Mark Takano

Mr. TAKANO

Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to thank a member of my staff on the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs who will not be continuing with us into the next Congress. Esti Lamonaca is an Army veteran who lives and breathes veterans advocacy and who brought deep insight and tireless passion to the committee's efforts to support women veterans. As the lead for the Women Veterans Task Force during this Congress, Esti organized a series of important task force events. The oversight work they undertook will guide the committee's work on behalf of women veterans for years to come, and Esti's commitment to this work will continue to inspire those who worked with them. The work of my committee, this Congress, and our government to honor and support our veterans was made better by Esti's service, and they will be deeply missed. Thanking Matt Tyrell

Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I rise to thank a member of my staff on the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs who will not be continuing with us into the next Congress. Dr. Heather O'Beirne Kelly brought 20 years of experience as a psychologist to her critical role with the Health Subcommittee. She spearheaded my committee's work on veterans' mental health and suicide prevention and drafted key portions of some of the most important legislation passed by the committee, including the Veterans COMPACT Act, the STRONG Veterans Act, and the VIPER Act. Even as she grappled with incredibly difficult policy challenges, Heather was a joyful presence in our office who made every day better for her coworkers. The work of my committee, this Congress, and our government to honor and support our veterans was made better by Heather's service, and she will be deeply missed. Thanking Esti Lamonaca

Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to thank a member of my staff on the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs who will not be continuing with us into the next Congress. Matt Tyrell came to our committee from the Department of Veterans Affairs, and his experience within that organization proved invaluable to our work. He spent months engaging with stakeholders, drafting language, and laying the careful groundwork needed to pass the Honoring our PACT Act, one of the most important pieces of legislation to come out of this Congress. Even while accomplishing such a Herculean task, he never failed to bring collegiality and good humor to his work. The work of my committee, this Congress, and our government to honor and support our veterans was made better by Matt's service, and he will be deeply missed. Thanking Peter Tyler

Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to thank a member of my staff on the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs who will not be continuing with us into the next Congress. Matt Horowitz brought real-world experience in technology and cybersecurity to my committee's work and broadened the scope of our oversight efforts into this important, complex, and often overlooked area. His deep knowledge, patience, and good humor also helped my committee become a model to others as Congress adjusted to the need for remote work and virtual hearings during the pandemic. He expanded the work the committee does and helped us do it better during a very challenging time. The work of my committee, this Congress, and our government to honor and support our veterans was made better by Matt's service, and he will be deeply missed. Thanking Joel Walsh

Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Texas for his generous yield. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to thank a member of my staff on the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs who will not be continuing with us into the next Congress. Toria Sullivan brought a deep passion for helping veterans to my committee and always provided a kind and empathetic ear to those who contacted our office seeking assistance. She brought calm and order to a fast-moving office, where the next urgent priority was always right around the corner. She was unfailingly helpful and went above and beyond expectations as part of the committee's communications team. The work of my committee, this Congress, and our government to honor and support our veterans was made better by Toria's service, and she will be deeply missed. Thanking Heather O'Beirne Kelly

Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to thank a member of my staff on the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs who will not be continuing with us into the next Congress. Joel Walsh has been an important part of my committee's oversight and investigations team, and he brought skills to his job that he honed while working as a journalist. His professionalism, writing and investigation skills, and work ethic proved invaluable to the committee as he helped lead hearings and draft important records. Joel's sincerity and good humor made my committee a better place to work and also made our work better. The work of my committee, this Congress, and our government to honor and support our veterans was made better by Joel's service, and he will be deeply missed. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Texas for his generosity of spirit and for his collegiality.

Mr. TAKANO

Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the Respect for Marriage Act. Over my time in Congress as the first openly gay Member of color elected in history, the fight for LGBTQ equality has remained a critical and personal focus of mine. Last week, the Senate took long- overdue action to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act, and when my colleagues and I pass the Respect for Marriage Act in the House today, it will mean the world to me, my loved ones, and to millions of Americans. Nearly 10 years ago, at the start of my career in Congress, the Supreme Court ruled in Obergefell v. Hodges that marriage equality is a fundamental protected right. We took to the streets in fervent celebration of this cornerstone victory for our community. This bill will pass today, but it is a reminder of the necessity of our vigilance in the fight for human rights and the need to hold the judicial branch accountable. We must rise to the challenge, and we will prevail.

Mr. TAKANO

Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to thank a member of my staff on the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, who will not be continuing with us into the next Congress. Kassie Stagner has served our committee both as a clerk and a research assistant. During her time on staff, she has also shown a willingness to go the extra mile, take on any job that needs doing, and to do so with incredible attention to detail. Her work proved invaluable to many of the committee's oversight investigations. Through long days and hard projects, Kassie brought a sense of humor and a Texas charm to everything she did. The work of my committee, this Congress, and our government to honor and to support our veterans was made better by Kassie's service, and she will be deeply missed.

Mr. TAKANO

Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, for my friends across the aisle, this is an opportunity to honor our brave veterans for their heroism, regardless of the country they were born in. We commemorated Veterans Day last month, and I can think of no better way to honor our veterans than voting ``yes'' on the underlying legislation. We can and must do better by our immigrant veterans.

Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairwoman Lofgren for her leadership and Chairman Nadler for his staunch support to move my bill, the Veteran Service Recognition Act, through committee and to bring it to the floor. As chairman of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, one of my top priorities has been the prevention of undue noncitizen veteran deportations. Most Americans would be shocked and in disbelief that we have deported people who have served in our military, have served in uniform, have even been in combat. They would be shocked to learn that we have done this, but it is true. We have actually taken American heroes who have served in our military and deported them. While many would be shocked to learn that veterans who have served our country are being subjected to deportations, the number of these individuals is unknown because we have not kept adequate records on who these people are. In 2019, Representative Vargas and I requested that the Government Accountability Office evaluate the scope of servicemember and veteran deportations and determine the state of and adherence to DHS policies on such deportations, DHS' own policies. What the GAO found was significant gaps not only in the Federal approach to processing potentially removable veterans but also in how the government facilitated the naturalization of noncitizen servicemembers and veterans. I was further dismayed by the additional findings that the number of these veterans was not being tracked; deportation often prevented these individuals from accessing their VA benefits and services or attending hearings to appeal VA decisions; and ICE did not consistently adhere to its own policies on removal proceedings involving veterans. The GAO report made it abundantly clear that reforms are desperately needed across the Federal Government, and that is precisely what my bill endeavors to do today. Despite being born in a different country, these veterans served in the United States for the promise of a better future. They put their lives on the line to promote our ideals and values because they believe in the American experience. Often, these individuals, like many veterans, leave service with traumas or ailments that impact their physical and mental health. This can lead to drug addiction, self-harm, or PTSD, which also can serve as a precursor to violence or criminal activity. We must recognize these struggles that our veterans face and show greater compassion toward those who may have made a mistake, including those noncitizen veterans who are facing deportation due to their actions. I say to you, Mr. Speaker, if there is anyone who deserves a second chance in our country, it is people who have worn the uniform of the United States of America. The Veteran Service Recognition Act creates a pathway for us to recognize their service and prevent the undue deportation of servicemembers and veterans. The bill achieves this by making the naturalization process easier for Active-Duty servicemembers at basic training and establishing a military family immigration advisory committee to review the record of an individual being considered for deportation. This is not an automatic thing. This is about weighing the servicemember's record as part of those proceedings. What American would deny that we should treat noncitizen veterans with fairness and compassion? We want veterans to be able to apply for green cards to return home, excluding the most egregious cases, and codify an administrative program for immediate family members of veterans to also obtain green cards consistent with existing administrative policy. The number of eligible individuals under this legislation remains a very small subset of the veteran population. In fact, estimates are in the couple of hundreds.

Mr. TAKANO

Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Riverside Community College District Trustee Tracey Vackar for her esteemed service to public education throughout California's 41st Congressional District. Trustee Vackar embodies steadfast commitment to Riverside Community College students, helping them realize and achieve the American Dream through education. Tracey is the immediate past president of the RCCD board and was elected by her out-of-district peers to serve on the California Community College Trustees Board, a massive indication of her leadership. With over two decades of working in the Moreno Valley Unified School District, and in my colleague Pete Aguilar's neighboring district with Fontana Unified School District, Tracey's dedication to students spans the Inland Empire. Tracey deeply understands the critical role that our community colleges play in creating workforce training opportunities to expand middle-class families' pathway toward college degrees. With her unparalleled passion for service, Tracey is an exemplary role model for Inland Empire students. She will be missed on the board, but I wish her best of luck on her next journey.

Mr. TAKANO

Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Louisiana for his hard work. I feel his sincere words. I take them to heart, and I sincerely hope that we get this through the Senate so that we can see this signed into law before the end of this year. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I am prepared to close. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, as I have said before on the floor of this House, serving our veterans is not about red or blue. It is about red, white, and blue. I know that the ranking member stands with me in service of our veterans, and he stands with me right now in the optimism that Team USA is going to prevail today at the World Cup. They are ahead 1-0. I know the ranking member and I, and the gentleman from Louisiana, are all standing united with the hope of an American victory there. Mr. Speaker, again, I ask all my colleagues to join me in passing H.R. 7158, as amended, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 7158, as amended.

Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 7158, as amended, the Long- Term Care Veterans Choice Act. This bill, authored and long championed by Congressman Higgins and Chairwoman Brownley, would enable VA to better provide long-term services and support for our aging and disabled veterans. The VA's medical foster homes are one of its most creative and effective initiatives. Veterans who have access to these care settings thrive and are able to remain a part of their community, even if their conditions do not allow them to remain independently in their homes. Veterans who are not yet ready for institutional care but need the help and assistance of professional caregivers are able to live in a home setting among other veterans in their communities. Satisfaction with the program is very high, but veterans have to pay for the care themselves, which is a barrier for many veterans. Yet, VA is currently prohibited from paying a veteran's room and board. This legislation would change that. Community-based programs like these are what veterans want and deserve. They also prevent veterans from being forced into much more expensive institutional care settings. Mr. Speaker, I wholeheartedly support this bill, and I encourage all of my colleagues to join me in supporting this legislation. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the ranking member's desire to engage in talks regarding the toxic exposure fund. It is an important issue, which is the long-term implications of the Cost of War Toxic Exposures Fund, otherwise known as TEV, and it was created by the Honoring our PACT Act. This fund is absolutely crucial to ensuring VA has the resources necessary to fully support our veterans and to deliver the new benefits available to them without having to sacrifice existing programs. As I have said repeatedly, any potential change to this fund and how it operates must be considered very carefully and requires the input of other committees that have a stake in this issue, to include appropriations and budget in the House and Senate. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 7158) to amend title 38, United States Code, to authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to enter into contracts and agreements for the payment of care in non-Department of Veterans Affairs medical foster homes for certain veterans who are unable to live independently, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. TAKANO

Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I ask all of my colleagues to join me in passing H.R. 5943, as amended, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this bill, H.R. 5943, as amended, which will appropriately honor the memory of Lance Corporal Dana C. Darnell as one of the more than 58,000 names etched on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial just down the street on The National Mall. Like so many of those who served our great Nation, Lance Corporal Darnell's life was tragically cut short. In April 1967, his Marine platoon was ambushed by enemy forces in the Quang Tri Province in north-central Vietnam. Lance Corporal Darnell, at just 19 years old, displayed remarkable bravery and selflessness in the face of adversity. When his platoon's mortar gunner was knocked unconscious, Lance Corporal Darnell quickly retrieved the weapon and began firing it into the enemy's position. After exhausting his ammunition, he moved from man to man, collecting additional mortar rounds to help silence the attack. In doing so, Lance Corporal Darnell undoubtedly saved the lives of others in his platoon. Even after being temporarily blinded by enemy fire, Lance Corporal Darnell refused to be evacuated. Instead, he quickly began caring for his wounded comrades. Two days later, Lance Corporal Darnell was killed in action. For his extraordinary heroism, Lance Corporal Darnell was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross by President Johnson. The Greenville, South Carolina, native also received a Purple Heart and National Defense, Vietnam Service, and Vietnam Campaign Medals for his meritorious service. I thank my colleague, Representative Timmons, for introducing this bill, which will designate the Department of Veterans Affairs outpatient clinic in Greenville, South Carolina, the Lance Corporal Dana Cornell Darnell Outpatient Clinic. This bill has letters of support from The American Legion, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and Disabled American Veterans. Mr. Speaker, I include these letters in the Record. [From the American Legion] Whereas, The American Legion is always preserving the memories in incidents in all wars and to the men, women and families sacrifice to the country of The United States of America will never be forgotten; and Whereas, The American Legion has paid homage to the courage and commitments from the United States military and the values they have brought to our great nation; and Whereas, the United States is a grateful nation for the ultimate sacrifice of 58,220 United States Service members during the war with the North Vietnamese from 1955-1975; and Whereas, one of those conflicts was the battle of Quang Tri Provence the northern provincial capital of The republic of South Vietnam involving Company B, First Battalion, 9th Marines, Third Marine Division, Fleet Marine Force April 24, 1967; and Whereas, Greenville South Carolina's very own United States Marine Lance Corporal Dana Cornell was engaged in a search and destroy operation against the Viet Cong and the North Vietnamese ambushed Cornell as they entered a field; and Whereas, using heavy small arms Lance Corporal Dana Cornell was knocked unconscious while seeking cover and still managed to face extraordinary calmness in the face of enemy fire, Cornell retrieved the mortar, and was unable to set it up properly, due to the urgency of the situation, holding it between his legs and steadying it from his hands, began firing into enemy positions; and Whereas, Cornell exhausted all of his ammunition and moved from man to man collecting mortars until the enemy fire was silenced and his platoon began to withdraw from the clearing Darnell, was dragging two wounded Marines from the clearing when he was temporary blinded; and Whereas, Darnell showed exceptional courage staying in the field tending to the wounded. By his outstanding courage, exceptional fortitude, and valiant fighting spirit he served to inspire all who observed him and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service; and Whereas, It has pleased almighty God, the Great Commander to summon his immortal and beloved comrade at arms Lance Corporal Dana Cornell while paying the ultimate sacrifice of his life at age 19 so that others could be free April 26, 1967; and be it finally Resolved, That South Carolinas Largest Veterans organization the American Legion, Department of South Carolina Executive Committee at a specially called meeting assembled on this day in November 10, 2022 that it supports designating the outpatient clinic of the Department of Veterans Affairs in Greenville, South Carolina, as the ``Lance Corporal Dana Cornell Darnell Outpatient Clinic''. James Kvam, Chairman, Internal Affairs. James Jarvis, South Carolina Department Commander.

Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 5943, as amended, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 5943) to designate the outpatient clinic of the Department of Veterans Affairs in Greenville, South Carolina, as the ``Lance Corporal Dana Cornell Darnell Outpatient Clinic,'' as amended.

Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 5943, as amended.

Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I am prepared to close.

Mr. TAKANO

Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I ask all of my colleagues to join me in passing H.R. 4772, as amended, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 4772, as amended, the Mark O'Brien VA Clothing Allowance Improvement Act. As it stands today, under 38 U.S.C. 1162, the Secretary may pay an annual clothing allowance payment to a veteran with a service-connected disability that requires the use of a prosthetic or orthopedic appliance, including a wheelchair, which the Secretary determines tends to wear out or tear the clothing of the veteran, or medication which, A, a physician has prescribed for a skin condition, or, B, the Secretary determines causes irreparable damage to the veteran's outer garments. Veterans who are entitled to a VA clothing allowance must reapply each year to receive the annual payment. This places the onus on veterans with what are, in most instances, permanent conditions to remember to reapply each year to receive the benefit they have already shown they are entitled to. Veterans must also remember to apply before August 1 or risk denial due to untimely application. Mr. Levin's bill would change all of that. It would amend 38 U.S.C. 1162 to allow for the VA clothing allowance to be an automatic annual payment, subject to periodic review by VA to determine continued entitlement. It would no longer force veterans to reapply each year and, instead, requires VA to complete periodic reviews to determine continued entitlement on its own initiation. This would require notice to the veteran if entitlement were no longer shown. Approximately 40,000 veterans were approved for the clothing allowance benefit in fiscal year 2020 alone. This bill would ensure these veterans no longer have to reapply every year to maintain their benefits. Mr. Speaker, I wholeheartedly support this bill. I urge all of my colleagues to join me in supporting Mr. Levin's beneficial and commonsense legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.