[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 82 (Thursday, May 14, 2026)]
[House]
[Page H3463]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       GREENHOUSE GAS RESOLUTION

  (Ms. Rivas of California was recognized to address the House for 5 
minutes.)
  Ms. RIVAS. Mr. Speaker, last September, the Trump administration 
announced that it would roll back the EPA's Greenhouse Gas Reporting 
Program, or the GHGRP.
  I led 29 of my colleagues urging the EPA to preserve the GHGRP. I 
also introduced a resolution to protect it from the Trump 
administration's attacks.
  Since 2010, the GHGRP has collected and tracked greenhouse gas 
emissions from more than 8,000 sites, including landfills, power 
plants, and oil refineries. Federal agencies, State and local 
governments, businesses, and community-based organizations rely on this 
data to keep our communities and environment healthy. Rolling back the 
GHGRP will leave environmental justice communities unprepared to 
address the harmful environmental health and economic impacts of 
climate change.
  My constituents in the San Fernando Valley have long lived in a 
sacrifice zone and a dumping ground for environmental pollution. This 
has led to more generational health problems and increased rates of 
asthma and other respiratory diseases than in surrounding areas.
  The Trump administration is making it harder to keep our communities 
healthy and safe from pollution. I urge my colleagues to join me in 
calling for the administration to protect environmental justice 
communities and halt its rollback of the GHGRP.


                      North Hollywood Science Bowl

  Ms. RIVAS. Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate North Hollywood High 
School for placing fifth in the National Science Bowl. Led by North 
Hollywood teacher and coach Altair Maine, Connor Zhao, Connor Chang, 
Mingao Guo, Suzuko Ohshima, and Charles Huang, this team proudly 
represented Los Angeles and the San Fernando Valley in a nationwide 
competition of 65 high school teams.
  In a crowded and competitive field, the team showed their teamwork 
and exceptional STEM knowledge by answering complex questions about 
biology, chemistry, earth science, physics, energy, and math.
  I congratulate Coach Maine for leading North Hollywood High School to 
another strong finish. Thank you for encouraging the North Hollywood 
High School community to become involved and interested in STEM.
  North Hollywood High School's series of top finishes in the National 
Science Bowl is proof that the best science minds can be found in 
California's 29th Congressional District.
  My office was happy to host the team and give them a tour of the U.S. 
Capitol when they were in Washington, D.C., this month. It is clear 
that they all have bright futures ahead.
  I want to give a special shout-out to the three seniors on the team, 
Connor Zhao and Connor Chang, best friends since the fourth grade. They 
will be attending Stanford. Suzuko, who was a gold medalist in the 
International Biology Olympiad his sophomore year, will be attending 
MIT in the fall.
  The future of this program, the students on the team, and the faculty 
who support the team is bright.


                     Congratulating Sylvia Fajardo

  Ms. RIVAS. Mr. Speaker, the San Fernando Valley congratulates Sylvia 
Fajardo on her retirement as principal of Pacoima Charter Elementary 
School. After decades of service, leadership, and dedication, Sylvia is 
a true champion in our community.
  Sylvia immigrated to the United States at the age of 13 where she 
quickly learned English and became a proud naturalized citizen. Sylvia 
believed in giving back to the country that gave her and her family new 
opportunities. She enlisted in the United States Marine Corps where she 
served 8 years before receiving an honorable discharge.
  But her service to her community did not end there. Sylvia brought 
the same discipline, care, and determination into the classrooms of 
Pacoima Charter Elementary School where she uplifted students and their 
families. Drawing on her background in civil engineering, Sylvia built 
a comprehensive STEM program at Pacoima Charter, which opened doors for 
students of all backgrounds to explore their interests in the STEM 
field.
  Sylvia's steady leadership was on full display when Pacoima became 
the target of Trump's ICE raids. Sylvia was at the forefront, 
protecting students, supporting families, and ensuring that none of the 
Pacoima community faced these challenges alone.
  This is who she is as a leader and as a member of our community. It 
was my honor to invite her as my guest to this year's State of the 
Union Address.
  Sylvia understands what it means to dedicate your life to serving our 
community and country with honor. We celebrate Sylvia's incredible 
career and the lasting impact that she has made in our community, and 
we thank her.

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