Barbara Lee

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Dr. Renel Brooks-Moon as she receives the Key to the City of San Francisco from Mayor London Breed. This prestigious recognition is a testament to Renel's extraordinary contributions to our community and her trailblazing career in broadcasting and sports.

Born in Oakland to her beloved educator parents Nathaniel and Juanita Brooks, who inspired her path to achievement and amazing journey and success story, becoming one of the most beloved women luminaries in the Bay Area.

A Woodside High School and Mills College graduate, she began her broadcasting career at KCBS and KFRC before breaking through at 106 KMEL in 1986. Later, she woke up the San Francisco Bay Area with her iconic ``Renel In The Morning'' show on 98.1 KISS-FM.

She became the San Francisco Giants' public address announcer in 2000 and excelled in the position for 24 years.

As one of the first Black women in this role, Renel broke barriers and made history in Major League Baseball. She was the first woman to announce a world championship game in any professional sport and the first to announce MLB's All-Star Game.

Renel Brooks-Moon has had a profound impact on our community, not only entertaining and informing us but also being a role model for aspiring broadcasters, particularly women and people of color.

Renel's impact extends beyond broadcasting. She has volunteered in community service and received honorary doctorates from Mills College and the University of San Francisco, recognizing her contributions to education and society.

Her journey from a young Giants fan to the team's iconic voice that Bay Area fans have loved for more than two decades exemplifies the power of perseverance and believing in your dreams.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Dr. Renel Brooks-Moon.

Her legacy as a broadcaster, community leader, and trailblazer will continue to inspire, empower, and uplift the community now and for future generations, making her a true San Francisco Bay Area icon.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Board Director Dee Rosario as he prepares for retirement after an extraordinary 37 years of dedicated service to the East Bay Regional Park District. A proud native of the East Bay, Dee's journey began at Mt. Eden High School in Hayward, followed by an associate's degree from Chabot Community College and further studies at California State University, East Bay. His deep roots in this community have shaped both his personal and professional life, driving a career that has had a profound and lasting impact on our region.

Dee's career with the Park District began in 1975, where he took on a series of vital roles, including park ranger, firefighter, fire lieutenant, and ultimately, park supervisor of Reinhardt Redwood Regional Park. His unwavering commitment to preserving our natural resources and serving the public has left an indelible mark on the East Bay community.

During the 1991 Oakland Firestorm, his bravery and leadership were instrumental in mitigating the devastation. His steadfast dedication to both protecting lives and safeguarding our natural landscapes proved invaluable during that critical time, demonstrating his remarkable courage and deep sense of responsibility.

In November 2016, Dee transitioned to a new chapter as a Board Director, where his visionary leadership has shaped the direction of the Park District. Notably, he co-chaired Measure FF, a successful initiative that secured crucial funding for park improvements, wildfire prevention, and public safety--investments that will benefit generations to come. Dee's exceptional contributions to the Park District were recently recognized with the 2024 California Special Districts Association Board Member of the Year award, a fitting honor for his tireless work and dedication.

One of Dee's most lasting legacies is his role in renaming Redwood Regional Park in honor of Aurelia Reinhardt, a pioneering figure in the Park District's history. This thoughtful and meaningful tribute not only celebrated Reinhardt's contributions but also underscored Dee's commitment to preserving the rich heritage of our community and our parks.

Throughout his career, Dee has exemplified what it means to be a true leader. He has consistently sought to cultivate growth, creativity, and compassion in others, mentoring the next generation of public servants to continue his legacy of excellence and service. His belief that leadership is about empowering others will continue to resonate long after his retirement.

On behalf of the entire community, I extend our deepest gratitude to Board Director Dee Rosario for his outstanding service, leadership, and unwavering commitment to enhancing our natural and recreational resources. His legacy will continue to inspire us all.

Mr. Speaker, first of all, let me just say that I associate myself with the remarks that have been made tonight about my friend, the Honorable Dr. Michael Burgess.

A couple of things that I thought, since I am retiring also and we are here on the floor tonight, to take a moment to tell Dr. Burgess how much I appreciate his leadership and his friendship.

It is not often you hear about stories of Republicans and Democrats working together, so I decided to tell a few stories about Dr. Burgess.

First of all, we believe that the taxpayer dollars need to be protected and to be used for what we intend taxpayer dollars to be used for. We talked and realized that the only agency that had never been audited was the Pentagon.

Dr. Burgess and I worked for years to finally get the requirement into a bill that the Pentagon be audited because we know that there are billions of dollars in waste, fraud, and abuse, but we did not know how much and we were shocked that this was the only agency that hadn't been audited.

This never would have happened had it not been for Dr. Burgess and myself working together. We finally put a requirement into the bill that the Pentagon conduct an audit finally, but guess what? We talked the other day

about this, the Pentagon has flunked its seventh audit now.

I am originally from Texas. I represent the beautiful 12th Congressional District of California. Just know that I am going to continue to work, and I know Dr. Burgess will work to make sure that we finally get a clean audit from the Pentagon. Taxpayers deserve to know where their tax dollars are going and that they are not being scammed by the Pentagon.

Secondly, I thank you for your work on diabetes. As a member of the Diabetes Caucus--I think for a while you were co-chair of the Diabetes Caucus with Congresswoman Diana DeGette, and you have done remarkable work when you look at diabetes and the disproportionate impact on people of color, on African Americans especially.

We looked at ways to prevent amputations and ways to really make sure that the healthcare is there for those who are suffering diabetes to prevent the terrible consequences of that disease. I just want to take a moment to thank you, Dr. Burgess, for your work on that.

I know that I will be seeing you in this next chapter of your life and of my life, and I wish you well. May God bless you. You are also in my thoughts and prayers as you go through this very difficult period.