[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 145 (Wednesday, September 11, 2019)]
[House]
[Pages H7600-H7601]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1015
                            REMEMBERING 9/11

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
California (Mr. Costa) for 5 minutes.

[[Page H7601]]

  

  Mr. COSTA. Madam Speaker, I rise today on the 18th anniversary of the 
September 11 terrorist attack to honor the nearly 3,000 individuals, 
brave men and women who lost their lives. Most Americans remember where 
they were during that day. There have been few times in our Nation's 
history that we have faced such an atrocity. And the effects are still 
being felt today.
  But instead of shrinking in the shadow of such adversity, we rose to 
the challenge and came together to help one another. We became a Nation 
of one. But it also has changed our Nation and the world that we live 
in today forever, the way we work, the way we view our security.
  This past July, I was pleased that the House and Senate with the 
President came together to reauthorize the 9/11 Victim's Compensation 
Fund for police and firefighters, first responders who answered the 
call after the attack in New York and Washington, D.C. These heroic men 
and women deserve all the help we can give them, and we must never 
forget September 11, 2001. We must remember 18 years ago today when we 
were all one as Americans. We need that more today than ever before.


                         Honoring David Huerta

  Mr. COSTA. Madam Speaker, in my home State in the San Joaquin Valley 
we recently lost a wonderful individual, a leader who I would like to 
honor today, Fresno State Police Chief David Huerta. David was loved by 
all. He passed away in mid-August after serving honorably in that 
position for 15 years.
  A lifelong resident of Fresno County, Chief Huerta dedicated his life 
to serving his community by teaching and providing public safety as a 
police officer. During his career he was recognized as Officer of the 
Year. And Fresno State President Joseph Castro said David served with 
integrity, even in the most challenging of situations.
  David will be greatly missed by his wife Cynthia, his four children 
and three grandchildren. It is with great respect that I ask my 
colleagues today to join in honoring Police Chief David Huerta.


     Recognizing California State University, Fresno and UC Merced

  Mr. COSTA. Madam Speaker, I would like to take this moment to 
recognize the recent achievements of two outstanding universities in my 
district, California State University, Fresno and UC Merced University 
of California.
  According to the U.S. News and World Report's 2020 Best College 
rankings, Fresno State University, my alma mater, ranked number three 
in graduation rate performance for public universities.
  UC Merced made the biggest leap of all on the college list. They 
ranked number one in the Nation for student outcomes, including number 
one in outperforming expected graduation rates.
  Both of these universities currently have over 70 percent of their 
student body who are the first in their family ever to attend a 
university. These universities are doing what a higher education should 
be doing for all Americans. Go Bulldogs. Go Bobcats.


                  Congress Must Act on Gun Legislation

  Mr. COSTA. Madam Speaker, I would like to rise to urge Senate 
Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to keep his word and act on gun safety 
legislation.
  Every day it seems that there is coverage of another shooting on the 
news. Americans are just frustrated. Since Congress has begun their 
district work period in July there have been four high-profile 
shootings in this country. Those shootings resulted in the death of 51 
Americans and over 90 that were injured. The threat to public safety 
today is simply unacceptable in our country.
  In February, the House passed two key gun violence pieces of 
legislation. It has been nearly over 200 days since we passed these 
bills, but nothing has been done in the Senate. Despite the countless 
Americans who have lost their lives in these senseless shootings, 
including children, Leader McConnell has refused to bring these up for 
debate. We should be doing our work and trying to provide gun safety 
for all Americans.
  After the shootings in Dayton and El Paso, the American public has 
demanded action. The overwhelming majority of Americans want us to take 
commonsense action to provide better public safety. So Leader McConnell 
said he would be doing just that. I think it is time that we hold him 
to his word.
  This Congress must act. The President should take the leadership, 
ensuring we can do everything we can to protect Americans throughout 
our land.

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