Norma Torres

Mrs. TORRES

Mrs. TORRES. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mrs. TORRES

Mrs. TORRES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Inland Empire based supermarket chain Stater Bros. on their 80th year anniversary and their commitment to provide value, quality, and friendly service to families all across Southern California. On August 17, 1936, the first Stater Bros. store was opened in the San Bernardino County by two World War II veteran brothers, Cleo & Leo Stater. The company has become the largest privately owned chain of supermarket stores in Southern California and is the largest private employer in both San Bernardino County and Riverside County. Stater Bros. currently operates 168 supermarkets with approximately 18,000 members working as part of the Stater Bros. family. As a company that was founded by veterans, nearly 2,000 employees have served or continue to serve in multiple branches of our armed forces. Stater Bros. advances the legacy of its founders by continuing to give back to the communities it serves. Stater Bros. is among the top 100 privately owned businesses in the country and it is a valued and valuable member of the community. They have provided funding to countless local organizations benefitting hunger relief, children's well-being, education, health care, and help for our nation's veterans. This includes support for organizations such as Feeding America, Toys for Tots, the Children's Fund, and the `Believe Walk' to fight cancer. Their generosity has garnered Stater Bros. several honors and recognitions such as the Donor of the Year award from Feeding America's Riverside/San Bernardino chapter for leading efforts to donate over 3 million pounds of food to local food charities each year. Stater Bros. also received the Best Emissions Rate award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for helping remove nearly 40 million pounds of waste from landfills each year through their Green Waste Composting Program. Because they go above and beyond to serve their community, I would like to recognize and congratulate Stater Bros. on their 80th Anniversary.

Mrs. TORRES

Mrs. TORRES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Rialto Unified School District (USD) on their 125th anniversary. For 125 years, the Rialto USD has taken part in educating our children and fostering the bright leaders of tomorrow. Rialto USD services a diverse population of approximately 25,500 students, with more than 2,700 district employees. Presently, the District has three comprehensive high schools, one adult education school, one continuation high school, 5 middle schools, 19 elementary schools, and 20 preschools. Not only is the Rialto USD the largest employer of the City, but they are always looking for ways to give back to their community. They embrace a vision of providing an education that prepares all students for their future. They pursue a mission to provide high levels of instruction for all students and to inspire every student to set goals and maximize their potential. In 2010, Rialto USD inaugurated the `Cesar Chavez/Dolores Huerta Center for Education,' a new professional development center and location for community events. Under the leadership of Dr. Cuauhtemoc Avila, the District's first Latino school chief, Rialto USD has received several awards including state academic, athletic, and fine arts awards. In 2015, Dollahan and Myers Elementary Schools in Rialto were honored as the California `Gold Ribbon Schools' which recognizes outstanding educational programs and practices. For their many contributions to the greater community of Rialto, I would like to recognize the Rialto Unified School District for their 125 years of service to the 35th District.

Mrs. TORRES

Mrs. TORRES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Dr. James M. Lally for his dedicated service to the medical community in the Inland Empire and across the United States. Dr. Lally is the President and Chief Medical Officer at the Chino Valley Medical Center in California's 35th district where he leads by example and works tirelessly every single day to give back to his community. In my district alone, he oversees the sports medicine programs of four local high schools in the Chino Valley Unified School District; is a member of the YMCA Board of Directors; serves as medical director for clinics in Chino and Montclair; and serves on the Board of Trustees for Chino Valley Medical Center and Montclair Hospital Medical Center. Dr. Lally is also committed to educating the next generation of physicians, serving as a clinical professor of family medicine at Western University of Health Sciences, College of Osteopathic Medicine in Pomona, California, and at Touro University California, College of Osteopathic Medicine, in Vallejo. However, Mr. Speaker, his generous character and service reaches far beyond my district and the state of California. Dr. Lally is a past President of the American Osteopathic Association and currently serves on the Board of Trustees for the Association. Dr. Lally also serves as the team physician as well as the President of the USA Shooting Team. He is the Chairman of the Medical Committee of the International Shooting Sports Federation and a member of the International Olympic Medical Committee. Today, Mr. Speaker, it is my honor to recognize Dr. James M. Lally for yet another lifetime achievement. He is being honored as the Physician of the Year by the American Osteopathic Foundation. This accolade is designated to an individual whose extraordinary accomplishments and service bring a sense of pride to the profession and whose actions promote the science of medicine and the betterment of public health. For his many contributions to my community, and to the greater national healthcare community, I would like to recognize Dr. James M. Lally here on the House floor today.

Mrs. TORRES

Mrs. TORRES. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to bring up H.R. 1217, the bipartisan expanded background checks legislation, to honor the memory of Pomona Police Officer Shaun Diamond, murdered at the hands of a Mongol gang member. The silence has to stop. We need action. To honor his memory, I would like the House to take up this bill.

Mrs. TORRES

Mrs. TORRES. Mr. Speaker, last week on this floor, I told a story of a 911 call that I took where an 11-year-old girl was murdered at the hands of her uncle. Her name was Yajaira. Today I want to tell you about Ethan Esparza. In 2006, when I was mayor of Pomona, Ethan was shot and killed while he was playing in his front yard during his birthday party. He would have turned 4 years old the next day. The murders of Yajaira and Ethan were completely senseless, but they are not rare. Every day, 91 people are killed because of gun violence. In the United States, you are more than 10 times likely to die because of a firearm than in any other developed country. We have a problem, a problem that isn't going to be solved by simply putting our heads in the sand. It is time to stop this silence. We aren't going to solve this. Now is the time to act. Now is the time to have a discussion about it.

Mrs. TORRES

Mrs. TORRES. Mr. Speaker, I was a 911 dispatcher for 17\1/2\ years in Los Angeles. It used to be that, when we had land lines, you didn't have to be a subscriber to telephone service to be able to dial 911 for police emergencies, fire emergencies, or paramedic services. People could simply keep their phone plugged in and be able to dial 911. That is no longer the case, as more and more phone companies are doing away with land lines. More and more people now have to subscribe to telephone service in order to be able to access 911 for paramedics, for a police emergency, or for a fire service emergency. So we have created a system that is working against the poorest of the poor in our communities, and now the Republicans want to take that away from them.

Mrs. TORRES. Mr. Speaker, I urge a ``no'' vote on this. Allow the people in the United States to be able to access an ambulance, a police officer, or a firefighter for free. The poorest of the poor are depending on you to vote ``no'' on this bill.

Mrs. TORRES

Mrs. TORRES. Mr. Speaker, the bill we are considering today is a key step to finalizing the transfer of local control of the Ontario International Airport, a transfer which, after lengthy negotiations, was finally agreed to by all parties last year. This transfer, Mr. Speaker, is long overdue. Ontario Airport, located in my congressional district, is a major economic driver for the Inland Empire region. When Los Angeles World Airports began operating Ontario back in 1967, it was with the intention of attracting more airlines and service options to the Inland Empire. Well, circumstances have changed quite a bit since that time. The Inland Empire isn't just the outskirts of Los Angeles anymore. It is a rapidly growing region, attracting more and more new residents and businesses with a strategic location along a major freight corridor that makes it a hub for manufactured and agricultural goods. It also provides more convenient air travel options to residents of San Bernardino and Riverside Counties who, otherwise, would have to travel up to 2 or 3 hours to fly out of LAX. Transferring control of the airport back to Ontario means that the people who are most affected and who most closely understand the needs of the region are the ones who are going to be shaping the airport's future. This transfer is not possible without the legislation we are considering today. As part of the settlement agreement, $120 million of passenger facility revenue collected at Ontario will be used for FAA-qualified capital projects at LAX. $50 million of that will come from existing passenger facilities fees that are controlled by LAWA, but were collected at Ontario. The remaining $70 million will come from future passenger facility charges collected at Ontario within the next 10 years. These are funds that have always been intended to go to LAWA for projects at LAX. Congress must now pass this one-time fix that will allow the transfer of funds from one airport authority to another. Otherwise, once control of Ontario Airport shifts to the Ontario International Airport Authority, there will be no mechanism to transfer the funds to LAWA as they have agreed. Without this bill, the agreement cannot move forward, and the FAA cannot approve the agreement and grant the Ontario International Airport Authority a certificate to operate. Many of us have been calling for local control of Ontario Airport for quite a long time, and this agreement has been years in the making. All parties have agreed to the terms and are ready to move forward. As a frequent flier out of Ontario, I hope Congress does not stand in its way. I would like to thank my colleague, Congressman Calvert, for helping to bring this important bill to the floor, and the rest of the Inland Empire delegation for their support. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.

Mrs. TORRES

Mrs. TORRES. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Grayson).

Mrs. TORRES. Mr. Chairman, I demand a recorded vote.

Mrs. TORRES. Mr. Chairman, how much time do I have remaining?

Mrs. TORRES. Mr. Chairman, someone living in Puerto Rico needs to make $9.25 an hour to afford a one-bedroom apartment. If the wage is lowered to $4.25, not even two earners could afford to live there. Mr. Chairman, there is no question that Puerto Rico will need to make sacrifices, but it can't do so on the backs of its young workforce, American citizens. This provision does not fix Puerto Rico's problems, and in the long run, it makes them worse. I urge my colleagues to support my amendment so that Puerto Rico's recovery doesn't come at the expense of young, hardworking Americans. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. TORRES. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Chairman, the bill, as it is currently written, allows the minimum wage for workers 25 years and under to be lowered to abysmal $4.25 for 4 years for as long as the oversight board is in place. It also fails to specify whether this reduction is limited to one 4-year period or if the request can be made over and over again, essentially keeping the lower wage indefinitely. My amendment would strip this provision from the bill. In today's dollars, American workers haven't had a minimum wage this low since the 1940s. The young men and women of Puerto Rico are American citizens, and they don't deserve to be treated like second-class workers. These aren't high school students with summer jobs. They are young people setting off on their careers, many of them struggling to pay off student loan debt and become self-sufficient. Lowering the wage only adds insult to injury and sends the wrong statement about whether we value Puerto Ricans as equal Americans. The island is already experiencing a mass exodus of young people. Lowering wages will only make more young people want to leave, having a detrimental impact on Puerto Rico's current and future workforce, its tax base, and its ability to pay off its debt, ultimately digging them into a deeper hole. If we want to help Puerto Rico overcome this current crisis, we need to make sure the island is a place where young people can see a future for themselves, start a family, and work to grow a business, not a place that devalues their work and their contributions. The minimum wage provision in this bill is bad for these young workers and is bad for Puerto Rico. I urge my colleagues to support my amendment. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. TORRES. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mrs. TORRES. Mr. Chairman, I yield an additional 30 seconds to the gentleman.

Mrs. TORRES

Mrs. TORRES. Mr. Speaker, I move that the House do now adjourn.

Mrs. TORRES

Mrs. TORRES. Absolutely. Mr. Speaker, I thank Mr. Swalwell for bringing this topic to the forefront.

Mrs. TORRES. One year. That is wonderful. This issue is not limited to the students. At a Congress in Your Corner last November, I heard from parents of a constituent who were nearly in bankruptcy because the student loan from not one child, but two, was so much that it was actually more than their mortgage payment. So here they are working in their late 60s to try to help make payments for their students. This is a critical issue. They are not able to purchase a vehicle and they are not able to purchase a home. I bought my home in my early 20s. I know that 20-year-olds today, or 23-year-olds today, could not do that because of the high student loan ratios that they have.

Mrs. TORRES

Mrs. TORRES. Mr. Speaker, California is a much warmer State and much more beautiful, if I may add that. I rise today to recognize National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week. After 17\1/2\ years as a 911 dispatcher, I know firsthand the challenges our public safety dispatchers face, the stress they are put under, and the critical importance of their work. That is why I am proud to introduce a resolution commemorating National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week. I remember working the graveyard shift at the LAPD, sitting four floors below ground, taking calls from people from all walks of life, often during their most vulnerable time in their lives. In fact, it was my work as a 911 dispatcher that got me involved in politics. When I was working for the LAPD, I took a call from a little girl who ended up being murdered at the hands of her uncle. When I answered that 911 call, all I could hear was thumping. Later, I learned that that thumping noise was her head being bashed against the wall. Soon after, five shots were fired, and she was murdered--11 years old, murdered at the hands of her uncle. I yield to my colleague, the gentleman from the San Fernando Valley, Congressional District 29, Tony Cardenas, to share with us some information about how he supports 911 dispatchers in his district.

Mrs. TORRES. I thank the gentleman. Mr. Speaker, so few people know what it is like to be an emergency dispatcher and don't truly understand how crucial our role is. They don't get that without us. They don't get that without you. First responders wouldn't be able to do their jobs without someone's answering that 911 call. Back when I served in the California State Assembly, the State budget crisis meant that 911 dispatchers were furloughed because they weren't exempt as public safety professionals. Hundreds of calls went unanswered. Who knows how many lives were put at risk? I spent months badgering Governor Schwarzenegger until he realized the catastrophic effect the policy was having on our State. God forbid there had been an event like San Bernardino during that time and calls couldn't get through or first responders didn't know where to go. Sadly, too many people think of dispatchers as a little more than glorified receptionists. This means that they don't often get the resources, the training, and the support they need and deserve in order to do their jobs. Dispatchers are the first points of contact in the event of an emergency, and they are the sole link between those in trouble and the personnel who can help them. Better training and more support would go a long way toward improving service and increasing staff retention. During this year's State of the Union, I had the honor of inviting as my guest the dispatch supervisor who directed radio and call traffic during the San Bernardino attack. While the police, fire, and EMS responders definitely deserve a lot of credit, there had been very little mention in the media about the key role the public safety telecommunicators played. Annemarie Teall and her team were the ones behind the scene, making sure the first responders were deployed efficiently and effectively. They fielded calls from the community, from law enforcement agencies, and from callers from all over the country and the world. During a situation that can quickly become pure chaos, they stayed calm, took action, and helped save lives. When she was here, Annemarie discussed the training she had received in dealing with these types of situations and how grateful she was for that training. Unfortunately, this kind of training isn't a regular occurrence. Without public safety telecommunicators, our first responders can't do their jobs. The response of police, firefighters, and paramedics is dependent upon the quality and accuracy of the information the dispatcher is able to provide. Public safety telecommunicators don't just take calls and relay information; they also play a key role in coordinating multiple teams of first responders from multiple agencies during times of crisis. They are a vital link for police, fire, and EMS as they monitor their activities by radio and provide them with information that can ensure their safety and an efficient, effective response. 911 dispatchers have also helped in the apprehension of criminals and have helped bring them to justice because, in many cases, they are witnesses to the crimes as they occur. In the case that I stated earlier, I was the only witness. It was that recorded call that brought justice to that little girl. Public Safety Telecommunicators Week not only provides us with the opportunity to recognize the hard work of our dispatchers, but it is also a reminder to our constituents of the importance of maintaining emergency lines free for just that--emergencies. There is no excuse for 911 abuse. Some estimates indicate that 15 to 20 percent of incoming calls are nonemergencies. These calls could prevent legitimate emergency calls from getting through and being answered. For example, as a 911 dispatcher, I remember receiving calls from those who were asking for directions to Disneyland, who were asking if an earthquake had just occurred, or who were asking for the time of day. Those are not emergencies. Dispatchers can't send for assistance if they never receive the call. 911 is not an information line. Local governments have limited resources and few dispatchers. Many localities have info lines--for example, 311 or 511. I encourage individuals to look up their local police departments and have their nonemergency police numbers on hand. I also encourage them to add that information to their cell phones so that the number is readily available when they have emergencies. I can give you many examples of when people have dialed 911 from a cell phone and the dispatcher does not have the accurate location. Imagine if you were in the middle of having a heart attack and if you were not able to voice your location. Having that local telephone number is important because your call would be expedited to the local paramedic or to the local police department that has jurisdiction over where you may be. It is never too early to teach kids about the proper uses of 911. You never know when an emergency will happen, and your child may be the only one who is able to get help. Teach children how to dial the number and stay on the line and when they should and shouldn't dial 911. One bad example is when my children were looking for me. They knew at the time that I worked at the 911 center. They dialed 911 and asked for their mom. That is not a true, good 911 call. Discourage your children from making inquiries to that emergency line. Every day, public safety dispatchers help save lives, provide comfort and reassurance, and are a critical part of our law enforcement teams, but, too often, their work goes unrecognized. When you need a calming voice to guide you through a crisis, when law enforcement, fire safety, and rescue personnel are in need of seamless coordination at a moment's notice, when every second counts, they are on the other line. 911 dispatchers are the unsung heroes of the first responder community. I want to share with you another story of a 911 dispatcher: I had to make sacrifices as a soldier to serve my country, and I have to make sacrifices as a dispatcher to serve my community. I knew this when I chose this profession--we have to be on call; we have to work overtime; we have to work holidays; we have to work nights; we have to work weekends; and we have to be reachable 24/7, and it is tough. I spent most of my life in the service of others--22 years in the military, 8 years with the Texas Youth Commission, over 2 years in Iraq assisting military forces, and nearly 8 years as a 911 dispatcher. I can't remember how many life events I have not been a part of because I was working, sacrificing, in order to help others. It is only tolerable and manageable with the assistance of my fellow team and family members helping me when I just couldn't get through it without their help. We have committed ourselves to this calling, and we are very good at it. We have sacrificed ourselves in the service of others because someone had to do it. That came from Richard Dulin of the Coleman Police Department. The first thing he said when I answered the phone was: ``I just shot myself in the heart.'' Given that he was still speaking, I figured he probably didn't hit his heart, but the point was pretty clear. I established that he had, in fact, shot himself in the chest about 30 minutes before he had dialed 911. He waited to call because he was not sure if he wanted to live. Unfortunately, we don't tend to get a lot of closure, so I have no idea if he lived or died. Kyle from Kitsap County, Washington. The stories go on and on, and I could go on and on for the rest of the time and share with you about the wonderful work that these committed people do each and every single day for our communities. I close, Mr. Speaker, by thanking the 911 dispatchers and recognizing the hard work they do for our communities every single day. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. TORRES

Mrs. TORRES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Los Angeles Police Department Communication Division for its dedicated service to protecting our communities. Throughout the region, there are several public safety call centers staffed by civilians who dedicate their lives to helping others. These individuals are critical to Los Angeles' public safety and help serve the wide-ranging needs of everyday residents. Though they rarely get the credit they deserve, it is difficult to understate the importance of these professionals in serving our communities. While public-safety communicators are usually the first individuals that the public comes in contact with during an emergency, they also play a vital role in coordinating the first response to police, fire, and rescue incidents. They possess many admirable qualities, among which is the ability to maintain composure under extremely stressful circumstances. As a former 9-1-1 dispatcher within the department, I know the challenges they face on a daily basis, which is why I would like to honor their service to our community. Mr. Speaker, I had the opportunity to work for the Los Angeles Police Department Communication Division for over 17 years. Throughout that time, this division has helped coordinate responses to both routine occurrences and extraordinary situations, some of which have garnered national and international attention. They regularly dispatch first responders to thousands of incidents and have played a critical role in national emergencies. I applaud their continual efforts to serve our communities. On Sunday, April 10, they will be hosting an alumni gathering to mark the start of National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week. Mr. Speaker, they are just one of many community organizations across the country that will recognize the second week of April as National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week. I would like to offer my support for this declaration and make note that I have introduced a Concurrent Resolution that would offer Congress' recognition of this designation. I believe that this will highlight the important contributions that public safety communication professionals provide our communities day in and day out and recognize the value of their work.

Mrs. TORRES

Mrs. TORRES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Chief Rodney Jones of the Fontana Police Department for his 35 years of service to the Inland Empire. Chief Jones began his career as a public safety official in 1981 and has since served in various capacities to lead police activity in the City of Fontana where his work throughout the years has earned him praise from both his peers and residents of the community. Chief Jones' leadership has also garnered him numerous commendations from national, state, and local police organizations for his outstanding service. All of these accolades highlight his extraordinary commitment to public safety, which has greatly benefited the people of our region. Chief Jones' distinguished career in law enforcement is further bolstered by his role as head of the Fontana Police Department. Throughout his tenure as Chief of Police, he administered many reforms that have enhanced public safety in the region. His accomplishments include overseeing a $12 million expansion of Fontana's police headquarters and implementing modern police procedures to improve operations in the area. On Friday, February 5th, Chief Jones will retire from the Fontana Police Department. He will be missed by the community. I thank him for his contributions to our region and wish him the best in his future endeavors. For his many contributions to the Fontana Police Department and other achievements, I would like to recognize Chief Rodney Jones.

Mrs. TORRES

Mrs. TORRES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Ratibu Jacocks Shadidi, who passed away on December 10, 2015 at the age of 72. Ratibu was an active member of the community who provided great service to the residents of the Inland Empire through his compassionate nature and commitment to promote the welfare of others. His service to the public began at an early age when he joined the United States Army in 1961. Later, upon moving to Riverside in the 1970s, he worked as a Field Representative for California State Senator Ruben Ayala and helped many in the community receive assistance from state agencies. He then operated a local firm and became known for publishing a directory of enterprises operated by women and minorities, which is distributed throughout California to promote small businesses. A man of faith, Ratibu taught Sunday school at the Temple Missionary Baptist Church in San Bernardino. He is credited with inspiring several of his peers to become spiritual leaders and was known for seeing things in people that they couldn't see in themselves. Ratibu also is known in the community for forming the Inland Area Kwanzaa Group, and had hosted the annual Kwanzaa Karamu for more than two decades. In 2007, he published a memoir in which he describes how his belief system helped guide him through difficult times in his life. For his contributions to the community and for his many other achievements, I would like to honor Ratibu Jacocks Shadidi and his family. While Ratibu will truly be missed by residents of the Inland Empire, his legacy will continue through all of those that knew him. He is survived by his wife of 34 years, former-California State Assemblywoman Wilmer Amina Carter, and their three daughters.

Mrs. TORRES

Mrs. TORRES. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Hahn).