Ted Lieu

Mr. LIEU

Mr. LIEU. Mr. Speaker, today Bloomberg reported that U.S. GDP growth accelerated to 2.4 percent blowing past economists' estimates. Consumer confidence is also at the highest level in over 2 years, and inflation has now declined for 12 consecutive months to a low of 3 percent. The United States has the highest GDP growth and the lowest inflation of all the G-7 countries. So growth is up, consumer confidence is up, and inflation is down. This is Bidenomics, and it did not happen by accident. When Democrats were in control last term, we passed numerous laws to grow our economy from the bottom up and the middle out. We passed the American Rescue Plan, the Inflation Reduction Act, the CHIPS and Science Act, and the infrastructure law. All those laws have now grown our economy and grown the middle class. What are Republicans focused on? Putting women in jail for concealing abortions. Artificial Intelligence

Mr. LIEU

Mr. LIEU. Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend, Representative Connolly, for his leadership. I am a proud coauthor of the Taiwan International Solidarity Act. Taiwan is a critically important partner to the United States, and Taiwan has made significant contributions to the international community. Unfortunately, the actions of the government of the People's Republic of China have prevented Taiwan from being a part of important international organizations that help not only the United States but also helps their international community and helps the PRC. For example, the PRC blocks Taiwan from being a part of the International Civil Aviation Organization. That is just really stupid because there are people from the PRC flying into Taiwan and flying out; there are people from the United States flying into Taiwan and flying out. Why wouldn't you want Taiwan to have safer air travel? You absolutely would. The PRC also, unfortunately, blocked Taiwan from being in the World Health Assembly. Factually, it turns out that Taiwan got it right. Taiwan told the entire world that COVID could be passed through human transmission. The PRC lied to the entire world and said that that was not true. Taiwan got it right and yet, the WHO excludes Taiwan. The WHO should be ashamed of themselves and should let Taiwan in. Taiwan is also excluded from INTERPOL. Why wouldn't you want Taiwan to help with fighting crime and terrorism around the world? You absolutely would. This bill would require the State Department to report to Congress every year on any efforts by the PRC government to undermine Taiwan's participation in international organizations. It would also require the State Department to report on any PRC government effort to undermine Taiwan's relationships with other countries. This information we receive will be critical to holding the PRC government accountable for any efforts to undermine Taiwan's contributions to the international community.

Mr. LIEU

Mr. LIEU. Mr. Speaker, on July 19, 2023, Federal Judge Lewis Kaplan rejected Donald Trump's request for a new trial and confirmed that Donald Trump raped E. Jean Carroll. I must submit this court ruling into the Congressional Record, and I will read what the judge found. On page 43, the judge wrote: ``Ms. Carroll testified that the sexual assault--the `rape'--of which she accused Mr. Trump involved especially painful, forced digital penetration. . . . '' The judge further writes: ``The testimony of the outcry witnesses, [Mses.] Birnbach and Martin, corroborated the essence of Ms. Carroll's account of a violent, traumatic sexual assault.'' On page 44, the judge wrote: ``The jury's finding of sexual abuse therefore necessarily implies that it found that Mr. Trump forcibly penetrated her vagina.'' The judge further writes: `` . . . in other words, that he raped her. . . . '' Mr. Speaker, Judge Kaplan's memorandum opinion denying defendant's rule 59 motion can be found at: https://storage.courtlistener.com/ recap/gov.uscourts.nysd.590045/gov.uscourts.nysd.590045.212.0.pdf.

Mr. LIEU

Mr. LIEU. Madam Speaker, recently, Speaker McCarthy stated that if the Department of Justice can prosecute Donald Trump, then ``they can do that to any American.'' Speaker McCarthy is absolutely correct. If the Department of Justice can prosecute Donald Trump for unlawfully retaining top secret, classified documents that put American lives at risk and sharing those documents with random people, then yes, the Department of Justice can prosecute you for unlawfully retaining top secret, classified documents and sharing them with random people, because you are not above the law and neither is Donald Trump.

Mr. LIEU

Mr. LIEU. Mr. Speaker, today we learned that it wasn't just Clarence Thomas on the Supreme Court who accepted lavish gifts from a conservative billionaire and didn't disclose it, violating ethical rules. We learned that Justice Samuel Alito also accepted lavish gifts from another conservative billionaire and didn't disclose it. In addition, both Justices Thomas and Alito failed to disclose the private jet travel that they received from conservative billionaires. That is a violation of Federal law. Americans used to respect the United States Supreme Court. Now I think the American people can rightfully ask: Is it turning into a cesspool of corruption? That is why I ask the Speaker of the House to put on the floor the bill authored by Democrats to put ethical standards on the United States Supreme Court. Every Federal judge has to follow ethical standards except for these nine people. Who do they think they are?

Mr. LIEU

Mr. LIEU. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Los Angeles Times newspaper, based in the 36th Congressional District of California, which won two Pulitzer Prizes this year for excellence in photography and investigative journalism. A strong Fourth Estate is essential to our democracy. Good journalism shines light on injustice, holds power accountable, and informs the public. Since 1881, the Los Angeles Times has been a critical source of news for our community, and I want to congratulate them on these two recent honors. The staff of the Los Angeles Times, as well as our community in general, should be extremely proud of the Times' exceptional journalism. We have seen a tumultuous decade for the journalism industry in general--from a changing business landscape to growing hostilities directed at journalists. Despite these challenges, the Los Angeles Times and its reporters have worked diligently to provide Southern California and the rest of the country with impactful journalism. I commend Los Angeles Times photographer Christina House for her Pulitzer for Feature Photography this year. I also congratulate the entire staff of the Times for their Pulitzer for Breaking News Reporting. I often quote Abraham Lincoln, who once said: ``In this age, in this country, public sentiment is everything. With it, nothing can fail; against it, nothing can succeed.'' No pillar of democracy is more important in providing information to the public than a free press. I want to thank the Los Angeles Times for its consistent dedication to the necessary and difficult work of informing the public. I am proud to honor Los Angeles Times leadership, reporters, and staff as they celebrate their Pulitzer Prizes.

Mr. LIEU

Mr. LIEU. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the men's volleyball team from the University of California, Los Angeles. They took home the 2023 NCAA Men's National Collegiate Volleyball Championship on the 6th of May. UCLA defeated the men's volleyball team from the University of Hawaii at EagleBank Arena on the campus of George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia. This year's championship is the program's 20th national title win and the 121st overall NCAA title win by a UCLA Bruin team in any sport. The men's volleyball team should be proud of their achievement in earning the distinction of being national champions, amongst the more than half a million student-athletes who participate in NCAA events each year. The team ended their season with 12 straight wins, which marked the longest streak by the program since their last 2006 national title win. With guidance from Coach John Speraw, the team was able to defeat the two-time defending champions, Hawaii, with a 3-1 win. I would like to sincerely congratulate the UCLA's men's volleyball team once again on winning the national championship and wish them the best of luck next season. This win is a special moment in the collegiate athletic careers of each individual UCLA player and marks an exceptional accomplishment and historic achievement for the UCLA community. Go Bruins.

Mr. LIEU

Mr. LIEU. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize May 14th as IgA Nephropathy Awareness Day. IgA Nephropathy (IgAN) is a rare autoimmune disease that causes a person's immune system to attack the kidneys. Fewer than 200,000 people are diagnosed with this incurable condition per year in the United States, yet it is one of the most common diseases affecting the kidneys other than those caused by high blood pressure or diabetes. IgA Nephropathy is a condition characterized by an abnormal build-up of a protein called immunoglobulin A (IgA), which causes the immune system to attack the kidneys, often leading to kidney damage or failure. The deposits of IgA cause a breakdown of the normal filtering mechanisms in the kidney, leading to hematuria, proteinuria, and a progressive loss of kidney function. The cause of abnormal IgA build-up in patients with this condition is unclear, although genetic factors likely play a role. While IgA Nephropathy impacts women and men of every ethnicity, it is most prevalent in those of Asian ancestry. In fact, kidney failure among Asian Americans is 5 times more likely to be the result of IgA Nephropathy than among Caucasians, and 15 times more likely compared to African Americans. It is fitting that IgAN Awareness Day occurs during Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. Although IgA Nephropathy can develop at any age, the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) notes that it most often affects younger Americans, usually appearing between the teen years and the late 30s. Tragically, according to the IgAN Foundation, as many as half of those affected by IgAN will develop end-stage kidney disease and eventually require dialysis or a kidney transplant. Sadly, IgAN can recur in the transplanted kidney and, after a period, of increased quality of life families find themselves in yet another familiar battle. As is often the case with rare diseases, the diagnostic journey to IgA Nephropathy tends to be long. There are usually little or no immediate signs and symptoms. The disease causes inflammation that can trigger complications, including high blood pressure and chronic kidney disease. In fact, many patients are not diagnosed until they show some of these complications and blood or protein in the urine. IgA Nephropathy was first identified in 1968, and it is viewed as a condition without a cure. While some patients have been able to delay kidney decline and failure through lifestyle changes, supplements, and medication, many others have seen no effective treatments for almost four decades. However, this is all beginning to change, and IgAN patients finally have the tangible hope of new treatments here today. The number of clinical trials is growing, and the FDA approved the first-ever medication for IgA Nephropathy in late-2021. Earlier this year, the FDA approved another new drug therapy which proved to demonstrate rapid and sustained proteinuria reduction--a key to maintaining healthy functioning of the kidneys. These advancements in IgA Nephropathy treatment and hope for more therapies on the horizon provide life-changing options for patients struggling with this chronic disease. It's important we raise awareness of this condition to counter the fear and uncertainty that can come with an IgA Nephropathy diagnosis. More must be done to develop the means for patients to manage their conditions and live normal lives, even while dealing with this cruel disease. I also want to salute by name the IgA Nephropathy Foundation. On May 14, 2004, Bonnie Schneider and her husband established the IgA Nephropathy Foundation from their home. Eddie, their 13-year-old son, had been recently diagnosed with the condition, and they saw firsthand the unmet need for answers, resources, and a supportive community for individuals with IgAN. In addition, I am proud to say that California's 36th Congressional District is fully engaged in this effort, as IgA Nephropathy Foundation Board Secretary Mary Schneider is from Venice in my district. So on May 14th, the 19th anniversary of its founding, the IgA Nephropathy Foundation and the entire IgAN community and partners will come together to raise awareness about this disease, while also celebrating the strength of the patients and caregivers who battle the condition every day. Their hope is that this important day will drive people to assess their risks and recognize symptoms. With improved awareness among physicians, a strong network of support for patients, and further research to build on existing therapies, we can improve the lives of IgA Nephropathy patients--and one day find a cure. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the IgA Nephropathy Foundation for creating this important day of awareness. I am proud to stand with the brave Americans and their families who must battle this disease and who continue in their efforts to educate the public on IgA Nephropathy. On May 14th, we honor them and all their efforts as we once again recognize IgA Nephropathy Awareness Day.

Mr. LIEU

Mr. LIEU. Mr. Speaker, I rise to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the founding of East West Bank, and to honor the achievements of its CEO Mr. Dominic Ng. Since they opened in Los Angeles in 1973, East West Bank has served the banking needs of people throughout the United States and across the world. When many banks closed their doors to the Chinese American community due to bigotry and discrimination, East West Bank stepped in to provide access to important financial services. For five decades, East West Bank has been building bridges of opportunity. In 1994, East West Bank enhanced ATM services to offer the first trilingual language services (English, Chinese, and Spanish) in the country. East West also expanded services to offer trilingual, 24- hour automatic phone banking services. In 2000, East West Bank launched the first bilingual (English/Chinese) website and Online Banking Services in the U.S. to support clients seeking new paths to success. In 1992, Dominic Ng was appointed President and CEO of East West Bank. Mr. Ng has been a resident of Southern California for over 30 years. As CEO, Mr. Ng transformed East West Bank from a small savings institution into a global full-service commercial bank with over $64 billion in assets. In 2022, President Biden recognized Mr. Ngs leadership in the business world and substantial contributions to America by naming him Chair of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Business Advisory Council. In this role he advises APEC leaders on issues affecting the continued growth of the Asia-Pacific economy. Mr. Ng continues to work to bring economic prosperity to our immigrant communities. His efforts today fulfill East West's mission, and the promise of the American Dream, by helping communities in Los Angeles and around the world. Mr. Ng is a patriotic American who epitomizes what it means to be an American. Today, East West Bank is the largest independent bank headquartered in Southern California and is celebrating its 50th anniversary. I would like to extend my sincere congratulations to East West Bank on this important milestone, and to Dominic Ng for his long and successful tenure as CEO.

Mr. LIEU

Mr. LIEU. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in solemn remembrance of the Armenian genocide. April 24 marks the 108th anniversary of the Armenian genocide, one of the most horrific losses of life in modern history. The Ottoman Empire's brutal campaign of ethnic cleansing led to the deaths of roughly 1.5 million Armenians in the period between 1915 to 1923. Despite this tragedy, the Armenian-American community today is strong and vibrant. Remembering the atrocities like the Armenian genocide is crucial to ensuring that this never happens again. A key part of this process is education. I am proud to co-lead this year's Armenian Genocide Education Act with Representatives Anna Eshoo, Gus Bilirakis, and David Valadao, which we will introduce on April 24. This legislation will authorize $10 million in funding to the Library of Congress over 5 years to develop Armenian genocide education programs and resources which can be used by educators across the country. Those resources will ensure that future generations learn about and never forget about these atrocities. Mr. Speaker, I stand with the Armenian-American community in my district and across the U.S. as they honor and remember those who perished during the genocide.

Mr. LIEU. Mr. Speaker, tomorrow, Congress is going to vote on a bill that would ban some transgender kids from participating in sports. To be honest, I haven't thought about this issue very much. I don't actually know any transgender students. I think many of you may not have thought of this issue either. You have busy lives. If you still have an open mind on this, I would like to read to you part of a letter that the Republican Governor of Utah wrote. This letter is the veto message of Governor Spencer Cox of Utah where he vetoed a similar State bill regarding transgender kids. He writes: ``I must admit I am not an expert on transgenderism. I struggle to understand so much of it, and the science is conflicting. When in doubt, however, I always try to err on the side of kindness, mercy and compassion.'' It goes on to say: ``Here are the numbers that have most impacted my decision: 75,000, 4, 1, 86, and 56.'' What does he mean by those numbers? Well, this is what he writes: ``75,000 high school kids participating in high school sports in Utah. ``Four transgender kids playing high school sports in Utah. ``One transgender student playing girls' sports. ``86 percent of trans youth reporting suicidality. ``56 percent of trans youth having attempted suicide.'' He goes on to write: ``Four kids and only one of them playing girls' sports. That's what all of this is about. Four kids who aren't dominating or winning trophies or taking scholarships. Four kids who are just trying to find some friends and feel like they are a part of something. Four kids trying to get through each day. Rarely has so much fear and anger been directed at so few. I don't understand what they are going through or why they feel the way they do. But I want them to live. And all the research shows that even a little acceptance and connection can reduce suicidality significantly.'' Like the Republican Governor of Utah, I also am not an expert on transgenderism, but I do know this: We are all Americans, and these are kids. Most of them wake up every morning living in fear that they are going to have a bad day, that they are going to be shunned, made fun of, discriminated against and bullied. Mr. Speaker, we are the United States House of Representatives. We should not be bullying kids. In Solemn Remembrance of the 108th Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide

Mr. LIEU

Mr. LIEU. Madam Speaker, extreme MAGA Republican policies on education resulted in the following: A Florida principal lost his job because they wanted to teach classical artworks like Michelangelo's classic, ``David.'' A school in Florida banned ``Ruby Bridges,'' a Disney movie that talks about desegregation. You have textbooks with Rosa Parks but not describing her race. What is going to end up happening is that MAGA students are going to be so sheltered and unprepared for life. When they start work or go to a 4-year college or a trade school, they are going to be made fun of. They are going to be disrespected because they would have been kept ignorant. Don't keep your kids ignorant. Teach them classic works of art. Teach them about civil rights. Teach them about slavery. Teach them about desegregation. They are going to learn it anyway when they grow up. Don't shelter them.

Mr. LIEU

Mr. LIEU. Mr. Chairman, let me first commend Ranking Member Raul Grijalva for fighting the good fight every day. I rise today to oppose the polluters over people act. It is an extreme MAGA Republican bill that will increase pollution by lowering environmental standards. It will increase climate change by removing a lot of provisions of the Inflation Reduction Act designed to combat climate change. It also increases the deficit. According to the Congressional Budget Office, it will increase the deficit by over $2.4 billion just on one bill alone. It is like a triple threat of badness. It increases pollution, it increases global warming, and it increases the deficit. Now, let's just take a review of what we have done up to now. Last term when Democrats were in control, we passed laws that moved the American family forward. We passed the American Rescue Plan that got our economy back on track as we were coming out of a pandemic. We then followed that up with the infrastructure law to rebuild roads, bridges, and highways; to take lead out of water pipes; and to put broadband everywhere from rural areas to inner cities and everywhere in between. We then followed that up with the CHIPS and Science Act. That is going to bring manufacturing back to the United States. Then we followed that up with the Inflation Reduction Act, which not only helped reduce the deficit--Democrats reduced the deficit by over $1.7 trillion last year--but that Inflation Reduction Act also had the highest number of climate change projects and the highest amount of climate change funding in world history. This term when Republicans took control, what did you all do? Well, let me tell you. You read the Constitution on the House floor. You took turns doing that. You also held not one, but two congressional hearings complaining about Twitter. It is more than just stupid stuff. Extreme MAGA Republicans are trying to pass extreme MAGA Republican bills like H.R. 1 that is going to, again, increase climate change, increase pollution, and increase the deficit. It is also a monumental waste of time, because guess what? This bill ain't going anywhere. It is not going to pass the Senate, because you need to override a filibuster. That ain't gonna happen. Even if it miraculously does pass the Senate, the administration has already signaled they are going to veto it. We are just wasting time here when we should be focused on more relevant issues like how do we prevent gun violence at schools. My heart goes out to the victims of the tragic mass shooting yesterday in Nashville. Three of the victims were 9-year-old children. Recently, a member of the Republican Caucus from Tennessee was asked what we are going to do to fix school violence. His answer was: We are not going to fix it. Well, Democrats have a different view. Instead of wasting time on political stunts like H.R. 1, let's pass universal background checks into law.

Mr. LIEU

Mr. LIEU. Mr. Speaker, I rise to celebrate Dr. Michael Allen, who passed away on February 25, 2023, in Santa Monica, California. He was a beloved husband, father, and grandfather and a distinguished professor at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). Michael Allen was born on April 1, 1941, in East Sussex, England to Frederick ``Jack'' Allen and Ena Muriel Allen. As a young boy, Michael excelled in school, becoming one of the top students at his grammar school and eventually enrolling at Wadham College, Oxford University. After receiving his Bachelors and Masters degrees at Oxford, Michael made his way to the United States, teaching at Ohio University. In 1970, he received his doctorate at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, where he also met his wife, Elena. That same year, Michael received a job offer to serve on the faculty at UCLA. Michael quickly distinguished himself as a professor and scholar. While his teaching focused on the range of English literature from the Anglo-Saxons to Milton, his research focused on the philosophical, theological, and mythological issues raised by fifteenth century Italian Platonists. Throughout his time at UCLA, Michael served as a faculty lecturer with the UCLA Travel Study program. He also took on many leadership positions at UCLA and wrote or edited approximately 21 books. By the time he retired in 2012, Michael had received many prestigious honors, including the Eby Award for Undergraduate Teaching, UCLA's top teaching honor. Michael dedicated his life to academia and his family. He was a sought-after lecturer, enthralling audiences with engrossing lectures and discussions on philosophical and literary topics. He inspired generations of UCLA students as he made past worlds and perspectives come alive through his lectures, courses, and books. He loved hiking, botany, cooking, traveling, literature and most of all, his family. Michael was an inspiration to so many people and touched so many lives with his intellectual curiosity and love of storytelling. His loss will be felt by his friends, family, and the many communities he has affected. Michael is survived by his wife, Elena; sister, Patricia; sons, Ben and Will; daughters-in-law, Claudia and Melanie; three grandchildren, and a dog. May his memory live on in his many contributions to his community and family.

Mr. LIEU

Mr. LIEU. Mr. Speaker, last term, when Democrats were in control, we put people over politics and passed a bipartisan infrastructure law to rebuild your roads, bridges, and highways; to take lead out of water pipes; and to put broadband internet everywhere, from rural areas to cities, suburbs, and everywhere in between. This year, when Republicans took control of the House, what did they do? They spent the enormous resources of their committee staff and the time and attention of their Members to hold not one but two hearings complaining about Twitter. They also took turns reading the United States Constitution on the House floor. How does that help you, the American people? It doesn't. But it is worse than that. Republicans are actually trying now to pass extreme bills that are going to actively harm American families. This week, we are going to vote on a bill that is going to make it easier for books to be banned at schools. It is also going to violate the privacy rights of students. If your child, unfortunately, has an eating disorder or is cyberbullied or is harassed or bullied, that information is going to have to be posted on a public website that the school has. Every other student and every parent is going to know that this is happening at the school. That is an outrageous violation of privacy. Let me tell you about the amendments that Republicans rejected when Democrats tried to make this extreme bill better. Here are some amendments the Republicans rejected. Republicans voted no on an amendment to remove lead pipes from schools. Republicans voted no on an amendment to ensure kids had access to healthy meals. Republicans voted no on an amendment to help keep firearms out of schools. Republicans voted no on an amendment to prevent schools from monitoring students' menstrual cycles. Republicans also voted no on an amendment to prevent the censorship of the teaching of the Holocaust. This extreme bill is going to do horrible things to students' privacy, and it is going to increase books that are banned at schools. In addition to doing stupid stuff and trying to pass extreme bills, Republicans have now gone on a rampage about what the Manhattan district attorney is doing without even knowing what the purported charges are or what the grand jury evidence is. What if the evidence is overwhelming? What if it is rock solid that an American by the name of Donald Trump committed crimes? How do Republicans know? They don't. Do you know what else they cannot explain? When Trump's former attorney, Michael Cohen, was arrested, indicted, convicted, and went to prison for participating in an illegal hush money payment scheme to Stormy Daniels, not a single Republican leader complaining now said a thing about what happened to Michael Cohen. They cannot explain why they are holding Donald Trump to a different standard. Michael Cohen served prison time for participating in an illegal hush money payment scheme to Stormy Daniels. In America, we should apply the same standard to all Americans. No one is above the law--not the former President's enablers, not the former President's attorneys, and not the former President himself. Let's let law enforcement do their work. Let's let the judicial process do its work. Let's wait to see if there are going to be any charges, what those charges may be, and what the evidence is. A jury or judge will get to hear this evidence, and the American people will see it. The prosecution will have to show beyond a reasonable doubt what their evidence is. Let me conclude with this: Every American, including Donald Trump, is entitled to the presumption of innocence in a court of law, and that presumption will also be applied. Let's apply the law equally, the way our Founders wanted it to be done.

Mr. LIEU

Mr. LIEU. Mr. Speaker, I rise to celebrate Mr. Joseph Eskenazi, a decorated United States Army veteran living in California's 36th Congressional District who was honored at the National World War II Museum in New Orleans for his service. As the Nation's oldest living U.S. Pearl Harbor survivor, Joseph celebrated his 105th birthday on January 30, 2023. Joseph Eskenazi was born on January 30, 1918, in New York. At the age of 7, Joseph and his family moved to Puebla, Mexico. Though he spent many of his formative years in Puebla, Mr. Eskenazi returned to New York in 1936 and he enlisted in the Army in 1938. In 1941, Private First Class Eskenazi was stationed at the Schofield Barracks as a member of Company C of the 804th Engineers. On the morning of December 7, 1941, Joseph witnessed the bombing on Pearl Harbor and lost a friend as a Japanese plane strafed their barracks. When his captain in the 804th Engineers Battalion sought volunteers to help clear debris, Joseph raised his hand without hesitation and drove a bulldozer, while avoiding gun fire, to clear the railroad tracks to allow other soldiers to move equipment and repair damage to the Hickam Airfield. After the war, Joseph traveled back to Mexico, where he met his wife, Victoria Faradji. They moved to Redondo Beach. California, and Joseph worked at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). Joseph assisted with the design of the runways at LAX. Throughout this time and after retirement, Joseph and Victoria followed their passion for travel, sharing many trips abroad together. They were happily married for 74 years. At the age of 95, Joseph's military history was recognized, and he was invited to participate in local Veterans and Memorial Day events. With the assistance of the Gary Sinise Foundation's Soaring Valor Program, Joseph made the train ride from Los Angeles to the National World War II Museum in New Orleans. Surrounded by family and local residents, Joseph and eight other veterans were celebrated and honored in a ceremony for their service in World War II. Joseph's oral history of his service was added to the National World War II Museum's archives. I want to thank and recognize Joseph for his years in the service to our Nation, and to communities in Southern California. His heroic actions during World War II and the life of service he has lived is an inspiration to our country.

Mr. LIEU

Mr. LIEU. Mr. Speaker, when Democrats were in the majority, we passed a bipartisan law to rebuild our roads, bridges, and highways. We passed a bipartisan law to make sure that our schools remained open. We passed a bipartisan law to bring manufacturing back to the United States, and we passed a bipartisan law to help our Nation's veterans. Unemployment is now at the lowest rate in over 50 years. Republicans gained control of the majority last month. What is one of the first things that they did? They held a hearing on Twitter. Let me repeat that again. House Republicans used the awesome power of the Federal Government, the committee staff resources, and the time and attention of their Members to hold a congressional hearing about Twitter.

Mr. LIEU

Mr. LIEU. Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Democratic Caucus, I offer a privileged resolution and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. LIEU

Mr. LIEU. Mr. Chair, this amendment would limit oil and gas leasing on the Outer Continental Shelf if the leases would harm marine mammals. Not only does the Republican bill keep Joe Biden from lowering your gas prices, it also is going to harm marine mammals. I rise today to try to improve this terrible underlying bill. What this would do is it would prevent harm to marine mammals if my amendment were adopted. Currently, House Republicans are continuing their attacks on our public lands and public waters. The U.S. is already the world's top producer of oil and gas, and the fossil fuel industry already has large portions of land that they are not using to drill. Of the over 26 million acres of public lands that fossil fuel companies control, half are unused. As a co-chair of the California Coastal Caucus and a Member representing the beautiful Los Angeles County coastline, I know that my constituents and I want an end to all offshore oil drilling, not another expansion. In October 2021, an estimated 126,000 gallons of crude oil spilled into our waters off the coast of Huntington Beach. This harmed our beaches, wildlife, and coastal communities. Oil spills continue to be one of the greatest perpetual threats to our coastal communities and marine life. We simply cannot allow an expansion of offshore oil drilling. We need to continue to build on the work of the 117th Congress to drive us toward true energy independence through renewable energies and new technologies. Mr. Chair, I ask for adoption of my amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. LIEU. Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. LIEU. Mr. Chair, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. LIEU. Mr. Chair, this amendment would create an exception allowing for a drawdown of the Strategic Petroleum Reserve if the Secretary determines that the drawdown would result in a net profit for the United States. Let me tell you what this is all about. I can summarize this debate of the last 2 days into one sentence: Joe Biden lowered your gas prices, and Republicans are upset about it. That is what this is about. Joe Biden lowered your gas prices last year, and that makes Republicans mad. How do we know? They said it out loud. The gentlewoman from Georgia earlier this morning just said that Joe Biden lowered your gas prices for political reasons. I don't care why the President lowers your gas prices. If any President can lower your gas prices, we should support that President's action. If prices surge later this year, if gas prices surge again, Joe Biden should be able to use the tools at his disposal and lower your gas prices again. We should be giving the President even more flexibility to use the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to lower gas prices. Joe Biden lowered your gas prices, and Republicans want to keep him from doing that again. We don't want to stop the President from lowering your gas prices. We want Joe Biden to lower your gas prices again if he can do that. There is another reason this Republican bill is so stupid. Not only did Joe Biden lower your gas prices, but the United States of America made a profit on it. Buy low, sell high. It was brilliant what Joe Biden did. He released the Strategic Petroleum Reserve at a time when gas was high, and that helped lower gas prices, and then he refilled it at the lower amount. The U.S. made $4 billion on Joe Biden's action. Republicans always want to say: Let's run government like a business. Joe Biden did exactly that when he lowered your gas prices and then made a $4 billion profit for the United States of America. Adopt my amendment, which would make this stupid bill better, and then vote against this bill. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. LIEU. Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. LIEU

Mr. LIEU. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with a heavy heart to honor the life of Dr. Willie James Epps, who passed away on December 27, 2022. A Former Director of the East St. Louis Campus of Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville (SIUE), he was a nationally recognized expert in early childhood education. Born on January 26, 1946, Dr. Epps was raised on a farm in Tchula, Mississippi, the poorest town in the nation's poorest county. His parents, Jonas and Nancy Ellis Epps, though literate and landowners, had never gone to college but insisted their children pursue higher education. Dr. Epps attended racially segregated schools, graduating in 1963 from Tchula Attendance Center, which the town's white leadership denied designation as a high school. Majoring in elementary education, he graduated from Mississippi Valley State University in 1966, having worked part-time as a custodian. He then moved to Biloxi, Mississippi, where he taught sixth grade at Perkins Elementary School, the city's only primary school for Blacks, comprised of 400 young children and 30 teachers. At Perkins, he met Barbara Bacon, a 1966 graduate of Alcorn State University, who taught fourth and fifth grade. The two married at King Solomon Baptist Church in Natchez, Mississippi, on August 12, 1967. While earning a master's degree in elementary education at the University of Southern Mississippi, Dr. Epps served as Lexington Elementary School's principal in Lexington, Mississippi, before being promoted to assistant superintendent of the Holmes County School System. In 1970, he joined the faculty of Alcorn State University for a couple of years, before heading off to Kansas State University to pursue a Ph.D., which he was awarded in 1974. In the mid- to late-1970s, Dr. Epps worked at the U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare in Washington, D.C., and as a faculty member at both Mississippi Valley State University and the University of South Alabama. After being recruited to the St. Louis region in 1980, he was associated with SIUE for more than two decades. Dr. Epps initially was director of the National Science Awareness Demonstration Program and later was named director of the University's Head Start Program in St. Clair County. On behalf of the University, he applied for and received about $15 million annually from state, federal, and private grants. Dr. Epps assumed leadership of the East St. Louis Campus in 1994, retiring in 2001. During his administration he presided over tremendous growth, including the creation of SIUE East St. Louis Charter School, and securing $27 million for a new facility. Dr. Epps served as vice president of the Greater East St. Louis Community Fund, vice chair of the Logan College of Chiropractic Board of Trustees, and a member of the Education Commission of the States' Policy and Priorities Committee. He was a member of West Side Missionary Baptist Church. Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., and Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge. He received numerous awards and honors, including Region V Outstanding Head Start Director of the Year from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Outstanding Leader of St. Louis from the Center for Leadership of St. Louis, the Martin Luther King, Jr. Humanitarian Award from SIUE, and an Illinois State Senate Recognition on his retirement. Prior to struggling with poor health, Dr. Epps founded Southern Research Associates and became an educational consultant to historically Black colleges and universities. He was a dynamic public speaker, traveling throughout the United States to speak at educational conferences and traveling abroad to consult with educational leaders in South Africa and China. He also visited the Netherlands, Belgium, and France, among others. He was an avid fisherman and hunter. He loved playing the slot machines on the riverboats. Watching sports on television with family and friends was a favorite pastime. Surviving are his wife of 55 years, Dr. Barbara Bacon Epps, who retired from SIUE in 2001; a son, Hon. Willie J. Epps, Jr., a federal judge who married Mischa Buford Epps; a daughter, Beatryx Epps Washington, General Counsel of O.C. Tanner based in Salt Lake City, Utah, who married Vincent D. Washington; three grandchildren, Gabriela Washington, Cambridge Epps, and Solomon Washington; two sisters, Dr. Fannye Epps Love and Dorothy Epps; and a brother, Sam Epps. His parents, Jonas and Nancy Ellis Epps, and siblings George Ellis and Alice Mae Epps Watson, predeceased him.

Mr. LIEU

Mr. LIEU. Mr. Speaker, I rise to celebrate the women's soccer team from the University of California, Los Angeles. They took home the 2022 NCAA Division One National Championship on the 5th of December. UCLA defeated the women's soccer team from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, North Carolina. This year's championship is the program's 2nd national championship and 120th overall NCAA championship earned by a UCLA Bruins team in any sport. The team should be proud of their accomplishments, becoming the first team ever to win the national championship after being two goals down. The team's perseverance allowed them to bring the game to overtime in the final seconds of regulation. While just over three minutes into the second overtime period, UCLA scored the winning goal taking the lead in dramatic fashion. With Coach Margueritte Aozasa, the Bruins have become the first women's soccer program to win the championship with a rookie coach in NCAA history. I would like to sincerely congratulate the UCLA women's soccer team once again on winning the national championship and wish them the best of luck next season. Their performance and perseverance were a sight to behold and a tribute to the achievements of student athletes throughout the Nation. Go Bruins.