Adam Schiff

Mr. SCHIFF

Mr. SCHIFF. Mr. Speaker, 109 years ago, the Ottoman Empire began a concerted and systemic effort to destroy the Armenian people, Armenians from all walks of life, including writers, doctors, and teachers, were rounded up and brutally murdered, clergy were tortured and burned alive in churches, women and girls were brutalized, raped and killed, sons and daughters witnessed their fathers being murdered, and children and the elderly died of exhaustion and starvation on a forced march to Deir ez-Zor. 1.5 million Armenian men, women and children, entire families, were wiped out in an act of mass premeditated murder. The facts of the genocide are horrific and undisputed by historians. They were recorded by American diplomats serving in the Ottoman Empire at the time who bore witness in official cables to the annihilation of the Armenian population. The U.S. Ambassador to the Ottoman Empire at the time, Henry Morgenthau, described it as a ``campaign of race extermination.'' It was the first genocide of the 20th Century--a term coined by Raphael Lempkin partly in response to this barbarity. Despite overwhelming and ever-increasing evidence of this methodical mass killing. Turkey has long engaged in a dangerous campaign to deny the genocide and to silence anyone who seeks to speak the truth. I have sat down with survivors. I have been welcomed into their homes. I have listened to their stories of how their parents, aunts and uncles were murdered, how their property and the lives that their families built were destroyed. I have watched them relive the pain over and over, reopening the wound to keep the history of their families alive. The United States will no longer stand in dishonorable silence. In 2019, the U.S. House passed my resolution officially recognizing the Armenian Genocide by a near unanimous and bipartisan margin. That same year, the U.S. Senate also passed a resolution affirming the facts of the Armenian Genocide. And in 2021, President Biden finally cast aside decades of shameful silence by our nation to become the first sitting U.S. President to officially recognize the Armenian Genocide. These historic achievements happened because of a resilient and enduring Armenian community and diaspora, and decades of work. It's a testament to the efforts of thousands of activists, organizations, communities, and faith leaders. It's a victory for human rights and for truth itself, and it's something that we achieved working together. But we know there remains so much important work to do. These wounds are still open, they have not fully healed and in tragic ways, some grow even larger. To this day, President Aliyev of Azerbaijan echoes the genocidal language and actions of more than a century ago with the support of Turkey. Beginning on September 27, 2020, and over 44 days, Azerbaijani forces invaded and murdered innocent Armenians in Artsakh and displaced tens of thousands more. They continued to terrorize the people of Artsakh in subsequent military attacks, and by blocking the Lachin corridor, leaving 120,000 ethnic Armenian people without access to food, water, medical supplies and services, gas, and electricity for over 9 months. And then in 2023, the Aliyev regime took full advantage of a people they had systematically starved to ethnically cleanse Artsakh's indigenous Armenian population from their land. As we mark the 109th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide with pledges of `'never again.'' the democratic and peaceful Armenian people face threats like never before. There is real and growing concern that Aliyev has his eyes set on land beyond Artsakh. To this day, Azerbaijani forces remain present on sovereign Armenian land, in violation of Armenia's sovereignty and territorial integrity. Though the United States and international partners have condemned Azerbaijan's aggression and military assault against Armenians, the time for strong statements alone has clearly long passed. Condemnation must be followed by real meaningful consequences. The United States must hold Azerbaijan and its leadership accountable. Crimes against humanity cannot be ignored and cannot go unanswered. The United States must suspend military assistance to Azerbaijan, impose Global Magnitsky Act sanctions on Azerbaijani officials complicit in war crimes and other gross human rights violations, call for Azerbaijan's release of Armenian prisoners of war, hostages, leaders of Artsakh, and other illegally detained persons, and urge the immediate withdrawal of Azerbaijani forces from the sovereign territory of the Republic of Armenia. Further, we must provide robust humanitarian assistance to Armenia and the Armenian people, advocate for the right of displaced persons and refugees to return to their homes in Artsakh, with a commitment to safeguarding their individual and collective property rights. Finally. we must also call attention to the destruction and desecration of Armenian religious and cultural sites by Azerbaijan and urge their safeguarding and preservation. On this solemn anniversary, as we pause to remember the innocent victims of the Armenian Genocide, we also reflect on the resilience of those who survived, and the perseverance of their children and grandchildren, who built new lives in the United States and around the world, speak the beautiful Armenian language, and enrich our nation with the Armenian culture and heritage Armenians refused to let the Genocide define their lives or to limit their future potential. Instead, they showed the world that Armenians could face the future with courage, knowing that they have already overcome the worst atrocities of the past. Despite the struggles the Armenian people have faced and continue to face, it has not broken their faith, determination, or their will to press on. They have overcome the harshest of trials, and yet, they remain strong and unbowed, in Los Angeles, in Yerevan, and around the world. I will always stand with the Armenian community.

Mr. SCHIFF

Mr. SCHIFF. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor my good friend Deborah Kallick, who is retiring from her role as Vice President of Government and Industry Relations at Cedars-Sinai Health System after 24 years of service to our Southern California community. Deborah grew up in Beverly Hills, California, as a first-generation American, with her mother coming from Odesa, Ukraine, and her father from Munich, Germany. She earned her B.A. from Pitzer College in 1978 and her M.B.A. from USC in 1983. Before joining Cedars-Sinai, she served as UCLA's Executive Director of Federal and Health Sciences Government Relations from 1985 to 2000. A dedicated advocate at all levels of government for the health care delivery system, Deborah has served as Cedars-Sinai's legislative steward in Los Angeles, Sacramento, and Washington, D.C. Cedars-Sinai is a leading provider of care to Californians on Medi-Cal, the state's Medicaid program, and Deborah has played a major role in expanding this program so that the most vulnerable in our community have access to health care services. Deborah led efforts to improve hospital financing and successfully advocated for funding to expand medical research and graduate medical education while playing a paramount role in establishing joint research efforts between Cedars-Sinai and the Uniform Services University at the Department of Defense. She was also instrumental in securing entitlements to build the new Cedars-Sinai Marina del Rey Hospital, contributing to the development of the institution's new campus. This initiative allowed Cedars-Sinai to expand its services and further its mission of education, research, and patient care. Beyond her work in the health care sphere, Deborah is also active in numerous civic and community organizations. She currently is the Board Vice President for Hillel International and the past Board Chair of USC Hillel and Hillel 818. Additionally, Deborah serves on the Boards of Directors of the Beverly Hills Chamber of Commerce, the Los Angeles Business Council, the West Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, Hillel 818, Hillel at the Claremont Colleges, Pitzer College, the Maple Counseling Center, and the Getty House Foundation. Deborah has received numerous accolades for her tireless service to our community. She received the West Hollywood Women's Leadership Award in 2006 and the Thomas Crail Lifetime Achievement Award from the Beverly Hills Chamber of Commerce in 2008. She also earned the 2006 American Hospital Association's Grass Roots Champion Award and The Maple Counseling Center's Community Spirit Award in 2012. I am proud to have worked alongside Deborah to deliver better health outcomes to Southern Californians. Her tireless advocacy and relentless activism have had a profound impact on the lives of millions of patients--in Los Angeles, in California, and across the nation. Her presence as a stalwart of working toward enhancing health care access, quality, and affordability will be missed. I thank Deborah for a lifetime of service and wish her the best of luck in this next chapter of her life. I ask all Members to join me in congratulating Deborah for 24 years of service.

Mr. SCHIFF

Mr. SCHIFF. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Burbank Temporary Aid Center (BTAC) in Burbank, California, upon its fiftieth anniversary. The Burbank Temporary Aid Center was founded in 1974 when the Burbank Ministerial Association saw the need for a centralized source of services to provide assistance to those in the Burbank community who were less fortunate. Under the leadership of the late Reverend Larry Stamper, the association worked with various community members to create a center to address these needs. Originally located in one of the founders' garage and having operated out of several different buildings in Burbank, in the 1990s, BTAC relocated to a storefront property on Burbank Boulevard. After a building effort which spanned 18 months, in 2006, BTAC unveiled its remodeled and expanded facility which included several features, such as a modernized food pantry, to better provide for its clients. Over the years the center has adapted in response to the changing needs of the community. With its original mission to provide food and clothing to housed residents of Burbank, services have expanded to include un-housed residents, and short-term assistance is now a long- term necessity for some people in the community. Among those receiving help are retired adults, people impacted by labor strikes, individuals and families, and refugees. The center's main service is as a food pantry. For those with access to a kitchen, BTAC offers a robust monthly grocery program, with the option to personalize each order based on the household. To support the unhoused community, sack lunches are offered to ensure their nutritional needs are fulfilled. At the facility, personal hygiene items are distributed, and there are shower facilities and laundry machines available for use at no cost. The Burbank Temporary Aid Center is funded by donations from foundations, religious institutions, private individuals, and service organizations. BTAC receives donations of hygiene items and food from various businesses, service clubs and local churches, in addition to daily and weekly donations from major grocery stores. It is my great privilege to represent BTAC in my Congressional District. My commendations to longtime Executive Director Barbara Howell, BTAC staff, the Board of Directors and all the volunteers for their dedicated and outstanding service to the Burbank community. I ask all Members to join me in congratulating the Burbank Temporary Aid Center upon its fiftieth anniversary.

Mr. SCHIFF

Mr. SCHIFF. Mr. Speaker, I hereby remove my name as cosponsor of H. Res. 1068.

Mr. SCHIFF

Mr. SCHIFF. Mr. Chair, due to events in California, I will unfortunately be unable to cast my vote for legislation considered on the House floor today. Had I been able to be present, I would have voted according to the following: ``no'' on rollcall No. 66, Passage of H.R. 7511--Laken Riley Act, ``yea'' on rollcall No. 67, H.R. 3843-- Action for Dental Health Act of 2023, ``no'' on rollcall No. 68, Lawler #1 Amendment on H.R. 2799--Expanding Access to Capital Act, ``no'' on rollcall No. 69, Huizenga #2 Amendment on H.R. 2799--Expanding Access to Capital Act, ``no'' on rollcall No. 70, Lucas #3 Amendment on H.R. 2799--Expanding Access to Capital Act, ``no'' on rollcall No. 71, Wagner #4 Amendment on H.R. 2799--Expanding Access to Capital Act, and ``yea'' on rollcall No. 72, Sherman #5 Amendment on H.R. 2799-- Expanding Access to Capital Act.

Mr. SCHIFF

Mr. SCHIFF. Mr. Speaker, due to events in California, I was unfortunately unable to cast my vote for legislation considered on the House floor today. Had I been able to be present, I would have voted according to the following: ``no'' on rollcall No. 62, ``no'' on Motion on Ordering the Previous Question (H. Res. 1052); ``no'' on rollcall No. 63, H. Res. 1052--Rule providing for consideration of H.R. 2799-- Expanding Access to Capital Act of 2023 and H.R. 7511--Laken Riley Act; ``yea'' on rollcall No. 64, H. Res. 1061--Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024; and ``yea'' on rollcall No. 65, H.R. 3821--Firefighter Cancer Registry Reauthorization Act of 2023.

Mr. SCHIFF

Mr. SCHIFF. Mr. Speaker, due to events in California, I was unfortunately unable to cast my vote for legislation considered on the House floor today. Had I been able to be present, I would have voted according to the following: ``yea'' on H.R. 3391--Gabriella Miller Kids First Research Act 2.0, as amended; and ``yea'' on H.R. 3838-- Preventing Maternal Deaths Reauthorization Act of 2023, as amended.

Mr. SCHIFF

Mr. SCHIFF. Mr. Speaker, I rise to commemorate the 36th anniversary of the pogrom against the Armenian residents of Sumgait, Azerbaijan. From February 27 to 29, 1988, Azerbaijani mobs assaulted and killed Armenians, leaving dozens of Armenian civilians dead and hundreds injured. Women and girls were raped, and some victims were burned alive after being tortured and beaten. Those who survived the carnage fled their homes and businesses, leaving behind all but the clothes on their backs. In a pattern all too familiar to the Armenian people, the Azerbaijani authorities made little effort to punish those responsible, instead attempting to cover up the atrocities in Sumgait to this day, as well as denying the role of senior government officials in instigating the violence. In the years that followed this unspeakable massacre, Armenians living in Kirovabad, Baku, and Maragha suffered a similar fate. These pogroms were part of a pattern of hateful, racist anti-Armenian propaganda and activities occurring throughout Azerbaijan, dehumanizing its Armenian residents, and laying the groundwork for decades of aggression and mass violence. This brutality culminated when the Azerbaijani government initiated war against the people of Nagorno- Karabakh, also known as Artsakh. Beginning on September 27, 2020, and over 44 days, Azerbaijani forces invaded and murdered innocent Armenians in Artsakh and displaced tens of thousands more. They continued to terrorize the people of Artsakh in subsequent military attacks, and by blocking the Lachin Corridor--which left 120,000 people without access to food, water, medical supplies and services, gas, and electricity for over 9 months. On September 19, 2023, the Aliyev regime took full advantage of a people they had systematically starved, and launched a large-scale attack, further escalating their ethnic cleansing and genocidal campaign against the indigenous Armenian people of Artsakh. At least 200 people were killed, 400 wounded, over 100,000 ethnic Armenians were forcibly displaced, and Azerbaijan now holds Artsakh's political and military leadership, civilians, and prisoners of war hostage. With no help from the international community to confront Azerbaijan's military aggression, Artsakh was forced to negotiate under duress and consequently agreed to dissolve their democratically elected government. There is also real and growing concern that Aliyev has his eyes set on land beyond Artsakh and will continue to seek further territory and concessions from Armenia by force. To this day, Azerbaijani forces remain present on sovereign Armenian land, in violation of Armenia's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and last month, President Aliyev made alarming remarks, including his refusal to remove troops from Armenian territory. These are the horrific consequences when aggression and hatred grow unchecked and when Aliyev's hostility is met with deafening silence, emboldening him to continue, and expand, his unprovoked attacks on the Armenian people, knowing there will be no repercussions. Azerbaijan's campaign of death and destruction against Armenians have been nothing short of deplorable, including the destruction of religious and cultural sites in Artsakh to erase or falsify history, and the torture, mutilation and killing of Armenian civilians, prisoners of war and soldiers. This February also marks 20 years of a horrific crime when Ramil Safarov, an Azerbaijani army captain savagely murdered an Armenian army lieutenant, Gurgen Margaryan with an axe while he slept. The two were participating in a NATO Partnership for Peace exercise at the time in Hungary. In 2012, Safarov was sent home to Azerbaijan, purportedly to serve out the remainder of his sentence. Instead, he was pardoned, promoted, and paraded through the streets of Baku as a returning hero. There is no more dramatic illustration of Azerbaijan's continued posture of hatred towards their Armenian neighbor than their celebration of a cold-blooded murderer. Though the United States and international partners have condemned Azerbaijan's aggression and military assault against Armenians, the time for strong statements alone has clearly long passed. Condemnation must be followed by real consequences. The United States must hold Azerbaijan and its leadership accountable and take concrete action and press Azerbaijan to return to compliance with international law and order. Crimes against humanity cannot be ignored and cannot go unanswered. The United States must use its immense bully pulpit to apply direct pressure to the Aliyev regime in Azerbaijan, by enforcing restrictions on additional military assistance to Baku pursuant to Section 907 and calling on Azerbaijan to immediately return all Armenian POWs, hostages, and other detainees, and provide information on the status of those still be detained or missing. Additionally, the Biden Administration should immediately implement sanctions under the Magnitsky Act against Azeri officials responsible for human rights abuses. The United States must also demand an immediate withdrawal of Azeri forces from the sovereign territory of the Republic of Armenia, provide security assistance to Armenia including expanding humanitarian aid to assist Artsakh refugees, and help ensure the safety and security of Armenians who seek to return to their homes in Artsakh. Finally, the U.S. Department of State must continue to call attention to the destruction and desecration of Armenian religious and cultural sites by Azerbaijan, and urge their safeguarding and preservation. Only by using every diplomatic tool at their disposal, including sanctions, against Azerbaijan can we help guarantee the safety, security and continued territorial integrity of Armenia. As we pause to remember the innocent victims of the pogroms, we are also reminded that despite the trials the Armenian people have faced, it has not broken their faith, determination, and their will to survive in the face of constant threats from Azerbaijan. Today, let us recommit ourselves to doing everything we can to bring peace and justice to our Armenian brothers and sisters abroad, once and for all.

Mr. SCHIFF

Mr. SCHIFF. Madam Speaker, I welcome my colleagues to another week of impeachment unlimited. Having no legislative accomplishments to show for their 14 months in power, Republicans are voting on yet another pointless resolution. Unable to provide any evidence against President Biden, they have now decided to impeach someone else instead. We have serious challenges at the border--no one denies that--but these are not serious people. By this standard put forward by this hapless majority, every single DHS Secretary would have been impeached. This is a policy and political dispute, not a high crime or misdemeanor. When an administration official tries to extort a foreign leader into helping them cheat in an election or leads an insurrection against our government, then impeach them. Until then, stop wasting everyone's time. I have known Ale Mayorkas since we were prosecutors together. He is a person of great integrity and devotion to this country. This impeachment is baseless, it is unconstitutional, and it should be defeated.

Mr. SCHIFF

Mr. SCHIFF. Mr. Speaker, due to flight disruptions, I was unfortunately unable to cast my vote for legislation considered on the House floor today. Had I been able to be present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall No. 20, H.R. 5528, as amended, and ``yea'' on rollcall No. 21, S. 3427. personal explanation

Mr. SCHIFF

Mr. SCHIFF. Mr. Speaker, in 2019, Donald Trump attempted to extort the President of Ukraine by withholding military aid unless Zelenskyy agreed to announce a sham investigation of Joe Biden. The evidence of Trump's impeachable offenses was overwhelming, and Trump was impeached. In 2020, after losing the election, Trump incited a violent insurrection against our own government. The evidence of that high crime was witnessed by everyone in this Chamber. He was impeached again. In 2023, Donald Trump is once again seeking illicit help in his campaign, this time by badgering Republicans to impeach Joe Biden. Even with no evidence of wrongdoing by President Biden, Republicans are all too willing to do it. There is a through line to all of this. Donald Trump will violate the law and Constitution to gain power and to keep it, and Republicans will enable him every step of the way no matter how destructive the consequences to our institutions or to the country.

Mr. SCHIFF

Mr. SCHIFF. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor my dear friend, renowned television producer and screenwriter, Norman Lear, who passed away on December 5, 2023. Norman Milton Lear was born on July 27, 1922 in New Haven, Connecticut. After attending Emerson College in Boston, he dropped out of college to enlist in the U.S. Army Air Force. During World War II, he served as a gunner and radio operator, and flew 52 combat missions over Europe, earning the Air Medal with four Oak Leaf Clusters. Following his extraordinary military service, Mr. Lear worked in public relations before beginning a career as a freelance comedy writer, and eventually a television and film producer. Norman would go on to captivate over one hundred twenty million viewers weekly with his ground-breaking television show's of the 1970's and 1980's that dealt with consequential and critical issues such as race, social inequality, and sexuality. These iconic shows include All in the Family--which won many Emmy Awards--The Jeffersons, Good Times, and Maude. As a kid, his show's were a staple in our household, the kind of shows families across the country would watch together, laugh, and debate. As an adult, I was proud to get to know Norman as a constituent and as a friend. When I last spoke with him, on his 101st birthday, he still wanted to know what he could do, even then, to address the challenges facing the nation he was so proud to serve. Norman was always politically active, inspired by his uncle Jack and grandfather Shya's political involvement and view,``that a citizen can matter.'' In 1980, he wanted a more direct effect on social change, so he put his television career on hold to focus on political activism. In 1981, Norman co-founded People for the American Way which sought to build a democratic society and defend constitutional values such as religious liberty, free expression and equal justice. In 1997, Norman and his wife, Lyn Davis Lear created the Lear Family Foundation, which supports a wide range of nonprofit organizations such as the Rainforest Alliance, American Civil Liberties Union, Ballet Hispanico and Planned Parenthood. In 2000, Mr. Lear provided an endowment for a public policy center that explored the intersection of commerce, entertainment, and society at the University of Southern California Annenberg School for Communicat and Journalism--the center was later dedicated as the Norman Lear Center. A few years later Norman founded a nonpartisan youth voter registration initiative called Declare Yourself. Additionally, in 2001, Norman and Lyn purchased one of the few surviving original copies of the Declaration of Independence and shared the nation's birth certificate with their fellow Americans by touring it in all 50 states during their Declaration of Independence Road Trip. Norman received professional awards and acknowledgement for his humanitarian achievements, far too many to list all here. These include the National Medal for Arts from President Clinton, several Emmy Awards, two Peabody Awards, a Golden Globe Award, the Humanist Arts Award, Kennedy Center Honors, the Women in Film Lucy Award, and the National Hispanic Media Coalition's ``Media Icon'' Award. In addition, he was inducted into the Television Academy Hall of Fame and has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. My heart goes out to Lyn and the rest of Norman's beautiful family. His legacy is without equal, and I ask all Members to join me in celebration of his life. America has lost a giant.

Mr. SCHIFF

Mr. SCHIFF. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a remarkable individual whose advocacy for universal healthcare helped advance the cause for millions of Americans, even as he struggled with his own health. Ady Barkan, a former intern in my office, passed away due to complications of ALS, leaving behind a legacy that will continue to inspire generations to come. I first met Ady while walking precincts together when he was still in high school. Even then, he was passionately dedicated to improving the lives of people around him and deeply immersed in a wide variety of policy issues. His unwavering commitment to his country--and the need to stand up for all working families--as well as his fervent advocacy for healthcare reform left an indelible mark on all of us who had the privilege of working alongside him. But more than anything else, I was struck by his dazzling intellect. Ady was brilliant. Ady's journey was a testament to his resilience and unwavering determination. In 2016, when he was diagnosed with ALS, a devastating neurodegenerative disease that often leads to paralysis and death within a few short years, Ady could have easily chosen to retreat from public life. But instead, he and his family chose to dedicate the remainder of his life to changing the American health care system for the better. Despite the loss of his voice, Ady Barkan's voice only grew stronger and reached more people. His ability to blend his personal story with calls to action was truly remarkable. He testified before Congress, interviewed presidential candidates, and spoke at the Democratic National Convention, all while battling this debilitating disease. Ady's impact on our nation's health care discourse was immeasurable, and his courage in the face of adversity was unparalleled. Ady Barkan was instrumental in stopping Republican efforts to repeal the Affordable Care Act, a critical achievement for health care in America that extended access to tens of millions who otherwise couldn't afford it. Ady's persistence and leadership in these fights were critical, and his contribution, profound. Ady Barkan was not only a health care activist but also a loving husband and father. And he was also a good friend. I would like to convey my deepest sympathies to Ady's wife, Rachael, his children, and his entire family during this difficult time. May Ady's memory continue to be a source of strength and motivation for all of us who strive to make a difference in the world. Ady will be dearly missed, but his legacy will live on as an inspiration to us all.

Mr. SCHIFF

Mr. SCHIFF. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Laurie Goldman, who passed away on September 11 of this year. Laurie's dedication to the City of Los Angeles was formed at an early age as she came to appreciate its many landmark institutions. She watched the Beatles perform at the Hollywood Bowl, enjoyed ice cream at CC Brown's, and, at the tender age of six months, dined at Musso & Frank. As a young girl, Laurie explored the City of Los Angeles; she absorbed its secrets, learned its rhythms, and took it upon herself to make it better. For more than four decades, Laurie volunteered her time and considerable energy to improve the lives of those in her community. She founded her first nonprofit, Youth for Cystic Fibrosis, while a student at Fairfax High School. Her commitment to helping those on the margins led to the creation of multiple nonprofit organizations over her lifetime. Laurie's success in organizing her community around a common cause, in achieving consensus, and raising money, led to leadership roles in several of the City's most distinguished organizations. In addition to founding her own company, Go!, she served on the Board of Directors of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, the Central Hollywood Neighborhood Council, the Hollywood Chamber Community Foundation, and the Hollywood Arts Council. Ms. Goldman's long list of achievements include serving on the 1984 Olympics Governmental Relations Committee, the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce, and the Getty House Foundation. In 2016, she was elected President of the Hollywood Media Business Improvement District where she was instrumental in furthering its mission of public safety and economic growth. Her devotion to Hollywood's rich history fostered an appreciation for what is possible in the world. Laurie was an effective advocate, a tireless activist, and a much-revered urban visionary. It is, perhaps, in this last role that she will be best remembered. As President of Friends of the Hollywood Central Park, Laurie was committed to building a sustainable, green space on top of the congested 101 freeway. Completion of this ambitious project promises to deliver a more equitable future for stakeholders in community and commerce. I would like to convey my deepest sympathy to Laurie's family, friends, and colleagues. We owe Laurie a debt of gratitude for her decades of contributions to the Los Angeles community. I ask all Members to join me in recognizing the remarkable life of Laurie L. Goldman.

Mr. SCHIFF

Mr. SCHIFF. Mr. Speaker, today we welcome His Holiness Aram the First, Catholicos of the Holy See of the Great House of Cilicia, who graced us with an opening prayer. His Holiness Aram the First, a true beacon of faith, holds a special place in the hearts of countless Armenians in my community and around the world. His unwavering commitment to the values of faith, community, and compassion embodies the spirit of our vibrant Armenian community. His support for humanitarian issues, advocacy for human rights, engagement in several educational and cultural initiatives, and promotion of interfaith understanding have left an indelible mark, making the world a better place for all. His Holiness Aram the First's prayer has not only enriched our proceedings, but also reinforced our commitment to working together in the service of our shared values.

Mr. SCHIFF

Mr. SCHIFF. Mr. Speaker, due to events in California, I was unable to cast my vote for legislation considered on the House floor. Had I been able to be present, I would have voted as follows: YEA on Roll Call No. 599, H.R. 1607--To clarify jurisdiction with respect to certain Bureau of Reclamation pumped storage development, and for other purposes, as amended, and YEA on Roll Call No. 600, H.R. 359--Fort San Geronimo Preservation Act.

Mr. SCHIFF

Mr. SCHIFF. Madam Speaker, due to a cancelled flight and another flight with mechanical issues, I was unable to cast my vote for legislation considered on the House floor today. Had I been able to be present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall 559--Motion to Table H. Res. 829, ``yea'' on rollcall 560--H. Res. 559, ``yea'' on rollcall 561--H.R. 340, ``yea'' on rollcall 562--Motion to recommit to H.R. 4364, ``nay'' on rollcall 563--Final Passage of H.R. 4364, and ``yea'' on rollcall 564--Adoption of H. Res. 773.

Mr. SCHIFF

Mr. SCHIFF. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the McGroarty Arts Center in Tujunga, California, as it celebrates its centennial anniversary. The McGroarty Arts Center is named after the late John Steven McGroarty, former Congressman and Poet Laureate of California. Born in 1862, McGroarty moved to the Los Angeles area in 1901, settling in the Verdugo Hills of Tujunga. That same year he began his 40-year career as a journalist and editorial writer for the Los Angeles Times, penning the ``Seen from the Green Verdugo Hills'' weekly column. The McGroarty home, known as ``Rancho Chupa Rosa,'' was constructed in 1923 on the surviving foundation of the burned-down house of John and Ida McGroarty. It served as their home during the latter portion of Mr. McGroarty's distinguished career in writing and politics. Upon Mr. McGroarty's death in 1944, Rancho Chupa Rosa went to his niece, Miss Margaret McHale who sold the property and surrounding acres in 1953 to the City of Los Angeles. The City's Department of Recreation and Parks managed the McGroarty home until 1974, when the supervision was transferred to the Department of Cultural Affairs, a few years after the home was declared a City of Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument. Since 1995, when the center was privatized, it has been operated by the non-profit organization, the McGroarty Arts Center in partnership with the City's Department of Cultural Affairs. A thriving community arts complex, the center offers access to arts and history by providing a variety of creative events, comprehensive arts instruction, and the cultural and historic venue for artists to show their work in a multitude of forms. The McGroarty Arts Center has hosted countless events, workshops, and exhibitions over the years in the beautiful, historic home that is deeply cherished by the members of the community. Events include the annual Ceramics Juried Open Exhibition, the annual Chili Bowl Fest and Art Craft Faire, Hanukkah in the Foothills and Poet Laureate of Sunland Tujunga celebrations, as well as drawing, ceramic, piano, tai chi and watercolor classes. I ask all Members to join me in honoring McGroarty Arts Center upon the celebration of its Centennial Anniversary.

Mr. SCHIFF

Mr. SCHIFF. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 100th anniversary of the Whitley Heights Civic Association of Los Angeles, California. The Whitley Heights Civic Association, founded in 1923 as a garden club, has represented the members of the Whitley Heights neighborhood for 100 years. This notable achievement also earns the association the honor of being one of the longest continually operating civic associations in Los Angeles. The Whitley Heights community was established when major land developer Hobart Johnstone Whitley commissioned architect Arthur Barnes to begin the design and construction of a new Mediterranean-style neighborhood in the Hollywood Hills. The arched doorways and windows, iconic red-tiled roofs, and balconies were new to Los Angeles, inspired by Barnes' tour of the Mediterranean; in particular, Italy and its historic hillside towns. With many of the homes constructed between 1918 and 1928, Whitley Heights was one of the first Hollywood developments. The style and aesthetic of the homes as well as the secluded hillside setting, attracted many prominent residents, including Charlie Chaplin, Gloria Swanson, Bette Davis, William Faulkner, and F. Scott Fitzgerald. In fact, the neighborhood's design was so highly regarded that many exterior features became popular in other contemporary Los Angeles developments. Preservation of this iconic neighborhood has been a challenge in the decades since the initial development. Construction and alteration of the Hollywood Freeway divided the original development in the 1940's and 1960's, during which almost 50 homes were demolished. In the 1980's, after the demolition of a historic bungalow to make space for potential tract homes, actor Brian Moore, president of the civic association, began advocating for the historical preservation of Whitley Heights; this resulted in the neighborhood being added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1982, and later, into a Los Angeles Historical Preservation Overlay Zone. The civic association works with the residents, city agencies and elected officials to ensure the preservation of this beautiful neighborhood. It is an honor to recognize the Whitley Heights Civic Association for its commitment to preserving a historic neighborhood of Los Angeles, and I ask all Members to join me in congratulating this organization upon their centennial anniversary.

Mr. SCHIFF

Mr. SCHIFF. Mr. Speaker, I rise today as we pay special tribute to the contributions and sacrifices made by our Nation's women during Women's History Month. It is an honor to pay homage to outstanding women who are making a difference in my Congressional District. I would like to recognize a remarkable woman, Barbara Meltzer of West Hollywood, California. Barbara Meltzer has had an illustrious career, which began in her hometown of New York City, where she worked on NBC-TV's The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson for a decade as Assistant to the Producer. She went on to serve as Associate Producer of several ABC-TV comedy specials, and later moved to Los Angeles to rejoin The Tonight Show for a brief period, before becoming Director of NBC-TV's Creative Services Department, where she oversaw major corporate and affiliated station special activities and events. Barbara went on to open her own public relations and marketing agency, specializing in non-profit organizations and aging related projects and programs, and joined the Los Angeles Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America, where she served as vice president of the Board of Directors. Ms. Meltzer is passionate about serving and advocating for people who are 50 years of age and older. She is a longstanding member of Life Planning Network, an organization committed to shaping the future of aging through information, dialogue, and expertise. In 2007, she was appointed as a Commissioner on the Los Angeles County Commission for Older Adults, where she serves to this day, and has been honored several times for her outstanding volunteer service for Los Angeles County's older adult population. Most recently, Barbara was appointed to serve on the American Society on Aging's Ageism & Culture Advisory Council. Based upon Barbara's suggestion, the Council launched the nation's first Ageism Awareness Day, which was on October 7, 2022, and the Council is currently making plans for Ageism Awareness Day for October 7, 2023. Over the years, Barbara has selflessly dedicated her time to serving West Hollywood in several capacities. In 2010, she produced a half-day symposium for the city, titled Pathways to Positive Aging: Creating Communities for a Lifetime. In 2013, Barbara was appointed to the Human Services Commission, where she currently serves as chair. In addition to overseeing the city's provided services and programs, the Commission at that time was given the lead in the planning and implementation of the West Hollywood Aging in Place/Aging in Community Initiative, to support the quality of life, well-being, and health of older adults. Devoted to raising awareness about Alzheimer's disease and other dementias, Ms. Meltzer was instrumental in creating a West Hollywood community event titled Matters of the Mind: A Community Forum on Understanding and Responding to Alzheimer's and Other Types of Dementia. She also serves as Vice President of the Friends of the West Hollywood Library's Board of Directors. I ask all Members to join me in honoring this exceptional, well- respected woman of California's 30th Congressional District, Barbara Meltzer.

Mr. SCHIFF

Mr. SCHIFF. Mr. Speaker, I rise today as we pay special tribute to the contributions and sacrifices made by our Nation's women during Women's History Month. It is an honor to pay homage to outstanding women who are making a difference in my Congressional District. I would like to recognize a remarkable woman, Chanchanit Martorell of the Park La Brea neighborhood of Los Angeles, California. Ms. Martorell was born in Thailand and raised in Los Angeles. She attended the University of California, Los Angeles where she received a bachelor's degree in political science and a master's degree in urban planning. She was also conferred an honorary doctorate degree in social work from Pacific Oaks College. For over 3 decades, Chanchanit has been involved in social activism. In the early 1990s, she documented the demographics and human and social service needs of Thais in Los Angeles in a landmark community needs assessment study to advocate for more resources in underserved communities. Currently, Ms. Martorell serves as Executive Director of the Thai Community Development Center (Thai CDC). She established this non-profit organization in 1994 with the goal to improve the lives of Thai immigrants through services that promote economic self-sufficiency and cultural adjustment. In 1999, Thai CDC, under Chanchanit's leadership, played a role in the 8-year long community organizing campaign which raised community awareness and led to the designation of the first Thai Town in the country in East Hollywood. Devoted to social and economic justice, Chanchanit actively serves in an array of capacities, including the Los Angeles County District Attorney Asian American Pacific Islander Advisory Board and Los Angeles Food Policy Council Leadership Circle. She is also the co-founder of the Coalition to Abolish Slavery and Trafficking, the Rotary Club of Thai Town, the Asian Pacific Islander Small Business Program, the Asian Pacific Islander Human Trafficking Task Force, and the National Coalition for Asian Pacific American Community Development. Ms. Martorell is most notably known for her work on more than 6 major human rights cases involving more than 2,000 Thai victims of human trafficking who were discovered working in conditions of slavery in the United States. Her advocacy on behalf of the victims and the success of each case led her to become an in-demand spokesperson and leading expert on the issue of modern-day slavery. Chanchanit has received numerous awards and honors for her exceptional service to the community, including the Asian Americans for Equality ``Dream of Equality'' Award, KCET Unsung Hero Award, Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance Distinguished Service Award, Los Angeles Women's Foundation Mentor Award, Phenomenal Woman Award from California State University, Northridge, the Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies Award, and the Royal Decoration of the Most Admirable Order of the Direkgunabhorn from His Late Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand. Ms. Martorell has been married to her husband, Esteban Martorell since 1994 and has 2 grown sons. I ask all Members to join me in honoring this exceptional, well- respected woman of California's 30th Congressional District, Chanchanit Martorell.

Mr. SCHIFF

Mr. SCHIFF. Mr. Speaker, I rise today as we pay special tribute to the contributions and sacrifices made by our Nation's women during Women's History Month. It is an honor to pay homage to outstanding women who are making a difference in my Congressional District. I would like to recognize a remarkable woman, Delores Shine Kerr of the Miracle Mile/Mid-Wilshire neighborhood of Los Angeles, California. Delores is an extraordinary woman whose remarkable life and diverse career as an educator, performer and humanitarian has spanned nearly 7 decades. Born in Alabama, Delores received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing Education at the Tuskegee Institute (now Tuskegee University), where she was crowned Miss Tuskegee in 1957. She obtained her teaching credential at the University of California, Los Angeles. Her illustrious career in the health care field began in a Los Angeles hospital in the late 1950's as a Cardiac-Medical Staff Nurse, Psychiatric Nurse, and Psychiatric Treatment Instructor, followed by employment at another hospital where she was Head Nurse of Pediatrics, Assistant Director of Nursing, and an Emergency Room Nurse. In 1968, she began working as a nurse educator, advisor, and counselor for the Los Angeles Unified School District, where she continued for over 3 decades. In addition to her nursing educator career, Ms. Shine Kerr was a fashion model for decades, and has been featured on the runways for shows in New York, Los Angeles, and Dallas. Delores and her husband, Ben are currently models for Everybody World. An accomplished singer and performer, Delores has appeared on television, radio, and in magazines, billboards, and newspapers numerous times, whether as a co- host, a singer, or with the 1984 Olympics Organizing Committee. Delores' humanitarian efforts over the decades have been nothing short of amazing. She has founded many significant organizations, including Mentors for Youth and Adults Worldwide, a rubella clinic, AMVI International Humanitarian Development, and the People for Family Planning support organization. Other non-profit organizations she has held leadership positions in include the California Science Center, Afro-Americans for LA Opera, the Music Center of LA County, the Opera League, Chi Eta Phi Sorority, the Los Angeles Tuskegee Alumni Association, and McCarty Memorial Christian Church. Ms. Shine Kerr has received numerous awards and recognition in her lifetime including from the Los Angeles City Council, Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, California State Assembly, NAACP, and President Ronald Reagan. Delores and her husband, Ben Oliver Kerr, have 2 children, Mark Steven Kerr and Karen Benae Kerr, and a granddaughter, Jade James. I ask all Members to join me in honoring this exceptional, well- respected woman of California's 30th Congressional District, Delores Shine Kerr.

Mr. SCHIFF

Mr. SCHIFF. Mr. Speaker, I rise today as we pay special tribute to the contributions and sacrifices made by our Nation's women during Women's History Month. It is an honor to pay homage to outstanding women who are making a difference in my Congressional District. I would like to recognize a remarkable woman, Barbara Poppy Kwong of Silver Lake, a unique neighborhood of Los Angeles, California. Barbara Poppy Kwong has been a Silver Lake resident since 1960. A true native of Silver Lake, Barbara is a graduate of Micheltorena Elementary School, Thomas Starr King Middle School and John Marshall High School. She went on to graduate with a degree in zoology from Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts. Care of the environment has long been a passion for Barbara. Wherever she is and wherever she goes, Barbara responds to her surroundings with an innate sense of caring and desire for improvement. Barbara can be seen picking up trash on her neighborhood walks, cleaning the street and sidewalks around MATS Gym in Hollywood and gathering trash and recyclables in Griffith Park. Over the last 3 years she has personally removed over 4,000 pounds of trash from the streets of Los Angeles. During a 31-year career at Disney she was the unofficial ``Recycling Queen'' of her department, separating out anything from office waste that could be recycled or reused--from batteries to bubble wrap to aluminum cans--delivering thousands of pounds of material to proper sites for disposal. Barbara encouraged co-workers to recycle by creating competitions with prizes which included her fantastic baked goods. She collected packing materials that would otherwise be thrown out and donated them to local non-profits for re-use in their shipping departments. In addition to her environmental causes, many cultural institutions in the local Los Angeles landscape have benefited from Barbara's volunteer efforts. She is a lifelong supporter of the Japanese American Cultural and Community Center (JACCC), the Japanese American National Museum (JANM), the Los Angeles Tanabata Festival, the Los Angeles Zoo, and has become a very active volunteer at the Theodore Payne Foundation for Wild Flowers and Native Plants. Her dedicated, selfless spirit and decades of generosity in service of community have earned Barbara Poppy Kwong recognition as a Woman of the Year from Silver Lake. I ask all Members to join me in honoring this exceptional, well- respected woman of California's 30th Congressional District, Barbara Poppy Kwong.

Mr. SCHIFF

Mr. SCHIFF. Mr. Speaker, I rise today as we pay special tribute to the contributions and sacrifices made by our Nation's women during Women's History Month. It is an honor to pay homage to outstanding women who are making a difference in my Congressional District. I would like to recognize a remarkable woman, Patricia Lombard of the Larchmont Village neighborhood of Los Angeles, California. Patricia Lombard has worked as a communications consultant and writer since moving to Los Angeles in 1988. She served as a contributor to the Larchmont Buzz an online newspaper covering news from Hancok Park, Larchmont Village, and the Greater Wilshire areas of Los Angeles, since the inception of the site in 2011. In 2015, Ms. Lombard along with Elizabeth Fuller, acquired the Larchmont Buzz from founders Mary Hawley and Julie Grist, and over the years have produced thousands of local news stories. Patricia is currently the editor and co-publisher of the Larchmont Buzz which has given her the opportunity to highlight the work of neighborhood leaders and city officials regarding important local issues. Ms. Lombard has been a tireless and dedicated volunteer in local civic affairs. She has served on the Fremont Place Association board of directors for over 15 years, and represented the Association on the Greater Wilshire Neighborhood Council until she joined the Larchmont Buzz. Since 2007, Patricia has been an active member of the Hancock Park Garden Club, where she served as president from 2009 to 2011. She is a member of Larchmont Village Business Improvement District, Wilshire Rotary club of Angeles, Larchmont Boulevard Association, and The Ebell of Los Angeles, a women's nonprofit organization established in 1894, where she served as the organization's 64th president from 2020 to 2022. For nearly 20 years, Patricia was involved with the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, where she served as a Trustee and was inspired to pursue local history. The Natural History Museum Seaver Center for Western History Research provided a key image of Larchmont that motivated her to research the story of this unique street. Patricia's book, ``Larchmont,'' was published in 2015. Patricia and her husband, William D. Simon, live in Fremont Place, and they have 2 daughters, Emily, and Alexandra. Emily and her husband Dan live in the Larchmont Village area, and Alexandra is currently planning to move to San Francisco, California to pursue a career in social work. I ask all Members to join me in honoring this exceptional, well- respected woman of California's 30th Congressional District, Patricia Lombard.

Mr. SCHIFF

Mr. SCHIFF. Mr. Speaker, I rise today as we pay special tribute to the contributions and sacrifices made by our Nation's women during Women's History Month. It is an honor to pay homage to outstanding women who are making a difference in my Congressional District. I would like to recognize a remarkable woman, Carolyn Ramsay of the Hancock Park neighborhood of Los Angeles, California. Born in Philadelphia, Carolyn is the youngest of 5 children of Jean and Jack Ramsay. She attended the University of Oregon and received a bachelor's degree in sociology in 1981. Carolyn worked as a journalist from 1986 to 2006 including as a magazine writer for Los Angeles Times Magazine, Buzz Magazine, and SELF magazine, correspondent for People Magazine, and staff writer at the Stamford Advocate. Following her career as a journalist, Ms. Ramsay served as the communications director and deputy chief of staff for the late Los Angeles City Councilman Tom LaBonge from 2006 to 2011, thereafter serving as the Los Angeles Program Director for the Trust for Public Land from 2011 to 2012, before returning to work for Councilman LaBonge as Chief of Staff from 2012 to 2014. In 2018, Carolyn went on to serve as the Executive Director for the Los Angeles Parks Foundation. Under her leadership, many parks in Los Angeles were improved and expanded for people to enjoy in the years ahead. After 5 years with the organization, Carolyn recently retired from her position. In addition to her illustrious career, Ms. Ramsay has always found the time to volunteer and give back to the community. She served on the board of trustees of Temple Israel of Hollywood, board of advisors of Hollywood Wilshire YMCA, and as board president of the Windsor Square Association from 2002 to 2005, where she led the organization during the planting of hundreds of street trees and was instrumental in the efforts for the historic preservation of Windsor Square. She has received several awards including Windsor Square Hancock Park Historical Society's Leadership Award, Wilshire Community Police Council's Lifetime Achievement Award, and in 2023 was named Nonprofit Executive of the Year for a medium sized organization by the Los Angeles Business Journal. Carolyn is married to her husband, Andy Goodman, who is a public interest consultant. Their son, Daniel Goodman, is a podcast producer for iHeartRadio in Los Angeles, and their daughter, Olivia Goodman, is about to begin her third year of medical school at the Kaiser Permanente Bernard J. Tyson School of Medicine in Pasadena. I ask all Members to join me in honoring this exceptional, well- respected woman of California's 30th Congressional District, Carolyn Ramsay.