Floor Statements

Mr. Chairman, this has been a tough one for me because I am the only dairy farmer in this room, and it has been a tough issue because I've lived it for the last 15 years. I have seen how programs created by this body have hurt dairy farmers. There have been a lot of programs eliminated in this current farm bill, and that's a good thing. It takes us in a more market-oriented direction.

But what I see here is we're continuing that same path in a small way. This margin insurance, by definition, is an insurance when you lose money. You lose money because you're producing a product consumers aren't buying. If government is going to continue to push money in that direction, we have to make sure that they don't continue to produce that product consumers don't want.

The argument that we're going to miss out on an opportunity to export, if there's an export market and they're producing for that, they will sell that product. But you can't have a subsidized product coming into the marketplace and want to grow that export market again on a subsidized product because you can't continue to produce that product for that price. If we can't compete, we shouldn't be producing it. If it's going to require that margin insurance to make sure it's produced, it's not a long-term market. It's not a stable market. It's not something that we should spend billions of dollars investing in infrastructure that will not compete.

So I think, at the end of the day, that this is probably the best program. We've gotten rid of MILC. We got rid of the price support. We've gotten rid of a lot of programs that continued production when consumers weren't buying that product.

And with this one, there's a choice. If they choose to take an opportunity to protect their margins so they can stay afloat--because we have to protect American products and make sure that consumers are buying the safest and the greatest product in the world, which I believe is American dairy product--you can't have them continue to produce that product in the name of exports or in the name of whatever. At the end of the day, consumers pay for it because consumers are taxpayers. If you're going to give them money on the backside out of their back pocket through taxes, you're again paying for that product. The product still has to be paid for.

Dairy farmers have to make a profit, but it has to be the right way. And if they're going to get that dollar to continue to produce that product that consumers aren't buying, there has to be somewhere along the line where they cut back and contract in the market.

So I rise in opposition. Mr. Goodlatte has been a friend of mine and I have watched from afar. I appreciate everything he has done for the industry over the years, but I rise in strong opposition to this amendment.

Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of the gentleman from California (Mr. Costa) and his amendment.

Ground water provides drinking water for more than one half of the Nation's population and is the only source of drinking water for many rural communities, like those in my Central Valley congressional district. Many do not have access to a clean, safe supply of water and are unable to access the funding or resources necessary to develop sustainable water supplies and improve their water infrastructure.

In the Central Valley, nitrate contamination is all too common. While contamination can occur for many reasons, oftentimes no one is directly responsible. Clean-up costs are then borne by the affected community.

Through my position on the House Appropriations Committee, I worked to ensure language was included in the House agricultural appropriations bill to require the Department of Agriculture to provide a report to the Appropriations Committee regarding their programs and outreach efforts to disadvantaged communities who are impacted by water supply issues.

Every family in America should have clean drinking water. Anything less is unacceptable.

Mr. Speaker, earlier this month, the national unemployment report was released for this past May.

While some Americans were able to find low-paying jobs, I remain extremely disappointed with this sluggish economic recovery. For example, parts of my district in the Central Valley are still suffering from 30 percent unemployment. This is simply unacceptable.

The economic downturn, caused by burdensome regulatory policies at the State and Federal levels, cannot continue. Our communities should be growing, our businesses should be expanding, and our families should be able to provide better lives for their children. This can be done by allowing safe oil and natural gas exploration and by providing a clean, reliable water supply for Central Valley farmers, farm workers and their communities.

My constituents have faced chronic unemployment for too long. It is time for Washington bureaucrats to get out of the way and to let America prosper.

Mr. Speaker, as I travel around my district, I've witnessed firsthand many of the problems my constituents face on a daily basis--water shortages, difficulty pursuing a higher education, and high unemployment. While there are many ways to address each of these issues--and we may not always agree on the best course of action--one thing is clear: Americans are sick of the gridlock in Washington.

Congress cannot continue to be sidetracked by political games and at the same time expect real progress to be made. We must put aside our political differences and, as leaders, come together to do what's best for our constituents--the American people.

That's why I joined the Problem Solvers coalition. The group is made up of both Republicans and Democrats, alike, who are committed to focusing on policy, not politics. We meet on a regular basis to discuss, debate, and find common ground on the most pressing issues of our day. It is only through a mutual understanding and respect that we will begin to address the serious issues our Nation faces and move forward together.

Mr. Speaker, this month, the United States Bureau of Land Management indefinitely cancelled all oil and natural gas lease sales in California. This includes 1,278 acres of prime oil and natural gas land in Kern and Fresno counties located in my District--California 21.

This land is part of the Monterey Shale Formation located in the Central Valley. The Monterey Shale contains 2/3 of our country's shale oil reserves--the equivalent of 15.4 billion barrels. If tapped, it could generate half a million jobs and generate $4.5 billion in revenue. This would have a significant impact on my district which has faced chronic unemployment for years.

However, citing sequestration, BLM is suspending all future lease sales in California. The decision was made despite the fact that these leases provide significant revenue for the federal government.

This is just another example of the Administration using sequestration to further their environmental policy agenda at the expense of American families. BLM's efforts to prevent energy development are depriving my constituents of quality jobs and increasing energy prices for hardworking families across the country.

It is unacceptable that BLM is halting lease auctions in regions that have been used for oil and gas development for over a century. These auctions generate revenue for the federal government, reduce our nation's dependency on foreign oil, and lead to direct economic benefits as well as local job creation.

Thousands in the Central Valley remain unemployed as the job- creating opportunities within lease sales remain untapped. If we took advantage of these employment opportunities, small businesses would have more customers and local government could direct more revenue dollars to public safety and education. Those of us in the Central Valley are proud of our energy and agriculture heritage.

It is time for Washington bureaucrats to get out of the way and let our valley flourish.

Mr. Speaker, this month, the United States Bureau of Land Management indefinitely canceled all oil and natural gas leases in California. This includes 1,278 acres of prime oil and natural gas land in Kern and Fresno Counties located in my district--California 21. This land is part of the Monterey shale formation located in the Central Valley.

The Monterey shale contains two-thirds of our country's shale oil reserves, the equivalent of 15.4 billion barrels of oil. If tapped, it could generate half a million jobs and generate $4.5 billion in revenue. This would have a significant impact on my district, which has faced chronic unemployment for years. However, citing sequestration, BLM is suspending all future lease sales in California. This decision was made despite the fact that these leases provide significant revenue for the Federal Government.

This is just another example of the administration using sequestration to further their environmental policy agenda at the expense of American families. BLM's efforts to prevent energy development are depriving my constituents of quality jobs and increasing energy prices for hardworking families across the country. It is unacceptable that BLM is halting lease auctions in regions that have been used for oil and gas development for over a century.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today on the 98th anniversary of the initiation of the Armenian genocide in order to commemorate a moment in history inflicting wounds still fresh for many constituents in my congressional district.

From 1915 to 1923, the Ottoman Empire engaged in the systematic and organized deportation and extermination of over 2 million Armenians from their homeland. Although exact records were not kept, it is estimated that nearly 1.5 million Armenian men, women, and children were killed and that many were permanently displaced or forced to flee. These horrific events have become known today as the Armenian genocide.

Many of those able to flee emigrated to the United States and settled in California. Today, their families continue to grow, thrive, and pass along their cultural heritage into their adopted communities. However, the sense of loss as a result of these horrific acts runs deep as many Armenian Americans personally know a friend or a family member who was unable to escape the genocide.

Despite the horrors of this time and broad international consensus that these events are rightly identified as ``genocide,'' the foreign policy of the United States refuses to acknowledge what so many already know to be true. Today, let us recognize and remember the 2 million Armenians whose lives were lost or forever changed by these tragic events.

In addition to our rich agricultural land, California's San Joaquin Valley is also blessed with an abundance of oil, natural gas, and renewable energy sources. These resources should be utilized to create jobs, lower energy costs for American families, and reduce our Nation's dependency on foreign energy. Instead, misguided public policy and overreaching Federal regulations have cost the Central Valley thousands of jobs and increased the price at the pump for all Americans.

Over the last several years, there have been dramatic changes in the energy policy of the United States. And as result, energy prices have significantly increased. Cap-and-trade legislation failed to pass the House in 2009. However, Washington bureaucrats have already implemented several parts of cap-and-trade through erroneous EPA regulations. These regulations put limitations on carbon emissions, diminishing oil and gas production in my district.

Since 1976, the number of environmental regulations in the Code of Federal Regulations has increased 25-fold. Regulations developed and enforced by the Environmental Protection Agency have had a devastating effect on energy production in the Central Valley as the EPA and other members of the Federal environmental bureaucracy continue to wage war on energy producers, costing California thousands of high-quality, good-paying jobs. By taking advantage of the natural resources in California, we can provide Americans with quality jobs, restore our economy, and reduce the struggle families face every day due to high energy costs.

The most efficient path toward reducing our dependence on foreign oil and lowering energy costs is an all-of-the-above approach that includes conventional sources of energy as well as renewable energy sources such as

hydro, solar, and wind power. My district is home to a growing number of wind and solar farms. Developing market-based energy sources will help the United States meet its energy independence goals. However, in order to meet our country's energy demand, we must rely on a mix of traditional means while we continue to develop alternative energy solutions for the future.

Promoting energy production from California's Monterey Shale, located directly under my district, could bring in 2.8 million jobs and raise an additional $25 billion in new revenues by the end of the decade. This would not only strengthen the local economy but the State's economy as a whole.

Natural gas is a safe and responsible energy source with high economic output. In 2010, over 22,750 jobs were created in California alone. Studies show that natural gas production will save each American household approximately $926 per year between 2012 and 2015. Hydroelectric power accounts for 63 percent of the clean power in this country and 8 percent of total electricity. Expanding hydropower production would further increase our energy independence from foreign countries. The Central Valley has the available workforce to construct and operate hydropower facilities throughout the Sierra Nevadas, which would not only produce energy to be used by the entire country but also provide the Central Valley with the ability to store a clean, reliable water supply.

My home State of California, and the entire United States, has been blessed with abundant conventional and renewable energy sources. Our constituents should not have to make tough decisions regarding their daily energy consumption when our Nation has the ability to produce enough energy to meet their needs. They should be able to water their yards, cool their homes in the summer, and drive their children to school without facing expensive energy bills and high prices at the pump.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today, along with my colleague Mr. Costa, to honor Nancy Ann Daniel, of Mendota, California. For years, she served as a tireless advocate and leader in California's San Joaquin Valley. Mrs. Daniel passed away on February 4, 2013 after decades of service to our Valley's most vulnerable citizens. She will be sorely missed.

Nancy and her husband, David, were labor contractors who specialized in cantaloupe harvesting. Using their own resources, they founded the Westside Youth Center in 1977 as a local boxing club for Mendota's at- risk youth. Over the years, the center added computers to help students with homework, a football team, and provided a safe place where children could spend afternoons and weekends with positive role models.

Through her leadership and financial stewardship, Nancy was able to ensure that the services at the Westside Youth Center remained free of charge. Due to the economic downturn impacting many in the community, the Westside Youth Center has become an absolutely integral part of our Valley.

The many lives that have been impacted by the Westside Youth Center will ensure that Nancy's legacy lives on for years to come. Her passion and dedication to her community provided an excellent example to the Mendota community. She will be remembered for her smile and her constant positive and upbeat attitude.

Mrs. Daniel was humble in her commitment and dedication to the City of Mendota. She once reflected, ``You can't help them all, but it makes a big difference when you help a couple.'' Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me and Mr. Costa in remembering Mrs. Nancy Ann Daniel for her invaluable service to the San Joaquin Valley.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today, along with my colleague Mr. Costa, to pay tribute to the life of Clarence Atwell, Jr., who passed away on February 28, 2013 at the age of 67. Clarence served as Chief of the Tachi Yokut Tribe for 42 years. His leadership, guidance, and compassion will be greatly missed.

Born in the early morning hours under a lone tree on the Rice Ranch, Clarence Atwell would grow to lead an extraordinary life. Raised by his grandmother on the reservation, Clarence spoke his native language of Tachi. It was only when he started grade school that he learned English. During his adolescent years, Clarence developed a strong passion for caring for the tribal elders. He would spend days hunting for food, sometimes walking several miles to bring home rabbit, deer, and fish for the elders. His love of the land grew as he became a young man, and Clarence worked in the fields from sunup to well beyond sundown each day.

Strongly connected to his tribe, Chief Atwell was first elected Tribal Chairman in his early 20s and would go on to hold the position for over 40 years. The Tachi Yokut Tribe prospered under the powerful and wise Tribal Leadership of Chief Atwell. For many years, the members worked hard to achieve self-sufficiency by expanding Tachi Palace in Lemoore from a small gaming facility into one of the San Joaquin Valley's top destinations. Partially due to his efforts, tribal members now have access to secure housing, the elders receive lunch each day, and the members have dental and medical care.

Acknowledged by Kings County, California as an official Spiritual Leader, Chief Atwell was renowned for his spiritual guidance and performed countless life-changing ceremonies, including weddings, baptisms, and funerals. Chief Atwell was a Bear Clan Leader for California, one of the highest native spiritual honors afforded to individuals. The Bears were part of the official inauguration ceremony of then-California Lt. Governor Cruz Bustamante where they performed in full regalia at the State's Capitol.

Chief Atwell advised many political leaders, having had the distinction of meeting Vice President Al Gore and President Bill Clinton. Chief Atwell was known for his candor and forthrightness, though always in a quiet and polite manner. Tribes across the country could count on Chief Atwell for his political savvy, keen knowledge, and intense wisdom.

Clarence leaves behind his wife, Jeanette, and children: Kimberly, Cheryl, Curtis, Aubrey, and Rufus; as well as many grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Mr. Speaker, it is with great respect that Mr. Costa and I ask our colleagues in the House of Representatives to pay tribute to the life and service of Clarence Atwell, Jr. His advice and leadership will be missed by many, but his spirit will surely live on in the Tachi Yokut Tribe.

Mr. Speaker, I agree, Congress needs to get serious about our Nation's irresponsible spending; however, broad-based, automatic spending cuts and tax increases are not the way to get our fiscal House in order.

This week, the administration warned of the devastating effects that sequestration will have on many essential services provided by the Federal Government. To be clear, while the Budget Control Act of 2011 defined the amount of sequestration cuts, implementation of these cuts is at the discretion of the administration. The administration has now threatened to cut crucial services, including laying off air traffic controllers and the inspectors that make our food safe. At the same time, our government is spending

$1.7 billion operating unused Federal properties. There are numerous bipartisan alternatives to increase the Federal Government's efficiency and eliminate wasteful spending that do not include raising taxes or cutting the essential services my constituents depend on.

Ultimately, the real solution lies in reviving our struggling economy and giving our small businesses the tools to create jobs. In California's San Joaquin Valley, burdensome environmental regulations have resulted in the fallowing of 200,000 acres of land and the loss of countless jobs. This is a prime example of government ignoring the solution while creating a problem. At no cost to the taxpayers, we could provide certainty to our communities and to the farmers in my district that we can protect jobs and actually grow our economy.

With just 2 days until sequestration takes place, it's time for all of us to get serious about our Nation's spending problem and come together to do what's best for the American people.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Officer Jerry Price, an important figure in Central Valley law enforcement, on the occasion of his retirement.

Jerry graduated from the California Highway Patrol Academy in 1983 and was assigned to service in his hometown of Santa Ana. In 1986, he was transferred to Bakersfield where he patrolled the eastern part of the city and began aggressively seeking DUI drivers.

In 1988 Jerry transferred to Hanford, where he served for 24 years. Jerry was appointed the PAO/Court liaison in 1997 and held this position until December of 2012.

Jerry was a member of the county's first gang task force established in 1998, where he served as an Intelligence Agent.

Jerry has a passion for education and was instrumental in the establishment of many educational programs for local students. He is credited with reorganizing high school senior ethics days in all local high schools and starting ``character conferences'' in junior high schools. He also helped launch ``Every 15 Minutes'' programs in high schools across Kings County to educate young people about the dangers of drunk driving.

Jerry enthusiastically spread this safety message at Lemoore Navy Air Station for over 18 years. He led more than 550 safety presentations for approximately 200,000 Navy personnel.

In addition to his CHP service, Jerry has been heavily involved in numerous community service commitments including Relay 4 Life, the March of Dimes, and the Central California ``Battle of the Badges'' Blood Drive. He has coached several youth sports teams and taught at Kings Christian High School, College of the Sequoias, and West Hills College.

Most recently Jerry assisted the co-founders in organizing the ``Buckle Up for Itzy'' Fest, an event to raise seat belt safety awareness.

Jerry has mentored many local youths and has dedicated his life to improving the safety of the people of Central California. He has given his time and effort to numerous non-profits and charities over the decades. Please join me in congratulating Mr. Price on his invaluable service to the Central Valley, as he retires from the California Highway Patrol.

Article I, section 6:

``The Senators and Representatives shall receive a compensation for their services, to be ascertained by law, and paid out of the Treasury of the United States. They shall in all cases, except treason, felony and breach of the peace, be privileged from arrest during their attendance at the session of their respective Houses, and in going to and returning from the same; and for any speech or debate in either House, they shall not be questioned in any other place.''