Jackie Speier

Ms. SPEIER

Ms. SPEIER. Mr. Chair, I thank the gentleman for yielding and for his outstanding leadership and candor on our committee. I want to give a special shout-out to our chairman, Mr. Thornberry, who shaved an hour and a half off our deliberations a couple of weeks ago by bringing us into the 21st century, and laptops to look at our amendments. So it was a great improvement. I also want to thank my chair, Chairman Mike Coffman, for his leadership. We have worked well together, and I look forward to continuing that relationship, and also to a top-notch staff. This bill includes provisions that will provide the military services flexibility to recruit and retain members of our armed services and continues our commitment to taking care of our military families. The NDAA continues funding for DOD impact aid for schools with large numbers of military-connected families and authorizes reimbursement, up to $500 for military spouses' expenses related to obtaining a professional license or certification when moving to a new State. The committee continues to provide oversight of important programs in the bill requiring reviews to ensure the Morale, Welfare, and Recreation programs are properly funded to required levels and the Department of Defense's debt collection practices are fair and do not place undue burdens on servicemembers or their families. The bill includes the PRIVATE Act, which I cosponsored with Congresswoman Martha McSally and other members of the committee to prohibit the wrongful broadcast or distribution of intimate visual images and ensure the military services have the tools to prosecute those who violate the law. The bill also provides support for victims of sexual assault by mandating training for Special Victims' Counsel to recognize and address unique challenges often faced by male victims of sexual assault. I am pleased that the bill continues the committee's efforts to assist those with post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury, as well as ensuring families are educated on suicide factors that are often associated with TBI or post-traumatic stress. However, as Ranking Member Smith has said, this NDAA fails to make the hard choices and trade-offs that are expected of us. The NDAA goes beyond the President's request to provide 2.4 percent pay raises for our servicemen and -women, at an additional cost of $200 million, an expense simply added to the top line. The NDAA also authorizes an increased end strength for the Army at a cost of $4 billion, again, simply adding it to the top line. Certainly, our troops deserve a pay raise, but the question that must be asked is: Where is the money coming from? And on what basis are these decisions being made? Congress has not received a strategic plan from the Pentagon that would inform us on how large the military needs to grow. By just adding funding to the NDAA, Congress is not providing the stable, predictive funding the military needs. In order to do that, we need to address the big elephant in the room, the sequestration and budget control act caps.

Ms. SPEIER

Ms. SPEIER. Mr. Speaker, I rise along with my colleagues, Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi, Congressman Jared Huffman and Congressman Mike Thompson, to recognize Roger Thomas, Captain of the Salty Lady, member of the California Outdoor Hall of Fame, and lifelong advocate to keep west coast salmon fisheries alive and sustainable. Many in this chamber, the California Legislature and multiple agencies have worked with Roger for decades and are proud to call this honorable and remarkable man a friend, mentor and colleague. He is one of the most decent and hard-working human beings one can know. Roger's passion for fishing started as a child. Born in Gilroy, California, he started fishing at an early age for striped bass from the beaches along Monterey Bay and later for salmon from a small boat launched at the Monterey Pier. He was hooked on salmon fishing and became a regular customer on charter boats out of San Francisco. Before too long, one of the captains offered Roger a job as a deck hand and, as they say, the rest is history. Roger received his captain's license in 1968. While working full-time for the County of Santa Clara on housing issues, he ran charter boats on weekends. At one point he had acquired a fleet of five boats that were run by several captains. In 1981, he retired from his government job and dedicated all of his time and energy to fisheries and ocean conservation. There hasn't been a salmon related association or council that Roger hasn't served on. Since 1973, he has been the President of the Golden Gate Fishermen's Association which represents charter boats from Fort Bragg to Monterey and carries some 200,000 anglers each year. He is also the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Golden Gate Salmon Association which represents commercial and recreational fishermen and works on protecting salmon habitat. For 14 years, he has served on the Pacific Fisheries Management Council which, among other duties, sets the ocean salmon seasons. Roger is a member of the Bay Delta Advisory board, the Winter Run-Captive Broodstock Committee, the Central Valley Fisheries Coalition, the Marine Advisory Committee to the Secretary of Commerce, the Coastal Resources Foundation, the Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission, the National Sea Grant Review Panel and the Marine Resources Committee. Roger runs his charters on the Salty Lady out of Sausalito and Half Moon Bay. He proudly calls himself a salmon charter operation, but additionally runs whale watching and nature trips and has introduced thousands of children and adults to the magic of marine life. He has spent more than 10,000 days on the ocean and you will be hard-pressed to find someone with deeper knowledge and appreciation for that ecosystem. He also has the gift of storytelling and a mind that remembers every detail, including one of his most vivid ones from his childhood. He saw the last of the San Joaquin Spring run chinook salmon before they went extinct. His uncle took him to Friant Dam right after it was constructed. The salmon were stuck at the end of the line imposed to divert water to fields in the San Joaquin valley. They were ``big fish,'' Roger says stretching out his arms, ``just big fish.'' Roger is a familiar face in Congress where he has represented the interests of the charter boat fleet and the health of west coast salmon stocks for decades. In the 1980s, he was appointed by then Vice President George Bush to the National Sea Grant Review Panel. In this role he traveled to ports around the country and helped decide which projects were worthy and would be funded. Roger was instrumental in former Representative George Miller's 1992 Central Valley Improvement Act and its eventual passage. The CVP is a key law to stop environmental harm to salmon and the Bay Delta. When salmon populations collapsed in 2008 and 2009, Roger worked closely with Representative Mike Thompson to provide disaster relief to salmon fishermen. Roger Thomas' tireless work has earned him the respect and adoration of countless people. With his recent tragic diagnosis of late stage cancer, it is our intention through these extended remarks in the Congressional Record to express our appreciation for his outstanding work and lasting contributions. Mr. Speaker, I ask the Members of the House of Representatives to join us in celebrating the life of Roger Thomas who loves fish, loves the ocean, and above all loves people. He has touched many hearts, protected many livelihoods and has earned the admiration of coastal communities up and down the western seaboard.

Ms. SPEIER

Ms. SPEIER. Mr. Speaker, I rise with Congressman Jared Huffman and Congressman Mike Thompson to recognize Roger Thomas, Captain of the Salty Lady, member of the California Outdoor Hall of Fame, and lifelong advocate to keep west coast salmon fisheries alive and sustainable. Many in this chamber, the California Legislature and multiple agencies have worked with Roger for decades and are proud to call this honorable and remarkable man a friend, mentor and colleague. He is one of the most decent and hard-working human beings one can know. Roger's passion for fishing started as a child. Born in Gilroy, California, he started fishing at an early age for striped bass from the beaches along Monterey Bay and later for salmon from a small boat launched at the Monterey Pier. He was hooked on salmon fishing and became a regular customer on charter boats out of San Francisco. Before too long, one of the captains offered Roger a job as a deck hand and, as they say, the rest is history. Roger received his captain's license in 1968. While working full-time for the County of Santa: Clara on housing issues, he ran charter boats on weekends. At one point he had acquired a fleet of five boats that were run by several captains. In 1981, he retired from his government job and dedicated all of his time and energy to fisheries and ocean conservation. There hasn't been a salmon related association or council that Roger hasn't served on. Since 1973, he has been the President of the Golden Gate Fishermen's Association which represents charter boats from Fort Bragg to Monterey and carries some 200,000 anglers each year. He is also the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Golden Gate Salmon Association which represents commercial and recreational fishermen and works on protecting salmon habitat. For 14 years, he has served on the Pacific Fisheries Management Council which, among other duties, sets the ocean salmon seasons. Roger is a member of the Bay Delta Advisory board, the Winter Run-Captive Broodstock Committee, the Central Valley Fisheries Coalition, the Marine Advisory Committee to the Secretary of Commerce, the Coastal Resources Foundation, the Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission, the National Sea Grant Review Panel and the Marine Resources Committee. Roger runs his charters on the Salty Lady out of Sausalito and Half Moon Bay. He proudly calls himself a salmon charter operation, but additionally runs whale watching and nature trips and has introduced thousands of children and adults to the magic of marine life. He has spent more than 10,000 days on the ocean and you will be hard-pressed to find someone with deeper knowledge and appreciation for that ecosystem. He also has the gift of storytelling and a mind that remembers every detail, including one of his most vivid ones from his childhood. He saw the last of the San Joaquin Spring run chinook salmon. before they went extinct. His uncle took him to Friant Dam right after it was constructed. The salmon were stuck at the end of the line imposed to divert water to fields in the San Joaquin valley. They were ''big fish,'' Roger says stretching out his arms, ``just big fish.'' Roger is a familiar face in Congress where he has represented the interests of the charter boat fleet and the health of west coast salmon stocks for decades. In the 1980s, he was appointed by then Vice President George Bush to the National Sea Grant Review Panel. In this role he traveled to ports around the country and helped decide which projects were worthy and would be funded. Roger was instrumental in former Representative George Miller's 1992 Central Valley Improvement Act and its eventual passage. The CVP is a key law to stop environmental harm to salmon and the Bay Delta. When salmon populations collapsed in 2008 and 2009, Roger worked closely with Representative Mike Thompson to provide disaster relief to salmon fishermen. Roger Thomas' tireless work has earned him the respect and adoration of countless people. With his recent tragic diagnosis of late stage cancer, it is our intention to express our appreciation for his outstanding work and lasting contributions. Mr. Speaker, I ask the Members of the House of Representatives to join us in celebrating the life of Roger Thomas who loves fish, loves the ocean, and above all loves people. He has touched many hearts, protected many livelihoods and has earned the admiration of coastal communities up and down the western seaboard.

Ms. SPEIER

Ms. SPEIER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor Steve Kawa for his 25 years of service to the city and county of San Francisco. Steve Kawa is no ordinary staff member. He is an exceptional public servant who has served three mayors of San Francisco in a wide variety of positions. Most San Franciscans have never heard Kawa's name--and he prefers it that way--but they have certainly felt the impact of his work. He helped guide the City through the aftermath of 9/11 and the Great Recession. He played a key role in achieving marriage equality and universal health care access, and he oversaw unprecedented investments in affordable housing and infrastructure projects. His bosses have called him a cautious, shrewd negotiator, a driving force behind policy decisions and one of the best Chiefs of Staff a mayor could have. His effectiveness and style have also earned him nicknames such as the enforcer, the shadow mayor, the sphinx and the man behind the curtain. Steve Kawa was born in Dracut, Massachusetts as the fifth son out of six children of Edward and Janet Kawa and grew up in a Polish-Irish American Catholic family. Mrs. Kawa was a school bus driver. Mr. Kawa was a construction worker. Steve credits his mother with his interest in politics. She loved the Kennedys and was fascinated with the Watergate hearings. Steve grew up watching the hearings on TV and says the inner workings of government mesmerized him. Steve was the first member of his family to attend a four-year college and graduate from Merrimack College with a bachelor's degree in political science in 1983. To pay for school he worked four jobs as a bartender at the Polish American Veterans Club, as a dishwasher in a nursing home, as a florist's delivery man and as a security guard working the night shift. While attending law school at Suffolk University, he served as a legislative aide in Boston's State House at night. He graduated in 1989. Two years later at the age of 30, Steve traveled to San Francisco for the first time and decided to make it his home. Within a month he found his first job working as a legislative aide to Supervisor Tom Hsieh. In November 1995, Willie Brown was elected Mayor and hired Steve as liaison to the Board of Supervisors. He promoted him to Director of Legislative Affairs and then Acting Director of the Mayor's Budget Office and then Deputy Chief of Staff. The next mayor, Gavin Newsom, hired Steve as his Chief of Staff in 2003. In 2011, Mayor Ed Lee did the same and Steve remained Chief of Staff until he recently decided to retire from his career at city hall. Steve is the ultimate public servant. He is still mesmerized with the inner workings of government, just as he was when he was watching the Watergate hearings with his mother. He recently told the San Francisco Chronicle, ``There is so much cynicism about government and politics, and when I'm here I don't see the cynicism. I just see people working really hard for other people.'' There is no question that Steve is one of the hardest working people working for others. Wherever his well-deserved retirement will take Steve Kawa, I am confident he will be effective and hope he will have more time to spend with his husband Dan Henkle and their two children Michael and Katherine. Mr. Speaker, I ask the House of Representatives to rise with me to recognize an exemplary public servant who would rather stay out of the limelight and get things done. Steve Kawa's absence at San Francisco City Hall will be deeply felt, but his contributions will remain part of the fabric of our beloved city by the bay.

Ms. SPEIER

Ms. SPEIER. Mr. Speaker, I, too, want to join with all of my colleagues in recognizing the heroism of David Bailey and Crystal Griner, wishing them a speedy recovery, and that they take time to recover emotionally as well. I also want to extend a love note to the children of Steve Scalise. This is a love note to Madison and Harrison: Father's Day is on Sunday, and I know for both of you it is going to be really difficult because dad is in the hospital, and you are concerned about his well-being. He loves you very much, and he is beloved here in this Chamber. Know that he will recover. He will be able to read with you and play ball with you. And what he needs most from you on this Father's Day is just to have you there, to hug him, and to love him, and to kiss him, and to know that he is the best dad in the world. God bless you both.

Ms. SPEIER

Ms. SPEIER. Mr. Speaker, for more than 7 years, I have spoken out against the broken military justice system that allows commanders to decide how sexual assaults and other criminal offenses are prosecuted under the Uniform Code of Military Justice. Our servicemembers are stuck in a world where their fates rest within the chain of command, where bias is king and justice often a jester. Today, I stand here sick at heart that, once again, a rape conviction has been overturned because of the broken military justice system. In this instance, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces threw out Airman Rodney Boyce's rape and assault conviction because of the involvement of Lieutenant General Craig Franklin, who referred the case to court-martial. This all came about because, in 2013, General Franklin was admonished by his superiors for tossing out the aggravated sexual assault conviction of a fellow F-16 pilot, a unanimous decision by a jury of his peers. Certainly, a general should not have the power to overturn the findings of a court of law simply because he thinks his buddy could not possibly have committed the sexual assault. But because Franklin was appropriately admonished for this abuse of power, the U.S. Court of Appeals found that his subsequent decision to move forward with an entirely separate Boyce case constituted unlawful command influence. This is made more ridiculous by two facts: first, the military judge during the actual trial found no evidence of unlawful command influence; second, the appeals court that threw out the Boyce case also did not find evidence of unlawful command influence, just the ``appearance'' of it. So, apparently, unlawful command influence is like pornography: there is no definition, but judges know it when they see it. Colleagues, it is past time to reform this unjust system that ignores jury decisions on the whim of a convening authority. The military must remove the power to decide whether or not to prosecute sexual assault cases from the chain of command and give the authority to independent military prosecutors. I have met with countless survivors who have suffered in unique and horrifying ways. There is a hauntingly clear pattern to nearly all of their experiences: the perpetrator was let off the hook and the victim fellow servicemember was revictimized by an unjust system, all at the hands of the chain of command that is supposed to be there to protect and defend them. The sense of betrayal by their command is marrow deep and life altering. Many describe the feelings of this betrayal more akin to a violation at the hands of a family member rather than a boss or coworker. All that we need to do is to allow trained and experienced lawyers in the military to make a legal judgment about a crime. This in no way impacts the commander's authority. It simply gives servicemembers what we civilians take for granted, which is relying on a trained prosecutor to decide whether to move forward with serious charges of sexual assault. Our servicemembers deserve and need a system that they can trust to be fair and impartial. Letting a convicted rapist walk free because of a mere appearance of unlawful command influence--forget the fact that he was, in fact, convicted of the assault--shows just how deep the problem runs. As this case shows, the perception and the reality is that commanders with a built-in conflict of interest and with little or no legal training are deciding whether to move forward to trial. They make this decision not solely based on legal reasoning, but a myriad of other factors--like how well they fly a jet or how well they are liked by others--that should not be injected into the decisionmaking. Our servicemembers deserve and need a system that they can trust to be fair and impartial. We have the power and duty to fundamentally reform the system to ensure that they are treated with a level of fairness that befits their sacrifice and service. Mr. Speaker, the words of one military servicemember still haunt me and ring in my ears, when she said to me: I joined the military to fight the enemy. I never thought that he would be right next to me.

Ms. SPEIER

Ms. SPEIER. Mr. Speaker, due to an unavoidable conflict, I missed the following votes on June 6. Had I been present, I would have voted yea on Roll Call No. 286, and yea on Roll Call No. 287.

Ms. SPEIER

Ms. SPEIER. Mr. Speaker, due to an unavoidable conflict, I missed the following vote on May 25. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 285

Ms. SPEIER

Ms. SPEIER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Massachusetts (Ms. Tsongas).

Ms. SPEIER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Frankel), my good friend and colleague, and the co-chair of the bipartisan Women's Caucus.

Ms. SPEIER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to my colleague from California (Mrs. Davis), the ranking member on the Democratic side of the Armed Services Committee.

Ms. SPEIER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Four years ago, I stood on the House floor and condemned the online bullying of U.S. Marine Corps servicewomen on Facebook. These web pages contained obscene and abusive pictures, and implied that women only advanced professionally by performing sexual favors. I sent a letter to the Secretary of Defense and the Commandant of the Marine Corps asking them to take action. I got a letter back from the Commandant which said, ``I share your indignation.'' I didn't want him to share my indignation. I wanted him to do something about it. Neither he nor the Department of Defense inspector general did anything. Lack of consequences caused this cultural rot to spread further. The Marines United page, through which hundreds of Active-Duty and veteran marines viewed thousands of nonconsensually distributed intimate imagines, damaged the lives and the careers of more servicemembers than I can imagine. In fact, many of these servicemembers were identified by name and the bases at which they served. Despite reports of this vile site, new versions continue to crop up and spread more destruction, unchecked by military leadership. Until now, the leadership failures that allowed this to go on for 4 years also extended to Congress. We did nothing except hold a subcommittee hearing on--wait, let me indicate what it was on--social media policy, without a single survivor brought to testify. This is not about social media policy. This is about abhorrent behavior by servicemembers against other servicemembers. Two months ago, a bipartisan group of Members held a hearing on this very issue, and we had victims who testified. One of those members, who was Active Duty, said that her Marine Corps drill instructor said to her and the other women during their training, ``The only women that serve in the marines are sluts, lesbians . . . '' or a word that starts with a B that I won't mention on the House floor. How destructive can that be? Today, that ends. My colleagues on both sides of the aisle are taking a stand. Today, I am honored and proud to support H.R. 2052 with my colleague, Ms. McSally. This bill will ensure that nonconsensual pornography is made illegal by explicitly forbidding the sharing of intimate images without the consent of the subject. Right now, the reprehensible acts of nonconsensually distributed and consensually obtained photographs is not clearly defined as illegal under the Uniform Code of Military Justice. That is why this bill is a critical step in ensuring that our female servicemembers aren't distracted from protecting the country by having to also protect themselves against online abusers and colleagues within the services. But let me be clear. Our work is not done. If the chain of command continues to see nonconsensual pornography as a ``boys will be boys'' joke instead of sexual violence, nothing will change. Such conduct must result in severe and immediate consequences for the perpetrators. The PRIVATE Act must pass, and it must be enforced. I also want to note that the passage of the PRIVATE Act does not apply to the civilian people in our country. Although 34 States have passed laws to address nonconsensual pornography, their approaches vary widely, and some are very flawed. That is why a Federal law is needed to provide a single, clear articulation of the elements of this crime to ensure that Americans in every part of the country--civilian and military--are protected if they are subjected to this heinous abuse. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 2052. We have come a long way in 4 years since I found those vile Facebook pages. Four years from now, I hope I am standing here commending us all for stamping out the scourge of nonconsensual pornography. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. SPEIER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Guam (Ms. Bordallo).

Ms. SPEIER. Mr. Speaker, I am prepared to close, and, in so doing, I also want to make the point that our commitment to making sure that our armed services have the cohesion and readiness to serve requires us to take action on this bill. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. SPEIER. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Ms. SPEIER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from New Hampshire (Ms. Kuster), the chair of the Bipartisan Task Force to End Sexual Violence.

Ms. SPEIER

Ms. SPEIER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the 150th birthday of one of the most beautiful and vibrant cities in my Congressional District: Redwood City. Long before Redwood City was incorporated, the area was inhabited by the Ohlone who lived by hunting, fishing and gathering. The Ohlone had a rich culture and thrived on both sides of the mountain range that divides San Mateo County. Their villages dotted the countryside and the residents traded regularly with nearby tribes. Spanish and Mexican explorers and settlers came later, and with them came rapid and substantial change. After the Mexican-American War, Spanish and Mexican land grants were challenged. Such was the case for Dona Arguello, who hired Simon Mezes to defend her land title. His payment was the land that now includes most of downtown Redwood City. Rather than fighting the squatters, he laid out the town and sold lots to them, naming his town Mezesville. Access to San Francisco Bay made Redwood City an ideal location for a port. The port and the railway revolutionized shipping and travel in the 1800s. Industries continued to develop from oyster farming and canning to cement and salt production, to nurseries and small manufacturing plants. Redwood City was incorporated in 1867 with the purpose of raising funds to pave downtown streets. The city has always been home to a diverse population. Joining the large Latino population, German immigrants started breweries and a tannery, the Chinese helped build the railroads and were engaged in shrimp fishing, and the Japanese brought the floral industry. In 1926, the Chamber of Commerce proclaimed Redwood City the ``Chrysanthemum Capital of the World.'' The floral industry thrived until one of the darkest chapters of U.S. history, the internment of Japanese Americans during WWII. Redwood City experienced several population and housing booms. The 1906 San Francisco earthquake displaced thousands who built new neighborhoods on the Peninsula. By 1920, many Redwood City residents were commuting to jobs outside the city. In the 1930s the population doubled. By 1937, a municipal marina and an international port with a widened channel were ready to ship cargo. The largest population increase took place after World War II when Redwood City grew from 12,400 in 1940 to 46,300 in 1960. Today, there are 82,000 residents. No one can mention Redwood City without celebrating its schools and the families that thrive through the district's services. Two great public high schools and multiple public elementary and middle schools, as well as several charter schools, offer the American dream of a quality, free public education to all. The city also incorporates several quality private schools. Redwood City has amazing parks and is dotted with redwood trees. Beautiful hillsides in a nearby county park are covered with a plethora of wildflowers and are home to majestic mountain lions. The city itself is home to the San Mateo County History Museum. The city is also the county seat of San Mateo where I started my political career and have watched history unfold. Courthouse Square anchors a revitalized city core that includes a wonderful theater, restaurants and bakeries. Redwood City is family-focused and young, with nearly 25 percent of its residents being under age 18. It offers cultural and recreational events in Courthouse Square throughout the year, aided in part by the city's wonderful weather. In fact, the beautiful weather is famously memorialized by the city's motto ``Climate Best by Government Test.'' There are celebrations of multiple national backgrounds, religions and cultures that are welcomed by city residents. Foreign-born residents are 32 percent of all residents. The people of Redwood City are proud that their city is a miniature United Nations, speaking to America through dozens of languages heard daily on its streets. In the heart of Silicon Valley, the city is home to such global brands as Oracle, Box.com and Google. One of today's newer and smaller companies creates 3D printers that will save our armed forces tens of millions of dollars and strengthen our national defense, while another small company seeks to end the dangers of hospital infection and opioid addiction by transforming the delivery of pain medications. Mr. Speaker, I ask the members of the House of Representatives to join me in celebrating the sesquicentennial of Redwood City, a community that serves as a model for vibrancy and friendliness. It's a place where innovation soars because the celebration of the American spirit is ever-present. It is the real frontier of America because tomorrow is emerging through the celebration of our shared past, present and future.

Ms. SPEIER

Ms. SPEIER. Mr. Speaker, I come to the House floor for the second year in a row to read the book ``I Am Jazz,'' a children's book about transgender youth cowritten by Jazz Jennings, pictured here, and Jessica Herthel. After an LGBT hate group forced a school to cancel a reading of this book 2 years ago, a movement was launched. Every year since, readings have been held across the country to increase understanding and to show young people that they are welcomed and loved. Last year I read this book from the House floor, and today I am proud to join this movement to read it again. ``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 the many other things I like to do: dancing, singing, backflips, drawing, soccer, swimming, makeup, and pretending I am a pop star. Most of all, I love mermaids. Sometimes I even wear a mermaid tail in 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 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 are such a good boy,'' I would say, ``No, Mama. Good girl.'' At first my family was confused. They had 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 this was girl stuff. I kept right on playing. My sister says I am 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. Afterward, 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.'' This 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. Then 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 at 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 of the people to be confused, too, like the teachers at school. At the beginning of the year, they wanted me to use the boys bathroom and play on the boys team in gym class, but that didn't feel normal to me at all. I was so happy when the teachers changed their minds. I can't imagine not playing on the same team as Casey and Samantha. Even today, there are kids who tease me or call me by a boy 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 I am one of the nicest girls at 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, due to an unavoidable conflict, I missed the following votes on May 18. Had I been present, I would have voted ``nay'' on rollcall No. 263 and ``nay'' on rollcall No. 264.

Ms. SPEIER

Ms. SPEIER. Mr. Speaker, first and foremost, I want to thank my colleagues, Rep. Lois Frankel, Rep. Brenda Lawrence, Rep. Barbara Lee, Rep. Ann Kuster, Rep. Norma Torres, Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, Rep. Don Bacon, and Rep. Martha McSally, who spoke out during the May 2nd Special Order Hour on nonconsensual pornography in the military. It is critical that we continue to raise awareness about this topic and I am grateful to see Members from both parties coming together to fight this predatory and humiliating practice taking place in our military. I would also like to specifically thank Reps. Frankel and Lawrence for hosting the Special Order Hour on behalf of the Democratic Women's Working Group. I am deeply passionate about stopping nonconsensual pornography in the armed services, and was disappointed to miss the Special Order Hour. I had an unavoidable conflict, since at the same time I was serving as the Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Committee Military Personnel Hearing on the Annual Report on Sexual Harassment and Violence at the Military Service Academies. During the hearing, I listened to brave testimony from military survivors of sexual assault and harassment who also suffered retaliation after they came forward. All members of the military deserve protection from sexual violence on the internet, in the academies, and every place else. Marines United, and other incidents of nonconsensual pornography in the military, are examples of degrading behaviors that destroy careers and lives. When these horrific incidents occur, it is not about sex or social media policy; it is evidence of a culture of rot that is allowed to spread by military leadership. I am concerned that NCIS and military leadership is not taking this seriously--my staff found scores of nonconsensual pornography images on Tumblr in under 5 minutes with the search term ``Tumblr Army naked.'' These attacks go well beyond just the posting of the pictures. They are widespread and involve every branch of the military and all levels of command, as shown by the charge against Master Sgt. Theophilus Thomas. Why is it that other crimes are punished with a zero tolerance policy and the individual is removed from service, while stalking, harassment, and the destruction of your colleague's career fails to warrant the same punishment from the military? These crimes pose a serious threat to troop readiness and morale and must be treated as such. I am proud to be a co-lead with Congresswoman McSally on the PRIVATE Act, which would make posting consensually taken, but nonconsensually distributed intimate photos illegal under the UCMJ. I hope my colleagues on both sides of the aisle will join together and support the PRIVATE Act and the brave men and women who put their lives on the line in service to our country.

Ms. SPEIER

Ms. SPEIER. Mr. Speaker, in advance of the 20th annual Letter Carriers' Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive next Saturday, let us recognize the unsung heroes within our communities: our letter carriers. Take David Crestik from San Diego, who carried an injured elderly woman out of a burning mobile home, called 911, and then finished his route; or Shawn Kang from Stockton, who rescued a person trapped underneath his car. On May 13, letter carriers will stock struggling food pantries across our country through the Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive. Last year, they collected over 80 million pounds of nonperishable canned goods, a record. Let's remember, one in six Americans don't know where their next meal is coming from. So let's honor and recognize the tremendous leadership, compassion, and dedication of our letter carriers. They serve our communities and they are a vital part of them.

Ms. SPEIER

Ms. SPEIER. Mr. Speaker, it has come to my attention that long-time board member Tom Nolan is leaving after having served on the board of the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency since 2006 and as Chairman since 2010. I want to add my congratulations to those of countless others for the contributions that Tom made during his decades of public service. Tom has been a longtime friend and colleague and I have always admired his ability to bring peace to the negotiating table and to get to yes. He is truly a regional thinker and a transportation visionary. He was my colleague on the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors during the 1980's, and it was from this position that he first became immersed in the subject of public transportation. While San Francisco has long had a well-developed public transit system, San Mateo County lagged far behind. Tom was instrumental in creating the Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board, the operator of Caltrain. He successfully fought for extension of BART to San Francisco airport and served the entire region as a member of the MTC. Even Santa Clara County owes a debt of gratitude for its transit system to Tom Nolan, as the light rail system relies upon a segment brought into the system by Tom's advocacy. He could have rested on his laurels when he left San Mateo County to become a resident of San Francisco, but instead he decided to once again become a leader in transportation issues. It takes the genius of a heart surgeon and the patience of a saint to serve on the MTA board. Tom met these standards with his tireless advocacy for service improvements, sound labor relations, a vast bicycle network to reduce reliance upon cars, bike sharing, replacement of the bus fleet, and support of the staff and transit system when the economic downturn brought painful adjustments. Every board member deserves our thanks for his or her dedication to the public, but the enormity of these responsibilities is often apparent only in hindsight. Few cities in America have tried to do what the MTA is doing over time: Create a transportation system that relies upon multiple modes of movement to create a modern city and to extend economic opportunity to all neighborhoods of San Francisco, all the while integrating this system with the region's needs. The new Central Subway and the T Third Line are just two of the latest examples. Tom's advocacy was essential to creating these options, just as his persistent advocacy led in the creation of Caltrain and the airport extension. When a pedestrian is not hit while crossing a busy intersection, Tom Nolan's advocacy is in part responsible for this wonderful outcome. When a father is on time picking up his child from daycare, he probably never stops to thank Tom Nolan for the bus ride that brought him to the center, but he should. When a housing advocate rises to support the creation of workforce housing along a transit corridor, I doubt that Tom's name ever comes up as one of the reasons that robust service exists along that particular public right of way. As the Giants fans pull into the 4th and King station, I'll bet that exactly zero riders pause to wonder who made that trip possible. In part, it was countless professionals and advocates over decades, but in large part it was Tom Nolan. As Tom leaves his position on the MTA board, his legacy is evident in concrete and steel, as well as painted bike paths and floral dividers between bikes and vehicles. It is evident in the quality of life that is led by San Franciscans and those in the Bay Area who quietly go about their business each day. Long before San Francisco had Uber, our region had Tom Nolan. One trades on a public stock exchange and is highly valued by financial analysts while the other quietly serves in modest but influential public service. There is no doubt in my own mind which is more valuable. Let us all give thanks for Tom Nolan, the ultimate transportation app because he doesn't require a smartphone, a charged battery or a good cell phone connection to get the job done. He's just a guy with a big heart and a mighty vision who delivers value to the public the old fashioned way: He earns it.

Ms. SPEIER

Ms. SPEIER. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from Indiana for creating this opportunity for us to celebrate 100 years of women serving in Congress. It is remarkable that we are still trying to see our numbers inch upwards and continue to be at something like 19 percent when women represent over 50 percent of the voting population. I thought it would be interesting to highlight one of these women in Congress, a great woman, and one that I have long admired. Her name is Helen Gahagan Douglas. She was the first California woman elected to Congress in her own right--in that case, not succeeding a deceased husband. Helen Gahagan was an actress and an opera singer who did not consider herself political until a chance conversation she had over coffee while performing in Vienna, Austria, in 1938. The man was a Nazi sympathizer, and the things she heard truly sickened her. She returned to the United States intent on destroying Nazism. She and her husband, Oscar-winning actor Melvyn Douglas, joined the Hollywood Anti-Nazi League and called for a boycott of products made in Nazi Germany. The release of John Steinbeck's seminal novel, ``The Grapes of Wrath,'' consumed her. She began studying the plight of migrant farmworkers coming to California from the Dust Bowl States. After meeting the author, Helen was named president of the John Steinbeck Committee and became the national spokesperson for the rights of migrants. That work attracted the attention of President and First Lady Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt, and Eleanor became a mentor to Helen. Helen Gahagan Douglas won the open congressional seat in California's 14th District in 1944. She was in the Hollywood area, and that was her district. She served three terms in Congress, earning a reputation as a deep thinker, voice for the downtrodden, and skilled orator. In 1950, she ran for the United States Senate, facing fellow southern California Congressman Richard Nixon. In the campaign, Nixon conflated her anti-Nazi views and work for migrant workers with being a communist fellow traveler. He also employed anti-Semitic surrogates who attacked her for marrying a Jewish man. These and other low-campaign tactics spurred Douglas to call Nixon ``Tricky Dicky,'' a moniker that stuck with him his entire career. During the Watergate scandal, more than two decades after the 1950 Senate race, a popular bumper sticker in California read, ``Don't blame me, I voted for Helen Gahagan Douglas.'' After her death in 1980, California State Senator Alan Cranston delivered a stirring eulogy on the Senate floor. He said: ``I believe Helen Gahagan Douglas was one of the grandest, most eloquent, and deepest-thinking people we have had in American politics. She stands among the best of our 20th century leaders, rivaling even Eleanor Roosevelt in stature, compassion, and simple greatness.'' But it is Congresswoman Gahagan Douglas' own words that speak best for her legacy. As we celebrate 100 years of women in Congress, I can think of few quotes more fitting than Helen's: ``I knew men never would share power with women willingly. If we wanted it, we would have to take it.''

Ms. SPEIER

Ms. SPEIER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a special spirit that glides along the coast of San Mateo County throughout the year. Her name is Erin Tormey and she is being honored by the Half Moon Bay Chamber of Commerce as Farmer of the Year. For all the farmers who have been recognized, Erin Tormey is certainly an awardee who stands out. She is an exceptional leader, inspirational personality, and an outstanding businesswoman. She is also deeply admired by all who know her, and for good reason. Erin is the founder of the Half Moon Bay Farmers Market and the Pacifica Farmers Market. Since 2002 in Half Moon Bay, and 2007 in Pacifica, Erin has orchestrated a nutritious public health extravaganza for coastal residents. Her market draws producers and shoppers from distant points to offer quality fruits and vegetables at reasonable prices to local residents and to visitors. By county standards, Erin Tormey is relatively new to agriculture, starting the Irish Ridge Ranch in 1996. She raises Heritage Layer hens and operates an apple orchard that grows Rare Pioneer and Heritage Apples. Once established, Erin branched out to establish the farmers market and became active in community improvement through her advocacy for healthy farm products. She recognized that many families did not know about the benefits of fresh produce and vegetables. Working with the State of California, her market was selected to participate as a pilot site for MARKET WATCH, a program to encourage low income families and seniors to shop at farmers markets. The market promotes nutrition education and was a statewide leader in participating in the WIC program. Low income families of our coastal communities count on Erin and her fellow farmers to balance their diets and to help them maintain healthy eating habits. Erin's dedication to the coastside extends beyond farming to education and to public engagement. She was the inaugural executive director of the Cabrillo Education Foundation. Imagine rising before the sun, harvesting eggs for the day, getting your children ready for school, and then raising your hand to raise money for their education. I note that she doesn't rise with the sun. That would be too late. Erin Tormey challenges the sun to rise and to keep up with her while she powers through her day. In addition to her other accomplishments, Erin is a founding Director of the HEAL Project, an award-winning curriculum that teaches math and science through lessons drawn from agriculture. She is also a founding member of the San Mateo Food Systems Alliance. Among its many purposes, the group encourages gardens in schools to teach students about nutrition, cooperates with our local food bank, and encourages non- farmers to educate themselves about farming and its challenges. California's agricultural leadership has recognized Erin's talents. She was appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture to a Direct Marketing Ad-hoc Committee, as an alternate, to help rework legislation governing certified Farmers Markets. She was also appointed to a 3-year term on the steering committee of the California Alliance of Certified Farmers Markets. Finally, I know Erin well because we cooperate annually in producing one of the high points of the year for 700 seniors in San Mateo county and San Francisco: My annual Seniors on the Move conference held in San Mateo includes a segment to teach attendees about fresh food preparation and eating well to enhance their health and well-being. Erin's cheerful face and enthusiastic promotion of fresh fruits and vegetables are the highlight of this day. Seniors run or walk as swiftly as possible to where the free bags of fresh fruit and vegetables are dispensed. Mr. Speaker, I ask the Members of the House of Representatives to join me in honoring Erin Tormey on the occasion of her selection as Farmer of the Year. Her hens know her as the careful steward of their production but we know Erin as the thoughtful steward of our health and community spirit. May both her flock and we, her friends, neighbors and customers, thrive in the years ahead

Ms. SPEIER

Ms. SPEIER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor Sherry Haber, a remarkable community leader and tireless advocate for children, who is being recognized as the Hillsborough Citizen of the Year by the Associated Parents' Group. This award honors a resident who has made a sustained and significant contribution to the community, especially to the education and well-being of our children. Sherry is truly deserving of this honor. There is no task too big or too small for Sherry to handle and if you want to get something done, you hand it to her. Sherry served as Parent Group President for North Hillsborough School from 2009 to 2010. It was on her watch that the lower playground was installed and the hot lunch program was implemented. In her role as Art in Action Chair, she established the tradition of hosting an art show during North's annual open house, expanded Art in Action from 3rd through 5th grade to include K through 5th grade, was instrumental in launching the school's first talent show and choreographed multiple group performances. She also led efforts to renovate the library, chaired the 5th grade promotion and worked on the year book committee for eight years. For six years, she opened her home for the annual teacher appreciation lunch. When Sherry's two children Ben and Cami moved on to Crocker Middle School, she again served as Parent Group President from 2012 to 2013 and repeated many of her contributions. She implemented a hot lunch program, established the Crocker Art Show and coordinated the Janet Chun Mural project. She also was graduation chair and organized the first Flash Mob. From 2013 to 2015, Sherry served as communications chair of the Hillsborough Schools Foundation and hosted many successful fundraisers. For the last two years, she has served as the President of the Burlingame High School Music Boosters which means she has been supporting 150 students in band and choir. She even organized the band's first performance trip to Anaheim in over 20 years. In addition to her deep involvement in the schools, Sherry found time to be a Den Leader for the Boy Scouts and Troop Leader for the Girl Scouts for a total of ten years. For six years, she was a volunteer for Hillsborough's Memorial Day Parade. In 2015, she served on the Israeli Art Show Committee at Peninsula Temple Shalom. Sherry Haber has an inexhaustible reservoir of energy and passion for children, our community and the arts. Sherry is originally from Sacramento. She went to Punahou School in Honolulu, Hawaii and earned her BA in English at Stanford University. She and her husband of 24 years, Scott Haber, live with their two children in Hillsborough. Mr. Speaker, I ask the members of the House of Representatives to join me in honoring an exemplary citizen, a dedicated community leader and a devoted mother and wife. Sherry Haber never stops giving of herself and she does it with enjoyment of life (joie de vivre), I join with all Hillsborough residents in saying we are very fortunate to have her as a neighbor and friend.