Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Shiloh Baptist Church and the installation of Reverend Anthony R. Sadler as its 30th Pastor. Shiloh Baptist Church was established in 1856 and is also celebrating its 155th anniversary this year. As church members gather to celebrate Shiloh's 155th anniversary and the installation of Reverend Sadler, I ask all my colleagues to join me in honoring Shiloh's important role in the Sacramento community.

For 155 years, Shiloh Baptist Church has been a fixture in Sacramento. From their beginning, the church has always been able to form strong relationships with other churches and organizations. There is no better example of this than when Shiloh first started. They did not have a place to hold services and the Chinese Chapel at 6th and H Streets graciously invited them to use their facilities.

Over the last century and a half, Shiloh has provided many services to our community, much under the guidance of Pastor Emeritus Willie P. Cook. Church programs include Elderly Appreciation Day, the Shiloh Community Services Foundation, an annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration and an annual outing for seniors to Apple Hill. Shiloh has also partnered with a number of community organizations to serve those in need, including the Sacramento County Child Abuse Prevention Council, Sacramento County Children's Coalition, Sacramento Children Summer Food Program, Sacramento County's Gifts from the Heart Program, a local prison ministry and a number of scholarship programs.

This weekend, Shiloh Baptist Church will welcome Reverend Anthony R. Sadler as its 30th pastor. Reverend Sadler grew up attending the church and is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Albert Sadler. Reverend Sadler, a life- long resident of Sacramento County, became a minister on March 9, 2003, and previously served at the church as a Pastoral Assistant. It is clear that Shiloh will greatly benefit by having Reverend Sadler's vast knowledge of its congregation and our community.

Mr. Speaker, I am honored to pay tribute to Shiloh Baptist Church on its 155th anniversary and recognize Reverend Anthony R. Sadler as its 30th pastor. I am confident that Shiloh will continue its deep connections to the Sacramento community under his leadership. I ask all my colleagues to join me in honoring Shiloh Baptist Church's outstanding work in providing the community with much needed services.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of The National Library Service, as they celebrate their 80th anniversary, and in honor of the California State Braille and Talking Book Library. As staff, patrons and supporters gather to celebrate this milestone, I ask all my colleagues to join me in honoring their leadership and dedication to the blind and physically handicapped.

When the National Library Service was formed in 1931, the ``Blind Books'' program found a welcome home at the California State Braille and Talking Book Library. To this day, the National Library Service and the California State Braille and Talking Library continue to provide books in Braille, audio books, digital talking book machines and digital talking books to over 12,000 individual patrons and 542 institutions across Northern California.

This year has been proclaimed as ``Talking Book Awareness Year'' as new digital talking book machines and digital talking books hit the market. The services that the National Library Service and the California State Braille and Talking Book Library provide are vital to those who are not able to read by conventional methods. The book collection at the library contains thousands of fiction and nonfiction titles, as well as a collection of books by California authors and about California's history on cassette.

Mr. Speaker, I am honored to pay tribute to the National Library Service, and the California State Braille and Talking Book Library. The past 80 years have been tremendously successful and I am confident that they will continue to enjoy success in the future. While the National Library Service and California State Braille and Talking Book Library staff, volunteers, patrons and supporters gather together to celebrate the 80th anniversary, I ask all my colleagues to join me in honoring their outstanding work in providing the community with necessary services for the blind and the physically handicapped.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to revise and extend my remarks in opposition to this bill because it's extreme legislation that is dangerous to women's health and does nothing to address the jobs crisis facing America today.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to voice my strong opposition to the bill before us today.

This bill would impose crippling restrictions on a woman's ability to seek abortion services--services that are legal in this country and upheld by the Supreme Court.

The so-called ``Protect Life Act'' would effectively ban private insurance companies from offering abortion services.

I was shocked to learn that under this bill, a woman's life could be in danger in the event she needs emergency care--even if the emergency circumstances require an abortion--and that procedure is recommended by a doctor. This change in the current law would amount to an extreme and regressive policy.

Unfortunately, the bill before us is part of a larger attack on women's health, specifically on programs like Title X and organizations like Planned Parenthood.

Madam Speaker, let me tell you why it is so important that we maintain women's access to the full range of legal health care options.

Recently, I heard from Cathy, who has been a health educator for the past 13 years.

Cathy explained to me how the House Republican attacks on women's health would, ``Cut millions of American women off from birth control, cancer screenings, HIV tests, and other lifesaving care;'' that without the information and preventative services that these programs provide we are, ``Bound to accrue more expenses in reactive versus pro-active measures.''

These outrageous attacks would have a devastating impact on the women, men, and teens in our community.

At a time when we, as Members of Congress, should be debating and passing job legislation, we are instead debating whether or not to roll-back a woman's access to legal health services.

I urge my colleagues to reject this harmful bill.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to voice my support for older Americans and pledge to protect the program they have paid into, have been promised and deserve.

Throughout much of the year, we have heard how Congress needs to cut Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security benefits under the guise of deficit reduction. I reject that premise.

I do so for Dale, a Sacramento resident, who, at 70 years old, recently retired with his wife. The dream of retirement went well for a short while, then utility and home repair bills started piling up. And if this weren't enough, both Dale and his wife have suffered deteriorating health, which has increased their medical bills to levels they cannot afford. Cuts to Medicare or Social Security would, as Dale put it, ``take from the poorest of the poor.''

That is unacceptable. Any proposal to meet our deficit must meet the test of protecting our seniors.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the founding of the National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS).

Originally founded in 1961, today NACS represents more than 3,700 companies that do business in more than 50 countries worldwide.

The convenience retailing industry in America generates $575 billion dollars in sales annually, in its more than 146,000-plus stores across the country, and employs 1.73 million Americans. The industry is growing steadily as well--sales are more than 13 times higher than what they were three decades ago. Cumulatively, the U.S. convenience store industry alone serves 160 million customers per day.

It is convenience stores that keep America's motors running. Convenience stores sell 80 percent of all fuel sales in the country, and 80 percent of convenience stores sell gasoline.

While NACS boasts the membership of 49 of the top 50 convenience store companies, the majority of its membership consists of small, independent operators that own 10 stores or less. More than half of convenience stores are owned by single-store operators. NACS helps member retailers to grow their businesses, from research and marketing to human resources and management.

NACS also helps to advocate for those issues that are vital to these small business owners. From motor fuel policy, to prevention of tobacco sales to minors, to the provision of health care for its 1.73 million employees, NACS is an industry leader in making sure their voices are heard.

Convenience stores provide a speed of transaction that is unparalleled, and the large number of locations limits travel time for consumers. Additionally, they are often the only source of food or fuel for families outside of normal business hours. The extended hours and flexibility of convenience stores mean that they play a vital role in the communities they serve and customers are able to quickly pick up what they want, when they need it.

Mr. Speaker, in recognizing the many contributions the National Association of Convenience Stores has made to our Nation and to our history, I join my colleagues in celebrating the 50th anniversary of its founding.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the founding of the National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS).

Originally founded in 1961, today NACS represents more than 3,700 companies that do business in more than 50 countries worldwide.

The convenience retailing industry in America generates $575 billion dollars in sales annually, in its more than 146,000-plus stores across the country, and employs 1.6 million

Americans. NACS has helped the industry experience remarkable growth, convenience store sales today are more than 1,100 times greater than when NACS was founded. Cumulatively, the U.S. convenience store industry alone serves 160 million customers per day in this country alone.

It is convenience stores that keep America's motors running. Convenience stores sell 80 percent of all the gasoline purchased in the country.

NACS represents both large businesses and small family businesses that grow America's economy. More than half of convenience stores are owned by single-store operators. NACS helps member retailers to grow their businesses, from research and marketing to human resources and management.

NACS also helps to advocate for those issues that are vital to these small business owners. From motor fuels policy, to prevention of tobacco sales to minors, to swipe fee reform, NACS is an industry leader in making sure their voices are heard.

Convenience stores provide a speed of transaction that is unparalleled, and the large number of locations and extended hours of operation have redefined convenience, whether for food, fuel or other essential items. The extended hours and flexibility of convenience stores mean that they play a vital role in the communities they serve and customers are able to quickly pick up what they want, when they need it.

Mr. Speaker, in recognizing the many contributions the National Association of Convenience Stores has made to our nation and to our history, I join my colleagues in celebrating the 50th anniversary of its founding.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in observance of the tenth anniversary of the tragic events of September 11th, 2001.

First, I would like to take a moment to remember those who lost their lives in the terrorist attacks, and offer my sincerest sympathy and prayers for their families and loved ones.

I would also like to honor the many heroes of that day--the brave men and women who risked life and limb to help those in need. Our first responders never cowered in their call to public service, and were joined by perfect strangers in their efforts. It made me proud to see Americans from diverse backgrounds come together in a common sense of purpose, reminding everyone that our diversity is what makes our country great.

However, I am also reminded of the costs of hate, intolerance, and warfare through any means which is why we must reaffirm our commitment to each other as fellow citizens. We must band together to better our communities and strengthen our country.

Though Sunday is the 10th anniversary of the attacks that took the lives of so many Americans, Sunday also serves as the third time our nation commemorates 9/11 as a national day of remembrance and service. And although it is a day to look back and remember, it is also a day to give back to enable us to move forward.

Volunteerism and service have been themes our country has built on for generations. And now is a time for rebuilding and making our country stronger--brick by brick, block by block.

As we continue our efforts as a legislative body to keep our country safe, I urge all of you who can to honor those whose lives were taken on 9/11 by volunteering in your community this Sunday.

I believe, as Members of Congress, it is important to pass this Resolution, but also as citizens it is important we join together with Americans from all backgrounds in a day of service.

I encourage you all to visit www.serve.gov to find a volunteer opportunity near you.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Dr. Glennah Trochet, who has been a tireless advocate of quality health care for more than 30 years. As she retires from her position as Sacramento County's Public Health Officer, I ask all of my colleagues to join me in thanking Dr. Trochet for her never-ending service to the Sacramento community.

For the last 12 years, Dr. Trochet has served as the Public Health Officer for Sacramento County. She has been instrumental in implementing and overseeing numerous key

public health programs, such as the indigent program, an innovative free drug program that saved the county more than $4 million a year, as well as the county's diabetes education program. The diabetes education program has been so successful, that the county is looking to expanding its services to those with asthma, coronary artery disease and hypertension.

I have had the pleasure of working with Dr. Trochet on a number of issues over the years, ranging from investing in the public health workforce to encouraging families to participate in the National Children's Study. Dr. Trochet's service with the Sacramento County Department of Health and Human Services and her tireless work ethic has not gone unnoticed. In 2009, she was named one of six ``Women Who Mean Business'' by the Sacramento Business Journal, which celebrates the achievements of outstanding women with impactful careers within the Sacramento region. Dr. Trochet has also served on a number of advisory boards, such as Board of Director for Center for AIDS Research, Educates and Services, CARES, as well as the Sacramento County's Community Advisory Board, CAB, for the National Children's Study.

Dr. Trochet began her career completing residency at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, and moving to Sacramento to begin a private practice with the Sutter Medical Group and Family Physicians of Sacramento. In 1989, she left this practice to pursue a career with the Sacramento County Department of Health and Human Services as the Physician Lead of Mercy Clinic Loaves and Fishes. Four years later, she accepted the position of Medical Director for the County, where she managed all of the County's health care clinics. These clinics are crucial to our community, as they are the primary source of care for thousands of Sacramento families. During that same period, she also served as the Sexually Transmitted Disease, STD, Controller for Sacramento County.

Mr. Speaker, as Dr. Trochet, her husband, John, daughters Rene and Holly, friends and colleagues gather to celebrate her retirement as Sacramento County Public Health Officer, I ask you to join me in saluting this remarkable woman for her many years of service to the Sacramento community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the Women's Civic Improvement Club, WCIC, as they celebrate their 75th anniversary. It is my pleasure to recognize the Women's Civic Improvement Club's dedication to promoting the professional and personal growth of members of the Sacramento region. I ask all of my colleagues to join me in honoring their leadership.

The Women's Civic Improvement Club began in 1936 as the Negro Women's Civic Improvement Club. The Club was created to provide housing for African American women that had moved to Sacramento to work at the McClellan Air Force Base. At the time, racial segregation and the financial devastation of the Great Depression made finding a safe home next to impossible for many women. In 1945, the Club's Board of Directors signed incorporation papers and the name was changed, making it the WCIC that we know of today. Throughout all of the changes our nation has faced since 1936, the WCIC has remained strong and relevant to those of us in Sacramento.

Over the course of the last 75 years, the WCIC has evolved into an organization that helps people from low-income and disadvantaged families. The Club has expanded to include several new programs, helping individuals of all ages grow through community involvement. Their congregate meal program provides food and recreational activities for senior citizens, allows members of the program to get a healthy meal, and provides opportunities to socialize and be involved in the community. Moreover, the Playmate Head Start Program provides quality childcare to its members and has maintained an excellent focus on healthy child development.

Mr. Speaker, I am honored to pay tribute to the Women's Civic Improvement Club on their 75th anniversary, and to their outstanding commitment to improve our community. I ask my colleagues to join with me in congratulating them on their 75 years of success.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition to the underlying bill, and specifically the cuts it makes to the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities. These entities provide support, resources and education that inspire, cultivate and foster creativity across the nation. Investing in the arts is an investment in our future, an investment in our cultural heritage as a nation, and an investment in our economy.

In my district of Sacramento, California, there are currently 1,600 arts-related businesses that employ almost 6,000 people. These businesses play an imperative role in sustaining the economic vitality of the Sacramento region.

Similarly, the non-profit arts sector is an important part of our nation's economy and the National Endowment for the Arts is uniquely positioned to fund projects and activities that preserve jobs threatened by the decline in philanthropic support as a result of the financial collapse. The non-profit arts sector generates $166 billion annually and supports almost six million full-time jobs across the country.

The NEA has a 40 year proven history of investment throughout our nation, an investment that stimulates local economies, creates livable communities, and supports tourism. In fact, cultural tourism alone contributes $192 billion annually to our country's economy.

Just this past spring, the NEA, the Sacramento Metropolitan Arts Commission and I co-hosted a grants workshop in Sacramento providing local organizations, artists, and galleries with the information they need to apply for and win federal grants. Over 100 people attended.

I have seen firsthand the impact of NEA grants in my district. For example, in May, the NEA generously provided $20,000 to the Sacramento Philharmonic Orchestra for their educational outreach series.

Similarly, for close to 50 years the NEH has been providing grants and opportunities for lifelong learning. In the last four years alone, the National Endowment for the Humanities has invested $48.5 million in California institutions to preserve our cultural heritage. Yet the bill before us today cuts each of these already underfunded agencies without any regard to the effect that will have on our nation's students, museums, artists, or culture as a whole.

Both the NEA and the NEH support organizations on the local level and allow them to take their programs to the next level. In fact, for every federal dollar invested in the arts, local agencies are able to leverage seven dollars in private donations. The federal government provides the seed money and the artists, curators, and historians make it grow.

Mr. Speaker, there are a number of potential amendments to make additional cuts to these agencies, and I urge my colleagues to oppose those efforts and oppose this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Joe Countryman as he retires from his position as President of MBK Engineers. Through his work as an expert engineer, he has protected numerous regions of California, including Sacramento and the Central Valley, from flooding. Over the last 45 years, his engineering excellence has safeguarded the lives, homes and businesses of millions of Californians. I ask all my colleagues to join me today in honoring a true leader of the Sacramento community.

In the Sacramento area, flooding is of paramount concern to all of us. Joe's work has been crucial to protecting us from disaster, first as a senior civilian at the Army Corps of Engineers and then as the President of MBK Engineers. In 1986, during the historic storms, he managed the Folsom Reservoir flood operations for the Army Corps of Engineers. His decisions and resolve helped avoid a potential disaster for hundreds of thousands of residents in Sacramento along the American River, as a catastrophic flood threatened our dams and levees. Since then, he has worked to improve flood control operations at Folsom Reservoir, Oroville Dam, Shasta Dam, and other critically important sites across the Western United States. He has been influential in countless other projects not only in California, but also in Nevada, Utah, and Colorado.

Since I was elected, I have turned to Joe for his advice on a number of flood protection projects. Mr. Countryman is known not only for his incredible work in his field, but for his integrity and ability to communicate complex engineering and hydraulic information to the public. He has received many honors, including the Award of Merit from San Jose State University, the Commander's Award for Distinguished Service by the Army Corps of Engineers, and the American Society of Civil Engineers' Region 9 Lifetime Achievement Award. He is a member of the American Society of Engineers, the Flood Plain Managers Association, the Environmental and Water Resources Institute, and has been acknowledged as a Diplomate Water Resources Engineer for the American Academy of Water Resources Engineers.

Mr. Speaker, I am honored to recognize and thank Joe Countryman for his remarkable service not only to Sacramento, but to many other communities throughout the nation, and for his innovation and accomplishments in the field of engineering. I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Mr. Countryman on his service and retirement. His expertise will certainly be missed.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to voice my opposition to the cuts to high-speed rail included in H.R. 2354, the Fiscal Year 2012 Energy and Water Development Appropriations bill.

At a time when this Congress should be focused on creating jobs, investing in our infrastructure, and supporting transportation alternatives, the bill before us unfortunately includes a provision to cut funding for high-speed rail. These cuts are both harmful and short- sighted, and will limit key opportunities for job growth and economic development throughout our nation.

According to a recent study from the U.S. Conference of Mayors, building high-speed rail networks in the U.S. will have a significant positive economic impact. The study shows that in the four urban areas surveyed, high-speed rail could add $19 billion in new business development and 150,000 jobs. We should not be turning our backs on this historic opportunity.

It is clear: investing in rail, whether it is high-speed, or inter- city, has the potential to create desperately-needed jobs in communities around the country. Case in point: in October last year, a contract awarded to the Siemens Transportation Systems manufacturing plant in my district of Sacramento, California to build 70 new electric trains for Amtrak is creating 200 local jobs--not to mention that they employ approximately 64,000 people throughout the country. Not only is Siemens creating jobs, but they are also building a high-quality product that will make train travel more efficient and environmentally friendly. These trains are built in an environmentally-friendly way, using solar energy developed on site.

In Sacramento, rail is not just a part of our history, it is our future.

In April, we broke ground on a track relocation project that will not only improve safety and efficiency, but will pave the way for the development of both an intermodal transportation facility and future economic growth in our downtown. This project is creating 350 jobs onsite, and 1,100 jobs in total. It will also make room for high-speed rail.

What is happening in Sacramento is a snapshot of the interest in rail statewide. The voters in my home state of California have approved plans to build a high-speed rail network that will eventually link Sacramento to San Diego, and communities throughout the state. This high-speed rail line will create jobs, provide viable transportation options to residents and visitors alike, and reduce our dependence on foreign oil.

But as forward-thinking as California is, progress will be held back if the provisions to cut high-speed rail funding are included in the final version of this bill.

In my district alone, we would lose millions of dollars intended for rail projects funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. This rescission would result in the loss of many jobs and endanger the necessary safety and efficiency improvements need for the tracks between Sacramento and Davis.

I think we can all agree that now is not the time to remove opportunities for improved job growth and economic recovery. Yet, my Republican colleagues are doing just that by including the elimination of funding for high-speed rail in this bill.

It is my hope that the Senate approves a final bill that restores this funding, and that the President signs into law a bill that appropriately invests in our infrastructure: levees and rail alike.

Mr. Chair, I rise in strong opposition to this Rule and this incredibly shortsighted legislation before us today. The underlying bill is a direct attack on the environment and as a result an assault on public health and our economy.

The programs included in the Interior and Environment Appropriations bill affect so many aspects of our lives including clean air, clean water, public health and support for the arts.

Unfortunately, at the funding level provided, the Environmental Protection Agency will be fundamentally dismantled, making the agency unable to implement its core mission of protecting the environment and promoting public health.

The bill also removes funding for programs that help modernize buildings and other infrastructure and funding for innovative projects that are helping communities implement smarter water management solutions that protect clean water and save consumers money.

In my district, the Sacramento and American Rivers provide 85 percent of drinking water to those that live in the City of Sacramento that is over 400,000 of my constituents. Mr. Speaker, we rely on federal support to ensure the water we drink is safe. Without the proper level of funding I am very worried that we are going down a path of unknown consequences.

This bill also hurts Sacramento by slashing funds for the EPA's Office of Smart Growth which has worked closely with the Sacramento Area Council of Governments to ensure sustainable, positive growth in our region. In a time when local governments are suffering massive cuts, the investment in the Office of Smart Growth offers our communities assistance that will help them grow and revitalize their local economies.

Mr. Chair, the Sacramento area is on a path to become a national leader in the green economy, with over 230 companies, and 14,000 jobs. It is critical that we support policies that foster new innovation, and job growth in the green economy. Unfortunately, this bill does not do that!

What's more, this bill would cut the National Endowment of the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities by 13 percent. Both NEA and NEH grants are essential for our local economies. This funding is fundamental to supporting a thriving arts scene in my district, creating jobs and inspiring local students. As a former docent of the Crocker Art Museum in Sacramento, I can tell you firsthand the effect that an individual piece of art or a trip to a museum can have on a child. These are cuts we cannot afford to make.

In previous years, the Interior and Environment Appropriations bill has provided an opportunity to move our nation forward and make progress in areas as diverse as climate change to water use efficiency. But in this Congress, this Majority is forcing us to take a huge step backwards.

As a whole, this legislation has an unprecedented number of special- interest policy riders that endanger public health and go beyond the scope of the legislation.

In an austere budget environment, we can all agree that cuts need to be made but cuts to public health, cannot and should not be made just to give subsidies to Big Oil and Wall Street Executives.

I urge my colleagues on the other side of the aisle to consider the dangerous and unprecedented ramifications this bill would have on our constituents. I strongly reject this egregious proposal.

Mr. Speaker, it is with profound sadness that I rise to honor the life of my good friend, Sue Popp, who passed away on July 11, 2011, in Sacramento, California. Sue was not only a close friend of mine, and someone I knew for almost 40 years, but she was a friend to Sacramento--someone who spent her life dedicated to public service, providing for others, and championing causes for the less fortunate.

Born in 1938 to a prominent Sacramento family, Sue spared no expense to help provide for those she cared for. Her entire life was dedicated to her friends and the people she loved. If she saw the good in you, you had a friend and defender for life.

Sue was a dedicated humanitarian as well as a trusted friend. She spent a lifetime chairing many of Sacramento's non-profit boards, raising money for her favorite charities, and serving her community. No effort was more important to her than the plight of Sacramento's youth. She developed a close bond to the children of Sacramento early in her philanthropic life. This spirit of generosity carried with her as she served in the Stanford Home for Children, Junior League, Fairytale Town, Capitol Public Radio, the Crocker Art Museum, and the Sacramento Country Day School Auction, where I had the distinct honor to serve with Sue as her co-chair.

Without a doubt, Sue was one of the most dynamic women I have ever had the privilege to know. Her passing leaves a tremendous void in Sacramento, both in terms of her unwavering dedication to improve the lives of those she touched, but also in terms of her sheer presence. The warmth and generosity Sue exuded to friend and stranger alike is seldom seen in today's world. We will be hard-pressed to replace it. She was truly a friend to Sacramento--one that will be dearly missed by all.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the life of Sue Popp--someone who dedicated her life to doing what was right, and serving others. She leaves a legacy of boundless generosity, charisma, energy, and class. We should each aspire to follow her example in our own lives, both professionally and personally. I will miss her dearly, and pray that her son, Curtis, his wife, Susan, and her grandchildren, Fletcher and Olivia, will find comfort in the fact that Sue provided so much love and kindness to those of us who had the honor to share in her life.