Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Patricia Daugherty for her dedication to her family and community. Mrs. Daugherty passed away in March 2010 at the age of 83.

Mrs. Patricia Daugherty was born on October 5, 1926, in Santa Monica, California. Upon graduating from high school, she attended the University of California, Berkley for 2 years, and then completed her elementary education major at the University of California, Santa Barbara. In 1949, she married James Harsh and had two children, Betsy and Jim.

Mrs. Daugherty's teaching career began in Ventura, California and continued in Manhattan Beach, California. Mrs. Daugherty moved to Mariposa, California, where she continued her teaching career. She began at the elementary school teaching the fourth grade and later transferred to Mariposa County High School teaching language arts. She also advised the journalism, yearbook, newspaper, competitive speech, Shakespeare, composition and creative writing classes. During her tenure at the high school, Mrs. Daugherty was also involved with drama, as well as the junior and senior plays. She was the first pep club advisor and later served as the senior class advisor.

In 1974, Mrs. Daugherty retired. She and her second husband, Sid Daugherty, moved to Joseph, Oregon. In 1976 they built a house on San Juan Island, where they lived until 1980, when Mr. Daugherty's business took them to Port Townsend, Washington. In 1982, they moved to Santa Barbara, where they remained for the next 10 years. In 1992, Mr. and Mrs. Daugherty returned to San Juan Island for a few years, until Mr. Daugherty's health declined and they moved to Yuba City, California. Mr. Daugherty passed away on October 1, 1999.

Mrs. Daugherty returned to Mariposa in June 2001. She enjoyed visiting with her former students and colleagues and spending time with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Mrs. Daugherty is survived by her son Jim, his wife Jan and grandsons Jeff and Dillon; her daughter Betsy and her husband John Montoya; her granddaughter Shannon and her husband Joe Marcus; great granddaughters Sydney, Jordan and Delany; her sisters Trudy Allison and

Phyllis Coolures; her stepchildren Jeanette Daugherty, Pat Perez, Sam Daugherty and their children and grandchildren, as well as her many nieces and nephews.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to posthumously honor Patricia Daugherty. I invite my colleagues to join me in honoring her life and wishing the best for her family.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Mabel ``Gay'' Rowney for her dedication to her family and community. Mrs. Rowney passed away on April 23, 2010 at the age of 92.

Mrs. Mabel Rowney was born on August 20, 1917 in Elk River, Idaho. At a young age she met and married Harold Rowney, and together they had eight children. She filled the role of mother and organizer of the family very well. She was a talented musician and taught generations of Mariposa children to play the piano. For over 30 years, Mrs. Rowney served as the organist of Saint Joseph's Church. She sang in various community choirs, performed for many years in the Mariposa Chamber Group and was the pianist for a number of Lion's Follies. Mrs. Rowney was especially well known for her baked goods. The children that went to her house for piano lessons always looked forward to warm, fresh cookies and the smell of homemade bread.

Mrs. Rowney was preceded in death by her husband, Harold. She is survived by her children Beejee Allan, Veronica Gross, Christopher Rowney, Jill Rowney, Teresa Dulberg, Roscoe Rowney, Mark Rowney and Lisa Rowney; sixteen grandchildren and eight great grandchildren.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to posthumously honor Mabel Rowney. I invite my colleagues to join me in honoring her life and wishing the best for her family.

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

Growing up as the fifth generation on the family farm, Mrs. Rogers- Dale learned about agriculture, work ethic, family values, family traditions and how to drive a tractor. Her love of the land and outdoors was instilled by her father and her passion for volunteer service came from her mother. Mrs. Rogers-Dale graduated from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. Upon completing her degree, she moved to Sanger, California, to volunteer with the local chapter of the California Women for Agriculture. She assisted the group by hanging Medfly traps during a Medfly outbreak in the region. Her volunteer work led to a full-time job with the Fresno County Department of Agriculture. Mrs. Rogers-Dale has been working for the county for twenty-seven years. Today, she is an Ag Standards Specialist, and works with producers and packing houses to ensure compliance with agriculture chemical application regulations and certifications.

Mrs. Rogers-Dale has been an active member of the Fresno-Kings Counties CattleWomen for the past twenty years, where she has served in various leadership positions over the years, including scholarship chair, President, 1998-2000, Board of Directors and Secretary, 1985- present. She was instrumental in developing a scholarship fundraiser program with that organization. Mrs. Rogers-Dale has been involved with California CattleWomen since 1994 and has served as the central director and state nominating chair. She is a volunteer judge at the Big Fresno Fair and is a regular participant in the Fresno County Farm and Nutrition Day and Kings County Farm Day. Mrs. Rogers-Dale also assists with the Westside Ag Tourney, Ducks Unlimited and the Clovis Rodeo Blood Drive.

Mrs. Rogers-Dale is a generous member of the First Baptist Church of Reedley, the California Rangeland Trust, Sanger 4-H, Hanford Future Farmers of America, Sanger Community Church and Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. For her volunteerism and generosity Mrs. Rogers-Dale was named ``Cowbelle of the Year'' in 1998. She and her husband, Ken, live in Reedley, California with their eight-year-old son.

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

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

Mrs. Barbara Bigelow was born and raised in southern California and attended the University of Southern California. She had little interest in agriculture until she met and married Frank, who is a life long resident of Madera County and part of a longtime agriculture family. Mrs. Bigelow assisted in the family business by helping raise, exhibit and sell champion Shorthorn Cattle for beef and breeding. Mr. and Mrs. Bigelow also raise and exhibit champion Columbia Sheep.

Off of the farm, Mrs. Bigelow is very active in the community. In 1985 she was elected to the then-Spring Valley School District Board of Trustees, and continues to serve on the now-Chawanakee Unified School District as a trustee. Her service on the board was instrumental in the building of Minarets High School in O'Neals. Mrs. Bigelow also served as the board President.

Outside of the school district, Mrs. Bigelow is active in the local 4-H program and numerous agriculture related groups. Mrs. Bigelow became involved with Spring Valley school while her children attended there. She was a member of the parent club, school site council and was involved with the community-centered centennial event. Mrs. Bigelow helped establish the Spring Valley Ag Boosters in 1994, after becoming involved with the Spring Valley 4-H club as a community leader and a sheep leader. Since 1994, Mrs. Bigelow and a committee of local supporters have sponsored a fundraiser at the ``Silkwood-Mattes-Bigelow Big Blue Barn'' to raise money for the Spring Valley Ag Boosters.

Mrs. Bigelow is also very active and supportive of the Sierra High School Future Farmers of America program. She has served on the Ag Advisory Committee and served as the Site Selection Committee Chair for Minarets High School. Between 1992 and 1994, Mrs. Bigelow was the director of the Madera County 4-H Summer Camp Program at Jack Ass Rock Campground. She is also a twenty year member, and past Chairwoman, of the Madera County Republican Central Committee.

Mrs. Bigelow is a supporter of Children's Hospital of Central California, California State University, Fresno's Red Wave, Cal Poly's Western Bonanza, the California State Fair, Sierra Winter Classic and California Junior Livestock Association. For her community involvement, Mrs. Bigelow was named the State of California ``Woman of the Year'' in 2005 by Assemblyman Dave Cogdill and received the ``Golden Apple Award'' for 1999-2000 by the Association of California School Administrators.

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

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

Mrs. Jean Okuye grew up in Kelseyville, a small town in northern California, where she learned to love the outdoors and the natural world. She attended the University of California Santa Barbara and upon graduating, she traveled in Europe and Iran. As a young woman she married her husband Paul.

In 1980, Mr. and Mrs. Okuye and their two children moved to Livingston, California to take over the family farm. After fifteen years of struggling to pay off the estate tax and other finances, they were able to make vast improvements to the farm and created a successful farming business. When Mr. Okuye passed away Mrs. Okuye took over the farming operation. Today, their daughter and her family have moved from France to live and work on the family farm. Mrs. Okuye's grandchildren are the fifth generation to be on their family farm.

Mrs. Okuye has held several leadership roles in Merced County, she has been involved with the Board of the Livingston Farmers Association, Valley Land Alliance, Merced County Farm Bureau, Merced County Farmlands and Open Space Trust Council, California Women for Agriculture and an Ag Tourism organization for Merced County. She was also appointed to serve on the Merced County General Plan Update Committee. Mrs. Okuye plays the piano for United Methodist Church and chairs the Trustee Committee for the church. She participates on the boards of Stanislaus Memorial Society, Livingston Medical Group, Merced County Academic Decathlon and the Citizens Advisory Committee for Livingston City. For her efforts, Mrs. Okuye was named the 2007 ``Outstanding Individual'' in the Trees and Vines category from the Merced County Agri-Business Committee.

Mrs. Okuye has a Bachelors Degree in organizational behavior and holds two teaching credentials, which she received at the age of fifty.

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

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

Dr. Jameson is a small animal veterinarian in Tulare County. She and her husband, Connor, who is a dairy industry veterinarian, work very closely with fellow veterinarians in advancing educational experiences. For many years, Dr. Jameson has opened their family home for veterinarian students from the University of California, Davis to train and learn the most advanced techniques and dairy management tools. She also opens her home every year to veterinarians from around the world to attend, or work at, the annual World Age Expo in Tulare, California.

For twenty years Dr. Jameson has served on the Sundale Elementary School Board of Trustees. She is a strong supporter of Sundale's outstanding Ag-Science program that continues to grow every year. She has been a member of the Tulare-Kings Veterinarian Medical Association since 1974, and has been involved with the development of a veterinarian technician program at the College of the Sequoias.

Dr. Jameson is a member of First Christian Church in Visalia, where she has served as Youth Development Chair, Women's Bible Study leader, Mission Ministry Chair and member of the Building Committee. She is a member of the Tulare Kings Veterinarian Medical Association and the Visalia Christian Club. She has served on the Board of Directors and as Board President of Visalia Senior Housing. For her dedicated service, Dr. Jameson received the Sundale School Foundation Award. She and her husband have two adult sons.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend and congratulate Judy Walt Jameson upon her achievements. I invite my colleagues to join me in wishing Dr. Jameson many years of continued success.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to posthumously commend and congratulate Robert Selby upon being awarded with the ``Lifetime Achievement Award'' by the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 9896. Mr. Selby was honored on Saturday, January 30, 2010 in Chowchilla, California.

Mr. Robert Selby was born in June 1936 in Sparta, Tennessee. In 1961, Mr. Selby enlisted in the United States Air Force. He was sent to Lackland Air Force Base, Texas for his basic training. He then completed training as a Jet Mechanic and Flight Engineer.

While fighting in Vietnam, Mr. Selby served with special Air Force units flying out of Nha Trang, Vietnam on covert missions into Laos and North Vietnam. His tour consisted of flying on many secret missions deep into enemy territory, inserting agents and hampering North Vietnamese communications in advance of U.S. bombing raids. During one particularly challenging mission on an HC-130, the aircraft was forced to fly low through heavy weather and mountainous terrain to drop supplies to combat forces. For his performance during this particular mission, Mr. Selby was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.

Upon returning to the United States after the war ended, Mr. Selby completed the Non-Commissioned Officers' Academy. Later, he completed the Command Staff Non-Commissioned Officers' Academy and Air Force Special Operations. Throughout his military career Mr. Selby completed many advanced training courses including, cross-training with the United States Army infantry units and the M-24 Tank, Advanced Flying Course in Turbo Propulsion, the Combat Talon, the Air Force Supervisor's Management Course, and the United States Air Force Trainer-Supervisor Course. He served on many aircraft, including the B- 66 and the C-130, units and bases. He served with the 60th Military Air Wing, 8th Special Operations Service, 778th TAS, 42nd TRS and 10th TRW.

In October 1968, while serving with a C-130 squadron in Bermuda providing search and rescue missions, Mr. Selby was involved with the successful NASA Apollo 7 mission. Apollo 7 was launched and was the first manned mission. For eleven days, while the spacecraft orbited earth, Mr. Selby and squadron mates were available to assist if necessary.

Master Sergeant Selby retired from the Air Force in June 1981. For his service, Mr. Selby was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal with four oak leaf clusters, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Air Force Commendation Medal, the Good Conduct Medal with four oak leaf clusters, Non-commissioned Officer Professional Military Education Ribbon, the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal with three bronze stars, the Republic of Vietnam Unit Cross of Gallantry with palm and device and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.

Upon retirement, Mr. Selby worked for the Chowchilla Water District, and later, as a hydro-power operator. He was a Life Member of the Chowchilla Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9896, American Legion Post 248, the Disabled American Veterans, a member of the Chowchilla Masonic Lodge and the Civil Air Patrol. He served several terms as commander of the Chowchilla American Legion and VFW. He was an advocate of veterans' affairs and volunteered his time to take veterans to appointments in Fresno and Madera.

Mr. Selby passed away in the beginning of 2010. He is survived by his wife of fifty years, Shirley, two sons and three grandchildren.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to posthumously honor the life of Robert Selby and congratulate him upon being named as a ``Distinguished Life Member'' by the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 9896.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend and congratulate John Lawson upon being awarded with the ``Lifetime Achievement Award'' by the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 9896. Mr. Lawson was honored on Saturday, January 30, 2010 in Chowchilla, California.

Mr. John Lawson was born and raised in Los Angeles, California where he graduated from Bell High School. After high school, Mr. Lawson enlisted in the United States Army in 1967 and was sent to Fort Campbell, Kentucky for basic training. Upon completion of basic training, he was assigned a military occupational specialty in the Army Signal Corps.

In November 1967, Mr. Lawson was ordered to Vietnam and was assigned to the 459th Signal Battalion; the same unit that served in Europe at Normandy, North France and Central Europe. Upon returning from Europe after World War II, the battalion was deactivated at Camp Pinedale, near Fresno, California. The 459th Signal Battalion was reactivated in 1962 and made part of the Sixth Army. In 1966, the battalion landed in Vietnam as part of the 21st Signal Group, First Signal Brigade.

While with the 459th Signal Battalion, Mr. Lawson encountered the TET Offensive that the North Vietnamese unleashed. During this time, he performed duties as a troubleshooter, repairing radio equipment for combat and supporting units in various provinces of Vietnam. The North Vietnamese successfully attacked U.S. forces and bases throughout South Vietnam, disrupting communications. Mr. Lawson

and his fellow soldiers worked tirelessly to keep critical communications intact for the front-line combat units. During convoy between Nha Trang to Tue Hoa and Da Nag to Tue Hoa, Mr. Lawson found himself under mortar attack and rocket fire. For the outstanding achievement and performance of the 459th, the Secretary of the Army awarded the 459th and its soldiers the Army Meritorious Unit Commendation.

Mr. Lawson completed his combat tour in Vietnam shortly after he was promoted to Specialist-4. He returned to the United States and was honorably discharged. For his service, he was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Medal with device, the Good Conduct Medal, the Army Meritorious Unit Commendation Ribbon and the Republic of Vietnam Unit Cross of Gallantry with palm and frame.

During his civilian life, Mr. Lawson worked as a truck driver until his retirement. Mr. Lawson is a Life Member of the Chowchilla Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9896. He has two children and two grandchildren.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend and congratulate John Lawson upon being named 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 commend and congratulate Kenneth Lasiter upon being awarded with the ``Lifetime Achievement Award'' by the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 9896. Mr. Lasiter was honored on Saturday, January 30, 2010 in Chowchilla, California.

Mr. Kenneth Lasiter was born in Merced, California in 1946. He graduated from Chowchilla High School, where he played on two championship football teams. Mr. Lasiter attended Fresno City College for 1 year and in 1966 he enlisted in the United States Army. He completed basic training at Fort Ord, California, where he fired ``expert'' with the M-14 rifle. Mr. Lasiter went to Fort Rucker, Alabama for Aircraft Maintenance School; he completed training with a specialty in helicopter maintenance and repair. He also completed courses in the Code of Conduct and Military Justice.

After completing stateside training, Mr. Lasiter was ordered to Vietnam in March 1967. He joined the 655th Transportation Detachment, 12th Combat Aviation Brigade. The 12th Brigade had deployed to Vietnam in 1965 and consisted of 11,000 personnel and 34 aviation units. The Brigade was based at Long Binh in the III Military Region in Vietnam and was the largest unit of its type to serve in combat.

Mr. Lasiter spent 12 months in Vietnam. During that time he flew combat missions as a door gunner on HU-1B and UH-1D ``Huey'' Helicopters. He was promoted to crew chief and was later selected to act as crew chief for the group commander. During this time there was increased hostility as regular North Vietnamese forces made their way down the Ho Chi Minh Trail through.Laos and Cambodia into South Vietnam. Mr. Lasiter's units flew assault, medical and supply missions to fire bases and in support of ground forces. Mr. Lasiter was part of the cadre that assisted the 1st Air Cavalry when it deployed from the states to Bien Hoa, Vietnam.

Upon completing his 12-month tour in Vietnam, Mr. Lasiter returned to the United States. While on leave he married Carolyn. The newlyweds flew to Germany, where Mr. Lasiter assumed duties at the Wirtheim Army Airfield and was the acting crew chief with CH-23 units.

Specialist 5 Lasiter was released from active duty in September 1969. For his service, Mr. Lasiter was awarded the Army Commendation Medal, the Air Medal with seven oak leaf clusters, the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Medal with device, the Aircraft Crewman Badge and Expert Rifle and Sharpshooter Badges.

Upon returning to civilian life, Mr. and Mrs. Lasiter made their home in Chowchilla, California. Mr. Lasiter attended Merced College. He then started a lifelong career in farming. Mr. Lasiter is a Life Member of Chowchilla Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9896 and is a member of the Cornerstone Community Church. Mr. and Mrs. Lasiter continue to live in Chowchilla. They have two children and three grandchildren.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend and congratulate Kenneth Lasiter 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. Lasiter many years of continued success.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend and congratulate William Chandler upon being awarded with the ``Lifetime Achievement Award'' by the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 9896. Mr. Chandler was honored on Saturday, January 30, 2010, in Chowchilla, California.

Mr. William ``Bill'' Chandler was born in Waurika, Oklahoma. During his youth he moved to a small town near Bakersfield, California where he graduated from Arvin High School in 1962. Mr. Chandler attended Bakersfield College for two years, majoring in agriculture. In 1965 he enlisted in the United States Air Force. He completed basic training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas, and was selected for specialized training as a photographic repairman.

After additional training, Mr. Chandler was selected for specialized duties and received top secret security clearance. He was sent to the Far East where he was assigned to the Tan Son Nhut Air Base near Saigon to work on classified photographic equipment used by reconnaissance aircraft to gather intelligence on Viet Cong and North Vietnamese forces. His tour in the Far East continued with an assignment to Japan at the Yokota Air Base, where he was assigned to the 67th Reconnaissance Technical Squadron in support of the SR-71 ``Blackbird.'' He and his unit worked day and night to keep the equipment in good condition as the SR-71 flew missions over North Vietnam, Laos, and mainland China.

Upon completing his tour in Southeast Asia, Mr. Chandler was assigned to Beale Air Force Base in Marysville, California. He continued to work on the photographic equipment for the SR-71. In June, 1969, Sergeant Chandler received an honorable discharge from the United States Air Force and was transferred to the Air Force Reserve.

For his service, Sergeant Chandler was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Medal with device, the Good Conduct Medal, and the Republic of Vietnam Unit Cross of Gallantry with palm and frame.

Upon leaving active duty, Mr. Chandler was employed by the Extek Microsystems Microfilm Corporation from 1969 until 1973. In 1972, he married his wife, Nancy. Later he was employed by the First National Bank of Arizona for microfiche banking records. In 1975, Mr. Chandler began working for the Jet Propulsion Laboratory on the MARS/Viking Project. Mr. Chandler and his family moved to the Chowchilla area in 1977 where he continues to live and remains active in farming operations. From 2004 until 2009, Mr. Chandler worked for the Chowchilla Water District. He is a Life Member of the Chowchilla Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9896, a member of the Chowchilla Masonic Lodge and the American Legion Post 148.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend and congratulate William Chandler 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. Chandler many years of continued success.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend and congratulate Dr. Ronald Moore upon being awarded the ``Lifetime Achievement Award'' by the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 9896. Dr. Moore was honored on Saturday, January 30, 2010 in Chowchilla, California.

Dr. Ronald Moore was born in Madera, California and raised in a rural part of the county where his parents were farm workers. At the age of ten, the family moved to Chowchilla. He worked in the fields during the summer months and after school while he was growing up. He played sports at Chowchilla High School and was a member of the 1955 Valley Championship football team. He received a football scholarship to the University of Nevada; due to a minor injury he did not play for

the school. He did play football at Fresno Junior College. Upon graduating, Dr. Moore enlisted in the United States Marine Corps Reserve.

Dr. Moore attended Marine summer training, where he was awarded the Leatherneck Magazine Award for firing expert with the M-1 rifle. He attained the rank of sergeant in the reserves while attending California State University, Fresno. He also worked part-time at the Boys' Club of Fresno, the Clovis Library, the Catholic Youth Organization and taught and coached in Fresno Catholic elementary schools. He married his childhood sweetheart, Shirley, in June 1961. In the same year, Dr. Moore began teaching and coaching, full-time, at San Joaquin Memorial High School. Two years later, he became the head football coach and athletic director at Memorial.

In 1966 the war in Vietnam was escalating and Dr. Moore entered active duty. He was selected for Officer Candidate School and upon completion, he was commissioned as a second lieutenant. Dr. Moore attended specialized infantry officer training at Quantico, Virginia. In late 1966 he commanded a replacement company at Camp Pendleton, California before shipping out to Vietnam.

Dr. Moore served with the First Marine Division, initially as an infantry platoon commander defending Da Nang Air Base. He was temporarily assigned additional duty with reconnaissance units and participated in patrols in the northwest sector of Vietnam and Laos. Dr. Moore served in one insertion by parachute with a South Vietnamese Ranger. He was responsible for directing artillery fire against heavy Viet Cong forces in the Que Sanh Valley. Dr. Moore was promoted to first lieutenant and later served with a rifle company as executive officer and commanding officer.

After fourteen months of serving in Vietnam, Dr. Moore received orders to return to the United States. In March 1968, Dr. Moore joined the Fifth Marine Division at Camp Pendleton as executive officer of Company L, 3rd Battalion, 28th Marine Regiment. Two months later he became the company commander. Dr. Moore was later promoted to captain and served as commanding officer of the 550-man Headquarters and Service Company of the battalion. He completed courses and training in Military Justice, Corrections, Investigations, Narcotics Investigations, Landing Force Planning and Fort Benning's Advanced Infantry Battalion Course.

During an amphibious landing operation, Dr. Moore suffered a debilitating injury, requiring him to undergo spinal surgery. During his hospitalization and rehabilitation, Dr. Moore took graduate level courses at San Diego area colleges. He returned to limited duty as an Assistant Operations Officer with the 3rd Marine Regiment. Shortly after, Dr. Moore was placed on the disabled retired list and he returned to Chowchilla. For his military service, Dr. Moore was awarded the Navy Commendation Medal with ``V'', the Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with bronze star, Combat Action Ribbon, Presidential Unit Citation, Navy Unit Commendation, Republic of Vietnam Unit Cross of Gallantry with palm and frame, RVN Honor Medal First Class, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with three bronze stars, Vietnam Campaign Medal with device, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, RVN Civic Action Medal, a commendation from the Department of the Army, the RVN parachutist badge and four awards of the Expert Rifleman and Expert Pistol Badge.

After his career as a Marine, Dr. Moore returned to teaching. After six years of serving in various positions within the continuation school in Chowchilla, he was appointed as superintendent of the Chowchilla Union High School District. Dr. Moore completed graduate work at the University of California, Irvine, San Diego State, the University of South Carolina, the University of Arizona, University of San Francisco, California State University, Fresno and California Western University. He earned a master's and doctorate degree, as well as California teaching, counseling and administrative credentials. Dr. Moore served as superintendent for twenty-three years before retiring in 1999. Upon his retirement, Dr. Moore was honored by the State administrators' association, the California State Senate and the City of Chowchilla.

Dr. Moore is a Life Member of the Chowchilla Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9896, American Legion Post 148, the Disabled American Veterans, and the First Marine and Third Marine Division Associations. He is a past President of Chowchilla Rotary and has served as chairman of numerous education-related committees. He is a member of local civic and regional committees and commissions including the Central California Criminal Justice Planning Committee, Chowchilla Parks and Recreation, Heritage Preservation Commission and the Utilities Committee. Dr. Moore is a member of St. Columba Church. Dr. and Mrs. Moore continue to live in Chowchilla. They have two children and six grandchildren.

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

Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend and congratulate Judge John De Groot upon being awarded with the ``Lifetime Achievement Award'' by the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 9896. Judge De Groot was honored on Saturday, January 30, 2010 in Chowchilla, California.

Judge John De Groot was born and raised in Monterey, California. He graduated from Monterey High School in 1965 and enlisted in the United States Naval Reserve. He graduated from Navy boot camp at the San Diego Recruit Training Center. Judge De Groot was designated a Military Occupational Specialty as a Personnelman. While in the Reserve, he attended Monterey Peninsula College, earning an Associate in Arts degree in 1967 and a Bachelor of Arts degree from San Francisco State in 1969.

Upon graduating from San Francisco State, Judge De Groot was called to active duty and assigned to the Naval Air Station in Adak, Alaska. The Navy had taken over the former World War II Army Airfield at Adak and was using the facility as a deployment base for P-3 Orion maritime patrol aircraft. The mission of NAS Adak and its aircraft was the conduct of antisubmarine warfare operations against submarines and surveillance of naval vessels of the Soviet Union. After serving twelve months in Adak, his next duty station was aboard the USS Hancock, positioned in the waters off of Vietnam.

The USS Hancock was the first carrier in the fleet with steam catapults capable of launching high performance jets. The carrier was deployed in 1965 to join the Seventh Fleet as hostilities increased in Vietnam. While aboard the USS Hancock, Judge De Groot worked in the administrative center of the carrier; he prepared official documents for transmission to higher echelons, kept records, interviewed and counseled sailors, and maintained official officer and enlisted records. One of his most important abilities was his skill with

working and dealing with a wide range of personalities of men involved in combat and the ongoing operations of an aircraft carrier in a war zone.

In 1971, Judge De Groot was released from active duty. For his service he was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Medal with device and the Naval Reserve Meritorious Service Medal.

In May 1974, Judge De Groot graduated from Hastings College of Law in San Francisco with a Juris Doctor degree. Later that year, he was admitted to the California Bar and to the U.S. District Court, Northern District of California. He was employed as a police officer in San Mateo, California from 1975 until 1977 when he left the Bay Area to accept a position as Deputy District Attorney in Madera County. In July 1982, he became Judge, Justice Court, of the Chowchilla Judicial District. Eight years later, Judge De Groot was elected to Judge of the Superior Court, Madera County and served in that position until his retirement in December, 2008.

Judge De Groot is a Life Member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9896 and is currently serving as the Treasurer of the Chowchilla District Historical Society. He and his wife, Jeannie, live in Madera. They have three children and nine grandchildren.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend and congratulate Judge John De Groot 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 Judge De Groot many years of continued success.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend and congratulate Charles Key upon being awarded with the ``Lifetime Achievement Award'' by the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 9896. Mr. Key was honored on Saturday, January 30, 2010, in Chowchilla, California.

Mr. Charles Key was raised in Henryetta, Oklahoma. At seventeen years old he enlisted in the United States Navy. Mr. Key completed Navy Boot Camp at the Navy Recruit Training Center at San Diego, California. After boot camp he was designated and trained as a Machinist Mate and was assigned to the USS Boxer CV-21, a twenty-seven thousand ton Essex class aircraft carrier. While on the Boxer, Mr. Key completed two deployments to the Western Pacific from 1950 to 1951.

The USS Boxer was returning from the Far East in 1950 when North Korea invaded South Korea. The carrier made a rapid turn-around as it was carrying needed Air Force and Navy planes, as well as personnel, and headed to the war zone in the Pacific. During the following months, Mr. Key and his shipmates worked diligently to keep aircraft in the air by providing air support for the United Nations' fighting forces ashore. Between 1951 and 1952, while aboard the USS Boxer, Mr. Key made three additional Korean War cruises. The planes from the USS Boxer hit transportation and infrastructure targets in North Korea and gave close air support to troops on the front lines. On August 5, 1952, while engaged in combat operations, a fire broke out on the hanger deck. The fire resulted in nine deaths, several aircraft were lost and there was significant damage to the hanger deck. Mr. Key and his shipmates worked non-stop, and within two weeks the USS Boxer returned to combat duties off the Korean coast.

Upon returning to the United States, Machinist Mate 3rd Class Key was honorably discharged from the Navy at the Naval District in San Francisco. For his service, Mr. Key was awarded the China Service Medal, the Navy Occupation Award, the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal and the Good Conduct Medal. During his civilian career, Mr. Key was a California licensed electrical and air conditioning contractor.

Mr. Key is a Life Member of the Chowchilla Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9896 and a member of the First Christian Church of Madera. Mr. Key and his wife, Christine, had two sons, three grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend and congratulate Charles Key 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. Key many years of continued success.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend and congratulate Carlos Bedolla upon being awarded with the ``Lifetime Achievement Award'' by the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 9896. Mr. Bedolla was honored on Saturday, January 30, 2010, in Chowchilla, California.

Mr. Carlos Bedolla was born in Gilroy, California, and graduated from Gilroy High School. In 1965, shortly after graduation, Mr. Bedolla was enlisted into the United States Army. He completed basic training at Fort Hood, Texas, and was sent to Virginia for advanced training. Mr. Bedolla was designated as an infantryman and was assigned to the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment at Fort Meade, Maryland. For several months the regiment took part in advanced unit training and in 1966 he boarded a ship in Oakland, California, for a 23-day voyage to Southeast Asia.

Upon arriving in Vietnam, Mr. Bedolla was assigned to the 2nd Squadron of the 11th Cavalry Regiment, the ``Blackhorse Regiment.'' The regiment's mission was to conduct ``search and destroy'' operations on all Viet Cong and North Vietnam regular forces in their area of operation. They provided reconnaissance and security for the 101st and 173rd Airborne and supported several other units. Mr. Bedolla participated in two major operations: Iron Triangle and Junction City. Both operations focused on eliminating enemy strongholds and jungle clearing. It was during these operations that tunnel complexes were found containing tons of rice and supplies for enemy troops.

Mr. Bedolla served as an infantry squad leader and an armored personnel carrier track commander during operations. He directly provided reconnaissance for his unit and employed tactics to ensure the safety of his men.

Upon completing his tour in Vietnam, Sergeant Bedolla returned to the United States and was honorably discharged in April of 1967. For his service he was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Medal with device, the Republic of Vietnam Unit Gallantry Cross with frame and palm, the Combat Infantryman's Badge, and the Army Sharpshooter Badge.

After his discharge, Mr. Bedolla returned to Gilroy, where he met and married his wife, Jessica. He was employed in the retail grocery industry as a store director for 34 years. Mr. and Mrs. Bedolla have 2 sons, 1 daughter, 11 grandchildren and 1 great-grandchild. Mr. Bedolla is a Life Member of Chowchilla Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9896, the St. Columba Catholic Church and the Young Men's Institute.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend and congratulate Carlos Bedolla 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. Bedolla many years of continued success.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Stephen Smith upon his retirement as Stanislaus County Assistant Auditor- Controller. Mr. Smith will be honored by the Stanislaus County Board of Supervisors during a regularly scheduled Board of Supervisors meeting to be held on March 26, 2010.

Mr. Stephen Smith was born in New York and was raised in Germany, Virginia and California. Upon graduating from Atwater High School, he attended California State University, Stanislaus. In 1979 he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in accounting.

After earning his license as a Certified Public Accountant in 1981, Mr. Smith started his career with Stanislaus County as a Controller at the Scenic General Hospital. In 1983, he was promoted to the Chief Internal Auditor and in 1987 he was promoted to Chief Deputy Auditor- Controller. In 2002, Mr. Smith became the Assistant Auditor-Controller for the County. Mr. Smith has been a vital member of the Auditor- Controller's Strategic Plan development team. He served on the WORKS Purchasing Card implementation team, the Oracle 11i upgrade team and the Travel and Purchasing Card policy revision team. Mr. Smith

has also served on the Deferred Compensation Committee, Accounting Standards and Procedures Committee, Audit Chief's Committee and Accounting Chief's Committee of the California Association of Auditor- Controllers.

Outside of the office, Mr. Smith has been involved with various non- profit organizations. He has participated in the annual American Heart Association's Heart Walk, Youth in Government Day, United Way campaign and the American Cancer Society's annual Walk-a-Thon. For twenty-eight years, Mr. Smith has provided dedicated service to Stanislaus County and its residents.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend and congratulate Stephen Smith upon his retirement from Stanislaus County after twenty-eight years of service. I invite my colleagues to join me in wishing Mr. Smith many years of continued success.