Mike Levin

Mr. LEVIN of California

Mr. LEVIN of California. Madam Speaker, it is my honor to recognize Dr. Cheryl Anderson, founding dean for the Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science at University of California San Diego, and the fast Black female dean in the 60-year history of the campus, as the Constituent of the Month for July. Specializing in the study of under-represented populations, Dr. Anderson is an epidemiologist holding Doctoral and Master's degrees from the University of Washington, and a Master of Public Health degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Dr. Anderson's appointment comes at a time where our country faces duel crises. Not only are we battling a public health crisis, we are also collectively addressing the deep rooted systemic racism that has long plagued our nation. As our community continues to battle the coronavirus, we are seeing Black Americans and other minority groups make up a disproportionate amount of COVID-19 fatalities. The impact of COVID-19 inadvertently exposed other public health problems American minority groups are facing, such as air pollution, poor water quality, poor maternal and child health, lack of access to health insurance, and opportunities for healthy lifestyle behaviors, Dr. Anderson's cu1Ticulum and focus for the Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health seeks to address these public health matters with an emphasis on research and education designed to prevent disease, prolong life and promote health through organized community efforts. With these goals in mind and the imminent threat of COVID-19 in our community, the UC San Diego public health scientists found themselves in hyper-speed, launching quickly into research, studying treatment and solutions to overcome the coronavirus pandemic. I launched a Constituent of the Month program to recognize individuals who have gone above and beyond to make our region and our country a stronger place for everyone to live and thrive. Our public health professionals are vital in the fight to overcome health crises and threats, like COVID-19. I am honored to recognize Dr. Anderson as my Constituent of the Month, and I thank her for her passionate advocacy and amplification of public health equity in our district and the country, and ultimately, helping to save lives of those who are marginalized

Mr. LEVIN of California

Mr. LEVIN of California. Madam Speaker, today, the House of Representatives took a significant step forward for the American people by passing the Moving Forward Act, a $1.5 trillion legislative package to invest in America's infrastructure and create jobs. I am proud to support this legislation. Among other things, this package will help combat the climate crisis and grow clean energy jobs. It includes my Public Land Renewable Energy Development Act, which facilitates renewable energy development on public lands and sets a goal to develop 25 gigawatts of renewable energy generation on our public lands by 2025. I also worked to ensure that the package includes local priorities like my Desalination Development Act, which will provide Federal funding for desalination projects like those in my district. Finally, the Moving Forward Act includes my amendment to authorize nearly $3.4 billion to construct, maintain, and renovate Department of Veterans Affairs capital infrastructure. The amendment also prioritizes service-disabled, veteran-owned small businesses to complete many of these projects. Ultimately, the Moving Forward Act puts our country on the path to a more sustainable future, and I urge the Senate to take it up immediately.

Mr. LEVIN of California

Mr. LEVIN of California. Mr. Speaker, as a freshman Member of Congress, it has been an honor and a privilege to get to serve on the Select Committee on the Climate Crisis, and I am so grateful for that opportunity. I commend Speaker Pelosi and Chair Castor for their outstanding leadership. Long before I pursued public office, I was a proud clean energy advocate, and I knew then, as I know now, that solutions to the climate crisis could also be solutions to many economic challenges we face. We have seen that come true in my home State of California where we have embraced ambitious measures to combat climate change and have seen strong economic growth, particularly in the clean energy sector. Last year, California supported more than half a million clean energy jobs in areas such as energy efficiency, renewable energy, and clean vehicles. Through 2019 job growth was nearly 10 percent annually. Clean energy technology, clean domestic manufacturing, and environmental restoration is already putting Americans to work. Our report highlights a number of ways that we can combat the climate crisis and create more jobs at the same time. For example, the report includes bipartisan legislation I introduced to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels by promoting environmentally responsible development of renewable energy on public lands. We can expand those technologies and grow our economy by extending important tax credits like the solar investment tax credit which drives job creation, reduces greenhouse gas emissions, and helps level the playing field for clean energy. We will also create jobs with strong Federal funding for infrastructure, investments in new and retooled domestic manufacturing facilities, new buy clean procurement rules, expanded loan opportunities for decarbonization technologies, and the creation of a civilian conservation corps and a climate resilience service corps. Alternatively, if we fail to act, we will allow other countries to take the lead on developing clean technologies. China, India, and nations in Europe will reap the economic rewards, and we will find ourselves purchasing foreign products that should have been made right here in America. Some might take issue with the perceived cost of climate action, but it is also important to note the cost of inaction. My friend, Marshall Burke, a researcher at Stanford University, has studied this extensively and found that if we don't take substantial action to mitigate the climate crisis, it will cost the U.S. economy $25 to $35 trillion over the coming decades. That is why we must act. I have a 6-year-old and an 8-year-old at home, and, like any parent, there is a lot that I worry about for their future; but I am most concerned about the planet that we are going to leave behind for them and for their children. The path we are on right now leads to a grim future for our planet. Our report charts a new hopeful course for the future. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleagues and the outstanding staff who made this report possible. Now let's get to work.

Mr. LEVIN of California

Mr. LEVIN of California. Mr. Speaker, our country is in crisis. We are broken by generations of systemic racial injustice, and it is clear that only real change in action will allow us to begin putting the fragments back together. Millions of Americans across the country and in my district are demanding accountability and reform to a structure that has allowed police brutality and injustice against people of color for far too long. As we continue hearing new names of those who have lost their lives to this system, it is clear: Thoughts and prayers have never been enough, and they are not enough now. We can no longer stand idly by, failing to act on behalf of our Black American communities in pain. The Justice in Policing Act will help bring about the long overdue changes that we need, to strengthen transparency and accountability in our law enforcement. We need to ban unnecessary and excessive uses of force, including chokeholds, and we need to end the militarization of local police departments. That is why we must pass the Justice in Policing Act today and begin the first of many steps towards a more just system, ensuring that George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and countless others are not forgotten.

Mr. LEVIN of California

Mr. LEVIN of California. Madam Speaker, it is my honor to recognize Danielle Black Lyons, co-founder of Textured Waves and diversity activist in the surfing industry, as the Constituent of the Month for June. At a time when our country is undergoing a nationwide uprising to address police brutality and systemic racism in America, Ms. Lyons brought the heart of the Textured Waves community, the love of her culture, and surfing together to help organize a memorial paddle out in which thousands of fellow surfers recognized the life of George Floyd and others who have been killed at the hands of police. This powerful traditional surfing demonstration paid tribute to the Black Lives Matter movement and gave hope to our community as it struggles to address these critically important issues. A surfer herself, Danielle was tired of seeing only one image of surfers that didn't fit her own experience in the sport. Seeking to bridge the divide and show a more inclusive representation of women of color in the surfing community, Textured Waves was formed. The platform is an inclusive space for women of color surfers to come together for community, kinship, and camaraderie. It is a space that gives insights into diversifying the surf world with relevant resources, featured stories, imagery of women of color riding waves, and more. I applaud Danielle's spirit and activism and look forward to seeing what else she will do to make a positive impact on our community, the surfing industry, and this important movement going forward. I launched a Constituent of the Month program to recognize individuals who have gone above and beyond to make our region and our country a stronger place for everyone to live and thrive. As our nation and community works toward long overdue racial change and healing, voices like Danielle's must be lifted and echoed. I am honored to recognize Ms. Lyons as my Constituent of the Month, and I thank her for being a prominent actor in amplifying diversity in our surf culture and shining her light on this historic movement of change for America.

Mr. LEVIN of California

Mr. LEVIN of California. Madam Speaker, it is my honor to recognize Dr. Matthew Martin, a local Army veteran and trauma surgeon at Scripps Mercy Hospital, as my Constituent of the Month for May. The novel coronavirus has swept through our country, leaving devastation in its path and particularly hitting the residents of New York City. When a colleague reached out asking for more hands on deck at the Jacobi Medical Center in New York City, Dr. Martin did not hesitate to volunteer. After five deployments to both Iraq and Afghanistan, Dr. Martin certainly recognizes the call to serve. Upon arriving to the front lines of America's coronavirus epicenter, the former Army doctor saw a New York City hospital that was overwhelmed and overrun. Every day, Dr. Martin and his new team risked their own health to treat others, even as the virus claimed the lives of fellow healthcare workers. Despite the hardship he confronted daily, Dr. Martin found inspiration in the resolve and resilience of his new colleagues and did not lose sight of the battle. Since returning to San Diego, Dr. Martin brought back with him the determination he saw in his New York colleagues and a goal to ensure our community never experiences the level of devastation he found during his time at the Jacobi Medical Center. I launched a Constituent of the Month program to recognize individuals who have gone above and beyond to make our region and our country a stronger place for everyone to live and thrive. As our nation faces this unprecedented health crisis, there are countless first responders and essential workers in California's 49th district who deserve our gratitude and recognition. Today, I am proud to recognize Dr. Martin as well as the courageous team at the Jacobi Medical Team, whose selflessness to join the fight in saving lives is inspiring. I am honored to recognize Dr. Matthew Martin as my Constituent of the Month, and I thank him not only for his service to our country, but also for joining the fight to combat this global pandemic.

Mr. LEVIN of California

Mr. LEVIN of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Samita Baumritter Jacobs. Sookie, as she was known, passed away at her home on April 27, 2020 at the age of 89. Throughout her extraordinary life, I am told she spread her unique warmth, spirit, goodness, and generosity to all who were lucky enough to know her. The daughter of Ted and Florence Baumritter, Sookie grew up in New York City. After being set up on a blind date with Howard Jacobs, it soon became clear that they were soulmates. Sookie and Howard married on June 5, 1952, and for the next 63 years they were partners in everything. After starting a family in New York, Sookie and Howard moved their young children to southern California so they could start their own furniture business. Sookie was the aesthetic force in the endeavor while Howard handled the business side. With their complementary talents and temperaments, their one Ethan Allen store soon turned to five--and they were known for their excellence, value, and integrity. Customers and staff not only respected Sookie, they loved her. Nothing was more important to Sookie than being with her family, and she cherished trips and visits with her children and their families. In their later years, Sookie and Howard moved to Rancho Santa Fe in the 49th Congressional District to be closer to their daughter Ami and her family. Sookie's devotion to Howard knew no bounds, caring for Howard's every need through his declining health and difficult bout with Alzheimer's. Sookie taught her family by example that a glass could be half full. She faced numerous health challenges in her life. When she had her first bout with cancer in the late 1970s, the doctors gave her a less than 10 percent chance of living for more than three years. She made up her mind quickly that she was going to be one of the 10 percent. Her courage and determination were simply inspirational. Throughout her life she met every challenge with her fierce determination and loving care for those around her.

Mr. LEVIN of California

Mr. LEVIN of California. Madam Speaker, it is my honor to recognize Tej Patel and his team at Fluxergy, a local company developing rapid COVID-19 testing, as my April Constituent of the Month. During this time of uncertainty and crisis, Americans are looking for beacons of hope in the fight against COVID-19. Tej and his team answered the call. Founded in 2013 by engineers Tej Patel, Ryan Revilla, and Jonathan Tu, Fluxergy, a medical diagnostic company based in Irvine, worked in collaboration with UC San Diego Health to create a testing system designed to diagnose COVID-19 in under an hour. Tej saw a deficiency in the turn-around of testing for COVID-19, and knew there was a better way to address testing in the most efficient way possible. Many tests sent to outside labs range from days to weeks for a patient to receive their results. Fluxergy's on-site test for COVID-19 requires a very small sample, typically a nasal swab. This swab is mixed with a reagent solution, loaded onto the Fluxergy card and inserted into the Fluxergy Analyzer that produces results in under an hour. During a rapidly spreading global pandemic, it is imperative to know the results of a patient's test as soon as possible. The quicker we have results, the sooner we can implement proper precautions and care. Solutions like the testing system that Fluxergy developed can help us save lives. I launched a Constituent of the Month program to recognize individuals who have gone above and beyond to make our region and our country a stronger place for everyone to live and thrive. There are countless health care workers, first responders, grocery workers and many others who deserve recognition. Today, I am proud to recognize Tej and his team's innovation during this time of crisis for our country, which is both inspiring and encouraging. I am honored to recognize Tej Patel and the Fluxergy team as my Constituent of the Month and I thank them for being beacons of light and hope for our community as we fight this global pandemic together.

Mr. LEVIN of California

Mr. LEVIN of California. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding. The American people are generous and strong, and we will get through this if we stay united. To the mom-and-pop businesses in my district that haven't received a dime and the community health centers struggling to help their patients, they are why I got on a flight last night, and they are why we need to pass this bill today. In the weeks ahead, it should be everyone's priority in this government to help our heroes on the front lines and those most in need, regardless of what State or city they are in. We are the United States of America, and we must stay united.

Mr. LEVIN of California

Mr. LEVIN of California. Madam Speaker, in celebration of Women's History Month, it is my honor to recognize Esther Sterling as my March Constituent of the Month. Ms. Sterling, a Holocaust survivor from my district, spent her childhood hiding from Nazis in Ukraine. Forged from her experience during this dark time in history, Ms. Sterling shares her story across my district with schools and community groups to help ensure that history will never repeat itself. Esther's story is one of courage, fortitude, and determination. After World War II broke out, Esther, her mother, father, and sister were sent to the Ghetto of Sambor. When the Ghetto was terminated and residents were sent to an extermination camp, Esther's family managed to escape with the help of their devoted nanny. Just outside their nanny's apartment, Esther's father dug a hole beneath a coal and wood shack. Most of the time they hid within shack, but if there were passersby, the family crouched within the hole, breathing from air provided by a tube. As the war progressed, the German gestapo began to round people up for executions. Searching for a new place to hide his family, Esther's father was shot. Her mother was stricken with grief after her father's death, and as an eight-year-old child, Esther took on the responsibility of convincing her mother and younger sister to keep fighting for survival. I launched a Constituent of the Month program to recognize individuals who have gone above and beyond to make our region and our country a stronger place for everyone to live and thrive. Ms. Sterling's perseverance and triumph during a time of great danger and divide is not only inspiring, but encouraging. I am honored to recognize her as my Constituent of the Month and I thank her for everything she's done to make our community a better place.

Mr. LEVIN of California

Mr. LEVIN of California. Mr. Speaker, as we confront the coronavirus epidemic, one thing is clear: Everyone should follow the CDC's recommendations to stay healthy and safe. That means staying home if you are feeling sick. If we want people to follow that important guidance, though, we must make it economically viable to do so. That is why I rise today in support of critical legislation introduced by Congresswoman DeLauro to ensure that working families receive paid sick leave in the event of a public health emergency like the coronavirus epidemic. The concept is simple: We want people to stay home if they are feeling sick so they don't spread the coronavirus or other illnesses to others. But not everyone can afford to do that. Many families live paycheck to paycheck, struggling to pay their bills each month. Taking unpaid sick leave simply isn't an option for them. With the severity of the crisis we are facing, we cannot force working people to choose between going to work and spreading their illness to others or staying home and getting behind on their bills. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support Congresswoman DeLauro's bill.

Mr. LEVIN of California

Mr. LEVIN of California. Madam Speaker, it is my honor to recognize a local veteran from my district, Robert ``Bob'' Moore, as my February Constituent of the Month. February is Black History Month, and it is only fitting to recognize Moore's patriotism and perseverance in celebration. Robert Moore is one of the nation's first black men to serve in the Marine Corps and last surviving Montford Point Marine. During a time of extreme division, Robert Moore knew he had a calling to serve. As one of the nation's first black men to join the Marine Corps, he trained in all-white segregated base camps. Not only did he face racism and discrimination during his training, but he and the other black Marines also struggled with a lack of opportunity and ignorance towards their war-heroism. Yet he persisted, and in 2011 at the request of then-Marine Commandant James F. Amos, President Barack Obama authorized the award of the Congressional Gold Medal to all Montford Point Marines, including Robert Moore. I launched a Constituent of the Month program to recognize individuals who have gone above and beyond to make our region and our country a stronger place for everyone to live and thrive. Moore is an exemplary model of perseverance, courage and honor. I thank him for being an esteemed resident of California's 49th district, and I am honored to represent him.

Mr. LEVIN of California

Mr. LEVIN of California. Madam Speaker, it's my honor to recognize 17-year old North County resident, Aidan Cohen, as my Constituent of the Month for January. In a moment of quick instinct, Aidan heroically rushed to help his next door neighbor, pulling him from his burning home and saving his life. On the evening of December 12, 2019, Aidan Cohen and his older brother Ryan were enjoying a late-night snack when the power suddenly went out. Soon after, the brothers heard an explosion and rushed outside to find their next door neighbor's home engulfed in flames. The brothers shouted the owner's name, but received no response. Overcome by smoke he had collapsed on the hallway floor. Aidan spotted him through a window, and without hesitation, broke the back door open and pulled the neighbor out to safety. Everyone involved was grateful for our local first responders who were on the scene minutes later to administer first aid to the neighbor and save Aidan's family home. I launched a Constituent of the Month program to recognize individuals who have gone above and beyond to make our region a stronger place for everyone to live and thrive. Aidan's selflessness is an extraordinary reminder that in severe times of need, setting aside our own fears to assist one another is a crucial foundation of community. I thank Aidan for being an exemplary model of true neighborly kindness in California's 49th District.

Mr. LEVIN of California

Mr. LEVIN of California. Mr. Speaker, I thank Congresswoman Lee for yielding and for her leadership on this critical issue. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of this legislation, which reverses actions by Betsy DeVos that would deny debt relief to students defrauded by predatory colleges. Over recent years, we have seen for-profit colleges like Corinthian and ITT Tech collapse, leaving students in my district and across the country with crushing debt and none of the job opportunities that they were promised. These students were defrauded, plain and simple, and they have been left holding the bag, thanks to Betsy DeVos' refusal to implement an Obama-era rule that provides defrauded students with relief and helps them move forward with their lives. Instead, DeVos rewrote the rule to make it harder for borrowers to get relief, severely restricted how much relief they can receive, and shifted the costs of providing debt relief from predatory schools to the taxpayers. DeVos is putting the interests of predatory for-profit schools above students, and it is wrong. We should always put students first, and many of them are waiting on Betsy DeVos to do the right thing. As of last month, 240,000 defrauded students, including more than 41,000 students in California, are still waiting for DeVos to take action on their claims for debt relief. Many of these students can't afford to enroll in another school without the debt relief they are owed. They can't move on with their lives because Betsy DeVos is dragging her feet. That is simply not fair. We must pass this legislation to stop DeVos from making it even harder for defrauded students to get the relief they desperately need. Ultimately, we must do much more to help stop schools from defrauding students and taxpayers in the first place.

Mr. LEVIN of California

Mr. LEVIN of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Joe Walsh, who passed away on December 28, 2019 after a lifetime of service to his country. Joe was born on March 18, 1919 in East Orange, New Jersey. After enlisting in the Marines in 1938, Joe served in the Marine Corps' Third Defense Battalion at the Navy Yard in Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. He was attending a morning color guard ceremony when the attack began. He helped man three anti-aircraft guns to shoot down the invading planes. Joe believed that ``the guys who were over there who didn't make it back deserved to be remembered.'' Joe was the last surviving member and cofounder of the Pearl Harbor Survivor Association's North County Chapter 31. Since 1986, he organized an annual memorial at Oceanside Harbor on the anniversary of the Pearl Harbor bombing. He attended his last memorial service two weeks before he passed. I was honored to meet Joe and his wife Bea to celebrate his 100th birthday. Bea was one of 23,000 women who enlisted in the Marines during the war. She was a member of the Aviation Women's Reserve Squadron 21 at Quantico, Virginia. Joe and Bea were married for 73 years and have six children. Joe Walsh lived an incredible and full life. He could talk to anyone and somehow make them laugh. He was a dedicated husband, parent, and friend. We are grateful for his service to his country and his contributions to the Southern California community.

Mr. LEVIN of California

Mr. LEVIN of California. Madam Speaker, this Holiday season, I am proud to recognize Chyanne Thomas, a postal worker from Vista, as my Constituent of the Month. Chyanne is a hero for two children, their families, and our entire community. Chyanne's vigilance while on her regular delivery route resulted in the identification of two children who had been reported missing. Her quick and caring response allowed these two local children to be safely reunited with their concerned families. When Chyanne spotted Abby, a 15-year-old with autism, she sprang into action. She used the skills she had learned in a previous job working with children with disabilities to keep Abby calm and safe until police arrived. Two weeks later, Chyanne saw a missing 4-year-old girl alone during her route and didn't hesitate to approach her and make sure she was okay until police and her parents arrived. Without Chyanne's awareness, compassion, and quick action, these two kids might still be missing. I launched a Constituent of the Month to recognize individuals in the 49th District who have gone above and beyond to help their neighbors and support our community. I know the families of those two missing children would agree that Chyanne is well-deserving of this recognition. I am proud to recognize her as my Constituent of the Month.

Mr. LEVIN of California

Mr. LEVIN of California. Madam Speaker, this Holiday season, I am proud to recognize Chyanne Thomas, a postal worker from Vista, as my Constituent of the Month. Chyanne is a hero for two children, their families, and our entire community. Chyanne's vigilance while on her regular delivery route resulted in the identification of two children who had been reported missing. Her quick and caring response allowed these two local children to be safely reunited with their concerned families. When Chyanne spotted Abby, a 15-year-old with autism, she sprang into action. She used the skills she had learned in a previous job working with children with disabilities to keep Abby calm and safe until police arrived. Two weeks later, Chyanne saw a missing 4-year-old girl alone during her route, and didn't hesitate to approach her and make sure she was okay until police and her parents arrived. Without Chyanne's awareness, compassion, and quick action, these two kids might still be missing. While Chyanne's action to save those children is extraordinary, I also want to recognize the incredible pressure all postal workers and delivery drivers are under during the Holiday season. They endure exhausting hours, grueling weather, and much more to ensure that families have their gifts before the Holidays. Much of their work is taken for granted on a daily basis, but the Holidays would not be the same without their dedication, I am extremely grateful for their service. I launched a Constituent of the Month to recognize individuals in the 49th District who have gone above and beyond to help their neighbors and support our community. I know the families of those two missing children, as well as all families who are receiving Holiday packages, would agree that Chyanne is well- deserving of this recognition.

Mr. LEVIN of California

Mr. LEVIN of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the bipartisan Restoring Tax Fairness for States and Localities Act, which I was proud to cosponsor. Since 2017, many families in the north county of San Diego and south Orange County communities I represent have taken an unexpected, unfair tax hit. The financial plans they had made, like whether to buy a new home, were upturned when Washington Republicans passed a tax bill that capped the State and local tax deduction. In my district, more than 58,000 people who make less than $100,000 per year claimed SALT deductions in 2017, saving $6,328, on average. Many of the families in California's 49th District have made serious, long-term financial decisions in recent years based on the expectation that they could take advantage of this significant deduction. Now, because of the Republican tax bill and the SALT cap that placed new limits on those deductions, their financial plans are being turned upside down. That is why I am glad that we are voting on legislation to restore the SALT deduction. The House is doing its part. Now Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell needs to do what is right and bring this bipartisan bill up for hearings and a vote.

Mr. LEVIN of California

Mr. LEVIN of California. Madam Speaker, I am honored to represent the University of California at San Diego, which is one of the leading research universities in the Nation. As I have worked with my friends on the Education and Labor Committee to reauthorize the Higher Education Act, I have kept all the incredible students at UCSD in mind. I am especially proud of our work to improve access for graduate students and ease their financial burden. Graduate students are the backbone of research universities, teaching and mentoring undergraduates, performing groundbreaking research, and innovating the solutions for 21st century problems. Unfortunately, many of those same students have crippling student loan debt. That is why I am so glad that the College Affordability Act recreates the Federal Perkins Loan Program and strengthens the Pell Grant Program to better address the needs of our undergraduate and graduate students. While there is much more that we need to do to support students, I am proud to cosponsor the College Affordability Act and will continue to work with my colleagues to improve outcomes for our students.

Mr. LEVIN of California

Mr. LEVIN of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Eric and David Groos, two constituents from San Juan Capistrano, as my Constituents of the Month for April. Each month, I recognize constituents who have gone above and beyond to help their neighbors, give back to their community, and make the country stronger. As co-founders of a non-profit that provides under- served and at-risk youth with outdoor recreational activities, there is no question that Eric and David are deserving of this recognition. The brothers' non-profit, Great Opportunities, has served over 3000 young people in my district, mainly coming from San Juan Capistrano's geographically identified gang induction zones where kids are most at- risk of being drawn toward gang activity. Organizations like theirs play a critical role in generating opportunity in socioeconomically disadvantaged communities, and I am extremely grateful for the services they provide. Eric and David provide kids in my district with more than just recreational activities--they are providing experiences that will help kids develop leadership and problem-solving skills, which will serve them well throughout their lives. I believe we must do more at the local, state, and federal to support organizations like theirs that provide under-served youth with the skills they need to succeed in life, and that will continue to be one of my priorities. I am proud to recognize Eric and David as my constituents of the month for April, and I am deeply grateful for everything they do to give back to our community.

Mr. LEVIN of California

Mr. LEVIN of California. Madam Speaker, it is my honor to recognize Gwen Sanders, a North County San Diego resident, as my Constituent of the Month. Gwen has dedicated her life to giving back to our community and volunteering for a wide range of organizations throughout the region, including the North County Chapter of the NAACP, the City of Oceanside, the Communications Workers of America (CWA), and more. As a longtime civil rights activist, Gwen received the NAACP Woman of the Year Award, the Oceanside Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Service Award, as well as several recognitions for her community service. She has volunteered for the Oceanside Police and Fire Commission, the Community Relation Commission, and led a program to help local students pursue higher education. Gwen's long track record of public service goes on, and there is no question that her dedication to serving our community has made Oceanside and all of North County a better place to live. Gwen personifies John F. Kennedy's famous quote: ``Ask not what your country can do for you--ask what you can do for your country.'' Gwen's public service is commendable, and it's important to note that she did all of this work while also raising two children, two grandchildren, and three great grandchildren. She is also a two-time breast cancer survivor, liver transplant recipient, and awaiting a kidney donor. I'm in awe of all that Gwen has accomplished in the face of these extraordinary challenges, and I am deeply grateful for her service. I am proud to recognize her as my Constituent of the Month.

Mr. LEVIN of California

Mr. LEVIN of California. Madam Speaker, this Veterans Day, it is my honor to announce that Mr. Charles Anderson, a relentless fighter for veterans throughout North County, is my Constituent of the Month. Mr. Anderson has dedicated his life to supporting veterans and their families, serving as Commander of the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Tri-Cities Chapter 95, and belonging to the Oceanside Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 10577 and the Military Order of the Purple Heart (MOPH) Chapter 493. As Commander of the local Disabled American Veterans chapter, Mr. Anderson has made sure that veterans in our community receive rides to medical appointments and helped veterans receive the Veterans Affairs benefits they've earned. He's helped veterans find gainful employment and financial security, and he's worked to ensure that veterans do not become homeless. Mr. Anderson's service with local veterans groups is commendable, but there are also several cases where he went above and beyond to help a local veteran and their family in a desperate time of need. When my office heard that a Marine Gulf War veteran was struggling to make ends meet due to a service-connected terminal illness, it was Mr. Anderson who immediately made arrangements to support the veteran's family financially until the Veterans Benefits Administration could deliver benefits. When I heard from a caregiver of a Marine veteran who was at risk of becoming homeless, Mr. Anderson stepped up to cover the veteran's rent until we could work out aid from the VA. On this Veterans Day, we must do more than pay lip service to our veterans. We need to fight for the support and resources that veterans have earned and deserve, and that's exactly what Mr. Anderson does every single day. As long as I have the privilege to serve on the House Veterans' Affairs Committee, I will look to Mr. Anderson as a shining example of what it means to serve our veterans with reverence and resolve. I am deeply grateful for Mr. Anderson's service to our veterans, and I am proud to recognize him as my Constituent of the Month.

Mr. LEVIN of California

Mr. LEVIN of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today to address yet another tragic school shooting. Yesterday, a gunman killed two students and wounded three others in Santa Clarita, California. While we continue to gather the facts and pray for everyone in that California community, we must also continue to fight for action on gun violence. It has been 261 days since the House passed the Bipartisan Background Checks Act. That bill is buried in Mitch McConnell's legislative graveyard. In that time, at least 320 mass shootings have occurred. While I don't expect Senate Republicans to agree with every word of every bill that we pass here in the House, I do expect them to do their job. They need to hold hearings. They need to have a vote. The American people deserve better.

Mr. LEVIN of California

Mr. LEVIN of California. Madam Speaker, every single day, eight kids are killed or injured by unintentional shootings with guns found in the home. Last week a 9-year-old child accidentally shot their 4-year-old sibling in the face at their home in Tennessee. Earlier this year a 4- year-old boy in Oakland barely survived after accidentally shooting himself in the head with a gun he found under the pillow. These accidental shootings are preventable. That is why I am introducing the Prevent Family Fire Act of 2019, a bipartisan bill to reduce gun violence by providing a modest tax credit to incentivize the sale of things like gun safes. If we expand safe storage, we can reduce accidental shootings by 73 percent. It is not just accidental shootings. Over 75 percent of school shootings involve kids and teens having access to unsecured guns at home, and more than 80 percent of guns used by youth in suicide attempts were kept in the home of a victim, a relative, or a friend. There is much more we need to do to address gunfire, but this commonsense bill is a step we can take to save lives.

Mr. LEVIN of California

Mr. LEVIN of California. Madam Speaker, it's my honor to recognize Max Disposti, founder of the North County LGBTQ Resource Center, as my next Constituent of the Month. A longtime North County resident, Max's tireless work to open the Center filled a void in support services and resources for LGBTQ families and has made a positive impact on countless lives in our community. Before Max founded the Center in 2011, many lesbian, gay, transgender, bisexual, and questioning youth and families had nowhere to turn in North County, lacking a sense of community that was desperately needed. With the help of others in the community like Maria Al Shamma, who now serves as Board Chair for the Center, Max is able to provide our LGBTQ neighbors with a safe place to receive resources and feel more comfortable in their community. Max and many others at the Center provide critical services such as support groups for youth, seniors, and military service members, HIV and AIDS testing and prevention, counseling and assistance with housing and meals. They also provide civil rights advocacy, classes, and workgroups. Ultimately, one of the most significant benefits of the Resource Center is its ability to make the LGBTQ community more visible in North County. Everyone in our community should feel safe and welcome. Unfortunately, that has not always been the experience of our LGBTQ neighbors. There is much more that we need to do to ensure that LGBTQ individuals have the same rights and protections as anyone else. That's why I was proud to help introduce and pass the Equality Act to finally, fully end discrimination against LGBTQ Americans. I'm proud to stand with Max and so many others in North County's LGBTQ community in fighting for equality. I launched a Constituent of the Month program to recognize individuals who have gone above and beyond to make our region a stronger place for everyone to live and thrive. Max's contributions to our community are extraordinary, but I also want to recognize everyone else who helped launch the North County LGBTQ Resource Center and work to keep its doors open every single day. I thank them for everything they have done and will continue to do for the community