Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise in tribute to Robert A. Briner, who is retiring this week as Chief of the Ventura County, California, District Attorney's Bureau of Investigation.

Chief Briner has more than 31 years of experience in law enforcement, 22 of them with

the District Attorney's Office. He began as a front-line investigator and was promoted through the ranks of the Bureau, culminating in his appointment as Chief of the Bureau of Investigation in February of 2007, where he manages 48 peace officers and 20 civilian employees.

As he rose through the Bureau, Chief Briner served as Supervising Senior District Attorney Investigator and Deputy Chief Investigator before his appointment as Chief of the Bureau of Investigation. During his tenure with the Bureau, he has served in the Sexual Assault/Family Protection Unit, Special Investigations/Criminal Intelligence Unit, Political Corruption Unit, Major Crimes Unit, Supervisor of the Welfare Fraud Unit, Supervisor of the Major Crimes Unit, and Deputy Chief of the Criminal Division.

Chief Briner is an active member of the FBI-Law Enforcement Executive Development Association. He also regularly attends meetings of the Ventura County Law Enforcement Coordinating Committee and chairs the Chiefs' Committee of the California District Attorney Investigators' Association. He holds an associate of science degree in administration of justice and a bachelor of arts degree in leadership. Chief Briner also has attended formal training from the State of California Department of Justice in supervision, management, and executive development.

Outside the office, Chief Briner enjoys lecturing on the topic of leadership, and most recently addressed the Young Leaders of Santa Maria. One of his greatest gifts is mentoring and encouraging young people, from little leaguers on the baseball field, to young college students at local universities, to newly hired investigators.

He also enjoys motorcycle riding, fishing, adventures in his motor home, playing golf with his son, Tyson, playing softball, and spending time with family and friends.

The Chief and his wife, Gail, will celebrate their 30th wedding anniversary in July. Chief Briner is an avid Dodger baseball fan and he and Gail often follow the team to spring training and attend many season games. He also enjoys photography and taking in nature.

Mr. Speaker, I know my colleagues join me in thanking Chief Briner for his lifetime of public service and in wishing him good health and many years of continued happiness with his family.

Mr. Speaker, April 7, 2012, marks the twentieth anniversary of the United States recognition of the Republic of Croatia as a sovereign country.

Two decades later, the Republic of Croatia has shown its firm and steady commitment to freedom, democracy, and prosperity for all its citizens.

The United States has been a consistent supporter of these endeavors, to which the House of Representatives, and especially the Croatian Congressional Caucus, have played a crucial role.

Over the past twenty years, Croatia has come a long way and the House of Representatives has been there to recognize and encourage its integration into Euro-Atlantic institutions. On December 14, 2005, the House of Representatives approved House Resolution 529, which recommended and encouraged Croatia's membership in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). In addition, House Resolution 529 commended Croatia for its progress in meeting the political, economic, and military requirements. Finally, the resolution recognized Croatia's contribution to the global war on terrorism and for its constructive participation in the United States-Adriatic Charter.

This was followed up by approval of House Resolution 1266 on July 30, 2008, congratulating Croatia on being invited by NATO to begin accession talks. In the three years since Croatia joined NATO, Croatia has contributed to NATO-led peace-keeping missions and offered its strong support to allied forces, especially in Afghanistan, where Croatian troops are assisting in bringing stability and security to the country.

Currently, we are witnessing another vital moment for our Southeast European ally. They have entered the final phase in its accession negotiations with the EU. Along with forging its Euro-Atlantic future, Croatia has proven to be an ardent advocate for the rest of the Balkan region. Success for Croatia will be success for the region and a beacon for eventual EU and NATO membership for all these countries, once all the conditions and benchmarks have been met.

The 20-year relationship between the U.S. and Croatia has been based on shared values and friendship, and I am confident that it will continue.

I know my colleagues join me in congratulating Croatia on all it has accomplished since becoming a sovereign nation. I look forward to our continuing partnership.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in honor of Dennis ``Denny'' Gillette, who retires today after nearly 14 years on the Thousand Oaks City Council, making him the second-longest serving councilmember in the city's history.

My wife, Janice, and I have had the honor of knowing Denny and his wife, Terry, for more than 30 years. Denny spent his entire adult life in the service of his country and his community, as a Marine, as a sheriff's deputy who rose to the rank of assistant sheriff, as vice president of California Lutheran University (CLU), and as an elected official.

Denny stepped down from the council for health reasons. I mention that only to share a story that illustrates his dedication as a public servant. Last month, Denny was hospitalized for surgery. At the time, the council was interviewing candidates for city attorney. Although Denny was advised by his doctors to rest, Denny insisted that the finalists come to the hospital, where he interviewed them from his hospital bed.

I was not surprised to hear that story.

When Denny was with the Ventura County Sheriff's Department--a career that spanned 25 years--I worked with him often on criminal justice issues. During his 12-year stint as vice president of CLU, we worked together on educational and community issues. As a cotuicilmember--and three-time mayor--we worked together on a host of issues, including the widening of the 123 Freeway and 101/23 freeway interchange.

Denny's sure hand and calm but determined demeanor ensured that projects moved forward and were completed. Denny was also served 10 years on the Conejo Recreation and Park District Board before deciding to run for the City Council, and he completed many of the park projects he started on the park board from the council dais.

His many other accomplishments are too lengthy to list here, but they include: construction of the Community Transportation Center; forging a strong working relationship among the city, Park District, and Conejo Valley Unified School District; forging a highly successfully ``Town- Gown'' relationship between the city and CLU when he was at CLU, resulting in the successful completion of the North Campus Specific Plan and construction of the popular Community Pool located on the CLU campus; and construction of state-of-the-art athletic fields at Newbury Park High School, Thousand Oaks High School, and Westlake High School.

Current Mayor Jacqui Irwin told a local newspaper that when she learned of Denny's decision to retire, her heart dropped because she could not imagine the City Council without him.

The rest of the community feels the same way, Denny.

Mr. Speaker, I know my colleagues join me in thanking Denny for his lifetime of public service and in wishing him good health and many years of continued happiness with Terry, his wife of 42 years, and their daughters, Kristine and Lisa.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in memory of Randy Rhoads, a close personal friend to my wife Janice and me, who passed unexpectedly and way too young.

Randy was only 52, but he packed a lot of life in those years. He managed the family business, Green Acres Market in Simi Valley, California, which his parents, Dick and Brenda, bought in 1968. Randy worked there as a young teen sweeping up and doing other odd chores, and after graduating high school told his dad it was the only place he wanted to work.

Over the years, Randy's winning smile greeted thousands of customers who came in for the market's fresh meat, produce, and breads. Many of those who landed their first job at Green Acres were trained and mentored by Randy, and they became lifelong friends.

Randy believed in helping the less fortunate and was a big contributor to the MANNA Conejo Valley Food Bank and Simi Valley Care & Share Food Bank, even storing food for them at times in the grocery's refrigerator. One of the last philanthropic events he worked on was the Elton Gallegly & Friends Operation Toy Drop 2011 at Naval Base Ventura County in December. He supplied the 400 hams that went with bicycles, toys, and other food to thank military spouses and children of deployed, formerly deployed, or soon-to-be-deployed service members, who must endure long periods without a loved one.

When Randy wasn't at the store or caring for the less fortunate, he enjoyed camping, barbecuing, fishing wherever there was a stream, riding his motorcycle, playing poker, and being with his family.

Randy had a quotation hanging over his work bench at home. It read: ``It doesn't matter where you go in life . . . What you do . . . Or how much you have . . . It's who you have beside you.''

Those of us who had Randy beside us are very grateful to have known him and to have shared our lives with him.

Randy leaves behind his parents and Janice and my friends for more than 40 years, Dick

and Brenda; his wife, Gina; their two daughters, Ashton and Brandie; sister, Julie; Julie's children, Tisa, Rachelle, and Ryan; and hundreds of friends.

Mr. Speaker, I know my colleagues join me in remembering Randy Rhoads, in thanking him for his many gifts to others, and in sending our condolences to his family and friends.

Godspeed, Randy.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in memory of Tom Williams, a big man with an even bigger heart who died last week in a tragic car accident.

Tom, 56, was an engineer for the Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division, based at Point Mugu in my district and China Lake, for 38 years. Most of his career was spent working on simulations of radar systems that could be used by America's enemies.

The War Center's mission is to test weapon systems and Tom often assumed the persona of the ``bad guy'' to design and implement countermeasures.

He was known as a great troubleshooter. Navy officials told the local newspaper that Tom ``could make complex radar systems work in the most hostile environments.''

Tom's work had real-life implications and saved countless lives. During Desert Shield, he was sent to the Persian Gulf, where he developed a technique that allowed Navy aviators to jam Iraq's radar. That allowed the aviators to remain safe during their missions when Desert Shield became Desert Storm.

Tom graduated from the Senior Executive Management Development Program at the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) and was chosen to be a NAVAIR Associate Fellow, recognizing his expertise in the development of threat simulators. Tom eventually became the head of the Airborne Threat Simulation Team, serving at the Integrated Program Team Lead.

A second-generation Californian, Tom began at the Warfare Center as an intern after graduating from Buena High School and retired in 2010, although he returned part-time nine months later to mentor and train new engineers.

When not working at the base, Tom was active in local politics and helping colleagues with home improvement projects. Woodworking was a hobby, and he enjoyed playing golf, pursuing photography, and traveling with his wife, Barbara. Barbara also worked at the Warfare Center, where the two met, and retired in 2009.

In addition to Barbara, Tom is survived by their son, David, and David's fiancee, Kaylan Danielson.

Mr. Speaker, I know my colleagues join my wife, Janice, and me in remembering our personal friend Thomas Williams, in thanking him for his lifetime of work to protect our military men and women, and in offering our sincere condolences to Barbara, David, Kaylan, and to all who knew and loved him. He will be missed.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor Gary Thomas--businessman, civic activist and a very good friend to my wife, Janice, and me--as he is recognized this Friday as the 53rd recipient of the annual Fernando Award.

The Fernando Award is the highest award in California's San Fernando Valley that recognizes exceptional volunteer efforts. It often has been called the Academy Award of Volunteerism in the San Fernando Valley and is one of the top awards for civic accomplishments in the United States.

Gary is well-deserving of this honor.

Gary's community service and volunteerism has spanned more than 37 years and has involved Chambers of Commerce, organizations that have political impact in the San Fernando Valley, anti-gang programs, youth development organizations, leadership and business programs, and nonprofit organizations.

Gary is responsible for creating many innovative fundraising programs for Valley nonprofits and has helped raise more than $5 million for the nearly 30 nonprofit organizations for which he has served in leadership positions.

He has served on the Boys & Girls Club of the West for the past 13 years and is currently Chairman of the Board for the fifth year. Gary has served in leadership positions with the Economic Alliance of the San Fernando Valley, United Chambers of the San Fernando Valley; the Valley Business Corps, and the Wellness Community for the Valley and Ventura.

Gary also has been active with the San Fernando Valley Business Advisory Commission and the San Fernando Valley Charitable Foundation.

Although Gary is being recognized for his activities in the San Fernando Valley, I know firsthand that he has also been active in many nonprofit and business activities in Ventura County as well.

A successful businessman, Gary is Senior Vice President and Creative Director for Aaron, Thomas & Associates in Chatsworth, a company that specializes in creative consulting, graphic design, printing, and direct mail services to the political sector and the general corporate market throughout the United States.

Mr. Speaker, I know my colleagues join Janice and me in congratulating Gary Thomas for the honor of being the 2011 Fernando Award Recipient and in thanking him for making his community a better place for all to live, work, and thrive.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in tribute to my very good friend, Peggy Jane Sadler, who will be inducted into the Ventura County Republican Hall of Fame next week.

It is a well-deserved and long overdue honor.

I met Peggy more than 30 years ago when I first ran for City Council. She subsequently served on my mayoral committee and is among those who are largely responsible for my run for Congress.

But Peggy is more than a political confidant. She is a close personal friend to my wife, Janice, and me.

I am not alone in benefiting from Peggy's political passion. Peggy's handprints can be found on the success of a number of elected officials, both directly and indirectly. She served on the campaigns of Rep. Barry Goldwater, Jr., California Governors Pete Wilson and George Deukmejian, California Senator Lou Cusanovich, California Assemblyman Bob Cline, and Ventura County District Attorneys Michael Bradbury and Greg Totten.

She has been a member of Simi Valley Republican Women since 1964 and served as President in 1976, 1977 and 2009; served as president of Ventura County Republican Women, Federated, from 1979 to 1983; and is a past member of the Board of Directors, CFRW Southern Division; a past member of the California Federation of Republican Women Board; a voting member of the California Republican Party since 1977; an elected member of the Ventura County Republican Party from 1979-2011; Ventura County Co-Chairman for: Reagan for President 1980; a member of the Ventura County Steering Committee: Reagan/Bush 1984; Alternate Delegate for the 1984 GOP National Convention; City Co-Chairman for Bush/Quayle 1988; Delegate to the 1992 GOP National Convention; Alternate Delegate to the 1996 GOP National Convention; Alternate Delegate to the 2004 GOP National Convention; a member of the Bush Team--2000 and 2004; and a member of the Ventura County Lincoln Club Board of Directors.

That's enough to keep anyone busy. But Peggy's community involvement goes beyond politics. She believes politics is an avenue to make her community, state, and nation a better place to live, work, and raise a family--but it is not the only avenue.

Peggy's other activities include founding member and Past President of the Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center Foundation Board of Directors, docent for the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library since 1991, Past President of the Simi Valley High School Music Boosters, and past member of the School Attendance Review Board.

After 27 years, Peggy retired as administrative assistant at Simi Valley Presbyterian Church. A former music major at University of California, Santa Barbara, she is currently serving as Director of the Handbell Choir. She also was a member of the Los Robles Master Chorale for 28 years.

Peggy and her husband, David, have been married 54 years. They have two children and five grandchildren.

Mr. Speaker, as a previous inductee into the Ventura County Republican Hall of Fame, I welcome my friend. I know my colleagues join Janice and me in congratulating Peggy Jane Sadler for this recognition and in thanking her for decades of commitment to her community and nation.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in celebration of Simi Valley, California's 7th Annual Mayor's Dinner & Charity Auction, hosted by my good friend Mayor Robert O. ``Bob'' Huber and the Simi Valley Community Foundation.

The dinner will benefit the Alliance for Human Services and Humanitarian Awards will be bestowed upon Fred Bauermeister, Jill Haney, Ann Lindeen and Sue Martinez.

Bob was elected mayor last November, during a time when economic troubles facing the city required strong leadership. He has managed to navigate the City Council through tough and sometimes contentious decisions to keep the city's finances stable and the community safe and functioning well. As a former mayor of Simi Valley who was also elected at a turning point in the city's history, I greatly emphasize with the challenges he faces.

It is fitting that Bob host a gathering of such celebrated community leaders. Throughout the years, Bob has served on a number of governmental and community boards and commissions in the city, beginning at age 27, when he served his first term as president of the Simi Valley Chamber of Commerce.

Honoree Fred Bauermeister is also a long-time friend. A professional photographer, Fred is best known for his 40-year advocacy of the Free Clinic of Simi Valley. Fred has been a part of the clinic since it opened its doors in 1971 and Fred was still a college student. He was named executive director that year and has guided the clinic through many challenging times. Last year, Fred was elected to the board of directors of the National Association of Free Clinics.

Jill Haney serves on the board of directors of the United Way, is past president of the Simi Valley Chamber of Commerce, treasurer for the Simi Valley Education Foundation and is immediate past president of the Rotary Club of Simi Sunset. Under her management and leadership, Santa Barbara Bank & Trust was named Business of the Year in 2007. If there is a charitable event in Simi Valley, no doubt you will find Jill volunteering at it.

Ann Lindeen served as secretary of the Simi Valley Chamber of Commerce before the city incorporated. Her many community activities include volunteering at local schools and serving as PTA president; serving in leadership positions for the Santa Susana and Tapo 4-H Clubs for about 20 years; serving on the Ventura County Grand Jury in 1987- 1988; hosting people from around the world as part of the Greater Los Angeles Chapter of People to People International, which she also served as treasurer, secretary and president; and contributing more than 5,000 hours of service in several capacities at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library.

Sue Martinez found her niche in community involvement through her children. She is a founding member of Santa Susana High School's Santa Susana Performing Arts Boosters and the Performing Arts Center Team, for which she is also the president. With the dream of building a performing arts theater at the school for use by generations of students, Sue was a driving force behind the C-4 Bond and walked the precincts to see that it passed. The theater opened in March. She has worked at Simi Valley Hospital for 19 years and is committee chair for the Leadership Class of 2012.

Mr. Speaker, I know my colleagues join Mayor Bob Huber and me in congratulating this year's honorees and in thanking Fred Bauermeister, Jill Haney, Ann Lindeen, and Sue Martinez for making our community a better place for all to live and thrive.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in memory of my good friend, Zona Ann Strathearn, who passed away last month and whose life will be celebrated next week.

Zona epitomized life, even during her nearly 10-year battle with cancer. She was the consummate volunteer, philanthropist, world traveler, card shark, outdoor enthusiast, and tennis player. But most importantly, she was a tireless partner to her husband, Bruce, with whom she recently celebrated their 36th wedding anniversary, and a devoted mother and grandmother.

Among her volunteer activities, Zona was a member of the Flight Bags, a community-oriented group of pilot wives during her first marriage, and a candy striper at Simi Valley Hospital for 12 years and a hospice volunteer with Livingston Memorial for three years.

Zona also assisted Bruce's work on various committees and served as a Rotarian wife for 12 years. Additionally, she contributed to the Women's Legacy Fund, Heritage Fund, Destino Latino 2000 Fund, the Strathearn Family Fund to support the Chamber's Foundation for Simi Valley, and the Bruce and Zona Strathearn Fund for future Ventura County Charities.

She was a shark at several card games including Gin, Gin Rummy, Cribbage and Bridge, and she relished in her marathon bridge sessions with locals throughout Ventura County. Zona was an exceptional singles and doubles tennis player, and she played both competitively at Sunset Hills Country Club. After experiencing an exotic hiking excursion to Provence, France, in 1999, Zona became involved with a local hike and bike club and enjoyed several hiking trips across Southern California in the following years.

In addition to several trips to Europe, Zona also toured South Africa, Vietnam, China, Australia and New Zealand. Her travels included many annual trips to Northeastern Oregon and the Sierras, where she consistently caught the most and largest fish on each trip. For her many excursions, Zona earned the nickname ``Zoomer.''

In addition to Bruce, Zona is survived by her daughters, Allison Strathearn-Forrest and Allison's husband, Roger, Kim Strathearn, and Kimberly Gustafson and Kimberly's husband, Kurt; and her son, David Strathearn and his wife, Alisa; granddaughter, Khysa Gustafson; and grandsons, Kaden Gustafson and Preston Lloyd Strathearn.

Mr. Speaker, I know my colleagues join me in celebrating Zona's exceptional energy and passion, and in sending our sincere condolences to Bruce and their family.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in tribute to Henry ``Hank'' Lacayo, who will celebrate his 80th birthday next month.

Despite the fact that Hank and I disagree on just about every political issue, we have become friends over the many decades we have known each other. Hank is a man of great integrity and intelligence. What we do have in common is a great love of our country and a desire to do whatever is in our power to make America a better place for all Americans.

As Hank knows, I greatly respect his right to be wrong on how to get there, as I'm sure he says the same about me.

To say Hank Lacayo is a union man is to say that Hershey makes chocolate.

I haven't time to list all of Hank's accomplishments, but let me touch on some of the highlights:

Hank began his labor career in 1953, and was soon elected to serve as President of UAW Local 887, representing over 32,000 workers at North American Aviation/Rockwell International in Los Angeles. In 1974, he accepted a position with the union's national headquarters in Detroit, Michigan, as an Executive Assistant to then President Leonard Woodcock.

He was appointed National Director of UAW's political and legislative department. Under Democratic administrations, beginning with John F. Kennedy, he served as advisor to both current and past presidents of the United States. He has also been involved with the electoral process of U.S. Senators, U.S. Representatives, State Governors and legislators, and national advocacy organizations throughout America.

Hank is listed in Who's Who in Labor, First Edition. He currently serves as a Commissioner of the California Commission on Aging, is a past member of the CCoA Executive Committee and chair of the policy/ advocacy committee. He is the State President of the Congress of California Seniors and a member of the board of directors of: the Ventura County Community Foundation; El Concilio Family Services; St. Barnabas Senior Services in L.A; Health Access; Jewish Labor Committee; California Foundation on Aging; and CSU-CI Foundation; and Board Chair for La Hermandad. He is also a member of the Cal State University Channel Island President's Circle.

Mr. Speaker, I know my colleagues join me in wishing Hank a Happy 80th Birthday and wishing him many more with his wife, Leah, his family, and his many friends.

Mr. Speaker, yesterday marked the 37th anniversary of the illegal invasion and ongoing occupation of Cyprus by Turkish forces. During the war, approximately 5,000 Cypriots were killed and close to 200,000 Greek Cypriots were forcibly removed from their homes. This anniversary also marks another year in which Cyprus is divided between north and south and between the Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot communities.

However, despite 37 years of division in Cyprus, I remain hopeful about reaching a just and lasting settlement. Following his election in February 2008, President Demetris Christofias followed through on his commitment to make the solution of the Cyprus problem his top priority. In September of that year, he embarked on full-fledged negotiations with Mehmet Talat, who was at the time the leader of the Turkish Cypriot community. These negotiations are continuing under the new Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu.

The ongoing talks aim at reaching a comprehensive settlement for the Cyprus problem with the goal of achieving the unification of Cyprus based on a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation and political equality, as set out in the relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions. The agreement should also lead to a single sovereignty, single citizenship and single international personality for Cyprus.

There are still many difficult issues that need to be resolved before a comprehensive agreement to the Cyprus problem can be achieved. Turkey, which continues to deploy 43,000 troops in Cyprus, is critical to reaching such an agreement. I urge Turkey to work constructively with the Cypriots in support of a negotiated settlement and the peaceful reunification of the island.

For many years, Cyprus has proven to be a loyal friend and ally of the United States. Throughout the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, Cyprus has provided overflight and landing rights to U.S. aircraft and port access for our ships. In addition, during the Lebanon crisis of 2006, Cyprus served as the principal transit location for people evacuating Lebanon, including 15,000 U.S. citizens. The U.S. and Cyprus also share a deep commitment to freedom, democracy and human rights. Given the long-standing friendship between the U.S. and Cyprus, I call upon the United States Government to become actively engaged in moving forward the negotiations regarding the future of Cyprus.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in tribute to The Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and, in particular--Frederick Ryan, Jr., Chairman of the Foundation Board of Directors, and John Heubusch, Foundation Executive Director--and the Ronald Reagan Centennial Commission for their leadership in conducting a series of successful European events last week honoring our 40th President.

I and a number of my colleagues traveled to Europe last week to meet with our allies, particularly those in Eastern Europe, and to reassure them of America's continued friendship and support in light of Russia's continued commitment to one-party rule and suppression of human rights.

While there, we were fortunate to participate in several Foundation events honoring Ronald Reagan's role in bringing freedom to Eastern Europe. The people of Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic and other former communist satellite states know well how President Reagan's commitment to peace through strength led him to abandon the failed policy of detente and to embrace a policy of actively opposing communist regimes around the world.

That opposition led to the fall of the Berlin Wall and the Iron Curtain and to freedom for millions of people choked by the Soviet's stronghold on their nations. In Krakow, we attended a Mass of Thanksgiving in honor of Pope John Paul II and President Reagan, the two leaders the Polish people credit with inspiring their revolution against the Soviet empire. In Budapest, we participated in the unveiling of a statue of President Reagan in Freedom Square. In Prague, we participated in naming the street in front of the U.S. Ambassador's residence for President Reagan.

Those public displays only underline the true love Eastern Europeans have for President Reagan. In meetings with East European officials and chance meetings with local people in East European capitals, everyone was effusive in their praise of Ronald Reagan. Americans recognize the peace and prosperity President Reagan brought to the United States during his presidency. For Eastern Europeans, he helped bring them their very freedom.

As the author of the bill that created the Centennial Commission and as a member of the Commission, I was duly impressed with the events and tributes the Foundation and Commission, under the direction of Mr. Ryan and Mr. Heubusch, masterfully undertook both in Europe and the United States to honor Ronald Reagan this year.

Mr. Speaker, I know my colleagues on both sides of the aisle join me in paying tribute to those who worked so hard to remember and honor a great president who changed the course of history both here and around the world and to thank them for their service to our nation.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to express my strong support for additional research and testing of a new technology that would enable persons with diabetes to better control their blood glucose levels. Type 1 diabetes is a dangerous and debilitating disease. Nearly 26 million Americans are living with diabetes. People with diabetes often suffer heart attacks, seizures, comas, and blindness.

An artificial pancreas is a device that may help people with type 1 diabetes better and automatically control blood glucose level. It combines a continuous glucose monitor and an insulin pump with sophisticated software to provide the right amount of insulin at the right time. A recent study estimates that this technology will result in nearly $2 billion in savings to Medicare over 25 years.

Several inpatient studies have demonstrated that the use of an artificial pancreas may reduce dangerous fluctuations of blood sugars. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is currently reviewing a proposed guidance developed by the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation that would allow outpatient testing of the artificial pancreas.

It is my hope that the FDA will make the review of this proposed guidance one of its highest priorities, and that outpatient testing of the artificial pancreas will be allowed to begin as soon as possible.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in tribute to Joe Howry, who is retiring as Editor and Vice President of the Ventura County Star at month's end.

In my more than 30 years of public life, I have met a lot of journalists. It is fair to say that not all have gained my respect. But there is no journalist for whom I have more respect than Joe Howry.

Joe and I don't agree on everything. In fact, it's probably safe to say that we have many philosophical differences. But of all the journalists I have encountered over the decades, no one is more ethical, more objective or more professional than Joe Howry. He looks you straight in the eye, gives you a straight answer and tells you what he believes whether you like it or not. You know who he is and where he stands.

Joe's objectivity has led to a remarkable fact for an American newspaper. He has been with the Ventura County Star for more than 18 years and has been its Editor for the past seven years. During his tenure as Editor, to the best of my knowledge, at no time has he allowed an opinion to masquerade as news on the front page.

But Joe Howry's most important trait is that when Joe Howry gives you his word, Joe Howry gives you his bond. You walk away knowing it's stronger than the locks on Fort Knox.

Joe leaves The Star at a precarious time for the news media. It greatly concerns me that an important source of news and information is--if not disappearing--then greatly diminishing as Americans turn to Facebook, Twitter and blogs for their news.

I may be old-fashioned, but I like to pick up a newspaper and read it cover to cover, looking at where a story is placed to gauge the significance the editors place on an event. Except for a few stories that are highlighted on newspaper websites, such significance is mostly lost in the online world.

Joe Howry's voice will be greatly missed during this period of change.

My hope is that Joe, his wife, Andrea, and their children, Sarah, Joe Jr. and Lee, will continue to call Ventura County home--when Joe isn't fishing in Idaho, of course.

Mr. Speaker, I know my colleagues join me in thanking Joe Howry for his ethics, objectivity and professionalism and for being an example of what a journalist can and should be. I know they further join me in wishing him a long and healthy retirement surrounded by the love of his family and friends.

Madam Chair, I rise in support of this amendment.

Development of new prescription drug therapies is critically important if we are to successfully treat--or even cure--diseases such as cancer, ALS and juvenile diabetes.

The problem is that medical research is expensive. A researcher can spend years trying various drug combinations before developing one that may be approved for testing in humans, and it can take even more years after that to get final Food and Drug Administration, FDA approval. If patent protection expires soon after the drug is approved, companies may not be able to recover their investment, which would lead to less research and development.

Congress recognized this problem when it passed the Hatch-Waxman Act in 1984. Hatch-Waxman provides for extended patent protection if the company applies within 60 days after the FDA approves a new drug.

Unfortunately, the FDA and the Patent and Trademark Office have different interpretations of when the company must file the application. The resulting confusion and uncertainty may be discouraging people from investing in life-saving medical research.

This amendment simply clarifies when the 60-day period begins. This is completely budget neutral and does not make any substantive change to the law.

I urge my colleagues to support this common sense amendment.

Madam Chair, I rise in strong support of this bill. First, I would like to recognize Chairman Smith's extraordinary work on behalf of American inventors. This bill is a well-crafted compromise that will streamline the patent process, while improving the quality of patents.

Although I do not support every single provision of this legislation, it is critical that the House of Representatives pass H.R. 1249.

I am especially pleased that Chairman Smith included a provision that helps many businesses in the United States, including several in my district, who have been forced to spend time and money to defend themselves against so-called ``false marking'' lawsuits.

By law, patent holders are required to place the patent number on their products. The problem is that after the patent expires, it may be very costly for a business to recall their products to change the label. Unfortunately, several law firms have discovered that suing these manufacturers can be lucrative, and we have seen a sharp increase in the number of these nuisance lawsuits.

This bill includes a common sense solution that will stop these lawsuits and allow employers to devote resources to developing new products and creating jobs.

I urge my colleagues to support this important legislation.