Ted Lieu

Mr. LIEU

Mr. LIEU. That is correct. Even though a number of them took credit for that program, they actually didn't vote for it. So I don't want the American people to be confused. If your Republican Member of Congress claims credit for the American Rescue Plan, they did not vote for it. But hey, if they want to talk good things about it, we are happy to accept it, but your Republican Member of Congress did not vote for the American Rescue Plan.

Mr. LIEU

Mr. LIEU. Madam Speaker, I rise to celebrate the life of Dr. Sara Adler who passed away on June 21, 2021. With decades of work as a professor, researcher, and author, Dr. Adler's passion for education and generous spirit has impacted not only the lives of her students, but also the academic field of Italian Studies and Literature. Born on September 14, 1946, Dr. Adler earned a bachelor's degree in Italian from Smith College, and a master's degree and Ph.D. in Italian from Harvard University. Sara then went on to pursue a career in academia and education. Dr. Adler taught Italian at Harvard University, Georgetown University, and Wellesley College before earning the title of Professor Emerita of Scripps College in Claremont, California. During her 40 years at Scripps College, Dr. Adler led the teaching of Italian Studies at The Claremont Colleges. Sara also served as a member of the Board of Trustees of The Webb Schools in Claremont and of the Board Advisory Committee of Scripps College. To honor her decades of academic leadership an endowed Professorship of Italian Studies was created in Dr. Adler's name by Scripps College following her retirement in 2018. In addition to her tremendous achievements in the classroom, Dr. Adler authored the book, Calvino: The Writer as Fablemaker, centered around Italian fiction of the Twentieth Century and women poets of the Italian Renaissance, and published a number of peer reviewed articles and papers. Spending time with her children, her grandchildren, her loving family and friends, and seeing her students grow and prosper brought Sara great joy. She was full of good humor and fine taste to the end. Dr. Adler fought on despite the incredible pain brought on by ALS, with true determination so that she could live her life with dignity and purpose. We can learn a lot from her example of living life to the fullest. Dr. Sara Adler is survived by her spouse of 48 years, Robert L. Adler; her son Joe and his wife, Carrie; her daughter Caroline and her husband, Tristan; and four grandchildren: Ben, Penny, Liana, and Halle. May her memory be a blessing to all who knew her.

Mr. LIEU

Mr. LIEU. Madam Speaker, I rise in recognition of the tremendous contributions of Dr. George Berci, a beloved American and resident of California's 33rd Congressional District. With decades of work as an inventor, engineer, professor and author, Dr. Berci's innovative genius and generous spirit has impacted not only the world of medicine but also laid the foundation for future advancement in surgical technologies. Born in Hungary in 1921, Dr. Berci's family immigrated to Vienna where he studied the violin. They returned to Hungary in the late 1930's when the rise of Nazi Germany forced thousands of Jewish people to emigrate from Austria. He re-learned Hungarian, graduated from high school, and studied mechanical engineering for three years. In 1942, Dr. Berci was conscripted into a forced labor camp in his native Hungary. Near the end of the war, George escaped a Nazi march toward Auschwitz and returned behind German lines to Budapest to find his mother. He joined the underground where he used his German language skills to save many still in the ghetto. In war ravaged, communist-controlled Hungary, Dr. Berci attended Medical School and completed his surgical residency. During this time, he was arrested for confronting the Communist Party, wrote his first research papers, and escaped during the 1956 Hungarian Revolution to Melbourne, Australia. Following his escape, he was awarded a Rockefeller Fellowship in surgery in Vienna, Austria. After working many years in a laboratory, Dr. Berci became an Associate Professor of Surgery in the Department of Surgery at the University of Melbourne. Dr. Berci performed a one-year fellowship at the University of Seattle and in 1970, accepted the position of Director of Surgical Endoscopy and Surgical Research at Cedars of Lebanon Hospital and later Cedars-Sinai Medical Center under the chairmanship and mentorship of the great Leon Morgenstern. He was later named Clinical Professor of Surgery at the University of California, Los Angeles and the University of Southern California. In his 70-year career, Dr. Berci changed the face of surgery and anesthesiology by pioneering many endoscopic and laparoscopic techniques that provide the basis for virtually all minimally invasive surgeries performed today. George's many major contributions to the science and medical communities include his notable leadership as a part of the Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons' laparoscopic safety and efficiency training programs. Through this program he developed the first miniature endoscopic video camera, creating a video intubation scope and invented the VITOM surgical video microscope. George also developed other endoscopic instruments and procedures used in urology, gynecology, general, and thoracic surgery, operative laryngology, office laryngology, and pediatric surgery--where his miniature endoscopes allowed endoscopic surgery in children. Dr. Berci has been widely recognized for his work, having been awarded 21 major prestigious awards, including: the Glissan Prize (Australia) and the American College of Jacobson Innovation Award. In addition, Karl Storz Endoscopy endowed a Chair in Surgery position in his honor, the University of Hungary awarded him an honorary PhD, and Cedars-Sinai Medical Center presented him with their 2017 Lifetime Achievement Award. As a prolific speaker, writer, and researcher, Dr. Berci has delivered hundreds of lectures, published 12 books and 238 publications in peer reviewed journals worldwide. His revolutionization of the field of minimally invasive surgery, and his impact as a mentor to a generation of surgeons, has made a lasting mark on the entire medical community. At 100 years of age, Dr. George Berci continues to serve the medical community at Cedar-Sinai's Hospital in Los Angeles, teaching residents at the Women's Guild Simulation Center for Advanced Clinical Skills, while continuing his lifelong work creating surgical advancements in the laboratory. He is truly a pioneer in the medical field and a great American.

Mr. LIEU

Mr. LIEU. Madam Speaker, I rise to celebrate the life of Colonel Richard ``Dick'' Littlestone, United States Army retired--a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and dedicated advocate for veterans from California's 33rd Congressional District. Colonel Littlestone passed away on May 15, 2021 at the age of 97. Colonel Littlestone was born on September 23, 1923 in Evanston, Illinois and moved with his family to California at a young age. He attended and graduated from Los Angeles High School and was drafted into the Army a couple years later. While there, he was chosen to go to the United States Military Academy at West Point where he graduated in 1947. Colonel Littlestone married his wife Doris in 1948. They moved to the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles in 1972 and raised three children, Richard, Nanette and Mark. They resided in the Palisades for 49 years. Doris and Dick were married for almost 73 years. Colonel Littlestone was a veteran of World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. He served in the United States Army for 33 years and received the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star, and more than a dozen other honors. Through the G.I. Bill, he earned several advanced degrees and said that as a result, he had a wonderful career in the Army. After his time in the service, Colonel Littlestone taught at West Point for several years and later served as Chair and Professor of the Department of Military Science and Associate Director of the Computers and Information Systems Research Program at the University of California, Los Angeles. Colonel Littlestone believed deeply in duty, honor, and country, but went beyond that to serve his community and when he retired, this became his passion. Colonel Littlestone dedicated his time towards advocating for local veterans and fighting for improvements in his community. He said it was his service in three wars, and all the Army provided him, that drove his continued involvement and advocacy. Colonel Dick Littlestone was the driving force behind the creation of the Los Angeles National Cemetery's new and expanded columbarium, a 4.4-acre project on the West Los Angeles VA Campus that would go on to house the remains of over 90,000 veterans and their family members. For 22 years he championed this cause to ensure more veterans in the region could be laid to rest closer to their families and homes. The process was a labor of love and he prodded and cajoled several Secretaries of Veterans Affairs for years, knocking down one hurdle after another. His final achievement was to see the completion and dedication of the columbarium at the Los Angeles National Cemetery, which took place in October 2019. Colonel Littlestone was honored in 2015 with the first-ever Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors' Veterans Lifetime Achievement Award. He was more recently recognized for his service to the country when named Los Angeles Veteran of the Year in 2020 by Los Angeles City Councilmember Mike Bonin. Bonin said, ``Throughout his decades of service to both his country and his community, Colonel Littlestone has consistently combined his passion for the military with education.'' Bonin added, ``Colonel Dick Littlestone is an extraordinary example of patriotic duty and service--to his country and to the City of Los Angeles.'' Colonel Dick Littlestone believed deeply in duty, honor, and country. His dedication to veterans and his service to his country and community is a shining example for all of us to follow. May his memory be a blessing.

Mr. LIEU

Mr. LIEU. Madam Speaker, I rise to celebrate the life of Mr. Richard Bates, who passed away outside Washington, D.C., on December 31, 2020. He was a beloved husband, father, and community member. Mr. Bates was born in Washington, D.C., on September 2, 1950 to Can and Sylvia Bates. In 1978, he married his best friend and the love of his life, Rose Bates. He served as executive director of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee before joining the Walt Disney Company, where he worked for 30 years. He opened Disney's first Washington, D.C., office, and served as the Senior Vice President of Government Relations. Richard's loved ones, friends, and colleagues remember him for his compassion, sense of humor, and kindness. He was a passionate advocate for the creative industries and was well-respected for his skill and knowledge in his field. In 2018, he was elected to the board of trustees of an advocacy organization fighting for free speech and working in communications policy issues, the Media Institute. Most importantly, he was dedicated to his friends and family, and inspired those around him to do what they love and follow their dreams. Richard is survived by his wife, Rose; two sons, Ricky (Noelle) and Chris; brother, Robert (Judith); and other relatives. He will also be missed by his canine-granddaughter, Betty.

Mr. LIEU

Mr. LIEU. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of my bill H.R. 711, the West Los Angeles VA Campus Improvement Act of 2021. This legislation is critical to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) efforts, together with community partners, to address veteran homelessness in the Los Angeles area. In addition, it helps VA use already available funding streams for certain homeless veteran programs, thus reducing the need for taxpayer funds. I represent the West LA VA, a 388-acre campus that serves thousands of veterans in Southern California and across the state, including offering temporary housing for homeless veterans, legal aide, training, and other services. The land was deeded to the federal government in 1888 and for decades thousands of veterans lived there. Unfortunately, following damage from a major earthquake in 1971, the VA began transitioning the land away from housing, costing Los Angeles County a crucial node in the battle to fight veteran homelessness. On top of that, fraud and general neglect of the campus before my tenure led to some of the campus falling into a state of disrepair. Finally, the VA settled in a suit alleging that many enhanced use leases on campus were not principally benefiting veterans, but instead serving other purposes. Mr. Speaker, a year after I took office, Congress passed my West Los Angeles Leasing Act of 2016, a law intended to clean up the campus and which directly led to the end of most non-veteran related leases. The law has also helped spur the redevelopment of the property into a true home for veterans. The VA is now implementing a plan to build at least 1,200 new subsidized apartments, which is composed of 23 projects that range from renovating existing structures to developing and building new units. This progress is encouraging. But there is a serious problem that was brought to my attention recently by veteran advocates. A drafting error in the 2016 legislation prevents the West LA VA from using funds from enhanced use leases (EULs) for the purposes of housing construction. The VA can only use such funds for ``renovation and maintenance'' of the campus which means money is lying stagnant that could be used to build housing but instead, because of a technical error, cannot go toward helping the VA fight homelessness. This legislation fixes that error. Second, as a result of fraud on campus, the VA was supposed to get several million dollars in asset forfeiture funds. But instead, such funds go back to the general fund at the Treasury Department to be dispersed around the country, for any purpose at all. Veterans at the West LA VA are doubly harmed--first, by the initial fraud, and second, by the theft of funds that are supposed to make them whole. My legislation fixes this problem by making it clear funds from settlement money and asset forfeiture resulting from any past or future fraud on campus go to veterans at the facility that was harmed. It's just common sense. Finally, my bill increases the life of enhanced use leases on the campus from 75 to 99 years. Increasing the length of the leases would reduce the financing costs for new housing, further helping the VA and its partners tackle homelessness. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleagues on the House Veterans Affairs Committee for their support, including Chairman Takano, who has been a tireless champion for our nation's veterans and specifically veterans in Los Angeles. I am grateful to Members on both sides of the aisle who passed this bill out of Committee on May 4th by voice vote, bringing us one step closer to ensuring the VA has the legal authorities it needs help our veterans. Let's not let technical errors stand in the way of housing our nation's heroes.

Mr. LIEU

Mr. LIEU. Madam Speaker, I rise to celebrate the life of Ms. Anita Idiculla, who passed away on March 7, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. She was a beloved daughter, sister and aunt and valued community member in West Los Angeles. Anita was born May 21, 1981, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Drs. Alexander and Anne A. Idiculla. She grew up in Philadelphia until moving to California in 1999 to attend Stanford University. She received her bachelor's degree in 2003 and continued her education, receiving her master's degree in education in 2004. Anita's career began at Tollin/Robins Productions and she spent several years working at notable companies such as Warner Brothers Entertainment, Inc., and Nickelodeon. While living in Los Angeles, Anita continued her education at the University of California, Los Angeles' Anderson School of Management and attended the London Business School International Exchange Program before receiving her MBA in 2013. After graduation, Anita joined Mattel Inc. as a Senior Marketing Manager for their Games Global Brand Team. Anita's career was singularly focused on creating content and products that could be enjoyed by children and families alike. She allowed her passion for creativity and tenacity to flow freely which in turn brought joy to her family, friends, and colleagues. Anita's spirit and aspirations were limitless, and from an early age, it was clear that she could achieve any goal she set her mind to. Her family and friends were her entire world, and her love of being a kid at heart never faded away. She was an active member of Bel-Air Presbyterian Church and dedicated years of service to the church's youth programs. Anita was a voracious reader and co-founded a literary society in 2007. She was an avid pop culture aficionado, karaoke legend, and a genius meme creator. She was a strong advocate for women's rights and loved animals, with her favorites being unicorns and kittens. Anita spent every moment she could attending live music concerts and traveling the world. She was loved by so many people and touched so many lives with her thoughtful spirit and caring heart. Anita's smile was infectious, and her loss will be felt by her friends, family, and the many communities she has affected. Anita is reunited for eternity with her father Dr. Alexander Idiculla who passed away in 1982. She is survived by her mother, Anne; brothers, Rajiv and Anil; sister-in-law, Elizabeth (Loughran) and nephews, Alexander and Kellan. May her many contributions to her community, family and friends live on.

Mr. LIEU

Mr. LIEU. Madam Speaker, I rise to celebrate the life of Jeffrey Scott Frankel who passed away on April 3, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. Mr. Frankel was a dedicated community member on the Palos Verdes Peninsula in the South Bay of Los Angeles County, who left an indelible mark on the region as a dedicated father, volunteer and school board official. Mr. Frankel was born on November 24, 1962 in London, Ontario, Canada and was raised in Baldwin, New York. He attended the State University of New York College at Buffalo and had a successful career as a marketing consultant with King World Productions, SharkNinja and other notable brands. In recent years, Mr. Frankel steered his career towards education, scaling back his consultancy and working as an impassioned volunteer for the Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School District. Jeffrey had an undying passion for advocacy, service, and education, and displayed such interests as a member of the Palos Verdes Peninsula School District's Parcel Tax Oversight Committee and the Superintendent Special Education Parent Advisory Group. Jeffrey became interested in education policy as he supported his daughter, Jillian, who had special needs and was the light of his life. He sought to make a difference in her life along with other students. He made it his mission to ensure that every student, including those with special needs, reached their full potential. Mr. Frankel was elected to the Palos Verdes Peninsula School Board in November 2020 and was a shining example of a community partner who proudly assumed the role of a civic leader and change agent. Jeffrey loved the Grateful Dead and fast food gave him much delight. He has left an indelible mark on the Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School District, the South Bay community, and to all who knew him. He is survived by his mother, Gloria Frankel, his siblings, Karen Rozen and Mark Frankel, his niece Mindy, his nephews David, Louie, and Kevin, and his beloved daughter, Jillian. For all his success, he will forever be known as a man of generosity, humility, and kindness. May his memory be a blessing.

Mr. LIEU

Mr. LIEU. Madam Speaker, I rise to celebrate the life of Rabbi Morley T. Feinstein, who passed away on April 25, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. Rabbi Feinstein was a pilar in Southern California's Jewish community and worked tirelessly to serve the people of our region and to spread good will to all those who he had known. Rabbi Feinstein grew up in West Los Angeles, attended Beverly Hills High School, and graduated Phi Beta Kappa from the University of California, Berkeley in 1975. Driven to serve those in need, he was ordained in 1981 at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in Cincinnati, Ohio. Rabbi Feinstein served as the assistant and then first associate rabbi of Temple Beth-El in San Antonio, Texas from 1987 to 2002. Later, he took the role of Senior Rabbi of Temple Beth-El in South Bend, Indiana where he received the state's highest citizen honor--the Sagamore of the Wabash--for his efforts to promote peace and justice. Later, Rabbi Feinstein served as a Senior Rabbinic Fellow of Jerusalem's Shalom Hartman Institute where he was known for his love of music, fervor for learning, and zeal for the Torah. He taught at the summer camps at Union for Reform Judaism and Olin Sang Ruby Union Institute (OSRUI) for over thirty-four years. Rabbi Feinstein formally retired in 2019, but his commitment to serving his community always remained steadfast. Rabbi Feinstein was affectionately referred to by his colleagues as a ``Rabbi's Rabbi.'' He believed in the purity of the human spirit and appreciated the traditions of community building. He transcended faith and knew what it meant to be a steward of God and to those in need. Rabbi Feinstein's impact will forever be remembered by those who loved him and to those he had a profound influence on. He is survived by his wife, Dr. Margarete Myers Feinstein, their twin daughters, Eliana and Renata, his first wife Nancy Lichtenstein, and their two sons, Aaron and Ari; and their three grandchildren; his brother Dr. Barney Feinstein and his sister, Sheila Merewitz. May his life be an honor and a blessing.

Mr. LIEU

Mr. LIEU. Madam Speaker, I rise to celebrate the life of Mr. Russ Thyret, who passed away at the age of 76 on February 12, 2021 at his home in Valley Village, California. Over the course of thirty years, Russ rose through the ranks at Warner Bros. Records culminating in his serving as the Burbank-based label's Board Chairman and Chief Executive Officer from 1995 to 2001. His wife, Rebecca, said that Russ' message for his Warner family and for all who he had known over the years, ``he wants us all to be happy and to be good to each other.'' Mr. Thyret, the son of a Glendale, California policeman, began his career in the music industry managing an independent retail store on the Sunset Strip. He joined Warner Bros. Records shortly thereafter, working at the company's Burbank home office in a national sales role during the time Warner/Elektra/Atlantic (WEA) Corporation opened branch operations throughout the country. In the mid-70s, Russ was selected to serve as Vice President and Director of National Promotion during the time Warner Bros. dominated the charts and became the dominant record company on the West Coast. Russ was named Board Chairman at Warner Bros. after a period of uncertainty after the departure of several senior executives. He sought to strengthen the record label with his unique business strategy and his undying passion for music. During his years heading the company's promotion department, Russ led a small army of promotional personnel who worked to ensure records were played on the air on local, national, and international airwaves. Mr. Thyret and his staff delivered countless hits by legendary artists such as: Fleetwood Mac, the Doobie Brothers, Randy Newman, James Taylor, Alice Cooper, Chaka Khan, R.E.M., ZZ Top, Depeche Mode, k.d. lang, John Fogerty, Madonna, and Prince. ``Thyret was a man of great instinct and heart,'' as stated by Jackie Sallow with Warner Records. Russ will always be remembered for his personable spirit, tenacious mindset, and kind heart. In 2001, Mr. Thyret ended his tenure after the completion of the AOL Time Warner merger. He summed up his time with the company stating, ``My strongest ambition has always been to serve the artists well, and I leave Warner Bros. hoping I have accomplished that. I was in awe of Warner Bros. Records the first day I walked in the door, and in so many ways, I leave even more in awe. It will forever be a magical memory.'' Mr. Russ Thyret will also be remembered for his love of his family, horses, fishing, and his great Labrador Retriever. He is survived by his wife Rebecca Alvarez and his son Russ Thyre, Jr.

Mr. Manager LIEU

Mr. Manager LIEU. Good afternoon. I am Congressman Ted Lieu. My colleague Congresswoman Dean went through President Trump's efforts to overturn the election through the courts and, when that started failing, his deeply disturbing attacks on State and local officials. I am going to walk through President Trump's extraordinary efforts remaining until January 6, when he tried again to overturn the election. I first want to highlight Representative Raskin's question to all of you today: Is this America? Like all of you, I love this country. I am an immigrant. My parents came to Ohio, and we started off living in the basement of a person's home. We were poor, and they went to flea markets to sell gifts to make ends meet. Over many years, they built a small business, opened six gift stores, and achieved the American dream. That is one reason I joined the United States Air Force on Active Duty. I believe America is an exceptional country. I was trained as a prosecutor at Maxwell Air Force Base in Alabama, and I remain in the Reserves because we are the greatest country in the world. But how did our exceptional country get to the point where a violent mob attacked our Capitol, murdering a police officer, assaulting over 140 other officers? How did we get to the point where rioters desecrated, defiled, and dishonored your Senate Chamber, where the very place in which you sit became a crime scene, and where National Guard troops still patrol outside wearing body armor? I will show you how we got here. President Donald J. Trump ran out of nonviolent options to maintain power. After his efforts in courts and threatening officials failed, he turned to privately and publicly attacking Members of his own party in the House and in the Senate. He would publicly bait Senators, naming them in social media. For example, on December 18, President Trump named ``@senatemajldr and Republican Senators,'' telling them they ``have to get tougher'' or they ``won't have a Republican Party anymore. We won the Presidential Election, by a lot. FIGHT FOR IT. Don't let them take it away!'' President Trump was suggesting to Members of this Senate that if they didn't help him try to overturn the election, there would be consequences. On December 24, President Trump wrote: I saved at least 8 Republican Senators, including Mitch, from losing in the last Rigged (for President) Election. Now they (almost all) sit back and watch me fight against a crooked and vicious foe, the Radical Left Democrats. I will-- And in all capital letters he wrote--

Mr. LIEU

Mr. LIEU. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 23, the Inspector General Protection Act, a straightforward, bipartisan bill to protect the role of our inspectors general, Since Congress passed the Inspector General Act of 1978, inspectors general have played a crucial role in our democracy. These government watchdogs root out waste, fraud, mismanagement, and abuse at all levels of government--saving the American taxpayer billions of dollars annually and ensuring government programs benefit the People. One Government Accountability Office study concluded that the 73 Offices of Inspectors General saved taxpayers $43.3 billion in 2009, marking roughly an $18 return for every dollar invested in our nation's inspectors general. By making inspectors general independent from the agencies they oversee, Congress signaled the importance of nonpartisan oversight that defines their role today. Our legislation, the Inspector General Protection Act of 2021, ensures the independence and integrity of our nation's inspectors general by combating two threats to these offices, First, H.R. 23 requires notification to Congress in advance of an inspector general being placed on paid or unpaid non-duty status, or incurring a change in status. This ensures Congress is aware of any potential attempts to improperly sideline an inspector general. Second, the bill requires the President to report to Congress if an inspector general has not been nominated within 210 days after a vacancy occurs for the position, including the reasons a nomination has not been made and a target date for doing so. This reasserts Congress' oversight role and allows Members to question--on an informed basis--the decision of any future administration to leave core offices vacant, which has historically been an all-too-common practice among presidents of both parties. I would like to express my gratitude to several individuals for this legislation. First, to the late Elijah Cummings, the kind and generous former Chairman of the House Oversight and Reform Committee, who worked tirelessly to ensure the United States Government worked for all people, including by doggedly rooting out waste and fraud. He first passed the Inspector General Protection Act through the Oversight and Reform Committee two years ago. Since then, the House has signaled its support for this legislation by passing the bill in numerous forms, including as part of the HEROES Act in May 2020. Next, Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my colleague, Representative Jody Hice from Georgia, for joining me in co-leading this bipartisan, commonsense legislation. Congressman Hice has been a valuable partner on numerous oversight initiatives, including our recent Oversight.gov Authorization Act, which was signed into law as part of the omnibus package last week. I thank him and his staff in the personal office and on Committee for their continued partnership. Finally, my thanks to Chairwoman Carolyn Maloney for her tireless work to hold those in power accountable to the people--including by supporting our many initiatives to strengthen our inspectors general. Chairwoman Maloney is an invaluable leader in the fight for good government. I urge my colleagues to support this narrowly tailored yet crucial legislation to protect our nation's inspectors general, saving the taxpayer billions of dollars and ensuring the government works for the people.

Mr. TED LIEU of California

Mr. TED LIEU of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the Driftnet Modernization and Bycatch Reduction Act, bipartisan, bicameral legislation that would phase out the use of large mesh drift gillnets off the coast of California. Currently, the use of gillnets with a total length of two and one- half kilometers or more is prohibited in U.S. waters. However, off the coast of California, we have seen that drift gillnet fishing gear within the legal federal limit is still having an adverse impact on our Pacific wildlife. While these mile-long gillnets are designed to catch swordfish and thresher sharks, the large mesh net frequently captures many other marine animals as bycatch, injuring or killing them in the process. The practice of drift gillnet fishing is an antiquated method for catching swordfish and thresher sharks, and is already banned in many states, including Washington and Oregon. It is time to adopt new fishing technology in order to set a path toward more sustainable fishing. This bill would direct the Secretary of Commerce to conduct a transition program to phase-out large mesh drift gillnet and promote the adoption of alternative fishing practices to minimize the bycatch of marine species. Bycatch is a lingering problem in fisheries management, and such waste is especially pervasive in driftnet fisheries. We have the prime opportunity today to provide a solution that would improve fishery resource management and provide the swordfish fishery participants the needed support to transition to more selective and sustainable fishing gear. It is a win-win situation. On July 22, 2020, the Senate passed S. 906 by unanimous consent. There is broad support for this legislation, including endorsements from the American Sportfishing Association, The Pew Charitable Trusts, Humane Society Legislative Fund, Oceana, Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, and the National Marine Manufacturers Association. In the spirit of bipartisanship, I urge my colleagues in the House to join us in passing this commonsense legislation today. I would like to thank Chairman Grijalva, Congressman Huffman, and Senator Feinstein for their leadership on this issue as well as House and Senate committee staff for their hard work. I look forward to the enactment of this bill.

Mr. TED LIEU of California

Mr. TED LIEU of California. Madam Speaker, I rise to celebrate the life of my friend Ms. Elaine Shamir, who passed away at the age of 48 on October 5, 2020. Elaine dedicated her life to advocating for causes that would help her fellow human beings and promote democracy and fairness. Elaine believed passionately in the equality of all persons no matter what race, gender, or religion, and lived her life in a way that reflected that. She attributed her love of all mankind to the loving influence of her father, Mordechai Shamir. Born on October 12, 1971, Elaine grew up in Randolph, New Jersey. She attended the University of Maryland and worked in Washington, D.C. until she came to Los Angeles to work for the senatorial campaign of former United States Senator Barbara Boxer. For the following 20 years, Elaine would continue to work for Senator Boxer in addition to her work as the founder of Integrity Matters, a full-service firm that provides elected officials, candidates, and organizations the tools and resources necessary to succeed. Elaine dedicated much of her time to advocating for causes close to her heart. Elaine was passionate about mental health causes and was a driving force behind the passage of mental health parity laws through Mind Matters, an organization she founded to fight for access to mental health care for all Americans. Most recently, she had been working to protect voter's rights and fight against voter suppression with Fair Fight, a national voting rights organization based in Georgia. When she wasn't working, Elaine spent her time enjoying music, cinema, swimming, the ocean, and spending time with her family and friends. Elaine is survived by her mother, Ruth Shamir, her sister, Karen Marks, her brother-in-law, Ian Marks, her niece, Madison Marks, and her nephews Mason and Maxwell Marks, as well as many other loving family members and friends. It was an honor for me to have known and worked with Elaine. May Elaine's memory be a blessing to us all.

Mr. TED LIEU of California

Mr. TED LIEU of California. Mr. Speaker, I am glad that today the House is considering S. 2330, the Empowering Olympic, Paralympic, and Amateur Athletes Act, the Senate companion to legislation I introduced in the House along with Representatives John Curtis, Diana DeGette, and Susan Brooks. I am incredibly thankful for the courageous survivors who stepped forward and whose advocacy made this legislation possible, and to Senators Jerry Moran and Richard Blumenthal who authored this legislation. In 2016, I was shocked and angered when more than 300 brave gymnasts, including some from my congressional district, began to come forward with claims of sexual abuse against Larry Nassar, who had been the USA Gymnastics team doctor and a Michigan State University faculty member. I was similarly upset when only two years later, the Daily Breeze, a newspaper in my district, released the results of its investigation into USA Swimming. That investigation revealed, ``a culture within American swimming where the sexual abuse of underage swimmers by their coaches and others in positions of power within the sport was commonplace and even accepted by top officials and coaches.'' The widespread and longstanding nature of the abuse as well as the knowledge that many allegations of abuse were brushed under the table have laid bare the deep systemic failures of the organizations charged with protecting athletes. The exposure of these abuses has necessitated immediate and aggressive reform of the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee and the National Governing Bodies. That is why I was proud to introduce H.R. 7881, the Empowering Olympic, Paralympic, and Amateur Athletes Act. This bipartisan legislation helped build broad support for the reforms in S. 2330 and ultimately usher them through the House of Representatives and onto the President's desk to become law. Our legislation seeks to protect amateur athletes from emotional, physical, and sexual abuse in numerous ways. To strengthen accountability, it imposes legal liability for the USOPC and the NGBs when coaches or employees sexually abuse athletes. In addition, it establishes mechanisms to allow Congress to dissolve the entities if necessary. To empower athletes, the bill requires the establishment of clear procedures and reporting requirements, imposes clear responsibilities to protect athletes, and bolsters the Office of the Ombuds to give athletes an independent resource if they have been abused or assaulted. Finally, the bill strengthens and provides a steady funding stream for the U.S. Center for SafeSport, which provides abuse prevention education and training and investigates allegations of sexual abuse. We all owe a debt of gratitude to those survivors who bravely spoke up about the horrific abuses that they endured and then turned their grief into advocacy. It is my hope that their work and this legislation will bring lasting, positive change to the sports world. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.

Mr. TED LIEU of California

Mr. TED LIEU of California. Madam Speaker, I rise to celebrate the career of LeRoy Jackson who is retiring from his position as City Manager of Torrance, California at the end of September 2020. LeRoy has served the city of Torrance for 54 years and is one of the longest serving city managers in the state of California and the country. I had the honor of working with LeRoy when I served on the Torrance City Council. Torrance is a better place to live, work and play because of LeRoy's distinguished service. LeRoy is a native Californian who has lived in Torrance since 1967 and graduated from California State University, Long Beach with a degree in Political Science and Public Administration. He first started his career serving Torrance in 1966 as a Personnel Analyst. After serving in various positions on the City Manager's staff, he was appointed as the city's fourth City Manager in 1983 and has spent 37 years serving in that position. As City Manager he helps lead a city of over 146,000 people and oversees ten departments with over 2,000 employees and a budget exceeding $320 million. In his five decades serving Torrance, Leroy has helped the city grow and thrive through multiple recessions and served alongside numerous mayors, council members and department heads. Torrance Mayor Patrick Furey stated that LeRoy's ``thoughtful leadership, fiscal foresight and dynamic approach to city planning have helped groom our City's strong executive staff.'' Former Mayor Frank Scotto said, ``the key to his longevity is that he's exceptionally good at seeing the best things in other people and getting good people around him.'' LeRoy's management style has helped the city succeed throughout the decades he has served Torrance. LeRoy is confident that the organization he has helped create will continue to serve Torrance well. I would like to thank LeRoy for his incredible public service, and wish him, his wife Connie and their family all the best.

Mr. TED LIEU of California

Mr. TED LIEU of California. Madam Speaker, I rise to celebrate the life of Mr. Carl Reiner, a beloved American and resident of California's 33rd Congressional District, who passed away at the age of 98 on June 29, 2020. With decades of work as an Emmy-winning writer, actor, director and producer, Carl's comedic genius and generous spirit impacted not only the world of comedy but also deepened our understanding of the human condition. Born on March 20, 1922 in The Bronx, Carl graduated high school at 16 and started working as a shipping clerk and then as a machinist's helper before discovering a newspaper announcement for free drama classes sponsored by the Works Progress Administration. From there, Carl began acting at a midtown Manhattan theater and joined a Shakespearean repertory company. He even took a job performing at Allaben Acres, a summer camp for adults in the Catskills where he met jazz singer Estelle Lebost, his wife for 65 years who passed in 2008. Drafted into the Army during World War II, Carl trained as a French interpreter at Georgetown University before touring the South Pacific in G.I. revues in the Special Services entertainment unit. After his honorable discharge in 1946, Carl branched into performing Broadway musicals, until landing a spot in an NBC comedy sketch show entitled ``Your Show of Shows'' as an actor and a writer. In this writing room with Mel Brooks, Mel Tolkin, Lucille Kallen, and Neil and Danny Simon, the idea of the 2,000-Year-Old-Man routine came to life with fellow comedian and director Mel Brooks. Later, while writing for singer Dinah Shore's variety, Carl developed the idea for ``The Dick Van Dyke Show,'' a comedy sitcom based on his own life experiences. This highly successful and well-crafted show would run for five seasons and earn Carl multiple Emmys for writing and producing. After ``The Dick Van Dyke Show,'' Carl transitioned into a full-time director, creating films like ``The Jerk'' (1979), ``Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid'' (1982), ``The Man with Two Brains'' (1983) and ``All of Me'' (1984) with actor Steve Martin during the 1970s and 1980s. In his later years, Carl would return to acting, with his reoccurring roles in the television sitcom Frasier and the Ocean's Eleven movie franchise, and even becoming a prolific writer of books. As Carl once said, ``The absolute truth is the thing that makes people laugh.'' Carl is survived by his son Rob Reiner, a noted actor, director, producer, and political activist; son Lucas Reiner, an artist; daughter Annie Reiner, a psychoanalyst; and his five grandchildren. May his compassion, kindness, and dedication to the craft of comedy continue to live on through the millions of people he brought joy to and inspired.

Mr. TED LIEU of California

Mr. TED LIEU of California. Madam Speaker, I rise to celebrate the life of Mr. Christopher Edmond Angelo, a beloved member of California's 33rd Congressional District, who passed away at the age of 70 on May 19, 2020. With decades of legal advocacy on behalf of consumer and patient rights, Chris helped to further the protections of the most vulnerable in our community. Born on December 19, 1949 in Los Angeles, California, Chris attended Hollywood High School, the University of California, Riverside, where he sat on the Board of Trustees for several years, and Loyola Law School. After graduating law school, Chris began his career as a defense attorney at Spray, Gould & Bowers and later moved on to representing plaintiffs at Gage, Mazury, Schwartz, Angelo & Kussman. In 1988, he and his partners formed Mazurky, Schwartz & Angelo and in 2003, he formed a partnership in Manhattan Beach with Joseph DiMonda. Throughout his legal career, Chris' legal work helped to expand the rights of patients to ensure the medical field prioritized patient care before profit and established duties on the part of commercial and industrial landowners to inspect for safety and toxic environmental hazards. This work also led to more oversight of insurance companies by expanding the ability of policyholders to discover insurer internal loss reserves and reinsurance records when suing for unfair claims practices. Additionally, Chris fought against jury nullification and spoliation of evidence, in order to help expand fairness and accountability both in and outside of the court room. Chris was also a fierce advocate for parents of children with developmental disabilities. With his legal background, he taught both parents and institutions how to effectuate insurance coverage for their children and patients with disabilities. Through innumerable hours counseling parents, and producing and donating a booklet called ``For Our Children: A Lawyer's Guide to Insurance Coverage and a Parent's Call to Organize'' (1998), Chris helped to educate communities on holding insurance communities accountable, while bolstering the rights of individuals and families with children with disabilities. Chris is survived by his wife of 40 years, Patti; son Alexander; sister Juliet; and brother Mark; beloved brothers and sisters-in-laws; 13 nieces and 22 great nieces and nephews. May his compassion, leadership, and devotion to protecting the rights of the most vulnerable continue to live on in the fight for a more equitable and just world.

Mr. TED LIEU of California

Mr. TED LIEU of California. Madam Speaker, I rise to celebrate the life of Mrs. Carolina Winston Barrie--a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and dedicated advocate for veterans from California's 33rd Congressional District. Carolina passed away on April 29, 2020 at the age of 92. Carolina was born on November 24, 1927 in Los Angeles, California. She attended Marlborough School and the University of California, Berkeley. She was the epitome of a matriarch and walked through life with confidence and strength. Not only was she adored by her family, but also by those whose lives she touched. She was the great-niece of Arcadia Bandini de Baker, who along with United States Senator John Percival Jones, donated the first 300 acres that made up the Pacific Branch of the National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers and Sailors, now known as the West Los Angeles VA campus. Carolina and other descendants of Arcadia have for decades tried to honor the gift their ancestors so patriotically donated, most recently in 2016 by founding the 1887 Fund, a non-profit organization dedicated to the physical and spiritual restoration of the five historic properties on the West Los Angeles VA campus, including the Wadsworth Chapel. Her advocacy for the campus and veterans was unparalleled. In addition to overseeing the 1887 Fund, she was an advisor to the Veterans and Community Oversight and Engagement Board, a federal advisory committee that made recommendations to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs regarding the West Los Angeles VA Master Plan, as well as outreach and services for veterans. Carolina was a woman of faith, compassion, intelligence and wit. Her legacy, not only for her family, but also to veterans, will forever carry on through her efforts to have veterans return to their rightful home at the West Los Angeles VA campus. As Carolina once said, ``We don't have to go back to 1887 to do right by our veterans.'' Carolina was predeceased by her husband, George; her three sons: Winston, Juan, Matthew; and her daughter, Louisa. She is survived by two daughters, Christine and Carolina; six grandchildren; and a great- grandson. May Carolina's memory be an inspiration and blessing to us all.

Mr. LIEU of California

Mr. LIEU of California. Madam Speaker, on behalf of the United States House of Representatives, I would like to extend my heartfelt congratulations to Dr. Steven M. Dubinett--a pulmonologist, professor, and researcher at the VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System--in recognition of his lifesaving contributions to the field of oncology and lung cancer research. The William S. Middleton award is the VA Biomedical Laboratory Research and Development Service's (BLR&D) highest honor. Named for the VA's chief medical director between 1955 and 1963, it is reserved for individuals who have made exceptional contributions to biomedical and bio-behavioral research that is relevant to the lives of veterans. As many people know, the VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System (VAGLAHS) is a beacon in the community and indeed the country for high caliber researchers who dedicate their careers to improving the quality of life of those who have served. Dr. Dubinett is an exemplary representative for both VAGLAHS and his profession. In addition to his admirable dedication to service, his work proves the valuable connection between basic research and real-world treatment applications. His research has directly led to a new treatment regimen and immunotherapy trials for lung cancer patients. As a veteran, I have worked hard to ensure that our nation's service members are given the chance they deserve to succeed. I am always deeply moved by the work our partners do at the VA, in the non-profit sector, and at the state and local level to improve outcomes for our nation's veterans. That work--and all the headway we have made--is threatened by every new case of cancer, our progress undermined each time we fail to beat what has claimed the lives of too many veterans at home. Simply put, Dr. Dubinett is one of our most valuable allies in that fight. From his work on in situ vaccination strategies and his research for the National Lung Screening Trial, to his membership on philanthropic boards and his mentorship of the next generation of scientists, the American people owe Dr. Dubinett a debt of gratitude. I am honored to count him among my constituents.

Mr. TED LIEU of California

Mr. TED LIEU of California. Madam Speaker, I rise to celebrate the life of Michael Witkowsky--a beloved father, grandfather, husband, and friend--who passed away on March 30, 2020, at the age of 80. Mike was born in Los Angeles on January 14, 1940, to Rebecca and Irving Witkowsky. He graduated from Hamilton High School in 1957 and married Hope Witkowsky in 1959. Last year, I was honored to attend their 60th wedding anniversary. Mike was an accomplished and well-respected health insurance agent who was committed to providing exemplary service and care to American families. He became an insurance agent with Farmers Insurance Group in 1961 and planned to retire on March 31, 2020. During his extensive and impressive tenure, he received numerous awards from Farmers Insurance, including the Presidents Council, the company's most elite honor for the top one-percent of agents and district managers. Mike later became a United Healthcare agent in 2008 and continued to receive awards every year. He was helping people right to the very end, even from his hospital bed. Mike passed away with the largest book of business in Los Angeles County. In addition to his professional work, Mike was an active member of his local community and a dedicated family member. Hope served as a Torrance City Councilmember and Mike was his wife's biggest supporter. He also volunteered at many local events in Torrance, including running a booth at the Fourth of July celebration and announcing and riding in the annual Armed Forces Parade. From 1968 to 1977, he coached several Little League teams and later volunteered to become an umpire. Mike never missed an activity that his children or grandchildren participated in. Over one summer in 1999, he took his granddaughters to visit every park in Torrance--one park every day. A die-hard Dodger fan, Michael carried a warm smile wherever he went. Mike is survived by his wife Hope, his son Daniel, his daughter Debra, his grandchildren Nicole, Stacy, Denise, Max, Elizabeth, and great grandchildren Chloe and Devin. I hope they take comfort in the way Mike lived his life as a patriotic and caring citizen. My wife Betty and I dearly miss our friend Mike. May his memory be a blessing to us all.

Mr. TED LIEU of California

Mr. TED LIEU of California. Madam Speaker, the coronavirus is not a hoax. There are over 90,000 cases worldwide and over 3,000 deaths. In the U.S., based on various reporting, we think there are over 100 cases, with at least nine deaths. Criticism of the Trump administration's botched response to this outbreak is not a hoax. They had faulty initial tests. They then compounded that problem by having overly restrictive test criteria that artificially deflated the number of actual coronavirus cases. And we don't have enough test kits, as of today. In L.A. County, where I am from, they recently declared a state of emergency. L.A. County has a total of one coronavirus test kit. I am pleased that this week the House of Representatives will pass a supplemental funding package to make sure we have enough test kits for all the jurisdictions that need it. We need this administration to stop misleading the American people and start leading. Lives are at stake.

Mr. TED LIEU of California

Mr. TED LIEU of California. Madam Speaker, I rise to celebrate the life of Mr. Phil Cott, a beloved member of California's 33rd Congressional District, who passed away at the age of 68 on February 6, 2020 after a decade-long bout with kidney cancer. Phil served as the principal of Webster Elementary School in Malibu, California for more than 20 years, capping off a storied career as an educator, lawyer, and administrator. Born on July 2, 1951 in Los Angeles, California, Phil attended Venice High School and the University of California, Los Angeles. After graduating, Phil taught for 14 years in Culver City as an elementary school teacher and served as president of his teachers' union for six years. Phil then decided on a bold mid-career pivot, attending law school at night and eventually becoming a lawyer. He also served as a Los Angeles County deputy District Attorney, where he had numerous successes in the courtroom. However, Phil told friends that he missed working in public education and returned as an administrator, beginning his tenure as the principal of Webster Elementary School in 1990. As principal, Phil introduced innovative projects and ideas to the benefit of Webster's students, including Websterville, an annual re- creation of a colonial American village. Phil also led annual trips to Yosemite National Park and was key in establishing the school's computer lab. Phil was known among Webster's teaching staff for encouraging individuality and creativity in the classroom and contributing to a warm and friendly environment for the students. Phil is survived by his wife, Charlee; children Rachel and Daniel; and grandchildren, Heaven and Paris. May his compassion, leadership, and devotion to those around him live on in the students he inspired and educators he helped nurture over his 37-year career.

Mr. TED LIEU of California

Mr. TED LIEU of California. Madam Speaker, last week Donald Trump came onto this House floor, looked the American people in the eye, and he stated: `` . . . we will always protect your Medicare, and we will always protect your Social Security.'' That statement is false. We know that statement is false because Donald Trump released his budget, and the Donald Trump budget cuts over $1.5 trillion from Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security. Let me say that again. The Donald Trump budget cuts over $1.5 trillion from Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security. The Donald Trump budget cuts over $1.5 trillion from Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security. The Donald Trump budget cuts over $1.5 trillion from Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security. The Donald Trump budget cuts over $1.5 trillion from Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security.

Mr. TED LIEU of California

Mr. TED LIEU of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today in honor of National Gun Violence Survivors Week. Every day in America, 103 people are killed by gun violence, and many more survivors are left to deal with the lifelong trauma. This is horrific and it demands action. It is one of the reasons that last year the House Judiciary Committee, on which I sit, as well as the House of Representatives, passed for the first time in over a quarter century, significant gun legislation. We passed universal background checks. It is now before the Republican-controlled Senate, and I ask them to simply do their jobs and put that bill up for a vote. I am also grateful that last month, California's 33rd Congressional District's Youth Advisory Council, which consists of high school students in the area, got together to discuss ways to address the gun violence epidemic. At their recommendation, I am proud to lend my support to bills like Ghost Guns Are Guns Act and Jaime's Law, both of which I believe will protect American lives.