Kevin McCarthy

Mr. McCARTHY

Mr. McCARTHY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Greg Gallion on his retirement after a long, fruitful career as CEO of Houchin Community Blood Bank. Greg was born and raised in Bakersfield, completing his education at Marymount College in Salina, Kansas. Greg's future in bettering the lives of others was foreshadowed when he moved to Albany, New York, to work with delinquent children at the St. Francis Homes for Boys and Girls. He would make his return home to Bakersfield in 1975, working for two years at Three-Way Chevrolet and then an impressive 24 years in the title insurance industry. For all of Greg's successes, his greatest impact came with his hiring as Houchin Community Blood Bank's Chief Executive Officer. As CEO, Greg worked tirelessly for 17 years to help local healthcare providers meet the needs of the Kern County community. Greg saw nothing but potential in Houchin Community Blood Bank and quickly worked to build the company infrastructure and increase the scope of Houchin's presence across Kern County. Greg oversaw the construction of a new headquarters for Houchin in Bakersfield, doubled the number of employees and introduced the use of six-bed buses during blood drives. These actions not only helped put more Kern County citizens to work, but also increased the accessibility of the blood bank as well as better supplied local hospitals. Not content to rest on Houchin's laurels, Greg expanded the company's life-saving services, collecting and providing blood, plasma, platelets, and other blood derivatives. Where some CEOs would be content maintaining a status quo, Greg always strove to innovate for the sake of his employees, customers, and the community he served. More than anything else, Greg will be remembered as a leader who put his community first, factoring the wellbeing of his patients and clients in every decision he made as CEO. As CEO, he established Houchin's slogan, ``people live when people give,'' words that continue to inspire thousands across Kern County to donate blood each year. Greg's community involvement did not end at his desk, as he maintained an impressive community presence, having led as President of Bakersfield Downtown Rotary and Director of the Kern County Fair Board, as well as active involvement with the Executives Association of Kern County and the Kern Advisory Council for Valley Public Radio. Greg Gallion departs Houchin Community Blood Bank a stronger and more impactful institution than when he joined it. Through his work, Greg left an unmistakable impression on our community that I know will be felt for years to come. It has been a pleasure getting to know Greg over the years both in his official capacity with Houchin and as a fellow member of Bakersfield Downtown Rotary. While it is the community's loss to see Greg leave Houchin, I know that that he will now have the time to enjoy the things he loves most, such as traveling with his beloved wife of 38 years, Sheryl. I wish Greg all the best as he and his family begins this new chapter of his life.

Mr. McCARTHY

Mr. McCARTHY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mark V. Bozigian on his retirement after a long distinguished career in public service, serving most recently as City Manager for the City of Lancaster, California. While he is best known for his extensive career in public service, Mark cultivated his business and managerial acumen in the private sector after graduating from Loyola Marymount University with a Bachelor's and Master's Degree in Business Administration. It was during his time in the private sector that Mark developed the tireless work ethic that would define his tenure at the City of Lancaster. For ten years, Mark worked for Hughes Aircraft, where he held a variety of management positions, most notably as Business Manager for two of Hughes Aircraft's laser production programs. Mark also gained experience as a realtor and as a small business partner, forging pivotal personal and business relationships that he carried with him into his career in the public sector. Mark has served the City of Lancaster for 24 years, building a portfolio of accomplishments across his roles as Lancaster's Transportation Programs Coordinator, Redevelopment Director, Assistant City Manager, and City Manager. During his eleven years as Lancaster's City Manager, Mark has dedicated his time and energy to bolstering public safety, economic development, transportation, neighborhood revitalization, and obtaining Federal and state grant funding for city projects. Most notably, Mark has overseen Lancaster's impressive development in renewable energies, working to make the city the solar capital of California and courting companies to bring jobs and clean energy technology to our community. Mark's efforts have been a great success--Lancaster's economy has grown under his guidance, and the city now produces more solar power per capita than any other city in California. Mark also worked to revitalize Lancaster's downtown BLVD district and has been a key player in the recent, rapid growth of Lancaster's booming aerospace industry. More than anything else, Mark routinely demonstrates a love for his city and the people he represents, working around the clock to better Lancaster without ever seeking credit or commendation for his service. Once, following heavy rains that caused flooding on Lancaster's east side, Mark was among the first on the scene. Knee-deep in water in his suit, he walked door-to-door informing and reassuring citizens that help was on the way. During a Fourth of July celebration, city traffic was so heavy that it reached a standstill, but Mark was there acting as a traffic guide, doing his best to ensure that Lancaster's citizens could get home a little more easily. Mark always took responsibility, and always put the interests of the people of Lancaster first. I have known Mark as a tireless advocate for the needs of his city. Over the years, it has been an honor to work with him to improve the lives of every resident of Lancaster. I have always been impressed by his tenacity to ensure that the people and businesses he represents have their voices heard at the highest levels of government and the successes he has achieved over the course of his public service. Over the past ten years, Lancaster has undergone a period of unprecedented economic growth, and this is undoubtedly in no small part because of Mark's steady hand and dedication to his community. While it is Lancaster's loss to see Mark leave city government, I am confident that he has laid a foundation that will contribute to the city's success for years to come. As Mark begins this new chapter of his life, I wish him, his wife, Karen, and their family all the best.

Mr. McCARTHY

Mr. McCARTHY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize California State Senator Jean L. Fuller, who retires this year from the California State Senate following an exemplary career of public service. Over her career, Jean served two terms in the State Senate and two terms in the State Assembly representing pot1ions of Kern, Tulare, Inyo, and San Bernardino counties. Born and raised in Shafter, California, Jean began her long career of public service as an educator, teaching elementary school in Lemoore, California. Later, Jean moved to Los Angeles County where she served in a variety of roles in the Keppel Union School District, culminating in her service as the District Superintendent from 1990 to 1999. Over her career in education, Jean gained firsthand knowledge of the issues impacting students and their teachers, building a passion that pushed her to dedicate her life to public service. From 1999 to 2006, Jean returned home to Kern County to serve as Superintendent of the Bakersfield City School District (BCSD), the largest elementary school district in the State of California. During her time with BCSD, Jean managed the district's 3,500 staff members to foster a safe and constructive learning environment for the 28,000 students the district served. In 2006, Jean brought her years of knowledge and experience in education to Sacramento, representing the 32nd State Assembly District for four years. By 2010, Jean was successfully elected to represent the 18th and later 16th Senate Districts, where she became known as a consensus-builder among her colleagues. Jean was elected by her colleagues to serve as the Republican Leader of the California State Senate in 2015, becoming the first woman to hold this important top leadership post. During her tenure in the State Legislature, Jean achieved significant legislative success despite Republican minorities in both legislative chambers. Among her achievements, Jean secured tens of millions of dollars in funding to benefit public schools near military bases when her bill, SB 111, was signed into law with broad bipat1isan supply. Additionally, Jean advanced significant legislation to fight Valley Fever, a rare but potentially life-threatening disease that is endemic to our community. Through her efforts, Jean secured $3 million for Valley Fever research for use at the Valley Fever Institute at Kern Medical Center in Bakersfield. Jean's success in the fight against this disease is a significant step forward in finding a cure for an ailment that impacts so many in California's Central Valley. Anyone wishing to serve the public would do well in emulating Jean's tireless work ethic, can-do attitude, and sagacious command of the issues impacting our communities and our state. Jean is unquestionably one of California's most beloved legislators and has paved a career exemplifying the best of public service. Her commitment to fight for her principles with civility, and her constant search for consensus and solutions among her Senate colleagues reflects the deep and enduring respect and admiration she has across the political spectrum. But perhaps one of the most honorable traits of a public servant is one that Jean is universally known for: keeping her word. From hard-fought policy battles on the Senate Floor to her annual travel commitment to her friends with the Camp Fire Girls of America, Jean could always be counted on, and her presence will be sorely missed in and around our community and in the California State Legislature. Jean's transition to a private life is a loss to our community, though I know she will spend her well-deserved retirement to focus on the things she loves most: her family and friends, and traveling and flying with her beloved husband, Russell. As Jean begins this new chapter of her life, on behalf of a most grateful community, state, and nation, I would like to express my profound appreciation to her and to wish her and her family all the best

Mr. McCARTHY

Mr. McCARTHY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Lisa Green on her retirement after a long, accomplished legal career and her eight years of service as the District Attorney of Kern County in California, which I represent. Born and raised in Buffalo, New York, Lisa moved west to attend Fresno State University. Upon graduating in 1980, Lisa attended San Diego Law School, where she quickly made a name for herself at the San Diego Law Review and for her membership on the law school's Moot Court. Lisa graduated law school in 1983 and notably received the Order of Barristers award for her exceptional skills in trial advocacy, oral advocacy, and brief writing. She then deepened her roots in the Golden State, moving to Bakersfield to work for the Kern County District Attorney's office and immersing herself in a community she has since called home. As Deputy District Attorney, Lisa quickly gained a reputation as a talented prosecutor. In 2001, Lisa was promoted to Supervising District Attorney, and she was again promoted to Chief Deputy District Attorney in 2009. In 2010, Lisa ran and won a historic election for District Attorney of Kern County, becoming the first woman in Kern County history to hold the position as the county's chief prosecutor. Over her 35 years of practicing law, Lisa has blazed a career to be proud of. As a trial lawyer, Lisa fought to put some of the worst members of society behind bars. Throughout her career, Lisa prosecuted over 110 felony trials, most of them being for homicides and sexual assaults. Despite the inherent difficulty of these trials, Lisa handled each of her cases through strategic preparedness, composure and poise. During her tenure as a county prosecutor, Lisa prosecuted a number of high-profile cases which she handled with great determination and innovation. Notably, she successfully prosecuted a gruesome murder case by using the species of insect found on the suspect's car windshield to pin the suspect to the scene of the crime. Lisa's tenacity for justice proved time and time again that she was among the best in her field. Lisa Green leaves her post at as Kern District Attorney having made her community a better, safer place. I will remember Lisa for her dedication to her department and her unflagging loyalty to local victims of crime. During a multi-year county budget crisis, Lisa guided her department with professionalism and skill, upholding the court's obligation to speedy trials without delay. She is a fixture at the annual Crime Victims' Rights March, and was renowned for the transparency and accessibility of her office. Lisa's retirement will be felt immediately in the Kern County legal community, though I am confident that the impact of her career of excellence will be felt for years to come. I wish her and her family all the best as she begins this next chapter of her life.

Mr. McCARTHY

Mr. McCARTHY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Judge Gary T. Friedman. Judge Friedman retired this year following 35 years of judicial excellence on the Kern County Superior Court. Born and raised in Bakersfield, California, Judge Friedman's future in law was foreshadowed by his keen interest in watching his father, an oilman, negotiate with attorneys for the family business. He found the idea of helping people to resolve disputes compelling, and committed himself to his studies at Garces Memorial High School and later Bakersfield College while concurrently working for both his father's oil company as well as shepherding on his family's farm. Upon completing his studies at Bakersfield College, Judge Friedman furthered his education at the University of California, Santa Barbara and later earned his law degree at the University of California, Berkeley. After passing the bar exam, he served as a deputy district attorney, worked in various civil law firms, and became the first federal magistrate judge in Kern County before serving on the Superior Court. Over his career, Judge Friedman heard a number of cases, many of which stretched on for months. In fact, he bears the unique distinction of presiding over the longest gang trial in Kern County history. Other cases he heard encompassed the worst of humanity--criminal cases that inflicted incredible and lasting trauma to victims and their families. Yet through each trial he presided over, Judge Friedman made everyone in his courtroom feel comfortable in even the tensest of moments, using genuine kindness and a gentle sense of self-deprecating humor to keep litigants and witnesses at ease. Judge Friedman treated each person who entered his courtroom with all the dignity and respect owed to them in the court of law and was as tenacious as he was ethical in his dogged pursuit of the equal administration of law and justice. These qualities are all the hallmarks of a great judge, and perhaps even moreso, all the hallmarks of a great person. There are not many judges like Judge Gary Friedman, and while it is the County's loss to see him leave his post on the Superior Court, it comforts me to know that he plans to transition to practicing civil law and will remain a fixture in the Kern County legal community. I have had the privilege of getting to know Gary and his wife, Gloria, over the years as members of Bakersfield Downtown Rotary, and I am looking forward to many more spirited conversations about his days, as he puts it, ``toiling in the vineyards of justice'' for years to come. As he embarks on this new adventure, I wish Judge Friedman all the best and thank him for his immense work in service to our community.

Mr. McCARTHY

Mr. McCARTHY. Mr. Speaker, I have a motion at the desk.

Mr. McCARTHY

Mr. McCARTHY. Mr. Speaker, I first want to begin by thanking my friend. Today could be our last scheduled colloquy together. Over the years, we have had many spirited debates on this floor. We have celebrated moments of cooperation, from tackling the opioid epidemic to fighting human trafficking to leveling tough sanctions on American adversaries. As my friend knows, most of what we do in this Chamber is bipartisan. A study by Quorum found that the 115th Congress enacted the highest percentage of bipartisan bills of any Congress in the last 20 years. That success could not have happened without a lot of working across the aisle to find common ground. Now, beyond legislation, I look forward to continuing to work with my friend on our shared passion for a more efficient, effective, and accountable government through events like Congressional Hackathon.

Mr. McCARTHY. Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend for yielding, and I thank him for those kind words. There are other things we also did on this floor. We have also mourned during times of grief, including our colloquy just 1 day after the shooting at the GOP baseball practice. Those moments of shared humanity reflect the very best that this House has to offer. And, yes, we have had our share of debates--debates over policy, over politics, and how to make the country better. But I have always known my friend to be a man of integrity and a fair and honest broker. And although his questions were rarely confined to the schedule for the week to come, I have actually grown to enjoy these colloquies. Because no matter the subject, these colloquies represent some of the last true debate that occurs in this Chamber. So while the transcripts of what we say one day will fade, I wish my friend well as he carries forward this rich legacy of debate on the basis of mutual respect in the people's House, and I know he will. Mr. Speaker, my friend knows I love metrics, so here are a few final stats. On average, our weekly colloquy this year has lasted 42\1/2\ minutes. I apologize to the House recordkeepers and to the Members trying to give 1-minute speeches like they are today. The shortest was 8 minutes, and the longest lasted more than an hour. Mr. Speaker, today will likely be on the shorter end, because our schedule for next week remains fluid and subject to change. Conversations are currently ongoing between the House, Senate, and the White House. In the meantime, Members should be on standby and prepared to return to Washington for votes next week. We will provide advance notice ahead of any expected votes. As of today, I would estimate first votes for the week to occur at 6:30 p.m. next Wednesday. I would encourage all Members to make the necessary arrangements to be here as we complete our work for the 115th Congress.

Mr. McCARTHY. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman. That is completely accurate. So we will have votes 6:30 Wednesday night, and we will finish our work to make sure our government continues to move forward.

Mr. McCARTHY. Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend for the question. I also thank my friend for coming back to where he originally was years ago. Earlier in this Congress, it was not his belief that shutting the government down was bad, and I am thankful that he learned that lesson, because I didn't think it was helpful when he shut the government down over immigration last time. Nobody did. America didn't, and we had to put it back to work. Now, my friend is correct that we have enacted 75 percent of the discretionary budget into law already. I think all Members should take pride in that, even if one side voted ``no'' the majority of times. That is because that is better than any Congress has been able to do in nearly 25 years. So, obviously, 25 percent remains. My friend is correct, there are 12 days left. We did not want to be here with 12 days left. Unfortunately, we had the passing of President Bush. Now, President Bush--there is a legacy to lead. He found a way to find compromise. My friend on the other side says there is six of the seven we agree with, but I can't compromise on the seventh. He says that the American public wants to make sure it stays open. Yeah, we do, too. The American public also wants to make sure we are safe. So I think, in the spirit of the season, of the time, we should come to an agreement, knowing that neither side will get everything that they want. One side wants nothing to happen. The other side wants a certain number. I think we can find common ground. I think we could get it all done next week, and it is really my intention and belief that we will have that vote on this floor, that we can find common ground, keep the government open--I am very thankful that he believes in that again, as we do, and that we finish the job the American public asks for. And when we finish that job, America is stronger, safer, and on a footing to make sure we continue to lead for the 21st century.

Mr. McCARTHY. Not into law.

Mr. McCARTHY. One by one?

Mr. McCARTHY. I like your calendar.

Mr. McCARTHY. You said Wednesday.

Mr. McCARTHY. Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend for yielding. I appreciate my friend's comment. I appreciate that he told us that people on his side of the aisle want to have border security. Then why don't we do the job? Why would we finish a year to settle for mediocrity? My friend also said that he had passed all the appropriations bills, but they never were enacted into law. The most ever done in the last 25 years is what we did this Congress, because of the Senate and the 60 votes. That is why you had Leader Schumer over there at the same time, because Democrats control whether we keep this government open or shut down. They have shown that power before, just as they have done earlier in this Congress. Now, my friend knows that he wants this country protected. I agree with him 100 percent. I do not challenge his belief on the protection of this country. I hope my friend also knows that, on that border, they catch, on average, 10 known terrorists a day. Homeland security is not like any other appropriations. It is not one we just set aside because we disagree with it. This country has known the damage of setting something aside and not paying attention to the warning signs. I think we are better than that. Yeah, it might be uncomfortable. We might have to work a little harder. We are going to stay here a little later than we all planned to be, but there were other circumstances that caused that. I think let's do all seven. Let's get them all done. Let's end on a high note. And it will probably make your job a little easier in the next Congress as well. You won't have to worry about it. But, in doing so, I think we are both going to have to do something. We are both going to have to look the American public in the eye, and we both made our arguments of what we wanted. But we are going to have to accept that you and I are not going to get 100 percent of what we want. I will make this pledge to you right now: I am willing to find some common ground. What that means is, the common ground is, we don't leave until we get this done. Now, your vote has been funding the wall. You voted for that before. I don't know if you have changed your position on that now. But what we are asking for is border security. That means more than just that. I think there is a window, and I think the American public expects it to get done. I would hate to leave and go home and say, oh, I finished the majority of everything, but that homeland security, that one that keeps our constituents safe, that one that looks around for whatever can happen to us in any part of this country, in so many places, we just did what we did last year. You know that harms the agency. You know that holds them back. And I can't look at somebody's face that maybe loses a loved one because something happens in the future because I wanted to leave, because I couldn't find compromise. Mr. Speaker, I will make that promise. I will find common ground, and I will take as long as it does inside any room to make that happen, that we do not leave this Congress without funding all and making sure homeland is not living under the same rules that they had before. When they know it is a changing society, it is also a changing place for those who want to do us harm. What a CR does is locks them in these continuing resolutions that they can't do something new, when they have found that new technology to protect us throughout the homeland. So I want to find common ground. I want to protect America. I want to make us safer, and I want to make us stronger. And I make that commitment to you, sir, that we can get it done.

Mr. McCARTHY. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I respect my friend. I even follow my friend on Instagram. And today is Thursday, and I almost feel like he is throwing a Throwback Thursday up, because now he calls a shutdown stupid. But in this Congress, that is not what he did. In this Congress, he actually whipped to have a shutdown. I did think it was stupid then, and I think going into a shutdown is stupid now. That is why I want to solve the problem. Mr. Speaker, my friend says: Can we make the border better? Yes. He keeps talking about the wall. I just talk about security. When he described what is happening along the border, it was interesting, the words he chose. He said there were ``some people'' down there. I am sure the rest of America has watched what has gone on down there, gone on down there before it even got into Mexico, where they broke down their wall and came across, where they stormed and they threw things at our Border Patrol. I think the border could be more secure. I know my friend lives in Maryland, but to those of us who live in a border State, maybe we understand this a little differently. Now, I am the first one who believes in legal immigration. This has nothing to do with it. This is about keeping the country safe. And if two sides cannot sit down to solve a fundamental problem, it is bad for the country. There is a check and balance, as the gentleman well knows. There is a House; there is a Senate; and then there is an administration, a President, who either signs or vetoes a bill. The gentleman started the conversation earlier very proud of the fact that he passed all 12 bills. We have done that before, too. The test is really the final end, does it get all the way there? We are 75 percent there. Twenty-five percent should not stop us, and we should be able to get it done. But in the gentleman's quest of talking about passing all 12 bills, they didn't become law. Why? Because of the Senate and the 60 votes there.

Mr. McCARTHY. Mr. Speaker, no, I am not. I was here. The gentleman shut down the government.

Mr. McCARTHY. Mr. Speaker, the gentleman voted. He whipped.

Mr. McCARTHY. Mr. Speaker, here, yes.

Mr. McCARTHY. Mr. Speaker, yes.

Mr. McCARTHY. Mr. Speaker, my plan to do that is I need 60 votes in the Senate.

Mr. McCARTHY. Mr. Speaker, will the gentleman yield?

Mr. McCARTHY. Mr. Speaker, I do not want the gentleman to get more Pinocchios, because that is not true. We have brought two major immigration reform bills to this floor, and not one person on the other side of the aisle voted for either. My friend knows the hours that we have spent in our office discussing with everybody trying to come to an agreement, but we had two on this floor.

Mr. McCARTHY. Mr. Speaker, no, we did not.

Mr. McCARTHY. Mr. Speaker, because between those two bills, the gentleman held all of his Members to vote ``no,'' the same way he did with taxes, the same way he did with children's health, the same way he did on many other elements.