Ed Royce

Mr. ROYCE of California

Mr. ROYCE of California. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank Mr. Engel of New York for his friendship for over 20 years on the committee, but also for his shared leadership over the last 6 years on this committee. I would also like to thank him for his commitment over the years and for his focus on American values and spreading those values around the globe.

Mr. ROYCE of California. Will the gentleman yield?

Mr. ROYCE of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, S. 3247, the Women's Entrepreneurship and Economic Empowerment Act, passed the Senate unanimously. It is the Senate version of H.R. 5480, my bill, which this body passed on July 17 of this year. It is an important bipartisan, bicameral bill that would expand women's access to finance and inclusion in the formal economy in emerging markets around this globe. I thank Jessica Kelch, Andy Taylor, and Meghan Gallagher for their expert contributions to this bill and on this issue. Mr. Speaker, this bill deserves our unanimous support, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. ROYCE of California. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the bill.

Mr. ROYCE of California. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (S. 3247) to improve programs and activities relating to women's entrepreneurship and economic empowerment that are carried out by the United States Agency for International Development, and for other purposes.

Mr. ROYCE of California

Mr. ROYCE of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, S. 1862, the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act, passed the Senate unanimously. It is part of a package of bipartisan bills negotiated between the House and the Senate to reauthorize, reform, and strengthen our Nation's efforts to combat human trafficking. Mr. Speaker, it deserves our unanimous support, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. ROYCE of California. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the bill.

Mr. ROYCE of California. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (S. 1862) to amend the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 to modify the criteria for determining whether countries are meeting the minimum standards for the elimination of human trafficking, and for other purposes.

Mr. ROYCE of California

Mr. ROYCE of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, S. 1580, Protecting Girls' Access to Education in Vulnerable Settings Act, passed the Senate unanimously. It is the Senate version of H.R. 2408, which this body passed last October. Again, this is a very important bipartisan, bicameral bill that will prioritize ongoing efforts to promote access to education for refugee children, especially girls. It deserves our unanimous support. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. ROYCE of California. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the bill.

Mr. ROYCE of California. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (S. 1580) to enhance the transparency, improve the coordination, and intensify the impact of assistance to support access to primary and secondary education for displaced children and persons, including women and girls, and for other purposes.

Mr. ROYCE of California

Mr. ROYCE of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, S. 1158, the Elie Wiesel Genocide and Atrocities Prevention Act, passed the Senate unanimously. It is the Senate version of H.R. 3030, which this body passed on July 17. The vote here on the floor was 406-5. Mr. Speaker, it is an important bipartisan, bicameral bill that ensures that the United States is a leader in efforts to prevent genocide and crimes against humanity. It deserves our unanimous support. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. ROYCE of California. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous material on this measure.

Mr. ROYCE of California. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (S. 1158) to help prevent acts of genocide and other atrocity crimes, which threaten national and international security, by enhancing United States Government capacities to prevent, mitigate, and respond to such crises.

Mr. ROYCE of California

Mr. ROYCE of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, S. 1032, the Tropical Forest Conservation Reauthorization Act, passed the Senate unanimously. It is the Senate version of H.R. 6982, introduced by the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Chabot). It is an important bipartisan, bicameral bill that reauthorizes and reforms ongoing international conservation efforts to increase transparency and ensure that assistance does not go to problematic governments. Mr. Speaker, it deserves our unanimous support, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. ROYCE of California. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to include any extraneous material on this measure.

Mr. ROYCE of California. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (S. 1023) to reauthorize the Tropical Forest Conservation Act of 1998 through fiscal year 2021, and for other purposes.

Mr. ROYCE of California

Mr. ROYCE of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, the Senate unanimously passed this amendment version of H.R. 2200, the Frederick Douglass Trafficking Victims Prevention and Protection Reauthorization Act, which the House originally passed back in July. It is part of a bipartisan, bicameral package of bills to reauthorize and to strengthen our Nation's effort to combat human trafficking. It deserves our unanimous support. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. ROYCE of California. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to include any extraneous material in the Record.

Mr. ROYCE of California. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and concur in the Senate amendment to the bill (H.R. 2200) to reauthorize the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000, and for other purposes.

Mr. ROYCE of California

Mr. ROYCE of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in order to recognize the remarkable Peter J. Freeman, my Deputy Chief of Staff and Senior Advisor for the House Foreign Affairs Committee. He is a passionate public servant, and talented member of my staff. Peter first arrived on Capitol Hill, over two decades ago, as a humble House Page hailing from Bainbridge Island, Washington. He returned to the area soon thereafter to attend and graduate from Georgetown University's Walsh School of Foreign Service. He then found himself back on the Hill in the office of Rep. Deborah Pryce (R-OH), where he rose through the ranks, becoming Deputy Chief of Staff. Along the way, he worked on various bills, including a federal backstop for commercial terrorism insurance, a bill prohibiting job discrimination based on sexual orientation, and various bills impacting affordable housing. Peter developed an expertise on financial services issues, which served him well when he returned to Capitol Hill in my office. In his position, he helped me with flood insurance reform, economic regulatory relief, anti-money laundering, terrorism financing, housing finance, and credit score competition legislation, among others. Peter did a remarkable job in managing my office. He helped me assemble a great team, provided valuable counsel; and helped me to fulfill my vision during our time together. While I am retiring, Peter will always be an esteemed and unforgettable member of the Royce Team. His dedicated intellect, his wit, and his ability to connect with people on all levels and all sides of the political spectrum are qualities that make him a rare entity on Capitol Hill. But Peter's greatest asset is his passion to serve. And I am grateful that he chose to serve my constituents of the 39th District of California, the U.S. House of Representatives, and the nation. I thank Peter, and wish him the very best of luck for the next chapter of his life.

Mr. ROYCE of California

Mr. ROYCE of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in order to commend Kate Barlow, who has loyally served on my staff as director of scheduling and operations for over six years. Previously she served in a similar role for Rep. Wally Herger (R-CA). Kate has simultaneously served as expeditor, gatekeeper and manager of my daily schedule. Given my dual role, as Representative of the 39th District of California and Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, this has never been an easy task. As we can all attest, the trajectory of a day on Capitol Hill is never a straight line nor does it end as planned. In her role, Kate has brought order out of chaos and extinguished daily fires with technical skill and humor. Given the sheer volume of meeting requests from embassies and foreign dignitaries, she has learned to say sometimes ``yes'' and often ``no'' with grace and professionalism in many languages. She has shown daily kindness and patience in a place lacking in both. Over the last year, Kate's role in my office has grown to serve as director of protocol and member services for the House Foreign Affairs Committee. She successfully organized and took part in a bipartisan congressional delegation trip to South America and coordinated committee-wide meetings with visiting Heads of State. I have no doubt she will continue to grow and succeed in her future endeavors. I ask my colleagues to join me in thanking Kate Barlow for her service.

Mr. ROYCE of California

Mr. ROYCE of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize and thank Darrin Schrader, who has served this House proudly for over 25 years. He began his career in the office of Representative Bill Baker (R-CA), and then transitioned to my office in 1997. Darrin has been by my side, as my aide-de-camp, for the last 22 years, and I would have it no other way. His loyalty and dedication to the job of serving the people of Southern California is unsurpassed. As my special assistant, Darrin personally oversaw millions of constituent correspondence; a task that grew exponentially with the advent of email. He also helped secure millions in funding for important infrastructure and homeland security projects. My office has been served well by Darrin's encyclopedic memory and masterful research skills. He has often known the answer to my question before I even ask it. Few can match his resourcefulness or reliability. While sometimes presenting a stoic facade, Darrin's subtle charm and hidden humor have permeated my office for the last two decades. He has earned the respect of his peers and become an integral and irreplaceable member of Team Royce. I ask my colleagues to join me in thanking Darrin Schrader for his selfless sacrifice to public service.

Mr. ROYCE of California

Mr. ROYCE of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Blair Alexis Rotert, an outstanding member of my staff who has served my office with distinction for three years. A California native, Blair graduated from the University of California, Berkeley where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science. Blair started her career on Capitol Hill in Representative David Valadao's office, who represented part of her home county of Fresno, California. I am thankful that David was kind enough to let Blair come to work for me, as she has been an integral part of my team, and has served dutifully as a public servant. I personally would like to thank her for her work on the Veterans Dignified Burial Act, the Shark Fin Sales Elimination Act, the Chinese American World War II Veterans Congressional Gold Medal Act, and a national monument proposal. She also has played an integral role in my work as Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, serving as a liaison between my personal office and the committee. Blair managed her duties with professionalism, integrity, and a high degree of respect for the people we serve. Her dedication to the 39th Congressional District of California and the U.S. House of Representatives is an extraordinary example of her strong commitment to her country and fellow citizens. Even though I am retiring from office, Blair will always be part of the ``Royce Team'' and I will be forever grateful for her work. She will be missed by all who worked with her. And I wish her the very best of luck as she sets forth on the next chapter of her life.

Mr. ROYCE of California

Mr. ROYCE of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise to today to recognize one of my longest serving staff members--Sacha Han. Sacha grew up in Fullerton, California in the heart of my Congressional District. She came to my office as a High School student, seeking to intern and learn more about the government. We don't take many High School students as interns, but Sacha was smart, poised, and wise beyond her years, and she was a great addition to my District Office. When Sacha graduated from High School, she came East to attend the George Washington University, right here in Washington, D.C. Once again, Sacha interned in our office, doing such a good job that we hired her for a full-time staff position upon her graduation from college. Sacha became such a key part of my staff, that when she announced that she was leaving the office to attend Nursing School, we persuaded her to continue to work part-time while she attended school. She not only continued through nursing school, but she has remained on my staff to this day--20 years after she first walked into my District Office. Sacha is a joy to work with, and I am grateful for her service to the constituents of the 39th District of California, to my office, and to the House of Representatives. In addition to working two jobs, she is also a wife to Eduardo, and a mother to Bianca and Liam. I know that they too are very proud of Sacha. I thank Sacha, and wish her and her family all the best.