Teresa Leger Fernandez

Ms. LEGER FERNANDEZ

Ms. LEGER FERNANDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from Virginia (Ms. McClellan).

Ms. LEGER FERNANDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I think what we need to do is look at this appropriations bill, look at where we are in our discussions about funding the government and recognize that nothing exists in a vacuum. Last night, as we were talking about the Committee on Appropriations, we were talking about the extreme cuts that are being made, and we know that our military, when they sort of show up at our bases, they are not showing up at a base that is not connected to the rest of the places they live in. In Clovis, New Mexico, where we have Cannon Air Force Base, and in Alamogordo, where we have an Air Force base, those communities are connected, and we need to recognize that the other bills that they are looking at are going to cut funding in a way that is going to hurt our readiness. The Agriculture appropriations bill is a good opportunity to talk about this. The bill that they have brought forward would fund world development programs, right? Nope. That is going to get cut. It would also cut nutrition to women, infants, and children. It would cut the funding we need for our ranchers and farmers. Indeed, the cuts that they are proposing would be $8 billion in cuts, in the Agriculture appropriations bill. This would bring the funding level for the Agriculture appropriations bill to a level not seen since 2007. The bill would cut broadband programs by 23 percent. It would hurt something that is incredibly important to my district, which are rural electric co-ops that serve 268,403 residents. Well, those rural electric co-ops, they serve people throughout our districts, and they serve our military bases. We must fight these kinds of threats. Mr. Speaker, in closing, we cannot talk about readiness; we cannot talk about what we need to do in this country to support our military if we don't talk about our servicemembers and what we must do to protect them and to respect them, because they are protecting us. So when we are talking about our servicewomen, we must remember the number of servicewomen who are serving. It is about 20 percent right now, and the number of women who are serving in those 14 States which have a total ban on abortion is significant. It is 80,000 women--80,000 women, who, if something happens to them like what Representative McCollum discussed, they could die of sepsis. For those of us who have given birth, for those of us who have had to make really difficult decisions about our health and how we are going to deal with the complications of pregnancy, we feel it viscerally, because we know that it is such a wonderful thing to give birth, but it is such a dangerous thing to be pregnant. And what they would do to our servicewomen is deny them the ability to go to a State like New Mexico when they want reproductive healthcare services. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. LEGER FERNANDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. The concern that we have with the bill with regards to a woman's right to be able to determine for herself in conversation with her own faith, her own family, and her own doctors what kind of reproductive healthcare she wants access to is the fact that this bill would prevent servicewomen and their families from taking paid leave or traveling to obtain an abortion or related services if those services are not provided where she is assigned. Remember, servicewomen don't get to choose where they live and where they work. There have already been multiple legal opinions that using paid leave and traveling and getting assistance to get to a State where you can get medical care does not violate the Hyde amendment. Indeed, the Hyde amendment would allow you to get that kind of care if you were raped. Well, guess what? In 14 States if you were raped, you cannot get that care. That would violate the Hyde amendment in a sense when you cannot get access to it. Last week in the Rules Committee, Representative McCollum told the story of a woman in Texas who was told by her doctor that she would not perform a surgical procedure to remove a dead fetus because of the State's abortion ban. That servicewoman did not have the options she was entitled to. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to enter into the Record the 2023 New York Times article: ``As Abortion Laws Drive Obstetricians From Red States, Maternity Care Suffers.''

Ms. LEGER FERNANDEZ

Ms. LEGER FERNANDEZ. We will name this clinic after him so that he can keep watch over his brothers and sisters in arms as their guardian angel. We will remember him, Gallup will miss him, a Nation will miss him, but most of all, we will continue to honor him. Madam Speaker, I hope my colleagues will join me in honoring Corporal Miyamura and vote for Senate bill 475.

Ms. LEGER FERNANDEZ. Madam Speaker, I thank Mr. Takano and the chair for allowing me to speak today in support of S. 475, which Senator Heinrich and I introduced. It would designate the Veterans Affairs clinic in Gallup, New Mexico, as the Hiroshi ``Hershey'' Miyamura VA Clinic. Corporal Hiroshi, or ``Hershey'' as those in New Mexico called him early on, was born in 1925 to Japanese immigrants in Gallup, New Mexico. Beautiful Gallup, New Mexico, is in my district and it is surrounded by beautiful mountains, mesas, the Navajo Nation, the Zuni Pueblo, and others. It is a tremendously, achingly beautiful place, but from Gallup, he answered the call to serve not just once, but twice in his life--first in World War II and then in the Korean war. He wanted to fight for his country in World War II but was ineligible because of his ancestry until 1945. He then served in the 442nd Infantry Regiment, a unit entirely composed of Japanese Americans because we must remember that at the time that he was answering the call to service, we were suffering in the United States a period of hatred and xenophobia toward Japanese Americans, which makes his answer to the call of service even more extraordinary and for which we are even more grateful. In 1951, Corporal Miyamura held off enemy soldiers that threatened his machine gun squad. He faced them in hand-to-hand combat. He single- handedly held the line giving his squad time to reach safety. Corporal Miyamura would spend the next 28 months as a prisoner of war. Corporal Miyamura was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for his service, only learning of his achievement upon his release in 1953. I thank Mr. Takano for sharing those most moving words, Madam Speaker, that he spoke upon receiving that medal. He was the second to last living Korean war Medal of Honor recipient. Now, his passing in November 2022 reminds us of the sacrifices our veterans make to defend our beautiful Nation. The Gallup community is extremely proud to have been Corporal Miyamura's home where he returned. The Veterans Affairs Clinic in Gallup provides essential care to veterans and their dependents. It is one of our rural CBOCs that provides essential care, so our veterans don't have to spend 2 to 3 hours on the road to get the care that we have promised our veterans. I have visited that clinic. I visited with the veterans in Gallup, and they have asked me about the status of this designation. I am going to be really happy when we pass this, hopefully this week, to tell them we have done it.

Ms. LEGER FERNANDEZ

Ms. LEGER FERNANDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield an additional 30 seconds to the gentleman from Colorado.

Ms. LEGER FERNANDEZ. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Ms. LEGER FERNANDEZ. Mr. Speaker, following up on the gentlewoman from California's comments and on the importance of looking at this industry and how it is growing, I ask unanimous consent to include in the Record a January 12, 2023, article.

Ms. LEGER FERNANDEZ. Mr. Speaker, 100 million Americans live in counties with unhealthy air pollution. Our children, our elders, low- income communities, and communities of color are most at risk. The good news is, we are addressing it. The good news is, with the Chips and Science Act, we are starting to do research that will lead to even bigger and better advances in how we bring down those emissions. With the bipartisan infrastructure law and the Inflation Reduction Act, we are building out the electric charging stations that we need so you can get across Minnesota, New Mexico, and everywhere in between if you choose to have an electric vehicle. That is going to be your choice. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from New Mexico (Ms. Stansbury), an amazing sister who believes in fighting for the clean air of our beautiful State.

Ms. LEGER FERNANDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I think it is important to recognize that there are health benefits from the Clean Air Act, but there are also benefits to our manufacturing sector, as well. H.R. 1435 completely ignores the benefits of EV production. They are completely going to be undermining the importance of manufacturing in the United States, what we need in the United States. Why would we want the industry to move to other countries when we can make it here in America? Mr. Speaker, I want to go back to the reason why so many of us have stood up today in opposition to this rule and have stood up in opposition to this rule for what it does not do. It does not address the looming crisis that the extreme Republicans and, apparently, the entire Republican Conference--because they are all moving toward that. My colleagues on the other side could meet and work with us, but no. Once again, they want to shut it down. It is our duty to govern. Under Republican leadership, we have not seen any governing happening. We have not passed the appropriations bills that America needs to keep our government open. Would that be acceptable in any other arena? It would not be acceptable in my State of New Mexico to allow a party to actually just shut down our government. That would be reprehensible. It should be reprehensible here, as well. The Republicans cannot escape that this is their playbook. They do it over and over again. When they hold the gavel in this House, they shut down the government. For what? For extreme demands that we have already discussed, demands that attack women and their ability to make choices about their own reproductive healthcare in consultation with their own faith, with their own family and those they love, and not with their Congressperson but with their doctors. For what? Because they don't want to, and they are protecting their millionaire friends and the big corporations. They do not want to make sure that they pay their fair share of taxes, so they prefer to shut down the government, a government that serves the American people in so many different ways. Our Democratic voices that are coming to this Chamber, that are coming to the people's House from districts as diverse and beautiful as mine, know that we must bring their voices to this table, to this House, and say to keep it open and keep offering the services that protect us, that keep us safe, that make sure that our education is broad and has help where it is needed, that our Native American communities that we serve continue to receive the healthcare and law enforcement that we need, that we make sure that our Department of Justice is doing its job--because it is--and that we do all that work so our railroads are safe and our food is safe. We must do all that work to make sure our government is kept open. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to oppose today's rule, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. LEGER FERNANDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I thank Dr. Burgess so much for the customary 30 minutes to discuss this bill, and I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise to oppose today's rule. There are 8 legislative days left to fund the government, and under Republican leadership, what have we done? We passed 1, just 1, of the 12 appropriations bills necessary--1 of 12. We were supposed to take up the rule for the Defense appropriations bill yesterday, but last evening, in a rushed meeting, we changed the rule to limit it to this single bill. The only thing we have to show for an entire week in session is a bill that attacks States' rights and California's ability to decide for its own what regulations it wants under the Clean Air Act, as it is allowed to do under existing law and has been allowed to do for decades. Do you know what? When Democrats were in the majority in the previous Congress, we didn't hear what we are hearing from Republicans. We did not hear Democrats saying we are going to shut it down. No. Democrats have always looked for solutions. We have not been calling to shut it down. We have always worked to work it out. Over and over again, not just this week but over the summer, we have heard extreme MAGA Republicans voice their goal of a forced government shutdown. We need to remember that the times that we have faced a shutdown and suffered through a shutdown have been when Republican Speakers were in charge. Remember 1995-1996, 2013, 2018? We needed to have Speaker Pelosi take charge so we could open our government back up. In the Rules Committee, we heard Republicans say: Let's shut it down. Let's make clear that the ``it'' that is sometimes referred to is something that is not beneficial. That ``it'' are the people who make sure our food is safe. The ``it'' they want to shut down is the program that makes sure that our women, infants and children, seniors, and veterans have enough food on their table. The ``it'' are the people who serve and protect our country and our services. The ``it'' are the people who maintain our beautiful national parks and allow us to see America's wonders. Americans don't want us to head to a goal of: We are shutting it down. Why don't we work it out? As Ranking Member McGovern noted yesterday, the last time our government shut down, it was the longest in history due to inaction by then-President Trump and Republican majorities in the House and Senate. It cost Americans $11 billion, $3 billion permanently, and caused sizable suffering for our constituents. We are talking about people having to take out loans all through our country. I have been visited over and over again. The auto dealers came to my chambers yesterday and talked about the repercussions that a shutdown has on their business. People are going to have a hard time paying their mortgage, putting food on the table. But it doesn't have to be this way. The White House Democrats and Republicans negotiated a bipartisan agreement in the Fiscal Responsibility Act in June that set up the pathway to how we were going to fund the government with cuts, making sure that we kept the government funding level. Now, a mere 3 months later they are backing out on their commitment. Extreme Republicans are blowing up our commitment to the American people. My rural district will suffer. It will suffer tremendously, as will all rural districts across this country. We need to remember rural America is the backbone of this country, and they are sacrificing it. A shutdown could delay veterans and Social Security payments. With 8 legislative days to avoid a government shutdown, we have a bill totally unrelated to funding the government. H.R. 1435, Preserving Choice in Vehicle Purchases Act, is an attack on efforts to reduce pollution and climate change. I have noticed that the Republicans have a habit of naming their bills to do the opposite of what the bill actually does. This legislation will remove the choice that Californians have exercised as they elect their own government and as they choose to look to how do they want to make sure they exercise their right to adopt clean air standards. For decades, the Clean Air Act has reduced harmful air pollutants leading to fewer instances of respiratory diseases, cardiovascular problems, and other health issues. That is in part due to the law's flexibility. It allows flexibility to allow choice for California and other States to adopt strict standards. H.R. 1435 threatens our efforts to lessen air pollution and reduce greenhouse gas emissions and fight climate change. It also disrupts the U.S. vehicle market and could harm our global competitiveness and the electric vehicle market. I will say it again, however: At a time when we have a duty to fund the government, the Republican majority is instead picking on States' rights, picking on States that want to clean up their air and fight climate change. I urge my colleagues to change course and oppose this rule. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. LEGER FERNANDEZ. Mr. Speaker, as I noted, the existing rule allows choice in each State. What works for California may or may not work for New Mexico or other States like New York, but that is why the Clean Air Act built in flexibility. We should allow California and those States that choose to follow their lead to continue to adopt stricter vehicle standards that work for them. I also want to make a point that car makers make business plans several years in the future. For Congress to come in and change the setting of what is happening--because right now 75 percent of vehicles sold with low emissions are being manufactured here in America--is creating culture wars that also hurt our industry workers. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to enter into the Record the September 13, 2023, letter from the United Auto Workers titled: ``UAW Urges to Vote NO on the So-Called Preserving Choice in the Vehicle Purchases Act.''

Ms. LEGER FERNANDEZ. I remind us all that we should be funding the government this week, not attacking individual States or workers. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Pelosi), our inspiring Speaker Emerita.

Ms. LEGER FERNANDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I truly appreciated the Speaker Emerita is leading us to think about the why and to think about the children, to think about the children and their health. We must remember that Democrats are not against consumer choices, but what we are for is consumer safety. Should we allow consumers to choose leaded gas once again? No. Because we know what it does to our children's lungs. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to include in the Record a July 25, 2023, letter from the American Lung Association opposing H.R. 1435.

Ms. LEGER FERNANDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield an additional 15 seconds to the gentlewoman from New Mexico.

Ms. LEGER FERNANDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I think we need to constantly talk about what we are not doing here today. We are not talking about the appropriations bills that we need to fund our government. Maybe it is because the other side doesn't really want us to know, does not want the American public to know all of the awful things that are in those appropriations bills. The 2024 funding bills that the Republicans wrote are so extreme, their own conference is having a hard time swallowing the devastation the drastic cuts will do in America. These bills are a direct attack on rural America, on families, our servicemembers, on our climate goals, and the list goes on. What are some of the terrible provisions that we have reviewed in the Rules Committee that we are not talking about on the floor today? One, inching toward a national abortion ban. In the Defense appropriations bill, they included a ban for servicemembers, women, and their families from taking paid leave or traveling to obtain an abortion or related healthcare services related to a woman's reproductive health. If a woman is raped and wants an abortion and lives in a State where there are no exceptions, that servicewoman, who joined to serve our country, has no choice, if she lives in 1 of 14 States in this country. They told our servicewomen that if they choose to serve our country, they will be deprived of the care they need. In the same bill, they cut $714 million for the Department of Defense climate change programs. I need to tell you, we read into the Record the fact that it has been told that the Nation who has the advantage of addressing climate change and building resilience will have a military strategic advantage. Once again, they are taking away our military strategic advantage not just with that but refusing, the Republicans, to go ahead and allow our nomination for flag officers to serve. Over and over again in this bill, they are weakening our ability to serve and defend our country. In the Agriculture appropriations bill, they returned funding to 2007 levels. Imagine what that kind of cut does to our rural communities, from slashing cuts for rural electric co-ops, like I have throughout my district, to making sure that our children go hungry. A mother cannot feed herself or her baby if she is cut back to 2007 levels, but that is what Republicans are prioritizing. We are not really talking about these bills because we are not talking about funding the government, are we? Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Neguse), a distinguished member of the Rules Committee, who I am sure will address some of these issues.

Ms. LEGER FERNANDEZ. Mr. Speaker, if we defeat the previous question, I will offer an amendment to the rule to provide for consideration of a resolution which clearly states that it is the people's House's duty to keep our promise to American workers and seniors to protect and preserve Social Security and Medicare and fight against any cuts to these vital programs. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to insert the text of my amendment in the Record, along with any extraneous materials, immediately prior to the vote on the previous question.

Ms. LEGER FERNANDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Virginia (Ms. McClellan) to discuss our proposal.

Ms. LEGER FERNANDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Porter).

Ms. LEGER FERNANDEZ

Ms. LEGER FERNANDEZ. Mr. Speaker, last week, the enchanted State of New Mexico, the United States and families seeking justice everywhere lost a statesman, a former Ambassador, Governor and Congressman. Governor Bill Richardson is survived by our former First Lady of incredible grace, Mrs. Barbara Richardson. In 1983, Governor Richardson began his public service career as the first Representative of the newly formed 3rd Congressional district. I stand on his shoulders, and am grateful for his sage advice on how to best serve this district. As Chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus he opposed cruel immigration policies and brought attention to Latino policy priorities. As Governor, he recognized the importance of education and economic diversity as he raised teacher salaries and increased film production. May we honor Richardson as a tenacious champion for New Mexicans, skillful diplomat and a committed public servant. I include in the Record Linda Lynch's story on how Richardson rescued her husband held hostage. 17 years ago, this month, I flew to Khartoum with the late Governor Bill Richardson. The mission was to free my husband, Paul Salopek, a journalist, from captivity in Sudan, along with his translator, Suleiman Moussa, and driver, Idriss Anu. Paul was reporting a story for National Geographic magazine when they were abducted on the western border of Sudan. On August 6, 2006, they disappeared for 10 days. When they surfaced, they had been traded for a box of uniforms and turned over to the Sudanese government. They were flown by helicopter deep into Darfur, separated, imprisoned, and charged by the government with ``espionage, passing information illegally, and reporting false news.'' I will never forget the day Governor Richardson telephoned me at home in Columbus, New Mexico offering help. At that time, I, together with Paul's editors at National Geographic and the Chicago Tribune, had scrambled to locate Paul and were grappling with how to get them out. Over the course of days, we worked an intricate web of contacts and communications, 3:00 a.m. conference calls, check-ins with the State Department and congressional members. We also dispatched a message to the Governor that one of his constituents had been imprisoned in Sudan. Immediately, Governor Richardson picked up the phone and called me. In that watershed moment, everything changed. Bill Richardson began his unique methodical and deliberate steps to bring Paul home. Unintimidated by despots or warlords, the Governor saw Paul in a familiar situation that he had adroitly handled before. Watching him in those urgent days that culminated in our flight to Khartoum, it became clear that he had a rare gift of intelligence, diplomacy, and magic. He never took a single success for granted, and it was his respect for the ``stardust''--the alignment of the seemingly impossible--that made it all work. It was 34 days before Paul, Suleiman, and Idriss would see their freedom, a shorter time fortunately than many others detained have endured, but every bit as vivid and terrifying and dangerous. The day we crossed into north African air space I remember looking out over the vast sand of the Sahara while everyone slept, the anxiety of what would transpire more palpable as we approached Khartoum. As soon as we disembarked the Governor was whisked away to meet with President Umar Al- Bashir. Three hours later Governor Richardson emerged with a ``Pardon'' for Paul based on humanitarian grounds. But Paul was not in Khartoum. He was 489 miles away. We would have to fly there to rescue him. After a tense and uneasy night, the next morning we boarded a smaller aircraft and flew two hours into Darfur, a province ripped apart by arson and genocide. There, we waited all day. The provincial governor of Darfur was unhappy. He had not been consulted before the president pardoned Paul. I watched as Governor Richardson went to work again soothing the irritation, Paul, Suleiman, and Idriss were put through a 15- minute mock trial where their charges were read aloud. They were admonished but ultimately released. Governor Richardson had worked his magic again. We returned to Khartoum at dusk with our prize of three and left several hours later for New Mexico with Paul. Suleiman and Idriss were reunited with their families in Chad. The whole excursion took only 48 hours. For all the admirable things Governor Richardson accomplished in his distinguished lifetime of public service, I believe it was his extraordinary diplomacy that he would most want to be remembered for, that, and the stardust that so often aligned for and with him.

Ms. LEGER FERNANDEZ

Ms. LEGER FERNANDEZ. Mr. Speaker, last week, the enchanted State of New Mexico, the United States, and families seeking justice everywhere lost a statesman, a former Ambassador, Governor, and Congressman. Governor Bill Richardson is survived by our former first lady of incredible grace, Mrs. Barbara Richardson. In 1983, Governor Richardson began his public service career as the first Representative of the newly formed Third Congressional District of Nuevo Mexico. My first visit to Congress was as a young attorney representing the Navajo Nation to Governor Richardson's office. I stand on the shoulders and am grateful for his sage advice on how to serve this beautiful district. As chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, he opposed cruel immigration policies and brought attention to Latino policy priorities everywhere. As Governor, he recognized the importance of education and economic diversity as he raised teachers' salaries and increased film production. May we honor Bill Richardson as a tenacious champion for New Mexicans, a skillful diplomat, and a committed public servant.

Ms. LEGER FERNANDEZ

Ms. LEGER FERNANDEZ. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus and the many friends who hold him dear, we rise today to honor a beloved lifetime public servant, Governor Bill Richardson. I first want to acknowledge his wife, Barbara Richardson, a woman of incredible grace who is leading a State, a Nation, and a world in mourning the Governor today in Santa Fe, New Mexico. I thank Chairwoman Nanette Barragan for her leadership in organizing this moment of silence for our colleague, who like you, also served as chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus. I say Governor and chair, but Bill had many other titles during his illustrious career: U.S. Congressman, House Deputy Majority Whip, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, U.S. Secretary of Energy, candidate for President, hostage negotiator, and professor. We are all humbled by his achievements, and most importantly, by the people he helped along the way. Guided by an unflinching sense of duty, service, and justice, Bill opened the door for countless people throughout his career. He opened the door of opportunity for Americans seeking a better future. He unlocked the jail cells of political prisoners imprisoned by the most dangerous dictators. He never hesitated to seek dialogue with those he knew had the power to release the powerless, and he opened the doors of service, inspiring Latino leaders working tirelessly to improve their communities. I am honored to stand shoulder to shoulder with my Hispanic Caucus ``hermanos y hermanas,'' ``brothers and sisters,'' and all of the colleagues who have joined us today. We are sharing with each other in these last 2 weeks and hearing from so many of our colleagues moving and also fun stories of those who now serve in the people's House, either as Members or as staff who have come up to me and told me the stories of how they are in America today and serving in this House because of Governor Richardson. Bill, we do not merely stand in this well of the people's House, as you did for over 14 years; we stand on your shoulders. We stand because giants like you blazed the trail for countless Latinos to serve their country in our Nation's highest offices. From 12 members, when you served as chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, to 42 members today, including Representative Velazquez who served with you, the CHC traces our lineage back to you and others who ``caminando hicieron el camino,'' ``walking we make the road,'' who built the trail with each bold step you took forward. Whether it is a minimum-wage worker who earned a bit more because of your work, a hostage who saw the sun again, or a young leader inspired to serve, you created hope in many of the most overlooked places and overlooked people. Please join all of us as we bow our heads in a moment of silence honoring the legacy of former Congressman, Governor, Ambassador, and Secretary, Bill Richardson. Governor, ``que descansa en paz,'' ``may you rest in peace,'' and God bless you.

Ms. LEGER FERNANDEZ

Ms. LEGER FERNANDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise to celebrate the life of Duane Ryan--a veteran, a family man, a broadcaster, a visionary, an educator, and a legend in Eastern New Mexico. Today, we also remember the lives he touched with his broadcasting from his students to listeners and all of his accomplishments. Duane Ryan was the eldest child of Donald and Evelyn Ryan. He was born in Hermosa Beach, California and raised nearby in Hawthorne. He attended El Camino Junior College and was elected student body president. He later transferred to Brigham Young University earning both a BA and Master's Degree in Speech and Dramatic Arts. Duane served in the Air Force for 2 years. After marrying his wife, Martha Ann Christensen, in 1959, Duane taught at Snow College in the Theatre Department. Duane and his family later moved to Portales, New Mexico where he began as an assistant professor in theater and speech. He combined his technical savvy and his love of the arts to create KENW-FM. In 1967, KENW-TV began broadcasting via the cable company in Portales. Broadcast hours were Monday through Friday from early afternoon until 9 pm. Mostly airing local programming and children's programs, the station quickly became a local favorite. In the 1970s, under the directorship of Duane Ryan, KENW began its quest to become a Public Broadcasting Station for Eastern New Mexico. With the help of federal and state sources, KENW-PBS-TV signed on the air in September of 1974. Because of his vision, Duane Ryan knew that the age of digital television would be part of the future. Under his leadership, KENW began the transformation from analog to digital broadcasting. In 2006 KENW-TV moved from its metal building into a `state-of-the art' digital broadcast center located on the campus of Eastern New Mexico University. With digital transmitters placed in various communities throughout Eastern New Mexico, KENW expanded their coverage area to include all thirty-three counties in New Mexico, as well as coverage in West Texas, and Southern Colorado. Duane Ryan also served at Eastern New Mexico University as the Director of Broadcasting for 55 years. He cultivated a welcoming environment for staff and students, many of whom have gone on to successful careers. Indeed, employers often seek out Eastern New Mexico University graduates with a Degree in Broadcasting because of the program's excellent standards. Duane Ryan was elected to the New Mexico Broadcasters Association Hall of Fame in 2015. He had just retired from his distinguished career and left us much too soon thereafter. We thank Duane's wife Martha, and his children Tamara, Michael, Marla, John, and David for sharing him with us. We'll miss him dearly.

Ms. LEGER FERNANDEZ

Ms. LEGER FERNANDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. Norvill Howell for his service to the music students of Curry County in eastern New Mexico. Mr. Norvill Howell was born in Independence, Kansas. He graduated from Eastern New Mexico University where he majored in music and went to work for the Muleshoe Texas School System. Thereafter he was hired as the Clovis High School Band Director. His 25 year tenure as the CHS Band Director spanned 1956 to 1981 where he taught generations of Wildcats. He later became the Clovis Schools Music Program Director and served in that capacity for 15 years. During his tenure as Clovis High School Band Director, Mr. Howell instilled an aspiration to perform at an exceptional level in his band students. Known for being ``tough but fair,'' many of his students went on to become accomplished musicians and band directors themselves. All of them attribute much of their success to the standards Mr. Howell set. After his retirement, Mr. Howell continued his musical influence and formed the Clovis Community Band. Many former students and community members participated in it. In addition to the community band, he was also a member of a local jazz group that performed for various events throughout Eastern New Mexico and West Texas. Under Mr. Howell's direction the CHS band received invitations to perform at the Rose Bowl Parade, the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade, and won countless marching band competitions throughout New Mexico and Texas. His influence on Clovis' School Music Programs continues today as the CHS Band is known as ``the band that sets the standard for excellence'' at band competitions. As a tribute to Mr. Howell and his legacy with the Clovis Schools Music Programs, the CHS Band performs in front of his home at the beginning of the school year. Excellence, discipline, outstanding performances, and representing your school with honor are all synonymous when you mention Mr. Norvill Howell's name. He described himself as, ``Just a good ole trumpet player.'' To his community and band students, he is so much more.

Ms. LEGER FERNANDEZ

Ms. LEGER FERNANDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I really wish I could say that caring for our veterans is a bipartisan issue, something we all agree on. Instead, for the first time in years, the appropriations for military construction and VA will not be bipartisan because my colleagues across the aisle have not put veterans first. Instead, they have tacked onto their VA bill a kitchen sink of culture wars. H.R. 4366 would trample on our veterans' freedoms, slash access to reproductive care, and slash access to gender-affirming care. It would prohibit training that helps people from different backgrounds work together that addresses the inequalities that still exist in our military. It would allow homophobia to run rampant. This legislation makes our VA facilities less welcoming for the thousands of diverse New Mexicans who receive care there. Every homeowner knows it is better to fix a leaking roof right away because if not, it is going to be really expensive. Yet, this bill cuts $1.5 billion from military construction. Our military housing and health clinics are leaking, but these cuts will cost us so much more in the future. We must do more than just thank our veterans for their service. We can't just use words. We must actually back it up with resources. When Democrats led the House, we passed the Honoring our PACT Act to expand healthcare coverage and compensate veterans exposed to toxic substances, which 174 Republicans voted against. Democrats listened to the needs of our communities and passed legislation that made an actual difference in their lives. Now veterans have until August 9 to file a claim to receive retroactive 2023 benefits. To make sure our veterans know about these benefits, I am hosting a PACT Act townhall on August 1. That is what it looks like to not just thank veterans but to truly care about the patriots who served our country. That is the difference that Democratic leadership makes.