What Jim Costa said, and what was done

“Madam Speaker, as our Nation continues to commemorate our 250th anniversary, we are reminded that the ideals on which America was founded are as critical today as they were then: a nation built on a promise that every person has dignity and that no one should be left behind--the land of opportunity.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and remember the life and legacy of Connie Clery, a courageous advocate for campus safety, victims' rights, and public accountability, who passed away on June 23, 2026, at the age of 95.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor ABC30 on its 70th Anniversary, a remarkable milestone celebrating seven decades of service, journalism, and steadfast commitment to the people of California's Central Valley.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and remember the life of Max Rodriguez, a devoted public servant, community leader, and lifelong resident of Madera, California, who passed away on April 24, 2026, at the age of 86.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and remember the life of John ``Phil'' Larson, a devoted father, friend, and public servant, who passed away on April 23, 2026, at the age of 92.”

“Mr. Speaker, as a proud member of the American Sikh Congressional Caucus, I rise today with deep pride and gratitude to celebrate Sikh History Month and to strongly support a resolution recognizing the history, culture, heritage, and immense contributions of the Sikh American community.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a treasured landmark in California's Central Valley, the Elbow Room Bar and Grill in Fresno, as it celebrates 70 years of culinary excellence, hospitality, and deep community connection.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today. along with my colleagues, Representatives Vince Fong and David Valadao, to recognize and honor Kopi Sotiropulos upon his retirement after decades of service as weather reporter for KMPH-FOX26 and host of Great Day.”

“Mr. Speaker, before I make my comments on a very important issue facing our country, let us all pause for a moment to recognize those six Americans who have lost their lives this week and their families, realizing that they have given their all.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to bring attention to a serious and growing public safety and public health concern that I think requires congressional action. It is the operation of illegal and unregulated biological laboratories that we see in communities throughout our country.”

“All of this was inside a warehouse located near residential areas. It was not a licensed facility. It was operating in the shadows without proper licensing or permits.”

“Mr. Speaker, as the Representative of California's 21st Congressional District, I am here to share some good news for the people of not only the Central Valley but across the country.”

“Mr. Speaker, today, I recognize the dedicated work of my team, our efforts, and the results of the work we have done for the people of the 21st Congressional District of California, encompassing Fresno and Tulare Counties.”

“Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me time to do what is fitting and appropriate, and that is, honor the life of our colleague, a life well lived, a Member of the House of Representatives who did such a good job on behalf of his constituents who he represented faithfully since coming to Congress in 2013.”

“Mr. Speaker, first, I would like to say thank you to Steny Hoyer for an incredible career and for being a role model and my friend. He is always a class act.”

“Sadly, I believe that modern-day Russia is a syndicate masquerading as a country with a mob boss called Putin. That is Russia today. President Putin has violated, as any mob boss would, every international agreement he has ever signed, period.”

“Madam Speaker, I rise today to warn my colleagues of the pending healthcare crisis that Congress is allowing to happen. As Sergeant Friday used to say: ``Just the facts, ma'am.'' I am speaking on behalf of the facts that are impacting the people of the San Joaquin Vallen in California, the bread basket that puts food on America's dinner table every night.”

“Mr. Speaker, with only 10 voting days left in this year's calendar, Congress must act if we are to avert a full-blown healthcare crisis. I rise today to bring attention to the affordability and healthcare crisis that is pending upon us.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of Dr. James E. Aldredge, a trailblazer, educator, and public servant whose lifelong commitment to improving the City of Fresno--particularly for residents in Southwest Fresno--has left an enduring mark on our community.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Mr. Donald George Larson, who recently passed away at the age of 91. He was a beloved father, grandfather, and a pillar of the Fresno academic and civic communities.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and remember the life of Steve Dan Magarian, a devoted father, friend, and public servant, who passed away on September 22, 2025, at the age of 82.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Sheila Riggins-White, who recently passed away at the age of 77. She was a beloved wife, mother and grandmother.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today, along with my esteemed colleague, Congresswoman Maxine Waters, to honor and celebrate the 80th birthday of Mr. Mike Roos, a devoted public servant, legislative leader, and lifelong advocate for California communities.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of John Charles Harris, a giant of California agriculture and the San Joaquin Valley, who recently passed away at the age of 81.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and remember the life and legacy of Dr. Joseph Isaac Castro, a devoted educator, public servant, and beloved son of California's San Joaquin Valley, who passed away on August 14, 2025, at the age of 58, after a courageous battle with cancer.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor the 25th anniversary of the Maddy Institute, headquartered at California State University, Fresno, for its extraordinary contributions to civic education, leadership development, and public policy engagement in the San Joaquin Valley, California, and our Nation.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor the 50th Anniversary of California Women for Agriculture. Founded in 1975 in the Coachella Valley, this remarkable organization has become a powerful voice for women in agriculture throughout California.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today with a heavy heart but also with a sense of hope. I want to tell you about a remarkable young man named Ian Kalvinskas.”

“Mr. Speaker, today, I rise to honor the life and the legacy of Dr. Joseph Castro, an exceptional leader who broke the glass ceiling as the first Latino to lead the California State University System, the largest university system in the Nation with 23 State campuses and over 500,000 students.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of an intern in my office, and a University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) student, Mr. Ian Kalvinskas, who recently passed away at the age of 20.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to tell an inconvenient truth about what happened to educational funding that Congress appropriated that was to go to our schools. On June 30, just 1 day before $7 billion of educational funding was supposed to be delivered to our State budgets, the Trump administration pulled the rug out from under the schools--no warning, no explanation.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today sadly to pay tribute to John Harris, a good friend and a giant of California agriculture and the San Joaquin Valley. Born on July 14, 1943, in Fresno County, John was a proud graduate of the University of California-Davis and a United States Army veteran.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor Joel Nelson, a proud son of the San Joaquin Valley who served 37 years as the head of California Citrus Mutual. Mr.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the 40th Anniversary of Luso-American Development Foundation (FLAD). The strengthening historic alliance between Portugal and the United States led to the creation of FLAD in 1985.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the 50th anniversary of the Hmong Exodus, the mass displacement and migration of Hmong people from Laos to the United States beginning in 1975.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the legacy of the Visalia Rawhide in commemoration of their 80th Professional Minor League Season. The historical heritage of baseball in Visalia begins in the early days of 1873.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the 75th anniversary of the Veterans Affairs Fresno Medical Center and their commitment to providing quality health care and services to Central Valley Veterans.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the legacy of Madera County Sheriff John Anderson. Born and raised in Williams, California, John enlisted in the United States Army directly out of high school and served four years in active duty with most of his service being based in West Germany and as an adviser in Laos.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today along with my colleague, Representative Adam Gray, to honor the incredible life of Albert Eugene Bardini, a true representative of the spirit of the Central Valley.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the legacy of Mr. William Murray Lyles, III, an extraordinary father, husband, community leader, and philanthropist. Born in Ohio, to his parents Elizabeth and William Murray Lyles, II, Mr.”

“Mr. Speaker, at a time when Americans are struggling to afford groceries, housing, and gas, Congress should be focused on lowering the cost of living that Americans care most about and not renaming bodies of water.”

“Mr. Speaker, on Sunday, we will celebrate Mother's Day. Throughout our country, families and friends will gather together to recognize and pay tribute to this important day. I think for all of us the reality is every day should be Mother's Day.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Lance Corporal Marcelino Gamino, a proud marine of Fresno, California, who gave his life in service to our Nation.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the incredible life of another American, Guadalupe Castillo, a true American hero from my hometown of Fresno, California, from the San Joaquin Valley.”

“Madam Speaker, on April 24, throughout the country and throughout the world, Armenians recognized the Armenian genocide that took place from 1915 to 1923 at the hands of the Ottoman Empire.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the legacy of Mr. Lue N. Yang, an extraordinary advocate, organizer, teacher, and public figure. Born on April 10, 1955, in Xieng Khouang, Laos, Mr.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the legacy, and dedicated public service of Reynaud LaVarnce Wallace, a pillar of the Fresno community. Born on October 18, 1952, in Montgomery, Alabama, Reynaud was the eldest of six children born to Carl Phillip and Ernestine Jackson Wallace.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the late James Franklin Mobley whose life exemplified honorable service and remarkable accomplishment. James was born on June 11, 1948, in Gainesville, Florida, to Wilbur and Evelyn Mobley.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Lorraine Salazar a third-generation partner of Sal's Mexican Restaurants, a cherished institution and ``A Valley Tradition Since 1942.'' Her family's entrepreneurial spirit has been a beacon of perseverance and success in our community.”

“Mr. Speaker, I strongly oppose this rule that enables a reckless Republican budget resolution to go forward. Let me tell you why. Republicans claim to be lowering costs, but their plan, in my view, does just the opposite.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Kathy Mahan for her dedicated service to the people of the Central Valley and to congratulate her on appointment as the Central California Regional Director with U.S.”

“Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for organizing this Special Order, appropriately so, because this is the conclusion of the inauguration efforts of this week. On January 6, 2021, I expressed numerous times to my constituents and to my colleagues that it was the saddest day of the 20 years that I have had the privilege and honor to serve in the Congress.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to talk about Americans who are hurting, who have been suffering over the last 10 days as a result of the fires that have occurred in Los Angeles and south coast basin.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the legacy of the Honorable Betty Dawson. Born to Robert and Jane Dawson in Albert Lea, Minnesota. Betty lived a full and vibrant life, deeply rooted in the land and community that shaped her.”