Grace Napolitano

Mrs. NAPOLITANO

Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from Michigan (Mrs. Dingell).

Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from Illinois (Ms. Schakowsky).

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

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

Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Mr. Speaker, I am glad to hear that this has such great bipartisan support. It truly is an amazing bill. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bipartisan legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. NAPOLITANO

Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4275) to amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to reauthorize the Lake Pontchartrain Basin Restoration Program, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 4275, as amended.

Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record a letter in support of H.R. 4275 to reauthorize the Lake Pontchartrain Basin Restoration Program from the Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation. Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation, February 4, 2020. Re H.R. 4275: Support to amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to reauthorize the Lake Pontchartrain Basin Restoration Program. Hon. Nancy Pelosi, Speaker, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Hon. Kevin McCarthy, Minority Leader, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Dear Speaker Pelosi & Minority Leader McCarthy: I would like to express our support for H.R. 4275--the reauthorization of the Pontchartrain Basin Restoration Program within the Environmental Protection Agency. This program provides resources vital to the restoration of the ecological health of the Basin, as well as public education projects. Although Lake Pontchartrain and its surrounding area continue to face environmental challenges, the Lake and its resources have made a tremendous comeback. Much of this success is due to interested and concerned citizens who want a clean, healthy Lake and Basin for this and future generations, all of which would not be possible without your support of this PRP funding. Sincerely, Kristi L. Trail, P.E., Executive Director.

Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 4275 will reauthorize EPA's Lake Pontchartrain Basin Restoration Program for the next 5 years. Introduced by the gentlemen from Louisiana, Mr. Graves and Mr. Richmond, it reauthorizes the program for the next 5 years with continued funding of $20 million annually over 5 years. It also caps EPA's administrative expenses at 5 percent. At our June subcommittee hearing, we received testimony on current threats to the Lake Pontchartrain region and its watershed. Covering a 10,000-square-mile area, the basin faces impacts from logging, urban, and agriculture runoff, sewage overflows and nonpoint source pollution. This is an example of human development having an extreme impact on the entire watershed, capable of causing entire dead zones as we are now seeing. With impaired wetlands prevented from acting as natural filters for these pollutants, the entire lake is at risk. This program represents a collaborative effort for Federal, State, and local entities to restore the ecological health of the basin. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 4275, and I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Mrs. NAPOLITANO. I am prepared to close, Mr. Speaker, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume to close. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank both sides' staff. They have been doing a marvelous job. Of course, I thank the chairmen and the ranking members of both committees for all the support they have gotten on all these important bills on water. Water is the economy, and we realize that we have to clean it up and help the communities work with the States and other entities. We will get it done. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bipartisan bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. NAPOLITANO

Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Madam Speaker, I include in the Record my remarks supporting the Articles of Impeachment against Donald Trump. Madam Speaker, I rise to say no one is above the law, not even the President. Today, we assert this truth, uphold our constitutional duty, and hold President Trump accountable for his actions. To fulfill my oath of office and protect the Constitution, I will vote to impeach President Donald Trump. President Trump abused the power of his office when he solicited help in the 2020 election from Ukraine. He did this not to root out corruption or with our nation's interests in mind, but to gain a personal, political advantage in the election. The President withheld $391 million in congressionally-approved military aid for Ukraine until it agreed to investigate his political rival. This corrupt scheme put at risk Ukraine's security as well as our own national security, and it undermined the integrity of our elections. It is a clear abuse of power. President Trump then obstructed Congress, which sought truth and accountability. He ordered the complete defiance of lawful subpoenas for relevant documents and prohibited witnesses from giving testimony, further violating the Constitution. This unprecedented blockade has threatened our cherished system of Checks and Balances. Madam Speaker, it is time to finally hold President Trump accountable for these corrupt and unconstitutional actions. We must pass the two articles of impeachment before us today to make certain no one is above the law. I urge all of my colleagues to stand up for the Constitution and join me in voting yes.

Mrs. NAPOLITANO

Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Madam Speaker, I rise today to happily, enthusiastically congratulate the 2019 UCLA Softball Team, the reigning Women's College World Series Champions, whom I had the great pleasure of greeting here in the Capitol last month. With the score tied in the 7th inning, the Bruins rallied with a walk-off single to complete the 2-game sweep of Oklahoma, capping the historic season. Head Coach Kelly Inouye-Perez won her 600th career game in the thrilling WCWS-clinching victory. There was clearly no quit in this team, which demonstrated the relentlessness of a champion team all year. The Bruins had 14 comeback victories throughout the season. On their way to the National Championship--the 13th in program history--the Bruins led the entire NCAA Tournament in batting average (.317); runs scored (79); slugging percentage (.548); and home runs (18). They dominated all competitors in their way, never trailing an inning in the WCWS. Congratulations to all of the players, coaches, and training staff on securing another national title. You have made all past, current, and future Bruins proud by displaying sportsmanship, teamwork, and excellence both on and off the field. Congratulations, and good luck in defending your title next year.

Mrs. NAPOLITANO

Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H. Res. 296, Affirming the United States record on the Armenian Genocide. I am honored to have supported this resolution my entire tenure in Congress. Although it should not have taken this long, today is a historic day in that the House is finally acknowledging the Armenian Genocide, recognizing the heroic efforts of many in our government to help the Armenian people, and honoring the victims of this tragedy. H. Res. 296 acknowledges the systematic and deliberate annihilation of millions of Armenians by the Ottoman Empire. The resolution recognizes the courage and leadership shown at the time by our ambassador Henry Morgenthau, our government, and the American people who provided relief and shelter to the victims of the genocide. Thousands of victims, mostly women and children, were saved by the people of our nation who gave humanitarian assistance to the refugees. Many of the Armenians who fled this crisis immigrated to the United States where they found the freedom and prosperity that our nation provides. The descendants of these genocide survivors have created the strong, vibrant, and patriotic Armenian-American community that our nation is blessed with today. We must honor the sacrifice of their forefathers and reaffirm the U.S. record on the Armenian Genocide. I would like to thank the many advocates in and outside of Congress who have played an integral role in ths legislation. Our colleagues Congressman Adam Schiff and Congressman Frank Pallone have been tireless advocates for this resolution and should be applauded for their work in getting us here today. The Armenian-American community has stayed committed to recognizing the incredible injustice their ancestors suffered even while many challenged their bearing witness to the truth. Armenian-Americans have sought formal recognition of this genocide, not only to help heal their own community, but to ensure genocide never happens again. The Armenian-American community is always first to speak out regarding modern-day crimes against humanity, such as in Rwanda and Darfur. Mr. Speaker, like Armenian-Americans I ask my colleagues to support this resolution, not only to recognize the genocides of the past, but to prevent genocide in the future.

Mrs. NAPOLITANO

Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 2440, the Full Utilization of the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund Act. First, I want to recognize the leadership of my Chairman, the gentleman from Oregon (Mr. DeFazio) for his leadership on this issue and shepherding H.R. 2440 through the legislative process. His tenacity on this issue is one of the main reasons why we are here today, and will, hopefully be successful in moving this bill through the House. I also want to thank the Ranking Member of the Full Committee, the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Graves); the Subcommittee Ranking Member, the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Westerman); and the gentleman from Pennsylvania, (Mr. Kelly) for their support of this legislation as original cosponsors. H.R. 2440 authorizes a discretionary cap adjustment for the full- utilization of the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps). This change would enable the investment of approximately $34 billion over the next decade from the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund for the intended purpose of maintaining Federally-authorized harbors. This will allow the Corps to dredge all Federal harbors to their constructed widths and depths. In 1986, Congress enacted the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund as a user fee by taxing importers and domestic shippers at our harbors in order to pay for the maintenance of our harbors. The problem is that the trust fund collects more revenue than the President's Budget requests and Congress has appropriated to maintain our harbors. According to the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund will collect an additional $24.5 billion in new revenue over the next decade but federal appropriations from the trust fund will only be $19.4 billion. This discrepancy is in addition to the estimated $9.3 billion in previously collected but unspent revenue. During the Subcommittee's hearing on April 10th, representatives from ports both big and small all agreed that Congress must fully spend the trust fund on harbor needs. H.R. 2440 would provide this authority to spend the $24.5 billion in new revenue as intended on harbor maintenance. As we pass this responsible budgeting bill today, I also look forward to working with my colleagues as we move forward with a Water Resources Development Act this Congress to address inequities in how these funds are spent.

Mrs. NAPOLITANO

Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Master Sergeant Jose J. Gonzalez of La Puenta, California, from my district, who died on August 21 during combat operations in Faryab province in Afghanistan. Master Sergeant Gonzalez was a Green Beret who served with distinction in the military for 17 years and deployed seven times during his career as a marine, Army infantryman, and special forces engineering sergeant. He was recently assigned to the 1st Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group, Eglin Air Force Base, Florida. Master Sergeant Gonzalez served with incredible courage and bravery and was awarded the Bronze Star Medal with Valor, the Purple Heart Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, and many other high honors. Mr. Speaker, I intend to recognize and extend my deepest sympathy to Master Sergeant Gonzalez' wife, his children, his mother, his father, family, friends, and his fellow soldiers in the 1st Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group, Eglin Air Force Base, Florida. Mr. Speaker, to the Gonzalez family, please know that the Congress of the United States grieves with you. The courage, character and sacrifice that he has made to our country will never be forgotten. God bless the Gonzalez family. God bless America.

Mrs. NAPOLITANO

Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Madam Speaker, I am very pleased to introduce to the House and bid welcome to Pastor Kevin Yriarte today, founder and senior pastor at Journey of Faith Church in Covina. Thank you, Pastor Kevin, for coming from Covina, and your family, and for the wonderful prayer. Pastor Kevin, as he is known, has been married for 25 years to his wife, L.A. County Superior Court Judge Geanene Yriarte. They have two sons: Jordan and Ryder. Ryder is here. Jordan is in his third year at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, and Ryder plans to follow the same path. After years of working in the business world, Pastor Kevin was called by the Lord into ministry full-time. Pastor Kevin works to strengthen the weak, heal the wounded, and restore the broken. Pastor Kevin is also the chaplain of the City of La Verne Police Department. He provides spiritual support and counseling to the police department, the residents of the city of La Verne, and to the victims of crimes and families as needed. In April 2019, Pastor Kevin become a parent admissions partner for the U.S. Coast Guard Academy. He assists the academy in performing interviews with potential candidates and represents the academy at various functions. Pastor Kevin has been helpful in many important events for California's 32nd District, my district. He is an integral part in our annual prayer breakfast and is known for his inspirational and uplifting prayers. Pastor, thank you for today's blessing and for the work you do to spread and promote the Gospel throughout the San Gabriel Valley. May God continue to bless your ministry.

Mrs. NAPOLITANO

Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Petty Officer Raul Guerra and the work of the Bring Raul Home Committee. Petty Officer Guerra was born in 1942, grew up in Los Angeles County, was beloved by his friends and family, and known for his love of journalism. Petty Officer Guerra enlisted in the Navy Reserves in 1965 and was deployed to Vietnam as a Navy journalist. On the evening of October 8, 1967, Petty Officer Guerra volunteered for a combat mission to support a major airstrike over North Vietnam. His plane was tragically shot down and crashed. Due to heavy terrain and hostile territory, he was pronounced killed in action. His remains were not recovered. A local paper, the Whittier Daily News, in 2007 reported that a local Navy seaman's remains had been found, which was part of a long process to return Petty Officer Guerra's remains home. His former classmates, Ruben Valencia, and Donna and Gary Petersen formed the Bring Raul Home Committee. They worked over 12 years to diligently spread his story, search for living family members, and held many meetings with the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency. The DPAA, in February 2019, notified the committee of the closure of Petty Officer Guerra's case, that he would finally return home, whereby he received full honors at LAX, Los Angeles International Airport, escorted by numerous, caring people. Petty Officer Raul Guerra was finally laid to rest after 52 years on April 25, 2019. I extend my deepest sympathies to the family and friends of fallen Petty Officer Raul Guerra and recognize the dedication and years of work shown by the Bring Raul Home Committee.

Mrs. NAPOLITANO

Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Mr. Chair, I was absent during rollcall vote No. 418 due to a meeting I was having as Chairwoman of the Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee with the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works R.D. James. Had I been present, I would have voted ``Aye'' on the Suozzi Amendment. Amendment No. 27 Offered by Mrs. Lee of Nevada

Mrs. NAPOLITANO

Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Madam Speaker, on roll call No. 380, I meant to vote Aye on the Buchanan Amendment No. 133.

Mrs. NAPOLITANO

Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Mr. Chair, I thank Chairman Price for yielding and discussing this issue with me regarding the FAA's recent threat to withhold over $250 million annually in FAA grants to California's airports and divert over $70 million in voter approved local general sales tax away from their voter approved purpose for transportation, police, fire, and the healthcare of our citizens. Mr. Chairman, on May 17, California and Illinois were sent letters by FAA threatening to withhold Federal aviation funds because FAA believes the States have not followed a 2014 FAA policy change which would require State and local governments across the country--not just California and Illinois--to use general sale taxes collected on aviation fuel for airport purposes. Although FAA sent the first letters to California and Illinois, they have sent letters of inquiry to other States like Georgia, and this issue also has significant effects in Georgia and any State and local government that has aviation fuel as a part of their general sales tax. Mr. Chairman, California sent a letter to the FAA over a year and a half ago on December 8, 2017, explaining their plan of action for compliance with the FAA policy change. FAA did not respond to California's letter until last month when they gave California 30 days to change their compliance plan and seek burdensome tax information from all 58 State counties and over 100 cities in our State. This is further concerning in the State of California because our general sales taxes are voter approved by two- thirds margin. FAA is trying to undermine the will of our California voters. Mr. Chairman, I ask that you work with me and my colleagues who are concerned about FAA's action and with Representatives Alan Lowenthal, Jared Huffman, Adam Schiff, Harley Rouda, John Garamendi, Salud Carbajal, David Scott, and John Lewis in addressing this situation regarding FAA's threat of unreasonable enforcement on many States and local governments. Mr. Chairman, I thank you very much.

Mrs. NAPOLITANO

Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Madam Chair, I rise in strong opposition to the amendment offered by the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Burgess). His amendment would strike from the underlying bill a provision in Section 108 that blocks the Trump administration from transferring existing funds from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, known as the Corps, for the construction of a wall or barrier along the U.S./Mexico border. I have been a very vocal opponent of this President's never-ending political stunt to construct a wall along our southern border with Mexico. Through emergency supplemental bills, Congress provided billions of dollars to help American families rebuild their lives after recent storms and natural disasters, as well as prepare our country for future disasters. This emergency money in the Corps budget is not a slush fund to be raided by the President for his political purposes. Americans have seen their lives upended, their homes and towns destroyed, and havoc wreaked upon their local economies. Our government should not abandon them in their hour of need. I support Section 108 of the Energy and Water Appropriations title of this bill that prohibits the President from transferring any funds appropriated in this or earlier bills from being used for the construction of this wall. I was also pleased to join with the chairs of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Mr. DeFazio, the Committee on Appropriations, Mrs. Lowey, and the Subcommittee on Energy and Water, Ms. Kaptur, in challenging, in a letter, the underlying legal authority for the President to re-allocate existing appropriated funds of the Corps' Civil Works program for the construction of a physical barrier along the southern border. Madam Chair, I insert a copy of the letter in the Congressional Record. Congress of the United States, Washington, DC, January 16, 2019. Hon. Donald J. Trump, The President, The White House, Washington, DC. Dear Mr. President: You have publicly indicated several times that you may seek to declare a national emergency in order to fund the construction of a physical barrier along the southern border of the United States. Also, a number of news reports suggest you are considering utilizing a previously unused statutory authority to reallocate existing funds of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) for this construction. We believe that any suggestion that you could use this statutory authority for this purpose is misinformed. Simply put, this authority does not authorize you to reallocate existing Corps funds--including, but not limited to, approximately $14 billion in disaster funds for communities impacted by the 2017 and 2018 hurricanes or other natural disasters--for the construction of the physical barrier. In addition, we oppose the reallocation of existing Corps funds from communities that are just starting to rebuild from the devastation they faced, and for which Congress provided emergency funds to help the lives and livelihoods of our citizens. Section 923(a) of the Water Resources Development Act of 1986 (33 U.S.C. 2293(a)) states that: In the event of a declaration of war or a declaration by the President of a national emergency in accordance with the National Emergencies Act (90 Stat. 1255; 50 U.S.C. 1601) that requires or may require use of the Armed Forces, the Secretary, without regard to any other provision of law, may (1) terminate or defer the construction, operation, maintenance, or repair of any Department of the Army civil works project that he deems not essential to the national defense, and (2) apply the resources of the Department of the Army's civil works program, including funds, personnel, and equipment, to construct or assist in the construction, operation, maintenance, and repair of authorized civil works, military construction, and civil defense projects that are essential to the national defense. As you know, this authority has never been used by the Corps since its enactment in 1986. Therefore, there is no historical precedent on its use by any Presidential administration. However, we believe that a plain reading of this statutory provision does not provide legal authority to reallocate existing appropriated funds of the Corps' civil works program for the construction of the physical barrier along the southern border you have called for. First, section 923 unequivocally states that actions funded by this provision ``require or may require use of the Armed Forces'' (emphasis added). In our opinion, there is nothing uniquely related to the planning, design, or construction of the physical barrier that would suggest the Armed Forces' (in this case, the Corps) involvement in these activities is required. We understand that the Corps has, on previous occasions and through its Support for Others authority, participated in prior design and construction activities related to existing barriers along with the southern border. But, it is also our understanding that these activities were, at best, supportive roles to other Federal agencies, including the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and that none of these activities were paid for using the Corps' civil works funds. The legislative history of section 923 further highlights Congress' intent that there be a military nexus as a prerequisite to use of this authority. In contemporaneous hearings before the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, the then-Acting Assistant Secretary of the Army (Civil Works) testified on the limited scope of this authority--noting that this authority ``would be available only in two limited situations: in time of war declared by Congress, or in time of national emergency, military in nature, declared by the President in accordance with the National Emergences Act'' (emphasis added). It is our belief that construction of a physical barrier along the southern border fails to meet either of these limited situations. On the former, there is no active declaration of war related to the border crossing. On the latter, there is no justification that construction of the physical barrier is military in nature. The term ``military in nature,'' again, implies that the situation requires the unique presence or involvement of the Department of Defense in its military (Armed Forces) capacity. While the Corps is a component of the Department of Defense, its civil works mission is focused on water resources development activities and emergency response to natural disasters. It is in that capacity that the Corps provides domestic construction- related assistance through its authorized civil works activities, or through its Support for Others authority. Yet, these authorities are solely distinct from the Corps' role in supporting the combat and installation readiness needs of the Department of Defense. In our view, because construction of a physical barrier does not necessitate the actions of the Department of Defense in its military capacity, the use of the Corps for construction of the barrier would not fall within the limited scope of section 923. Second, section 923 also requires that any project, for which construction, operation, maintenance, and repair work is funded under this authority, be specifically authorized by Congress. As noted in the Congressional Record during Senate consideration of the Water Resources Development Act of 1986, ``[this] section does not provide authority to construct any project not authorized by law.'' Yet, the proposed physical barrier that you are contemplating is not specifically authorized by Congress--not as a civil works project, not as a military construction project, and not as a civil defense project. Therefore, your potential use of this authority for the proposed physical barrier would fail a second test of applicability. Even if you were to ignore the plain text of section 923, and continue to pursue this authority to reallocate existing funds from the Corps, we want to be very clear who would be impacted by your decision. It is our understanding that the administration has identified potentially $14 billion in construction funds from the 2018 Supplemental Appropriations related to Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria, as well as other disasters (Pub. L. 115-123) and an additional $2.9 billion in supplemental appropriations related to Superstorm Sandy that remain unobligated. These funds were specifically appropriated by Congress to help communities in impacted states and territories recover from devastating natural disasters. In July 2018, the Corps released its list of specific projects for which the 2018 Supplemental funds are planned to be utilized. This list includes, approximately: $4.5 billion for the State of Texas; $2.4 billion for the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico; $2.4 billion for the State of California; $1.2 billion for the State of Louisiana; and $700 million for the State of Florida. Each of the states and territories that received an allocation of emergency supplemental funds by Congress were uniquely impacted by natural disasters. For example, in the City of Houston, Texas, officials believe that 82 people were killed, 13,000 people were rescued, and more than 42,000 people were forced into shelters by Hurricane Harvey (in addition to the 6 million Texans who were otherwise impacted by the storm). Similarly, in 2017, Puerto Rico faced Hurricanes Irma and Maria, with Maria now designated as the third deadliest hurricane in U.S. history, killing thousands of citizens, and disabling the entire power grid of the Commonwealth for months. While these are just two examples of the devastating impacts of recent natural disasters, they are indicative of why Congress decided to provide robust emergency funding to these and similarly impacted communities that are only now starring to rebuild. In our view, it would be the height of irresponsibility to take away vital reconstruction funds from communities impacted by recent natural disasters, leaving these communities at continued vulnerability to future disasters, and future loss of life. Again, we believe that section 923 of the Water Resources Development Act of 1986 does not provide you with legal authority to reallocate existing Corps funds to the construction of a physical barrier along the southern border. In addition, we oppose the transfer of Corps funds away from communities that have already suffered enough from the impacts of recent natural disasters, and strongly urge you not to utilize these allocated recovery dollars for any purpose related to the construction of the physical barrier. Sincerely, Peter A. DeFazio, Chairman, Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Grace F. Napolitano, Member of Congress. Nita M. Lowey, Chairwoman, Committee on Appropriations. Marcy Kaptur, Chairwoman-designate, Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies.

Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Madam Chair, the construction of the President's wall is the wrong way to address our Nation's immigration challenges. This amendment would allow the President to abandon families in California, Texas, Puerto Rico, Florida, the Midwest, and elsewhere, that were impacted by recent natural disasters, in their hour of need. I thank Chairwoman Kaptur for including much-needed funding in this bill for the Army Corps of Engineers to do their job, and for including Section 108 that protects the Army Corps from the political stunt of building a border wall. Madam Chair, I oppose this amendment.

Mrs. NAPOLITANO

Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Madam Speaker, I congratulate Citrus College, the first California community college to receive top honors for student success by a national organization. At an awards gala on April 15, 2019, American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) President, Dr. Walter Bumpus, and AACC Board Chair, Dr. Sandra Kurtinitis, presented Dr. Geraldine M. Perri, Superintendent/President of Citrus College, with the 2019 AACC Award of Excellence in the Student Success category. This well-deserved national recognition affirms the outstanding campus- wide effort to boost completion and transfer rates. Citrus College is the only community college in California to have been honored by the AACC in 2019. Every year, the AACC recognizes the exceptional work accomplished by the nation's community colleges by presenting Awards of Excellence in six categories: Student Success, Advancing Diversity, CEO/Board Relationship, Community College Safety and Planning, Faculty Innovation, and Outstanding College/Corporate Partnership. The AACC Award of Excellence in the Student Success category recognizes a community college that has demonstrated a sustained commitment to student achievement. The criteria used to determine this year's finalists included the development of a comprehensive strategic completion plan, the achievement of measurable and significant increases in degree completion, certificate completion, and transfer from two-year to four-year institutions. Citrus College was highlighted for establishing and promoting an associate degree for transfer (ADT) pathway to four-year colleges and universities, and for introducing the Citrus College Promise, a program designed to cover enrollment fees and other college costs for first- time students for up to two years. As a result of the college's efforts, transfers have risen by 38 percent from 2014 to 2017. We send our sincere congratulations to Dr. Perri and all students, faculty, staff, and Members of the Board of Trustees at Citrus College, and we wish them continued success.