Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, it is with great sadness that I rise today to honor the late Eugene Morgan Welsh. Gene passed away peacefully on July 25, 2012. Staff Sgt. Gene Welsh was a true American hero and served his country with pride and dedication.

Eugene ``Gene'' Morgan Welsh was born May 9, 1925 in McAllister, OK to William Morgan Welsh and Tina Pearl Welsh. Gene had two brothers, Kenneth and Billy Welsh, who preceded him in death, brother Don and a sister Wanda Griffith.

Proudly at age 18, Gene joined the U.S. Army's 19th Infantry Regiment during World War II. Staff Sgt. Welsh's assignment took him to the South Pacific. While serving in the Asiatic Pacific, Staff Sgt. Welsh was wounded in combat and was eventually awarded the Purple Heart with the Oak Leaf Cluster.

While recovering from his injuries, Gene started writing to a Pen Pal, Miss Bettye Cavazos from Sharyland, TX. This was the bright spot during his recovery and he often told her in his letters that if he ever made it out of the war alive he was going to come back to the U.S. and marry her. Upon completion of his military career, he in fact went to Texas and asked for her hand in marriage. Flag Day, June 14, 1946, Bettye Cavazos became Mrs. Eugene Welsh; that same year they moved to Ceres, CA. Gene eventually opened up a business in 1967 that is known today as Ceres ProTow and it is still located at the same place 45 years later. Gene and Bettye had two sons, Mike and Ron. Gene was very proud of his sons and was devastated when Ron passed away from a pulmonary embolism. Mike continues to run the family business.

Gene had a great love for his community and was very active with many social and charitable as well as civic organizations. In 1987, Gene was awarded Rotarian of the Year and in 1988 he was awarded Ceres Citizen of the Year and in 2003 he was awarded the Stanislaus County Senior Citizen of the Year. Gene also had a love of Square Dancing, and taught beginner Square Dance lessons and eventually formed the Ceres Twisters where he was the club caller for over 40 years. Gene and Bettye were always happy to share their love of Square Dancing with others and provided demonstrations to Ceres and Modesto grammar schools and convalescent homes and they danced at local, state and national festivals as well as on cruise ships.

Gene is survived by his wife of 66 years Bettye, son Mike and his wife Maureen, daughter-in-law Sherry and 8 grandchildren, 8 great- grandchildren and one great-great grandson.

Mr. Speaker, the recognition that I am offering today before the House of Representatives for Eugene Morgan Welsh is small compared

to the contributions and impact he had on the lives of so many. He was a leader of our community, role model to our youth and a great American.

Mr. Speaker, it is with great sadness that I rise today with my colleague Congressman Jim Costa to honor the late Sgt. Jose Rodriguez who was killed on June 19, 2012 in Kandahar province, Afghanistan while supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. Sergeant Rodriguez paid the ultimate price, sacrificing his life, while protecting and serving the United States of America.

Sergeant Rodriguez was raised in Newman and Gustine. He graduated from Gustine High School in 2008 and joined the army shortly thereafter. He was assigned to Joint Base Lewis-McChord near Tacoma, Washington in 2009. His first deployment was in July 2009 where he was a part of the 5th Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division. Sergeant Rodriguez decided to re-deploy on a second tour of duty in order to better provide for his wife and young son. On his second tour, he was in the 4th Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division. He received the Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal Combat Service, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Non- Commissioned Officers Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Ribbon, NATO Medal, Certificate of Achievement, and Combat Infantry Badge.

Sergeant Rodriguez's family called him a responsible, quiet, and caring man. He had hoped to become a firefighter after returning home next year. He leaves behind a loving wife, Maria ``Lupita'' Rodriguez and a thirteen month old son, Octavian. He is also survived by his parents Margarita Rodriguez and Augustine Rodriguez; his brothers, Ruben Rodriguez, Julian Rodriguez, Edgar Rodriguez, Jonathon Rodriguez and his two sisters, Judith Rodriguez and Jacqueline Rodriguez.

Mr. Speaker, together with my colleague, Congressman Jim Costa, the recognition that we are offering today before the House of Representatives for Sergeant Jose Rodriguez is small compared to the contributions and impact he had on the lives of so many. He was truly an invaluable member of our community and an outstanding human being. My thoughts are with Sergeant Rodriguez's family and the community as they grieve the loss of this wonderful young man.

Mr. Chair, I rise today to offer my reserved support for the legislation before us today.

This bill, like so many others that we vote on, is far from perfect. I have reservations about the continued expansion of Administrative authority to waive laws that we enact here in Congress and I have reservations about continuing to expose some of the most wild and pristine areas of our country to development. However, I will support this bill because of its positive impacts for the people I was sent here to represent.

As many of you are aware, water is the lifeblood of the San Joaquin Valley, the most productive agricultural region in the world. Since I entered Congress, I have made it a priority to increase water supply reliability for both the San Joaquin Valley and the Sacramento-San Joaquin Bay Delta. Title I of this bill helps to achieve that purpose.

It achieves this purpose in a very simple way, by allowing for the consideration of a 10-foot increase in the spillway of an existing dam. This raise in the spillway will allow for critical year water supply increases of 15,000 acre-feet and will generate an additional 10,000 Mega-Watt Hours per year of clean, renewable energy, all at no cost to the taxpayer. And importantly, the project still has to meet environmental standards. This is a common sense approach to solve a problem incrementally, and one that I liked so much that I carried the bill in previous Congresses.

I'd like to thank you for the opportunity to speak in support of this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today along with my colleague Congressman Jeff Denham to honor Jesse Brown for his years of dedicated service to Merced County. Jesse is the Executive Director of the Merced County Association of Governments (MCAG) and will be retiring after twenty-four years in the position.

MCAG was formed in 1967 by the local governments in the Merced County region as a forum for making key decisions on regional growth and transportation issues. Jesse took on his position in 1988. He is well known for his leadership in promoting regional solutions to the many challenges facing the region, including transportation, public transit and solid waste. In his thirty years of public service, Jesse has successfully worked to build partnerships at the state and federal level to ensure the San Joaquin Valley remains a high priority.

Jesse has served as Chair of the California Council of Governments Director Association, President of the San Joaquin Valley Transportation Planning Directors Association, and Executive Director of the Yosemite Area Regional Transportation System, known as YARTS. Additionally, he served as a committee member through the Greater Merced Chamber of Commerce to ensure that Merced was the choice place for the tenth campus of the University of California.

Jesse has a Bachelor's in Public Administration and M.S. in Urban Planning from the University of Arizona.

Mr. Speaker, we thank you for the opportunity to recognize Jesse Brown and his career with the Merced County Association of Governments. Further, we appreciate you joining us in thanking him for his dedicated service to Merced County and his commitment to the betterment of the region. We wish him well during this next chapter of his life.

Mr. Speaker, it is with great sadness that I rise today to honor the late Alex Hildebrand who passed away at the age of 98 on January 23, 2012.

Mr. Hildebrand was born and raised in the Berkeley Hills. He raised animals and rode horses, working from a young age for the Bruno cattle ranch. He graduated from the University of California, Berkeley in 1935 with a degree in Physics and Chemistry. Mr. Hildebrand had a 27 year career with Standard Oil where he served as a refinery design engineer, assistant chief engineer of the Richmond refinery, manager for the atomic energy subsidiary of Livermore Lab, and the director of Chevron's oil field research lab.

During World War II, after a stint in the Navy Reserves, Mr. Hildebrand served the war effort as Chief Engineer at an oil refinery on Bahrain Island in the Persian Gulf. Upon returning home, he purchased farmland southwest of Manteca on the San Joaquin River. In 1962, he took an early retirement from Standard Oil and moved his family to the farm. For almost 50 years, he farmed his land and served as the Consulting Engineer to the South Delta Water Agency (SDWA). He worked tirelessly to protect the Delta and the agriculture of the region.

In addition to the SDWA, Mr. Hildebrand served on more than 20 federal, state and local boards dealing with water-related issues. He served on the San Joaquin Farm Bureau Board, California Farm Bureau Water Committee, Delta Water Uses Board, Water Education Foundation Advisory Board, California Central Valley Flood Control Association Board, Sierra Club and with several others created the San Joaquin River Flood Control Association. Mr. Hildebrand was appointed by Governor Wilson to serve on the CalFed Bay Delta Oversight Committee and then the CalFed Bay Delta Advisory Committee. He served as the President of the McMullin Reclamation District for many years. He was outspoken and persistent in his advocacy of Delta water and Agriculture but treated others with respect and always appreciated a good debate.

Mr. Hildebrand was warm, loving and caring to his family and was an inspiration to many. He met his wife Barbara on a Sierra Club cross country ski trip. Together they have three daughters: Mary, Janet and Harriet and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Mr. Speaker, the recognition that I am offering today before the House of Representatives for Alex Hildebrand is small compared to the contributions and impact he had on the lives of so many. He was truly an invaluable member of our community and an outstanding human being.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Dr. Benjamin Duran in the event of his retirement after fourteen years of dedicated service as Superintendent/President of Merced Community College District.

Dr. Duran has spent forty years as an educator in Merced County. His career began as a high school teacher in Le Grand. He served as Vice Principal of Le Grand High School from 1976 to 1980 before becoming the Assistant Director of Merced County's migrant

education program. He returned to Le Grand in 1983 as Superintendent of Schools, a position he held until 1991. Dr. Duran's career with Merced College began in 1991 when he became the Vice President for Administrative Services.

Dr. Duran chaired the Community College League of California's 2010 Commission on the Future. He has served as President of the California Community Colleges (CCC) Chief Executive Officers Board of Directors and President of the CCC Economic and Workforce Development Program Advisory Committee. He was a member of the Hewlett/Irvine Foundation Task Force on Basic Skills Development, the CCLC Board of Directors, and has served as Staff Developer for the California School Leadership Academy.

In addition, Dr. Duran has been involved in numerous community organizations and initiatives, among them include the Greater Merced High Speed Rail Committee, the Merced County Regional Arts Council, the Mercy Medical Center Board of Directors, and the Merced School Employees Federal Credit Union Board of Directors. His professional associations include the UC Merced Foundation Board of Directors, the CSU Stanislaus Community Advisory Board and Center for Public Policy Studies. He is a member of the California Association of Latino Superintendents and a director of the California Dollars for Scholars Program.

Dr. Duran and his wife, Dr. Rose Mary Parga-Duran have two children in college. Dr. Parga-Duran is presently serving as the District Superintendent for the Merced City School District. Upon his graduation he is looking forward to becoming engaged in the community as well as watching his children continue to grow into adulthood. He also is looking forward to spending more time with his eldest daughter and two grandsons who live in Southern California.

Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in honoring Dr. Benjamin Duran for his dedication to Merced College and our community as a whole.

Mr. Speaker, with respect and admiration I, along with my colleagues Mr. Costa, Ms. Lofgren, Mr. McGovern, Mr. Keating, Ms. Tsongas, Mr. Honda, and Mr. Cicilline, gather today to both celebrate the freedoms we enjoy as Americans, and to honor all the brave service men and women who have fallen defending those freedoms.

To all the mothers, fathers, wives, husbands, and extended family members of those who have served, we offer our deepest gratitude. The sacrifice of your loved ones is a debt that can never be repaid.

As members and friends of the Congressional Portuguese American Caucus, we would also like to pay special tribute to our soldiers of Portuguese descent who have made the ultimate sacrifice to protect our country. Portuguese Americans have served with distinction in our military forces from the revolutionary war to current conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, and I have no doubt they will continue to answer America's call into our future.

On this Memorial Day, Americans everywhere join in honoring those we have lost. It is a time to recognize the sacrifices made to defend our country, and remember the freedoms and liberties for which our service members fought for.

We honor you and all soldiers who have answered the call of duty and we send our profound appreciation to the families of our fallen heroes. As we reflect on the tragedy of those we have lost, we should realize our great fortune to live in a free country, and recognize the sacrifices required to defend it.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Gregory Christiansen in the event of his retirement after many years of dedicated service to music education and the community.

Gregory earned his Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education from the University of the Pacific in 1974, where he graduated Cum Laude. He went on to earn a Diploma from the Grove School of Music's Professional Instrumental Program in 1983. He finished his education by obtaining his Master of Music degree in Music Education from the University of Southern California in 1985. He graduated with distinction as a member of Pi Kappa Lambda, the honorary music fraternity.

Gregory has spent his career teaching music education to students ranging from elementary school through college. He taught a College Jazz Ensemble for 3 years. For 30 years he worked with both instrumental and choral groups at the high school level. There he also developed and organized an effective parent support group. He taught Middle School Instrumental Music for two years where he developed a jazz curriculum for the students. Finally, he taught Elementary Instrumental and General Music for four years, during which he developed a fourth grade exploratory instrumental music curriculum.

Gregory has dedicated many years to supporting not only his students but the community as a whole. He has provided musical performances for many community events, as well as for visiting dignitaries. Gregory also worked with many community members on producing a band review, which attracted groups from over 40 schools in the region. Through his leadership, both Merced High School and Golden Valley High School have performed in the Pasadena Rose Parade. Gregory organized a non-profit parent organization to help raise funds for music students.

Gregory is not only part of the local music scene but he is involved in many national music organizations. He has served on the board of both the International Association of Jazz Educators as well as the Northern California Band Association. He holds professional affiliations with the following organizations: Jazz Educators Network, California Teachers Association, California Music Educators Association and California Band Directors Association.

Throughout his involvement, he has been recognized for his work and dedication to his community and students. In both 1998 and 2005, he received the Northern California Band Director of the Year. He has also received Outstanding Band Director plaques at fifteen different band reviews. Merced County has recognized his work in music education by honoring him with the Teacher of the Year Award in 2008, Superintendent Recognition Award in 2009 and the Rotary Teacher of the Year Award in 2009.

Gregory was not only dedicated to his current students but the future of music education as well. He served as Master Teacher and mentor for many Student Teachers during his career. He provided opportunities for graduated students to work with and teach present students. Gregory also provided clinics at conferences for new teachers dealing with selecting repertoire, instrumentation and marching band organization.

Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in honoring Gregory Christiansen for his dedication to music education and our community as a whole.

Mr. Speaker, it is with great honor that I rise today to recognize Anita Hellam on her 10th anniversary with the Stanislaus County Habitat for Humanity and her dedication to the residents of Stanislaus County.

Ms. Hellam began her housing career as an advocate for safe and affordable housing for Latino field and cannery works in Stanislaus County. Due to her efforts, twenty-seven units of affordable housing were developed and she worked to develop the Workforce Development Program to transition low skilled workers into higher paying jobs in the construction trade. Ms. Hellam worked with ten public and private institutions/agencies to take the program from concept to a sustainable program which has become a part of Modesto Junior College's technical education program. Due to the work done by Ms. Hellam, hundreds of English language learners have been able to increase their skill sets, while finding higher paying jobs in a dynamic industry.

Ms. Hellum was a founding board member and organizer of the Stanislaus County Continuum of Care. She worked closely, as a volunteer grant writer, with the Housing Authority writing the application that wrapped around all of the individual submissions to HUD. Ms. Hellam worked on the original two HUD applications which resulted in nearly $2 million to Stanislaus County for housing and services to hundreds of citizens at risk of homelessness.

Ms. Hellum served as a Program Manager with the Stanislaus County Affordable Housing agency providing transition housing for mentally ill individuals. In less than two years, she was able to secure approximately $1.5 million to acquire and rehabilitate a fifty unit apartment complex and a twenty unit scattered site development, which is supported with services by Behavioral Health and Recovery Services. These units will remain affordable through 2040.

Before accepting the position with Habitat for Humanity, Ms. Hellum worked with Renewed Pathways which provides transitional housing to emancipated youth. She continues to volunteer with the organization and offers free grant writing and consulting services to ensure the continuation of the program for the youth in Stanislaus County.

Since taking on the role of Executive Director with Habitat for Humanity, Ms. Hellum has brought in almost $15 million to create affordable homeownership opportunities for the poor and working class citizens of Stanislaus County. Specifically this created seventy zero interest new home loans and more than 50 new homes were built. Under her direction, the agency contracted with the local college on three separate occasions to revitalize some of the most economically distressed neighborhoods using funding from the HUD HSIAC program. Ms. Hellum worked closely with HUD to gain certification for Housing Counseling Services, becoming the first Habitat for Humanity in the seven Western states to gain this designation. They have assisted more than one thousand individuals with a range of pre and post purchase needs.

Under Ms. Hellum's leadership, the Stanislaus County Habitat for Humanity has inaugurated two retail stores called ReStore, which created approximately fifteen new jobs and provides accessibility to low priced merchandise to the community for home maintenance and repair. The program has given donors a green means of ridding themselves of unwanted or unneeded materials that would have otherwise ended up in the landfill. Ms. Hellum also created the Windows of Hope program, which is designed to help low-income homeowners through Stanislaus County replace broken and non-energy efficient windows with efficient windows. More than two thousand windows are distributed annually. Ms. Hellum has increased the agency's profile in the community and the sustainability by increasing the bottom line of the organization by approximately $7 million despite the sharp increase in services to the community.

Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me, and the Stanislaus County Habitat for Humanity, in honoring a truly wonderful member of our community, Anita Hellum.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of my dear friend, Mr. Francisco ``Frank'' Alvarez. He passed suddenly this week and his passing is a devastating loss to our entire community. Frank served as the Deputy District Attorney for the Stanislaus County District Attorney's office.

Frank was born July 13, 1954, in East Los Angeles. Mr. Alvarez served four years in the Air Force as a teletype repairman before starting his law career. He began working at the District Attorney's office in 1990. He prosecuted a number of misdemeanor and felony crimes from domestic violence to consumer fraud. Frank secured the first conviction against a gang member who violated the south Modesto gang injunction as a prosecutor for the gang unit; however, he spent the better part of his career--10 years--in the juvenile division.

``While he always made sure the young people were accountable for their actions, he was also very much focused on rehabilitation,'' said Ruben Villalobos, a defense attorney and a friend of Mr. Alvarez's. ``There are a lot of young people who moved beyond their criminal behavior because of Frank.''

In addition to his work at the District Attorney's office, Frank Alvarez served the community both as an advocate and also as the Commander of the American GI Forum. As a veteran, Frank knew how important service to our nation is. His life was an example to others. He was selfless and never hesitated to help a young person realize their goals and strive for success. Frank was known throughout our community for his outstanding community service.

He has also served on a number of boards and committees, including the Girl Scouts, the Juvenile Justice Advisory Committee, the Stanislaus County Board of Supervisors Mental Health Board and the Turlock Unified School District Criminal Justice Committee. Since 1992, he participated in the Stanislaus County Mock Trial competition and has helped organize the Fourth of July parade, Veterans Day parade and Cinco de Mayo parade.

He recently was appointed as a member on the California Mexican- American War Memorial and was the commander of the American

GI Forum. The organization raises money for scholarships for veterans and future military, but Mr. Alvarez and another member had the idea of starting a scholarship for teachers to help augment the money they pay out of pocket for classroom costs.

``He was a district attorney, but he was real down to earth,'' said Fred Garcia, an American GI Forum vice commander. ``He never was assuming. He could deal with people from all walks of life, from homeless people to dignitaries.''

Mr. Alvarez is survived by his wife, Sandra; daughter, Tanya; brothers Carlos, Alex and Luis; and sister, Sylvia, as well as nine nieces and nephews.

Please join me in honoring the life of Frank Alvarez and his dedication to our nation and community. He will be missed by all of us as we look to comfort his family during this difficult time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize KATM Kat Country 103, a country music radio station located in the 18th Congressional District of California. The station recently won two national awards in the country music industry. It was honored as the 2011 Station of the Year at the Country Music Association Awards as well as at the 2012 Academy of Country Music Awards. Both accolades are highly prestigious and speak volumes of Kat Country's performance.

Debuting on the air on April 4, 1992, Kat Country 103 has been providing country music to the Valley for over fifteen years. Kat Country 103 serves listeners from Sacramento to Merced and from the Foothills to the Bay Area. Under the slogan ``Continuous Country Favorites and Fun,'' it provides listeners with radio music, host concerts and events for fans, and participates in many charitable events as well. Kat Country is owned by Cumulus Media and is under the direction of Nikki Thomas, Program Manager.

Kat Country 103 received the news of its nomination for the Country Music Association's award through a telephone call from country sensation Taylor Swift. Kat Country 103 was the first to interview Swift when she broke into the country music business.

Beyond providing music to its listeners, Kat Country 103 also strives to give back to the community and to those in need. Every year, it works with the Make-A-Wish Foundation by holding a telethon to raise money for the organization. It's hosted several charity concerts to support St. Jude's Children's Cancer Research Hospital and even collected donations of thirty-six million pennies for the hospital. In addition, every year at Christmastime it participates in the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation drive, collecting toys and gifts for disadvantaged children in the community. The station also supports the Second Harvest Food Bank, the American Cancer Society, and countless other organizations. It also recognizes and thanks its dedicated listeners by throwing an annual Listener Appreciation Concert. To show its sincere appreciation of support, the station invites nearly 20,000 listeners to attend an all-day concert, absolutely free. It has had such performers as Toby Keith, Taylor Swift, Blake Shelton, The Band Perry and countless others. This year it will welcome Montgomery Gentry as their opening act.

Please join me in congratulating Kat Country 103 and its staff on the recognition of their Country Music Association and Academy of Country Music Awards. They are a very deserving country music radio station and I am proud to have served them in the 18th California Congressional District.

Mr. Speaker, we rise today to recognize the chartering of the Riverbank Lions Club and its chartering members for their commitment to community and humanitarian service.

Lions Club International was founded in 1917 by a group of business leaders who desired working towards the betterment of their community and the world. Boasting over 46,000 clubs and 1.35 million members, it is now the world's largest service organization. Together, they strive to promote the organization's mission to ``empower volunteers to serve their communities, meet humanitarian needs, encourage peace, and promote international understanding.'' Through community volunteer work, implementing programs to encourage good health and youth empowerment, as well as community and environmental awareness programs, they are truly working to make the world a better place to live.

On May 5, 2012, the Riverbank Lions Club joined this prestigious organization with the chartering of its chapter in Riverbank, California. This group will undoubtedly uphold the Lions' vision and help those in need through community service and fundraising projects.

Members of the chartering club are: Linda Abid-Cummings, Annabelle Aguilar, Tom Aja, Mia Alcala-Van Houten, Cynthia Avila, Lynette Bradley, James ``Doc'' Dachenhaus, Charlie Grom, Carrie Higby, Patty Hughes, Chip Langman, Sharon Langman, Don Langman, Laura Wilson, Leta Larkin, Sandy Lucas, Dotty Nygard, Billy Powell, Bill Redford, Jennifer Redford, Dawn Rios, Angie Timpone, and Joe Timpone.

Mr. Speaker, we thank you for the opportunity to honor the Riverbank Lions Club here today. Further, we appreciate you joining us in congratulating its members on the chartering of their new chapter and to recognize their commitment to service.

Mr. Speaker, together with Congressman Jim Costa, I rise today to recognize Mr. Lloyd Roduner on the event of his retirement as Chairman and Division Five Director for the Lower San Joaquin Levee District.

Lloyd was born in Merced in 1932 and grew up on his family's farm. He graduated from Merced High School where he served as the student body president. Lloyd then went on to attend Cal Poly on a scholastic scholarship. After college, Lloyd served in the Army from 1952 1954. He was stationed in San Diego and served as a food inspector. When he left the Army, he went back to work at his family's ranch.

Lloyd, along with his brother Richard, runs the family business, W.P. Roduner Cattle & Farming Company. He was also a member of the California Beef Council and the California Cattlemen's Association. In addition, he was the charter president of the El Nido Lion's Club in 1964.

Lloyd faithfully served the Lower San Joaquin Levee District since October 1985. Through his wisdom, vision and leadership he earned the respect of local, State and Federal officials and entities in support of the District. In doing this he was able to lead and guide other directors, staff and personnel in operating and maintaining the District in the most efficient and economical way possible. He always kept in mind the benefits of the District for its landowners.

Lloyd has a passion for horses and roping which he learned from his father. He was an accomplished showman of horses since he was fifteen and just retired from this five years ago. Many generations of his family are ropers and as soon as his grandchildren were old enough, he taught them. Lloyd has been married to his wife, Patricia, since 1955. They have two children, Michael and Lloydeen, and eight grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Mr. Speaker, along with Congressman Jim Costa, I ask that my colleagues join me in honoring Mr. Lloyd Roduner for his years of dedication and service to the Lower San Joaquin Levee District.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor my friend, Dr. Hanimireddy Lakireddy on the event of his 70th Birthday.

Dr. Lakireddy is a well known and respected doctor in Merced, California. He is the owner and cardiologist at Merced Heart Associates. He is also a physician and surgeon with University Surgery Center. He became the first cardiologist in Merced in 1984. Dr. Lakireddy earned his medical degree from Oasmania Ganshi Kakatiya Medical College.

Dr. Lakireddy is a major supporter of the tenth University of California campus in Merced. Along with his wife, Vijaya, he generously gave a one million dollar gift to name the Classroom Auditorium and enabled the campus to enhance the main lecture hall to provide a performance-based venue for campus events. A leader in the medical and East Indian community, Dr. Lakireddy has helped cultivate numerous gifts to the campus. He not only helps the campus through monetary donations, but he lends his support as a member of the Board of Trustees.

Dr. Lakireddy has a philanthropic goal to promote the virtue of education in the community. He sponsors a scholarship at Merced High School in honor of his parents. He donated one million dollars to Merced College to establish the Dr. Lakireddy School of Health Sciences which offers vocational certificates, vocational nursing, nurse assistant, emergency medical technology, registered nursing and sports medicine. He was awarded Philanthropist of the Year by the Merced community in 2006.

Dr. Lakireddy not only lends his support to the Merced community but he also continues to help those in Southern India. He has funded several schools, hospitals and a sports complex in two poverty stricken cities, Velvadam and Mylavaram. In addition, Dr. Lakireddy runs a pension program in Velvadam where he promised that ``as long as I live, not a single person will go hungry.''

Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in honoring my good friend, Dr. Hanimireddy Lakireddy for his civic engagement and support for the community.

Mr. Speaker, I am delighted to rise today in order to recognize the sixty-fourth anniversary of Israel's independence. After 2,000 years the Jewish people regained their independence with the establishment of the State of Israel on April 26, 1948.

Israel was conceived during a dark time for the Jewish people and for the world, but because of their steadfast vision and perseverance they have become a beacon of prosperity and hope for the entire world to follow.

For sixty-four years the United States and Israel have been unwavering partners. We share an unbreakable bond based in mutual respect, shared values, and the ideal of equal opportunity for all. Our two nations have worked together side by side to promote respect for human rights and to ensure a more secure and stable world for all.

As President Obama has said, and as I have said so many times before, the security of Israel is of paramount importance, and our support for that security is unbreakable. We should take this occasion to reinforce this bond and renew our commitment into the future.

It is also fitting to take this occasion to focus on the future of a lasting peace. As I and my colleagues have repeatedly said, the only path to a lasting peace is through direct negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians that lead to a two-state solution. We must also acknowledge that a lasting peace cannot be achieved while a contingent within the Palestinian Government does not recognize Israel's right to exist. The State of Israel has existed for sixty-four years and will continue to endure. It is time all factions within the Palestinian Government acknowledge this so that we can move forward to achieve peace for a region that so greatly desires it.

Mr. Speaker, Israel has much to be proud of today. On this day of independence, I congratulate the people of Israel for their perseverance and for the hope of a brighter future as our two nations continue down a path of prosperity and peace for years to come.