Grace Napolitano

Mrs. NAPOLITANO

Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize Dr. Terrance J. Fulp as he retires after more than three decades of federal service. We honor Dr. Fulp for his lifetime of public service to our country and to the tens of millions of Americans who rely on the Colorado River for water and call the West home. For the last eight years, Dr. Fulp has served as the Lower Colorado Regional Director for the United States Bureau of Reclamation. As Regional Director, Dr. Fulp is responsible for implementing the Secretary of the Interior's water master functions for the last 350 miles of the Colorado River--from Lake Mead to Mexico--including operation of the iconic Hoover Dam. Dr. Fulp brought a level of professionalism and technical expertise to the basin that was only matched by his ability to work across state, basin and national boundaries in the water sector with multiple stakeholders. These stakeholders of States, Tribes, water agencies, non-governmental groups--in both the U.S. and Mexico--saw a partner in Terry--and oftentimes left the negotiating table as his friends. He leaves a legacy in the basin that future leaders can only aspire to reach. Dr. Fulp's tenure has been highlighted by his successful efforts in the management of the Colorado River. They include the 2007 Guidelines for Lake Powell and Lake Mead, Minutes 319 and 323 to the Mexican Water Treaty of 1944, the 2019 Drought Contingency Plan across the seven Colorado River Basin States, and a Memorandum of Understanding on the Salton Sea. I am especially grateful for Dr. Fulp's leadership in ensuring the success of the Title XVI Water Reuse and Water Recycling Program. This program has allowed many Southern California water agencies to invest in infrastructure development that meets local water needs, creating nearly 500,000 acre-feet of water in 2018 alone. Madam Speaker, Terry Fulp has been an invaluable resource to Members of Congress, our staff, and the constituents and water agencies we represent. I ask that our colleagues join me in congratulating Dr. Fulp and wish him and his wife Nadine a rich and rewarding retirement as they head home to Colorado.

Mrs. NAPOLITANO

Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of my bill, H.R. 1109, the Mental Health Services for Students Act. I am honored to have authored this bill for over a decade. Although it should not have taken this long, today is a historic day in recognizing the need for school based mental health resources. A mental health crisis is currently unfolding as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Fear and anxiety about the coronavirus can be overwhelming and cause strong emotions for our constituents, especially children. The National Institute of Mental Health reports that one in five youth already experience some type of mental health disorder. Yet, prior to this public health emergency, only 10 percent of children and adolescents ages 3 to 17 years old received any treatment or counseling from a mental health professional. H.R. 1109 acknowledges this problem by providing $130 million in competitive grants per year for 5 years for 100 school-based mental health programs nationwide. It expands the scope of the Project Advancing Wellness and Resilience Education (AWARE) program by providing on-site licensed mental health professionals in schools across the country. Dr. Anthony Fauci, the Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, testified in May before the Senate HELP Committee on the prospect of reopening school buildings and said, ``We don't know everything about this virus, and we really better be very careful, particularly when it comes to children''. While schools work to navigate this pandemic, it is critical that we provide them with the resources to create a mental health plan to reach their students during this stressful time. H.R. 1109 is based on the successful Youth Suicide Prevention Program that I helped establish with Pacific Clinics in Los Angeles County in 2001. Regular classes will eventually resume, and according to the CDC, children may feel upset or have other strong emotions after an emergency. How a child reacts can vary depending on their age, previous experiences, and how that child typically copes with stress. We need to ensure the long-term availability of mental health services to ensure a bright future for our students, which my bill would help accomplish. I would like to thank the many advocates in and outside of Congress who have played an integral role in this legislation. H.R. 1109 has 135 bipartisan co-sponsors and has the support of over 50 mental health organizations, as well as local governments and teacher unions. Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to support H.R. 1109, the Mental Health Services for Students Act, which will help address this ongoing children's mental health crisis. It is now time to act on this bill, which has had broad support for decades.

Mrs. NAPOLITANO

Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Madam Speaker, I rise with great sorrow to honor the life and long career of public service of City Council Member Daniel C. Holloway of La Puente, CA. Dan was an outstanding leader for his community of La Puente, where he served in many capacities over the years. He was a local activist fighting to keep Workman High School open and was a writer of community news with his column in the Highlander Newspaper called, ``The La Puente Lookout.'' Dan was on the planning commission, where he served as Chairman twice, and he had been on the City Council for the past 13 years receiving the highest vote total of any council member multiple times. He served as Mayor three times and Mayor Pro Tern four times. Dan was a staunch advocate for his city serving on many regional boards and commissions, including the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments and the National League of Cities. Dan was a hero to our country having served in the Navy. He would later join the American Legion, and he designed the La Puente Veterans Memorial at La Puente City Hall. Dan was a mentor to many and a great champion of our students. Most recently, Dan participated in the Life Experiences About Democracy (LEAD) program which teaches community and civic engagement by giving students real life experiences participating in government meetings, interacting with public officials, and working on volunteer projects in La Puente. Dan was a great friend to me and so many who knew and respected him. I met Dan before he ran for office when he was a constituent advocating for improvements to our schools, healthcare system, and public services on behalf of his children, including his late daughter Kimberly, and all of our children. He was known for his kindness, honesty, and integrity, and that is why he was beloved by so many. Madam Speaker, I extend my deepest sympathies to Dan's wife of over 50 years Hilda, his children Jennifer, Christopher, and Shannon, his family and friends, and his colleagues. The City of La Puente has lost one of its greatest leaders and champions. And we have all lost a great friend.

Mrs. NAPOLITANO

Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Madam Speaker, we rise today to honor an American who has made his life's work to be of service to this country. It is our pleasure to honor Lieutenant General Todd Thurston Semonite, Commanding General and 54th Chief of the United States Army Corps of Engineers, on his military retirement after three decades of service. We would like to thank him for his dedication to this nation, and his family for the personal sacrifices they have made for the betterment of our country. Lieutenant General Semonite's many accolades, awards, and achievements are already well known. He is an engineer from the start, a graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point and was commissioned into the United States Army Corps of Engineers upon graduation in 1979. General Semonite quickly gained recognition for his engineering skills and his leadership abilities as reflected in his various Command posts, domestic and abroad. Semonite's awards include the Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Award, Legion of Merit, and a Bronze Star. There are many defining moments in his outstanding career. Yet it is in his last mission that maybe the most impactful. For the last few months, General Semonite has led the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' work to combat the COVID-19 global pandemic. The Corps has helped design or construct alternate care facilities in all 50 states and five territories, adding over 15,000 hospital beds across the country. General Semonite has said; ``. . . of all the things I've done in my career, this is a noble calling to be able to step up and save American lives.'' This extraordinary act of service is but ordinary to General Semonite. His passion and vigor for the COVID-19 Mission is the same passion and vigor he has brought to every aspect of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. He is the embodiment of ``building strong.'' We would like to express our own thanks and appreciation and that of a grateful nation. Madam Speaker, I ask our colleagues to join Rep. Bruce Westerman and me in giving our very best wishes to General Semonite and his wife Connie on the next chapter of an already storied life. Essayons.

Mrs. NAPOLITANO

Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Madam Speaker, we join together to honor the long career of public service provided to the people of Southern California by Brad Hiltscher of the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. There is no issue that is more controversial for California Members of Congress than water policy. The very complicated details of California water policy have the ability to divide us by party, by geography, and by industry. One of the few things that California Members do agree on is our deep gratitude for the invaluable expertise we have received from Mr. Hiltscher over the past 35 years. We are happy that he is moving on to a much deserved retirement at the end of this month, but we will greatly miss the reservoir of knowledge that he has provided to our offices. Brad has provided policy advice that has been at the forefront of the water debates and legislation that the Congress has produced over the past 3 decades. He helped Congress enact Safe Drinking Water reauthorizations, the Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Act, the Moab Uranium Mill Tailings Remedial Action Project, the California Bay- Delta Restoration Act, the Hoover Dam Reauthorization Act, the Colorado River Drought Contingency Plan Authorization Act, and many more pieces of important water legislation in the West. Brad's talent is that he is able to break down these very complex issues involving historic water rights, urban water usage, endangered species, infrastructure, interstate agreements, federal programs, and the hundreds of water agencies in the West quickly and concisely. He has provided invaluable insight to Members of Congress and has always done so by advocating for the best interests of Southern California. Brad is trusted by both sides of the aisle for being fair and honest, which has been demonstrated by the way he conducts bipartisan briefings and gives both sides the same policy message without politics. Mr. Hiltscher has been an invaluable resource to us, our staff, and those of numerous other Members with his expert analysis and advice that has informed our legislative work. But we will not only miss his knowledge, we will miss his kindness and friendship on Capitol Hill. I ask our colleagues to join me, Rep. Calvert, and Sen. Feinstein in congratulating Brad Hiltscher 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 in strong support for H.R. 2, the Moving Forward Act. I want to thank Chairman DeFazio, Chairwoman Norton and Chairman Lipinski for their tremendous work on the Surface Transportation portions of this bill. I would also like to thank the leadership for including water provisions from my Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee, and thank Chairman Grijalva for including my water recycling bill from the Natural Resources Committee in this package. Mr. Speaker, the surface transportation section of this bill will make a significant impact in improving American lives by reducing commute times, increasing safety on our highways, bridges, buses and rails, and improving our environment. As the senior Californian on the Committee, I am proud that this bill will provide $37.5 billion in transportation funding for California, including $26.5 billion for Highway projects and $11 billion for Transit. H.R. 2 includes important provisions I have worked on to improve transportation in the San Gabriel Valley, California, and our nation. These provisions are: A new Transit Worker Protection Program providing $60 million per year for transit agencies to work with transit unions to identify and implement transit worker safety measures such as bus driver barriers and blind spot removals. This will improve security and safety for all passengers, the bus drivers, and pedestrians. This program is based on my bill H.R. 1139, the Transit Worker Protection Act. The bill includes a provision to allow local transportation agencies and cities to give preference to our local residents when hiring workers for transportation projects. With Southern California raising incredible funds for local transportation projects, taxpayers in our region should be given preference to work on the local projects they are paying for. This will allow that. $2.5 billion for a new highway rail underpass construction program (known as a grade separation grant program). This was created after we had the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments testify earlier this year regarding the importance of highway rail safety and the very successful Alameda Corridor East underpass construction program in my region. This will create important safety and commuter benefits by separating the rail line from the roadway. $1.725 billion for electric bus purchases. This is important to Foothill Transit and LA METRO in my district who are rapidly purchasing electric buses for their fleet. It also helps these transit agencies with funding the electric charging infrastructure and the maintenance of these new-age buses. This will also support the workers in the electric bus industry including my constituents who work at Proterra bus company in Industry, CA. We must continue to improve the air quality of our region with clean bus implementation. $7 billion for bicycle, pedestrian, and safe routes to school projects. Many of the residents and cities in the San Gabriel Valley use this funding to improve bike trails and walkways that allow students and workers to safely get to school, work, and the Metro station or bus stop. The bill updates competitive grant funding requirements for transportation grants so that projects in the San Gabriel Valley have a better chance of being selected based on the merit of their applications. Southern California transportation projects such as the 57/60 confluence project and the Alameda Corridor East Highway Rail grade crossing separation projects are the highest ranked projects in the country but consistently get overlooked because of politics. This bill makes the grant requirements more associated with project quality and less by politics. The bill allows states to use federal transportation funds to build suicide barriers on bridges. Studies show that the vast majority of suicides on bridges are because of a sudden impulse, and if a barrier were erected the person would not continue with a suicide attempt. This is based on my bill with Rep. Beyer of Virginia called the Barriers to Suicide Act (H.R. 4309). The bill includes a provision that would require the Department of Transportation when working with local agencies on transit oriented development projects to address homeless housing assistance. The expansion of the Gold Line in my district has created important housing opportunities for residents that could be used to also address the homeless crisis we are facing in the San Gabriel Valley. The bill creates a Truck Driver Leasing Task Force that is based on a bill I introduced last Congress, H.R. 4144, the Port Truck Driver Bill of Rights. This will focus federal regulators and policy experts on creating solutions to controversial leasing arrangements in the trucking industry that are especially found at the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. These illegal tactics by some trucking companies underpay truck drivers by forcing them into leasing arrangements that require them to work long hours without abiding by minimum wage laws, let alone reasonable pay and benefits. This task force will address these unfair practices against workers. The bill allows electric vehicle charging stations at park-and-ride lots and rest areas located along the highway. Federal law currently prohibits electric vehicle charging stations at these locations and my provision will fix that. This is a huge problem at 20 park-and-ride lots in Los Angeles County including the El Monte Bus Station in my district, which is the largest bus transit station on the West coast. Electric vehicles owners should be allowed to drive to the metro station and charge their car while taking transit. The bill stops the Trump Administration from threatening to withhold $250 million annually in FAA grants to California airports and divert $70 million in CA State and Local general sales taxes away from their intended purpose. This provision was included in my amendment on the House floor that is the same as my bill H.R. 2939, the State and Local General Sales Tax Protection Act. This restores 29 years of FAA policy that the restriction on aviation fuel sales taxes for aviation purposes is based on excise taxes and not general sales taxes. This will allow the State of California, California Counties and California cities to continue to spend their general sales tax revenues on their voter approved purpose. An additional amendment of mine was adopted on the floor to protect the Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) loan program from being raided by other programs. TIFIA is incredibly important to Southern California as we are able to use this low cost financing with our Measure R, Measure M, and SB1 money to speed up transportation projects so they are completed now instead of 30 years from now. This means Southern California residents, businesses, and commuters get the benefits of these highway, transit and rail improvements today instead of waiting for future funding cycles. This also saves money in the long run by shortening the time value of the costs of construction. H.R. 2 also includes important provisions from the Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee which I chair that would provide federal assistance to clean water projects, water supply projects, and environmental improvements and recreation. These include: Reauthorizes the Clean Water State Revolving Fund at $40 billion over five years to construct water treatment systems that address today's water challenges to clean up our rivers, streams, lakes and ocean for improved drinking water, recreation, and the environment. Authorizes $5.6 billion for clean water act grant programs (including $1 billion for treatment of PFAS chemicals and other emerging contaminants) that can provide direct assistance to local water agencies. Authorizes $3.4 billion to reauthorize various regional water programs over the next five years that the subcommittee recently passed, which include: the National Estuary Program, the San Francisco Bay Program, the Puget Sound Program, the Great Lakes Program, the Chesapeake Bay Program, and the Lake Pontchartrain Program. Appropriates $10 billion to the Army Corps of Engineers for construction projects for flood control, navigation, and environmental restoration. This funding could be used to perform the Whittier Narrows Dam renovation project that will protect Southern California from major flooding events. Appropriates $5 billion for operation and maintenance of Army Corps projects which can be used on the Los Angeles, San Gabriel and Rio Hondo rivers to improve the river landscape and maintain proper flood control. The Natural Resources Committee has included in H.R. 2 my bill, H.R. 1162, the Water Recycling Investment and Improvement Act. This will increase the authorization for the Bureau of Reclamation's Title XVI program, which is the most successful and primary water recycling program of the federal government, from $50 million to $500 million. Title XVI provides cost-shared funding for water recycling projects that reclaim and reuse municipal, industrial, domestic or agricultural wastewater, and, naturally impaired ground or surface waters across the 17 Western states. This grant program has proven to be the most cost- effective in improving water supply by providing long-term savings, while boosting job growth and lowering our reliance on imported potable water. By increasing Title XVI's authorization from $50 million to $500 million, it gives local water agencies the necessary funding to increase capacities for existing recycling plants or create new cost- effective projects to boost water supplies. Since 1992, Congress has authorized 53 Title XVI recycling projects, producing more than 400,000 acre-feet of drought-resistant water supply. Unfortunately, due to the lack of funding, there is a backlog of almost $1 billion dollars for congressionally authorized Title XVI projects--demonstrating a clear need to continue and expand funding. Not only do these projects create jobs and boost our local economies, farms, and businesses, but Title XVI projects can be brought on-line with ``wet'' water, not paper water, in as little as two years. These projects provide long-term savings, which is why water districts and sanitation agencies are overwhelmingly supportive of this program. With almost 50 percent of the country in drought and demands for clean water increasing especially during this pandemic, Congress must look towards programs that further drought proof our drinking water, irrigation, and recreation water supplies. As we work to explore new ways to expand our water portfolio and safeguard our local communities from future shortages and drought, it is imperative that Congress adequately fund, promote and expand water recycling infrastructure projects. Mr. Speaker, before I close, I would like to thank the cities, transportation agencies and water agencies in my district and state that were integral at informing the Congress of their concerns and ideas for infrastructure policy. I would particularly like to thank Mark Christoffels for testifying before the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee regarding railroad safety issues, and his colleague Paul Hubler who is also Chair of the Coalition for America's Gateways and Trade Corridors. I would like to thank my local transit leaders for giving expert advice on transit issues and the improvements to transit we were able to make in this bill. This includes Phil Washington, Raffi Hamparian and Michael Davies from Los Angeles Metro, and Doran Barnes and David Reyno from Foothill Transit. And I would like to thank the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments and our local city leaders who advocated for increased urban mobility with first and last mile solutions such as pedestrian walkways, bike paths, and improved bus and rail service. They also encouraged us to do more on transit-oriented development and address homelessness which we were able to accomplish in this bill. Mr. Speaker, I hope members appreciate the amazing work done by our Committee Chairs and Committee staff on this important infrastructure bill. They have spent countless hours, long weekends and many late nights putting this bill together through the odd working conditions of a pandemic. I would particularly like to thank my incredible water subcommittee staff Alexa Williams, Camille Touton, Navis Bermudez, and Ryan Seiger. I would also like to thank the staff who worked with me on provisions important to California including Helena Zyblikewycz, Garrett Gee, Jackie Schmitz, Auke Mahar-Piersma, Andrea Wohleber, and Matthew Muirragui.

Mrs. NAPOLITANO

Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the Heroes Act and the important programs in the bill that will help our first responders, health care workers, small businesses, and cities address this pandemic. Although the bill includes critical provisions to address the pension crisis by providing additional funding and resources to multi-employer pensions, I am very concerned that it includes language regarding composite pension plans that is controversial within the labor and pension community. There are many who believe composite plans would provide workers with less benefits and more risk, and they contend that if these new composite plans existed during this COVID crisis, the value of their plans would have dramatically eroded. The Obama Administration in 2016 strongly opposed composite plan legislation that was nearly identical to the GROW Act. The then National Economic Council, PBGC, and Departments of Treasury and Labor sent to the Hill a position paper that explained that composite legislation would put existing pension benefits at greater risk, result in less dependable and transparent retirement benefits, and deepen the insolvency crisis at the PBGC. The position paper urged Congress not to include composite plan legislation in a package because ``such complex legislation deserves, at minimum, appropriate bicameral hearings and time for analysis and debate.'' I hope that the Senate will look at this issue closely as there should be more debate and review of this proposal. I include in the Record statements regarding composite pension plans from a coalition of labor unions and the Pension Rights Center. Statement by the Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers International Union (BCTGM), Directors Guild of America (DGA), International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE), International Assoc. of Machinists & Aerospace Workers, International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU), International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT), Musicians for Pension Security Pension Rights Center, SEIU, United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW), United Steelworkers (USW), Western Conference of Teamsters Pension Trust Our organizations, representing tens of millions of workers and retirees, strongly support passage this year of critical legislation to assist severely underfunded multiemployer pension plans to ensure that retirees and their families receive their hard-earned pensions. More than ten million Americans depend on multiemployer pension plans for a secure retirement for themselves and their families. Throughout their careers, these workers gave up a portion of wages to earn their pension benefits. In retirement, they deserve to receive the pensions they earned and retire with dignity. The Emergency Pension Plan Relief Act proposal advanced by senators meets this standard by using a special partition program funded by the federal government to support troubled plans and their participants. We urge that this proposal be passed as soon as possible. At the same time, we strongly oppose composite plan legislation. Composite legislation, including the GROW Act, hurts workers, retirees, employers, and the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) and should not become law. Composite legislation is deeply flawed because it allows multiemployer plan trustees to ``refinance'' their obligations to workers and retirees in the existing plan over 25 years instead of 15 years, so they can divert money to start a new composite plan. This weakens the existing plan and leaves neither plan--the existing plan nor the composite plan--with enough money to pay promised benefits. The current public health and economic crisis illustrates the harm composite plan legislation would inflict on Americans. If Congress had already passed the GROW Act and it was law now, workers in a previously healthy multiemployer pension plan that converted to a composite plan would face draconian benefit cuts. The benefits composite plan participants expected they would earn would be cut 70%, and the vested benefits they already earned would be cut 25%. At the same time, the vested benefits of workers in the existing plan would be cut 21%. To avoid benefit cuts, employers would be required to increase contributions by approximately 82%-- above and beyond what they already committed. The GROW Act also starves the PBGC of needed funds and would compound the insolvency problems faced by the agency. Composite plans are not required to pay PBGC premiums, even though their creation will increase the PBGC's liabilities by driving plans out of the multiemployer system and increasing risks on participants who continue to rely on the PBGC to insure their benefits. We applaud your efforts to address multiemployer pensions as a part of legislation this year. We support legislation to preserve healthy multiemployer plans and to help retirees in deeply troubled plans, but we strongly oppose the GROW Act. Statement of the Pension Rights Coalition With the House of Representatives poised to vote on the next COVID-19 relief package, known as the HEROES Act, the Pension Rights Center applauds the congressional leaders who have included within the massive bill the important provisions of the Emergency Pension Plan Relief Act (EPPRA) which will strengthen the nation's multiemployer pension system. PRC, however, urges Congress to strip from the package the misguided Giving Retirement Options to Workers Act (GROW Act), which would undermine this all-important system. By including EPPRA in the HEROES Act, Congress will not only help save workers' and retirees' pensions, but also stabilize for decades to come the federal agency that insures our nation's private pension plans, the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC). ``More than 1 million workers and retirees have been closely watching Congress and waiting for policymakers to finally pass legislation that ensures full payment of their promised pensions, which they earned through years of toil,'' said Karen Friedman, the PRC's executive vice president. ``First, their hopes were buoyed in 2019 when the House passed a bill designed to protect their benefits, known as the Butch Lewis Act. But that legislation failed to advance in the Senate. Now, both the retirees and the PRC are excited that Congress has included the well-crafted EPPRA within the latest COVID-19 bill. By doing so, Congress recognizes that those workers and retirees who helped build this country and who will benefit from the legislation should be permitted to receive the retirement income they earned through hard work and playing by the rules. We urge all members of the House and Senate to make these pension rescue provisions a reality for these workers and retirees and for their families.'' PRC strongly supports EPPRA because it shores up underfunded plans by providing the PBGC with the funding to take on certain liabilities of ailing plans. This ``partitioning'' process will ensure that the plans survive for the long-term and are able to pay in full the earned benefits owed to workers and retirees. The bill also increases the guarantees paid by the PBGC when plans fail and would restore benefits to retirees who have already had their benefits cut because of the unfair provisions of the Multiemployer Pension Reform Act of 2014. EPP RA shares a structure similar to a proposal advanced by Senate Finance Committee Chairman Charles Grassley (R-IA) and Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pension Committee Chairman Lamar Alexander (R-TN). ``We believe that it's appropriate for EPPRA to be part of the HEROES Act since those most at risk of losing benefits in these multiemployer plans are the very same workers who are risking their lives to protect us in this time of crisis. They are the truck drivers who are transporting food and supplies, the nurses and health care workers at the front lines, the grocery store workers who are keeping us fed, the laborers who are building our hospitals, and the musicians who, despite social distancing, keep on playing for us on line to soothe our anxiety'' Friedman said. ``These are America's unsung heroes who do--and did--the essential jobs that we all are depending on in this time of lockdown.'' Unlike EPPRA, which will strengthen failing multiemployer plans and protect workers and retirees and the PBGC, passage of the GROW Act would undermine the multiemployer plan system by weakening currently well-funded plans and creating new inferior plans that do not provide guaranteed benefits. It would also lead to the underfunding of the PBGC. PRC urges the leaders of the House of Representatives to drop the GROW Act from the HEROES Act. The GROW Act is also vigorously opposed by AARP, the Western Conference of Teamsters, the SEIU, IBEW, Steelworkers, Machinists, Boilermakers and other unions and organizations. The Center also cheers inclusion in the HEROES Act of a provision that would provide grants to community-based organizations to help low-income divorced women and survivors of domestic abuse receive their court-awarded retirement benefits. This provision was originally introduced by Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) and House Members Jan Schakowksy (D-IL) and Lauren Underwood (D-IL) as part of the Women's Retirement Protection Act (S. 975, H.R. 2005).

Mrs. NAPOLITANO

Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Madam Speaker, I was absent during roll call vote No. 106. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on Agreeing to the Resolution H. Res. 965.

Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Madam Speaker, I was absent during roll call vote No. 105. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on Ordering the Previous Question on H. Res. 965.

Mrs. NAPOLITANO

Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Madam Speaker, I was absent during roll call vote No. 109. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on passage of H.R. 6800--the Heroes Act.

Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Mr. Speaker, I was absent during rollcall vote No. 108. Had I been present, I would have voted ``nay'' on the motion to recommit on H.R. 6800.

Mrs. NAPOLITANO

Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Mr. Speaker, I was absent during roll call vote No. 107. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on Agreeing to the Resolution H. Res. 965--Authorizing remote voting by proxy in the House of Representatives and providing for official remote committee proceedings during a public health emergency due to a novel coronavirus.

Ms. NAPOLITANO

Ms. NAPOLITANO. Madam Speaker, I was absent during roll call vote No. 104. Had I been present, I would have voted ``YEA'' on concurring in the Senate Amendment to H.R. 266--Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act.

Ms. NAPOLITANO

Ms. NAPOLITANO. Madam Speaker, I was absent during roll call vote No. 103. Had I been present, I would have voted ``YEA'' on agreeing to H. Res. 938,--Providing for the adoption of H. Res. 935, Establishing a Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis.

Mrs. NAPOLITANO

Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Mr. Chair, I thank Ms. DeGette for yielding. I rise today in very strong support of H.R. 2215, the San Gabriel Mountains Foothills and Rivers Protection Act, which is included in H.R. 2546, and I associate my remarks with those of Ms. Chu, my distinguished colleague. As the representative of the San Gabriel foothills community, I am very proud of our community members and local organizations that have worked tirelessly on preserving and expanding the mountains for future generations. The San Gabriel Mountains, foothills, and river corridor attract millions of visitors a year and provide some of the only outdoor options for the open space-poor Los Angeles County. H.R. 2215 expands the boundaries of the monument and allows the San Gabriel Mountains, foothills, and river corridor to be eligible for Federal funding to help clean, protect, and develop our beloved mountain recreation areas. The bill will improve recreation opportunities for millions of families and bring much-needed resources to the communities that serve as the gateway to the mountains, while respecting local rights. Water agencies and communities from the area all agree this is a good thing. As California has continued to be faced with drought, forest fires, and the growing impacts of climate change, it is critical that we support policies such as this that protect our environment. Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes.''

Mrs. NAPOLITANO

Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Malinowski) for H.R. 4044, the reauthorization of the very popular National Estuary Program, or NEP. It allows more proactive measures to be eligible under the program. The strong bipartisan support this bill has received is evidence of its widespread popularity and success. I am very pleased that several members of this committee have all cosponsored the bill. The bill represents the commitment to our coastal areas and the vital role they play in economic drivers, natural water filters, and protection from flooding events. Mr. Speaker, I strongly urge the EPA and States to work together to designate more national estuaries that can be eligible for this program, and I urge my colleagues to support the bill, H.R. 4044.

Mrs. NAPOLITANO

Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1132) to amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to establish a grant program to support the restoration of San Francisco Bay, as amended.

Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 1132, as amended.

Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1132. Introduced by the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Speier), H.R. 1132 builds off existing bay restoration work under EPA's National Estuary Program. In my home State of California, the importance of a healthy watershed and improved water quality has never been more apparent. In fact, the San Francisco Bay estuary drains more than 40 percent of our State's waters. That is why I am thankful to see several of my colleagues from California as original cosponsors, including members of this committee: Mr. Garamendi, Mr. Huffman, and Mr. DeSaulnier. At our June hearing, the subcommittee learned about the ongoing sources of pollution to this 1,600-square-mile estuary. Simultaneously, habitat destruction has forever changed the geography of the bay area. More than 90 percent of shoreline wetlands and 40 percent of the total aquatic ecosystem have been lost. This new EPA program office will concentrate Federal efforts to address water quality challenges and ecosystem health in the bay. This will improve the environment and economy for the bay area region that is home to 8 million people and an annual GDP of $775 billion. Mr. Speaker, I support H.R. 1132, and I urge my colleagues to do the same. Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record letters in support of H.R. 1132, the San Francisco Bay Restoration Act, from the National Audubon Society and Save the Bay. Audubon, September 18, 2019. Hon. Peter DeFazio, Chairman, Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Washington, DC. Hon. Sam Graves, Ranking Member, Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Washington, DC. Hon. Grace Napolitano, Chairwoman, Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment, Washington, DC. Hon. Bruce Westerman, Ranking Member, Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment, Washington, DC. On behalf of the National Audubon Society's more than 1 million members, our mission is to protect birds and the places they need for today and tomorrow. We write to offer our support for the following bills related to important coastal and water conservation issues that will be the subject of the September 19, 2019 Markup before the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. HR 4031--Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Act of 2019 The Great Lakes are home to 30 million people and 350 species of birds, but increasing challenges are on the horizon for the world's largest body of freshwater. Fluctuating water levels exacerbated by climate change, invasive exotic species and excess nutrients are putting even more stress on this ecosystem that is so important for birds and people. The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative has helped clean up toxic pollutants, protect wildlife by restoring critical habitat, and help combat devastating invasive species. HR 4031 would increase funding for conservation projects to $475 million over five years, by increasing the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative's authorization incrementally from $300 million per year to $475 million per year. HR 1132--San Francisco Bay Restoration Act The San Francisco Bay Area, home to the Pacific Coast's largest estuary, is also home to a rapidly growing population of 8 million people, and provides for a host of social and economic values through ports and industry, agriculture, fisheries, archaeological and cultural sites, recreation, and research. However, San Francisco Bay has lost 90% of its tidal wetlands and more than 50% of its eelgrass and mudflat habitat. Climate change exacerbates these conditions through drought that alters the salinity balance, ocean acidification that reduces species abundance and diversity, increasing water temperatures, and rising seas causing flooding that eliminates living shorelines and puts communities at risk. Many species of waterbirds forage in the San Francisco Bay, including Brant Geese and Surf Scoters, underscoring the value of this ecosystem. HR 1132 would authorize a San Francisco Bay Restoration Grant Program in EPA and funding of up to $25m per year to support the restoration of this estuary. HR 1620--Chesapeake Bay Program Reauthorization Act Salt marshes are special places to birds and other wildlife, but sea level rise has elevated the waters in the Chesapeake Bay by one foot during the 20th century and is accelerating due to climate change. Salt marshes provide valuable ``ecosystem services'', including nurseries for the Chesapeake Bay's commercially important fish, a buffer protecting coastal communities against storm surge, a filter that stops nutrient and sediment pollution from entering the Bay, and a recreational resource attracting visitors who contribute millions of dollars to local economies. Chesapeake Bay's salt marshes host globally significant populations of both Saltmarsh Sparrow and Black Rail. HR 1620 would increase the authorization of appropriations for the Chesapeake Bay Program to more than $90m per year. HR 2247--Promoting United Government Efforts to Save Our Sound Act Despite significant investments in Puget Sound ecosystem health by state, federal, tribal and local governments, concerned members of the public, and conservation organizations, progress towards ecosystem recovery targets remains slow. The number of marine birds wintering in Puget Sound has declined significantly in the last 30 years and migratory, fisheating birds appear to be at the greatest risk. HR 2247 would authorize up to $50 million in funding for Puget Sound recovery. The PUGET SOS Act also aligns federal agency expertise and resources, ensuring that federal agencies are coordinated, setting goals, and holding each other accountable will help increase their effectiveness and provide a boost to Puget Sound recovery. HR 3779--Resilience Revolving Loan Fund Act of 2019 Pre-disaster planning can help communities adapt to the changing flood patterns that threaten people and birds species dependent on shoreline and riverine areas. These changes have led to more frequent instances of ``nuisance flooding,'' as well as catastrophic events. NOAA has found that ``nuisance'' or ``sunny day'' flooding is up 300% to 900% than it was 50 years ago. In addition, catastrophic flooding events have increased in both frequency and intensity. These trends have been particularly pronounced in the Northeast, Midwest and upper Great Plains, where the amount of precipitation in large rainfall events has increased more than 30 percent above the average observed from 1901-1960. As sea level rise accelerates, it only exacerbates these impacts, which further compounds vulnerability in flood-prone communities. HR 3779 would amend the 1988 Stafford Act to offer low- interest loans to states for ``disaster mitigation projects'', including investments in natural infrastructure projects, which would help communities prepare and recover from natural disasters. We urge you to support and advance the bills listed above. Please feel free to contact us with any questions. Sincerely, Julie Hill-Gabriel, Vice President, Water Conservation, National Audubon Society.

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

Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Speier).

Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from California (Mr. Huffman).

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

Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Mr. Speaker, I do urge all my colleagues to support this 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. 2247) to amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to provide assistance for programs and activities to protect the water quality of Puget Sound, and for other purposes, as amended.