[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 124 (Monday, July 21, 2025)]
[House]
[Page H3482]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    DENOUNCING CUTS TO K-12 SCHOOLS

  (Mr. Costa of California was recognized to address the House for 5 
minutes.)
  Mr. COSTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to tell an inconvenient truth 
about what happened to educational funding that Congress appropriated 
that was to go to our schools.
  On June 30, just 1 day before $7 billion of educational funding was 
supposed to be delivered to our State budgets, the Trump administration 
pulled the rug out from under the schools--no warning, no explanation.
  Let me explain something about California. We are a donor State. That 
means that the citizens of California, the taxpayers, send more money 
to Washington than we get back every year.
  In California, we were supposed to receive, as I said, $928 million. 
This was a big blow to school districts across the country, including 
those that I represent in the San Joaquin Valley in California. Fresno 
Unified, which I represent, was to lose $7.1 million. Visalia Unified 
would have lost $2 million.
  Across the San Joaquin Valley, districts were preparing for these 
devastating cuts in mental health services, after-school programs, and 
support for English learners and migrant students.

                              {time}  1230

  While the Republicans stayed silent, my colleagues and I stepped up. 
We wrote to the Trump administration, demanded answers, and put 
pressure on them to act.
  They finally listened. Let's be clear: This didn't happen on its own. 
It happened because we put pressure on them.
  Now the money is flowing, and I hope it is the entire $7 billion that 
goes to our schools throughout the country. Let's make sure that we 
know where it first happened. It happened when the flood of phone lines 
started going to my colleagues here in Washington.
  I am going to, and my colleagues will continue to, fight for every 
student, every family, and every school in America, including those in 
the San Joaquin Valley that I represent.


                    Honoring the Life of John Harris

  Mr. COSTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today sadly to pay tribute to John 
Harris, a good friend and a giant of California agriculture and the San 
Joaquin Valley.
  Born on July 14, 1943, in Fresno County, John was a proud graduate of 
the University of California-Davis and a United States Army veteran.
  For over 40 years, he was not only a pioneer in agriculture, but a 
good friend of mine. He was a leader who was well respected throughout 
the country. John shaped the Harris Ranch and turned it into one of the 
Nation's largest beef producers in America.
  In addition, his passion was as a leader in the horseracing industry 
in which his horses were successful and won on numerous occasions.
  John always understood the importance of education and gave back 
generously. Not only was it to Fresno State's Maddy Institute but he 
also mentored the next generation of agricultural leaders.
  We miss John. His impact will stretch far beyond his ranch. He helped 
shape the agriculture of our region, and his legacy of innovation, 
integrity, and service will benefit generations to come.


                    Honoring the Life of Joel Nelson

  Mr. COSTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor Joel Nelson, a proud son of 
the San Joaquin Valley who served 37 years as the head of California 
Citrus Mutual.
  Mr. Speaker, you should understand that California produces 80 
percent of all the citrus consumed in the United States: navels, 
Valencias, mandarins, and lemons.
  Joel was the leader for the voice of our citrus growers and a fierce 
advocate for valley agriculture.
  From the orchards of Tulare, Fresno, and Kern Counties to the packing 
sheds, he always fought every day to protect our farmers, our water, 
and our way of life.
  He dedicated his life to uplifting others always with energy, 
passion, and a deep love for the valley we shared. His excitement for 
the work was contagious, and his leadership helped shape the citrus 
industry for generations to come.
  We will miss his voice, but his legacy will live on in every grove in 
California.

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