Young Kim

Mrs. KIM

Mrs. KIM. Madam Speaker, today, I rise to recognize and thank my operations director, Alex Keledjian, for his 4 years of service in the House of Representatives, and this is Alex's son, Anthony. Alex's dedicated work ethic and sharp sense of humor have made him an integral part of our team, keeping me and my office on track, smiling, and teaching us Armenian history along the way. While he was working around the clock in my office during the past 4 years, he has also been a part-time law school student and devoted husband, father, and dear friend. Madam Speaker, my team will not be the same without him, but we are excited for him as he embarks on this next chapter in his career as a lawyer back home in Los Angeles. I know I will continue to see him, so we will be cheering for him every step of the way. ``Good luck''; ``Shnorhavor.''

Mrs. KIM

Mrs. KIM. Mr. Speaker, today, I rise to recognize Black April and 50 years since the Fall of Saigon. Over 8.7 million Americans served during the Vietnam war, including 2.7 million who put boots on the ground. We will always remember the 58,281 U.S. servicemembers who gave everything for freedom, and we rally with our Gold Star families and the loved ones of the 1,573 Americans who remain missing in action. Many of my constituents fled Vietnam in the Fall of Saigon and found their new home in Orange County in southern California. I am proud to have witnessed many of them becoming very successful members of our society, thriving in all sectors that make America great, and I am so proud to call many of them friends. Our Vietnamese-American community knows well that we cannot take freedom for granted. To our Vietnam-era veterans: Welcome home. Know that your service protected freedom on the world stage, and we are very grateful.

Mrs. KIM

Mrs. KIM. Mr. Speaker, I thank Representative Bilirakis for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of my bill, H.R. 1479, the Hotel Fees Transparency Act. Hidden fees on short-term lodging, whether it is at hotels, motels, inns, resorts, or rentals, make it harder for families to plan for a trip. Too often, what looks like an affordable overnight stay online turns out to be far more expensive once these deceptive charges are added. Additionally, the way these prices are advertised are fragmented and not uniform. Americans deserve price transparency so that they can appropriately budget for their travels. The Hotel Fees Transparency Act requires providers of short-term lodging to disclose upfront the full cost of a stay, including all mandatory and service fees. It would also require the lodging and booking industries to clearly display the final price of a stay, providing transparency for consumers and improving American tourism and hospitality. Mr. Speaker, I thank Representatives Castor, Fry, and Mullin for their collaboration on this bipartisan, commonsense, pro-consumer legislation, and I urge my colleagues to support the Hotel Fees Transparency Act.

Mrs. KIM

Mrs. KIM. Mr. Speaker, today marks 46 years since the Taiwan Relations Act became law. This landmark bill has strengthened the partnership with Taiwan and shaped America's foreign policy in the Indo-Pacific region. I will recognize that Taiwan is a trusted leader in freedom, democracy, and trade, and is also a needed partner in security against shared threats. As chairwoman of the East Asia and Pacific Subcommittee, I have worked on bipartisan bills to give Taiwan a rightful seat at the table in international organizations, such as WHO and IMF. I led the charge to track and ensure efficient delivery of weapons that Taiwan has purchased from the United States. This year, I introduced a bipartisan, bicameral bill to enhance U.S.- Taiwan economic and trade ties. Our partnership with Taiwan is more important than ever.

Mrs. KIM

Mrs. KIM. Mr. Speaker, I rise to celebrate Sydney Tran, a seventh grade student at El Rancho Charter School in Orange, for becoming Orange County's new spelling bee champion. Sydney earned her well-deserved victory and secured a spot at the Scripps National Spelling Bee by spelling the word ``obsecration'' in the 14th round of competition. In addition to her spelling skills, Sydney is also on the school robotics team and participates in community service projects, embodying the spirit of a well-rounded and engaged student. Her success serves as an inspiration to her peers and brings pride to our entire community. Sydney will soon head to Washington, D.C., to represent Orange County at the national spelling bee in May. Mr. Speaker, we wish Sydney good luck. We are cheering her on.

Mrs. KIM

Mrs. KIM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Charles ``Chuck'' Haeflinger of Chino Hills, who passed away on February 3 at the age of 77. Chuck had a distinguished 32-year career in the Army, serving as a helicopter pilot in the Vietnam war and retiring as a lieutenant colonel. He earned a Bronze Star and five Meritorious Service Medals. Chuck's service to our Chino Hills community continued after his retirement. He helped fellow veterans transition back to civilian life, became a mentor emeritus for the Reaching New Heights Foundation, and was an active member of the Chino Hills 55 Plus Club Veterans Group, playing a key role in raising funds for the military service monument at the community center. He was also a valued member of my Veterans Advisory Group. I thank Chuck for his contributions to our community and extend my heartfelt condolences to his family and friends.

Mrs. KIM

Mrs. KIM. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to thank Alex Cisneros for his decade of service to our Nation as a dedicated staff member in the House of Representatives, most recently as my legislative director over the last 4 years. His diligent work ethic, sharp intellect, and the ability to build trusting relationships on both sides of the aisle have made him an invaluable part of my team. His legislative team advised me each week in Congress and shepherded more than 40 bills through the House and got more than 15 bills signed into law. These are real results that have made a difference in the lives of the American people. So I thank Alex, and I hope that he knows how proud we all are of what he has accomplished. We will miss Alex, but he will always be a part of our family.

Mrs. KIM

Mrs. KIM. Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate Santiago Canyon College for 25 years of providing quality, affordable educational opportunities to students across southern California. Santiago Canyon College in Orange, in my district, offers one of the largest community college adult education programs in California with over 60 career training certificates. From nurses and teachers to accountants and medical assistants, the top-notch apprenticeship programs at Santiago Canyon are helping students of all backgrounds learn the skills to get jobs and contribute to our communities. I congratulate Santiago Canyon College President Jeannie Kim, faculty, staff, and students on this outstanding achievement. I can't wait to see what is ahead for the next 25 years. Go Hawks.

Mrs. KIM

Mrs. KIM. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate Congresswoman Fedorchak for hosting this Special Order to raise awareness of the critical need the United States is facing to become energy independent. Protecting our environment is not controversial. I represent a district in southern California. Unfortunately, Californians know too well the consequences of rushing to implement energy policies. Mr. Speaker, as Governor Newsom pushed to ban gas-powered cars, he then said people couldn't charge electric cars as our community saw rolling blackouts. It doesn't need to be one or the other--environment or economy, natural gas or renewables. We need an all-of-the-above energy strategy. Through American innovation, we create jobs, expand our energy supply, protect our environment, lower costs, and strengthen our national security. Energy fuels everything from our cars to our homes, and we must ensure we have energy resources here at home that we can rely on. I will keep fighting to bring commonsense energy policies to Congress. Again, I thank Congresswoman Fedorchak for her leadership on this issue.

Mrs. KIM

Mrs. KIM. Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Hill for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 975, the Credit Union Board Modernization Act. I also want to stand up and echo and reiterate the points that I already addressed because this legislation is so important. This bill would amend the Federal Credit Union Act to revise the frequency of the board meetings a federally chartered credit union must hold. Under current law, credit union boards must meet once per month, but this bill, H.R. 975, would allow credit unions to lower that threshold of required meetings to six per year. This bipartisan bill is needed to increase flexibility and unlock more resources for credit unions to better serve their members and our communities. Additionally, H.R. 975 creates an incentive for credit unions to improve their management ratings by decreasing the number of board meetings for those that have the best management ratings. On the other hand, credit unions that are poorly managed or are new Federal credit unions will still be required to meet on a monthly basis. I commend my colleagues, Representatives Huizenga and Vargas, for reintroducing this commonsense piece of legislation, and I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 975 and eliminate burdensome regulations to let credit unions do what they do best, which is to service their communities. As you heard, this has been passed in the 117th and 118th Congresses. I think it is time to bring this home, and let's get this done this Congress.

Mrs. KIM

Mrs. KIM. Mr. Speaker, the communities I represent are just a 2-hour drive away from CBP's San Diego sector, and we have seen the impacts of the fentanyl crisis firsthand. In 2024, the Orange County Sheriff's Department found 2.06 million pills laced with fentanyl. That is a 204 percent increase from 2023. In Congress, I have been working hard on commonsense solutions to keep our communities safe. That is why I proudly voted for the HALT Fentanyl Act, which passed the House, to give our law enforcement the tools to crack down on drug traffickers and transnational criminal organizations funneling fentanyl onto our streets and into our schools. I will keep doing all I can to secure our border and put an end to the fentanyl crisis that is taking the lives of too many Americans.

Mrs. KIM

Mrs. KIM. Mr. Speaker, I rise to celebrate Lunar New Year, Seollal, which it is called in Korean, and Tet Festival, in Vietnamese, as we ring in the Year of the Snake. Snakes are mysterious, smart, alert, determined, and calm. We enter this new year with the same calmness, wisdom, and alertness, standing steady and ready to take on any challenges or opportunities that come our way. I wish success, good health, and blessings for you and your family in this new year. In Congress, I will embody the calm determination of the snake as I build on my record of effectiveness and deliver results for our southern California communities. Let me wish everybody a ``happy new year'' in Korean, ``saehae bok mani badeuseyo''; Mandarin, ``xinnian kuaile''; Cantonese, ``gong hei fat choy''; and Vietnamese, ``chuc mung nam moi.'' Happy new year.

Mrs. KIM

Mrs. KIM. Mr. Chair, I thank Chairman Westerman for yielding. Mr. Chair, I rise in strong support of H.R. 471, the Fix Our Forests Act. At this very moment, multiple fires are burning throughout southern California. My heart goes out to the communities affected and to our first responders, especially as my constituents and I know the devastation of wildfires firsthand. Just months ago as the chairman mentioned, the Airport fire started in my district and burned over 24,000 acres in Orange and Riverside Counties. Including the surrounding fires that burned at that time, we had over 100,000 acres that burned. That is why the chairman came out to our community and met with my Trabuco Canyon community leadership and saw firsthand the devastation and what we would do. We had our conversation regarding the Fix Our Forests Act. We talked about the innovative technologies that we need to respond to the threat of wildfires. The Fix Our Forests Act includes the Wildfire Technology Demonstration, Evaluation, Modernization, and Optimization, or DEMO Act, which I introduced to create a public-private partnership to test and deploy emerging wildfire mitigation technologies. I thank Chairman Westerman and Representative Peters for making it bipartisan and for including my legislation in this critical bill to protect our forests. Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on H.R. 471.

Mrs. KIM of California

Mrs. KIM of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the life and legacy of Mark Murphy, who recently passed away. Known as ``Mr. Orange,'' Mark was a lifelong resident of the city of Orange, born at St. Joseph Hospital, and graduating from Orange High School. He served the city for decades on the City Planning Commission, the City Council, as mayor, and on the Board of Orange County Transportation Authority, all while working full time for over 33 years at Hewlett-Packard. He was everywhere in Orange. He also was a talented musician, singing in the choir at First Presbyterian Church and playing guitar at concerts in the park. Mr. Speaker, I send my deepest condolences to his wife, Vikki, and mother, Lois. I join our Orange community in honoring his memory and a life very well lived.

Mrs. KIM of California

Mrs. KIM of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak on stillbirth which is a maternal and infant health crisis that tragically accounts for the deaths of over 21,000 babies every year in our country. Studies indicate that at least 25 percent of U.S. stillbirths are preventable, and addressing these preventable cases could save at least 5,250 babies each year. Sadly, despite these alarming statistics, stillbirth is one of the most underfunded and underresearched public health issues today. To address high stillbirth rates, we need to improve data collection, research, and awareness. I introduced the bipartisan Stillbirth Health Improvement and Education (SHINE) for Autumn Act, H.R. 5012, with Rep. Kathy Castor that would do just that. The SHINE Act creates the first comprehensive federal-state partnership to streamline data collection on stillbirth across the Nation. I would like to include in the record a link to more than 1,500 testimonies from parents and families affected by stillbirth: https:// youngkim.house.gov/wp-content/uploads/H.R.-5012-SHINE-for-Autumn-Act- Testimonies-1.pdf. I hope for swift action from Congress to ensure healthier pregnancies and decrease stillbirth rates.

Mrs. KIM of California

Mrs. KIM of California. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 8753, which directs the U.S. Postal Service to designate unique ZIP Codes for certain communities, including North Tustin in my district. North Tustin is a longtime community and census designated place, but its status as an unincorporated area has caused confusion. Simply put, a unique ZIP Code is common sense, and it will help residents with postal delivery and taxation issues. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

Mrs. KIM of California

Mrs. KIM of California. Mr. Speaker, November marks Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, COPD, Awareness Month. COPD is a respiratory disease that is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States and affects one in eight Americans over the age of 45. An estimated 30 million Americans are affected by COPD, but only 17 million Americans are diagnosed. We unfortunately see COPD impact neighbors in southern California with more than half of Californians who suffer from COPD living in our area. Today, on COPD Awareness Day, and throughout this month, we recommit to raising awareness and finding ways to mitigate the impacts of this disease. I will do my part.

Mrs. KIM of California

Mrs. KIM of California. Mr. Speaker, I thank Representative Moylan for yielding and for his leadership as well as my good friend Representative Manning for moving this bill forward. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of my bipartisan bill, H.R. 3012, the North Korean Human Rights Reauthorization Act. This bill updates the North Korean Human Rights Act of 2004 that was enacted to provide humanitarian aid to North Korean refugees, allow for information access for the North Korean people, and appoint a U.S. Special Envoy for North Korean Human Rights Issues. H.R. 3012 reauthorizes, streamlines, and strengthens oversight of these programs through 2028 and calls for Korean-American families to be reunited with their immediate relatives in North Korea. We need someone at the State Department dedicated entirely to North Korean human rights issues, especially as Kim Jong Un's brutality against his own people grows. Why? Because North Korean women and children face the most inhumane treatment in the world, child labor is institutionalized in North Korea, and women are forced into sex trafficking organized by government officials and human traffickers; because an estimated 100,000 North Koreans are subject to forced labor in factories with inhumane conditions in the People's Republic of China; and because torture, forced disappearances, imprisonment, forced sterilization, and religious persecution are tools regularly used to consolidate the North Korean regime's power. From January 2017 to December 2022, the special envoy position was vacant; that is nearly 6 years. If the position is ever vacant again for more than 180 days, my bill requires the State Department to report on ongoing efforts to fill the position. The authorization for the North Korean Human Rights Act of 2004 lapsed in 2022. We must get this legislation signed into law this Congress. We cannot ignore the threat posed by North Korea, and holding the North Korean regime accountable without supporting human rights is a nonstarter. Failing to reauthorize this landmark human rights initiative sends a signal to Kim Jong Un that the United States will allow human rights abuses in North Korea and around the world to fall on deaf ears. I thank Representative Ami Bera for co-leading this bill with me, and I thank our chairman of the full committee and his staff for their leadership and commitment to human rights and freedoms for the North Korean people. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on H.R. 3012.

Mrs. KIM of California

Mrs. KIM of California. Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Westerman for yielding and for his leadership in moving this bill forward. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of my bipartisan bill, H.R. 7409, Harnessing Energy At Thermal Sources Act, or the HEATS Act. Geothermal energy is a clean, renewable source of energy that can generate electricity, heat homes and buildings, and power industrial processes. More geothermal energy production will lower our environmental footprint and benefit the climate. Despite having a similar extraction process to that of oil and gas, geothermal energy is constrained by Federal permitting restrictions. Currently geothermal operators on nonFederal land that produce any Federal resources are subject to all Federal laws and permitting processes, even if minimal amounts of Federal minerals are present. My State of California is a major producer of geothermal energy and has ample energy resources below the earth ready to be tapped into. The current Federal permitting process and State regulations have hurt progress in harnessing this clean energy source. The HEATS Act would waive Federal drilling permit requirements for geothermal wells that are on State and private lands. This means geothermal operators would not need a Federal drilling permit for wells that are on State and private lands on which the subsurface geothermal estate is less than 50 percent Federal. Operators must still go through a rigorous permitting process at the State level. They will, however, no longer be burdened by the Federal process, allowing us to harness this untapped energy source faster. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 7409 is a commonsense measure that will lower costs for Americans, reduce emissions, protect our national security, and expand our energy portfolio. The Natural Resources Committee passed the HEATS Act by a bipartisan vote, and I look forward to this bill passing out of the House in a timely bipartisan manner. I thank my colleague Representative Duarte for co-leading the HEATS Act with me and, also, House Committee on Natural Resources Chairman Westerman for his commitment to accelerating geothermal production and promoting energy independence. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on H.R. 7409.

Mrs. KIM of California

Mrs. KIM of California. Madam Speaker, October 5 marks the 100th anniversary of Goodwill Industries of Orange County. Goodwill OC was founded in 1924 by Reverend John Winterbourne, first in his home and later moving to a rented house on Logan Street in Santa Ana. Over the past century, Goodwill OC has established a legacy of not just finding value in secondhand goods but also providing meaningful employment opportunities. Goodwill OC has fostered a vibrant workforce and a caring, connected community by helping individuals find and retain employment and offering training and career coaching. Madam Speaker, I congratulate them on this amazing milestone and wish them many more years to come.

Mrs. KIM of California

Mrs. KIM of California. Madam Speaker, September marks National Children's Emotional Wellness Month. Depression and anxiety impact far too many children and teenagers. One in five Americans ages 3 through 17 suffers from an emotional, mental, or behavioral disorder, according to NIH. Pediatricians, therapists, and mental health care providers work around the clock to support the emotional needs and well-being of our youth. Local nonprofits, such as the Extraordinary Lives Foundation in California's 40th District, can also play a role in addressing the emotional and mental health challenges among young Americans through unique approaches such as therapeutic resources and educational opportunities. Madam Speaker, I thank our mental health care providers for equipping children and families with tools to adapt to difficult circumstances and express emotions in a healthy way. Together, we will create a better future for our children.

Mrs. KIM of California

Mrs. KIM of California. Mr. Chair, I thank Chairman Westerman for yielding. Mr. Chair, I rise in strong support of H.R. 8790, the Fix Our Forests Act. The fear facing many of my constituents during California's peak wildfire season, especially in the canyon communities close to the Cleveland National Forest, became a reality in recent weeks as multiple wildfires burn simultaneously in southern California, including the Airport fire in my district. The Airport fire has burned over 23,500 acres, and still counting, in Orange and Riverside Counties. I am grateful to the first responders who are working day and night to keep our communities safe. Times like these also show us that first responders need all tools available to protect our communities and respond to the ever-changing threat that wildfires pose. The Fix Our Forests Act includes legislation that I introduced called the Wildfire Technology Demonstration, Evaluation, Modernization, and Optimization, or DEMO, Act, that would address this need. I introduced the DEMO Act after hearing from firefighting agencies and companies developing innovative technologies. This bipartisan legislation aims to deploy more emerging technologies to fight wildfires by allowing private entities to partner with Federal land management agencies to test wildfire technologies in a 7-year pilot program. This is a win-win for private entities looking to test their technologies at scale and Federal land management agencies working to deploy emerging technologies to help combat wildfires. I thank my friend, Representative Crow, for his partnership on the DEMO Act, as well as Chairman Westerman and Representative Peters for including my legislation in this important and timely bill to keep our communities and forests safe from wildfires. Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on H.R. 8790.

Mrs. KIM of California

Mrs. KIM of California. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 7438, the FIFA 2026 World Cup Commemorative Coin Act. This is a bill that will direct the Department of the Treasury to mint coins in commemoration of the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup. Madam Speaker, as you drive around almost any American town on a Saturday morning in the fall or spring, there is a good chance you will drive past a youth soccer match in action. Young boys and girls are giving it their all, dreaming of becoming the next Christian Pulisic or Alex Morgan. The popularity of the sport of soccer has been on the rise in the United States since the 1960s. The biggest boom came after our country hosted the FIFA World Cup for the first time in 1994. The excitement of that tournament led to the creation of Major League Soccer, which has grown from 10 teams in 2005 to its current 29 teams. One can only imagine the excitement that will be generated by hosting our second World Cup tournament. The 23rd FIFA World Cup in 2026 will be the first time that 48 teams will participate. That is up from 32. Along with 5 cities from our neighbors in Canada and Mexico, 11 U.S. cities will have the chance to showcase to the world the brilliance and diversity of our great Nation. The United States will host matches in Dallas, Kansas City, Houston, Atlanta, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Seattle, San Francisco, Boston, Miami, and, in what is sure to be a thrilling final match at MetLife Stadium, in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on July 19, 2026. Little boys and girls all over the country will have the opportunity to watch these international superstars compete, a memory that will be sure to last a lifetime. This bill will allow the United States Mint to produce a commemorative coin, which will provide Americans a physical keepsake. An added benefit of the Mint's Commemorative Coin Program is that there is a surcharge within the cost of the coin that helps raise money for important causes. In this case, the cause for this coin benefits soccer programs and activities around the United States. This will inspire the next generation of soccer stars in our country. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. LaHood), my good friend, and his over 290 cosponsors for introducing this worthy legislation, and I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 7438. Go Team USA. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. KIM of California

Mrs. KIM of California. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (S. 2825) to award a Congressional Gold Medal to the United States Army Dustoff crews of the Vietnam War, collectively, in recognition of their extraordinary heroism and life-saving actions in Vietnam.

Mrs. KIM of California. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of S. 2825, the Dustoff Crews of the Vietnam War Congressional Gold Medal Act, the Senate version of H.R. 1015, led by the gentleman from Washington (Mr. Kilmer), the gentlewoman from Washington (Mrs. Rodgers), the gentlewoman from Iowa (Mrs. Miller-Meeks), and the gentleman from Kansas (Mr. Mann). Madam Speaker, we lost too many American soldiers during the Vietnam war. That number would be dramatically higher if it were not for the bravery shown by the pilots of the Dustoff crews. During the Vietnam war, American helicopter rescue crews, known as the Operation Dustoff crews, evacuated some 900,000 people to safety, the equivalent of the populations of Pittsburgh, St. Louis, and Orlando combined. They did so under extremely perilous conditions. The Dustoff missions left the crews unarmed, often flown completely at night, frequently under enemy fire, and even after having to fight for permission to fly because of the dangers. Madam Speaker, the United States needed the Dustoff crews during the Vietnam war because of the battle landscape. The stealthy, dispersed enemy occupying the dense jungles of Vietnam meant American soldiers had to push far from stationed medical support. Without a speedy exit from combat, a wound during the Vietnam war meant almost certain death. The brave men of the Dustoff crews rescued American soldiers, civilians, and Vietnamese soldiers. When a call came in for Dustoff to pick up wounded day and night, they went. The Dustoff crews flew over 495,000 missions from 1962 to 1973. Sadly, of the 1,400 pilots, 90 were killed, and roughly 380 were wounded. These evacuation flights were some of the Army's most dangerous missions. The heroism, valor, and tenacity displayed by these young air crews provided a gift of life that few consider or even think about today. For each person saved by a medical evacuation air crew, whether it be a man, woman, or child, those individuals went on to enjoy their life beyond the strains of war. These young men voluntarily put their lives on the line every day to save another human being. Madam Speaker, I will leave my colleagues with the pledge of the Dustoff crews: ``No hesitation. No reservation. No compromise. You get the wounded out.'' This pledge speaks volumes. The pilots of the Dustoff crews deserve to be honored by this Congress with a Congressional Gold Medal. Madam Speaker, I thank the bill's sponsors for bringing forward this important legislation. I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.