[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 28 (Tuesday, February 10, 2026)]
[House]
[Page H2103]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        FUNDING FOR LOS ANGELES

  (Ms. Rivas of California was recognized to address the House for 5 
minutes.)
  Ms. RIVAS. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to deliver over $2 million in 
Federal funding to the city of Los Angeles' Crisis and Incident 
Response through Community-Led Engagement program, or CIRCLE.
  CIRCLE is a 24/7 unarmed response program that sends a team of mental 
health professionals and individuals to address nonurgent LAPD calls 
relating to the homeless population.
  Through the use of this Federal funding, CIRCLE will now expand to 
more communities in my district, including North Hollywood and Sun 
Valley.
  By meeting people where they are, CIRCLE helps prevent crises from 
escalating and connects individuals with the service and long-term 
support that they need.
  The safety and prosperity of communities in the San Fernando Valley 
are among my most critical priorities. I am working with stakeholders 
and leaders across my district to ensure that all people feel safe and 
welcome in my district.
  Mr. Speaker, I am proud to bring these resources that will improve 
mental health and address substance abuse within the homeless 
population.


           Funding for Autodesk Technology Engagement Center

  Ms. RIVAS. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to secure over $1 million in 
Federal funding for the CSUN's Autodesk Technology Engagement Center.
  This center will be a tech hub where students and our community will 
be able to explore their curiosities in STEM through hands-on learning 
opportunities.
  These funds will allow the center to purchase cutting-edge tools and 
equipment for their discovery lab, Student Success Center, and other 
state-of-the-art technology.
  As challenges continue to plague our country, including climate 
disasters and health-related threats, it is important that we 
understand how STEM can be used to solve these issues. As an engineer 
and former STEM educator, I have seen firsthand what can be done when 
we provide accessible STEM education resources to communities with 
diverse backgrounds.
  For over 65 years, CSUN has provided students across the San Fernando 
Valley with the educational opportunities that they need to succeed in 
our world.
  With the funding I was able to help secure for the Autodesk 
Technology Engagement Center, CSUN will be able to continue preparing 
students for the workforce.
  I am confident that with this support, students will feel encouraged 
to pursue careers in STEM and create innovative solutions to solve the 
demands of our ever-changing world.


      Funding for Los Angeles Valley College Cybersecurity Center

  Ms. RIVAS. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to deliver $1 million in Federal 
funding to Los Angeles Valley College for a new cybersecurity center.
  This funding will provide the latest software and training for our 
current and future cybersecurity professionals to engage with.
  Cybersecurity is one of the fastest growing career fields in 
California and across the country. In fact, California has promoted a 
statewide initiative to train 50,000 entry-level cybersecurity 
professionals by 2030. The expansion of STEM education in my district 
will help close equity gaps and barriers that traditionally exist.
  Meeting the demand for careers in cybersecurity not only boosts our 
workforce but also ensures that the United States remains a global 
leader.
  Cybersecurity education needs to be accessible, and this center will 
foster those opportunities for students from diverse backgrounds to 
gain experience from those who are in the cybersecurity field. It also 
ensures that our workforce is better equipped to prevent cybersecurity 
threats to our key infrastructure.
  Mr. Speaker, I look forward to working with LA Valley College to 
continue paving pathways for students to access high-paying, in-demand 
careers.

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