[Pages H1932-H1938]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    CALIFORNIA'S DISASTROUS POLICIES

  (Under the Speaker's announced policy of January 3, 2025, Mr. Kiley 
of California was recognized for 60 minutes as the designee of the 
majority leader.)
  Mr. KILEY of California. Mr. Speaker, Californians could soon be 
paying over $8 a gallon for gasoline. That is the result of the 
disastrous policies that have been imposed by Gavin Newsom and the 
California Legislature's supermajority.
  The most recent news is that there are two refineries that are 
closing operations in California: the Phillips 66 refinery in L.A. by 
the end of 2025, and the Valero refinery by April 2026.
  According to a letter from Senate Minority Leader Brian Jones in 
California, these two facilities produce about 20 percent of 
California's in-State gasoline supply.
  According to a recent study by USC Professor Michael Mische, the 
effect of this is going to be an increase in gas prices in California 
of up to 75 percent by April of 2026. The projections estimate a 33.6 
percent increase just by April of 2025. By next year, 2026, we could 
see prices rising as high as $8.43 per gallon by the end of 2026.
  This is because we are going to see a severe decline in in-State 
production. Indeed, it could fall from over 34 million gallons per day 
in 2023 to just 27 million gallons by the end of 2026. Then you factor 
in the higher transportation costs. You are going to see Californians 
not only paying these astronomical prices at the gas station, but it is 
going to increase the cost of goods and services throughout the 
economy.
  That is not to mention that it is going to lead to the loss of 
hundreds of jobs for the folks who were working at these refineries. 
The gas that we are now going to have to import from other States or 
other countries is not only going to cost a lot more, but it is going 
to be way worse for the environment, releasing way more emissions.
  The fact is California already has, by far, the highest gas prices in 
the country. We pay over 30 cents more than second-place Hawaii, which 
is an island State. This is because of nonsensical regulations, 
including the new fuel standard that was just recently imposed by the 
Air Resources Board, as well as a slew of other regulations relating to 
the fuel mix and other factors, as well as having the highest gas tax 
of any State in the country.
  By the way, you would think that, since we have the highest tax, we 
must have great roads as a result. No, that is not the case either. We 
have just about the worst roads of any State in the country.
  How does that work: highest taxes, deepest potholes? It is a stark 
illustration of our State government's utter inability to provide 
effective services to our citizens.
  Mr. Speaker, I am calling on Governor Newsom and the State 
legislature to take immediate action to prevent Californians from 
having to pay over $8 a gallon for gas by the end of next year. We need 
immediate action to overturn regulations and to restore common sense in 
our State.


                          Fraud in California

  Mr. KILEY of California. Mr. Speaker, I have sent a letter along with 
several of my colleagues in the California delegation to Secretary of 
Education Linda McMahon and Attorney General Pam Bondi asking them to 
investigate a simple question: Why is it so stunningly easy to commit 
fraud against the State of California?
  During the COVID era, we saw fraud unlike we had ever seen when $32 
billion in unemployment benefits were purloined from fraudsters, 
international criminal syndicates, who were easily able to just defraud 
Gavin Newsom's Unemployment Department.
  Mr. Speaker, the latest example that we have learned is that over a 
third of community college applications in the State were fraudulent. 
These were not real people, not real students actually seeking a spot 
at one of our community colleges.
  What they were instead were scams, individuals who were trying and 
succeeding in committing financial aid fraud, siphoning more than $10 
million in Federal funds and millions more in State aid, according to 
the California community chancellor's own office.
  We have asked the Attorney General and the Secretary of Education to 
look into this matter and see why California has not been able to stop 
this from happening.
  We know that, with respect to the EDD fraud in the COVID era, the 
Governor's office failed to take the basic commonsense steps that other 
States took that the Federal Government had advised. For example, 
cross-checking applications for unemployment against the prison rolls, 
something that almost every other State did, and California didn't do. 
I would not be surprised to learn that there were similar oversights 
here with respect to the community college fraud.
  We look forward to getting back the results of this investigation, 
and urge the State to take immediate action to make sure that millions 
more in taxpayer dollars aren't lost.

[[Page H1933]]

  



                      Independent Contractor Rule

  Mr. KILEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to commend the Trump administration 
and, specifically, Secretary of Labor Lori Chavez-DeRemer for its 
decision to not enforce the independent contractor rule propounded by 
the Biden administration.
  This rule was based upon one of the worst laws ever to pass in the 
State of California, AB5, which effectively banned freelancing, 
independent contracting, self-employment, and being your own boss for 
many, many people.
  After this law went into effect, we saw thousands upon thousands of 
Californians lose their livelihoods and lose their rights to earn a 
living because of this edict issued by the government.
  It received bipartisan criticism, and no other State followed 
California's lead in enacting such a law. Yet, that did not stop the 
Biden administration from deciding that this law would be its 
inspiration for national labor policy.
  The Biden administration, using the regulatory process because it 
couldn't get it through Congress, enacted an independent contractor 
rule modeled on California's AB5 law. Not only that, but the 
administration brought in the very person who was the architect of AB5 
in California and its chief enforcer, Gavin Newsom's Secretary of Labor 
Julie Su, to be his Secretary of Labor and to enforce it just as 
aggressively and ruthlessly as she had in California.
  The problem was this track record was so disastrous that Ms. Su's 
nomination stalled in the Senate. She received bipartisan opposition 
and was never confirmed. Somehow the Biden administration, President 
Biden, decided to keep her there anyway. It was a very novel theory 
that Senate confirmation was now optional for Cabinet-level officials, 
and she shattered all records for the longest-acting Secretary in the 
history of our country.
  Yet, at the end of the day, that rule, which, by the way, was tied up 
in court because there was a lot of reasons why it did not pass legal 
muster, is no longer being enforced. The right to earn a living of 
millions of independent contractors across our country is no longer 
threatened.
  I particularly applaud Secretary Chavez-DeRemer when she met with a 
number of truckers recently, the American Trucking Association, for 
saying that we have their backs because it is the independent owner-
operators, tens of thousands of truckers across the country, who were 
one of the many groups who were threatened by this regulation for 
consequences for the entire U.S. economy.
  While this regulatory relief is extremely positive and important, we 
need to get the definition of independent contracting and protections 
for freelancers into statute so that we don't have the standard 
continue to change from one administration to the next.
  That is why I have introduced the Modern Worker Empowerment Act that 
will put into statute the standard, common law definition of what it 
means to be an independent contractor, and I am hopeful that we can get 
that passed with bipartisan support this Congress.

                              {time}  1245


                  Medi-Cal Facing Unprecedented Threat

  Mr. KILEY of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to let folks in 
California and across the country know that Medi-Cal, our version of 
Medicaid, is facing an unprecedented threat. Its very solvency, its 
sustainability, and its ability to provide coverage for Californians 
are being threatened by a completely reckless policy enacted by 
Governor Gavin Newsom that does not exist in any of the other 49 States 
in our country.
  Because of this reckless policy, Newsom has just had to ask the 
legislature for a bailout of Medicaid, $2.8 billion, which the 
legislature provided. Now, of course, what I am referring to is the 
policy of providing free, full-scope, comprehensive Medi-Cal coverage 
to all illegal immigrants in the State who meet the income eligibility 
requirements.
  This, again, is a policy that is singular to California. No other 
State has it. It was initially estimated to cost $3.1 billion. Since 
that time, the cost, just for the first year of coverage, has exploded 
to $9.5 billion.
  As a result, Governor Newsom, number one, took out a $3.44 billion 
loan from the State's general fund. That is the maximum allowed by law. 
Of course, that wasn't enough to close the gap, so then, he had to go 
and ask for a bailout of the program to stave off insolvency.
  Now, you would think that this would compel Newsom and the 
legislature to immediately roll back this disastrous experiment, yet 
when Governor Newsom was asked, he said that rolling back this policy 
was ``not on my docket.'' Let's be very clear: Saving Medicaid in 
California is not on Governor Newsom's docket.
  Fortunately, we are fighting back and looking to take measures here 
that will ensure that tax dollars of Californians are reserved to 
provide Medi-Cal coverage for people who are in our State legally.
  When you think about this cost, $9.5 billion just in the first year, 
is a cost that is basically triple what was originally projected. Think 
what that is going to look like over the next 10 years. We are talking 
about potentially hundreds of billions of dollars that could be going 
toward Medi-Cal for our own residents that is instead going toward a 
reckless policy that exists nowhere else in the country, which is only 
going to entice more people who are here illegally to come to 
California, thereby, increasing the cost even more.
  By the way, because we are adding all of these additional people to 
the Medi-Cal rolls, that is making it more difficult for Californians 
who rely on the program to actually get access to healthcare. It is 
extremely difficult to get a doctor's appointment if you are on Medi-
Cal in California. It is actually very difficult, in some cases, if you 
are on private insurance to get a doctor's appointment in California. 
The Governor's reckless policy is a big reason why.
  We are going to do everything we possibly can here to fight for 
Californians and fight for Medicaid in California. I will do everything 
I can to protect this program against the Governor and the 
legislature's reckless policy.


                      Supporting Teach For America

  Mr. KILEY of California. Mr. Speaker, I will take a few moments today 
to share with folks here in D.C. and across the country a little bit 
about a program that I am an alumnus of called Teach For America and to 
share why I think this is an extremely important program for us to 
protect and to support right now and in the years ahead.
  Right now, we see our schools across this country in a state of 
crisis. The nation's report card that recently came out revealed truly 
shocking declines in student achievement, but one bright spot in this 
otherwise very troubling picture has been Teach For America, otherwise 
known as TFA.
  What TFA does is recruit recent college graduates to go teach in the 
toughest schools, schools in low-income communities. It is a very 
selective program. In some years, the acceptance rate for those who 
apply to be TFA teachers is as low as 11 percent. That is as selective 
as many of the most elite colleges in the country.
  I was a teacher through TFA in Los Angeles. I taught 10th grade 
English. I had students who were, on average, at a fourth or fifth 
grade reading level when they came to my classroom, but I had a 
tremendous experience. My students achieved significant academic gains 
as part of my classes. I chaired the English Department while I was 
there. I even started an award-winning speech and debate program that 
provided opportunities to compete for students who otherwise wouldn't 
have had that experience or had that opportunity.
  I will first, in underlining the importance of this program, speak to 
my Republican colleagues here in the House. If you need any one reason 
why you should support Teach For America, it is that the radical 
Democratic supermajority in California actually tried to ban the 
program from our State. That is not an exaggeration.
  This is from a 2019 Politico article: ``Backed by powerful teachers 
unions, Democrats are pushing to ban Teach For America from California 
amid a wave of teacher strikes and a heated debate over charter schools 
in the Nation's most populous State.''
  The article goes on to say that ``the national nonprofit and its 
recruits,

[[Page H1934]]

promising college grads eager to teach in poor communities, in the 
crosshairs of the State's supermajority Democratic legislature.''
  Why in the world would the Democratic supermajority in California 
target TFA? I was there in the legislature at the time, and I helped to 
kill that bill on the State assembly floor, but it did pass the 
California State Assembly Education Committee, unbelievably enough.
  What could possibly have motivated this attack? After all, TFA's 
mission, its entire purpose, is to close the achievement gaps that 
exist in this country so that every child, no matter where they are 
born or no matter what their ZIP Code is, will have access to an 
excellent education.
  Mr. Speaker, the issue is that, in California, the governing majority 
and education establishment there have a model of keeping kids trapped 
in failing schools, and that has been the effect of the policies that 
have governed the State year after year.

  Organizations like TFA that, for example, provide alternative 
pathways to get promising teachers into the classroom or, worst of all, 
from the perspective of those who ran the legislature, place almost 
half of their teachers in charter schools simply couldn't be tolerated.
  Indeed, at the time, in 2019, Gavin Newsom, who had just taken 
office, had declared a war on charter schools. Charters, which are 
public schools that have a high level of flexibility as to how they run 
their school but, in turn, are held to a greater standard of 
accountability, have gotten tremendous results. Studies consistently 
show that they outperform traditional public schools, and they have a 
lot of students who are on their wait list. However, the teachers at 
those schools are not automatically unionized as a matter of default.
  That is what inspired Gavin Newsom and his enablers to try to enact 
and, indeed, succeed in enacting an anti-charter school agenda. Because 
TFA placed almost 50 percent of its teachers in charter schools, they 
got caught up in it.
  Fortunately, that bill did not pass. TFA has continued to serve 
thousands of kids in California. Indeed, throughout its history, TFA 
has placed some 65,000 teachers into classrooms.
  This attack in California was truly an aberration. It really speaks 
to the character of the supermajority in our State, specifically, that 
it is out of step even with many reasonable Democrats, especially on 
the issue of education.
  There are a couple of things that I will emphasize about the program. 
Number one is that TFA places teachers in areas that need teachers. It 
helps to combat the teacher shortage that is particularly acute in 
particular districts and particular subjects.
  TFA partners with school districts facing persistent vacancies, 
especially in low-income, urban, and rural areas. The districts request 
TFA core members for hard-to-staff subjects like STEM, special 
education, and bilingual education. In fact, in this last school year, 
over 75 percent of TFA teachers served in title I schools.
  The organization is recruiting motivated and talented young people to 
go teach in areas where they have a hard time getting teachers, but how 
do they do once they are there? The second thing I will emphasize is 
that TFA teachers have an outstanding track record.
  Last year, there was a comprehensive study that the American 
Institutes for Research published. It was a meta-analysis that actually 
looked at 23 preexisting studies of TFA's impact across 24 years. 
Included in that were 63,134 teachers who taught 5 million students.
  What did this comprehensive meta-analysis find? TFA teachers have had 
a consistent and significant impact on students' academic achievements. 
On average, students of TFA teachers perform better in math, science, 
and reading. Some studies have found that having a TFA teacher adds up 
to 50 additional days of learning.
  Beyond that, by the way, many TFA alums go on to found schools. For 
example, the founders of tremendous charter school networks KIPP, IDEA, 
and YES Prep are TFA alums.
  Personally, one of the main reasons I decided to run for public 
office, first in the legislature and then for Congress, was my 
experience as a classroom teacher. It motivated me to become the vice 
chair of the California State Assembly Education Committee and now, 
here in the House, the chair of the Early Childhood, Elementary, and 
Secondary Education Subcommittee.
  TFA is an AmeriCorps program. It is one of the professional core 
programs for AmeriCorps. What that means is that the teachers who are 
part of TFA are employees of a particular school district or of a 
charter school.
  For example, I was an employee of the Los Angeles Unified School 
District, but they also receive a Segal AmeriCorps Education Award. The 
reason that that is vital is because TFA is providing an alternative 
pathway into the classroom where you can start teaching soon after 
graduating college. They have an intensive summer program where 
students teach summer school and receive training. They continue to 
receive support from TFA as an organization throughout their time 
teaching, and then they are also simultaneously pursuing a teaching 
credential. Sometimes that takes the form of a master's of education, 
which is what I received.
  For example, when I was teaching 10th grade English, 1 day a week, 
after spending the whole day teaching, I would then drive across town 
to a local college or grad school where I sat in class for 5 or 6 hours 
on that particular day, working toward my credential.
  The education award helps students or the TFA teachers to pay for 
that degree or for that credential, and it would be very hard for many 
of them to actually be part of the program without this award.
  I have heard reports recently that there have been some of these 
grants that are in jeopardy or maybe have been lost already, putting 
several thousand current teachers and several thousand more future 
teachers in a state of uncertainty.
  While I have personal experience with this particular AmeriCorps 
program, I know that there are many others that fill similarly critical 
needs in different sectors of society. In fact, AmeriCorps' own 
definition of a professional core program recognizes that the 
placements are a strategic response to longstanding workforce gaps. It 
is not simply service programs. They are workforce solutions.
  That is why I have respectfully requested in a letter that I am 
sending today that the Appropriations Committee and its Subcommittee on 
Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies 
provide robust funding for AmeriCorps in the coming fiscal year.
  Mr. Speaker, I am urging my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to 
come together in support of TFA and these other critical programs.

                              {time}  1300


                 Our Public Education System is Failing

  Mr. KILEY of California. Mr. Speaker, at this moment, we have an 
opportunity to catalyze a school choice revolution across America, and 
one has never been more desperately needed.
  The Nation's report card recently came out, and the verdict was 
clear: Our public education system is failing. The National Assessment 
of Educational Progress showed one-third of students are unable to read 
at the basic level for their age group, and math scores are down 9 
percent since 2018.
  Now, the Biden administration's response was to continue to shovel 
more money into a failing system. They threw 200 billion in tax dollars 
into the same failed system with absolutely nothing to show for it. In 
fact, things got worse. You can put this on a graph: The level of 
funding has gone up; student achievement has gone down. It has been a 
negative return on investment.
  However, right now we can change that with reforms that will actually 
work in expanding opportunity, giving choices to millions of families, 
and providing a healthy sense of drive toward improvement in our public 
education system generally. That is through two pieces of legislation 
that I am sponsoring and that can also be included as part of the 
budget reconciliation process.
  The first is the Educational Choice for Children Act, which will 
provide a tax credit for charitable contributions that enable 
scholarships to attend private, parochial, and independent schools. 
This could potentially expand

[[Page H1935]]

private school choice to millions of families in this country.
  Secondly, along with Representative Claudia Tenney and others, I have 
introduced the High-Quality Charter Schools Act, which will 
significantly expand access to charter schools across the country. It 
uses a similar mechanism, leveraging the tax code through an innovative 
Federal tax credit that will allow the Nation's most effective charter 
networks to create new high-quality seats.
  In particular, it will provide a tax credit to cover startup costs 
for expanding charter schools that already have a track record of 
success. This is very important because you have a lot of families who 
are on waiting lists for charters. We estimate that this measure could 
potentially triple the number of students across the country who 
receive this particular form of school choice of charter schools which 
have a tremendous track record in advancing student achievement.
  I will give you one example. Success Academy, which was founded in 
New York City, manages 57 schools, serving 22,000 inner-city children. 
They are 93 percent non-White, 72 percent low-income, with phenomenal 
results at an impressive scale.
  For 8 years in a row, Success has a 100 percent 4-year college 
acceptance rate. Its students routinely outperform more affluent school 
districts, and 14 of New York City's top 25 schools in math are Success 
Academies.
  Think about that. Over half of the top schools in New York City in 
math are Success Academy campuses. That is why there is so much demand 
to attend these schools. The number of families that apply is 10 times 
the number of available seats, so they have to lottery them out. There 
is so much demand, you have to enter the lottery and you have a 10 
percent chance of winning that lottery. This bill would allow them and 
other successful charter schools across the country to expand their 
campuses.
  Between these two measures, the Educational Choice for Children Act, 
and the High-Quality Charter School Act, we could expand meaningful 
school choice, meaningful options to millions and millions of families 
in every community across the country, which would benefit those 
families, and it would also reach the critical mass of school choice in 
many areas that would compel improvements in traditional school 
districts as well.
  This is really a moment when we need to ask ourselves what our 
priorities are because in general--this isn't true of all of them--the 
Biden administration and Democratic majorities have moved our education 
system in the wrong direction. They have had the wrong policies.
  I believe Republicans have generally had the right policies, but the 
questions are: What kind of priority are we going to place on those 
policies? What kind of priority are we going to give education? What 
kind of priority and sense of urgency are we going to bring to the fact 
that our schools across this country are failing far too many of our 
kids?
  Now is the time to show that our commitment to educational reform and 
school choice goes beyond just slogans, goes beyond political 
arguments, but it is a real commitment to advancing the education and 
the life prospects for kids all across America. We have a chance to do 
that right now by assuring these measures are enacted into law.


                 Sacramento Capitol-to-Capitol Program

  Mr. KILEY of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise to commend the 
Sacramento Metro Chamber of Commerce and the well over 450 people who 
joined the chamber's Cap-to-Cap program to visit Washington, D.C., this 
week. This was the 53rd annual Capitol-to-Capitol, or Cap-to-Cap, 
program where people, community leaders from the Sacramento region come 
here to D.C. to participate in programming and to advocate for our 
region to lawmakers.
  I had the chance to be a part of this in many different ways. We had 
a bipartisan discussion that I was part of with Representative Ami 
Bera, and I met with well over 100, probably closer to 200, Cap-to-Cap 
leaders throughout the week to discuss issues of importance to them and 
to the communities, the industries, and the sectors that they lead.
  I had very productive discussions about a number of actionable items 
concerning public safety, wildfire prevention, natural resources, 
transportation infrastructure, and California water, issues that are so 
important to our region and our communities. I am so grateful that so 
many leaders in the Sacramento area came here to discuss these matters.
  I wanted to say thank you to everyone who took the time out of their 
busy schedule to come here. This program has in the past, I think, 
allowed our region to punch above its weight. Indeed, this is the 
biggest chamber trip, I understand, to D.C. that exists anywhere in the 
country.

  It really underscores the tremendous spirit of collaboration that 
exists in our region, that we have so many people--it crosses party 
lines, it crosses different communities, different ZIP Codes--who are 
working together, who are all rowing in the same direction for the 
benefit of our region. We have been able to achieve tremendous things 
because of that. We have been able to maintain a quality of life for 
the folks that we represent so that our region remains a great place to 
live, to work, to raise a family, and to retire. The Cap-to-Cap program 
has been a very big part of allowing that to continue, of giving our 
region a cohesive identity, and I look forward to the 54th annual trip 
next year.


          Honoring 2025 Graduating Class of Leadership Rocklin

  Mr. KILEY of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and 
recognize the 2025 graduating class of Leadership Rocklin. This 
prestigious program is run by the Rocklin Area Chamber of Commerce and 
provides an opportunity for participants to build upon their leadership 
skills while developing meaningful relationships with community and 
local business leaders.
  The areas of learning for this program include leadership skills in 
theory, education, volunteerism and community service, Rocklin civics, 
public safety, transportation, health and human services, economic 
development, the history of Rocklin, and much more.
  Leadership Rocklin holds high esteem in the community and is 
recognized by leaders as an important way to prepare those who wish to 
further serve and learn about their community. I commend the 
participants for their dedication to civic engagement and their 
commitment to leadership development.
  Therefore, on behalf of California's Third Congressional District and 
the United States House of Representatives, I am proud to congratulate 
this year's Leadership Rocklin graduating class.


               Congratulating Hebard Insurance Solutions

  Mr. KILEY of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate 
and recognize Hebard Insurance Solutions for their 75-year anniversary. 
Hebard Insurance Solutions is a family-owned, independent insurance 
agency in Loomis, California, a town located in Placer County.
  Christine Hebard-Summers, who began working for the family business 
at an early age, is the third-generation owner. Her grandfather, Roy, 
started the business back in 1950. Roy would take Christine to the 
office back when she was in kindergarten. At the time, she would help 
around the office in exchange for a toy and some candy at the Main Drug 
Store. Christine's father, Roy, Jr., managed the business until 2003, 
when Christine officially purchased the business from him.
  For more than seven decades, the Hebard Insurance team has been 
committed to working closely with their clients to help them make 
important and informed decisions relating to their protection and 
future. They prioritize customer service and are committed to treating 
their customers like family.
  Hebard Insurance continues to be a staple in Placer County and 
surrounding communities. In addition to providing exceptional services, 
they are tremendously involved in their community. They are often seen 
volunteering with local organizations, such as the Soroptimist 
International Loomis Basin, taking leadership roles at the local 
chamber of commerce, serving at the senior center, and contributing to 
multiple youth programs.
  It is an honor to represent exemplary businesses such as Hebard 
Insurance Solutions in Congress. Therefore, on

[[Page H1936]]

behalf of California's Third Congressional District and the United 
States House of Representatives, it is my honor and privilege to 
congratulate them on their 75-year anniversary. Congratulations.


                    Extending Gratitude to Teachers

  Mr. KILEY of California. Mr. Speaker, in recognition of National 
Teacher Appreciation Week, I wanted to take an opportunity to highlight 
the service of some of the truly amazing educators in California's 
Third Congressional District.
  In his 1988 proclamation, Ronald Reagan said: ``Our country's great 
teachers often make many sacrifices as they fulfill their countless 
responsibilities. They have earned, and truly deserve, the utmost 
gratitude and esteem of students, parents, and community members.''
  It is in that spirit that I rise today and recognize 15 individual 
teachers from throughout California's Third Congressional District for 
their exceptional dedication to their roles, students, schools, and 
communities.
  While representing almost 70 school districts and close to 300 K-12 
schools, these teachers stand out among their colleagues and have made 
an indelible mark on their students and communities.
  As a former educator myself, I understand the unique challenges our 
educators face and the passion and dedication it takes to enable our 
students to succeed. A great teacher can help shape and transform the 
trajectory of a student's life and their perspective on learning.
  As such, we are quite fortunate to have truly exceptional 
schoolteachers and administrators educating and supporting the next 
generation in California's Third Congressional District. Therefore, I 
would like to extend my gratitude to all of our communities' teachers 
this week and to thank them for their tireless devotion to promoting 
academic achievement, student success, and educational opportunities.
  If you are an educator, I encourage you to reach out to my office or 
visit Kiley.house.gov for Federal resources and services available to 
local teachers and students.

                              {time}  1315


         Recognizing Janice Rowe for Teacher Appreciation Week

  Mr. KILEY of California. Mr. Speaker, in honor of National Teacher 
Appreciation Week, I would like to take a moment to recognize Mrs. 
Janice Rowe, a kindergarten teacher in the Pleasant Ridge School 
District at Cottage Hill Elementary School.
  For 40 years, Mrs. Rowe has taught at the kindergarten grade level. 
Her commitment to her students, colleagues, and district is unmatched. 
Mrs. Rowe not only instills a strong literary and mathematical 
foundation for young learners but also creates a safe and caring 
environment where students can thrive and their love for learning is 
ignited.
  She is instrumental toward establishing new academic programs, 
standards, and expectations for all kindergarten students, leading the 
continued development of the district's kindergarten programs.
  She is often known for enrolling in classes, programs, and workshops 
to further develop her professional skills and for working late to 
prepare a special and hands-on learning experience for her students.
  Not only does Mrs. Rowe demonstrate care and commitment to her 
students but she is also relied upon by her colleagues to provide help, 
mentorship, and collaboration. Mrs. Rowe has shaped the high standards 
of excellence that the community has come to expect of the school and 
school district.
  Mrs. Rowe's four decades of commitment to teaching kindergarten 
students has provided a lasting benefit for students' introduction to 
public schools and foundational growth. It is a true honor to represent 
exemplary teachers such as Mrs. Rowe in the United States House of 
Representatives.
  Therefore, in honor of her passion, dedication, her belief in the 
transformative power of education, and her commitment to her students' 
success, it is my privilege to recognize Mrs. Janice Rowe in 
celebration of National Teacher Appreciation Week.


        Recognizing Dominic Albano for Teacher Appreciation Week

  Mr. KILEY of California. Mr. Speaker, in honor of National Teacher 
Appreciation Week, I would like to take a moment to recognize Mr. 
Dominic Albano, a fourth grade teacher with 30 years in the profession 
at Union Hill Elementary School.
  Since 1996, Mr. Albano has been an extraordinary educator, coach, and 
mentor whose legacy has touched thousands of lives. His commitment to 
bringing history alive for his fourth grade students is unparalleled, 
blending rigorous academics with immersive and unforgettable 
experiences.
  His passion for California's Gold Country, the 49er Gold Rush, and 
Wild West history has created traditions that are now woven into the 
very fabric of Union Hill's culture. Students of Mr. Albano receive a 
living, breathing understanding of history and our Nation's story.
  Beyond his dynamic and innovative teaching style, Mr. Albano is a 
beloved coach who has grown Union Hill's cross-country and track-and-
field programs into teams of nearly 90 students in a school of just 
700. It is a tribute to the magnetism of his leadership.
  He inspires students not only to learn but to believe in themselves, 
which is instrumental in shaping their future. Not only does Mr. Albano 
make a meaningful difference in his students' lives but he plays an 
instrumental role in mentoring student teachers and collaborating with 
his colleagues.
  Mr. Albano is known by others for being a Union Hill legend, a 
builder of traditions, and a cultivator of character. He is treasured 
by his school and community for his reliability, kindness, positivity, 
and generosity.
  I am confident the impact of his contribution will be felt for 
generations to come. It is a true honor to represent exemplary teachers 
like Mr. Albano in the United States House of Representatives.
  Therefore, in honor of his dedication to serving his students and 
community with passion, humility, and excellence, it is my privilege to 
recognize Mr. Dominic Albano in celebration of National Teacher 
Appreciation Week.


       Recognizing Miranda Prakash for Teacher Appreciation Week

  Mr. KILEY of California. Mr. Speaker, in honor of National Teacher 
Appreciation Week, I would like to take a moment to recognize Mrs. 
Miranda Prakash, a special education teacher in the Sierra-Plumas Joint 
Unified School District at Loyalton Elementary School.
  Mrs. Prakash is an exceptional educator whose unwavering commitment 
to student success has made a profound impact within the Sierra-Plumas 
Joint Unified School District.
  As a leader in special education with a decade of experience, Mrs. 
Prakash has continuously developed and refined her program to meet the 
diverse needs of her students, demonstrating innovation, adaptability, 
and a deep sense of care.
  Serving in a rural community where educational challenges are often 
magnified, she has gone above and beyond to ensure that every student 
receives personalized support and opportunities to thrive.
  She is a tireless champion for her students, ensuring their needs are 
represented and addressed with compassion and integrity. Her 
collaborative spirit and willingness to work alongside general 
education colleagues fosters an inclusive and equitable learning 
environment.
  Mrs. Prakash's creativity, professionalism, and genuine devotion to 
her students make her a role model for other educators. It is a true 
honor to represent exemplary teachers, such as Mrs. Prakash in the 
United States House of Representatives.
  Therefore, in honor of the outstanding contributions to her school 
and the difference she continues to make in students' lives every day, 
it is my privilege to recognize Mrs. Miranda Prakash in celebration of 
National Teacher Appreciation Week.


        Recognizing Steve Holland for Teacher Appreciation Week

  Mr. KILEY of California. Mr. Speaker, in the spirit of National 
Teacher Appreciation Week, I wish to highlight Mr. Steve Holland whose 
29 years of dedicated service in education exceeds standards throughout 
the Bishop Unified School District.
  Mr. Holland began teaching in the Bishop Unified School District in 
1996 as a middle school teacher and, more

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recently, has been teaching the fourth grade.
  Known for his kindness, calm demeanor, and unwavering dedication, Mr. 
Holland has consistently gone above and beyond to support learning, 
both academically and emotionally. Through his innovative teaching 
methods, he continues to keep students engaged and inspired.
  In addition to his deep commitment to student achievement, he has 
also served as a coach and grade-level leader, providing mentorship to 
his fellow educators and leaving a legacy of integrity and inspiration. 
Mr. Holland has left an indelible mark on countless students, 
colleagues, and families within his community.
  Therefore, on behalf of the United States House of Representatives, I 
am pleased to recognize Mr. Steve Holland for his substantial 
contributions to the Bishop Unified School District and the students of 
the Bishop community.


         Recognizing Brandy Rost for Teacher Appreciation Week

  Mr. KILEY of California. Mr. Speaker, in the spirit of National 
Teacher Appreciation Week, I wish to take a moment to recognize Mrs. 
Brandy Rost, an outstanding middle school math educator in California's 
Third Congressional District.
  During her 29 years of dedicated service to the Lone Pine Unified 
School District, she has taught thousands of students, transforming 
their view of math from an intimidating subject to one that is exciting 
and achievable.
  Mrs. Rost is known for her creative instructional style, integrating 
hands-on activities, technologies, and real-world applications, 
instilling engagement from students and empowering every student to 
succeed.
  Perhaps most remarkable is the academic transformation Mrs. Rost has 
led since the COVID pandemic. In the wake of prolonged school closures, 
Lo-Inyo Elementary School saw its math scores drop to new lows with 
just 20 percent of students meeting or exceeding standards.
  Recognizing this challenge, Mrs. Rost spearheaded an extraordinary 
resolve. She retooled her instruction, built targeted interventions, 
and created a classroom culture where growth in math became not just a 
goal but an expectation.
  Each year since the pandemic, her students' performance climbed 
significantly. In the most recent testing, over 70 percent of her 
students met or exceeded the math standard; a score that doesn't just 
surpass local benchmarks but also substantially outperforms the State 
average.
  The story of Mrs. Brandy Rost is one of resilience, excellence, and 
impact. Her dedicated efforts not only recovered learning loss but also 
illustrated what success in rural education can look like.
  Alongside these momentous achievements and beyond her classroom, Mrs. 
Rost is a mentor to new teachers, a trusted colleague, and a favorite 
among families. Her impact spans generations in the Lone Pine 
community, where former students now bring their own children to her 
class with pride and gratitude.
  On behalf of the United States House of Representatives, I am honored 
to recognize educator Mrs. Brandy Rost as an example of what it means 
to teach with passion, purpose, and heart.


      Recognizing Brandon Dell'Orto for Teacher Appreciation Week

  Mr. KILEY of California. Mr. Speaker, in the spirit of National 
Teacher Appreciation Week, I wish to recognize an outstanding and 
prominent educator in California's Third Congressional District. I 
would like to highlight, in particular, a teacher from the Roseville 
Joint Union High School District, Brandon Dell'Orto, who has dedicated 
35 years of his career to educating the students of our community.
  Mr. Dell'Orto is a passionate historian and a mentor. He spent most 
of his career teaching AP U.S. History, IB History of the Americas, 
Military History, and World History at Granite Bay High School.
  Not only does Mr. Dell'Orto have a deep understanding of these 
subjects but he also knows how to bring historical events to life. His 
integrated and engaging teaching style fosters student success, while 
inspiring a lasting passion for history.
  Beyond the classroom, he has been recognized by the Daughters of the 
American Revolution and Founding Forward for his excellence in teaching 
and ability to foster a deep appreciation of American history and civic 
responsibility among his students.
  Mr. Dell'Orto is an exceptional educator, and he continues to make a 
strong impact in the educational journey of his students. It is a true 
honor to represent exemplary teachers like him in Congress, and I 
commend Mr. Dell'Orto for his more than three decades of unwavering 
dedication to education and to promoting student success and academic 
achievement.
  As a former student of Mr. Dell'Orto myself, he is one of the truly 
best teachers that I ever had. That goes for high school, college, and 
law school. He is truly one of a kind, and you will rarely see someone 
who has such a palpable passion for the subject matter he is teaching 
and the ability to inspire that same love of learning in his students. 
I really credit his class in many ways for inspiring my own love for 
American history.
  On behalf of the United States House of Representatives, it is really 
an honor to recognize Mr. Brandon Dell'Orto for his significant 
contributions to Roseville Joint Union High School District and to the 
students of the Roseville community.


          Recognizing Anne Jones for Teacher Appreciation Week

  Mr. KILEY of California. Mr. Speaker, in the spirit of National 
Teacher Appreciation Week, I wish to take a moment to recognize a 
teacher from the Foresthill Union School District, Anne Jones, who has 
dedicated 35 years of her career to educating the students of her 
community.
  Mrs. Jones has been a devoted and passionate first grade teacher, and 
she has inspired generations of the community's young scholars with her 
warmth, patience, and with her clear passion for education.
  She goes beyond teaching her students the fundamentals of reading and 
math and also instills values in them that are invaluable for the 
learning community--the values of kindness, gratitude, and creativity.
  She brings joy and cheer to the classroom and creates an environment 
in which students feel emboldened to explore their ideas and express 
themselves, which helps facilitate their academic and personal growth.
  It is a true honor to represent exemplary teachers in Congress, and I 
commend Mrs. Anne Jones for her more than three decades of dedication 
to education and to promoting student success and academic achievement.
  Therefore, on behalf of the United States House of Representatives, I 
am pleased to recognize Mrs. Anne Jones for her significant 
contributions to Foresthill Union School District and to the students 
of the Foresthill community.


       Recognizing Samantha Harvey for Teacher Appreciation Week

  Mr. KILEY of California. Mr. Speaker, in the spirit of National 
Teacher Appreciation Week, I wish to take a moment to highlight 
Samantha Harvey, a teacher from the Dry Creek Joint Elementary School 
District, who has dedicated 9 years of her career to educating the 
students of her community.
  Mrs. Harvey serves as a fifth grade level leader. In her role, she 
demonstrates traits of a natural leader such as the ability to lead by 
example, motivate colleagues, facilitate collaboration, and so much 
more.
  She has built an educational environment to ensure that students and 
teachers alike feel valued, supported, and heard. As a positive 
behavioral intervention and supports lead, Mrs. Harvey's efforts in 
providing a variety of differentiated strategies and ensuring students 
have the necessary tools for success, while maintaining a positive 
environment, have been instrumental in shaping school culture.
  Mrs. Harvey also develops student athletes through her role as a 
cross-country coach and helps young athletes to learn the importance of 
lifelong skills of perseverance, teamwork, and resilience, while 
leading them to excel in competition.
  Furthermore, as check-in and checkout coordinator, Mrs. Harvey 
ensures the students have the structure and support they need to thrive 
at school. She mentors students and provides accountability to help 
them stay on track, both academically and socially.

[[Page H1938]]

  Behind the scenes, Mrs. Harvey is valued by her colleagues as she 
displays a commitment to teamwork, collaboration, and a continual 
willingness to lend a helping hand.
  It is a true honor to represent exemplary teachers like her in 
Congress, and I commend Mrs. Samantha Harvey for her tireless devotion 
to education and to promoting student success and academic 
achievements.
  Therefore, on behalf of the House of Representatives, I am pleased to 
represent Mrs. Samantha Harvey for her significant contributions to Dry 
Creek Joint Elementary School District and to the students of the 
Roseville community.

                              {time}  1330


      Recognizing Samantha Mashinchi for Teacher Appreciation Week

  Mr. KILEY of California. Mr. Speaker, in the spirit of National 
Teacher Appreciation Week, I wish to take a moment to recognize a 
teacher from the Loomis Union School District, Samantha Mashinchi, who 
has dedicated 15 years of her career to educating the students of her 
community.
  Currently, Mrs. Mashinchi teaches fifth grade at an international 
baccalaureate school and has consistently demonstrated an unwavering 
devotion to fostering growth and excellence of her students.
  Mrs. Mashinchi nurtures the natural curiosity of her students with a 
global perspective. In doing so, she helps equip them with the skills 
needed to thrive in an interconnected world. Mrs. Mashinchi has 
consistently demonstrated leadership and a passion for her role, 
working tirelessly to help each student reach their full potential.
  It is a true honor to represent exemplary teachers like her in 
Congress, and I commend her for her tireless devotion to education and 
dedication to promoting student success and academic achievement.
  Therefore, on behalf of the United States House of Representatives, I 
am pleased to recognize Mrs. Samantha Mishinchi for her significant 
contributions to Loomis Union Community School District and to the 
students of the Loomis community.


         Recognizing Tina Angell for Teacher Appreciation Week

  Mr. KILEY of California. Mr. Speaker, in the spirit of National 
Teacher Appreciation Week, I wish to highlight a teacher from Placer 
County, Tina Angell, who has dedicated the past 8 years of her career 
to educating the students of her community.
  Miss Angel owned and operated her own business before going to work 
for the Placer County Office of Education. She then obtained her Career 
Technical Education credential, focusing on business and information 
and communication technology pathways.
  Miss Angell taught in this capacity for a few years and then, once 
again, decided to obtain an additional credential in special education 
so she could support students with mild to moderate learning 
disabilities.
  Miss Angell also provides students with a special opportunity by 
being qualified to teach dual enrollment classes through a partnership 
with a local college in my district, Sierra College.
  Miss Angell is known for being an exceptional teacher and a lifelong 
learner. She provides real-life applications in her classroom and 
strives to prepare high school students for college and future career 
opportunities.
  Her engaging and integrated teaching style, which is accompanied by 
her passion for teaching and for her students, inspires those in her 
class to reach their full potential.
  It is a true honor to represent exemplary teachers like her in 
Congress, and I commend Miss Angell for her dedication to education and 
to promoting student success and academic achievement.
  Therefore, on behalf of the United States House of Representatives, I 
am pleased to recognize Miss Tina Angell for her significant 
contributions to the students of Placer County.


        Recognizing Holly Gotwals for Teacher Appreciation Week

  Mr. KILEY of California. Mr. Speaker, in the spirit of National 
Teacher Appreciation Week, I wish to take a moment to recognize a 
teacher from Rocklin Unified School District, Holly Gotwals, who has 
dedicated 24 years of her career to educating the students of her 
community.
  Mrs. Gotwals, a graduate of Sacramento State, showcases innovation, 
compassion, and dedication in her classroom. She teaches a special 
education adult transition class for students who are 18 to 22 years 
old with moderate to severe needs and did not receive a high school 
diploma.
  Mrs. Gotwals focuses her class on teaching her students functional 
English and math, current events, independent living and vocational 
skills, cooking, fitness and nutrition, how to be involved in their 
community, mobility training, social skills, self-advocacy, and career 
awareness.
  In a remarkable manner, Mrs. Gotwals tailors each lesson to each 
individual student. She goes as far as to work closely with local 
community businesses to secure job training opportunities for her 
students that match their interests and skills. She looks to the 
futures of her students, and some go on to other educational 
institutions, such as the UC-Davis SEED program, while others are able 
to secure jobs locally in our community.
  Mrs. Gotwals fosters a sense of independence and confidence in the 
classroom. She is not just an educator, as she has proven to be a 
strong advocate and a role model to her students. Her tireless devotion 
to her students brings out their unique potential and prepares them for 
opportunities to fulfill their dreams.
  It is an honor to represent exemplary educators like her in Congress, 
and I commend Mrs. Holly Gotwals for her exceptional dedication to 
education and to promoting student successes and academic achievement.
  Therefore, on behalf of the United States House of Representatives, I 
am pleased to recognize Mrs. Holly Gotwals for her significant 
contributions to Rocklin Unified School District and to the students of 
the Rocklin community.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

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