Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I am opposed to the closed rule and passage of H.R. 2442, the Bay Area Regional Water Recycling Expansion Act of 2009. My opposition to H.R. 2442 is not due to the projects authorized in the legislation--they are meritorious projects, worthy of consideration by this body. However, the San Francisco Bay area is not the only area in California that needs additional water. Only 2 hours away from San Francisco, California's Central Valley is literally dying of dehydration and yet this Congress has ignored every plea for help from the people of the valley and those of us who are fortunate enough to represent that region.

The San Joaquin Valley is the fruit-basket of the Nation, producing over half of the fruits and vegetables consumed in America. Ninety-nine percent of all almonds and walnuts are produced in the Central Valley, while over 90 percent of tomatoes, pistachios, plums and strawberries are produced in the State of California. However, without water for the farmers the whole Nation suffers. Without California's agriculture production, there is a significant national security risk--we would be forced to import foreign produce that does not meet the same quality and food safety standards that California produce does.

Because of radical environmentalists and the actions of Federal agencies based on unreliable and questionable science, the San Joaquin Valley is now suffering from a man-made drought. Hundreds of thousands of acre feet of water that was formerly delivered to the farmers in the Central Valley are being sent to the ocean in an attempt to protect a 3-inch minnow, the Delta Smelt. Ironically, while the restrictions on pumping are doing nothing to stop the declining numbers of Delta Smelt, they are significantly contributing to the declining number of farmers and jobs in the San Joaquin Valley. Farmers must come before fish.

I offered two amendments to this bill which would have assured that the urgent needs of the San Joaquin Valley are met, through the Two Gates project in the delta and temporarily waiving the Endangered Species Act to increase delta water deliveries for storage in the San Joaquin Valley. Neither of my amendments would have authorized the spending of taxpayer dollars. Once again the Democratic leadership in the House of Representatives denied these amendments, denying relief to the ravaged San Joaquin Valley.

Time and time again during this Congress my valley colleagues and I have offered bills and amendments to address the government created drought in the San Joaquin Valley and time and time again we have been denied the courtesy of a simple legislative hearing, let alone a markup or vote. After so many attempts to save California agriculture, I am left with no alternative but to believe that the Democrat leadership of this Congress, under direction from environmentalists, is bent on destroying the largest economic engine in California.

There is always a lot of talk about special interests controlling policy decisions in Congress, and I would be remiss not to say that the elite environmental community is one of the largest and currently most influential special interests around. They have worked very hard and spent a lot of money to ensure that a 3-inch fish has more rights than the farmers and farm workers in my district. To me, and any American with an ounce of common sense, that action is absolutely unconscionable, but apparently not to the majority of Congress.

The water crisis in California must be addressed in a holistic manner and while I am more than happy to sit down with my colleagues on the other side of the aisle to work on long term solutions to California's aged water infrastructure system, the people of the valley need help now. Therefore, I am opposing this bill because it contains $38 million worth of projects that benefit the San Francisco Bay area while denying projects that would not cost any taxpayer dollars and would benefit the distressed San Joaquin Valley.

Mr. Speaker, for these reasons I oppose both the rule and the passage of H.R. 2442 and urge my colleagues to join me.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend and congratulate Richard Kuckenbecker upon being named by the Madera District Chamber of Commerce as a 2009 Lifetime Achievement Award Honoree. Mr. Kuckenbecker will be recognized on Wednesday, August 26, 2009 at the Fifth Annual Lifetime Achievement Awards and Installation Dinner.

Richard Kuckenbecker was born in Sanger, California. At the age of five, he began to spend time in his father's business, Kuckenbecker Tractor Company. As a young man, he would assist by sweeping the floors, cleaning the lavatory and completing tasks that needed to be done around the shop. Upon graduating from high school, Mr. Kuckenbecker attended Fresno State, where he played baseball. Just shy of completing his Bachelor's Degree, he left school and returned to the family business. Mr. Kuckenbecker was twenty-one years old when he took over Kuckenbecker Tractor Company, he was the youngest tractor dealer in the nation. During college he met Lynn Bashian, and in May 1964 they were married and promptly moved to Madera from Fresno. Kuckenbecker Trucking Company has been in the family for sixty-five years. Since Mr. Kuckenbecker took the reigns the business has changed locations and expanded to include a dealership in Fresno in 1982.

Mr. Kuckenbecker has always been dedicated to his community. He is a founding member and President of the Madera County Ag Boosters, serves on the board of the California State University, Fresno Ag One. He is a member of the Far West Equipment Dealers Association, National Association of Farm Equipment Dealers, Ford Motor Company Dealer Council, Madera Historical Society. Mr. Kuckenbecker served as a judge for the Fresno Bee Excellence in Business award. He has also won the Madera District Fair Blue Ribbon award. For his civic duty, he served on the Madera Planning Commission. For all that he has done for the community, Mr. Kuckenbecker was selected as the first Madera District Chamber of Commerce Agribusiness Person of the Year. He has received the Fresno County Farm Bureau Distinguished Service award and the Fresno Bee Excellence in Business Award for Agriculture.

Mr. Kuckenbecker and his wife Lynn have three children and five grandchildren, with another grandchild on the way. He continues to own and operate Kuckenbecker Trucking Company in Madera and Fresno.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend and congratulate Richard Kuckenbecker upon being honored as the Madera Chamber of Commerce 2009 Lifetime Achievement Award. I invite my colleagues to join me in wishing Mr. Kuckenbecker many years of continued success.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend and congratulate Tom and Dave Schoettler upon being named by the Madera District Chamber of Commerce as a 2009 Lifetime Achievement Award Honorees. They will be recognized on Wednesday, August 26, 2009 at the Fifth Annual Lifetime Achievement Awards and Installation Dinner.

Tom was born in Glendale, California and Dave was born in Fresno, California to Hal and Loretta Schoettler. They are two of six children; they were business partners, allies and friends. They both attended Madera High School and participated in athletics; Tom graduated in 1950 and Dave graduated in 1951.

During high school Tom began working for his father at Schoettler Tire; this is where he met his future wife, Ila. He joined the United States Navy after high school and was stationed at Camp Pendleton. Tom was recognized with the Honor Man of Unit Award while in the Navy. He served as a Dental Technician and considered a dental career; however when he exited the Navy, his father needed him at the store. Tom went back to work at Schoettler Tire and is still working there today.

After high school, Dave attended the University of California, Berkley. He received a Bachelor' Degree in Business and was a member of the Reserve Officers' Training Corps. Dave married his wife, Dwynn and he entered the United States Air Force. He served as Captain of the B- 47 Bomber squadron. Dave and Dwynn were stationed in Homestead, Florida. Upon fulfilling his duty with the Air Force, he returned to central California to own and operate a tire business in Coalinga and on the central coast.

In 1974 Tom and Dave became partners in Schoettler Tire of Madera. The business, currently in the third generation on family partnership, has changed locations a few times but it is still family owned and operated. Dave and Tom operated Schoettler Tire for thirty-four years focusing on the values that were instilled in them by their father: integrity, honesty and loyalty. These values led Schoettler Tire to not only be the largest tire company in the area, but a leader in the industry for excellence in customer service.

Tom and Dave have been active in the community. Tom is a member of the American Legion, Italian American Club, St. Joachim's Church, Boy Scouts and the Knights of Columbus, where he served as Grand Knight. For his service he has been recognized by Heartland Opportunity. Dave served on the National Board of Tire Companies, was a member of Madera Elks, served as President of Phi Kappa Tau and was an alumnus of UC Berkley. Schoettler Tire actively supports and is a member of the Madera Chamber of Commerce and has received numerous awards in the tire industry for sales and customer service. Beyond the time that both men have given to the community, they have also both been financially generous to many local clubs and organizations.

Tom and Ila have been married for fifty-six years. They have five sons, twenty grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. Dave and Dwynn had been married for fifty years when Dave passed away in 2008. They have two sons, a daughter and six grandchildren.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend and congratulate Tom and Dave Schoettler upon being honored as the Madera Chamber of Commerce 2009 Lifetime Achievement Award Honoree. I invite my colleagues to join me in wishing Tom and Dave's family many years of continued success.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend and congratulate Sheryl Berry upon being named by the Madera District Chamber of Commerce as a 2009 Lifetime Achievement Award Honoree. Mrs. Berry was recognized on Wednesday, August 26, 2009 at the Fifth Annual Lifetime Achievement Awards and Installation Dinner.

Sheryl Berry was born at Dearborn Hospital in Madera, California to Bob and Merrill Howe. During her childhood she was surrounded by her brothers and cousins. Work and community service began at a young age for Mrs. Berry. At five years old, she became a member of Camp Fire and she had her first job at the age of eight, licking postage stamps at the family-owned business, TECO. She graduated from Madera Union High School and attended Fresno State.

Mrs. Berry has dedicated her entire life to family, career and community. As a worker for the family business, TECO, she became known for her high business standards, strong sense of loyalty to the customers and further creating a highly successful business. After forty years, Mrs. Berry retired from managing the business, allowing her to spend even more time in the community and with her family.

The Camp Fire experience was a lasting commitment for Mrs. Berry. She continued with the organization through her high school years. In 1971 she became an active member of Algeria Guild for Children's Hospital Central California, where she served as treasurer, secretary and president in 1976. She remains an active member of the guild and recently received her thirty-five year pin. As her children were growing up, they became involved with 4-H and Mrs. Berry was right along with them, as the boys began their own beef cattle projects. She served as the project leader for eighteen years in the areas of citizenship, cultural exchange, outdoor camping and sewing. Mrs. Berry also served as the 4-H Co-Camp Director for ten years.

In 1985 Mrs. Berry became involved with the Madera County Historical Society, where she is the current president and has maintained that position for ten years. Through her involvement with the Historical Society, she became involved with the Madera Method Wagon Train. She has traveled trails with the Wagon Train through the Madera County foothills, to Stockton, California and to Houston, Texas.

For her community activities, Mrs. Berry has received multiple awards and honors including, the 1987 4-H ``Outstanding Community Club Leader,'' Madera District Fair 1988 ``Homemaker of the Year,'' California State University, Fresno Ag One ``Women in Agriculture, Common Thread Award'' in 2000 and the Madera County Historical Society ``Presidential Fume Award'' in 2005. Mrs. Berry has a life long history of working to create a better community in Madera.

Mrs. Berry has been married to Randy for thirty-three years. She has four sons and eleven grandchildren.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend and congratulate Sheryl Berry upon being honored with the Madera Chamber of Commerce 2009 Lifetime Achievement Award. I invite my colleagues to join me in wishing Mrs. Berry many years of continued success.

Madam Speaker, Mr. Costa and I rise today to commend and congratulate David Borunda upon being named the ``2009 Businessman of the Year'' by the Central California Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Borunda will be recognized at the 21st Annual Central California Business Expo, to be held in Fresno, California on Friday, August 7, 2009.

Mr. Borunda has been treating his customers to, as he describes, ``Mexican food with a passion'' in Fresno since he established Plaza Ventana in 1977. Plaza Ventana remains one of the most awarded restaurants in Fresno and enjoys the distinction of receiving the ``Best of Fresno'' award by Fresno Magazine and receiving ``The Central Valley's People's Choice Award'' awarded to Mr. Borunda by the Fresno Bee. With two locations in Fresno, Plaza Ventana offers an extensive menu and is considered one of the top Mexican restaurants in the Central Valley by residents and visitors alike.

Mr. Borunda is one of the founding members of the Central California Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and he has served on the board of directors since the chamber was founded during a meeting in his restaurant at the original Plaza Ventana location in 1983. He has been very active in the community serving on the board of the California Restaurant Association of Fresno and as a member of the Central California Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Toastmasters. Mr. Borunda's steadfast commitment to the community has set an example for other business owners to follow.

Through years of hard work and dedication, Mr. Borunda's investment in his business makes him worthy of this esteemed recognition. He has managed to stand alone as a family-run and operated business among many competitors and continues to put his customers first. It is for those reasons that we take great pride and honor in joining the Central California Hispanic Chamber of Commerce in recognizing David Borunda as ``2009 Businessman of the Year'' and we invite our colleagues to join in wishing Mr. Borunda much continued success and prosperity.

Mr. Costa and I invite my colleagues to join me in wishing Mr. Borunda many years of continued success.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend and congratulate Mike Purl upon being named by the Madera District Chamber of Commerce as a 2009 Lifetime Achievement Award Honoree. Mr. Purl was recognized on Wednesday, August 26, 2009 at the Fifth Annual Lifetime Achievement Awards and Installation Dinner.

Mike Purl was born and raised in Madera, California. He graduated from Madera Union High School and earned his Bachelor's Degree in Communications from Fresno State. During his college years, he began to work at KFSN channel 30, the local ABC affiliate and had a part-time job in radio. Mr. Purl continued to work for KFSN for ten years as a producer and director of news programs. In 1984, he took over the family business, Purl's Sheet Metal, and has been managing the company since that time.

Mr. Purl has always been an active member in the community. He was involved with many activities that involved his children, including the Boy Scouts of America, Eagle Scouts, Future Farmers of America and 4-H. He is also involved with the Kiwanis Club of Madera, where he served as president from 1989 to 1990. Mr. Purl served on the board for Campfire USA, is involved with the Madera County Historical Society, Madera Method Wagon Train, Children's Hospital Central California, Madera Community Hospital and Madera County Arts Council.

Madera has always been home to Mr. Purl and his family. He loves the small town feel that Madera has still today. Mr. Purl and his wife, Mickie, have three daughters, one son and seven grandchildren.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend and congratulate Mike Purl upon being honored as the Madera Chamber of Commerce 2009 Lifetime Achievement Award Honoree. I invite my colleagues to join me in wishing Mr. Purl many years of continued success.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Kenneth ``Kenny'' Taylor upon being named by the Madera District Chamber of Commerce as a 2009 Lifetime Achievement Award, Memorial Honoree. The life of Mr. Taylor will be honored on Wednesday, August 26, 2009 at the Fifth Annual Lifetime Achievement Awards and Installation Dinner.

Mr. Kenny Taylor was born at Dearborn Hospital in Madera, California, to Minnie and Marie Taylor. He graduated from Madera High School in 1968. He attended Fresno City College, and in 1970 joined the family business, Taylor Insurance; he later bought the company from his father. Throughout his career he was a trusted and respected professional. Mr. Taylor treated his business and customers with unquestionable integrity.

Mr. Taylor was proud of his community and Madera High School. He was a member of Saint Joachim's Church, the 20/30 Club, Exchange Club, Kiwanis Club, Madera Babe Ruth, Madera Elks Lodge, Fresno/Madera Basque Club, and Madera Golf and Country Club. While active with the Exchange Club, Mr. Taylor created the ``Boy of the Month Award'' to recognize the all-around achievement of senior high school students in Madera. When the Exchange Club closed its doors, Mr. Taylor joined the Kiwanis Club and brought the award with him; he funded the program out of his own pocket. He attended as many Madera High sporting events as possible; he coached baseball and played golf. Once, Mr. Taylor attended a Madera High cross country meet and realized many of the athletes did not have proper shoes. Without a word, or attention brought to the situation, those athletes had new shoes provided to them at no cost. That was the kind of person he was.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to posthumously honor the life of Kenny Taylor upon being named the Madera Chamber of Commerce 2009 Lifetime Achievement Award Memorial Honoree. I invite my colleagues to join me in honoring Mr. Taylor's life and best wishes for his family.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of an Armenian Genocide survivor, Mrs. Melena Boghosian. She passed away at her home in Fresno, California at the age of one hundred and three.

A fifty-five year resident of Fresno, California, Mrs. Boghosian was known around the community for her amazing survival story during the First World War, when the Ottoman Turks massacred an estimated 1.5 million Armenians. Born in Erzurum Turkey, she fled her home as a young child after her parents and siblings were murdered, in an attempt by the Ottoman Empire to eliminate any Armenian presence in the area. Missionaries took young Melena to an orphanage in Syria where she lived for several years.

During her stay at the orphanage, Melena began corresponding with her future husband Avedis Gegaregian. At the age of sixteen, she left the orphanage and married Avedis in Beirut, Lebanon. Shortly after they were married, the two traveled by ship to the United States and immigrated through Ellis Island in New York City. Avedis and Melena settled in Camden, New Jersey until Avedis' death in the mid-1950's.

After the death of her first husband, Melena moved to the Central Valley of California, to be closer to family and friends. While living in Fresno, she worked in alterations at Berkeley's Department Store. She later met, and married, her second husband, Nooregan Boghosian, and they lived together until his death. Melena was an active member of the Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church and a life long member of the Armenian Relief Society. She is survived by her daughter Jessy Shahbazian.

Madam Speaker, I stand today to honor the extraordinary life of Mrs. Melena Boghosian. I invite my colleagues to join me in this tribute to this incredible woman, and hope that her legacy lives on for future generations.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend and congratulate Ross Thornton upon being named by the Madera District Chamber of Commerce as a 2009 Lifetime Achievement Award Honoree. Mr. Thornton will be recognized on Wednesday, August 26, 2009 at the Fifth Annual Lifetime Achievement Awards and Installation Dinner.

Ross Thornton was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma. In May 1964, Mr. Thornton moved to Madera, California to become the voice behind the mic at KHOT radio, a local radio station. In 1967, he went to work for CalFarm Insurance, and two years later made a career change into the medical supply business. In 1986, Mr. Thornton moved back into the insurance profession with Foster and Parker Insurance; where he still works today.

Mr. Thornton has had a very successful career in the insurance industry. He was named ``Trustee of the Year'' in 2001 and ``Agent of the Year'' in 2003 by the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors. He is as successful in his commitment to the community as he is in his profession. Mr. Thornton is a long time member of the Madera Chamber of Commerce, where he has served on several committees, including the Ambassador Corps and the Mayor's Prayer Breakfast Committee. He has been a member of the Madera Sunrise Rotary for twenty-nine years and has maintained perfect attendance. He is the past-president of the Make-A-Wish Foundation, where he also served on the board from 1986 through 1996. Mr. Thornton served on the Board of Directors of Madera Community Hospital from 1988 through 1994. He served for nine years with Valley Public Television Board, a seventeen year board member of the Darin Camarena Health Clinics, served as a Trustee of the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors at the state level and is past-president of the Fresno area Chapter. He is a current member of the Madera Elks, President of the Board of Directors for Sherman Thomas Charter School and Vice-President of Valley West Christian Center Board of Directors. For twenty-five years, he has served as a Speech Judge for the Madera Scholastic Decathlon. Mr. Thornton was appointed to the Planning Commission for the City of Madera and continues to serve in this civic capacity. For his dedicated service to the community, Mr. Thornton has been honored by being named the 1998-99 Citizen of the Year by the Madera Elks and the Madera Hispanic Chamber's Businessman of the Year in 1998.

Mr. Thornton has three sons and three grandchildren. His mother, Alberta, is ninety-six years old and lives with him and his wife Barbara, who has a son, a daughter and four grandchildren.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend and congratulate Ross Thornton upon being honored as the Madera Chamber of Commerce 2009 Lifetime Achievement Award Honoree. I invite my colleagues to join me in wishing Mr. Thornton many years of continued success.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay honor and respect to one of my friends and heroes, Mr. Nic Fiore, who lived a full 88 years of life, and passed away on June 16, 2009 from pneumonia.

Nic was a legendary ski instructor and community leader who taught nearly 140,000 people to ski at Yosemite's Badger Pass Ski Area. Nic served in several different capacities in Yosemite for 57 years after first coming to Yosemite in 1947 from his hometown in Montreal, Canada. Nic originally came to Yosemite for one season but fell in love with the crowned jewel of America's national parks and stayed for the rest of his life, building community, friendship, and family in the area. He is survived by his daughters, Cindy and Nicole, and eight grandchildren.

In describing his experience moving to Yosemite from Canada in 1947, Nic said, ``I had never been in love, but the feeling hit me like a ton of bricks. Like a bolt of lightning. Right then and there, down deep, in the corner of my heart, I said to myself, `I doubt you'll ever leave this place.' And I never have.''

In 1956, Nic was named director of the Yosemite Ski School, and in 1963 he was appointed director of the Yosemite High Sierra Camps. During this time, Nic also managed the Wawona and Glacier Point hotels among other concession facilities.

Many of the aspects of Yosemite and Badger Pass Ski Area that are most beloved by myself and families everywhere who have the privilege to visit and enjoy Yosemite National Park can be attributed to Nic's legacy. Nic was a visionary in making the Badger Pass Ski Area the family-oriented teaching ski facility that it is today by preserving old skiing tradition.

I can attest to what Nic's Yosemite colleagues have said about Nic's generosity of heart, his ability to make everyone who met him feel as though they were his best friend, and his mastery of Yosemite. Nic had a special ability to share his passion and enthusiasm for skiing, and recreation with generations of visitors to Yosemite as well as the permanent Yosemite community.

The list of Nic's accomplishments is long. In 2006, Nic was chosen by the Yosemite Fund as their person of the year, and was designated as ``Yosemite's Ambassador-at-Large.'' In January 2009, Nic was inducted into the California Outdoors Hall of Fame, an enshrinement award presented by the Sportsmen's Exposition. To be considered for this considerable award, nominees must have inspired thousands of Californians to take part in the great outdoors and must have taken part in an overriding range of adventures. I personally cannot think of a more qualified individual to fit that description than Nic.

Nic held the position of executive director of the Professional Ski Instructors of America (PSIA) Western Divison. He was recognized as the ``Most Valuable Ski Instructor'' of PSIA in 1971. Nic also received the ``Charlie Proctor Award'' in 1986, which honors individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the sport of skiing in Northern California and Nevada. It is the highest award given by the Sierra Chapter of the North American Ski Journalists Association. Additionally, in 1987, Fiore was nominated for the U.S. Ski Hall of Fame, as well as received the ``Outstanding Contributions to the Sport of Skiing'' award.

In addition to all of these accomplishments, Nic was also an author, writing a best selling book, ``So You Want to Ski'' along with a newspaper column titled ``Ski Tips by Nic Fiore.''

Again, Madam Speaker, I rise in recognition of my friend and Yosemite community builder Mr. Yosemite, Mr. Nic Fiore. Nic will be missed by many. His legacy in the Yosemite community will live on, as will his passion and enthusiasm for the sport of skiing.

Mr. Speaker, if the need to reform our health care system wasn't so serious, the Democrat government takeover of health care might actually be humorous. It's laughable that their idea of ``cost-cutting reform'' is a bill that will increase the Federal deficit by $239 billion over 10 years and includes a $1.3 trillion spending increase. Only in Washington, D.C., does cutting costs mean spending more money.

America's small businesses, including our Nation's farmers, are going to be hit the hardest by this huge expansion of government through billions of dollars in new taxes and mandates, and yet the bill doesn't even address the seasonal workforce that farmers rely on to harvest their crops. Once again, small business and rural America are swept under the rug and forgotten, but not before they get a huge tax bill.

The bottom line is that the Democrats' public option is a sneaky plan to take over private health care.

Mr. Speaker, get me a doctor. The idea of government taking over health care is enough to make you sick.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend and congratulate Albert ``Al'' Cosyns upon being honored as the Madera Chamber of Commerce 2009 Senior Farmer of the Year. Mr. Cosyns was recognized at the annual Senior Farmer Dinner on Thursday, July 23, 2009.

Mr. Al Cosyns was born on March 12, 1925 in Southern California. After farming in Orange County, California for sixteen years, he decided to head north. He hitched his bean harvester to his truck and made his way over the Grapevine, finding his home in the heart of California, Madera. For fifty years, Mr. Cosyns has raised a variety of crops and has been finding ways to adapt to the new cropping patterns necessary to the longevity of a farming operation. Over the years they have farmed almonds, alfalfa, black-eyed beans, lima beans, barley, cotton, corn, grapes, wheat, safflower, soybeans, oats, sugar beets and sudan. Today, the Cosyns Farm is currently located on 2500 acres; with almonds and grapes at the heart of the operation.

Mr. Cosyns' priorities have always been his ranch, his family and his community. Mr. Cosyns has always been active in the farming community and has served on a number of boards, including the Bonita Soil Conservation Board, the Sugar Beet Board and he has been a member of the Madera County Farm Bureau for forty-five years. He has also served as a 4-H Youth Advisor and is a supporter of the 4-H and Future Farmers of America Livestock Auction at the Madera and Chowchilla Fairs. Mr. Cosyns is the co-founder of the Madera Agricultural Youth Association (MAYA), an organization that supports youth in agriculture and provides scholarships to students entering college and pursuing a degree in a field related to agriculture. There are now four generations of the Cosyns family in Madera and Mr. Cosyns enjoys passing his knowledge and joy of agriculture on to the newest generation, his great- grandchildren. Mr. Cosyns along with his sons, Allan and Rick, and his grandchildren, continue the farming tradition with their strong leadership in the community.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend and congratulate Albert Cosyns upon being named the Madera Chamber of Commerce 2009 Senior Farmer of the Year. I invite my colleagues to join me in wishing Mr. Cosyns many years of continued success.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to talk about the devastating job losses in my district in California. This Congress, with the help of the Obama administration, has taken away 40,000 jobs and almost $1 billion of income from the great San Joaquin Valley in California in a foolish attempt to protect a 3-inch fish.

The valley's unemployment now is at 20 percent, with some towns as high as 40 percent. Yet, the mere flick of a switch on the pumps in the delta will restore 40,000 jobs at no cost to the government.

In addition to this careless disregard for the farmers in my district, the Democrat leadership is now ramming through a $1.2 trillion health care reform measure that will eliminate 4.7 million jobs, small business jobs, and subject farmers to $500 billion in new taxes. And let's not forget the $846 billion national energy tax that will result in a 2.3 million job loss and cause the price of everything on the family farm to dramatically increase.

Mr. Speaker, where are the jobs? The Democrats are giving them to the little fishies in the San Francisco Bay delta. Go figure.

Mr. Chairman, I am using this opportunity to speak for the amendment that was previous because I was not able to get out of committee to come down for the debate.

I want to rise in support of the Cardoza amendment. As you are well aware, California is in the midst of a devastating manmade drought. Any action to alleviate the drought faced by the San Joaquin Valley is needed. Facilitating transfers of water from areas of California that have water to spare and sending it to the wetlands in the San Joaquin Valley is a good start, but we must have increased pumping out of the Delta.

I would like to commend my colleagues Mr. Cardoza, Mr. Costa and Mr. Nunes for their hard work and for their efforts in offering solutions to the drought in California.

In the meantime, temporary solutions such as the Two Gates and the Canal Intertie projects are necessary to keep farmers in the San Joaquin Valley farming. These projects must be constructed and online by this fall in order to provide any relief to this terrible drought.

The only way to keep the State of California strong is to change the water infrastructure. The California water system cannot continue as it is. If there are no changes, we will continue to see escalating unemployment rates of over 40 percent and the depletion of the agriculture industry.

Madam Speaker, I rise today on behalf of my colleagues, Representative Devin Nunes and Representative Jim Costa, to acknowledge, congratulate, and celebrate the 100th Birthday of Martha Poffenberger McKinley.

Martha has always been an active member of the Fresno community. She worked for the State of California Department of Industrial Welfare for many years, where she was involved with a number of business and professional organizations. She also founded and became the first president of the women's section of the Fresno County Chamber of Commerce.

Mrs. McKinley now lives with her daughter and son-in-law. She enjoys spending time with her three grandchildren, 8 great grandchildren, and is looking forward to the birth of her first great-great grandchild.

Martha has been a remarkable mother not only to her own daughter but also to her other daughter Sally Lewis. In 2000, Martha was recognized by the Fresno County Women's Chamber of Commerce as Mother of the Year. She is well-deserving of this award.

My colleagues and I want to take this opportunity to not only wish Martha a happy birthday, but to express our admiration and gratitude for her service to the people of Fresno County. It is truly an honor to celebrate such a remarkable lady.

Below is a letter submitted by her long time friend, Sally M. Lewis.

``On July 17th, a remarkable lady will celebrate her 100th

birthday. Martha Poffenberger McKinley was born in

Portsmouth, Ohio, on July 17, 1909, the only child of Edward

Daniel and Claire Kennedy Poffenberger.

Her life is a long list of accomplishments, but most of all

she was a loving wife to Pete before his death and she is a

remarkable mom to her daughter Monna and a true blessing in

my life for treating me as a daughter since I was a child.

After graduation from Ohio State, Martha began her

professional life in Ohio as the private secretary to

Governor Bricker. Following her marriage to Peter B. McKinley

they moved to northern California. Not much for staying at

home, she went to work at Mare Island Ship Yard and quickly

moved up from secretarial pool to department head. The family

moved to Fresno after Monna was born and once she started

school Martha went to work for the state of California

Department of Industrial Welfare. While working there she was

active in many business and professional organizations. Among

them she founded and was the first president of the women's

section of the Fresno County Chamber of Commerce (now The

Fresno County Women in Chambers of Commerce).

She lived in her own home and washed her own car until she

lost her vision well into her 90's. She now enjoys living

with her daughter and son-in-law surrounded by her three

grandchildren, 8 great children and soon her first great-

great grand child.

Even though she is now blind, she still keeps up on current

events, manages her own investments and has voted in every

election.

Martha has a wonderful mind and fantastic memory. She is

never without a joke and a smile. Always the life of any

gathering, Martha has always enjoyed her evening cocktail and

visits with family and friends. An evening with Martha is one

you're not likely to forget.

It's an honor and a privilege to have her as my ``other

mutter.'' From: Sally M. Lewis''