Lead in Childcare Centers

Floor Speech

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Ms. PORTER. Mr. Speaker, in 2018, a State law required licensed childcare centers to test their water for lead every 5 years. Last month, we got the results and they are grim for California's children.

One in four California childcare centers has dangerously high levels of lead in their drinking water. Lead exposure seriously harms children's health, damaging their brains and nervous systems.

Frighteningly, children exposed to elevated levels of lead are often asymptomatic, but the damage is irreversible. Many of the worst facilities for lead levels are in low-income areas or communities of color.

Congress took a step in the right direction when we passed the bipartisan infrastructure law, which invested $15 billion to remove and replace lead service lines. But there is more work to be done.

Children are our future, and we owe it to every American to protect all kids' safety and well-being. Honoring the Service of Randy Cammack

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Ms. PORTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to celebrate labor champion and proud Californian, Randy Cammack. This month, Randy will retire from his post as president of Teamsters Joint Council 42, where he fought alongside some 200,000 working members and retirees for 14 years.

Randy's time in organized labor began in 1967, when he started as a delivery driver in Los Angeles, California. From there, he went on to spend 42 years as a business agent, becoming a member of the Governor's freight advisory committee and serving as a vice president of the State labor federation.

Randy is also a proud U.S. Air Force veteran, and I join millions in thanking him for his service to our country.

I am honored to celebrate Randy on the House floor today and extend my deepest gratitude to him for his many years advocating for California's workers. Innovation in Orange County, California

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Ms. PORTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to commend the innovation happening in Orange County and across California.

Last year, I was proud to celebrate NASA's successful Artemis I mission. Nearly a dozen businesses in my district played a direct role in suppling the necessary components to make Artemis I possible. With dozens of contributing businesses across Orange County, and over 500 companies employing 16,000 people statewide, California had more people working on Artemis than any other State.

Orange County has a storied history in the aerospace industry. It has been home to several of NASA's most critical partners for over 60 years, dating back to the Apollo missions.

I am proud that Orange County and California continue to advance science, strengthen our economy, and push the limits of what is possible. Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs

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Ms. PORTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend Orange County leaders for their recent decision to establish an Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs. At our Board of Supervisors' April 25 meeting, they unanimously approved the establishment of this new office, which will provide resettlement resources in the form of housing assistance, language programs, legal support, and other vital services.

As Orange County welcomes immigrants and refugee families, we need to empower these new members of our community with what they need to thrive. The Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs will fulfill this mission by strengthening outreach and building on successful partnerships with community organizations.

Honoring our diversity is a California value and an Orange County value. I look forward to the development of the Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs and to new families calling our community home.

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