Alex Padilla

Mr. PADILLA

Mr. PADILLA. Madam President, I understand that there is a bill at the desk, and I ask for its first reading.

Mr. PADILLA

Mr. PADILLA. Madam President, if there is no further business to come before the Senate, I ask that it stand adjourned under the previous order.

Mr. PADILLA

Mr. PADILLA. Madam President, as Mr. Schumer said, I rise today to honor the life and mourn the passing of Vincent ``Vin'' Scully, who will be remembered as the greatest broadcaster in sports history, and a true ambassador for Los Angeles, the Dodgers, and the game of baseball. Born in 1927 in the Bronx, he grew up near the Polo Grounds and actually became a big fan of the New York Giants baseball team as a child--and I never held that against him. He served our Nation as a member of the U.S. Navy for 2 years before attending Fordham University. And at Fordham--listen to this--at Fordham, he managed to play on the baseball team, work on the school paper, and broadcast many of the university's football, baseball, and basketball teams. His career as a broadcaster took off soon after he graduated from college. By 1950, he joined the Brooklyn Dodgers broadcast team. And in 1954, he became the team's principal announcer--a position he would hold until his retirement in 2016. He was the longest tenured announcer for any team in any professional sport. In 1953, at only age 25, Vin became the youngest person to ever broadcast a World Series--a record that remains to this day. When the Dodgers moved from New York to Los Angeles in 1958, Vin moved with the team, and he quickly became the voice of baseball in Southern California. Vin was the voice of the Dodgers for 67 years, but his unparalleled storytelling and love of sports allowed him to transcend baseball. Many fans will recall Vin's unique calls on some of the most memorable football games and golf tournaments of the 20th century. He was also a presence in pop culture, appearing in dozens of movies, TV shows, and documentaries. Vin lent his talents to everything ranging from the sketch comedy series ``Laugh-In'' to the iconic science fiction show ``The X-Files,'' to the classic baseball movie--and one of my favorites--``For the Love of the Game''; and he relished serving as grand marshal of the 125th Rose Parade ahead of the 2014 Rose Bowl. In 2016, President Obama awarded Vin Scully the Presidential Medal of Freedom, recognizing Vin as one of the signature sounds of America's pastime. Ever humble, when Vin was informed that he would be receiving the honor, he asked: ``Are you sure?'' From Opening Day to the World Series, and every inning in between, Vin made every game memorable with his love of baseball, and for generations of fans--generations--hearing Vin Scully's soothing voice meant it was time for Dodgers baseball. Now, I grew up in the San Fernando Valley. As a child, growing up in the 1980s, I spent many evenings dreaming of growing up to play professional baseball while listening to Vin's voice narrate the action. While he became a legend for his talents behind the microphone, he will actually be remembered best for his decency beyond the broadcast booth. I remember a few years ago, when I was serving as California's secretary of state, I had an opportunity to introduce Angela and two of our sons to Vin at a voter registration event before the game at Dodgers Stadium. He was just so incredibly gracious with my family; it is a memory that we will cherish. But I also know that we weren't unique in that interaction with Vin. He always made time for fans--regardless of age, regardless of occupation--wherever and whenever he met them. You see, he wasn't just a sports broadcaster; he was a figure larger than life, and he made all of us feel like family. Angela and I certainly join the Los Angeles community, the Dodgers organization, and baseball fans around the world in mourning the passing of Vin Scully. Our hearts go out to the entire Scully family. I yield the floor.

Mr. PADILLA

Mr. PADILLA. Mr. President, colleagues, on January 24, just 5\1/2\ weeks ago, the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade just weeks after Republicans in this Chamber blocked our push to codify the right to an abortion into Federal law. So since January 24, Democrats have been fighting to ensure that abortion care remains accessible. We pushed to pass a bill that would protect the fundamental right to travel to States where abortion is still legal; Republicans blocked it. We pushed to pass a commonsense bill to expand access to family planning services; Republicans blocked that one too. We pushed to codify the right to contraception; Republicans blocked it. At every turn, Republicans have taken extreme and out-of-touch positions by blocking these commonsense bills. So today Democrats are standing up to protect doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals who are increasingly under attack just for doing their jobs and providing legal abortions. Colleagues, I am proud to join Senator Murray and our colleagues in this effort to pass the Let Doctors Provide Reproductive Health Care Act to ensure doctors can provide the reproductive healthcare that women need. Abortion access, after all, is essential healthcare. Now, I have seen firsthand the incredible work that providers in California do to provide critical reproductive care. Most recently, I have visited a Planned Parenthood clinic in Los Angeles. We are already seeing a chilling effect among healthcare providers driven by the uncertainty of their legal liability--like the alarming lawsuit that was filed against the provider in Indiana who legally helped a 10-year- old rape victim terminate her unwanted pregnancy. So we must make it clear for healthcare providers that abortion restrictions cannot be allowed to reach beyond the borders of anti-abortion States. The decision of whether or not to have a child is one of the most personal decisions that someone can make--for the students who choose to finish high school before starting a family, for the survivors of sexual assault whose abortion reaffirms the right to choose for their own bodies, for the parents who desperately wanted a child only to learn devastating news about dangerous health risks, for patients whose lives were saved by an abortion because abortion is often critical medical care. Access to abortion should not be dictated by politicians and lawyers. California and many other States across the country refuse to turn the clock back to an era when abortions were outlawed and dangerous. And, as we saw last night in Kansas, the majority of Kansas voters--in fact, the majority of Americans--agree that women should have access to abortion care. So we must pass the Let Doctors Provide Reproductive Healthcare Act to protect the courageous women and men delivering essential medical care to those who need it. While Republicans continue to block our efforts to protect reproductive rights, Democrats won't back down. In the face of these unending attacks on reproductive freedom, we will not give up the fight to protect a woman's right to safe abortion access. I yield the floor.

Mr. PADILLA

Mr. PADILLA. Mr. President, I rise to speak in support of the Airport Energy Resiliency and Renewable Energy Act, which I introduced today. While some airports are already using renewable energy systems to enhance the energy efficiency of their power sources, our Nation's airports still have incredible opportunities to lower emissions and improve energy resiliency by further investing in renewable energy sources and energy storage solutions. For example, commercial solar panels are bigger and more efficient than residential ones and can generate substantially more power without presenting a threat to aviation operations. Furthermore, battery storage and microgrids would allow energy to be stored and used later during peak demand, when it is most needed. In the event of a power disruption or outage as a result of a natural disaster or other emergency, deploying solar generation coupled with battery storage would allow airports to power essential facilities using renewable resources instead of generators, which often run on fossil fuels. In concert with the resources being delivered by the bipartisan infrastructure law, providing new dedicated funding would help kickstart existing interest in reducing carbon footprint and improving the energy resiliency at airports. That is why I am proud to introduce this bill to create a new FAA grant program to help airports invest in renewable generation resources such as solar panels, battery storage systems, and microgrids. I hope my colleagues will join me in support of this bill to unlock the opportunity to leverage our Nation's airports to modernize our electric grid and implement clean energy technologies.

Mr. PADILLA

Mr. PADILLA. Madam President, I rise to celebrate the life and mourn the passing of Rodrigo ``Rod'' Garcia, a man who dedicated his life to empowering and advocating for the next generation of young Latino STEM students and professionals. Born in 1943 in Los Angeles, CA, Rod learned early on the importance of higher education and public service. After graduating from the California State University in Los Angeles with a bachelor's degree of science in engineering, he worked for the city of Los Angeles as a civil engineer. As one of the few Hispanic engineers at the time, Rod saw the need to diversify California's booming tech and STEM fields. Beginning in 1973, he gathered fellow Hispanic engineers in his own garage to create fellowship and determine how to expand opportunities for their community. In 1974, the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers, also known as SHPE, was officially founded and incorporated. As the founder, Rod had a vision to advance networking and education opportunities for other young Latino students and professionals in the engineering field. And almost 50 years later, the SHPE has grown to include over 13,000 members and 286 chapters nationwide. Through Rod's leadership and vision, SHPE has impacted the lives of thousands of Latinos, including myself. I first met Rod as a young mechanical engineering student at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. As a young Latino from Los Angeles, joining SHPE gave me a sense of belonging. Rod always took the time to engage with students, hear their unique stories, and encourage them to complete a STEM degree. Rod dedicated his life to ensuring that fellow Latinos had opportunities and understood the value of a STEM degree in the real world. Rod left behind an incredible legacy that will continue to live on. He will be remembered for his devotion and advocacy and for his ability to empower the Latino community. I am eternally grateful for Rod's impact on my own life. The American dream endures because of leaders like Rod Garcia, who don't shut the door to opportunity as they walk through it, but who open it wider for those who come next. My wife Angela and I send our deepest condolences and prayers to his wife Cynthia Cathy Wong, his children Marlene Tomasina Zamora, Marianne Pilar Garcia, and Rodrick Fitzgerald Garcia, and the rest of his family and friends.

Mr. PADILLA

Mr. PADILLA. Mr. President, I rise to speak in support of the Airport Energy Resiliency and Renewable Energy Act, which I introduced today. While some airports are already using renewable energy systems to enhance the energy efficiency of their power sources, our Nation's airports still have incredible opportunities to lower emissions and improve energy resiliency by further investing in renewable energy sources and energy storage solutions. For example, commercial solar panels are bigger and more efficient than residential ones and can generate substantially more power without presenting a threat to aviation operations. Furthermore, battery storage and microgrids would allow energy to be stored and used later during peak demand, when it is most needed. In the event of a power disruption or outage as a result of a natural disaster or other emergency, deploying solar generation coupled with battery storage would allow airports to power essential facilities using renewable resources instead of generators, which often run on fossil fuels. In concert with the resources being delivered by the bipartisan infrastructure law, providing new dedicated funding would help kickstart existing interest in reducing carbon footprint and improving the energy resiliency at airports. That is why I am proud to introduce this bill to create a new FAA grant program to help airports invest in renewable generation resources such as solar panels, battery storage systems, and microgrids. I hope my colleagues will join me in support of this bill to unlock the opportunity to leverage our Nation's airports to modernize our electric grid and implement clean energy technologies.

Mr. PADILLA

Mr. PADILLA. Mr. President, the first thing you need to know about picking radishes is that it is hard work. You have to work literally on your knees, and you pick each radish out of the ground by hand--no machines, no tools. I learned how to pick radishes and parsley about 3 weeks ago when I received an invitation from the United Farm Workers and the UFW Foundation to spend a day working alongside them in California. Now, I have said countless times that, day in and day out, farmworkers show up to some of the hardest jobs in America. I have always believed that farmworkers are essential, but not until that day did I appreciate the physical demands of long hours on one's knees under the Sun. Many of the workers picking radishes are older than I am and have worked in the fields for decades. They have labored through heat waves, through storms, wildfire smoke, and more. They have labored through a global health pandemic, and they are the backbone of our economy in helping to keep food on our tables. Yet the majority of farmworkers don't have legal status to live and work in the United States of America. That includes those I worked alongside who were picking radishes--people like Efren, who has worked on American farms for more than 40 years, and Patricia, who has raised her children here. Several of them told me that one of the hardest parts of being undocumented was being cut off from their families in Mexico or in other countries, being denied the opportunity of seeing their mothers or their fathers one last time before passing away or being able to attend their funerals to pay their last respects. Imagine that heartbreaking choice of never seeing your parents again because doing so means risking not being able to see your children ever again. That is the fate that we are forcing on countless undocumented farmworkers who fill our grocery stores with fruits and vegetables. This is the choice that we exacerbate every time we push immigration reform off for another month, another year, another session of Congress. And this is why we must pass legislation that creates a pathway to citizenship for farmworkers. Did you know that when you pick radishes, you get paid by the number of crates that you fill? On the day that I worked the fields, it comes as no surprise that I picked at a slower rate than the highly skilled and experienced farmworkers, who depend on speed for their livelihoods. Yet laws across the country leave farmworkers in a position of uncertainty that few other workers have to face. If you are a farmworker and you miss a day of work, there is no paid sick leave. If you are a farmworker and you are injured on the job, you can't get disability insurance. And living and working while undocumented means worrying constantly about your status. So when the Senate says that immigration reform can wait, we are not seeing the people whose lives are at stake: Isidro, Armando, Isabel, Epigemio. As they pick radishes, these workers are not taking jobs from American citizens. I repeat: They are not taking the jobs of American citizens. In fact, the opposite is true. We don't have enough farmworkers to meet the demand, not just for radishes but for countless other crops. As different produce comes into season, growers need skilled labor on tight timelines. Corporate leaders, small business owners, and economists agree that we need more immigrants with more protections. The stakes for our economy are high. Right now, American families are paying higher prices not just at the gas pump but at the grocery store. Our labor shortage is contributing to higher inflation. Over $1 trillion of America's GDP is linked to agriculture. All across the Nation, we rely on immigrant farmworkers. In North Carolina, agriculture is the top industry, aided by tens of thousands of undocumented workers in growing soybean, corn, and peanuts. In Idaho, agriculture accounts for 17 percent of the economic output, including a booming dairy industry. Around 90 percent of Idaho's dairy workers are foreign born, the vast majority undocumented. In Texas, agriculture is worth more than $20 billion each year. More than 100,000 immigrant workers, mostly undocumented, are employed on Texas's ranches, farms, and fields. I can go on and on, but I think the point is clear: This is truly a national issue. The majority of all farmworkers lack legal status, and growers say that more help is needed. Congress can make a difference. We can do so by passing the laws that farmworkers need and deserve. Our country cannot afford to wait. That is why it was the first bill I introduced--the Citizenship for Essential Workers Act--when I joined the Senate last year. I am talking about the workers who keep us healthy and safe and fed, the workers we as the Federal Government have deemed to be essential. They deserve dignity; they deserve respect; and they have earned a pathway to citizenship. Today, I am also proud to introduce the Fairness for Farmworkers Act. This bill will support fair pay for agricultural workers under the Fair Labor Standards Act. In 1 day, I had just a small dose of the physically demanding life of a farmworker. Still, there is so much more that I could tell you about the kind, funny, generous individuals whom I worked alongside that day. As we shared a lunch of homemade tortillas, beans, and carne con chiles, they told me about their hometowns that they miss, their favorite music, and their dreams for their children. They had one more message that they asked me to deliver, that they implored me to deliver to all of you, and that is that you should come too. I was the first U.S. Senator to accept an invitation to work in the fields. Last week, my friend and colleague Senator Booker became the second. I urge you, each and every Member of the Senate, to take this opportunity, take a day to work alongside the heroes who feed America, and then come back here, as I have, humbled and inspired to do our job. Let's come together behind a solution so farmworkers can finally live and work with dignity and security.

Mr. PADILLA. Mr. President, I rise to speak in support of the Fairness for Farmworkers Act, which I introduced today. Throughout the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, farmworkers continued to keep our country going. This was especially true in California--the agricultural heart of the Nation. California is the most successful State in agricultural production and has the largest population of farmworkers. In fact, more than one-third of our country's vegetables and two-thirds of fruits and nuts come from California. During a time of incredible hardship, farmworkers put food on the tables of millions of Americans despite working in extreme conditions and facing deep-rooted inequities in the workforce. The time to address these inequities is now. While the 1938 Fair Labor Standards Act established Federal standards for minimum wage and overtime pay, the law excluded millions of domestic and agricultural workers, who were overwhelmingly people of color. In 2016, California recognized the need to provide farmworkers with overtime protections. The California overtime law, which ensures farmworkers have an equal right to overtime pay, is a model for this Federal bill. Farmworkers in California and across the Nation deserve an end to discrimination in labor laws. As we work to rebuild from the pandemic, we must also undo the discriminatory exclusion of farmworkers by amending the Fair Labor Standards Act. That is why I am proud to introduce this bill, which will improve the lives of farmworkers and their families, create equity in our food system, and benefit farming communities as the increased wages are spent in local businesses. This bill will gradually implement overtime pay over the course of 4 years and bring greater equity to the American agricultural industry and greater prosperity to historically marginalized workers. This legislation will also boost farming community economies as increased wages are spent in local businesses. I want to thank Representative Grijalva for joining me in introducing this bill, and I hope our colleagues will join us in support of this bill that would provide a measure of long overdue fairness for our Nation's farmworkers.

Mr. PADILLA

Mr. PADILLA. Mr. President, I rise to speak in support of the Helping People Experiencing Substance Use Disorder and Homelessness Act, which I introduced today. Housing is a fundamental social determinant of health, and unhoused individuals are often the victims of stark health disparities. Of the more than 580,000 people experiencing homelessness in the United States, an estimated 20 percent have a substance use and/or a mental health disorder. Mental health concerns, including substance use disorders, can cause and exacerbate homelessness. A lack of affordable housing is the primary driver of homelessness, and we are working to address this issue. Another piece of the puzzle is to ensure housing and social service providers have the resources to work together to ensure access to supportive services. That is why I am proud to introduce this bill to provide essential funding and tools for frontline organizations to coordinate health and homelessness services. If enacted, it will create a Federal interagency working group to advise grantees on best practices. The grants will invest in programs to build the capacity necessary to combat the United States' dual homelessness and mental health crises. I want to thank Representative Madeleine Dean for introducing this bill with me, and I hope our colleagues will join us in taking this key step to addressing challenges that have been exacerbated by the COVID- 19 pandemic.

Mr. PADILLA

Mr. PADILLA. Mr. President, I rise to proudly recognize the outstanding public service of Ackley Padilla, my brother, who is retiring after nearly two decades of helping to lead the city of Los Angeles. Ackley is a proud son of Pacoima, CA--and I know that Pacoima takes incredible pride in him. Ackley, my sister Julie, and I all learned to value public service from our parents, Santos and Lupe Padilla. Ackley made his career serving the people of the San Fernando Valley while working for a number of local elected officials. Ackley worked for the first Latino and the first Latina presidents of the Los Angeles City Council. And, yes, that means that I was once his boss. For the past 9 years, he has worked for council president Nury Martinez. As her chief of staff, he has been crucial to Los Angeles's response to the COVID-19 pandemic, including getting testing and vaccination sites up and running, as well as food distribution sites and other assistance for families in need. In addition to his public service, Ackley is a passionate fan of the Angels and the Clippers--and known hater of the Lakers and the Dodgers. He clearly followed his father instead of his brother on those decisions. Ackley is a proud dad to three wonderful girls--Kaylyn, Kathryn and Khloey--and a proud handyman. He has come to love his minivan, ``Pony Boy,'' and will surely drive into many adventures in the years ahead. The people of Pacoima, the San Fernando Valley, and all of Los Angeles have benefited from Ackley's public service. I wish him the best in his next chapter. And I promise an extra cold refreshment on the next trip to Canelo's.

Mr. PADILLA

Mr. PADILLA. Mr. President, I rise to speak in support of the Fairness for Farmworkers Act, which I introduced today. Throughout the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, farmworkers continued to keep our country going. This was especially true in California--the agricultural heart of the Nation. California is the most successful State in agricultural production and has the largest population of farmworkers. In fact, more than one-third of our country's vegetables and two-thirds of fruits and nuts come from California. During a time of incredible hardship, farmworkers put food on the tables of millions of Americans despite working in extreme conditions and facing deep-rooted inequities in the workforce. The time to address these inequities is now. While the 1938 Fair Labor Standards Act established Federal standards for minimum wage and overtime pay, the law excluded millions of domestic and agricultural workers, who were overwhelmingly people of color. In 2016, California recognized the need to provide farmworkers with overtime protections. The California overtime law, which ensures farmworkers have an equal right to overtime pay, is a model for this Federal bill. Farmworkers in California and across the Nation deserve an end to discrimination in labor laws. As we work to rebuild from the pandemic, we must also undo the discriminatory exclusion of farmworkers by amending the Fair Labor Standards Act. That is why I am proud to introduce this bill, which will improve the lives of farmworkers and their families, create equity in our food system, and benefit farming communities as the increased wages are spent in local businesses. This bill will gradually implement overtime pay over the course of 4 years and bring greater equity to the American agricultural industry and greater prosperity to historically marginalized workers. This legislation will also boost farming community economies as increased wages are spent in local businesses. I want to thank Representative Grijalva for joining me in introducing this bill, and I hope our colleagues will join us in support of this bill that would provide a measure of long overdue fairness for our Nation's farmworkers.

Mr. PADILLA. Mr. President, the first thing you need to know about picking radishes is that it is hard work. You have to work literally on your knees, and you pick each radish out of the ground by hand--no machines, no tools. I learned how to pick radishes and parsley about 3 weeks ago when I received an invitation from the United Farm Workers and the UFW Foundation to spend a day working alongside them in California. Now, I have said countless times that, day in and day out, farmworkers show up to some of the hardest jobs in America. I have always believed that farmworkers are essential, but not until that day did I appreciate the physical demands of long hours on one's knees under the Sun. Many of the workers picking radishes are older than I am and have worked in the fields for decades. They have labored through heat waves, through storms, wildfire smoke, and more. They have labored through a global health pandemic, and they are the backbone of our economy in helping to keep food on our tables. Yet the majority of farmworkers don't have legal status to live and work in the United States of America. That includes those I worked alongside who were picking radishes--people like Efren, who has worked on American farms for more than 40 years, and Patricia, who has raised her children here. Several of them told me that one of the hardest parts of being undocumented was being cut off from their families in Mexico or in other countries, being denied the opportunity of seeing their mothers or their fathers one last time before passing away or being able to attend their funerals to pay their last respects. Imagine that heartbreaking choice of never seeing your parents again because doing so means risking not being able to see your children ever again. That is the fate that we are forcing on countless undocumented farmworkers who fill our grocery stores with fruits and vegetables. This is the choice that we exacerbate every time we push immigration reform off for another month, another year, another session of Congress. And this is why we must pass legislation that creates a pathway to citizenship for farmworkers. Did you know that when you pick radishes, you get paid by the number of crates that you fill? On the day that I worked the fields, it comes as no surprise that I picked at a slower rate than the highly skilled and experienced farmworkers, who depend on speed for their livelihoods. Yet laws across the country leave farmworkers in a position of uncertainty that few other workers have to face. If you are a farmworker and you miss a day of work, there is no paid sick leave. If you are a farmworker and you are injured on the job, you can't get disability insurance. And living and working while undocumented means worrying constantly about your status. So when the Senate says that immigration reform can wait, we are not seeing the people whose lives are at stake: Isidro, Armando, Isabel, Epigemio. As they pick radishes, these workers are not taking jobs from American citizens. I repeat: They are not taking the jobs of American citizens. In fact, the opposite is true. We don't have enough farmworkers to meet the demand, not just for radishes but for countless other crops. As different produce comes into season, growers need skilled labor on tight timelines. Corporate leaders, small business owners, and economists agree that we need more immigrants with more protections. The stakes for our economy are high. Right now, American families are paying higher prices not just at the gas pump but at the grocery store. Our labor shortage is contributing to higher inflation. Over $1 trillion of America's GDP is linked to agriculture. All across the Nation, we rely on immigrant farmworkers. In North Carolina, agriculture is the top industry, aided by tens of thousands of undocumented workers in growing soybean, corn, and peanuts. In Idaho, agriculture accounts for 17 percent of the economic output, including a booming dairy industry. Around 90 percent of Idaho's dairy workers are foreign born, the vast majority undocumented. In Texas, agriculture is worth more than $20 billion each year. More than 100,000 immigrant workers, mostly undocumented, are employed on Texas's ranches, farms, and fields. I can go on and on, but I think the point is clear: This is truly a national issue. The majority of all farmworkers lack legal status, and growers say that more help is needed. Congress can make a difference. We can do so by passing the laws that farmworkers need and deserve. Our country cannot afford to wait. That is why it was the first bill I introduced--the Citizenship for Essential Workers Act--when I joined the Senate last year. I am talking about the workers who keep us healthy and safe and fed, the workers we as the Federal Government have deemed to be essential. They deserve dignity; they deserve respect; and they have earned a pathway to citizenship. Today, I am also proud to introduce the Fairness for Farmworkers Act. This bill will support fair pay for agricultural workers under the Fair Labor Standards Act. In 1 day, I had just a small dose of the physically demanding life of a farmworker. Still, there is so much more that I could tell you about the kind, funny, generous individuals whom I worked alongside that day. As we shared a lunch of homemade tortillas, beans, and carne con chiles, they told me about their hometowns that they miss, their favorite music, and their dreams for their children. They had one more message that they asked me to deliver, that they implored me to deliver to all of you, and that is that you should come too. I was the first U.S. Senator to accept an invitation to work in the fields. Last week, my friend and colleague Senator Booker became the second. I urge you, each and every Member of the Senate, to take this opportunity, take a day to work alongside the heroes who feed America, and then come back here, as I have, humbled and inspired to do our job. Let's come together behind a solution so farmworkers can finally live and work with dignity and security.

Mr. PADILLA. Mr. President, I rise to speak in support of the Helping People Experiencing Substance Use Disorder and Homelessness Act, which I introduced today. Housing is a fundamental social determinant of health, and unhoused individuals are often the victims of stark health disparities. Of the more than 580,000 people experiencing homelessness in the United States, an estimated 20 percent have a substance use and/or a mental health disorder. Mental health concerns, including substance use disorders, can cause and exacerbate homelessness. A lack of affordable housing is the primary driver of homelessness, and we are working to address this issue. Another piece of the puzzle is to ensure housing and social service providers have the resources to work together to ensure access to supportive services. That is why I am proud to introduce this bill to provide essential funding and tools for frontline organizations to coordinate health and homelessness services. If enacted, it will create a Federal interagency working group to advise grantees on best practices. The grants will invest in programs to build the capacity necessary to combat the United States' dual homelessness and mental health crises. I want to thank Representative Madeleine Dean for introducing this bill with me, and I hope our colleagues will join us in taking this key step to addressing challenges that have been exacerbated by the COVID- 19 pandemic.

Mr. PADILLA

Mr. PADILLA. I yield the floor.

Mr. PADILLA

Mr. PADILLA. I ask unanimous consent that the order with respect to Judge de Alba's nomination be executed at 5:30 p.m. today; further, that if the nomination is confirmed, the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table and the President be immediately notified of the Senate's action.

Mr. PADILLA

Mr. PADILLA. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.

Mr. PADILLA

Mr. PADILLA. Mr. President, today, I am proud to celebrate two district judges joining the Federal bench for the State of California. We are scheduled to vote shortly on the confirmation of Judge Ana de Alba, who is nominated to become a judge for the Eastern District of California. Judge de Alba brings a lifelong commitment to advancing justice in California's Central Valley. The daughter of immigrants from Mexico, she was born in Merced, CA, and grew up in a family of farmworkers. Judge de Alba watched her mother and her grandmother struggle with unfair treatment, as they worked together in some of the hardest jobs in the world. She decided at a young age that one day--one day--she would become a lawyer to help families like her own. Judge de Alba is a first-generation high school graduate. She went on to earn her bachelor's degree and her J.D. from UC Berkeley. And after graduating, she built a successful career in private practice in the Central Valley, and she realized her childhood dream of service by establishing a Workers' Rights Clinic for low-wage workers to learn their rights and to seek legal advice. In 2018, based on her extensive legal experience and proven commitment to the public good, Judge de Alba was appointed by then- Governor Brown to serve as a superior court judge for Fresno County. Judge de Alba is a dedicated, fair, and universally respected public servant, respected by her colleagues. I also want to note that if confirmed, Judge de Alba will be the first Latina to sit on the Eastern District bench. She will bring a deep knowledge of the Central Valley and a passion for equal justice, informed and inspired by her own family's story. So I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting Judge de Alba's confirmation today.

Mr. PADILLA

Mr. PADILLA. Mr. President, I would also like to take this moment to celebrate the confirmation last month of Judge Robert Huie, now serving in the Southern District of California. Judge Huie is a resident of San Diego, where he has lived and worked for nearly 20 years, but his roots in California, in fact, began generations ago. His grandfather immigrated to San Francisco from China in the 1930s, making his home there until joining the U.S. Army. Judge Huie is a talented lawyer who has continually sought out opportunities to promote justice. He earned his undergraduate degree from Calvin College and his J.D. from Yale Law School. His career includes 12 years of service as an assistant U.S. attorney for the Southern District of California. During that time, he investigated and prosecuted more than 600 district court cases and two dozen appeals on matters ranging from public corruption to securities fraud, to bank robberies. And at the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Judge Huie took the initiative to create a districtwide working group that combated pandemic-related fraud. Judge Huie's commitment to service, his strong work ethic, and his insightful legal thinking will benefit the community of the Southern District. Mr. President, as a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, I am proud of the work that we continue to do to confirm outstanding, effective, and diverse judges across the Federal court system. That is especially important in places like the Southern District and Eastern District of California--two of the busiest Federal judicial districts in the entire country. As we confirm more nominees like Judge de Alba and Judge Huie, we are building a Federal court system that can better deliver on the promise of equal justice for all. I yield the floor.

Mr. PADILLA

Mr. PADILLA. Mr. President, I rise to introduce the bipartisan Recreation and Public Purposes Tribal Parity Act to correct a long- standing and unjust oversight that prevents Tribal governments from having the same opportunities as State and local governments do to buy and lease public lands for recreational purposes. Current law allows the Bureau of Land Management to lease or sell certain public lands to State and local governments or qualifying nonprofits if those lands will be used for explicit public and recreational purposes. These lands are used for a variety of public and recreational purposes, like historic monument sites, schools, firehouses, law enforcement facilities, courthouses, health facilities, hospitals, and parks. However, the law does not allow the BLM to sell or lease these lands to Tribal governments. Our bill would allow Tribal governments to participate in the program in the same way that State and local governments do. Doing so would help ensure Tribal nations enjoy the same opportunities for land acquisition as State and local governments and nonprofit organizations do. Tribal governments were not considered when the Recreation and Public Purposes Act became law in 1926. The omission leaves Tribes without the same opportunities as other governments to use public lands for these beneficial purposes. This disadvantage is clear, as the sale and lease of public lands is often at a discount compared to fair market value. This issue is part of the greater need to correct longstanding barriers that undermine the sovereignty of Tribal governments and our efforts to right historic wrongs. The Federal Government owns about 640 million acres of land, about 28% of the total land in the United States. Public lands potentially available for disposal by the Bureau of Land Management alone are located across at least 18 States. The exclusion of Indian Tribes from qualifying for acquisition of these lands is not based on any clear policy rationale. As our Nation works to strengthen Tribal sovereignty and self- determination, it is important that we ensure our laws treat Tribal governments in equal regard as State and local governments and ensure they have the opportunity for positive and productive land use activity. I thank Senator Feinstein for introducing this legislation with me in the Senate, and Congressman LaMalfa for championing this effort in the House of Representatives. I look forward to working with my colleagues to enact this commonsense bill as quickly as possible.

Mr. PADILLA

Mr. PADILLA. Mr. President, I rise to introduce the bipartisan Recreation and Public Purposes Tribal Parity Act to correct a long- standing and unjust oversight that prevents Tribal governments from having the same opportunities as State and local governments do to buy and lease public lands for recreational purposes. Current law allows the Bureau of Land Management to lease or sell certain public lands to State and local governments or qualifying nonprofits if those lands will be used for explicit public and recreational purposes. These lands are used for a variety of public and recreational purposes, like historic monument sites, schools, firehouses, law enforcement facilities, courthouses, health facilities, hospitals, and parks. However, the law does not allow the BLM to sell or lease these lands to Tribal governments. Our bill would allow Tribal governments to participate in the program in the same way that State and local governments do. Doing so would help ensure Tribal nations enjoy the same opportunities for land acquisition as State and local governments and nonprofit organizations do. Tribal governments were not considered when the Recreation and Public Purposes Act became law in 1926. The omission leaves Tribes without the same opportunities as other governments to use public lands for these beneficial purposes. This disadvantage is clear, as the sale and lease of public lands is often at a discount compared to fair market value. This issue is part of the greater need to correct longstanding barriers that undermine the sovereignty of Tribal governments and our efforts to right historic wrongs. The Federal Government owns about 640 million acres of land, about 28% of the total land in the United States. Public lands potentially available for disposal by the Bureau of Land Management alone are located across at least 18 States. The exclusion of Indian Tribes from qualifying for acquisition of these lands is not based on any clear policy rationale. As our Nation works to strengthen Tribal sovereignty and self- determination, it is important that we ensure our laws treat Tribal governments in equal regard as State and local governments and ensure they have the opportunity for positive and productive land use activity. I thank Senator Feinstein for introducing this legislation with me in the Senate, and Congressman LaMalfa for championing this effort in the House of Representatives. I look forward to working with my colleagues to enact this commonsense bill as quickly as possible.

Mr. PADILLA

Mr. PADILLA. Mr. President, I rise to speak in support of the Transportation Assistance for Olympic Cities Act and the LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games Commemorative Coin Act, which I introduced today. While the eyes of the world will be on the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Los Angeles in 2028, the work preparing our region for this grand stage is already starting. That is why I am proud to introduce these bills that will help carry out the Games and make investments in the region and across our Nation. The Transportation Assistance for Olympic Cities Act would ensure the Federal Government provides critical assistance for surface transportation projects and plans relating to international Olympic, Paralympic, and Special Olympics events. The transportation plans made in the coming years will not only make the Olympics and Paralympics run smoothly but will also be an investment in infrastructure that will benefit commuters and the region for years to come. This bill would also allow the Department of Transportation to prioritize Federal transportation grants for projects relating to an Olympic, Paralympic, or Special Olympics International event and to provide funding for temporary facilities, equipment, operations, and maintenance that meet the extraordinary needs associated with hosting such events. The LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games Commemorative Coin Act would direct the Treasury Department to mint coins in commemoration of the ninth time that the United States will host the modern Olympics and the third time that our Nation will host the Paralympics. This bill would come at no cost to the Federal Government. Any surcharges from the sale of the coins would support the hosting of the 2028 Games and aid in the execution of legacy programs, including the promotion of youth sports in the United States. I want to thank Representative Brownley and Representative Sherman for co-leading these bills with me, and I hope our colleagues will join us in support of these bills that will help Los Angeles, California, and our entire Nation prepare for the successful administration of the 2028 Olympics and Paralympics.

Mr. PADILLA

Mr. PADILLA. Mr. President, I rise to speak in support of the Transportation Assistance for Olympic Cities Act and the LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games Commemorative Coin Act, which I introduced today. While the eyes of the world will be on the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Los Angeles in 2028, the work preparing our region for this grand stage is already starting. That is why I am proud to introduce these bills that will help carry out the Games and make investments in the region and across our Nation. The Transportation Assistance for Olympic Cities Act would ensure the Federal Government provides critical assistance for surface transportation projects and plans relating to international Olympic, Paralympic, and Special Olympics events. The transportation plans made in the coming years will not only make the Olympics and Paralympics run smoothly but will also be an investment in infrastructure that will benefit commuters and the region for years to come. This bill would also allow the Department of Transportation to prioritize Federal transportation grants for projects relating to an Olympic, Paralympic, or Special Olympics International event and to provide funding for temporary facilities, equipment, operations, and maintenance that meet the extraordinary needs associated with hosting such events. The LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games Commemorative Coin Act would direct the Treasury Department to mint coins in commemoration of the ninth time that the United States will host the modern Olympics and the third time that our Nation will host the Paralympics. This bill would come at no cost to the Federal Government. Any surcharges from the sale of the coins would support the hosting of the 2028 Games and aid in the execution of legacy programs, including the promotion of youth sports in the United States. I want to thank Representative Brownley and Representative Sherman for co-leading these bills with me, and I hope our colleagues will join us in support of these bills that will help Los Angeles, California, and our entire Nation prepare for the successful administration of the 2028 Olympics and Paralympics.

Mr. PADILLA

Mr. PADILLA. Mr. President, I rise to introduce the Cesar E. Chavez and the Farmworker Movement National Historical Park Act. This legislation would establish the Cesar E. Chavez and the Farmworker Movement National Historical Park in California and Arizona to preserve the nationally significant sites associated with Cesar Chavez and the farm worker movement. In 2008, with strong bipartisan support, Congress enacted legislation directing the National Park Service to conduct a special resource study of sites that are significant to the life of Cesar Chavez and the farm labor movement in the Western United States. The National Park Service evaluated over 100 sites that were significant to Cesar Chavez and the farm labor movement in thy stern United States and found that five sites were ``nationally significant.'' Importantly, the Park Service wrote that these nationally significant sites depict a distinct and important aspect of American history associated with civil rights and labor movements that are not adequately represented or protected elsewhere. While the Park Service provided five management alternatives to protect these special places, they ultimately recommended that Congress establish a national historic park that would include several nationally significant sites. In 2012, President Obama established the Cesar E. Chavez National Monument. The property is in Keene, CA and is known as Nuestra Senora Reina de la Paz. In his Presidential Proclamation, President Obama said: ``This site marks the extraordinary achievements and contributions to the history of the United States made by Cesar Chavez and the farm worker movement that he led with great vision and fortitude. La Paz reflects his conviction that ordinary people can do extraordinary things.'' While this was a critical step forward, the National Monument leaves out many nationally significant sites and leaves many important stories untold. The creation of a national historical park, as originally recommended by the Park Service, would allow the National Park Service to tell the full story of Cesar Chavez and the farm labor movement for the benefit of all Americans. This legislation would establish the Forty Acres in Delano, CA; the Cesar E. Chavez National Monument, which includes La Nuestra Senora Reina de la Paz, in Keene, CA; and the Santa Rita Center in Phoenix, AZ, as part of a new Cesar E. Chavez and Farmworker Movement National Historical Park. These sites contain nationally significant resources associated with Cesar Chavez and the farmworker movement and would be preserved and protected as part of the National Park System. This legislation would also establish a new National Historic Trail that would commemorate the 1966 Delano to Sacramento March, a major milestone event in the farm labor movement. According to the Special Resource Study, ``More than one hundred men and women set out from Delano on March 17, 1966, and thousands of farm workers and their families joined in for short stretches along the way. By the time the marchers entered Sacramento on Easter Sunday, April 10, 1966, the farm worker movement had secured a contract and attracted new waves of support from across the country.'' We must honor and celebrate the life and legacy of Cesar Chavez, the inspirational civil rights advocate and leader of the farm labor movement whose impact reverberated in California and across the world. His list of accomplishments is long, from creating the Nation's first permanent agricultural labor union to helping secure passage of the first American law that recognized farm workers' rights to organize. While widely respected as the most important Latino leader in the United States in the 20th century, Cesar Chavez was not just a leader for the Latino community. Following the principles of Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King, Jr., Cesar Chavez led a nonviolent movement of protests and boycotts to secure a union, better pay, and better working conditions for farmworkers. He also played a leading role in the broader labor movement, the Chicano movement, and the environmental movement. For Chavez, it did not matter where you came from or what your job was: he believed in the fundamental right to dignity and respect. But this park will not just focus on Chavez's legacy; it will also preserve the thousands of stories of people who played a role in the broader farm labor movement. According to the Special Resource Study, ``During the 1960s, the farm labor movement attracted support from a wide array of individuals, including members of other unions, religious leaders, civil rights activists, high school students and college students (including young Chicanos and Filipinos), environmentalists, and justice-minded consumers across the country and abroad.'' As the son of immigrants from Mexico and the first Latino to represent California in the U.S. Senate, I believe the movement Cesar Chavez created is just as important today as it ever has been. The National Park System--which preserves our natural, historical, and cultural heritage while offering vital spaces for teaching, learning, and outdoor recreation--must paint the full mosaic of America. Through the sites preserved by this bill, we can ensure that the National Park System preserves the diverse history of our Nation that is too often overlooked. As a farm worker himself, Cesar Chavez maintained a strong connection to the natural environment. This bill uplifts his story and those of others whose contributions helped build the farmworker and civil rights movements that are pillars of American history. I thank the bill's cosponsors in the Senate and House of Representatives, and I especially want to thank Congressman Ruiz for spearheading this effort with me to ensure that our national monuments and historical parks better reflect the diversity of America's heritage. Today and every day, let's recommit to the work Cesar Chavez began. As he would say: La Lucha Sigue. We must not waver as we keep up the fight for justice and equality for all. I look forward to working with my colleagues to enact the Cesar E. Chavez National Historical Park Act as quickly as possible.

Mr. PADILLA

Mr. PADILLA. Mr. President, I rise to introduce the Cesar E. Chavez and the Farmworker Movement National Historical Park Act. This legislation would establish the Cesar E. Chavez and the Farmworker Movement National Historical Park in California and Arizona to preserve the nationally significant sites associated with Cesar Chavez and the farm worker movement. In 2008, with strong bipartisan support, Congress enacted legislation directing the National Park Service to conduct a special resource study of sites that are significant to the life of Cesar Chavez and the farm labor movement in the Western United States. The National Park Service evaluated over 100 sites that were significant to Cesar Chavez and the farm labor movement in thy stern United States and found that five sites were ``nationally significant.'' Importantly, the Park Service wrote that these nationally significant sites depict a distinct and important aspect of American history associated with civil rights and labor movements that are not adequately represented or protected elsewhere. While the Park Service provided five management alternatives to protect these special places, they ultimately recommended that Congress establish a national historic park that would include several nationally significant sites. In 2012, President Obama established the Cesar E. Chavez National Monument. The property is in Keene, CA and is known as Nuestra Senora Reina de la Paz. In his Presidential Proclamation, President Obama said: ``This site marks the extraordinary achievements and contributions to the history of the United States made by Cesar Chavez and the farm worker movement that he led with great vision and fortitude. La Paz reflects his conviction that ordinary people can do extraordinary things.'' While this was a critical step forward, the National Monument leaves out many nationally significant sites and leaves many important stories untold. The creation of a national historical park, as originally recommended by the Park Service, would allow the National Park Service to tell the full story of Cesar Chavez and the farm labor movement for the benefit of all Americans. This legislation would establish the Forty Acres in Delano, CA; the Cesar E. Chavez National Monument, which includes La Nuestra Senora Reina de la Paz, in Keene, CA; and the Santa Rita Center in Phoenix, AZ, as part of a new Cesar E. Chavez and Farmworker Movement National Historical Park. These sites contain nationally significant resources associated with Cesar Chavez and the farmworker movement and would be preserved and protected as part of the National Park System. This legislation would also establish a new National Historic Trail that would commemorate the 1966 Delano to Sacramento March, a major milestone event in the farm labor movement. According to the Special Resource Study, ``More than one hundred men and women set out from Delano on March 17, 1966, and thousands of farm workers and their families joined in for short stretches along the way. By the time the marchers entered Sacramento on Easter Sunday, April 10, 1966, the farm worker movement had secured a contract and attracted new waves of support from across the country.'' We must honor and celebrate the life and legacy of Cesar Chavez, the inspirational civil rights advocate and leader of the farm labor movement whose impact reverberated in California and across the world. His list of accomplishments is long, from creating the Nation's first permanent agricultural labor union to helping secure passage of the first American law that recognized farm workers' rights to organize. While widely respected as the most important Latino leader in the United States in the 20th century, Cesar Chavez was not just a leader for the Latino community. Following the principles of Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King, Jr., Cesar Chavez led a nonviolent movement of protests and boycotts to secure a union, better pay, and better working conditions for farmworkers. He also played a leading role in the broader labor movement, the Chicano movement, and the environmental movement. For Chavez, it did not matter where you came from or what your job was: he believed in the fundamental right to dignity and respect. But this park will not just focus on Chavez's legacy; it will also preserve the thousands of stories of people who played a role in the broader farm labor movement. According to the Special Resource Study, ``During the 1960s, the farm labor movement attracted support from a wide array of individuals, including members of other unions, religious leaders, civil rights activists, high school students and college students (including young Chicanos and Filipinos), environmentalists, and justice-minded consumers across the country and abroad.'' As the son of immigrants from Mexico and the first Latino to represent California in the U.S. Senate, I believe the movement Cesar Chavez created is just as important today as it ever has been. The National Park System--which preserves our natural, historical, and cultural heritage while offering vital spaces for teaching, learning, and outdoor recreation--must paint the full mosaic of America. Through the sites preserved by this bill, we can ensure that the National Park System preserves the diverse history of our Nation that is too often overlooked. As a farm worker himself, Cesar Chavez maintained a strong connection to the natural environment. This bill uplifts his story and those of others whose contributions helped build the farmworker and civil rights movements that are pillars of American history. I thank the bill's cosponsors in the Senate and House of Representatives, and I especially want to thank Congressman Ruiz for spearheading this effort with me to ensure that our national monuments and historical parks better reflect the diversity of America's heritage. Today and every day, let's recommit to the work Cesar Chavez began. As he would say: La Lucha Sigue. We must not waver as we keep up the fight for justice and equality for all. I look forward to working with my colleagues to enact the Cesar E. Chavez National Historical Park Act as quickly as possible.