The National Mall in Washington D.C. is a special place because it tells our uniquely American story. But that story is incomplete without paying tribute to the countless examples of courageous women who helped build America and sacrificed to ensure that it remains the land of the free.

I’m proud to have joined my House colleague Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney of New York in sponsoring legislation to build a National Women’s History Museum on the National Mall. This past Tuesday, we honored many great leaders behind this effort at the Women Making History Awards. ClickHEREto read more.

One of the most important responsibilities I have as Representative for California’s 39th District is to nominate exceptional men and women to join the ranks of the greatest military academies in the world.

Earlier this month, I hosted our Academy Appointment reception where we honored 11 outstanding men and women from the district who have accepted their appointment to attend one of the five U.S. Service Academies. Additionally, we had a record number of students appointed to West Point this year! After spending time getting to know thesesoon-to-be cadets and midshipmen, I’m more confident than ever that the future of our country is in good hands.

It's always a pleasure to spend time with members of theChinese American Citizens Alliance (CACA). The Los Angeles CACA Lodge traveled to Capitol Hill this past week to advocate for legislation I introduced--the Chinese American WWII Congressional Gold Medal Act.

This bipartisan legislative effort recognizes the dedicated service of Chinese American veterans of World War II and collectively awards them the Congressional Gold Medal. ClickHEREto learn more.

As always, you can follow everything I am working on in California and Washington, D.C. through my website (http://royce.house.gov) on Twitter @RepEdRoyce, through Facebook atRep.EdRoyceor on Instagram at RepEdRoyce.

Sincerely,

EdRoyce

On the House floor prior to the vote, ChairmanRoycedelivered the following remarks (as prepared for delivery):

For six years, we have watched the Syrian regime launch wave after wave of unrelenting destruction on the people of Syria. Airstrikes, chemical weapons attacks, forced starvation, industrial-scale torture, and the deliberate targeting of hospitals, schools and marketplaces with precision bombs and crude barrel bombs are what Syrians suffer every day.

This bill is about creating economic leverage to push the parties to negotiate; creating theconditionsfor a negotiated peace. It is about finding a way forward – to be determined by the Syrian people – that does not allow Assad to exterminate his own people with impunity, does not guarantee ISIS a safe space from which to operate, and does not drive another 10 million people from their homes.

For there to be peace in Syria, the parties must come together. And as long as Assad and his backers can slaughter the people of Syria withnoconsequences, there isnohope for peace.

Mister Speaker, this bill is long overdue. Last year, it passed unanimously; yet the other body did not take it up before we adjourned. I urge all members to support this legislation as we seek to ease the suffering of the Syrian people. ClickHEREto read more.

The Senate Commerce Committeepassedthe Shark Fin Trade Elimination Act, S. 793, introduced by Sens. Cory Booker, D-N.J., and Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., on a voice vote, setting the stage for possible floor action on the measure soon. A companion bill moving in the House, H.R. 1456, has nearly 100 cosponsors, and that measure is led byRep.EdRoyce, R-Calif., and Rep. Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan, D-Northern Mariana Islands.

Although thepractice of shark finningis prohibited in our waters, the United States still imports shark fins from countries that do not prohibit finning. As many as 73 million sharks die each year because of finning, and it is a leading contributor to the decline of shark populations worldwide. According to data from the International Union for Conservation of Nature, one-fourth of shark and ray species are nowthreatened with extinction. The HSUS has helped enact bans on the shark fin trade in 11 states, including major coastal states like California, Massachusetts, New York, and Texas. ClickHEREto read more.

GOP Lawmaker Demands Inquiry of Turkish Leader's Bodyguards

Rep.EdRoyceof California says bodyguards traveling with Recep Tayyip Erdogan on his official state visit to Washington “viciously beat multiple individuals, throwing them to the ground and kicking them in the head.”

Royce, the chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, detailed his request for an inquiry in a letter sent Wednesday to Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and Attorney General Jeff Sessions.