Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Hank Pittman upon being named as a ``Distinguished Life Member'' by the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 9896. Mr. Pittman was honored on Saturday, January 31, 2009.

Mr. Pittman was born in Madera, California in September 1947. He was raised in Chowchilla, graduated from Chowchilla High School in 1965 and immediately enlisted in the U.S. Navy. He completed Navy boot camp in San Diego and was designated as a shipfitter. He was assigned to the USS Long Beach, a guided missile cruiser, and in 1966 was deployed to the Western Pacific. The cruiser served in the Gulf of Tonkin to detect enemy aircraft attempting to evade identification by hiding among U.S. aircraft returning from missions over North Vietnam. The USS Long Beach also provided support for Search and Rescue helicopter units that rescued downed fliers. During this tour, the ship was responsible for downing Soviet-made North Vietnamese An-2 planes attempting to fire on South Vietnamese Navy units. In July 1967 the USS Long Beach was re- deployed to the Gulf of Tonkin and shot down two MiG fighters with RIM- 8 Talos missiles. Crew members were awarded a Meritorious Unit Commendation for these actions.

Upon returning to the U.S., Mr. Pittman was selected for a two month training course at the Navy Divers' School in San Diego. When he completed the course he was designated as a Hull Maintenance Technician (Diver). His next duty station was with the USS Simon Lake, a submarine tender in Holy Loch, Scotland. During the next eighteen years he completed more courses and steadily progressed in rank while serving on a number of ships, naval air stations and bases.

In 1976, while serving aboard the USS Holland, Mr. Pittman received a letter of commendation for superior performance in critical operations repairing the hull of the USS Batfish, a nuclear-powered attack submarine. Two years later he successfully completed a seventeen week Deep Sea Diving and Salvage Course at the Washington Navy Yard. Mr. Pittman was promoted to Chief. Throughout his career he served on many ships and at many stations around the U.S., Southeast Pacific, Europe, the Indian Ocean, Australia, the North Atlantic, Africa, Panama and the Caribbean. Chief Pittman retired in February 1987. For his service he was awarded the Navy Achievement Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device, three Meritorious Unit Commendations, four awards for the Good Conduct Medal, the Navy Expeditionary Medal, the M-14 Rifle Ribbon, the .45 Pistol Ribbon and the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon.

After retiring from the Navy, Mr. Pittman worked as a security officer, forklift operator and wood cutter. He is a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 9896, where he served six years as Post Commander and attends the Church of Latter Day Saints. He has three children and three grandchildren.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend and congratulate Hank Pittman upon being named as a ``Distinguished Life Member'' by the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 9896. I invite my colleagues to join me in wishing Mr. Pittman many years of continued success.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Allen Bushman upon being named as a ``Distinguished Life Member'' by the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 9896. Mr. Bushman was honored on Saturday, January 31, 2009.

Allen Bushman was born in March 1930 in Fairview, Utah, and at age eighteen he enlisted in the newly formed United States Air Force. He completed his basic training at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas. He went on to serve in a variety of assignments, including an aircraft engineering mechanic for the B-29 and B-36 bombers and the KC-97 Stratotanker. These aircrafts were instrumental during the Korean War, completing missions from Japan and Okinawa to bomb targets in North Korea. After the war, Mr. Bushman completed Aircraft Maintenance Technician School and qualified as an Inflight Air Refueling Boom Operator. The Stratotanker was an aerial refueling tanker; it was vital to the Air Force as the B-47 became the primary bomber for world-wide strategic operations.

During the 1960s, Mr. Bushman completed courses at the USAF Advanced Flying School and was selected for advanced training for the KC-135 and completed the Combat Crew Training Squadron Course. He also completed the Management Course for Air Force Supervisors and the Special Vehicle Repairman Course. Mr. Bushman was assigned as the boom operator on the KC-135 where he flew on missions from Okinawa and Guam, refueling the B-52 and other aircraft flying to and returning from missions over North Vietnam. During his twenty-two years of service he served with a number of wings and squadrons including 22nd Bomb Wing, 98th Bomb Wing, 111th Bomb Wing, 95th Bomb Wing, 90th Air Refueling Squadron, 99th Air Refueling Squadron and 924th Air Refueling Training Squadron.

Master Sergeant Bushman retired from the Air Force at Castle Air Force Base on February 28, 1970. He was awarded with the Air Force Commendation Medal for Meritorious Service, the Air Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, the Korean Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Air Force Good Conduct Medal, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, National Defense Service Medal and the Air Force Longevity Service Award for his service during the Korean War, Vietnam War and the Cold War. Upon his retirement, he completed a two year business management course at Merced College and became a fence contractor. He is a life member of Chowchilla Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 9896, and a member of the Church of Latter Day Saints. He and his wife, Carla Gene, continue to live in Chowchilla, California; they have nine children, twenty-seven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend and congratulate Allen Bushman upon being named as a ``Distinguished Life Member'' by the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 9896. I invite my colleagues to join me in wishing Mr. Bushman many years of continued success.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Don Gwartney upon being named as a ``Distinguished Life Member'' by the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 9896. Mr. Gwartney was honored on Saturday, January 31, 2009.

Don Gwartney was born in Clinton, Oklahoma during the Great Depression. As a young man his family moved to Chowchilla, California where he attended Chowchilla High School. He graduated from Chowchilla High School in 1956 at the age of seventeen. Upon graduation he wanted to join the United States Navy to ``see the world,'' but at seventeen he had to convince his mother to sign the enlistment form. She agreed, and Mr. Gwartney completed Navy Boot Camp at San Diego and was sent to fire fighting school. He was ordered to Washington and aboard the USS Princeton, an aircraft carrier with a crew of 3,448 officers and men. The ship had completed a conversion to conduct anti-submarine operations in the eastern Pacific and was sent to its home port in Long Beach, California. In July 1957 the USS Princeton completed a seven month mission, making port in Hawaii, Yokasuka, Sasebo, Okinawa, Tokyo, Hong Kong, and the Philippines. In January 1958, they stopped briefly in Singapore and were sent to Ceylon on a humanitarian mission to assist flood victims. The ship returned from a successful mission in February 1958.

With increasing tension between Communist China and the Nationalist Chinese, the United States government began positioning more ships in the region and in July 1959 the USS Princeton sailed to join the fleet of four other battle groups off of the coast of Taiwan. The ship was responsible for launching planes to search for Chinese submarines in the area and crew members were working a stressful six hours on, six hours off schedule throughout the crisis. After several weeks, Communist China suddenly stopped all military operations and the USS Princeton traveled to Subic Bay in the Philippines. From there they sailed to the Bering Sea in pursuit of a Soviet nuclear submarine, which they obtained intelligence on.

In March 1959, the Princeton underwent a new configuration and was designed to serve as an amphibious assault ship for Marines. In September 1959, Mr. Gwartney was released from active duty, but was called back just fifteen months later and was assigned to Naval Air Station Alameda. He was released in October of the same year. Mr. Gwartney has been awarded the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, he received 823 Badge of Honor Medals, a commendation from the Republic of China and a letter of appreciation from the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office.

Upon retiring from the Navy, Mr. Gwartney attended college classes; he worked at Yosemite National Park and at Valley Feed and Fuel in Chowchilla. He was employed in the maintenance department at Chowchilla Union High School in March 1970, and was soon after promoted to Supervisor of Custodians, a position he held until retiring in December 2000. He served as a volunteer fire fighter for five years. He is a member of the Cathedral of Faith, where he was a Royal Ranger Leader for five years and a Sunday school teacher for ten years. He is a life member of the Chowchilla Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 9896. He is married to Betty Edwards and they have made their home in Chowchilla for forty-three years.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend and congratulate Don Gwartney upon being named as a ``Distinguished Life Member'' by the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 9896. I invite my colleagues to join me in wishing Mr. Gwartney many years of continued success.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Vern Moss upon his being named as a ``Distinguished Life Member'' by the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 9896. Mr. Moss was honored on Saturday, January 31, 2009.

Vern Moss was born on September 2, 1939 in Yuba City, California. He spent much of his childhood on his uncle's dairy farm in Madera, California. After school, on the weekends and during the summers, Mr. Moss worked in the fields picking cotton, cutting grapes and bucking bales. He attended Pershing School, was a member of the first graduating class at Jefferson Junior High School and attended Madera High School. At age seventeen he left home to live with his aunt and uncle in San Jose; he graduated from San Jose High School in 1958. Upon graduation he moved to Visalia, attended College of the Sequoias, and worked at the Visalia Times-Delta.

In 1963 Mr. Moss received word that he would be drafted, so he immediately joined the U.S. Air Force. He went to Lackland Air Force Base for basic training, followed by technical school at Greenville Air Force Base, Mississippi. His next assignment was Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho. While in Idaho, he attended college courses in the evening. After meeting the necessary requirements, Mr. Moss attended Park College and earned his Bachelor's of Arts degree. Upon returning to Mountain Home, he applied for Officer Training School and was accepted. He was commissioned a Second Lieutenant on February 6, 1967 and directed to report to the 666 Radar Squadron, Mid Valley, California. He served as Administrative Officer, with numerous duties including Chief and Battle Staff Security Control. He was soon sent to Lowry Air Force Base, Colorado for further training.

In October 1968, Mr. Moss was sworn into the U.S. Army at Fort Ord, California; he and his family were quickly transferred to Germany. Upon arriving at HQ TASCOM in Germany, he was made Deputy Commander, 5th Replacement Detachment and Deputy Chief, Personnel Management Branch. Soon after arriving, he was promoted to Unit Commander and Chief PMB. In January 1970, he moved his family back to the states before leaving for Vietnam. He first arrived in Cam Ranh Bay then was told to report to Saigon where he was assigned as the MACV J-6, Executive Officer. During this tour, he was awarded the Bronze Star, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal with three stars, Vietnam Service Medal and the Vietnam Signal Corp devise (a foreign award).

Upon returning to the United States Mr. Moss attended six months of school at Fort Benjamin Harrison, Indiana. He served as the Division Postal Officer and then was promoted to Chief, Personnel Management Division in the Division's Adjunct Generals Office at the 4th Infantry Division at Fort Carson, Colorado. An opportunity arose for him to take command of a unit, and he took it; the 4th Infantry Division's Headquarters Company Administrative Command, a unit with over nine hundred service members assigned to it. It was a short lived assignment; he was then reassigned to Germany.

Shortly after arriving, he took command of one of the worst units in Germany. With the Inspector General due to arrive within one week, he assisted the unit as much as he could, but they failed all but two areas during the inspection. After the inspection he was determined to clean up his unit. He sent soldiers to Leavenworth Military Disciplinary Barrack and gave sixty-three expeditious discharges. Six months after taking control of the unit, a Commanding General and the Command Sergeant Major visited the unit; they passed the inspection with all areas satisfactory and with four commendable areas. From there, Mr. Moss became a Major and was selected to Command and General Staff College. He was given the opportunity to start a new unit at Wiesbaden to support the deploying Brigade 75.

In 1976, Mr. Moss attended the ten month program at Command and General Staff College; he graduated in June 1977. His next position was to advise the New York National Guard and United States Army Reserve throughout New York State. After three years, he was nominated and selected to serve in the Organization of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in the Pentagon. His final position in the Army was at Fort Irwin where he was assigned to the Army's National Training Center and served as the Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel and Community Activities and finally as the Installation Adjunct General.

Mr. Moss retired from the military on October 1, 1983. Afterward, he and his family moved to Idaho; he obtained a position as a Bank Manager in Los Gatos, California. He moved up through different banks and finally ended in Chowchilla, California in 1985. He has been part of the Chowchilla community since; including serving on the City Council, County Supervisor, President of the Chowchilla Chamber of Commerce, President of Chowchilla Rotary and President of the San Joaquin Valley Rail Commission. Mr. Moss is also a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 9896, member of the American Legion and Trinity Pregnancy Resource Center Board (President).

Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend and congratulate Vern Moss upon being named as a ``Distinguished Life Member'' by the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 9896. I invite my colleagues to join me in wishing Mr. Moss many years of continued success.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Ron Lawson upon being named as a ``Distinguished Life Member'' by the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 9896. Mr. Lawson was honored on Saturday, January 31, 2009.

Mr. Lawson was born in Los Angeles and attended high school in Bell, California. At seventeen he enlisted in the United States Army. He completed basic training at Fort Ord, California and was on his way to Korea. Once in Korea, he joined the First Cavalry for thirteen months, serving with a heavy weapons infantry unit with duties along the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ). He was then transferred to Germany where he served for five years with the First ARB 46th Infantry and with the 24th Infantry Division. He had duty in Berlin along the wall at Checkpoint Charlie. Upon his return to the U.S. he was assigned as a weapons instructor at Fort Polk, Louisiana.

He was at Fort Polk for a short amount of time before returning to Korea for a second tour. He served in the 7th Cavalry with the 2nd Infantry Division. When he returned to the U.S., he was selected as an instructor at the Drill Sergeant Academy at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. After completion of the academy, he served as a drill sergeant for new recruits, readying them for advanced training and deployment to Vietnam. In 1970, Mr. Lawson was deployed to Southeast Asia and joined the Military Assistance Command, Vietnam. He was assigned to Team 25 and Mobile Advisory Team 97; Team 25 worked with South Vietnamese Regional Forces in the Central Highlands of II Corps. He provided expert advice to the regional soldiers in tactics while accompanying them on operations against Viet Cong and NVA forces in heavy jungle canopy and rugged mountain terrain. His units also worked with and fought alongside native Montagnard tribesmen. Mr. Lawson was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for his actions while serving with Team 25 and the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry for action with Mobile Team 97.

After completing twelve months in Vietnam, Mr. Lawson returned to Fort Ord and reassumed duties as a drill sergeant. He was reassigned to Germany and joined the 1st Armored Division as Operations Sergeant. He returned to Fort Ord to serve as a first sergeant for the 7th Light Infantry Division until he retired.

During Mr. Lawson's time in the Army he completed many training courses including German Language School, the 24th division NCO Academy, Instructor Preparation Course, Pre-commissioning Course at Fort Benning, Officer Leadership at Fort Ord, Infantry Armor NCO Advanced Course at Fort Benning, the NCO Republic of Vietnam Orientation Course and Drill Sergeant Academy. For his service he was awarded the Bronze Star, the Army Meritorious Service Medal, four Army Commendation Medals, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with a Gold Star, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device, the Army Occupation award, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (Berlin and Korea), Korean Defense Medal, National Defense Service Medal and the Combat Infantry Badge. Mr. Lawson received six letters of commendation and was honored as Fort Ord Drill Sergeant of the Year.

After Mr. Lawson retired he and his family moved to Chowchilla, California and he was employed as a maintenance supervisor. He is a member of the Young Men's Institute, Saint Columba Church and has served as a member of the City of Chowchilla Planning Commission for twenty-one years. He is a life member of the Chowchilla Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 9896 and member of the American Legion Post 148. He is also the Past Commander of Post 9896 and has held the position of Post Quartermaster for several years. Mr. Lawson currently resides in Chowchilla with his wife Mathilda, they have two children and two grandchildren.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend and congratulate Ron Lawson upon being named as a ``Distinguished Life Member'' by the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 9896. I invite my colleagues to join me in wishing Mr. Lawson many years of continued success.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Nis Nissen upon being named as a ``Distinguished Life Member'' by the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 9896. Mr. Nissen was honored on Saturday, January 31, 2009.

Mr. Nissen was born in Santa Monica, California in October 1948. He graduated from Mira Costa High School and enlisted in the U.S. Navy in July 1968. He completed Navy boot camp in San Diego. After a brief training period, he was designated as an engineman and was sent to join thousands of American service members fighting the North Vietnamese. He was assigned to the USS Tutuila, a 442-foot length, Luzon Internal Combustion

Engine Repair Shop. The USS Tutuila functioned as a repair ship for the hundreds of small armed craft, or swift boats, used by the U.S. Navy and their South Vietnamese counterparts in patrolling the numerous inland and coastal waterways. Mr. Nissen and his fellow sailors worked around the clock to keep the swift boats functioning. They were often responsible for towing boats out of hostile areas and transporting wounded sailors to safety.

During his service on the USS Tutuila, Mr. Nissen became interested in the work of the medical staff and became a ``striker'' for a rating as a dental technician. He served fifteen months in Vietnam and upon his return to the U.S. he completed training for a dental technician. After dental school he was assigned to the medical facility at the Naval Air Station at Lemoore, California. He was later transferred to Naval Air Station at Kodiak Island, Alaska. He completed his active duty service in 1972.

Upon discharge, Mr. Nissen served as a civilian employee at the U.S. Air Force radar tracking station on Kodiak Island where they tracked Soviet aircraft and missiles. He received an honorable discharge as a Dental Technician third class. He was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal with three stars and the Vietnam Campaign with Device. Today, Mr. Nissen is the owner-broker of Old West Realty in Chowchilla. He has served as a charter member of the City of Chowchilla Historical Preservation Commission, is a life member of Chowchilla Veterans of Foreign Wars Post, 9896 and is a member of the Masons.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend and congratulate Nis Nissen upon being named as a ``Distinguished Life Member'' by the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 9896. I invite my colleagues to join me in wishing Mr. Nissen many years of continued success.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Phil Lybarger upon being named as a ``Distinguished Life Member'' by the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 9896. Mr. Lybarger was honored on Saturday, January 31, 2009.

Mr. Lybarger was born in Merced and raised in Chowchilla, California; he graduated from Chowchilla High School in 1960. He worked in manufacturing in the San Jose area before enlisting in the United States Army. After completion of basic training at Fort Ord, he reported for training at the Medical Training Specialist School at Fort Sam Houston in Texas. He was then sent for airborne training at Fort Benning, Georgia. He made five jumps from a C-19 to earn the silver wings of a paratrooper. After airborne training, he received orders to join the 173rd Airborne Brigade. Mr. Lybarger reported to the Oakland Navy Terminal and boarded the USS Billy Mitchell and headed for Okinawa. Once the ship arrived in Okinawa he participated in numerous field exercises including off-island exercises to Formosa (now Taiwan) and training sessions with Nationalist Chinese troops. He attended jungle warfare/Assault training and participated in an exercise assaulting the East China Sea island of Irimote.

Upon completion of his tour to Southeast Asia, Mr. Lybarger was assigned to the 18th Airborne Corps, 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. At about the same time, the Dominican Republic was in the beginning of civil war. Former President Lyndon Johnson ordered the U.S. military to restore order, and Mr. Lybarger was deployed along with 42,000 Marines and soldiers to the Dominican Republic. He was deployed with the

first wave of troops and remained on the island for as a platoon medic for seven months.

Mr. Lybarger returned to the U.S. and was discharged as a Private First Class. During his service he was designated as an expert marksman with the M-1, M-14 and M-16 rifles. He was awarded Army parachutists wings and made twenty-two jumps including three night jumps. For his service, he was awarded the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal and the National Defense Service Medal.

After life in the military, Mr. Lybarger attended Fresno City College, De Anze College, San Joaquin Valley College and the University of Maryland (Extension) on the G.I. Bill and was employed in manufacturing management. He is a member of the First Church of Religious Science of the Mind and volunteers as an Ombudsman for the State of California Department of Aging. He is a Life Member of Chowchilla Veterans of Foreign War Post 9896, Past Junior Vice Commander of the 11th Veterans of Foreign War District and Past Commander of Post 9896. He is a member of the 82nd Airborne Association and the 173rd Airborne Society. Mr. Lybarger and his wife Virginia continue to live in Chowchilla; they have three children and nine grandchildren.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend and congratulate Phil Lybarger upon being named as a ``Distinguished Life Member'' by the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 9896. I invite my colleagues to join me in wishing Mr. Lybarger many years of continued success.

Madam Speaker, yesterday I went to the Rules Committee and offered an amendment to the Omnibus Public Lands bill that would have saved 80,000 jobs and over $2.2 billion worth of income in my district by ending the regulatory drought that currently plagues the San Joaquin Valley. Surprisingly, the Rules Committee said ``no'' to saving 80,000 jobs despite bipartisan support.

My amendment would have temporarily removed the restrictions the Endangered Species Act places on Federal and State water pumps in the California Bay-Delta, allowing water to be moved from northern and central California to farming families in my district and to millions of urban Californians in the southern portion of the State. Pumping and storing more water is necessary if we want to relieve the devastating drought in California. Yet, the Rules Committee didn't consider the billions of dollars and jobs it would save to be worthwhile.

The way this legislation has been put together and shuttled through Congress is atrocious. The majority has sprinkled a few meritorious provisions in an effort to buy votes around what is otherwise damaging legislation.

This bill blocks millions of acres from new oil and gas leasing and all other business activity. Further, the bill designates more than 2 million acres as wilderness acres, permanently restricting public access. The Federal Government already owns 30 percent of the total land area of the United States. It doesn't need any more.

Though I will not vote for the Omnibus Public Lands bill for the serious reasons previously stated, there are some supportable measures in the bill. The Tuolumne Me-Wuk Land Transfer Act, the Madera Water Supply Enhancement Act, and the San Joaquin River Restoration Settlement are three examples.

The Madera Water Supply Enhancement Act creates an underground water bank in my district which is desperately needed in the San Joaquin Valley to mitigate the effects of drought and the onerous Endangered Species Act regulations.

I also support the San Joaquin River Restoration Settlement, resolving a 20-year lawsuit that threatened the water supply for farmers in the San Joaquin Valley. The San Joaquin River Restoration Settlement gave my agricultural constituents something they did not previously have: a seat at the negotiating table. Before the settlement, a Federal judge was going to decide how much water farmers would lose in order to restore a salmon fishery. By giving farmers a voice in the solution, the settlement prevents an agricultural disaster and gives the agricultural community some control over their water future. Additionally, all 22 water districts of the Friant Water Users Authority have consistently voted in support of the settlement. The settlement is a product of hardworking folks who simply want to continue growing food to feed this great Nation with a safe, reliable, and efficient water supply. I believe we have accomplished that goal in this settlement.

Madam Speaker, I support these portions of the Omnibus Public Lands Act, and believe that they should be passed on their own merit. However, for reasons stated above, I cannot support the overall package and urge my colleagues to vote again this rule that did not allow

a vote to save 80,000 jobs and over $2 million in income in California at no cost to the taxpayers.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Milca Gutierrez upon being named as the Children's Miracle Network's ``California Champion Across America'' for 2009. Miss Gutierrez will be honored on Tuesday, March 17, 2009 at Children's Hospital Central California at an event to kick off the local and national public awareness program.

Milca Gutierrez, of Fresno, California, was diagnosed when she was four months old with a rare disorder called ontogenesis imperfecta, commonly known as brittle bone disease. This rare disorder affects the connective tissue and causes bones to break easily and without any apparent reason. At the age of eleven, Miss Gutierrez has been seen at Children's Hospital Central California over 180 times and has undergone over ten operations; she remains positive with her motto ``It's just a bone.''

Miss Gutierrez is a constant source of brightness and support, whether to herself or others, she has a unique ability to always help those around her. Once a year she and her family travel to their native hometown in Mexico to provide clothes, toys and stuffed animals to families in need. She is able to live an active and full life; she loves swimming, math and dreams of becoming a doctor. Her unique situation has placed her in a position to advocate for children's hospitals across the nation, serve as a ``Champion'' for the State of California and act as an ambassador for the seventeen million children who are treated at children's hospitals every year. The Children's Miracle Network sponsors a variety of events to help raise money for children's hospitals; including the Champions Across America initiative, where one child from each state is selected to serve as a champion to help highlight the importance of a children's hospitals. Miss Gutierrez, along with her fellow champions, and her family will travel to Walt Disney World to participate in the Children's Miracle Network Celebration and to Washington, D.C. to highlight the vital work of children's hospitals.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend and congratulate Milca Gutierrez upon her achievements and strength. I invite my colleagues to join me in wishing Miss Gutierrez many years of happiness and success.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Tuolumne County Alliance for Resources and Environment, incorporated upon the celebration of their 20th anniversary. The anniversary will be celebrated on Saturday, March 14, 2009 at the ``Annual Dinner and Auction'' in Sonora, California.

Tuolumne County Alliance for Resources and Environment, Inc, or TuCARE, was first organized in 1989 when a group of individuals came together to enlighten others in the wise use of natural resources in Tuolumne County. The organization has a history of commitment to ensuring the long-term viability of all of the natural resources through an ecosystem management approach toward the stewardship of the public lands. They are firm believers that man must play an active role to protect the forests from the destruction of wildfires. The multiple- use system that TuCARE promotes allows for everyone to benefit from the forest. Livestock owners use the pastures in the summer, miners are allowed to extract minerals, loggers can help thin the forest and everyone can enjoy the recreation the forest has to offer.

The organization ensures that the private and the public sector work together to protect property rights and to educate our future generations. TuCARE advocates awareness in schools and communities by sponsoring ``Tours for Kids'' for more than twelve hundred students each year and a Natural Resources Tour for invited guests from the State of California, Congress, local businesses, educators and various agencies. TuCARE is connected to schools in Tuolumne, Calaveras and

Stanislaus Counties and participates in the Tuolumne County Schools Forestry Institute for Teachers and presents to civic groups and organizations. They also sponsor various public forums on issues related to natural resources and is represented at the annual Alliance on American Fly-in for Freedom forum held in Washington, DC. The organization prepares press releases for all media outlets and meets with local, state and federal elected officials regarding issues of concern.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend and congratulate Tuolumne County Alliance for Resources and Environment, Inc. on twenty years of service. I invite my colleagues to join me in wishing TuCARE many years of continued success.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor and thank Fresno County Sheriff Margaret Mims, Supervisor Judy Case, Julianne Tuggle, and Darren Rose for their heroic efforts in an emergency situation in Washington, D.C. on February 11, 2009. Sheriff Mims, Supervisor Case, Julianne Tuggle from Supervisor Susan Anderson's office, and Darren Rose from my district office deserve full recognition for their responsiveness and public service in the nation's capital, where they gave first aid to an individual who was in a state of cardiac arrest. The 21-year-old man was unresponsive and lying face down on the ground in a crowded Metro station near the Capitol building.

Julianne and Darren were the first upon the scene; Julianne initiated the emergency response among the eclectic mix of Fresno County Officials in the vicinity while Darren Rose called 911 and coordinated the response with DC fire and emergency medical services. Julianne was able to procure a pocket face mask. Supervisor Case affixed the mask and breathed for the patient. Sheriff Mims and Supervisor Case began skilled compression and breathing coordination efforts until the man, who originally had no pulse, was able to breathe on his own. Sheriff Mims has been trained in first aid, and Supervisor Case is a registered nurse who had just been recertified in CPR, and knew the most current standard medical procedure. Together, they performed chest compressions and provided air for his lungs, which kept him stable and breathing until the Washington medics arrived 10 minutes later.

I had the honor to be able to meet with these local heroes when they were in Washington with the Council of County Governments (COG) as part of the ``One Voice'' delegation, which unites communities and regional interests in a voluntary and collaborative effort to promote and bring attention to the needs of the local community and regions.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend and thank Sheriff Mims, Supervisor Case, Julianne Tuggle from Supervisor Anderson's office, and Darren Rose from my office for their service to the community and their heroism in providing emergency services to stabilize and preserve the life of this citizen in D.C. and in their everyday efforts on the job.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Central California Hispanic Chamber of Commerce upon the celebration of their 25th anniversary. The anniversary will be celebrated on Friday March 13, 2009 in Fresno, California.

In 1983 a small, influential group of Hispanic business owners in the Fresno area came together and identified a need for a business organization that was aimed toward growing and developing Hispanic owned businesses. The leaders began to develop strong ties to the California Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. Together they built the foundation and began to gather support from local businesses and leaders to form the Central California Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (CCHCC). Under the leadership of Hugo Morales, Carmen Navarro, Jo Ann Orijel, the late Albert Ramirez, Jorge Acuna, David Mendoza, Rose Molina, and others, the CCHCC was formed.

The focus for the first couple of years was to become incorporated, obtain non-profit status, to expand and cover the Central Valley and to create by-laws and establish a board of directors. This was accomplished by 1985. The CCHCC further gained momentum when State Center Community College District, California State University, Fresno, Pepsi-Cola and other corporations pledged their support. These early supporters help catapult CCHCC into becoming a viable business organization.

Today, CCHCC is involved in addressing the quality of life for the Hispanic community. The CCHCC has hosted several events to promote and revitalize local Hispanic businesses and boost the economy for the entire Central Valley.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend and congratulate Central California Hispanic Chamber of Commerce on 25 years of business. I invite my colleagues to join me in wishing CCHCC many years of continued success.

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

Requesting Member: Congressman George Radanovich

Project Name: California State University Agricultural Research Initiative

Bill Number: H.R. 1105

Account: Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: California State University

Address of Requesting Entity: 401 Golden Shore, Long Beach, CA 90802- 094210

Description of Request: I have secured $693,000 for the ARI. The Agriculture Research Initiatives (ARI) provides significant benefits to consumers as well as agriculture-related industries. Faculty and research scientists develop solutions for challenges that result in public confidence in food safety, agricultural research and production systems; regional and statewide economic development; and bring agricultural, environmental, and consumer benefits in the process. ARI funding priority will be given to science and best management issues related to climate change, air quality, greenhouse gas emissions, and carbon sequestering; food safety and security; water quality, infrastructure, and conveyance; and public health and welfare.

Requesting Member: Congressman George Radanovich

Project Name: Pierce's Disease

Bill Number: H.R. 1105

Account: Cooperative State Research Education and Extension Service

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: University of California

Address of Requesting Entity: 1111 Franklin Street, 6th Floor, Oakland, CA 94607-5200

Description of Request: I have secured $1,531,000 for Pierce's Disease Research. The Pierce's Disease Research special research grant funds are awarded competitively to qualified researchers from any state based on priorities developed by industry, the University and governmental agencies. The program has supported projects to reduce the population of glassy-winged sharpshooters that spread the disease, map the genome for xylella fastidiosa--the bacterium that causes the disease--develop new cultural and vineyard practices to help growers contain the spread of Pierce's disease, and advance the search for long-term solutions. Continuation of funding is important to supporting ongoing science aimed at finding permanent solutions for control and containment of this devastating disease through breeding disease resistant scion and rootstock, developing new vineyard management practices, and other breakthroughs.

Requesting Member: Congressman George Radanovich

Project Name: Regional Operability for Public Safety Communications, 2009

Bill Number: H.R. 1105

Account: Department of Justice, COPS Law Enforcement Technology

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Stanislaus County

Address of Requesting Entity: 1010 10th Street, Suite 6800, Modesto,

Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Lou Herwaldt upon being awarded with the ``2009 Leon S. Peters Award.'' Mr. Herwaldt was honored at a luncheon held by the Greater Fresno Area Chamber of Commerce on February 18, 2009.

The Herwaldt name has had a lasting significance in the Fresno community. For almost sixty years Lou Herwaldt has been providing vehicles, service and employment to the residents of the Central Valley. In 1955, Mr. Herwaldt went to work for Frank J. Saunders dealership and after nearly twenty years he decided to establish his own firm. In 1969, Mr. Herwaldt opened Sierra-Chrysler Plymouth. In forty years, his dealerships have represented ten auto models, including Oldsmobile, Mercedes Benz, Subaru and Saturn. Throughout his career, he has excelled at all levels and was even named to serve on the General Motors President's Council; he served in the group that developed the new ``Saturn'' brand for General Motors.

Mr. Herwaldt has also been an active member in the Fresno community. He served thirteen years on the Board of Fresno Community Hospital, including seven years as Chairman. He was instrumental to the formation of the present multi-campus Community Regional Medical Center. He has been a member of the North Fresno Rotary Club for forty years and served as president. Mr. Herwaldt has chaired the boards for the Fresno Leadership Foundation and Fresno Youth for Christ. He has served on the boards of the Fresno Better Business Bureau and Master's College in Castaic, California. Finally, Mr. Herwaldt is a board member of the Fansler Foundation and founded the Herwaldt Foundation, primarily supporting faith-based charitable organizations. He has received many accolades for his

contributions including being named the 2002 St. Agnes Hospital Benefactor of the Year.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the accomplishments of Lou Herwaldt. I invite my colleagues to join me in honoring his accomplishments and wishing him the best in future endeavors.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to posthumously honor the life of Lee Roy Mayhall. Mr. Mayhall passed away on January 26, 2009 at the age of seventy-seven, after a long battle with cancer.

Lee Roy Mayhall took great pride in his hometown of Oakhurst, California. He was one of the original founding members of the Citizens on Patrol (COP) program that was launched in 2000. The COP concept began in 1999, with one car and a couple of volunteers. Mr. Mayhall and his wife, Jean, were among those few original volunteers. Within seven years, the small unit expanded into an entire fleet. With the increase in volunteers, they are able to cover the rural communities of Oakhurst, North Fork, Coarsegold, Chowchilla, Eastside Acres and the Madera Ranchos, all in Madera County. During the summer months the COP volunteers assist the Sheriffs Boat Patrol on Bass Lake.

Mr. and Mrs. Mayhall, along with the dedicated COP volunteers, serve as a second set of eyes and ears for the Sheriff's Department. They served as partners in the programs; together they donated countless hours and money to assist in financing critical training. Mr. and Mrs. Mayhall were honored in 2007 by the Madera County Supervisors for their years of service and dedication to the citizens of Madera County. Mr. Mayhall was also the recipient of the ``Above and Beyond'' award for his outstanding contributions to the community.

Madam Speaker, I invite my colleagues to join me in honoring the life of Lee Roy

Mayhall. I wish continued success to Mrs. Mayhall and the COP program.