Grace Napolitano

Mrs. NAPOLITANO

Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the patriotism of Jordan Ramirez. Jordan Ramirez resides in La Puente with his parents and older sister. He and his family started participating in 5K races when Jordan was 4. Their first race was at Disneyland, where Jordan dressed up as Captain America because he loved superheroes and would often talk about showing support for firefighters, police and military members. Jordan broke a world record by doing seven marathons in seven continents by the age of 10. As he's gotten older, Jordan's mindset about showing his support to military and first responders has remained the same. When races were canceled due to the pandemic, Jordan found the walks to be another way to express that support. When Jordan first began his appreciation walks in September 2020, his father, Dimas Ramirez, created an Instagram account to document the journey, called ``thankyouforyourservicewalk.'' The account has connected Jordan with many of the departments they have honored, and continues to be a means for other first responder departments' requests to build morale. Jordan's purpose behind the walks is two-fold: to thank first responders for their service, and to show appreciation and respect for what they do. The walks are different from the marathons he's run because with those, he would ``usually just run for the fun of it, but the walks . . . it's doing something else for our military and first responders.'' Most of these walks are in southern California, but the walks have also taken him to San Francisco, New York City, and Washington, D.C. Jordan is currently a high school sophomore and working on his next goals: earning a nomination to the Naval Academy to become an officer in the Marine Corps and then to become a firefighter. Mr. Speaker, I urge all my colleagues to join me in recognizing the incredible contributions and patriotism of Jordan Ramirez.

Mrs. NAPOLITANO

Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the distinguished and long career of John D. Freshman, whose unwavering commitment to ensuring clean water for the United States spanned over fifty years. After graduating from Middlebury College in Vermont, John began his career working for Senator Richard Schweiker of Pennsylvania, followed by Governor (and then Senator) Robert Stafford of Vermont. When Senator Stafford joined the Senate, he was appointed to the Public Works Committee, and it was here that John found himself in the heart of the 1972 Clean Water Act conference. In a 2003 interview with Bates College, John recalled the significance of that experience, saying, ``This is the most interesting, stimulating, important thing I've ever seen in my life. This is what I'm going to do for the rest of my life.'' John's passion for the Clean Water Act continued with his service on the National Commission on Water Quality, chaired by Nelson Rockefeller, with Senator Edmund Muskie serving as one of the vice chairs. John became Senator Muskie's right hand on the Committee, working tirelessly on the Clean Water Act, including the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES). After his distinguished service in Congress, John continued his work in public service under President Jimmy Carter. He first contributed to the President's Reorganization Project, focusing on emergency preparedness, natural resources, and economic development. John later served as the Associate Director for the U.S. Regulatory Council and as Special Advisor to the Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, working closely with Administrator Douglas Costle. Throughout his career, both in and out of government, John remained dedicated to advancing clean water initiatives and investments. He worked with communities in California and across the nation to ensure access to clean water, building on the protections and principles established by the Clean Water Act. It has been a great privilege to work with John Freshman over the years. His partnership and perseverance in ensuring that communities have access to clean water and his tireless efforts to protect the principles of the Clean Water Act will have enduring impact. I thank John for his lifelong service and unwavering commitment to clean water and to our country.

Mrs. NAPOLITANO

Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the trail-blazing, prolific swimming career of Nancy Hunt Weiman. Clearwater Beach, Florida, two weeks after the second devastating hurricane in a matter of days, hosted the 2024 Master's National Artistic (Synchronized) Swimming Championships. More than 300 Master's swimmers competed, the largest number of participants--all ages--for this Master's meet since the Master's program was first established some five decades prior. Nancy Hunt Weiman competed in five events and medaled in all five. Immediately after Labor Day, Nancy went to San Francisco to train and to prepare for the competition. Daily workouts--in the pool and land drills--with her Redwood Empire teammates (some of whom Nancy swam with back in 1969 to 1973). She decamped in Pacifica with her current duet partner and fellow member of the International Swimming Hall of Fame, Margo McGrath. Nancy began her synchro career in St. Paul, Minnesota when she was nine. In 1969, Nancy moved to San Francisco to swim with the nationally and internationally famous San Francisco Merionettes. Four years later, in 1973, she ``retired'' after some 15 years of amateur competition. She got hitched a year later and moved to Washington, D.C. A year later, in 1975, now some 49 years ago, Nancy was one of the founders of Master's Synchronized Swimming. At that first meet, she performed ``triple duty'' as a swimmer, coach and Judge. At the time, the Master's program was a step-child in the Synchro world. As such, few judges were willing to attend a ``Master's Meet.'' So, at that very first meet, held in Reading, Pennsylvania, Nancy was needed to judge. She wore ``Judge's whites'' as required, but had her swimsuit on underneath it. When it was her turn to compete, she took off her Judge's uniform, went on deck, waited for the whistle and then swam her event--scores provided by the remaining judges. As soon as she completed her routine, still wet, she put her on her judge's whites and climbed back on the judge's chair to continue judging. Nancy also wrote the first set of official rules that governed that competition. Over the past 49 years, Nancy competed in almost every national and criss- crossed the globe for international competition, doing so in six different age groups from in her 20's to now, in her 70's. Along the way, Nancy has met wonderful people from around the world and had a few ``unique'' experiences. A year ago, after preliminaries in Japan at the World Master's Championships, the meet was halted for several days as a typhoon roared through. Nancy's flights home were canceled and to get home, she was routed to Tokyo, Paris, New York, and then back to D.C. She flew around the world to attend, compete, medal, and then work her way home. Luggage, phone and medals arrived about a week after she did. Today, there is one major difference when she competes: she swims with two new hips and a new knee. Her surgeon's office keeps a framed photo of Nancy in their waiting room. Synchro, now Artistic Swimming, has come a long way since Reading. So Nancy is still practicing, still swimming and still competing. Meets in Canada and Singapore are now on the schedule in 2025 and beyond. Mr. Speaker, I urge all my colleagues to join me in recognizing the contributions Nancy Hunt Weiman has made to Synchro (now called ``Artistic'' Swimming).

Mrs. NAPOLITANO

Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Mr. Speaker, I rise to speak in this Chamber one last time as a most humble Representative of the 31st District of California. Mr. Speaker, I am incredibly grateful to the people of San Gabriel Valley and southeastern Los Angeles County for the trust that they have placed in me for the last 26 years. It has been my distinct pleasure and honor to serve them and to work tirelessly with them on issues that directly impact our district and our region. Born in Brownsville, Texas, to an immigrant mother and a father from San Antonio, I have worked since the age of 12 for everything I have achieved. I was not expected to succeed with only a high school diploma. I believed in myself and was helped and mentored by so many people who believed in me. I have been extremely fortunate to have made so many dear friends in the House, and it has been a great joy to serve alongside them. Past and current colleagues from all walks of life have enriched this whole experience, been friends and family, and have helped me better serve my constituents. I especially thank my colleagues in the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Natural Resources Committee, Congressional Mental Health Caucus, Youth Challenge Caucus, and so many others. I thank them all for their partnership, mentorship, and collegiality. I express my gratitude to my extraordinary staff, most of whom have been with me for the majority of my time in Congress. I have the best staff in Washington. They are the most knowledgeable in water, transportation, and mental health, led by my wonderful chief of staff, Joe Sheehy, Jerry O'Donnell, Joseph Ciccone, Morgan Leonard, Sam Schiller, and Daniel Chao, my former chief of staff. They have always been accessible, polite, and helpful. I also thank my incredible staff on the Subcommittee of Water Resources and Environment, Ryan Seiger, Logan Ferree, and Alexa Williams, all in the gallery. In my district, my staff has always been in the community, meeting with residents, local agency staff, and volunteers to improve how the Federal Government services and invests in our community. They have dealt with hundreds of casework issues every year, getting veterans their proper benefits, Medicare recipients their proper care, and recent immigrants their proper status in the United States. They have been led by my district chief of staff, Perla Hernandez Trumkul, Elena Robles, Robert Pence, Carrie Lam, Leandra Berdin, Tracey Cooper-Harris, and Irma Elisheva Diaz. I thank my current staff and all previous staff in both offices for their service to our community and our Nation. I also thank the countless hardworking staff who make Congress run smoothly. These are the cafeteria workers, custodians, post office workers and letter carriers, and so many other employees of the AOC and CAO; the always-helpful Democratic Cloakroom staff; stenographers; employees of the Clerk, who always assist with legislative business; the friendly lady in the Lindy Boggs Reading Room; the incredible doctors, nurses, physical therapists, and medical staff in the Office of Attending Physician; the many brave Capitol Police officers, who protect us all; and so many others. Lastly, I am incredibly grateful for my remarkable, supportive, and loving family. Each and every one of them has provided the encouragement, guidance, and love that has sustained me through my 26 years of Federal service and 13 years of prior State and local service. My husband, Frank, was my rock and my greatest encouragement. My children have taken care of many family obligations while I have been away in Washington. My beautiful grandchildren and 13 fabulous great-grandchildren have been my inspiration to make America a better place for future generations. I thank my son Fred and his family--his wife, Norma, and Freddie, Veronica, Elizabeth, Andrea, Niko, Nolan, Brooklyn, my first great- great-grandchild on the way, and Daniel. I thank my son Edward and his family--Kelly, Bryan, Nathaniel, Scott, Nick, and Danielle; my son Mike and Lourdes; my daughter Cynthia and her husband, Curt, and Jennifer, Tyler, Ethan, Emma Grace, Hayley Joan, Ryan, Jocelyn, Brenna, Kinsley, and a great-grandson arriving soon; Dillon and Chelsey; my beloved late daughter's family, Christopher, Karina, Christopher Jr., Grayson, Michael, and Dominic. I thank them all for supporting my service and supporting me throughout my career. I am so very proud of them all. Once again, I am proud of everything we have accomplished together throughout my tenure. I also thank my constituents for trusting in me to be their Representative. As I have said to both Republican and Democratic Presidents alike, my focus has been representing my district first, State second, and Nation third. I will continue fighting for the San Gabriel Valley through my last day in office. I wish everybody a merry Christmas, a joyous holy season, and much health and happiness in the New Year and beyond. May God bless everybody in this House and those who serve in it.

Mrs. NAPOLITANO

Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Mr. Speaker, I thank our remarkable team at legislative counsel for putting all of these provisions into legislative text. I am fortunate to have some of the best water leaders in the country in my district and southern California who provided valuable input for this bill, including Los Angeles County Public Works director Mark Pestrella, Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts general manager Robert Ferrante, Metropolitan Water District Board chair Adan Ortega, Los Angeles Harbor Commission president, a former colleague, Lucille Roybal-Allard, and San Gabriel Valley watermaster Tony Zampiello. I particularly thank the subcommittee chairman, David Rouzer, for his friendship and collegiality throughout the hearings and meetings that led to this bipartisan accomplishment and for visiting my district. Most importantly, I thank my incredible Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee staff: Ryan Seiger, Alexa Williams, Logan Ferree, and Ryan Hambleton, and the majority staff, and a personal thanks to my chief of staff, Joe Sheehy. Mr. Speaker, this is my last time before Congress on the Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. I urge my colleagues to support WRDA.

Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to join my great Ranking Member Larsen and thank the gentleman for the kind accolades; Chairman Graves; my friend, Chairman Rouzer; and members of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee in bringing the conference agreement on S. 4367, the Water Resources Development Act of 2024, to the floor. The WRDA is our legislative commitment to investing in and protecting our communities from flooding and droughts, restoring our environment and ecosystems, and keeping our Nation's competitiveness by supporting our ports and harbors. Through the biennial enactment of WRDA legislation, this committee has addressed local, regional, and national needs through authorization of new U.S. Army Corps of Engineers projects, studies, and policies that benefit every corner of our country. Mr. Speaker, I am particularly thankful that we were able to include in this WRDA policies to improve upon and address the needs of water supply. The bill for the first time makes it a policy of the corps to maximize opportunities for water supply, water conservation, and drought resilient measures at reservoirs, recharge basins, and corps facilities. It requires the corps to work with local communities and give full consideration to local proposals to address water supply needs. I thank Representative LaMalfa for joining me in authoring this important provision. I also thank Senators Padilla and Kelly for improving this section with their own important drought resilient initiatives. We are seeing the need for the corps to play a bigger role in water supply, especially in drought-prone regions such as the West. This provision will prevent the bureaucratic and logistical roadblocks that many communities faced when trying to work with the corps to improve water, ground-water recharge, and other water supply improvements. This legislation further includes the provision creating new project construction authority for the corps to consider opportunities to reclaim, treat, and reuse stormwater to address regional needs. Our bill also expands the corps' authority to modify existing dams, basins, and channels for drought resiliency measures, including water conservation measures, removal of sediment, planting of native vegetation, and other actions that increase water efficiency. This year, the corps finally funded the donor port provisions of WRDA 2020 in their work plan. This bill requires the corps to provide an annual report on WRDA 2020 Harbor Maintenance provisions to make sure the direction of Congress on negotiated HMT expenditures is followed. This is incredibly important to my local ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach to make sure they receive their fair share of harbor funding. This bill also provides for hundreds of local concerns throughout the country. Staff took input from over 300 Members of Congress who improved this bill with their insight into the needs of their communities. For my community, I am proud that this bill transfers the authorization of 44 channels in my region to the Los Angeles County Flood Control District. These channels are locally owned and have been successfully operated and maintained by Los Angeles County for decades. The provision will formalize the current operation of these channels. This bill further creates a GAO study on the growing issue of homeless encampments on corps properties. This has become an increasing concern in my district and across the country with the danger of homeless encampments in active flood channels. The study will propose options for the corps, partnering with State, Federal, and local agencies, to provide resources and prevent flood disasters. This bill also formalizes and improves on an academic partnership with Cal Poly Pomona in my region. Cal Poly is one of the most diverse and successful engineering schools in the country and educates many future corps engineers. This provision formalizes the collaboration between the corps and the university in conducting academic research on integrated design and management of water resources development projects, including for the purposes of flood risk management, ecosystem restoration, water supply, water conservation, and sustainable aquifer management. Mr. Speaker, WRDA is a bipartisan product that includes provisions in every part of the country and is authored by House Members themselves. It is an incredible task compiling all of these priorities and drafting this WRDA bill. I am proud, as the chairman stated, that the sixth WRDA passed on a bipartisan basis. Mr. Speaker, I thank the many people who helped this bill become a reality. I thank the leadership of the Army Corps of Engineers and their incredible staff who have worked through the hundreds of submissions they received.

Mrs. NAPOLITANO

Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Mr. Speaker, on Friday, November 15, 2024, I was absent for Roll Call No. 465. Had I been present, I would have voted ``Yea'' on the FAFSA Deadline Act.

Mrs. NAPOLITANO

Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Mr. Speaker, I congratulate City of Hope's National Medical Center in Duarte, California on being recognized as one of the nation's top 5 hospitals for cancer care by the U.S. News & World Report's 2024-2025 rankings. In the same report, the center was also rated as high performing in six cancer procedures: lung cancer surgery, colon cancer surgery, prostate cancer surgery, gynecologic cancer surgery, gastroenterology and GI cancer surgery, and in the treatment of leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma. City of Hope is the only freestanding National Cancer Institute- designated Comprehensive Cancer Center in California that is not affiliated with a university. Their system in California includes the Duarte campus, a new cancer center in Orange County, and clinical locations across Southern California, along with cancer treatment centers and outpatient facilities in the Atlanta, Chicago, and Phoenix areas. City of Hope continues to be a national leader and innovator in a range of complex cancer types and innovative technologies, and because of them, hundreds of thousands of lives continue to be saved through these advances. I know firsthand of the dedication and devotion that City of Hope is committed to offering all who are in need, particularly to those from traditionally underserved communities. It has been a trusted institution in Southern California, offering superior care to the community for many decades. I congratulate City of Hope and all its staff on this well-deserved national recognition by U.S. World News & Reports, and I wish them continued success.

Mrs. NAPOLITANO

Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. Mr. Speaker, as I mentioned earlier, WRDA is a bipartisan product that includes provisions in every part of the country and authored by House Members themselves. It is an incredible task compiling all of these priorities and drafting the WRDA bill. I thank the many people who have helped this bill become a reality. I thank the leadership at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Assistant Secretary Connor, Lieutenant General Spellmon, and their incredible staff who have worked through the hundreds of submissions we have received. I thank the remarkable team at legislative counsel for putting all of these provisions into legislative text. I am very fortunate to have some of the best water leaders in the country in my district and southern California who provided valuable input for this bill, including Los Angeles County Public Works Director Mark Pestrella, Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts General Manager Robert Ferrante, Metropolitan Water District Board Chair Adan Ortega, Los Angeles Harbor Commission President Lucille Roybal-Allard, and San Gabriel Valley Watermaster Tony Zampiello, who is retired. I particularly thank the subcommittee chair David Rouzer for his friendship and his collegiality through the hearings and meetings that led to this bipartisan accomplishment and for visiting my district. I also thank all of my past co-chairs, who have been excellent. Most importantly, I thank the incredible Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee staff, including Alexa Williams, Logan Ferree, Ryan Seiger, and Ryan Hambleton, and the majority staff. My special thanks go to my chief of staff, Joe Sheehy, and Melvin Sanchez. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support and vote for the WRDA 2024, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Mr. Speaker, I thank Mr. Rouzer for being a perfect partner, and I wish him well in next year's WRDA. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Stanton).

Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Graves for his kind words. I am pleased to join him and Ranking Member Larsen, Chairman Rouzer, and members of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee in bringing H.R. 8812, the Water Resources Development Act of 2024, WRDA, to the House floor. The Water Resources Development Act is our legislative commitment to investing in and protecting our communities from flooding and droughts, restoring our environmental ecosystems, and keeping our Nation's competitiveness by supporting our ports and harbors. Through the biennial enactment of WRDA legislation, this committee has addressed local, regional, and national needs through authorization of the new Army Corps of Engineers projects, studies, and policies that benefit every corner of our country. I am particularly thankful that we have been able to include in this WRDA policies to improve upon and address the needs of water supply. The bill for the first time makes water supply a primary mission of the Corps, finally. I thank Representative LaMalfa for joining me in authoring this very important provision, as we have seen the need for the Corps to play a bigger role in water supply with the local communities, especially in drought-prone regions such as the West. This provision will prevent the bureaucratic and logistical roadblocks that many communities have faced when trying to work with the Corps to improve stormwater capture, groundwater recharge, and other water supply improvements. This legislation further includes a provision requiring the Corps to consider opportunities to reclaim, treat, and reuse stormwater in future small flood control projects. The bill also expands the Corps' authority to modify existing dams, basins, and channels for drought resiliency measures, including water conservation measures, removal of sediment, planting of native vegetation, and other actions that increase water efficiency. Two months ago, the Corps finally funded the donor port provisions of WRDA 2020, 4 years later, in their work plan. This bill requires the Corps to provide an annual report on WRDA 2020 harbor maintenance provisions to make sure the direction of Congress on negotiated Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund expenditures are followed. The bill also provides for hundreds of local concerns throughout the country. We took input from over 300 Members of Congress who improved this bill with their insights into the needs of the communities. For my community, I am proud that this bill transfers the authorization of 44 channels in my region to the Los Angeles County Flood Control District. These channels are locally owned and have been successfully operated and maintained by Los Angeles County for decades. This provision will formalize the current operation of these channels. The bill further creates a GAO study on the growing issue of homeless encampments on Corps properties. This has become an increasing concern in my district and across the country with the danger of homeless encampments in active flood channels. The study will propose options for the Corps and partnering with Federal, State, and local agencies to address the issue. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 8812, the Water Resources Development Act of 2024. I thank my colleagues for their kind words, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Mr. Speaker, I continue to reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Mr. Speaker, I continue to reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Mr. Speaker, I continue to reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Mr. Speaker, I continue to reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Mr. Speaker, I continue to reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Mr. Speaker, I continue to reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. NAPOLITANO

Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the long career of public service provided to the people of the San Gabriel Valley and Southern California by Anthony (Tony) Zampiello of the San Gabriel Valley Water Association and the Main San Gabriel Basin Watermaster. Water policy and management is one of the most controversial, complicated, and costly issues in California. In my region there are hundreds of different water supply agencies, water treatment works, water distributors, and water users. One of the things that the varied water interests in the San Gabriel Valley agree on is the deep gratitude we have for the invaluable expertise of Tony Zampiello over the past 35 years. Tony has been at the forefront of managing water agencies and advising policy makers on historic water rights, urban water usage, infrastructure, federal programs, and groundwater management. As the primary groundwater manager in the San Gabriel Valley, Tony has effectively administered basin levels and usage through cycles of drought and heavy storm seasons. The San Gabriel Basin would not have withstood the severe droughts of the past decade and come back at heightened levels the way it did if it were not for Tony's leadership. Tony has testified in Congress and provided policy advice that has been at the forefront of the water debates and legislation signed into law. He was the impetus for multiple provisions in Water Resources Development Acts that have led to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers improving groundwater recharge and dam operations in Southern California. He advocated for improved stormwater capture that led to a new Clean Water Act program for stormwater in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. He has championed water recycling that has spurred Congress to provide millions of dollars in additional Bureau of Reclamation funding to reuse wastewater and release it into spreading grounds and improve our aquifers. Mr. Speaker, we are happy that Tony is moving on to a much-deserved retirement, but we will greatly miss the reservoir of knowledge that he has provided to water managers and policy makers. I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Tony Zampiello on his retirement, and thanking him for his long career of public service to the people of Southern California.

Mrs. NAPOLITANO

Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize Jack Simes as he retires after more than four decades of federal service. Mr. Simes has dedicated 43 years of public service to our country and to nine Southern California counties that are home to more than 23 million people. For the last seven years, Mr. Simes served as the Southern California Area Manager for the United States Bureau of Reclamation. As Area Manager, Mr. Simes was responsible for implementing water reclamation and reuse projects under the Title XVI authority, conducting water and related resources planning, water conservation field services, and Native American Affairs. Mr. Simes established constructive working relationships with dozens of locally led water and power districts, guiding them through the process of seeking federal financial assistance for much needed infrastructure improvements. Mr. Simes brought a can-do spirit and commitment to work that inevitably turned his colleagues and stakeholders into friends. Notably, he has a sign in his office detailing his motto: be good, be kind, and be of service. Mr. Simes leaves behind a legacy that will be impossible to match. As a direct result of Mr. Simes's exemplary work, the federal government was able to financially participate in and expedite the development of hundreds of millions of dollars in locally developed water resiliency, conservation and water supply projects that are operating today. Mr. Speaker, Jack Simes has been an invaluable resource to Members of Congress, our staff, and to the constituents and water agencies we represent in the West. I ask that my colleagues in the United States House of Representatives join me in congratulating Mr. Simes and wish him and his wife, Karen Simes, a rich and rewarding retirement.

Mrs. NAPOLITANO

Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with a heavy heart to honor the life of Catherine ``Cathy'' Marcucci, who proudly served the City of Industry as Mayor Pro Tem until her passing on April 26 at the age of 60, after a hard-fought, three-year battle against aggressive anaplastic thyroid cancer. Cathy was a beloved wife, mother, daughter, and sister, and a dear friend to many. A lifelong resident of Southern California, Cathy began her civic career in 2017 as a member of the City of Industry city council, where she served continuously, stepping into the role of Mayor Pro Tem in 2019. Always eager to be involved in meetings with my staff and me, she was very gracious to all and never wavered from her commitment to assist her constituents. Throughout her tenure, Cathy demonstrated exemplary leadership, fostering collaboration and championing causes that uplifted the lives of people and furry companions alike. An avid animal lover, Cathy spearheaded efforts to establish the first no-kill animal rescue in the San Gabriel Valley. Cathy is survived by her husband Steve Marcucci; daughter Lauren Eigel and son-in-law, Pete; parents, Larry and Etta Colson; brother and sister, Tim Colson and Chrissy Lowe, and their families; and countless dear friends. She is also survived by her rambunctious four dogs and two cats, all equally beloved and in no particular order: Nemo, Lola, Rosie, Louee, Lucy, and Laci. I extend my deepest sympathies to the family, colleagues, friends, and constituents of Cathy Marcucci, and I urge all my colleagues to join me in recognizing her life and public service. She will be solely missed.

Mrs. NAPOLITANO

Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 5754 to designate the United States courthouse located at 350 W. 1st Street, Los Angeles, California, as the Felicitas and Gonzalo Mendez United States Courthouse. I thank Representative Jimmy Gomez for introducing this important legislation. I am proud to support this courthouse renaming bill as it recognizes the critical role that Felicitas and Gonzalo Mendez served in the fight for civil rights in the United States. Their resolve to fight for equality in the landmark case Mendez v. Westminster, along with four other families from Orange County, California, would not only end segregation in California schools but also lay the groundwork for Brown v. Board of Education in 1954. In September of last year, I stood alongside Sylvia Mendez, daughter of Felicitas and Gonzalo, as Representative Gomez marked the introduction of his bill. Sylvia, a dedicated civil rights activist, travels the country to ensure the legacies of her parents and the four other families are not forgotten. I am proud to have worked with my L.A. area colleagues in 2011, especially former Representative Lucille Roybal-Allard, in advocating for the construction of this much-needed courthouse in downtown Los Angeles. The Felicitas and Gonzalo Mendez U.S. Courthouse will serve as a reminder of the contributions of Latino Americans to this country, and I hope my colleagues will join me in supporting this legislation. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to support H.R. 5754.

Mrs. NAPOLITANO

Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Mr. Speaker, on Monday, April 15, 2024, I was absent for several votes due to a delayed flight. Had I been present, I would have voted in the following way: NAY on Roll Call No. 120, Motion to Table the Motion to Reconsider H.R. 7888, the Reforming Intelligence and Securing America Act; YEA on Roll Call No. 121, suspending the rules and agreeing to H.R. 6408, To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to terminate the tax-exempt status of terrorist supporting organizations; and YEA on Roll Call No. 122, suspending the rules and agreeing to H.R. 5923, the Iran-China Energy Sanctions Act.

Mrs. NAPOLITANO

Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong opposition to H.R. 7023. This bill significantly restricts the oversight and regulatory authorities of the EPA and Corps of Engineers under the Clean Water Act. The Clean Water Act, enacted over 50 years ago, is the Nation's bedrock environmental law for restoring and maintaining the ``chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the Nation's waters'' and water resources. However, the changes in H.R. 7023 defy the act's overarching intent and gut the independent authority of both agencies to ensure that projects and activities are carried out with only minimal impacts to water resources. This partisan bill weakens clean water protections while providing exemptions, legal shields, and limited oversight to special interest polluters and large-scale projects that demand higher scrutiny. The bill disregards congressional intent in establishing EPA's independent oversight authority over clean water permits, undermines permitting requirements, eliminates judicial review and public engagement, rolls back oversight of mining companies and industrial polluters, inadvertently slows down permit processing with increased bureaucracy, and complicates State-determined decisions. Mr. Chairman, this bill would also significantly reduce remaining Clean Water Act protections over critical rivers, streams, lakes, and wetlands that survived last year's Supreme Court ruling. Not satisfied with the Court's Sackett decision that eliminated protections for more than 50 percent of the wetlands and up to 70 percent of the streams, this package of anti-clean water proposals would further hamstring the EPA's and Corps' abilities to operate independently to protect our Nation's waterways. These proposals go in the wrong direction by giving even more to polluters and sacrificing the needs of communities that depend on clean water. After Sackett, Congress should be working to restore the protections of the Clean Water Act that worked for over 50 years and to move H.R. 5983, the Clean Water Act of 2023, a bill that I have cosponsored with over 130 of my colleagues, to restore clean water protections over our waters, many of which serve as irreplaceable sources of water for families, our communities, our farms, our businesses, our industries, and our quality of life. We have made too much progress in cleaning up the rivers and streams for Congress to give up now. Mr. Chairman, that is why I am opposed to the proposed changes in H.R. 7023 that weaken bedrock Clean Water Act protections. The bill will add additional hurdles to EPA's ability to issue water quality standards. It will reduce, if not eliminate, opportunities for the public to seek redress when they are harmed by violations of the Clean Water Act. It would effectively eliminate EPA's ability to oversee and block dangerous projects. Communities will not benefit from these changes, but mining companies, the oil and gas industry, and other toxic polluters will. My colleagues would like to approve projects faster, but we need to ensure that projects are built with full consideration of the impacts to human health and the environment. I support the EPA and the Corps working with local communities, Tribes, and States to make these important decisions. Mr. Chairman, I include in the Record a copy of the minority views to H.R. 7023 that were cosigned by myself, Ranking Member Larsen, and an overwhelming majority of Democrats on the committee. Minority Views

Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Mr. Chairman, I urge my colleagues on both sides to vote ``no'' on this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Mr. Chairman, I include in the Record a copy of the Statement of Administration Policy in opposition to H.R. 7023, which states that this legislation will ``weaken the Clean Water Act, remove protections for waterways that are vital to the well-being of American families, and undermine ongoing, bipartisan efforts to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of infrastructure permitting processes.'' Statement of Administration Policy H.R. 7023--Creating Confidence in Clean Water Permitting Act--Rep. Rouzer, R-NC The Administration strongly opposes H.R. 7023, which would weaken the Clean Water Act, remove protections for waterways that are vital to the well-being of American families, and undermine ongoing, bipartisan efforts to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of infrastructure permitting processes. The Administration is making historic investments and taking unprecedented action to modernize and accelerate permitting to ensure that infrastructure projects get designed and built swiftly and in a way that reflects community input and protects clean air, clean water, and public health. H.R. 7023 would create uncertainty, confusion, and conflict in permitting processes by: restricting community input and environmental analysis and information that is needed to inform Federal decisions to protect the public; curtailing the Environmental Protection Agency's ability to keep pollutants out of water supplies upon which communities rely; and, weakening bedrock environmental protections. H.R. 7023 is out of step with the type of bipartisan permitting reforms that the Administration supports and that Congress should pass.