Jackie Speier

Ms. SPEIER

Ms. SPEIER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I am going to make this short and hopefully sweet because I can't believe for a minute that we don't want to incentivize States to guarantee, at a minimum, the rights we have already established in the Survivors' Bill of Rights Act, which was passed in Congress unanimously in 2016. This amendment is based on a bipartisan bill offered by myself and Congressman Kelly Armstrong and Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren and introduced by the ranking member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Chuck Grassley. When we actually enacted the Survivors' Bill of Rights, it guaranteed certain rights for sexual assault survivors. Unfortunately, those rights only applied to Federal cases. This amendment makes further progress by incentivizing States to follow suit. What we are debating here is really quite common sense: The right to have a rape kit if you are raped, the right not to be charged for it, the right to be notified if the government intends to destroy a rape kit, the right to be notified of the rape kit's results, the right to have the rape kit preserved for the statute of limitations or 20 years, whichever is shorter, and the right to be informed of the status and location of a rape kit. Across the country, survivors are shocked to learn that their rape kits have been thrown out or they can't find them. Again, we have done this on a Federal level. Congress has recognized the rights that are good enough for victims of Federal crimes should also be good enough for those who become victims of State crimes. Again, this is a simple amendment. It is bipartisan. It is incentivizing, not demanding or requiring. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. SPEIER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. This is really astonishing to me, as if servicemembers who are female, who are in States in which they do not have these benefits, should somehow be second-class citizens, I don't get. We have a Parliamentarian who determines whether or not an amendment is germane to the NDAA. That has already taken place. So having this debate is irrelevant, because we have already established that it is germane. I don't know about you, but I am not just legislating for the people of California. I am legislating for the entire country. That is my job. If there is a sexual assault victim in a State where they don't have the resources to somehow provide the Survivors' Bill of Rights, we have already done this on a Federal level and we offer some incentive so they do it, I don't see how this is any different than the other programs we have that we continue to fund for local jurisdictions all across this country, whether it is the COPS program or anything else. So I am flummoxed by this debate on the other side. It is not a laughing matter. It is very serious. I think sexual assault victims across this country would like to know that they have the same rights in States as those who are victims of Federal crimes when it comes to being able to access a rape kit, have it paid for, and being told what the results are. It is common sense. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. SPEIER

Ms. SPEIER. Madam Speaker, everyone knows what a lemon car is, but we have a fleet of lemon ships. They are called littoral combat ship, except it is a misnomer because it is not survivable in combat. Today, we are calling them the leaking, cracked ships, and let me tell you why. If the LCS was a car sold in America today, they would be deemed lemons, and the automakers would be sued into oblivion. But in the Federal Government it is big business as usual--$50 billion over the lifetime of the program. That is a lot of rotten lemons. My concerns and warnings about the LCS go back a decade, along with the late Senator John McCain. It is costing taxpayers billions of dollars, yet has failed to produce a reliable ship. So I was stunned and outraged to see that the proposed 2023 defense appropriations bill only decommissions four LCS, when it should be nine, as President Biden and the Navy have proposed. The annual cost of five LCS ships could pay for eight childcare centers in the military, four barracks, or a $1,000 bonus for every enlisted E-3 and below. The LCS program's legendary failures have made it the subject of two Government Accountability Office reports. Those reports found each LCS costing an astounding $59 million a year to operate. Or actually, not to operate because they are, more often than not, in dock because they aren't working. That is three-quarters of the cost of operating a destroyer, which has three times the crew and a much greater capability, such as antisubmarine warfare. LCS is notoriously unreliable, plagued by breakdowns that have seen some ships spend more time in the repair yard than in deployment. On this chart, you will see the USS Little Rock, commissioned in 2017, lost power at sea in 2022. In March 2018, it was stranded in ice for 3 months on its maiden voyage. Or how about the USS Milwaukee? Commissioned in November 2015. In December 2015, it broke down due to software malfunctions and was towed 40 miles. Or how about the USS Freedom? Commissioned in 2008; in 2011, had a 6- inch crack in the hull; in 2013, immobilized during trial run; in February 2016, coupling cracked; in August of 2016, engine replacement needed. What do we have going here? The GAO found that the LCS experienced engine failure in 10 of the 11 deployments reviewed. The aluminum hull of the Independence-class punctures easily. I mean, this is not funny. This is real money. And the combining gear for all Freedom-class ships must be replaced. One major reason for the excessive cost of LCS? Contractors. Unlike other ships where sailors do the maintenance, LCS relies almost exclusively on contractors who own and control the technical data needed to maintain and repair. So what is this ship's mission and what does it contribute to national security? Nothing. The Navy says it plans to use the LCS for partner engagement, as a replacement for obsolete minesweepers for long-range fire capability, and for counterdrug activities. But the LCS are not well-suited for minesweeping due to their lack of endurance, and their already years- late mine countermeasure package isn't even operational. Our top priority in national defense strategy is China and Russia. We can't waste scarce funds on costly LCS when there are more capable platforms like destroyers, attack submarines, and the new Constellation-class frigate. Most importantly, the cost of sustaining LCS isn't just felt in lost dollars, but lost lives. The Navy has a severe undermanning problem. Our surface fleet is 15 percent undermanned compared to required levels for safe operation. The average sailor is overworked and gets 6 hours or less of sleep per night. A recent GAO report on pierside maintenance found undermanning was so bad on some ships that half of the electrician slots were empty. On others, the crew members had to work 80 to 100 hours per week to prepare to deploy. On these ships, the operational tempo is so high, several sailors have left due to behavioral health needs. At least one has died from suicide. This is unacceptable, especially in the wake of the deadly McCain and Fitzgerald collisions that killed 17 sailors 5 years ago. The key contributors? Undermanning and fatigue. We can and must prevent this. Let's decommission all nine ships.

Ms. SPEIER

Ms. SPEIER. Madam Speaker, I believe I am the only Member of this House that is a victim of gun violence. My body is riddled with bullets. I have a divot in my leg that is the size of a football. I have skin grafts on all parts of my body. I live with that every single day. A victim of gun violence is traumatized over and over again. I implore my colleagues on the other side of the aisle, if we had a 737 that crashed every month for 12 months in this country, we would do something about it. And that is what is happening to children in this country. Madam Speaker, 1,500 kids die of gun violence every single year. We have to do something about it. All we are saying is don't let them purchase an assault weapon until they are 21. We already say you can't purchase a handgun until you are 21. Dr. Guerrero this morning talked about decapitated heads. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues--I am leaving this institution-- to please do something.

Ms. SPEIER

Ms. SPEIER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize a remarkable philanthropist and community leader, Helen Hilton Raiser. Through sheer will and determination she helped restore a wasteland into a major new public attraction in the City by the Bay: Francisco Park, a new 4.5 acre jewel at the corner of Hyde and Francisco Streets. Helen contributed in countless ways by fundraising, assisting in design and promoting her vision for this new park during its development. In addition to Helen, credit goes to hundreds of neighbors and the leadership of the Francisco Park Conservancy, including board president Leslie Alspach and all of the original and successor board members. $27.5 million was raised by these leaders and Helen as they sought to tum a long-neglected area into a new destination in San Francisco. For 80 years this site was a deserted reservoir hosting poison oak, raccoons, and an occasional coyote, but otherwise inhospitable to visitors. The reservoir was San Francisco's first, built in 1860 and it was crucial during the 1906 earthquake and fire. However, it was abandoned in 1940 after a newer facility was built a short distance away. This old reservoir remained an eyesore for decades, only to begin its renaissance after neighbors organized in 2011, and after the San Francisco Recreation and Parks department assumed formal responsibility for the location in 2014. What makes Francisco Park so special is that numerous community meetings over many years led to a special place that will serve both residents and likely hundreds of thousands of visitors, annually. The park is adjacent to the Hyde Street cable car and visitors from around the globe will probably disembark and enjoy the inspirational views from this place of urban greenery. There is also a children's playground, a fenced dog run with artificial turf, and a community garden. A ``heart of San Francisco'' sculpture is on display, donated by Helen Hilton Raiser. It was created by the artist Laura Lineback. Early settlers and the harbor of what was then known as Yerba Buena were located nearby, so history is at the fingertips of visitors. Interpretive signage offers visitors important historical facts about the site, educational lessons about water conservation, a description of views from the location, and other features that make the park as much a classroom as it is recreational open space. While I rise to highlight this park, Ms. Raiser and her neighbors, I also note Helen's long history of philanthropy and activism. She is well known as a leader at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art and as a major benefactor, over decades, of community groups from the peninsula through San Francisco. It was my good fortune to meet her decades ago as she led her campaign against handguns and gun violence. She personally led a 1982 effort on the California ballot to sharply reduce the number of handguns in California, and was a board member of Handgun Control, Inc. We became personal friends after that effort. Locally, she was a major volunteer with the Girl Scouts of America, the Volunteer Center of San Mateo County, at Mills-Peninsula Hospital, numerous school associations and she served on the Board of Directors of the Junior Statesman Foundation as well as the Family Service Agency of San Mateo County. She has been a major advocate for affordable housing through the nonprofit Human Investment Project. In recognition of her outstanding leadership, Helen Hilton Raiser was inducted into the San Mateo County Women's Hall of Fame in 1987. Madam Speaker and members, we have known great adversity in these past years as a scourge of nature visited our streets and our homes. We watched as nations yielded to the pressure of the pestilence, and as national and personal economies crumbled under the weight of our times. At moments such as these, it is important to remember that the makers of history are not always those whose names are in the headlines. They are often neighborhood activists, intent upon improving our country one park, one block or one school at a time. Throughout her life, whether via art or philanthropy, in schools or hospitals, in the halls of Congress or the state capitol, Helen Hilton Raiser is one of those makers of history. Let me express my gratitude for her friendship and leadership. There is nothing truer to our purpose as a nation than civic virtue, and Helen Hilton Raiser is its embodiment.

Ms. SPEIER

Ms. SPEIER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Sheila Canzian upon her retirement after 52 years of public service to the people of San Mateo. Sheila is the marathon runner of parks and recreation directors, having started as a summer playground leader and moved her way steadily upward over decades of service. She grew up in San Mateo and was hired in 1970. About 79,000 residents were served by the parks of San Mateo at the time. Today, San Mateo has nearly 104,000 residents and the recreational amenities of the city have grown to meet the needs of this increased population. She manages over 35 parks, six community centers, the Marina Lagoon, Poplar Creek Golf Course, and numerous other amenities that make San Mateo a youthful and fun place to live on the peninsula. Sheila was instrumental in the development of the city's shoreline parks along the bayfront, the senior center, and the rebranding of Poplar Creek Golf Course. While all parks in San Mateo have their own character, the crown jewel is the site of the old Kohl Mansion, affectionately known as Central Park. During the year, families enjoy the winter ice rink, modem and accessible playground equipment, and a stunning Japanese Garden that draws visitors from around the world. If you love Central Park, recognize that Sheila is the heart that allows Central Park to live. The rose garden and train are beloved and allow families to exercise together while enjoying amenities unusual in a city the size of San Mateo. The community recreation center has witnessed countless public events and is a gathering place for San Mateo's seniors. In dogged pursuit of keeping Central Park in fine fiddle, and even when city finances were strained, Sheila did a remarkable job of managing countless koi fish, hundreds of trees and numerous city managers. The koi and the trees were quick learners. If 52 years of professional service do not prove the point, in 2021 Sheila was voted into the American Academy of Parks and Recreation Administration, a nationwide body dedicated to recognizing distinguished professionals. The California Parks and Recreation Society has inducted her into its Hall of Fame, and she once served as its President and Secretary. She serves on the board of the San Mateo Police Activities League, the San Mateo Parks Foundation, and on numerous community boards. As children are her professional focus, she also gives to the community as a board member of Peninsula Family Service and the Mills-Peninsula Hospital Foundation. She is a second- generation native of San Mateo and earned her BA from the University of San Francisco and an MPA from Notre Dame de Namur University. No recitation of her love of community would be complete without mentioning her heartfelt support of the city's special relationship with the 101st Airborne Division and the sister city relationship San Mateo enjoys with Toyonaka, Japan. In recent years, my staff remembers attending a meeting where the city's little league team took at least 30 minutes to explain to the city council the special time that the young people of San Mateo had as they played against, and with, their youthful counterparts in Toyonaka. Organizers par excellence of this opportunity were Sheila Canzian and her colleagues at the San Mateo Parks and Recreation Department. Along with City Clerk Patricia Olds and community member Linda Patterson, Sheila Canzian organizes all events that honor Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade, of the 101st Airborne Division. The efforts of Sheila and hundreds of other San Mateo residents over the years since 1967 have boosted the morale of our troops and paid homage to their sacrifice for liberty on behalf of us all. Madam Speaker, it is my honor to recognize Sheila Canzian. If ever there was a case for pursuing a life of public service, I ask that we look at the public spaces nurtured by Sheila. The painter Claude Monet had his garden, and he built his life's work around its beauty. Sheila Canzian had a city, and her joyful work will be with us for generations yet to come.

Ms. SPEIER

Ms. SPEIER. Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize the Jefferson Union High School District upon the occasion of its 100th anniversary. At inception, the district had one school, Jefferson High, which also recently celebrated its 100th anniversary. Today, the district encompasses five schools across two cities serving over 4,000 students. The district also offers an adult school program. For the first thirty-six years, the district was composed of Jefferson High School but in 1958 Westmoor High opened in Daly City. As the City of Pacifica grew, Terra Nova opened its doors in 1961, followed the next year by Oceana. Serramonte opened in 1970 in Daly City and then closed in 1981, although many classes for the adult school continue at the site as do district administrative functions. Thornton High School, also in Daly City, opened in 1975. There were schools serving students before the district existed. San Francisco provided the main high schools, but in 1922 local leaders realized that a nearer site was needed. The school district officially commenced operations on June 2, 1922, and the first members of the school board were Matthew Grady, chairperson, Stella Jensen, clerk, Florence Stockton, Adolph Gehrenger, and Roderick McDonald. Mr. Neill O. Best was the head of the school and he had three colleagues, Gilda Belloni, Gladys Lukes, and Barto Molineaux. Over fifty students were in the entering class of the district's first school, and they had their choice of multiple subjects including mathematics, science, athletics/PE, Spanish, dramatics, commercial arithmetic, typing, bookkeeping, spelling, penmanship, civics, free hand drawing, music and vocational guidance. Today's district offers classes spanning the range of traditional high school subjects such as English, math, science and social science, but also includes advanced placement instruction for those who want to earn college credits. Oceana offers a food and nutrition elective. Jefferson's website points students in the direction of the Skyline Promise Program, a pathway to free community college. At Terra Nova, students may take ceramics while at Westmoor ceramics and drawing are available. Bands, sports and other offerings keep students throughout the district engaged. The adult school offers classes in work training and technology, English, high school diploma and GED preparation, citizenship test preparation, and art. Most importantly, the Jefferson Union High School District is dedicated to serving the individual needs of each student. A robust vocational support system exists and of course college preparation is available to all. The cost of living in our community is high, and rents force many parents to struggle. The district offers students additional services to assist with household stresses. On the same day as the celebration of the district's 100th anniversary, the district will also cut the ribbon on a 122-unit apartment project that will offer employees rent at well below market rates. This should help to stabilize the district's employee base and strengthen education over the years. A similar strategy was enacted by the local community college district and has been decisive in reducing turnover. Taxpayers in the high school district voted to support bonds to provide funding for this outstanding project. It was a very wise choice. It will ease the financial pressure on teachers and employees and will allow them to live in the community in which they teach. It's not quite a return to the 1960's when housing was far less expensive and much more plentiful, but this apartment development is an example of public resources--scarce public land--put to significant and beneficial use for decades to come. Its success in this and other endeavors is due to its superb leadership. The Board of Trustees includes Ms. Rosie Tejada, President, Mr. Andrew Lie, Vice President, Ms. Kalimah Salahuddin, Clerk, Mr. Nick Occhipinti and Ms. Carla Ng- Garrett. In closing, let me note that Jefferson Union High School District achieves the goals of Horace Mann and other early advocates for free, universal, public education. The district prepares young people for their lives as citizens in a democracy, and it equips them with skills to enter the modem economy. Whether in the trades or college, in our region or abroad, whether in service to the public or to the private sector, the graduates of Jefferson Union High School District have a golden opportunity to understand their current place in the world and to create their own path for a great future. On behalf of the community, I wish to extend my sincere congratulations to the Jefferson Union High School District. They are 100 years young, and ready to meet all challenges.

Ms. SPEIER

Ms. SPEIER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to ask the House of Representatives to join me in honoring and congratulating the 7,500 members of the Bar Association of San Francisco (BASF) for their legacy of excellence in the promotion of justice. BASF is rooted in the 12th and 14th Congressional Districts of California, which Speaker Pelosi and I are privileged to represent. BASF has worked tirelessly to make the law work for our communities. BASF is the third oldest bar association in the United States and its members first met on April 27, 1872. Over the following 150 years, BASF has grown into an institution characterized by innovation, entrepreneurship, and progressive thinking. In times of social and economic turmoil in San Francisco and our nation, BASF pioneered paths that were copied by other local bar associations. Working for greater judicial efficiency, BASF has been instrumental in improving the California Code, guiding the organization and rules of local and state courts, establishing a Code of Ethics, and helping identify competent and fair judges. Today, BASF is a highly respected voice for mediation and alternative dispute resolution, criminal justice reform, judicial independence, court funding, and equal access to justice. BASF consistently fights for the American promise of justice for all. In the early 20th century, it was among the first bar associations to mobilize its members to support the Legal Aid Society. It then continued to create ways to help those touched by homelessness, immigration status, family turmoil, and economic challenges. Today, the Justice & Diversity Center of BASF advances fairness and equity by providing pro bona legal services to low-income and homeless residents, and all those in times of crisis. BASF also consistently fights for equal access to legal services. In 1946, BASF pioneered a referral service that studied cultural, political and economic realities to better identify those most in need of access to our justice system. These efforts blossomed into its Lawyer Referral and Information Service (LRIS). Today, LRIS educates people about their legal rights and offers access to affordable and competent legal consultation and representation. Equal opportunity in the legal profession is another priority for BASF. The bar association pioneered methods of diversity, equity, and inclusion. In the 1930s, BASF began a continuing legal education program that remains in strong demand as emerging areas of law demand expertise. BASF actively helped local firms and legal agencies with hiring, retention, and promotion of those attorneys new to their legal careers, women, people of color, those who identify as LGBTQ, and people of differing physical abilities. The bar of San Francisco strives to reflects the community it serves. Madam Speaker, I ask the entire House of Representatives to join me in commending the Bar Association of San Francisco for its remarkable 150-year history promoting the causes of judicial efficiency, legal education, diversifying and strengthening the bar, and supporting all those who seek justice.

Ms. SPEIER

Ms. SPEIER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to remember Andrew Cresci, a remarkable man who recently passed away at the age of 82. Andy did what only a few souls dream to accomplish: He housed people, offering them a chance at the American Dream. My district is populated by homes immortalized by Pete Seeger and Malvina Reynolds in the song ``Little Boxes.'' Andy Cresci and his hearty employees built thousands of those ``little boxes'' on the hillsides of Daly City, along the streets of South San Francisco, and throughout Hercules. However, let's set the record straight: Pete Seeger and Malvina Reynolds were wrong. These homes were well built, beloved by their first owners, and are proudly owned by the current generation of homeowners. The Standard Building Company/Sunstream Homes began in the 1920s and was a thriving company when Andy Cresci started as an architect in the 1960s. He eventually took over as CEO after the founders, Carl and Fred Gellert, retired. Sunstream built dreams. In the Serramonte neighborhood, in South San Francisco and Hercules, thousands of affordable homes ready-made for proud ownership were constructed. Andy Cresci required that homes be built to satisfy every customer. One former employee noted that while he was with the company--over decades--he and his team never set foot in a courtroom due to a customer complaint. They would often return after the warranty had expired to fix anything that was of concern. Every Sunstream home has a license plate-like piece of metal, typically in the garage, identifying its number in the long series of homes built by Sunstream. So, if you bought the 4,352nd Sunstream home, you knew that there were 4,351 satisfied customers who came before you. We often hear today of companies that refuse to share their success with employees. Sunstream was different. Many employees made investments alongside management, even as little as $600, and received significant returns on their investments. Andy ran a prudent operation that delivered value to both customers and employees. In later years, as opportunities to purchase large tracts of land dwindled, he had a sharp eye for infill development opportunities and looked for surplus public lands. He wasn't all about work. Andy loved golf and for many years he belonged to the ``Dew Sweepers,'' a group of fellow golfers who played courses very early in the morning, typically at Poplar Creek. The loser had to buy everyone else french fries. At home, his ``man cave'' included three TVs so that he could watch baseball, golf, and basketball, but especially the 49ers. He was a season ticket holder. He travelled widely, loved such disparate music as ABBA, Elvis Presley and Queen, and of course he enjoyed Italian classics. Andy Cresci had a dry wit and a wet garden. A friend reports that he had five or six varieties of tomatoes and harvested a bountiful crop each year. Andy left his mark in many remarkable ways, but most notably through his personal and voluntary philanthropic efforts. He served on the Board of Directors of the Gellert Foundation. Over the decades, he and his fellow board members donated many millions of dollars, chiefly to education, but also to youth programs and seniors. We will probably never know how much he donated through his own charitable giving, but it is said to have been a significant sum. Always concerned about putting a roof over the head of someone or something, he designed and built birdhouses, made from wooden wine boxes, and he donated these birdhouses to charity where they sold at fundraisers. His philanthropy included the Fallen Heroes Memorial in the City of San Mateo, the Wounded Warrior Project, and the San Mateo Police Activities League. Andy Cresci was the proud father of Lisa Christensen, the father-in- law of John Christensen, and the stepfather of Nicole Pobuta Aquino (Miguel), Kristen Pobuta Iwata (Nick), the grandfather of Nicolas and Anthony Christensen, and the step-grandfather of Carson Iwata. He was predeceased by his first wife Kathy Cresci and survived by my friend and the former Mayor of San Mateo, Maureen Freschet. Madam Speaker, a long life leads to many accomplishments arising from opportunities. Most people seize opportunities that arrive by chance, but a few people also spend their lives creating opportunities. Andy Cresci was the latter. He was a doer and a dreamer. Without question, and for tens of thousands of customers, friends and family members, Andy Cresci made a difference for the better in our community. He was the personification of patriotism. May he rest in peace.

Ms. SPEIER

Ms. SPEIER. Madam Speaker, I rise to congratulate the San Mateo County Silicon Valley Convention and Visitors Bureau on the 50th anniversary of its founding. It was 50 years ago that the Space Shuttle program was officially launched. It was fitting that the convention and visitors bureau began at that same time because the hope was to boost hotel occupancy to stratospheric levels, and to entice conventions to the fairgrounds in the City of San Mateo. It worked. As the local economy transitioned away from agriculture and towards high technology, the fairgrounds became the site of a national semiconductor convention--SEMICON--and since that time has hosted hundreds of business and nonprofit events. Hotel rooms available in San Mateo County have exploded, from 81 hotels and 5,972 rooms in the Convention and Visitors Bureau when it was first formed to 140 hotels and 15,794 rooms today. The economic impact of our visitor-serving industries is enormous. Pre-pandemic, the sector generated $4.5 billion in visitor spending and well over $500 million in local tax revenue. It employed 45,000 people. The bureau doesn't claim credit for all of these jobs or the money spent but given the reach of its promotional efforts it certainly has an impact. For decades, the bureau represented its membership at national shows dedicated to explaining to convention organizers the benefits of coming to San Mateo County. Many conventions came and tens of thousands of tourists annually are typically greeted in their hotels and event locations by further promotional advertisements for local attractions. The San Mateo County Silicon Valley Convention and Visitors Bureau has been an indispensable source of information for me during the pandemic. Under the leadership of its outstanding President and CEO, John Hutar, the organization arranged for owners and managers to explain the steps they were taking to keep their doors open, or to avoid going into foreclosure, during the emergency. I was proud to be able to vote for the Paycheck Protection Program, EIDL loans and restaurant relief, all of which nourished this sector when the pandemic threatened to permanently destroy the industry in San Mateo County. For example, the Restaurant Revitalization Fund brought $214 million in relief to almost 500 San Mateo County restaurants. I held many meetings with bureau members and listened closely as they explained their concerns. Madam Speaker, San Mateo County is the site of many amazing companies including those that discover new treatments for cancer or diabetes, program and design electric vehicles, arrange electronic payments for trillions of dollars in transactions annually, and that provide amazing medical care to our entire population. Key to our local quality of life are our visitor-serving hotel and restaurant providers. Not only do they serve visitors, but they provide fine service to residents, and jobs for tens of thousands. It is my honor to recognize those who help create jobs by shouting to the mountain tops the benefits of doing business in San Mateo County. It is a testament to their skill that today they are financially surviving and focusing on the next decades after the pandemic clears. I honor the men and women of the San Mateo County Silicon Valley Convention and Visitors Bureau and their board of directors for giving their all on behalf of us all during a time that has tried us all. Bravo.

Ms. SPEIER

Ms. SPEIER. Mr. Speaker, I rise tonight to condemn Vladimir Putin for what he is doing to the children of Ukraine. Listen to these stories. Ukrainian mothers are putting the contact details of their relatives on the bodies of their children because they want to make sure that if the children survive and they don't, there will be some place for their children to go. Emergency service workers are teaching children how to identify Russian explosives made to look like toys. Thousands of children have been abducted in Ukraine and taken to Russia. And Ukrainian children have witnessed the murder and torture of their parents, including severed limbs, slashed throats, rapes, and burning bodies. I am proud to colead an appropriations request with Representatives Schiff, Kaptur, and Quigley to ensure at least $100 million for Eastern Europe's demining budget in FY23.

Ms. SPEIER

Ms. SPEIER. Madam Speaker, I rise to congratulate the College of San Mateo on its 100th Anniversary. The college, known to locals as CSM, is a shining star on the peninsula's hillside, set high above the City of San Mateo and serving as a gateway to jobs or additional higher education for tens of thousands each year. That includes me. I attended summer school one year on this beautiful campus. The numbers prove the college's success. CSM offers 68 associate and transfer degree programs and an additional 81 professional and career certificates. Students at CSM regularly transfer to San Francisco State, San Jose State and the University of California. CSM has contracts guaranteeing transfer with these universities, and more. The college started at a site in downtown San Mateo in 1922, the answer for a crisis in the affordability of higher education in America at that time. It seems like the same problem that we have today. For 100 years, it's been the go-to place for students who needed a high- quality education but couldn't afford Stanford, Yale, Harvard or even the University of California. Since its birth, CSM has innovated. For example, in recent years it began an innovative program known as Middle College, accepting high school students who take college-level classes while in high school. We talk a great deal about equal opportunity for all. After graduating from high school, many students in this program matriculate to CSM or state colleges and the University of California having earned thousands of dollars of reduced-cost college credits while in high school. I view this program as one of the most important offered by CSM because through affordable access to higher education our local students come one step closer to avoiding student debt while earning a valuable college degree. Even when students do not go to college during their high school years, the affordable classes at CSM are an enormous savings. A third of the college's students are even eligible for a waiver of all fees. As one former CSM student put it, ``Calculus is the same at the University of California as it is at CSM. It just costs thousands of dollars less.'' This young man transferred from CSM to the University of California, Santa Cruz and graduated with a Bachelor's in Computer Science. He estimated that he saved $60,000 and noted that he also had money in his college account--zero college debt--when he graduated from Santa Cruz. He enjoyed many of his CSM classes more than those at UC Santa Cruz and, at CSM, the professors even knew his name. So who are the dreamers of our current day who go to CSM? The college sends a message that all are welcomed, and that it is committed to a campus culture that is antiracist and equity-advancing, where students and employees who are People of Color, Indiginous, LGBTQIA+, differently enabled, justice impacted, and undocumented are included, embraced and celebrated for who they are. I also would be remiss if I didn't mention that the CSM campus and adjacent land is the site of the district's affordable housing development for faculty and staff. Employee turnover has plummeted since this development was created, offering rents that are frequently 50 percent or less of market rate. Other school districts in our county now plan to copy this strategy, and thus CSM, in so many different ways, teaches our community how to succeed. Madam Speaker, in closing, I want to note that Dr. Jill Biden is right. Community college is the key to a great future for many Americans. We should do more to reduce the costs of attending community colleges like CSM. They are not simply a community jewel on the hill. They are a vital tool to shape an American economy that offers hope and lifetime learning opportunities for every inquisitive student. Congratulations CSM. They are 100 years old, and still packing them in like they're a youthful major league star on the playing field. Well, in fact, they are.

Ms. SPEIER

Ms. SPEIER. Mr. Speaker, on the very last day of Women's History Month, I want to draw attention to the fact that there is an insidious form of gender discrimination that goes on in this country from cradle to grave. It is called the pink tax. It costs more to be a woman. We have seen it happen over and over again, where retailers find it okay to jack up the prices for the same products just because they are being marketed to women. A New York City Consumer Affairs study compared 800 products and found that they were 13 percent more for those that were virtually identical but provided for women. As I am going to show you today, we see the cost as much as 60 percent more for the same products being focused on women, but basically the same products. We need to think no further than looking at haircuts, where a woman can't get a haircut for $26 like former Governor Scott Walker, who mocked one of our colleagues about the cost of her particular haircut. Let's talk about retail sales. I had my office go online and do some online shopping. On Amazon, you can get this four-pack of Dove deodorant for women for $19.39, but the male version of this particular product is only $13.58 for a four-pack. That is a 60 percent cost differential, a 60 percent tax on women. Here is a pack of probiotics from CVS for a woman. It costs $32.79. For a man, it costs $22.79. That is a 68 percent increase and a tax on women for the same product. Then, we can move on to diapers. Believe it or not, diapers for girls cost more than diapers for boys. In fact, $37.79 for boys and $33.99 for girls. Finally, my favorite is the teddy bears. If you go online and buy a pink teddy bear, you are going to pay a tax. It is $14.99. A blue teddy bear is only $12.30. This is stupid. This is crazy. This is discrimination. It is time for us to deal with it, and there is a way to deal with it. I have introduced the Pink Tax Repeal Act, which I am hopeful will be heard in the Energy and Commerce Committee. I am hopeful that, once and for all, we can do something about the fact that women pay more for the same goods and the same services. In California, we have a law that I had passed many years ago that focused on services. The Assembly Office of Research found that women pay $1,300 more per year for services. It shouldn't be based on gender; it should be based on the amount of time it takes, whether it is a haircut or dry cleaning a shirt. We have seen over and over again that we pay more for the same service as well. Colleagues, I hope that on this very last day of Women's History Month, we remember this for the rest of the year, that women pay more for the same goods and services, and that should be against the law.

Ms. SPEIER

Ms. SPEIER. Madam Speaker, I strongly support passage of S. 3294, legislation to obtain and place statues in the Capitol or Capitol grounds of Justice Sandra Day O'Connor and Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, the first two women to serve as associate justices of the Supreme Court of the United States. I would have voted in favor of this legislation; however, I was regretfully unable to be present on the floor because I was attending and asking questions at a hearing of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. I offer my congratulations to the family and friends of Justice O'Connor and Justice Ginsburg and my gratitude that these statues will provide inspiration to millions of Americans upon visiting their Capitol for decades to come.

Ms. SPEIER

Ms. SPEIER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Kristi Shreve who is receiving the 2020 Hillsborough Schools' Community Care Award. Every year, the Associated Parents' Group of Hillsborough selects a non-resident employee who has made sustained, significant and lasting contributions that have touched the lives of our children and benefited the community as a whole. Mrs. Shreve is an outstanding educator who has dedicated her life to teaching and uplifting the next generation. She began teaching in Hillsborough 24 years ago as a teacher at South Preschool. She became a student-teacher at South School and was hired by Hillsborough School District in 2002 as a 2nd-grade teacher at South. A year later, she transferred to West School where she has been a 1st through 3rd-grade teacher ever since. Mrs. Shreve is a member of the Leadership Team at West, a Data Advisor, a New Teacher Mentor, a Teacher in Charge, a Technology Mentor, an HTA Site Representative, HTA Negotiator, and HTA President, among the many leadership roles she is holding. Her work ethic and compassion have earned her the respect and adoration of her colleagues, students and their parents. An essential quality of an outstanding teacher is the ability to meet students where they are. Mrs. Shreve gets to know each student and his or her unique needs. She becomes a true advocate and will always go the extra mile. With parents, she forms partnerships that are characterized by flawless communication, strong and trusting relationships, and joint advocacy for the students. These relationships live on beyond their time at the school. Mrs. Shreve led the first Tyler Yamagishi Walk-a-Thon at West School raising money for the Tyler Yamagishi Scholarship Fund and the Riekes Center in Menlo Park. Tyler Yamagishi was a West student who succumbed to osteosarcoma at the young age of 14. The Riekes Center is a non- profit community space that offers character-building programs in art, music, nature awareness, sports training, and other life skill areas. Mrs. Shreve also worked with the Hillsborough Beautification Committee and the West Parent Group on the memorial tree project in Tyler's memory. Another project that showcased her inexhaustible empathy was the ``Love Notes for Montecito.'' All students at West made valentines for students and staff at Montecito Union Elementary School in Santa Barbara County after devastating fires and mud slides in 2018. When not at school, Mrs. Shreve loves to spend time with her husband, John, their own children, Alyssa and Brendan, and their two cats, Snowy and Cookies. They reside in Daly City. Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in commending Kristi Shreve for being an exemplary teacher, one of the most influential and noble vocations in shaping our common future. She is a role model and an inspiration to us all.

Ms. SPEIER

Ms. SPEIER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Harini Krishnan who is being honored as the 2020 Hillsborough Schools' Citizen of the Year. Every year, the Associated Parents' Group of Hillsborough selects an individual who has made sustained and significant contributions to the Hillsborough community, especially to education and to the well- being of children. I couldn't think of a more deserving recipient than my friend Harini Krishnan. I have known her for many years and seen first-hand her tireless advocacy for others. With a big smile on her face, she takes on problems she identifies and any task handed to her. If you want to get something done, ask Harini. Somehow, she finds enough hours in the day to serve a long list of organizations. In addition to being a parent volunteer for the Hillsborough City School District, she was the Parent Group President at West School and Crocker School, served on the board of the Associated Parents' Group, was the Community Campaign Co-Chair for the Hillsborough Schools Foundation, co-chaired the Hillsborough Family Fun Day Carnival, and continues to be the Neighborhood Lead for the Hillsborough Neighborhood Network. Harini is a champion for public schools and has also taken a leadership role in the San Mateo High School parent community. She has served as the Co-President of the Foundation Board for five years, is the Mock Trial Parent Liaison, and is a member of Music, Drama and Dance Boosters. A resident of Hillsborough for 20 years, Harini is a true global citizen and applies her spirit and empathy to anything she does. She is an acclaimed Indian classical vocalist and lecturer. At Crocker, she taught a class on Indian history, culture and arts and she hosted Hillsborough Schools Foundation Pay-to-Play parties at her home where she taught people how to cook traditional Indian food and adorn saris. Her goal is not only to make people knowledgeable about Indian culture, but to inspire them to be global citizens and lifelong learners. She believes that the best way for our children to have empathy and to be people of good character is by walking in other people's shoes and by exploring the world beyond their backyards. Harini also was instrumental in organizing the now annual trips for Crocker's 8th graders to Washington, D.C. It's a great opportunity for the students to learn about congressional history and to see democracy in action. Additionally, Harini applies her love for the arts to her work as vice chair of the San Mateo County Arts Commission and on the 2020 California Arts Council State Local Partners Grant Panel. She is a champion for social justice and gender equality and serves on the boards of Equal Access International and FUND HER. In her never-ending pursuit of growing and learning, she is currently enrolled in a program in public leadership at Harvard Kennedy School. As you can surmise from this long list of public service and engagement, Harini is an exemplary community leader. She is also a devoted wife and mother. She and her husband, Vika Jha, a startup entrepreneur, have raised two remarkable children, Janani and Abhaya, who are college students pursuing their own dreams. They are talented and extraordinarily gifted. I have been in awe of their accomplishments. Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in commending Harini Krishnan for her countless contributions to our community and for her determination to recruit more global citizens to make the world a better place.

Ms. SPEIER

Ms. SPEIER. Madam Speaker, I rise to congratulate Jefferson High School in Daly City on the occasion of its 100th birthday. Home of the Jefferson Grizzlies, Jefferson High School has been educating children since its inception in 1922, staring with 50 students. Previously, all high school students in Daly City attended school in San Francisco. Courses offered in the original school were mathematics, science, English, Spanish, dramatics, commercial arithmetic, typing, bookkeeping, spelling, penmanship, PE for girls and boys, civics, vocational guidance, free hand drawing, and music. The original three teachers were Gilda Belloni, Gladys Lukes, and Barto Molineux. Mr. Neal O. Best was Chief Administrator but also taught mathematics, science and boys' athletics. From the start, it was evident that a permanent and larger school would be needed. A $180,000 bond measure was approved, but there was disagreement about the best site for the new building. Some wanted it located on Hillside Boulevard in Edgewood Terrace, while others wanted it near the greyhound racing track at Union Coursing Park between Mission and Railroad Avenue. The voters settled the matter in March 1923. The building was built near the racetrack, and the first class of freshmen entered in 1925. On May 26, 1926, Jefferson High School graduated its first class from the new school site, 13 seniors. The following year, the University of California accredited Jefferson High School on July 26th, and a month later an alumni association was formed. A significant modernization of the high school occurred in 1963 and 2017. Legendary NFL Hall of Fame coach and award-winning broadcaster John Madden, a proud Jefferson High School alum, contributed lights for the school's stadium. From its founding to our present day, Jefferson has graduated a number of other distinguished alums. These students include Edwin Mulitalo. Super Bowl Champion, Floyd Gonella, former district superintendent and San Mateo County Superintendent of Schools, and Justice Teri L. Jackson, currently serving on the California Court of Appeal. Jefferson High School takes pride in its diverse student body, and its outstanding curriculum. The school meets every student where they are in their learning to ensure that all students are able to demonstrate mastery of essential skills and content upon graduation. AP classes are open to all students. The school offers a competitive robotics and engineering program and dual enrollment for career technical education is available under an agreement with Skyline College. Students graduate with both college and high school credits. In addition to its strong curriculum, Jefferson High School received the 2019 San Mateo County School Board Association Kent Award recognizing schools with innovative and replicable programs, and a 2019 Daly City Sustainability Award. Its community and club involvement are substantial. The Grizzly Go Club, sponsored by the local public utility, made portable solar power ``suitcases'' that were then sent to Ecuador for use in schools that have no electricity. Jefferson High School partners with Second Harvest Food Bank to distribute food to over 1200 families, monthly. Thirty clubs, including but not limited to Social Justice and Activism, Anime and Mock Trial, offer students many opportunities to become involved further in their school and education. The 11th and 12th graders are partnered with 9th graders to ensure a smooth transition into the school. At the senior level, Jefferson partners with the Japanese Community Youth Council (JCYC) to help first generation students navigate the college entrance process. Madam Speaker, America is at her best when it offers free public education to its children. Jefferson High School has long offered a high-quality education to all comers. The shaping of young minds through science, history, athletics and other wonderful courses offered at this school builds our country as much as the creation of any work of public engineering. America and Daly City succeed because we invest in students, invest in their success, and celebrate their coming of age as adults within our community. I thank Jefferson High School, and congratulate them on their birthday.

Ms. SPEIER

Ms. SPEIER. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from Florida and my friend and co-lead on the Democratic Women's Caucus. I must say, she is always the shining light when it comes to finding purpose and the opportunity for women to succeed. She has proven herself over and over again as we have seen our numbers of women grow here in the Congress of the United States. To my good friend Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, today was a great day of celebration as VAWA was reauthorized. I know you concurred with me when President Biden said, Why don't we make this permanent? That is precisely what we should be doing. But somehow, it is a law that has to be reauthorized every 5 years. It used to be almost something that we did in a bipartisan fashion, and reauthorization was almost automatic. But recently, that wasn't the case. So to Congresswoman Jackson Lee, thank you for the very complete and comprehensive review of women in America that you just provided us. As we celebrate national Women's History Month, we were all asked to talk about someone that we wanted to pay special attention to. I decided that I was going to speak about a particular group of women who represent what the essence of womanhood is, which is that they are tenacious, that they are courageous, that they are gritty, and that they will go wherever they need to go to achieve their goal. There was what was called the Night of Terror in November 1917. During that whole period of time, women would march every day here in Washington, D.C., thousands of them. For the first time, they went and picketed outside the White House. It had never been done before. They chained themselves to the cyclone fence at the White House. On this night in November 1917, there were 35 of these women who were arrested. They were beaten, and they were spat upon. They had rotten eggs thrown in their faces. The food they were given in jail was so bad that many of them went on a hunger strike, and then they had tubes put in their noses to force-feed them. One woman was struck between the eyes and lost one of her eyes. What were they doing this for? So women could get the right to vote in the United States. Because up until that time women were, for all intents and purposes, chattel. There were people like George Bernard Shaw who said: If women got the right to vote there would be a crushing tax on bachelors in America. Another one from the Seneca Falls Review that said: If women got the right to vote they would become thin-lipped, fat-handed, and flat-chested. Oh, my God. Those were the kinds of thoughts that somehow women did not have the mental capacity to vote because in their skull they only had puppies and chocolate and babies that were in their brains; that somehow that was the kind of political cartoon that was represented. Certainly, women who were menopausal couldn't vote because they were near extinction. Women who were pregnant or having children couldn't vote because they were lactating. You name it, they came up with it. Having said all that, there were true sheroes of that generation. Madam Speaker, I want to speak tonight about a different group of women who are fighting for the lives of their countrymen and -women, and that is the strength of the Ukrainian women. Here is a Ukrainian woman. Here is someone bloodied by Putin's weapon systems: she is still standing; she is still alive. We can't say that about all the women in Ukraine. The world looked on in absolute horror as images of injured and murdered Ukrainian women and children have spread around the globe. When the hospital in Mariupol was bombed, we saw pregnant women holding their bellies, climbing down stairs. Then we saw a stretcher of a women on a towel--it looked like it was a colorful towel that she brought with her to the hospital. The photo of this pregnant woman who was rushed out of the maternity hospital in Mariupol last week made my blood run cold. The news yesterday that she and her baby had died outraged me. She was taken to another hospital in Mariupol and when she realized she was losing her baby, medics said that she cried out: Kill me now. Her pelvis was crushed. Her hip detached. The baby was delivered by C- section, but showed no signs of life. She died shortly thereafter. That is an imprint on my mind that will never leave me and should never leave any of us because what is happening to women in Ukraine is sinful, it is immoral. It is in fact a crime against humanity. Putin's forces also killed Tetiana, her son Mykyta, 18, and her daughter Alisa, 9, as they tried to flee Kyiv with a church volunteer. She worked for a Silicon Valley software company and was married to her husband of 23 years. He said, ``I have lost everyone and lost the meaning of life.'' Women in Russia are suffering, too, and they are showing lots of guts. They are speaking out against Putin. Here you see a woman, her name is Marina Ovsyannikova. She ran on to the live TV set on a Russian TV station, the most-watched news program in all of Russia, to protest the war. Her sign, which is written both in English and in Russian, reads: No war. Stop the war. Don't believe the propaganda, they are lying to you. After she was taken into custody, she was questioned for 14 hours. She wasn't allowed to sleep, to access her family, her lawyers, and she refused to recant her message. Somewhere in Russia right now is Marina, another courageous woman who is speaking truth to power. Russian mothers are angrily demanding Putin to be held accountable for using their sons, as many as 6,000 of whom have already been killed in Ukraine, using them as cannon fodder for his egotistical legacy project. I am also in awe of the brave Ukrainian women literally leading the fight to protect their country. Nearly 22 percent of Ukraine's armed forces are female--22 percent. Here you see them in their camouflage. The 22 percent is one of the highest percentages of females serving in the military in the world. In the United States it is only something like 18 percent. And more women are joining the fight every day. Even women members of Ukraine's parliament have taken up arms to defend their homeland. I think about that and I think how many of us women parliamentarians in Congress would do the same? It is a good opportunity for us to do some soul-searching. We must have the backs of all Ukrainian women. I am proud that the United States has imposed unprecedented sanctions and export controls on the Russian economy. Just last week we stood on this floor and passed the bipartisan $13 billion aid package for Ukraine to assist the military and provide for the humanitarian needs. Today, the President announced another package of weapons that are going to be sent to Ukraine, including Javelins and switchblades and body armor and helmets and drones, all in an effort to try and provide more protection for the people of Ukraine. We must hold Putin accountable for the immeasurable death and suffering he has wrought. In doing so, I hope we can show a fraction of the grit and perseverance of the Ukrainian people, and especially the women of Ukraine.

Ms. SPEIER. Madam Speaker, I thank the leader of our caucus, Ms. Frankel. Madam Speaker, I am just going to close with some expectations. I am leaving Congress this year, and I want to convey to you, Madam Speaker, to the leadership of the Democratic Women's Caucus, and to all of my colleagues how important I think that you are as guardians of womanhood. Our job is never done. So while we may celebrate these small victories from time to time, the ERA is not part of our Constitution. Of the 193 countries in the world, 165 have the ERA in their Constitutions. The United States does not. It is 24 little words. Thirty-eight States have passed it. We have this deadline that we have struck from the legislation in the House. The Senate has not taken it up. Femicide is a huge problem in Latin America. The Democratic Women's Caucus will have a presentation this Friday on that. The 5,000 missing Native-American women in this country that really we had no cognizance of until we had a Native-American woman in the Congress to talk about it. Finally, a new issue--probably not a new issue--is one that has just percolated to the surface, and that is female inmates in Federal prisons who are raped by the wardens, the chaplains, and the guards. Congresswoman Bass, Congressman Swalwell, and I went to the Federal correctional institution in Dublin this week. Now, at that one prison, the warden had raped inmates, the chaplain had raped inmates, and two of the guards that we know of had raped inmates. It is profound that we change the culture in these prisons to prevent that from happening and from the training of guards and leadership at those facilities to treat these women with a certain amount of dignity that you would just provide to another human being. What we heard about the kinds of things that are said about them-- they are called hos and called just horrible things that make us realize that we still have a lot of work to do. So as I conclude, let me just say, Madam Speaker, that we are the guardians of womanhood for the future, and I will look on with fondness and great appreciation.

Ms. SPEIER

Ms. SPEIER. Madam Speaker, I am grateful for the opportunity tonight for a Special Order on this International Women's Day. There are a lot of ironies about this day. We in the Democratic Women's Caucus and the Bipartisan Women's Caucus could not let this day go by without drawing attention to what is happening in Ukraine to women, mothers, and children. The irony is particularly significant because International Women's Day is a national holiday in Ukraine and Russia. The Administrator of USAID and former U.S. Ambassador Samantha Power commented on this today. She referenced that the founder of International Women's Day was a woman by the name of Theresa Malkiel. She was a Jewish labor organizer in New York. She was born in what is now Ukraine, and she emigrated to the United States to escape persecution. Madam Speaker, 130 years later, Ukrainian women are now being forced to leave their homes as well. Now, we are heralding the incredible strength of Ukrainian women. They are facing unimaginable horrors brought about by Vladimir Putin and Vladimir Putin alone. Last year, President Putin sent a message to women for International Women's Day in Russia. He said: ``I wish you good health and success . . . . And, of course, I would like you to have as many reasons for smiles and joy as possible.'' I guess the question to ask Putin is: Does that apply to Ukrainian women as well, the women you presume are Russian but are willing to have them be forced into death marches because you feel compelled to shell communities throughout Ukraine? Last week, Vladimir Putin's forces killed a woman and two children in cold blood as they attempted to escape over a bridge in Irpin, a suburb of Kyiv, and he continues to order the shelling of evacuation corridors as Ukrainian civilians attempt to flee. Over 1 million of them have already left. It is going to be millions and millions more. Let me just show you a couple of pictures, Madam Speaker. This is a woman in Ukraine on International Women's Day, thanks to Vladimir Putin. This is what Vladimir Putin thinks of women. These are the smiles he wants to see on their faces, the joy he wants to see in their eyes. This man needs to be called out for what he is. He is a tyrant, and he is committing premeditated war on the Ukrainian people and Ukrainian women and children. He is doing so and committing war crimes as well. Let me show you yet another picture, Madam Speaker. This is one that is hard to look at. These are three dead women who were trying to escape and were shelled down. They are now dead. They have their suitcases and their backpacks. One is a small girl. This is what Vladimir Putin is doing in Ukraine, and he must be called out for it. His bloodthirsty disregard for the lives of women and children has never been more apparent. Last month, I was disgusted to hear him use a crude rape reference to urge Ukraine to acquiesce to Russia's demands, saying: ``You may like it. You may not. But you will have to endure it, my beauty.'' Vladimir Putin said this: ``You may like it. You may not. But you will have to endure it, my beauty.'' His senseless war has already caused nearly 500 civilian deaths, and it is probably more than that, including 29 children, and it is probably more than that. He has already forced 2 million Ukrainian people, mostly women and children--in fact, about half of them children--to flee their country. On the news tonight was a story about an 11-year-old child whose mother let him leave. He traveled 700 miles to get to a safe haven. His mother, from some outpost somewhere in Ukraine, put up a video thanking those who had taken her son into their arms and who had brought him to safety. That is what Vladimir Putin is forcing Ukrainian families to do. The vast majority of these refugees, as I said, are women and children who have left their husbands, their brothers, and their fathers behind to fight. For the first time--for the first time ever-- half of these refugees are children. Now, think about the scars that will take place in the minds of those children over their lifetimes. These are children who should be home playing in their neighborhoods and heading off to school, not hiding in bomb shelters and fleeing across borders, not crying in their mama's arms for milk when all they can get is water. Women and girls who are single and arriving at the border face an increased risk of exploitation and abuse, including sexual violence, gender-based violence, and trafficking. Welcome to International Women's Day. Welcome to what Vladimir Putin said he wanted, to put smiles and joy on the faces of women. Instead, women are becoming victims of sex trafficking and rape. The disruption of essential services and emergency medical care has already affected the women in Ukraine. We have seen heartbreaking reports of mothers giving birth in makeshift bomb shelters and underground metro stations as Russia bombs Ukraine's cities. The U.N. estimates that 80,000 Ukrainian women will give birth in the next 3 months--80,000 of them. That is as many women who will give birth as I have in one of my larger cities in my district. Many of these women are going to do it alone without the support of their family or their spouses, and they are going to do it without access to medication or critical and lifesaving care. This is the joy and smiles that Vladimir Putin talked about in his address for International Women's Day last year. I don't know what he said to the Russian women today. Did he send them flowers, give them candy, and offer them gifts? This is what he calls gifts to the Ukrainian women. The Russian conflict in the Donbas region has already led to an increase in sexual violence. In 2019, one in three Ukrainian women reported experiencing physical or sexual violence, and the current crisis increases this risk exponentially. We have seen a horrific increase in sexual violence just in the past 2 weeks. In the city of Kherson alone, Russian soldiers raped at least 11 women, in some cases so brutally that only five of them have survived. We must elevate these stories and call Vladimir Putin out for what he is. He is a misogynistic, evil dictator. Nevertheless, Ukrainian women are fighting back. I am really in awe of the ordinary, brave Ukrainian women who are leading the fight to protect their country. I am going to show you a picture now, Madam Speaker, of the Ukrainian women. These are Ukrainian women. They represent almost 22 percent of Ukraine's armed forces, which is one of the highest percentages in the world. In the United States, the number of women serving in the military is like 18 percent. It is 22 percent in Ukraine. Many women, many mothers, are taking their children to the border to hand them off to family members in Poland or Romania or other locales and then going back in to join in the fight. More women are joining the fight every day. They are teachers, nurses, accountants, police officers, and grandmothers. The list goes on and on. Even women members of the Ukrainian parliament, who just 1\1/2\ weeks ago were writing their country's laws, have taken up arms in defense of Ukraine. I guess we should all ask a question: Would we do that? The Ukrainian parliamentary members are doing that. It is important for us to have their backs. I am proud that the United States has imposed unprecedented sanctions and export controls on the Russian economy. I am proud of what our President has done by solidifying the support of all NATO nations, something that hasn't been done for a very long time. NATO countries throughout Europe are stepping up in terms of how much money they are committing to their defense. They all recognize that this is about more than Ukraine. This is about freedom for all of Europe. I commend the Speaker for working quickly to bring a Russia energy sanctions package to the floor and committing to sending $14 billion to Ukraine to aid its military and assist with humanitarian responses. We must bring the full weight of the U.S. Government and our allies to bear in holding Putin accountable for his aggression and his violations of international law. Let me show you this picture, Madam Speaker. This is International Women's Day. There is no joy on the faces of these people. There are no smiles. This is Vladimir Putin's war. He has every intention to annihilate an entire population of people in Ukraine. This is not just an unprovoked war; this is a premeditated, savage, murderous, and tyrannical attempt of genocide. I hope that we have the guts to call him out. We need to create our red line, and our red line should be that every Ukrainian person who wants to leave the country will have safe passage to a safe country before another bullet or another missile is put into the air. I hope we do not see the unthinkable happen in Ukraine. God bless our Ukrainian women and children. God bless our Ukrainian President. God bless the military in Ukraine who fights on and all those who recognize that freedom is not cheap and freedom is not given. If you want a democracy, you have to be willing to put your name, your body, and your soul on the line to protect the community that you love. Madam Speaker, I have the great and distinct honor to yield to the gentlewoman from Ohio (Ms. Kaptur), who is my colleague whom I adore. She co-chairs the Congressional Ukrainian Caucus and has been passionate about drawing attention to the fate of the Ukrainian people.

Ms. SPEIER. I thank the remarkable gentlewoman from Ohio, whose passion and commitment to the Ukrainian people is just so evident. She said that they will be victorious. I believe her because we are going to make sure they are going to be victorious. We have their backs. I am reminded of this comment by one Ukrainian woman, and she said: Nobody thought this is how we would spend our weekend; a teacher from the town of Dnipro told a cameraman as she and her neighbors made molotov cocktails. She said: I planned to plant tulips and daffodils on my backyard today. Instead, I learned to fire arms and get ready for the next night of attacks on Kyiv. These women are strong and committed, and we will have their backs. It is now a great privilege to yield to the gentlewoman from Pennsylvania (Ms. Dean), co-chair of the bipartisan Women's Caucus and a talented leader.

Ms. SPEIER. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from Pennsylvania (Ms. Dean) for her outstanding remarks. Madam Speaker, there are many people to thank. There are many organizations to thank. When we look at who is bringing shelter and aid to the Ukrainian people now, the nonprofit organizations around the world, CARE, Catholic Relief Services, the U.N.'s Food and Agriculture Organization, the International Committee of the Red Cross, the International Rescue Committee, Plan International, Save the Children, UNFPA, UNHCR, UNICEF, World Food Program, and World Health Organization. To all of them, we say thank you. Let's be clear: This is Putin's war. He will pay the price. His vicious, premeditated attempt of genocide of the Ukrainian people will not be tolerated. Tonight, I want to close with this photograph of Ukrainian women in uniform. They are fighting for their country, their future, their children, and truly for freedom around the world. Madam Speaker, I yield back.

Ms. SPEIER

Ms. SPEIER. Madam Speaker, I thank the chairman for the opportunity. This is nothing short of profound; the impact it is going to have on 60 million Americans who don't even know that they have agreed to forced arbitration and the fact that in 98 percent of the cases of sexual assault and sexual harassment in the workplace, the employer wins. We had a hearing last week in which the NFL staffers at the Washington Commanders talked about the sexual harassment and sexual assault that they endured. One of them said in the year and a half that she worked there, she was sexually harassed every single day. Let me speak about Loretta Lee of California who was fired from Google after complaining about male coworkers making lewd remarks, sending her disturbing messages, hiding under her desk, and showing up at her apartment. In addition to losing her right to file suit, she was also forced to meet with her perpetrators, resulting in retaliation. Representative Bustos has done a great service to men and women who are sexually harassed and sexually assaulted in the workplace. I commend her, and I applaud her. Madam Speaker, I urge all my colleagues to vote for this amendment and for the legislation.

Ms. SPEIER

Ms. SPEIER. Madam Speaker, I thank the chairwoman for the bold legislation and for her legacy of service. Members, we cannot rest, we cannot be asleep at the switch. The countries that innovate and commercialize new technologies the fastest will be able to set the political, military, and economic agenda for the 21st century. We must prevail. The global microchip shortage is only a symptom of a broader challenge, which is that the United States' share of global semiconductor production has fallen from 37 percent to just 12 percent over the last 30 years. President Putin recently said the country that becomes the leader in AI will reign the world. Think about that. It is all about artificial intelligence. In the field of AI, China now surpasses the United States in the global share of research papers and consistently files more AI patents than any other country. The America COMPETES Act will reset our focus. We need to invest in research; we need to invest in application; and we need to invest in talent. The decline in American technology, innovation, and competitiveness is a national security challenge. We must avoid it.

Ms. SPEIER

Ms. SPEIER. Madam Speaker, I rise to honor South San Francisco Police Chief Jeff Azzopardi on the occasion of his retirement. After almost 30 years of service with the department, Chief Azzopardi has decided that it is time for a new chapter in his life that will allow him to spend more time with his family. I had the great honor to work with Chief Azzopardi since he was appointed in 2014. One of the more memorable occasions was a press conference in 2017 in which we announced the first-ever conviction for human trafficking in San Mateo County. That success reflected the outstanding collaboration of law enforcement, elected officials, and nonprofit organizations on the local, state, and federal level. Chief Azzopardi played an essential role in that collaboration. Jeff Azzopardi was hired as a police recruit for the South San Francisco Police Department and sworn in as an officer in 1993. From there he rose through the ranks of K-9 officer, S.W.A.T. officer, school community liaison officer, police corporal, criminal investigations bureau officer, police sergeant, community relations sergeant, police lieutenant, criminal investigations bureau commander, and police captain. After the retirement of former Chief Mike Massoni in 2014, the department conducted a nationwide search and selected Jeff Azzopardi as its new chief in September of that year. No matter the role, Jeff is dedicated to the safety and well-being of our community. He leads by example and always strives for excellence. During his time with the department, he successfully completed the Inner Perspectives Leadership Program, LAPD Leadership Program, and POST Executive Development course. He holds a number of certifications from the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training. He also is the former president of the San Mateo County Commanders Group, the president of the San Mateo County Police Chief's and Sheriffs Association, and the Chief of the North Central Regional S.W.A.T. Team and Commissioner for the South San Francisco Commission on Racial and Social Equity. Chief Azzopardi understands the importance of community relations and has been a leader on several community oriented policing projects. He tirelessly emphasized the importance of building bridges between his department and our community. His outstanding service did not go unnoticed. He received numerous awards and honors, including a certificate of commendation from the police department for his work as a sexual assault investigator, a certificate of commendation from the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors, a lifetime achievement award from the South San Francisco Chamber of Commerce, the Carl Valero Lifetime Achievement Award from Pacifica American Little League, and Police Officer of the Year from the San Mateo County Trial Lawyers Association. Born in San Francisco, Jeff attended Terra Nova High School in Pacifica and then received his Bachelor's Degree in Public Administration from Chico State University and his Master's Degree in Public Administration from Notre Dame de Namur University. As South San Francisco's Top Cop is leaving his post, he is looking forward to spending more time with his wife of 21 years, Nikole, and their sons Nate and Drew. Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues in the House of Representatives to join with me to thank Chief Azzopardi for keeping South San Francisco one of the safest and most innovative cities in the Bay Area. His exemplary leadership has earned him the respect and adoration of his colleagues and South City residents. His contributions over the last three decades will outlast his service.