Member of Congress

Norma Torres

Role
Current Representative
State
CA
Party
Democrat

Speeches

RECOGNIZING DR. HENRY SHANNON2026-09-24

Mrs. TORRES of California

Mrs. TORRES of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Dr. Henry Shannon for his 19 years of service to Chaffey College ahead of his retirement on September 24, 2026. Through his leadership, Dr. Shannon has had an incredible impact on thousands of Inland Empire families in my congressional district and beyond. Dr. Shannon first came to Chaffey College in 2007, and has served as superintendent and president since then. His colleagues commend his leadership, saying his direction allowed students to thrive and grew the college's sense of community, as he aimed to make Chaffey College the jewel of the Inland Empire. Before Dr. Shannon launched his career in education, he earned his bachelor's degree from Harris-Stowe State University. After completing his undergraduate degree, he went on to earn his masters and doctorate degrees from Washington University in St. Louis, and a management certificate from Harvard University. Prior to serving Chaffey College, Dr. Shannon used his passion for higher education to serve the St. Louis community. In St. Louis, he was a campus president and the chief student affairs officer within the St. Louis Community College system. He began his career as a junior high school history teacher in St. Louis, and quickly rose to serve as chancellor for the entire St. Louis Community College system. He also served as a faculty member and administrator at Harris-Stowe State University and St. Louis University. Dr. Shannon and his wife, Gwendolyn, reside in the heart of the Chaffey College district. Together they raised four children, and have ten grandchildren. Locally, Dr. Shannon serves as a vibrant member of our community. His strong commitment to community engagement shines by serving as a board member of the Community College Research Center Advisory Board, the Alliance of San Bernardino County, the San Bernardino County Workforce Development Board, Growing Inland Achievement, and California Community Colleges Region 9 CEOs. Over the years, Dr. Shannon's commitment to the educational field has earned him numerous awards. In January of 2026, he was named CEO of the Year by the African American California Community College Trustees and Administrators. Growing Inland Achievement recognized his Equity- Focused Excellence in 2023. In 2022, the San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools honored Dr. Shannon with the Distinguished Service Award, and in 2021, the Inland Empire Economic Partnership named him Educator of the Year to recognize his commitment to workforce education and partnerships with the business community. Although Dr. Shannon has achieved numerous milestones, one of his proudest moments was when $25 million was awarded to Chaffey by philanthropist MacKenzie Scott. This generous donation was awarded as the result of the school's commitment to equity, a principle that Dr. Shannon used to guide his career and leadership at Chaffey College. My office has been proud to partner with Dr. Shannon at numerous events to highlight and expand Chaffey College's innovative work. Dr. Shannon has helped me host visits from numerous federal officials, including former Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona, as well as the former Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh, to the InTech Center to view the groundbreaking work that Chaffey College is doing to help ensure students have skills that local employers need. For his outstanding service to students throughout our community, it is my honor to recognize Dr. Henry Shannon. His commitment to the Inland Empire and beyond is worthy of the highest commendation.

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CELEBRATING IAPMO'S 100TH ANNIVERSARY2026-09-08

Mrs. TORRES of California

Mrs. TORRES of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO) as it celebrates its 100th anniversary. In 1926, 39 plumbing inspectors founded IAPMO in Los Angeles with a mission of mitigating public health concerns caused by the city's plumbing practices and improving health safety by setting uniform plumbing regulations. In 1945, these efforts led to the development of the Uniform Plumbing Code, which has served Californians by promoting safe plumbing systems. Today, this framework serves as the foundation for plumbing regulations implemented across four continents and is viewed as one of the world's leading model plumbing codes. Today, IAPMO proudly calls the Inland Empire home, with its headquarters in the heart of my district: Ontario, California. Having grown from a local association of plumbing inspectors to a global nonprofit organization, it maintains a deep commitment to serving California's communities, industries, and labor force. They continuously advance environmental and public safety through plumbing, mechanical codes, product certification, and workforce development-- helping to ensure people have access to safe drinking water and reliable sanitation. The organization partners with local governments, industry, and building professionals to strengthen the safety and resilience of communities throughout our great state. Its presence in the Inland Empire has supported high-quality technical and professional jobs while reinforcing Southern California's leadership in building safety, product innovation, and public health. Through its codes, standards, and other innovations, IAPMO has advanced California's goals for drought resiliency, water conservation, and more affordable housing through efficient plumbing systems. One example is IAPMO's Water Demand Calculator, a modern, statistically based method for estimating water demand and properly sizing plumbing systems. The tool helps conserve water and energy, protect water quality, and reduce residential construction costs. IAPMO's work has been instrumental to California's leadership in public health, water conservation, housing, and infrastructure. Their Water Efficiency and Sanitation Standard (WE-Stand) provides a voluntary framework for the safe and efficient use of water in residential and commercial buildings. The standard demonstrates IAPMO's commitment to water stewardship by helping communities conserve potable water, expand safe onsite water reuse, and make greater use of alternative water sources. Its programs strengthen career opportunities throughout California while helping ensure a highly skilled workforce for the state's growing construction and manufacturing sectors through education, personnel certification, apprenticeship support, and professional training for plumbers, engineers, contractors, and other building professionals who contribute to the health and safety of Californians. Not only does IAPMO play a vital role throughout California, but its world-renowned Uniform Codes advance public health and safety around the world. The organization works with governments and industry to remove technical barriers to trade and promote greater alignment of standards and market-access requirements. These efforts strengthen global supply chains, expand opportunities for American manufacturers, and increase access to safe, high-quality plumbing products. In recognition of these contributions, IAPMO received the President's ``E'' Award for Export Service in 2019 and the President's ``E Star'' Award for continued excellence in export expansion in 2024. Its global commitment extends even further through its charitable foundation, the International Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Foundation (IWSH), which provides humanitarian assistance to those in need of safe water and sanitation. For their remarkable contributions throughout the Inland Empire and beyond, it is my honor to recognize IAPMO as it celebrates its 100th anniversary. The organization's commitment to advancing public health and safety is worthy of the highest commendation.

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LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL2026-09-01

Mrs. TORRES of California

Mrs. TORRES of California. Mr. Speaker, I close by bringing this back to my communities, the Inland Empire, because this is not happening somewhere far away. Since September of last year, four people have died while detained at Adelanto facility. On February 23 of this year, Jose Guadalupe Ramos-Solano died in ICE custody. He was a 52-year-old man. He had lived in this country for 28 years. He was a husband, a father, and his family is from Los Angeles. ICE arrested him and took him to the Adelanto facility, a facility run by the GEO Group, a private prison company. One month later, on March 25, he was dead. ICE says staff found him unconscious and unresponsive in his bunk and that they responded immediately. The men detained alongside him tell a much different story. They said he had been overheating. They said that he could not breathe. They said he pulled off his shirt because he felt like he was suffocating, and they said they tried to get help and that no one came until he was unconscious. Mr. Speaker, when ICE announced his death, the headline on the press release read: ``Criminal illegal alien passes away in ICE custody.'' That is how our government announced the death of a man who had built a life here for nearly three decades, not his name, not his age, not his family. The agency that had him in its care could not even bring themselves to call him by his name. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. TORRES of California. Mr. Speaker, inside an ICE detention center in Los Fresnos, Texas, people detained by our government went on hunger strikes to protest the conditions that they are being held in. Instead of asking why people in their custody were desperate enough to stop eating, ICE went to court for permission to force feed them. Guards restrain hunger strikers while medical staff inserted feeding tubes through their noses and into their stomachs. One asylum seeker was subject to forced feeding for nearly 8 months. Think about that. A person is saying: I am so desperate about the conditions you are holding me in that I am willing to stop eating. The government's response is: We are not going to address why you are protesting. We are going to physically stop you from protesting. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from Pennsylvania (Ms. Dean).

Mrs. TORRES of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from Arizona (Mrs. Grijalva).

Mrs. TORRES of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from California (Mr. Liccardo).

Mrs. TORRES of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Kennedy).

Mrs. TORRES of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from Vermont (Ms. Balint).

Mrs. TORRES of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from Washington (Ms. Jayapal).

Mrs. TORRES of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Chu).

Mrs. TORRES of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Sanchez).

Mrs. TORRES of California. Mr. Speaker, I want you to think about what it means to dial 911. You call 911 when you are scared, when you are in danger, or when you need help and you need that help immediately. I know this because for 17\1/2\ years I was that voice on the other side, answering 911 calls, people's calls for help. Imagine, Mr. Speaker, having to make that call from inside a Federal detention center. That is what happened at Camp East Montana in El Paso, Texas, where ProPublica reviewed more than 160 emergency calls from inside the facility. People were calling 911 because they were sick, in pain, or desperately needed medical help from a place where the United States Government was responsible for keeping them safe but was denying them the help that they needed. Three men died in just 6 weeks. That is why we are here today. People like Geraldo Lunas Campos told the staff at this location that he needed help, and his cries were ignored. He is not just another statistic, and neither are the other people who have died in ICE and CBP custody. They are fathers, sons, brothers, friends, and people with families waiting for them to come home. When the government takes away someone else's freedom, it takes on the responsibility for that person's life. Mr. Speaker, you cannot lock someone behind a government door, ignore their cries for help, feed them rotten food and bad water, and then act surprised when someone dies. These deaths deserve answers. They deserve accountability. The families who lost someone in government custody deserve to know why their loved one died and why they did not come home. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Pallone), who is soon to be Chairman Pallone.

Mrs. TORRES of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from New York (Ms. Clarke).

Mrs. TORRES of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Imagine being a 16-year-old boy and knowing that you will only get 10 minutes to talk to your father every 2 weeks. That is the reality for one teenager detained at the ICE facility in Dilley, Texas. He has been detained for more than 4 months and has lost 10 pounds. He has described living in rooms with cockroaches, spiders, and mosquitoes. This is a 16-year-old child. What gets me most is what those 10 minutes with his father must be like. Instead of calling his dad to talk about school, his friends, or what he wants to do with his life, he is watching the clock, knowing that when those 10 minutes are over, he will have to wait another 2 weeks just to hear his father's voice. He is not alone. At least 60 children at this facility have been held for more than 100 days despite a court order limiting their detention to 20 days. These are children in prison. Think about what those months mean to a child. They are months away from their parents, months away from their classrooms, and months of their childhood stolen by this administration. That is why these detention facilities matter when we talk about death in ICE and CBP custody. The harm does not begin when someone dies. It begins when we decide that being in government custody means that you can be separated from your family, denied basic dignity, and treated as though your life does not matter. These are children. Our government has a responsibility to protect them, and it should never be the reason that they lose their childhood. I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Menendez).

Mrs. TORRES of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Castro).

Mrs. TORRES of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Garcia).

Mrs. TORRES of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise tonight to shine the light on a growing problem in Federal detention facilities, federally owned and privately supervised. Every single day, we stand in this Chamber, look at that flag, and pledge ``with liberty and justice for all.'' Right now, those words are a hollow lie. Today, we learned that Edwin Jovanny Lopez-Cornejo, a 41-year-old Salvadoran man, died after a medical emergency at Delaney Hall in New Jersey. His family says he had complained about not receiving his medications. The day before he died, he told his mother he had lost feeling in his face and arm. Now, his family is left demanding answers. Edwin is not alone. Under this administration, immigration enforcement isn't just broken. It is lethal. We are witnessing a systematic deadly abuse of power by DHS, ICE, and Border Patrol. It is happening with complete arrogant impunity. The American public sees exactly what is happening, and they have rejected it so strongly that some have even lost their lives standing up against it: Renee Good and Alex Pretti, to name just two. This chaos is not accidental. It is a direct result of a policy that prioritizes arbitrary numbers over public safety. Under an aggressive quota demanding 2,000 arrests a day, raids have surged by 600 percent. In a single month, Federal agents swept up 800 people every single day who have had zero criminal records, relying on broad profiling, street roundups, and community checkpoints. To hold this wave of arrests, detention populations have surged by 140 percent, cramming over 60,000 human beings into overcrowded facilities, where basic standards of health, safety, and human dignity have broken down. In my home State of California, at the Adelanto facility, Carlitos Ricardo Parias, a man from Los Angeles held for months, filmed the filthy water detainees were forced to drink. It was crawling with live wormlike parasites in their potable water, just weeks after a Federal judge ordered the facility to fix those conditions. That isn't negligence. That is cruelty by design. When you treat human beings in an intentionally dangerous manner and deprive them of food that is not rotten and potable water, they die. Mr. Speaker, 76 lives have ended in ICE custody or immediately after release since January 2025. That is the highest death toll of any administration in its first 2 years in more than two decades. The mortality rate in ICE detention has exploded fourfold. What is the administration's response? To limit their own oversight visits, cutting them in half, from twice a year to once a year, and in some cases to once every 2 years. They have purchased privately contracted facilities to prevent State and local oversight. They think that changing the paperwork will wipe the blood off their hands. We all know that it will not. I am the mother of a law enforcement officer. I know what it means to wear a badge. I know the sacrifice required to protect a community. Let me be crystal clear: Protect the badge. Do not protect the bad behavior. When you excuse abuse, when you shield rogue agents, when you fail to hold Federal officers to the same basic standards as a basic peace officer in any city across the country, you destroy public trust and disgrace every honest officer trying to do his or her best to protect their community. I know the terror of this abuse personally. When we tried to conduct oversight, ICE responded by shooting CS gas and then lied about it. A vehicle matching an ICE van once tried to run me off the freeway, right in my district. So when I ask what an innocent family is supposed to do when an unmarked vehicle chases them down a highway; I am not asking simply to ask a question. I am exposing a dangerous, lawless reality. We cannot look away. Congress cannot remain silent while the executive branch operates a deadly machine of abuse, intimidation, military grade weapons, and imprisonment. When Members of Congress or Senators try to reduce deaths in custody and conduct oversight, they should never be met with lethal force. Liberty and justice for all does not end at the gates of a detention center. It does not disappear on a dark highway. These 76 people mean something. They are our neighbors. They are our friends. They are our relatives. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Espaillat), chairman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus.

Mrs. TORRES of California. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all speakers have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include any extraneous materials on the subject of this Special Order hour.

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STOP INSIDER TRADING ACT2026-07-22

Mrs. TORRES of California

Mrs. TORRES of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to expose this package for what it truly is: a protection plan for powerful insiders disguised as a crackdown on insider trading. The so-called Stop Insider Trading Act does not ban congressional stock trading. It leaves major loopholes open, including trading in private companies and other markets. During committee markup, I offered a simple amendment to close these loopholes, freeze existing portfolios and stop dividend reinvestments, but my Republican colleagues rejected it. They chose protecting themselves over accountability and transparency. Now, they have attached this watered-down stock trading bill to legislation that makes it even harder for Americans to vote, especially women in traditional marriages like mine where I changed my name and took on my husband's name. The voter ID act eliminates trusted registration methods, restricts acceptable IDs, and creates unnecessary barriers between American citizens and the ballot box. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``no'' on this bill.

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NATIONAL SECURITY, DEPARTMENT OF STATE, AND RELATED PROGRAMS APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 20272026-07-15

Mrs. TORRES of California

Mrs. TORRES of California. Mr. Chair, I thank the chairman and ranking member of our committee for their work, but unfortunately, I rise today to speak about hard facts, not political talking points. This bill cuts our security and diplomatic resources by $12 billion compared to last year. This is a 20 percent gutting of our global tools in just 2 years. When we look at where these cuts actually hit, they defy any commonsense strategy for our national security. First, this bill completely defunds the Inter-American Foundation. This agency funds local community-led programs in Latin America that keep young people out of drug cartels and gangs. One of these very programs cut youth criminal activity by 90 percent. We cannot claim that we want to see a secure border and stop drug trafficking while simultaneously defunding the most cost-effective, proven programs that stop cartel recruitment at the source. Second, it completely defunds the U.S. Institute of Peace. We are being asked for billions for the Iran war, but they want to close down the tools we have to stop conflicts before we are forced to send our young men and women in uniform into harm's way. Third, it cuts over $1 billion from the United Nations. When we walk away from the table, we don't leave a vacuum. We just invite China and Russia to step in, take our place, and write the global rules. Finally, this bill slashes $1.5 billion from emergency humanitarian aid. Cutting off food, clean water, and medicine during historic global instability is a guarantee for more regional chaos and health emergencies that eventually end up at our borders. These are just a few of the cuts in the bill that compromise our national security and strengthen our adversaries.

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HONORING THE NEIGHBORHOOD PARTNERSHIP HOUSING SERVICES2026-07-02

Mrs. TORRES of California

Mrs. TORRES of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Neighborhood Partnership Housing Services (NPHS) as it celebrates its 35th anniversary. NPHS was founded in 1991 by a group of community members who came together in Montclair, California, with a simple shared belief: strong neighborhoods begin with empowered residents. The organization's mission is to build resilient, thriving communities through innovative housing and financial solutions. By elevating the well-being of underserved individuals and families, revitalizing economically distressed neighborhoods, and strengthening local economic opportunity, NPHS continues to improve the lives of hard-working individuals across the Inland Empire. For the past 35 years, the founders, sponsors, and volunteers of NPHS have supported communities across the Inland Empire with $4.5 billion in direct investment, helping expand access to housing and providing individuals and families with a place to call home. The organization has empowered thousands of families through homeownership education and counseling, assisting more than 10,000 first-time homeowners, and providing millions of dollars in down- payment assistance for working families across the Inland Empire. By combining housing, financial education, and neighborhood revitalization, NPHS has created lasting pathways to stability and prosperity for residents of California's 35th Congressional District and surrounding communities. NPHS has strengthened neighborhoods by promoting financial literacy, supporting community revitalization, and increasing access to affordable housing. Through these initiatives, the organization has helped families build long-term financial security while fostering healthier, more economically resilient communities throughout the Inland Empire. Since its founding, NPHS has grown from a grassroots community organization into one of the Inland Empire's leading community development organizations. Through its commitment to expanding access to affordable housing, promoting financial empowerment, and investing in underserved neighborhoods, NPHS continues to strengthen communities and improve the quality of life for families across Southern California. As the Neighborhood Partnership Housing Services celebrates its 35th anniversary, it is my privilege to honor an organization that plays a transformative role for families across California's 35th District. Its impact on the Inland Empire and beyond is worthy of the highest commendation.

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HONORING TODEC AND CHIRLA2026-06-29

Mrs. TORRES of California

Mrs. TORRES of California. Mr. Speaker. I rise today to honor TODEC and the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA) to commend their patriotism for assisting immigrant communities by promoting U.S. citizenship and teaching English literacy skills for naturalization purposes ahead of our Nation's 250th birthday. TODEC was founded in the 1980s by Luz Maria and Antonia Ayala. The two were new Americans who were previously involved with the Michoacan, Mexico community and the United Farmworkers and Civil Rights Movement in Los Angeles. Once they were ready to grow their family, they settled in the Inland Empire to build a new home. In the Inland Empire, the two witnessed their neighbors facing many injustices including being profiled by police and immigration enforcement, mistreated by employers, and ignored by politicians. They founded TODEC with the mission of empowering underserved communities to become economically, socially, educationally, and civically self-sufficient while boosting individual self-esteem and community well-being throughout the Inland Empire. TODEC achieves its mission by providing access to information through legal services, community education, advocacy, and civic engagement for individuals with limited English-speaking skills, including immigrants and migrant workers. In 1986, TODEC successfully fought for the passage of an immigration bill that granted amnesty to nearly 3 million new Americans. While this was only one of their first organizing wins, it helped set the foundation for decades of advocacy, including voter mobilization initiatives and letter-writing campaigns where TODEC youth shared their experiences navigating struggles as undocumented Americans. Just like TODEC, the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles, or CHIRLA, has championed services that support immigrant communities throughout the Inland Empire and beyond. First founded as a nonprofit organization in 1986, CHIRLA's mission was to ensure immigrants and refugees had support and protection, and they advanced immigrant-rights initiatives in the United States. For more than 40 years, CHIRLA worked with people both inside and outside of immigrant communities to strengthen democracy in a world where democratic values often fail to extend to our most vulnerable. From the late 1980s to today, CHIRLA has fought for progressive values in the Los Angeles region by helping open labor centers, fighting against California Proposition 187, which would have denied education and other services to undocumented immigrants, and bringing forth the Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act in the House of Representatives. In September 2023, under the Biden-Harris Administration, the Department of Homeland Security awarded a $450,000 grant to CHIRLA to assist them with providing services that help with citizenship instruction and naturalization services. Despite the Trump administration's decision to cut $100,000 from the grant in 2025, CHIRLA's motivation did not dwindle; they continue to uplift immigrant communities in Los Angeles, and support policies that promote human, civil, and labor rights for everyone. For decades, CHIRLA has led immigration leaders in the United States, and particularly the Los Angeles region, to fight for justice and equal opportunity for all Americans, not just a select few. Their efforts in California and beyond have not gone unnoticed. Both CHIRLA and TODEC have been incredible partners with my office. They have aided many of my constituents, helping them navigate our broken immigration system and much more. For their commitment to helping immigrant communities in California and beyond, it is my privilege to honor both TODEC and CHIRLA. Their patriotism and commitment to championing immigrant rights is worthy of the highest commendation.

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WELCOMING CAPTAIN GLOVER HOME2026-06-10

Mrs. TORRES of California

Mrs. TORRES of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Captain Glover, and to welcome him back home as he returns to his alma mater, Ontario High School in Ontario, California. Born and raised in my hometown, Pomona, California, Captain Glover received his high school diploma from Ontario High School in 1994. His peers knew him as a ``born leader'' and a hard worker who, even then, spoke about his aspirations of becoming an astronaut. He went on to earn his Bachelor of Science in General Engineering from California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo as a dual-sport collegiate athlete who competed in both football and wrestling. Captain Glover's remarkable career started long before joining NASA. After college, Victor was commissioned in the United States Navy. He soon began preflight training in Pensacola, Florida. And on December 14, 2001, he completed advanced flight training in Kingsville, Texas, earning his wings of gold. Throughout the early 2000s, he reported to several squadrons, including the Marine Fleet Replacement Squadron in Miramar, California, and the Blue Blasters of Strike Fighter Squadron in Oceana, Virginia. With the Blue Blasters, Captain Glover supported Operation Iraqi Freedom by completing the final deployment of the USS John F. Kennedy (CV-67). While deployed, he embarked on earning a Master of Science in Systems Engineering via NPS in Monterey, California. Captain Glover went on to earn multiple master's degrees from various institutions: a Master of Science in Flight Test Engineering (USAF TPS), Air University, at Edwards Force Base in California, in 2007, a Master of Science in Systems Engineering (PD-21), Naval Postgraduate School, in 2009, and a Master of Military Operational Art and Science, Air University in Montgomery, Alabama, in 2010. In 2009, he moved to Alabama to serve at the Air Command and Staff College at Maxwell Air Force Base, before reporting to the Dambusters of Strike Fighter Squadron VFA-195 in Atsugi, Japan as a Department Head. With the Dambusters, Glover was deployed on three separate missions to varying locations throughout the Pacific. Captain Glover is also no stranger to working with Congress; in 2012, he was selected for a Legislative Fellowship on Capitol Hill. While working in Washington, D.C., he earned a Certificate in Legislative Studies from Georgetown University. It was during his fellowship that news broke that he was selected as an astronaut candidate. In 2013, Captain Glover was selected to be part of the 21st NASA astronaut class, a class of only eight members. In 2015, after concluding Astronaut Candidate Training, he served as a space station capsule communicator (CapCom), Expedition 52 Increment Lead Crewmember, Operations Officer, and Family Escort for several Soyuz and Crew Dragon launches. Captain Glover was assigned his first spaceflight mission in 2018 as Crew-1 Pilot. The flight launched on November 16, 2020, and headed to the International Space Station (ISS), where he spent 168 days in space before returning to Earth on May 2, 2021. During his time at the ISS, he completed 4 spacewalks, contributed to several scientific research experiments, assisted with maintenance, and conducted outreach activities. This was an unforgettable experience for not only Captain Glover, but also for many students in the Inland Empire who were able to engage with him and a fellow astronaut in a live town hall while they were at the ISS. In 2023, Captain Glover was assigned to his most recent mission, Artemis II. As Pilot, he launched from Kennedy Space Center on April 1, 2026, on a Space Launch System rocket alongside Reid Wiseman, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen. During the mission, he guided the rocket for nearly ten days, completing a historic lunar flyby, demonstrating humanity's return to the Moon's vicinity for the first time in more than five decades. The crew of Artemis II splashed down off the coast of San Diego on April 10, 2026, after venturing 252,756 miles from Earth. It comes as no surprise that Captain Glover's accomplishments are truly stellar, as reflected by his many awards and honors. His awards date back to his youth, including his time at Ontario High School, where he was named the high school's 1994 athlete of the year. Since then, he has received many other honors, including the Defense Superior Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal, two Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals, NASA Distinguished Medal and NASA Space Exploration Medal, 2023 TIME 100 Next, Jet Magazine's inaugural 40 under 40, and Honorary Doctorates of Science from Howard University (2024) and California Polytechnic State University (2025). Beyond his remarkable professional career, he is blessed with a loving family. In 2002, he married Dianna Odom, a Berkeley native, with whom he has four daughters: Genesis, Maya, Joia, and Corinne. His mother still resides in southern California, and his father and stepmother live in Prosper, Texas. Captain Glover is a remarkable success story from California's 35th Congressional District. He is a testament that kids across the Inland Empire can dream big and that no goal is beyond reach. In honor of his return to his alma mater, Ontario High School, on June 12, 2026, it is my privilege to celebrate Captain Glover. His impact on our Nation, globe, and beyond is out of this world.

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HONORING CHINO TROOP 2012026-06-03

Mrs. TORRES of California

Mrs. TORRES of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Chino Troop 201 as it celebrates its 100th anniversary. Troop 201 was founded in 1926 by Vernon Decker, Bob Brady, and Ernest Soper. The three partnered with the American Legion to launch Chino's first Scout troop, making it the oldest Scouts troop in my district. Troop 201's first Scoutmaster was Jon Cooley. In the early days of the troop's founding, the troop did not yet have a Scout house. Members of Troop 201 held their early meetings at the ``Thimble Club,'' a local spot in Chino. In 1935, the City of Chino recognized the growth of the organization and worked with the troop to help its development. The city left a piece of land for the troop to use as a home. The Scout house gave the troop a stable place to meet and a secure area to store gear, guaranteeing that scouts in Chino had a roof over their heads. Troop 201's founders, sponsors, and the City of Chino have supported the community centered around Chino Rotary Club. For the past 100 years, the troop has provided young leaders with opportunities for adventure, service, and character development, shaping them during key transformative years. In 1941, Troop 201 partnered with the Chino Rotary Club, uniting in their commitment to promoting community, leadership, and service. Since then, scouts in this troop have contributed thousands of hours to community service, outdoor education, and leadership training. The current organization leadership consists of Patricia Cox, the Chartered Organization Representative, Maritza Sanchez, Troop Committee Chair, and Jeffrey Baker, the current Scoutmaster. Under the direction of organization leaders and dedicated parents, families gather at the John Anderson Scout Center every Monday night for regular meetings. Beyond weekly meetings, an outdoor adventure is offered each month in addition to four major events each year. Scouts can choose between canoeing down the Colorado River, backpacking and fishing by the Eastern Sierra Mountain Range, developing skills on a desert trip that offers training on rifle shootings, rappelling, and rocketry, or attending an intensive summer camp focused on advancement and skill- building. This year, a special fifth major event will be offered: Troop 201's Centennial Celebration. The celebration will honor all scouts who have shared fond memories with the organization for more than 100 years, in addition to more than 125 Eagle Scouts from Troop 201 who have contributed to more than 600 community service hours each year. In celebration of the 100th anniversary of Chino Rotary Club Troop 201, it is my privilege to honor such a remarkable organization. Its impact on our young leaders in Chino and beyond is worthy of the highest commendation.

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HONORING THE LIFE OF ENRIQUE ROMAN-MARTINEZ2026-05-21

Mrs. TORRES of California

Mrs. TORRES of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of the life and memory of Enrique Roman-Martinez. This year marks the sixth anniversary of his violent death. For 6 long years, Enrique's family has carried unimaginable pain while continuing to fight for answers and justice. To his family, Enrique was known for his kindness, integrity, and commitment to serving our country in uniform. He deserved the opportunity to come home to his loved ones. Instead, his family was left mourning, devastated by the loss, and searching for justice. As we celebrate Memorial Day and honor those who served our Nation, we must also remember our responsibility to all of our servicemembers and their families. Today, I stand with Enrique's mother, sisters, loved ones, and everyone who continues demanding accountability in his case. We owe them answers, transparency, action, and closure. Enrique's memory will continue to live on through those who loved him and through all of us who refuse to let his story fade. I urge witnesses to come forward. His murderer needs to be convicted and held responsible for his death.

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