Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park on its 50th anniversary and its historic impact on the Central Valley.

The namesake of the historic park, Colonel Allen Allensworth, was born into slavery in Kentucky in 1842. He escaped, served in the

U.S. Navy during the Civil War, and became an ordained Baptist minister. As a minister, he saw the need for African American chaplains in the armed services and was appointed Chaplain of the 24th Army Regiment, one of the Army's renowned Buffalo Soldier Units. By 1906, Colonel Allensworth retired as the highest-ranking Black officer in the U.S. Army.

By 1908, Colonel Allensworth and four other men with a similar vision established the town of Allensworth in Tulare County, the first California community founded, financed, and governed by African Americans. Families throughout the country moved to Allenstown seeking the opportunity to own land, build schools, and govern themselves. Within a few years, the town grew into a thriving community with a school district, library, church, farms, and several other flourishing businesses and public buildings.

The town of Allensworth persevered through many hardships after its founding. Due to the devoted work of former Allensworth resident Ed Pope and several other volunteers, then-Governor Reagan authorized the California Department of Parks and Recreation to establish the park in 1974. Just two years later, the department approved the plans, and the Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park officially opened to the public, celebrating the preservation of California's only town founded and governed by African Americans. Today, visitors can still explore several preserved buildings and homes, allowing guests to experience the spirit of Allensworth firsthand. The dedicated State Park staff, local volunteers, descendants of original settlers, and community leaders have led the ongoing preservation and revitalization of the park, ensuring that the community can enjoy the park for years to come.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues in the House of Representatives to join me in celebrating 50 years of the Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park and recognizing all who have kept its story alive. I wish them continued success in the years ahead.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mr. Herman Porter as the 2026 Kern County Fair Person of the Year and to thank him for his decades of dedicated service to the community.

Mr. Porter first became involved with the Kern County Fair in 1955 as a high school FFA member showing beef cattle. In 1963, he married his wife, Jeannette Ansolabehere, who was also a fair exhibitor, showing sheep. Together, they raised two daughters, both of whom participated in local 4-H programs. During this time, Herman became a leader of the local Cawelo 4-H Club and later the Southwest 4-H Club, where he helped young people learn responsibility and succeed. Over the years, his experience and guidance have helped countless exhibitors, including the 25 Kern County Fair Grand Champions he helped select and mentor.

Mr. Porter's contributions extend well beyond the show ring. He has been a steadfast leader on the Junior Livestock Committee, helping raise funds, supporting local livestock auctions, and providing scholarships for community youth. Mr. Porter has also served on the Dairy and Clean Stall Committees, always willing to lend his time and experience to help make the fair a success.

For more than seven decades, Mr. Porter's dedication to the community and the fair has always been more than animal showing competition. He has encouraged young people, taught responsibility, and strengthened the agricultural traditions of the Central Valley.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues in the House of Representatives to join me in congratulating Mr. Herman Porter on being named the 2026 Kern County Fair Person of the Year and thanking him for his decades of service, leadership, and dedication to the Kern County community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Flood Ministries on its 20th anniversary and to honor years of steadfast service to the most underserved members of the Kern County community.

In 2006, dedicated volunteers from The Bridge Bible Church gathered to establish Flood Ministries under the belief that every person experiencing homelessness should be treated with dignity and respect. For the past 20 years, Flood has put that belief into action, providing quality care and support to people of all ages and backgrounds.

Through several key partnerships, Flood has expanded its reach throughout Bakersfield and Kern County. Working with the Bakersfield- Kern Regional Homeless Collaborative and the Housing Authority of the County of Kern, it has provided personalized case management and housing services for homeless individuals struggling with severe mental and physical health challenges. Flood has also partnered with Kern Behavioral Health and Recovery Services, the County of Kern, Kern Health Systems, and the Bakersfield-Kern Regional Homeless Collaborative to establish Navigation Centers throughout the Central Valley. These centers offer dedicated housing support that helps individuals find and transition into permanent homes. Flood also works with local leaders and first responders to connect people in need with critical services.

For two decades, Flood has taken a hands-on approach to addressing homelessness. Its Welcome Home project provides vital household items to help turn empty spaces into safe and dignified homes, while its mobile and fixed shower services provide an important resource for people in need. These efforts, strengthened by Flood's partnerships throughout the community, have helped maintain a 90 percent longterm housing retention rate. Today, Flood is focused on early intervention through its Bakersfield and Rural Youth Homeless Demonstration Programs, providing personalized care to vulnerable young adults and stopping chronic homelessness before it takes root.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues in the House of Representatives to join me in congratulating Flood Ministries on 20 years of dedicated service to the people of Kern County and in wishing it continued success for years to come.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Kern Autism Network on its 30th anniversary and to honor its longstanding commitment to supporting individuals with autism and their families in Kern County through education, advocacy, and community support.

Beginning in 1995, staff from the Kern Regional Center and HEARTS Connections brought together local families, educators, and other advocates in response to the limited public awareness and support available for individuals with autism. Soon after, Susan Houghton helped establish the first local chapter, which was chartered by the Autism Society of America on May 22, 1996. Under her leadership as the organization's first chair, the chapter began its mission of increasing autism awareness, providing support and education, and connecting individuals and their families with valuable resources.

For 30 years, the organization's dedicated volunteers have worked to build greater awareness and understanding of autism throughout Kern County. Among its many efforts is its annual autism conference, which brings together experts, service providers, and community partners to share knowledge and resources with local families and professionals.

Through support groups and community outreach, Kern Autism Network has continued to create meaningful connections and opportunities for individuals with autism and their families. Its commitment to advocacy and inclusion has also helped strengthen the network of support for the autism community throughout Kern County.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues in the House of Representatives to join me in congratulating Kern Autism Network, its leadership, and dedicated volunteers on 30 years of service to Kern County. Their commitment has made a lasting difference in the lives of individuals with autism, their families, and the greater Central Valley community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Clinica Sierra Vista as it celebrates 55 years of providing comprehensive, high- quality healthcare to hundreds of thousands of patients across the Central Valley.

Founded in 1971 as a small trailer clinic offering care to underserved migrant farmworkers in the southern San Joaquin Valley, Clinica Sierra Vista was built on the belief that every family deserves access to quality healthcare. Since then, it has remained committed to expanding aid to those who need it most.

Today, Clinica Sierra Vista operates nearly 100 locations, including community health centers, behavioral health sites, WIC locations, dental clinics, and mobile health units. Through its integrated medical, vision, dental, and behavioral health care services, the organization now serves almost 200,000 patients across Kern and Fresno counties, ensuring even the most rural communities have access to essential care.

Clinica Sierra Vista's mission is guided by its commitment to ensuring that healthcare remains a right for all, not just a privilege for some. That commitment has earned the organization numerous recognitions from groups including the American Heart Association, American Medical Association, and Delano Chamber of Commerce. Earlier this year, Clinica Sierra Vista also celebrated the opening of its first owned corporate headquarters in Bakersfield, marking an important milestone in the clinic's leadership and improvement of care coordination across the Central Valley.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues in the House of Representatives to join me in congratulating Clinica Sierra Vista on its 55 years of steadfast service to the residents of Kern and Fresno counties and in wishing the organization continued success for years to come.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Chief Bill Dickinson for his thirty-two years of dedicated service to Kern County and to congratulate him on his well-earned retirement from the Kern County Probation Department.

Throughout his career, Chief Dickinson has made a lasting impact on communities across the Central Valley by strengthening public safety, promoting accountability, and supporting the rehabilitation and reintegration of youth convicted of crimes. Chief Dickinson began his career with the Kern County Probation Department in 1994 as an Extra- Help Group Counselor at the Youth Detention Center before quickly advancing to a full-time Group Counselor. After earning his bachelor's degree in English with a minor in Communications from California State University, Bakersfield, he steadily rose through the department's ranks, serving as a Deputy Probation Officer, Probation Supervisor, Assistant Probation Division Director, and Probation Division Director of the Youth Detention Center. Just five years later, he was promoted again to Deputy Chief and then appointed by the Superior Court as Chief Probation Officer in August of 2023.

As Chief Probation Officer, he strengthened both public safety and youth rehabilitation by expanding evidence-based programming within juvenile detention facilities. He also led the department's implementation of Senate Bill 823, improving security measures for youth who committed serious and violent offenses. Throughout his tenure, he secured millions of dollars in funding for vital program support, led major Title 15 revisions, and initiated plans to construct a new 15,000-square-foot Youth Recreation Center. Through strong partnerships with county departments and local organizations, Chief Dickinson also helped institute over $20 million in facility improvements to better support rehabilitation and ensure long-term public safety.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues in the House of Representatives to join me in congratulating Chief Bill Dickinson on his thirty-two years of steadfast service to the Kern County community and wishing him a happy, well-deserved retirement.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Mercy House Brundage Lane Navigation Center (BLNC) on five years of dedicated service to the Bakersfield community, providing individuals experiencing homelessness with the support and resources needed to secure stable housing and rebuild their lives.

Since opening its doors in 2021, the Brundage Lane Navigation Center has become a vital resource for some of our community's most vulnerable residents. Beyond offering hundreds of shelter beds, the center serves as a haven for the displaced to receive comprehensive services including case management, storage, transportation assistance, healthcare access, and housing support, helping people move from crisis to stability.

The center's continued growth reflects both its success and the community's commitment to addressing homelessness. During its first major expansion in 2023, the Brundage Lane Navigation Center added onsite medical services and a Recuperative Care Dorm, helping bridge the gap between healthcare and housing. The center also provides shuttle transportation services that connect residents with essential resources and opportunities throughout Kern County.

Today, the Brundage Lane Navigation Center stands as a cornerstone of Bakersfield's homelessness response system. As Mercy House's first program in Kern County, the center has housed over 500 people while simultaneously providing a level of care and support that extends far beyond traditional shelter services

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues in the House of Representatives to join me in celebrating the Mercy House Brundage Lane Navigation Center's 5th anniversary. Their commitment to ensuring quality, community-focused care will continue to serve as a lifeline for Bakersfield's most vulnerable for many years to come.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Lawrence Family Farms on being named the 2026 Tulare Dairy Family of the Year and to commend their outstanding contributions to California's dairy industry and the Central Valley community.

Founded by first-generation farmers Matt and Lisa Lawrence, Lawrence Family Farms has quickly made a meaningful impact, delivering some of the highest-quality dairy products in California. Each year, the Tulare Chamber of Commerce honors a local dairy family during its Annual Salute to Dairy celebration in recognition of National Dairy Month. This prestigious award recognizes dedication to the dairy industry, agricultural leadership, and community engagement, making the Lawrence family's selection especially well-deserved.

Matt Lawrence's story reflects the promise of the American Dream. His parents moved from a small community in the Azores, Portugal, to seek a better life here in America. From a young age, Matt was always interested in farming, finding any opportunity he could to immerse himself in agriculture. Through his involvement in FFA, he gained hands-on experience working with dairy cattle and developed the agricultural skills that would lay the foundation for his future career.

Matt continued pursuing his passion at Fresno State University, where he majored in Agricultural Education. During his time there, many of his professors encouraged him to become more involved. Following this advice, he

took up the responsibility of running the college farm, which gave him the experience and industry connections needed to have a successful career in the agricultural sector. After graduating, he worked as a salesman for an artificial insemination company before quickly following his lifelong dream of running his own dairy. Partnering with former Dairy Family of the Year recipient Frank Mendonsa and his son Brandon, Matt and Lisa established a successful dairy operation in Visalia.

Building on that success, Matt and Lisa founded Lawrence Family Farms in 2020. In just six years, they have grown their operation into a thriving business that has already made a lasting mark on the Central Valley dairy industry and is undoubtedly on the path for many more years of success.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues in the House of Representatives to join me in congratulating Lawrence Family Farms on being named the 2026 Dairy Family of the Year. Their contributions to the Central Valley will be felt for generations to come.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Boys & Girls Club of Kern County on its 60th anniversary. Since its founding, the organization has served as a pillar of our community, empowering young people across Kern County through its commitment to integrity, respect, and excellence.

In 1966, the club began in a modest home, which was converted into an after-school recreation space where boys could play sports, enjoy games, and participate in staff-led community field trips. As interest grew, so did the need for expanded facilities, resources, and programming to support local youth. From the very beginning, the Kern County community stepped up to ensure the club had the support necessary to continue its mission.

Thanks to continued investment from the community, the Board of Directors purchased a church on Monterey Street that became a true ``home away from home'' for the many boys. Club leaders soon recognized that many members were bringing their younger sisters along, leading the organization to officially expand its program to welcome girls. As membership continued to grow, board member Jack Armstrong purchased a nearby property with the vision of creating a modern Boys & Girls Club that could serve all youth in the community.

Over the past 60 years, the Boys & Girls Club of Kern County has built strong partnerships with organizations across the region, including local school districts, the Boy Scouts, and countless community groups. These collaborations have opened doors for young people by providing mentorship, academic support, recreational opportunities, and a place where our community's youth can grow and thrive. What began as a single location has grown into 75 sites serving more than 17,000 children and teens across Kern County.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues in the House of Representatives to join me in congratulating the Boys & Girls Club of Kern County on this remarkable milestone and in thanking the organization for sixty years of dedicated service to the young people of the Central Valley. Its impact on our communities and on the lives of thousands of children and families cannot be overstated.

Mr. Chair, I rise today in support of my amendment with Representative Thompson in favor of the urgent emergency funding to address the glassy-winged sharpshooter infestation recently discovered in California.

California is the Nation's leading wine-producing State, and our table and wine grape growers support thousands of jobs in the Central Valley and beyond.

Unfortunately, the industry is facing a serious threat from an emerging outbreak of the glassy-winged sharpshooter. The glassy-winged sharpshooter is an invasive pest that transmits a lethal bacterium that chokes and kills grapevines. There is no cure once the infection occurs, and the sharpshooter's high mobility and rapid

reproduction allow it to spread quickly.

Last month, the California Department of Food and Agriculture and the Fresno County Agricultural Commissioner identified an infestation at a nursery that distributed infected grapes throughout the State. At least 23 counties have already received affected plants, and another 15 counties are expected to be impacted.

If this pest spreads across the State, our growers could face more than $100 million in annual costs to control the damage. At a time when specialty crop industries are already struggling with rising input costs, this is a burden they just can't afford to absorb.

Our growers have already stepped up and have done their part. Since 2001, the industry has invested more than $60 million of its own resources to combat the pest and protect California agriculture, but the scale of this outbreak requires a coordinated Federal response.

This amendment supports an additional $7 million for the APHIS Specialty Crop Pests account, helping ensure USDA has the resources necessary to work alongside growers and State officials to contain this threat before it is too late.

It is a reasonable investment that supports an industry already heavily invested in its own success and protects growers from circumstances beyond their control.

Mr. Chair, I thank Congressman Thompson for his leadership on the issue and look forward to working with him to elevate the need for immediate funding from the USDA, if needed, or to get this additional funding included in this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Kappa Omega Omega Chapter of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority in Bakersfield, California, on its 50th anniversary.

Chartered on May 13, 1976, Kappa Omega Omega became the first Alpha Kappa Alpha chapter established in Bakersfield. Built through the vision and dedication of community leaders like Susianna Anderson and the chapter's founding members, the organization was created to strengthen the community through service and mentorship. Over the past five decades, the chapter has remained a driving force for education and positive change throughout Kern County and the Central Valley.

Since 1980, Kappa Omega Omega has hosted its annual Graduation Awards Program, helping African American students prepare for higher education and awarding more than 1,000 scholarships to graduating seniors. Their Miss Fashionetta fundraiser has also served as a mentoring experience for young women as they transition from high school to college, providing them with invaluable career exploration and scholarship opportunities.

Beyond their educational initiatives, the chapter's Childhood Hunger Initiative Power Pack (CHIPP) program has helped fight childhood hunger by providing meals to families in need. They have also supported local seniors through the Senior Shower of Love, participated in health efforts like the American Cancer Society Relay for Life, and partnered with organizations across the community, including the Boys and Girls Club Angel Tree Project.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues in the House of Representatives to join me in congratulating the sisters of Kappa Omega Omega on this remarkable milestone and in thanking them for fifty years of dedicated service to Bakersfield, Kern County, and the Central Valley.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today along with my colleagues Representative Fong and Representative Costa to recognize the Tulare County Farm Bureau's Executive Director, Tricia Stever Blattler, for her successful career and outstanding service to Tulare County.

A lifelong native of Exeter, California, Tricia has dedicated her life to strengthening and advancing agriculture in the Central Valley. Her passion for the industry began early through her involvement in FFA and 4-H programs, and she went on to earn two degrees in agriculture from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. She started her career as an educator, teaching high school agricultural science before becoming a program coordinator for the California Foundation for Agriculture in the Classroom, where she served as a vital link between state and county organizations.

From 2007 until her departure in 2026, Tricia served as Executive Director of the Tulare County Farm Bureau, representing more than 1,800 members. During her tenure, she provided steady leadership, overseeing daily operations while advocating for the needs of Central Valley farmers and ranchers. Under her direction, the organization earned the Outstanding Large County Farm Bureau Award four times and was twice inducted into the California Farm Bureau's Golden State Hall of Fame.

Beyond her work with the county, Tricia is heavily involved with several agricultural organizations, including multiple local FFA chapters, agricultural leadership programs, and numerous agricultural boards. Her commitment has helped shape the next generation of agricultural leaders and strengthen the industry across the region.

Mr. Speaker, Representative Fong, Representative Costa, and I ask our colleagues in the House of Representatives to join us in recognizing Tricia Stever Blattler for her outstanding service and lasting contributions to the Central Valley.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today along with my colleague, Representative Vince Fong, to honor the life and legacy of Deputy Randy Joe Hoppert, Jr. A Central Valley native, Deputy Hoppert dedicated his life to protecting the people of Tulare County with integrity, courage, and a deep sense of purpose.

On April 9, 2026, he made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty, leaving behind a legacy that will endure in the community he served and among all who knew him.

Deputy Hoppert was raised in Visalia, California, graduating from El Diamante High School before answering the call to serve in the United States Navy. As a Hospital Corpsman from 2010 to 2015, he provided critical care to sailors and Marines during two deployments.

After his service in the Navy, Deputy Hoppert reaffirmed his commitment to public safety by enrolling in the Tulare Kings Police Academy in 2019. A year later, he joined the Tulare County Sheriff's Office as a Deputy I assigned to the Patrol Division out of the Orosi Substation. He was quickly promoted to Deputy II and then reassigned in 2022 as a detective with the TAGNET Unit. In 2025, he was assigned to the Sheriff's office CATTCH Unit and served as a SWAT medic, using his military medical expertise to ensure timely trauma care for officers and others during critical, high-risk operations. He will be sorely missed by both the Tulare County Sheriff's Office and the community he protected and served so valiantly.

Deputy Hoppert is survived by his wife, Ashley; his sons, Austin and Everhett; his unborn son, Levi; his mother, Stacy Schwab; his father, Randy Hoppert, Sr.; and countless loved ones who will carry on his memory.

Mr. Speaker, Representative Vince Fong and I ask our colleagues in the House of Representatives to join us in honoring the life and legacy of Deputy Randy Joe Hoppert, Jr. His courage, sacrifice, and unwavering commitment to others will never be forgotten.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Houchin Community Blood Bank on its 75th anniversary and recognize its decades of service providing a safe and reliable blood supply to families in Kern County and across the Central Valley.

Founded in April 1951 through the generosity of C. Elmer Houchin and the Houchin Foundation, the blood bank was established in memory of his mother, who needed transfusions during her fight with cancer. As the first blood bank in Kern County, Houchin made lifesaving care more accessible and ensured residents no longer had to travel long distances for critical treatment.

For over 70 years, the Houchin Community Blood Bank has undergone several significant improvements to meet the needs of our community. Over the past several decades, Houchin has expanded its reach with multiple new medical facilities for blood collection and processing. In addition, they have upgraded their technologies to ensure the highest quality testing and collection. Today, the bank serves all of Bakersfield and Kern County through multiple collection and processing sites. Thanks to these efforts, and the generosity of countless donors, Houchin has helped save more than 3 million lives.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues in the House of Representatives to join me in congratulating the Houchin Community Blood Bank on this remarkable milestone. As Kern County's only truly local blood provider, their commitment to service has greatly contributed to ending the blood supply shortage, saved countless lives, and improved access to care.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and service of Deputy Randy Joe Hoppert, Jr., of Tulare County Sheriff's Department.

On April 9, Deputy Hoppert was tragically killed in the line of duty while serving the people of Tulare County. A proud Central Valley native, he committed his life to helping others.

After graduating from El Diamante High School, he answered the call to protect our Nation in the U.S. Navy before returning to home to work in the sheriff's department.

During his 6 years on the force, he served in the patrol division as a detective, with the CATTCH Unit, and on the SWAT team as a medic.

Those who knew him speak of a man who led with integrity, cared about his community, and worked every day to make a difference.

Deputy Hoppert is survived by his wife, Ashley; his children, Austin, Everett, and unborn son Levi; and his parents, Stacy and Randy, Sr.

Deputy Hoppert's service and sacrifice will not be forgotten. He will be deeply missed.