[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 9 (Tuesday, January 13, 2026)]
[House]
[Page H668]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                CELEBRATING 2025 WINS FOR CALIFORNIA-21

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


 =========================== NOTE =========================== 

  
  On January 13, 2026, page H668, in the first column, the 
following appeared: (Mr. COSTA of California was recognized to 
address the House for 5 minutes.)
  
  The online version has been corrected to read: The SPEAKER pro 
tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California, Mr. 
Costa, for 5 minutes.


 ========================= END NOTE ========================= 


  Mr. COSTA. Mr. Speaker, today, I recognize the dedicated work of my 
team, our efforts, and the results of the work we have done for the 
people of the 21st Congressional District of California, encompassing 
Fresno and Tulare Counties.
  We call it the breadbasket of not only California but our Nation. The 
incredible cornucopia of over 400 commodities we grow is put on 
America's dinner table every night.
  Though last year brought significant challenges to our country and to 
our valley, which I represent, my commitment and the commitment of my 
office never wavered to serve the people of Fresno and Tulare Counties 
with focus, urgency, and results.
  Throughout 2025, I listened closely to the priorities of my 
constituents. Valley families told me the relief they needed from 
rising costs and affordability. Farmers and farmworkers called for a 
stronger agricultural economy and better labor conditions, dealing with 
comprehensive immigration reform.
  Communities demanded access to healthcare, safe infrastructure, 
reliable water, and the resources necessary to thrive. In 2025, our 
office secured $831 million in Federal funding for communities across 
the San Joaquin Valley.

                              {time}  1045

  Throughout our constituent casework, which I think is the meat and 
potatoes of any congressional office, we returned $74 million directly 
to residents of the 21st Congressional District. We helped more than 
1,200 constituent cases and responded to over 11,000 calls, letters, 
and requests for assistance from the people whom we serve. That is our 
job, to serve the people and to get things done.
  We invested in our children and working families. That is critical. 
My team helped secure $35 million for Head Start programs in Fresno and 
Tulare Counties. We strengthened critical infrastructure, which is 
necessary not only in our valley but throughout the country.
  We secured $31 million for Fresno Yosemite International Airport to 
improve infrastructure upgrades, and also deal with the growing demands 
for the valley and regional economic growth, and expanding the 
international terminal.
  We secured $3.5 million for the Kaweah River Siphon Project to 
improve water reliability while supporting valley agriculture and local 
jobs. As we know, where water flows, food grows. That is critical to 
our valley's economy.
  In addition to that, we provided $1 million to the city of Kingsburg 
to establish a new city hall; another $1 million to relocate the Orange 
Cove Police Department to make a more functional facility; and another 
$1 million dollars for the Parlier Police Department.
  Thanks to the bipartisan infrastructure law, we secured $254 million 
in Federal investments to strengthen our water supply for the long 
term. That includes $125 million to advance the B.F. Sisk Dam Raise and 
Reservoir Expansion Project. We provided another 130,000 acre-feet of 
new water storage to the people of our valley, and $129 million to 
support the construction of Sites Reservoir, which will provide 1.5 
million acre-feet of additional water for the people of California, 
which is critically important to our long-term water supply.
  Mr. Speaker, the San Joaquin Valley is the breadbasket of our Nation, 
supporting farmers, farmworkers, ranchers, dairymen and -women. It 
remains, obviously, as their Representative, my highest priority to 
advocate on their behalf.
  When the avian influenza swept the valley and the country, it 
threatened the livelihoods of those who put food on America's dinner 
tables. I introduced the Healthy Poultry Assistance and Indemnification 
Act to ensure growers are fairly compensated and our food supply 
remains strong and safe. That is what Americans want.
  We also honored, separately, those who have served our country and 
their families. We recognized 20 men and women from the Fresno Veterans 
Home who served our Nation during World War II and the Korean war to 
ensure their contributions are never forgotten, they are remembered, 
and they are celebrated. We should never forget those men and women 
currently in harm's way serving our country or those and their families 
who have served.
  Beyond our district, we have worked to support the United States' 
leadership abroad by advocating for humanitarian assistance, 
accountability, and diplomacy in global conflicts, while upholding 
America's values on the world stage, that beacon of life that President 
Reagan used to speak of and that other countries look for.
  In closing, I will continue to work with my Democratic and Republican 
colleagues to deliver results and strengthen our communities for a 
better future. More work needs to be done.

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