Michelle Steel

Mrs. STEEL

Mrs. STEEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to urge my colleagues to support H.R. 5862, the Global Trade Specialist Act. I am proud to have introduced this bipartisan legislation with fellow Californian, Congressman Jimmy Panetta. In the 20-plus years since Congress created the Department of Homeland Security, the world has changed drastically. That means reforms are needed to improve U.S. Customs and Border Protection's global trade operations. For over 5 years, CBP has requested authorization to create a global trade specialist position within its International Trade Office. This position would improve trade law enforcement and facilitate legitimate trade. My bill will make narrowly tailored updates to help CBP respond to ever-evolving trade challenges by better utilizing existing personnel within CBP. Both the House and Senate already passed bills that would grant CBP the authority to create a global trade specialist position, but neither bill has yet been enacted into law. The Ways and Means Committee has repeatedly heard hearing testimony about how a global trade specialist position within CBP will better serve the needs of American workers and safeguard supply chains. That is why the Ways and Means Committee passed the bill unanimously by a margin of 42-0 in November of last year. As geopolitical relationships change more rapidly and drastically in the modern world, it is critical that we empower CBP to operate as efficiently as possible. This legislation will empower CBP to address the dynamic and urgent nature of U.S. trade enforcement and help maintain American dominance in the global economy. Mr. Speaker, I urge a ``yes'' vote to finally get this commonsense solution across the finish line for the American people.

Mrs. STEEL

Mrs. STEEL. Mr. Speaker, this is a bittersweet moment. I am grateful to have the opportunity to stand on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives, an institution shaped by years of Speaker Kevin McCarthy's faithful leadership. I thank and honor him for his service to the people of our State and to our country. I am also sad to be saying farewell. I have known Speaker McCarthy as a staffer, State legislator, Congressman, whip, majority leader, and Speaker of the House. Like many of us, he supported me and built me up to where I am today. I am most proud to know him as a mentor and friend. One of his greatest strengths is that he listens. He gets to know his Members and plays to each of their individual strengths to create a winning team. His work for our home State and for our country has been invaluable. Mr. Speaker, I am grateful beyond words to have been a member of his majority and to have fought with him to better the lives of Californians and all of our fellow Americans. You will always be my friend. Thank you for everything you have done for me and for the country.

Mrs. STEEL

Mrs. STEEL. Mr. Chair, I thank the chairwoman, Dr. Foxx, for yielding time. Actually, this has nothing to do with an anti-Asian bill. This is my bill, and we want to protect our children from this propaganda. Yesterday, before the Committee on Education and the Workforce and the entire world, leaders of three of our Nation's most prestigious universities failed to demonstrate the most basic levels of humanity when discussing anti-Semitism on campus. Make no mistake: Their lack of moral clarity shows exactly what happens when we permit hostile foreign actors like Qatar, Iran, and Communist China to buy influence on our college campuses. When they give money without return, actually, there is no such thing as a free lunch. That is why today I am offering a legislative solution to crack down on this crisis in our higher education system. That is why I rise today to urge support and passage of the DETERRENT Act. Justice Brandeis once said: Sunlight is the best disinfectant. As we saw yesterday, our college campuses are infected. The DETERRENT Act brings desperately needed sunlight by strengthening transparency and disclosure requirements under section 117 of the Higher Education Act of 1965. While the previous administration reinvigorated the use of this tool, the current administration has repeatedly downplayed the threat of foreign actors and failed to take meaningful steps to protect our students, research, and national security. If the President will not act, Congress must. The DETERRENT Act has three pillars to strengthen section 117. The first pillar brings much-needed transparency. Foreign adversaries look for any loophole to hide their intentions. This is especially true for states that pose the greatest threats to our Nation, like Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea. The DETERRENT Act eliminates these loopholes by lowering the foreign gifts reporting threshold from $250,000 to $50,000 for all foreign donors and eliminating the threshold entirely for those from countries of concern. The bill also requires the disclosures include detailed information about the foreign source, the intent of the gift, and the complete text of any contracts with the concerned entities. The second pillar of my bill establishes accountability. For too long, schools have adopted a take the money first, ask questions later approach to billions of dollars of foreign funds. As reporting and congressional oversight revealed in the case of UC Berkeley in my home State of California, these problematic relationships are often discovered years after the fact when the damage has already been done. Requiring timely transparency for institutions receiving foreign funds means ensuring the penalties for nonreporting are more than a slap on the wrist. The DETERRENT Act institutes a progressive fine schedule, culminating in the loss of title IV funding for noncompliant universities. The bill also sets up an institutional point of contact so institutions cannot use the faceless bureaucracy to claim ignorance of unreported foreign funds on their campuses. The third and final pillar of the DETERRENT Act is clarity. The DETERRENT Act streamlines the bureaucratic reporting process and aligns section 117 with other laws. It shifts the reporting schedule from a biannual to an annual basis, using reporting thresholds from existing law to avoid confusion. It improves communication between the Department of Education and institutions by mandating a point of contact on section 117 for institutions to utilize at the Department. It also requires periodic meetings between the Department and institutions to discuss improvements to online reporting. Section 117 has not been updated in more than 30 years. These reforms are long overdue. The DETERRENT Act is a commonsense bill that adds transparency, accountability, and clarity to section 117. That is why it passed the Education and the Workforce Committee in a bipartisan vote. Let's protect our students from this propaganda. Mr. Chair, I urge every Member of this body to vote ``yes'' on the DETERRENT Act.

Mrs. STEEL

Mrs. STEEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise to commend the passage of the MAHSA Act, which is an important step in holding the Iranian regime accountable for its continued oppression of its own people. However, we cannot ignore the Biden Administration's latest misstep in handing over $6 billion to Iran. Longstanding U.S. policy dictates that we do not negotiate with terrorists. Unfortunately, that is exactly what President Biden did with this payoff, enabling Iran to continue threatening the security of the free world. I've introduced the bipartisan, bicameral Solidifying Iran Sanctions Act with Foreign Affairs Chairman McCaul. Our legislation will hold Iran accountable and prevent them from acquiring nuclear weapons. Iran poses a serious threat to global stability and peace. We need strength--not payoffs and appeasement--to deter future hostility from this rogue regime.

Mrs. STEEL

Mrs. STEEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to address the Biden administration's failure to secure our border and create an immigration system that works for the American people. Let's be clear: The crisis at our southern border is still out of control. Since President Biden took office, more than 5.5 million illegal crossings have occurred at the southern border, yet he continues to pursue policies that make the situation worse. As a proud immigrant to this country representing thousands of first- generation Americans, I support policies to protect our communities and uphold the rule of law. House Republicans are taking action to secure our border and restore order to our immigration system. I welcome the President and Congressional Democrats to join us in the effort. The American people deserve nothing less.

Mrs. STEEL

Mrs. STEEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise to celebrate today's passage of the fiscal year 2024 National Defense Authorization Act. In addition to making critical investments in our military, this legislation takes significant steps to protect the United States from CCP spying. For 16 years, a CCP-owned logistics platform called LOGINK has tracked our commercial and military ships. This NDAA deters CCP aggression by enacting my plan to ban the DOD's use of LOGINK and working with our partners to ban it, too. The CCP is spying on American citizens across every industry, field, and institution. Congress must act to shore up vulnerabilities to the CCP, especially when it comes to our military and commercial supply chains. This NDAA does just that. That is why I was proud to support it and why I urge all of our Senate colleagues to do the same.

Mrs. STEEL

Mrs. STEEL. Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record an article written by Williamson M. Evers of California. His works explains major flaws in the draft of the California State Board of Education's K-12 mathematics instructional framework. The Board is having a final hearing today. 1. Unscientific Teaching Methods Just as there is a science of reading instruction, there is a science of math instruction. The scientific way of teaching math includes: having students memorize math facts (like multiplication tables and addition and subtraction facts) and standard algorithms (time-tested math procedures): teaching computational procedures and conceptual understanding together (and not as progressives would have it, concepts before procedures); stressing that getting answers to problems right and doing so quickly are components of math fluency; and bearing in mind that committing math facts and procedures to long-term memory frees the student's mind to handle novel problems. Instead, the progressive-education authors of the math framework want students to learn through their own inquiry and self-discovery. The authors give little emphasis to mastery of facts and standard algorithms. The authors want to organize math instruction not in the architectonic system of increasing abstraction in which it has traditionally been taught, but instead in accordance with vague, billowy ``big ideas.'' Educational researcher Tom Loveless (retired from the Brookings lnstitution) says: ``The previous framework was very clear that math fluency involves speed and accuracy. The proposed framework rejects speed as being even part of fluency, and that's a problem.'' The newly revised framework delays fluency in multiplication and division tables until late in elementary school. This delay will spill over into subsequent math learning, and Loveless believes that many students will be unprepared for Algebra I even by ninth grade. As I have written before (with my co-author, the late Ze'ev Wurman): The framework promotes only the progressive-education approach to teaching math, calling it ``student-led'' instruction, ``active learning,'' ``active inquiry,'' and ``collaborative'' instruction. But evidence from the 1950s through recent times shows that this way of teaching math is ineffective. That evidence comes from scrutinizing carefully designed studies featuring randomized control and what are called quasi-experiments, which approximate the effect of a randomized assignment of students to different groups. Quasi- experiments look at cases, for example, where two adjoining districts with similar populations or two adjoining similar schools adopt different policies. Both sorts of studies are much stronger evidence than the case studies that progressive educators rely on. In the spring 2012 issue of American Educator, the magazine of the American Federation of Teachers, top educational psychologists Richard E. Clark, Paul A. Kirschner, and John Sweller summarized ``decades of research'' that ``clearly demonstrates'' that for almost all students, ``direct, explicit instruction'' is ``more effective'' than inquiry- based progressive education in math. Clark, Kirschner, and Sweller conclude that after ``a half century'' of progressive educators advocating inquiry-based teaching of math, ``no body of sound research'' can be found that supports using that approach with ``anyone other than the most expert students.'' Evidence from the best studies, they emphasize, ``almost uniformly'' supports ``full and explicit'' instruction rather than an inquiry-based approach. 2. Misrepresentation of Research Brian Conrad of Stanford's math department points out that the revised math framework contains much in the way of ``false or misleading'' descriptions of research on math instruction. It also cites ``unpublished papers with design flaws,'' instead of relying solely on peer-reviewed published work. Conrad asks: Why does the framework ``still not adhere to the level of research quality'' called for by the What Works Clearinghouse? Conrad says that the framework is invoking neuroscience literature ``in misleading ways'' to promote ``pseudo- scientific claims'' about progressive-education math instruction improving pathways in the brain. The framework wrongly cites a paper to promote the general use of ``invented strategies'' (that is, students devising their own strategies) as a proven approach to learning standard algorithms. Conrad finds that the framework distorts citations in a way that indicates ``an ideological (rather than evidence-based) opposition to acceleration.'' He points out that ``there is extensive literature with conclusions opposite'' that cited in the framework, ``but these are barely ever mentioned.'' As Wurman and I have written before: State-adopted education programs and recommendations are supposed to be ``research-based.'' This does not just mean an article or 2 in a peer-reviewed journal. It means there is a consensus or strong evidence of effectiveness in the published research. If no strong evidence exists, a practice should not be broadly recommended. . . . If the framework writers had wanted solid evidence, they would have relied on the final report and subgroup reports of the 2008 federal National Mathematics Advisory Panel. They would have made even more use of the federal Institute of Education Sciences practice guides, which are designed for teachers and curriculum writers. 3. Rejection of Algebra I in 8th Grade The revised framework rejects (as did its earlier iterations) the time-honored aim of preparing students to take Algebra I in eighth grade. Eighth-grade algebra is the policy in high-performing foreign countries whose inhabitants will compete with America's children in the future--and that eighth-grade goal was expressly part of the 1999 and 2006 California math frameworks. This current framework recommends ninth grade as when almost all students should take Algebra

Mrs. STEEL

Mrs. STEEL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commemorate an important milestone for the Vietnamese community in my district and across the United States. This week marks the 35th anniversary of Orange County's Little Saigon, which is now home to the largest concentration of Vietnamese anywhere outside of Vietnam itself. To this day, many of Little Saigon's residents are first-generation Vietnamese who fled communism to find freedom in this country. They brought with them a rich heritage, a beautiful culture, and a proud history. They are small business owners, public servants, community leaders, educators, healthcare professionals, lawyers, journalists, parents, and everything in between. The Vietnamese community in Orange County is a shining example of a fundamental American truth that no matter who you are or where you come from, if you work hard and stay true to the principles of liberty and justice for all, you can achieve success for yourself and your family. Southern California and America are stronger because of their contributions. I am proud to represent the Vietnamese Americans living in California's 45th District, and I am committed to ensuring that each of them can build and enjoy their own American Dream. Celebrating Filipino Independence Day

Mrs. STEEL. Madam Speaker, I rise today in celebration of Filipino Independence Day. The history of Filipino independence is a story of a people who remained tirelessly committed to democratic values of self- determination and freedom, even amidst the most challenging circumstances. On June 12, 1898, the Philippines declared their independence after a long history of occupation. However, the country remained a territory of the United States for many years, even after Congress enacted the Philippine Independence Act of 1934. It wasn't until the Fourth of July in 1948 when President Harry S. Truman issued Proclamation 2695 that the United States recognized Filipino sovereignty, officially marking the nation's independence. Both during and since its independence, the Philippines has been one of the United States' most important allies. My district in southern California is home to around 30,000 Filipinos. They are an integral part of our communities, touching every aspect of our way of life with an entrepreneurial spirit, a respect for their traditions, and a love for America. I am proud to represent them in the United States Congress, and I will always fight for a better life for them and for all of my constituents. To the Filipino community in southern California and across the country, I wish a very happy Independence Day.

Mrs. STEEL

Mrs. STEEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the HALT Fentanyl Act. The flow of fentanyl across our unsecure borders is not only a public health crisis but a national security crisis, as well. With as much as 90 percent of illicit fentanyl coming from China, the Chinese Communist Party has a hand in the poisoning of American citizens. Our communities are becoming all too familiar with the danger that this toxic substance poses. Fentanyl poisoning is now the number one cause of death among adults between 18 and 49, resulting in the deaths of tens of thousands of Americans. That is why I am proud to cosponsor the HALT Fentanyl Act, which will permanently reschedule fentanyl and ensure the Federal Government recognizes this substance for the deadly threat it is. It will give our law enforcement the tools they need to combat this danger, and it will empower researchers to better understand the full scope of the drug's impact on Americans' health. We owe a solution to the families who have lost a loved one to fentanyl. This bill is that solution, and I urge all my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on the HALT Fentanyl Act. Recognizing Dr. Clayton Chau

Mrs. STEEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the contributions of Dr. Clayton Chau to the people of Orange County and to congratulate him on his dedicated service to our community. When I chaired the Orange County Board of Supervisors, I was pleased to work with Dr. Chau in his capacity as the director of the Orange County Health Care Agency. During the pandemic, he stepped up to serve as the county's health officer. Together, we worked to keep Orange County citizens safe and informed during a time of unprecedented anxiety. Dr. Chau understood the importance of protecting the vulnerable while also preserving livelihoods, supporting workers and businesses, and maintaining an evenhanded approach. Thanks to his work, we ensured a successful pandemic response in Orange County. Dr. Chau has so much to be proud of. On behalf of Orange County, I thank him for his service and wish him all the best in his future endeavors.

Mrs. STEEL

Mrs. STEEL. Mr. Chairman, as we all now know, pandemic unemployment assistance funds became the source of the greatest theft of taxpayer dollars in American history. Estimates put the total amount of assistance lost to fraud as high as $400 billion. California alone lost around $60 billion under the leadership of President Biden's Secretary of Labor nominee Julie Su. As Californians in particular continue struggling under spiking prices and high taxes, it is absurd to force them to foot the bill for fraud committed while their leaders were asleep at the wheel. That is why I am proud to support the Protecting Taxpayers and Victims of Unemployment Fraud Act, which will address this unprecedented theft by incentivizing States to recover these stolen funds and providing the tools to prevent future fraud. Government caused this problem, and it owes the American taxpayers a solution. I urge all my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this measure to provide the fiscal oversight we were sent here to deliver.

Mrs. STEEL

Mrs. STEEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 48th anniversary of Black April. I am proud to represent Orange County's Little Saigon, which is home to the largest population of Vietnamese in the world outside of Vietnam itself. During Black April, we remember the fall of Saigon, those who served in Vietnam, and those who lost their lives fleeing communism. The fall of the Republic of Vietnam is one of the greatest tragedies in modern history. It reminds us that freedom is not free. It reminds us that we are blessed to live in the greatest country in the world. Today, I invite all of my colleagues to join me and stand with the Vietnamese community in Orange County and across the country during Black April.

Mrs. STEEL

Mrs. STEEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to call attention to the Vietnamese Government's oppression of political opponents. Last week, the Communist Party Government of Vietnam sentenced Nguyen Lan Thang to 6 years in prison for documenting protests and human rights abuses in Vietnam. Thang is a well-known advocate for freedom and democracy. He is a renowned blogger and contributor to Radio Free Asia. He should not be punished for criticizing communism. This violation of the basic human rights of free expression is unacceptable and shows a worsening human rights situation in Vietnam. According to Human Rights Watch, Vietnamese authorities have convicted at least 163 people since 2018 for exercising their rights to freedom of association or freedom of expression against Vietnam's Communist Party Government. I have and will continue to call out the Communist Party of Vietnam for imprisoning journalists, human rights defenders, religious figures, and dissidents in Vietnam. The Chinese Communist Party has expertly influenced their neighbors, like Vietnam, hoping we will be silent in the face of these heinous acts. I urge all my colleagues to join me in condemning Vietnam's continued horrific targeting of anyone who dissents from the oppressive Communist regime, and I urge Vietnam to release its political prisoners, including Mr. Thang and journalists like Pham Doan Trang. We must come together, proclaim Communism as the evil that it is, and show the world that we will defend freedom. Tax Day

Mrs. STEEL. Mr. Speaker, today is tax day, the deadline for over 200 million Americans to file their taxes. Over the past year, responsible, hardworking families across the Nation created a budget, sacrificed to stick to that budget, and paid what they must by law to the government. Meanwhile, their government spent taxpayer dollars recklessly, resulting in a national deficit that is over $31 trillion. That is approximately $250,000 per taxpayer. My friends on the other side of the aisle claimed that they would close the gap by raising taxes and hiring an army of 87,000 new IRS agents to increase audits, especially on hardworking families making less than $100,000 a year. Collecting more taxes from hardworking Americans will not fix the Federal Government's irresponsibility. While California suffers from the highest income tax rate in the country, the State's reckless spending resulted in a deficit of $22.5 billion. High taxes and reckless spending will not solve our Nation's problems. That is why the House of Representatives passed my bill with Representative Adrian Smith to defund the IRS's plan to hire 87,000 new agents. The IRS exists to serve the American people, not target them. More taxes and more spending will only result in a higher deficit and a broken economy that will weigh on the backs of our children and grandchildren.

Mrs. STEEL

Mrs. STEEL. Madam Speaker, I rise to commemorate the 190th anniversary of the Treaty of Amity and Commerce, the first treaty between the United States and Thailand. In fact, the historic agreement is distinguished as the first treaty between the United States and any Asian country. Since its establishment, the relationship and cooperation between our two nations has thrived, providing benefits to both of our economies and national security. That is why earlier this month I introduced the bipartisan resolution reaffirming our gratitude for our partnership and our continued commitment to building our friendship. As we celebrate the anniversary of the historic treaty of 1833, let us also reaffirm our efforts to strengthen our strategic partnerships, promote democracy, and secure our interests in Asia and around the world.

Mrs. STEEL

Mrs. STEEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Fullerton College men's basketball team on winning the California Community College Athletic Association's State championship. The Hornets beat the City College of San Francisco Rams by a score of 83-73. The win marks the fifth time the Hornets have brought home the State title since the school basketball team was founded in 1927. The game was an exciting one, rounding out the team's season record to 30-1 and concluding their 25-game win streak. On behalf of the Fullerton community and the 45th Congressional District, I extend my warmest congratulations to the Hornets for this extraordinary accomplishment. You make us all proud.

Mrs. STEEL

Mrs. STEEL. Mr. Speaker, today, I rise to celebrate Korean American Day marking the arrival of the first Korean immigrants to the United States in 1903. Those brave pioneers paved the way for generations of Korean Americans to make countless contributions to our great country. Like so many before me, I came to this country with my family from Korea. Now, I am living my American dream. Today, we celebrate the strength of Korean-American communities like those in southern California. We recognize the power and impact of our achievements, and we honor the shared heritage of Korean Americans across our Nation. As one of the first Korean-American woman to serve in Congress, I am proud to recognize this important day and to honor the millions of Korean Americans who have contributed so much to the success of the United States of America.

Mrs. STEEL

Mrs. STEEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the Family and Small Business Taxpayer Protection Act, and I am proud to co-lead this important legislation with the gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Smith), my friend. As millions of American families across the country struggle to afford basic goods, from food to fuel--in large part thanks to the inflation brought on by the absurd spending blowout of the last 2 years--the very last thing that taxpayers need is a bloated and weaponized IRS. Unfortunately, that is exactly what they got when the administration rammed through $80 billion to hire 87,000 new IRS agents to harass and spy on middle-class and low-income families, with most of 1.2 million new additional audits. The agency needs reform and modernization, but that is not what these billions in taxpayer dollars did. Of the $80 billion, only $3.2 billion was set aside for taxpayer services. Meanwhile, new audits and enforcement got $45 billion. The job of the IRS is to serve taxpayers, not target them. That is why we must pass today's bill, which will rescind the IRS funding for enforcement while leaving in place the funding for improvements to customer service and technology. Californians and all Americans deserve an accountable government and a strong economy. An accountable government is one that serves its citizens, not one that empowers bureaucrats to target taxpayers. We will never build an economy that is strong by weaponizing government agencies to cripple small businesses and employers. Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues who support an accountable government and a strong economy to vote ``yes'' on this legislation to empower American families, support small businesses, and protect taxpayers.

Mrs. STEEL

Mrs. STEEL. Madam Speaker, today I honor the career and accomplishments of one of my constituents. Yasha Nikitin has dutifully served the City of Huntington Beach and its police force for over 20 years. In his time with HBPD, he has protected our community as a police explorer, a student worker, a police cadet, an officer, and a sergeant. He has also served his fellow officers as a board member and president of the Huntington Beach Police Officer Association. On January 10th, after all of his years of service protecting our friends and neighbors, Yasha will be promoted to Police Lieutenant. Our police are vital to the safety and success of our communities, and we are incredibly fortunate to have as fine a person as Yasha serving on the Huntington Beach Police force. I want to congratulate him on this well-deserved accomplishment and express my personal gratitude for his tireless commitment to the people of Huntington Beach and Southern California. I wish him and his family all the best as they begin this new undertaking.

Mrs. STEEL

Mrs. STEEL. Madam Speaker, today I honor the career and service of one of my constituents. Erik Peterson has honorably served the people of Orange County, the State of California, and the United States of America for years. A veteran of the United States Marine Corps, Erik was first elected to the Huntington Beach City Council in 2014. He was reelected to the Council in 2018, and then served as the Mayor of Huntington Beach 2019 and 2020. As a Council Member, Erik served as the Director of both the Orange County Sanitation District and the Southern California Association of Governments. Erik isn't just a dedicated public servant, but he is also a job creator. In 1999 he founded Intec Network Solutions, an electrical contracting company that specializes in keeping communities across California safe with commercial fire alarms and security. He and his wife, Brandi, call Huntington Beach home and have raised their two sons there, actively participating in and contributing to their community. People like Erik are at the heart of successful communities, and he has made Huntington Beach a better place with his service in both business and government. On behalf of all Orange County residents, I congratulate him on a job well-done and thank him for his years of commitment to Huntington Beach.

Mrs. STEEL

Mrs. STEEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and celebrate a great citizen of Orange County, Irene Dorothy Schweitzer. Yesterday, Irene turned 100 years old. She has been an active member of the community and has consistently given back. Everyone who knows Irene knows how happy she is because of her million-dollar smile which absolutely lights up the room. Even at 100 years old, Irene never forgets a face, which makes everyone who meets her feel so special. I have personally been so blessed to know her, and I am so thankful that we have a person as wonderful as her living in Southern California and making our community a brighter place to live. She truly makes the world a better place. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of all of Orange County, I wish Irene a happy 100th birthday and wish her many more years of joy, blessings, and smiles.

Mrs. STEEL

Mrs. STEEL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the life of one of my constituents. To Van Lai of Westminster lived a truly vibrant life and touched the lives of Vietnamese communities in Orange County and around the world. After working as a university professor, To Van Lai established Thuy Nga Productions in Saigon, bringing the joy of music to the people of Vietnam. When the communist government there banned his work, he took his company to France. There, he produced his most well-known and beloved work: Paris by Night, a renowned variety show that has brought Vietnamese entertainment to homes around the world. Throughout his career, he valued the history, language, and tradition of the Vietnamese people. He believed deeply that ``If you still have the Vietnamese language, then you still haven't lost the people.'' To Van Lai's life reminds us to treasure and honor the rich heritage and culture of our Vietnamese communities. My prayers are with his family during this difficult time. May his memory of preserving the heritage of our Vietnamese neighbors live on, and may he rest in peace.

Mrs. STEEL

Mrs. STEEL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize one of my constituents, and a dedicated public servant, for his efforts to protect taxpayers and his commitment to our community. Since 2015, Michael Gates has served as the independently elected Huntington Beach City Attorney. He has been an effective advocate for law enforcement and worked to keep the citizens of Huntington Beach safe by leading the charge to fight local crime. During the COVID-19 pandemic, as Governor Newsom enacted unilateral and draconian restrictions, Mr. Gates worked to preserve local control of our world-class beaches. He has upheld the rule of law, pushing back against the ``sanctuary state'' law that has made California especially vulnerable to the ongoing border crisis. In all these ways and more, Michael Gates has proved to be a hardworking and effective advocate for the people of Huntington Beach, and for that, I thank him for his service to our community.

Mrs. STEEL

Mrs. STEEL. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of the Advancing Telehealth Beyond COVID-19 Act. Telehealth has been life changing for so many, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Increased access to telehealth has benefited a wide range of Americans, from seniors to high-risk patients. We must ensure that the millions of Americans who have utilized flexibility provisions authorized during the pandemic do not lose their access to telemedicine. Right now, regardless of where you live, you have access to telehealth and virtual care. This bill ensures that this can continue for millions of Americans, but we should ensure that this flexibility is permanent. That is why I introduced legislation with Mr. Buchanan and Mr. Johnson to permanently remove any geographic restrictions on telehealth services. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support our legislation and to vote ``yes'' on today's bill so that we can continue to expand access to quality, affordable healthcare solutions.