Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise in tribute to the men and women who work day after day, and often on nights and weekends, that I may best serve the people of California's 24th Congressional District.

During my 26 years in Congress, I have hired the best self-starters I could find who have a proven track record of caring for the people for whom they serve. As a result, I have one of the smallest staffs of any Member of Congress. As proof of their dedication and professionalism, I also have one of the lowest turnover rates of any Member of Congress.

My district director, Paula Sheil, started with me in 1972 in the private sector and has run my district office since I was first elected to Congress. In addition to running the day-to-day operations of my district office, Paula brings me back to earth and redirects my energies when I get off-kilter.

As my district chief of staff for 20 years, Brian Miller served as my surrogate in the district when I was in Washington, DC. He knows everyone, everyone knows him, and he has been instrumental in my knowledge of the needs and concerns of the county, cities, districts, organizations and individuals throughout the district.

Tina Cobb has been handling my casework for 20 years. If a constituent has a problem and Tina can not solve it, it cannot be solved. She knows the ins and outs of our Federal agencies and can cut through red tape like no one else.

Myrna Vafee joined my district staff 6 years ago. In addition to doing case work, Myrna does all the chores necessary to keep an office running, from sorting mail to greeting constituents. Her smile immediately puts people at ease.

Thomas Widroe has been my deputy district director for 2 years, working from my Solvang office and acting as my eyes and ears in the North County.

Joel Kassiday has been my chief of staff in Washington, DC, for 11 years. Joel is the epitome of efficiency. I have learned to be very careful before I ask Joel to undertake a task because he has it done before you have a chance to change your mind.

Marianne Brant, my executive assistant, has been with me for 6 years. Marianne's primary responsibility is to maintain my schedule and to make sure I am where I am supposed to be. There probably is no tougher job in a congressional office and Marianne does it with poise, efficiency, and an ever-present smile.

Richard Mereu, my chief counsel and administrative assistant, has been a trusted advisor for 18 years. He has served as my staff director on the subcommittees I've chaired on both the Foreign Affairs and Judiciary committees, in addition to advising me on a wide range of legislative issues.

Tom Pfeifer joined my staff 14 years ago after 15 years as a journalist in my district. Tom's knowledge of the media, the people, the issues, and the politics of the district has made him a valuable resource in my D.C. office.

Cecilia Daly has been my legislative counsel for 6 years. Cecilia is a master researcher who takes great pleasure in tutoring our interns on that skill.

Kenneth Steinhardt first came to my office as an intern and came to work for me full time 7 years ago. Kenny is a bulldog on legislation. He builds coalitions on and off the Hill to move a bill and does not let up.

RJ Hauman is my newest staff member. As staff assistant, he is often the first person a constituent interacts with in my D.C. office.

Mr. Speaker, this is just my current staff. I have had many other great staffers over the years, but to try to name them all would take too long. Suffice it to say that I am grateful for their service as well. These are the best of the

best, and I know my colleagues join me in thanking them for their service and in wishing them well in their new endeavors.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in tribute to the Pushmataha County Historical Society in Antlers, Oklahoma, and in particular Myrtle Edmond and Madge Jentry.

As historical societies go, the Pushmataha County Historical Society is relatively new, having been founded in 1984. But the Society's staff and volunteers know their town, its history, its people, and their place firmly rooted in the heart of America.

My family hails from the Antlers, Oklahoma, area. When I was a young boy, I would travel by train, arriving and departing from the Frisco Depot, which now houses the Pushmataha County Historical Society. Myrtle Edmond and Madge Jentry were at the Society headquarters when my wife, Janice, and I stopped by on a recent trip and asked a few questions about my ancestors. Myrtle and Madge responded by enthusiastically researching everything they could find on the Gallegly and Williams family branches. Myrtle even wrote down, by hand, all their research in great detail and gave it to me.

In addition, Myrtle had previously served on the society's cemetery identification project and helped identify and inventory almost 12,000 burials and grave sites at approximately 119 locations. With that information, she was able to locate the gravesites of my grandparents and many other relatives.

The wealth of information Myrtle and Madge were able to provide on my family is even more impressive when one considers that the county courthouse burned during the Great Depression. Society volunteers have painstakingly rebuilt ancestral records from U.S. Census, newspapers, and other items in the historical record.

Mr. Speaker, Antlers, Oklahoma, is America. It has seen its share of hardship yet continues to bounce back. One of the most devastating tornadoes in the history of the state struck Antlers on April 12, 1945. Out of a population of 3,000, 55 were killed, including my uncle, Dennis Dixon Gallegly. One third of the city was demolished. The city has suffered devastating fires. Floods have washed away homes, but they can't wash away Antlers, or the spirit of its people.

Mr. Speaker, the pride Myrtle Edmond and Madge Jentry have in their community and in America was evidenced in their enthusiastic research of my family's roots. I know my colleagues join Janice and me in thanking them and all the Pushmataha County Historical Society volunteers for preserving and celebrating their part of our nation's history through dedication, passion, and professionalism. They are preserving the heart of America.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in honor of my family. As you and almost every Member of Congress knows, doing this job would be impossible without the love and support our families.

Twenty-seven years ago, my wife, Janice, agreed to support my first run for Congress. She agreed on three conditions: I would not put the family into debt. That I would never ask her to do public speaking. And, that she would never have to ask for campaign contributions.

Well before the primary was over, we were in debt. Janice was my surrogate speaker, and she was the best fundraiser anyone could have.

Because of her skills at public speaking and campaigning, we were quickly out of debt from my first run for Congress. For the next 26 years, she spearheaded my campaign and I never again had to borrow from the family. Janice stood by my side as I met with ambassadors, heads of state, and military families. She has been my rock.

Janice and my four children were young adults when I first entered Congress. They have married and given us 10 beautiful grandchildren. They have been my greatest champions.

Shawn Gallegly married Tea. They gave us two grandsons, Adrian and Lucas.

Shawn Payton married Angelique. They gave us a granddaughter, Savannah, and two grandsons, Tanner, and Landon.

Kevin Gallegly married Jennifer. They gave us three granddaughters, Emma, Bethie, and Sammie.

Shannon Payton Breslow married Scott. They gave us a grandson, Payton, and granddaughter, Presley.

Mr. Speaker, without the love and support of my family, I could not have served in this great institution for so long and represented my neighbors as effectively. I know my colleagues join me in thanking them for their love and support. I look forward to spending much more time with my wife, children, and grandchildren and in supporting them achieve their dreams.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in tribute to my good friends, entrepreneurs, patriots, and philanthropists Larry and Ralph Cimmarusti.

With the backing and support of their parents, Los Angeles natives Pat and Ann Cimmarusti, brothers Larry and Ralph opened their first eatery 40 years ago. They were fresh out of junior college.

The first restaurant was actually an open-fronted Hollywood, California, vegetable market purchased for $5,000 that was converted into an Italian deli. Frequented by the stars that lived in the Hollywood Hills, the deli thrived and provided their start into the restaurant world.

From this humble beginning, the Cimmarusti brothers launched Cimmarusti Holdings, LLC. Their first major success was to build one of the largest Burger King franchisees in the United States, with operations boasting annual sales near $250 million.

Building on their success, the brothers branched out into casual dining to become one of the largest franchisees of Tony Roma's Restaurants in Southern California. Last but not least, the company purchased the Original Roadhouse Grill chain, another casual dining eatery.

The skills learned in building new restaurants provided a logical entry into real estate development. Cimmarusti Holdings owns approximately 15 properties in the western United States, including office buildings and retail strip centers, and has a construction company active in restaurant/retail center development.

Despite their size and success, Larry and Ralph still look at Cimmarusti Holdings as a mom and pop operation. They also believe in the importance of community and giving back.

Larry and Ralph were key contributors to the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and the names Lawrence and Ralph Cimmarusti are engraved in one of the more prominent locations at the library. At its opening, the Cimmarusti brothers helped cater the event and served meals to the five U.S. presidents in attendance.

The brothers actively aid law enforcement and have donated approximately a half-million dollars to families of police officers killed in the line of duty. They also support the Los Angeles Police Memorial Foundation and the Gil Garcetti's Rescue Youth Program.

Education is another major cause where they have given their time and resources, including donating $1 million to Glendale Community College for the construction of a new Science Center on campus.

Other noteworthy causes include the Glendale Memorial Hospital and Catholic parishes in the Southern California area.

Mr. Speaker, my wife, Janice, and I have enjoyed the friendship of the Cimmarusti family for many years, including Larry and Ralph's sister Loretta and her family. I had the pleasure of having Larry's son Patrick intern in my Washington, D.C., office while he attended law school. I know my colleagues join me in paying tribute to the Cimmarusti family for their entrepreneurship, their patriotism, and their philanthropy, and wish them continued great success.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in tribute to my good friends, entrepreneurs and patriots Howard and Susan Groff.

The Groffs have owned Northwest Excavating Co., Inc. since the 1960s. Howard's father, Bob Groff, founded the company in 1959 under the name ``Northwest Compaction.'' The company started out modestly, with two backhoes, an Arrow hammer, a skiploader, and a Gradall.

During the first few years, Northwest focused primarily on renting equipment and operators to local grading and sewer contractors. The company prospered during the 1960s due to the ever-increasing construction throughout Southern California. While maintaining a conservative approach towards growth, the company slowly added equipment to its fleet.

During the mid- to late 1960s, Howard and Sue bought the company. Howard often worked as equipment operator, mechanic, lowbed driver, or anything else that needed to be done, while Sue managed the finances. Howard, much like his father before him, undertook a conservative management approach toward the company. During the late 1960s and into the early 1970s, the company grew at a steady pace.

As a result of the company's early experience working for underground sewer contractors, Northwest began an underground utilities division. This division dug trenches for power and telephone lines by the foot, then backfilled and compacted the trenches. Howard did all the estimating and ran most of the jobs. He is now acting CEO while his son Robert has taken over the daily management duties. Sue has stepped aside from the financial end.

Howard and Sue owned and operated, along with their son Michael, Northridge Equipment Rental in five locations in California, which they sold in 2005. The Groffs have also developed, owned, and managed office and industrial buildings throughout the San Fernando Valley.

For more than 30 years, the Groffs owned their own auto racing teams with their sons as drivers, which included racing in the Indy 500 for several years. Howard and Sue also are major supporters of our military and veterans and have been a major sponsor of my U.S. Rep. Elton Gallegly and Friends Operation Toy Drop at Naval Base Ventura County. In addition to voting in every election, they also actively support candidates who share their fiscal conservative convictions.

In addition to their sons Michael and Robert, Howard and Sue have a daughter, Debra, seven grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.

Mr. Speaker, I know my colleagues join me in paying tribute to my friends Howard and Susan Groff for proving that conservative growth can build successful businesses and for proving their love for America by their generosity to our military men and women and by

taking an active role in the American political process.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in tribute to my good friends, Thomas and Esther Wachtell, patriots, entrepreneurs, philanthropists, and community volunteers.

Tom and Esther own and operate Oak Knoll Ranch in Ojai, California. They produce and ship apples from their 10-acre orchard but more importantly, the ranch is their base for their many other efforts.

Tom and Esther both have had storied careers. Tom was a Navy lieutenant commander in the Office of Naval Intelligence, executive vice-president of Occidental Petroleum Corporation in Los Angeles, president of Merrit Energy in Los Angeles, an investor/consultant for Gulf Exploration in Covington, Louisiana, and, with Esther, co- proprietor of Eve's Apples in Ojai.

Esther is president of The Wachtell Group, a fundraising consulting company specializing in large capital campaigns. In addition, she was executive vice-president and president of The Music Center of Los Angeles, an investor with her husband in Gulf Exploration, and co- proprietor of Eve's Apples.

The lists of their community involvements are even longer. Tom's list includes founder/president of the Los Angeles Opera, director of the Performing Arts Council of The Music Center of Los Angeles, director of the World Trade Center in Los Angeles, director of the Good Hope Foundation in Los Angeles, a Republican Eagle, and a member of the Romney Finance Committee.

Esther's list includes founder/chair of the Center on Philanthropy and Public Policy at USC, trustee for Children's Hospital in Los Angeles, director of the Museum of Ventura County in Ventura, California, president of the Ojai Music Festival in Ojai; director of the Libbey Bowl Foundation in Ojai, and director for Ojai Community Bank.

Beneficiaries of their large philanthropic grants include Children's Hospital, Choate School, the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Library, the Music Center Opera, the Music Center of Los Angeles County, and the Republican Party.

In addition, Esther served as development chair for the Museum of Ventura County, raising $7.5 million for the museum, and for Children's Hospital, raising more than $1 billion, a record for the hospital. She also helped raise $4 million to rebuild the Libbey Bowl as president of the Ojai Music Festival.

Both list their greatest accomplishment as raising three happy and successful children who are married to three wonderful spouses and who have given them 12 fantastic grandchildren.

Mr. Speaker, I know my colleagues join my wife, Janice, and me in paying tribute to our close friends Tom and Esther Wachtell, for their patriotism, entrepreneurship, and philanthropy, which has made our nation stronger politically and economically and made our world a better place to live.

I thank the gentleman.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of my legislation, H.R. 6587, to the designate the United States Postal Service facility located at 225 Simi Village Drive in Simi Valley, California, as the Postal Inspector Terry Asbury Post Office Building.

Terry Asbury was born in Superior, Wisconsin, in 1950. Shortly after turning 18, he joined the United States Army and served multiple tours in Vietnam. After being honorably discharged in 1971, Terry began his career in the United States Postal Service. He worked out of the Van Nuys facility, starting as a mail clerk and handler before moving up all the way to U.S. postal inspector in 1986.

On Saturday, January 30, 1990, Inspector Asbury was returning in his vehicle after conducting an investigation in the Los Angeles area when his vehicle was struck head-on by a van towing a boat and a trailer. Four days later, on February 3, he succumbed to his injuries, passing away at the early age of 39.

He was a loving husband and an exceptional person who went out of his way to help others and make the world a better place to live. I cannot see a more fitting way to memorialize a great American and resident of my hometown in Simi Valley, California, than to dedicate this post office in his honor.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Issa, Ranking Member Cummings, and the others for allowing me to bring this bill to the floor today in such a quick fashion, and I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in tribute to the dedicated and professional members of the law enforcement community with whom I have had the privilege to serve during my more than 30 years of public service.

It's impossible to name them all. When I was mayor of Simi Valley, California, I rode with patrol officers to see first-band the challenges our men and women in uniform face on a daily basis. Those on the front lines of public safety deserve our enduring thanks and respect.

But over the years, I have established partnerships with certain extraordinary people, including Ventura County District Attorneys Greg Totten and Mike Bradbury and Sheriffs Al Jalaty, John Gillespie, Larry Carpenter, and Bob Brooks.

Al Jalaty was Sheriff when I was first elected to the Simi Valley City Council. He set the standard for those to come after him, demanding compassion and common sense from those under his command. John Gillespie began the technological modernization of the department. Larry Carpenter helped lead the charge to change the California Constitution to ensure that the first function of government is to protect the public, and in passing a county ordinance to ensure proper funding. Bob Brooks continued to modernize the department, particularly after 9/11, and instituted Six Points of Honor that established the foundation for the department's core values.

I worked closely with each and every one of these distinguished lawmen to ensure they had support from the federal government to provide the tools and training necessary to keep Ventura County safe. But it was their dedication, service, and vision that has kept Ventura County ranked among the safest counties in the nation.

In addition to their role in prosecuting criminals, District Attorneys Mike Bradbury and Greg Totten are responsible for legislation I introduced that became federal law. Mike Bradbury was presented with a problem of prosecuting the makers of videos showing the killing of small onimals. Because of jurisdictional issues, it was hard to prove a crime on a local leveL I introduced a bill making the interstate distribution of such videos a federal crime. It sailed through the House and Senate and was signed by the President in December of 1999. Prior to it becoming law, about 3,000 different videos were sold over the Internet. The next day, virtually none were available.

Because of a 2004 law, DNA matches in cold cases skyrocketed, creating a huge backlog for prosecutors Greg Totten and I discussed the problem and I introduced a bill to provide federal grants to local prosecutors to help prosecute DNA cold cases. My bill was included in the Children's Safety Act of 2005 and signed into law the following year. Greg Totten not only tirelessly championed funding the grants, he also worked diligently to make the program a success. Consequently, murderers have paid for their crimes.

Mr. Speaker, public safety is the number one responsibility of government. I have been honored to know and work with dedicated law enforcement professionals who I believe are among the best in the nation. I am honored not only to call each of them District Attorney and Sheriff, but friend. I know my colleagues join me in paying tribute to Ventura County District Attorneys Greg Totten and Mike Bradbury and Sheriffs Al Jalaty, John Gillespie, Larry Carpenter, and Bob Brooks, and all those in law enforcement who make our communities safe.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in tribute to U.S. Army Col. John Moriarity (Ret.), who chaired my U.S. Military Academy Nominating Board for 26 years.

A graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, Col. Moriarity and the rest of the board, who represented different branches of the armed services, year after year selected the best and the brightest from my district for our military academies. In my 26 years in Congress, they chose more than 250 exceptional young men and women for nomination to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point the U.S. Air Force Academy, U.S. Naval Academy, and U.S. Merchant Marine Academy.

The cadets were challenged and tested for four years. In the end, they became U.S. military leaders charged with defending America and the ideals we cherish. We bid them Godspeed.

Mr. Speaker, I know my colleagues join me in paying tribute to my personal friend Col. John Moriarity (Ret.), both for his service to our country as a U.S. Army officer and for helping to select the next generation of our finest military officers.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in tribute to my personal friend, Edward G. Atsinger III, who, with his brother-in-law Stuart Epperson, started with ownership in Christian radio stations in California and North Carolina and grew Salem Communications Corporation into a national Christian media powerhouse.

Based in Camarillo, California, Salem Communications purchased radio properties in key markets across the United States and converted them to flourishing Christian talk stations. In the 1990s, Salem expanded beyond Christian Teaching Talk, successfully rolling out formats featuring Contemporary Christian Music, News Talk, Spanish-language Christian and most recently, business programming.

In addition, Salem Radio Network is one of the leading full-service networks in the U.S., syndicating talk, news, and music programming to approximately 2,000 Christian-formatted and general market radio stations throughout the country.

In 1999, Salem purchased CCM Magazine--an industry standard in the contemporary Christian music community. Salem Publishing now circulates additional Christian and conservative magazines.

Salem Web Network began in 1999 with a single website--OnePlace.com. Today, SWN consists of the most well-known brands in the faith marketplace such as Crosswalk.com, CrossCards.com, and GodTube.com.

Additionally, Salem purchased Townhall.com in 2006 and conservative political blog HotAir.com in 2010, providing conservative commentary, news, and blogging to an ever-expanding audience. In 2011, Salem launched its Church Products division with the acquisition of Worship House Media, an ecommerce retailer of videos and other multimedia to churches.

Throughout it all, Ed Atsinger has been at the helm. He has been Chief Executive Officer, a director of the Company and a director of each of the Company's subsidiaries since their inception. He was President of Salem from its inception through June 2007. He has been engaged in the ownership and operation of radio stations since 1969.

Ed Atsinger has been a member of the board of directors of the National Religious Broadcasters for a number of years; he was re- elected to a three-year term on the board in February 2010. He has also been a member of the National Association of Broadcasters Radio Board since 2008. He has been a member of the board of directors of Oaks Christian School in Westlake Village, California since 1999.

Mr. Speaker, I know my colleagues join me in paying tribute to Edward G. Atsinger III for fulfilling his vision of spreading Christian values throughout the U.S.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in tribute to two exceptional people my wife, Janice, and I are honored to call our friends, Bert and Jane Boeckmann, who have contributed much to our world as extraordinary entrepreneurs, philanthropists, and volunteers.

Bert Boeckmann, my friend of more than 25 years, is the owner and Chief Executive Officer of Galpin Motors, Inc. Starting from a modest background, he built an automotive empire from the ground up with hard work, integrity, vision, and a deep caring for others. For the past 22 years, Galpin has been No. 1 in Ford car and truck sales worldwide. Galpin currently ranks No. 1 in Jaguar sales worldwide and No. 1 in the Western United States for Mazda and Lincoln.

Boeckmann has been recognized nationally as the American Brand Names Foundation Retailer of the Year; is entered into the Automotive Hall of Fame; is the recipient of Time Magazine's National Dealer of the Year, given to only one of the country's 25,000 dealers each year in tribute to that dealer's customer service, sales volume, and citizenship; and has received thousands of other awards and recognitions.

Boeckmann also has been honored with countless awards for his community service and leadership locally and nationally, including The Fernando Award; the first Business ``Star of the Valley'' from the Economic Alliance of the San Fernando Valley; and The Presidential Citation for Private Sector Initiatives, the nation's highest award for entrepreneurs. As a Horatio Alger Award recipient, he is named among The Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans.

He served nearly 17 years as a Los Angeles Police Commissioner and was the only police commissioner appointed to serve four consecutive terms under the administrations of Mayors Bradley, Riordan, and Hahn. During his tenure, he served alongside six Chiefs of Police.

His philanthropic endeavors include everything from helping the needy in his own community to building schools, playgrounds, and university libraries. He arranged for the delivery and personally helped distribute 56,000 pounds of seeds to help the Russian people survive the coming winter, and arranged for and presented a $1 million gift of medical supplies, food, and clothing to Mother Teresa for her worldwide charities.

As President of The Prince of Peace Foundation, he presented The Prince of Peace Prize to Mother Teresa, King Hussein of Jordan (accepted posthumously by his son, King Abdullah), and, most recently, to the Reverend Dr. Billy Graham.

Bert and Jane have been married 45 years and have lovingly supported each other in their mutual and separate endeavors. Jane Boeckmann is President of the Los Angeles based-firm World of Communications, Inc., the publisher of L.A. Brides and Valley Magazine. She also serves as Treasurer of Galpin Motors and is the official Interior Designer for all their facilities. Previously she was treasurer and Interior Designer for Establishment Motor Homes. Her career also includes the role of executive producer of documentaries and docudramas for television, including the award-winning ``Desperate Passage.''

Among their many honors, Bert and Jane received the coveted Jack Webb Award from the Los Angeles Police Historical Society and were both honored with Honorary Doctorates from Kings College and Seminary.

In addition, Jane and Bert are the devoted parents of five children and devoted grandparents of 11 grandchildren.

Mr. Speaker, I know my colleagues join me in thanking Bert and Jane Boeckmann for their extraordinary business leadership, community service, and deep commitment to humanity, and in wishing them continued success.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in honor of Harrison Industries, which was founded 80 years ago when E.J. Harrison offered to haul his neighbors' rubbish to the dump for 75 cents a load. His offer landed him 150 customers in the first year.

From those humble beginnings, Harrison Industries has continued to evolve and set the standards for rubbish collection while generously contributing to its community's success.

Family owned and operated Harrison Industries is one of the oldest and largest privately owned rubbish collection businesses in the United States. It provides residential, commercial, and industrial services to about 90,000 customers in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties.

E.J. died in 1991 but his wife, Myra, remains with the company as founder. Four generations of Harrison family members are involved in the day-to-day operations of the company. Myra's oldest son, Ralph, is president while her other sons, Jim and Myron, serve as vice presidents.

Harrison Industries is on the forefront of the recycling movement in California. In 1990, Harrison was among the first rubbish haulers in California to institute a three-barrel residential curbside recycling service for rubbish, recycling, and yard waste. Recyclables are delivered to Harrison's strategic partner Gold Coast Recycling and Transfer Station, while yard waste goes to Agromin, which uses cutting- edge technology to convert it into reusable soil amendments, barks, and mulches.

In 2012, Harrison Industries is undertaking new efforts toward achieving its goal of ``Zero Waste.''

Harrison Industries has won many awards in recognition of its financial support of local non-profit organizations and community cultural events.

Of the more than 150 non-profit organizations Harrison Industries has supported over the past eight decades, its substantial donations and support include: The E.J. Harrison Family Youth Center--the future home of the Saticoy branch of the Boys & Girls Club of Ventura; The Myra & E.J. Harrison Room at the East Ventura Boys & Girls Club; the inner courtyard of the Museum of Ventura County; The E.J. Harrison Family Promenade at Ojai's Libbey Bowl; The Harrison Industries Classroom/ Computer Lab at the California State University Channel Islands' John Spoor Broome Library; the Ventura Cross; the Ventura Pier; Ventura County Fairgrounds; and, The ``Eagle's Nest'' at Carpinteria State Beach's Interpretive Play Area.

Mr. Speaker, Ralph, Jim, Myron, and their families have been friends of my wife, Janice, and me for a very long time. I know my colleagues join me in honoring the Harrison family and Harrison Industries for 80 years of business leadership, community service, and deep commitment to public service, and in wishing them continued success.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in memory of my good friend, Joseph Paul Brown, who passed away earlier this year at 86 years young.

Joe Brown was a devoted family man, a realtor and business leader, an avid sportsman, a philanthropist, a mentor, and a role model. A native Southern Californian, Joe traced his roots on his mother's side to the first citizens of California, who arrived in 1775 by crossing the Sonoran Desert with Captain Juan Bautista De Anza.

At age 17, Joe joined the U.S. Coast Guard to serve his country during World War II. After his discharge, he attended Loyola University and graduated in 1950 with a degree in engineering. That same year he married his childhood sweetheart, Lydia T. Brucklemeir. They were married for 57 years until her death in 2004.

In the mid-1950s, Joe began his career as a developer and builder with the Janss Corporation. Through the years he served as president of the Janss Realty Co., which he later purchased, and as a vice president of the Janss Corporation. As such, he assisted in the development of more than 10,000 acres in the Conejo Valley area. One of his first projects was to join in the efforts to bring outside water to the valley, which enabled the area's growth.

As a leader in the Conejo Valley community, Joe helped bring numerous businesses to the area, including the development of the Oaks Mall Shopping Center and the sale of 2,000 acres from the Janss Family to MGM Studios, which had planned to move its operations to the area. While at Janss, he was intimately involved in the planning, development, and marketing of Sun Valley, Idaho, Snowmass-at-Aspen, and Northstar at Tahoe.

But Joe was most proud of his efforts to make the Conejo Valley a great place to live, work, and play. In addition to his successes in business, Joe, a devout Catholic, devoted himself to those in need. He founded the Men's Advisory Board to Mary Health of the Sick and helped form Many Mansions. He was a founding member of the board of Ventura County Community Foundation and volunteered on numerous advisory boards and committees for the City of Thousand Oaks and La Reina High School. He also was a member of the Board of Regents, California Lutheran University.

In recognition of his many successes, Joe was bestowed an Honorary Doctor of Laws Degree from California Lutheran University. For his devotion and assistance to the Archdiocese, Joe was knighted into the Order of St. Gregory, the Order of Malta, and the Order of the Holy Sepulcher.

In 2005, Joseph found love for the second time with Dolly Principe. Dolly and Joe had known each other since the 1970s through their competing real estate firms, and over the years had remained friends. Fate brought them together again, and they fell in love and married later that year.

Joe is survived by Dolly; his three children, Joseph A. Brown, Madeleine P. Brown and Mark J. Brown; 12 grandchildren and 13 great- grandchildren; and many loving friends.

Mr. Speaker, Joseph Paul Brown was a longtime special friend and a talented businessman who was equally successful as a family man and philanthropist. I know my colleagues join me in remembering his great contributions to his community, and in extending our condolences to his family and many friends.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in honor of my good friend Judge Colleen Toy White, who was recently honored by the Gold Coast Veterans Foundation with its General Roger L. Brautigan Excellence in Leadership Award.

I have known Judge White since she served as Chief Deputy in the Ventura County District Attorney's Office. We both trace our roots to Oklahoma, and share and respect the values of family, and of upholding the Constitution and the rule of law.

Judge White combined those values with drive, talent, and intelligence and rose from a law clerk in the prosecutor's office to become the chief assistant district attorney, the number two position. She also brought those values and qualities to the bench when she was appointed to the Ventura County Superior Court by Governor Pete Wilson.

Mr. Speaker, the General Roger L. Brautigan Excellence in Leadership Award is presented to an individual who has demonstrated outstanding leadership in the cause of veterans.

Judge White knows of veterans' needs directly. Her husband, Art Bliss, is a retired naval officer and several of her nephews are active military.

Her knowledge of veterans' needs led her to provide the ground work and to advocate for a veterans court. Judge White now presides over the veterans court, in addition to presiding over the domestic violence court, elder abuse court, and mental health court.

In addition, Judge White has been instrumental in assisting other courts to develop veterans programs.

Outside of the courtroom, Judge White is active in community organizations involving our youth and education. She served on the Board of Trustees of the Ventura/Santa Barbara College of Law and is a former member of the Board of Directors of the Ventura College Foundation. She served as president of the Board of Directors of Interface Children Family Services of Ventura County and was a past president and member of the Board of Directors of the Child Abuse and Neglect, an organization dedicated to the protection of children.

She was appointed Chairperson of President Reagan's Council on the Peace Corps and was appointed to a second term by President George H.W. Bush.

Not surprisingly, Judge White has won numerous awards for her service to the law and her community.

Mr. Speaker, Judge Colleen Toy White is a deserving recipient of the General Roger L. Brautigan Excellence in Leadership Award. It has been an honor for me to call Toy White my personal friend for a long time. She is someone for whom I have the highest respect, and I know my colleagues join my wife, Janice, and me in congratulating Toy for this great honor.

Mr. Speaker, S. 3245 extends for three years the authorization of the E-Verify program, the EB-5 Regional Center Program, the Special Immigrant Nonminister Religious Worker Program and the Conrad State 30 J-1 Visa Waiver Program. While these are all important programs, I want to speak specifically about E-Verify.

There are currently 23 million Americans who are unemployed or are looking for work. This lack of jobs is causing almost unimaginable hardship for millions of Americans and their families. And each month more people become discouraged and give up even trying to find a job.

Making sure that Americans have every opportunity to find work is more important than ever. One important way to achieve this goal is to reduce the number of jobs that go to illegal immigrants. The E-Verify program helps do just that.

E-Verify allows employers to check the work eligibility of new hires by running the employee's Social Security number or alien identification number against Department of Homeland Security and Social Security Administration records.

In 1995, I chaired the Congressional Task Force on Immigration Reform. We published a 200-plus page report with more than 80 specific recommendations. One of those was for an electronic employment eligibility verification system, which was included in Chairman Smith's 1996 immigration reform bill. That system is now known as E-Verify.

The program is currently voluntary for most of the almost 400,000 employers who use it. It is free, Internet-based and easy to use. And the employers who use it agree.

E-Verify has proven to be such an effective tool in preventing the employment of those who are illegally in our country that it should be used by all employers to check the employment eligibility of their new hires. It is the easiest way to help make sure U.S. jobs go to Americans and legal immigrants.

Short of requiring all employers to use E-Verify, at the very least we must ensure that the program remains in place for the 400,000 employers who depend on it. S. 3245 does just that by providing for a 3-year extension. So I urge my colleagues to support the bill.