Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise in honor of Devil Pups Inc. as it celebrates the 50,000 teenagers who have graduated from its program since its inception in 1954.

Mr. Speaker, I am one of those graduates, having completed the program in 1958. I continue to support the program as a member of Devil Pups' Advisory Board. I can personally attest to the program's success in building teenagers' self-confidence and in teaching them to take responsibility for their actions through Devil Pups' Good Citizenship- Physical Development Program.

The program's impetus was the burning of an American flag by a group of teenagers at a Southern California high school in 1953. Aggravated by this activity and the attitudes of the American youth it represented, retired Marine Corps Colonel Duncan Shaw Sr. and a group of retired Marine Corps Reserve Officers asked the Commandant of the Marine Corps to help aid character development in teenage boys and girls and enable them to become healthier and more successful citizens.

The Commandant agreed to help if the former Marines would form a charitable corporation to solicit contributions needed for food, transportation, insurance, and other sustainable items the government is prohibited from paying for.

The next summer, Camp Pendleton Commanding General John T. Selden granted permission for the nonprofit corporation Devil Pups Inc. to bring aboard 1,800 14- to 17-year-old boys. In 1998, Devil Pups welcomed its first platoon of girls into the program. Through the efforts of the active duty and reserve Marines and Devil Pups volunteers, the program has grown into a highly successful annual project. This summer, Devil Pups will graduate its 50,000th pup.

The name ``Devil Pups'' was conceived after observing that German troops during World War I called U.S. Marines ``Devil Dogs'' because of their battlefield accomplishments and valor. This success and challenge under stress is a fitting precursor for the name ``Devil Pups.''

The Devil Pups program is a demanding physical and academic good- citizenship program. The program is more mental than physical, reflecting the whole person concept. The program foundations are intellectual, spiritual, social, and physical.

Because of the limited space and ongoing military activities at Camp Pendleton, the program is only open to teens 14 to 17 years old from California, Nevada, and Arizona. It costs nearly $500 per teen to put on the program each year, but no teen has ever been asked to pay for the experience and no government funds are expended. The money raised to pay for the 10-day encampment is done through generous grants, fundraisers, and individual contributions.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to be a Devil Pups graduate and for my continued association with its program. I know my colleagues join me in congratulating Devil Pups Inc. and its volunteers for reaching the 50,000 pup milestone and for their efforts to help shape our youth into confident, healthy, and productive citizens.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in memory of my good friend, Edwin Fernando Beach, who passed away on the Fourth of July at the age of 88.

Ed was a Renaissance man. He was a jurist--retiring as an Associate Justice of California's Second District Court of Appeal--an avid horseman, a gymnast, an artist, an aspiring musician, and a mason. He was very active in his adopted hometown of Santa Paula, California. But most of all, he was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great- grandfather.

Justice Beach was born in Peru and moved to California with his mother and sister in 1930. He served in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II, where he began his love of horses and riding. After the war, he met his first wife, Janet, while they were students at the University of Southern California. After graduating from USC's School of Law in 1950, they moved to the Ventura County community of Santa Paula, where they raised seven children and lived the rest of their lives.

Ed maintained a private practice in Santa Paula until he was elected to the Ventura County Municipal Court. Before he could take his seat at the bench, however, Governor Ronald Reagan appointed him to the county Superior Court. Then, in 1973, Governor Reagan appointed him to the Second District Court of Appeal, which he served until 1987, occasionally also serving the California Supreme Court as a pro-tem.

Janet died in 2000. They had been married 51 years.

During their lives together, Ed was honored by the Ventura County Bar Association in 1989 as the first recipient of the Ben E. Nordman Humanitarian Award, and at various times he served on the boards of trustees of the Santa Paula Memorial Hospital, the Blanchard Community Library, the Santa Paula Historical Society, and the founding boards of the Ventura County Symphony and Santa Clara Valley Bank. He was a member of the Santa Paula Rotary Club, becoming an honorary member on his appointment to the Appellate Court. He frequently rode his chestnut mare, Bonnie, in local parades, often in a Spanish riding costume. His children, all riders, many times accompanied him on their own horses or driving their pony cart.

Ed and Janet were jointly awarded the Santa Paula Chamber of Commerce's Citizen of the Year award. Their home was the site for countless fundraisers, parties, and concerts for local community groups.

In 2001, he married fellow Rotarian Barbara Robinson. Ed's 11 years with Barbara were spent traveling, gardening, and enjoying music and friends. She was at his side when he died at home.

Mr. Speaker, Justice Edwin Fernando Beach was a man of extraordinary integrity, kindness, generosity, friendliness, intellect, and humility. I know my colleagues join me in remembering his great contributions to American society and jurisprudence, and in extending our condolences to his family and many friends.

Madam Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Madam Chairwoman, my amendment will provide funding to the Air National Guard so it can obtain much-needed firefighting equipment so they can more effectively combat the devastating wildfires that destroy millions of acres of land and homes every year in the western United States.

The likelihood of calling upon MAFFS-equipped Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve C-130s has increased significantly. MAFFS are modular air firefighting systems that drop retardant to create firebreaks.

In 2003, the U.S. Forest Service had 44 fixed-wing aerial firefighting aircraft. By 2004, the number had dwindled to 19. And as of June 3 of this year, that number stands at only eight. An additional aircraft, on interim contract with the Forest Service, and air tankers borrowed from Canada and Alaska are being utilized to try to fill the shortfall.

While the Forest Service firefighting fleet has gotten significantly smaller, the number of wildfires have been increasing. In fact, in 2011, 74,000 fires burned 8.7 million acres. The most recent 10-year average indicates that the fires burned an average of 7.4 million acres a year.

As the fleet diminishes, stress on remaining aircraft increases. Further, the distance between fires and available aircraft have been increasing. The result is more fires burning out of control. Additionally, an increase of flight time and cycles contributes to an earlier demise of the remaining aircraft.

Only eight C-130s equipped with MAFFS units are equipped to supplement the Forest Service fleet. Even when all eight are called upon, the number of heavy air tanker aircraft is less than half that existed in 2003. We clearly need more aircraft, and the Forest Service is not likely to produce aircraft capable of meeting the need for the next 2 or 3 years, or probably longer.

My amendment will provide an interim solution to this problem by providing $8 million to the Air National Guard so they can make two existing Guard wings capable of operating and flying two legacy MAFFS, one unit each. That will give us four additional tanker aircraft to fight wildfires that have been ravaging the western United States.

My amendment will also appropriate $16 million for the Air Force to procure two new aerial dispersal units for use by the Air National Guard. Activating the legacy MAFFS units will help get more planes fighting fires this next year while these new aerial dispersal units are being produced and hopefully available for use within 2 years.

Our Nation desperately needs our aircraft to fight wildfires, and the Air Guard is ready to go to work. The U.S. needs more aircraft available to fight the wildfires that have ravaged Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, and Utah this season alone. I urge the support of my colleagues.

With that, Madam Chairwoman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Offered By: Mr. Gallegly

Amendment No. 15: Page 8, line 24, after the dollar amount,

insert ``(reduced by $24,000,000)''.

Page 13, line 9, after the dollar amount, insert

``(increased by $8,000,000)''.

Page 27, line 7, after the dollar amount, insert

``(increased by $16,000,000)''.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the outstanding achievements of Ventura County Stand Down, which next week will mark 20 years of helping homeless veterans combat life on the streets.

During the three-day, two-night Stand Down, veterans will live on the campus of the California Army National Guard Armory in military-style tents erected by the Seabees. They will have access to showers, toiletries, new and used clean clothing, and hot meals each day.

Working in conjunction with dozens of public and private agencies, Stand Down 2012 will provide homeless veterans with a myriad of services such as medical treatment, legal services, prescription lenses, employment counseling and referrals, VA benefits, drug and alcohol counseling, general relief information, transitional housing information, along with a range of other government and social services.

It's a monumental undertaking. Ventura County Stand Down would not be a success--or have even been launched--without the skill and perseverance of Claire Hope, the founder and chairperson of Ventura County Stand Down. The daughter of a World War II veteran and mother of a veteran of Desert Storm, Claire Hope has a soft heart for veterans and a strong will to help those in need.

About 300 volunteers help Claire each year. Another nearly 300 companies, corporations, and non-profit organizations are on board. About 20 service providers take part and 20 committees oversee all aspects of the event, from planning, to execution, to cleanup, to follow-up.

Many of the volunteers have been with Claire since the beginning While I can't name them all, I would be remiss without noting several key people whose efforts have meant so much to our veterans. They include 20-year Executive Committee Chairs J. Roger Myers, Herb Williams III, Dr. Cal Farmer, Madeline Lee, Gene Ogden, Jean Farley, and Hal Nachenberg. Other Executive Committee Chairs include Judge Pro- Tem Nancy Aronson, Jodi Prior, Yasmin Morrison, Mary Gene Ryan, Betty Zamost, Charles Lane, Jane Towley, Bob Shiverdecker, Carl Lanterman, Gary Erland, Connie Biggers, Carol Rogers, and Jim Rogers.

Special recognition for their ongoing major contributions to Stand Down belongs to: International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local 952; California Army National Guard Armory, Ventura; American Legion Auxiliary; American Legion; Beacon House--San Pedro; Salvation Army of Ventura; Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 11395 Thousand Oaks; Marjorie Mosher Schmidt Foundation; New Directions Technologies, Inc.; U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Beacon House San Pedro; Naval Facilities Expeditionary Logistics Center & the Thirty-First Seabee Readiness Group; Ventura County Bar Association Ventura County Public Defenders; Chief's Council of the 146th Airlift Wing of the California Air National Guard; Ventura Superior Court Homeless Court; and Neal C. Green, DDS.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to be affiliated with Ventura County as Honorary Cochairman for the 20th year. I know my colleagues will join me in recognizing the importance of Ventura County Stand Down and in thanking Claire Hope and her myriad of volunteers for their selfless efforts in helping those who served our country and who fell on hard times to have a fighting chance to resume a life of stability and peace. It's a yeoman's effort, and one worth undertaking.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in honor of my close personal friend Mike Sedell, who is retiring next week as the City Manager of the City of Simi Valley, California.

Mike and I have worked together for 33 years. When I was first elected to the Simi Valley City Council, he was Simi Valley's Deputy City Manager under then-City Manager Lin Koester. When I was elected to Congress in 1986, he came to Washington, DC, to serve as my first Chief of Staff. After three years in Washington, he returned to Simi Valley as Assistant City Manager, becoming City Manager in 1995.

Mike and I are not just professional associates. We are personal friends and have continued to be personal friends in the 17 years since he left my employ. Not a week goes by that we don't connect to discuss a federal issue, or a local issue, or our respective families.

Mike began working for the people of Simi Valley in 1972 as a California State University, Northridge, intern and subsequently served the City in a variety of assigmnents. He first worked as Simi Valley's Personnel Administrator and Community Services Coordinator, which included working on the Neighborhood Council Program, the Youth Council, and Youth Services. In 1975, he was asked to become part of the City Manager's office.

Once in the City Manager's Office, Mike effectively supervised several programs, including public affairs, media relations, City Council/staff relations, governmental affairs, labor relations, transit system operations, and elections.

When Lin Koester left Simi Valley to become the Chief Administrative Officer for Ventura County in 1995, the City Council unanimously appointed Mike as City Manager, a position he has held since.

In addition to serving as Simi Valley's City Manager, Mike periodically teaches an Intergovernmental Relations Seminar in the Master's Degree program in Public Administration at Cal State Northridge, and has served as past Chair of the Board of Directors of Interface Children and Family Services of Ventura County.

With his contacts developed over the years in both Washington and Sacramento, Mike is often called upon by Simi Valley, and occasionally other cities, to assist whenever a legislative or intergovernmental crisis occurs. Mike also works with Sacramento and Washington legislators on budget issues affecting Simi Valley and other California cities, and he has been a key player in developing the final funding formula for local agencies, and crafting complex intergovernmental agreements.

His liaison work between the City and The Ronald Reagan Presidential Library has been instrumental in forming a strong operating bond between the Library and the City, and Mike was proud to be a member of the coordinating team that put together the local events for the funeral of President Reagan.

Mr. Speaker, Mike Sedell has spent a lifetime in public service at the local and federal level. He has steered the City of Simi Valley through many difficult times with great success and his expertise is recognized and sought after by many other government officials. I know my colleagues join my wife, Janice, and me in thanking Mike for his lifetime of public service and in wishing our good friends Mike and his wife, Judie, the best in retirement.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in tribute to the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and the Walt Disney Company's D23, the Official Disney Fan Club, as they present an historic exhibit at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum in Simi Valley, California, titled, ``D23 Presents Treasures of the Walt Disney Archives.''

The exhibit, which opens on July 6, salutes Walt Disney, one of America's most revered men of imagination. D23, the Official Disney Fan Club will showcase the largest-ever exhibition of iconic props, costumes, artwork, and artifacts at the Presidential Library of our 40th president, who believed there are no limits to growth and human progress when men and women are free to follow their dreams.

Ronald Reagan and Walt Disney were American originals and eternal optimists who shared a belief in the essential goodness of the American way of life. Both grew up in the heartland of America during the early 1900s with hardworking, patriotic parents who believed that everything was part of God's plan. Next to his photograph in his high school yearbook, Reagan's outlook is captured in the expression: ``Life is just one grand song, so start the music.''

Both men moved to California in their 20s to pursue careers in entertainment. With deeply shared values and abundant talent, the friendship of the pioneering imagineer and actor/broadcaster began decades before Reagan went to Washington. In July 1955, Disney revolutionized family entertainment when he unveiled the Magic Kingdom, Disneyland, and asked Reagan to co-host ABC's television coverage of the historic event.

Disney joined the ``Friends of Ronald Reagan'' to encourage and promote Reagan's ideas about limited government and individual liberty during Reagan's first gubernatorial race in 1966. Reagan was hoping Disney would join his finance team in Sacramento but, sadly, Disney died just 16 days before Reagan's inauguration. In tribute, Governor Reagan successfully petitioned the U.S. Postal Service to create a stamp in Disney's honor.

During his presidency, Reagan visited Walt Disney World in Florida twice. In 1983, he promoted the President's International Youth Exchange Initiative in tandem with the World Showcase Fellowship Program, and encouraged students to ``soar on the wings of invention and the winds of change.''

In 1985, President and Mrs. Reagan celebrated a first at Walt Disney World by holding a ``make-up'' inaugural parade after the original parade was cancelled due to severely cold weather. During his speech at that event, President Reagan honored the immense force for good that is found in the imagination of those who live in freedom and reminded us that Walt Disney personified the spirit of America, leading us to invent, to build, to envision, and to learn.

After leaving the Oval Office, one of President Reagan's first public events was a return to Disneyland, where he officiated at the park's January 1990, 35th anniversary celebration, proclaiming it ``one of America's treasures.''

It is a tribute to both men that this exhibition of Disney treasures will be open at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in honor of the bond between President Reagan and Walt Disney.

Mr. Speaker, Bob Iger, the chairman of The Walt Disney Company, which partnered with the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Library, continues Walt Disney's legacy. As chairman of Capital Cities/ABC television, he was an architect of the merger with Disney--a combination that has shaped and transformed the global media landscape. He has dedicated himself to fostering the creative vitality of the Disney organization and under his guidance The Walt Disney Company has become the world's largest media company.

Ronald Reagan was the first president I served under as a Member of Congress and his Presidential Library is less than a half-mile from my home. On a plane ride back to California, I met actor Fess Parker, who was catapulted to fame by playing Disney's Davey Crockett and was returning home after spending time with his friend Ronald Reagan at the White House. Fess Parker became a lifelong friend as well. Personally and as an American, I have a strong connection to this exhibit and the men it honors.

``D23 Presents Treasures of the Walt Disney Archives'' celebrates the leadership, the accomplishments, the creative spirit and powerful legacies of two great American pioneers. Ronald Reagan ended the Cold War and reshaped the world. Walt Disney changed the face of family entertainment. And both men had a keen understanding of what you'd fmd at the ``shining city on a hill'': harmony, decency, wholesomeness, and homespun values that never have, and never will, go out of style.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in honor of the Conejo Valley Chapter of Military Order of the World Wars, the Sgt. Michael A. DiRaimondo Chapter of Military Order of the Purple Heart, and the Red, White and Blue Ball.

For 27 years, the Military Order of the World Wars has presented its Red, White and Blue Ball to perpetuate the spirit of patriotism. This year, the Conejo Valley Chapter is joined by the Sgt. Michael A. DiRaimondo Chapter of Military Order of the Purple Heart. Army Sgt. DiRaimondo was Ventura County's first casualty in Operation Iraqi Freedom. He was 22 years old.

I did not know Michael, but I have become close friends with his exceptional family.

Each year, the Ball honors an individual who has demonstrated exceptional patriotism and who has made significant contributions to the community.

The U.S. Navy will be honored at this Saturday's event. This is the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Navy SEALs and Captain Jason Ehret, USN SEAL, will be the honorary chair. The 2012 Patriotic Citizen of the Year is Colonel John Fer, who served in the U.S. Air Force for 28 years.

It is fitting that the Ball will be held at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library. It will start with an open reception followed by a formal opening ceremony. Dinner, dancing to music of the Harry Selvin Band, and silent and live auctions will round out the evening.

It is a festive affair, with military personnel--active, reserve and retired--wearing dress uniforms. Civilian men wear dark suits or tuxedos and civilian women wear formal or cocktail dresses.

Auction proceeds will support activities such as Ventura County and Thousand Oaks Veterans Day ceremonies, Conejo Valley Memorial Day ceremony, Thousand Oaks Youth Leadership Conference, Junior ROTC awards, and Boy Scout and Girl Scout troops.

Mr. Speaker, I attended the first Red, White and Blue Ball 27 years ago and am proud to have been presented the Gold Patrick Henry Award at the 1989 Ball.

I am leaving Congress at the end of this session, which will change my relationship with the Military Order of the World Wars and the Sgt. Michael A. DiRaimondo Chapter. I am confident, however, that the relationship will remain strong and grow in the coming years.

I am equally confident that my colleagues join me now in honoring the Conejo Valley Chapter of Military Order of the World Wars, the Sgt. Michael A. DiRaimondo Chapter of Military Order of the Purple Heart, Captain Jason Ehret, the U.S. Navy SEALs, and the Ball's 2012 Patriotic Citizen of the Year, Colonel John Fer. Thank you all for your service.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in tribute to a constituent and friend, Ron Plotkin, who will be rightfully honored this weekend by the Republican Jewish Coalition at its 2012 RJC Summer Bash.

An ardent Zionist and member of the Republican Jewish Coalition's Board of Directors, Ron has committed himself to educating the voting public and supporting Republican candidates who understand the unique relationship between Israel, the only democracy in the Middle East, and the United States.

In addition, Ron is a highly successful Los Angeles-based international business executive and philanthropist who has made his mark in corporate marketing and advertising. As a partner and Chief Operating Officer of TMP Worldwide, he was instrumental in building the company into the world's largest ``yellow pages'' advertising agency.

The next global move was to cofound and develop the largest jobs website on the Internet, Monster.com. He is now Chief Executive Officer of Directional Marketing at Monster Worldwide.

Ron is an active investor in small technology start-up companies based on unique concepts that have the potential to be cutting-edge ground-breakers in very competitive fields.

His career in Yellow Pages began in 1975 with the L.M. Berry Co. where he held a number of positions that progressed to sales management at its headquarters in Dayton, Ohio. In 1986, he became an equity partner in CPC (Communications Planning Corporation) and shortly afterward, he entered into a partnership arrangement with TMP Worldwide, and officially joined the company on July 1, 1988.

He is also an Executive Advisory Board Member of the Cabrillo Music Theatre, Inc. and a Board Member of the Association of Directory Marketing, Inc.

Mr. Speaker, I'm sure my colleagues join the Republican Jewish Coalition and me in honoring Ron for his tireless efforts on behalf of democracy both here at home and with our strong ally Israel.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in tribute to Dr. Donald Zimring, who is retiring from the Las Virgenes Unified School District in Calabasas, California, to become head of

school for Brandeis Hillel schools in San Francisco and San Rafael.

I have known Don since I served on the Simi Valley City Council and he covered the meetings as a journalist. Fortunately, he found a more respectable line of work when he joined the Las Virgenes School District as its public information officer in 1979.

From there, Don became a middle school teacher, school principal, assistant superintendent of business services, deputy superintendent, and finally superintendent on July 2, 2007.

He is credited with bringing the first Spanish immersion program to the district, instituting a community service requirement for graduation, increasing technology in the classroom, adding high school performance arts centers, and renovating and expanding Lindero Canyon Middle School, where he began his teaching career.

Although Don left the classroom early in his career, he never left the kids. For 35 years, he has taken a group of eighth graders to Washington, D.C., over spring break. Don believes very deeply that students should know firsthand how their government works.

That belief stems from an earlier career before the call to teaching caught up with him. Don traveled the world as an administrative coordinator for the Los Angeles World Affairs Council and had a front- row seat to the decision-making processes of Secretaries of State, presidents, princes and kings.

But it was education that became his life. Don credits Bernard Cohen, his seventh- and eighth-grade teacher at Walter Reed Junior High in North Hollywood, for sparking his interest in teaching.

``Most kids get one teacher who ignited that spark and made learning exciting,'' Don told a local paper when he was named superintendent. ``There wasn't one person who didn't respect him and look up to him. I thought that was cool.''

Mr. Speaker, I'm sure many a Las Virgenes student has looked up to Dr. Donald Zimring and thought he was cool, too. I am equally sure my colleagues join me in thanking Don for his 37 years of professional service to Las Virgenes Unified School District and in wishing him the best in his new role at Brandeis Hillel.

Mr. Speaker, I have known Father Joseph Shea since he was appointed pastor of St. Rose of Lima Parish in my home city of Simi Valley, California. He's been there now for approximately 4 years, and we've worked together on several projects that have benefited our community.

It is befitting that we continue the tradition of having pastors from across our country open the people's House with a prayer for our Nation and its people.

I want to thank the Reverend Patrick J. Conroy, Chaplain of the U.S. House of Representatives, for giving Father Shea the opportunity to open today's session of the House. Having guest chaplains from across the country participate in this historical undertaking truly does manifest the freedom of worship enjoyed across the United States.

I also want to thank Father Shea for traveling all the way across this great Nation to be here with us this morning to offer the spiritual opening for the day.

I thank the gentleman for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of my legislation, H.R. 241. This bill will authorize the Forest Service to convey a small parcel of land on the perimeter of the Los Padres National Forest to a nonprofit organization, the White Lotus Foundation.

In 1983, the White Lotus Foundation inherited property in the hills above Santa Barbara, California, on the border of the Los Padres National Forest. After operating at this location for over 25 years, the Forest Service sent a letter to the foundation notifying them of a 1/20-of-an-acre encroachment on Forest Service land.

The encroachment in question is located on a loop of the only road that allows White Lotus and the rest of the public access to and from the White Lotus property. Due to the steep topography, the foundation no longer has any other reasonable alternatives.

The loop lies on flat ground which holds equipment storage for fire and flood emergencies and provides access to a water pump and other necessary equipment. There is no other flat ground on which to move these items, and without this space, the foundation will be forced to cease operations.

My legislation authorizes the Forest Service to enter into a land exchange with the White Lotus Foundation for land worth no less than the appraised market value. If this land exchange does not occur within 2 years, the Forest Service is allowed to convey the land that would benefit White Lotus and to determine the amount to be conveyed. If the Forest Service does not feel that this land conveyance is in its best interest, it does not have to sell any Federal land to White Lotus. However, if the land sale does move ahead, my legislation will not cost the taxpayers a single penny. White Lotus will pay for the land, the survey, and all administrative costs and related costs.

There are no exemptions from NEPA or any other environmental laws. The land in question is not protected wilderness or any other specifically designated area.

In closing, I want to thank the chairman, the ranking member, and my colleagues for allowing this to be brought to the floor today.

I urge the support for my legislation, H.R. 241.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in memory of Tom Glancy, who passed away earlier this month after more than 12 years of exceptional service to the citizens as an appointed and elected official for the City of Thousand Oaks, California.

After serving 6 years on the city's Planning Commission, Tom was appointed to the Thousand Oaks City Council in 2005. He was elected to a full term in 2008 and served as mayor in 2009. He resigned on May 11 due to declining health.

A dentist who specialized in implants and reconstructive dentistry, Tom treated his time in public office as a second full-time job. He was known to bring Planning Commission and later City Council binders with him on vacations or weekend getaways so he could be prepared when sitting on the dais. He served on 23 separate committees and boards during his time on the council.

Those included turns as vice president, president, and immediate past president of the Association of Water Agencies of Ventura County; chair of the League of California Cities Community Services Policy Committee; and vice-chair and chair of the League of California Cities Transportation, Communication & Public Works Committee.

Tom's service was not limited to appointed and elected office however. After 30 years of active and reserve duty, Tom retired from the U.S. Navy as a captain. He was also an active Rotarian for 25 years and served as president of the Rotary Club of Thousand Oaks from 1992 1993. He served on the board of the Southeast Ventura County YMCA, was general chairman and executive chairman of the Conejo Valley Days Committee, and served as Conejo Valley Days Grand Marshal in 2011.

When not serving his community, Tom and his wife, Karen--who is an artist and served as his dental assistant--enjoyed local and international travel, hiking, fishing, sailing, and spending time with their four children and four grandchildren. Tom was also an accomplished cook and pilot.

His was a life well-lived.

Mr. Speaker, I know my colleagues join me in celebrating the life of Tom Glancy, in remembering his many accomplishments, in thanking him for his many years of service to his country and community, and in offering our condolences to Karen, their children and grandchildren, and all who were touched by Tom's friendship and dedication.

Godspeed, Tom.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in tribute to David Hadley, who is the quintessence of a community volunteer--and a lifelong friend.

I have known Dave since we were boys. Dave, his brother, Peter, and I were in the Sea Explorers together. Their dad, ``Skipper'' Al Hadley, was our Explorer advisor. Skipper instilled in us, and our fellow Scouts, the values of patriotism and public service.

Dave took his father's teachings to heart.

In addition to making his mark in girls softball for the past 35 years--to the extent that the Boys & Girls Club baseball field in Fallbrook, California, is named the Dave Hadley Field in recognition of his longtime dedication to youth sports--Dave has been active in his church and has been advisor to the San Diego County Board of Supervisors.

During his 35 years of coaching youth softball, Dave has also helped organize youth softball leagues with administrative positions, organized local and traveling teams, and coached ``Smurf'' softball programs for kindergarten girls. And, like his dad, Dave also taught his players the value of giving back. His former players have gone on to play and coach in the National Pro Fast Pitch League and at numerous high schools, community colleges and colleges.

Also in keeping with his dad's example, Dave's daughters, Heather and Holly, also were recipients of Dave's coaching and example. He also is providing guidance, direction and coaching to his seven grandchildren: Amber, Hunter, Kai, Shea, Mackynley, Ben and David.

Dave's dedication to youth expands beyond the softball field. He has been a Confraternity of Christine Doctrine (CCD) teacher at St. Peter's Catholic Church for 20 years and an executive board member and past president of the Boys & Girls Club of Fallbrook for 22 years.

In addition, Dave served for five years as an Advisory Board member from San Diego County Service Area 81, providing community input to county supervisors.Somehow he also found the time to be an entrepreneur, owning and operating S K Specialties, a full-service machine shop, for 35 years.

Mr. Speaker, Dave is to be rightly honored for his service to his community. I know my colleagues join Fallbrook, California, and me in thanking Dave for his decades of dedication and in recognizing not only his accomplishments, but in recognizing the accomplishments of those he has mentored and has passed on the values of patriotism and public service.

Well done, my friend.

I want to thank Chairman McKeon and also Ranking Member Smith for all their work in putting this bill together.

My amendment, which is included in the en bloc, will address the repercussions of the expansion of sea otters into the southern California coastal waters. With the official termination of the sea otter containment zone by the Fish and Wildlife Service, sea otters will begin to migrate south. As they do this, they will be invading U.S. Naval testing areas.

While I fully support the recovery efforts of the sea otter, this does not have to happen at the expense of our national security.

By creating military readiness areas around San Nicolas Island, San Clemente Island, and the shores off Camp Pendleton, sea otters will be able to expand their range. At the same time, the Navy will be able to maintain

their incidental-taking exemption, which allows the Navy to continue their operation off the southern California coast without harming our national security.

Further, while implementing a plan for the recovery of sea otters, the Fish and Wildlife Service will have to coordinate with the Navy and the Department of Commerce on recovery efforts for other endangered and threatened species, and the State of California can continue a viable commercial harvest of fisheries.

I urge support of this en bloc amendment.