Jackie Speier

Ms. SPEIER

Ms. SPEIER. Mr. Speaker, we are doing something tonight that has never been done before on the House floor. We will read the entire gut- wrenching statement of the sexual assault survivor who was attacked on the Stanford campus last year. The sexual predator received a paltry sentence of 6 months in county jail, of which he will serve only 3 for committing a violent crime. We are not moved by the felon's excuse of alcohol. We are not moved by the judge, who said a longer sentence would have a ``severe impact'' on the offender. We are not moved by the felon's father, who said that his son should not serve jail time for ``20 minutes of action.'' Emily Doe is a survivor in every sense of the word, and her words deserve to be amplified. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that we read the statement in its entirety without yielding, by name, to each Member, to preserve the continuity of the reading.

Ms. SPEIER

Ms. SPEIER. Mr. Speaker, this is what our moments of silence have brought us: A silent nightclub. The only sound is the frantic ringing of cell phones that would never be answered and silent bodies where there should be life, love, and pride. And, here, a silent Congress. Mere words cannot express the depth of my rage and grief. Forty-nine lives lost in the middle of Pride Month when they should have been safe and celebrated. Forty-nine families devastated by the loss of their loved ones. Forty-nine phones ringing and ringing and ringing. There were also frantic texts, like Eddie Justice's final message to his mother: ``Mommy, I love you. He's coming. I'm gonna die.'' If you can hear these words without your heart breaking, if you can think of those little children gunned down in Newtown without breathing, if you can think of empty pews in Charleston without mourning, then truly you have lost your souls. Hateful people like to compare LBGT equality to the sin-filled Biblical cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, but we here in Congress are the real Sodom and Gomorrah. Are there not 218 Members here to stand against this bloody tide? I ask you today: How many lives must be destroyed before Congress acts? Nine lives? Charleston showed us nine is not enough. Thirteen lives? Columbine showed us that 13 was not enough. Certainly, 27 small children killed in their classrooms in Newtown? No, not enough. The 32 lives lost at Virginia Tech, again, not enough lives. The more than 33,000 Americans killed each year by guns, not enough. Now 49 people have been mowed down and murdered in Orlando, yet even this historic tragedy, the biggest mass murder since 9/11, hasn't been deemed big enough, horrific enough, or insidious enough to break the weak-kneed, spineless, silent Members of Congress. Congress is happy to debate for hours about bathrooms, but bring up the gun violence killing of thousands? Absolutely not. Radical Islam or homegrown American homophobia or a toxic stew of both may have inspired the Orlando shooter. No doubt we will learn about his disgusting motivations in the coming weeks. But there are simple actions we can take right now, actions that would have reduced the deaths in Orlando as well as in Aurora, Newtown, San Bernardino, and at Umpqua Community College. All these killers use AR-15s. All of them used weapons of mass destruction. First, let's make sure every gun purchase requires a background check rather than just 60 percent of gun purchases. Why have we created a separate market for criminals, domestic abusers, and mentally ill? Let's ban assault weapons that have time and time again caused mass bloodshed. The American people are too familiar with the AR-15, a weapon designed to hunt Americans in their most vulnerable places: the classroom, the movie theater, the nightclub. Whether the would-be killers are Islamic extremists or American White supremacists or disgruntled coworkers, banning assault weapons would prevent mass bloodshed on the scale we saw last weekend in Orlando. Motive doesn't matter without the means. Finally, we must lift the ban on gun violence research. Our best minds should have access to gun violence statistics and be encouraged to study ways to stem the tide of violence. The Second Amendment cannot be abridged by basic scientific studies. Would these policies stop all gun violence? Of course not. But I am repulsed by the moments of silence that just are for show. No other industrialized country has such blood-soaked streets. By remaining silent, we are complicit in these crimes. To the Latino and LGBT communities that are dealing with this unimaginable tragedy, I mourn with you and stand with you against this tide of hatred. To my colleagues, I plead with you, please, stop the idolatry of weapons of death.

Ms. SPEIER

Ms. SPEIER. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for giving me the opportunity to speak today about LGBT Pride Month. Pride Month is coming at a crucial time this year. While we have made huge strides in the LGBT community over the last few years--from marriage equality to the introduction of the Equality Act--this year has been a tragic and frustrating reminder of the terrain ahead. Congress has ground to a halt, from legislative appropriations to the National Defense Authorization Act, as too many conservatives remain obsessed with legalizing discrimination from the contracting system to our own bathrooms. They just can't help themselves. We can't do our job right now, and soon we will be leaving for election season without finishing the appropriations process all because conservatives are obsessed with making discrimination legal. That's right. They want to make discrimination legal. Who are they trying to serve? The American people and corporate America are not standing for this bigoted behavior. Corporations around the country are canceling conventions in States that have passed legislation that prevents transgender bathrooms from being available. At the entryway to my congressional office stands a California flag bearing the rainbow stripes of the LGBT movement. It is a mark of how far we have come that such a flag is now commonplace on Capitol Hill, but on this Pride Month, conservatives are debating how best to overturn anti-discrimination provisions and bar their own constituents from using the restroom. This is absolutely ridiculous, and, frankly, a tragic nadir in congressional action. I am sick and tired of my colleagues saying they oppose discrimination, that they are fighting for LGBT Americans, and that they support equality when time and again they have voted just the opposite way. How about instead of bickering about bathrooms, we look at passing true anti-discrimination laws? Right now we don't have laws preventing housing, credit, workplace, or healthcare discrimination. We have lifted the ban on LGBT military service, but our transgender servicemembers continue to serve in the shadows, never knowing if this will be the day they are dismissed. Now is the time to ban so-called gay conversion therapy that harms so many of our children. Californians, and especially my beloved San Franciscans, have always been at the forefront of this fight for equality. As San Francisco Supervisor Harvey Milk said when he became one of the first openly gay elected officials, gay children who weren't accepted by their parents and peers used to feel they had few options: ``staying in the closet; suicide. And then one day that child might open a paper that says, `Homosexual elected in San Francisco.' '' That is what Harvey did many decades ago. One option is to go to California, he said, and the other is to stay and fight. That is the fighting spirit we need to keep alive today as we work to make sure our laws live up to the promise of the Declaration of Independence, that all of us, each and every one of us, is created equal and that we should be treated that way. So I thank my colleague again for giving us the opportunity to have this Special Order to talk about Pride Month and the importance of not just being proud that there is a Pride Month, but redoubling our efforts to make sure that these really insidious amendments are not slipped into bills to enforce discrimination. Because that is what they do. They legalize discrimination. We don't stand for that. That is not what this body is about, and that is not what this country is about.

Ms. SPEIER

Ms. SPEIER. Mr. Speaker, these are the facts: Brock Turner was found on top of an unconscious woman whose clothing he had removed. He tried to run away. The woman later found pine needles and dirt in her genitalia. This is also a fact: Brock Turner was sentenced to a mere 6 months in county jail for committing the violent crime of rape, of which Turner will probably serve 3 months. Why? Because the judge said a longer sentence would have a ``severe impact'' on Turner. A severe impact? What a travesty. All I could think of was Proverbs, which says: ``A righteous man falling down before the wicked is as a troubled fountain and a corrupt spring.'' Our justice system must become better than this. Our educational system must become better than this. People must understand that rape is one of the most violent crimes a person can commit and not as Mr. Turner's father said, ``20 minutes of action.'' I am working on several pieces of legislation to help survivors of sexual assault and harassment, including the HALT Act to strengthen prevention and enforcement efforts on campuses. But today I want to honor the courage of the woman who survived Brock Turner's violent assault. Her bravery inspires me, as I hope it will inspire you. I only have time to read an excerpt, but I encourage you to read the entire statement, all 7,000 words. ``You don't know me, but you've been inside me, and that's why we're here today.'' ``I was found unconscious, with my hair dishevelled, long necklace wrapped around my neck, bra pulled out of my dress, dress pulled off over my shoulders and pulled up above my waist, that I was butt naked all the way down to my boots, legs spread apart, and had been penetrated by a foreign object by someone I did not recognise.'' ``You are guilty. Twelve jurors convicted you guilty of three felony counts beyond reasonable doubt, that's twelve votes per count, thirty six yeses confirming guilt, that's one hundred percent, unanimous guilt.'' ``Alcohol is not an excuse . . . alcohol was not the one who stripped me, fingered me, had my head dragging against the ground, with me almost fully naked.'' ``Regretting drinking is not the same as regretting sexual assault. We were both drunk, the difference is I did not take off your pants and underwear, touch you inappropriately, and run away. That's the difference.'' ``How fast Brock swims does not lessen the severity of what happened to me, and should not lessen the severity of his punishment. If a first-time offender from an underprivileged background was accused of three felonies and displayed no accountability for his actions other than drinking, what would his sentence be? ``The fact that Brock was an athlete at a private university should not be seen as an entitlement to leniency, but as an opportunity to send a message that sexual assault is against the law regardless of social class.'' ``. . . to girls everywhere, I am with you. On nights when you feel alone, I am with you. When people doubt you or dismiss you, I am with you. I fought everyday for you. So never stop fighting, I believe you. As the author Anne Lamott once wrote, `+Lighthouses don't go running all over an island looking for boats to save; they just stand there shining.' ``Although I can't save every boat, I hope that by speaking today, you absorbed a small amount of light, a small knowing that . . . justice was served, a small assurance that we are getting somewhere, and a big, big knowing that you are important, unquestionably, you are untouchable, you are beautiful, you are to be valued, respected, undeniably, every minute of every day, you are powerful and nobody can take that away from you.''

Ms. SPEIER

Ms. SPEIER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor Dagmar Dolby, an exceptional philanthropist and tireless advocate for social justice, health and the arts. She is being recognized for her contributions and commitment to our community by the Junior League of San Francisco. I am very proud to call Dagmar a close friend. Dagmar did not grow up in a culture where volunteering was commonplace. She grew up in Frankfurt, Germany, lived in India for a year and then spent ten years in London before she and her late husband moved to San Francisco where she deeply immersed herself in volunteer work for a long list of auxiliaries and boards, starting with her son's school. She served on the Town School Board of Trustees & Parents' Association for nine years and the San Francisco School Volunteers Advisory Council for twelve years. In 1986 she joined the Board of Directors for the Northern California Chapter of Achievement Rewards for College Scientists (ARCS), a group of women who have raised more than $90 million for graduate students in science, technology and medicine across the country. From 1990 through 1992, Dagmar was the President of the Board. At the same time, she served on the board of San Francisco University High School and later as the Parent Trustee at Cate School in Carpinteria. Dagmar also has a passion for the arts. She volunteered her time and boundless energy on the boards of the Fine Arts Museum of San Francisco and the American Conservatory Theatre. In the mid-90s, Dagmar founded the San Francisco Power of Choice Luncheon for NARAL Pro-Choice America on whose board she has served for 16 years. Dagmar redoubled her efforts towards finding a cure for Alzheimer's disease when her late husband, Ray Dolby, started showing symptoms of the disease in 2011. Tragically, he passed away in 2013. Ray Dolby, the inventor and founder of Dolby Laboratories, was joined by his wife in many philanthropic efforts. After graduating from the University of Heidelberg in 1966, Dagmar worked as a public relations specialist at Dolby Laboratories and a translator in German, English and French. They have two sons, Tom and David. Dagmar is now the President of the Ray and Dagmar Dolby Family Fund. The Dolby's generous philanthropic contributions have benefited science and medicine for decades. They supported the Stem Cell Initiative and the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine leading to a seed grant at UCSF for the Ray and Dagmar Dolby Regeneration Medicine Building. They founded the Ray Dolby Brain Health Center at California Pacific Medical Center under the directorship of Dr. Catherine Madison. They increased funding of Alzheimer's research at UCSF, Stanford, the Buck Institute, the Gladstone Institute and the Salk Institute. They funded the Zenith Society of the Alzheimer's Association which works on raising awareness. More recently, Dagmar provided funding of new faculty positions at the UCSF Department of Psychology. In collaboration with her son, David, and daughter-in-law, Natasha, she is engaged in increasing funding for the empowerment of women and girls. Mr. Speaker, I ask the House of Representatives to rise with me to recognize the tremendous achievements and contributions that Dagmar Dolby has made to society and the well-being of others. Her altruism and fearlessness when taking on difficult and controversial issues demonstrate her leadership and determination to make the world a better place. In San Francisco where philanthropy is widespread no one comes close to Dagmar's generosity.

Ms. SPEIER

Ms. SPEIER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor Anette Harris, an exceptional philanthropist and civic leader who is being recognized by the Junior League of San Francisco for her lifelong commitment to volunteerism and community leadership. I have had the great privilege to work with Anette over the last decade and to call her a close friend. Anette has dedicated her life and career to improving the lives of others. While she had been the principal and owner of Loupe & Associates, a public relations firm in San Francisco, for 20 years, Anette has always made it a priority to serve organizations advocating for education, equality, health and the arts. Her broad range of interests is a reflection of her giant heart and mind. Anette is a member of the Board of Trustees of the National Public Radio Foundation based in Washington, DC. She serves on NARAL's Power of Choice Leadership Council in San Francisco. In 2000, she was the first African-American elected to the Junior League of San Francisco in its 90 year history. Today she serves as its president and just last year received its Sustainer of the Year Award. Anette also is the co- chair of San Francisco Achievers Advisory Council, a program dedicated to the educational successes of the University of Dallas, and now is an advisor to the new College of Podiatric Medicine of Western University. She is the president of the San Francisco Symphony Marine League, the Women's Political Fund, a nonpartisan group supporting female candidates, the vice president of the San Francisco Black Chamber of Commerce and Alumnae Resources, a career search group, and a board member of the Friends of the San Francisco Public Library. You may wonder how one person has the energy to do all these jobs, but Anette does and then some. Until recently, she also served for over ten years on the Board of Governors of the San Francisco Symphony. She has been instrumental in many fundraising efforts to address breast cancer, HIV, arthritis and literacy for some of the most respected organizations and foundations. The roots of Anette's passion and support of women's health, education and business and the arts go back to her parents who were married for 53 years. Her father, Edwin Lee, played many instruments and is in the Houston Museum of Jazz and Blues Musicians. He also taught her invaluable lessons about business and entrepreneurship. Anette's mom, Florence Harris, was the inspiration for her deep involvement in education. A full time homemaker with a creole heritage, Anette's mom believed that education didn't just occur in the classroom, but at home. Born and raised in Houston, Texas, Anette earned her BA from the University of Dallas and her Master's at Boston College. She immediately landed a job at Holy Cross where she was instrumental in admitting the first class of women to the formerly all-male college. She later attended the Executive Program in Strategy & Organization at the Graduate School of Business at Stanford University. Anette moved to San Francisco in 1976 and worked as the Director of Admissions and Public Relations at the California College of Podiatric Medicine. Three years later she married Marc Loupe her partner in life and business. In the rare moments when they are not working, Anette and Marc share an interest in wine, a hobby they began while dating. Anette also enjoys gardening and landscaping. Mr. Speaker, I ask the House of Representatives to join me in honoring Anette Harris for her countless contributions to our community. She is an extraordinary leader, mentor and role model who never tires in her efforts to make the world a better place.

Ms. SPEIER

Ms. SPEIER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the passing of an uncommon American, Lieutenant Colonel Walter Helm. On June 1st, Walter Helm will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery amidst his countrymen who, like Lt. Colonel Helm, loved this nation in all its glory. Walter Helm grew up in Bellmore, New York, born July 31, 1933, as the second of four children. Thanks to his parents, he learned the rewards of hard work, faith and charity. He also learned to love flying and in 1954 joined the Air Force, serving our nation with distinction and heroism for the next 20 years during some of its most difficult overseas actions. However, for Walter Helm, military service was not entirely about overseas action--it was also about domestic relations of a very specific kind. While serving, Walter met another officer and decided to marry her. He and Janet eventually had four daughters. With Janet's service to our country as a major example, the couple encouraged each daughter to pursue their educations and dreams, always mindful of their duties to the broader community. Ultimately, he and Janet were rewarded for their patience in raising four daughters when they became the loving grandparents of two grandsons, Hunter and Harrison Fazlollahi. The Vietnam War was one of nation's most difficult conflicts. Like many of his comrades in arms at the time, Walter, a patriot and helicopter pilot, performed his duties under some of the most difficult circumstances ever encountered by our nation's troops. On one of these days, June 19, 1968, he piloted a CH-3E deep within enemy territory. On that day, then-Major Walter Helm encountered heavy ground fire while attempting to extricate seven friendly personnel. Although his helicopter was damaged, he continued his approach and then hovered for twelve minutes, despite threat of immediate and renewed attack, until the personnel were hoisted aboard. For his heroic service, Major Helm earned the Distinguished Flying Cross and the government of the Republic of Vietnam awarded him the Gallantry Cross with Palm. Upon retirement, Walter and Janet visited many countries to experience their cultures, and he encouraged his daughters to learn about the needs of people in distant lands. They gave generously to their community through various charitable organizations. America, he believed, was a great country and one individual, whether in the armed services or as a private citizen, could make a difference through many forms of service. On June 1st, at the moment when the bugler's solemn farewell is heard by mourners, America will realize that yet another patriot has passed. In war and peace, he set the standard for character, faith and dedication to family and our nation. Mr. Speaker, this nation is not mighty or just because of its laws or force of arms, but rather because men and women of character quietly dedicate their lives to our common good. Walter Helm was such a man, and our nation is forever grateful that he led his life with courage and honor so that we might live in peace and justice for generations yet to come.

Ms. SPEIER

Ms. SPEIER. Mr. Speaker, since 1970, more Americans have died from domestic gun violence than in every war since the American Revolution. If all of the victims of gun violence since 1970 were put on a wall, like the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, it would contain 1.5 million names and stretch 2\1/2\ miles. That is 25 times as long as the actual Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Congress is quick to offer moments of silence for some mass shootings, ignore most of them, and then proceed to do nothing else, except remain silent. Each month that we are in session, I will read the names of every person killed in a mass shooting during the previous month. I have also created my own memorial wall in the hallway outside of my office. Here are the stories of the victims killed in the 41 mass shootings in April of this year. There have been so many people this month affected by mass shootings that I don't have time to list the injured, just those who were killed. Here are those who were killed: Anpha Nguyen, 31, and Jerry Nguyen, 24, were killed inside a restaurant owned by their uncle on April 1 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Jaime Wilson, 24, and Keiwuan Murray, 18, were killed on April 5 in St. Augustine, Florida. Jamie was holding her 2-month-old baby at the time. Davon Jones, 17, was killed on April 14 in Orange, New Jersey. Gino Nicolas, 24, and Tanya Monique Skeen, 46, were killed outside a house on April 16 in Orlando, Florida. Gino was the leader of the Orlando chapter of My Brother's Keeper, where he mentored at-risk youth. An unidentified 27-year-old man was killed on a sidewalk on April 16 in Detroit, Michigan. Edwin Laboy, 46, an unidentified man, and an unidentified woman, were killed on April 17 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Jaxmany Jazan Montes, 29, was killed inside a nightclub on April 17 in Edinburg, Texas. He is survived by his wife and two children. Delhaun Jackson, 19, was killed in broad daylight on April 18 in Long Beach, California. Delhaun had a 1-year-old child, shown in this picture, and he was looking forward to his very first Father's Day. Damond Dawson, 23, was killed while filming a music video in a park on April 19 in Chicago, Illinois. Natalie Srinivasan, 35, and her children, Siena, 5, and MJ, 2, were killed by their husband and father on April 19 in Katy, Texas. Jason Napoles, 18, was killed in a parked car with his friends on April 19 in Chicago, Illinois. Eight family members were killed on April 22 in Piketon, Ohio. They were Christopher Rhoden, 40; his ex-wife Dana Rhoden, 37; their three children, Clarence Rhoden, 20; Hanna Rhoden, 19; and Chris Rhoden, Jr., 16. Also killed were Chris Sr.'s brother, Kenneth Rhoden, 44; their cousin, Gary Rhoden, 38; and Clarence's fiance, Hannah Gilley, 20. Rheba Mae Dent, 85; Roosevelt Burns, 75; Keila Clark, 31; Shelly Williams, 62; and Lizzy Williams, 59, were killed on April 22 in Appling, Georgia. They were killed after the shooter's wife asked for a divorce. Recco Cobb, 43; Jadarrion Spinks, 25; and Roderick Nelms, 32, were killed at a home on April 23 in Auburn, Alabama. Angelo Barboza, 15, was killed on April 23 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Moments before, he had texted his mother saying he loved her and would see her soon. Davon Barrett, 38, and Devin Hamb, 27, were killed on April 24, in Chicago. They were at a memorial service for Davon's brother, who died from gun violence in 2009. Carolyn Ann Sanders, 59, her daughter, Marquita Hill, 32, and Kenneth Cornelious Loggins, 32, were killed by Marquita's ex on April 27 in Montgomery County, Mississippi. Joanne Woods, 49, was killed on April 27 in Forestville, Maryland. Leco Cole, 38, was killed in a house on April 27 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Members, these were lives taken unnecessarily. May the dead rest in peace, the wounded recover quickly and completely, and the bereaved find comfort. I urge my colleagues to stop being silent, and let's do something to stop the rampage.

Ms. SPEIER

Ms. SPEIER. Mr. Speaker, due to a conflict, I unavoidably missed the following votes on May 13, 2016. Had I been present I would have voted as follows: On roll call No. 190, I would have voted ``nay'' (May 13) (On Ordering the Previous Question for Providing for consideration of the bill (S. 524) the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act of 2016). On roll call No. 191, I would have voted ``nay'' (May 13) (On Agreeing to the Resolution for Providing for consideration of the bill (S. 524) the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act of 2016). On roll call No. 192, I would have voted ``yea'' (May 13) (On Approving the Journal). On roll call No. 193, I would have voted ``yea'' (May 13) (On Passage of S. 524, the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act of 2016).

Ms. SPEIER

Ms. SPEIER. Mr. Speaker, all across the country today, teachers, librarians, and parents will be reading the book ``I Am Jazz,'' a children's book about transgender youth, co-written by Jazz Jennings, pictured here, and Jessica Herthel. Last year, legal threats from the anti-LGBTQ hate group forced a school in Wisconsin to cancel plans to read this book to support a transgender student. The local community rallied, holding a reading at the library that drew more than 600 attendees in support of the student. Now this is a movement, with readings across the country to increase understanding and to show young people that they are welcomed and loved. I am proud to join these readers today from the House floor. Now I am going to read this book, ``I Am Jazz.'' I am Jazz. For as long as I can remember, my favorite color has been pink. My second favorite color is silver, and my third favorite color is green. Here are some of my other favorite things: dancing, singing, back flips, drawing, soccer, swimming, makeup, and pretending I'm a pop star. Most of all, I love mermaids. Sometimes I even wear a mermaid tail into the pool. My best friends are Samantha and Casey. We always have fun together. We like high heels and princess gowns or cartwheels and trampolines. But I am not exactly like Samantha and Casey. I have a girl's brain, but a boy body. This is called transgender. I was born this way. When I was very little and my mom would say, ``You're such a good boy,'' I would say, ``No, mama. Good girl.'' At first, my family was confused. They always thought of me as a boy. As I got a little older, I hardly ever played with trucks or tools or superheroes, only princesses and mermaid costumes. My brothers told me that that was girl stuff. I kept right on playing. My sister says I was always talking to her about my girl thoughts and my girl dreams and how one day I would be a beautiful lady. She would giggle and say, ``You are a funny kid.'' Sometimes my parents let me wear my sister's dresses around the house, but whenever we went out, I had to put on my boy clothes again. That made me mad. Still, I never gave up trying to convince them. Pretending I was a boy felt like telling a lie. Then one amazing day, everything changed. Mom and dad took me to meet a new doctor who asked me lots and lots of questions. Afterwards, the doctor spoke to my parents, and I heard the word ``transgender'' for the very first time. That night at bedtime, my parents both hugged me and said, ``We understand now. Be who you are. We love you no matter what.'' That made me smile and smile and smile. Mom and dad told me I could start wearing girl clothes to school and growing my hair long. They even let me change my name to Jazz. Being Jazz felt much more like being me. Mom said that being Jazz would make me different from the other kids in school, but that being different is okay. ``What is important,'' she said, ``is that I am happy with who I am.'' Being Jazz caused some other people to be confused, too, like the teachers at school. At the beginning of school, they wanted me to use the boys' bathroom and play in the boys' gym class, but that didn't make me feel normal at all. I was so happy when the teachers changed their minds. I can't imagine not playing on the same team with Casey and Samantha. Even today there are kids who tease me or call me by a boy's name or ignore me altogether. This makes me feel crummy. Then I remember that the kids who get to know me usually want to be my friend. They say that I am one of the nicest girls in school. I don't mind being different. Different is special. I think what matters most is what a person is like inside. And inside, I am happy. I am having fun. I am proud. I am Jazz.

Ms. SPEIER

Ms. SPEIER. Mr. Speaker, in 1999, the Italian Supreme Court ruled that a 45-year-old driving instructor had not raped his 18-year-old student because she ``wore very, very tight jeans, she had to help remove them, and by removing the jeans it was no longer rape but consensual sex.'' Outraged, the women in the Italian Parliament said they would wear jeans to work until decisions were changed. Their protests spurred action across the globe. Seventeen years later, and during Sexual Assault Awareness Month, I wear this denim jacket in solidarity with survivors and advocates around the world. I wish I could say that the need for Denim Day was a thing of the past. But, unfortunately, sexual assaults remain rampant, including in our military and on our college campuses. In fact, one in five college coeds will be raped or some sexual assault will be attempted on them, and 20,000 men and women in the military are assaulted each year. I urge my colleagues to wear denim today, and to support sexual violence prevention and education every day.

Ms. SPEIER

Ms. SPEIER. Madam Speaker, since 1970, more Americans have died from domestic gun violence than in every war dating back to the American Revolution. If all the victims of gun violence since 1970 were put on a wall like the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, it would contain 1.5 million names and stretch 2\1/2\ miles. That is 25 times as long as the actual Vietnam Veterans Memorial. We are quick to hold moments of silence on this floor, but we are not quick to act. I have had enough of Congress' failure to lead. So to draw attention to the slaughter going on in this country each and every month, I will recite the names each month of every person killed in a mass shooting during the previous month. I have also created my own memorial wall in the hallway outside of my office. Here are the stories of some of the victims of the 31 mass shootings in March of this year. There have been so many people this month affected by mass shootings, that I don't have time to list the injured, but I recognize the trauma they have endured as well. Deonte Fisher, age 7, was killed sitting in a parked car outside a convenience store on March 4 in Columbus, Ohio. Anthony Renee Beamon, Jr., age 36, was killed while leaving a party on March 6 in Compton, California. Pablo Villeda Estrada, age 19, was killed at a birthday party on March 6 in Chelsea, Massachusetts. He loved music and was a family jokester. Austin Harter, age 29; Clint Harter, age 27; Jake Waters, age 36; and Michael Capps, age 41, were killed by their neighbor on March 7 in Kansas City, Kansas. The shooter also killed Randy J. Nordman, age 49, the next day while fleeing police. Ishmael Haywood, age 20, and Demontray Keshawn Mackay, age 17, were killed in a car on March 8 in San Antonio, Texas. Jerry Shelton, age 35; Tina Shelton, age 37; Brittany Powell, age 27; Chanetta Powell, age 25; and Shada Mahone, age 26, were killed at a family cookout on March 9 in Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania. Chanetta was 8 months pregnant. John Smith, age 65, and Jamil Goodwin, age 43, were killed while sitting on their porch on March 11 in Detroit, Michigan. Douglas Hearne, age 48, was killed at a bar on March 12 in Wichita Falls, Texas. Alyric Fouch, age 17, was killed by her mother's boyfriend on March 12 in Elberton, Georgia. She was trying to protect her mother from gunfire. Deosha Jackson, age 19, and Daryl Hunt, age unknown, were killed on March 19 in Wetumpka, Alabama. Serge Pierre Dumas, age 28, was killed at a house party on March 20 in Plantation, Florida. He is survived by his 15-month-old son pictured here on this poster next to me. Billie Jo Hettinger, age 32, and her children Collin Hettinger, age 5, and Courtney Hettinger, age 4, were killed by their husband and father on March 20 in Louisville, Kentucky. Kelly Russler, age 39, and her sons Jayden Evans, age 10, and Laing Russler, age 7, were killed by Kelly's husband and Laing's father on March 21 in Sherman, Texas. Elizabeth Janie Woods, age unknown, was killed by her husband on March 25 in Lauderdale County, Alabama. He also shot their two sons, who were in critical condition but have survived. Virginia State Trooper Chad P. Dermyer was killed by a gunman at a bus station on March 31 in Richmond, Virginia. He was a Marine Corps veteran and had two young children. May the dead rest in peace, the wounded recover quickly and completely, and the bereaved find comfort. Members, colleagues, mothers and fathers, when will we do more than call for moments of silence?

Ms. SPEIER

Ms. SPEIER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize Julie Borden, a great community leader, who is being honored as Citizen of the Year by the Associated Parents Group of Hillsborough, California. From the moment she moved to our town in 1995, she immersed herself in all aspects of our schools and greater community. She is an extraordinary role model, selfless advocate and a tireless volunteer. She is also a devoted mother, wife and, I am grateful to say, a good friend. Julie and her husband of 29 years, Jim, have three children--Elaine, Craig and Mary--who all were students in Hillsborough schools. Julie served on the West and Crocker Parent Group Executive Boards as New Family Liaison, Parent Campaign Co-Chair, and Hillsborough Schools Foundation President. Her youngest daughter, Mary, and my daughter were in the same class at Crocker and more recently, Mary interned in my Congressional Office in Washington, DC. In 2005, Julie was elected to the Hillsborough City School District Board of Trustees where she served for four years. She returned in 2011 for seven months to fill a vacancy on the board. Julie has also volunteered countless hours and her boundless energy on the Hillsborough Recreation Commission, the San Mateo High School Foundation, Stand By Our Schools Committee to Safeguard Our School, the San Mateo Union High School District Budget Advisory Committee and the Measure B School Bond Committee. Julie's involvement in our schools over the years was steadfast and effective, but she would always give credit to the collective and stress that all successes were the result of everyone's effort. She is a true team player. Julie has always been extremely active in the community and has served on the Task Force for a Sustainable Hillsborough, the Citizens Communication Advisory Committee, the National Charity League and the Hillsborough Auxiliary to Peninsula Family Services. Julie was born and raised in Menlo Park and attended Menlo-Atherton High School. She earned her Bachelor's degree in Geography from UC Santa Barbara and her Master's degree in Computer Cartography from Oregon State University. For the following 15 years, Julie made her career creating maps and even started her own company which she sold when she decided to focus her energy on her family and to raise her three children. Mr. Speaker, Julie Borden is a shining example of a model citizen and an inspiration to others. I can't think of a more deserving person to be named 2016 Hillsborough Citizen of the Year.

Ms. SPEIER

Ms. SPEIER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor Troy Hager who is being recognized with the Community Care Award by the Associated Parents Group of Hillsborough, California. Mr. Hager has been a highly respected and popular teacher in the Hillsborough City School District for 16 years. He not only values creativity and independence in his students, he fosters and instills these qualities in them. Mr. Hager came to Crocker Middle as the new technology teacher in 1999. Within a year, he had a vision for what would become his signature class: a newscast produced, directed, anchored, reported and videotaped by the HTV Newsteam, a group of 7th and 8th graders. Hillsborough Television (HTV) already existed as a local access cable station broadcasting content such as important district information, school presentations, musicals, theatrical performances and events produced by the school district, but the idea of a newscast fully produced by students was new. Mr. Hager pitched the idea to the principal, got the green light and then went to work to build the studio--from scratch. He built Teleprompters, news sets and painted the walls. This is not exactly what you would expect of a technology teacher, so it is important to understand Mr. Hager's background. He grew up in Ventura without a TV. Instead, the family did projects where they turned a closet into a dark room, restored cars, and built cabinets and aquariums. As a child, Troy helped his father build several grandfather clocks. His wife Karen says he is a Renaissance man, just like his father. Once the studio was built, Mr. Hager started teaching the class in 2000. Students compete to get in the class and submit applications, just like in the real television world. There are more than fifteen different jobs involved in producing the newscast and the students rotate so that they can learn every single job, but there is only one person who is teaching all of those skills: Mr. Hager. I had the great pleasure to see this extraordinary teacher at work when my children attended Crocker and were on the news team. They learned invaluable lessons and developed both technical and creative skills. Mr. Hager was also one of the creators of the One-To-World Chromebook program at Crocker Middle School that began in 2011. It supplies students with their own laptops. His vision to prepare our children for the future in the digital world they will live and work in is characteristic of Mr. Hager. He is always one step ahead and constantly striving for excellence. In addition to these outstanding accomplishments, Mr. Hager serves as an advisor to the Crocker Coding Club and a coach on the Executive Board of the Hillsborough American Youth Soccer Organization. But Mr. Hager doesn't only serve the students. He also does the IT support for all of the teachers and staff at Crocker. Calls to repair broken or frozen computers are part of his every day. He welcomes those calls and sees them as opportunities to embrace technology. To him computers are interactive tools that connect teachers and students and open up new channels of learning. He has the ideal temperament for his job; he is even-keeled, mellow and loves working with teenagers. He and Karen, his wife of 19 years, have two teenagers of their own, Brooke who is 15 and Sage who is 13 and currently attending Crocker Middle School. Troy Hager grew up in Ventura and attended Ventura High School. He received his Bachelor's degree in Psychology from UC Berkeley and his teaching credential from San Francisco State University. Before teaching at Crocker Middle School, he taught at Franldin Elementary School in Burlingame. Mr. Speaker, I ask that you and the members of the House of Representatives rise with me to honor Troy Hager, an exceptional teacher and devoted husband and father. I can't think of a more deserving person to receive the 2016 Hillsborough Community Care award.

Ms. SPEIER

Ms. SPEIER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Genentech in South San Francisco--also known as the birthplace of biotechnology. Forty years ago, on April 7, 1976, Herb Boyer and Bob Swanson decided to start the first biotech company, Genentech, and sparked an industry that continues to push the boundaries of science today. What began as a conversation over a couple of beers at a Union Street watering hole has evolved into an industry that has helped billions of people, and has ushered in new frontiers of research--such as personalized healthcare and cancer immunotherapy--that have fundamentally changed the way certain serious diseases are treated. During the past six years alone, Genentech has brought to market nine new treatments for patients who needed them. These include the first FDA-approved medicine for people with advanced forms of B-Cell Carcinoma, the most common skin cancer, the first biologic for cystic fibrosis, the first personalized medicine that treats women with HER2+ breast cancer, and the first drug to be approved using FDA's breakthrough therapy designation--a treatment for Chronic Lymphocytic Lymphoma (CLL). And like all of biotech, Genentech has continued to evolve over the past 4 decades. They have invested in uncharted areas of science, expanded their manufacturing capabilities, grown into a global organization, and partnered with other companies and research institutions to find breakthrough treatments for people with serious diseases who need new and improved options. Today, Genentech's founders' spirit of taking bold risks and celebrating both successes and failures continues to drive their daily work. This year, the company will celebrate its 40th anniversary with initiatives such as 40 Defining Moments--a storytelling project to reflect on the history of Genentech through articles, pictures, and videos. And in order to recognize the role nearby communities and science education have had in its success, Genentech will also commit $1 million to STEM-focused nonprofits that provide hands-on science education to underserved students in local communities. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to recognize the hard work and dedication of Genentech and its employees. Genentech has always been a cutting edge company from research to workplace accommodations to creating one of the first on-site child care centers. I'm proud to represent a company that has so positively contributed to the health and wellness of our society, and to the world. I look forward to seeing what new breakthroughs the next 40 years will bring.

Ms. SPEIER

Ms. SPEIER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor SamTrans, a core provider of public transit and allied services in San Mateo County and for all of Silicon Valley, upon its 40th Anniversary. This is the story of a government agency that sees mountains as molehills, and that believes that challenges are merely potholes to be filled. In one of its many roles, SamTrans operates buses in San Mateo County. In its second role, it administers Caltrain service linking San Francisco, San Mateo and Santa Clara Counties--the heart of Silicon Valley. Finally, the staff of SamTrans also manage the San Mateo County Transportation Authority. This trifecta of public agencies--all operated via SamTrans--have become the backbone of mobility across three counties over the past forty years. In 1976, SamTrans was formed through the consolidation of 11 municipal bus systems in San Mateo County. The following year, it began what was to become a decades-long effort at inclusion of our entire population in transit services with the commencement of Redi-Wheels service. Redi-Wheels offers mobility to the disabled. My mother-in-law regularly used Redi-Wheels, linking her to doctor's appointments, trips to the grocery store, and bridge club gatherings throughout the community. SamTrans is not simply a bus or train or road construction organization. It offers all of our residents dignity through mobility, an offer accepted by over 300,000 disabled residents in 2015 alone. The success of SamTrans is evident in its expanding scope of operations during these past four decades. From operating bus service starting in 1976, SamTrans was made the managing agency of our local transportation authority--the body that funds roads--in 1988. While the board of the transportation authority sets priorities, the SamTrans staff plans and carries out those directives. This spirit of flexibility and frugalness was recognized as invaluable when, in 1992, SamTrans was made the managing partner of the newly-created Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board. While the Board of Directors of the joint powers board oversees Caltrain service, the staff of SamTrans makes important contributions to the planning and operating backbone of Caltrain. Baby Bullet Caltrain service, launched in 2004 and promising to cut travel times between San Francisco and San Jose by up to 50 percent, sparked a renaissance in Caltrain ridership which today is over 60,000 passengers every weekday. SamTrans and Caltrain have since worked together so that trains, buses and shuttles support these commuters throughout the week and throughout San Mateo County. In 1992, the SamTrans board also provided 25 percent of the construction costs of the Colma BART station, bringing BART service further into northern San Mateo County. Eventually, BART arrived at San Francisco International Airport, bus service was modified to account for emerging travel patterns, and roadways were constructed, all with the participation of SamTrans staff and its board. Mr. Speaker, you might ask why voters repeatedly approved sales tax measures to create this web of mobility. Approval arises from the confidence that voters have in the staff of SamTrans in its multiple roles serving bus riders, train travelers and motorists. Unlike some transportation agencies, there is no drama at SamTrans, only reliable delivery--of bus service, train service or road construction. Today, the bus service that is at the core of the operations of SamTrans continues to evolve. Service has been consolidated along the El Camino corridor and increased in frequency to once every fifteen minutes. Bus service on weekends has been extended south into Santa Clara County and northward to Devil's Slide to serve weekend visitors to our new county park. Over the years, SamTrans set records for miles travelled between major repairs, miles driven without accidents, courtesy towards customers, participation in community events, and as a great place to work. In fiscal year 2015, 13.1 million rides were taken on SamTrans buses, and 2016 is destined to be an even greater year. Mr. Speaker, this is an agency that struggles to keep up with the expectations of the public, but this is the opposite of the image of some government agencies which are, sadly, viewed as unresponsive to public needs. SamTrans, with a board that welcomes challenges and a staff which multi-tasks across three counties and tens of millions of dollars of annual obligations, has a bright future. Forty years ago, no one could foresee that the consolidation of several bus lines would lead to serving over 13 million bus riders annually. No one could foresee the multiple roles that this organization would come to play. However, at 40 years and thriving, SamTrans has become the mobility master of Silicon Valley. We honor its past, welcome its future, and celebrate its spirit. Thank you, SamTrans, for all of your roles and activities. SamTrans moves Silicon Valley.

Ms. SPEIER

Ms. SPEIER. Mr. Speaker, on February 25, in Hesston, Kansas, a disgruntled coworker killed Renee Benjamin, 30; Josh Higbee, 31; and Brian Sadowsky, 44, with an imported Serbian AK-47-type assault weapon. ATF has the power to ban these weapons. President George H.W. Bush demanded a ban in 1989. Ironically, his son, President George W. Bush, was pressured by the NRA when he took office to repeal the importation of the assault weapon ban. Today I am introducing the Imported Assault Weapons Ban, a bill that would ban the importation of these assault weapons once and for all. This continued bloodshed must stop. But, somehow, my colleagues continue to accept outrageous violence as part of everyday life. In February 2016--just last month--there were 35 mass shootings, which is to say 35 acts of violence where four or more people were wounded or killed. That is more than one per day. Here are the real people who died because of gun violence in February. Sadly, I don't have time on the floor today to name those who were injured, but those who died include the following: Marvin Douglass Lancaster, III, age 21, was killed while in an adult club on February 6 in Tampa, Florida. Christopher Houston, 20, was also shot there and died later. Carlos Doroteo, 49, was killed while walking in his neighborhood on February 6 in Los Angeles, California. Jennifer Jacques, 42; Arthur Norton, 58; and Phinny Norton, 60, were killed by Jennifer's 19-year-old son Dylan in their home on February 6 in Uvalde, Texas. Ernesto Ayber, 29, was killed on February 7 in Rochester, New York. Joseph Villalobos, 22, and Jonathan Avila Rojas, 33, were killed inside a nightclub on February 7 in Orlando, Florida. Carlos Bates, 29, and Isaiah Major, III, 43, were killed at a Mardi Gras parade on February 7 in Pass Christian, Mississippi. Dwight Hughes, Jr., 21, was killed on February 7 in Chicago, Illinois. Trisha Nelson, 28, was killed by her fiance, who was angry about parking, as she fled their car on February 12 in Plymouth, Minnesota. Her fiance was later killed in a shootout with police. Armando Curiel, 17; Raul Lopez, 19; and his brother Angel Lopez, 20, were killed in an SUV on February 18 in Salt Lake City, Utah. Michael Broadnax, 41, was killed in a driveway on February 19 in Vallejo, California. His son, Bomani Broadnax, 22, died later of his injuries. Officer James Lee Tartt, 44, was killed in a shootout on February 20 in Iuka, Mississippi. His family had just moved into their new home just a month earlier. Manual Ortiz, 28, was killed at a bar on February 20 in Tampa, Florida. He had a month-old son. Mary Lou Nye, 62; Mary Jo Nye, 60; Dorothy Brown, 74; and Barbara Hawthorne, 68, were killed in a parking lot on February 21 in Kalamazoo, Michigan. The gunman then killed Rich Smith, 53, and son Tyler Smith, 17. Emma Wallace, 37, was killed in a car on February 21 in Hazelwood, Missouri. The Buckner family, including mother Kimberly, father Vic, 18-year- old daughter Kaitlin, and 6-year-old daughter Emma, were killed at their family home on February 23 in Phoenix, Arizona. Their son, the shooter, was killed by police. A deputy sheriff, Corporal Nate Carrigan, 35, was killed while serving an eviction notice on February 24 in Bailey, Colorado. Lana Carlson, 49, and her sons Quinn, 16, and Tory, 18, as well as their neighbor, Donna Reed, 68, were killed at their home by Lana's husband on February 25 in Belfair, Washington. Crystal Hamilton, 29, was killed by her husband on February 27 in Woodbridge, Virginia. Officer Ashley Guindon, also 29, was killed while responding to the scene. It was her first shift as a police officer. An unidentified man was killed in a parking lot on February 28 in Riverside, California. May the dead rest in peace, the wounded recover quickly and completely, and the bereaved receive comfort. These are the faces of Americans gunned down because we lack the guts to do anything about gun violence.

Ms. SPEIER

Ms. SPEIER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor my good friend Patricia Bresee, a highly respected and recognized expert in juvenile law, who has served on the Board of Directors of the California Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) for nine years as a remarkable leader with exceptional integrity and the capacity to inspire everyone around her. Pat Bresee's devotion to children is unmatched and she has dedicated her entire professional life to advocate for those in need. We are very fortunate that she will continue her advocacy for children in the dependency system through service on the Board of Directors for National CASA. Pat served as a Superior Court Commissioner in San Mateo County for 15 years. She was assigned to sit as a Juvenile Court Judge, handling dependency and delinquency issues and adoptions and guardianships. She was one of the original members of the California Judicial Council's Family and Juvenile Law Advisory Committee and served as the chair of the Juvenile Law Rules and Forms Committee. She teaches at the California Center for Judicial Education and trains attorneys and judicial officers in Juvenile Delinquency Law. She still manages to find time to be a regular presenter at Beyond the Bench and fills in as a judge at the Juvenile Court in San Mateo County. Her commitment to fight for justice is unwavering and she has freely volunteered her expertise and time to a number of organizations including the American Leadership Forum Silicon Valley, the Peninsula Community Foundation, the Silicon Valley Community Foundation, the San Mateo County First Five Commission, and most importantly, California CASA. I had the great honor and pleasure of working with Pat in her role at the San Mateo County Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Commission and the San Mateo County Blue Ribbon Commission on Children in Foster Care. Both commissions made recommendations on ways in which the courts could improve safety, permanency, well-being and fairness for children and families in our state. Pat's outstanding work has been proclaimed by the California Judges Association in 1994 when she was named Juvenile Court Judge of the Year and again in 1998 by National CASA as Judge of the Year. Judge Bresee graduated from Purdue University and earned her law degree from San Francisco Law School. She was admitted into the State Bar of California in 1972. When she is not fighting for justice, Pat likes to travel, attend the theater, read and lift weights. Mr. Speaker, I ask the House of Representatives to join me in honoring the truly remarkable legal career of Patricia Bresee who continues to dedicate her life to advocate for children and thereby improves society as a whole. She is an outstanding example of a person with a moral compass who brings out the best in others.

Ms. SPEIER

Ms. SPEIER. I thank the gentlewoman from New Jersey for bringing us together tonight to talk about one of the most fundamental issues facing women in this country. I would hope that we would do these Special Orders on a monthly basis or maybe even more frequently to kind of beat the drum about how important it is for us to address this issue. Today we see everything we need to see to convince us of the need to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment and put women's equality into the Constitution. We have a pay gap that has not closed where women are making 79 cents for every dollar that men make. For African American women that is 63 cents, and for Latina women it is 54 cents for every dollar earned by a man. In fact, women in this country have to work until April 15 of the following year--tax day, ironically--to make as much money as their male counterparts. We can't afford that. We can't afford that in a country that speaks of equality. Meanwhile, we have a Congress and State legislators who are focused like a laser beam on attacking women's health. We just spent 5 hours today in a hearing of a special committee designed specifically to attack women's health. Since the start of 2016--merely 2 months ago, and for the last 2 months--there have been more than 201 anti-choice bills introduced in State legislatures across this country, efforts to undermine a woman's right to choose. We have a Supreme Court seat at stake and issues of gender equality hanging in the balance. It is important to quote what the late Justice Scalia said about discrimination against women. He was a constitutional expert, an originalist, and he said the following: ``Certainly the Constitution does not require discrimination on the basis of sex. The only issue is whether it prohibits it. It doesn't.'' When I read that quotation by Justice Scalia--may he rest in peace--I had shivers up and down my spine because it was so direct. It was so clear. It makes the point that the Constitution of this country does not prohibit discrimination based on sex, even though the vast majority of Americans believe it is already in the Constitution. Ninety-six percent of U.S. adults believe that male and female citizens should have equal rights, and 72 percent mistakenly believe it is already in the Constitution. As Justice Scalia pointed out, it is not. So what does that mean? That means that every single woman in this country can be subject to discrimination and not have a legal foot to stand on. Probably one of the most obvious cases is the case of Peggy Young. Peggy Young worked for United Parcel Service for 10 years. She was a good worker, a hard worker. And then, lo and behold, she gets pregnant. She gets pregnant. She goes to her supervisor and she says: I am pregnant. He says: Okay. Go to your doctor and find out what accommodations you will require. She went to her doctor, and her doctor said: Well, you can do anything except you can't lift more than 10 pounds. So she came back to her supervisor and said: I can do anything except I can't lift more than 10 pounds. He said: Oh, my gosh, that is a terrible liability. For all intents and purposes, she was fired from her job. She was told she will have to take a leave of absence, that she will not be paid, and that she would not be eligible for health benefits. So her entire pregnancy she had no prenatal care and no health insurance. Now, what makes this story particularly insidious is that during that same timeframe, men at the United Parcel Service who had heart disease, heart attacks, had had a DUI, or had diabetes were asked to go to their doctors and find out what accommodations they should propose. Some of them came back with the exact same accommodation: that they could not lift more than 10 pounds. What did United Parcel Service do? United Parcel Service accommodated them. That is profound discrimination. But guess what. Peggy Young filed a lawsuit. It went all the way to the Supreme Court, and it got remanded. It got remanded in part because not only did she have to prove that there was discrimination, which clearly there was; she had to prove that it was intentional discrimination by United Parcel Service, and she couldn't prove that. Now, in all the other forms of discrimination, whether it is based on race or religion, you only have to prove that there was discrimination, not that there was intentional acts of discrimination. So that is why it is so important that we get this in the Constitution. We have a new generation of women who are more independent, more able to support themselves, and more politically empowered than ever. I just read an article that shows single women are now our most potent political force in this country. Single women--whether they are single never been married, single divorced, single separated, single--are our most potent electoral force. They deserve the right to full legal equality under our Constitution. How can this body, of all bodies, not recognize the importance of equality among men and women? So I have introduced H.J. Res. 51. It is very simple. The ERA was introduced first in 1923 by Alice Paul, and introduced every Congress since then, and then it was introduced and actually passed the House and passed the Senate. It then had to be ratified by three-quarters of the States. Unfortunately, when that was drafted, in the preamble they put a timeline. It was ratified by 35 States, but not 38. So it came back to Congress, and they amended the preamble and extended the length of time in which the ERA could be passed by other States. And then nothing happened. What this resolution does--and it would only require a majority of the Members of this body to pass it--is basically use the precedent and take the preamble and the time deadline and just strike it. There is no need for a deadline in a constitutional amendment. Most constitutional amendments have not been subject to a deadline. There is precedent that they were willing to change it as it relates to the ERA, and I say let's make it yet another precedent and just take the timeline out of it. That would give us the opportunity to get three more States to pass the ERA, to ratify it. We already know in Virginia it has been passed by the senate, and we are waiting for action in the house. As my good friend from Florida said, in Florida they could pass it, conceivably, now. So why not do what is fundamentally right? Why not do what is so simple? Twenty-four simple words, that is all the ERA is. It is on one page, and it is simply: ``Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex.'' The time has come, Members, and I applaud my good colleague from New Jersey for bringing us together. We should do it again. I enjoy working with you on any number of issues.

Ms. SPEIER

Ms. SPEIER. Mr. Speaker, due to an unforeseen conflict, I unavoidably missed the following votes on February 24, 2016 and February 29, 2016. Had I been present, I would have voted as follows: 1. On roll call No. 85, I would have voted ``nay'' (Feb 24) (On Ordering the Previous Question for Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 3624) to amend title 28, United States Code, to prevent fraudulent joinder). 2. On roll call No. 86, I would have voted ``nay'' (Feb 24) (On Agreeing to the Resolution for Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 3624) to amend title 28, United States Code, to prevent fraudulent joinder). 3. On roll call No. 102, I would have voted ``yea'' (Feb 29) (On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass H.R. 4238, ``To amend the Department of Energy Organization Act and the Local Public Works Capital Development and Investment Act of 1976 to modernize terms relating to minorities'').

Ms. SPEIER

Ms. SPEIER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Laura Esserman, MD, MBA, of San Francisco, California, in recognition of her receiving the Stanford Graduate School of Business distinguished Earnest C. Arbuckle Award during its annual award ceremony in Stanford, California, on March 3, 2016. The Arbuckle Award recognizes excellence in the field of management leadership and a commitment to addressing the changing needs of society. Dr. Esserman is a professor of surgery and radiology, and the director of the Carol Franc Buck Breast Care Center at the Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF). She is the founder and innovator-in-chief of the I- SPY TRIALs and I-SPY 2 Programs: two remarkable collaborations between private biotech companies and federal institutes that combine personalized medicine and private trial design to create fast and cost efficient breast cancer treatments. Under Dr. Esserman's deft leadership, the I-SPY 2 program's efficient and groundbreaking success has made it an international model for translational cancer research. In May 2015, Dr. Esserman was awarded a five-year $14.1 million grant from the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI). The award is being used to fund the 100,000 women clinical trial known as the WISDOM study to investigate whether a personalized approach to breast cancer screening is as effective as annual mammograms. Dr. Esserman has also served as a member of President Obama's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology Working Group on Advancing Innovation in Drug Development and Evaluation, and has published over 200 works in notable scientific magazines. She received her BA in the History of Science from Harvard University, her MD from Stanford University, and her MBA from Stanford University's School of Business. Dr. Esserman is no ordinary physician. When she performs a surgery, it is a full-service operation. Dr. Esserman's preparation for surgery begins days before--with singing practice. She takes requests from patients, and holds their hands during anesthesia while singing them to sleep. Dr. Esserman is known for spending hours with her patients during office visits, and even sends personal text messages and returns late night phone calls to answer follow up questions whenever she can. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to recognize the hard work and dedication of Dr. Laura Esserman to the City of San Francisco, to her husband, Michael Endicott, to her children, Mansa and Max, and to her patients. She is truly an inspiration to many, including myself, and a most deserving recipient of the Earnest C. Arbuckle Award.

Ms. SPEIER

Ms. SPEIER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor Ms. Barbara Christensen upon her retirement as a senior administrator in the San Mateo County Community College District. In the manner of an Olympic decathlon athlete, Barbara Christensen has exceeded the bar in the full range of professional activities over the years, and the people of San Mateo County have been the beneficiary. Hired forty years ago by the district to handle public affairs, Barbara performed her job well but quickly realized that a reorganization was needed. Soon, each campus of the community college district was communicating professionally with the public, leading to greater responsiveness to the public and to the development of an individual identity for each campus. It is a brave professional who defines her way out of a job, but Barbara quickly moved on to even greater challenges. This job title doesn't formally exist at the college district, and I'll admit that it's a mouthful, but Barbara Christensen should bear the title of ``Chief Land Use Wonk and Go-To-Person With Respect to Frogs and Butterflies.'' While guiding the district's various developments, she oversaw the creation of four CEQA compliance documents, one of which involved the creation of a habitat conservation plan for frogs and butterflies. Her leadership in the development of apartments for faculty and staff of the district, renting at 50% of market rate in the Bay Area's challenging housing market, has thrilled employees and concretely demonstrated that the district cares about them and their families. The two developments that she shepherded through sometimes contentious public hearings earned national recognition and have inspired other local agencies to seriously consider constructing affordable housing for public employees. Barbara Christensen led the effort to establish the relationship between the universities and community colleges in San Mateo, and we now have four year degree programs taught at Canada College, offering this campus' diverse student body, many of them first-generation college students, an affordable, convenient option to obtain a four year college degree. She secured a $1 million state grant to begin this University Center at Canada College. As our community colleges flourished, Barbara's contribution to their success became even greater. She spearheaded three successful bond measures totaling $1 billion. Today, the stunning community college campuses of San Mateo County look like every modern and highly selective college in the nation. The list of Barbara's successes in the community college professional decathlon is too long to recite, but her willingness to find ``win- win'' choices for contentious issues placed her at the center of four decades of successful negotiations with local taxing entities, nearby homeowners, other districts, and the State of California's personnel. She has been recognized professionally by national public information officer associations and served on the statewide board of the community college public relations professionals. Mr. Speaker and members, a college education empowers a student to be a better citizen and a stronger participant in our nation's economy. Our community colleges are at the center of our nation's college system, offering affordable college and technical degrees to millions annually. Given the importance of our district and the hundreds of thousands who have been educated during her service, Barbara Christensen's contribution to San Mateo County over four decades will be felt for at least another four decades. We celebrate her retirement, wish her well, and hope that she can now have more time for friends and family. She has sculpted both the educational and physical landscape of San Mateo County. There will be big shoes to fill, and a big smile to emulate. Her example will inspire others because San Mateo County's residents are all the beneficiaries of the career of Barbara Christensen.

Ms. SPEIER

Ms. SPEIER. Mr. Speaker, since 1970, more Americans have been killed from domestic gun violence than all the Americans killed in every war going back to the American Revolution. If all the victims of gun violence since 1970 were put on a wall like the Vietnam Memorial, it would contain 1.5 million names and stretch 2\1/2\ miles, 25 times the length of the Vietnam Memorial. I have had enough of Congress' failure to lead. So each month that we are in session, I am going to speak the name of every person killed in a mass shooting in this country. I will also create my own memorial wall in the hallway outside my office. Here are the stories of some of the victims of the 18 mass shootings in January of this year. There have been so many people last month affected by mass shootings that I don't have the time to list those who were injured, just those who were murdered. David Washington, age 24, Eneida Branch, age 31, and Angelica Guadalupe Castro, age 23, who were shot and killed in a house on January 6 in Lakeland, Florida. Antoine Bell, age 17, was shot and killed while helping a woman with car trouble on January 7 in Memphis, Tennessee. Raymon Blount, age 29, was shot and killed while standing on the street on January 8 in Chicago, Illinois. Ira Brown, age 20, was shot and killed on January 11 during a home robbery in Wilmington, Delaware. Joshua Steven Morrison, age 18, was killed near a house party January 17 in Gloucester County, Virginia. Randy Peterson, age 64, was a bank president shot and killed during a robbery on January 21 in Eufaula, Oklahoma. Kevin McGrath, Sr., age 47, and Shanna McGrath, age 42, were killed at their family home on January 23 in Crestview, Florida. Elbert L. Merrick, age 22, was killed outside the home on the road. Jason and Jacob McLemore, a father and son, age 44 and 17, were killed at the gun store they owned in a dispute over a $25 service fee. This was on January 23 in Pearl River County, Mississippi. Cyjia Nicole Bell, age 16, Shujaa Jasiri Silver, age 19, were killed outside a liquor store on January 23 in Los Angeles, California. An unidentified man was killed at a Mexican restaurant on January 25 in Perris, California. James Quoc Tran, age 33, and Jeannine L. Zapata, age 45, were killed at a homeless encampment on January 26 in Seattle, Washington. The Dooley family, including mother Lori, father Todd, son Landon, daughter Brooke, and grandmother Doris, were killed at their family home on January 27 in Chesapeake, Virginia. The shooter, their son, Cameron Dooley, committed suicide after murdering the family. Andre Gray, age 42, and Tina Gray, age 42, were killed at their family home on January 29 in Caroline County, Virginia. Sean Marquez, age 19, Jose Aguirre-Martinez, age 19, and Yovani Flores, age 16, were killed at a house party on January 30 in Glendale, Arizona. Sean Marquez died in his sister's arms. Victor Mendoza, age 46, was shot and killed at a motorcycle show in Denver, Colorado, on January 30. May the dead rest in peace and the wounded recover completely. It is time. It is time for Congress to end this bloodshed.

Ms. SPEIER

Ms. SPEIER. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman. Are we able to distinguish the plot of ``Home Alone'' from congressional proceedings? Today, I am not so sure. I find myself comparing the bumbling criminals trying to break into a house to the misleading criminals and bumbling legislators who seem to have broken this House. But while ``Home Alone'' is a comedy, the consequences of today's votes attacking women's health and the health care of hardworking Americans is a tragedy. In each case, we have people who do the same thing over and over but only succeed in hurting themselves. In Home Alone, the criminals are tricked with booby traps and misdirection; but in real life, Republicans are stumbling into their 63rd vote to undermine the Affordable Care Act and the 12th vote to attack women's health by filmmakers who have been indicted for their illegal activities. I am pleased to see that the Texas grand jury exonerated Planned Parenthood and indicted the real criminals--the video creators. If there were an Oscar for the most fraudulent film, the so-called Center for American Progress would be thanking the Academy. I urge my Republican colleagues to kick these criminals out of our House, disband the taxpayer funded Select Investigative Panel on Infant Lives, and get back to the business of governing.

Ms. SPEIER

Ms. SPEIER. Mr. Speaker, universities are supposed to be in the business of illumination, but as we have seen in recent cases at Cal Tech and at UC Berkeley, that is not always the case. At UC, world-renowned astronomer Geoff Marcy sexually harassed students for years with no consequences. The light of knowledge can cast some dark shadows. Brave women recently alerted my office to still more harassment in astronomy, now at the University of Arizona. Mr. Speaker, I include for the Record this report from the University of Arizona regarding Dr. Timothy Slater. This report was sealed for over a decade while Dr. Slater went on with his career. His example shows why so few women continue careers in science and in engineering. Confidential Investigative Report Complaint No: 04-06A-MKM Complainant: Administrative Review Respondent: Dr. Timothy Slater Department: Department of Astronomy, Steward Observatory Date Complaint Received: August 2004 Report Date: March 31, 2005 background Prior to July 2004, several individuals approached the EOAAO to discuss sexually charged conduct they were experiencing in the College of Astronomy, and Steward Observatory. They stated that the conduct was occurring across ranks; some indicated the conduct was creating a sexually hostile work environment. Some indicated retaliation might be occurring. These individuals refused to file complaints against the department because they feared work- related repercussions, including unlawful retaliation. Consequently the EOAAO met with administrators in the Department of Astronomy and Steward Observatory to discuss initiating an investigation into sexual harassment, sexually hostile work environment. The department, in turn, formalized a request for investigation, such that this Administrative Review began in August 2004. Responsive to evidence obtained in the early stages of investigation, the EOAAO named Dr. Tim Slater as a respondent in this case, on September 24, 2004. The EOAAO notified Dr. Slater of his respondent status in accordance with EOAAO procedures, identifying sexual harassment and retaliation as the relevant issues. Dr. Slater was hired by the University of Arizona on August 6, 2001, as an Associate Professor of Astronomy. He received tenure standing in May 2004. He has a variety of duties at the university, including his post as the Conceptual Astronomy and Physics Education Research (CAPER) team leader. scope of investigation In the course of the investigation, the investigator interviewed multiple individuals--some more than once--who were associated with the Department of Astronomy, Steward Observatory, and/or the CAPER team. Witnesses were selected either randomly, or with an effort to cross-section levels of authority and closeness, professional and/or personal, with the respondent. All efforts were made to get a comprehensive point of view. issue Did Dr. Slater violate the University's Sexual Harassment Policy, as well as the policy's Retaliation component? Witness B stated that Dr. Slater and Witness J make a lot of sexual jokes and create sexual banter on a regular basis. She noted a lot of the women tend to ignore this when it is occurring around them. On a regular basis, Dr. Slater has told Witness B she would teach better if she did not wear underwear. On at least one occasion he grabbed her underwear through her dress, stretched it and snapped it, and said, ``You'd look a whole lot better without these on,'' or words to that effect. That same day he invited her to attend a lunch with a visiting female graduate student from [redacted] and Witness J. Dr. Slater indicated they would be lunching at a local topless bar. At lunch both Dr. Slater and Witness J paid for and received lap dances. Dr. Slater offered to purchase a lap dance for Witness B; she declined and he did not push the issue further. Witness B reported that during the semester the sexual conduct occurs daily. Witness C provided the following information: Witness C stated that she has continual but infrequent interaction with Dr. Slater during the course of her work. She stated that her concern regarding Dr. Slater reflects sexual conduct occurring on one day: [redacted] Witness C traveled with Dr. Slater to [redacted] by car, in the company of a female graduate student. During the car trip, Witness C told Dr. Slater some work she had completed for CAPER. He responded by saying, ``Awesome! I could just kiss you full on the mouth,'' or words very close to those. Witness C stated she found this response distasteful. Later he asked her, ``How bad can I be with you?'' When she asked him what he meant, he asked her if she would be reporting his comments back to her supervisor. Dr. Slater went on to relate that when he goes to academic conferences out of town he goes online to set up ``hook-ups'' (sexual dates) with women in the geographic area. He told Witness C that his personal (sexual) record was four (4) women in twenty-four (24) hours. Dr. Slater also stated that he and his wife occasionally set up manage-a-trois. Dr. Slater and the accompanying female graduate student discussed the upcoming visit of Dr. Slater's colleague. She asked Dr. Slater if she would have to sleep with him, to which Dr. Slater replied, ``No, not this one.'' Witness C looked at them and exclaimed, ``What?'' whereupon Dr. Slater told her that occasionally he might have to ask her to take one for the team. Talking about Witness J, Dr. Slater said, ``Yeah, he likes the young ones. Witness C asked if that individual did not have a girlfriend. Dr. Slater replied that a girlfriend was one thing, but a student was another. Witness C asked if the students were minors, to which Dr. Slater responded that they were all probably over 18. He added that he, Dr. Slater, preferred a more mature woman who knew ``her way around the bedroom.'' Some minutes later he turned to Witness C and asked her if she knew ``anything about or was any good at giving blowjobs, because (the accompanying female--name deleted) does not like to give or receive them--maybe you could give her some pointers.'' Witness C then told Slater he was being completely inappropriate. She said, ``You barely know me. I only started a couple of weeks ago, and you're already talking to me like this. Doesn't the U of A give sexual harassment training, or were your absent that day?'' She went on to say that she has a particularly large boyfriend (whom she described, in part, as Black) She told Dr. Slater that he would not appreciate the manner in which Dr. Slater was speaking to her. Dr. Slater then asked Witness C if it were true that once you went black, you'd never go back,'' or words to that effect. Later Dr. Slater joked that he would pull off at a rest stop so they could have a threesome. Witness C responded by saying, ``Like that's going to happen,'' or words to that effect. After that she tried changing the subject every time it turned sexual, and then she related a story of personal tragedy (non-sexual,) which she noted seemed to sober Dr. Slater and the other female right away. Witness C stated that she reported Dr. Slater's conduct to the Principle Investigator (PI) on her project. The PI, in turn, told her she should report it to her supervisor, which she did. [Relevant to Witness D's testimony] Witness C stated she was aware that Dr. Slater appeared to be trying to take [redacted] program [redacted] away from the department and bring it over to Steward Observatory where he also works. She stated he has been pulling funding from the program. Additionally he bad-mouths the Program Coordinator, Witness C's supervisor. He has also been giving responsibilities previously held by that supervisor to his various graduate students. The witness recalled that other female graduate students had commented that their advisors, Dr. Slater and Witness J, were too sexual in their demeanor. Information from Respondent On September 30, 2004 Dr, Tim Slater provided the following information: He stated that he recalled two occasions on which individuals complained directly to him about his personal conduct. In [redacted] talking about a bachelor party at a strip club, such that a graduate student commented, ``That really creeps me out when you talk that way in front of me,'' or words to that affect. He recalled apologizing. A graduate student and former CAPER team member telling him that it had made her uncomfortable when he massaged her shoulders publicly, while hosting a teacher workshop. Dr. Slater recalled that she was concerned others might misinterpret the nature of their relationship, were they to observe his gesture. Dr. Slater characterized himself as a ``touchy'' person who often hugs people. He stated that he is a ``flirtatious'' person, and defined that as ``friendly,'' and ``flattering.'' He stated this is mostly with the CAPER group, since CAPER constitutes his primary professional and social interaction. Dr. Slater stated that he hugs males as well as females, and that he brought many people on the team [CAPER] from Montana and Kansas [universities there.] Many had lived in his house with him and his wife from time to time, and some of the relationships were of 10-12 years' duration. He added they had been in each other's weddings. He stated that they all socialize together at someone's house (often his) on 2-3 occasions per month. Dr. Slater stated that he and Witness J run the CAPER group, and that within the group they have a joke that he, Slater, is the ``mom,'' and Witness J is the ``dad.'' He stated that some of the CAPER team members were more like family than others; he listed the two groups. Regarding reports that he had given out ``sex toys'' at social events; he recalled that he had given one female graduate student a pickle or cucumber-shaped vibrator at a ``pre-marriage'' party. He could not recall having given out chocolate handcuffs, as specifically alleged. Regarding the vibrator, he recalled that the recipient was a collector of the vegetable it represented, and that he was certain she was not offended by it. He recalled there were pickle or cucumber jokes going around the office for several days, thereafter. Dr. Slater did not recall making the comment that he would have to install cameras in his home, as alleged, and referential to the alleged comment that everyone [in CAPER] had engaged in sexual activity in his home. Dr. Slater reiterated that many of the CAPER team members had, in fact, lived with him at his house over the years. Regarding allegations that he stopped to look at women, and commented on their appearance, he stated this was common practice for him, and that he might have done it anywhere from ``one-to-ten-to-a-hundred times.'' He denied that he had a rating system, but recalled saying things like, ``You're going to have to say that again, because that's too distracting.'' He confirmed he had made such comments to women in the department and often Witness J, who joked with him in a similar fashion. Regarding allegations that he told a colleague he had a prohibition against ``blue balls'' in the office (referencing an exercise ball,) he stated he did not recall making the comment, but that it was ``consistent'' with the kinds of comments he would make. He believed he had not told a colleague he would have invited her to swim over the weekend but for the likelihood she would wear her swim suit. He stated he doubted that comment because he is not exclusionary by nature. He did not recall telling a [subordinate female] colleague that she would teach better were she to stop wearing underwear, and did not recall snapping her underwear [through her T-shirt dress, as alleged.] However, he stated, he did tend to say a lot of sexual things. Dr. Slater confirmed that he took a visiting female graduate student, as well as a male and a female [subordinate] colleague to lunch at a local strip club. He did not recall that specific event, but stated that he [and the accompanying male] usually purchase lap dances when they go. He usually offers to purchase lap dances for others, as well. He stated they go about once per month, and that it's usually a mixed group (male and female.) Dr. Slater recalled that a group of department women had gone to a male club in honor of a wedding or birthday, and reported having a terrible time. Somehow, as an offshoot to that situation, one of the women [Witness B] thought she might like female clubs better, and decided to join the men. He could not recall how many times she attended, but thought probably several. He stated that he has gone with his wife, and several of the graduate students and/or colleagues. He stated the tab is always collected for ``Dutch'' treat: departmental funds are never used. For complete report go to http://speier.house.gov. House of Representatives, Washington, DC, January 11, 2016. Catherine E. Lhamon, Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of Civil Rights, Department of Education, Washington, DC. Dear Assistant Secretary Lhamon: Thank you for your leadership and commitment to eradicating sexual harassment and assault on college campuses. Knowing your interest in this area, I wanted to bring the attached report to your attention, which details disturbing sexual harassment by a former faculty member at the University of Arizona. Despite finding that Dr. Timothy Slater committed a policy violation in the matter of ``sexual harassment, hostile work environment,'' the report and its incriminatory revelation were sealed, and Dr. Slater moved to a new job at the University of Wyoming, where he continues to supervise students and teach workshops. In light of this, I ask that the Office of Civil Rights clarify whether universities that find a Title IX violation by faculty or staff are required to disclose the results of their investigation to other educational institutions. The incidents described in the report are alarming. One complainant said that Dr. Slater told her on a regular basis that ``she would teach better if she did not wear underwear'' and ``grabbed her underwear through her dress, stretched it and snapped it, and said `You'd look a whole lot better without these on,' or words to that effect.'' He asked another complainant ``if she knew anything about or was any good at giving blow jobs, because (name deleted) does not like to give or received them--maybe you could give her some pointers.'' Dr. Slater himself admitted that he gave an employee a vegetable-shaped vibrator, that he frequently commented to his employees and students about the appearance of passing women, and that he told one person ``that his personal sexual record was four women in 24 hours.'' Staff spoke directly to a witness who recounted several inappropriate interactions. She observed Dr. Slater instructing an undergraduate student to ``touch your elbows behind your back for me'' in order to scrutinize the student's breasts, and touching graduate students on the leg while making inappropriate statements. At a lab social event at the Slaters' residence, video pornography was shown before dinner. She recounted hearing Dr. Slater tell male colleagues on more than one occasion that he enjoyed teaching large lectures in rooms with stadium seating because the female students in Arizona wear short skirts and often forget to cross their legs. Dr. Slater once required the witness to attend a lunch at a fully nude strip club with him in order to discuss her academic work, with the implied consequence that he would not discuss her work with her if she refused to go. While she was there, she was pressured to attend future lunches at the strip club. According to the witness, it was made clear to her, though never explicitly stated, that if she wanted to function in the lab that she had to take part in this sexualized culture. Because of these incidents, the witness left the field of astronomy. Staff spoke directly to another witness, who experienced inappropriate comments and unwanted physical contact from Dr. Slater. At a one-on-one work meeting, he told her that all the other graduate students had sex at his house, that he had video cameras, and asked when she would also have sex at his house. During a lab social, she witnessed Dr. Slater and another lab supervisor stating that at this party, lab members were going to use the Slaters' hot tub naked. Dr. Slater also touched her shoulders and stroked her back while she was teaching, until she sent him a formal email requesting that he stop. Due to the hostile work environment, the witness transferred out of Dr. Slater's group, losing years of progress towards her graduate degree. A third witness separately confirmed that Dr. Slater led laboratory outings to strip clubs. The Slater report is disturbingly similar to the recent case at the University of California, Berkeley, in which Dr. Geoff Marcy, a prominent astronomer, violated campus sexual harassment policies with minimal consequences for 9 years until his story was publicized through the media. As the University of Arizona did with the Slater case, UC Berkeley kept the final report on Dr. Marcy's behavior confidential, perhaps because, as Science Magazine put it, ``[t]he details of UC Berkeley's inquiry into Marcy's conduct does not reflect well on the institution, with the process stretching for more than 4 years and Marcy given only weak sanctions after repeated promises to reform.'' The final report from UC Berkeley contained a sentence that could be applied equally to Dr. Marcy and Dr. Slater: ``[i]t cannot be overstated how Respondent's inherent influence and authority over the complainants, real or perceived, heightened the impact of his behavior on those experiencing or witnessing it.'' The Slater case, while lurid, is just a symptom of a much larger problem--how to prevent harassment, and effectively deal with it when it occurs. Dr. Slater states that he is now reformed, but there are still few consequences for faculty members who sexually harass students. In some ways, the situation is reminiscent of the Catholic Church's coddling of child-molesting priests. As in the Church, universities protect perpetuators with slap-on-the-wrist punishment and secrecy, while victims are left alone to try to put their academic careers and lives back together. One peer-reviewed study found that over a quarter of women surveyed (and 6% of men) have been sexually assaulted while conducting scientific fieldwork, and 71% of women and 41% of men also reported that they were sexually harassed. The profound effect of this dynamic on the participation of women in science cannot be overstated. From 2002 through 2012, women received one-third or fewer of the doctorates awarded in physical sciences, mathematics, engineering, and computer science, and as of 2013 one-third or fewer of all tenure or tenure track faculty positions in core STEM fields were held by women. Indeed, all of the victims we talked to suffered career consequences as a direct result of the harassment, including losing years of graduate work, forgoing professional opportunities, and changing fields of study. In the Marcy case, one of the victims, who had aspired to work at NASA, left astrophysics entirely as a direct result of being harassed. When students found to have violated university policy through the Title IX disciplinary process transfer to another institution, the university that found the violation may inform the other institution, but is not obligated to do so. While this policy is vastly insufficient, it at least allows universities to have the option to inform other universities of the final results of a disciplinary proceeding. However, no similar guidance exists for faculty or staff. I ask that the Office of Civil Rights issue a clarification on the FERPA or Title IX disclosure requirements when faculty or staff whose conduct violated Title IX transfer to another institution. Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter. I look forward to hearing from you soon. Sincerely, Jackie Speier.