Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise to honor Craig Husband, Undersheriff for the Ventura County, California, Sheriff's Department, who retires Friday after more than 32 years with the department and 10 years as Undersheriff.

During his tenure, Undersheriff Husband made his mark on literally every aspect of the Sheriff's Department. His assignments have included custody, patrol, personnel, narcotics and crime prevention. He has commanded the Sheriff's Training Academy and the Major Crimes and Narcotics Bureaus.

In 1997, Husband became Chief of Police for the City of Camarillo, which contracts with the Sheriff's Department for law enforcement services. Chief Husband developed, implemented or expanded National Night Out, Neighborhood Watch, Stranger Danger, Mobile Police Storefronts, Kidprint, Citizen Patrol, foot patrol, bike patrol, horse patrol, the Citizen Academy and tactical crime analysis, among other programs.

In June of 1999, he was appointed Undersheriff. In that post, second only to the Sheriff, Husband oversees a $200 million budget and a 1,200-person department with 750 sworn peace officers. Undersheriff Husband's responsibilities also include the coordination of the Sheriff's Department's four divisions--Detention Services, Patrol Services, Special Services and Support Services. These four divisions include the jails, court security, five patrol contract cities, disaster preparedness, the Air Unit and Search and Rescue.

Undersheriff Husband's commitment and professionalism has not gone unnoticed. Sheriff Bob Brooks was recently quoted as calling Undersheriff Husband a ``loyal and helpful partner and friend'' whom he would trust with his life.

Undersheriff Husband serves as a volunteer on numerous boards, including the Camarillo Healthcare District, Camarillo Breakfast Rotary and the Camarillo Boys and Girls Club. He was selected as the 1999 Public Servant of the Year by the Camarillo Chamber of Commerce.

He was named the Tri-Counties Narcotics Officer of the Year and the State of California (region 6) Narcotics Officer of the Year. He also was awarded the Medal of Merit for bravery and is a lifetime member of the Professional Baseball Players Association. Undersheriff Husband holds a sixth-degree black belt and is considered one of the foremost authorities of that discipline in the world.

Madam Speaker, I know my colleagues will join me in thanking Undersheriff Craig Husband for his decades of dedication, professionalism and service to the Ventura County Sheriff's Department and the people it serves, and in wishing Craig and his wife, Cecilia, a long and productive retirement.

Madam Speaker, I rise in tribute to the Moorpark High School Academic Decathlon Team, who recently returned from Memphis, Tennessee, as the 2009 National Academic Decathlon Champions.

It is the second consecutive national championship for the Moorpark High School team and the fourth national championship for the school in the past 10 years.

Team members Kris Sankaran, Marlena Sampson, Danielle Hagglund, Sarah Thiele, Zyed Ismailjee, Neil Paik, Sol Moon, Scott Buchanan and Michael Fantauzzo are now recognized as the best and the brightest in the country. They are the pride of their school, their community and their country.

Kris Sankaran, a Moorpark High School senior, is the only holdover from last year's team. And, for the second consecutive year, he walked away from the competition with the country's highest individual score.

Every team member medaled in at least one event. Kris took home seven individual medals. Danielle Hagglund took home six.

These youngsters won by literally dedicating their lives to the challenge. The team gave up weekends, vacations, part-time jobs, and time with their families in their pursuit of excellence.

Their coach, Larry Jones, worked as hard, if not harder, than his students and is as deserving of high praise. Coach Jones, who is now the spry age of 60, has coached all four U.S. Championship teams. He is a man of outstanding strength, patience, and perseverance.

Madam Speaker, I know my colleagues will join me in applauding nine outstanding students who made history while achieving a very prestigious goal--Kris Sankaran, Marlena Sampson, Danielle Hagglund, Sarah Thiele, Zyed Ismailjee, Neil Pails, Sol Moon, Scott Buchanan and Michael Fantauzzo--the 2009 U.S. Champion Moorpark High School Academic Decathlon Team.

Madam Speaker, I rise to honor George and Rosemary Esseff: entrepreneurs, philanthropists, American patriots and world citizens.

George and Rosemary are being honored this week by Many Mansions, a nonprofit organization in my district that has been providing hope, homes, and life-enriching services to homeless and low-income citizens for 30 years. George and Rosemary are among those who have had a strong and generous hand in Many Mansions' success.

I have the privilege of calling George and Rosemary my friends.

George and Rosemary are the epitome of the American success story. George began his career in 1951 as a chemist/metallurgist for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers before striking out on his own and going on to become one of the world's most successful titanium entrepreneurs.

Along the way, George and Rosemary have used their wealth to help those in need also have the opportunity to become successful. One example is $1 million they donated to Many Mansions for a housing project several years ago--only part of their legacy with Many Mansions.

George and Rosemary are devout Catholics and George's brother, John, is a monsignor. The family traces their roots to Lebanon. Three years ago, George, Rosemary, John and their grandson, Andrew, traveled to Lebanon to further their humanitarian work, including donating equipment to a hospital. Monsignor Esseff planned to lead a retreat for nuns belonging to the Missionaries of Charity, the order founded by Mother Teresa,

Then war broke out. It was not the first time the Esseffs found themselves in wartime Lebanon and it only cemented their belief that their help is needed and beneficial.

One avenue for their philanthropy is The Esseff Foundation, which they founded in 1979 in memory of his grandfather, George Abdanour Esseff. The Esseff Foundation is a non-political, non-profit organization dedicated to relieving the sufferings of the poor both in America and around the world.

In pursuit of that goal, the foundation funnels its resources to those organizations whose track records demonstrate their abilities to assist and house the homeless, feed and clothe the poor and provide medical care to those in need.

George takes his politics as seriously as he takes business and philanthropy. He spelled out his beliefs and what it means to be a Republican and a patriotic American in an ad titled, ``What I Am,'' that ran in the Washington Post on October 20, 2004.

Mr. Speaker, George and Rosemary Esseff mirror the American Dream and have been instrumental in helping others pull themselves up and realize the Dream for themselves. I know my colleagues will join me in thanking them for being role models for Americans--striving for success honorably and morally and bringing others along with you with generosity and compassion--and in congratulating them for their well deserved honors.

Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize the threat Iran's potential nuclear weapon capabilities have on the Middle East, the world, and particularly Israel.

In March, President Obama offered to open a dialogue with Iran. His olive branch was immediately met with scorn by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Iran has not cooled its international animosity since then, as noted by Defense Secretary Robert Gates as recently as Tuesday.

Talk is fine if it is premised in achieving realistic goals, but the Iranian regime has used past efforts at negotiation to delay and divide the United States and our allies in our efforts to turn Tehran from a nuclear enrichment program that clearly could be used for nuclear bombs.

Time for an open hand policy is running out. I believe it is time to up the stakes on Iran.

One way to accomplish that would be to pass the Iran Threat Reduction Act, H.R. 1208, which was introduced by Foreign Affairs Committee Ranking Member Ileana Ros-Lehtinen. H.R. 1208, of which I am an original cosponsor, would extend current U.S. sanctions until the president certifies Iran has dismantled its weapons of mass destruction program and ceased its support for international terrorism. It also would significantly increase U.S. pressure on Tehran to do both.

The bill would sharply increase U.S. efforts to stop the shipment of refined petroleum and natural gas products to Iran, as well as materials needed for building or maintaining oil and gas pipelines. Furthermore, the bill completely prohibits U.S. importation of most Iranian products. It also denies U.S. foreign tax credits to Americans engaged in business activity with Iran that is prohibited by U.S. law.

March 17 marked the 17th anniversary of the bombing by Iranian proxies of the Israeli Embassy in Buenos Aires that killed 29 and wounded 242. It is but one of hundreds of attacks Iran has made against Israel and the United States in a war Iran seems committed to continue.

Without direct Iranian support, Tehran's proxies, llamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon, would be far less formidable foes for Israel. Without Iranian Revolutionary Guards and Iranian weapons, the United States would have suffered hundreds of fewer casualties in Iraq.

Madam Speaker, the time for talk has ended. The United States should increase the pressure on Iran immediately. I therefore urge my colleagues to cosponsor the Iran Threat Reduction Act and I urge leadership to bring it to the floor for quick passage.

Mr. Speaker, on May 14, Israel will celebrate its 61st anniversary as a sovereign and independent nation. Only eleven minutes after its creation, the United States recognized Israel and was one of the first nations to do so. In these intervening 61 years, the people of Israel have established a unique, pluralistic democracy that includes the freedoms cherished by Americans.

Today, the United States House of Representatives voted on and approved House Concurrent Resolution 111 that states that Congress recognizes the independence of the State of Israel as a significant event in providing refuge and a national homeland for the Jewish people; commends the bipartisan commitment of all United States administrations and United States Congresses since 1948 to stand by Israel and work for its security and wellbeing; congratulates the United States and Israel for the strengthening of bilateral relations in recent years in the fields of defense, diplomacy, and homeland security, and encourages both nations to continue their cooperation in resolving future mutual challenges; and extends warm congratulations and best wishes to the people of Israel as they celebrate the 61st anniversary of Israel's independence.

I am proud to be a cosponsor of House Concurrent Resolution 111 and I have consistently supported efforts to strengthen the relationship between the United States and Israel. As a senior member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, I will continue to work with members on both sides of the aisle to ensure that our country remains steadfast in our support for Israel and its people.

Madam Speaker, I rise to honor the 307th Bomb Group/ Wing (1946-1954), which is holding its 14th reunion this week in Tampa, Florida.

The 307th Bombardment Group rose from the reorganization of the U.S. Army Air Forces after World War II and the deactivation on August 6, 1946, of the 498th Bombardment Group.

As the initial SAC Bomb Group, the 307th was first tasked with developing tactics, operating procedures and training requirements to engage in anti-submarine and sea search operations. The high priority given their task also gave them priority in recruiting personnel, training and equipment. As a result, while the 307th was assigned 13 B- 29 aircraft when it was instituted, it had 30 B-29s a month later.

The 307th was busy for the next few years but it was the outbreak of the Korean War that tested its mettle. In the summer of 1950, the 307th with 31 B-29s deployed from Florida's MacDill Air Force Base to Kadena Air Base in Okinawa and on August 8 began bombing runs on North Korea.

The B-29s bombed the enemy's transportation system and industrial facilities throughout North Korea. Following a November campaign against the bridges over the Yalu River into Manchuria, the B-29s bombed interdiction targets, communication and supply centers, and supported United Nations ground forces by hitting gun emplacements and troop concentrations.

For the next few months the wing's bombers participated in FEAF's bridge-busting campaign, flying numerous missions against key bridge spans, and helped U.N. ground forces blunt a communist spring offensive. On May 23rd, the 307th provided nighttime close-in support, shredding enemy positions along the entire battlefront with Loran Radar guided and aimed fragmentation bombs.

The 307th was integral in the war effort until the truce was signed in July 1953. As the truce talks were concluding, the 307th helped disrupt and spoil an enemy ground offensive, earning it a Distinguished Unit Citation. At the end of the hostilities, the 307th had flown more than 5,800 combat missions.

In 1954, the wing returned to the United States and was assigned to Lincoln Air Force Base in Nebraska. The B-29s were retired and the unit became a B-47 wing, ending an era.

Madam Speaker, most of the surviving veterans of the 307th Bomb Group/Wing who flew over Korea are in their 80s--including my friend Cy Johnson of Camarillo--and every reunion brings fewer of them together. I believe my colleagues will agree, however, that it's important to remember the 307th's role in bringing peace to the Korean Peninsula and fighting back the initial push of communist aggression. I therefore ask my colleagues to join with them and with me in commemorating their earned and rightful place in our American history.

Madam Speaker, I rise in memory of Richard Rogge, a G- man's G-man, an FBI supervisor on the John F. Kennedy assassination, a man of integrity who stood up to years of accusations from conspiracy theorists, and longtime friend to my wife, Janice, and me.

Richard, who died last week at age 82, worked for the Federal Bureau of Investigation for 30 years. He was serving in the Criminal Division at FBI headquarters on November 25, 1963, when FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover summoned him and told him to fly to Dallas to supervise the investigation into President John F. Kennedy's assassination.

For the next 10 months, Richard and his fellow G-men worked 16-hour days following every lead and theory and disproving many that later became fodder for the conspiracists. After an exhaustive investigation, Richard and his team determined that a lone gunman seeking personal fame fired the shots that felled a president. He never wavered from that conviction.

Richard returned to Washington, DC, and later served as assistant special agent in charge in Los Angeles, an inspector in Washington, DC, and special agent in charge in Honolulu, Hawaii, Richmond, Virginia, and Buffalo, New York.

Richard and his family moved to Southern California upon his retirement from the FBI in 1977.

Prior to joining the FBI, Richard joined the Marine Corps. He was 17 at the time and served in World War II's Pacific Theater. Among the battles he fought was the invasion of Iwo Jima.

He was attending New York University studying law when he joined the FBI. Studying at night, he switched majors and graduated college with a degree in business.

Madam Speaker, Richard Rogge was an FBI agent at a time when only shoe leather, brain power, grit and determination solved crimes, before the investigative techniques and technology we now take for granted were developed. He was a man of integrity and passion and served his country with honor. Barbara, his wife of 47 years, died in 1995, but I know my colleagues will join Janice and me in offering our condolences to their children, Veronica, Richard Jr., Christopher and Meredith, to their family, and to all who called Richard a friend.

Godspeed, Richard.

Madam Speaker, I rise in memory of John Spoor ``Jack'' Broome, a member of one of Ventura County, California's pioneer families; a successful rancher; a generous philanthropist; an adventurer; and a friend to my wife, Janice, and me.

Jack Broome lived 91 productive and enjoyable years before suffering several strokes this year and passing away earlier this month at the Oxnard Plain ranch he loved and managed since 1946.

As a rancher, Jack's feet were firmly on the ground--but that did not keep him from flying solo for the first time at age 17, serving as a pilot trainer and pilot for the Army Air Force's Air Transport Command over the North Atlantic during World War II, flying for American Airlines, flying a solo round-trip flight across the Atlantic at age 68 and continuing to pilot until just recently.

Nor did it keep him from competing in the Trans-Pacific Yacht Race from Los Angeles to Honolulu three times.

But it's on Ventura County's land that Jack's impact will be felt for generations to come. Rancho Guadalasca, the Mexican land grant Jack's family purchased in 1880, sits adjacent to what is now California State University, Channel Islands. A private man, Jack tried to make a $5 million anonymous donation to establish a library at the university in 1999--one of the largest in Ventura County history. He was persuaded to go public only after trustees argued that his donation would spur others. It did. The university named the library after him.

Jack also was an original initiator and supporter of Casa Pacifica, a home for neglected, abused and emotionally disturbed children; founder of the Conejo Savings and Loan Association; chairman of the Ventura County Harbor Commission; chairman of the Camarillo State Hospital Board of Trustees (where the university is now sited); and member of the boards for Pepperdine University and the House Ear Institute in Los Angeles, among others.

Madam Speaker, I know my colleagues will join Janice and me in offering our condolences to Patricia, his wife of more than 60 years; to their children, John Jr., Elizabeth and Ann; their eight grandchildren, and all who knew him, called him a friend and benefited from his spirit and generosity.

Godspeed, Jack.

Madam Speaker, I rise in memory of John Woodward, Jr., whose very life proved that one could be gentle, kind, civil and honest--and financially successful.

John Woodward became an entrepreneur relatively late in life. After serving in Guam and Okinawa with the U.S. Army during World War II, John was drafted by Chrysler Corporation while he was still a business major at the University of Southern California.

He spent the next few decades working his way up the auto industry corporate ladder, including about a decade traveling around the country establishing dealership franchises. Then, in 1976, John and his wife, Nada, who he had met during World War II when she was an Army nurse, moved their family to Thousand Oaks, California, where he opened Westoaks Chrysler Dodge.

The dealership's motto was, ``Where People Care.'' By all accounts, John made sure the dealership lived up to that motto right up until he sold it last year.

In addition to opening his own dealership, John also was instrumental in starting the Thousand Oaks Auto Mall. As an active member of the Thousand Oaks-Westlake Village Regional Chamber of Commerce, John led the fundraising drive for the Chamber's first building.

But John's civic mindedness did not end with business promotion. He believed in his community and worked tirelessly on its behalf. John was a key donor to the Community Conscience of Conejo Valley and supported a multitude of children's sports teams, civic groups and charitable organizations. Among his many accolades was being named the Chamber's Man of the Year.

My wife, Janice, and I were privileged to call him our friend.

Madam Speaker, John's wife of nearly sixty years died four years ago. Many were touched by their legacy of honesty and civility, but none more than their three children, Ginny, Nancy and John III; and their four grandchildren. I know my colleagues will join Janice and me in offering our condolences to John's family and all who knew him and called him a friend.

Godspeed, John.

Mr. Speaker, subsection 199 of H.R. 146, the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009, concerns two stream segments on Piru Creek located on National Forest lands in Southern California and those segments flow to and from existing hydroelectric facilities and water supply operations. Water is released from Pyramid Lake into Piru Creek for conveyance and delivery to Lake Piru for the United Water Conservation District and water is also released from Lake Piru. The amount and timing of water delivered or released may need to change to address the community's water needs and to protect the endangered Arroyo Toad.

According to a statement by the author of this subsection of the legislation, it is my understanding that this legislation is not intended to preclude or limit the State of California, the Department of Water Resources of the State of California, the United Water Conservation District, and other governmental entities from releasing water for water conservation purposes.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 131, the Ronald Reagan Centennial Commission Act. To prepare for the upcoming anniversary of his 100th birthday on February 6, 2011, Mr. Blunt, Mr. Foster, and I, along with over 130 cosponsors from both parties, introduced this legislation creating the Ronald Reagan Centennial Commission to pay tribute to our 40th President.

This 11-member bipartisan commission is similar to others created for Presidents Abraham Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Harry Truman, and Dwight Eisenhower. This commission will develop plans and memorials to honor President Reagan. These events can take place all over the country, from here in Washington, to his birthplace in Illinois, to California, where he lived most of his life.

As a fellow Californian, I had the great privilege of spending time with him when I first came to the House of Representatives in 1986, and his Presidential Library and burial place are not far from my very own home in Simi Valley.

``The Great Communicator'' spoke for the American people, capturing the hearts of small-town citizens and world leaders alike. His remarkable career in public service spanned over 50 years. It began as a student leader and sports broadcaster in Illinois and Iowa, and then in Hollywood as an actor and long-time president of the Screen Actors Guild.

California enjoyed an economic resurgence during his term as Governor and, as President of United States, his legacy is extraordinary. In 8 short years as President, Ronald Reagan presided over the international changes and ushered in unparalleled peace and prosperity--not only for our Nation, but, Mr. Speaker, for the entire world.

I want to thank Chairman Towns and Ranking Member Issa, along with their respective staffs, for their assistance in helping put this bill together. I also want to express my appreciation to the Speaker, majority leader, and minority leader on our side for their help in bringing the bill to the floor.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join with me in supporting H.R. 131.

Madam Speaker, I rise in tribute to my friend Christie Stanley, District Attorney for the County of Santa Barbara, California.

Christie Stanley joined the District Attorney's Office in 1980 and quickly moved into supervisory positions, including 15 years as Assistant District Attorney for the North County, where she was responsible for the day-to-day operations of all the District Attorney's Office's business north of the Gaviota Pass.

The hundreds of cases she prosecuted include two Crips gang members who came from Los Angeles and ambushed a Lompoc police officer as he responded to their call for help. The shooter is serving a life sentence for attempted murder.

Many murder cases she prosecuted were domestic violence cases, a cause she deeply believes in. The cases include a triple murder in which the defendant is serving three consecutive life sentences, two without the possibility of parole.

Christie Stanley's outstanding career led to her election as District Attorney in June 2006. With a nearly perfect conviction rate, Santa Barbara voters gave her an overwhelming vote of confidence with 70 percent of the vote.

She has not let them down.

As District Attorney, Mrs. Stanley supervises 52 prosecuting attorneys, 24 investigators, and victims advocates and support staff with offices in Santa Barbara, Santa Maria and Lompoc. She has earned their loyalty. They share her vision of upholding the law with a combination of fairness and firmness.

District Attorney Stanley traces her career as a prosecuting attorney to a favorite uncle who was murdered in a small town in Kansas. Her uncle's killer was caught and brought through the town square where the townspeople were bent on vengeance. In Christie's words:

``The officers who had him in custody, friends and colleagues of my uncle, brought the killer in safely so he could be prosecuted. I was and am consistently impressed by law enforcement professionals who do the right thing, even when it is the hard thing to do.''

That attitude has earned District Attorney Stanley the respect and cooperation of law enforcement officers at every level, the respect and gratitude of crime victims, and animosity from criminals of every stripe.

Madam Speaker, tomorrow California State Senator Tony Strickland will honor Christie Stanley as the 19th Senate District Woman of the Year. It is a well deserved honor for a tough and respected prosecutor. I know my colleagues will join me in congratulating District Attorney Christie Stanley and in thanking her for dedicated and unflagging service to the people of Santa Barbara County.

Madam Speaker, I rise in tribute to Captain Brad Connors, USN, who will be retiring after turning over command of Naval Base Ventura County on Friday.

I have worked closely on a number of endeavors with Captain Connors over the past three years. He is the consummate professional military officer and gentleman.

Since he graduated the United States Naval Academy in 1982 and earned his wings in 1984, Captain Connors has logged more than 4,500 flight hours and 900 carrier landings in several different aircraft. He has served as squadron executive officer and commander and flew missions over Iraq in support of Operation Southern Watch. During this tour, his squadron was awarded the Navy's ``Battle E'' in recognition of superior squadron readiness and mission performance.

Following a Korean Peninsula deployment onboard USS Kittyhawk, Captain Connors led a multi-squadron maintenance detachment in support of TopGun's transition to F/A18s and the very first Strike Fighter Instructor Course.

In December 1995, Captain Connors became an instructor at the Naval Strike Warfare Center in Nevada. His first official duty was to serve on the integration team that facilitated the merger of ``TopGun,'' ``Strike,'' and ``TopDome'' into the newly formed Naval Strike and Air Warfare Center (NSAWC). Following NSAWC's commissioning, Captain Connors became its first Air Wing Training Officer. Under his direction, integrated air warfare training and standardization went through a complete renaissance, including development of the Air Interdiction Mission Commander's Course the very first Strike Leader flying syllabus.

Captain Connors also served as Cruiser Destroyer Group ONE's Air Operations and Operations Officer onboard the USS Constellation following graduation from the Naval War College. During this tour, Captain Connors contributed to Iraqi Freedom operational planning, flew combat missions, and oversaw the integration of more than 140 coalition combatants in support of the operation's maritime objectives.

At Naval Base Ventura County, Captain Connors commands its more than 90 tenants, 6,000 military personnel, 9,000 civilian employees and 3,000 contractors at Point Mugu, the Naval Construction Battalion Center at Port Hueneme, the Channel Islands Air National Guard, 146th Airlift Wing, and the base's 36,000-square-mile sea test range--the largest in the world. He has done an exemplary job.

Madam Speaker, I know my colleagues will join me in thanking Captain Brad Connors for his decades of service to his country and the U.S. Navy and in wishing him great success in his retirement.

Madam Speaker, pursuant to the House Republican standards on earmarks, I am submitting the following information for publication in the Congressional Record regarding earmarks I received as part of H.R. 1105, the Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009:

Requesting Member: Rep. Elton Gallegly

Bill: H.R. 1105--Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009

Account: Department of Justice, OJP--Byrne Discretionary Grants

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: County of Ventura

Address of Requesting Entity: 800 So. Victoria Avenue, Ventura, CA 93009

Description of Request: This $280,000 request is for a Crime Lab Scanning Electron Microscope with Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS) detector and X-Ray Fluorescence capabilities. The EDS detector can identify the major elemental composition of most materials examined as evidence in crimes. It is currently the only tool in the laboratory for such examinations. The addition of X-Ray Fluorescence capabilities increases the analysis sensitivity 10 to 100 times. This will support the Ventura County Sheriff's Regional Crime Lab, the only laboratory in Ventura County doing DNA profiling and analysis.

Requesting Member: Rep. Elton Gallegly

Bill: H.R. 1105--Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009

Account: Department of Justice, COPS Methamphetamine Enforcement

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: County of Ventura

Address of Requesting Entity: 800 So. Victoria Avenue, Ventura, CA 93009

Description of Request: This request of $350,000 is for the purpose of providing funds for two California Multi-jurisdictional Methamphetamine investigators. The Ventura County Combined Agency Task Force (VCAT) is a collaborative effort with city, county, state and federal law enforcement agencies working toward the disruption, dismantlement, apprehension, and arrest of narcotic offenders and

drug trafficking organizations. Funding would be used for two Senior Deputy investigators that will be utilized to specifically target mid to large-scale methamphetamine dealers and manufacturers and will assist in funding vehicle costs and miscellaneous safety equipment for these two positions. These investigators will be assigned to the Special Services Division, Special Investigations Unit.

Requesting Member: Rep. Elton Gallegly

Bill: H.R. 1105--Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009

Account: Department of Justice, COPS Law Enforcement Technology

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: City of Lompoc

Address of Requesting Entity: 100 Civic Center Plaza, Lompoc, CA 93438

Description of Request: This request of $825,000 is for the City of Lompoc's Gang Activity Surveillance Program (GASP), which aims to target early involvement in gang-related activities by Lompoc youth. The Lompoc Police Department does not have the necessary equipment and manpower to tackle this problem alone. GASP will require the purchase of a surveillance vehicle and surveillance cameras with wireless capability that can be interfaced with the City of Lompoc's existing infrastructure to monitor areas prone to gang activity.

Requesting Member: Rep. Elton Gallegly

Bill: H.R. 1105--Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009

Account: Bureau of Reclamation, Water and Related Resources

Legal Name of Requesting Entity:

Calleguas Municipal Water District

Address of Requesting Entity: 2100 Olson Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91360

Description of Request: The Calleguas Municipal Water District Recycling Plant will provide critical support to the mission of providing safe and reliable drinking water to the 600,000 people living in the District's service area. Each year, the District imports over 110,000 acre-feet of water through the California Water Project, and imports constitute 100 percent of Calleguas' supply. The $2 million requested through the Bureau of Reclamation would provide the 25 percent Federal share to continue construction of a facility that will reclaim and reuse over 50,000 acre-feet of water annually. This recycled resource will replace water that otherwise would have to be imported, with the added benefit of water supply in case of delivery interruptions due to natural disasters or attacks on the imported water infrastructure. The funding for this project, authorized by P.L. 104- 266, section 1616, will be used for development of a pipeline system that would collect and convey brackish groundwater and recycled water for direct use, stretching local water supplies. The project will facilitate the development of up to 50,000 acre feet of water, per year, for municipal and agricultural uses thereby reducing the need to import water to the region from Northern California.

Requesting Member: Rep. Elton Gallegly

Bill: H.R. 1105--Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009

Account: Corps of Engineers, Construction

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: County of Ventura

Address of Requesting Entity: 800 So. Victoria Avenue, Ventura, CA 93009

Description of Request: Matilija Dam is the largest dam in the country targeted for removal. The project, authorized in P.L. 110-114, section 1001(10), will restore the ecosystem of the Ventura River, remove an obstacle preventing the endangered steelhead trout from migrating upstream to spawn and restore the natural flow of sand and sediment from the mountains to the beaches. The $15 million requested will enable the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to complete the project engineering, design and construction work required to move the Matilija Dam Ecosystem Restoration Project towards the next stage of completion. Federal interest in this project and project cost-benefit ratios are documented in the conclusion section of the joint federal-local Matilija Dam Ecosystem Restoration Project Feasibility Study, completed in 2004 with an estimated total project cost of $130 million. Project costs will be shared 65/35 between the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Ventura County Watershed Protection District.

Requesting Member: Rep. Elton Gallegly

Bill: H.R. 1105--Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009

Account: Corps of Engineers, Construction

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: County of Ventura

Address of Requesting Entity: 800 So. Victoria Avenue, Ventura, CA 93009

Description of Request: During flooding in 2005, large volumes of alluvium eroded from the banks of Santa Paula Creek and were transported downstream and deposited in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) fish ladder, damaging the facility and further impairing fish passage. This $4 million funding request would be used by the USACE to fulfill their responsibility to clear the debris and make repairs to the fish ladder and other facilities in the affected area.

Requesting Member: Rep. Elton Gallegly

Bill: H.R. 1105--Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009

Account: Corps of Engineers, Investigations

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: County of Ventura

Address of Requesting Entity: 800 So. Victoria Avenue, Ventura, CA 93009

Description of Request: Encompassing more than 1,600 square miles, the Santa Clara River watershed is the largest in Southern California and is divided into two almost equal parts by the Los Angeles-Ventura County line. Since 1991, a group of more than twenty-six stakeholders has been developing the Santa Clara River Enhancement and Management Plan (SCREMP) for the 100-year floodplain. Recognizing the continued pressure of urbanization in both Los Angeles and Ventura Counties that may affect the floodplain and environmental resources in the Santa Clara River Watershed, the Ventura County Watershed Protection District, Los Angeles County, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) agreed to cooperate in expanding the SCREMP to complete a feasibility study for the Santa Clara River Watershed Protection Plan. This request of $2 million would represent the USACE's 50% share.

Requesting Member: Rep. Elton Gallegly

Bill: H.R. 1105--Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009

Account: Corps of Engineers, Construction

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: City of Santa Maria

Address of Requesting Entity: 110 E. Cook Street, Santa Maria, CA 93454

Description of Request: In order to protect the City of Santa Maria and the fertile Santa Maria River basin, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) built the 26-mile Santa Maria River levee between 1959 and 1963 at a cost of roughly $5.5 million. In 1998 a 600-foot breach occurred west of Santa Maria and flooded agricultural lands. Fortunately, the urban areas were not impacted. The USACE spent just under $1 million at the time to close the breach and built four small groins that attempt to slow the current along that section of the levee. In changing its course, the Santa Maria River now attacks a portion of the levee directly opposite a large residential development. The USACE has stated that they will not provide 100-year flood certification, leaving the citizens of Santa Maria vulnerable. This request of $8.5 million would provide funding to allow the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to restore and certify the levee thereby saving the residents of Santa Maria from having to purchase expensive flood insurance. Santa Barbara County has estimated that it will cost roughly $26 million to protect northern Santa Barbara County from flood damage.

Requesting Member: Rep. Elton Gallegly

Bill: H.R. 1105--Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009

Account: Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)--Mental Health

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: County of Ventura

Address of Requesting Entity: 800 So. Victoria Avenue, Ventura, CA 93009

Description of Request: This request of $230,000 is for the Ventura County Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) Training Program. The CIT is comprised of specially trained law enforcement officers and communications specialists trained to respond to mentally ill persons in crisis. The goal of this program is to safely de-escalate crisis situations involving the mentally ill, reduce the use of incarceration to deal with mentally ill persons, and decrease recidivism by referring these persons to appropriate treatment. In addition to the coordination and teaching of a 40-hours of training, program activities include providing information to the local mental health department about police contacts with mentally ill individuals, carrying out quarterly mental health update trainings at Sheriff stations and police departments in Ventura County, conducting 8-hour mini-mental health trainings, and educating various community organizations about the CIT program and training.

Requesting Member: Rep. Elton Gallegly

Bill: H.R. 1105--Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009

Account: Department of Education, Higher Education (includes FIPSE)

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: California State University, Channel Islands

Address of Requesting Entity: One University Drive, Camarillo, CA 93012

Description of Request: The $500,000 request is for the continued development of the Regional Clinical Simulation Technology Laboratory at California State University, Channel Islands (CSUCI), currently the only four-year public institution of higher education in Ventura County. CSUCI is preparing to offer a much-needed registered nurse licensure program and a bachelor of science in nursing degree program. In order to address the need for more nurses, CSUCI will need a patient simulation laboratory as a way for students to participate in a wide variety of patient scenarios

and receive critique in a safe environment where repetition and reinforcement do not jeopardize patient safety. The initiative has support throughout the region, where this will be a one-of-a-kind facility.

Requesting Member: Rep. Elton Gallegly

Bill: H.R. 1105--Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009

Account: Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration, Transportation & Community & System Preservation

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: City of Thousand Oaks

Address of Requesting Entity: 2100 Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks, CA 91362

Description of Request: This request of $5 million is for the widening of the US-101 and SR-23 Interchange from the Los Angeles/ Ventura County line to Moorpark Road (US-101) and Hillcrest Drive (SR- 23). The proposed improvements include the extension of existing auxiliary lanes in both directions, conversion of auxiliary lanes to mixed-flow lanes, addition of a northbound lane, realignment and widening of ramps at the interchange, and the construction of soundwalls and retaining walls. The improvements are necessary to relieve congestion along the 101 and 23 Freeways in the City of Thousand Oaks. CalTrans recently began the three-year project to widen the Route 23 Freeway connecting to the 101/23 Interchange. Completion of the improvements is crucial to achieve the congestion benefits of the project. The Ventura County Transportation Commission considers both improvements as integral parts of a single congestion relief project. Since the widening of the freeway is now underway, the interchange improvement needs to move forward without delay.

Requesting Member: Rep. Elton Gallegly

Bill: H.R. 1105--Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009

Account: Department of Housing and Urban Development, Economic Development Initiatives

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: County of Santa Barbara

Address of Requesting Entity: 105 East Anapamu Street, Santa Barbara,

Madam Speaker, I rise in memory of my friend, Ken Rufener, who passed away Saturday after a fulfilling 89 years.

Ken Rufener was the epitome of service. He served as a United States Air Force statistical officer in the Far Eastern theater during World War II, and subsequently made the Air Force his first career. Before retiring 26 years later, Ken was assigned to the Pentagon before being loaned to the Rand Corporation in Southern California

After the Air Force, Ken moved his wife, Doris, and their two children to Westlake Village and he went to work as a cost analyst for the Hughes Aircraft company for the next 15 years.

His new home became the beneficiary of Ken's energy, sense of service and sense of community. He helped bring youth baseball to Westlake Village, serving as first vice president and coach of the Westlake Athletic Association. He is credited with keeping the Westlake Golf Course from becoming an industrial park. Ken also served as president of the First Neighborhood Homeowners Association.

In 1987, Ken was elected to the Westlake City Council for his first of two 4-year terms and served as mayor for 2 years. After retiring from the council, Ken was elected in 1997 to a 4-year term on the Las Virgenes District Water Board.

Ken was a member of the Military Order of the World Wars and the Retired Officers Association of America.

Among the awards Ken received for his service were the Patrick Henry Patriotism Award, Westlake Village Citizen of the Year, and the Conejo Valley/Las Virgenes Civitas award for service to the Conejo Valley.

Ken and Doris's daughter, Karen, died about 10 years ago.

Madam Speaker, I know my colleagues will join my wife, Janice, and me in offering condolences to Ken's wife of 62 years, Doris, their son, David, and all their family and friends, and in celebrating Ken's life of service to his country, his community and his family.

Godspeed, Ken.