Adam Schiff

Mr. SCHIFF

Mr. SCHIFF. Mr. President, 8 days ago, democracy and the rule of law were dealt another blow. It wasn't at the hands of a mob this time. No bear spray. No battering rams. No chants of ``Hang Mike Pence'' or ``Where's Nancy?'' echoing through these halls. This time when the blow came, it made barely a sound. No screaming rioters in military garb and Viking helmets--only a President in a suit and tie with the demure flourish of a pen. Eight days ago, President Trump pardoned over 1,500 people who assaulted this Capitol, brutalized police officers, and sought to overthrow a free and fair election. Among them were the ringleaders of the Proud Boys and the Oath Keepers--violent, unrepentant, White nationalists who orchestrated an insurrection; some who were convicted of seditious conspiracy, others of beating police officers, of dragging them into a mob, of bear-spraying them, of crushing them in a revolving door. Horrifying, sickening stuff. With the flick of a wrist, their benefactor, their inspiration, Donald Trump, erased their crimes and handed them something unthinkable in a democratic society: absolution in the form of pardons and clemency. This was not mercy; this was madness--1,550 pardons; 1550 acts of absolution for those who committed violence against our Constitution and against those who swore to defend it; 1,550 ``get out of jail free'' cards handed to individuals who tried to overturn a free and fair election. Make no mistake, these pardons were a promise--a promise that if you commit violence in Donald Trump's name, you will be protected and you will be hailed, even glorified, for your violence; a promise that no matter how egregious your actions on behalf of this President may be, accountability will not find you; a promise that America will now have to live with the fear that January 6 may not be the last of the violence in service of this President. Senator Kaine was saying that we have seen what happens when democracies falter, when leaders resort to violence and when those who were meant to stop them lose their will, when those who defy the rule of law are exalted instead of prosecuted. History is littered with the wreckage of nations whose leaders decided that violence for them was more important than justice, more important than the law, more important than the people. Sadly, these pardons are not the last action the President will take to bend and subvert the rule of law to his will. Already, we have seen this President and his Justice Department fire those who led a completely justified investigation into him, which led to indictments and, if allowed to proceed to a jury, would likely have led to his conviction. We have seen his Justice Department announce an investigation into the investigators and those who prosecuted important cases against January 6 violent criminals. We have seen this Justice Department, his Justice Department, reassign those who were viewed as not loyal enough. We will see a lot more before the week, the month, and the year are out--much more. If we are to remain a democracy, we had better see much more done to stop it. In this body, in this vital check on the power of the Executive, we must see more done to stop it. We must draw a line here. We must draw a line now. The Vice President argued that these pardons are about liberty. They are not. I ask you: What does liberty look like to the police officer who was beaten with a pole that once held the flag he was sworn to defend? What does liberty look like to the congressional staff who barricaded themselves in their offices, listening to the chaos outside? What does liberty look like to the families of those who died as a result of the violence that day? Liberty and justice don't come from pardoning the perpetrators of violence; it comes from ensuring that violence is not repeated, condoned, absolved. The question before us is simple, one that our Founders answered correctly and that today we must answer again: Are we a nation of laws or are we a nation of men or more specifically, of one man, above accountability, beyond reproach? Because make no mistake, we cannot be both. What does it say if the Senate cannot and will not pass such a straightforward recognition of the law enforcement officers who protect us or a condemnation of the rioters who attacked them and tried to stop the peaceful transfer of power? It says that we are willing to see our cherished legacy die with a whimper, one sordid absolution after another. It is really that simple. I urge my colleagues to join me, to join us, in condemning this most grotesque abuse of power. Condemn these pardons. I yield the floor.

Mr. SCHIFF

Mr. SCHIFF. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.

Mr. SCHIFF. Mr. President, the men and women serving at home and overseas under the flag of the United States of America are counting on us. To guide the Pentagon through times of war or peace, they need and deserve a Secretary of Defense who is a person of considerable experience and can run a mammoth Agency, who has exhibited good judgment, who is a person of good character, who appreciates the role of women in the military in and out of combat, and who they can look on in confidence to guide us through some of the most difficult and complex national security threats we have ever faced. While I greatly respect his time in the service, regrettably, that person is not Pete Hegseth. This is no minor or ceremonial position. The Secretary of Defense is responsible for a nearly trillion-dollar budget, one-eighth of all Federal spending, and the 3 million people who serve under that charge. In my time in Congress, I have worked with Secretaries of Defense from both parties who understood their sacred responsibility and upheld their oaths to support every one of our troops and lead our Nation's military to the best of their ability. Secretaries Gates and Panetta, Mattis and Carter, and many others come to mind. But Mr. Hegseth lacks the experience to be the Secretary of Defense. Mr. Hegseth has not shown the judgment to be Secretary of Defense. Mr. Hegseth has not shown the character to be Secretary of Defense. For this job is a heavy responsibility, and he is not the right person for the job. His record speaks for itself: financial mismanagement in the organizations he led--organizations much, much smaller than the Pentagon, with budgets that were a fraction of the size and nevertheless squandered and mismanaged. He has at times demonstrated a callous disregard for human rights and the laws of armed conflict, going so far as to recommend that the President disregard the Geneva Conventions and intervene in cases of servicemembers convicted of war crimes. He has a history of belittling our brave women in uniform, of denigrating the service of women in uniform and their abilities. These failures are not trivial. They are real, they are significant, and they cannot be ignored. So let's not mince words: Pete Hegseth is the wrong choice for Secretary of Defense. Mr. President, many of my colleagues have spoken on the floor about Mr. Hegseth's personal shortcomings and lack of experience to carry out the job to which he has been nominated. I would like to speak also about what we need from a Secretary of Defense and what a more appropriate nominee should bring to this position of such immense responsibility. The challenges we face today are enormous. They demand real experience and leadership. The largest land war in Europe since World War II rages on. The Middle East is a tinderbox, with a terrorist group still running Gaza, with hostages still in captivity, with a new Syrian regime of uncertain direction, a weakened but still dangerous Iran with all of its proxies, still threatening retaliation. China looms as a peer global competitor, with a stated object of expanding its influence and territory and outpacing the United States. China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea are increasingly aligned with the shared goal of rolling back U.S. influence and have developed a robust operational partnership. Iran and North Korea provide Russia with drones and missiles to prosecute its relentless war of aggression against Ukraine, all while China provides money and dual-use technologies to underpin Russia's resurgent wartime economy. Trade amongst this bloc seeks to frustrate U.S.-led international sanctions. We don't know what technology and know-how Russia has already or will provide rogue states like Iran and North Korea for their nuclear, missile, and other WMD programs. This growing alignment among authoritarians threatens our country and our allies. Yet here we are, being asked to hand over the keys to our national defense to someone so patently unqualified, so palpably unprepared. I think it is telling that Mr. Hegseth's opening statement to the Senate Armed Services Committee failed to even mention the war in Ukraine. Just imagine, perhaps the most important national security issue that the previous Congress debated--whether to provide aid to our partners in Ukraine to turn back the Russian attack and defend their homeland--doesn't merit a sentence in his opening testimony. This is a conflict that President Trump now owns, and we must rely on him and his administration--including, if he were confirmed, Mr. Hegseth--to support our democratic partner. When the Senator from Maine asked Mr. Hegseth about the omission of the war in Ukraine from his prepared remarks, here was his response: Senator, that is a Presidential-level policy decision. This from the person who is supposed to be the President's senior adviser on defense matters and a key official needed to rally NATO and other nations to Ukraine's defense. We have a moral and a legal obligation and imperative to aid Ukraine in its existential fight against Russia and to protect our NATO allies should Russia's ambitions be left unconstrained. The last Congress made clear its support with bipartisan, overwhelming votes to reaffirm our support for Ukraine in this fight, and we will do so again as necessary. It is not just a matter of Ukrainian security. If Russia is allowed to succeed in its objectives in Ukraine, whether on the battlefield or through a forced but favorable negotiated settlement, it will not stop there. Russia is already engaged in influence operations, cyber operations, and attacks against critical infrastructure up and down its border with NATO. Allowing Russia to tear off parts of Ukraine will embolden Putin, allow him to better arm his war machine, and will send a message that NATO is fragmented and weak. It will not be just Russia that receives this message; Xi Jinping is watching intently what is happening with Ukraine and whether America will continue to defend its allies and its values. That is why Taiwan supports U.S. aid to Ukraine, even if it means sending weapons there that might otherwise be shipped to Asia--because Taiwan wants to know that if and when they face their own day of reckoning, that the United States will honor its commitments to come to its defense. Our allies must be able to count on us, on the President, on the Secretary of Defense. They must. A nominee who ignores our obligations or our national interests in helping Ukraine roll back Russia's war machine is not a person capable of defending our interests across the globe. They just aren't. The responsibilities go well beyond our foreign commitments. The Secretary of Defense has an enormous task to continue to rebuild the strength and readiness of our forces. For nearly two decades, wars in the Middle East and a long list of contingencies have pushed military readiness to the breaking point. The Army, Air Force, and Navy continue to face major recruitment challenges just to maintain their current size, let alone what may be necessary to--God forbid--fight a major war in the coming years against technologies we can only imagine now. We need a Secretary of Defense who can lead and inspire our troops, from the most senior officers to the youngest enlisted men and women. Mr. Hegseth has belittled women in the military. He has attacked people who live their lives differently than he would prefer. He has stood with those who violate the law rather than those who keep the peace. And he has no experience running a large enterprise. His experience running small enterprises was a terrible failure. We need a Secretary of Defense with the management experience to rebuild and reshape our national security for the challenges of the present and the future. As our assistance to partners in the wars in Ukraine and in the Middle East have shown, we need to bring about urgent reforms if we are to produce the platforms, weapons, and ammunition necessary to supply our partners with the tools they need to fight and win. So long as our enemies test the dearness of our beliefs with fire and steel, we must ensure that our military remains the best equipped, best prepared fighting force in the world. This requires investment in our manufacturing sector and the defense acquisition process. Anything less is not an ``arsenal of democracy'' or ``Freedom's Forge''; it is a failure of our duty to defend ourselves and our allies, which is to say nothing of the need to develop new technologies and new operational concepts, tapping into the best innovative minds across the country. Let's face it, the United States is on the brink of losing its overwhelming technological edge. Bringing it back will require reshaping the Pentagon to include new participants ready to disrupt some of our hidebound, bureaucratic, and expensive processes--new innovators and technologies, including many from my home State of California. Partners that embrace new technology are more nimble to meet today's challenges. There is simply nothing in Mr. Hegseth's background or his performance to demonstrate that he has the necessary understanding or ability to make these changes. GEN Matthew Ridgway was one of the greatest military minds of the 20th century. His service spanned decades and continents--and after the end of his service as Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers, he was recruited to join the ``Wise Men,'' a group of retired diplomats, politicians, and generals who assembled from time to time to give their advice to President Lyndon B. Johnson. He knew then--as we know today--what makes effective leadership in both war and peace on the front lines and on the homefront. He said: There is far more to professional fitness than knowledge and skill in the techniques and tools of war. These the officer must have, but the final test of his ability is not in what he knows but in what he is. There is no substitute for those innate qualities which we generally refer to as character. My fellow Senators, put aside the nominee's lack of knowledge and lack of experience to prepare him for a role of this magnitude. We must also consider this nominee's absence of character becoming of a Secretary of Defense. You heard it in his confirmation hearings. You have heard it described by my colleagues today. You have seen it on television, read about it in the materials that we have been provided that demonstrates Mr. Hegseth's unfitness for this office. Character matters--it does. It still does. And no amount of tough talk on TV or bromides about a warrior spirit can make up for a distinct lack of character. GEN Omar Bradley, the first ever chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the longest serving active duty servicemember in the history of the United States Armed Forces, wrote to the Infantry School Quarterly in April of 1953. He said: Leadership in a democratic Army means fairness, not harshness; understanding, not weakness; justice, not license; humaneness, not intolerance; generosity, not selfishness; pride, not egotism. Think about those qualities. Think about whether the nominee we consider today resembles even just one of them. Certainly not generosity. Certainly not humanity. Certainly not understanding. Certainly not. I understand that politics can be complicated, but there is nothing complicated about this. Our servicemembers are watching. Their families who fear that their loved ones may be sent to battle are watching. Our adversaries are watching. There is an inscription down the hall that says it plainly, what we should consider in this moment: Our government, conceived in freedom and purchased with blood can be preserved only by constant vigilance. Constant vigilance. The vote before us today is about Mr. Hegseth, but it is also about all of us. What do we stand for? Are we being vigilant in the defense of our country? This candidate is not qualified. This candidate is not experienced. This candidate lacks judgment. This candidate lacks the character we need to lead this Department at a time of great national peril. He is simply the wrong one for the job. I urge a ``no'' vote. I yield the floor. I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. SCHIFF

Mr. SCHIFF. Mr. President, I rise today to address the Senate on behalf of the people of California. And I thank my colleague Senator Padilla for his leadership during this time of incredible difficulty and strain for our fellow constituents. The unimaginable has happened, and our hearts are broken--a city encircled in a blaze and a perfect storm of fire and wind and with a system stretched beyond its breaking point. A natural disaster so immense in size and scale it will dwarf any recovery and rebuilding effort since the 1906 San Francisco earthquake and fire. It is that immense and impending recovery effort that I am asking--I am pleading--for your help with today. Already, the support that you and the President have given California have helped firefighters battle the flames, helped save lives, and helped those who lost everything find shelter. I want to express my particular appreciation for President Biden and what the administration has done, the almost immediate declaration of a disaster which unlocked important FEMA and other funding, the commitment to match--to provide, really--100 percent of Federal funding for the first 6 months of these fire mitigation efforts. I am very grateful for what the Congress and the President have done. This recovery is going to be measured in years, not months. Even so, we must bring a sense of urgency to the recovery and not let it linger. When the flames are finally out, the cleanup begins in earnest, and the rebuilding moves forward with all haste. After the attention of the world has turned away from the raging inferno and its aftermath, ours in this body must not because the loss is immeasurable--lives lost, homes lost, businesses lost, neighborhoods lost, pets lost, memories lost, neighborhoods simply gone in an hour. Entire communities burned to ash. Families brought together in grief. Churches and synagogues have burned down, but their members still gather as one because amidst the darkness and destruction, we have seen rays of hope. For when one part of our State is hurting--literally on fire--we all come together. First responders from all across our great State and so many others rushed to Southern California. A woman I met at a Red Cross at the Pacoima evacuation site, so grateful, despite everything, for the assistance that she was receiving, for the dignity with which she was treated by these Red Cross workers--she told me she plans to set up a $10-a-month donation from her monthly Social Security disability check. People are dropping off clothes and supplies by the thousands, so much that some of these centers are overwhelmed with people bringing material by. That is the California way. This is deeply personal for Senator Padilla and myself. We know so many families impacted by these fires because they are our neighbors and friends. I represented Altadena in the House of Representatives for decades. It is a vibrant, diverse community, a city of families, of places of worship, and of deep culture and history. When I drove through Altadena just a few days ago, the destruction was complete--entire city blocks razed. Homes, small businesses, schools gone in just a few minutes like some post-apocalyptic scene. Driving around that area at night in which small fires still dotted the landscape amidst the rubble, it was hard to recognize what I was seeing. The place where my wife and I got married burned to the ground. So many other community institutions vanished: the Altadena Community Church, gone; the Pasadena Jewish Temple, gone, still smoldering, that temple, when I saw it, and burning inside like an eternal flame, a symbol of God's presence even amidst the unimaginable; the mountains above Altadena, once the scene of such beautiful greenery and nature, now charred beyond recognition. Just like Altadena, much of the Palisades are just gone. Fire ripped through this community leveling entire neighborhoods. One bakery owner in Topanga described the fires that tore through her community simply as ``Armageddon,'' charred cars, burned-out furniture block after block. These were generational homes and neighborhoods--neighborhoods people are proud to be part of and raise their children in, now forever changed. In Altadena, Victor Shaw was found in his house holding a garden hose. He died trying to save his home. His sister Shari barely escaped as the house went up in flames. One man, Zaire, was separated from his sister who lived next door. Amidst the chaos, he was able to evacuate his baby and elderly mother. The next day when he returned, he found his sister's car outside her home and found her remains in the rubble. ``Evelyn, why didn't you leave,'' he asked. ``[W]hy didn't you leave?'' One father refused to leave the side of his son who had cerebral palsy, fighting to his last breath. The last words he said to his daughter were, ``Baby, I'm getting ready to evacuate, I love you . . . Baby, I got to go, the fire's made it to my yard.'' Anthony Mitchell is a hero. Edgar McGregor is well known in Pasadena for his daily trash pickups in the foothills. But now, to the community, he will be known for something more. In a Facebook group post, he alerted residents 2 days before the fires to pack go-bags. When it mattered most, he typed two words: ``Get out.'' ``Get out.'' His simple post may have saved lives. People are surviving now but only barely hanging on. I spoke with Patricia at one of the shelters on the West Side. She stayed a couple of nights in a motel but could no longer afford it, and her asthma was making it hard to breathe. One firefighter, Jonathan, had been battling the blazes in the Palisades since the first night. I remember talking to this L. A. Fire Department firefighter, and he had told me he wasn't sure he was going to make it out when he was there during the early hours of the fire. I asked him what that was like. He said: Well, there were flames in front of me and flames behind me. The water was running low. My communications were going out. He said it was ``the closest thing to hell I can imagine.'' One family in Altadena who all lived on the same street lost three homes. What was once a dream to live so close to each other had turned into a nightmare. Over the past week, we have seen firefighters--exhausted and yet unyielding--waging war to save communities and lives and property. And in the last few days, we have seen some hopeful signs as the level of containment--particularly of the Eaton fire--has increased; more slowly, the containment of the Palisades fire. But we are not out of the woods. We have seen neighbors helping neighbors. We have seen Angelenos opening their doors to strangers left with little more than the clothes on their back. These are the angels who remind us that even in our darkest hours-- through smoky skies and uncertain times--we do not stand alone because what makes this city of Los Angeles so extraordinary--what makes California extraordinary--is that we are not defined by our tragedies; we are defined by our response to them. In Los Angeles, resilience is a way of life. It is what has allowed the city to rise from the devastation of earthquakes and floods and riots and fires time and again. And we are stronger, more resilient, more united, more compassionate. This is a moment when we can and must call ourselves to the better angels of our nature--the angels that are all around us: the paramedics who rescued and evacuated seniors from a nursing home at the edge of a fire line, the volunteers I met who showed up at a shelter ready to help before anyone even asked, the father who stayed behind to try desperately to keep his son alive. In the coming weeks, after the fires are extinguished, we will seek answers. We must not do so for partisan gain or seeking fault; in fact, just the opposite because only with the truth about what went right and what went wrong can we arrive at solutions. I remember talking to one woman who lost her trailer in the Palisades. She wants answers about the lack of water to fight the fires. I want to know that too. I want to know if the Federal and State resources we are fighting to procure will be enough to stop the next potential megafire. I want to know what we can do to rebuild and rebuild with speed so the neighborhoods that we lost can be reclaimed by the neighbors who have been displaced, and communities can come together once more. I am grateful for the Governor's efforts to streamline the permitting process so people can begin to rebuild and rebuild quickly. And I want to know if there is anything more that we can do or could have done to save more lives and more homes. We should all want that. We should all want to rebuild because Los Angeles is one of our Nation's great cities. And to rebuild, we will need your help without fanfare or partisan rancor. We need your help. Just like we worked together to help rebuild New Orleans and Louisiana after Hurricane Katrina, we must do so again here. Just like after countless hurricanes struck Florida and the South, we rushed in aid. Just this year, after Hurricane Helene, FEMA is still on the ground in North Carolina helping those in its destructive path. And we won't leave--we can't--until the job is finished. That is what we must do here. During my time in Congress, I have seen a lot of disaster aid bills. Never in my time have I ever considered whether an area votes red or blue. When people need help, we get them help. When people are fighting to rebuild, we help them rebuild, period. It cannot and should not change no matter who is President, no matter who is in charge of Congress, no matter who the Governor is or who their Senators are. That is my urgent plea today. We need your help desperately. Southern California, we will rebuild. We will. But whether we can do so quickly will depend on the actions we take in the next few months. This big and beautiful diverse city is not just made of steel and stone but of people--people who stand together when the skies turn dark and rise together when the smoke clears. We are going to rise again because it is who we are. And when we do, we will show the world what it truly means to be the ``City of Angels.'' I yield the floor.

Mr. SCHIFF

Mr. SCHIFF. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor eight members of my staff--Patrick Boland, Mary Hovagimian, Tim Hysom, Qiao Li, Colleen Oinuma, Ann Peifer, Margarita Pinon-Gutierrez, and Teresa Lamb Simpson--who have each spent more than a decade serving the House of Representatives and constituents in the great state of California. Patrick Boland Patrick Boland, my current Chief of Staff, is a proud son of California's 30th Congressional District, growing up in Pasadena and attending Loyola High School. After graduating from Colby College, Patrick worked in communications roles on Capitol Hill for Senator Dianne Feinstein, Senator Charles Schumer, Rep. Scott Murphy (D-NY) and Rep. Anna Eshoo (D-CA). He also worked on the campaigns of Rep. Raul Ruiz (D-CA) and Rep. Mark Takano (D-CA). Patrick joined my team in 2012, serving as Communications Director and a senior advisor for both my personal office and the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. In his role as a spokesman and speechwriter, and director of the war room, during the first impeachment inquiry, Patrick's intellect, pragmatism, and dedication were crucial to the impeachment team's presentation of our case to the House, the Senate, and the American people. Since 2021, Patrick has served as my Chief of Staff, playing an integral role in my transition back to the Judiciary Committee. Through his leadership, Patrick has fostered a collaborative, inclusive, and results-oriented culture in my personal office. Additionally, he has mentored countless junior staffers and brought them under his wing as they begin their careers on Capitol Hill, always advocating for those he believes deserve a spot on Capitol Hill and a chance to work in public service. Patrick also worked as a Senior Advisor for my Senate campaign, helping oversee our political, communications, policy and paid media operations. His contributions and strategic vision on the trail were crucial to both our successful statewide campaign and to our support of numerous California incumbents and challengers who prevailed this November. Patrick is married to Jill, a Senior Policy Advisor to Sen. Jack Reed (D-RI), with whom he has a one-year-daughter Riley. Patrick is truly gifted at his job, holding an intimate understanding of the media as an enterprise and a business rivaling that of any other professional on Capitol Hill. He brings leadership, levity, and political acumen to my office every single day, and I am looking forward to seeing all that we will accomplish together as we continue our service to the state of California. Mary Hovagimian Born in Burbank, California, Mary Hovagimian attended St. Mary's Richard Tufenkian Preschool & Kindergarten and Rose and Alex Pilibos Armenian School. She continued her education at the University of Southern California Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism, graduating Cum Laude in 2009 with a bachelor's degree in communication. Mary was determined to delve into a career where she could give back to the community and make a meaningful difference in people's lives. When a career counselor at the University of Southern California shared with Mary that my office was seeking a District Representative, she did not hesitate to apply. In this capacity, Mary has devotedly served the constituents of my district, helped organize community outreach events, served as a liaison between constituents and my office, and directed Armenian American outreach. Mary has been recognized for her work in the community and received the 2014 Woman in Government Award from the Armenian American Chamber of Commerce. I have proudly represented one of the largest Armenian American communities in the United States, and Mary's Armenian-speaking skills in both Eastern and Western Armenian, a skill she credits to her family and education, have proven essential throughout the years. She has helped many constituents who have needed translation assistance. In 2013, Mary also helped me speak this beautiful language when I decided to deliver my remarks in commemoration of the 98th Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide in Armenian on the House Floor. And no matter the issue facing the community, Mary navigates it with tact and skill unparalleled. Mary leads the effort on the annual Women of the Year nominations, which recognizes remarkable women from California's 30th Congressional District. Each year, she works tirelessly to acknowledge individuals who have made significant contributions to their communities through civic engagement, community service, and leadership in their respective fields. During her time with my office, I have had the opportunity to see Mary excel balancing her responsibilities in my office while working toward her master's degree in leadership, which she obtained in 2021 from the University of Southern California Sol Price School of Public Policy. She brought what she learned inside the classroom back to my office to champion the needs of the community. Mary is deeply committed to her family and community, one of the many reasons that she has excelled at public service. I'm excited that she will continue to make a significant contribution to our team's success in the U.S. Senate. Her deep understanding of the Armenian community and her unwavering commitment to constituents will undoubtedly be an invaluable asset to the team. Tim Hysom Tim Hysom has spent over twenty years on Capitol Hill, serving a number of members in a variety of roles. A graduate of Dominican University, Tim began his Congressional career in the district office of Rep. David E. Skaggs (D-CO). After some time in the private sector, he joined my D.C. team as a Legislative Assistant in 2003. In this role, Tim advised me on my work on the Judiciary Committee. He also played an integral role in bringing my office into the 21st Century, completely overhauling my office's online presence and building and managing our constituent database. He also developed my office's strategic communications through emerging mediums, such as online town hall meetings, tele-town halls, and video conferencing. After five years with the Congressional Management Foundation, where he advised Members on how to effectively correspond with constituents, Tim rejoined my team as our Deputy District Director. As the boundaries of my district shifted, he created a strategic plan for community outreach for different communities and geographic areas to reach our new constituents. He also advised me on key transportation, entertainment industry, and political issues in our district. After two years in this role, Tim moved back to Washington, D.C., to serve as Chief of Staff to Rep. Alan Lowenthal (D-CA) from 2013 to 2021. Building a congressional office from scratch is no easy feat, but Tim made it seem easy--leading to a successful House career for Rep. Lowenthal. After stints as Chief of Staff with Rep. Jake Auchincloss (D-MA) and as a House Shared Financial and Human Resource Administrator, Tim joined my team for a third time, as a senior advisor assisting me and my team in the conclusion of my tenure in the House and launching my Senate office. Throughout his career, Tim has proven his versatility as a leader in policymaking, project and human resource management, and constituent service skills. He has also mentored many junior staffers finding their way on Capitol Hill. His contributions to this institution have been immense, and I am excited knowing that I will continue to have his guidance and wisdom on my Senate team. Qiao Li Qiao Li, a graduate of UC Berkeley, first entered public service while working for Los Angeles City Councilmember Tom LaBonge, a public servant of the highest order who guided the paths of so many in our community, including Qiao. She began with my office in 2011 as a District Representative. In 2013, Qiao took a brief detour to pursue a Master's degree in Global and International Studies from the University of California at Santa Barbara. In 2019, she rejoined our team, applying her knowledge to casework to better serve the community. In her role as a casework manager, she is the first point of contact for constituents who need assistance with federal agencies. It is not always an easy job, but Qiao's smile and dedication to helping individuals never wavers. Not a week goes by when I do not receive thanks for a constituent she has assisted in their casework with the IRS, VA, State Department, BCIS, or other federal agencies. Qiao addresses a wide range of issues and serves as the bridge between constituents and the federal government, helping them to navigate complex processes to ensure they receive the services and benefits they are entitled to. Outside of her role in the office, she is an active member of the community. For six summers, she coordinated the YUNASA Summer Camp for Gifted Kids. During her 11 years in public service, Qiao has been an invaluable part of the team, and I am so grateful that she will continue to leverage her expertise in all areas of casework to make a significant impact for people across the state of California in the United States Senate. Her kind spirit and unwavering commitment to public service will undoubtedly benefit our team and the state as a whole. Colleen Oinuma Colleen Oinuma is a graduate of UC Berkeley, where she earned her B.S. in Environmental Science and actively participated in student government. Before taking her current role, she worked for a research unit studying MRI spectroscopy to help diagnose neurological conditions such as Alzheimer's, addiction and traumatic brain injury. Colleen joined my district team in 2011 and has covered a variety of issue areas, including the Environment, Energy, Rim of the Valley, and Space. Because of her work on the Rim of the Valley, we have been able to make progress in securing and protecting nearly a hundred thousand acres in the Southern California region for future generations. Colleen also manages all aspects of my schedule for California and played a crucial role in our successful statewide campaign for Senate, serving as director of scheduling and advance. Her strategic vision and critical thinking made the gears of a large campaign run, and we could not have done it without her. Outside of the office, she served on the board of OCA-Greater Los Angeles, a non-profit dedicated to advancing the social, political, and economic well-being of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. Colleen has also served as the Co-Director of the Asian Pacific American Legislative Staff Network. In this role, she took great pride in mentoring Asian American and Pacific Islander staff members. Because of her mentorship, countless individuals have entered and stayed in public service, leaving a lasting impact that will be felt for years to come. Colleen is married to David, and is a mom of three, Madeline, Hannah and Quinten along with her dog Austin. I am looking forward to her joining my United States Senate office, where she will serve as Deputy State Director. Her leadership and strategic vision will ensure I am able to serve all Californians. Ann Peifer Ann Peifer began her career in public service as an intern for an Orange County State Senator while obtaining her B.A. in Social Ecology from UC Irvine in 1981. After serving in that office over ten years as a caseworker, field representative and ultimately district manager, she subsequently moved to the State Board of Equalization, State Assembly, and the City of Long Beach before re-joining the State Senate as my District Coordinator in 1997. Ann was the first person I hired when I was elected to public office. We met at an IHOP in Burbank and discussed how to establish my first district office and build out our staff. Her ambition, political acuity, and wealth of knowledge as a lifelong Californian and public servant prompted me to make Ann my District Director. After four years in my State Senate office, Ann moved with me to the House of Representatives, where she has served as my District Director ever since. As the longest-serving member of my staff, I owe Ann a debt of gratitude for building my constituent service operation and providing direction to our constituent services that is rooted in an authentic desire to help others and a dedication to public service that is unmatched. Under Ann's leadership, our staff has brought compassion, diligence, empathy, and a high level of professionalism to our constituents through casework and community engagement. Ann cares deeply for her staff and the nearly 750,000 constituents of California's 30th District. Her dedication to public service is underscored by the sheer volume of cases my staff has undertaken: Under Ann's leadership throughout my time in the CA State Legislature and House of Representatives, my office has resolved 36,000 cases for our constituents. Ann has been with me every step of the way--from the 21st State Senate District, to the 27th, 29th, 28th and now 30th Congressional District. I am grateful for her continuing service as my State Director in the United States Senate. Margarita Pinon-Gutierrez Margarita Pinon-Gutierrez was born in Harbor City, California, and was raised in San Pedro. She attended Mary Star of the Sea High School in San Pedro and Los Angeles Harbor College in Wilmington. Prior to joining my office, she worked for UnidosUS, formerly known as the National Council of La Raza, the largest Latino nonprofit advocacy organization in the country, before moving into a life of public service to work for Lieutenant Governor Leo McCarthy, Rep. Esteban E. Torres (D-CA), and Rep. Hilda L. Solis (D-CA). Margarita also served as Administrative Assistant to several deans at San Pedro High School. Margarita has been a Caseworker on my team since 2007. I first met Margarita when I attended an event at Steven's Steak House and Seafood in Commerce, California, and I was deeply impressed with her dedication to the needs of Californians. Throughout her time with my office, she has handled casework involving the Social Security Administration, U.S. Department of State, Office of Workers' Compensation Programs, Office of Personnel Management, U.S. Navy, U.S. Army, U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Federal Bureau of Prisons, Department of Housing and Urban Development, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, U.S. Department of Education and the Internal Revenue Service. Margarita has provided translation services in Spanish to the constituents of my district and has served as a liaison to the community, attending numerous events of various organizations including the Glendale Latino Association and Adelante Latinos. Her warmth and dedication shines through every interaction she has with constituents, who are often navigating life-changing events. Margarita resides with her husband, Dennis, her brother, Luis Pinon, Jr., and her beloved dogs, Riley, Belle, Samantha and Lulu. Her passion for ensuring constituents have access to the services and resources they need drives her day-to-day work. I am grateful for her incredible expertise in navigating casework with a large range of federal agencies, and I look forward to seeing this commitment to service deployed in the United States Senate for the entire state of California. Teresa Lamb Simpson Teresa Lamb Simpson is a part of a third generation born and raised in Pasadena, California. She took an interest in politics at an early age, as her grandfather served on the local school board and her mother was a volunteer who often took Teresa and her siblings to work on political campaigns. Teresa has worked in a variety of fields, including non-profits, law firms, restaurants, and retail management. Fighting the widespread aerial spraying of the insecticide malathion in Southern California in the late 1980s launched her into a career in politics. Teresa and I met during my earlier State Assembly campaign and crossed paths again in 1996 when she came on board to work as the Volunteer Coordinator for my successful State Senate campaign. After the election, she joined my staff as a District Representative in 1997 and continued on to work on my House staff in 2001. Teresa has a true passion for helping people, serving as an exemplary community liaison between my constituents and me. She covered the geographic areas of Atwater Village, Echo Park, Elysian Valley, Los Feliz, Pasadena, Shadow Hills, Silver Lake, Sunland and Tujunga. In addition to her work as a liaison and invaluable relationship-builder, she organized my Congressional Art Competition for high school students for many years, trained and helped manage our office interns, coordinated several community outreach events and provided guidance to my constituents on various issues. Outside of her role in my office, Teresa is a pillar of the community. She was the co-coordinator of the Children's Village at the Arroyo Seco Earth Day Festival and served on the board of the United Nations Association, Pasadena Chapter, the executive boards of the Pasadena Police Activities League and the Pasadena Police Foundation, on the City of Pasadena's Commission on the Status of Women and on the City's Library Commission. She also volunteered with the Junior League of Pasadena, Planned Parenthood Pasadena and San Gabriel Valley, and the YWCA Glendale and Pasadena. Currently, she is a co-founder and board member of the San Rafael Library Associates and active in local political organizations. For her community involvement, Teresa has been the recipient of the Rosemary Children's Services Golden Star Award, the Pasadena Police Chiefs Special Award for Excellence, the Democrat of the Year Award and THE Magazine's 50 Fabulous Women Over 50 Award. Married in 2002, Teresa and her husband, James Simpson, live in their hometown of Pasadena, California. Teresa will be joining me in the United States Senate, and I am grateful that she will continue her outstanding public service to my constituents throughout the State of California. In my twenty-three years in Congress, I have learned the important lesson that every member is only as good as their staff, and seldom as good as that. We could not do our jobs for our constituents without them and their labors, and my staff have been laser-focused on providing the highest level of service for the great people of Southern California. They have also fostered a phenomenal culture in both the district and D.C., one which has attracted and retained so many other brilliant and dedicated public servants through the years. These eight--who have each served more than ten years in the U.S. House--are some of the most dedicated, selfless, and talented individuals I have ever met, and I have been truly blessed to have them alongside me in serving our constituents in Burbank, Glendale, Hollywood, Pasadena and beyond. I also want to thank my other staff who will be coming with me to the U.S. Senate for their dedication, their public service, and their amazing intellect. I am so thankful that Danielle Fulfs, Marisol Samayoa, Kaitlyn Kelly, Jamie Thompson, Kyle Abrams, Dahvi Cohen, Manning Turkheimer, Colin Kruse, Mohamad Almouazzen, Maddie Barry, Christina Beros, and Jackson Boaz will also be joining me in the U.S. Senate. I owe each of these dedicated staffers my utmost gratitude, and I am looking forward to seeing all they will accomplish in the next chapter of our service to the people of California.

Mr. SCHIFF

Mr. SCHIFF. Madam Speaker, had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 465.

Mr. SCHIFF

Mr. SCHIFF. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to extend my warmest congratulations to KABC-TV as it celebrates its 75th anniversary of broadcasting. Launched on September 16, 1949 as KECA-TV on Channel 7, ABC's fifth television outlet and Los Angeles' seventh television station, the 7:00 p.m. premiere featured a program with civic leaders and a variety program, followed by a University of California Los Angeles-Oregon State University football game. On February 1, 1954, the callsign of KECA-TV was changed to KABC-TV. Since then, KABC-TV has established itself as one of the premier local news and information sources in Southern California, flourishing along with the City of Los Angeles as the area's population grew during the post-war years. The station was originally located in the Los Feliz neighborhood of Los Angeles until 2000 when it moved to its current home in Glendale. Since its conception, the station has been instrumental in shaping public discourse, providing a platform for local issues, and celebrating the diverse communities of Los Angeles. With a team of well-versed and dedicated news anchors and reporters, the station delivers compelling news stories that are relevant and important to Angelenos, communicating complex issues with clarity and empathy. KABC-TV's news anchors have been consistently described as approachable, authentic, and exceptionally skilled in their roles. Throughout challenging times such as the Covid-19 pandemic, turbulent local politics, and devasting wildfires, these award-winning anchors and reporters have served as accurate, reliable stewards of information. In the era of rapid technological change, KABC-TV has been at the forefront of innovation in digital and social media engagement, embracing the evolving media landscape and adapting its skillful strategies to connect with audiences across the region. This commitment to modernization ensures that Southern California and Los Angeles in particular, receive timely and significant news, through televisions, accessing content via their phones, or through social media platforms. KABC-TV has garnered numerous accolades, including many Emmy Awards from the Los Angeles Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. I am proud to recognize this outstanding station for its enduring legacy and immeasurable contributions to the television and news industry in our local communities. I ask all Members to join me in congratulating KABC-TV Los Angeles upon its 75th anniversary.

Mr. SCHIFF

Mr. SCHIFF. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the centennial milestone of St. Luke's of the Mountains Episcopal Church, a cherished institution in La Crescenta, California. St. Luke's traces its roots back to the early 1920's when Canon Burson Renison, an Episcopal missionary and founder of St. Barnabas Episcopal Church in Los Angeles, began visiting the Crescenta Valley area to establish a new church. After meeting with renowned American portrait artist S. Seymour Thomas and his wife, Helen, who had fled their home in Paris, France during World War I to relocate in La Canada, the Thomases and Canon Renison began planning for the new church. The inaugural service was held in a school auditorium on November 25, 1923, and on the following Easter Sunday, April 20, 1924, 179 people gathered to lay the church's cornerstone on land donated by Pasadena philanthropist Louise Janvier. The church was believed to have been named by S. Seymour Thomas after St. Luke, the biblical saint who was an artist and medical practitioner. Nestled in the beautiful foothills of La Crescenta, the new church, as a result of Mr. Thomas' artistic vision, was reminiscent of the California missions and chapels of the French countryside. The church's look is distinctive because it was constructed from rocks and stones that Mr. Thomas chose on his hikes in the local mountains and that the new parishioners gathered. On Christmas Day in 1925, the church opened its doors for its first service and in 1931, St. Luke's was admitted as a parish church of the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles. From its beginning, St, Luke's of the Mountains Episcopal Church thrived and grew, becoming the center of, and the spiritual home for, the greater La Crescenta community. The church has steadfastly followed its mission of service for one hundred years, meeting the spiritual needs of the community, continuing to positively impact the Crescenta Valley area. Some of St. Luke's programs include a community garden to support its Food Justice program, the Fire House youth center which is open to all youth, free breakfasts for middle school children, and participation in local civic organizations that host food drives and programs for foster children. I am proud to recognize St. Luke's of the Mountains Episcopal Church upon its 100th anniversary, and I invite all Members to join me in honoring this remarkable institution.

Mr. SCHIFF

Mr. SCHIFF. Mr. Speaker, this week marks the one-year anniversary of Azerbaijan's military assault on the Republic of Artsakh, which began on September 19, 2023, following its long-term blockade of the Lachin Corridor. Their unjustified use of military force resulted in the surrender of the Artsakh government and the unprecedented expulsion of over 100,000 residents from their ancestral homes. Despite promises and assurances that there would be no such attack, Azerbaijan used the language of ``anti-terrorist operations'' to justify its military assault on the peaceful inhabitants of Artsakh. Yet, Azerbaijan's blockade of the region since December 12, 2022 provided a clear warning of what was to come. When Azerbaijan's military forces closed the Lachin Corridor, the narrow strip of traversable land between Artsakh and Armenia, the United Nations and U.S. officials called on the Azerbaijani government to lift the blockade, which had caused a massive region-wide humanitarian crisis. Azerbaijan refused and the blockade remained in place until September 2023 when Azerbaijan's military commenced its assault. By then, the blockade had already crippled Artsakh due to the lack of essential goods and services, including food and fuel. The blockade was so devastating in its isolation of Artsakh that its inhabitants suffered from severe malnutrition, including a fourfold increase in the number of recorded miscarriages compared to the previous year. The blockade created such a humanitarian crisis that the International Association of Genocide Scholars warned of the risk of genocide against the Armenian population in the region. Then came the military assault. After more than nine months of the blockade, Azerbaijan launched a military offensive on September 19, 2023. The following day, the government of Artsakh was forced to surrender to the invading force. Azerbaijan took many of the senior political leadership of the government of Artsakh as prisoners and continues to hold eight high-ranking officials of the former Republic of Artsakh, as well as several other officials and civilians. In November 2023, I introduced House Resolution 861, which calls on Azerbaijan to immediately comply with international commitments regarding the release and treatment of prisoners of war, hostages, and other detained persons. Yet, one year after its military assault, Azerbaijan continues to illegally hold the officials and civilians from Artsakh. Additionally, since Azerbaijan's occupation of Artsakh, the risk of the intentional destruction of Armenian cultural heritage has only grown. There are nearly 500 Armenian cultural heritage sites in Artsakh and the surrounding region that have significant value to not only the global Armenian community, but also to the entire world. Yet, Azerbaijan has now embarked on a campaign to destroy these sites and erase Armenian heritage. To prevent the further destruction of these Armenian cultural heritage sites, I wrote a letter, co-signed by a bipartisan group of 47 fellow Members of the House of Representatives, to urge Secretary of State Antony Blinken to prioritize this issue in bilateral meetings with officials from the government of Azerbaijan. However, the inescapable tragedy in this sad story is one of human suffering. The tragedy of Azerbaijan's actions one year ago can be measured in the lives that were inexplicably disrupted--over 100,000 residents who were forcibly displaced from their homes only to become refugees in neighboring Armenia. These displaced persons had homes, jobs, farms, businesses--full lives--in Artsakh. They had the ability to generate a revenue and to live with dignity in their ancestral homeland. Through no fault of their own, the Azerbaijani attack disrupted their lives, forcing them to flee to Armenia and seek shelter as refugees. The government of Armenia has compassionately and courageously provided assistance to the refugees from Artsakh from a sense of moral duty and obligation to international norms. However, the responsibility to shoulder the costs incurred from the displacement of nearly every resident of Artsakh should fall on the government of Azerbaijan. This liability must include payments for the lost revenue that the residents of Artsakh would have generated had the attack and the subsequent displacement not occurred. To address this tragic situation, I introduced the Artsakh Revenue Recovery Act, a bill that not only places the liability for lost revenue on the government of Azerbaijan, but also establishes a mechanism by which those who lost the ability to generate revenue could receive compensation, even if the government of Azerbaijan refuses to do so. This mechanism involves the seizure of Azerbaijan's sovereign assets in the United States, and then transferring those assets to the Artsakh Revenue Recovery Fund. The Fund will compensate the lost revenue of those who were displaced from Artsakh until Azerbaijan decides to accept the responsibility for paying compensation to these victims. The compensation is for the lost revenue from jobs and property in Artsakh and does not impact the ownership status of any property. The original property owners will continue to have the right to return to their property. Azerbaijan must accept responsibility for the enormous humanitarian crisis that its blockade and military assault on Artsakh created. It must release the hostages and prisoners and commit to the preservation of Armenian cultural heritage. It must assure those who have property in Artsakh the ability to return to their ancestral home and to rebuild their lives and ease the suffering of refugees now. Azerbaijan must accept the responsibility to compensate lost revenue of those who left Artsakh. This compensation cannot fully address the disruption to lives. But, it is an important start to address the current suffering of those who lost so much. On the one-year anniversary of Azerbaijan's assault on Artsakh, we remember the broken promises, the human suffering, and the continued tragedy that has fallen on those who were displaced from Artsakh. We stand with those who were forcibly displaced from Artsakh. We stand for justice.

Mr. SCHIFF

Mr. SCHIFF. Mr. Speaker, due to unforeseen events, 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: NAY on Roll Call No. 418--H.R. 8314, No Foreign Election Interference Act and YEA on Roll Call No. 419--S. 2861, Billie Jean King Congressional Gold Medal Act.

Mr. SCHIFF

Mr. SCHIFF. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Kevin Uhrich, the long-time editor of the Pasadena Weekly from 1999 to 2020, who passed away on August 23 , 2024. I had the pleasure of knowing and working with Mr. Uhrich for many years. His unwavering dedication, passion for the issues, and intellect were on full display for those of us who were lucky enough to work with him and read his work. He was truly a remarkable and inspiring individual--a champion for social justice issues committed to covering the vulnerable and disadvantaged of our community. At all times, like any good journalist, Mr. Uhrich sought to uncover the truth, and fight for what he felt was right and good in his community--always standing up for those whose voices were marginalized and who had few other advocates. He could be tough on elected officials--I can say that too from personal experience--but that was part of his job, part of holding those in power accountable, and he was always fair, professional and transparent in his analysis. Mr. Uhrich was born on February 24, 1959, and raised in Lebanon, Pennsylvania. He moved to Southern California in 1979 to pursue a career in journalism. After stints at the LA Daily News and the Pasadena Star-News, Uhrich landed at the Weekly, serving as its editor for twenty-one years. In his passing, Kevin leaves a legacy of service to his community. Through his commitment to the public's right to information and truth, he went above and beyond, not only addressing the critical local issues that demanded attention but also shining a light on the often- overlooked stories that mattered just as much. Kevin truly cared about the people he served and made every effort to truly understand the people within his articles. Mr. Uhrich's dedication was recognized through many prestigious accolades throughout his journalism career, including the John Anson Ford Award and awards from the Association of Alternative Newsmedia (AAN), California News Publishers Association (CNPA) and the LA Press Club. My thoughts go out to Marina, Ted, and the rest of Mr. Uhrich's family. His legacy will resonate for years to come, and he will always be remembered for his work and the bright essence of his spirit.

Mr. SCHIFF

Mr. SCHIFF. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of the 75th anniversary of the Burbank Tournament of Roses Association and 110th anniversary of the City of Burbank's first float in the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Parade. The City of Burbank has been represented in the Rose Parade since 1914, when the City of Burbank, the Burbank Chamber of Commerce, and other civic organizations entered Burbank's first float. That float, entitled ``Goddess of Plenty,'' featured an intricate dragon's head and a large cornucopia filled with assorted vegetables, and was awarded a silver cup trophy. Since that time, Burbank has participated in the parade intermittently, including a few years where decorated automobiles were entered instead of floats. From 1935 to 1940, the Burbank city schools took responsibility for the floats, and after a few years' hiatus during World War II, the city sponsored floats, including an Isabella Coleman-designed float, made by professional float building companies, in 1947 and 1948. When the City Council decided that funds would be better used for infrastructure and announced that Burbank would not participate in the 1949 Rose Parade, Burbank resident Esther Klein led the effort to privately finance a float. After gaining widespread community support for a hometown-built float, Mrs Klein brought a self-designed model of the proposed entry and exploratory plans for a permanent Burbank Tournament of Roses committee to the Burbank City Council, and subsequently received the council's approval. Thanks to the very first and newly elected Burbank Tournament of Roses Association President Esther Klein's stellar leadership, and against many odds, the association members and the Burbank community raised funds and mobilized volunteers to design, build, and decorate the 1949 float entitled ``First Love,'' which won First Prize for its division. Over 75 years, Burbank's float has won thirty-three major awards including three Sweepstakes Awards for Best Float Entry. Burbank's annual float entry in this emblematic New Year's Day tradition is a product of the unwavering dedication, hard work and local civic pride demonstrated by the Burbank Tournament of Roses Association and countless other civic organizations and community volunteers. I ask all Members to join me today in recognizing the 75th anniversary of the Burbank Tournament of Roses Association and the 110th anniversary of Burbank's first float in the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Parade.

Mr. SCHIFF

Mr. SCHIFF. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Fairfax High School in Los Angeles, California upon its 100th Anniversary. Fairfax High School first opened its doors in 1924, welcoming students onto its campus. It was named after Lord Fairfax, an inspiring mentor and friend to future U.S. President George Washington. The school's first Principal was Rae G. Van Cleve, who served until 1938. Originally designed as an agricultural and mechanical school that taught ``practical'' skills, programs on the 28-acre campus included architecture, forestry, agronomy, and landscaping gardening, as students in that area lived in what was then a largely rural part of Los Angeles. In a few short years, and after the gymnasium and a fine arts building were added, the high school was already an established, esteemed institution in the Fairfax area of Los Angeles. During World War II, many Fairfax students and alumni joined the war effort by enlisting in the military, selling bonds and holding recycling drives. In the 1950's the school had a large Jewish student body and Modern Hebrew classes were taught. The 1960's and 1970's saw many foreign languages being offered including Latin, German, Hebrew and Chinese. While most of the original campus facilities were demolished in 1966 due to new seismic standards, the iconic rotunda and historic auditorium were spared by preservationists and retrofitted. In 1981 the Fairfax Magnet Center for Visual Arts opened and remains the only visual arts magnet in the Los Angeles Unified School District and in 1984, Dr. Virginia Uribe founded Project 10 at Fairfax High School, the nation's first on-site program that welcomed and supported LGBTQ+ students in a school setting. In the mid-1990's, a group of local theater artists held the first Melrose Trading Post flea market to support art, community and small business. Because of its success, the weekly marketplace now hosts hundreds of unique vendors featuring local dancers, musicians and thespians, and works with Greenway Arts Alliance to support Fairfax High School's leadership and arts programs. For a century, Fairfax High School has provided thousands of students with an excellent education. The school has produced notable alumni across many fields, including well-known late actors Mickey Rooney, Carole Lombard, and Ricardo Montalban, former Los Angeles County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky, molecular biologist and public health advocate Marion Nestle, and former Los Angeles Clippers basketball player Craig Smith. I ask all Members to join me today in honoring Fairfax High School upon its centennial celebration. The entire Los Angeles community joins me in thanking the school for the outstanding educational opportunities it has provided for the youth of California's 30th Congressional District.

Mr. SCHIFF

Mr. SCHIFF. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Reverend Kathy Cooper Ledesma upon her retirement as the Co-Senior Pastor of the Hollywood United Methodist Church (HUMC), in Los Angeles, California. Reverend Kathy Cooper Ledesma received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Occidental College in 1982 and a Master of Divinity from the Claremont School of Theology in 1988. Upon completion of her education, Kathy began her service for the California Council of Churches, specializing in education and public policy. Under her outstanding direction as Board Chair, she accomplished several statewide projects on welfare reform faith-based childcare, and interfaith relations. In 2005, Rev. Cooper Ledesma brought her tremendous leadership skills to the University of Southern California Center for Religion and Civic Culture where she worked as a project specialist on issues related to faith communities and preschool for all, earning the Boutillier Award for Distinguished Ecumenical Service. Rev. Cooper Ledesma is an elder and leading force in the California- Pacific Conference of the United Methodist Church, as well a dedicated member of Hollywood 4WRD, a coalition supporting our unhoused neighbors. As one of the founding leaders of the Homeless Task Force of the Hollywood area faith entities (LA VOICE), Kathy welcomes all with unfailing compassion and limitless kindness, providing hygiene packs and meals for the unhoused population, ensuring that everyone is served both physically and spiritually. Her extensive work with the LGBTQ+ community during her time as the Chair of the Community Advisory Panel of the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) HIV/AIDS Education and Prevention Unit has helped countless people, as has her service as the Co-Chair of the Bishop's Task Force on Children and Poverty and a member of the Los Angeles County's Safe Surrender Task Force. Founded in 1909, the Hollywood United Methodist Church has provided unwavering support and spiritual guidance to its congregants for over a century. Serving the Los Angeles United Methodist Church congregation since 2006, Rev. Cooper Ledesma has worked tirelessly to build faith and spirituality in the heart of Hollywood. For over thirty years, the HUMC has offered supportive services and pastoral counseling for persons and their family members living with HIV/AIDS. The church's installation of the enormous Red Ribbons of Love on both campuses, a universal symbol of awareness and support for those living with HIV/ AIDS, shapes the sanctuary to be a place of ``hope and love.'' Kathy's bright spirit cultivates a vibrant and inclusive congregation that celebrates diversity. Under her leadership as Co-Senior Pastor, the HUMC has excelled in outreach towards young urban professionals, progressives, and families with children. Rev. Cooper Ledesma is a loving mother of two adult children with her late husband, Rev. Rene Ledesma, and a devoted member of the community. After over four decades of service, it is an honor to pay homage to Rev. Kathy Cooper Ledesma for her contributions to aiding the unhoused population and promoting faith inclusivity. It has been a great privilege to work with Kathy over the years and see her tremendous impact on the community. I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring this remarkable, well-respected reverend in California's 30th Congressional District, Rev. Kathy Cooper Ledesma.

Mr. SCHIFF

Mr. SCHIFF. Mr. Chair, due to unforeseen events, 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, Roll Call 388, on Amendment No. 25; NO, Roll Call 389, on Amendment No. 45; and NO, Roll Call 390, on Amendment No. 57. personal explanation

Mr. SCHIFF

Mr. SCHIFF. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 100th anniversary of the Burbank Community YMCA, located in Burbank, California. The Burbank Community YMCA was founded in 1924 with a commitment to strengthen individuals through youth development, social responsibility and healthy living. Starting from humble beginnings in a single room, the Burbank Community YMCA has grown into a vital community resource, mirroring the national YMCA's vision of creating stronger communities and a more equitable society by providing comprehensive services and programs. The Burbank YMCA boasts an impressive 57,000 square foot Child Development Center, which provides educationally enriching after- school programs and preschool education, a three-story physical fitness facility, an aquatic center and indoor pool and the Y's Choice Cafe, which offers healthy refreshments as well as a social gathering area. The Burbank Community YMCA has a wide array of programs in an inclusive environment to help children, individuals and families, regardless of age, socioeconomic status, race, gender, gender expression and identity, ethnicity, religion, cultural background or ability to reach their full potential and become stronger in spirit, mind and body. Programs include family, adult and senior fitness, and youth sports such as swimming and diving lessons and events, baseball, and gymnastics, and ``Learn, Grow, Thrive,'' an educational summer camp in partnership with the Burbank Unified School District for children and youth from low-income households. The YMCA also has the Social Impact Center which opened in 2021, an LGBTQIA+ Resource Center that supports LGBTQIA+ youth and their families, and a robust Youth in Government program. The Burbank Community YMCA has been an essential force in Burbank, making a positive difference in individuals' lives. The impact over the past century is a testament to its hardworking, committed staff and volunteers, and the residents of Burbank are indeed fortunate to have such a beloved and revered institution in their community. I ask all Members to join me in congratulating the Burbank Community YMCA for a century of dedication to the greater Burbank area.

Mr. SCHIFF

Mr. SCHIFF. Mr. Speaker, the Vote was closed before 92 members could vote. Had I been present, I would have voted NAY on Roll Call No. 283.

Mr. SCHIFF

Mr. SCHIFF. Mr. Speaker, contempt: to hold something as beneath the dignity of consideration; something to be scorned; an attitude toward something that is inferior, worthless; open disrespect for something that is vile, despised, disgraced; insolence in the presence of the law. An apt description not of the subject of this motion but of those who bring it, not of an Attorney General who has upheld our justice system, who has demonstrated a respect for institutions, but of those who mock the idea that we are a nation of laws, not the individual. When Republicans line up in front of a Manhattan courthouse to denigrate the rule of law in the service of a now-convicted felon, that is contemptuous. When Republicans peddle the lie that Joe Biden is pulling the levers of Trump's Manhattan prosecution, that is contemptuous. When Republican committee chairmen ignore their own subpoena but feign indignation when the Attorney General complies with his, that is contemptuous. That is deserving of our scorn. That is beneath the dignity of this body. That is vile, disgraceful, and worthy of derision.

Mr. SCHIFF. Mr. Speaker, those who bring this motion bring contempt, all right, but only upon themselves.

Mr. SCHIFF

Mr. SCHIFF. Mr. Speaker, on June 4, we commemorate the 35th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square massacre, an event that serves as a stark reminder of the brutality of authoritarianism and its tragic human costs. Thirty-five years ago in 1989, in the heart of Beijing, the world witnessed a military crackdown on peaceful pro-democracy protesters in Tiananmen Square. The Chinese government's violent suppression of student-led demonstrations shook the world's conscience, leaving a permanent scar on the collective memory of humanity and reminding us of the lengths to which authoritarian regimes will go to maintain their grip on power. There are credible estimates that more than 200,000 Chinese army soldiers killed nearly 1,000 people and wounded many thousands more. In the decades since the massacre, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has relentlessly pursued its agenda of control and repression, which has stifled dissent and trampled on the fundamental rights of its citizens. Freedom of speech, assembly, and religion remain severely curtailed, with censorship and surveillance pervasive throughout the country. Dissidents, human tights activists, and religious minorities continue to face persecution, imprisonment, and even disappearance simply for expressing their beliefs or advocating for change. The CCP continues its efforts to control the political discourse across the entire country and in every territory under its control. The crackdown in Hong Kong is one such example. The imposition of the draconian National Security Law in 2020 marked a turning point in the erosion of the city's autonomy and freedoms. Pro-democracy activists, journalists, and political figures have been arrested, charged, and silenced under the guise of national security, while Beijing tightens its grip on the former British colony. The passage of the Article 23 legislation, which further restricts basic freedoms of speech and assembly, will continue the erosion of the ``one country, two systems'' principle, undermining the aspirations of the people of Hong Kong and threatening the stability and prosperity of the entire region. For this reason, I, along with Congressman Gus Bilirakis, introduced a House Resolution that condemns the promulgation of the new Article 23 legislation and calls on other members of the international community to similarly condemn the process of undermining freedoms in Hong Kong. While the total number of lives impacted by China's suppression of basic freedoms may never be fully known, I am honored to serve as an advocate for one person who has witnessed firsthand the brutality of the regime. Mr. Ding Jiaxi, a prominent human rights lawyer and democracy advocate was wrongfully imprisoned in 2019 for his peaceful activism and charged for the crime of ``subversion of state power.'' Mr. Ding's courageous efforts to defend the lights of marginalized communities and promote greater government accountability made him a target of the regime's ruthless crackdown on dissent. His arbitrary detention, which included solitary confinement and physical abuse, serves as a stark reminder of the grave risks faced by those who dare to challenge the authoritarian rule of the CCP. Together with the Congressional Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission's Defending Freedoms Project, I am committed to advocating for his release and reunion with his family. As we remember the victims of the Tiananmen Square massacre and honor their memory, we must reaffirm our commitment to the values of democracy, human rights, and freedom. We stand in solidarity with the people of China, Hong Kong, and all those around the world who continue to courageously resist oppression and dream of a better future. Let us continue to pursue a world where freedoms are protected, and people like Mr. Ding Jiaxi, are not wrongfully imprisoned and silenced, but instead honored for their work to improve society. The image of a single protestor who stood in the way of a column of tanks rolling through the streets of Beijing in June 1989 will continue to inspire those who will bravely face brute force for the sake of freedom. In confronting tyranny and injustice, we draw inspiration from the courage and resilience of those who have dared to challenge authoritarian rule. Their struggle is our struggle, and their cause is our cause.

Mr. SCHIFF

Mr. SCHIFF. Madam Speaker, I rise today to seek support in renaming a post office in Glendale, California, after Paul Ignatius, an extraordinary individual whose life and legacy embody the very best of our American values. Paul is still with us today, 103 years young, still inspiring future generations. Paul Ignatius is a name that resonates deeply within the community in my district and far beyond. Born in Glendale in 1920 to Armenian immigrants, Paul dedicated his life to public service. His family was one of the earliest Armenian families to settle in burgeoning Glendale, California, arriving in 1911. Paul's grandfather even built his house on the same street as the post office to be named after his grandson nearly a century later. From humble beginnings, Paul served his Nation bravely as an ordnance officer during World War II and rose to become the highest ranking Armenian American in the U.S. Government to this day, serving as the 59th U.S. Secretary of the Navy under President Lyndon B. Johnson. This remarkable journey, from the son of immigrants to a high-ranking Presidential appointee, is a path only possible here, a dream that is uniquely American. Following his distinguished military service, Paul continued to serve the public in various capacities. He graduated from Harvard Business School and began working with the Department of Defense, where he held several key positions in both the Kennedy and Johnson administrations, helping modernize our procurement process. His tenure as Secretary of the Navy was characterized by significant contributions to the modernization of the Navy and a steadfast dedication to the well-being of our servicemen and -women. His leadership during a challenging era for our Nation left an indelible mark on our naval forces. Throughout his life, Paul remained true to his values and deeply optimistic about our future. His work ethic, intellect, and integrity earned him the trust and admiration of his colleagues and the communities that he served. Paul likes to say that when he joined the Pentagon, nobody asked him what party he belonged to. Public service was something that went beyond partisan politics and reflected Paul's genuine and deep love of his community and country. In Glendale, he has been a pillar of the community, a mentor and a source of inspiration for many, especially those in the Armenian community whom he has encouraged to follow him into public service. His commitment to education, civic engagement, and cultural preservation has proudly impacted the Armenian-American community and the broader public. He has worked to promote understanding, tolerance, and unity, reflecting the values that make our community strong and vibrant. Paul's efforts in cultural preservation and education are particularly noteworthy. He has been instrumental in supporting initiatives that educate future generations about Armenian heritage and history, ensuring that the legacy of resilience and perseverance are not forgotten, cognizant of his own upbringing as one of the first Armenian Americans bridging cultures and starting new ones. His work has helped to create a bridge between the past and the present, fostering a sense of identity and pride in the community. As a young man, Paul worked as a seasonal clerk at the Glendale Post Office while attending college. His son recalls Paul's stories of madly sorting letters before Christmas. His fitting beginning at the post office makes the renaming of this institution in his honor all the more meaningful. It is a tribute to a man who has come full circle from his early days of hard work and dedication to becoming a distinguished leader and advocate for his community and the country. Renaming this post office after Paul Ignatius is more than a symbolic gesture; it is a recognition of a life devoted to service, community, and the greater good. It is a small tribute to a man who has exemplified the highest ideals of public service, and his contributions have had a lasting impact on our Nation as it has on Glendale. Paul Ignatius' name on this post office will serve as a constant reminder of the values he represented throughout his career and to this day: courage, leadership, and an unwavering commitment to the safety, defense, and betterment of America and American society.

Mr. SCHIFF

Mr. SCHIFF. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Harriet M. Rolnick, who is retiring as Associate Dean of SCALE and Associate Professor of Law at Southwestern Law School. A former civil litigator and federal prosecutor, Ms. Rolnick has dedicated her career to the pursuit of justice and inspired her students to fully investigate the complexities of the law and legal processes. Ms. Rolnick earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology from the University of Miami, then spent four years working as a psychiatric social worker for Florida's state welfare department, as well as clinics and hospitals. Choosing to apply her administrative and counseling expertise into a different field, she enrolled in Southwestern Law School and after graduating magna cum laude, she joined the law firm of Adams, Duque, & Hazeltine as a litigation associate. In 1984, Harriet became an Assistant United States Attorney at the U S Attorney's Office for the Central District of California. Her duties included managing trials before the U.S. District Court, crafting and arguing ninth circuit appeals, conducting grand jury investigations, brokering plea agreements, and supervising federal enforcement agents in the investigation of criminal cases. Her cases involved a myriad of criminal matters ranging from counterfeit currency, child pornography, and illegal drugs, to complex bank and pension fraud and security fraud. Ms. Rolnick found her job particularly fulfilling, as she was able to handle these intricate criminal cases from the beginning to the end of the appellate process. It was during her fourteen years in the U.S. Attorney's Office, that I was immensely privileged to work alongside Harriet. Ms. Rolnick joined the Southwestern Law School faculty in 1999, and in 2006 she become Director and in 2014 was named Associate Dean of SCALE, the school's accelerated Juris Doctor program. During her tenure, she remodeled the curriculum, including revising the organization of the program and scheduling, established a SCALE Academic Improvement Program, a new summer session, and implemented a three-year Juris Doctor/Master of Business Administration concurrent degree in partnership with the Drucker School of Management at Claremont Graduate University. Dean Harriet M. Rolnick has created an enduring legacy in both law and education, and her commitment and leadership in empowering the next generation of litigators is unparalleled. I ask all Members of Congress to join me in thanking Harriet M. Rolnick for decades of outstanding service and wish her well upon her retirement.

Mr. SCHIFF

Mr. SCHIFF. Madam Speaker, today, I honor the life and legacy of my friend and mentor, former California State Senator Alan Sieroty. A champion of California's environment, arts, and civil rights, Alan paved the way for the creation of the California Coastal Commission so our beautiful coastlines could remain accessible for all. His passion for the arts led him to establish the California State Summer School for the Arts, training the next generation of artists, filmmakers, and writers to this day. Alan was also a tireless advocate for disability rights, civil rights, and gave back through his work with numerous nonprofits including connecting unhoused seniors to shelter. Beyond politics and the arts, Alan was also a lover of jazz. He was a true Renaissance man. I extend my deepest sympathies to Alan's family, to Michele, and to all who loved him. As we mourn the loss of an incredible public servant, let us celebrate his enduring legacy. Alan was a model public servant, and I had such admiration and affection for him. May he continue to inspire us all, and may his memory be a blessing.

Mr. SCHIFF

Mr. SCHIFF. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to extend my congratulations to Dr. Matthew B. Rettig, Medical Director of the Prostate Cancer Program at the David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles and Chief of Hematology-Oncology at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Greater Los Angeles, on receiving the Department of Veterans Affairs' Office of Clinical Science Research and Development John B. Barnwell Award in recognition of his significant contributions to the field of prostate cancer diagnosis and treatment. Dr. Rettig began his Veterans Affairs (VA) career as a staff physician in the Division of Hematology-Oncology at the VA Greater Los Angeles Health Care System in 1996. He became a leader within the department, and his unwavering commitment to improving health outcomes for veterans diagnosed with prostate cancer led to the development of the VA Precision Oncology Program Cancer of the Prostate (POPCaP) network. Dr. Rettig is credited for fostering the partnership between the VA and Prostate Cancer Foundation (PCF), which has resulted in the PCF committing $50M to support this program and expanding services to over 20 centers across the nation to meet the critical care needs of American veterans with prostate cancer. Along with his leadership of the Prostate Cancer Program, Dr. Rettig is also a Professor of Medicine and Urology at UCLA where he is training the next generation of clinicians and researchers. Dr. Rettig has dedicated himself to the future of the field, having generously mentored and trained over 31 residents, fellows, post-doctoral scholars, and junior faculty in veteran-centered clinical research, a majority of whom continue to serve the VA to meet the healthcare needs of veterans while also conducting their own independent cutting-edge research in various disciplines. The impact of his work is far-reaching and truly immeasurable. Dr. Rettig is ranked among the top ten clinical investigators nationally both within and outside of the VA and is a major asset for the VA and the veterans they serve. His expertise and achievements in genitourinary oncology and research are evidenced by invitations to serve on local and national committees and boards including the VA National GU Cancer Working Group Steering Committee, Brentwood Biomedical Research Institute, Greater LA Research & Education Foundation, Department of Defense, and the Prostate Cancer Foundation, among many others. Additionally, he serves on an editorial capacity for 13 scientific and medical journals. It is with great honor that I congratulate Dr. Rettig upon receiving the Barnwell Award, the highest honor conferred by the VA Clinical Science Research and Development Service, in recognition of outstanding scientific achievements in clinical research. I ask that all Members join me in congratulating Dr. Rettig on his award and his service to our Nation's veterans.

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 present, I would have voted YEA on roll call No. 177, H.R. 7219--Information Quality Assurance Act; and YEA on roll call No. 178, H.R. 7525--Special District Grant Accessibility Act.