Eric Swalwell

Mr. SWALWELL of California

Mr. SWALWELL of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory for its outstanding scientific work and the dedicated scientists who played a role in the effort that was recently awarded the 2013 Nobel Peace Prize. Yesterday, in Oslo, Norway, the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, OPCW, received the 2013 Nobel Peace Prize for its work enforcing the global ban on chemical weapons. The OPCW received this prestigious award in part because of the contributions from over 21 scientific laboratories around the world. That work, in different capacities, led to identifying and destroying chemical weapons across the world. One of these laboratories is from the 15th Congressional District, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. Over the past 13 years, Lawrence Livermore Forensic Science Center has worked closely with the OPCW to analyze samples and test for the possible presence of chemical weapons. The OPCW and Lawrence Livermore Laboratory were recognized specifically for actions that OPCW has recently taken in Syria--to identify, destroy, and dismantle the Assad regime's chemical weapons that they most recently used back in August on their own people. I have been a sharp critic of proposed military action in Syria. I believed all along that there was a third way, that it was not a false choice between isolationism, not doing anything, and taking military action in Syria. The actions of OPCW and the United Nations have shown, in working in collaboration with the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, that diplomacy can work. We can go into Syria and identify these dangerous chemical weapons; we can dismantle them and make sure that a ruthless dictator never again can use them on his own people. Together, the work of OPCW and Lawrence Livermore Laboratory has created a safer world. But they recognize that their work will not be complete until the world is free of chemical weapons. I have been a tireless advocate for funding of both Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and the other laboratory that is in my district, Sandia National Laboratory. The work that is being done right now with OPCW shows that the work being done at our national laboratories has value and that we cannot continue to chip away at Federal funding for our national laboratories. Congratulations again to OPCW for receiving the Nobel Peace Prize, and I am very proud of the scientific community, the engineers at Lawrence Livermore for your work in support of OPCW and their efforts.

Mr. SWALWELL of California

Mr. SWALWELL of California. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize Sergeant First Class Jason Manella, who recently won the Non- Commissioned Officer of the Year Award last week during the Army's best warrior competition. Jason is from my district in Fremont, California, and recently moved within my district to Hayward, California. The Army's best warrior competition is a 3-day event that tests the soldier's physical and mental toughness. Sergeant Manella is the first ever reservist to win this prestigious Army-wide title. Sergeant Manella is a member of the Reserve's 445th Civil Affairs Battalion based in Mountain View. While serving in Afghanistan in 2012, Sergeant Manella had his convoy attacked. While it was attacked, it left him with a traumatic brain injury. Sergeant Manella's story is one of hope and the power of resilience. As part of Sergeant Manella's recovery, he focused on training for the Army's Best Warrior Competition. Back in August of this year, I had the opportunity to visit Afghanistan. I was able to meet with soldiers, men and women, serving from California's 15th Congressional District. Over in Afghanistan, I saw firsthand what our men and women in the armed services endure each day to make sure that we rid Afghanistan as a breeding ground for terrorism and make sure that never again the United States is attacked from enemies created abroad. I am very thankful for the service of people like Sergeant Manella and those I met with while I was in Afghanistan. I know that Operation Enduring Freedom has led to thousands of Americans being wounded who served over in Afghanistan and are healing today back home on their own path to recovery. Sergeant Manella's story is truly one that is uplifting for every soldier, man and woman, who is recovering. Congratulations again to Sergeant Manella. Your strength, your determination, and your character is an inspiration to thousands of other wounded men and women of our armed services.

Mr. SWALWELL of California

Mr. SWALWELL of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to offer my condolences to the people of the Philippines following Typhoon Haiyan, which hit November 8, 2013. I am proud to represent a vibrant Filipino community in the East Bay, and I have heard from many constituents who are concerned about loved ones overseas. Particularly this weekend, I heard from hundreds at St. Anne's Catholic Church in Union City. The U.S. Government acted swiftly, sending monetary aid, humanitarian workers, and military personnel. Unfortunately, some people in the most remote areas are still struggling for basic human needs like food, water, and medical supplies. That is why Representative Jackie Speier and I are circulating a letter to Secretary of Defense Hagel and USAID Administrator Shah, which we plan to send tomorrow supporting the use of airdrops of food and supplies to inaccessible areas. In an ideal world, aid workers on the ground would distribute supplies to those in need, but time is of the essence. People are hungry, need medical supplies, and are thirsty right now. I am committed to making sure the U.S. is doing everything it can to help the Filipino people as they begin to rebuild their lives following this horrific storm.

Mr. SWALWELL of California

Mr. SWALWELL of California. I thank the ranking member for his leadership on this issue, and I rise in strong opposition to H.R. 982, the FACT Act. It is a fact that asbestos can be found in thousands of products and locations. It is a fact that asbestos is a deadly carcinogen which kills about 10,000 Americans a year. It is a fact that trusts were set up so victims could still be compensated even when asbestos companies went bankrupt. It is also a fact that there is no evidence of systemic fraud or abuse in these asbestos trusts. It is also a fact that H.R. 982 would put tremendous new administrative burdens on these trusts. It is a fact that the result of this bill would make it more difficult for victims of asbestos exposure and their families to achieve justice. With all of these facts, the evidence is clear: the FACT Act is a fact in name only, and instead, what it claims to do is really a fiction. It is just another part of the majority's historic and ongoing hostility to victims and their attorneys who are trying to achieve justice through our courts. Instead of working to make it easier for victims to be compensated, instead of working on a whole host of other problems facing the American people, we are targeting innocent asbestos victims who are merely trying to be compensated for a wrong done to them. I urge all of my colleagues to reject this misguided legislation.

Mr. SWALWELL of California

Mr. SWALWELL of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize my friend, Alameda County Superior Court Judge Hugh Walker of Pleasanton, who recently announced he is retiring after 19 years of service. Judge Walker has served much of the eastern portion of Alameda County, which I represent, since 1994. He was first appointed as a municipal court judge for the Livermore-Pleasanton-Dublin district by Governor Pete Wilson and was elevated to Superior Court judge for Alameda County in 1998. For 19 years he has served in the Tri-Valley, and when I was a prosecutor he even kept me in line. Judge Walker is well known for being a tough but down-to-earth and compassionate judge and never shies away from a lighthearted moment in his courtroom. He is well respected by both his peers and by those who have argued cases before him. He is very much a part of the community for which he helps ensure justice is served. He is a very familiar face in downtown Pleasanton and at local Rotary Club meetings. He has dedicated a great amount of energy into helping bring a larger courthouse to the eastern portion of Alameda County. I want to thank Judge Walker for his decades of public service to the people of Alameda County and wish him the best of luck as he begins this new chapter of his life.

Mr. SWALWELL of California

Mr. SWALWELL of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in solemn recognition of October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month. While we have made great strides in fighting domestic violence, we still have a long way to go. Over one-third of women have experienced rape, violence, or stalking by an intimate partner in their lifetime. As a former prosecutor, who has worked with hundreds of women victims of domestic violence, I know that holding their batterer responsible is important to them, but almost more important is making sure that we have the victim services necessary after the batterer is held responsible. That is more important for their pathway to healing. I am proud to support the Violence Against Women Act reauthorization. Back home in the East Bay, we are fortunate to have places for women to go for those victim services. For example, Ruby's Place, in Hayward, California, is a shelter helping hundreds of domestic violence survivors. I visited Ruby's Place in April. I saw the care, compassion, and concern that the employees there showed to women and families who are desperately in need of assistance. Shelters like Ruby's Place provide a lifeline to women across the country, and those places count on the Federal Government to help them. Hopefully, recognizing October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month is one important step to helping places like Ruby's Place.

Mr. SWALWELL of California

Mr. SWALWELL of California. Mr. Speaker, today I recognize Barbara Aro-Valle of Hayward, California, who recently left her position as the Executive Director for New Haven Schools Foundation. Barbara will be honored for her outstanding service to the foundation during a luncheon November 14, 2013. Barbara was born and raised in Hayward, California, where she graduated from James Logan High School. Barbara and her husband, Richard, married in 1979 and together they have two children, Monica and Andrew. After high school, Barbara worked for ten years as a dental assistant before taking a job at California State University Hayward (CSU-H) as the Director of Facilities Reservations and Special Events. While working full time and caring for her children, Barbara earned a bachelor's degree in human development from CSU-H, now called California State University East Bay. While her children attended school in the New Haven Unified School District, Barbara became actively involved as a parent volunteer in the band and color guard programs. In 2002, Barbara was elected to the New Haven School Board. During her time on the board, Barbara assisted in hiring a new school superintendent and successfully negotiated a three- year contract with the school's teachers union. Five years later, in 2007, Barbara accepted a position as Executive Director of the New Haven Schools Foundation. Barbara has been integral to the foundation's evolution, starting from the very beginning. Under her direction, the foundation has expanded its scholarship program, reinstated the Annual Scholarship Luncheon, and planned the annual casino night gala. Additionally, she helped bring indispensable funds to support grant programs. These programs allowed the school district to ward off significant cuts to co-curricular programs in recent years. I thank Barbara for her unparalleled dedication to the New Haven Schools Foundation, which has assisted students, teachers, and the community as a whole. I wish Barbara the best in her future endeavors.

Mr. SWALWELL of California

Mr. SWALWELL of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to my friend, Mr. Johnny A. Burkes of Pleasanton, California, who passed away last Wednesday, October 23rd, at the age of 83. During his life, Johnny was known as a family man who was dedicated to serving the community around him. He chose a career field where he felt he could make a long lasting, and positive impact: that of financial planning. For over 50 years, through his work, Johnny helped countless individuals and corporations plan for their future. Johnny was always willing to take time out of his busy career and family life to serve his community. He was a member of several service organizations, including the Native Sons of California, Elks Club, Rotary International, Masons, and Shriners. He also served for three years as a member of the Board of Trustees for the ValleyCare Charitable Foundation, which helps contribute to state- of-the-art healthcare in the Tri-Valley. During his life, Johnny enjoyed hunting and sports, and he was an avid fan of the San Francisco Giants and the San Francisco 49ers. He is survived by his high school sweetheart and wife of 65 years, Maxine; his four sons: Michael, Terry, Joey, and Lane; and, his five grandchildren. Johnny will be missed by many.

Mr. SWALWELL of California

Mr. SWALWELL of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Foothill High School's choir teacher, JoAnn Koobatian, who sadly passed away on Friday, October 18 after an eight-year battle with a rare form of cancer. She was just 47. JoAnn, an East Bay native, joined the faculty at Pleasanton's Foothill High School in 1996. She was vital to rebuilding its choir program, which had disappeared from the school's curriculum in the 1980s. Since reviving the choir program, JoAnn's ability to connect with students made it extremely popular. Because of her dedication and passion for teaching music, she was named Pleasanton's Teacher of the Year for 2011. Even while battling cancer for many years, JoAnn continued doing what she loved--teaching--and she always encouraged the best from her students. Her students showed their love and devotion for their beloved teacher by hosting many local fundraisers to help JoAnn and her family pay for her medical expenses. JoAnn's legacy will continue in the lives of the students she touched. I want to express my deepest condolences to JoAnn's husband Richard and daughter Amanda. JoAnn will be missed dearly. Her life is truly an inspiration to students, faculty, and the entire Foothill community.

Mr. SWALWELL of California

Mr. SWALWELL of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the fifth anniversary of the opening of Alviso Adobe Community Park in Pleasanton, California. A collaborative historical project between the City of Pleasanton and the Museum on Main, Alviso Adobe Community Park is home to the Alviso Adobe, the first adobe building in the Amador Valley and a California Historical Landmark. The park serves as a valuable resource for students and visitors interested in the economic, social and political life in California from the establishment of the Bear Flag Republic, through the Mexican- American War, the Gold Rush, and the granting of statehood. A re-creation of the historic Meadowlark Dairy milking barn and bunk house now features indoor interpretive displays that tell the story of California from its earliest Native American beginnings. Demonstration areas give visitors a hands-on experience in the activities of the past, such as making adobe bricks, ice cream, and learning how plants were used by the Ohlone people. The park grounds also have been carefully landscaped with native plants and fruit and nut trees amidst ancient Heritage oak trees and a seasonal creek. I again join with the community of Pleasanton in congratulating Alviso Adobe Community Park on five years of celebrating our rich history. I look forward to the park serving as a valuable education resource for many more years to come.

Mr. SWALWELL of California

Mr. SWALWELL of California. Mr. Speaker, this shutdown is shining a light and showing the world some of the extreme members of the Tea Party. This weekend, Tea Party Senators Ted Cruz and Mike Lee led a rally on the National Mall where one of their speakers, Freedom Watch founder Larry Klayman, called on President Obama to ``leave town, put the Quran down, and come out with your hands up.'' The rally moved to the White House where Tea Partyers waved the Confederate flag in front of the President's home. The picture is unnerving; it is despicable; and it is not the same flag that we just pledged allegiance to in this House. It does not depict an America whose seal reads: ``E Pluribus Unum''--``Out of many, one.'' To date, neither Senator nor any member of the Tea Party Caucus in this House has publicly denounced these ugly, disgusting comments toward our President. I respectfully ask my friends across the aisle to do so. We may disagree on many things in this Chamber, but I sincerely believe that no one in the Tea Party Caucus believes that this display outside the President's house is acceptable. Condemn this behavior. If you don't and you let it go, you are condoning it. ``Out of many, one''--``E Pluribus Unum.'' As one America, let's denounce this. It is time to come together.

Mr. SWALWELL of California

Mr. SWALWELL of California. Mr. Speaker, the devastating effect of the shutdown is now rippling beyond the Federal workforce. Last week it was learned that scientists at Lawrence Livermore and Sandia National Laboratory who work as Federal contractors will be furloughed this week. This is the largest employer in the 15th Congressional District, and their job is to uphold the national security mission of the United States, maintain our nuclear weapons stockpile, and provide energy security. I flew home yesterday to hold a town hall meeting for Sandia and Livermore employees, and the room was filled with fear and anxiety about how they would meet their bills and obligations and what they would do next. Enough is enough. The responsible thing to do is to end the government shutdown and put back to work our Federal workforce and our government contractors. I have sent a letter to Secretary Ernie Moniz of the Department of Energy asking that we guarantee back pay for the furloughed workers at Lawrence Livermore and Sandia National Laboratory. This ripple will continue as long as this shutdown goes on. The responsible thing to do is to end this shutdown, make sure that the cause of science is advanced at Lawrence Livermore and Sandia, and we put back to work these hardworking individuals who are serving the national mission.

Mr. SWALWELL of California

Mr. SWALWELL of California. Mr. Speaker, I move that the House do now adjourn.

Mr. SWALWELL of California

Mr. SWALWELL of California. I thank the gentlelady from California. She is absolutely correct. Democrats have compromised. We have accepted a $986 billion sequester budget, which the gentlelady and I do not accept. When you cut those programs, we are cutting the opportunities to lift people out of poverty. I agree with the gentlelady, we have made deep, deep concessions when it comes to a budget. We are ready to open up the government and turn the lights back on, but we are doing so at a painful price with the budget we are accepting. With that, I will close. I want to say to what my colleague from Berkeley and Oakland was saying: Keep our national labs open. Keep those great scientists at Lawrence Livermore, Sandia, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, keep them on the job, moving the job forward on science. It was alluded to earlier that the National Ignition Facility in Livermore, as the government that funds it was unraveling 2 weeks ago, at the National Ignition Facility in Livermore, they achieved something they had been attempting to achieve for the past 3-4 years. That is fusion. For the first time, they have been able to get more energy out than what they have put in. This is a remarkable achievement. They have achieved fusion, and they are knocking on the door of ignition at the National Ignition Facility. They are closer than they have ever been. They are closer now to meeting the 84th milestone. They have 84 milestones they have to meet. They have met 83 of them. They are so close to providing this renewable energy resource which will change the game on how every person in the world receives their energy, no longer requiring us to be dependent on foreign sources of energy if we can achieve this and then transfer this technology to the private market. The data achieved at NIF is critical for understanding nuclear fusion, which we need for keeping a reliable stockpile of nuclear weapons. So this is a critical energy issue and a critical defense issue. Understanding fusion, as I mentioned, allows us to get closer to the goal of civilian fusion energy. And nuclear fusion energy, unlike what we currently use, nuclear fission essentially would produce no waste or carbon emissions. It is the ``holy grail'' of clean energy, and I want to make sure that the scientists at Lawrence Livermore are able to accomplish it. Sandia also has a facility called the Combustion Research Facility. This is a partnership, a public-private partnership with our automakers and those who are making automobiles in Detroit. What they are trying to do is make the American automobile engine more efficient at the Combustion Research Facility. There are important, remarkable achievements going on at our national laboratories. With the furlough at our laboratory, all of their exceptional work will be put on hold. So what does that mean in relation to the National Ignition Facility and the Combustion Research Facility? It means that work will stop that is being done to maintain our nuclear stockpile; the great fusion energy project I mentioned; efforts to understand climate change will stop; all while we stand still, other countries like Russia and China will zoom past us in science, math, and renewable energy. And this isn't just what happens today. If these highly skilled, highly intelligent employees are prevented from working, they will go somewhere else. These people are Ph.D.'s. They will find somewhere else to go. At the beginning of the hour, I said I would not only tell us how we got here, what it means, I would also offer a way forward. The way forward, as I see it, is for the Speaker of the House, Mr. Boehner, to allow this House to have an up-or-down vote on passing the same budget that the Senate has agreed to, the same budget that the President of the United States said he would sign. We know the votes are there. Twenty-five to 30 Republicans have said they would pass that vote. So let's get the government back to work. Let's end the partisanship games, the obsession with defunding the Affordable Care Act, and let's get the government back to work. In the meantime, a short-term solution I have offered is that Secretary Moniz allow furloughed employees at all of our national laboratories, at all 17 sites, all 30,000 employees, to receive back furlough pay. I have also worked since January with a small group of freshmen, about 30 of us, Republicans and Democrats evenly divided. It is called the United Solutions Caucus. We have been meeting almost every week since sworn into office, pledging that we will work together and build the foundation of a bipartisan relationship. In these trying times and dark days over the last 2 weeks, we have met nearly every other day, talking about what we can do to work together to turn back on the lights of the government for the greatest democracy of the world. This group gives me hope. Just yesterday, the group met with two senior members, a Republican and a Democrat, from the Appropriations Committee. Nobody in that group and neither of those senior members want to see the government continue to be shut down, so I am hopeful that we can continue to talk. I am hopeful that this group can continue to work together, the United Solutions Caucus, to provide a way forward, a way that ensures that the Federal workforce is back to work; and for my district, ensures that those hardworking scientists who want to think big, just like I did, the same reason I came to Congress, that want to move the ball forward on our nuclear and energy security, that they can go back to work and they aren't ever furloughed. So I ask my colleagues on the other side: Did you come here to help people or did you come here to hurt people? I think you came here for the same reason I did, to help people, and so I hope you will prove it to the American people. Allow an up-or-down vote; allow us to pass a clean resolution; and together, all of us, Republicans and Democrats, can help the American people. With that, Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. SWALWELL of California. Thank you to the gentleman from California. His passion for our laboratories, for science really shows. I am so glad he talked about what the Democrats have already done as far as compromising. That is really important here because I had a town hall last weekend. I went home on the one day we didn't have votes, and I went to the City Hall Chamber in Dublin, California, the council chamber there. A number of folks rightfully asked me, What are the Democrats willing to give up in these negotiations? I think it is important for folks to know that the Democrats have already made concessions, that we have made very, very difficult concessions. The best way to describe those concessions is with that ugly, terrible word called ``sequester,'' which has been across-the- board cuts, and they have hurt our national labs with these deep, deep cuts. This chart here demonstrates it better than anything I have seen, which is that you have the President's budget, which is about $1.2 trillion. Then you see the 2011 debt limit deal at $1.6 trillion. You see Paul Ryan's budget at $967 billion. Then, across the Capitol, the Senate passed a budget at $986 billion. To get a budget to keep the government running, you need what I call the Holy Trinity. You need the Senate, the House, and the President to all agree on one number. You have the President, who wanted something in the low trillions. You have the Senate that compromised at $986 billion. The House has said that we will take $986 billion, and the President has now agreed that he would take $986 billion. The House has one very, very harsh exception. It will take $986 billion, but it started with wanting to repeal the Affordable Care Act. The Democrats have compromised. This chart shows that we have made deep and hard concessions during this budget negotiation. The biggest one, as I mentioned, is this mindless, across-the-board cut called ``sequester.'' Now, sequester is not targeted cuts. We are not going after bad programs. Rather, we are taking good programs, and we are taking bad programs, and we are seeing across-the-board cuts. It is indiscriminate. At our laboratories, they have programs called LDRD, Laboratory Directed Research and Development. In the private sector, many companies allow their employees, especially in high-tech and innovation, about ``20 percent time,'' is what they call it. Google calls it ``20 percent time.'' So, for one day a week, effectively, an employee is allowed to work outside his assigned area--his subject matter, his expertise--on something that he thinks can move the ball forward in his industry. So ``20 percent time,'' they call it. At the laboratories, they call this ``LDRD.'' They are given about 8\1/2\ percent. So it is an over 50 percent less cut than what you are seeing in the private sector. It is 8\1/2\ percent that they are getting at our national laboratories. Because of these sequester cuts, that 8\1/2\ percent has been cut by more than half. Now they are below 4 percent for their LDRD, and the LDRD work at our national laboratories has produced some tremendous results in science. I just want to go through some of them. The gentleman from California talked about nonproliferation and what the research has done at the National Laboratories as far as reducing the stockpiles across the world. Well, because of the LDRD work, what we have seen is that we are able to better test nuclear weapons and verify countries in the numbers they are claiming they have for nuclear weapons across the world because we have this LDRD research. Also, we are able to provide cleaner energy vehicles because of LDRD research. The Volt, the Chevy Volt, for example. The Chevy Volt would not be able to cruise on battery power were it not for the advanced cathode technology that emerged from a National Laboratory. Also, airport security. We are all so thankful and grateful that at the airport they are able to detect many of the explosives that terrorists would seek to use to take down an airplane. LDRD we can thank for much of the research that has come out that makes our airports so much safer. I was a prosecutor for 7 years. In so many cases, whether it was homicides or sexual assaults, we were able to put perpetrators away because of DNA research that was conducted at our National Laboratories. To DNA testing we can now add human antibody detection, a precise method of catching suspects and attaching them to crime scenes. This was something I was able to use in a courtroom to great effect. That science is so powerful when you have so many questions of who committed the crime that all jurors can accept the scientific research that has come out of LDRD and the DNA advances that we have seen there. I want to yield now to a colleague of mine from New Mexico who represents the Albuquerque area and the other Sandia laboratory, our sister over there in New Mexico. I have Sandia and Livermore and the gentlelady from New Mexico has Sandia in New Mexico. I am going to yield to her and have her tell us about this shutdown and what effect it has had on our National Laboratories, particularly in her district.

Mr. SWALWELL of California. Thank you to the gentlelady from California (Ms. Lofgren), who has been a tireless advocate for our national laboratories and is a fighter on the Science Committee day in and day out as we wage these battles and try and think big and challenge our colleagues to do everything we can to move the ball forward so that we can reach that point where we have clean energy fusion, where we have a renewable source that is safe and reliable and does not require us to look across oceans and time zones to provide our country's energy. With that, I would like to yield to the gentleman from California, my colleague, my former Congressman, my friend, who today is honoring Bow Tie Friday as well, the gentleman from California (Mr. McNerney).

Mr. SWALWELL of California. I also want to thank Science Committee Ranking Member Johnson for her support of national laboratory employees. Mr. Speaker, I came to Congress knowing that in the policies I helped and worked to enact and the legislative agenda that I would work on that I could either help people or hurt people. And the decision for me was quite easy, Mr. Speaker: I came to Congress to help people. I came to Congress to think big. I was very excited when I was told prior to being sworn in that I was going to be serving on the Science Committee. I was even more thrilled when I learned that I would have the opportunity to serve as the lead Democrat on the Energy Subcommittee, knowing that the Energy Subcommittee would have partial jurisdiction over two national laboratories which are in my congressional district in Livermore, California: Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and Sandia National Laboratory. These two national laboratories, with about 6,500 employees at Livermore and 1,500 at Sandia, work every day to uphold our national security mission to maintain our nuclear weapons stockpile and also provide for energy security for citizens in the United States. Prior to being elected to Congress, I had the opportunity multiple times as a city council member in Dublin to visit these national laboratories. And since being elected to Congress, I have had opportunities to visit the laboratories and also interact with their officials here in Washington. What I have learned about these employees, these scientists, these engineers who work at our national laboratories is they care deeply about our country, but they also care very deeply about the science and the research that they work on every day and the laboratory environment that allows them to do that. So you can imagine how hard it is right now. We are in day 11 of a government shutdown, and laboratory employees were told about 2 days ago that, effective next week, they will be furloughed, too. As you all know, Federal workers across our country from almost every agency have been furloughed or are working without pay. But at our national laboratories, which operate as GOCO facilities, which stands for government-owned/contractor-operated, these workers are not Federal workers but they are government contractors. They are scientists. It is estimated that Livermore, California, has more Ph.D.'s per capita than any other city in the world because of the approximately 7,500 employees at our national laboratory. It was one of the hardest phone calls I have had to take since being sworn in to Congress when both laboratory directors called and said that in an hour they were going to tell their employees that they were going to be furloughed, and that they needed me to do anything I could in the Congress to help to get the government up and running and make sure the United States pays its bills so that their workers can continue to do the great things they are doing at our national laboratories. This evening, I look forward to talking about what caused our shutdown, the truth behind what has caused the shutdown. I look forward to talking about the effect that the shutdown is having on people inside and outside of government--employees who are Federal workers, people who depend and rely on government services, people outside who work as government contractors--with a particular focus on what is happening at our national laboratories. I also want to offer what I see as a way forward and a way that we can get out of this government shutdown, a way that we can get the Federal workforce working again, a way that we can make sure that our laboratory experts, our scientists, are able to go back to work and do great things to keep us safe and secure and move the ball forward on our energy policies. I also want to tell all laboratory employees that today we submitted to Secretary Moniz, Members of Congress from the California delegation and Senator Feinstein, a letter asking Secretary Moniz at the Department of Energy to allow our national laboratory employees--and there are about 30,000 of them across the country who have been furloughed--to be paid backpay for the time that they are furloughed. I am honored to be joined on that letter by Bay Area House Members Zoe Lofgren and also Jerry McNerney, who will join me tonight. I am going to yield in a moment to both of those Members and allow them to talk about the national labs and the shutdown. Congressman Jerry McNerney, who has represented the Tri-Valley area prior to redistricting back in 2010, knows greatly about our national laboratories. He is a Ph.D. serving in the Congress. He has a Ph.D. in mathematics and is somebody who worked as a wind engineer and has worked at our national laboratories. He will talk about the effect on our national laboratories. Another champion of our national laboratories is Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren, who also serves on the Science Committee with me. She is somebody who has been a champion for our national laboratories, and particularly Lawrence Livermore and Sandia. Although they are not in her congressional district, I am grateful for her constant support on every issue, knowing that she and I share a vision and a goal that one day we will realize fusion ignition. With that, Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlelady from California (Ms. Lofgren).

Mr. SWALWELL of California. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the subject of this Special Order, the Federal Government's Shutdown and Its Impacts on our Department of Energy National Laboratories.

Mr. SWALWELL of California

Mr. SWALWELL of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the tenacious and courageous survivors of domestic violence as we observe Domestic Violence Awareness Month. In particular, I would like to recognize a special organization in my district that makes life possible again for these survivors and their families. Ruby's Place in Hayward, formally known as the Emergency Shelter Program, has helped hundreds of survivors throughout my district and across the East Bay. It is more than just a support system, it has proven to be a lifeline for so many in need. The organization's namesake, Ruby, a survivor, serves as a beacon of hope to many who have faced the pain of abuse by someone they love. Domestic violence impacts so many lives. While the wounds may heal, scars are left behind. Domestic violence affects the whole family and, sadly, all of our communities. Support services and resources are crucial to the survival of many of these individuals. That is why we are so fortunate to have Ruby's Place. Domestic violence must stop, and with strong, courageous, and passionate advocates like those who grace Ruby's Place, I know that message is being heard loud and clear. Change will come if we all take a stand together. I offer Ruby's Place my heartfelt gratitude and my support as it continues to provide critical services to my constituents and people throughout the East Bay.

Mr. SWALWELL of California

Mr. SWALWELL of California. Mr. Speaker, I came to Congress to help people, not to hurt people, and this shutdown is hurting innocent Americans. This past Sunday, I flew back home because Congress was not in session. We were not voting on Sunday, so I took a flight home to California to meet with my constituents in my congressional district. I held a town hall. I held it at Dublin City Hall. Dublin City Hall is where I served as a city council member. Dublin is also home to many Federal employers. In my congressional district, we have 4,000 Federal employees, plus a number of government contractors who work at Lawrence Livermore and Sandia National Laboratories. I also held it there because, for 2 years as a city council member, I worked in that chamber day in and day out to make sure that we provided a balanced budget. We provided a 2-year budget. It is so frustrating for me here in the Congress that we provide budgets that are only 45 or 60 days at a time, and across America our city councils are thinking big and thinking forward and balancing their budgets while taking measured investments in the future. So we gathered the community of California's 15th Congressional District at Dublin City Hall, and we had over 150 people attend. The room was filled with fear and anxiety. Federal workers were in the room, worried about what this was going to mean for the personal incomes, for their families, for their household bills. Even though Federal workers in my district have been furloughed, their bills have not been furloughed. The home lenders are still calling, asking where the mortgages are. Their auto loans are still going to be due. Their credit card statements will still arrive. If they have kids in college, they're still going to have to pay tuition. The Federal employees told me about the stress that they're living under either by not being able to work or, even worse, by being told that they have to work, but they're not going to receive their paychecks right now. In fact, we were reminded in this very Chamber just last week how stressful that can be, when the Capitol Hill Police, who stand guard here at democracy's door, who protect the people's House, rushed to aid the Members of Congress and the employees who work in this building as an erratic driver drove into a barricaded area just outside the Capitol grounds. Those Capitol Hill police are working to protect us, but they're doing so without pay. So I heard stories just like that in my congressional district from the employees in our district, who are very scared about what's going to happen next. We learned that this is affecting people who work not just inside government, but also outside government. Inside government, we have employees at Camp Parks Reserve Forces Training Area, the NASA facility in Dublin. We also have a women's Federal prison. Outside government, we have government contract employees--about 6,500 of them--at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and about 1,500 of them at Sandia National Laboratories. They told us, if the government shutdown continues, they may be furloughed within the next 10 days. Most strikingly, the Republicans who attended expressed their concern, as we have heard in this Chamber, about the Affordable Care Act. I understand that, but not a single Republican who attended told me or told our other constituents that they believe their concerns over the Affordable Care Act were worth prolonging this government shutdown. There are also concerns about, well, why don't we just get some of the government up and running like some of the bills that we passed last week but that the Senate won't take up? I told my constituents I will not support any bill that pits any constituency against each other. We saw bills that pitted veterans against seniors, sick children against the poor. It is time to get the government up and running for everybody. Veterans who attended our town hall agreed. They served this country to make sure that the government works for everybody, not just for the veterans who served it. I am inspired by, and I told my constituents that I have hope in, a freshman group that continues to gather a couple times each week and that was here during the shutdown crisis, called the United Solutions Caucus. It has about 15 Members on the Republican side and 15 on the Democratic side. They are freshman Members of Congress who are meeting and talking about what we can do to work together. Finally, to my colleagues across the aisle, I ask you this respectfully: Did you come to Congress to help people or did you come to Congress to hurt people? If you came here to help, just like I did, then I think you know what to do next. Turn on the lights of the government that runs the greatest democracy in the world, and let's get America working again.

Mr. SWALWELL of California

Mr. SWALWELL of California. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to congratulate Safeway Inc., headquartered in Pleasanton, California, for receiving the Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award from the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) organization. The Employer Support Freedom Award recognizes employers who show a commitment to hiring and supporting service members from the National Guard and Reserve. Safeway was one of only 15 employers to receive this prestigious award, chosen from over 2,900 nominations. More than ten years ago, Safeway was one of the first companies to extend full benefits and cover the pay differential for Reserve and National Guard employees called to active duty. Additionally, in 2012, Safeway launched its Retail Military Recruiting project, which seeks to hire veterans from a variety of backgrounds. In 2012, Safeway hired 1,500 veterans, and it plans to hire another 1,500 veterans in 2013. Also, Safeway has instituted a special program to hire junior military officers and non-commissioned officers for managerial positions in the company. As a nation we must pledge that when our troops return home we leave no service member behind. Safeway has shown our troops and veterans more than words of appreciation; it has provided meaningful support to our brave service members. I applaud Safeway's continued service to our National Guard, Reserves, and veterans through these hiring and benefits programs. Congratulations again to Safeway for achieving this great honor.

Mr. SWALWELL of California

Mr. SWALWELL of California. Mr. Speaker, it is a dark day today in America and the lights of the greatest government of the greatest democracy in the world are out. The only person who can turn those lights back on, the only person who controls the switch is Speaker John Boehner, not the Tea Party. Turn that switch on, Mr. Speaker. Turn it on for the Federal worker at Camp Parks in Dublin, California, who is seeking unemployment benefits and asking to extend the mortgage on his house. Turn it on for the children who are awaiting clinical trials at the National Institutes of Health. Turn it on for our veterans, whose claims will be delayed. Turn on the lights, Mr. Speaker, for the hungry women and children who will be affected by delayed WIC funding. Turn on the lights for our Capitol Hill Police, who stand guard at the people's House without pay. Mr. Speaker, you can turn back on the lights of the government that runs the greatest democracy in the world. Just give us a vote.

Mr. SWALWELL of California

Mr. SWALWELL of California. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to congratulate Julienne Sauer, of San Ramon, California. Fourteen-year-old Julienne recently was awarded second place in the science category of the Broadcom MASTERS 2013 National Science Fair. The Broadcom MASTERS National Science Fair challenges sixth, seventh, and eighth grade scientists to explore STEM experiments and projects. Julienne was selected as one of thirty finalists from thousands of nominees by a panel of distinguished scientists and engineers. Julienne's project was titled Quantum Locking: The Future of Frictionless Motion. She tested two different types of superconductors to explore which produced a magnetic field that would support the most weight. Scientists today are using this type of research to determine how to use frictionless motion to propel high speed rail and other projects. It is important that young scientists like Julienne have opportunities to pursue their passions. I applaud Julienne's success. Her achievement, especially at such a young age, is remarkable. She is an inspiration and should serve as a role model for other young students looking to pursue a STEM education around the country. I offer Julienne my heartfelt congratulations, and I wish her the best of luck in her future endeavors.

Mr. SWALWELL of California

Mr. SWALWELL of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize Jensen Ranch Elementary School from Castro Valley, California, in my congressional district, which was recently named as a 2013 National Blue Ribbon School by the Department of Education. The National Blue Ribbon Schools Program recognizes public and private elementary, middle, and high schools for overall academic excellence or improved performance. Two representatives from Jensen Ranch have been invited to travel to Washington, D.C., in November for the recognition ceremony, where they will receive a National Blue Ribbon School plaque and flag to proudly display at their school. Jensen Ranch is just one of 15 California schools recognized with this prestigious award. Led by Principal Melodie Stibich, Jensen Ranch has been actively working to integrate new technology into the classroom and has implemented early intervention programs for students who are struggling to read and write. Jensen Ranch's commitment to providing a top-notch education program will help its students learn, grow, and thrive in our communities. Congratulations again to the teachers, administrators, parents, and students that helped Jensen Ranch achieve this well-deserved award.

Mr. SWALWELL of California

Mr. SWALWELL of California. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to this radical, right-wing effort to walk our economy off of a cliff and cause a government shutdown. I invite my colleagues on the other side to wake up from this radical, ideological wet dream and come back to reality. It's time for us to come to the negotiating table. It's time for us to talk about what we can do to avoid a government shutdown. It takes health care coverage away from millions of people by blocking funding for ObamaCare. This is the 42nd attempt to do so, and there is absolutely, as we all know, zero chance of it happening. It makes sure that we pay China first before we pay people in this country should the right wing continue to demand defunding ObamaCare at all costs and force a first- ever U.S. failure to pay its own bills. We all know how this should end. There is a way to fund the government which would pass this Chamber with votes from both sides of the aisle. I can only hope that the Republican leadership will eventually listen to the pleas from Americans in my district and in the whole country and pursue this bipartisan effort. Until then, I urge all Members to oppose this bill.