Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend and congratulate the accomplishments of Brotherhood of the Badge, International based out of Fresno, California. In the organization's short history, its members have successfully completed two trips to Iraq and Afghanistan to deliver law enforcement equipment to the Iraqi Police Officers.

In November 2003, Mike Harris discovered a cause well worth his time and energy. After hearing about Iraqi civilian police and military forces who were without proper gear and equipment, protecting the American soldiers, Mr. Harris came to the realization that he had to find a way to help. He has been in law enforcement for over thirty years and was well aware of surplus and outdated equipment that every law enforcement agency had acquired over the years. This non- serviceable equipment is a burden to the agencies because it cannot be thrown away. To destroy it is extremely costly, and in previous years the old equipment has been found with criminals after the agencies had donated it to Mexican police.

Mr. Harris had previously been involved in another type of assistance to Iraqi officers; a joint venture to financially assist a wounded officer that had been working with the California National Guard. This gave Mr. Harris a good grasp of the short supply of equipment in Iraq and he came up with the idea to take the surplus supplies and send them to the Iraqi government for their police forces. After working through the Iraq government for a waiver of liability, as well as working with the Fresno City Council, the organization came to fruition. In February 2004, five people, including Mr. Harris, traveled to Iraq and Afghanistan to donate vests, radios, helmets, leather equipment and riot equipment. The Fresno group outfitted five hundred Iraqi police officers.

In the spring of 2006, the Brotherhood of the Badge, International made a second trip to Iraq, this time the mission was different. The team made the trip to personally assess the needs of the civilian Iraqi police forces in the Salah ad-Din Province. This trip was also made at the invitation of General Turner of the U.S. Army's 101st Airborne. The mission of the 101st is to work to help the Iraqis establish the proper local government and police functions that will allow them to function on their own.

Since 2003, the Brotherhood of the Badge, International has gained non-profit status and has established a board that includes members of local law enforcement, the fire department, an elected official and a community volunteer. The organization has sent 20,000 bulletproof vests, thousands of helmets, radios and other protective equipment to Iraq and Afghanistan. Over one hundred law enforcement agencies from across the United States have donated equipment and the group has collected over 2.7 million dollars in private donations for the purchase of new bulletproof vests. U.S. military forces distribute the gear and it is currently being used to protect Iraqi police officers and firefighters.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend the Brotherhood of the Badge, International for their commitment to serve law enforcement agencies in Iraq and Afghanistan. I invite my colleagues to join me in wishing the organization many years of continued success.

Mr. Speaker, the bill before us calls for the efficient use of water, and I think that is a very, very good goal. One place that water is not being efficiently used by the environmental community is in my district back in California. Due to drought conditions and the abuse of the Endangered Species Act, which is placing the needs of fish over the needs of farmers, the agriculture economy in our region stands to lose over 40,000 jobs and over $1 billion in revenue.

Considering the bleak outlook for California's economy, one would think that this so-called economic stimulus legislation might do something to address this problem. Further, one might also think that if there was a way to address this problem without spending one dime of the taxpayers' money, this stimulus plan would include that option.

In fact, there is a way to save those 40,000 jobs in my district, and billions of dollars in lost income, at no cost. Just temporarily suspend the Endangered Species Act as it applies to the pumps in the Sacramento San Joaquin Delta Pumps.

But does this stimulus plan include that proposal? Of course not. Because the stimulus plan is not stimulus at all--it is a big spending bill of gigantic proportions. Heaven forbid that our friends on the other side of the aisle would try to save jobs without spending money.

Instead, we are spending money: $4 billion per year on the voter fraud organization called ACORN. How can this be considered stimulus? Instead, we are going to spend barely 1 day passing a trillion-dollar stimulus bill that spends nearly $300 million to purchase golf carts. Maybe the majority feels that the country club community are the people who are really hurting right now.

This bill only sends our country and our children deeper and deeper in debt, and the special interest spending contained within it are not in America's best interest. Please join me in voting ``no'' on this bill.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend the Fresno Deputy Sheriff's Association for their commitment to serving the City and County of Fresno, California.

For over thirty years the Fresno Deputy Sheriff's Association (FDSA) has maintained the goal of working for the rights and protection of law enforcement, as well as to serve the citizens of Fresno County. Originally the FDSA was organized to give deputy sheriffs the opportunity to collectively bargain with the county for wages, benefits and working conditions. Once fully operating, the FDSA was able to establish better labor conditions for the deputy sheriffs and began actively participating in the community. The FDSA donates time and monetary resources to various charitable organizations. It is also active in the state association, the Peace Officer's Research Association of California.

Today the FDSA represents over five hundred active employees. The membership includes deputy sheriffs, dispatchers, community service officers, identification technicians, criminalists and deputy coroners. The variety of job classifications allows the FDSA to represent both sworn and support personnel throughout the enforcement side of the Fresno Sheriff's Office.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend the Fresno Deputy Sheriff's Association for their commitment to serving the personnel of the Fresno Sheriff's Office. I invite my colleagues to join me in wishing the organization many years of continued success.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend the Fresno Police Officer's Association for their commitment to serving the city and county of Fresno, California.

For over one hundred years, the Fresno Police Officer's Association (FPOA) has had a presence in Fresno. The organization was first known as the ``Widow and Orphan's Organization'' and provided assistance to the families of its members. The name was changed to the ``Fresno Police Relief Association'' and in 1951 was incorporated. The service that the organization provided expanded at this time to focus on improving benefits, salary and working conditions for the members. In 1975, the name of the organization finally became the Fresno Police Officer's Association. Throughout the organization's hundred years, its primary purpose has always been ``Service.''

Today the FPOA has over eleven thousand members and a Board of Directors consisting of eighteen elected positions. The Board positions include three officers (President, First Vice President and Second Vice President), twelve Directors at Large, one Staff Director and two Retiree Directors. The FPOA assists members with supplemental health benefits, provides scholarships to dependent children of active or retired members, offers legal assistance and helps with various disability issues. The group also gives back to the community by getting involved with charitable events.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend the Fresno Police Officer's Association for their commitment to serving the police officers of Fresno. I invite my colleagues to join me in wishing the organization many years of continued success.

I thank the gentleman from Texas for that.

Last week, Madam Speaker, I joined a bipartisan group of colleagues in opposing a recklessly wasteful economic stimulus package that promised $32 billion for my home State of California, currently suffering from 8.2 percent unemployment.

California does not need $32 billion worth of spending to stimulate the economy because, at the same time, our State water supply has been hijacked by the irresponsible Endangered Species Act. A simple flip of the switch at the pumps at the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta could save 40,000 jobs and rescue a $90 billion industry from the brink of disaster.

Instead, my colleagues on the other side of the aisle seem more interested in spending money like drunken sailors and watch the Endangered Species Act literally dehydrate one of America's most prosperous industries.

Every one of my colleagues from California has no excuse not to join me in calling for a temporary suspension of the Endangered Species Act to immediately start the flow of water from the delta pumps in California.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in opposition to the digital television delay bill that the House will be voting on under suspension today.

The bill needlessly delays the DTV transition date of February 17 and undermines the government's credibility with consumers and broadcasters who have prepared for the transition, as well as the private industry that is relying on the spectrum that they purchased to be available.

The bill also facilitates the need for $650 million in the stimulus to be spent on the converter box coupon program but ironically does not get a single person off the coupon waiting list.

Finally, the bill prevents spectrum from being cleared for first responders and emergency communications.

Delaying the transition is confusing to our consumers, expensive for our broadcasters, will slow down deployment of broadband services, and has potentially dangerous implications for public safety. Therefore, I urge my colleagues to keep the digital transition on the right path and oppose Senate bill 238.

The capabilities and, in some cases, the failures of modern technology, have brought the issues of data privacy and data security into the lives of all Americans. Whether it be at work, in health, in finance, or online generally, we all must be concerned about the unauthorized access to personal information, access which could put our livelihoods and, in extreme cases, our lives even at stake.

The Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade, and Consumer Protection has received testimony over the years about corporate data breaches that have damaged people financially as well as heard heartbreaking stories of stalkers stealing or buying personal information. As the new ranking member of the subcommittee, I am particularly concerned about these issues.

Just last week, we got reports about the hacking of the New Jersey- based credit card processor, Heartland Payment Systems. This company processes more than 5 billion transactions a year, involving tens of millions of credit card numbers, and someone was able to break into their system and monitor these transactions.

This is just another example of how all of us must be aware of the security of sensitive information. Furthermore, not only must individuals be careful with their information, but the businesses which we entrust with that data must guard it as if it were their very own.

I want to commend Mr. Price and Mr. Stearns for bringing this resolution before us today, and I want to thank Mr. Barton, Mr. Waxman, and Mr. Dingell for their continued efforts to address this issue. I want to lend my support to their efforts to educate the American public about ways to protect their personal information.

I look forward to continuing to work in this Congress to ensure the proper security of data and appropriate notice to consumers when their information is lost or revealed and there is significant risk of damage, financial or otherwise.

I fully support the goals and ideals of the National Data Privacy Day on January 28, and I urge all my colleagues to join in this effort.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate and express my appreciation for the service of Alan Autry as mayor of Fresno, California. Alan's first term began in January 2001, and he served for 8 years as Fresno's mayor. During this time, Alan's leadership and passion for the community of Fresno led to an unprecedented turnaround in the city, which is evident from its infrastructure and aesthetic value to its safety and fiscal responsibility.

Alan had much success in his two terms, including bridging the gap between North and South Fresno, or ``The Tale of Two Cities'' according to Alan. He successfully brought insight and urban renewal and development to Fresno's poorest neighborhoods, by increasing infrastructure, sidewalks, gutters, and streetlights in many areas of the city previously neglected with regard to modern essentials.

Under Alan's service, downtown Fresno was visually transformed. He championed a movement to aesthetically improve many areas of Fresno, the largest project of which was modernizing the convention center.

The safety and security of Fresno's residents was vastly improved by Alan's city policies, which included bringing up-to-date police and fire stations, and improving, cleaning, and expanding public spaces like city parks, which provide places for families and students to engage in healthful and constructive activity.

Alan is also a true fiscal conservative and a vigilant guardian of taxpayer money. When he took office in January 2001, Fresno's ledger showed that the city was $500,000 in debt. By January 2009, Fresno had a significant turnaround with a surplus of $17.5 million.

Education was also an important element in Alan's ``Tale of Two Cities'' platform. He fought hard against multiple levels of government to seek to influence and improve Fresno's notoriously under-performing schools, because he believes that good, effective schools are foundational in a healthy community.

Alan possesses a concern and care for his community that characterized his terms as mayor and underlines his leadership style. He was often out within the community talking to and caring for people. This helped to make him a very popular and well-respected member of the community and an esteemed leader. I congratulate Alan on the job he did in his 8 years as Fresno's mayor; I am proud to call him my friend, and continue to look forward to sharing many ideas and projects with him in the future.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Michael Tollefson upon his retirement as the Superintendent of Yosemite National Park. After thirty-six years with the National Park Service, Superintendent Tollefson will be honored on Saturday, January 17, 2009 at a party to be held at Curry Village Pavilion, in Yosemite National Park.

Michael Tollefson was raised in Seattle, Washington and graduated from the University of Washington in 1970 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in marketing and finance. He later returned to graduate school to study park management. As a young adult he served in the United States Army Reserves for eight years, attaining the rank of Captain. His introduction into the National Park Service began early in his career. Mr. Tollefson served as the Chief of Interpretation at Virgin Islands National Park. He also spent time as the Chief of Operations at Lake Clark National Park and Preserve, as a District Ranger at Denali National Park and Park Ranger at Katmai National Park all in Alaska. His time in Alaska provided unique challenges in dealing with Alaskan brown bears, fragile coral reefs and endangered humpback whales. He officially began his National Park Service career as a seasonal ranger at North Cascades National Park in 1972.

In 1983, Mr. Tollefson attained his first superintendency position at Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve in Alaska. He managed the 3.3 million acre park for four years. While there, he implemented regulations guiding cruise ship operations in the park for the protection of the Humpback Whales. After four years, he became the Associate Regional Director for Operations in the National Park Service's former Pacific Northwest Region. He was stationed in Seattle and provided support for all aspects of operations to the twenty national park units in Washington, Oregon and Idaho.

In 1995, Superintendent Tollefson moved to Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks in California's Southern Sierra Nevada. During his tenure, he was responsible for guiding the restoration of over two hundred acres in the Giant Forest Sequoia Grove to protect the

world's largest organism, the Giant Sequoia Tree. The project involved the removal of over two hundred buildings, and the development of a new hotel complex built outside the grove to replace the visitor facilities. After completing the project, he then served as superintendent of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the largest federally protected mountain ecosystem in the Eastern United States, spanning between Tennessee and North Carolina. The primary issues emphasized during his tenure included air quality, traffic congestion, educational programs and scientific studies.

In January 2003, Superintendent Tollefson made his way to Yosemite National Park as Superintendent. Over the past six years he has worked tirelessly to guide a major construction program to repair the old infrastructure, improve visitor services, provide increased resource protection and expand gateway partnerships and outreach educational programs. Some of the projects that have been completed under Supervisor Tollefson include new viewing facilities at the foot of Yosemite Falls, improvements to landmark areas such as the famous view spots near the Wawona Tunnel and at Olmsted Point on the Tioga Road, overhauling the valley visitor center, and replacing a fleet of diesel buses with hybrid busses. With the assistance of the Yosemite Fund, the Superintendent has been able to complete a $13.5 million restoration of the approach to Yosemite Falls, a $1.5 million restoration of Olmsted Point and a $13.5 million campaign to improve trails in Yosemite Valley, Mariposa Grove of Redwoods and in the backcountry. Most recently the $3.2 million Tunnel View Restoration Project was completed.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend and congratulate Superintendent Michael Tollefson upon his retirement from Yosemite National Park. I invite my colleagues to join me in wishing Superintendent Tollefson many years of continued success.

Madam Speaker, I rise today, along with my colleagues, Representative Jim Costa and Representative Devin Nunes, to commend and congratulate Mary Ann Riojas upon being selected by ABC's reality television show, ``Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.'' Ms. Riojas and her family were surprised by Ty Pennington and his crew on January 8, 2009 at their home in Fresno, CA.

Mary Ann Riojas was born without legs and with only one fully developed arm. As a child, Ms. Riojas was placed into the foster care system, and was faced with an unstable home life. She began to gain her independence when she was introduced into the Easter Seals program and they provided her with her first wheelchair. With this wheelchair she was able to attend Easter Seals Camp Harmon in the Santa Cruz Mountains. At Camp Harmon she learned how to swim and was able to participate in camp activities. The summer camp program provided her an opportunity to meet new people, try new things and continue to gain her independence.

As a young adult, Ms. Riojas decided to stay at home and raise her four children. For a short time she was receiving public assistance to keep her family afloat. In spite of her disabilities, and financial struggle, she was determined to become the first in her family to earn a college degree; she graduated in 2002 from San Joaquin Valley College with an Associate of Arts degree in business administration. To further her independence, she obtained her drivers license, and with the assistance of Easter Seals, she purchased her first fully-equipped, hand-controlled vehicle.

When she was unable to find a job because of her disabilities, Ms. Riojas became an employee of Easter Seals. Her first job was as the office manager at the Child Development Center at Children's Hospital Central California. In 2005, she became the National Ambassador for Easter Seals and travelled all over the country spreading her joy and enthusiasm for life. Ms. Riojas eventually changed jobs, and in 2006, she began working for the Fresno Housing Authority as a counselor. This position has allowed her to assist families in her community that are facing housing and financial problems.

Ms. Riojas does not see herself as disabled, but rather as a mother and an advocate for those with special needs. She is a strong woman who has raised four children; Nichole, Victoria, Angel and Jessie. She continues to inspire others on a daily basis. Being selected for the show is a tribute to Ms. Riojas' dedication to her community and personal commitment to overcome all of life's adversities.

Madam Speaker, we rise today to commend and congratulate Mary Ann Riojas upon being selected for the ABC reality show ``Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.'' I invite my colleagues to join me in wishing Ms. Riojas and her family many years of happiness and success.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Melanie Barker as the outgoing President of the Yosemite Gateway Association of Realtors. Ms. Barker will be recognized at the annual installation luncheon for the Yosemite Gateway Association of Realtors on November 21, 2008 in Oakhurst, California.

The Yosemite Gateway Association of Realtors (YGAOR) was first known as the Mountain Co-Op in 1998 with a group of eight volunteers. Today, the group has paid professional staff and ownership of the Association's building. YGAOR was responsible for developing one of the first computerized Multiple Listing Systems, which continues to operate with the latest technology. They work very closely with the California Association of Realtors by providing leadership at regional and statewide levels. YGAOR provides educational opportunities for members and fundraising activities that benefit local non-profit organizations and scholarship programs.

Under Ms. Barker's leadership, YGAOR had a very successful year. The 8th Annual Monster Rummage Sale was held earlier this year and raised over $70,000, the highest since it's establishment. The proceeds were donated to local non-profit charities. Over the years, the YGAOR Scholarship Golf Tournament has raised over $84,000 for college scholarships for high school seniors from local high schools. Ms. Barker has been instrumental in the establishment of the Women's Council of Realtors. She was able to establish an ``Affiliate Committee'' to give the Association direct communication to the Office of the President. The committee structure within YGAOR has become stronger with her leadership by prioritizing structure and establishing goals to be discussed at biannual meetings. Ms. Barker has successfully brought the Senior Real Estate Specialist designation to the area through the efforts of the Education Committee.

With Ms. Barker's role at YGAOR, she has been a strong leader by providing a voice of optimism for local real estate. She has involved herself with many speaking engagements and editorial opportunities. Her goal was to provide a positive realtor image in the community and has accomplished this through her leadership during one of the toughest housing markets this nation has ever seen. She has been able to develop and build upon relationships with fellow realtors throughout the region and the state. She has also committed three weeks a year to further her education on the real estate industry and in turn, teach other members of YGAOR. Ms. Barker, the committee chairs and all of the volunteers have made 2008 a very successful year.

In 2008, Ms. Barker was also elected as Assistant Region 12 Chair for the California Association of Realtors and will become the Region 12 Chair in 2010. Prior to being named as President of YGAOR, she was the first Local Government Relations Chair and Government Affairs Director for YGAOR. In 2006, Ms. Barker became a California Golden R.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend and congratulate Melanie Barker upon her achievements. I invite my colleagues to join me in wishing Ms. Barker and the Yosemite Gateway Association of Realtors many years of continued success.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to posthumously honor Michael Musser. Mr. Musser passed away on November 3, 2008.

Michael Musser was born and raised in Fresno, California. He graduated from Fresno High School in 1968. Just four years later he was married to Anna. They lived a happy life together. They have two children; Jason and Julie. His children and five grandchildren still live in the Fresno area. Mr. Musser was an avid golfer. However, if there was a family event, his family would always come first.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Michael Musser. I invite my colleagues to join me in honoring his life and wishing the best for his family.

Madam Speaker, I rise today with my colleague from California Mr. Cardoza to honor the life of Ernie Gemperle for his dedication and service to his community and family. Mr. Gemperle passed away at the age of seventy-nine on Saturday, November 15, 2008 at Emanuel Medical Center in his home town of Turlock, California.

Ernie Gemperle was born on June 7, 1929 in Bischofsell, Switzerland and was one of twelve children. He graduated from the International Poultry School in Bern. Mr. Gemperle emigrated from Switzerland in 1949 with nothing more than his degree. Upon arriving to the United States, he was drafted into the Army, where he served at Fort Ord during the Korean War. In October 1955, he went back to Switzerland to marry his childhood sweetheart, Annemarie Dezlhofer. They returned to the U.S., settled in Turlock, California and began an egg business, Gemperle Enterprises. Together, Mr. and Mrs. Gemperle raised seven children and developed a successful business.

Gemperle Enterprises has been an industry leader as egg production moved from small, scattered henhouses to the concentrated, automated operations of today. The business was one of the first egg farms to use bulk, rather than sacked, feeds. Mr. Gemperle upgraded the packing system in other areas of the operation with the goal of providing quality eggs at a lower price. The eggs were marketed under the Nulaid label. He soon joined with other egg producers to create NuWest Milling, which built a feed and grain terminal near Hughson, California and the NuCal Foods distribution cooperative in Ripon, California. Mr. Gemperle was a pioneer for the egg industry, including organic and other specialty eggs. He was willing to purchase the newest equipment with the latest technology to insure the safety of the hens and provide the lowest prices for the consumers. Today, the family business has grown to include over one million hens on several farms.

Mr. Gemperle and his family have tirelessly supported numerous causes, including their church, healthcare, higher education and the arts. The Greater Yosemite Council of Boy Scouts was his number one cause. Mr. Gemperle served as Council President for two terms from 1990-1991. He received the Silver Beaver for his service to Scouting in 1991. He also served as the head of the council's Investment Committee from its inception in 2006. He has also served on the Executive Board of the Council from the early seventies until his recent passing. His son, Michael, serves as the Scouting Nominating Committee Chair and as the Executive Vice President of the Council. Michael is slated to become President in 2010. Since 1971, the Gemperle Family Bar-B-Que has raised money for Scouting each year. The event is held at the family home and the food is served by family members. It is estimated that over $500,000 has been raised from this BBQ.

Mr. Gemperle was considered a leader in his local community. He served as Rotary President and a Rotarian for forty years. He has been a driving force behind many of the City Council's initiatives, including the building of the Rogers Service Center in 1999-2000. He served on the boards for both Emanuel Hospital and Doctors Hospital in Modesto. He was past chairman of Catholic Charities of the Stockton Diocese and was instrumental in the construction of Sacred Heart Church and the California State University, Stanislaus Newman Center. Recognition of his service is great; including Agri-businessman of the Year (1980 Turlock Chamber), Paul Harris (1985 Rotary), Liberty Bell (1990 County Bar), University Medal (1991 CSUS) and Good Samaritan (1999 EMC) just to name a few.

Mr. Gemperle's leadership and generosity has been passed down to his children who now run Gemperle Enterprises. All of his children are active in the community and serve on the boards or committees for various organizations and causes that Mr. Gemperle supported. He was a strong supporter and advocate of California State University, Stanislaus, United Samaritan's of Turlock, Emanuel Hospital of Turlock, Sacred Heart Church and the Boy Scouts of America. The family was honored at the ``Distinguished Citizen's Dinner'' by the Council in 2005 for their continuous work and dedication to the community.

Annemarie Gemperle preceded her husband in death in 1999. Mr. Gemperle is survived by his second wife, Maria Gemperle; sons Peter, Richard, Stephen and Michael all of Turlock; daughters Heidi Gemperle of Seattle, Anita Mahaffey of San Diego and Susan Abdo of Boise; two step-daughters Brigit Johnson and Barbara Masterson; twenty-one grandchildren; three step-grandchildren; brother, Walter Gemperle of Turlock and six siblings in Switzerland.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to posthumously honor Ernie Gemperle for his leadership and dedication to his community. I invite my colleagues to join me in honoring his life and wishing the best for his family.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate John Maniatakis upon his retirement as the vice president of NI Industries, Incorporated in Los Angeles, CA. Mr. Maniatakis is retiring at the beginning of 2009 after a 50-year career.

Mr. Maniatakis was born on April 4, 1936. He graduated from Babson College, in Massachusetts, with a bachelor of science degree in economics in 1958. Upon graduating from college, he went to work for Hesse-Eastern, a division of Flightex Fabric Industries, as a contract coordinator. One year later he was assigned to Lone Star Ordnance Plant where he was responsible for overseeing production of the LAW system at the load and assembly facility. In 1961, Mr. Maniatakis returned to Boston and was quickly transferred to New Jersey and assigned as the field product assurance representative, handling field problems relative to the production of LAW components.

Throughout his professional career Mr. Maniatakis furthered his education by obtaining various degrees. In addition to attending Babson College, he received his master's degree from Boston University in 1960. The company sponsored his education, and he was able to complete programs from Northwestern University (metallurgy), Newark College of Engineering, Division of Technology (math and metallurgy), William and Mary University (contract law) and University of Southern California, Graduate School of Business (Executive Management Policy Institute). Through his education he was able to advance his career.

In 1965, Hesse-Eastern was acquired by NI Industries, Incorporated. Mr. Maniatakis stayed with the company and worked with the U.S. Army as an ordnance sales engineer at Picatinny, Frankfurt and Edgewood Arsenals. He was responsible for all contract and subcontract activity. In 1967 he was assigned to Washington, DC APSA and acted as a liaison between the customer and the Vernon Division of NI Industries, Inc. Just 2 years after this assignment, Mr. Maniatakis was transferred to Los Angeles, CA and became the marketing manager for sales and marketing. It is through this position that he became involved with contract administration for NI Industries. He remained in that position until 1977, when Mr. Maniatakis was promoted to the position of vice president, Sales and Marketing. One year later, he was given additional responsibility for contract administration and international sales. In 1984, he was appointed to the position of vice president of NI Foreign Military Sales Corporation.

Mr. Maniatakis is involved with many organizations. He is a longtime member of the American Defense Preparedness Association, ADPA, and has held many positions including chairman of the Metal Parts Section of the Technical Division, board of directors past president for the Los Angeles Chapter and was a member of the advisory board of the Picatinny Chapter. He has been on the board of directors for the National Defense Industries Association, Munitions Industrial Base Task Force, Vernon Chamber of Commerce and the Advisory ``LAW'' Board. He was a vice president of the Association of the United States Army, AUSA, and the founder and past president of the Committees of American Ammunition Manufacturers.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend and congratulate John Maniatakis upon his retirement from NI Industries, Incorporated. I invite my colleagues to join me in wishing Mr. Maniatakis many years of continued success.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Mark Thornton upon his retirement as Tuolumne County Supervisor, District IV. Supervisor Thornton was honored by the Tuolumne County Board of Supervisors during a regularly scheduled board of supervisors meeting held on December 16, 2008.

Mark Thornton moved to Tuolumne County in 1976 after earning his bachelor's of arts degree in sociology from California State University, Fullerton. He spent many years as a historian and consultant, working with local, State and Federal agencies on various projects. He was an active participant in the public arena and served in several leadership positions including the Groveland Community Service District Board of Directors from 1979 through November 1983; Tuolumne County Historic Preservation Review Commission from September 1990 through January 1997; Tuolumne County Blue Ribbon Growth Management Committee from 1993 through 1995; Oak Grove Cemetery District from May 1995 through January 1997. In 1996 Mr. Thornton decided to run for a seat on the Tuolumne County Board of Supervisors to represent District IV. His election was a close one; he beat the incumbent by less than 10 votes.

Over the last 12 years as a supervisor, Mr. Thornton has worked tirelessly to protect the rural quality of life in his district while allowing for cautious expansion. His passion has been the protection of the county's historic and cultural resources. Some of his biggest impacts have been in the areas of transportation, health care and airport and land use planning. He has supported economic growth by gaining an improved coach ordinance, providing an open forum for discussing the building permit process and encouraging reasonable changes to the county's long standing agricultural guidelines. In Supervisor Thornton's most recent term he was a strong advocate for the expansion of the telecommunication infrastructure in Tuolumne County.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend and congratulate Supervisor Mark Thornton upon his retirement from the Tuolumne County Board of Supervisors. I invite my colleagues to join me in wishing Supervisor Thornton many years of continued success.