[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 77 (Thursday, May 8, 2025)]
[House]
[Pages H1932-H1938]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
CALIFORNIA'S DISASTROUS POLICIES
(Under the Speaker's announced policy of January 3, 2025, Mr. Kiley
of California was recognized for 60 minutes as the designee of the
majority leader.)
Mr. KILEY of California. Mr. Speaker, Californians could soon be
paying over $8 a gallon for gasoline. That is the result of the
disastrous policies that have been imposed by Gavin Newsom and the
California Legislature's supermajority.
The most recent news is that there are two refineries that are
closing operations in California: the Phillips 66 refinery in L.A. by
the end of 2025, and the Valero refinery by April 2026.
According to a letter from Senate Minority Leader Brian Jones in
California, these two facilities produce about 20 percent of
California's in-State gasoline supply.
According to a recent study by USC Professor Michael Mische, the
effect of this is going to be an increase in gas prices in California
of up to 75 percent by April of 2026. The projections estimate a 33.6
percent increase just by April of 2025. By next year, 2026, we could
see prices rising as high as $8.43 per gallon by the end of 2026.
This is because we are going to see a severe decline in in-State
production. Indeed, it could fall from over 34 million gallons per day
in 2023 to just 27 million gallons by the end of 2026. Then you factor
in the higher transportation costs. You are going to see Californians
not only paying these astronomical prices at the gas station, but it is
going to increase the cost of goods and services throughout the
economy.
That is not to mention that it is going to lead to the loss of
hundreds of jobs for the folks who were working at these refineries.
The gas that we are now going to have to import from other States or
other countries is not only going to cost a lot more, but it is going
to be way worse for the environment, releasing way more emissions.
The fact is California already has, by far, the highest gas prices in
the country. We pay over 30 cents more than second-place Hawaii, which
is an island State. This is because of nonsensical regulations,
including the new fuel standard that was just recently imposed by the
Air Resources Board, as well as a slew of other regulations relating to
the fuel mix and other factors, as well as having the highest gas tax
of any State in the country.
By the way, you would think that, since we have the highest tax, we
must have great roads as a result. No, that is not the case either. We
have just about the worst roads of any State in the country.
How does that work: highest taxes, deepest potholes? It is a stark
illustration of our State government's utter inability to provide
effective services to our citizens.
Mr. Speaker, I am calling on Governor Newsom and the State
legislature to take immediate action to prevent Californians from
having to pay over $8 a gallon for gas by the end of next year. We need
immediate action to overturn regulations and to restore common sense in
our State.
Fraud in California
Mr. KILEY of California. Mr. Speaker, I have sent a letter along with
several of my colleagues in the California delegation to Secretary of
Education Linda McMahon and Attorney General Pam Bondi asking them to
investigate a simple question: Why is it so stunningly easy to commit
fraud against the State of California?
During the COVID era, we saw fraud unlike we had ever seen when $32
billion in unemployment benefits were purloined from fraudsters,
international criminal syndicates, who were easily able to just defraud
Gavin Newsom's Unemployment Department.
Mr. Speaker, the latest example that we have learned is that over a
third of community college applications in the State were fraudulent.
These were not real people, not real students actually seeking a spot
at one of our community colleges.
What they were instead were scams, individuals who were trying and
succeeding in committing financial aid fraud, siphoning more than $10
million in Federal funds and millions more in State aid, according to
the California community chancellor's own office.
We have asked the Attorney General and the Secretary of Education to
look into this matter and see why California has not been able to stop
this from happening.
We know that, with respect to the EDD fraud in the COVID era, the
Governor's office failed to take the basic commonsense steps that other
States took that the Federal Government had advised. For example,
cross-checking applications for unemployment against the prison rolls,
something that almost every other State did, and California didn't do.
I would not be surprised to learn that there were similar oversights
here with respect to the community college fraud.
We look forward to getting back the results of this investigation,
and urge the State to take immediate action to make sure that millions
more in taxpayer dollars aren't lost.
[[Page H1933]]
Independent Contractor Rule
Mr. KILEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to commend the Trump administration
and, specifically, Secretary of Labor Lori Chavez-DeRemer for its
decision to not enforce the independent contractor rule propounded by
the Biden administration.
This rule was based upon one of the worst laws ever to pass in the
State of California, AB5, which effectively banned freelancing,
independent contracting, self-employment, and being your own boss for
many, many people.
After this law went into effect, we saw thousands upon thousands of
Californians lose their livelihoods and lose their rights to earn a
living because of this edict issued by the government.
It received bipartisan criticism, and no other State followed
California's lead in enacting such a law. Yet, that did not stop the
Biden administration from deciding that this law would be its
inspiration for national labor policy.
The Biden administration, using the regulatory process because it
couldn't get it through Congress, enacted an independent contractor
rule modeled on California's AB5 law. Not only that, but the
administration brought in the very person who was the architect of AB5
in California and its chief enforcer, Gavin Newsom's Secretary of Labor
Julie Su, to be his Secretary of Labor and to enforce it just as
aggressively and ruthlessly as she had in California.
The problem was this track record was so disastrous that Ms. Su's
nomination stalled in the Senate. She received bipartisan opposition
and was never confirmed. Somehow the Biden administration, President
Biden, decided to keep her there anyway. It was a very novel theory
that Senate confirmation was now optional for Cabinet-level officials,
and she shattered all records for the longest-acting Secretary in the
history of our country.
Yet, at the end of the day, that rule, which, by the way, was tied up
in court because there was a lot of reasons why it did not pass legal
muster, is no longer being enforced. The right to earn a living of
millions of independent contractors across our country is no longer
threatened.
I particularly applaud Secretary Chavez-DeRemer when she met with a
number of truckers recently, the American Trucking Association, for
saying that we have their backs because it is the independent owner-
operators, tens of thousands of truckers across the country, who were
one of the many groups who were threatened by this regulation for
consequences for the entire U.S. economy.
While this regulatory relief is extremely positive and important, we
need to get the definition of independent contracting and protections
for freelancers into statute so that we don't have the standard
continue to change from one administration to the next.
That is why I have introduced the Modern Worker Empowerment Act that
will put into statute the standard, common law definition of what it
means to be an independent contractor, and I am hopeful that we can get
that passed with bipartisan support this Congress.
{time} 1245
Medi-Cal Facing Unprecedented Threat
Mr. KILEY of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to let folks in
California and across the country know that Medi-Cal, our version of
Medicaid, is facing an unprecedented threat. Its very solvency, its
sustainability, and its ability to provide coverage for Californians
are being threatened by a completely reckless policy enacted by
Governor Gavin Newsom that does not exist in any of the other 49 States
in our country.
Because of this reckless policy, Newsom has just had to ask the
legislature for a bailout of Medicaid, $2.8 billion, which the
legislature provided. Now, of course, what I am referring to is the
policy of providing free, full-scope, comprehensive Medi-Cal coverage
to all illegal immigrants in the State who meet the income eligibility
requirements.
This, again, is a policy that is singular to California. No other
State has it. It was initially estimated to cost $3.1 billion. Since
that time, the cost, just for the first year of coverage, has exploded
to $9.5 billion.
As a result, Governor Newsom, number one, took out a $3.44 billion
loan from the State's general fund. That is the maximum allowed by law.
Of course, that wasn't enough to close the gap, so then, he had to go
and ask for a bailout of the program to stave off insolvency.
Now, you would think that this would compel Newsom and the
legislature to immediately roll back this disastrous experiment, yet
when Governor Newsom was asked, he said that rolling back this policy
was ``not on my docket.'' Let's be very clear: Saving Medicaid in
California is not on Governor Newsom's docket.
Fortunately, we are fighting back and looking to take measures here
that will ensure that tax dollars of Californians are reserved to
provide Medi-Cal coverage for people who are in our State legally.
When you think about this cost, $9.5 billion just in the first year,
is a cost that is basically triple what was originally projected. Think
what that is going to look like over the next 10 years. We are talking
about potentially hundreds of billions of dollars that could be going
toward Medi-Cal for our own residents that is instead going toward a
reckless policy that exists nowhere else in the country, which is only
going to entice more people who are here illegally to come to
California, thereby, increasing the cost even more.
By the way, because we are adding all of these additional people to
the Medi-Cal rolls, that is making it more difficult for Californians
who rely on the program to actually get access to healthcare. It is
extremely difficult to get a doctor's appointment if you are on Medi-
Cal in California. It is actually very difficult, in some cases, if you
are on private insurance to get a doctor's appointment in California.
The Governor's reckless policy is a big reason why.
We are going to do everything we possibly can here to fight for
Californians and fight for Medicaid in California. I will do everything
I can to protect this program against the Governor and the
legislature's reckless policy.
Supporting Teach For America
Mr. KILEY of California. Mr. Speaker, I will take a few moments today
to share with folks here in D.C. and across the country a little bit
about a program that I am an alumnus of called Teach For America and to
share why I think this is an extremely important program for us to
protect and to support right now and in the years ahead.
Right now, we see our schools across this country in a state of
crisis. The nation's report card that recently came out revealed truly
shocking declines in student achievement, but one bright spot in this
otherwise very troubling picture has been Teach For America, otherwise
known as TFA.
What TFA does is recruit recent college graduates to go teach in the
toughest schools, schools in low-income communities. It is a very
selective program. In some years, the acceptance rate for those who
apply to be TFA teachers is as low as 11 percent. That is as selective
as many of the most elite colleges in the country.
I was a teacher through TFA in Los Angeles. I taught 10th grade
English. I had students who were, on average, at a fourth or fifth
grade reading level when they came to my classroom, but I had a
tremendous experience. My students achieved significant academic gains
as part of my classes. I chaired the English Department while I was
there. I even started an award-winning speech and debate program that
provided opportunities to compete for students who otherwise wouldn't
have had that experience or had that opportunity.
I will first, in underlining the importance of this program, speak to
my Republican colleagues here in the House. If you need any one reason
why you should support Teach For America, it is that the radical
Democratic supermajority in California actually tried to ban the
program from our State. That is not an exaggeration.
This is from a 2019 Politico article: ``Backed by powerful teachers
unions, Democrats are pushing to ban Teach For America from California
amid a wave of teacher strikes and a heated debate over charter schools
in the Nation's most populous State.''
The article goes on to say that ``the national nonprofit and its
recruits,
[[Page H1934]]
promising college grads eager to teach in poor communities, in the
crosshairs of the State's supermajority Democratic legislature.''
Why in the world would the Democratic supermajority in California
target TFA? I was there in the legislature at the time, and I helped to
kill that bill on the State assembly floor, but it did pass the
California State Assembly Education Committee, unbelievably enough.
What could possibly have motivated this attack? After all, TFA's
mission, its entire purpose, is to close the achievement gaps that
exist in this country so that every child, no matter where they are
born or no matter what their ZIP Code is, will have access to an
excellent education.
Mr. Speaker, the issue is that, in California, the governing majority
and education establishment there have a model of keeping kids trapped
in failing schools, and that has been the effect of the policies that
have governed the State year after year.
Organizations like TFA that, for example, provide alternative
pathways to get promising teachers into the classroom or, worst of all,
from the perspective of those who ran the legislature, place almost
half of their teachers in charter schools simply couldn't be tolerated.
Indeed, at the time, in 2019, Gavin Newsom, who had just taken
office, had declared a war on charter schools. Charters, which are
public schools that have a high level of flexibility as to how they run
their school but, in turn, are held to a greater standard of
accountability, have gotten tremendous results. Studies consistently
show that they outperform traditional public schools, and they have a
lot of students who are on their wait list. However, the teachers at
those schools are not automatically unionized as a matter of default.
That is what inspired Gavin Newsom and his enablers to try to enact
and, indeed, succeed in enacting an anti-charter school agenda. Because
TFA placed almost 50 percent of its teachers in charter schools, they
got caught up in it.
Fortunately, that bill did not pass. TFA has continued to serve
thousands of kids in California. Indeed, throughout its history, TFA
has placed some 65,000 teachers into classrooms.
This attack in California was truly an aberration. It really speaks
to the character of the supermajority in our State, specifically, that
it is out of step even with many reasonable Democrats, especially on
the issue of education.
There are a couple of things that I will emphasize about the program.
Number one is that TFA places teachers in areas that need teachers. It
helps to combat the teacher shortage that is particularly acute in
particular districts and particular subjects.
TFA partners with school districts facing persistent vacancies,
especially in low-income, urban, and rural areas. The districts request
TFA core members for hard-to-staff subjects like STEM, special
education, and bilingual education. In fact, in this last school year,
over 75 percent of TFA teachers served in title I schools.
The organization is recruiting motivated and talented young people to
go teach in areas where they have a hard time getting teachers, but how
do they do once they are there? The second thing I will emphasize is
that TFA teachers have an outstanding track record.
Last year, there was a comprehensive study that the American
Institutes for Research published. It was a meta-analysis that actually
looked at 23 preexisting studies of TFA's impact across 24 years.
Included in that were 63,134 teachers who taught 5 million students.
What did this comprehensive meta-analysis find? TFA teachers have had
a consistent and significant impact on students' academic achievements.
On average, students of TFA teachers perform better in math, science,
and reading. Some studies have found that having a TFA teacher adds up
to 50 additional days of learning.
Beyond that, by the way, many TFA alums go on to found schools. For
example, the founders of tremendous charter school networks KIPP, IDEA,
and YES Prep are TFA alums.
Personally, one of the main reasons I decided to run for public
office, first in the legislature and then for Congress, was my
experience as a classroom teacher. It motivated me to become the vice
chair of the California State Assembly Education Committee and now,
here in the House, the chair of the Early Childhood, Elementary, and
Secondary Education Subcommittee.
TFA is an AmeriCorps program. It is one of the professional core
programs for AmeriCorps. What that means is that the teachers who are
part of TFA are employees of a particular school district or of a
charter school.
For example, I was an employee of the Los Angeles Unified School
District, but they also receive a Segal AmeriCorps Education Award. The
reason that that is vital is because TFA is providing an alternative
pathway into the classroom where you can start teaching soon after
graduating college. They have an intensive summer program where
students teach summer school and receive training. They continue to
receive support from TFA as an organization throughout their time
teaching, and then they are also simultaneously pursuing a teaching
credential. Sometimes that takes the form of a master's of education,
which is what I received.
For example, when I was teaching 10th grade English, 1 day a week,
after spending the whole day teaching, I would then drive across town
to a local college or grad school where I sat in class for 5 or 6 hours
on that particular day, working toward my credential.
The education award helps students or the TFA teachers to pay for
that degree or for that credential, and it would be very hard for many
of them to actually be part of the program without this award.
I have heard reports recently that there have been some of these
grants that are in jeopardy or maybe have been lost already, putting
several thousand current teachers and several thousand more future
teachers in a state of uncertainty.
While I have personal experience with this particular AmeriCorps
program, I know that there are many others that fill similarly critical
needs in different sectors of society. In fact, AmeriCorps' own
definition of a professional core program recognizes that the
placements are a strategic response to longstanding workforce gaps. It
is not simply service programs. They are workforce solutions.
That is why I have respectfully requested in a letter that I am
sending today that the Appropriations Committee and its Subcommittee on
Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies
provide robust funding for AmeriCorps in the coming fiscal year.
Mr. Speaker, I am urging my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to
come together in support of TFA and these other critical programs.
{time} 1300
Our Public Education System is Failing
Mr. KILEY of California. Mr. Speaker, at this moment, we have an
opportunity to catalyze a school choice revolution across America, and
one has never been more desperately needed.
The Nation's report card recently came out, and the verdict was
clear: Our public education system is failing. The National Assessment
of Educational Progress showed one-third of students are unable to read
at the basic level for their age group, and math scores are down 9
percent since 2018.
Now, the Biden administration's response was to continue to shovel
more money into a failing system. They threw 200 billion in tax dollars
into the same failed system with absolutely nothing to show for it. In
fact, things got worse. You can put this on a graph: The level of
funding has gone up; student achievement has gone down. It has been a
negative return on investment.
However, right now we can change that with reforms that will actually
work in expanding opportunity, giving choices to millions of families,
and providing a healthy sense of drive toward improvement in our public
education system generally. That is through two pieces of legislation
that I am sponsoring and that can also be included as part of the
budget reconciliation process.
The first is the Educational Choice for Children Act, which will
provide a tax credit for charitable contributions that enable
scholarships to attend private, parochial, and independent schools.
This could potentially expand
[[Page H1935]]
private school choice to millions of families in this country.
Secondly, along with Representative Claudia Tenney and others, I have
introduced the High-Quality Charter Schools Act, which will
significantly expand access to charter schools across the country. It
uses a similar mechanism, leveraging the tax code through an innovative
Federal tax credit that will allow the Nation's most effective charter
networks to create new high-quality seats.
In particular, it will provide a tax credit to cover startup costs
for expanding charter schools that already have a track record of
success. This is very important because you have a lot of families who
are on waiting lists for charters. We estimate that this measure could
potentially triple the number of students across the country who
receive this particular form of school choice of charter schools which
have a tremendous track record in advancing student achievement.
I will give you one example. Success Academy, which was founded in
New York City, manages 57 schools, serving 22,000 inner-city children.
They are 93 percent non-White, 72 percent low-income, with phenomenal
results at an impressive scale.
For 8 years in a row, Success has a 100 percent 4-year college
acceptance rate. Its students routinely outperform more affluent school
districts, and 14 of New York City's top 25 schools in math are Success
Academies.
Think about that. Over half of the top schools in New York City in
math are Success Academy campuses. That is why there is so much demand
to attend these schools. The number of families that apply is 10 times
the number of available seats, so they have to lottery them out. There
is so much demand, you have to enter the lottery and you have a 10
percent chance of winning that lottery. This bill would allow them and
other successful charter schools across the country to expand their
campuses.
Between these two measures, the Educational Choice for Children Act,
and the High-Quality Charter School Act, we could expand meaningful
school choice, meaningful options to millions and millions of families
in every community across the country, which would benefit those
families, and it would also reach the critical mass of school choice in
many areas that would compel improvements in traditional school
districts as well.
This is really a moment when we need to ask ourselves what our
priorities are because in general--this isn't true of all of them--the
Biden administration and Democratic majorities have moved our education
system in the wrong direction. They have had the wrong policies.
I believe Republicans have generally had the right policies, but the
questions are: What kind of priority are we going to place on those
policies? What kind of priority are we going to give education? What
kind of priority and sense of urgency are we going to bring to the fact
that our schools across this country are failing far too many of our
kids?
Now is the time to show that our commitment to educational reform and
school choice goes beyond just slogans, goes beyond political
arguments, but it is a real commitment to advancing the education and
the life prospects for kids all across America. We have a chance to do
that right now by assuring these measures are enacted into law.
Sacramento Capitol-to-Capitol Program
Mr. KILEY of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise to commend the
Sacramento Metro Chamber of Commerce and the well over 450 people who
joined the chamber's Cap-to-Cap program to visit Washington, D.C., this
week. This was the 53rd annual Capitol-to-Capitol, or Cap-to-Cap,
program where people, community leaders from the Sacramento region come
here to D.C. to participate in programming and to advocate for our
region to lawmakers.
I had the chance to be a part of this in many different ways. We had
a bipartisan discussion that I was part of with Representative Ami
Bera, and I met with well over 100, probably closer to 200, Cap-to-Cap
leaders throughout the week to discuss issues of importance to them and
to the communities, the industries, and the sectors that they lead.
I had very productive discussions about a number of actionable items
concerning public safety, wildfire prevention, natural resources,
transportation infrastructure, and California water, issues that are so
important to our region and our communities. I am so grateful that so
many leaders in the Sacramento area came here to discuss these matters.
I wanted to say thank you to everyone who took the time out of their
busy schedule to come here. This program has in the past, I think,
allowed our region to punch above its weight. Indeed, this is the
biggest chamber trip, I understand, to D.C. that exists anywhere in the
country.
It really underscores the tremendous spirit of collaboration that
exists in our region, that we have so many people--it crosses party
lines, it crosses different communities, different ZIP Codes--who are
working together, who are all rowing in the same direction for the
benefit of our region. We have been able to achieve tremendous things
because of that. We have been able to maintain a quality of life for
the folks that we represent so that our region remains a great place to
live, to work, to raise a family, and to retire. The Cap-to-Cap program
has been a very big part of allowing that to continue, of giving our
region a cohesive identity, and I look forward to the 54th annual trip
next year.
Honoring 2025 Graduating Class of Leadership Rocklin
Mr. KILEY of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and
recognize the 2025 graduating class of Leadership Rocklin. This
prestigious program is run by the Rocklin Area Chamber of Commerce and
provides an opportunity for participants to build upon their leadership
skills while developing meaningful relationships with community and
local business leaders.
The areas of learning for this program include leadership skills in
theory, education, volunteerism and community service, Rocklin civics,
public safety, transportation, health and human services, economic
development, the history of Rocklin, and much more.
Leadership Rocklin holds high esteem in the community and is
recognized by leaders as an important way to prepare those who wish to
further serve and learn about their community. I commend the
participants for their dedication to civic engagement and their
commitment to leadership development.
Therefore, on behalf of California's Third Congressional District and
the United States House of Representatives, I am proud to congratulate
this year's Leadership Rocklin graduating class.
Congratulating Hebard Insurance Solutions
Mr. KILEY of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate
and recognize Hebard Insurance Solutions for their 75-year anniversary.
Hebard Insurance Solutions is a family-owned, independent insurance
agency in Loomis, California, a town located in Placer County.
Christine Hebard-Summers, who began working for the family business
at an early age, is the third-generation owner. Her grandfather, Roy,
started the business back in 1950. Roy would take Christine to the
office back when she was in kindergarten. At the time, she would help
around the office in exchange for a toy and some candy at the Main Drug
Store. Christine's father, Roy, Jr., managed the business until 2003,
when Christine officially purchased the business from him.
For more than seven decades, the Hebard Insurance team has been
committed to working closely with their clients to help them make
important and informed decisions relating to their protection and
future. They prioritize customer service and are committed to treating
their customers like family.
Hebard Insurance continues to be a staple in Placer County and
surrounding communities. In addition to providing exceptional services,
they are tremendously involved in their community. They are often seen
volunteering with local organizations, such as the Soroptimist
International Loomis Basin, taking leadership roles at the local
chamber of commerce, serving at the senior center, and contributing to
multiple youth programs.
It is an honor to represent exemplary businesses such as Hebard
Insurance Solutions in Congress. Therefore, on
[[Page H1936]]
behalf of California's Third Congressional District and the United
States House of Representatives, it is my honor and privilege to
congratulate them on their 75-year anniversary. Congratulations.
Extending Gratitude to Teachers
Mr. KILEY of California. Mr. Speaker, in recognition of National
Teacher Appreciation Week, I wanted to take an opportunity to highlight
the service of some of the truly amazing educators in California's
Third Congressional District.
In his 1988 proclamation, Ronald Reagan said: ``Our country's great
teachers often make many sacrifices as they fulfill their countless
responsibilities. They have earned, and truly deserve, the utmost
gratitude and esteem of students, parents, and community members.''
It is in that spirit that I rise today and recognize 15 individual
teachers from throughout California's Third Congressional District for
their exceptional dedication to their roles, students, schools, and
communities.
While representing almost 70 school districts and close to 300 K-12
schools, these teachers stand out among their colleagues and have made
an indelible mark on their students and communities.
As a former educator myself, I understand the unique challenges our
educators face and the passion and dedication it takes to enable our
students to succeed. A great teacher can help shape and transform the
trajectory of a student's life and their perspective on learning.
As such, we are quite fortunate to have truly exceptional
schoolteachers and administrators educating and supporting the next
generation in California's Third Congressional District. Therefore, I
would like to extend my gratitude to all of our communities' teachers
this week and to thank them for their tireless devotion to promoting
academic achievement, student success, and educational opportunities.
If you are an educator, I encourage you to reach out to my office or
visit Kiley.house.gov for Federal resources and services available to
local teachers and students.
{time} 1315
Recognizing Janice Rowe for Teacher Appreciation Week
Mr. KILEY of California. Mr. Speaker, in honor of National Teacher
Appreciation Week, I would like to take a moment to recognize Mrs.
Janice Rowe, a kindergarten teacher in the Pleasant Ridge School
District at Cottage Hill Elementary School.
For 40 years, Mrs. Rowe has taught at the kindergarten grade level.
Her commitment to her students, colleagues, and district is unmatched.
Mrs. Rowe not only instills a strong literary and mathematical
foundation for young learners but also creates a safe and caring
environment where students can thrive and their love for learning is
ignited.
She is instrumental toward establishing new academic programs,
standards, and expectations for all kindergarten students, leading the
continued development of the district's kindergarten programs.
She is often known for enrolling in classes, programs, and workshops
to further develop her professional skills and for working late to
prepare a special and hands-on learning experience for her students.
Not only does Mrs. Rowe demonstrate care and commitment to her
students but she is also relied upon by her colleagues to provide help,
mentorship, and collaboration. Mrs. Rowe has shaped the high standards
of excellence that the community has come to expect of the school and
school district.
Mrs. Rowe's four decades of commitment to teaching kindergarten
students has provided a lasting benefit for students' introduction to
public schools and foundational growth. It is a true honor to represent
exemplary teachers such as Mrs. Rowe in the United States House of
Representatives.
Therefore, in honor of her passion, dedication, her belief in the
transformative power of education, and her commitment to her students'
success, it is my privilege to recognize Mrs. Janice Rowe in
celebration of National Teacher Appreciation Week.
Recognizing Dominic Albano for Teacher Appreciation Week
Mr. KILEY of California. Mr. Speaker, in honor of National Teacher
Appreciation Week, I would like to take a moment to recognize Mr.
Dominic Albano, a fourth grade teacher with 30 years in the profession
at Union Hill Elementary School.
Since 1996, Mr. Albano has been an extraordinary educator, coach, and
mentor whose legacy has touched thousands of lives. His commitment to
bringing history alive for his fourth grade students is unparalleled,
blending rigorous academics with immersive and unforgettable
experiences.
His passion for California's Gold Country, the 49er Gold Rush, and
Wild West history has created traditions that are now woven into the
very fabric of Union Hill's culture. Students of Mr. Albano receive a
living, breathing understanding of history and our Nation's story.
Beyond his dynamic and innovative teaching style, Mr. Albano is a
beloved coach who has grown Union Hill's cross-country and track-and-
field programs into teams of nearly 90 students in a school of just
700. It is a tribute to the magnetism of his leadership.
He inspires students not only to learn but to believe in themselves,
which is instrumental in shaping their future. Not only does Mr. Albano
make a meaningful difference in his students' lives but he plays an
instrumental role in mentoring student teachers and collaborating with
his colleagues.
Mr. Albano is known by others for being a Union Hill legend, a
builder of traditions, and a cultivator of character. He is treasured
by his school and community for his reliability, kindness, positivity,
and generosity.
I am confident the impact of his contribution will be felt for
generations to come. It is a true honor to represent exemplary teachers
like Mr. Albano in the United States House of Representatives.
Therefore, in honor of his dedication to serving his students and
community with passion, humility, and excellence, it is my privilege to
recognize Mr. Dominic Albano in celebration of National Teacher
Appreciation Week.
Recognizing Miranda Prakash for Teacher Appreciation Week
Mr. KILEY of California. Mr. Speaker, in honor of National Teacher
Appreciation Week, I would like to take a moment to recognize Mrs.
Miranda Prakash, a special education teacher in the Sierra-Plumas Joint
Unified School District at Loyalton Elementary School.
Mrs. Prakash is an exceptional educator whose unwavering commitment
to student success has made a profound impact within the Sierra-Plumas
Joint Unified School District.
As a leader in special education with a decade of experience, Mrs.
Prakash has continuously developed and refined her program to meet the
diverse needs of her students, demonstrating innovation, adaptability,
and a deep sense of care.
Serving in a rural community where educational challenges are often
magnified, she has gone above and beyond to ensure that every student
receives personalized support and opportunities to thrive.
She is a tireless champion for her students, ensuring their needs are
represented and addressed with compassion and integrity. Her
collaborative spirit and willingness to work alongside general
education colleagues fosters an inclusive and equitable learning
environment.
Mrs. Prakash's creativity, professionalism, and genuine devotion to
her students make her a role model for other educators. It is a true
honor to represent exemplary teachers, such as Mrs. Prakash in the
United States House of Representatives.
Therefore, in honor of the outstanding contributions to her school
and the difference she continues to make in students' lives every day,
it is my privilege to recognize Mrs. Miranda Prakash in celebration of
National Teacher Appreciation Week.
Recognizing Steve Holland for Teacher Appreciation Week
Mr. KILEY of California. Mr. Speaker, in the spirit of National
Teacher Appreciation Week, I wish to highlight Mr. Steve Holland whose
29 years of dedicated service in education exceeds standards throughout
the Bishop Unified School District.
Mr. Holland began teaching in the Bishop Unified School District in
1996 as a middle school teacher and, more
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recently, has been teaching the fourth grade.
Known for his kindness, calm demeanor, and unwavering dedication, Mr.
Holland has consistently gone above and beyond to support learning,
both academically and emotionally. Through his innovative teaching
methods, he continues to keep students engaged and inspired.
In addition to his deep commitment to student achievement, he has
also served as a coach and grade-level leader, providing mentorship to
his fellow educators and leaving a legacy of integrity and inspiration.
Mr. Holland has left an indelible mark on countless students,
colleagues, and families within his community.
Therefore, on behalf of the United States House of Representatives, I
am pleased to recognize Mr. Steve Holland for his substantial
contributions to the Bishop Unified School District and the students of
the Bishop community.
Recognizing Brandy Rost for Teacher Appreciation Week
Mr. KILEY of California. Mr. Speaker, in the spirit of National
Teacher Appreciation Week, I wish to take a moment to recognize Mrs.
Brandy Rost, an outstanding middle school math educator in California's
Third Congressional District.
During her 29 years of dedicated service to the Lone Pine Unified
School District, she has taught thousands of students, transforming
their view of math from an intimidating subject to one that is exciting
and achievable.
Mrs. Rost is known for her creative instructional style, integrating
hands-on activities, technologies, and real-world applications,
instilling engagement from students and empowering every student to
succeed.
Perhaps most remarkable is the academic transformation Mrs. Rost has
led since the COVID pandemic. In the wake of prolonged school closures,
Lo-Inyo Elementary School saw its math scores drop to new lows with
just 20 percent of students meeting or exceeding standards.
Recognizing this challenge, Mrs. Rost spearheaded an extraordinary
resolve. She retooled her instruction, built targeted interventions,
and created a classroom culture where growth in math became not just a
goal but an expectation.
Each year since the pandemic, her students' performance climbed
significantly. In the most recent testing, over 70 percent of her
students met or exceeded the math standard; a score that doesn't just
surpass local benchmarks but also substantially outperforms the State
average.
The story of Mrs. Brandy Rost is one of resilience, excellence, and
impact. Her dedicated efforts not only recovered learning loss but also
illustrated what success in rural education can look like.
Alongside these momentous achievements and beyond her classroom, Mrs.
Rost is a mentor to new teachers, a trusted colleague, and a favorite
among families. Her impact spans generations in the Lone Pine
community, where former students now bring their own children to her
class with pride and gratitude.
On behalf of the United States House of Representatives, I am honored
to recognize educator Mrs. Brandy Rost as an example of what it means
to teach with passion, purpose, and heart.
Recognizing Brandon Dell'Orto for Teacher Appreciation Week
Mr. KILEY of California. Mr. Speaker, in the spirit of National
Teacher Appreciation Week, I wish to recognize an outstanding and
prominent educator in California's Third Congressional District. I
would like to highlight, in particular, a teacher from the Roseville
Joint Union High School District, Brandon Dell'Orto, who has dedicated
35 years of his career to educating the students of our community.
Mr. Dell'Orto is a passionate historian and a mentor. He spent most
of his career teaching AP U.S. History, IB History of the Americas,
Military History, and World History at Granite Bay High School.
Not only does Mr. Dell'Orto have a deep understanding of these
subjects but he also knows how to bring historical events to life. His
integrated and engaging teaching style fosters student success, while
inspiring a lasting passion for history.
Beyond the classroom, he has been recognized by the Daughters of the
American Revolution and Founding Forward for his excellence in teaching
and ability to foster a deep appreciation of American history and civic
responsibility among his students.
Mr. Dell'Orto is an exceptional educator, and he continues to make a
strong impact in the educational journey of his students. It is a true
honor to represent exemplary teachers like him in Congress, and I
commend Mr. Dell'Orto for his more than three decades of unwavering
dedication to education and to promoting student success and academic
achievement.
As a former student of Mr. Dell'Orto myself, he is one of the truly
best teachers that I ever had. That goes for high school, college, and
law school. He is truly one of a kind, and you will rarely see someone
who has such a palpable passion for the subject matter he is teaching
and the ability to inspire that same love of learning in his students.
I really credit his class in many ways for inspiring my own love for
American history.
On behalf of the United States House of Representatives, it is really
an honor to recognize Mr. Brandon Dell'Orto for his significant
contributions to Roseville Joint Union High School District and to the
students of the Roseville community.
Recognizing Anne Jones for Teacher Appreciation Week
Mr. KILEY of California. Mr. Speaker, in the spirit of National
Teacher Appreciation Week, I wish to take a moment to recognize a
teacher from the Foresthill Union School District, Anne Jones, who has
dedicated 35 years of her career to educating the students of her
community.
Mrs. Jones has been a devoted and passionate first grade teacher, and
she has inspired generations of the community's young scholars with her
warmth, patience, and with her clear passion for education.
She goes beyond teaching her students the fundamentals of reading and
math and also instills values in them that are invaluable for the
learning community--the values of kindness, gratitude, and creativity.
She brings joy and cheer to the classroom and creates an environment
in which students feel emboldened to explore their ideas and express
themselves, which helps facilitate their academic and personal growth.
It is a true honor to represent exemplary teachers in Congress, and I
commend Mrs. Anne Jones for her more than three decades of dedication
to education and to promoting student success and academic achievement.
Therefore, on behalf of the United States House of Representatives, I
am pleased to recognize Mrs. Anne Jones for her significant
contributions to Foresthill Union School District and to the students
of the Foresthill community.
Recognizing Samantha Harvey for Teacher Appreciation Week
Mr. KILEY of California. Mr. Speaker, in the spirit of National
Teacher Appreciation Week, I wish to take a moment to highlight
Samantha Harvey, a teacher from the Dry Creek Joint Elementary School
District, who has dedicated 9 years of her career to educating the
students of her community.
Mrs. Harvey serves as a fifth grade level leader. In her role, she
demonstrates traits of a natural leader such as the ability to lead by
example, motivate colleagues, facilitate collaboration, and so much
more.
She has built an educational environment to ensure that students and
teachers alike feel valued, supported, and heard. As a positive
behavioral intervention and supports lead, Mrs. Harvey's efforts in
providing a variety of differentiated strategies and ensuring students
have the necessary tools for success, while maintaining a positive
environment, have been instrumental in shaping school culture.
Mrs. Harvey also develops student athletes through her role as a
cross-country coach and helps young athletes to learn the importance of
lifelong skills of perseverance, teamwork, and resilience, while
leading them to excel in competition.
Furthermore, as check-in and checkout coordinator, Mrs. Harvey
ensures the students have the structure and support they need to thrive
at school. She mentors students and provides accountability to help
them stay on track, both academically and socially.
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Behind the scenes, Mrs. Harvey is valued by her colleagues as she
displays a commitment to teamwork, collaboration, and a continual
willingness to lend a helping hand.
It is a true honor to represent exemplary teachers like her in
Congress, and I commend Mrs. Samantha Harvey for her tireless devotion
to education and to promoting student success and academic
achievements.
Therefore, on behalf of the House of Representatives, I am pleased to
represent Mrs. Samantha Harvey for her significant contributions to Dry
Creek Joint Elementary School District and to the students of the
Roseville community.
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Recognizing Samantha Mashinchi for Teacher Appreciation Week
Mr. KILEY of California. Mr. Speaker, in the spirit of National
Teacher Appreciation Week, I wish to take a moment to recognize a
teacher from the Loomis Union School District, Samantha Mashinchi, who
has dedicated 15 years of her career to educating the students of her
community.
Currently, Mrs. Mashinchi teaches fifth grade at an international
baccalaureate school and has consistently demonstrated an unwavering
devotion to fostering growth and excellence of her students.
Mrs. Mashinchi nurtures the natural curiosity of her students with a
global perspective. In doing so, she helps equip them with the skills
needed to thrive in an interconnected world. Mrs. Mashinchi has
consistently demonstrated leadership and a passion for her role,
working tirelessly to help each student reach their full potential.
It is a true honor to represent exemplary teachers like her in
Congress, and I commend her for her tireless devotion to education and
dedication to promoting student success and academic achievement.
Therefore, on behalf of the United States House of Representatives, I
am pleased to recognize Mrs. Samantha Mishinchi for her significant
contributions to Loomis Union Community School District and to the
students of the Loomis community.
Recognizing Tina Angell for Teacher Appreciation Week
Mr. KILEY of California. Mr. Speaker, in the spirit of National
Teacher Appreciation Week, I wish to highlight a teacher from Placer
County, Tina Angell, who has dedicated the past 8 years of her career
to educating the students of her community.
Miss Angel owned and operated her own business before going to work
for the Placer County Office of Education. She then obtained her Career
Technical Education credential, focusing on business and information
and communication technology pathways.
Miss Angell taught in this capacity for a few years and then, once
again, decided to obtain an additional credential in special education
so she could support students with mild to moderate learning
disabilities.
Miss Angell also provides students with a special opportunity by
being qualified to teach dual enrollment classes through a partnership
with a local college in my district, Sierra College.
Miss Angell is known for being an exceptional teacher and a lifelong
learner. She provides real-life applications in her classroom and
strives to prepare high school students for college and future career
opportunities.
Her engaging and integrated teaching style, which is accompanied by
her passion for teaching and for her students, inspires those in her
class to reach their full potential.
It is a true honor to represent exemplary teachers like her in
Congress, and I commend Miss Angell for her dedication to education and
to promoting student success and academic achievement.
Therefore, on behalf of the United States House of Representatives, I
am pleased to recognize Miss Tina Angell for her significant
contributions to the students of Placer County.
Recognizing Holly Gotwals for Teacher Appreciation Week
Mr. KILEY of California. Mr. Speaker, in the spirit of National
Teacher Appreciation Week, I wish to take a moment to recognize a
teacher from Rocklin Unified School District, Holly Gotwals, who has
dedicated 24 years of her career to educating the students of her
community.
Mrs. Gotwals, a graduate of Sacramento State, showcases innovation,
compassion, and dedication in her classroom. She teaches a special
education adult transition class for students who are 18 to 22 years
old with moderate to severe needs and did not receive a high school
diploma.
Mrs. Gotwals focuses her class on teaching her students functional
English and math, current events, independent living and vocational
skills, cooking, fitness and nutrition, how to be involved in their
community, mobility training, social skills, self-advocacy, and career
awareness.
In a remarkable manner, Mrs. Gotwals tailors each lesson to each
individual student. She goes as far as to work closely with local
community businesses to secure job training opportunities for her
students that match their interests and skills. She looks to the
futures of her students, and some go on to other educational
institutions, such as the UC-Davis SEED program, while others are able
to secure jobs locally in our community.
Mrs. Gotwals fosters a sense of independence and confidence in the
classroom. She is not just an educator, as she has proven to be a
strong advocate and a role model to her students. Her tireless devotion
to her students brings out their unique potential and prepares them for
opportunities to fulfill their dreams.
It is an honor to represent exemplary educators like her in Congress,
and I commend Mrs. Holly Gotwals for her exceptional dedication to
education and to promoting student successes and academic achievement.
Therefore, on behalf of the United States House of Representatives, I
am pleased to recognize Mrs. Holly Gotwals for her significant
contributions to Rocklin Unified School District and to the students of
the Rocklin community.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
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