[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 4 (Wednesday, January 7, 2026)]
[House]
[Page H106]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     RECOGNIZING SISTER MARY JESUS OCHOA ON HER CENTENNIAL BIRTHDAY

  (Ms. Rivas of California was recognized to address the House for 5 
minutes.)
  Ms. RIVAS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Sister Mary Jesus Ochoa 
of the Order of St. Francis in San Fernando. This week, she celebrated 
her 100th birthday.
  Sister Mary Jesus is a member of the Franciscan Sisters of the 
Immaculate Conception, who entered religious life in the 1940s. She has 
spent decades supporting our most vulnerable across the San Fernando 
Valley and in Mexico.
  During her service, she worked with children and families in need, 
emphasizing care, stability, and long-term support.
  Sister Mary Jesus played a key leadership role at the Poverello of 
Assisi Retreat House in San Fernando. There, she helped provide retreat 
services, community support, and housing for young women and children.
  When earthquakes caused major damage to the retreat house and the 
surrounding buildings, Sister Mary Jesus led the rebuilding efforts to 
make sure that services were not interrupted for those who need it the 
most.
  Sister Mary Jesus' work reflects steady leadership, resilience in 
times of crisis, and a clear commitment to serving others with dignity 
and purpose.
  I wish Sister Mary Jesus a happy 100th birthday. The San Fernando 
Valley is grateful for her dedication to helping our community.


                   Funding to Rebuild After Wildfires

  Ms. RIVAS. Mr. Speaker, here we are in the first voting week of 2026, 
and Republicans are bringing up bills on showerheads. They are not 
doing anything to address the affordability crisis, ICE terrorizing our 
communities, Trump's illegal and unconstitutional actions in Venezuela, 
or other states of emergency. They have not done so during this 
Congress, even during the Los Angeles wildfires, which broke out 1 year 
ago today.
  These fires destroyed 16,000 structures, displaced over 200,000 
residents, and took 31 lives. The bravery of firefighters from across 
the country, who worked tirelessly to put out the fires and minimize 
damage, will not be forgotten.
  While the fires caused great destruction and devastation, the 
strength and resilience of our neighbors coming together for our 
communities were on full display.
  Mr. Speaker, 1 year later, communities across Los Angeles County are 
continuing to work toward rebuilding their lives and livelihoods. As 
communities work toward a return to normal times, we need to minimize 
the long-term health consequences that wildfire debris may have on 
communities, especially in communities like mine in the San Fernando 
Valley.
  My district is housing several disposal sites for wildfire debris. As 
debris is being transported and stored throughout the valley, I have 
been adamant about making sure that my constituents are not subjected 
to the long-term health effects that they have traditionally been 
forced to bear.
  Recovery from these wildfires asks us to look ahead to make sure that 
when natural disasters strike, everyone can be prepared to recover 
equally. This is a core tenet of environmental justice. We must invest 
in resources that allow communities and families to recover and rebuild 
their lives after disasters. This includes advocating for solutions 
that are informed by the voices of those who are most affected by 
climate disasters.
  Los Angeles has made progress in recovery, but we still have a long 
way to go. This is why my California Democratic Caucus colleagues and I 
are urging the Trump administration to deliver nearly $34 billion in 
disaster funding to help Californians recover. This includes funding 
that supports rebuilding homes and schools, restoring critical road and 
water systems, reopening small businesses, and helping communities 
achieve lasting wildfire resilience.
  Mr. Speaker, I will continue to push to make sure that residents in 
my district and across Los Angeles County have every Federal resource 
available to them to rebuild their lives. Let us continue to rebuild 
with equity, care, and courage so that our communities are safer, 
healthier, and more resilient for everyone.

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