What Vince Fong said, and what was done

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and celebrate the amazing interns who spent their summer serving the people of California's 20th Congressional District. As their summer internships come to an end, I want to sincerely express my gratitude to Sydney Calderwood and Esmeralda Martinez for their service in my Bakersfield, California office, and to Logan McLoughlin, Isabella Stroia, and Cara Gallen for their contributions to my Washington, D.C. office.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today, along with my colleague Representative Valadao, to honor Joe Neves as he retires from the Kings County Board of Supervisors after an honorable 32 years of service.”

“Mr. Chair, I rise today in support of my amendments to the fiscal year 2027 National Defense Authorization Act. Nowhere is this legislation more critical than in California's 20th Congressional District, home to Edwards Air Force Base, the Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake, Naval Air Station Lemoore, and the Mojave Air and Space Port.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and celebrate the amazing interns who spent their summer serving the people of California's 20th Congressional District. As their summer internships come to an end, I want to sincerely express my gratitude to Sydney Calderwood for her service in my Bakersfield, California office, and to Logan McLoughlin, Isabella Stroia, and Cara Gallen for their contributions to my Washington D.C. office.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. Richard McAbee as he celebrates his 100th birthday. Born on July 21, 1926, Mr. McAbee demonstrated his immense patriotism at the age of 18, when he enlisted in the United States Army Air Corps to serve as a B-29 bomber pilot during World War II.”

“Mr. Speaker, I thank Congressman Steube for his leadership. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the Doug LaMalfa Federal Disaster Tax Relief Certainty Act, which includes my bill, the Doug LaMalfa Protect Innocent Victims of Taxation after Fire Extension Act, which was his bill that he originally fought for.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Houchin Community Blood Bank as they celebrate their 75th Anniversary. For the past 75 years, Houchin Community Blood Bank has been a lifeline connecting donors and patients in need across all of Kern County's hospitals, and in doing so, became a staple of our local community.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and celebrate the incredible interns who dedicated their spring to serving the people of California's 20th District. From my district offices in Bakersfield and Clovis, to my office in Washington, D.C., these students exemplified a commitment to public service, working tirelessly for the good of the office and our constituents.”

“Mr. Speaker, for Californians who are losing more and more of their paychecks to taxes, taxes that too often fund Gavin Newsom's endless boondoggles, real relief isn't just welcome.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 1128, Expressing the Support of the House of Representatives for the Department of Homeland Security. As lawmakers, we have a fundamental obligation to govern responsibly and to protect our communities from emerging threats, both foreign and domestic.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of my bill, the Save Our Sequoias Act. I thank Chairman Westerman for his leadership and collaboration. I introduced this legislation with my California colleague Representative Scott Peters to safeguard our remaining giant Sequoia groves, the most in my district, by cutting red tape and restoring resilience to our forests.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the extraordinary career of Bradley Flick, who, after nearly four decades of service advancing American aviation and aerospace innovation at NASA's Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California, will retire this month.”

“Mr. Speaker, last month, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a bipartisan funding package for the Department of Homeland Security. It is regrettable that Senate Democrats chose to abandon a bipartisan and bicameral deal on full-year DHS funding, jeopardizing our safety and security here at home.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the 95th birthday of Billie Jo Medders and to recognize her lifetime of steadfast service to the Bakersfield community. Born on March 8, 1931, in Indianola, Mississippi, Billie Jo graduated from Indianola High School, where her interest in civic life first took shape.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to remember Irmadine ``Irma'' Carson of Bakersfield, California, who passed away on January 9, 2026, after a lifetime of service to our community in the Central Valley.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 6945, the Supporting Pregnant and Parenting Women and Families Act. Across our Nation, more than 2,700 pregnancy centers serve nearly 2 million women and families each year.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of my friend and colleague, Doug LaMalfa. Doug was a steadfast champion of rural California and for the issues that matter most to millions of Americans across the West, starting in the California legislature to the Halls of Congress.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 3109, the REFINER Act. This legislation is critical to unleashing our energy potential, lowering costs for hardworking families, and protecting our national security.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today, along with my colleague, Representative David G. Valadao, to honor Joe Sill of Shafter, California, on his recognition as the 2025 Kern County Cattleman of the Year.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of Walter Grainger, a lifelong resident of Bakersfield, California, who passed away on Sunday, September 14, 2025, at the age of 99.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend and celebrate the exceptional interns who have devoted their summer to serving the people of California's 20th Congressional District. From my offices in Washington, D.C., and Bakersfield, California these students have exhibited maturity well beyond their years, offering their time, talents, and energy to support my work in meaningful ways.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the life and legacy of Joseph H. ``Joe'' Campbell, a respected farmer and pioneer in California's table grape industry, who passed away on July 10, 2025, at the age of 81.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of John C. Harris, a visionary agriculturalist, respected horseman, successful businessman, and generous philanthropist, who passed away on July 2, 2025, at the age of 81.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of Joel Nelsen, who passed away on July 1, 2025, at the age of 78. For nearly four decades, he served as President of California Citrus Mutual, where he became a leading voice for citrus growers in California and throughout the Nation.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the extraordinary life and legacy of Robert ``Bob'' Lechtreck, Sr., a decorated Navy veteran of World War II and the fifth Fire Chief of Kern County.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and celebrate the outstanding interns who have devoted their summer to serving the people of California's 20th District. From my offices in Washington, D.C., and Bakersfield, these students have demonstrated maturity beyond their years, contributing their time, intellect, and drive to support our work in meaningful ways.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today in celebration of National Dairy Month and to honor the hardworking dairy farmers of California, our Nation's leading dairy producer. In my district, which encompasses Tulare, Fresno, Kings, and Kern Counties, we are proud to be the epicenter of dairy production.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of William ``Bill'' Deaver, a dedicated public servant, journalist, veteran, and lifelong champion of East Kern County.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Hmong American community and commemorate May 14, 2025, as Hmong American Day, marking 50 years since the first Hmong families began their journey to the United States following the fall of Long Cheng in 1975.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a cherished institution in my district, Smith's Bakeries, located in Bakersfield, California. Since 1945, Smith's has been more than just a bakery.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and heroic service of Mr. Victor Killingsworth of Taft, California. Victor, a veteran of World War II, served our country in the U.S.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise to wish a happy 100th birthday to Mr. Howard Lee Davidson of Visalia, California, a veteran of World War II and a hero of our community.”

“Bakersfield, California. She was an engaged student at both Olive Drive Elementary and Norris Middle School, with hobbies including music, horseback riding, tennis, swimming. wakeboarding, skiing, and eating her favorite food--mashed potatoes.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize my chief of staff, James Min. He will be departing Capitol Hill. James and I met as congressional interns. Over the years, he has become a close friend, mentor, and trusted adviser.”

“Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend and colleague from Florida (Mr. Haridopolos) for leading this Special Order today about the importance of America leading in aerospace and aviation.”

“The MACH legislation was included in the NASA Reauthorization Act of 2024 and passed the House last Congress. I look forward to this reintroduced legislation passing and getting signed into law this Congress so we can continue to innovate and grow in America.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 27, the HALT Fentanyl Act. Fentanyl is destroying lives across America, and my district is no exception. Traffickers have been cutting fentanyl with additional uncontrolled substances, such as xylazine-cut fentanyl, making overdoses even harder to reverse.”

“Mr. Chair, I rise today as a cosponsor in support of the critically needed Fix Our Forests Act. As wildfires continue to threaten communities in southern California, including now a new fire near Castaic that borders my district, it is even more urgent that our Nation prioritizes preventing these catastrophic tragedies through proactive forest management.”

“Mr. Chair, I am grateful for the leadership from Chairman Westerman, who has traveled and visited the forests in my district. I am grateful to the Natural Resources Committee and the House by immediately enacting this bill into law.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and enduring legacy of Dr. Kelly Blanton, an educational visionary who dedicated his career to improving the education of his students and peers.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to mourn the loss of Pat Preston, a Bakersfield athletics and education leader who passed away on December 22, 2024, at the age of 76.”