Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Assyrian American Civic Club of Turlock, as they celebrate their 65th anniversary and commemorate the Centennial of Assyrians settling in Turlock.

Dr. Isaac Adams, an Assyrian medical missionary, established the Turlock Assyrian colony in 1910 with 45 people who were members of his own family and relatives from Canada, plus some settlers he had recruited from Chicago and points East. Beginning in 1920, refugees from the holocaust of World War 2 began to arrive in Turlock. Poor as they were, the Turlock Assyrians sent money to bring over family members who survived the war. By 1930, twenty percent of Turlock's population was Assyrian. Most Assyrians concentrated, for the most part, on living in peace and making an honest living.

The civic club today has over 1,200 family members and is involved in many Assyrian civic and national activities. They participate in the Assyrian Martyr Day, on August 7th, in commemoration of the Assyrians massacred during the 20th century, and the Assyrian New year at the start of the Spring season. The club also has a beautiful national choir and orchestra which promotes the Assyrian culture and heritage through concerts conducted throughout the United States. The Assyrian American Civic Club of Turlock has worked diligently to assist not only their own community but the surrounding area as well and is a tremendous source of pride to all of us.

For the past sixty-five years, the Assyrian American Civic Club of Turlock has been focused on serving the interests of the large and ever-increasing Assyrian population while also being actively involved in the valley communities. Their main objective is to promote unity, education, good citizenship and peace for all. The Assyrians are excellent members of the community and fine examples to our youth of individuals who display civic pride and dedication. I am proud to say that many members of the Assyrian American Civic Club of Turlock have become close personal friends of mine.

Please join me in congratulating the Assyrian American Civic Club of Turlock on their 65th Anniversary and commemorating the Centennial of Assyrians settling in Turlock.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize MarJo Rivinius in the event of her retirement after thirty-eight years of dedicated service as Association Executive for the Lodi Association of Realtors.

MarJo was born and raised in Gackle, North Dakota. Her parents owned a local grocery store where she worked while growing up. MarJo attended local schools and graduated with a teaching degree from Jamestown College in North Dakota. She moved with her parents to the Santa Rosa area after college and got her first teaching job in Potter Valley.

MarJo married her high school sweetheart, Dennis in 1960. Dennis was in the Navy and stationed in Florida where she joined him after they were married. This was an eye opening experience for a girl from North Dakota. She learned about southern food, grits and segregation.

MarJo and Dennis moved to Lodi in 1961, where they have lived for the past 50 years. Over the years, MarJo has been involved in many activities associated with their two daughters, Pam and Denise. She is a past Campfire Girls Leader, 4-H Project Leader and also served on the original Lodi-Tokay Band Review Committee. She is a long-time member of Emmanuel Lutheran Church where she serves on the Finance Committee. MarJo is also an enthusiastic supporter of her five grandchildren's activities.

MarJo went to work for the Lodi Association for Realtors in 1974, where she has served as the Association Executive for the past 38 years. She has participated in the Association Executive's Committee for the California Association of Realtors during that time. MarJo has served the Association with the utmost of integrity and professionalism.

Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in honoring MarJo Rivinius for her dedication to the Lodi Association of Realtors and our community as a whole.

Thank you, Representative Deutch. You are not just a friend but a great colleague.

Before she leaves the Chamber, I just want to associate myself with Congresswoman Berkley's remarks. The gentlewoman from Nevada has been a stalwart for the State of Israel. She is absolutely and unequivocally correct on this issue, and I will gladly cosponsor your bill.

Mr. Deutch, thank you for putting together this Special Order this evening. As you all know, the Palestinian Authority has stated that it will submit, or it's intending to submit, to the U.N. Secretary General Ban ki-Moon a resolution requesting recognition of Palestinian statehood.

As President Obama said today in his speech before the U.N. General Assembly, the bonds between the United States and Israel are unbreakable, as our commitment is to the security of Israel.

And as I and my colleagues in Congress expressed earlier this year, when there was an overwhelmingly passed House Resolution 268, the only path to a lasting peace is through direct negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians that leads to a two-state solution.

Lasting peace will not come by playing destabilizing and damaging political games at the United Nations. A unilateral approach to Palestinian statehood will surely fail at the United Nations. It will fail, and in failing it will harm the bilateral negotiation process that is the only way to bring about a lasting peace.

A lasting peace cannot be achieved while a contingent within the Palestinian Government does not recognize Israel's right to exist. A lasting peace cannot be achieved while rockets are being fired into Israel, threatening her children and her people.

I was there with Mr. Deutch just days after an anti-tank rocket was shot into a yellow school bus. I ask every American watching tonight and those around the world to think what they would do if the State of Mexico fired on a school bus in El Paso and the response that we as a country would pursue.

A lasting peace cannot be achieved while the same group firing those rockets into Israel is actively trying to define Israel's borders so that those rockets would then strike major populated areas.

Finally, Mr. Speaker, a lasting peace cannot be achieved when one party fundamentally refuses to negotiate the terms of peace.

I call upon President Abbas to do what's right for both the Palestinian people, the Israeli people, and the world and to not put political gamesmanship ahead of a lasting peace. I call upon him to return to a negotiating table and to give up this spurious, dangerous, and damaging game.

You are absolutely correct, Mr. Deutch, and the visions of those scared mothers talking to us in their community by the bus stop, a shelter that has to be reinforced by concrete so that they can somewhat protect their children on the way to school, is the reason why we must act for a lasting peace, if no other than that.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Fluetsch & Busby Insurance, celebrating 100 years of quality service to the residents of Merced County.

Fluetsch & Busby was founded in 1912 by H.S. Shaffer, grandfather to Peter Fluetsch and great grandfather to Doug Fluetsch and Jeannie Fluetsch Bliss, the current proprietors. Mr. Shaffer was an insurance agent, realtor, District Attorney and Superior Court Judge for Merced County. The Shaffer Building still stands on the corner of ``M'' and Main Streets as a tribute to this prominent local citizen.

In 1934, the Shaffer Insurance Agency was changed to the Fluetsch & Shaffer Insurance Agency by second generation business owner, John J. Fluetsch. Then, in the 40's, John changed the name to Fluetsch Insurance Agency. Soon thereafter, Ralph Busby joined the company in 1949 after graduating from UC Berkeley.

Peter Fluetsch, joined the insurance company in 1955 after graduating from Menlo College and in doing so, became the third generation to work for the family business. Peter married the beautiful Catherine Bacciarini and together they raised 5 children while Peter and Ralph Busby continued to build the agency. Peter was an active member of the community who spent forty-two Decembers riding around the county dressed as Santa Claus delivering candy to disabled children.

After John Fluetsch passed away in 1966, the name was changed to Fluetsch & Busby Insurance Agency. Today, Fluetsch & Busby Insurance is a thriving business led by the fourth generation, Doug Fluetsch and his sister Jeannie Fluetsch Bliss. They are proud to continue the family legacy of business integrity, success and caring for our community. They support many community organizations including the Merced High Key Cub, Mercy Medical Center Foundation, Kiwanis Club, Merlock Athletic Association, the MERCO Cycling Classic, SCORE, United Way, the Greater Merced Chamber of Commerce, the Merced County Chamber of Commerce, the Citizens for the Betterment of Merced County, Merced Boosters, Boy Scouts of America and many others.

I would like to join my colleagues in congratulating Fluetsch & Busby Insurance for 100 years of success and dedication to the residents of Merced County.

Mr. Speaker, unfortunately, I was unable to vote on H.R. 1892, the Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012 because of road closures caused by flooding in and around my home. The roads were impassable, and I regret that I could not be present for votes. Had I been present, I would have voted ``aye'' on final passage.

Personal explanation

Mr. Speaker, it is with the greatest respect that I rise today to recognize my friend, Bill Mattos, who is being recognized with the Golden Rooster Award from the California Poultry Federation for his outstanding service to California's Poultry Industry and whose dedication and inspiration is an example for all of us to follow.

Bill was born and raised on a farm in Stanislaus County. He is an honors graduate of California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo where he was named Outstanding Graduate in Journalism. He also holds a Master's degree in Agricultural Journalism from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He currently lives in Newman and is the proud father to two daughters, Toni and Natalie.

Bill was the Founder and former President of Mattos Newspapers, Inc., where he operated a local newspaper and printing company for 30 years. He currently hosts a cable television program, ``Westside Stories,'' which features monthly interviews with elected officials, non-profit executives and leaders throughout Stanislaus and Merced County communities.

Bill has served our community through many different facets of government and community service. Bill was appointed by the Governor to the Stanislaus County Fair Board and

has been working extensively on livestock and fair issues for the last 17 years. Prior to his appointment, Bill was a former Stanislaus County Supervisor. He also worked for the USDA Undersecretary Earl Butz and served as a White House Intern in the Nixon Administration.

Bill is the current President of the California Poultry Federation where he manages the affairs of the meat poultry industry with emphasis in governmental relations, public affairs, public relations, animal welfare and marketing. He also works with agricultural and business groups throughout the West Coast as well as Washington, DC to promote and advocate for business and industry in California. Bill is known across the nation as a leader on poultry issues and his effectiveness has been critical to the success and growth of the California Poultry Federation.

Bill takes an active role in his local community in addition to his commitments with the California Poultry Federation. He is a past chairman of the Doctors Medical Center Board of Governors, Past President of the Stanislaus State University Foundation Board, member of the Dean's Advisory Board of the School of Agriculture at the University of California, Davis, Executive Committee Member of the Valley Coalition for UC Merced's Medical School, Former President of the Newman Rotary and the Newman Chamber of Commerce, and Former California Chairman of the National Newspaper Association.

Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in honoring my good friend, Mr. Bill Mattos, for his leadership, dedication, and outstanding service to our community and the California Poultry Federation.

Mr. Speaker, it is with great sadness that I rise today to honor my friend, the late David L. Widell.

David L. Widell was a passionate supporter of political solutions to a host of California's Conservation issues. Unfortunately, one of our greatest wetlands advocates passed away far too early. Dave, General Manager and Director of Governmental Affairs of Grassland Water District, was without equal in his passion about Central Valley wetlands' water issues.

Dave was a native son to California, born in Watsonville and raised in Los Banos. Dave grew up hunting and fishing from the Valley floor to the Sierras. He would often recount getting the special excuse slips from Los Banos High School on traditional Wednesday duck hunts.

Dave was no stranger to local politics and issues having graduated from Los Banos High School in 1985 and Modest Junior College in 1987, before attaining a BA degree in political history from UC Davis in 1990. He was a former field representative to Assemblyman Rusty Areias; City of Los Banos Planning Commissioner; and Director on the Merced County Farm Bureau Board. In 1992, following service in the United States Air Force, he joined the Grassland Water District as Assistant General Manager.

Dave was a strong supporter of the Grasslands Ecological Complex and pushed for fair landscape planning. He fought several large urban developments that would have divided the Grasslands and caused fragmentation of wetland habitats.

Dave spent the majority of his life devoted to conservation organizations. In 1998, he left the District to spread his wings at California Waterfowl Association where he served as Chief Deputy Director of Governmental Affairs. After leaving CWA, Dave moved on to serve as Deputy Director of State Parks in charge of ORVs and then Assistant Secretary at the California Resources Agency under both Davis and Schwarzenegger administrations. He joined Ducks Unlimited as Director of Conservation Policy for the Pacific Flyway, before returning to the District in 2007 as General Manager.

Dave fought for legal water rights of the Grasslands and Central Valley wetlands. He co-authored an important chapter for the Central Valley Joint Venture on water for wetlands and wildlife-friendly agriculture. It is with some joy that he knew he had helped reach full supply of wetland water for the first time in over 20 years. Dave was as comfortable in the Halls of Congress as he was in an old duck shack.

Sharing his knowledge of wing shooting or fly fishing with youth or novices was one of Dave's pleasures. He was most proud of the skills his son Ty developed in the outdoors and the intellectual challenges he has achieved by matriculating to Purdue University.

The unique combination of knowledge, political resolve, and dedication the Dave brought to the District will remain unmatched. Dave's

jovial demeanor and laugh will remain with us. As we reflect fondly on the relationships Dave made and the partnerships he formed in his quest to defend the Grasslands from degradation, we also remember how he touched our lives. When a flock of ducks sails across the sky this fall, think of Dave.

Mr. Speaker, it is with the greatest respect and admiration that I rise today to honor Faustino Adame, Jr. who is a dedicated community member and a proud veteran of the United States Marine Corps.

Born January 27, 1947 in French Camp, California to Faustino Adame and Lupe Gutierrez, Tino is the eldest of four brothers and one adopted sister. Tino is the proud member of a family of veterans. His Father and his brother Joe are Marine Corps Veterans, his brother Frank is an Air Force Veteran, and his brother Henry an Army Veteran.

As a young man Tino attended Jefferson, Roosevelt and Fremont Junior Highs before graduating from Franklin High School in 1965. He went on to attend San Joaquin Delta College before joining the Marine Corps at the age of 19 on January 18, 1966.

Tino served as a Small Arms Proof Technician during the Vietnam War where he was wounded while participating in operation ``Prairie'' in Dong Ha Vietnam. Tino was discharged from the Marine Corps on October 31, 1967 and was awarded the Purple Heart Medal, a Rifle Marksman Badge, the Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, National Defense Service Medal, and the Good Conduct Medal.

Upon completing his military service, Tino began working for Tracy Defense Depot and married his wife, Mary Hope Lopez in June, 1970. Tino and Mary have been married for 45 years and though they do not have any children of their own--they have many nieces and nephews and more than 20 god-children.

Tino is an active and proud veteran, who served as the first Latino Commander of the Karl Ross Post 16 in Stockton, California. He also served as Chairman of the 4th of July parade, Memorial Day Ceremony and Veterans Day Ceremony and assisted in coordinating and carrying out many other events at the post.

Mr. Speaker, Tino Adame, is truly an outstanding individual who served his country, his family and his community with the utmost honor, compassion and dignity. I respectfully ask my colleagues to rise and join me in recognizing his service and dedication.

Mr. Speaker, it is with great sadness that I rise today to honor the late Richard Parsley. Rick passed away peacefully on July 25, 2011.

Rick was born in Atwater, California on November 30, 1949. He graduated from Atwater High School. He joined the Navy at the age of 17 and served his country with a tour of duty in Vietnam where he was awarded a bronze star.

Rick began a career as a local merchant but learned that business was not where his passion lied and he was a person who refused to live life without passion. In his late 30's, he set out to become an educator, where he found his calling. Rick spent many years as a dedicated teacher, principal and administrator.

Many people have said how Rick profoundly influenced their lives and they considered him to be their mentor. His pure passion for life inspired others to live the same way. Rick always encouraged others to strive for a better life. He lived a life of passion for the things he loved including spending time on the water in his boat with his friends and family.

Though Rick's life ended much too soon, it was a life complete in so many ways. He is survived by the love of his life, Mae Pierini; his daughter Lori and Lori's husband Jason; his son Jeff and Jeff's wife Jen; stepsons Santi and Michael; Michael's wife Azeb; stepdaughter Shelli and Shelli's husband Jason; his seven grandchildren: Maren, Madison, Santi, Gianni, Hanna, Maya, Lucca; and so many who called him a friend.

Mr. Speaker, the recognition that I am offering today before the House of Representatives for Richard Parsley 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 honor and remember a great American, Ms. Linda Lopez, a treasured member of my staff, who passed away over the Fourth of July weekend. It is somewhat appropriate that that was the weekend that she passed away since she was such an honorable and patriotic lady. Her services will be held today and in our hometown that we shared.

Linda was not only a dedicated constituent services representative; she was a tireless advocate and community leader in Merced, California. Born in New Mexico, Linda moved to California's Central Valley in 1955 where she attended public school in Madera and then later attended Stanford University. For the past 40 years, she was involved in civil rights and social justice work, and was considered one of the most influential Latina Americans in the Central Valley.

Linda's community leadership included serving on the City of Merced's Redevelopment Agency Gateway Projects Citizens' Advisory Committee, the City of Merced's Planning Commission, and several City of Merced ad hoc committees. She also served on the San Joaquin Valley Partnership Telecommunications Committee and the California State Advisory Board for Transportation Planning and Environmental Justice.

Linda Lopez was also an alumnae of the Great Valley Center's IDEAL inaugural class, Hispanas Organized for Political Equality, and Leadership Merced. Not surprising, given her devotion to her community, Linda was named the 1998-99 Hispanic Woman of the Year by the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.

Linda joined my Merced district staff in 2006 as a constituent services representative, acting as my eyes and ears in the community. She worked on thousands of cases and helped thousands of people. She never let go of a case she believed needed work, and was meritorious. Linda prided herself on giving 100 percent to everyone who walked in the office regardless of their political party, the color of their skin, what they believed or didn't believe. She believed everybody deserved to be treated well. It was not unusual for Linda to work late nights and weekends, to make home visits to elderly constituents needing assistance, or to follow up with a phone call long after she had done her best to resolve a case.

The hallmark of Linda's work was her unbelievable compassion; and she was appreciated not just by the people she helped, but by her community as a whole. Linda's passion for making a difference set her apart from many others. She offered a kind smile and a compassionate ear to everyone she came in contact with. Often Linda's relationship with other community members evolved into a mentorship program, and as her legacy, she asked that there be established a leadership scholarship in her name. Linda guided many other aspiring community activists in her passion and her efforts to serve others.

In addition to her role as a public servant, Linda was a wife and mother, and her beautiful family will miss her dearly. Linda Lopez made Merced, California, a better place to live, work, and raise a family.

Mr. Speaker, I am very proud today to call her a member of Team Cardoza, and even more proud to call her a friend.

Mr. Speaker, thank you for this opportunity to honor this great American, Linda Lopez, for her work, for her tireless efforts on behalf of our community, and for her work on behalf of our country.

I would now like to yield to my good friend, the gentleman from Florida, for the remainder of my hour.

Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Chairman, I rise today to offer an amendment that would remove onerous requirements on properties that already have existing flood protection and would prevent unnecessary economic harm to communities already struggling to recover.

My amendment strikes the language in the legislation requiring FEMA to include on its flood maps areas of residual risk. I'm offering this amendment because large areas across the country, such as large parts of the Central Valley and Los Angeles and Orange Counties, are already protected by existing levees and have no history of flooding, but would find themselves in newly designated ``residual risk'' floodplains under H.R. 1309. Such a policy would essentially map the entire area in the new residual risk flood zone as though the levee that had been protecting the community for years had never existed. This would have a significant economic impact, and in many cases more than double the insurance premiums of those regions throughout the country.

In the area I represent of Stockton, California, and other affected areas of the San Joaquin Valley, this bill would place in the floodplain an additional 280,000 people who currently have flood protection provided by significant levees.

In 1995, annual premium payments were estimated at $30 million. The CBO estimates that rates will more than double under this bill, totaling an estimated $68 million in annual premiums from the greater Stockton area alone. Floodplain building restrictions for these protected areas would have an even greater impact on the cost of construction. These building restrictions would substantially increase the cost of home construction and severely impact housing affordability at a time when the housing market is already on life support in my area.

For my district and many other districts across the country, entire communities would be mapped into the floodplain. Mapping areas that have existing flood protection for residual risk effectively amounts to double taxation of these regions, where citizens are paying taxes to the local flood control agencies and then having to pay additional flood insurance as well as a result of being mapped into these areas.

This mapping requirement would also remove an important incentive for State and local governments to invest in flood control projects. If communities will still have to buy flood insurance after they improve and protect their communities, then why would they devote precious resources to these expensive projects? The cost benefits just simply wouldn't exist.

Mr. Chairman, at this point, I would like to yield 1 minute to my colleague from California (Mr. McNerney).

Mr. Chairman, I urge my colleagues to vote for this commonsense amendment and prevent undue economic harm to our communities.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. Chair, I rise to strike the last word.

Mr. Chair, I rise today to object to the offset in the Energy and Water Development Appropriations Bill that rescinds all unobligated funds for the High Speed and Intercity Passenger Rail program. This is funding that has been appropriated by Congress and awarded to worthy projects. Pulling it back now would break our commitment to our state partners, and cause costly delays for these job-creating infrastructure projects.

In opposing this bait-and-switch to high speed rail funding for our states, I am in no way discounting the need for emergency disaster relief for our friends in the South and Midwest who have survived catastrophic flooding and tornadoes this spring. Additionally, I've consistently been a champion of deficit reduction, believing firmly that we need to pay for what we spend.

However, I rise today to call attention to the absolute charade the majority is engaged in of requiring cuts to vital infrastructure investments to offset the cost of emergency spending. When this body appropriated funds for the victims of Hurricane Katrina, no other community was made to suffer. When this body appropriated funds for the victims of the California wildfires, no other community was made to suffer. When this body appropriated funds for the victims of the wildfires in Arizona, no other community was made to suffer. Yet, today, on the floor of this House, we are being asked to make a choice between one suffering community and another, for no reason at all.

Mr. Chair, I've come to the floor of this House numerous times explaining the dire economic situation facing my constituents. The foreclosure rate in my district is almost double the national average; three of the top ten cities in the country with the highest foreclosure rates are in my district. My district is home to three of the top ten communities with the highest unemployment in the nation. We have some of the highest poverty rates and lowest per capita income and educational levels in the nation. As if that weren't enough, the San Joaquin Valley also has some of the worst air quality in the nation. In a nutshell, there is no area in the United States that cries out for job-creating infrastructure investments more than my district.

Yet despite this incredible need, this bill proposes to eliminate $386 million dollars of funding for two rail infrastructure projects in my district, resulting in the elimination of over 10,000 direct jobs and an untold number that could be created by private economic development around the train stations. Further, recalling this funding would hobble a project that will ease traffic congestion and help to improve the air quality of my district. And this bill, for the first time, cuts funding for a regional and national priority in order to provide emergency relief. It is simply unconscionable to subjectively and maliciously force one community to suffer due to natural disaster somewhere else. It is simply unconscionable to make disaster relief for one region of the country come at the expense of a region that has been struggling for years due to the economic downturn. It is unconscionable and because of that, I urge my Colleagues to vote no on this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the dedication and hard work of Ms. Linda Lopez of Merced, California. Not only is Ms. Lopez a treasured member of my staff, she is a tireless advocate and community leader in the 18th Congressional District.

Born in New Mexico, Linda moved to California's Central Valley in 1955 where she attended public school in Madera and then later college at Stanford University. She has been involved in civil rights and social justice work for over 40 years and is considered among the influential Latinos in the Central Valley.

Linda's civic participation includes serving on the City of Merced's Redevelopment Agency Gateway Projects Citizen's Advisory Committee, City of Merced's Planning Commission, several City of Merced Ad Hoc Committees including Open Space and Parks, South Merced Specific Plan, CP-42 Park Project, Wastewater Advisory Committee. She has also served on the San Joaquin Valley Partnership Telecommunications Committee and the California State Advisory Board for Transportation Planning and Environmental Justice.

Linda Lopez is also an alumnae of the Great Valley Center's IDEAL inaugural class, Hispanas Organized for Political Equality and Leadership Merced. Linda was named the 1998-99 Hispanic Woman of the Year by the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.

Linda has held numerous positions in the community that include the Central Valley Opportunity Center, TV Guide Magazine, the National Park Service and worked with a variety of research companies. She is also a former employee of the Great Valley Center's Central Valley Digital Network working to introduce/enhance technology capacity in the Central Valley communities from Marysville to Bakersfield.

Linda has served as a Constituent Services Representative in my Merced District office since 2006 where she has worked hundreds of cases in her years of service. Linda prided herself on giving her time and energy to everyone that comes into my office seeking assistance. It was not unusual for Linda to work late nights and weekends to meet the needs of the constituents or schedule home visits for the elderly to assist them on matters for which they needed assistance. Linda's compassion is a hallmark for the work she does and it shows to not only the constituents but to the community at large. As a member of my staff, Linda has served as Field Representative where she would provide me updates and serves as my eyes and ears in the community.

Linda's passion for helping people and making a difference sets her apart from others. She offers to everyone she meets, kindness and compassion. Often times, Linda's relationship with other community members evolves into that of a mentorship, where Linda guides and mentors other aspiring community activists to find the passion and desire in themselves to serve the public.

In addition to her work as a public servant, Linda has her beautiful family for which she is so proud that include Ken, Emily and Jessica. Linda Lopez has made Merced, California a better place to live, work and raise our families. I am very proud to call her a member of Team Cardoza and more proud to call her a part of my family. Her compassion, leadership and dedication will serve our community and its children for many years to come.

Mr. Speaker, thank you for the opportunity to recognize this fine individual for her work and tireless efforts.

Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I stand before you today to honor Mr. Sung-Mo ``Steve'' Kang for his many years of dedicated service as Chancellor of the University of California, Merced, California's first research institution built in the 21st century and located within the 18th Congressional District of California. Steve Kang was appointed as the second permanent Chancellor of UC Merced on January 17, 2007 and began serving at the beginning of March of the same year. During his four year tenure as chancellor, Steve's leadership made many immense and lasting contributions to the university and to the community. It is an honor to recognize the work of Chancellor Kang--a tireless advocate for education and research, a champion for the community, and a leader and friend to Merced.

Chancellor Kang's insightful vision for the campus, his commitment to cultivating and inspiring students and researchers, and his unyielding devotion to his role as chancellor truly paved the way for the development of an outstanding university. A sample of UC Merced's key accomplishments achieved under Chancellor Kang's leadership include: meeting all of the requirements for initial accreditation by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, developing and publishing the school's Strategic Academic Vision statement in 2009, continuing its commitment to sustainable development by raising the minimum level of performance for all new buildings to a Gold LEED rating, and seeing the diversity of the campus recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as a Hispanic-Serving Institution. Also under his guidance, UC Merced's Stem Cell Instrumentation Foundry opened in 2011, enabling innovations in biotechnologies that will lead to new discoveries about stem cells. A testament to his belief in providing quality and equal access education to all students, he secured commitments from the UC Office of the President to fund enrollment growth for the next three years. Of special note, Chancellor Kang has supported the vision for UC Merced's future as a medical teaching university and his actions are greatly instrumental in ensuring that it will one day serve as an independently accredited School of Medicine.

Steve's first love is teaching and he has inspired generations of successful students inside the classroom. Prior to taking his position at UC Merced, he served as a professor in electrical and computer engineering at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign from 1985 to 2000, becoming a department head in 1995. He taught as a visiting professor at several international universities, including the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, the University of Lausanne, and the Technical University of Munich. He also served as the Dean of the Baskin School of Engineering at the University of California, Santa Cruz, during which time he took a budding engineering program to significantly greater levels of achievement, ensuring its place among the nation's top engineering schools.

Steve Kang was raised in South Korea and moved to the United States after receiving a scholarship to the Fairleigh Dickinson University in Teaneck, New Jersey where he graduated summa cum laude with a degree in Electrical Engineering. He received his Masters of Science degree from the State University of New York at Buffalo and his doctorate from UC Berkeley. A master of his field, Kang has co-authored 11 books on the subjects of electrical and computer engineering, written over 350 technical papers, and has well over a dozen patents to his name. He has been recognized with numerous awards in education and research, including the Distinguished Korean-American Award in 2008, the IEEE Third Millennium Medal in 2000, and Outstanding Alumnus Award in Electrical Engineering from UC Berkeley in 2008.

Along with his passion for education, Steve Kang is also an advocate for the community. He is personally dedicated to the principle of providing educational opportunities to children from lower income families and expanding access to a UC-quality education. He serves on the UC Merced Foundation as President, the Great Valley Center as Chairman of the Board, and the Central Valley Higher Education Consortium as an executive board member. He, along with his wife Mia, have long carried the torch for the needs of the region, consistently looking out for the valley as a whole.

Mr. Speaker, at this time, I ask that you and my other distinguished colleagues join me in commending Chancellor Sung-Mo ``Steve'' Kang for his dedication and service as a leader at the University of California, Merced. Without his efforts, the university would not be the outstanding academic institution that it is today. His selflessness and lifelong commitment to education is worthy of the highest praise and it is my great privilege to pay tribute to and offer my sincerest appreciation to him today. Steve will be leaving UC Merced and returning to the classroom and although he will be greatly missed, I wholeheartedly wish him luck in every future endeavor. Steve Kang has made a lasting impression on the entirety of the Merced community, its faculty, and above all, its students. We will forever be indebted to his noble efforts in bringing excellence in education to the Central Valley.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today along with my colleagues Mr. Costa of California, Mr. McGovern of Massachusetts, and Mr. Cicilline of Rhode Island to recognize Dia de Portugal, and reiterate the strong bond between the United States and Portugal. Celebrated around the world on June 10th, Dia de Portugal recognizes the magnificent heritage of the Portuguese people and their descendents.

Contributing to the strong ties between the United States and Portugal are the sizable Portuguese communities in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Jersey, California, and Hawaii. The latest census estimates that 1.3 million individuals living in the United States are of Portuguese ancestry. There are also about 20,000 Americans living in Portugal.

A large percentage of Portuguese-Americans are descendents of immigrants who came from the Azores in the late 1950's after the islands experienced several volcanic eruptions and earthquakes, leaving many without homes. Thousands of victims were in need of aid, and the United States, in a gesture of international goodwill, allocated visas to the people of the Azores to find work and rebuild their lives in America. Since the Azores are known for their rich soil and temperate climate, many of the Portuguese refugees settled in regions of the United States that supported agriculture and dairy, such as the San Joaquin Valley in Central California. Many other Portuguese from the Azores settled in parts of the nation with burgeoning fishing industries, particularly in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and New York where they continued to diversify and contribute to the nation's economy and common heritage.

Modern day Portugal has been an integral member of the European Union (EU) and is a strong proponent of European integration. While Portugal held the presidency of the EU Council for the third time during the latter half of 2007, Portugal oversaw the signing of a new EU reform treaty, staged EU summits with Russia, India, and China, and held a second EU-Africa summit. Furthermore, Portugal is a founding member of NATO and continues to be an active member of the alliance.

Lastly, the defense relationship between the United States and Portugal is excellent, centered on the 1995 Agreement on Cooperation and Defense (ACD). For 50 years, Lajes Air Base in the Azores has played an important role in supporting U.S. military aircraft. Past missions have engaged in counter-terrorism and humanitarian efforts, including operations in Afghanistan and Iraq. Portugal often emphasizes its support for strong European ties with the United States, particularly on defense and security issues. Portugal sees its role as host of NATO's ``Joint Command Lisbon,'' located near Lisbon, as an important sign of alliance interest in transatlantic security issues.

Mr. Speaker, we celebrate all the accomplishments of the Portuguese and Portuguese Americans on this occasion, and wish everyone celebrating worldwide a joyous Dia de Portugal.