Scott Peters

Mr. PETERS

Mr. PETERS. Madam Speaker, many have lamented that this effort is not bipartisan, but that is on my Republican colleagues. Republicans have not sought the truth. They have sought to avoid the truth. They have demeaned and insulted witnesses, patriots, warriors, and career diplomats who have provided evidence against the President. No House Republican has joined us to demand the documents and witnesses that President Trump has refused to produce. And Senate Republican leaders, this week, have announced that President Trump, himself, can set the rules of his trial and there will be no fact witnesses. Republicans refuse to seek the truth and condemn the abuse of power or to work with us to prevent this ongoing behavior in the future, and that is the tragedy of today's events. In our Nation's history, thousands of Americans have gone into battle without reservation to fight for our Republic as they still do today. Many have been gravely injured, and some have made the ultimate sacrifice. But today, in contrast, for fear of losing an election, my colleagues will not speak up for the rule of law or against Presidential abuse of power. Voters may give them a pass, but history will judge them harshly. I will vote for the Articles of Impeachment.

Mr. PETERS

Mr. PETERS. Mr. Chair, I yield myself such time as I may consume. H.R. 3 is not perfect. No bill is. But I will support it today because it is our best chance to get moving on the very pressing issue of high prescription drug prices. I hope the Senate will work with us in a good-faith manner to come up with a final bill that both lowers prices and preserves incentives for innovation. The concerns and some outstanding questions about the effect of this bill on innovation in the private sector are legitimate. My colleagues have referenced the CBO studies. Also, the California Life Sciences Association released a report in October that predicted that H.R. 3 would make drug development particularly challenging for small and emerging companies in California. The amendment I offer today will go a long way toward preserving and supporting biopharmaceutical innovation, and that is not an abstraction. It can be measured in jobs, breakthrough cures, and even state-of-the-art research facilities. Innovation, research, and development are the economic lifeblood of California and, particularly, San Diego. Over the past decade, California firms have received more than 30 percent of total biotech investment in the country, and in San Diego County there are over 48,000 jobs in the life sciences sector supported by $1.5 billion in venture capital. In San Diego alone, we have five institutions that rank among the top recipients of National Institutes of Health funding in the country, and they are doing amazing things. One La Jolla-based research and development facility in my district recently launched a one-time gene replacement therapy that essentially halts the progression of a rare and deadly genetic childhood disorder: spinal muscular atrophy. This company is also currently investing in research to cure a genetic form of ALS. If we aren't careful, we might put those kinds of breakthrough therapies at risk of never treating a single patient. From the NIH and academic research institutions to philanthropy and biopharmaceutical industry, there is a network of capital today in the public and private sectors that supports innovation. At the risk of oversimplifying, the NIH focuses on basic biomedical science, investigating the underlying mechanisms of disease, while smaller biotech companies supported by institutional investors take the basic science to the preclinical and early-phase stages of drug development. Drug companies conduct later-stage research, fund clinical trials, and invest in startups. These financial backers, like drug companies and venture capitalists, are important because they can help close the funding gap that exists between preclinical research and the early-and later-stage clinical trials. If H.R. 3 changes investor behavior as some predict, that could widen the gap for smaller biotech companies, the so-called ``valley of death.'' I think we can all agree that these are consequences we want to avoid. Securing funding for the high cost of clinical trials is often cited as the key hurdle facing smaller biotech companies at the precipice of the so-called valley of death. While the biopharmaceutical industry and the Federal Government both fund clinical trials, NIH's ability to bring drugs to market is constrained by its limited budget and a mandate to carry out its core mission of advancing biomedical research, which is not necessarily the same as bringing drugs to market. Over time, these limitations have resulted in the declining number of NIH- sponsored clinical trials. The biopharma industry is really good at bringing drugs to market because it can afford expensive failures. The Federal Government is really good at research and development because it can ignore constraining signals of the commercial market. We do patients no favors by pitting biopharma against government. And I want to thank Chairman Pallone and his staff on the Energy and Commerce Committee for working with me to include two priorities of mine in his bill. I establish a pilot program that will award multiyear contracts to public and private entities like research institutions, medical centers, and biotech companies to support phase 2 and phase 3 clinical trials. That pilot program will receive $500 million every year for 5 years. The bill also includes this amendment No. 3 before you today, which is based on my bill, the Innovation and Capital Network Act of 2019. My amendment creates an innovation startup fund at NIH that will support the commercialization stage of research, later-stage research and development, as well as technology, transfer, and technical assistance. Specifically, it directs $500 million over 5 years to incentivize incubators, accelerators, and other financial backers to support biotech companies through early- to mid-stage clinical studies. These two things are mutually reinforcing. NIH is free to do more drug development, and more small to midsize biotech companies can freely follow the science. In other words, these small biotechs can pursue unforeseen opportunities that could lead to a cure for cancer. Whether you vote for H.R. 3 or not, we must continue to support and strengthen the network of capital that sustains innovation. Mr. Chair, I hope my colleagues will support this amendment and the freedom to follow science, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. PETERS. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. PETERS

Mr. PETERS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Senior Chief Petty Officer Kenton Stacy, a decorated veteran who sustained injuries in the line of duty while on tour in Syria. Senior Chief Stacy was on his final tour in Syria after having already completed one tour in Iraq and two in Afghanistan. He specialized in explosive ordnance disposal, meaning that every assignment he undertook was a matter of life and death for himself and members of his team. In 2017, Senior Chief Stacy and his unit were clearing a hospital in an area that had been recently occupied by ISIS. During their mission, an explosive device detonated, leaving Senior Chief Stacy badly wounded. While Senior Chief Stacy survived, the explosion ultimately left him paralyzed and unable to speak. Senior Chief Stacy was honored this past Veterans Day with a plaque at the Mount Soledad Veterans Memorial in San Diego, the only memorial in the United States that honors veterans, both living and deceased, from the Revolutionary War until now. This will help ensure that his sacrifice is never forgotten. Please join me in honoring Senior Chief Petty Officer Kent Stacy and his family and thanking them for all their courage and service to our country.

Mr. PETERS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the San Diego hero, the late Ensign Albert J. Hickman, a decorated veteran who gave his life to save many others. Ensign Hickman was 21 years old when the F3H Demon, the jet he was piloting, malfunctioned. He was on a routine training mission over San Diego, California, when he lost control of the aircraft and began plummeting toward the ground. At the time of the engine malfunction, Hickman's jet was directly over a neighborhood and an elementary school playground crowded with children on their noontime recess. Instead of simply ejecting from the jet, he stayed with the aircraft and steered it into a remote canyon in order to avoid the playground. Ensign Hickman sacrificed his life to save the lives of 750 children. He was posthumously awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal, the highest noncombat medal awarded for heroism. Hickman Elementary School in Mira Mesa was also named in his honor, as was Hickman Field in Kearny Mesa. At a ceremony at the school, 11-year-old Hawthorne student body president Kay Schade gave a speech that was quoted in the San Diego Union Tribune: ``Ensign Hickman not only saved our lives but left us an ideal by which to live. Let us strive to be as brave and courageous ourselves as he was.'' December 4 marked the 60th anniversary of his death. In September, his heroism was remembered at Mount Soledad Veterans Memorial. Please join me in honoring Ensign Albert Hickman for his dedication and sacrifice as we seek to continue his legacy of heroism. In Honor of Senior Chief Petty Officer Kenton Stacy

Mr. PETERS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the late Second Lieutenant Travis B. Wilkie, a veteran and San Diego native who lost his life while training at Vance Air Force Base in Oklahoma. Lieutenant Wilkie was a model citizen who exuded the values of service and sacrifice to his country. A San Diego native, Lieutenant Wilkie worked diligently as both a student and as a member of his community, and his accomplishments earned him a spot at the prestigious Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs. On November 21 of this year, Lieutenant Wilkie was training with a fellow pilot, Lieutenant Colonel John Kinkade, when Travis' plane crashed during a landing formation. Both Lieutenant Wilkie and Colonel Kinkade tragically lost their lives that day. Lieutenant Wilkie's loss is felt in our community in San Diego, by his colleagues at the Air Force Academy, by his fellow servicemembers at Vance Air Force Base, and by his family. In a text to me yesterday, his mom, Carlene, said: `` `Devastated' is not a strong enough word. Travis was a brilliant, hardworking 23-year-old who just married the love of his life on October 14. I don't believe any young pilot should die in a training mission. Unbearable.'' Please join me in remembering and honoring Second Lieutenant Wilkie and Lieutenant Colonel Kinkade, their families, and the communities they touched during their lives and their service. In Honor of Albert J. Hickman

Mr. PETERS

Mr. PETERS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 100th anniversary of the Fleet Readiness Center Southwest at Naval Air Station North Island in Coronado, the birthplace of naval aviation maintenance. In 1912, the entire Navy aviation squad consisted of four officers and three planes, which called North Island home. As more planes routinely landed at sea, it became necessary for the Navy to have an official aviation maintenance facility. Shortly after the U.S. Government obtained the island in 1917, it established the Overhaul and Repair Department, the first maintenance repair and overhaul facility in the Department of Defense. Now designated as the Fleet Readiness Center Southwest, the goals are the same: to produce quality equipment and provide support to our Nation's aviation war fighters through the overhaul, repair, and modification of the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps frontline aircraft. Encompassing 358 acres and over 80 buildings, the Fleet Readiness Center is one of the largest aerospace employers in San Diego County, employing approximately 3,500 civilians and 900 military personnel. Please join me in honoring one of the best facilities in the U.S. Navy, the Fleet Readiness Center Southwest at Naval Air Station North Island, on its 100th anniversary.

Mr. PETERS

Mr. PETERS. Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman DeFazio, and thank Congressman Meadows, for working with me to improve the federal government's transparency on disaster assistance spending and the government's efficiency on providing communities with relief funding. As fires burn across California and hurricanes continue to hit the Southeast, it is clear that disasters are becoming larger, more dangerous and frequent, and significantly more expensive. According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), there have been more than 2,400 federally declared disasters since 2000, totaling hundreds of billions of dollars in federal relief aid. Multiple federal agencies help communities recover from these disasters. However, they do not coordinate when conducting damage assessments, which creates duplicative work across agencies. That's why I joined Congressman Meadows in introducing the Federal Disaster Assistance Coordination Act. This bill is commonsense: it requires FEMA to create an interagency working group to determine any areas of overlap across agencies when conducting assessments used to administer disaster assistance. It also requires the working group to assess new technologies that may accelerate damage assessments following disasters. This bill, in coordination with two other disaster assistance bills Mr. Meadows and I introduced together--the DISASTER Act and the Post- Disaster Assistance Online Accountability Act--allow the federal government to efficiently provide communities with disaster relief aid. I urge my colleagues to pass this legislation today, and I look forward to the Senate acting on all three of our disaster transparency bills.

Mr. PETERS

Mr. PETERS. Madam Speaker, had I been present, I would have voted: ``yea'' on rollcall No. 568 (H. Res. 630 final passage); ``yea'' on rollcall No. 569 (H.R. 4406 final passage); ``yea'' on rollcall No. 570 (H.R. 4407 final passage); ``yea'' on rollcall No. 577 (H.R. 2513 final passage); ``yea'' on rollcall No. 578 (H.R. 2426 final passage); ``yea'' on rollcall No. 583 (H.R. 4617 final passage); and ``yea'' on rollcall No. 584 (H.R. 777 final passage). personal explanation

Mr. PETERS

Mr. PETERS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Oregon (Mr. DeFazio) for yielding. Mr. Speaker, as we in California and the West prepare for more scorching wildfires, the Southeast is in the heart of hurricane season, and the Midwest is still drying out from historic flooding. Across the country, natural disasters have taken the lives of loved ones, destroyed livelihoods, and caused irreparable damage to communities and businesses. Disasters are becoming larger, more dangerous and frequent, and significantly more expensive. According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, there have been more than 2,400 federally declared disasters since 2000, totaling hundreds of billions of dollars in relief aid. However, when the Federal Government helps communities recover from these disasters, it does not calculate one comprehensive number of how much we spend on disasters per year. Those funds could come from 29 different accounts across 11 different agencies, which exacerbates delays in disaster recovery and hinders future planning and future accountability. That is why I introduced the bipartisan Disclosing Aid Spent to Ensure Relief, or DISASTER Act with Representative Mark Meadows of North Carolina. This transparency bill is common sense. It requires the Office of Management and Budget, OMB, to publish an annual total of disaster- related assistance categorized by disaster type, location, and purpose. With this and other smart reforms Congress is considering today, taxpayers will know where their dollars are going, and the Federal Government can be a better steward of those resources and will be better able to plan for the next disasters. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to pass this legislation today before the next big natural disaster hits.

Mr. PETERS

Mr. PETERS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate three of my constituents--Susan Ackerman and William McGinnis of the University of California, San Diego, and Jeremy Jackson of Scripps Institution of Oceanography--for their election to the National Academy of Sciences. At UCSD, Susan works to enrich the field of neurology through her dedication to in-depth research of molecular pathways. William is a leader in cell and developmental biology, studying the genetic systems that control development and regeneration of tissues in animals. Susan joins a record number of women who make up 40 percent of the newly elected class, the most ever elected in any one year, to date. This is another milestone for representation of women in science. Jeremy is a renown ecologist, paleobiologist, and conservationist at the Scripps Institute of Oceanography, where he researches human impacts on the environment and the evolution of coral reefs. San Diego's research institutes are vital to scientific discoveries, and each member helps fuel San Diego's innovation economy through their work. Susan, William, and Jeremy join 111 other National Academy of Sciences members from San Diego's research institutes. This year, the National Academy of Sciences celebrates 156 years of furthering science in America. The Academy has helped inform engineering and health policy, and Susan, William, and Jeremy will add the expertise of San Diego's scientific community as the Academy fulfills its mission. Since Congress chartered the Academy in 1863, it has been at the forefront of what makes America the most innovative place in the world. I thank Susan Ackerman, William McGinnis, and Jeremy Jackson for representing San Diego in the Academy and for their fine work. Commending Judy Ki on Her Community Leadership

Mr. PETERS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Judy Ki, a Chinese American in my district who has been a force for change in San Diego. Judy is originally from Hong Kong and taught middl school science in the San Diego Unified School District for 30 years. She has a bachelor's degree in psychology, a master's of science in computer technology, and five teaching credentials. During her teaching career, she received a certificate from then-Vice President Al Gore, acknowledging her for her work in environmental education. Judy was also recognized as a distinguished educator by Who's Who Among America's Teachers in both 2002 and 2003, thanks to nominations from her students. Since retiring from teaching, she has been very involved in the Poway community and continues to serve as a volunteer and mentor, especially within the Asian and Pacific Islander community. I thank Judy for her dedicated years as an educator and for her commendable leadership in providing a voice for the San Diego AAPI community. Congratulating Scripps Spelling Bee Participant Elliott Husseman

Mr. PETERS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Elliott Husseman, winner of the 50th annual San Diego Union-Tribune Countywide Spelling Bee and a participant in the 92nd Scripps National Spelling Bee. As an active student at Inspire Charter Schools, Elliott is an inspiration to his peers and the Poway community. Inspire Charter Schools teach students to be independent, critical thinkers and responsible San Diego citizens. Elliott upheld the pillars of Inspire admirably, showing integrity and confidence under pressure. He demonstrated tenacity and levelheadedness beyond his years while competing in a record-breaking field of 562 spelling bee contestants. Since 1925, the Scripps National Spelling Bee has cultivated a passion for learning among young Americans, reaching 11 million students each year. It offers a platform for students like Elliott to engage with like-minded students and represent their communities in an encouraging environment that fosters sportsmanship and respect. The valuable experience of competing allows these young students to build confidence and showcase their academic abilities, skills that are key to their future success. Elliot's achievements in the Scripps National Spelling Bee represent the future of San Diego and the 52nd District. Please join me in congratulating Elliot here at home and on the national stage.

Mr. PETERS

Mr. PETERS. Mr. Chair, I thank Congresswoman Shalala for her work and this timely amendment to add $10 million for critical services for children for things like legal services, child advocates, counseling, and mental health services. There is a humanitarian catastrophe at the border today. In San Diego, we see the kids and families who have traveled a long and treacherous path, but when they arrive, they are met with inhumane living conditions. ICE and CBP facilities are overcrowded, and it hardly gets better once the families are released. Refugee resettlement agencies and the local governments have been the primary providers of these support services. The influx of families have left shelters overburdened and community resources strained. The San Diego community has stepped up to meet this need when the administration has not, but these extra funds will protect families and ensure that all who claim asylum get the due process they are guaranteed under international law. Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to support this amendment.

Mr. PETERS

Mr. PETERS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the late Colonel Robert ``Bob'' Dingeman, a decorated veteran and beloved community leader who dedicated his entire life to service. Bob's commitment to service began when he was just a teenager. He was living with his family in Hawaii and serving in the Reserve Officers' Training Corps when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. Bob helped to get the women and children to safety before joining the defense of the base, and the events of that day led Bob to a life of military service. He graduated from West Point in 1945 and went on to serve in World War II, the Korean war, and the Vietnam war. During his decades of service, Bob earned a Silver Star, Soldier's Medal, Bronze Star, and Purple Heart. After retiring from the Army, Bob earned multiple master's degrees and worked as a college professor at San Diego Miramar College, teaching math, history, and political science. Bob became a pillar of San Diego's Scripps Ranch community where he and his wife, Gaye, and their children made their home. Bob helped create the town's council, the Scripps Ranch Civic Association; organized many annual traditions, including the Fourth of July Parade; and established the community newsletter. The Robert E. Dingeman Elementary School opened in 1995, so named by the San Diego Unified School District to recognize Bob Dingeman's accomplishments in the community. The school celebrates Bob Dingeman Day every year on June 12, Bob's birthday. Scripps Ranch and San Diego are better off for Bob's leadership and his community involvement. His legacy of military and volunteer service will continue to be an example for us all. Please join me in honoring Bob Dingeman for his dedication to Scripps Ranch and his service to the country. Recognizing Marine Corps Air Station Miramar's Commitment to Alternative Energy

Mr. PETERS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Marine Corps Air Station Miramar on receiving a 2019 Secretary of Defense Environmental Award. The award recognizes Marine Corps Air Station Miramar's commitment to protecting the environment while supporting the mission of the military. The United States Department of Defense is the world's largest user of fossil fuels, and when the price of those fuels spike, it harms our mission. That is why the Marine Corps views energy security as national security. The marines at Miramar have led on energy storage research through a partnership with the California Energy Commission's Electric Program Investment Charge and deployed a methane-to-energy project from an onsite landfill that generates half the base's energy. MCAS Miramar's installation-wide microgrid delivers 100 percent renewable energy to the base. Its distribution can provide reliable energy to mission-critical facilities for 3 weeks if they are ever disconnected from the grid. This achievement has wide implications for the Marines, San Diego, and the way we power our world. Energy innovation has always come naturally to the military, and MCAS Miramar embodies San Diego's forward-thinking approach and commitment to sustainability. I thank Marine Corps Air Station Miramar and all marines stationed there for their service to our Nation. I thank Marine Corps leadership for their dedication to alternative energy. Please join me in congratulating Marine Corps Air Station Miramar on the 2019 Secretary of Defense Environmental Award. Recognizing New Children's Museum of San Diego

Mr. PETERS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the New Children's Museum of San Diego, winner of the 2019 National Medal for Museum and Library Service. This award is the highest honor given to museums that demonstrate extraordinary and innovative approaches to community service. The New Children's Museum, which will celebrate its 36th anniversary this year, is a cornerstone of arts and culture for San Diego families. The museum is certainly a model for engaging people of all backgrounds with art. They collaborate with community centers, social service organizations, and schools to spread art, creativity, and play outside the museum. The New Children's Museum employs a philosophy that enables children to learn through play. Their philosophy is pervasive in their immersive exhibits that allow children to climb, touch, build, and engage with the art. I brought my own children there to think, play, and create, like so many families, when they were younger. Today, the museum offers free and reduced admission for military families, Head Start groups, homeless and foster children, migrant families, and more. This award is a testament to the New Children's Museum's service to San Diegans. Please join me in honoring the New Children's Museum.

Mr. PETERS

Mr. PETERS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the late Colonel Robert ``Bob'' Dingeman, a decorated veteran and beloved community leader, who dedicated his entire life to service. Bob's commitment to service began when he was just a teenager. Bob was living with his family in Hawaii and serving in the Reserve Officer Training Corps when the attack on Pearl Harbor occurred. Bob helped to get the women and children to safety before joining the defense of the base. The events of that day led Bob to a life of military service. He graduated from West Point in 1945 and went on to serve in World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. During his decades of service, Bob earned a Silver Star, Soldier's Medal, Bronze Star, and a Purple Heart. After retiring from the Army, Bob earned multiple master's degrees and worked as a college professor at San Diego Miramar College, teaching math, history, and political science. Bob also became a pillar of San Diego's Scripps Ranch community, where he, his wife Gaye, and their children made their home. Bob helped create the town's council, the Scripps Ranch Civic Association; organized many annual traditions, including the 4th of July Parade; and established the community newsletter. The Robert E. Dingeman Elementary School opened in 1995, so named by the San Diego Unified School District to recognize Bob Dingeman's accomplishments in the community. The school celebrates Bob Dingeman Day every year on June 12, Bob's birthday. Scripps Ranch and San Diego are better off for Bob's leadership and community involvement. His legacy of military and volunteer service will continue to be an example for us all. Please join me in honoring Bob Dingeman for his dedication to Scripps Ranch and his service to our country.

Mr. PETERS

Mr. PETERS. Mr. Chairman, President Trump has made clear what climate action he doesn't like. He doesn't like the Paris Agreement, which contemplated that every nation in the world would set a target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. He doesn't like the Clean Power Plan, which encouraged each State to create its own strategy to lower greenhouse gas emissions. And he doesn't like the CAFE standards that required automakers to lower emissions from cars and trucks. Now, last month, the President's own EPA administrator came to the Energy and Commerce Committee, and he testified, and he agreed that climate change is happening, and that it is driven largely by human activity. So the question is, what climate action does President Trump support? And that is the point of the Climate Action Now Act, which simply invites the President to tell us his strategy. Now, there are many options, many bipartisan options, many mentioned by my colleague from Oregon, Mr. Walden. These are increasing research into energy storage technologies, pricing carbon, incentivizing more renewable energy, requiring or incentivizing energy efficiency, easing regulation for developing renewables, developing carbon capture and negative emissions technology, or investing in resiliency and more. And we don't even need the President to draft new ideas. We have got existing bills from the last Congress and from this Congress we have assembled into The Climate Playbook, which you can find right on my Congressional website. Mr. President, we get that you don't like President Obama's climate action ideas. Now tell us your climate action plans. I encourage each of my colleagues, Democrats and Republicans, to join me in making that request to President Trump by supporting and passing H.R. 9. Congress has a Climate Playbook. Mr. President, tell us yours.

Mr. PETERS

Mr. PETERS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today, a day before Yom HaShoah, or Holocaust Remembrance Day, to recognize the late Cornelis and Wilhelmina de Ru. In 1940, Nazi forces invaded the Netherlands, and days later, the Dutch were forced to surrender. Throughout the next 5 years, the de Ru family risked everything to save the life of a young Jewish teenager, Maurits Kopuit. He was only one of two survivors in his family. The de Rus understood the great risk involved in shielding Maurits, yet they displayed unyielding courage in their effort to save a fellow citizen. During the Holocaust, the Nazis systematically killed 6 million Jews. However, throughout this nightmare, there were a few like the de Rus who refused to allow dark forces to prevail. This past Sunday, Mr. and Mrs. de Ru were named Righteous Among the Nations for their heroic efforts to protect Mr. Maurits Kopuit from the Nazi regime during World War II. Righteous Among the Nations is a special designation by Yad Vashem, the World Holocaust Remembrance Center, that conveys the gratitude of the State of Israel and of the Jewish people for those who took risks to save Jews during the Holocaust. As of January 2018, Yad Vashem had recognized over 26,000 people from 51 different countries with the Righteous Among the Nations designation. Their names appear on the Mount of Remembrance in Jerusalem. It is an unprecedented tribute by victims to those who stood by their sides. Next week marks the 74th anniversary of the Nazi army's surrender. We must never forget the consequences of remaining silent in the face of evil and intolerance. Please join me in honoring the de Rus' selfless actions and commemorating all those whose lives were lost. Honoring the Life of Stan Smith

Mr. PETERS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the late Stan Smith, an exemplary historian from Rancho Bernardo whose help made the San Diego Veterans History Project possible. Stan's brother, Charlie, was killed during the invasion of Sicily in 1943 during World War II. This prompted Stan himself to join the U.S. Navy and later prompted his interest in recording veterans' accounts of their service during World War II and the Vietnam war. Stan began helping my office in 2013 and worked with us for 3 years before going to help the San Diego Veterans Museum. He recorded more than 100 oral histories of San Diego County veterans in the 7 years since he began, ensuring that their stories would never be forgotten. Stan understood the importance of passing history down from one generation to the next and thanking the men and women who, like Stan, served our country. We are deeply grateful for Stan Smith's commitment to recording veterans' stories. His work has ensured that their stories will never be lost. Please join me in honoring Stan Smith and his children, who plan to carry on the work their father started. Mr. Speaker, if there are any San Diegans who are interested in becoming involved with the Veterans History Project, I hope they will contact my office. Congratulating ResMed

Mr. PETERS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate ResMed, a medical device company located in my district, for receiving the 2019 Duane Roth Renaissance Award. Duane Roth was a champion of life sciences and tech entrepreneurship. He was a beloved community leader who defined San Diego's innovation ecosystem and economic diversity. Every year, the Duane Roth Award is given to a company whose inventions and breakthroughs have improved the world around us. ResMed has combined groundbreaking sleep and respiratory medicine with technology to increase the accessibility and availability of treatment for those with sleep apnea and other chronic diseases. This year, ResMed is recognized for its commitment to improving quality of life, reducing the risk of chronic disease, and increasing access to healthcare. ResMed exemplifies the innovation and discovery of San Diego, and I am proud to celebrate a San Diego company that has worked tirelessly to better healthcare on this well-deserved honor.

Mr. PETERS

Mr. PETERS. Mr. Speaker, it is with great sadness that I rise today to speak of the tragic shooting that took place at the Chabad of Poway on Saturday. As the synagogue celebrated the last day of Passover, a 19-year-old terrorist walked in and opened fire with an assault rifle. One woman was killed, and three others were badly hurt. Lori Gilbert- Kaye died while selflessly trying to protect her rabbi from the gunman. She is recalled as a faith-filled, generous caregiver who put others before herself. Lori died as she lived. Yesterday I attended an event to honor local Holocaust survivors. As I watched these brave men and women who survived Nazi Germany, I was confronted with the tragic realization that today in 2019, Jews are still being threatened by murderous white supremacists. Mr. Speaker, I ask for a moment of silence, but we must follow it with action. We must act against gun violence and come together to stop the rising tide of white supremacy that plagues our Nation today. Please join me in a moment of silence.

Mr. PETERS

Mr. PETERS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor an American hero whose motto should inspire us all: You Never Quit. Michael Monsoor wrote those words with a permanent marker inside the hat he wore during his BUDS training in Coronado. The lettering has faded but, displayed throughout the newly commissioned USS Michael Monsoor, the hat and its message will continue to inspire sailors for years to come. In 2001, Michael enlisted in the Navy and set out to become a Navy SEAL. An injury derailed his first attempt, but Michael never quit. He returned, completed basic SEAL training, and was assigned to SEAL Team Three. While deployed in Iraq, Michael ran forward, not away, from incoming gunfire to protect his teammates; and, when the time came, Michael threw himself upon an enemy grenade to save his team because Michael never quit. For his service, he was awarded the Bronze Star, the Silver Star, the Purple Heart, and the Medal of Honor. His legacy perseveres in the proud vessel stationed in San Diego. Fair winds and following seas to the sailors who will call the USS Michael Monsoor their home, and may we all never quit.

Mr. PETERS

Mr. PETERS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Center for Excellence in Education, a non-profit that sparks curiosity in high school and university students in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields, on 35 years of service to communities across the country. Because of CEE's collaborative work, students, teachers, researchers, and leaders are successfully paving the way for a new generation of STEM leaders. San Diegans know the value of promoting STEM opportunities. Some of our region's biggest employers are biotech companies, looking to our students for their future researchers in part thanks to CEE's work and alumni. One of the largest economic drivers in our region is our innovation economy, which relies on a workforce versed in STEM fields. CEE sponsors free programs that connect students and their teachers to educational institutions, private foundations, corporations, and government agencies, to help prepare students across the country for these high-quality jobs. Teachers also have benefitted from CEE enrichment programs offered in California and other states across the country. This past year, UC San Diego--one of our burgeoning centers for innovation--hosted CEE's USA Biology Olympiad. As San Diego and our country continue to invest in STEM education and encourage students to be curious and connect with professionals, CEE sets a vision for that future. Their commitment to 35 years of service across the country deserves praise and recognition, and I am proud to congratulate them on their successes.