[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 120 (Wednesday, July 22, 2026)]
[House]
[Pages H5165-H5168]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
AMERICA 250
(Under the Speaker's announced policy of January 3, 2025, Ms. Maloy
of Utah was recognized for 60 minutes as the designee of the majority
leader.)
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General Leave
Ms. MALOY. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may
have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and
include extraneous material on the topic of this Special Order.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentlewoman from Utah?
There was no objection.
Ms. MALOY. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from California (Mr.
Kiley).
Largest Tax Increase in California History
Mr. KILEY of California. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague from Utah
for yielding.
Many Californians have been shocked to learn that our State
legislature and Governor just imposed what the California Tax
Foundation calls ``the largest tax increase in State history.''
For a State that already has the highest taxes in the country and the
highest cost of living, that is really saying something.
As part of this, the Governor and legislature in Sacramento have
imposed a massive tax increase on healthcare that is going to cause
California families to have to pay up to $400 more for healthcare
premiums.
This is something that Californians simply cannot afford, and it is
all the worse given that California voters already said that this kind
of tax increase is barred. It is a double blow to democracy and
affordability.
Fortunately, there is a way that we can fight back to stop it. I am
writing a letter putting forth a formal request, joined by my
colleagues in the California delegation, for the Department of Health
and Human Services here at the Federal level to block this tax
increase, which does require Federal approval.
We will be sending this request out by the end of this week, and it
is my hope that California taxpayers can be spared yet another increase
in our cost of living that so many Californians simply cannot afford
because of the extreme policies coming out of Sacramento.
Recognizing Child Action
Mr. KILEY of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and
congratulate Child Action for celebrating 50 years of service to the
Sacramento community.
Child Action is a nonprofit organization that has been supporting
children and families since 1976. Rooted in the qualities of
compassion, community, and support, Child Action has provided
affordable and quality childcare to over 19,000 children throughout
Sacramento County.
When childcare is affordable, educational, and accessible, it greatly
benefits the whole regional economy. As chair of the Subcommittee on
Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education, I know full well
the impact that Child Action's subsidy program and eligibility lists
provide to deserving families with the necessary financial support.
These forward-looking initiatives allow parents to seek employment or
educational opportunities while still being able to support their
families.
In addition to the programs for families, Child Action also provides
support and training to other childcare providers in the Sacramento
region, raising the quality of care in the field while growing local
businesses in the process.
Partnering with like-minded stakeholders is just another way that
Child Action enhances the quality of life in our community. They are,
indeed, a pillar of compassion and care by supporting other childcare
providers and guiding children and families toward brighter futures.
I was honored to attend Child Action's Golden Gala in the city of
Rancho Cordova. The evening was filled with connection, care, and
support as guests raised awareness for programs that continue to
provide high-quality care to those who need it most in our community.
Therefore, on behalf of the United States House of Representatives, I
am honored to recognize Child Action for 50 years of service to the
Sacramento region.
Recognizing Amy Van der Molen
Mr. KILEY of California. Mr. Speaker, in the spirit of National
Zookeeper Appreciation Week, I rise today to recognize an outstanding
zookeeper in my district, Folsom City Zoo Sanctuary Zookeeper Amy Van
der Molen.
Amy has been a zookeeper at the Zoo Sanctuary since 1994. Prior to
that, she worked as zookeeper at the Fairytale Town Park in Sacramento
and is an educator at the Sacramento Zoo Interpretive Center. During
her career, she has cared for birds, reptiles, omnivores, and
carnivores.
During her tenure at the Folsom City Zoo Sanctuary, Amy has overseen
the care of many animals, including 13 bears, 8 mountain lions, 2
tigers, 5 wolves, and many others.
As part of her zookeeping job, Amy participates in vet procedures for
the animals in her care, creates behavioral and environmental
enrichment, performs positive enforcement training, participates in
keeper chats for guests to educate them about animals, and shares the
Zoo Sanctuary's mission of teaching responsible behavior toward all
animals.
Amy has created the Annual Art Program where animals use their feet,
nose, or other body parts to paint with nontoxic washable paint on a
canvas. These paintings are sold in the zoo gift shop and have even
been part of art shows at a local art gallery in Folsom and have sold
at various special events and fundraisers to benefit the Zoo Sanctuary.
Amy's love for her work and for the animals under her care is evident
as she has been quoted as saying: ``During my career, I have loved
every single animal that I have worked with, but of course there are a
few that I will never forget and will always be a part of me. I have
been eligible,'' she said, ``for retirement since January of 2025, but
I love my job and my animal family. I don't see myself leaving anytime
soon.''
Therefore, on behalf of the United States House of Representatives, I
am honored to recognize zookeeper Amy Van der Molen for her service to
the Folsom community.
{time} 2000
Honoring Ken Cusano
Mr. KILEY of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and
congratulate former City of Folsom Fire Chief Ken Cusano on the
occasion of his retirement, following 28 years of service and
dedication to protecting the Folsom community.
Chief Cusano attended Folsom High School and received his bachelor's
degree from Sacramento State.
Since joining the fire department in 1998, Chief Cusano climbed the
ranks, starting his career as a firefighter paramedic and eventually
taking the title of chief in October 2020, which he held until his
retirement.
Throughout his time as chief, he led a team of over 90 professionals
and was known for strengthening the department during a time of
unprecedented growth in the city.
During his tenure, Chief Cusano lent his expertise in the design and
construction of Fire Stations 39 and 34 and the remodel of Station 38.
In addition to the new fire stations, Chief Cusano also played a key
role in creating a medic unit and hiring extra personnel to keep up
with the rapid growth of Folsom.
Under the chief's steady hand and leadership, the mental health of
the men and women in the department became a priority. The forward-
thinking approach was evident when the department introduced the
region's first peer support dog and other proactive approaches to
support the resilience and mental well-being of all department
employees.
The chief's dedication to the quality of life in his community could
also be found with new initiatives, such as helping to implement a
social host ordinance to deter illegal fireworks, as well as the
seasonal closure of certain open spaces which posed fire risks.
Chief Cusano has played a vital role in helping to shape Folsom's
future. He faced his job and its challenges with a spirit of doing
everything he could to keep the community safe. He will undoubtedly be
missed by the city's grateful residents, businesses, and the men and
women in his department that he called home for almost three decades.
On behalf of the United States House of Representatives and
California's Third Congressional District, I am honored to join the
community in recognizing Fire Chief Ken Cusano's retirement. I thank
him for his 28 years of
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exceptional service and leadership, and wish him well in retirement.
Honoring Brad Tatum
Mr. KILEY of California. Mr. Speaker, I solemnly rise today to honor
the life of Brad Tatum, who passed away earlier this year.
Brad will be known not only as the publisher of the Orangevale View,
but as someone who cared deeply for small businesses, youth athletics,
and his family and friends.
Known as the heart behind the Orangevale View, Brad took pride in
sharing the good news that enhanced the quality of life throughout his
beloved Orangevale. This free, biweekly newspaper's stories were not
only insightful but brought people together with a common touch.
Brad's gift for selecting stories that reflected his sense of pride
for the community could be seen through the ways that he highlighted
local heroes, businesses, and the Casa Rams athletic program. His prose
and choice of which stories to feature positively impacted Orangevale
and the surrounding communities.
Brad will undoubtedly be missed by his children, grandchildren,
siblings, friends, and the more than 37,000 readers who enjoyed
learning about the latest FFA achievements, breakfasts at the Grange,
and all the other happenings that make Orangevale a special place. His
dedication to his community will not be forgotten. The impacts he made
will live on in the lives he touched and the stories he wrote.
Therefore, on behalf of the United States House of Representatives
and California's Third Congressional District, I am honored to
recognize Brad Tatum for his many contributions to the Orangevale
community.
Ms. MALOY. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr.
Higgins).
Honoring Andrew David
Mr. HIGGINS of Louisiana. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for
yielding.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and express gratitude for my dear
friend and chief of staff, Andrew David, who is seated next to me here.
Andrew has served by my side for over 9 years. We have toiled
together to serve we the people.
I have great sorrow in my heart that Andrew is leaving the office. He
has accepted a beautiful and meaningful position in our home State of
Louisiana, and I have an odd mixture of tremendous joy that Andrew is
embracing the illuminated path before him and that he and his
beautiful, amazing wife, Holly--who is seated in the gallery; also a
native of our beloved Louisiana--are returning home, having served
their country with honor here in this, the people's House.
I rise, Mr. Speaker--unscripted, through only the words that the Lord
has etched upon my heart--to speak in gratitude of what this man has
brought to me and my family and my congressional service for nearly a
decade.
Andrew has been an unwavering counselor for me through some very
difficult and challenging times and decisions. He has never strayed
from the deepest core principles that we attempt every day to embrace
as we conduct the business of our congressional service.
As a man, Andrew through the years became perhaps my dearest and most
trusted, most immediately available source of sound counsel. I have no
doubt--good sir, good lady--that I would have failed to perform my
service for we the people time and again had it not been for the quiet,
calm, and steady counsel of Andrew David.
I am reminded, Mr. Speaker, as I see the words that we who are
honored to serve in this Chamber gaze upon every day in the stone above
your podium: In God We Trust. We effort to be worthy of what it is to
be His child and to serve in this, His anointed house.
I am reminded this day of His words in Genesis 7:1, when the Lord
said to Noah, ``Come into the ark, ye and your household.'' ``Come,''
Mr. Speaker, He said. He didn't say, ``Go into the ark.'' He said,
``Come.''
This is understood to mean that the Lord was already present there.
The goodness of the Lord was present there before Noah entered that
challenge of entering the ark and traversing the storm to begin anew.
When I came to D.C., I had no experience, no political background. I
had a clear understanding of what I thought perhaps should be a servant
to we the people in the House of Representatives. When I was elected in
2016 and I came here to this august body, I did not know that the Lord
had already placed His goodness. It awaited me. The Lord had prepared a
counselor for me, His unworthy son. That man, that goodness, is Andrew
David.
We shall continue to serve. We will endeavor every day to be worthy
of service to we the people in His Chamber of what it is to be children
of God, the most high.
I will strive to be worthy of being called David's friend and
brother. I thank him for his decade of service by my side. God bless
him as he embraces the illuminated path before him. I wish him luck. I
know that great joy awaits him and his beautiful family in our beloved
Louisiana.
Mr. Speaker, I thank Ms. Maloy for yielding.
{time} 2010
Ms. MALOY. The Fourth of July fireworks are over, and the barbecue
leftovers are long gone. Now we have the rest of the year to continue
to reflect on America's founding 250 years ago.
John Adams believed that independence should be celebrated with
solemn reflection. In that spirit, I sponsored a speech competition for
the high school students in Utah's Second Congressional District and
asked teenagers to write about what America means to them.
Tonight, I will read the two winning speeches as well as a little bit
about the two students who wrote them. These speeches were selected out
of a pile of speeches with blind reading, so I didn't know who had
written them.
Kambree Giles is a student at Millard High School in the Second
District. She is entering her senior year. She lives in Meadow, Utah, a
town with fewer than 350 people, where she is an active member of her
school's FFA chapter. After graduating, she plans to serve an 18-month
proselytizing mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day
Saints.
This is her speech:
George W. Bush said, ``For we are given power not to advance our own
purposes, nor to make a great show in the world, nor a name. There is
but one just use of power, and it is to serve people.'' I love this
quote because it shows just how America should be. I ask you: What are
you doing to help the people around you, and therefore to help this
country?
I believe that this country is a country of love and freedom. Each of
us has the unique opportunity to help those around us. If we love those
around us, we can make someone feel better. Love is the first thing I
think of when I think of what this great country is. This country means
being able and willing to be a helping hand. We all have the freedom to
help those around us. We never know just how much of an influence that
can be.
When people think about this country, they should be inspired and
feel proud to call it home. I want everyone who hears this to be
inspired to show kindness and feel the sense of pride that this country
brings. Every time I stand up to say the pledge or when I hear the
national anthem, I feel a sense of pride to be able to call this
country my home. I get teary-eyed because I know what this country
stands for and the lengths kindness has gone to keep it free. The most
important thing this country stands for, for me, is kindness.
If anything is taken from my speech, I hope everyone that hears this
leaves feeling a stronger sense of pride for our country. If we want
America to stay great, we must choose to keep it great by treating all
of its people with kindness, lifting others up instead of putting them
down. This country immediately needs more kindness.
Thank you, Kambree.
The second one is from Rylee Moore. Rylee is the second winner of our
America 250 speech contest. She is also from a small town, Delta, Utah,
where she attends Delta High School and is entering the tenth grade.
Rylee's words reflect love for our Nation's history and faith in its
future.
This is Rylee's speech:
America means so much to me because it is a place where freedom meets
opportunity, where people from all over the world, not just America,
can come together to live, work, and dream. In my opinion, America
represents being able to make a difference
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and choose your own path. The country is so diverse with so many
cultures, ideas, and traditions, it is amazing.
To me, America is also about standing up for what is right, working
hard to make things happen, and better the world around us.
It is far from perfect, but with the freedom to speak our mind and
fight for justice, great communities are created. I am proud to live in
a country that supports freedom and opinion.
In conclusion, America brings hope, opportunity, and a place where I
can imagine and create a bright future for myself as well as others.
Thank you, Rylee.
Kambree and Rylee are young, and their words reflect well on them,
their families, and Utah, where they were raised. Like them, I am
grateful for our country and excited about the next 250 years of
American goodness and freedom. I thank each of the high school students
who rose to the challenge and wrote a speech. I sincerely hope that
each of them learned something new and that their love for this country
grew even just a little bit.
Mr. Speaker, I thank you very much, and yield back the balance of my
time.
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