Doris Matsui

Ms. MATSUI

Ms. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to this rule. For months, House Republicans have delayed action to fund CHIP and community health centers. These programs are critical in our communities and cannot survive without this funding. They have always been bipartisan, but, unfortunately, the bill before us today is not. Instead of working with us, Republicans have focused on TrumpCare and sabotaged the ACA. Now they have put forward this bill full of poison pills that will only further delay funding these critical public health programs, and to turn what has been traditionally a bipartisan process into a political game does a disservice to families. H.R. 3922 eliminates the ACA's Prevention and Public Health Fund which helps people in my district and other districts get vaccines, prevent diabetes, and combat heart disease. The reason we put the preservation fund in the ACA in the first place was to reorient our health system towards prevention, which ultimately saves money and keeps people healthier. We all want to ensure kids have the insurance that they need to access affordable care, but slashing benefits that will in the long term hurt the very children and families that CHIP and the community health centers help, as this bill does, is the wrong way to go. Through its cuts to the Prevention Fund, this legislation is another attempt by Republicans to undermine the ACA. Unfortunately, this is just one of many acts of sabotage that we have seen over the last year from the Trump administration and congressional Republicans. On top of these attacks on the Affordable Care Act, H.R. 3922 creates a false choice between helping seniors and helping kids. This legislation makes changes to Medicare that will hurt all seniors' benefits in the long term. Democrats have offered solutions that would pay for funding CHIP and community health centers in a way that doesn't rob Peter to pay Paul. I support the substitute amendment offered by Ranking Member Pallone which would do just that. Mr. Speaker, I am extremely disappointed that the Republicans have chosen this partisan path for programs that are so dear to our communities, and I urge my colleagues to vote ``no'' on H.R. 3922 and to support the Democratic substitute.

Ms. MATSUI

Ms. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, today I stand to recognize Ms. Rachel Iskow on the occasion of her retirement from the position of Executive Director of Mutual Housing California and Mutual Housing Management. I ask all my colleagues to join me in honoring Rachel and her dedication to sustainable housing. Since its incorporation in 1988, Mutual Housing California has worked to create a locally-led nonprofit that spurs the revitalization of low- income communities by strengthening existing neighborhood leaders and houses. As Mutual Housing's Executive Director, Rachel has utilized her experience in nonprofit leadership, housing development, and community outreach. Under her guidance, Mutual Housing has seen the expansion of environmentally-friendly developments, inclusive housing for all residents, and overall compassionate housing. Rachel supports permanent solutions to the pressing housing needs of our region's diverse families. Ultimately, Rachel's work has led to positive outcomes for the health and stability of families and for Sacramento as a whole. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to stand and honor Ms. Rachel Iskow today and to wish her the best of luck in her retirement from Mutual Housing. I ask all my colleagues to join me in paying tribute to Rachel for her unwavering dedication to sustainable housing.

Ms. MATSUI

Ms. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize The Chinese American Council of Sacramento (CACS) as they celebrate their 30th Anniversary and annual Gold Mountain Celebration. I ask all my colleagues to join me in honoring the voice of the Chinese American Community. Since 1987, The Chinese American Council of Sacramento has served as an invaluable organization dedicated to the empowerment, representation and support of the Chinese American Community and Asian Pacific Islander American community. Since its conception, CACS has successfully continued to bring awareness to the cultural and historic significance of Chinese Americans and Asian Pacific Islander Americans and their crucial contributions to American society. The Chinese American Council of Sacramento has championed a myriad of social justice issues that plague its community, from discrimination to voter education. Their work to protect and ensure the civil and human rights of the most vulnerable within their community speaks to their tireless dedication to the advancement of Asian-Pacific Islander Americans throughout the greater Sacramento area. Congratulations on thirty years of exceptional service to our community. We also celebrate Mr. Clarence Chu as the Hall of Fame inductee. Mr. Chu is being recognized for his enduring contributions to the Chinese American and Asian Pacific Islander American community. The Sacramento Chinese Community Service Center is being recognized with the community service award for the outstanding programs it provides. The community center provides health, human, and social services to immigrants, refugees, and other underserved individuals in Sacramento. Through these programs and their quality education services, The Sacramento Chinese Community Service Center successfully aids its community members in becoming economically self-sufficient and empowered. Mr. Speaker, as members and friends of The Chinese American Council of Sacramento celebrate their Gold Mountain Celebration, I ask all my colleagues to join me in the celebration of their 30th anniversary and give recognition to all that this exemplary institution has given our community over the past three decades.

Ms. MATSUI

Ms. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, on October 8 to 14, 2017, across the United States and throughout the world, patients, plasma donors and plasma collection centers will join together to observe International Plasma Awareness Week. There will be events to raise global awareness of the crucial need for plasma to create lifesaving therapies, recognize that plasma donors contribute greatly in saving and improving lives, and increase understanding of the many rare diseases and plasma protein therapies that help to treat them. Plasma-derived therapies and recombinant blood clotting factors, collectively known as plasma protein therapies, are unique, biologic medicines that are either infused or injected to treat a variety of rare, life-threatening, chronic, and genetic diseases including bleeding disorders, hereditary angioedema, immune deficiencies, pulmonary disorders, neurological disorders, shock and trauma, liver cirrhosis, and infectious diseases such as tetanus, hepatitis, and rabies. Plasma-derived therapies save and improve lives of individuals throughout the world, including in emergency and surgical medicine. Plasma protein therapies have significantly improved the quality of life, markedly improved patient outcomes, and extended the life expectancy of individuals with rare, chronic diseases and conditions. Healthy, committed donors provide the plasma essential to manufacture these lifesaving therapies; and there are more than 575 plasma collection centers in the U.S. that have demonstrated their commitment to plasma donor and patient safety and quality by earning International Quality Plasma Program (IQPP) certification. I ask that my colleagues in the House of Representatives join me and rise in commemoration of International Plasma Awareness Week, honoring those committed donors and collection centers who make and collect needed and lifesaving contributions.

Ms. MATSUI

Ms. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1539, the Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Act of 2017, which I coauthored with my colleague, Congressman Guthrie. The Newborn Hearing Screening and Intervention Program established almost 2 decades ago has been life-changing for those born deaf or hard of hearing. A member of my staff in Sacramento, Devin, was born hard of hearing but didn't receive a screening at birth. For the first few years of her life, she appeared to be struggling to keep up with her peers. It wasn't until Devin reached the middle of kindergarten that her teacher suggested she get her hearing tested. After receiving her diagnosis, Devin's family was able to seek out tools and resources to help her catch up to her classmates in school. Devin's story illustrates the importance of early detection and intervention. We know that a child's development in the first few years of their life can have a major impact on their well-being later on. By extending this program through our legislation, we are ensuring that infants continue to have access to hearing screenings at birth so their parents can make informed choices about their care and management early on. We have come so far in increasing the number of babies who are screened every year. By passing this legislation, we are continuing that progress. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague, Congressman Guthrie, for his leadership on this issue, and I ask for everyone's support.

Ms. MATSUI

Ms. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 130th Anniversary of Sacramento Central Seventh-Day Adventist Church. As the church community gathers to celebrate this momentous occasion, I ask all my colleagues to join me in honoring this well-established congregation in Sacramento. The Sacramento Central Seventh-Day Adventist Church began as only a handful of Sacramento faithful who would meet every week near 14th and I Street. The first meeting occurred on November 9th, 1881, and the group grew all the way into the twentieth century. The congregation was then joined by a pastor and started a series of moves and construction projects as the burgeoning community necessitated ever more space for worship. This journey culminated in 1973, when the building that serves as the Central Church was constructed along the banks of the American River. The members of the Sacramento Central Adventist Church have worked tirelessly to better the world around them, both at their doorstep with a host of services to benefit their local community and across the globe through mission trips. Their generosity and moral courage have won them many adherents in the course of their 130 years in Sacramento, and their journey is far from over. Mr. Speaker, as the congregation gathers in honor of the 130th Anniversary of Sacramento Central Seventh-Day Adventist Church, I ask all my colleagues to join me in honoring this staple of the Sacramento area and all it has provided to the community.

Ms. MATSUI

Ms. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the Sacramento Rainbow Chamber of Commerce. As 2017 marks the 15th anniversary of this important organization, I ask all my colleagues to join me in honoring the Sacramento Rainbow Chamber of Commerce for its commitment to promoting LGBTQ-run businesses in the Greater Sacramento Region. For the past 15 years the Sacramento Rainbow Chamber of Commerce has been a tireless advocate for LGBTQ-owned businesses through advocacy, facilitation, business development, education, access to procurement opportunities and supplier diversity channels, and community support. The Sacramento Rainbow Chamber of Commerce has been crucial in the transformation of the Greater Sacramento Region into a prosperous and business-friendly environment that is inclusive of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender business owners and professionals. I applaud their focus on creating opportunities for their membership to grow their businesses in the Sacramento region. In addition to their advocacy work for local businesses, the Sacramento Rainbow Chamber of Commerce's Rainbow Chamber Foundation has contributed more than $40,000 in scholarships for LGBTQ youth. They have also focused on fundraising for other non-profit organizations that help support LGBTQ youth, and collaborated with other community groups, including the Sacramento Gay & Lesbian Center and the National Suicide Prevention Program Trevor Project among others. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to pay tribute to the Sacramento Rainbow Chamber of Commerce for their fifteen years of service to their members and the community. I ask all my colleagues to join me in honoring their exemplary activism on behalf of and in support of businesses run by members of the LGBTQ community.

Ms. MATSUI

Ms. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Sacramento Bee as it celebrates its 160th anniversary. As the community, supporters, and Bee staff members gather today, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring them and their long history of service to the Sacramento region and beyond. On February 3, 1857, the Sacramento Bee released its first issue, proclaiming that ``the object of the Sacramento Bee is not only independence, but permanence.'' It is that permanence that we come together to honor today. For five generations, the McClatchy and Maloney families have strived to provide the greater Sacramento area with quality news rooted in independent, honest journalism. The Bee is not only a family institution, but a staple of our Sacramento community as well. The Bee has been awarded six Pulitzer Prizes and continues to produce a quality newspaper that serves the needs of its community. As the longest running newspaper in Sacramento's history, the Bee consistently exemplifies its core values of integrity and independence. Its dedication to transparency and ethical journalism has garnered the Bee immense praise and countless industry awards for its superior journalism, setting the standard for the 29 other McClatchy Company newspapers located across the country. Mr. Speaker, as the Sacramento Bee celebrates 160 years of service to the Sacramento region, I ask all my colleagues to join me in honoring the paper and its employees for their dedication to journalism and to our community.

Ms. MATSUI

Ms. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize September as Rail Safety Month and September 24-30, 2017 as Rail Safety week, and to commend the efforts being made across our country to improve railroad crossing safety. An accident involving a train occurs every 3 hours in the United States and California ranks No. 1 in the nation in both trespassing and grade crossing deaths. Last year in California there were a total of 148 highway grade-crossing incidents, including 98 trespasser fatalities and 32 highway-rail crossing fatalities, all of which could have been avoided if both trespassers and drivers were taking the necessary safety precautions. There are more than 10,000 highway rail- grade crossings located within 52 counties and more than 400 cities in California to service the BNSF Railway, Union Pacific Railroad, other freight trains, and Amtrak passenger trains running through California. September is historically back to school month for most children and college students. Many must cross railroad tracks to attend school and it is important to reinforce rail safety with both children and their caretakers. California Operation Lifesaver, the Federal Rail Administration, the California Department of Transportation, the California Public Utilities Commission and freight and passenger railroads are working together to improve railroad safety and educate children and adults about the dangers of not obeying the signs and signals around railroad property. The ``See Tracks? Think Train'' campaign by Operation Lifesaver and its federal partners aims to help reduce pedestrian and driver injuries and fatahties around railroad tracks by highlighting behaviors that put people at risk, and by conducting on-the-ground law enforcement trainings, safety presentations, and public awareness activities. Railroad operators, motor vehicle operators, and pedestrians will benefit from a combined effort by local, state, Federal, industry, and citizen efforts to promote safety around railroad tracks and crossings. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to recognize September as Rail Safety Month and September 24-30, 2017 as Rail Safety week. I ask all my colleagues to join me in commending efforts being made to improve railroad crossing safety.

Ms. MATSUI

Ms. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the SELF DRIVE Act. With this legislation, we have the opportunity to unlock autonomous vehicle innovation and help improve the quality of life for millions. Today, so many of our neighbors, friends, and family face mobility challenges. Many seniors and people with disabilities are not able to use a car to do errands, go to doctor appointments, and visit loved ones. For millions of people who travel our roads, this technology has the potential to prevent accidents and save lives. That is why we must act to put policies in place that allow AVs to be tested and deployed, with an emphasis on consumer protections. In my home district of Sacramento and across California, we recognize the promise of AV technology and are developing a pathway for its safe testing and deployment. Sacramento's ATOS lab aims to foster a public- private consortium of government agencies and AV companies by leveraging Sacramento's 5G network, an ideal location. The legislation we are considering today allows California to continue to lead, while protecting roadway safety. With the SELF DRIVE Act, we are preserving the important AV deployment work happening at the State level and also creating the foundation for a strong Federal framework to build on our progress and protect drivers and pedestrians. I am also pleased that this bill contains language on legislation I introduced, the MORE Act, which ensures technology companies, auto manufacturers, and new market entrants are on a level playing field for testing AVs. Just as the development of the personal computer has revolutionized our daily lives, so, too, will the employment of autonomous vehicle technology. This legislation, which passed the Energy and Commerce Committee unanimously, puts us on a path towards innovation that, up until recently, seemed unimaginable. I look forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle as we work together to move this legislation forward.

Ms. MATSUI

Ms. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to bring up H.R. 3440, the DREAM Act, to protect DREAMers like Eduardo, a student at UC Davis.

Ms. MATSUI

Ms. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize this year's Sacramento Japanese American Citizens League's (JACL) high school scholarship recipients. As the members of the Sacramento JACL, the student's and their families gather to celebrate, I ask all of my colleagues to join me in recognizing these deserving young men and women. Each year, the JACL provides scholarships to a select group of high school students who have demonstrated outstanding academic excellence and achievement, as well as community service and a desire to pursue higher education. This year, five outstanding students will receive scholarships provided by dedicated members of JACL, VFW Post 8985, and the community. This year, Kiyomi A. Sun is receiving the Harry and Kinu Masaki Memorial Scholarship and the Nisei VFW Post 8985 Scholarship. Allie T. Umemoto is receiving the Kiyoto and Rika Kawakami Memorial Scholarship, and the Noboru and Akiko May Shirai Memorial Scholarship. Kyle W. W. Kawakami is receiving the Fumio Jesse and Kiyoko Miyao Memorial Scholarship and The Nikkei Singles Club Scholarship. Cody M. Kurahara the Harry and Kinu Masaki Memorial Scholarship and the Nisei VFW Post 8985 Scholarship. And last but not least, Nozomi M. Schmoock is receiving the Sacramento JACL Chapter Scholarship. The Sacramento Japanese American Citizens League is dedicated to protecting communities affected by bigotry and injustice as well as advancing the civil rights of all Americans. It also helps to guide the Japanese American community to further social and economic equality. I trust that the students being recognized will carry this tradition forward to protect and help fight for the civil rights of all of our citizens and remain engaged in their communities. Mr. Speaker, as these students are being honored by the Japanese American Citizens League members, I ask my colleagues to join me in wishing them success in their future endeavors.

Ms. MATSUI

Ms. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 75th Anniversary of our United States Marines' landing at Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands during World War II. Three-quarters of a century after this momentous event, the memory and sacrifice of these brave men should not be forgotten. On August 7, 1942, Marines joined by our allies landed on the shores of the Solomon Islands to deny their use to our then-adversary, Imperial Japan. These Marines were joined by U.S. Navy vessels, as well as by ships and troops supplied by our Australian and British allies, in a series of 26 land and naval battles that collectively became known as the Battle of Guadalcanal. Two of our future presidents served there: John F. Kennedy and Richard M. Nixon. Other Solomon Islanders served bravely as the famous Coastwatchers, providing the early warnings that allowed our outnumbered Marines to prevail against their enemies. Today, we look to the future with the knowledge that the Marines' landing on this day three-quarters of a century ago was an important turning point in World War II's Pacific Theater. To commemorate this important event, Marines and private citizens are currently in the process of dedicating a new monument atop the battlefield known as Bloody Ridge in Guadalcanal. Their efforts are supported and aided by the citizens and government of the Solomon Islands. The approaching ceremony to occur on the famous Bloody Ridge battle site recognizes the unity of spirit that today prevails among our allies and former adversaries, all of which are now charged with maintaining peace in the Pacific Ocean. Mr, Speaker, as the efforts to create a monument to the heroism displayed by so many at Guadalcanal move forward, I ask my colleagues to join me in remembering the 75th anniversary of our Marines' historic landing at Guadalcanal.

Ms. MATSUI

Ms. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, it is with profound sadness that I rise to honor the life of Mr. Mario Gutierrez. I ask my colleagues to join me in tribute to Mario's truly remarkable life. His work has saved countless lives, and there will be a significant void without him. Mario's impact on telehealth is immeasurable. His work at CCHP has profoundly impacted the telehealth policy landscape on both the state and federal level. He served as a program director with The California Endowment for twelve years and as a senior program officer with The Sierra Health Foundation for six years. Mario always viewed telehealth as a means to ultimately achieve what he firmly believed and fought to accomplish: to make sure that every person, no matter how poor or how isolated, could access high-quality healthcare. Mario's work researching and supporting telehealth innovations has helped children in remote rural communities receive life-saving treatment from world-renowned physicians, and has explored the potential of connecting health care providers in Mexico with undocumented individuals needing care in California. Mario and his wife would often spearhead and lead medical missions to other countries to provide medical care for people in need, who may have never otherwise received vital medical treatment. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in celebrating the life of Mr. Mario Gutierrez and in offering our condolences to his wife, family, and colleagues. His life's work will continue to improve the lives of so many people and those who knew him will truly miss him.

Ms. MATSUI

Ms. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, today I stand to recognize Mr. Larry Greene's retirement from the position of Executive Director of the Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District. I ask all my colleagues to join me in honoring Mr. Greene and his outstanding dedication to cleaner air in my hometown of Sacramento. Mr. Greene served our region for twenty-two years, helping to produce cleaner air, prolong lifespans, and protect the environment. He was a two-term president of the California Air Pollution Control Officers Association (CAPCOA), and holds a permanent seat on its Board of Directors. Larry's public service also included a term as President of the National Association of Clean Air Agencies. Before he delved into clean air policy, Mr. Greene served our country in the United States Army for 25 years, specializing in logistics management. Clearly, Larry Greene is the epitome of a public servant. Since 1990, the Sacramento region has benefited from a 66 percent drop in nitrogen oxides, largely thanks to Mr. Greene's efforts. He has been the main proponent for many clean air programs, including the ``Spare the Air'' and ``Check Before You Burn'' campaigns. His success can be attributed to his methods of working as a partner for elected officials and community organizations that seek out solid, incentive- based solutions for businesses. Communities across our country that wish to improve their air quality should look no further than Larry for the model of what a clean air advocate can do. Mr. Speaker, I stand to honor Mr. Larry Greene today and to wish him the best of luck in retirement. I ask all my colleagues to join me in paying tribute to Mr. Greene for his unwavering dedication to the air quality of the Sacramento region.

Ms. MATSUI

Ms. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, today I stand to recognize Mr. Tom Beede's illustrious and successful career as President, CFO, and CEO of MetroList Services, Inc. On the occasion of his retirement, I ask all my colleagues to join me in honoring Mr. Beede and his outstanding career at MetroList. Mr. Beede has served more than thirty-two years with MetroList and more than forty years in the MLS industry. Before his time with MetroList, he was an Account Manager for PRC Realty where he created the first MLS computer system for the Sacramento, El Dorado, and Placer Associations of Realtors. He was eventually hired by MetroList to help manage, build, and lead it as the first MLS company in the United States to own and operate its own MLS computer system. In large part due to Mr. Beede's hard work and visionary leadership, MetroList became an organization with a culture of unparalleled customer service, subscriber value, and high level data integrity. His success can be attributed to his ability to bring the best products and services to MetroList's customers, and to his commitment to forming regional relationships and finding new, cost-effective ways to share MLS data. Mr. Speaker, it gives me nothing but pride to stand and honor Mr. Tom Beede today and wish him the best of luck in retirement. I ask all of my colleagues to join me in paying tribute to Mr. Beede and his outstanding service to the Sacramento region.

Ms. MATSUI

Ms. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Steve Hammond on the occasion of his retirement as CEO of Visit Sacramento, the City of Sacramento's innovative tourism bureau. I ask all my colleagues to join me in honoring Mr. Hammond for his leadership and commitment in the community to promoting Sacramento and refining its image as a tourist destination. Since being appointed to the position of CEO in 1999, Mr Hammond has overseen a hugely successful campaign to re-brand Sacramento as a major attraction to visitors. He has encouraged businesses to hold events and conventions in Sacramento, capitalized on the city's sports and entertainment opportunities, and spearheaded an inventive campaign to brand Sacramento as America's Farm-to-Fork Capital. By taking advantage of Sacramento's unique location in the heart of California's Central Valley, Mr. Hammond launched a movement that has revitalized Sacramento's restaurant scene and boosted business for local hotels and farmers. In great part due to Mr. Hammond's dedication to his agency, Visit Sacramento's budget has grown from $2 million to $11 million, and its staff has more than doubled. In addition, Mr. Hammond is an extraordinarily active member of the community: He sits on the Boards of the Sacramento Downtown Partnership, the Sacramento Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce, the Sacramento Regional Sports and Education Foundation, and the Sacramento Hotel Association. Mr. Speaker, I stand to pay tribute to Steve Hammond, outgoing CEO of Visit Sacramento, as his friends and colleagues celebrate his well- earned retirement. I ask all my colleagues to join me in honoring his tenacity and dedication on behalf of the people of Sacramento, as well as his creativity in building up my beloved hometown as a destination for business, food, and culture.

Ms. MATSUI

Ms. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 3178, the Medicare Part B Improvement Act, and, specifically, a provision to extend the IVIG demonstration project that Chairman Brady and I worked on together. I have long been a champion of those impacted by primary immunodeficiency diseases, which include more than 300 rare genetic diseases, all of which keep the immune system from functioning properly. A mild infection can cause serious problems and even death for these patients. Thanks to the IVIG demo, Medicare beneficiaries with immunodeficiency diseases are now able to receive in-home IVIG therapy, meaning they can avoid community settings of care, which can be very important to people with compromised immune systems. I am pleased that this provision was included in the Medicare Part B Improvement Act. I urge support of this important bill.

Ms. MATSUI

Ms. MATSUI. Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong opposition to H.R. 806, better known as the ``Smoggy Skies Act.'' Because of the Clean Air Act, families have safer air to breathe, fewer emergency room visits, and healthier futures. The bill before us today is a direct attack on that progress, delaying lifesaving protections against ozone pollution. H.R. 806 will be particularly devastating to children with asthma, the elderly, and people with lung and heart disease. Dirty air remains a public health hazard. If this bill becomes law, we will be rolling back the Clean Air Act's protections and successes and putting people's health at risk. The Sacramento region in my district sits in California's Central Valley, which traps pollution from other parts of the State. And despite these challenges, we have fostered a strong partnership between the Federal Government and Sacramento's local agencies to improve our air quality. But in order for this progress to continue, the EPA must set its clean air requirements at a level that truly protects public health. The bill before us today would block ozone protections and permanently damage the Clean Air Act. Between this ``Smoggy Skies Act'' and TrumpCare, Republicans are waging an all-out assault on Americans' health. I urge my colleagues to oppose this bill and protect the well-being of future generations.

Ms. MATSUI

Ms. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Dr. Andy David, the Israeli Consul General to the Pacific Northwest. As 2017 marks the end of Dr. David's tenure in California, I ask all my colleagues to join me in honoring him for his leadership and commitment in the community to building bridges between the United States and his home country of Israel. Dr. David stepped into the position of Consul General in 2012, following a history of distinguished Israeli diplomatic appointments that began in 1995. Throughout his half decade of service, he has helped strengthen ties between the West Coast and our allies in Israel. Dr. David has worked passionately to build the relationship between the University of California system and educational institutions in Israel, and his efforts have also resulted in new and fruitful partnerships between Silicon Valley companies and Israel's high-tech industry in Tel Aviv. In addition to improving cooperation on the international stage, Dr. David has become a pillar of the community in his adoptive home of San Francisco. A prominent advocate for the Bay Area Jewish community, Dr. David will be missed by his friends here when he returns home this month. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to pay tribute to Andy David, Israeli Consul General to the Pacific Northwest, as he celebrates his return to Israel. I ask all my colleagues to join me in honoring his efforts to strengthen the relationship between our two great countries.

Ms. MATSUI

Ms. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the Public Policy Institute of California's (PPIC) Sacramento Center. As 2017 marks the 10th anniversary of this vital center for political thought, I ask all my colleagues to join me in honoring PPIC for its leadership and commitment in the community to providing nonpartisan, well- formulated opinions and data for the benefit of California's policymakers. The Public Policy Institute of California was founded in San Francisco in 1994 by a trio of California visionaries seeking to provide our state with a world-class political think tank Since then, PPIC has lived up to its mission of ``informing and improving public policy through independent, objective, non-partisan research.'' By 2007, PPIC had opened a second office in Sacramento, enabling its team of experts to operate in the heart of California's state government. PPIC boasts a staff of 75 people, including experts in economics, demography, political science, sociology, and environmental resources. It focuses on a wide range of concerns and opportunities facing our state, including higher education, water issues, and government investment strategies. Additionally, PPIC conducts surveys of voters and constituents to provide lawmakers with election statistics, approval ratings, and public opinion. Utilizing its unparalleled access to survey data and predictive analytics, PPIC seeks to understand the forces that drive societal change in the long term, which helps inform the political short term. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to pay tribute to the Public Policy Institute of California's Sacramento Center as it celebrates the 10th anniversary of its founding. I ask all my colleagues to join me in honoring PPIC's dedication to providing California's government with information and illumination.

Ms. MATSUI

Ms. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 2430, the FDA user fee reauthorization bill that I worked on with my colleagues on the Energy & Commerce Committee. Without Congress' swift action to reauthorize this bill, the FDA would not be able to conduct its critical work ensuring that our nation's drugs and devices are safe and effective. Patients and families across the country battling diseases like Alzheimer's, cancer, multiple sclerosis (MS), and diabetes, rely on innovation to provide new life-saving and life-enhancing treatments and hopefully one day, cures. Without the FDA, we would not be able to ensure that those treatments and cures work and that they're safe. To quote Dr. Jeff Allen of the Friends of Cancer Research, ``for the people who currently depend on safe and effective medicines . . . for those who are holding strong for breakthroughs to come . . . and for every future patient . . . there isn't time to waste.'' I urge my colleagues to support the passage of this bill.

Ms. MATSUI

Ms. MATSUI. Mr. Chairman, I thank my colleague for yielding. Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong opposition to H.R. 23. Yet, again, it seems that instead of addressing the issues underlying California's water supply, some of my colleagues are more interested in fanning the flames of century-old water disputes. The city of Sacramento, which I represent, sits at the confluence of two major rivers, the Sacramento and the American. Because there is no such thing as an average water year in California, living under the threat of drought and flood has become a way of life for Sacramento residents. We are working with the Army Corps to invest billions of dollars in flood protection, and we are collaborating with the Bureau of Reclamation to build a groundwater bank and a water recycling facility to increase access to drinking water. Congress should explore real solutions to drought challenges, as the Sacramento region is doing. In the short term, we must be efficient about fixing leaks and waste while also continuing conservation efforts. In the long-term, we should be taking advantage of new technologies to monitor our water use and making investments in wastewater cycling in above- and below-ground water storage. Last Congress, I introduced a commonsense bill that removed barriers to wastewater cycling projects, making it possible for them to move forward more quickly and efficiently with Federal support. It ultimately became law. Yet instead of debating these types of solutions, we are wasting time on a bill that does not solve our underlying water supply problem. I grew up on a farm in the Central Valley. My father, my uncles, and my grandfather were farmers. We raised peaches, plums, nectarines, and grapes. I recall living and understanding what water means to us, so I do understand the value and sensitivities about water. Now, in the Sacramento region, where I now represent, we have tried to take a balanced approach, working to protect the environment while providing water for our farms and our cities. It is misleading to claim that H.R. 23 will solve our drought problems. This legislation only prioritizes certain regions or industries instead of taking the comprehensive approach we need. And by giving the Federal Government power to dictate the best uses of the State's water, H.R. 23 sets a disastrous precedent for other States across the country that should raise alarm on both sides of the aisle. The bill we are discussing today undermines a State's autonomy. Ultimately, I am concerned that this bill will weaken environmental protections for the Sacramento-San Joaquin delta, and harm our State's ability to manage its own water. That is why I join my district and the State of California in strongly opposing this bill. We cannot afford to give up California's right to control its own water future. We must focus on an all-of-the-above strategy that puts us on the path to a sustainable water supply while protecting our environment. Mr. Chairman, I strongly urge my colleagues to reject this legislation.

Ms. MATSUI. Mr. Chair, I rise in support of Mr. DeSaulnier's amendment to H.R. 23. Recycling projects provide sustainable water sources that help make our communities drought-resilient. In Sacramento, we are working to build a project that would use claimed wastewater to irrigate up to 18,000 acres of farmland and habitat. These are the types of projects that help prepare California for the next drought, and they result in more water for our farms and cities. We should be working on sustainable solutions like these. Last Congress, I introduced a bill to improve the Bureau of Reclamation's Title XVI Water Reclamation and Reuse Funding Program by removing the requirement that each recycling project receive an explicit congressional authorization. The bill was included in the WIIN Act passed into law last year, thereby expanding the pool of eligible projects. Mr. DeSaulnier's amendment continues to move us forward by emphasizing the importance of recycling in our approach to managing water use. I urge my colleagues to support it.

Ms. MATSUI

Ms. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the outstanding leadership of Marcia Boyle, a rare disease advocate who has dedicated the past four decades of her life to helping people impacted by primary immunodeficiency diseases. This mission was not a path Marcia would have chosen herself. Rather, this mission chose her, and she has responded with full vigor to improve life for not only her own son but for countless other people in the United States and world impacted by one of the more than 300 forms of primary immunodeficiency diseases, or PI. Thankfully, as a result of Marcia's leadership, the world today is a much brighter place for people with PI, though a number of changes remain to be addressed. Marcia first started to become a rare disease advocate when her son John became seriously ill in the late 1970s. John would later be diagnosed with a form of PI and had received the appropriate medical treatment, life-sustaining therapy he continues utilizing today. Marcia recognized the deep need for people like John and their families and continued to make a difference for the entire community even though her child and family were taken care of. This led to Marcia's founding of the Immune Deficiency Foundation, an operation she ran out of her kitchen. For a dozen years Marcia worked as a full-time volunteer founder and leader of the organization before embarking on another career in leading development positions at Johns Hopkins Medicine. Over the past several years, Marcia has significantly expanded the scope, staff and programming of the IDF to reach more persons in need. This includes working with the leading clinicians and scientists in the field to publish evidence-based guides for other clinicians, for parents and for patients. She had served on the board of the National Health Council and has been seen as a national and global leader of the patient advocacy or voluntary health community. Mr. Speaker, I know many in the PI community are saddened by Marcia's retirement later this summer. To say Marcia has done the job well would be an understatement, and she may have a successor but certainly not a replacement. I'm pleased that Marcia will continue her service to IDF as a volunteer and member of the board of trustees, and am confident that she will continue to help lead this community for decades to come.