, during its colonial and wartime occupation of Asia and the Pacific Islands from the 1930s through the duration of World War II; ``( 2) would help to resolve recurring questions about the sincerity and status of prior statements if the Prime Minister of Japan were to make such an apology as a public statement in his official capacity; ``(3) should clearly and publicly refute any claims that the sexual enslavement and trafficking of the comfort women for the Japanese Imperial Armed Forces never occurred; and ``(4) should educate current and future generations about this horrible crime while following the recommendations of the international community with respect to the comfort women.'' And yet the Japanese Government has continued to fail to address this resolution. To be fair, the Government of Japan has made important and appreciated efforts to face its history. In 1993, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yohei Kono issued a statement saying the Japanese military was involved in establishing the comfort stations. He said the women- girls, really from Korea and elsewhere, had been recruited against their own will. This was based upon many documents. In 1995, on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the end of World War II, then Prime Minister Tomiichi Murayama admitted Japan's ``colonial rule and aggression caused tremendous damage and suffering to the people of many countries, particularly to those of Asian nations. ``In the hope that no such mistake be made in the future, I regard, in a spirit of humility, these irrefutable facts of history, and express here once again my feelings of deep remorse and state my heartfelt apology.'' Yet in 2006, during Abe's first term as Prime Minister, he unleashed an international firestorm of criticism when he undermined the 1993 Kono Statement, incorrectly alleging that no documentary evidence existed of Japan's complicity in setting up and running the comfort women stations. There was, in fact, plenty of evidence, including the extensive personal testimonies of the survivors, who spoke of being raped 10, 20, up to 50 times per day. In addition, many international bodies have issued recommendations and conclusions on Japan's history and actions. In 2003, the U.N. committee that evaluates Japan's compliance with the Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment expressed concern regarding inadequate remedies for the victims of sexual slavery and violence, particularly survivors of Japan's military sexual slavery practice during World War II. This committee also recommended that Japan ``provide education to address the discriminatory roots of sexual and gender-based violence violations, and provide rehabilitation measures to the victims.'' In 2008, the committee that accesses Japan's implementation of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights concluded that Japan should ``accept legal responsibility and apologize unreservedly for the `comfort women' system . . . and take immediate and effective legislative and administrative measures to adequately compensate all survivors . . . educate students and the general public about the issue, and to refute and sanction any attempts to defame the victims or deny the events.'' Talking about educating students, the books, the textbooks in Japan, still do not address the history of the military action in Asia during World War II. Following the passage of H. Res. 121, many countries followed suit and passed their own resolutions: Taiwan, Canada, Netherlands, the European Union, and South Korea. Mr. Speaker, there is nothing more important right now than for a democratic country like Japan to apologize for its past mistakes. A government is a living, breathing organism that is responsible for its past, present, and its future. Yet, as The New York Times editorial said, ``history should have been settled. That it is not settled is largely the fault of Mr. Abe and his right-wing political allies who keep questioning history and even trying to rewrite it.'' Last year, I, along with 17 of my House colleagues, wrote to the Ambassador of Japan to the U.S., calling the timing and context of the Japanese Government report on the Kono Statement regrettable, unfortunate, unacceptable, and destabilizing. Also, last year, the Abe administration tried and then failed to get the United Nations to partially retract the authoritative 1996 report, which called on Japan to apologize to the victims and pay reparations to the survivors who had been forced into sex slavery during the war. Most notably, this year, the Japanese Government tried unsuccessfully to change passages in a history textbook about the comfort women during World War II. I believe the budget of Japan Prime Minister Abe was able to secure almost half a billion dollars to effect that kind of change wherever they deemed necessary. Now, some say that Japan has apologized enough and it is time to move on. To those people I would say, given these continued revisionist attempts, for every step forward toward peace and reconciliation, the Government of Japan takes two steps backwards. Enough is enough. Seventy years later, it is time for Prime Minister Abe to be clear and unequivocal and issue an irrefutable apology, something that carries the weight of his government. The German Chancellor Angela Merkel has urged Prime Minister Abe to face Japan's history. Germany knows something about this. After World War II, it engaged in a painful national coming to terms with the past that ripped open old wounds so that they could properly heal. In 1970, on a cold and wet day in Warsaw, then-German Chancellor Willy Brandt laid down a wreath at the memorial of the Jewish ghetto. Then he fell to his knees in front of the memorial. As a reporter who witnessed this event wrote later: ``If this man, who wasn't responsible for the crime, who wasn't there in those years, now decides to walk through the former Warsaw ghetto and to kneel down--then it's clear he doesn't kneel there for his own sake . . . he confesses a guilt that he doesn't have to carry, and he asks for a forgiveness that he himself doesn't need. Then he kneels there for Germany.'' And so 70 years later, Grandmother Lee and the hundreds of thousands of souls of the departed continue to wait for their justice and peace. As someone who was put into an internment camp as an infant, I know firsthand that governments must not be ignorant of their pasts. In 1942, during World War II, my country, my government, put aside the constitutional rights of Japanese Americans and systematically incarcerated thousands of us--120,000. We were U.S. citizens, but we also looked like the enemy. Decades later, we, the Japanese American community, fought for an apology from our own government. In 1988, Congress passed and President Ronald Reagan signed into law H.R. 442, the Civil Liberties Act of 1988. This was a formal apology to United States citizens of Japanese ancestry who were unjustly put into internment camps during World War II. Our government made a mistake, but they apologized for it and healed many wounds as a result. Even though 40 years have passed, it still warmed my heart to hear my government say, ``We're sorry.'' Japan must now do the same. They must show the maturity of a democratic country, apologize for their mistake, and thereby gain the trust of their sister Asian nations. Violence against women continues today. According to the World Health Organization, women aged 15 to 44 are more at risk from rape and domestic violence than cancer, car accidents, war, and malaria. By 1993, the Zenica Centre for the Registration of War and Genocide Crime in Bosnia-Herzegovina had documented 40,000 cases of war-related rape. Of a sample of Rwandan women surveyed in 1999, 39 percent reported being raped during the 1994 genocide, and 72 percent said they knew someone who had been raped. An estimated 23,000, to 46,000 Kosovar Albanian women are believed to have been raped between August 1998 and August 1999, the height of the conflict with Serbia. In 2003, 74 percent of a random sample of 399 Liberian refugee women living in camps in Sierra Leone reported being sexually abused prior to being displaced from their homes in Liberia. Fifty-five percent of them experienced sexual violence during displacement. Even today, the U.N. labeled the Democratic Republic of Congo as the ``rape capital of the world.'' There are rape camps that are destroying the lives of babies, young people--boys and girls--and women and men. In the DRC, 48 women are raped every hour. In addition, according to a recent Human Rights Watch report, the extremist group ISIL has carried out systematic rape and other sexual violence against Yazidi women and girls in northern Iraq. ISIS forces took several thousand Yazidi civilians into custody in northern Iraq's province in August 2014, according to Kurdistan officials and community leaders. Witnesses said that fighters systematically separated young women and girls from their families and other captives and moved them from one location to another inside Iraq and Syria. The 11 women and 9 girls Human Rights Watch interviewed had escaped between September 2014 and January 2015. Half, including two 12-year- old girls, said they had been raped--some multiple times and by several ISIS fighters. Nearly all of them said they had been forced into marriage; sold--in some cases, a number of times; or given as ``gifts.'' The women and girls also witnessed other captives being abused. Violence against women must stop. Today, there are fewer than 100 surviving Comfort Women women across the Asia Pacific. Each year, this number declines. The survivors are dying by the day. They deserve the justice that has been due to them for the past 70 years. They deserve the justice that has been denied them. These women want and deserve an official apology. In 1991, with the swift courage of Kim Hak-sun, she brought to light her story of being a sex slave to the Japanese Imperial Army. Her story was the spark that ignited the flames of justice. Since then, we have the courageous survivors, such as Grandmother Lee, who continues to be a voice for the voiceless. We also have the courage of Ms. Jan Ruff O'Herne, who now resides in Australia. Ms. O'Herne was born in Java in the former Dutch East Indies, known today as Indonesia. When she was 19 years old, Japanese troops invaded Java. They were interned in Japanese prison camps. Two years later, she was selected, along with several other girls, and was told by the Japanese military that they were there for the sexual pleasure of the Japanese military. As Ms. O'Herne relayed during the 2007 House Foreign Affairs hearing on Protecting the Human Rights of Comfort Women, a Japanese officer ran his sword all over her body and forced himself on her. The trauma these women--these girls--endured is unimaginable. That is why my patience for securing justice for the dignity of these victims is running out. The opportunity to speak to a joint session of Congress is an honor that is reserved for the heads of state of our closest allies. It is my sincere hope that, for Ms. O'Herne's sake, for Kim Hak-sun's sake, for Grandmother Lee's sake, Prime Minister Abe will take the privilege to address the joint meeting of Congress and finally and firmly apologize and commit to educating the future generations honestly and humbly. The spirit of these women--these girls--deserves no less. In closing, I am going to quote Grandmother Lee's comments when she testified before our subcommittee in 2007. She said: If you cannot apologize to me, give me back my youth. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. HONDA

Mr. HONDA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize April 14th as Equal Pay Day 2015. April 14th is not a random date of the calendar; today marks how far into the year 2015 a woman must work until her earnings for 2014 and these additional months match what a man earned in 2014 alone. In my home state of California, for every dollar a man makes, women still make just 84 cents. The gender wage gap is even greater for women of color. It is unconscionable that 52 years after President John F. Kennedy signed the Equal Pay Act, which established the principle of equal pay for equal work for women in the workforce, we still have such great gender-based pay disparities. This is harmful to our families and America's global competitiveness. That is why I strongly support the Paycheck Fairness Act, legislation which would strengthen the 1963 Equal Pay Act and provide effective remedies to women who are not being paid equal wages for doing equal work. It is time for Congress to pass the Paycheck Fairness Act. I am also proud to support the Equal Pay Resolution, which recognizes the significance of Equal Pay Day to illustrate the disparity between wages paid to men and women, and its impact on women, families, and the nation. Equal pay is not simply a women's issue--it is an economic issue. When women are paid fairly, families and businesses prosper. When families and businesses prosper, America prospers.

Mr. HONDA

Mr. HONDA. Mr. Speaker, on March 26th, the House passed H.R. 2, the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015. H.R. 2 will repeal the flawed Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR) formula and replace it with a bipartisan agreement to improve the Medicare payment system and return stability to physician payments. The Balanced Budget Act of 1997 created SGR in an attempt to control spending in the Medicare program, and it was adopted for TRICARE as well. For years, this methodology has consistently produced unrealistic expenditure targets that trigger untenable reductions in payment rates to doctors providing services to Medicare patients. Congress has repeatedly buried the true cost of this policy through annual Congressional overrides of these scheduled cuts. Each of these short-term ``doc fixes'' has achieved the important goal of averting an immediate crisis in access to physicians for Medicare beneficiaries, but has exacerbated a longer-term crisis in Medicare financing. Continued reliance on short-term patches creates instability in the health care system and the economy as a whole. Doctors have been hamstrung by yearly doubt about what reimbursement rates will be, and patients have had to pay the eventual price in uneven, substandard quality of care. Enactment of H.R. 2 will bring stability back to our health care system. I voted for H.R. 2 because this legislation not only repeals the SGR, but also preserves and extends the Children's Health Insurance Program and provides funding for Community Health Centers through 2017. These programs are important in ensuring that those who need it most have access to health care. I remain concerned that the bill included an unnecessary provision restating current law on abortion coverage restrictions. The Hyde Amendment language, which has been included in annual appropriations bills since 1976, restricts women's access to health care and disproportionately discriminates against women of color, immigrants, and young people. Moving forward, we must work to ensure that women get access to health care, not continue policies that limit it. Medicare has guaranteed essential health protections to seniors and certain disabled persons for nearly four decades. Fixing the physician Medicare reimbursement system is important to ensuring continued high quality care for Americans. I believe Medicare is more than just a program; it is a covenant that exists between the government and the American people, and I supported H.R. 2 to keep that covenant.

Mr. HONDA

Mr. HONDA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Mrs. Sofia ``Sophie'' Mendoza. Her passing was unexpected, and represents a huge loss to the community in San Jose. Sophie was born in 1934 in Fillmore, California. Her father was a labor organizer, and would often move the family in search of new opportunities. After relocating to Arizona in 1939, Sophie settled in San Jose while attending Campbell Grammar School and Campbell High School. Sophie's father would often tell her ``we are born into this life with a purpose to help one another.'' Sophie would go on to dedicate her life to fight injustice wherever she saw it, eventually becoming one of the most accomplished community organizers in California's history. She frequently crossed paths with leaders such as United Farm Workers founder Cesar Chavez, author Ernesto Galarza, and playwright Luis Valdez. Sophie's first major accomplishment came early in high school. Campbell High School, which had few Latino students, had French, German, and Math clubs but no Spanish club. Frustrated, she complained to her father who encouraged her to find a solution. Refusing to be marginalized, she circulated petitions, talked to teachers and raised enough signatures to establish the Spanish Club at Campbell High. It was the beginning of a journey pursuing equity and recognition for all. Sophie met her husband, Gilbert Mendoza, shortly after completing high school and began studying at San Jose State University. At the end of her third year, the couple married and started a family. Sophie involved her children in organizing from the beginning. Her son was able to name every San Jose City Councilmember before he started the first grade. Sophie went on to start United People Arriba, an umbrella organization that brought together grassroots community organizations and managed multiple political projects. She was instrumental in establishing the first major health clinic in East San Jose, personally led a 2,000 person demonstration against police brutality, and worked with international delegations from Nicaragua and El Salvador to promote peace. When she learned that her children's schools were receiving unequal funding, she organized the first student walkout in California history. She was a trailblazer who left a lasting impact in San Jose. I am here today to recognize her as one of San Jose's most influential leaders. Sophie is survived by her children Rick, Agustin, Sandra and William, with five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. The oldest sibling of five children, Sophie is survived by her siblings Robert, Larry and Margaret. Mr. Speaker, we commend Mrs. Sophia Mendoza for her years of dedication and commitment to San Jose and the Latino community. Her contributions serve as an example of what can be accomplished by uniting our communities and working toward positive change.

Mr. HONDA

Mr. HONDA. I thank the gentleman for yielding. Madam Chair, I rise in support of the Democratic substitute amendment to H.R. 5. This amendment builds on the lessons we learned from No Child Left Behind, protecting our most vulnerable students without punishing teachers. It meets the needs of the whole child, provides a wraparound service promoting community schools. It helps all students count, giving States valuable, disaggregated data about individual student groups with individual learning. It is innovative, it is creative, and it is encouraging innovative, evidence- based practices. I urge my colleagues to support this amendment. Madam Chair, I support the Democratic Substitute Amendment to H.R. 5. This amendment builds on the lessons we learned from No Child Left Behind . . . protecting our most vulnerable students without punishing teachers. It addresses the learning needs of the whole child . . . providing wrap-around services and promoting community schools. It ensures that all students count . . . giving states valuable, disaggregated data about individual student groups with individual learning needs. It supports educational innovation . . . by creating ARPA-ED, and encouraging innovative, evidence-based practices. It supports and rewards exceptional teachers . . . by creating a STEM Master Teacher Corps. Most importantly, this amendment continues the Federal commitment to students who are in the most need. Fifty years ago, President Johnson signed the Elementary and Secondary Education Act into law. This act was an historic step to help protect our most vulnerable students . . . by increasing the Federal commitment to education. As we revisit this law, we have a real opportunity to take a step forward. To build on the successes and fix the problems. Unfortunately, our Republican colleagues chose to take a step backwards . . . removing important protections for our most vulnerable students. I urge my colleagues to support the Democratic Substitute.

Mr. HONDA

Mr. HONDA. Mr. Speaker, because I was attending the President's cybersecurity summit in California, I was not present when the House voted on H.R. 636, the America's Small Business Tax Relief Act of 2015. I support many of the goals of the tax provisions in this bill and recognize the value of extending them permanently, but I am concerned that H.R. 636 does not pay for them. I am a strong supporter of helping small businesses succeed. Small businesses power the American economy, and some of the provisions in this bill will help these small companies remain healthy, but this one-sided approach of passing bills that offer tax reductions without increasing revenues is unsustainable. H.R. 636 will add $79.2 billion to the deficit over 10 years and puts further pressure on the United States' domestic discretionary priorities. By bringing this and similar tax extender bills to the floor or votes, Republicans continue to demonstrate that they are not serious about deficit reduction. It is long past time for Congress to have a reasonable and informed debate on comprehensive tax reform. These piecemeal, unbalanced extender votes are not the way to approach real tax reform.

Mr. HONDA

Mr. HONDA. Mr. Speaker, because I was traveling to attend the President's cybersecurity summit in California, I was not present when the House voted on H.R. 644, the Fighting Hunger Incentive Act of 2015. While I support goals of the tax provisions in this bill and recognize the value of extending them permanently, I am concerned that H.R. 644 does not pay for them. I have long been a supporter of improving and streamlining charitable donations to make it easier for individuals to donate food, but this one-sided approach of passing bills that offer tax reductions without increasing revenues is unsustainable. H.R. 644 will add $14.2 billion to the deficit over 10 years. By bringing this and similar tax extender bills to the floor for votes, Republicans continue to demonstrate that they are not serious about deficit reduction. It is long past time for Congress to have a reasonable and informed debate on comprehensive tax reform. These piecemeal, unbalanced extender votes are not the way to approach real tax reform.

Mr. HONDA

Mr. HONDA. Mr. Speaker, we recognize January as National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month. In fact, Santa Clara County of my Silicon Valley district also proclaimed this month as Human Trafficking Awareness Month. In the fight against this modern-day slavery, I am proud to introduce the vital bipartisan legislation--Survivors of Human Trafficking Empowerment Act--alongside my colleagues, Congressman Ted Poe, Karen Bass, and Rodney Davis. Mr. Speaker, human trafficking is a disease upon our humanity, and it remains the world's fastest growing criminal enterprise. According to the International Labor Organization, trafficking is an estimated $150 billion industry worldwide, which exploits nearly 21 million victims around the world. Sadly, my home state of California is near the top in reported trafficking cases. Furthermore, it is estimated that 40 percent of the human trafficking activity on the West Coast comes through the three Bay Area airports of San Jose, San Francisco, and Oakland. My legislation will turn back the tide of human trafficking, as it allows those survivors who were impacted by this cruel system to voice their experiences and educate policymakers. Specifically, this bill will create a survivors-led U.S. Advisory Council on Human Trafficking to review federal government policy and programs on human trafficking. This council will advise, formulate assessments and recommendations, and submit reports to the Senior Policy Operating Group and the President's Task Force to Monitor and Combat Trafficking Persons. Directly hearing and learning from those who fell victim to this heinous crime is the best tool to eliminate human trafficking. Ultimately, this legislation values survivors, beyond just their stories. I look forward to working with my colleagues to pass this crucial bill, so that we may finally rid of human trafficking--once and for all. Mr. Speaker, be it labor or sex trafficking, human trafficking is the worst kind of atrocity. Each day, this scourge continues to endanger, exploit, and enslave lives. Even as we bring further awareness to this crime this month of January, we must sustain the fight each and every day.

Mr. HONDA

Mr. HONDA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Gerald ``Jerry'' Lee. Jerry was born on August 15, 1952, in San Francisco, California, where he attended Washington Irving Elementary School, Francisco Junior High School, and Galileo High School. He went on to attend City College of San Francisco and San Francisco State University. Jerry's firsthand knowledge of San Francisco and dedication to improving public transit and the MUNI system provided him the experience necessary to excel as the United Parcel Service's (UPS) Community Affairs Manager. Jerry began working for UPS 43 years ago as a loader. Jerry was recognized for his work as the United Way Coordinator and Congressional Awareness Coordinator. As the Community Awareness Coordinator, Jerry worked one-on-one with California's non- profit organizations, he extended grants and sponsorship opportunities, and coordinated volunteers to support the work of the community. Jerry dedicated his life to serving the residents of his hometown. While working for UPS, Jerry also served as a special assistant to San Francisco Mayor Art Agnos in 1988. In this position, Jerry established the Department of Parking and Traffic. He also served as Chairman of Mayor Agnos' Taxi Committee where he wrote the taxi industry's manual and created a management structure for over three hundred parking control officers. In 2008 Jerry was appointed by Mayor Gavin Newsom to join San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency's (SFMTA) Board of Directors, and was later re-appointed by Mayor Ed Lee. Jerry served as SFMTA Vice Chairman until 2010 before becoming Chair of the Board's Policy and Governance Committee. Jerry also served as a member of the city's Citizen's Advisory Committee as well as Self-Help for the Elderly's Board of Directors. He and his wife, Beverly, were actively involved in their community, working with the San Francisco Chinese New Year Parade, Chinatown Community Development Center, Community Youth Center of San Francisco, Cameron House, Wu Yee Children's Services, United Way of the Bay Area, Have a Ball Foundation, Salvation Army, APA Family Services, Glide Memorial Church, the San Francisco Junior Giants, Big Brothers and Big Sisters, On Lok, Boys & Girls Club, Angel Island Immigration Station Foundation, and the Asian Police Officers Association. Jerry is survived by his wife Beverly; his children Kimberly, Corbett, and Bennett; his mother Sai Soo Lee; and his sisters Aimee, Vickie, Marie and Patricia; and his aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews. Jerry was preceded in death by his father, Fon Yook Lee. To his fellow committee members and fellow organization members, Jerry will be missed and never forgotten.

Mr. HONDA

Mr. HONDA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor California State Senator Bob Wieckowski. On January 11, 2015, State Senator Wieckowski will be honored for his support of the arts in the Tri-City area during Come Embark on Noah's Ark, a benefit for the Fremont Opera. It is appropriate to extend him the gratitude of the Tri-City arts community and the public. State Senator Wieckowski has been a generous and continuous supporter of the arts community. For many years, State Senator Wieckowski has, through his advice, service, advocacy, and performance, assisted many arts organizations in the Tri-City area, including the Fremont Cultural Arts Council, the Fremont Opera, the Fremont Symphony Orchestra, Music at the Mission, the StarStruck Theater, and Yoko's Academy of Dance & Performing Arts. State Senator Wieckowski has even appeared on stage in essential roles in the Fremont Opera's productions of La Boheme, The Barber of Seville, and La Traviata, delighting audiences with his varied and ingenious characterizations. Every year since 2005, State Senator Wieckowski has appeared in Yoko's Academy of Dance & Performing Arts' production of Tchaikovsky's The Nutcracker. His work as the lead role of Drosselmeyer in The Nutcracker ballet is an eagerly-anticipated annual treat for Tri-City audiences of all ages. State Senator Bob Wieckowski's energy, enthusiasm, and dedicated work in support of the arts has deeply enriched the communities in which he serves. Mr. Speaker, I commend State Senator Bob Wieckowski for all that he has done to champion the arts in the Tri-City area, and I am confident that his efforts will continue to support the arts for many more years to come.

Mr. HONDA

Mr. HONDA. Mr. Speaker, I rise to say a fond farewell to our esteemed colleague, the Honorable Eni Faleomavaega. Since 1989, Eni has honorably represented the people of American Samoa in this chamber with a no-nonsense attitude and approach to legislating. He brought the issues that affect Asia and the Pacific regions here to Congress. He led the first delegation of Asian American members of Congress to Asia. There he saw firsthand the devastating impact that the Vietnam War's unexploded ordnances had on Southeast Asia, especially Laos where about 2.5 million tons of bombs were dropped between 1964 and 1973. As the Chair of the Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific, this experience led him to chair the first-ever hearing on UXOs. As a Vietnam veteran himself, Eni takes pride in being a strong voice for his fellow Samoans who serve in our military. This passion led his efforts to help establish the first VA clinic in Samoa. American Samoa, the Asian Pacific Region, Congress, and all of America have been well served by Congressman Eni Faleomavaega. Today, I say ``thank you'' for your work, and your friendship. We will miss you. Tofa soifua.

Mr. HONDA

Mr. HONDA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to discuss the issue of gender imbalance in the computing industry. Today, women make up over half of the American workforce but only a quarter of the professional computing occupations. We see a similar imbalance in the classrooms. Girls in high school take over half of all the advanced placement exams but only a fifth of computer science exams. This imbalance deprives the computing industry of a great resource of human capital, and it limits its creativity. To address this imbalance, we need to encourage our female students to pursue computer science as early as possible. In that spirit, I would like to recognize Computer Science Education Week and the Hour of Code. These programs have reached tens of millions of students worldwide. We need programs like these to ensure that the next generation of computer professionals is diverse so we have all the best talent.

Mr. HONDA

Mr. HONDA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Ms. Josephine Lucey. As a school board member from the Cupertino Union School District (CUSD) and the 2014 President of the California School Boards Association (CSBA), she has fought fervently to provide students in her community and throughout the state of California a high quality education. Ms. Lucey is being honored for her immeasurable contributions to ensuring sound public education policies for her community and across the State of California. On December 13, 2014, Josephine's efforts will be recognized by her peers at the CSBA Annual Education Conference and Trade Show in San Francisco, California. Ms. Josephine Lucey has championed bond and parcel tax measures to increase public education funding for both her local elementary and high schools. Her educational and community leadership roles include the Hoffmann Award Chair for the Santa Clara County School Boards Association, the Santa Clara Education Coalition, and the Santa Clara County Committee on School District Organization. Moreover, utilizing her experience in mechanical engineering and the aerospace industry, she contributed to the flight safety and mission success of the Space Shuttle flight STS-54, for which she was awarded the ``Silver Snoopy'' by the shuttle crew. As President of the CSBA, Ms. Josephine Lucey has held various leadership positions on the CSBA's committees and councils. She chairs the CSBA's Business and Education Advisory Council and is a member of the Cities Counties Schools Partnership's Board of Directors. In addition, she represents the CSBA at education-related events throughout the state and country. Mr. Speaker, I commend Ms. Josephine Lucey for her years of dedication and commitment to the California School Boards Association and to education. Her contributions have left a lasting legacy, which will benefit the lives of our students today, and in the future.

Mr. HONDA

Mr. HONDA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Santa Clara City Councilmember Patricia Mahan for her decades of dedicated and faithful public service to her community. Councilmember Patricia Mahan has long devoted herself to serving others. Among the significant driving forces behind her commitment has been her family. She witnessed firsthand the fulfilling impact of public service through her late father's work as an esteemed councilmember. In addition, her desire to protect her grandmother's home from a street widening plan led her to become a Historical & Landmarks Commissioner in 1993. She has also dedicated herself to helping the public as both an educator and a lawyer. With a teaching accreditation from San Jose State University, Patricia has taught subjects such as English and drama to secondary school students. She also earned her Juris Doctorate from Santa Clara University School of Law, and has been practicing as an attorney for over 30 years. Patricia Mahan has worked tirelessly for many civic organizations. From 1983 to 1992, she served on the Board of Trustees at the West Valley-Mission Community College. She was a Legal Hearing Officer for the Santa Clara County Assessment Appeals Board from 1992 to 1994. She also assumed presidency over various organizations, such as the Lions Blind Center of Santa Clara Valley. Councilmember Patricia Mahan was first elected to the Santa Clara City Council in 1994 and re-elected in 1998. She was elected Mayor of Santa Clara in 2002 and re-elected for a second term as Mayor in 2006. Throughout her two terms as Mayor, she demonstrated efficiency and innovation in governing her community. As Mayor, she supported the construction of the San Francisco 49ers Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara. By encouraging this project, she dedicated herself to enriching her city both culturally and entrepreneurially. Demonstrating her commitment to service, Mahan was elected to another term on the City Council in 2010. Her determination to promote Santa Clara in every way possible speaks of her exemplary leadership abilities. Mr. Speaker, I commend Councilmember Patricia Mahan for her unparalleled devotion to public service. Thanks to her many years of faithful and selfless work for Santa Clara, the community has become a much more vibrant and better place to live. Although her term is coming to a close, her vision and legacy will no doubt live on.

Mr. HONDA

Mr. HONDA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to urge this Chamber to do its constitutional duty and debate a new authorization for use of military force. Eight weeks ago, the House rushed through an amendment to the continuing resolution to authorize arming and training vetted Syrian rebels. But this is not something we should go into blindly. It is time that this Chamber has an informed, robust discussion and debate about the U.S. role in combating and dealing with ISIL and other extremists in Syria and Iraq. Those 8 weeks that we went through, we have conducted nearly 800 airstrikes in Iraq and Syria and killed nearly 1,000 soldiers, terrorists, and civilians. We are quickly sliding back into combat in the Middle East. It may be necessary to send soldiers to the region to help repel the very real threats posed by ISIL and extremists. But this is not something we should do and go into blindly. It is time for a robust debate.

Mr. HONDA

Mr. HONDA. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 525, had I been present, I would have voted ``no.''

Mr. HONDA

Mr. HONDA. I thank the ranking member. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to this amendment. The threat of ISIL is beyond anything in the last 13 years since the horror of 9/11. We see there are no limits to gross brutality. They are a terrorist threat to the region, to the United States, and to our allies. This rushed amendment to arm and train vetted Syrian rebels is not the answer. This Chamber needs to have an informed, robust discussion and debate about the U.S. role in combating and dealing with ISIL and other extremists in Syria and Iraq. It is a debate that should take place on its own. This issue and this amendment should not be attached to the continuing resolution or any other matter before the House. This amendment authorizes the training and equipping of vetted Syrian opposition forces, but we still aren't clear on who these forces are and how these rebel groups will be chosen and vetted. How do we ensure that our weapons, training, and knowledge won't be used by ISIL or other terrorist organizations in the future? Additionally, this amendment only highlights a piece of the President's plan for addressing ISIL, a plan that includes significant long-term bombing campaigns and military escalation in Iraq and Syria. If the House leaves for the next 8 weeks without addressing the already expanding scope of U.S. military operations in Iraq and Syria, I fear that we will return in November to find the U.S. sliding down a slippery slope toward full military engagement in those countries. We have been there before. We have seen before how mission creep can expand a limited mission into a full-blown U.S. armed response. I will not let this happen or let this country be dragged into another conflict once again without an informed discussion. Congress needs to debate a new authorization for the use of military force before any expansion of military operations. I support the President's call to dismantle ISIL through robust regional and international partnerships, support for local capacities on the ground, and expanded humanitarian assistance. Arming and training Syrians and Iraqis and perhaps eventually supporting them with airstrikes may push back ISIL's gains, but it will not defeat extremism. There is no lasting military solution to extremism. The only lasting solution is a political solution, one in which the rights and concerns of all groups are respected. The U.S. must focus on building partnerships in the region and around the world to encourage moderate Sunni groups in Iraq and Syria to move away from ISIL and towards an alternative and inclusive future. We also need to have a plan for the development of this region beyond our confrontation with ISIL. I have deep reservations and important lingering questions that need to be debated on this floor. I am concerned about exposing our solders once again to a protracted conflict with unclear objectives and no clear exit strategy.

Mr. HONDA. I cannot support this rushed amendment that allows the U.S. to wade back into another conflict without a serious, informed discussion of the United States' military role in combating ISIL. We need to fully debate and discuss actions we as a Nation take against this vicious foe.

Mr. HONDA

Mr. HONDA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize September 15-19, 2014 as the 9th annual National Health IT Week. This is an important opportunity to reflect upon the importance of health information technology in stimulating the U.S. economy and improving health care in our country. My own district, which includes Silicon Valley, is home to a growing number of innovative digital health startups and companies making an impact in health care. These companies are addressing some of health care's most pressing challenges with breakthrough technologies and services, all the while creating valuable jobs. Health IT supports workforce development in the U.S. and exports opportunities abroad. The Bureau of Labor Statistics expects a need for thousands of new health IT jobs over the next decade. Health IT workforce development programs need visibility and connection to the Administration's programs for job creation. Congressional support is needed for funding to expand community college, university-based, and non-profit programs to train health IT workers. Policymakers need to work with non-profit associations and the business community to launch and support internships, apprenticeships, and fellowships that give students and transitioning professionals real-world experience. Federal agencies should work with U.S. companies, health care organizations, and non-profit associations to document lessons learned and best practices from the Meaningful Use Program and apply them to overseas markets. In order to continue on this path, we need to provide incentives and frameworks to guide and reward these health care innovators. That is why I introduced H.R. 2363, the Health Care Innovation and Marketplace Technologies Act, which would create a new office of wireless health under the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and offer incentives for health care innovators. This legislation would not only create jobs, but also provide a regulatory framework for innovators who seek to grow companies and develop products to transform health care. It is imperative that we support these innovators, as it is clear that health IT supports workforce development in the U.S. We must also continue to prepare students and our workforce for the 21st century demands of the technology industry. The growth of health IT undoubtedly has the potential to stimulate the economy and bring much-needed innovation to our nation's healthcare sector. Health information technology is essential to the transformation of health care in America, and so I am happy to commemorate National Health IT Week.

Mr. HONDA

Mr. HONDA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in enthusiastic support of H.R. 2996, the Revitalize American Manufacturing and Innovation Act. As a proud cosponsor of this bill, I am pleased that the House is considering it today. The Revitalize American Manufacturing and Innovation Act (RAMI) will help rebuild our nation's manufacturing capacity by creating public- private partnerships that will foster an environment in which the private sector is willing to invest in the strengths of our nation and American manufacturing will grow. I applauded President Obama when he first proposed the creation of a National Network for Manufacturing Innovation to improve the competitiveness of U.S. manufacturing, stimulate research and development, and increase domestic production. I supported his call for additional centers beyond those he initially proposed, worked in the Appropriations Committee to find funding for some centers, and have suggested to the President that at least one institute should be located in my Silicon Valley district. Silicon Valley is known as the epicenter of technology and innovation in the United States. What is not as widely recognized is the extent to which Silicon Valley is also experiencing a manufacturing resurgence. Nearly 18 percent of Silicon Valley's jobs are in manufacturing, and that number is growing--the local manufacturing sector is projected to grow by 5 percent by 2018. These advanced manufacturing jobs are offering higher pay than nonmanufacturing jobs. By being co-located with the research and development Silicon Valley is known for, these manufacturers are both boosting R&D investments and experiencing the benefits of more control of their manufacturing processes, quicker turnaround from research to product realization, higher quality, and greater intellectual property security. The Revitalize American Manufacturing and Innovation Act seeks to replicate some of the important lessons from Silicon Valley around the nation. RAMI will build public-private partnerships through Centers for Manufacturing Innovation between higher education institutions and community colleges, small and large manufacturers, and government to promote best practices and address targeted advanced manufacturing challenges. These advanced manufacturing hubs will also address the skills gap by producing a next generation talent pool of skilled production workers and engineers by focusing on education, workforce training, research and development, and commercialization. Despite its manufacturing successes, Silicon Valley still continues to experience higher than average unemployment, partly a result of the past outsourcing of manufacturing jobs due to low wages overseas and incentives offered by foreign competitors. With the passage of the RAMI Act, we can we look forward to hosting an advanced manufacturing hub, potentially focused on enabling the transition to the next-generation 450 mm silicon wafer semiconductor manufacturing tools, which would enable Silicon Valley to take advantage of its R&D excellence and bolster its manufacturing sector in new ways, helping us to recover some of those jobs lost to past outsourcing. Over the past few years, I've been proud to work with House Manufacturing Caucus Co-chairs Reps. Tom Reed and Joe Kennedy on this authorization effort, along with Silicon Valley tech leaders and university stakeholders. I appreciate the willingness of some of our colleagues on the other side of the aisle who were key to building bipartisan support for this effort, particularly my Chairman on the Commerce, Justice, Science Appropriations Subcommittee Frank Wolf, to talk with us about this legislation and to join as cosponsors of this important bill. Our competitors around the world are offering American innovators and manufacturers a wide range of incentives to relocate overseas. The RAMI Act will ensure that American innovation and technology development remain at the top of the manufacturing sector, and I urge my colleagues to support it.

Mr. HONDA. Mr. Speaker, as a cosponsor of this bill, I rise in enthusiastic support of H.R. 2996, the Revitalize American Manufacturing and Innovation Act. The public-private partnerships created by this bill will help rebuild our Nation's manufacturing capacity and grow private sector investments in manufacturing. I hail from Silicon Valley, the Nation's epicenter of technology and innovation. Right now, Silicon Valley is experiencing a manufacturing resurgence. Companies see the benefit of locating their manufacturing in areas with R&D and a high-tech workforce. Nearly 18 percent of Silicon Valley jobs are in manufacturing, and these advanced manufacturing jobs are high paying. This bill will replicate some of the important qualities of Silicon Valley across this Nation. It will build partnerships between government, academia, and industry to address targeted manufacturing challenges. I applauded President Obama when he first proposed a network of manufacturing innovation institutes, and I thank the cochairs of the Manufacturing Caucus, Mr. Reed and Mr. Kennedy, for authoring this legislation to authorize such a network. I have worked with my Silicon Valley constituents to help build strong bipartisan backing of this bill, and I am glad we are on the floor considering it tonight. Hopefully, once this bill is enacted, we can win one of these hubs for Silicon Valley to focus on important challenges like developing the next generation of semiconductor manufacturing tools. This bill is an important step for countering the incentives that other countries are offering American innovators and manufacturers to relocate overseas. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 2996 because it will help revitalize American manufacturing. It is a game-changer.

Mr. HONDA

Mr. HONDA. Mr. Speaker, I, as chair emeritus of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, ask unanimous consent to bring up H.R. 15, a bipartisan, comprehensive immigration reform bill to properly address the humanitarian crisis at the border.