Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Judge Lawrence K. Karlton as he takes inactive status from the United States District Court, Eastern District of California. As his family, colleagues and community leaders gather to honor his remarkable career, I ask my colleagues to join me in tribute to Judge Karlton's service to the federal judiciary.

Judge Karlton graduated from New York University and Columbia School of Law, receiving his Juris Doctor in 1958. He joined the United States Army, serving from 1958 to 1960, and was a Civilian Legal Officer at the Sacramento Army Depot from 1960 to 1962. He was in private practice in Sacramento, California from 1962 to 1976. In 1976 he was appointed by California Governor Jerry Brown as a judge of the Superior Court of California, where he served until 1979. In 1979, President Jimmy Carter appointed Judge Karlton to the United States District Court for the Eastern District of California. Judge Karlton has served with distinction and integrity and was Chief Judge from 1983 to 1990. In 2010 he assumed Senior status.

Judge Karlton has dedicated his career to public service and has a steadfast commitment to our nation's judicial system. During his first year as Chief Judge, he convened the first annual Eastern District Conference to bring the bench and the bar together in an informal setting to discuss issues of mutual concern and to improve the administration of justice within the district, and the district has continued to hold annual conferences for over thirty years. Since being appointed to the federal bench over thirty-five years ago, Judge Karlton has presided over thousands of civil and criminal cases, including individual civil and criminal actions, multi-party civil and criminal actions, and complex class action lawsuits implicating significant questions of constitutional law and statutory interpretation. He has also sat by designation on several panels in the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. In addition, from 2007 until September 1, 2014, Judge Karlton sat with Judges Stephen Reinhardt and Thelton Henderson on a special three-judge panel overseeing reduction of unconstitutional overcrowding in the California prison system. In every case and on every panel, Judge Karlton has remained dedicated to the rule of law and the fair administration of equal justice for all.

Mr. Speaker, as Judge Karlton, his wife Sue, family, friends, and colleagues celebrate this transition, I ask that my colleagues join me in thanking and recognizing him for his many years of service. Judge Karlton has contributed immensely to the federal bench and our community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize CSHQA as its employees, clients, and supporters celebrate their 125th anniversary as a leading architecture and engineering firm; and their 25th anniversary in the Sacramento region. I ask my colleagues to join me in tribute to CSHQA and the service the company has and will continue to provide, to its clients in the Sacramento region and across the globe.

Beginning in 1889, CSHQA, then known as William S. Campbell Architects, was founded in Boise, Idaho. After World War II, Glen Cline and Neil Smull joined William S. Campbell Architects. They designed many renowned projects for Fortune 500 firms and a number of major universities. In the 1970's they were pleased to welcome Robert Hamill and Allen Quintieri to their team, becoming Cline Smull Hamill Quintieri Associates, they shortened their name to CSHQA.

In 1990, Sacramento was proud to welcome CSHQA. CSHQA has provided design services for a wide variety of retail, grocery, pharmacy, aviation, corrections, healthcare, assisted living, hospitality, and entertainment clients. Buildings designed by CSHQA cannot only be seen in California, but can be found across the country. CSHQA has also done work internationally in Alberta and British Columbia, Canada. CSHQA's attention to detail can be seen through the numerous awards they have received. Recently, CSHQA has excelled in green building practices, renewable energy projects and designing energy efficient and sustainable buildings. Their buildings have been awarded LEED Silver, Gold, and Platinum certifications for retail, educational, civic, healthcare, and multi-family projects. CSHQA has also been presented Green Globe certification.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to pay tribute to the CSHQA and their 125th anniversary as a leading architecture firm and their 25th anniversary in the Sacramento region. I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the celebration of both anniversaries, as they continue to serve clients across the globe.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Sacramento County Board of Supervisor Jimmie Yee as he retires from twenty years of public service. As Supervisor Yee's family, friends, and colleagues gather to celebrate his long list of accomplishments and retirement, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring this great individual who has served and contributed so much to the Sacramento region.

Supervisor Yee is a native of Sacramento and graduated from Sacramento High School. He went on to receive a Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil Engineering from the University of California at Berkeley. Supervisor Yee began his professional career in civil service with the California State Department of Transportation and co-founded one of the Sacramento Valley's largest engineering firms, Cole, Yee, Schubert and Associates. They provided design services for prestigious buildings throughout the Sacramento Region including the original Sacramento Convention Center, Capitol Bank of Commerce, Sacramento International Airport's terminal and loading gates, among many others.

In 1992, Supervisor Yee was elected to the Sacramento City Council beginning his career in public service. He served on the City Council for twelve years. In 1999, Supervisor Yee was named Mayor of Sacramento after the passing of Mayor Joe Serna. In 2006, he was elected to the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors. During his time on the Board, Supervisor Yee built on his legacy on the City Council and accomplished much for the Sacramento community, including the revitalization of Mather Airport and bringing EVA Flight Training Academy to Sacramento from Taiwan. Supervisor Yee has served with distinction on a number of regional boards, including the Sacramento Area Flood Control Agency and Sacramento Transportation Authority. He has also raised funds for a number of nonprofits, including the Sacramento Asian Sports Foundation.

Mr. Speaker, as Supervisor Yee's wife Mary, family, friends, and colleagues gather to recognize him for his many years of public and community service, serving on more than twenty-five governing and advisory bodies, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating and thanking him for his commitment to Sacramento and wishing him the best in retirement.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in tribute to Ms. Mary Healy, a valued community leader who recently passed away. Ms. Healy was the director and chief executive officer of the Sacramento Zoo as well as a leading advocate for engaging the community in the preservation and understanding of animals in their natural habitat. As her family, colleagues and friends gather to honor and remember her wonderful life, I ask all my colleagues to join me in saluting one of Sacramento's most respected figures.

Ms. Healy began her career in 1975 as a bird keeper at the Riverbanks Zoo and Garden in Columbia, South Carolina. Following a stint at the San Antonio Zoo and Walt Disney World's Discovery Island in Orlando, Ms. Healy came to Sacramento in 1999. Under Ms. Healy's leadership, the Sacramento Zoo saw growth in attendance and improvements to its physical setting. During her tenure, a full-scale veterinary hospital was built and new habitats were constructed and old structures renovated for a number of animals including giraffes and North American river otters. She focused on improving quality of life for the animals and advancing the experience for zoo guests.

Ms. Healy's passion and commitment resonated in her work and will not be forgotten by the Sacramento community. Her dedication to advocating for animals is unmatched and she took pride in educating our youth. She knew each animal's name and background and was often found teaching zoo guests about the animal's unique features or the exhibit's purpose at the zoo.

In addition to her work in Sacramento, Ms. Healy was a well-respected board member and former chair of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and served on its accreditation commission. She was president of the California Association of Zoos and Aquariums and was one of nine international council members of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Her vision to make Sacramento the best small zoo in America was highlighted in 2013, when she was recognized with a Women Who Mean Business Award by the Sacramento Business Journal.

Mr. Speaker, as Ms. Healy's husband, Steve, and her colleagues, family and friends gather to celebrate her wonderful contributions to our community, I am honored to pay tribute to her. I ask all my colleagues to pause and join me in paying respect to an extraordinary woman, Ms. Mary Healy.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the accomplishments of twenty years of service to our communities from AmeriCorps members. I ask that my colleagues join me in celebrating with AmeriCorps members past and present the many lives changed and neighborhoods improved through the immensely important work of these volunteers.

On September 12, 1994, the first class of 20,000 AmeriCorps members was sworn-in and began serving in 1,000 communities across the country. President Clinton signed the National and Community Service Trust Act of 1993 to create AmeriCorps and the Corporation for National and Community Service, and participated by swearing-in the first AmeriCorps members in the Oval Office twenty years ago tomorrow.

Since 1994, more than 900,000 AmeriCorps members have contributed more than 1 billion hours in service across the country. In my hometown of Sacramento, I have met AmeriCorps members serving in places like Pacific Elementary, the Sacramento Food Bank, and at Volunteer Income Tax Assistance sites. In total, we have 796 AmeriCorps positions in Sacramento for the 2013-2014 program year. I am grateful for the outstanding service this group of volunteers has performed in the Sacramento community, making Sacramento a better place to live, work and learn.

Today, September 11th, we honor the fallen in the terrorist attacks by designating September 11th as the National Day of Service and Remembrance. I thank the AmeriCorps volunteers, and all volunteers across the country, who join together to make our country better, stronger and more united through service.

Mr. Speaker, again I thank the past, present and future members of AmeriCorps for their tremendous service to our country. This twenty year anniversary marks a successful milestone for the program, and I look forward to seeing the accomplishments of AmeriCorps over the next twenty years and beyond.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to bring up H.R. 15, a bipartisan, comprehensive immigration reform bill to properly address the humanitarian crisis at the border.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to bring up H.R. 377, the Paycheck Fairness Act, to jump-start the middle class, instead of this partisan lawsuit attacking the President.

Mr. Chair, over the past four years, I have been heavily engaged in the BDCP process, actively promoting Sacramento's interest to President Obama's administration, Governor Brown's administration and the many stakeholders that would be affected by the project.

It has not been an easy road as we all know.

While I support a Delta solution because a sustainable system is necessary, I continue to have serious concerns that the BDCP process will ultimately create significant and irreversible harm to the Sacramento region.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Comstock's magazine as the publication celebrates its 25th anniversary. For a quarter century, this magazine has shared timely and significant insights into the Sacramento region's business climate with thousands of readers. As Comstock's staff, business partners and readers gather to celebrate the company's 25th anniversary, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Comstock's magazine and its special place in Sacramento's business community.

Comstock's magazine is the brainchild of my friend and businesswoman, Winnie Comstock. I have had the pleasure of knowing Winnie for many years; we first met while folding clothes at the annual Junior League rummage sale. She has always displayed a true passion for telling Sacramento's story and has succeeded beyond belief with Comstock's magazine.

The first issue of Comstock's was published in July of 1989 and the magazine has thrived ever since. The magazine has created a forum for coverage of ideas that celebrate the region, while never shying away from addressing what the region must do to succeed. On issues from water to transportation, and banking to education, each month Comstock's leaves over 85,000 readers with a better understanding of the topics that define the Sacramento region.

Comstock's magazine reporting has earned multiple ``Maggie Awards,'' which includes twice being named the Best Business Consumer Magazine in the Western United States by the Western Publishers Association, as well as numerous national awards from the American Association of Business Publication Editors.

Since its founding in 1989, the world has dramatically changed, and Comstock's has changed with it. The magazine is now a true multi- platform media company, with a stellar website and a number of social media outlets, all in addition to their print edition. It also was one of the first magazines in the country to develop a digital edition and iPad app.

Finally, Comstock's magazine has never forgotten that is does not just report on the Sacramento region, but that they are also a key part of it. They offer complimentary advertising and coverage to a number of nonprofits and charities, while also publishing an annual ``Capital Region Cares'' edition that spotlights the region's nonprofit community. Winnie and her colleagues have also supported a number of economic development efforts and have worked closely with the area's Chambers of Commerce and economic development organizations, such as SACTO, SARTA, and Valley Vision.

Mr. Speaker, as the staff, advertisers and readers of Comstock's come together to celebrate the magazine's 25th anniversary, I ask all my colleagues to join me in honoring their fine reporting and work that has helped define the Sacramento Region. I am confident that the magazine will continue to thrive in the years to come.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Sacramento City Councilwoman Bonnie Pannell who has successfully served the people of Sacramento for the past sixteen years. As her family, friends, and colleagues gather to celebrate her outstanding career and numerous accomplishments, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Councilwoman Pannell as an outstanding public servant.

Prior to being elected to the Sacramento City Council, Councilwoman Pannell was a

community activist in her South Sacramento neighborhood. Outside of elected office, she spent twenty-two years working for Unilab Medical Laboratories and Pacific Bell. Councilwoman Pannell was elected to the Sacramento City Council in June of 1998, succeeding her late husband, Samuel Pannell. As a Councilwoman, she has been re-elected to four-year terms in 2000, 2004, 2008 and again in 2012. She served as the City of Sacramento's Vice Mayor in 2001 and served with distinction for multiple years on the Board of Directors of the Sacramento Area Flood Central Agency, Sacramento Regional Transit District and with a number of other special agencies.

I have had the distinct pleasure of working closely with Councilwoman Pannell to ensure the that South Sacramento Streams Group flood protection project gets completed and expensive flood insurance is no longer mandatory for our shared constituents. An unwavering champion of public transportation, Councilwoman Pannell's steadfast support for the light rail extension to Cosumnes River College has helped make that project a reality and it will be completed by September of next year.

Councilwoman Pannell represented the City of Sacramento well, serving the communities of Meadowview, Parkway, North Laguna Creek, and Jacinto Creek. Her priorities included economic development, education and recreational programs for her constituents, as well as a steadfast commitment to create safer neighborhoods. Councilwoman Pannell was able to bring to her community the Valley Hi-North Laguna Library, which opened in 2009. The beautiful full-service library has brought high- tech services and additional educational opportunities to a part of Sacramento that long had been underserved.

She also helped turn around the neighborhood of Franklin Villa, and saw it transformed into Phoenix Park. Councilwoman Pannell has always put her constituents first and her record of accomplishments is long and will not be forgotten. It is very fitting that to mark her retirement from the City Council that her colleagues have voted to rename Meadowview Community Center in honor of her and her late husband.

Mr. Speaker, as Councilwoman Bonnie Pannell's family, friends, and colleagues gather to commemorate her for her service to the people of Sacramento, I ask my colleagues to join me in acknowledging this dedicated public servant, and true partner of mine, for helping make Sacramento a better place for families to live and prosper.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Sacramento Housing Alliance as they celebrate the 25th anniversary of their founding. As supporters of this organization gather to celebrate, I ask all my colleagues to join me in recognizing the Sacramento Housing Alliance for their incredible service to the Sacramento region.

For 25 years, the Sacramento Housing Alliance, along with its community partners, have addressed a variety of issues surrounding affordable housing, homelessness, environmental justice, regional equity, land use, hunger and community empowerment. Founded in 1989, the Sacramento Housing Alliance provides advocacy, education, leadership development and civic engagement to homeless and low-income communities throughout the Sacramento metropolitan region.

The Sacramento Housing Alliance has achieved a number of accomplishments that have benefitted thousands of individuals. In 2001, their efforts led to Sacramento County's adoption of the landmark Inclusionary Housing Ordinance, which required affordable housing in new housing developments be made available to individuals and families with low-incomes. In 2012, the Sacramento Housing Alliance collaborated with other community-based organizations to host the region's first Homeless Employment Summit, where over 100 businesses and community partners participated and led to many homeless individuals getting jobs. Additionally, the Sacramento Housing Alliance recently launched its Affordable Housing Campaign, which addresses current housing issues, such as the dissolution of redevelopment agencies in California, the lack of affordable housing options, and rising family homelessness. Most recently, in 2013, the Sacramento Housing Alliance has taken part in the Sacramento Coalition for Shared Prosperity, which seeks a comprehensive Community Benefits Agreement for the Sacramento Entertainment and Sports Complex, to help ensure that good jobs, affordable housing, and environmentally sound developments are available for everyone in the community.

Mr. Speaker, as they gather for their 25th anniversary and awards celebration, I am pleased to honor the Sacramento Housing Alliance and its members for their longstanding commitment and service to the entire Sacramento region. I ask my colleagues to join me in wishing them continued success in creating positive, lasting change throughout the Sacramento region.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mr. Alan Ehrgott for his twenty-five years of service with the American River Conservancy. As his family, friends and colleagues gather to celebrate his outstanding career and ongoing contributions to the community, I ask my colleagues to join me in tribute to Mr. Ehrgott's many years of service.

With its beginnings in April of 1989, the American River Conservancy, then known as the American River Land Trust, was founded by Mr. Ehrgott and several other community leaders and members with the aim of acquiring and conserving land along the American River for future generations. As Executive Director, the American River Conservancy has thrived under Mr. Ehrgott's leadership and his love of nature. Located in the historic Kane House in the Marshall Gold Discovery State Park in Coloma, the American River Conservancy has completed over 78 land conservation projects protecting 13,709 acres of high-quality wildlife habitat, recreational lands and native fisheries in the Upper American River and Upper Cosumnes River watersheds. Mr Ehrgott's vision led to the existence of the 25-mile network of trails known as the South Fork American River Trail System. These projects were made possible through $76 million in funds that Mr. Ehrgott was successful in securing.

In 2010, Mr. Ehrgott was instrumental in the acquisition of the 272- acre Gold Hill Ranch which has a rich cultural history starting with the local Nisenan tribe. The site is most well known for being one of the first permanent Japanese settlements in North America from the period of 1869-1871 when it was known as the Wakamatsu Tea and Silk Colony Farm. With Mr. Ehrgott leading the way, the American River Conservancy hopes to preserve and celebrate the legacy of farming that has occurred on the site.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to pay tribute to Mr Alan Ehrgott, who has served the Sacramento community and the surrounding environment for more than two decades. His continued service has greatly contributed to the community and ensured the continued enjoyment of the American River. I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing this man whose persistence and leadership has helped to preserve one of Northern California's many natural treasures for years to come.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Rotary Club of Sacramento as they celebrate the 100th anniversary of their founding. As members and supporters of this fine organization gather, I ask all my colleagues to join me in recognizing the Rotary Club of Sacramento for a hundred years of incredible service to the Sacramento region.

For a century, the members of the Rotary Club of Sacramento have stayed true to their mission, which is to ``encourage and foster the ideal of service.'' They have successfully done this by providing Rotarian's time, talent and fundraising abilities to improve the quality of life for groups and individuals throughout the Sacramento area. One of the greatest things anyone can do for their community is to invest in the future of our youth. The Rotary Club of Sacramento understands the importance of offering a hand of service to youth organizations and they have worked with over 250 non-profit organizations that include the Boy Scouts, Girls Scouts, Boys and Girls Club, Sacramento Children's Receiving Home, Sacramento Children's Home, WIND Youth Services, Society for the Blind, BloodSource, YMCA, Sacramento Zoo, Sacramento Library and Powerhouse Science Center. Additionally, the club sponsors the Burt Chapell Golf for Kids Golf Tournament which benefits orthopedically handicapped children. The golf tournament had its inaugural tournament in 1927 and is the longest continuous event in all of Rotary.

Much of the world has changed over the last 100 years, but one constant has been the Rotary Club of Sacramento's service to our community. The Rotary Club of Sacramento has the distinction of being the 85th oldest club in all of Rotary International and it has grown to be one of the twenty largest clubs in the world. The club started with 34 members and now has over 500 members. Members of the Rotary Club of Sacramento come from a wide variety of careers, backgrounds and cultures, which has given the club a unique perspective and a shared passion for service.

Mr. Speaker, as they gather for their Centennial Gala, I am pleased to honor the Rotary Club of Sacramento and its members for their longstanding commitment and service to the entire Sacramento region. I ask my colleagues to join me in wishing the club continued success in creating a positive, lasting change in the Sacramento area.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Ranking Member Rahall.

I rise in strong support of this bipartisan WRRDA bill. This is a really good day.

I want to commend Chairman Shuster and Ranking Member Rahall for their very, very strong leadership.

Mr. Speaker, Sacramento is the most at-risk metropolitan area for major flooding, as it lies at the confluence of the Sacramento and the American Rivers.

Since the last WRRDA in 2007, a number of key flood protection investments have been carefully studied by the Army Corps of Engineers. One such project that is included in this conference report and holds a Chief's Report is the Notomas levee improvement project.

The area to be protected by the project is home to over 100,000 people, two interstate highways, an international airport, dozens of schools, and hundreds of small businesses. If a levee broke, the damage would be similar to that experienced in New Orleans. This project is critical for Sacramento, and my constituents have waited too long for this day to come.

The conference report also includes language to require the Corps to shift from its one-size-fits-all approach to now consider regional variances to the national levee vegetation policy.

The conference report also includes language that accelerates flood protection projects by allowing Federal crediting.

There is no question that this bipartisan congressional action puts our Nation's flood protection policy on the right path.

I urge my colleagues to support this conference report.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the opening of the Alex G. Spanos Heart and Vascular Center at Mercy General Hospital in Sacramento. The Alex G. Spanos Heart and Vascular Center builds upon the foundation of excellence that has made Mercy General Hospital a proven leader in cardiovascular care. I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Mercy Hospital's Alex G. Spanos Heart and Vascular Center and all who have made the Center a reality, as they commemorate this important milestone.

Mercy General Hospital is home to the highest-volume heart surgery program in California, and the Alex G. Spanos Heart and Vascular Center was created to help meet the needs of those with cardiovascular diseases. This center will grant patients access to a state-of-the-art diagnostic cardiopulmonary care area, a cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation center, and four cardiac surgery operating rooms, including an innovative hybrid operating room. The new facility will be of great value to the entire Northern California region, with its cutting edge technology and highly advanced procedures.

With the renovations and additions, the Center will now allow for more rooms to be available for both scheduled and emergency cardiovascular procedures. This allows patients to have access to world class technology, and an integrated care model, creating greater efficiencies and a continuum of care. I am confident that the Center's impact will be felt across California and not just in Sacramento.

Mr. Speaker, as the Spanos family, who made this Center possible, Mercy General staff and community supporters gather for the blessing of this building, I ask my colleagues to join me in wishing them the best of luck moving forward.