I commend Chief Aldridge and his amazing officers of the Chico Police
Department, who responded to this incident within 4 minutes. Their
excellent training was on full display, and they quickly apprehended
the suspect. Their heroism undoubtedly saved lives that day. We are
grateful to them, and we salute them, the thin blue line that protects
our community each and every day.
  No words will ease the deep pain and suffering our community is
feeling, but I ask that my colleagues join me in honoring the memories
of Jacob Hull and Robert Johnson and in praying for justice and healing
for their families and our community in the difficult weeks and months
ahead.

                        California's Fiscal Bust

  Mr. GALLAGHER. Mr. Speaker, a new fiscal year starts off in
California, and we have a fiscal bust that could cost us vital wildfire
funding.
  The cap-and-tax system doesn't raise enough money this year. Under a
terrible deal struck between Gavin Newsom and a select group of
politicians, money meant for wildfire prevention may be lost because it
was put into last place under this deal; and the high-speed rail, a
project that hasn't built a single mile of track, was put in first
place, along with legislative projects for a select group of
legislators: $125 million for transit passes, $25 million for a UC
Climate Research Center.
  One curious one: $85 million of our taxpayer funding to go to some
entity chosen by the legislature to explore climate innovation and
solutions for the future--where is it going? No one really knows, but
what we do know is that wildfire funding could very well be slashed
under this terrible deal.
  Even worse, our CAL FIRE firefighters' budget could be slashed if we
do not reach a deal that comes to putting wildfire prevention and
wildfire suppression first in our State.
  I rise to call out this terrible and atrocious deal, and I demand
that my former colleagues in the State legislature put wildfire first.
I demand that they put victims first after they have been through so
much horror over these many years in California, wildfire after
wildfire. Put them first by making sure that that funding is there.
  We can do our jobs here in the U.S. Congress, as well, by passing our
Fix Our Forests Act, which is now on the Senate side. We need to make
sure that we get that through so that we can increase the pace and
scale of removing dangerous fuels.

                              {time}  1145
           OPENING OF THEODORE ROOSEVELT PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY

  (Mrs. Fedorchak of North Dakota was recognized to address the House
for 5 minutes.)
  Mrs. FEDORCHAK. Mr. Speaker, as our Nation celebrates America's 250th
birthday, North Dakota has the extraordinary privilege of marking this
milestone in a truly historic way.
  Tomorrow, on July 1, we open the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential
Library in the Badlands of western North Dakota. It is a place that
forever shaped one of America's greatest Presidents.
  First, I recognize the countless people whose vision, generosity, and
determination made this remarkable library possible. They are too
numerous to mention each individually, but I thank the TR Presidential
Library Foundation Board, its staff, donors, volunteers, community
leaders, Secretary Doug Burgum, Robbie Lauf, Ed O'Keefe, and so many
more. Because of their efforts, future generations will come to North
Dakota to experience the place that shaped Theodore Roosevelt.
  Theodore Roosevelt famously said: ``I never would have been President
if it had not been for my experience in North Dakota.''
  He arrived in the Dakota Territory as a young man, grieving
unimaginable loss. He left transformed. The rugged landscape,
hardworking ranchers, and independent spirit of the people he met
there, these things forged the character that would later define his
Presidency.
  North Dakota didn't just change Theodore Roosevelt. North Dakota
helped shape the leader who would shape America.
  Roosevelt embodied what he famously called the ``Bully Spirit,'' an
expression of enthusiasm, optimism, courage, and confidence in
America's future. He believed in living boldly, embracing challenges,
and approaching life with energy and purpose.
  This is a spirit that has defined our Nation for 250 years, and it is
one we should carry forward into the next 250.
  TR was a rancher, a soldier, and a conservationist. He was a
reformer, an explorer, an author, a statesman, a Nobel Prize recipient,
and one of the most energetic Presidents our Nation has ever known.
  His life was filled with stories that have become American legend.
After being shot while campaigning for President, Roosevelt refused to
leave the stage. The bullet had been slowed by a thick, 50-page speech
that was folded inside his breast pocket. He insisted on finishing his
remarks before seeking medical attention.
  His White House reflected the same fearless, determined, and
adventurous spirit. His children filled it with dogs, snakes, birds,
ponies, and every imaginable creature. They showed us that public
service and joy are not mutually exclusive.
  Theodore Roosevelt lived a big life because he believed America was
meant to dream big, build big, and accomplish big things.
  Interestingly, today's President carries some of these same
qualities. At President Trump's 2025 inauguration, he said: ``In
America, impossible is what we do best.''
  Consider some of the big accomplishments of Roosevelt. He
strengthened our Navy, completed the Panama Canal, won the Nobel Peace
Prize for negotiating peace between Russia and Japan, and changed the
way we think about conservation by protecting our public lands,
forests, parks, and wildlife.
  Perhaps Roosevelt's greatest legacy wasn't simply what he
accomplished. It was what he asked of every American. His words from
``Man in the Arena'' remain just as relevant today as when he first
delivered that speech over a century ago.
  This strikes me so profoundly on the cusp of our 250th birthday, when
our country is so divided, so angry, and so critical of each other.
Theodore Roosevelt gives us encouragement. ``It is not the critic who
counts,'' he reminds us. ``The credit belongs to the man who is
actually in the arena.''
  Those words are a challenge to each of us and to every generation to
participate, to lead, to serve, and to have courage to act rather than
merely criticize.
  As we dedicate this remarkable library in my beautiful State of North
Dakota, as we do this during America's 250th year, we are reminded that
the strength of our Republic has never come from spectators. It has
always come from the citizens willing to enter the arena.
  May every visitor who walks through the doors of the Theodore
Roosevelt Presidential Library leave inspired by the example of this
President whose character was forged in North Dakota and whose
leadership strengthened America.
  His enduring message still calls each of us to live courageously,
serve faithfully, and leave our country stronger than we found it.
  That is Theodore Roosevelt's legacy. That is the Bully Spirit. As we
begin our Nation's next 250 years, may it continue to inspire us all.

                       HONORING ROBERT STEPHENSON

  (Mr. FITZPATRICK asked and was given permission to address the House
for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Robert
Stephenson, a proud member of the Greatest Generation, as he celebrated
his 101st birthday on June 14th, 2026.
  Born in Chicago in 1925, Robert came of age during the Great
Depression, developing the values of hard work and perseverance that
would guide his life.
  At 17 years old, he enlisted in the United States Navy during World
War II, where he helped manage personnel and aerial mapping records.
  Following his military service, Robert studied accounting at the
University of Pennsylvania. In 1964, he founded R.L. Stephenson,
Incorporated.
  He shared 75 years of marriage with his wife, Helene. He remains as
active today, at 101 years old, as he ever has been.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in wishing Robert
Stephenson a very happy 101st birthday and in honoring his century plus
of service to the American spirit that he embodies.