[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 61 (Wednesday, April 10, 2024)]
[House]
[Page H2259]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   HONORING AN AMERICAN HERO AND ORANGE COUNTY CITIZEN, DICK HIGGINS

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from 
California (Mrs. Steel) for 5 minutes.
  Mrs. STEEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor an American hero and 
Orange County citizen, Dick Higgins.
  Born in Magnum, Oklahoma, Dick served his Nation for 20 years in the 
Navy before settling in Orange County. Dick was stationed on Ford 
Island as a radioman during the Pearl Harbor attack, and his efforts 
that day helped sailors and marines get to land and out of the burning 
water.
  His loved ones remember him for his humility and his love of country.
  At 102, Dick was the last living member of the Orange County's Pearl 
Harbor Survivors Association.
  On behalf of Orange County residents, I am honored to recognize Dick 
Higgins' service and sacrifice on the floor of the House of 
Representatives. May we always cherish and honor his memory.


              Observing Black April and the Fall of Saigon

  Mrs. STEEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate a very solemn 
occasion that has great significance for my constituents.
  I am proud to represent Orange County's little Saigon, the largest 
population of Vietnamese anywhere outside Vietnam itself.
  Each year, the community observes Black April, a time to reflect upon 
the tragic fall of Saigon, remember the lives lost to Communism, and 
recommit ourselves to the struggle for freedom.
  As co-chairs of the Congressional Vietnam Caucus, I am proud to join 
Congressman Lou Correa to introduce a resolution commemorating Black 
April and honoring the lives lost.
  I am also introducing a resolution to ensure that those who fought 
for freedom in Vietnam are always remembered by proposing a bill to 
rename the U.S. Post Office in Westminster, where a large portion of my 
Vietnamese constituents reside, as the Vietnam War Veterans Memorial 
Post Office.
  With these two actions, Congress will stand in solidarity with the 
Vietnamese community, showcase our resolve against Communism and 
tyranny, and reaffirm our commitment to freedom and democracy.


                          April 15 is Tax Day

  Mrs. STEEL. Mr. Speaker, April 15 is tax day, and this year American 
taxpayers are getting one of the worst deals they have ever gotten.

  Despite its promises not to increase taxes on those making less than 
$400,000 a year, the Biden administration has undertaken an outright 
assault on taxpayers.
  The $400,000 pledge is detached from reality at best, with reports 
showing that 63 percent of new audits have been on those earning less 
than $200,000 a year.
  This shouldn't surprise us. After all, the administration rammed 
through its $80 billion plan to hire 87,000 new IRS agents to target 
American taxpayers with the flood of new audits.
  They also unveiled plans to jack up burdensome and confusing 
reporting requirements for people using digital payment platforms like 
Venmo. They have repeatedly delayed this plan, and I have legislation, 
the SNOOP Act to stop it permanently.
  Mr. Speaker, as a lifelong tax fighter, I came to Congress to ensure 
low taxes and responsible government that works for Americans.
  I urge the administration to join me in that work and end its war on 
American taxpayers.

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