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[Pages H7600-H7601]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
{time} 1015
REMEMBERING 9/11
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from
California (Mr. Costa) for 5 minutes.
[[Page H7601]]
Mr. COSTA. Madam Speaker, I rise today on the 18th anniversary of the
September 11 terrorist attack to honor the nearly 3,000 individuals,
brave men and women who lost their lives. Most Americans remember where
they were during that day. There have been few times in our Nation's
history that we have faced such an atrocity. And the effects are still
being felt today.
But instead of shrinking in the shadow of such adversity, we rose to
the challenge and came together to help one another. We became a Nation
of one. But it also has changed our Nation and the world that we live
in today forever, the way we work, the way we view our security.
This past July, I was pleased that the House and Senate with the
President came together to reauthorize the 9/11 Victim's Compensation
Fund for police and firefighters, first responders who answered the
call after the attack in New York and Washington, D.C. These heroic men
and women deserve all the help we can give them, and we must never
forget September 11, 2001. We must remember 18 years ago today when we
were all one as Americans. We need that more today than ever before.
Honoring David Huerta
Mr. COSTA. Madam Speaker, in my home State in the San Joaquin Valley
we recently lost a wonderful individual, a leader who I would like to
honor today, Fresno State Police Chief David Huerta. David was loved by
all. He passed away in mid-August after serving honorably in that
position for 15 years.
A lifelong resident of Fresno County, Chief Huerta dedicated his life
to serving his community by teaching and providing public safety as a
police officer. During his career he was recognized as Officer of the
Year. And Fresno State President Joseph Castro said David served with
integrity, even in the most challenging of situations.
David will be greatly missed by his wife Cynthia, his four children
and three grandchildren. It is with great respect that I ask my
colleagues today to join in honoring Police Chief David Huerta.
Recognizing California State University, Fresno and UC Merced
Mr. COSTA. Madam Speaker, I would like to take this moment to
recognize the recent achievements of two outstanding universities in my
district, California State University, Fresno and UC Merced University
of California.
According to the U.S. News and World Report's 2020 Best College
rankings, Fresno State University, my alma mater, ranked number three
in graduation rate performance for public universities.
UC Merced made the biggest leap of all on the college list. They
ranked number one in the Nation for student outcomes, including number
one in outperforming expected graduation rates.
Both of these universities currently have over 70 percent of their
student body who are the first in their family ever to attend a
university. These universities are doing what a higher education should
be doing for all Americans. Go Bulldogs. Go Bobcats.
Congress Must Act on Gun Legislation
Mr. COSTA. Madam Speaker, I would like to rise to urge Senate
Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to keep his word and act on gun safety
legislation.
Every day it seems that there is coverage of another shooting on the
news. Americans are just frustrated. Since Congress has begun their
district work period in July there have been four high-profile
shootings in this country. Those shootings resulted in the death of 51
Americans and over 90 that were injured. The threat to public safety
today is simply unacceptable in our country.
In February, the House passed two key gun violence pieces of
legislation. It has been nearly over 200 days since we passed these
bills, but nothing has been done in the Senate. Despite the countless
Americans who have lost their lives in these senseless shootings,
including children, Leader McConnell has refused to bring these up for
debate. We should be doing our work and trying to provide gun safety
for all Americans.
After the shootings in Dayton and El Paso, the American public has
demanded action. The overwhelming majority of Americans want us to take
commonsense action to provide better public safety. So Leader McConnell
said he would be doing just that. I think it is time that we hold him
to his word.
This Congress must act. The President should take the leadership,
ensuring we can do everything we can to protect Americans throughout
our land.
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