Lucille Roybal-Allard

Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD

Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson Lee).

Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD. Mr. Chairman, I want to express my strong support for the gentlewoman's amendment. As I said during general debate, the increases of the bill for ICE's enforcement, detention, and removal operations are excessive. They support an overly aggressive immigration enforcement approach that is tearing apart families and communities, and it is unnecessary for national security or public safety. The cut to ICE operations in support by this amendment would leave sufficient funding for ICE to carry out its responsibilities humanely and fairly, and the increases the amendment proposes for the Office of Civil Rights and Civil Liberties and the Office of the Inspector General are clearly needed to ensure appropriate oversight of the Department's activities. I urge my colleagues to support the Jayapal amendment.

Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD. Mr. Chair, I demand a recorded vote.

Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD. Mr. Chairman, my amendment would increase funding for the Coast Guard's polar icebreaker program by $850 million. The amendment is offset by a reduction to the funding for ICE's interior immigration enforcement. The increases for ICE hiring and detention beds are not well justified and do not have a security focus. In contrast, the need for heavy icebreakers is very well documented. A recent report from the National Academy of Sciences warned that ``the United States has insufficient assets to protect its interests, implement U.S. policy, execute its laws, and meet its obligations in the Arctic and Antarctica because it lacks adequate icebreaking capability.'' Mr. Chairman, this vulnerability exists because, currently, the Coast Guard has only one functioning heavy icebreaker, the Polar Star. Built in 1976, it is well past its 30-year expected operational life. It no longer has the reliability we need, and the cost to maintain it will continue to rise. Currently, its primary mission is to clear a path through the ice to our research facilities in Antarctica. This means the only icebreaking asset we have in the Arctic is the Coast Guard's only medium class icebreaker, the Healy. The Polar Star is expected to continue functioning for just 3 to 7 years. This will leave the United States with no heavy icebreaking capability. We are dangerously falling behind. Russia has 41 icebreakers focused on the Arctic that are active or under construction, four of which are heavy icebreakers. This puts the United States at a tremendous disadvantage, since we are unable to operate in parts of the Arctic Ocean for months at a time. The National Academy of Sciences report goes on to recommend that: ``The United States Congress should fund the construction of four polar icebreakers of common design that would be owned and operated by the United States Coast Guard.'' Mr. Chair, the fiscal year 2017 defense funding bill included $150 million for a Coast Guard heavy icebreaker as a downpayment on what is expected to be a nearly $1 billion price tag for the first ship. However, the National Defense Authorization Act the House passed earlier this year includes a provision prohibiting the Pentagon from using any fiscal year 2018 funds to acquire an icebreaker for the Coast Guard. An amendment to strike that provision failed on a recorded vote. The solution is to fund the next installment of funds directly through the Coast Guard. While the Coast Guard plans to sign an icebreaker acquisition contract in fiscal year 2019, it will release a request for proposal in mid-fiscal year 2018. By providing $850 billion in this bill, enough to cover the cost of one icebreaker, we could help the Coast Guard get the shipbuilding started. Just think what we could accomplish here today. With this one amendment, we can put the United States on a path to securing our sovereign interests in the Arctic region. We cannot afford to delay any further. I urge my colleagues to vote for this amendment. Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD. Mr. Chairman, I just want to emphasize the fact that my amendment still leaves ICE with enough money for 30,000 detention beds. They still have the capability to address the needs in their duties. I also want to emphasize the fact that although the money is not going to go out in fiscal year 2019, the request for proposal will be in mid-fiscal year 2018; therefore, it is critical that those who will be bidding on these contracts know that, in fact, there is money available. Finally, I just need to emphasize one more time the fact that we are extremely vulnerable in the Arctic at this time. There are times, as I said, where we have absolutely no presence whatsoever, while at the same time, Russia has a continuous presence in that area. Mr. Chair, it is critical that we support this amendment and get the Coast Guard the icebreaker that they need.

Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD. Mr. Chair, I rise to claim the time in opposition to the amendment.

Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD. Mr. Chair, I oppose this amendment and so does the Coast Guard. This is not a new issue. It has to do with a particular, underutilized commercial anchor handling tug supply vessel, the Aiviq, which is owned by Edison Chouest Offshore, based in Louisiana. Over the last few years, the Coast Guard has been repeatedly pushed to lease this vessel. The Coast Guard has repeatedly made it clear that this vessel does not have the capability to adequately fulfill its multimission needs in the Arctic. The question before us is whether leasing this particular vessel for icebreaking would be a wise use of taxpayers' dollars, and whether it would benefit the Coast Guard more than investments in other priorities. The Coast Guard needs a heavy icebreaker as soon as possible, but this is not a heavy icebreaker, or even a medium icebreaker. According to the Coast Guard, the Aiviq is underpowered for icebreaking, making it unsuitable for ice rescue operations. It has an inadequate fuel storage capacity and transit speed, vastly limiting its deployment time. The Aiviq has no helicopter hangar, making it unsuitable for patrol activities, search and rescue operations, and self-rescue. It also has a propulsion system that lacks redundancy and reliability, and it does not have thrusters rated for ice operations. Beyond the inadequacy of the vessel's base icebreaking capabilities, the current configuration of the vessel is not suited to Coast Guard missions. It would need to be significantly reconfigured at significant costs. The fact that it is a commercial vessel also limits its ability to perform all 11 Coast Guard statutory missions. For instance, it could not conduct right-of-visit boardings, or engage in freedom of navigation exercises that are critical to protecting U.S. sovereignty. And it would be vulnerable to right-of- visit boarding by foreign warships under international law. The owner of the Aiviq has proposed a 7-year lease of the vessel, costing $35 million to $40 million per year. The cost, however, would be much higher considering the cost of reconfiguration. While this amendment would not force the Coast Guard to sign a lease for the Aiviq, it seems intended to push the Coast Guard down that path. Taking $5 million from the operating expenses account for sea trials would detract from the Coast Guard's operational needs. If the owner of the Aiviq or any other private interests want the Coast Guard to seriously consider the use of their vessels for icebreaking, they should be the ones paying for any ice trials. We should not be making the Coast Guard pay for it, and we should not be pushing the Coast Guard to enter into a lease arrangement that it does not want and that is not a good investment in helping the Coast Guard carry out its critical missions. Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD. Mr. Chair, I demand a recorded vote.

Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD

Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD. Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to the amendment.

Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD. Earlier this evening, the same amendment was soundly defeated twice on this floor, so I am not sure why there is a need to go over the same worn ground again. The Davis-Bacon Act is a longstanding law that ensures workers on federally funded construction projects are reasonably paid, no less than the wages paid for similar work in the local community. It is simply a matter of fairness that we ensure that the Federal Government pays fair wages for an honest day's work. Mr. Chairman, I have heard the gentleman from Iowa suggest that Davis-Bacon's history is linked to discrimination. But I believe he may be misinformed in thinking that it was the cause and not the solution. In 1927, a contractor who was employing African-American workers was building a Veterans Bureau hospital. Congressman Bacon found that there were very serious issues related to the pay of low wages and the discrimination against the wages of migrant workers. He introduced Davis-Bacon initially to help make sure that these construction workers would be paid the prevailing wages in their community. As I said, these workers happened to be African American. I urge all of my Members to, once again, vote ``no'' on this amendment. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Washington (Mr. Kilmer).

Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD. Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD. Mr. Chairman, the House has already voted twice against this amendment today, and I hope it will do so again. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD. Mr. Chairman, I demand a recorded vote.

Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD. Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to the gentleman's amendment.

Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD. This is not an appropriate amendment for inclusion in an annual spending bill. The Coast Guard opposes the amendment because their mission to protect natural resources is not specific to individual regulations. Enforcement limitations on specific regulations would place a significant burden on the Coast Guard. In addition, Congress should not be in the business of micromanaging fish conservation. The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission is an interstate commission which allows Atlantic Coast States to collectively manage the conservation of their shared coastal fishery resources. We should allow the Commission to do its job in managing fish stocks. Congress shouldn't second-guess them and micromanage fish regulations in particular locations. There is a process in place for addressing these issues at the regional level, and we should allow that process to work. Currently, the consensus position of the Commission is that the fishing restrictions should remain in place and the stock assessment for striped bass is planned for next year. This ban was put in place after going through the Federal rulemaking process. If a change is needed, it should follow the same process. I believe this amendment places an undue burden on the Coast Guard, and it is bad precedent for Congress to interfere with a State-driven process. For these reasons, I oppose the amendment. Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD. Mr. Chairman, we should allow the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission to do its job, and I continue to oppose this amendment. Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD. Mr. Chair, I claim the time in opposition to the amendment.

Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD. Mr. Chairman, under the OMB directive from 2007, all Federal agencies are already required to use the E-Verify system to confirm the employment eligibility of new hires. Beyond Federal employees, a 2008 executive order and a Federal acquisition regulation already require that employees of Federal contractors also be verified as eligible to work through E-Verify, so my opposition to this amendment is primarily on the basis that it is unnecessary. Given that the current administration has proposed making the use of E-Verify mandatory for private sector hiring, it just doesn't seem likely that it would somehow weaken the current requirement for the Federal Government to use the system. This funding limitation simply is not needed. Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD

Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD. Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate the City of Paramount on its 60th anniversary. I am deeply honored to represent this hub of innovation and history as part of California's 40th Congressional District, and I hope my colleagues will join me in paying tribute to Paramount and its residents. The City of Paramount was incorporated in 1957 after two communities, Hynes and Clearwater, merged. The unincorporated Hynes-Clearwater community staged a hard-fought campaign, ``Save Paramount for Paramount,'' contesting its annexation from surrounding communities, and secured the right to self-governance. The city we now call Paramount has been home to a rich and enduring history. The city's ``Hay Tree,'' where the price of the world's hay used to be set each day, stands today as a State Historical Landmark, proudly representing Paramount's inspiring past as a major hay and dairy producer. Iceland, an ice rink opened in 1940 by Frank Zamboni and an early Paramount landmark, celebrates the city's rich ice skating history. Iceland has not only been a widely enjoyed community asset, but the training facility for professional skaters such as Olympic champions Sonia Henie and Dorothy Hamill. The world-famous Zamboni Ice-Resurfacing Machine, which Mr. Zamboni developed in Paramount, is a memorable illustration of the area's enduring spirit of innovation. In the spirit of the city's motto, ``Positively Paramount,'' residents of Paramount share a commitment to making the city the best it can be. Named an ``All-America City'' in 1988 for its redevelopment efforts, Paramount continues to flourish as a thriving urban center. The city's revitalization in recent decades has inspired an arts movement, sparked investments in commercial and residential rehabilitation, and, most notably, reinvented the downtown. The City of Paramount has transformed the Paramount Pond from a vacant lot riddled with blight to a unique and thriving plaza, whose artistic features encourage community and family-oriented values and celebrate ice skating history. Only a block from Frank Zamboni's ice rink, families, residents, and tourists can dine at three different restaurants, admire the beautiful bronze sculptures, and play on a miniature Zamboni Ice-Resurfacing Machine. At the heart of Paramount are the Civic Center Gardens, connecting City Hall, the community hospital, and the county library. The gardens are much-loved by Paramount residents, and reflect the city's commitment to innovation and community unification. Paramount's commitment to redevelopment continues to this day. City leaders have recently come together to support a multimillion dollar campaign to revitalize more than 155,000 square feet of downtown Paramount. Paramount Town Center West and Paramount Town Center East have been renovated. A new, vibrant shopping center, Clearwater Crossing Shopping Center, has been completed. New outdoor patios where families can dine, additional public parking, and wider sidewalks are making Paramount a more pleasant place for all. The city's redevelopment efforts and business-friendly reputation have attracted major restaurant chains including Applebee's, Habit Burger Grill, Chipotle, and Waba Grill, as well as retailers including WSS Shoes and AutoZone. I hope my colleagues will join me in sending their best wishes and congratulations to Paramount on its 60th anniversary. Let us salute its optimistic spirit, and its commitment to embracing the future through smart investments, innovation, and creativity. May Paramount remain strong, successful, and ``Positively Paramount'' in the years ahead.

Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD

Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize F. Gavina & Sons, Inc., a coffee company located in my 40th Congressional District of California, in the city of Vernon. The company, one of America's largest family-owned coffee companies and the nation's largest privately held minority roaster, celebrates their 50th anniversary in 2017. The history of this coffee company is a story about family. Brothers Jose Maria and Ramon Gavina left their native Basque region of Spain in 1870, in search of a better life. They settled in the fertile mountains of southern Cuba and planted the seeds of what would become Gavina Coffee. Don Francisco Gavina was born on the family coffee estate, Hacienda Buenos Aires. As a boy, he worked in the fields with his own father, watching and learning the secrets of growing quality coffee. He spent hours upon hours helping sow the seeds and urging the little plants to grow. The family left Cuba in 1959, and arrived in Los Angeles in 1963, where they put down roots. The family later leased a 1,100 square foot building in Vernon and purchased a small roaster from Bob's Big Boy restaurant. By June 1967, when they founded F. Gavina & Sons, Inc., they were roasting, packing and selling Cafe Gavina Espresso. In the beginning, they focused on producing Cuban-style coffee, but eventually expanded into other coffees that appealed to Middle Eastern and Vietnamese coffee drinkers. About 35 years later, Gavina's retail brand, Don Francisco's Coffee, had become the top selling coffee in Southern California, behind Folgers and Maxwell House. The family began selling their coffee to a small group of McDonald's restaurants in 1983. In 2005, Gavina created a stronger blend that resulted in a double-digit increase in the chain's coffee sales. According to the Los Angeles Times, by 2010, F. Gavina & Sons, Inc. had become a $114 million business and was roasting 40 million pounds of coffee a year. A fifth of their revenue was coming from making and packaging private label coffees for McDonald's, 7-Eleven, and Costco stores. Gavina coffee brands were being sold in 20 states, and in stores like Ralph's, Walmart, and Vons / Safeway. Don Francisco's sons, Paco, Pedro, and Jose, and his daughter, Leonor Gavina-Valls, grew up on the plantation and learned about coffee in the fields. Along with their own children, they still personally select beans, cup samples as they arrive, and oversee the specialty coffee roasting and production every day. They do all of this so that their customers and guests can be ensured a wonderful cup of coffee every time, from first sip to final drop. Today, they carry on the dream in their 240,000-square-foot eco- friendly, state-of-the-art coffee roasting facility, just a few blocks from their original 1,100 square foot building. Gavina Coffee employs more than 250 people, and services businesses of all sizes--from mom and pop shops to multinational accounts. The company offers four leading U.S. coffee brands: Gavina Gourmet Coffee, Don Francisco's Coffee, Cafe La Llave Espresso, and Jose's Gourmet Coffee. In honor of their 50th anniversary, Gavina Coffee created a special Anniversary Blend which is roasted in Los Angeles and uses beans grown on the award-winning Carmen Estate in Panama by a third generation coffee-growing family. The Anniversary Blend, which entered the market on June 19, 2017, comes in a commemorative tin with a 10-ounce bag of ground coffee. Flavor notes in the new blend include caramel, honey, and ripe fruit with a chocolaty finish. Fifty years have brought many changes to the original company, but one thing remains the same: Members of the Gavina family still run the day-to-day operations of the company, with a new generation of Gavinas poised to continue the pursuit of a great cup of coffee. Gavina Coffee's 50th anniversary celebration includes: the opening of their first brick and mortar store in downtown Los Angeles, named Don Francisco's Coffee, Casa Cubana; the special anniversary blend; reaching the goal of 100% zero-waste-to-landfill; a continued commitment to leaving a greener coffee footprint through their Direct ImpactTM Initiative, which is based on four core pillars of dedication to farmers, sustainable sourcing, environmental sustainability, and social stewardship; continuing to donate coffee to local shelters and missions; and continuing to support organizations such as the Komen Race for the Cure, Avon Walk 39, Children's Miracle Network Hospitals (CMNH), EnrichLA and the International Women's Coffee Alliance. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to please join me in raising our coffee cups to the Gavina family and F. Gavina & Sons, Inc. as we celebrate their 50 years of success. We look forward to the next 50 with great anticipation.

Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD

Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Dr. Mary R. Stauffer on her upcoming 100th birthday, which will be celebrated on August 27, 2017, in Downey, California. Born in Toledo, Ohio on August 26, 1917, to Amelia and Reverend Henry Schuh, Mary Ruth Schuh was raised in a home of three generations of Lutheran ministers. At age six, she started teaching Sunday school. Her early teaching experience and involvement with the church introduced her to a lifelong interest in education and philanthropy. Mary loved reading and studying, and in 1935, she was the class valedictorian of Bexley High School, near Columbus, Ohio. With a scholarship, she attended Capital University, a Lutheran College. By working as an unpaid assistant for a pathologist at White Cross Hospital, she gained invaluable experience and a glowing recommendation for medical school. She graduated summa cum laude from Capital University in 1939. Mary was admitted to Ohio State University Medical School, where she was one of just five women in a class of 75. She graduated top of her class on April 15, 1943. Concurrent with her MD, she earned her MS in Pathology by applying the first electron microscope in the U.S. to biological research. On December 18, 1943, she married a co-resident in pathology, Dr. Floyd (Dal) Stauffer, a scholar and an athlete. Dal was commissioned into the Navy on their wedding day and reported to duty in Bremerton, Washington, on January 1, 1944. In Bremerton, Dr. Mary completed her residency, but just when she opened her own practice, Dal was transferred to Pensacola, Florida. In 1953 after Dal completed his service in the Navy, the family moved, and settled in Downey, California. After briefly working as a physician for the Los Angeles Unified School District, Dr. Mary Stauffer opened her own OB-GYN practice and in 1954 joined the Downey Community Hospital Medical Staff. As her practice grew, she always kept Tuesday and Thursday afternoons open for her five children's activities. Dr. Mary Stauffer was one of the first obstetricians to offer expecting mothers an educational program. Based on Grantly Dick-Read natural childbirth (before Lamaze), she developed a series of three lectures. The third was held with spouses at her home and included an 8-mm film of her delivering twins. In 1976, after delivering babies for 23 years in Downey, she transitioned into general practice. In 1972, Dr. Mary was chosen Chief of Staff at Downey Community Hospital. In 1987, with a donation of $100,000, she was the first physician to qualify as a member of the Founders Gallery of the hospital. She hoped to be the first of many. Dr. Mary's other honors include the 1983 Ohio State Medical School Alumni Achievement Award, the 1997 Distinguished Service Award from Capital University, and the 2007 Delta Kappa Gamma Chi State Distinguished Public Service Award. She was also named California State ``Woman of the Year'' in 1998 by California State Senator Betty Karnette and in 2010 by State Senator Hector De La Torre, and was a 2012 Downey High School Hall of Fame Honoree. In 2007, Dr. Mary was one of the founding directors of the Columbia Memorial Space Center. Later she rescued an Apollo capsule from unclaimed freight to become the center's welcoming icon. In 2014, the Downey Unified School District renamed West Middle School the Mary R. Stauffer Middle School. In 1993, her passions for education and philanthropy came together in the Mary R. Stauffer Foundation, a private educational foundation she established to give back to Downey, the community where she had had a successful medical practice. On June 30, 1997, at nearly 80 years old, Dr. Mary retired from her medical practice and became the full-time CEO of her educational foundation. Since starting the foundation almost 25 years ago, she has donated well over $5 million for innovative educational projects in the Downey Unified School District and scholarships for Downey students. Among the projects that the foundation helped with initial startup funds are Academic Olympics for middle schools; Project Lead the Way; Robotics Clubs; and Character Counts, a city-wide program. The foundation invites teachers annually to propose grants for creative projects, such as a Cooking Cart with lessons in math and science. Other projects have become traditions and encourage use of local resources, such as the Autry Museum and the Mission Control Program at the local Space Center. In the 2016-17 school year, over 800 students received these now- traditional merit awards: Junior 4.0 GPA; Scholar-Athlete for students who have lettered in a sport with a 3.5 GPA (created by Dal, Mary's late husband); and the Stauffer Scholar award to start a college savings plan for 4.0 GPA 6th and 7th graders. In the same year, 90 students received scholarships to attend community college or trade school. Dr. Mary's favorite saying is ``be the best you can be.'' Her decision that the Mary R Stauffer Foundation will continue in perpetuity will carry on her legacy of helping to make Downey students the best they can be. On Sunday, August 27th, the community will celebrate Dr. Mary's birthday at the Columbia Memorial Space Center. A full program will commemorate this momentous occasion with local school projects throughout the facility, special guests, and, of course, a birthday cake. Light refreshments will also be provided by the culinary arts students of the local Downey schools. Congratulations to Dr. Mary Stauffer and her family: sons Jim and John; daughters Dorothy Knight, Judi Saunders, and Janet Suzuki; granddaughters Dawn Martens, Diane Saunders, Katherine Rieth, Mary Owens, Jessica Stauffer, and Jordan Nichols; and great grandsons Phoenix Rieth and Quillan Owens. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to please join me in thanking Dr. Mary R. Stauffer for her many years of enriching the lives of others so they can be the best they can be, and wish her a very Happy 100th Birthday.

Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD

Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to Tony Zapata, who recently concluded his service as Commander of Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 4696 in East Los Angeles. As a representative of East LA in Congress, I have had the honor of getting to know Tony over the years, especially in his capacity as the organizer of the annual Memorial Day and Veterans Day events at the Cinco Puntos intersection. Tony, a Vietnam veteran, comes from a family with deep military roots. His grandfather served in World War I, his father and two brothers served in WWII, two of his uncles served in Korea, and his son went to Kuwait. It should come as no surprise, then, that Tony has shown an unstinting dedication to those who serve and have served in our nation's armed forces. Tony was born in Del Rio, Texas, and graduated from high school in 1963. In January 1965, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy. After boot camp in San Diego, California, in April 1965, he went aboard the U.S.S. Evans (DE-1023) in Bremerton, Washington, as a Machinist's Mate Fireman Apprentice. In August 1967, he was assigned to North Island Naval Air Station in Coronado, California, as an Airman Aviation Ordnance man. He was trained in Search and Rescue operations on NHU1 Helicopters, also known as Hueys. In November 1967, Tony was sent to Okinawa, where he joined a Search and Rescue Unit with the 3rd Marine Division Temporary Attached Duty (TAD). From Okinawa, he went to Cubi Point in the Philippine Islands. At Cubi Point, he qualified with an M-60 Machine Gun(mounted). In January 1968, he went on to Da Nang, South Vietnam. After one year in Vietnam, he returned to North Island Naval Air Station, where he was Honorably Discharged in February 1969. He was awarded the National Defense Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Service Medal, Expeditionary Medal, and Meritorious Service Ribbon. In May 1969, Tony went to work for Travelers Insurance Company as a Workman's Compensation Investigator. After Travelers, he worked as an inspector at U.S. Can in Commerce, California, until his retirement in 2006. In 1992, Tony began to become involved with the VFW, and began full- time VFW involvement following his retirement. In 2010, he was appointed Commander of VFW Post 4696. Tony has shown an inspiring commitment to assisting veterans and their families with their benefits. He has also been involved with helping homeless Veterans get into VA programs, including help with housing, education, and medical benefits. He has also enjoyed working with local elementary school students. In his talks with students, he has described the importance of patriotism, spoken about Memorial Day and Veterans Day, and reminded his young listeners that freedom is not free. He has also described how they can support our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan by writing letters and sending care packages to our servicemen and women overseas. On May 29, 2017, Tony stepped down as Commander for Post 4696, but I am pleased to hear that he will still be involved with the VFW as an at large member. I hope my colleagues will join me in sending Tony Zapata our deepest gratitude for his record of service overseas and here at home. His defense of our country, and his faithful support of our veterans and current servicemembers, is an inspiration to us all.

Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD

Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD. Mr. Speaker, this is the final amendment to the bill, which will not kill the bill or send it back to committee. If adopted, the bill will immediately proceed to final passage, as amended. In last year's election, no campaign rhetoric was more infamous than the President's promise to ``build a great, great wall on our Southern border'' and ``make Mexico pay for it.'' The reality is the funding would come from U.S. taxpayers, not from Mexico, as the President promised. This motion to recommit strikes the $1.6 billion appropriation for construction of nearly 74 miles of border wall. Beyond the initial 74 miles, we have no idea of how many miles of border wall the President plans to build or how much it will cost because we have not received the required report on the long-term plan and justification for border security investments. Even with the plan, we will need time to evaluate whether investments in the border wall are more cost effective than alternatives and more urgent than clearly established unmet needs. With $1.6 billion, we could buy two of the four heavy Coast Guard icebreakers we need to protect U.S. interests in the Arctic. This purchase would help minimize the danger highlighted in a National Academies of Science report, which concluded the Coast Guard requires four new heavy icebreakers to protect U.S interests in the Arctic, where Russia has an ever-increasing presence. The Coast Guard is ready to solicit proposals for new icebreakers in fiscal year 2018. In this bill there is no funding for essential icebreakers. There is no acquisition funding for them in the Homeland Security bill. The $1.6 billion could also be used for investments in additional scanning technology in the hiring of thousands of Customs officers at every U.S. port of entry. This would reduce wait times for travelers, better facilitate the flow of commerce, and contribute to economic growth in many of our districts. It would also enhance our ability to intercept contraband and illegal narcotics mostly smuggled directly into the U.S. through our ports of entry, not where the wall would be built. The bill before us does not adequately address these and other areas of security vulnerabilities. As Members of Congress, protecting our Nation and the American public is our greatest responsibility. It is our obligation to act in their best interest and to invest their tax dollars wisely. If the only Homeland Security item in this bill remains the funding for 74 miles of border wall, we will fail to meet our obligations. Unfortunately, the President's border wall is now a proxy for the broader immigration debate. There is a false and misleading assumption that building a border wall will solve the immigration challenges we face. The reality is we will never be able to fix our broken immigration system with an enforcement-only approach that turns a blind eye to the desperate circumstances that compels so many to make the often deadly journey to the U.S. We will never be able to address our immigration challenges by treating as criminals the millions of undocumented people in this country, many of whom are our neighbors and friends. For years or even decades, the vast majority have called the U.S. their home. They have paid their taxes, acted responsibly, contributed to their communities, and worked hard to provide opportunity for their family. Immigration enforcement is as much a moral issue as it is a legal one. Our Statue of Liberty has always been a welcoming symbol of hope for those who, like now, are fleeing poverty, oppression, famine, war, and violence in their home country. Many of our ancestors come from somewhere else, often within certain legal status, and made significant contributions to help our country become the greatest in the world. Today's immigrants continue to contribute to that noble legacy. What we truly need is comprehensive immigration reform that protects our homeland and reflects our American values. Democrats stand ready to work with Republicans to achieve that goal, but Democrats will not support the use of taxpayer dollars for an ill-conceived border wall that has more to do with a campaign promise than the security of our homeland. In spite of the President's assurances, Mexico is not paying for this wall. The American taxpayer is. My motion to recommit would prevent that from happening. I urge my colleagues to support the motion to recommit. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer).