Raul Ruiz

Mr. RUIZ

Mr. RUIZ. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize an outstanding member of my Congressional district, Riverside County Sheriff's Deputy Alicia Lopez. Because of her extraordinary altruism, she was recently named Officer of the Year by the Palm Desert Police Department. Her story is an inspiration and today, I want to recognize her exceptional dedication of service and sacrifice. Deputy Lopez and Community Service Officer Angelina Castleberry became close friends when they were both working at the Palm Desert Police Department. In 2014, Ms. Castleberry gave birth to beautiful twins. Unfortunately, one of them was born with a kidney deficiency. For three and a half years, little Matthew has been subject to multiple dialysis treatments, 14 surgeries, and weekly visits to the Loma Linda University Kidney Center. Throughout the procedures, doctors advised Ms. Castleberry that Matthew may not survive for too long without a kidney transplant. When Deputy Lopez learned about Matthew's troubles, she decided to participate in a blood drive to see if she could be a match. In March 2017, the results indicated that she was indeed a match. Without any hesitation, Deputy Lopez decided to donate her kidney to save the life of little Matthew. When Deputy Lopez enthusiastically shared the great news with Ms. Castleberry, she was overcome with tears of joy. On July 31, 2017, Deputy Lopez donated her left kidney to little Matthew, and the transplant surgery was successful. Her selfness generosity saved Matthew's life, who is now recovering well with his new kidney. Deputy Lopez has dedicated her life to serving the residents of the Coachella Valley. Her valuable contributions and arduous work strengthening our community are inspiring. As exemplified in this story, she goes above and beyond the call of duty. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of California's 36th Congressional District, I truly commend Deputy Lopez for her heroism and compassionate sacrifice. Her willingness to help little Matthew is an inspiration to us all. Her years of service and contributions to our community are an example of excellence and dedication that all should seek to emulate.

Mr. RUIZ

Mr. RUIZ. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize Riverside County Sheriff's Deputy Daniel DiMaggio for his heroic and swift actions which ultimately helped save the life of Deputy David Solis. On May 25th, 2017, Deputy Solis was shot five times during a foot pursuit in the City of Coachella. Deputy DiMaggio rapidly responded to the situation and assessed Deputy Solis's injuries. Two weeks prior to the incident, Deputy DiMaggio attended training on Tactical Field Lifesaving, where he received the necessary medical materials to apply a tourniquet to Deputy Solis's arm. This technique helped stem the blood flow and reduce the shock from his wounds. Deputy Solis is now alive thanks to the collective efforts of our community's first responders and public safety officials. However, Deputy DiMaggio's medical assistance was key in helping save his life. He took care of Deputy Solis until the paramedics arrived and remained with him while he was transported to the nearest regional trauma center. Deputy DiMaggio's rapid response and decisive actions are truly commendable. He maintained a calm demeanor and a deep level of concentration that allowed him to execute the advance medical training he had received. He also had the needed medical kit ready to be used, which exemplifies his judicious thinking. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of California's 36th Congressional District, I want to honor and recognize Deputy Daniel DiMaggio. His courageous and decisive response saved help the life of one of the members of our community. I commend his admirable contributions strengthening our community.

Mr. RUIZ

Mr. RUIZ. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to congratulate Hemet Police Chief David M. Brown on his retirement after more than 30 years in law enforcement. His dedication to ensuring the residents of Hemet are safe and secure is truly commendable. Today, I want to recognize his outstanding life achievements and years of service. Chief Brown is an esteemed member of our community. He moved to the San Jacinto Valley when he was a child and graduated from Hemet High School. He obtained a Bachelor's Degree in Behavioral Science from California State Polytechnic University and a Master's Degree in Leadership and Organizational Studies from Azusa Pacific University. His commitment to keeping our citizens safe earned him many promotions over the years, starting as a patrol officer and eventually becoming Chief of Police. During his early years with Hemet Police Department, Chief Brown was one of the founding members of the department's first gang team, raising awareness about gang issues and providing enforcement training to fellow officers and members of the community. Throughout his stellar career in law enforcement, Chief Brown has excelled in several other positions, including field training officer, gang investigator, and SWAT team commander. Chief Brown is an exceptional leader in our community, dedicating his life to public service. He has served as President of the Riverside County Police Chiefs' and Sheriff's Association, President of the Inland SWAT Commanders Association, a member of the Statewide Committee on Regionalized SWAT Teams, and a member of the CA Police Chiefs' Municipal Policing Resource Workgroup. His wealth of proven leadership experience earned him the award of ``Man of the Year'' by the Hemet/San Jacinto Valley Chamber of Commerce in 2013 and 2015. Chief Brown has dedicated his life serving the residents of Hemet. His valuable contributions and arduous work strengthening our community will be felt for years to come. On behalf of the entire 36th Congressional District, I am humbled to honor and recognize Chief Brown. I offer my sincerest congratulations on his accomplishments and years of public service. I wish him, his wife, and his children all the best on his well-deserved retirement.

Mr. RUIZ

Mr. RUIZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the determination, perseverance, and accomplishments of Citlalli Ortiz, a young constituent who became the first female boxer in the Coachella Valley to win the gold medal for Team USA in the 2017 Women's Youth World Championships. Citlalli is a Coachella Valley High School student with an inspiring commitment and passion for boxing. Her dedication to giving her all in the ring has led her to become the first female boxer from Coachella Valley Boxing Club gym to achieve such high recognition. She began boxing when she was a little girl, inspired by her father, Alex Ortiz, and her older sister, who was also a boxer. Her training started when a couple of boys were teasing and punching Citlalli. Her father saw this and took the opportunity to teach her how to use some boxing moves for self-defense, including the ``one-two'' move. Citlalli defended herself successfully against the boys, and decided to become a boxer, following in her sister's footsteps. Citlalli's road to success hasn't always been easy. In the beginning, trainers did not want to work with her due to her weight. As a result, her father decided to become her trainer and empowered her to fight for her dreams. After long hours of training in the gym, Citlalli achieved her first victory at the age of 12 at the Desert Showdown. Citlalli brings agility and strength to the ring in every fight. She has won medals and beat national champions at the 2016 USA Junior and Youth Boxing Championships in Nevada, the 2016 USA Boxing Junior Olympic, and the Prep National and Youth Open Championships in Texas. Citlalli is also the 2016 Oxnard National PAL Champion, 3x Desert Showdown Champion, and the 2015 Gene Lewis Champion. To this day, she remains undefeated. Throughout her 8 years in boxing, Citlalli has witnessed a large gender disparity in the ring. She is committed to become a professional boxer so she can represent women in boxing. Citlalli's greatest inspirations are female professional boxers such as Cecilia Braekhus and Hannah Gabriel. Her goal is to represent USA at the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to recognize Citlalli Ortiz. On behalf of California's 36th Congressional District, I commend her accomplishments and passion for boxing. I look forward to her many more victories in the ring.

Mr. RUIZ

Mr. RUIZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the outstanding service and heroism of one of California's finest, Riverside County Sheriff's Deputy David Solis, who serves in Coachella, California. On May 25, 2017, Deputy Solis engaged in a chase with a suspect in a vehicle, which led to a foot pursuit. The suspect unexpectedly drew a firearm and shot Deputy Solis six times at close range. Though he was critically injured, Deputy Solis continued to feed his team information, ensuring other officers could secure the area, which led to the eventual capture of the suspect. Incredibly, Deputy Solis was back to work after just 4 months of recovery. His bravery, strength, and professionalism exemplify the very best in law enforcement, which is why his department selected him to receive the Public Safety Officer Medal of Valor for exhibiting ``extraordinary valor above and beyond the call of duty.'' It is the highest decoration for public safety officers. Deputy Solis, you truly embody these values. Your courage has made our entire valley a safer place. You and all law enforcement officers put yourselves in harm's way each day to keep us safe. On behalf of my wife, Monica, and the entire 36th Congressional District, I thank you, Martha, and your children--Caleb, Jonah, Grace, Jeremy, and Penny--for your service and sacrifice. GOP Tax Plan

Mr. RUIZ. Mr. Speaker, the tax plan being considered in conference right now will be devastating for the people I represent, in particular, seniors, homeowners, students, and taxpaying middle class Californians. According to every nonpartisan estimate out there, this tax plan will blow a giant hole in our deficit, a $1 trillion hole, in fact. So my first question is: Who is going to pay for it? Well, next year it will be our seniors, to the tune of $25 billion in cuts to Medicare. And 10 years from now? We will be looking at cuts to programs that invest in our children and our future, like Pell grants for our students. My next question is: Who will actually benefit? Well, it won't be California homeowners, who, on average, will see their taxes go up by $800 a year. It won't be hardworking families in southern California, who will be double-taxed on their income. It will be corporations that will get free rein to ship jobs overseas, because any income ``earned'' abroad will be completely tax free. It will be the wealthiest 1 percent who get more than 50 percent of the tax cuts in this plan, while sticking our children with the bill. I want to simplify and modernize our Tax Code to give middle class families the purchasing power they need to improve their lives and spark the economy. This plan, unfortunately, will further burden the middle class for the benefit of millionaires. So, let's start over. Let's come back to the table to make real, bipartisan tax reform a reality and to give real tax cuts to all the people we serve.

Mr. RUIZ

Mr. RUIZ. Mr. Speaker, Congress must act to help our veterans exposed to burn pits and must act now. In Iraq and Afghanistan, the military used burn pits to get rid of huge piles of trash, exposing our men and women in uniform to toxic chemicals and carcinogens in the air and soil--veterans like my constituent and my friend Jennifer Kepner, a mother who died from pancreatic cancer in October 2017. That is why I urge a vote on H.R. 1279, the Helping Veterans Exposed to Burn Pits Act that I support and cosponsor. This bipartisan bill will create a center of excellence within the VA that will help diagnose, treat, and rehabilitate veterans who were exposed. Veterans will be served by staff with specialty expertise needed to address the kinds of health conditions those exposed now suffer. This bill also directs the VA and DOD to establish a program to train their health providers to treat veterans exposed and to study the long- term effects of exposure. So I urge all of my colleagues to support this critical bill and bring it to a vote immediately to help save our veterans lives.

Mr. RUIZ

Mr. RUIZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise to oppose the administration's proposed national parks entrance fee hike from $25 to $70 per vehicle, which will prohibit many American families from enjoying these beautiful sites. Joshua Tree National Park in my district welcomes as many as 2.5 million visitors each year, contributing $128 million to our local economy. It is a haven for so many: local veterans find solace and healing in the quiet of nature; children experience the beauty of their first hike; visitors come to love the grandeur and the mystique of our desert when they come to stay in Joshua Tree; families bond over the lasting memories they make in the park. Everyone, not just the rich, should have access to these incredible places. Working families are deserving of access to our national parks. Nearly tripling the price of entry means that many families will be priced out of visiting these parks, including many people in my district who live right next to Joshua Tree National Park. Our national parks are not just only for the economically privileged. They are for we, the people, to enjoy.

Mr. RUIZ

Mr. RUIZ. Madam Speaker, I thank Ranking Member Neal for the opportunity to speak on this bill. The fact is I do want to simplify our Tax Code and I do want tax reform, a tax reform that relieves the burden on our middle class, our seniors, our veterans, and our students. But let's just see how this bill fares with the middle class, seniors, veterans, and students. My middle class constituents in California will be double-taxed on their income, but big corporations will get tax relief. Veterans in my district will find it harder to find work or a home because this bill eliminates tax credits for hiring veterans and harms efforts to end veterans' homelessness. Middle class homeowners across California will see the value of their homes decrease by as much as 10 percent. Students will get hit with the largest relative tax increase in this bill. Seniors will see a Medicare cut by $25 billion a year. That is over $100 billion of Medicare cuts over the next 4 years. And 38 million middle class families will see their taxes increase. They always point to this family of four earning $59,000 getting a certain amount of tax cuts, but 38 million middle class families will see their taxes increase, all this while giving tax breaks to millionaires, billionaires, and corporations who ship jobs overseas and raise the deficit by $1.44 trillion within 10 years. In fact, nearly 80 percent of the tax cuts in this bill go to millionaires, billionaires, and multinational corporations that ship jobs overseas. The bottom line is this bill raises taxes on the middle class and gives tax breaks to billionaires. This is irresponsible and unacceptable. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to oppose this bill and protect Medicare, protect the middle class, protect seniors, protect veterans, and protect students.

Mr. RUIZ

Mr. RUIZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the outstanding service and retirement of one of California's finest, Cathedral City Police Chief George S. Crum, Jr. Chief Crum is an exceptional leader in the community, dedicating his life to public service for over three decades. He started his career 30 years ago as a police officer with the Fullerton Police Department. His commitment to keeping our citizens safe earned him many promotions over the years, from sergeant, to lieutenant, and, eventually, captain of the Fullerton Police Department. He was appointed as police chief of the Cathedral City Police Department on December 10, 2014, and recently retired on November 2, 2017. Throughout his career, his dedication to community engagement has helped to ensure justice and build a strong community. He is a member of numerous organizations that promote safety throughout California, including the Riverside County Law Enforcement Administrators Association, the Coachella Valley Association of Governments, and the California Police Chiefs Association. Not only has he been a strong leader in law enforcement across the region, Chief Crum is also a leader in molding the minds of our students. He was an instructor at Fullerton College for nearly 20 years, and he is currently a Public Safety Academy instructor at College of the Desert in the valley. He serves as a mentor to the next generation of law enforcement leaders in our region, inspiring them to serve their own communities. I am so humbled to have worked with him over the years to keep the public safe, and I am proud to call him a friend. It has also been my honor to work with him on legislation to provide robust benefits to the families of public safety officers killed in the line of duty. Chief Crum has given so much to the community over the years, and I have a feeling this will continue even in his retirement. So on behalf of my wife, Monica, and the entire 36th Congressional District, I want to thank Chief Crum; his wife, Rebecca; and his children, Dylan and Madison, from the bottom of my heart, for their service and sacrifice to keep our communities safe. While we are sad to see him retire, I wish him and his family the best during his well-deserved retirement. Recognizing Pete M. Ortiz on Veterans Day

Mr. RUIZ. Mr. Speaker, this week, on Veterans Day, we honor those who have bravely served in our Nation's military. Our veterans served with incredible selflessness; they served with great courage; and they served with sacrifice, often leaving behind spouses, children, and loved ones to keep our Nation safe and to protect the freedoms we hold so dear. For this, our veterans and their families have earned our respect and our deep debt of gratitude. On Veterans Day, we take a moment to pause and reflect on their service. So today, I want to recognize the life of one of my district's finest members, Pete M. Ortiz. Mr. Ortiz passed away on September 14, 2017, at the age of 76. He came from a family that has committed themselves to serving our country in uniform for generations. Since World War II, over 50 members--50 members--of the Ortiz family have bravely served in our Armed Forces, putting their lives on the line to protect our freedoms. Following his family's legacy, Mr. Ortiz honorably served in the Army National Guard from 1956 to 1960. He was awarded the Marksman Badge and Pistol Bar, an honor presented to soldiers with high marksmanship skills. I was proud to help obtain and personally present him with these medals for his distinguished service. Mr. Ortiz was also a beloved member of the Coachella Valley. Not only was he a carpenter and avid fisherman, he was part of a unique desert skydive team, the Desert Skydivers of Coachella. All those who knew him remember his zest for life and devotion to family. One of his greatest joys was getting his entire family together for a barbecue. His family remembers his masterful skills for grilling, especially carne asada, and his dream of one day opening his own taco stand. To his wife, Patricia, and children, Pete, Tina, Sherry, and Sally, your father was an example to us all. His bravery, selflessness, and courage in the military are an inspiration challenging us to better serve our own communities. His adventures and curious spirit are a reminder to us all to live life to the fullest and enjoy the people and places that bring us joy. So on behalf of my wife, Monica, and my daughters, Sky and Sage, we honor the service and legacy of Mr. Ortiz and his entire family. From the bottom of our hearts, we thank all of our veterans for their dedication and sacrifice for our country as we honor their service this Veterans Day.

Mr. RUIZ

Mr. RUIZ. Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong opposition to H.R. 3043, the Hydropower Policy Modernization Act, which undercuts Federal-Tribal treaty and trust obligations. In fact, parts of this bill specifically eliminate protection for Tribes and ensure that dams and other hydropower projects do not harm Tribal fisheries, livelihoods, or violate treaty rights. This is unacceptable. Not only does this undermine Tribal sovereignty, but it flies in the face of our moral and legal obligation to protect Tribal treaties, land, and resources under the Federal trust responsibility. I am especially disappointed that the majority had the opportunity to fix this issue, yet walked away from the table. Even though I brought this up as an issue to fix in committee, the majority rushed this bill through committee for a House vote without adequately addressing Tribal concerns. Furthermore, the majority refused to make in order my amendment, meaning they denied the fix to empower Tribes to set reasonable conditions on hydropower projects to protect their reservation and resources. In fact, the letter sent by Democratic Ranking Member Pallone requesting a hearing to allow Tribal input and Tribal participation on this particular issue was left unanswered. So I say this to those Republicans who do support Tribal sovereignty and self-determination: You can still fix this issue and improve the Federal hydropower licensing process, simultaneously, while still protecting Tribal treaty rights, by supporting the Rush substitute amendment. Join the Democratic Rush amendment that includes language to empower Tribal governments to determine when a project may harm their Tribe. Without this fix, this bill undermines Tribal governments and harms resources and lands, therefore, putting energy profits above Tribal treaty rights. I urge my colleagues to take a stand. Do not ignore your responsibility to Tribes when it matters most. Support the Democratic substitute amendment sponsored by Representative Rush that preserves the responsibility of the Federal Government to honor treaty obligations and protect Tribal resources.

Mr. RUIZ

Mr. RUIZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise to celebrate the life and honor the memory of Richard Coover, a loving father and husband. Richard, who valiantly served our nation during World War II in the U.S. Marine Corps, passed away on October 27, 2017 at the age of 92. In February 1945, three U.S. Marine divisions landed on Iwo Jima, Japan; Richard was one of them. He not only survived the war, but he also endured and bravely defended our country facing many challenges. He fought right at the bottom of Mount Suribachi while bearing the sound of explosions that lasted all night long. Richard is indeed a hero. He was just a young man, thousands of miles away from his home, his friends, and his family when he bravely served our country in Japan. His actions embody the true meaning of valor. When I met Richard, I was deeply touched by his humility and spirit of service. He passionately expressed his love for our nation and was proud to have witnessed the U.S. flag being raised in Iwo Jima. His courage and strength is truly an inspiration. Richard's courage was displayed not only overseas, but also when fighting against cancer. My office had the honor to help him obtain medical assistance. I even had the humbling opportunity to present him with a flag that was flown over the U.S. Capitol in honor of his service. Throughout the process, Richard maintained an admirable and graceful presence. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to recognize and honor an outstanding constituent, Richard Coover. On behalf of California's 36th Congressional District, I extend my deepest respects and condolences to his family. His years of committed service to our nation are an example of excellence and dedication, all should seek to emulate.

Mr. RUIZ

Mr. RUIZ. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in strong support of my bill, the bipartisan Protecting Seniors' Access to Medicare Act of 2017. I was proud to introduce this commonsense, bipartisan bill with my friend on the other side of the aisle, Congressman Dr. Phil Roe. Mr. Speaker, I thank Dr. Roe and his staff for their many years of hard work and advocacy on this issue. I am pleased that our offices were able to work closely on this bill, building a strong, bipartisan working relationship. H.R. 849 eliminates the well-intentioned but misguided Independent Payment Advisory Board, or IPAB, that was created under the Affordable Care Act. Everyone can agree that we need to address the high cost of healthcare and strengthen the solvency of Medicare. However, the IPAB approach is misguided, because it establishes an appointed and unelected panel that would have the authority to make cuts to Medicare, with no accountability to seniors. Our constituents must be able to hold elected officials accountable for decisions made regarding changes to Medicare regardless of who is in power. What is more, if the board failed to act, the Health and Human Services Secretary, whether Democrat or Republican, would be able to singlehandedly make cuts to Medicare. Fortunately, the targeted Medicare growth rate to trigger IPAB has never been reached and the board has not yet been appointed. However, we must act now to ensure that it never happens. Again, we can all agree that we must address the high cost of care and strengthen the solvency of Medicare, but we should do this by addressing the overall long-term cost of care. I am pleased we are taking action in the House now, and I hope the Senate can consider this bill quickly. I encourage my colleagues to join me in passing this commonsense, bipartisan improvement to the Affordable Care Act and work together to protect and strengthen Medicare for our Nation's seniors. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes.''

Mr. RUIZ

Mr. RUIZ. Mr. Speaker, we need a hearing on burn pits immediately. Burn pits are used by our military at bases in Iraq and Afghanistan to eliminate tons of waste, including chemicals and plastics. They cause giant clouds of black smoke containing carcinogens. Thousands of our men and women in our military are exposed to these cancer-causing hazards. I know because my constituent and friend, Jennifer Kepner, a 39-year-old wife, mother, and Air Force veteran, died from pancreatic cancer 2 weeks ago. Her oncologist made the most probable link between her exposure to burn pits while serving in Iraq and her pancreatic cancer. Congress must act. Too many questions remain. Are burn pits still being used? What are the DOD and VA doing to help veterans who have been exposed? On behalf of Jenn and all concerned veterans, I, along with Republicans and Democrats, demand hearings in the Armed Services and VA Committees immediately to get answers.

Mr. RUIZ

Mr. RUIZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the life and legacy of a wonderful person, an incredible wife, loving mother, exceptional citizen, and one of our Nation's finest servicemembers, Jennifer Kepner. Jennifer passed away on October 18, 2017, at the young age of 39. She lived in my congressional district in Cathedral City, California. My heart breaks for her family and loved ones. She is, by far, one of the most courageous and inspiring people I have ever met. She put family, country, and community before self. At 23, Jennifer answered the call to serve our Nation as a medic and a staff sergeant in the United States Air Force. She served for 6 years, from 2001 to 2007, and helped save countless lives on the battlefield. After being honorably discharged at the rank of staff sergeant, Jenn continued her life of service, helping patients in our local communities as a radiology technician at Desert Regional Medical Center in Palm Springs. She led a healthy and full life in so many ways. Her many hobbies included CrossFit, hiking, camping with her family, quilting, and even painting. All who met her remember her love of country, her determined spirit, her passion for serving others, and her devotion to family. Despite her healthy lifestyle and no other risks, in 2016, Jennifer was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, a terrifying diagnosis for anyone, let alone a young mother. After exhaustive work to investigate the potential causes of her cancer, her oncologist linked Jennifer's exposure to burn pits in Iraq as the only identifiable and plausible risk for her cancer. Burn pits are commonly used by the military to eliminate waste in Iraq and Afghanistan. The large burn pit at Balad Air Base in Iraq, where Jennifer was stationed for 6 months in 2006, covered 10 acres and burned over 240 tons of trash each day, including everything from computer parts, medical waste, plastics, and chemicals; some items we wouldn't allow to be burned in open air in our neighborhoods here in the United States. Yet, in a crowded camp of thousands, our men and women in uniform are exposed to giant plumes of black smoke. After learning of the potential link between her exposure while she served our great Nation and her cancer, she went to the VA seeking answers and help. After being denied medical assistance and benefits from the VA initially, Jennifer reached out to the advocacy group Burn Pits 360 and my office. Along with others, and as a team, we helped her navigate the complicated VA process, cut through the red tape, and get her the benefits that she had earned. I visited Jennifer at her home. During our kitchen table talk, she told me about her daily struggle raising two small children while battling pancreatic cancer. She was brave and had an optimistic attitude. She told me what it was like living every day in Iraq right next to the burn pits--the smoke, the smell, the irritated cough, and the sickness that followed. Her main concern was to ensure her husband and children were going to be okay after she passed. Her second concern was for her fellow veterans who, like her, were exposed to burn pits. She wanted to bring awareness to what she called ``the Agent Orange of our generation.'' Imagine that. During the toughest battle of her life against an aggressive cancer, she elevated her family and fellow veterans above herself. Her advocacy was for us to prevent future exposure to burn pits and serve veterans who have already been exposed. That is why we are here, to honor Jennifer and fight for her, her family, and fellow veterans. We must find a solution. Unfortunately, it is too late for Jennifer, but we can fight in her honor. I was there with Jenn; her husband, Ben; children, Aida and Wyatt, at her bedside hours before she passed away, and I am honored to call Ben my friend. On behalf of my wife, Monica, the 36th Congressional District, and our entire Nation, we join together as a community to grieve with you, Ben, little Aida and Wyatt, and to honor your wife, your mother, and the life of Jennifer Kepner. We are awed and humbled by Jennifer's life of patriotism and service, and her life and her love of family. Jennifer, we thank you for your service and sacrifice. Mr. Speaker, Jennifer's memory will never be forgotten.

Mr. RUIZ

Mr. RUIZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the life of a local hero, Garrett Paiz, a Mecca native and firefighter, killed in the line of duty while fighting fires in northern California on October 16 at the age of 38. I grew up with Garrett's family. Garrett embodied the best values of service and sacrifice. He put others above self, willing to rush toward danger when others ran from it. He traveled to northern California with firefighters from around the country to battle the deadly fires threatening so many homes and families. Being a firefighter was his lifelong dream. He was humble, hardworking, and devoted to his family, and he was always smiling and laughing. Garrett had an adventurous nature and kind heart. He was always willing to do whatever was needed to take care of others. I join my wife, Monica, and the entire 36th Congressional District to mourn this heartbreaking loss and honor Garrett's legacy. To his wife, Bobbie; daughter, Terri Ann; parents, Judi and Armando; brother, Carlos; and sister, Cinthia; and the rest of the extended Paiz family, we support you, and we honor Garrett's dedication to selfless service. His life and sacrifice will never be forgotten.

Mr. RUIZ

Mr. RUIZ. Mr. Speaker, on October 1, 2017, a gunman opened fire on thousands of innocent people at a music festival in Las Vegas. As our families mourn, I want to honor the life of Hannah Ahlers, a wife, mother, daughter, sister, friend to many, and beloved by her community, whose life was taken too soon. Her brother recently told me: ``She was loved by everyone that met her . . . she was our sunshine.'' Her beautiful personality was felt by all, from her family and friends, to the mothers she worked with in her children's schools, to the volleyball team she volunteered with. As her husband shared: ``She wasn't too good for anybody; beautiful inside and out.'' At 34, her dedication to family and community is felt in her home in the city of Beaumont and across the Inland Empire. On behalf of my wife, Monica, and the entire 36th Congressional District, we join together as a community to mourn her heartbreaking loss and celebrate her life. To Hannah's husband, Brian; her children, Briannah, Brice, and Hailey, our thoughts and prayers are with you. We commit to take up Hannah's mantle of dedication by serving our own communities. Her love and devotion will never be forgotten.

Mr. RUIZ

Mr. RUIZ. Mr. Speaker, that is why, as a physician and a father, I oppose this legislation. We need less bureaucratic obstacles that get in the way of a doctor caring for their patients. We cannot interfere with a provider's ability to deliver the best care for their patients.

Mr. RUIZ. Mr. Speaker, like every physician, I took an oath to do no harm and make every decision in the best interest of my patients in the emergency department. That oath drives every choice a doctor makes, whether it is prescribing medications, treating chronic illnesses, and even choosing how best to triage and treat a trauma patient. H.R. 36 would stand in the way of a doctor's ability to best care for their patients. This bill would force doctors to ignore the symptoms that they have learned through years of training and practice that show a patient's condition could become a more serious medical condition. Can you imagine going into your doctor's office as a pregnant woman and being told your twins would not live and that giving birth could rupture your uterus, causing severe bleeding? That is what happened to Phil and his wife from Missouri. They learned at week 21 that she was at risk of a ruptured uterus and that the twins would die because of twin-twin transfusion syndrome. Phil said: ``Decisions about abortion need to be made with families and the best medical information available.'' I couldn't agree more. A physician's sole focus should be the health of their patient, not the consequences of an arbitrary law that has no basis in medical evidence, and no basis that this bill is even necessary or that it will improve health outcomes.

Mr. RUIZ

Mr. RUIZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the lives of Palm Springs Police Officers Jose ``Gil'' Vega and Lesley Zerebny, who were tragically shot and killed 1 year ago in the line of duty. Officer Vega lived by the mantra of ``To Serve and Protect.'' He served our community for nearly 35 years and was just 2 months away from retirement when he was taken from his family and our community. Officer Lesley Zerebny had recently returned to work following the birth of her daughter, Cora. Now a year old, Cora will never hold her mother. Lesley's community will always remember her as a fighter and a protector. This weekend, the entire Coachella Valley community will honor their memory by dedicating a 4-mile stretch of Highway 111 in their honor. I am proud of our community for supporting the Vega and Zerebny families. Let's come together to ensure they have what they need to mourn, recover, and prosper. Officers Vega, Zerebny, and family: We honor you for your sacrifice, and we are grateful for your service. Officer Vega and Officer Zerebny, end of watch, October 8, 2016.

Mr. RUIZ

Mr. RUIZ. Mr. Speaker, there is no question that we should deport known criminal gang members who are undocumented. That's why I voted for H.R. 3697, the Criminal Alien Gang Member Removal Act. However, I have real concerns about the overly vague language of this bill and believe there is much room to improve. We need to make sure that families, humanitarian aid workers, and religious institutions that help rehabilitate gang members are not penalized. I am disappointed that the House leadership did not follow regular order or allow amendments to the bill, so we could have addressed these concerns. I urge the Senate to work together to make improvements to the overly broad language in the bill.

Mr. RUIZ

Mr. RUIZ. Mr. Speaker, the decision to end DACA goes against the very core of our American values of the American Dream. The future of 800,000 young people who study, serve in our military, and contribute to our economy, and who serve and protect America is at risk. DREAMers are understandably worried, anxious, depressed, petrified, and terrified about what will happen 6 months from now. DREAMers like Juan in my district who was brought here at a young age is a medical student and wants nothing more than to be a doctor and save lives--even your life. For Juan and nearly 1 million DREAMers like him, we must act. That is why I have joined House and Senate leaders to demand a vote on the bipartisan Dream Act. Mr. Speaker, put politics aside and bring the Dream Act to the floor for a vote as soon as possible. Rather than ending the DACA program and tearing families apart, instead, let's work together toward comprehensive immigration reform that will secure our Nation's borders, keep our citizens safe, help our economy, and fix our immigration system.

Mr. RUIZ

Mr. RUIZ. Mr. Speaker, the Graham-Cassidy bill is the worst version of TrumpCare yet. By block granting healthcare, this bill puts healthcare on the chopping block. In order to make ends meet, States will have to change their eligibility criteria, meaning millions more left uninsured. They will have to cut certain benefits and expensive coverage like perhaps cancer treatment or that extra stay in the hospital. They will have to reduce reimbursements for hospitals, clinics, and doctors. That is a big, disproportionate cut to those healthcare providers, especially in rural and underserved communities. This means that millions more will be uninsured and hardworking families will be forced to pay more out of pocket for healthcare. This also means that patients with preexisting conditions will be priced out of their healthcare and pay more out of pocket for higher premiums and higher deductibles. They will have to pay for needed care that will no longer be guaranteed coverage under essential healthcare benefits. Furthermore, older Americans will be faced with paying higher premiums under the bill's age tax. We cannot let this bill become law. We cannot allow patients, families, seniors, and those who have diabetes and chronic illnesses like asthma, COPD, or obesity to be left to fend for themselves. That is not the America that we know. That is not the values that we share. We don't believe that healthcare is a commodity only for those that can afford it. Those who can't afford healthcare will have to fend for themselves, simply because they can't afford it. We believe that we all have a responsibility for health as a common good, with a social responsibility to make sure that our neighbors and our communities are well, that our neighbors' kids are free from infections that can spread to other kids. That is why we have strong vaccination programs. Health is, fundamentally, a human right. The rest of the world sees it that way, so why not America, the leaders of our globe. We must and we can do better. To my Republican colleagues, I know that passing a bill is important politically because you campaigned on this for the past 8 years. I understand that you have a lot of pressures from donors. Just think about patients. Do the right thing. Put politics aside. Let's heed the words of Senator McCain. Let's come back to regular order. Let's figure out what we can do together to fix and improve on the Affordable Care Act to bring down premiums and bring down the cost of healthcare and medicines and make sure that we expand coverage to more people and not take away coverage for millions of people. Let's put people above partisanship. Let's put solutions above ideology. Let's do the right thing. Let's come together and help pragmatically improve healthcare for millions of Americans.

Mr. RUIZ

Mr. RUIZ. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to congratulate professional boxer Timothy Bradley, Jr., on his well-deserved retirement after 23 years and 37 fights in the boxing ring. His dedication, commitment, and passion for boxing are an inspiration. Timothy is a remarkable resident of Cathedral City, where he grew up and currently lives with his wife Monica and five children. As an incredible father, husband, and businessman, he is a role model for all the members of our community. Timothy, who later earned the moniker ''The Desert Storm,'' was born in Palm Springs and attended Cathedral City High School in my congressional district. His boxing career began when he became one of the favorite fighters on Showtime series ``ShoBox.'' In 2004, he won his first professional bout. As a stellar professional boxer, Timothy holds extraordinary wins against several of the world's best fighters. In 2005, he became a World Boxing Council Youth World Welterweight champion by defeating boxer Francisco Rincon. The following year, he beat Arturo Urena and became a World Boxing Council Youth World Light Welterweight champion. In 2008, he overcame boxer Junior Witter to win the World Boxing Council World Light Welterweight title. In 2009, Timothy defeated Kendall Holt to obtain the World Boxing Organization World Light Welterweight title and would proceed to successfully defend it against boxer Manny Pacquiao in 2012. In every fight, Timothy brought agility and resilience of mind, body, and spirit to the ring. Most importantly, he remained true to himself and always kept his family, friends, and fans in his heart. He was not only an outstanding boxer, but also a humble man who gave back to his community. In 2014, Timothy was awarded with the 377th Star on the Palm Springs Walk of Stars for his contributions to the Coachella Valley. He supports the desert's youth as an assistant coach for La Quinta High School varsity football team, assistant coach for All American Junior PeeWee Youth Football Association, and mentor for the Coachella Valley Boys & Girls Club. In December 2016, Timothy and his wife Monica Bradley opened a Hawaiian-style restaurant located in Rancho Mirage. Additionally, the duo works with young boxers Edgar Martinez and Dominic Serna, providing them with mentorship and training. Said Bradley, ``I hope to continue to allow boxing in my world through teaching, commentating and being a fan of a sport I love so dearly.'' Mr. Speaker, I am proud to recognize and honor Timothy Bradley, Jr. On behalf of California's 36th Congressional District, it is with deepest respect that I commend him for a remarkable career dedicated to professional boxing and look forward to the significant contributions he will continue to make in service of others. I wish him, his wife Monica, and his children all my best in the years to come.