Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend and congratulate The Whitney Foundation on ten years of successful grant making in the greater Fresno area. Their ten year celebration will be held in Fresno, California on Thursday, July 22, 2010.

The Whitney Foundation was founded by Kathryn Whitney Stephens in 1999 and was based on the philosophy that one should share with others what one is given. When Ms. Stephens came into an inheritance the decision about what to do with the money was simple: share it with those that are less fortunate and bring a positive change in their lives. She wanted to help others become self-sufficient, productive members of society. With this vision, and a two million dollar endowment, The Whitney Foundation was created and the Board of Trustees was put into place in July 2000. Ms. Stephens and the board initially decided that the grants they provided would not fund direct services, but would support programs that develop self-determination and self- reliance through health, education and housing. While Ms. Stephens has since passed away, The Whitney Foundation still holds true to it's original mission.

While the Foundation initially provided funding to a broad range of groups who worked in the areas of health, education and housing, the Board has since narrowed it's focus and created a niche within these areas to support groups who's goals involve overcoming obstacles, bringing about social change and lending assistance to organizations or projects that would otherwise fall through the cracks. The Whitney Foundation has helped to fund various housing projects including homeownership education classes, neighborhood improvement and the construction or rehabilitation of low income housing units. They have also funded projects that educate others about how to become more self- sufficient by learning new skills for future employment and living in safer and less violent neighborhoods. Finally, The Whitney Foundation has provided funding to a number of health projects that reach out to the uninsured, immigrant health needs and programs that promote culturally sensitive services. The Whitney Foundation has funded over twenty projects that have one or more of these principals. Through the Foundation's generosity, non-profits have been able to extend services that fulfill a need in the community.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend and congratulate The Whitney Foundation on ten years of giving. I invite my colleagues to join me in wishing The Whitney Foundation many years of continued success.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend and congratulate the Railtown 1897 State Historic Park volunteers upon their diligent work and commitment to restoring the famous Sierra No. 3 locomotive. The restored Sierra No. 3 made it's debut at the Railtown 1897 State Historic Park in Jamestown, California on Friday, July 2, 2010.

Sierra No. 3 is an 1891 vintage steam locomotive built by Rogers Locomotive Works in Paterson, New Jersey. The locomotive was originally purchased in 1891 for use on the Prescott and Arizona Central, a railroad owned by Thomas Bullock. Due to the failure of the Prescott and Arizona Central railroad, Sierra No. 3 was transported to California and used in the building of the Sierra Railway from Oakdale, California.

In the early 1900's, Hollywood producers first discovered Tuolumne County and its historic trains. Since then, Hollywood has been filming Sierra No. 3, the photogenic steam locomotive along the Sierra Railroad's scenic route, to satisfy America's love affair with Western movies. Starring in more than 100 movies and television productions, Sierra No. 3 has appeared in more motion pictures, documentaries and television productions than any other locomotive. It appeared in The Virginian with Gary Cooper in 1929, the first sound movie filmed outside of a Hollywood sound stage. Shortly after it appeared in The Texan, Sierra No. 3 was derailed from the movie business as the depression hit and the Sierra Railway was struggling with bankruptcy and reorganization. In 1948, repairs were made to Sierra No. 3 and the locomotive hit the movie scene once more, appearing in High Noon, The Great Race, Bound for Glory, Back to the Future III and Unforgiven. The locomotive also appeared on numerous commercials and television shows, including Lone Ranger, Tales of Wells Fargo, Petticoat Junction, Rawhide, Death Valley Days, Lassie, Gunsmoke, Bonanza, The Wild, Wild West, and Little House on the Prairie.

After sitting idle for many years, Sierra No. 3 was overhauled and returned to service in 1948. It operated for many years pulling special excursion trains and starring in movies. It was Sierra No. 3's use in the movies that preserved the Historic Jamestown Shops and Roundhouse when most railroads were scrapping their locomotives and demolishing the old railhouses. In 1995, the Federal Railroad Administration implemented new requirements to ensure the safe operation of the aging American steam locomotives. The 110-year-old Sierra No. 3 was assessed and it was determined that major repairs were required for it to be in compliance with the new regulations. In early 2000, a crew began to disassemble the locomotive, but the project was put on hold until a major fundraising effort was initiated in 2007. The restoration process took almost three years and cost 1.5 million dollars to complete.

Today, Sierra No. 3 is fully repaired, restored and ready for its debut. The locomotive is housed at the original Historic Jamestown Shops and Roundhouse (now Railtown 1897 State Historic Park). Railtown 1897 operates, preserves and interprets one of just two remaining, fully intact and still functioning steam-era shortline railroad roundhouse complexes in the United States. With the dedication of many volunteers and partnerships, Sierra No. 3, originally built almost 120 years ago, will be available to carry passengers along the historic gold country route.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend and congratulate the Railtown 1897 State Historic Park volunteers and the partners involved upon their success in bringing back Sierra No. 3. I invite my colleagues to join me in wishing all involved many years of continued success.

Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

(Mr. RADANOVICH asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Madam Speaker, H.R. 4805, the Formaldehyde Standards for Composite Wood Products Act, would set Federal formaldehyde emission standards for composite wood products based on the standards recently set by the State of California. Excessive exposure to formaldehyde can cause health problems, and health risks imposed by formaldehyde may indeed warrant a Federal emission standard for composite wood products. Although this bill has improved in several important respects since it was introduced, it still has a number of deficiencies that outweigh its benefits. Therefore, I urge all Members to vote against the bill.

Before summarizing the bill's principal deficiencies, let me note some of the changes that we were able to make on the Energy and Commerce Committee. The bill before the House today provides greater clarity regarding the actual emission standards that the EPA must promulgate and mandates ``sell-through'' provisions that ensure fair treatment for merchants seeking to sell inventory manufactured before the emission standards take effect.

Despite these improvements, the bill suffers from at least four critical deficiencies. First, the proponents of the bill failed to demonstrate that the emission standards themselves are reflective of the most recent scientific study and understanding. Second, the bill sets forth a theoretical national standard because it does not preempt State and local regulation. Third, the bill requires EPA to promulgate the standards without making a determination that they are technically feasible and that compliance is not prohibitively expensive. Finally, the bill requires EPA to regulate consumer products even though the CPSC appears better qualified for this task.

I will now address each of these four deficiencies in more detail. Excessive exposure to formaldehyde can cause health problems, and we are not here to debate that point. I am concerned that this bill's stated emission standards do not reflect the levels science is telling us are necessary to prevent harm. Instead, I understand the bill relies on the increasingly outdated risk assessment conducted by the State of California in issuing its own regulations. Further, as explained and called into question by Dr. Mel Anderson in his expert testimony provided at the March 18, 2010, hearing before the Commerce, Trade, and Consumer Protection Subcommittee, the California standards are much more restrictive than necessary to protect consumers from cancer risks.

Further, assuming the health risks posed by formaldehyde in composite wood products warrant some type of Federal emission standard, the bill raises concerns because it does not preempt State regulation. The preemption provisions in section 18 of the Toxic Substances Control Act, or TSCA, would not apply to these standards. Nothing in the bill would preclude States from imposing more stringent and conflicting standards than those mandated by the bill. States could create a patchwork of differing laws and requirements, thereby frustrating the stated goal of creating a uniform national standard for formaldehyde emissions from composite wood products. In addition, the EPA is currently considering a regulation under TSCA addressing the same issues addressed by this bill. If the EPA completes its current rulemaking process, any resulting formaldehyde standard would preempt State regulation as provided in TSCA.

The bill would also require the EPA to issue the mandated emission standards regardless of whether they ultimately prove technically feasible and reasonably affordable. Congress lacks experience regarding the workability of these standards in the real word. We have learned through our experience with the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act that we should be very careful about mandating standards based on industry segment's confidence that it can comply with them. We learned the hard way that well-meaning bills can lead to unemployment for small manufacturers, and we should not repeat that mistake, with almost 10 percent unemployment.

This bill does not provide the EPA with any discretion if one or more of these standards proves technically not feasible to meet or if the high cost of compliance with the standard would prevent any manufacturers from remaining in business. It doesn't make sense to impose a standard which has not been ``road tested'' and that industry potentially cannot meet.

Moreover, the bill would provide for EPA rulemaking and enforcement of the emissions standards under the Toxic Substances Control Act, TSCA, even though the CPSC would be in a better position to handle the program under the Federal Hazardous Substances Act. Under TSCA, the EPA regulates industrial chemicals and mixtures rather than consumer products, while the CPSC regulates unsafe consumer products under a different statutory framework.

Given that the bill addresses supposedly unsafe consumer products and provides for emissions standards as well as labeling and testing requirements, the CPSC arguably is better situated than the EPA to handle this. The CPSC's more extensive experience and

expertise on issues relating to consumer product safety, sell-through, labeling, and consumer product testing suggest that we should entrust this program to the CPSC instead of handing it off to EPA.

Had the above deficiencies been resolved more satisfactorily, this bill would more likely warrant passage. Unfortunately, I cannot support the bill in its current form and urge a ``no'' vote.

Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Edward Moffat and his service to the community. Judge Moffat passed away on January 16, 2010 at the age of 63.

Judge Edward Moffat II was born on December 20, 1946 in Denver, Colorado, to Edward and Josephine Sansone-Moffat. In 1963 the family moved to Oakland, California. Upon graduating from Bishop O'Dowd High School, he attended St. Mary's College at Moraga, where he earned a bachelor of arts degree in history. He attended Golden Gate University and graduated with a Juris Doctorate degree in 1972. Later that year, he was admitted to the California Bar.

Judge Moffat moved to Madera, California to become an assistant district attorney. Over the next 12 years he gained broad experience in both criminal and appellate law with successive positions with the U.S. Attorney's Office, Federal Public Defender's Office, Tulare County Public Defender's Office, as well as private practice. In 1986 Judge Moffat ran for Madera County Superior Court and was elected. He was re- elected in 1992, 1998 and 2004. Judge Moffat served as the Presiding Judge in 1989, 1991-1992, 1996 and 2002-2004. During his career, Judge Moffat also served as Presiding Judge of Appellate Division, Judge of Appellate Division for Madera Superior Court, Judge of Appellate Division for Mariposa Superior Court and Associate Justice pro tempore of the Court of Appeals, Fifth Appellate District.

Outside of the court room, Judge Moffat was a member of the California Judges Association, Cow County Judges Association, California State Bar, La Raza Lawyers Association of Fresno, Madera County Bar Association, and the California Public Defenders Association. Judge Moffat served as a Madera County Law Library Trustee for twenty-four years. He was also involved with many community organizations, including the Young Men's Institute, the Italo American Club, the Italian Catholic Federation, the Knights of Columbus, the Pan American Club, Madera Elks Club and Madera Noon Lions. He also worked tirelessly with local youth and the Boy Scouts of America. For his contribution and service, Judge Moffat received many awards and honors. He was named ``Man of the Year'' by the Young Man's Institute and the Pan American Club and the Dad's Can Cook 2003 ``Father of the Year''. Judge Moffat was honored by the Madera County Office of Education in 2001 when he was awarded the ``Golden Apple Award'', and again recently when they named the Mock Trial program in his honor.

Judge Moffat spent his free time golfing with his children and friends at the Madera Golf and Country Club, at home baking with his grandchildren or playing penny slot machines at the casinos with his wife, Veronica. He was a sports enthusiast, always finding opportunities to discuss major league baseball and the Denver Broncos; he read the sports section of the San Francisco Chronicle often.

Judge Moffat is survived by his wife of 35 years, Veronica; their children, Gina, Edward III, Sarah and Matthew; brothers John and Joe; sister Marie Capri; grandchildren Kobe and Devon. He also leaves behind many nieces, nephews and friends. He was a loving and devoted husband and father, a tireless community leader and a great friend to many.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to posthumously honor Edward Moffat. 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 Patrick Creer upon his retirement from the California Highway Patrol, Oakhurst Area Office. Officer Creer will officially retire on June 30, 2010 after 28 years of service.

Officer Creer graduated from Simi Valley High School in 1972. He served in the United States Air Force from 1976 through 1982. After completing his service in the military, Officer Creer was appointed to the California Highway Patrol academy in 1982. Upon graduating from the academy, he was assigned to the Santa Cruz Area Office.

In 1988 Officer Creer was transferred to the Fresno Area Office. After serving 6 years in Fresno, he was transferred to the Central Division, where he worked in the recruitment unit for 9 years. In 2003, Officer Creer was transferred to the newly opened Oakhurst Area Office.

Officer Creer has been married to his wife, Vicki, for 34 years. They have 1 son, Matthew.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend and congratulate Patrick Creer for his tremendous service to the State of California upon his retirement from the California Highway Patrol. I invite my colleagues to join me in wishing Officer Creer many years of continued success.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Kathleen Garabed upon her retirement as the founder and Executive Director of Stone Soup in Fresno, California after almost twenty years of dedicated service. Ms. Garabed will be honored on Saturday, June 19, 2010.

In 1992, Ms. Garabed was working as a resettlement officer for Church World Service; the office was located in a foursquare block of Fresno that was notorious for high crime. One day, an eight year old Cambodian boy visited Wesley United Methodist Church where her office was located and placed a pistol on her desk. He told her he was supposed to shoot

someone to join a gang; he had come to her in search of help and hope. Ms. Garabed immediately jumped into action with faith and a vision for the community. Without a building, program or money, she started a summer program for children on the church lawn.

Ms. Garabed worked tirelessly and continued to knock on doors that remained closed for many years. She was determined to gain support and cultivate good will for this young boy and many others like him. She found a few volunteers that were willing to share their time, skills and talent to replace their violent activities with role models and productive programs. Over the years, the original summer program grew into Stone Soup Fresno, a multi-million dollar community center, offering health services, education, cultural preservation and leadership development.

Stone Soup Fresno, under Ms. Garabed's leadership, has impacted a number of lives. The literacy rate of almost one thousand children served by the organization has shown dramatic improvement, based on pre-post test scores from standardized tests. More than one hundred and twenty young leaders from the neighborhood have graduated from the Stone Soup's leadership program, increasing leadership in the community. There are two hundred new Hmong refugee families in the process of becoming new Americans who have participated in civic activities through Stone Soup. Ms. Garabed also helps to empower young Hmong women to become advocates in their community.

Since the conception of Stone Soup Fresno, Ms. Garabed has been recognized for the exemplary work she does. The organization has received the ``Presidential Points of Light Award'', ``Distinguished Public Service Award'' from Delta Gamma Chi State chapter, the Fresno Police Department's ``Outstanding Citizen Award'', ``Temple Beth Israel Social Action Award'', ``Spirit Award'' from the Volunteer Bureau, and ``Leadership Award'' from the Central California Forum on Refugee Affairs. HUD has recognized Stone Soup's stewardship as a ``Best Practice'' in developing the community center.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend and congratulate Kathleen Garabed upon her dedicated service to, and retirement from, Stone Soup Fresno. I invite my colleagues to join me in wishing Ms. Garbed many years of continued success.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Todd DenBeste upon his retirement from the California Highway Patrol, Oakhurst Area Office. Officer DenBeste will officially retire June 30, 2010, after twenty-eight years of service. A party will be held in his honor on Saturday, June 26, 2010 in Oakhurst, California.

Officer Todd DenBeste graduated from West High School in Torrance, California. Upon graduating from high school, he worked in the private sector until he was appointed to the California Highway Patrol academy in 1982. Upon completing the academy, he was immediately placed in the South Los Angeles Area Office, where he was later assigned to the motor squad. Officer DenBeste served in South Los Angeles for nine years.

In December 1991, Officer DenBeste was transferred to the California Highway Patrol Resident Post in Oakhurst, California. When the Oakhurst Area Office was formed in 2003, Officer DenBeste was assigned to that office.

Officer DenBeste has been married to his wife, Leisa, for thirty- three years. They have two children, Justin and Melissa.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend and congratulate Todd DenBeste for his tremendous service to the state of California upon his retirement from the California Highway Patrol. I invite my colleagues to join me in wishing Officer DenBeste many years of continued success.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Phyllis Weber upon her retirement as the Principal of El Portal School and Yosemite Park High School. After thirty-two years in education, Ms. Weber will be honored at a retirement party in El Portal, California on Thursday, June 10, 2010.

Ms. Weber received her Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology from the University of Dayton in Ohio and her Master of Arts degree in environmental and outdoor education from San Francisco State University. After three years as an environmental investigator for the Environmental Protection Agency, she became an instructor for the Yosemite Institute starting in January 1976. The Yosemite Institute is one of the nation's leading environmental education organizations dedicated to bringing school age children to Yosemite where they have an opportunity to experience and learn about the majestic place. Ms. Weber became known as a dynamic naturalist and teacher who had an amazing ability to connect with her students, a trait that carried forward throughout her career. At the Yosemite Institute she also met Mr. Art Baggett, a fellow instructor, and now her husband of more than thirty years.

In 1978, Ms. Weber began teaching first, second and third grades at El Portal Elementary School. She has also taught courses for a wilderness program for the Saratoga/Los Gatos High School District, winter ecology for Antioch College, mountain ecology for the University of California at Santa Cruz, Yosemite Natural History for the College of Marin and various college courses for the Yosemite Institute.

As the principal of Yosemite National Park's El Portal School and Yosemite Park High School since 2000, Ms. Weber has gracefully inspired teachers, staff and students to perform at high levels, as confirmed annually by the high test scores at the El Portal School. She has an uncanny ability to see the potential in her students and to draw them out in a way that helps them fulfill their potential. She has also developed a very positive reputation for her community through her school's ability to communicate with, and educate, Spanish-speaking students while making them feel welcome and part of the community.

Ms. Weber's hallmark has been her enthusiasm to encourage new and innovative programs proposed by her teachers, students and parents and to actively seek creative ways to fund these programs. She has become a master at working within school district budgets and has diligently travelled with the district office to Mariposa, Sacramento and Washington, D.C. to support her budget, as well as working closely with parents and the local community on fundraising and support.

In addition to her professional endeavors, Ms. Weber has been very involved in public service and her family has been an integral part of the Yosemite community for several generations. As part of her public service, Ms. Weber was elected to the Board of Trustees for the Yosemite Natural History Association in November 1979 and she began her service on January 26, 1980. For the past thirty years she has served on the Board for the Yosemite Natural History Association, the Yosemite Association and now the Yosemite Conservancy, where she is currently the chair of the education and programs committee. In this role, Ms. Weber and her family share their deep passion for Yosemite and Mariposa County.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend and congratulate Principal Phyllis Weber upon her retirement from El Portal School and Yosemite Park High School. I invite my colleagues to join me in wishing Ms. Weber many years of continued success.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend and congratulate Riley Walter upon thirty years of business in the legal field. Mr. Riley will be honored at a reception on Tuesday, June 1, 2010.

Mr. Riley Walter attended California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo (Cal Poly) and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1973 and a Master of Arts degree in 1974, both in Agriculture. While working towards his Masters degree, he worked as an assistant professor of agriculture business management at Cal Poly, Pomona. Upon completing the masters program, Mr. Walter attended Western State University in southern California and received a Juris Doctorate in 1980. During this time, he was also working toward becoming a tenured associate professor at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. Later, Mr. Walter became certified as a Business Bankruptcy Specialist by the American Board of Bankruptcy Certification.

In 1980, Mr. Walter passed the bar and in May began practicing in a commercial law firm where he was working on reorganization, insolvency and bankruptcy law in Central California, from Bakersfield to Sacramento. His primary area of practice has become insolvency law, specifically Chapter 11 and specializing in large scale agricultural and agribusiness cases including creameries, processors, wineries, feed mills, farms, ranches and dairies. Mr. Walter also works on consensual restructuring, workouts, liquidations, receiverships, assignment for benefit of creditors

and other insolvency and restructuring matters. For these types of issues, Mr. Walter has Worked with cities, hospitals, developers, energy companies, manufacturing, service and retail businesses. During his thirty years of practice, he has represented debtors and trustees in over three thousand cases under Chapter 11, 12, 7 and 9.

Mr. Walter is actively involved with many legal organizations. He has served as president and director of the Central California Bankruptcy Association and the San Joaquin Valley Chapter of the Federal Bar Association. He has served as the chair of Business Law Section and the Agricultural Law Section of the Fresno County Bar Association. Mr. Walter also served as the director and co-chair of the California State Bar Agribusiness Committee. He has served as director of the California Bankruptcy Forum and the Central California Receivers Forum. He is, or has been, a member of the American Bar Association, American Bankruptcy Institute, American Inns of Court and Society of Agricultural Lenders. He is a former chair of the Agricultural Law Review Advisory Committee at San Joaquin College of Law. He is a fellow of the American College of Bankruptcy, Class XIII and is a Delegate to the Ninth Circuit Judicial Conference. Mr. Walter was selected as a Northern California Super Lawyer for 2004 through 2009.

Outside of his practice, Mr. Walter taught agriculture law as an adjunct professor at San Joaquin College of Law in Fresno from 1989 through 1993. He was also an adjunct professor of management (entrepreneurial studies) at California State University, Fresno. He has authored, co-authored or contributed to many articles. Because of his extensive experience and involvement, Mr. Walter has lectured on bankruptcy topics to business and legal groups numerous times.

Mr. Walter has a long history of involvement in civic and cultural organizations. He currently serves as the vice chair on the board of the Lyles Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation of California State University, Fresno. He is general counsel to the Central Valley Business Incubator and the Bulldog Fund. Mr. Walter recently retired from the board of the Central Valley Business Incubator, after thirteen years of service with the organization. He was formerly on the boards of the Fresno Business Council, the Fresno Metropolitan Museum, Fresno City and County Historical Society and the Lee Institute for Japanese Art.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend and congratulate Riley Walter upon thirty years of legal service to the Central Valley. I invite my colleagues to join me in wishing Mr. Walter many years of continued success.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend and congratulate the Yosemite Conservancy upon its conception. The Yosemite Association and the Yosemite Fund have come together to launch this new organization to protect Yosemite National Park and inspire enduring connections for current and future generations.

In January 2010 the Yosemite Association and the Yosemite Fund, two non-profits with over one hundred years of combined experience in supporting the park, merged. Since 1923, the Yosemite Association has provided opportunities for people to learn about, enjoy and experience Yosemite National Park. The focus has primarily been on providing publications, outdoor programs, history museums, volunteering and a wealth of visitor services. The Yosemite Fund was established in 1988 to focus on projects that enhance the visitor experience, including trails, restoration of vital habitats, preservation of art and artifacts. The Yosemite Fund has supported over three hundred projects funded through fifty-five million dollars in grants. The Yosemite Fund has more than forty projects planned for 2010. The organization has four hundred volunteers annually to assist park visitors, restore natural areas and help with operations, events and fundraising activities. With the merging of these two organizations, the Yosemite Conservancy was created.

The Yosemite Conservancy is the only philanthropic organization dedicated exclusively to the protection and preservation of Yosemite National Park and enhancement of the visitor experience. With the experience and knowledge of the Yosemite Fund and the Yosemite

Association, the Yosemite Conservancy will provide the best of both organizations. It will aim to create new benchmarks in innovation and quality through its programs and projects. The 2010 signature project is a one million dollar effort to support Youth in Yosemite an experimental learning program that will also improve campgrounds, repair trails, preserve images from Yosemite's archives and expand educational programs and exhibits at Happy Isle Nature Center. Different programs and projects will be put in place in 2010 as well, such as Outdoor Adventures programs to teach people about the park, Yosemite Art and Education programs, meadow restoration, bighorn sheep monitoring and pacific fisher research and bear canister rental and wilderness permits.

Under the leadership of Mike Tollefson, former superintendent of Yosemite National Park, the Board of Trustees and the permanent staff, the Yosemite Conservancy will work toward their mission to provide for Yosemite's future by inspiring people to support projects and programs that preserve and protect Yosemite National Park's resources and enrich the visitor experience.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend the Yosemite Conservancy for its commitment to better serve and protect Yosemite National Park. I invite my colleagues to join me in wishing the organization many years of continued success.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Stanislaus County Medical Society upon celebrating its 100th anniversary. The medical society will be celebrating the anniversary during the annual membership meeting to be held on Thursday, May 27, 2010, at the Del Rio Country Club in Modesto, California.

During the 1820s, early settlers to California began migrating near the Stanislaus River. In 1848, California was ceded to the United States, gold was soon discovered and in 1854 the boundaries were set for Stanislaus County. Between the gold rush and the Central Pacific Railroad laying tracks through the area, Stanislaus County was growing fast. In 1878, there were 10 men listed as licensed to practice medicine in Stanislaus County. By 1891, a county hospital had been built and the number of practicing physicians had risen to 15.

In 1903, Dr. Surryhne built the first private hospital in Stanislaus County. By 1910, the Stanislaus County Medical Society was established with Dr. W.J. Wilhite serving as president and Dr. Surryhne serving as secretary. The society meetings typically took place at the Hotel Modesto, with an attendance of eighteen to twenty members. By 1946, physicians were returning from World War II and the Society grew in numbers and specialties, such as obstetrics and gynecology, orthopedics, G.U., general surgery and internal medicine.

The physicians of the Stanislaus County Medical Society formed the Stanislaus Foundation for Medical Care to guarantee the delivery of quality medical care on a prepayment basis at a just and equitable cost to both the patient and physician. The foundation was incorporated as a non-profit organization in 1957, and acts as a health management system. It was created and operated by local physicians to serve the best interests of the public and professional community.

Today, the Stanislaus County Medical Society has over 650 active, retired and resident members. The members serve the purpose of ``promoting and developing the science and art of medicine, conserving and protecting the public health, promoting the betterment of the medical profession, cooperating with organizations of like purposes and uniting with similar societies from other counties of the State to form the California Medical Society.''

Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend and congratulate the Stanislaus County Medical Society upon 100 years of service. I invite my colleagues to join me in wishing the Society, and all of the members, many years of continued success.

Madam Speaker, I am pleased to introduce legislation today supporting a project that provides an enhanced visitor experience for tourists at Yosemite National Park and an additional administrative site for employees outside the Park boundaries.

Yosemite is the crown jewel of the National Park System; each year over 3.5 million visitors travel to Yosemite to enjoy the scenic vistas, hiking, and Valley destinations. This proposed legislation authorizes the National Park Service to purchase up to 18 acres of land in Mariposa County, from willing sellers, for visitor and administrative uses. The proposed site for this center will be at the junction of State Highway 140 and State Highway 49, located in Mariposa just outside the Arch Rock entrance to Yosemite National Park. A visitor center at this location will not only provide Yosemite National Park with an opportunity to enhance their visitor services, it will be a tourist destination for travelers in the gateway community of Mariposa as well.

This non-controversial bill enjoys a broad array of local support including the Mariposa County Board of Supervisors, Chamber of Commerce, Economic Development Corporation, and County Tourism Bureau, in addition to the current Superintendent of Yosemite National Park and the Yosemite Fund. Additionally, this authorizing legislation is PAY-GO neutral and does not authorize direct spending.

Madam Speaker, I am eager to lend my support to a project that will benefit the local economy of Mariposa by providing tourism opportunities as well as enhancing the visitor experience at Yosemite National Park. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this legislation as it moves through Congress.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend and congratulate Susan Lafferty upon being named as a 2010 Common Threads honoree. Mrs. Lafferty will be honored by California State University, Fresno at the 2010 Common Threads Award luncheon to be held on Friday, April 16, 2010.

Mrs. Sue Lafferty was born and raised in Los Angeles, California; away from farmland and agriculture. Mrs. Lafferty married Dave in 1976, and they moved to the Hanford-Lemoore area to begin their farming adventure.

Today, Mrs. Lafferty spends many volunteer hours working with the youth and agricultural education programs. She became involved with the Kings County 4-H Program while her daughter, Katie, was involved with the program. Although Katie is an adult, Mrs. Lafferty continues to spend countless hours with the group. Within the Kings County 4-H she has served as project leader, community leader, council secretary, council director and department chair for the Dairy Show 4-H Fair. Mrs. Lafferty is also the co-founder of Kings Harvest 4-H.

In 2009, Mrs. Lafferty encouraged eight 4-H members to develop a farm gleaning program to help them earn their Emerald Star and to supply fresh fruits and vegetables to the local food banks. Through her leadership and direction, the members were able to donate almost fifteen hundred pounds of tomatoes, nine hundred pounds of cantaloupes, seven hundred and fifty pounds of onions and two thousand pounds of sweet corn to Kings Community Action food pantry.

Beyond 4-H, Mrs. Lafferty volunteers for the Kings Fair Boosters, where she has served as President, Vice-President and secretary while also working on special events and fundraisers for the fair. Over the years, she has served in various positions for the Kings Fair Junior Fair Board, Kings Lamb Feed Committee, Hanford Future Farmers of America Parents' Club, Beef Educational Enhancement Fund (BEEF), Tulare County Fair and Great Western Livestock Show as well as the Dance Guild. Mrs. Lafferty is a lifetime member of Hanford Future Farmers of America.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend and congratulate Susan Lafferty upon her achievements. I invite my colleagues to join me in wishing Mrs. Lafferty many years of continued success.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend and congratulate Susan Lafferty upon being named as a 2010 Common Threads honoree. Mrs. Lafferty will be honored by California State University, Fresno at the 2010 Common Threads Award luncheon to be held on Friday, April 16, 2010.

Mrs. Sue Lafferty was born and raised in Los Angeles, California; away from farmland and agriculture. Mrs. Lafferty married Dave in 1976, and they moved to the Hanford-Lemoore area to begin their farming adventure.

Today, Mrs. Lafferty spends many volunteer hours working with the youth and agricultural education programs. She became involved with the Kings County 4-H Program while her daughter, Katie, was involved with the program. Although Katie is an adult, Mrs. Lafferty continues to spend countless hours with the group. Within the Kings County 4-H she has served as project leader, community leader, council secretary, council director and department chair for the Dairy Show 4-H Fair. Mrs. Lafferty is also the co-founder of Kings Harvest 4-H.

In 2009, Mrs. Lafferty encouraged eight 4-H members to develop a farm gleaning program to help them earn their Emerald Star and to supply fresh fruits and vegetables to the local food banks. Through her leadership and direction, the members were able to donate almost fifteen hundred pounds of tomatoes, nine hundred pounds of cantaloupes, seven hundred and fifty pounds of onions and two thousand pounds of sweet corn to Kings Community Action food pantry.

Beyond 4-H, Mrs. Lafferty volunteers for the Kings Fair Boosters, where she has served as President, Vice-President and secretary while also working on special events and fundraisers for the fair. Over the years, she has served in various positions for the Kings Fair Junior Fair Board, Kings Lamb Feed Committee, Hanford Future Farmers of America Parents' Club, Beef Educational Enhancement Fund (BEEF), Tulare County Fair and Great Western Livestock Show as well as the Dance Guild. Mrs. Lafferty is a lifetime member of Hanford Future Farmers of America.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend and congratulate Susan Lafferty upon her achievements. I invite my colleagues to join me in wishing Mrs. Lafferty many years of continued success.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend and congratulate Susie Snedden upon being named as a 2010 Common Threads honoree. Mrs. Snedden will be honored by California State University, Fresno at the 2010 Common Threads Award luncheon to be held on Friday, April 16, 2010.

Mrs. Susie Snedden grew up on the family farm in Maricopa, California. She graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles with a Bachelors Degree in political science. While in school, she interned for then-Congressman William Ketchum in his Washington, DC, office, the Republican State Central Committee and was the first intern for the California Cattleman's Association in Sacramento. As a young adult she returned to the family cow-calf operation that she now co-owns with her husband, Richard.

Mrs. Snedden is very active in the Kern County community. She has served as president and director for the Kern County CattleWomen and as a state director for the Kern County Cattlemen's Association. She and her husband served as state membership co-chairs for R-CALF, USA, a national cattle producer's organization. Mrs. Snedden operates an educational booth at, and assists with, the annual Farm Day in the City, has been involved at Maricopa School on the School Site Council and School Bond Committee. She often gives presentations about beef, its by-products and the cattle ranching business to classrooms and organizations.

Mr. and Mrs. Snedden have hosted visitors from around the world, providing them with a taste of ranch life. Mrs. Snedden is active member of her church, where she has led mission trips to Mexico, and has opened her home to Vacation Bible Schools and women's retreats. For her efforts, Mrs. Snedden was named ``Kern County Cattle Princess'' in 1972 and ``Kern County CattleWoman of the Year'' in 2001.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend and congratulate Susie Snedden upon her achievements. I invite my colleagues to join me in wishing Mrs. Snedden many years of continued success.