Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the RotaCare Bay Area San Rafael Clinic's 20th Anniversary of caring for, and protecting, the people of Marin County.

The RotaCare clinics of the Bay Area are important contributors to their communities' health. Starting with one clinic on the former Agnews State Hospital site, there are now twelve clinics located throughout the Bay Area in Concord, Daly City, Gilroy, Half Moon Bay, Monterey, Pittsburg, Richmond, San Jose, San Leandro, San Rafael, and Santa Cruz.

Their mission, ``to provide free medical care in the Bay Area for those who have the greatest need and the least access,'' has been a guiding tenet to the many volunteers and philanthropic donors who support the program. RotaCare assists anyone in need and is known for their attempts to alleviate costly and time consuming emergency room visits for the uninsured.

My district's own San Rafael clinic was founded in 1997 by Mike Osborne, Sharron Newton, Gus Catechi and Peter Pattengill, members of the Rotary Club of Marin Sunrise. The Rotary District theme that year was homelessness, which sparked the idea of starting a free clinic in San Rafael. At first, the clinic was held once a week at Ritter House in San Rafael, but as the clinic grew it was a forced to find a larger space. In 2003, the clinic moved to Kaiser Permanente's Downtown San Rafael Office and expanded their hours to

twice a week to accommodate the growing need of free, quality health care that still continues today.

Mr. Speaker, the RotaCare clinics' commitment to providing accessible, free health care to those who would otherwise go without care keeps our community thriving with healthy, active people. It is therefore fitting to honor and thank RotaCare Bay Area's San Rafael clinic for 20 years of success in adhering to the mission of providing health care to those who are most in need and to offer best wishes on many more years of important work.

Mr. Speaker, we rise today in memory of Judge Gary Thomas, who passed away on April 3, 2017, after a lifetime of service to his community.

A graduate of the University of San Francisco and the University of San Francisco School of Law, Judge Thomas joined the California Bar in 1962. From 1962 to 1968, Judge Thomas was also a member of the United States Air Force Reserve. A San Rafael resident, Judge Thomas spent his professional life serving Marin County, first as a county prosecutor, then as an assistant district attorney, then as a Judge appointed in 1972 by Governor Ronald Reagan, where he was reelected by the public several times.

Mr. Thomas was paralyzed during the 1970 shootout at the Marin County Civic Center when he was prosecuting a case of a San Quentin inmate who was charged with assaulting a prison guard. During the trial, the defendant's brother, along with others, took Judge Thomas, Judge Harold Haley, and

three female jurors, hostage. During the escape, a gunfight began. With bravery and courage, Judge Thomas was able to grab one of the assailant's guns to protect himself and the other hostages. Judge Thomas was shot near his spine which left him paralyzed from the waist down. Judge Thomas returned to work five weeks later. Related to the injury, he would suffer from kidney problems, pneumonia, and other complications throughout his life; but he continued to serve on the bench until 1999, showing strength and resilience few will ever know.

Mr. Speaker, the depth of Judge Thomas's service to his local community as well as his commitment to his family and the judiciary has left a positive legacy to many, and he will be dearly missed. It is therefore appropriate that we pay tribute to him today and honor his memory.

Mr. Speaker, on April 27, 2017, I was unable to vote on the amendment to H.R. 1694 offered by Mr. Johnson of Georgia.

Had I been present for roll call vote 232, I would have voted yes.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize The Rotary Foundation's 100th anniversary as the Rotary International District 5150 celebrates the occasion on March 18, 2017.

Founded in 1917 by Rotary International's sixth president, Arch C. Klump, with an initial contribution of $26.50 as an endowment fund for the Rotary to support and grow community services throughout the world, The Rotary Foundation has grown to $4 billion in contributions from all over the world and now provides humanitarian services, encourages high ethical standards, and builds goodwill throughout the world.

One of the world's largest nongovernmental organizations with 1.2 million members and activities in more than 200 countries, The Rotary Foundation has provided more than $3.8 billon focusing on six specific sustainable programs: promoting peace, fighting disease, providing clean water, improving health care for mothers and children, supporting education, and growing local economies. Among its many contributions felt around the globe is its partnership with the Gates Foundation, the World Health Organization, and other governments to eradicate 99.9 percent of Polio worldwide.

Locally, The Rotary International District 5150 currently oversees 42 Rotary Clubs, serving Marin, San Francisco, and San Mateo. The three county clubs consist of nearly 2,000 members who volunteer their time raising money and doing good in their communities and around the world. On Saturday, March 18, 2017, District 5150 will hold its annual Learning and Development Assembly at Redwood High School in Marin County to provide training opportunities for hundreds of Rotarians, Rotaractors, Interactors and guests in the District.

Mr. Speaker, The Rotary Foundation's commitment to providing important services that enrich our community and beyond is exceptional. It is therefore fitting to honor and thank The Rotary Foundation for a century of success in adhering to its motto of ``doing good in the world'' and The Rotary International District 5150 for its important service, and to offer both best wishes on 100 more years of good work.

Mr. Speaker, President Trump has made some implausible statements recently, but one that certainly takes the cake on the issue of health care is when he said that nobody knew that health care could be so complicated.

Well, for President Trump and those who are attacking the Affordable Care Act, I would like to talk about one little boy who challenges this claim.

This week, of course, we know from the nonpartisan CBO just how devastating the Trump-Ryan repeal would be for millions of Americans, including Rhett Krawitt, a 9-year-old boy who lives in my district.

Rhett battled and won a tough fight with leukemia. He spoke to a townhall in my district on Monday, where he said: ``Thanks to the Affordable Care Act, my parents don't have to worry about losing coverage because I have a preexisting condition. My family knows exactly how much money our health care will cost. I can stay on my parents' plan and get medical insurance when I go to college and medical school.''

And he added one more thing. He said: ``I may only be 9 years old, but I have known for a long time that health care is complicated.''

Mr. Trump, if only you had spoken to this 9-year-old before trying to gut health care for millions of Americans.

Let's not go backward on health care in this country.

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

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 132, as the gentleman from Florida just mentioned, would allow a title transfer of two Federal buildings to the Arbuckle Master Conservancy District in south-central Oklahoma. These are buildings that were part of the Arbuckle Project, which is a water project authorized by Congress back in 1962 to provide flood control, recreational opportunities, and municipal water supply.

Nearly all the facilities within this project were already transferred to the Arbuckle Master Conservancy District in 2012, after the district finish repaying what it owed to the Federal Government for construction. However, due to some overly narrow language in the legislation authorizing this project, two buildings have yet to be transferred.

Transferring them will save taxpayers money that would otherwise be

needed to operate and maintain these buildings. It will also relieve the Federal Government of any potential future liability associated with these buildings. It is a straightforward bill that should be quickly passed.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Raskin).

Parliamentary Inquiry

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Sara O'Donnell, founder and Executive Director of the Cancer Resource Center of Mendocino County, who is retiring after 21 years of service.

Sara O'Donnell grew up in rural central California, where she worked in the agricultural fields as a teenager and suffered the effects of exposure to pesticides. In 1990, after surviving a personal battle with breast cancer, Ms. O'Donnell set about establishing a resource to help individuals diagnosed with cancer. Five years later, in 1995, she and the founding board of directors opened the Cancer Resource Center of Mendocino County.

Over the following twenty years, the Cancer Resource Center has grown to serve more than 360 people annually. And, under Ms. O'Donnell's leadership, the Center has received grants and funding from the California Endowment, Avon Foundation, and hundreds of local community members.

Ms. O'Donnell's work has not only positively impacted the lives of countless individuals across Mendocino County, but she has shared her research and publications to provide assistance to underserved rural patients across the nation. Her volunteer service extends beyond the Cancer Resource Center. She is an advisory board member for Mendocino County Public Health and Mendocino County Health Insurance for All; she is on the board of directors for the Mendocino Coast Clinics; and she is an associate member of the Alliance for Rural Community Health.

Sara O'Donnell's legacy is one of dedicated service to rural health care and cancer prevention, and it is appropriate to express to her our deep appreciation for her long and exceptional career and her outstanding volunteer service, and to wish her well on her retirement.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to call for a nonpartisan, independent commission to immediately and thoroughly examine the influence in the 2016 election and at the Trump White House of the Russian Government. This House should have begun this critical oversight work immediately and served as a check on the White House to protect the American people, but it has failed to do so.

The resignation of General Michael Flynn has raised far more questions than it answered, and it is not acceptable to simply sit on our hands or to say that somehow the only problem is the leaks that exposed this misconduct and not the misconduct itself. That won't cut it.

The American people deserve to know the full picture of Russia's involvement in the election, of General Flynn's communication with Russian officials, and why President Trump took no action for weeks after learning of General Flynn's misconduct.

Unfortunately, this administration's idea of transparency is conducting sensitive national security discussions in the middle of a crowded Mar-a-Lago dining room in full view of his wealthy patrons. The American people deserve better. They deserve an independent, nonpartisan commission, and it is time for this House to do its job.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Jonathan (Jon) Elam on the occasion of his retirement as General Manager of Tamalpais Community Services District (TCSD) after twelve years of stellar service.

Starting in 2005, after a professional career in public works and city management, Mr. Elam was hired as General Manager of TCSD, where he served the residents of Tamalpais Valley and Marin County at large with distinction for a dozen years.

Under his leadership as General Manager, he reinvigorated the refuse collection program and created numerous new programs, including food waste collection and popular collection programs such as e-waste, batteries, printer ink cartridges, eyeglasses and medical disposal, as well as two paper shredding days per year for the TCSD service area. From upgrading park and recreation facilities, to installing new fire safe efforts, to working to ensure our agencies are compliant with EPA regulations, Mr. Elam established a productive track record for getting things done.

Mr. Elam's commitment to environmental stewardship has been a common thread throughout his work and volunteer service. Not only did Mr. Elam serve as the Delegate for the California Climate Registry to the United Nations climate meetings, but he also has participated in a variety of local organizations, including the Carbon Cycle Institute, the San Anselmo Bike & Pedestrian Advisory Committee, and the Marin County Solid Waste JPA Advisory Council. He also served in a number of volunteer roles in the community including his recent role as the president of the Marin Conservation League.

Mr. Elam's professional and civic contributions leave a lasting and positive legacy that will continue to benefit the local residents and regions for years to come. He is a true environmentalist, and I'm sure he will continue to fight the good fight in retirement.

Please join me in congratulating Mr. Elam on his retirement and expressing our deep appreciation for his long and exceptional career and outstanding civic engagement.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Cowgirl Creamery and its founders, Sue Conley and Peggy Smith, in honor of the 20th anniversary of this artisan cheese company, which has over the past two decades been a leader in the evolution of the local, state, and national artisan cheese market.

Opened in 1997, the idea of Cowgirl Creamery began years earlier when Sue and Peggy, each with twenty years of culinary experience, settled in Point Reyes Station in West Marin, California. Inspired by local agricultural matriarch Ellen Straus and her son, Albert Straus, who established organic milk producers west of the Mississippi, Sue and Peggy decided to combine their culinary expertise and environmental stewardship ethos to create an artisan cheesemaking business. Several years after purchasing a barn in downtown Point Reyes Station, and after renovating, restoring, and acquiring the permits to open Tomales Bay Foods as a distribution company, Cowgirl Creamery was opened.

Over the next twenty years, Cowgirl Creamery became an organic- certified creamery known for its award-winning cheeses, and its founders became leaders in sustainable food and artisan cheese movement in the North Bay. With over ten different types of cheeses produced from milk from neighboring dairies and two creameries with a staff of nearly 100, the company is still growing its business and influence in the region. At the time of its opening, there were few cheese companies in Marin and Sonoma. Today, the West Marin region is considered a dairy and cheese appellation, and the region's artisan cheese industry has bloomed thanks in large part to the success of Cowgirl Creamery. There are 28 cheesemakers in the region and more in the making, and the Marin-Sonoma Cheese Trail boasts a large following.

Not only did the founders of Cowgirl Creamery serve as advocates and mentors for local agriculture and cheese producers, they engaged with non-profit organizations supporting sustainable agriculture and with government officials to advance the interests and growth in the environmentally-responsible food movement. Sue served on the board of Marin Agricultural Land Trust for 18 years and is on the board of the California Artisan Cheese Guild. Peggy serves as President of the American Cheese Society, a national platform that provides educational resources for other cheesemakers, retailers, distributors and cheese enthusiasts.

Inducted into the Guilde des Fromagers in 2010, Cowgirl Creamery has earned the respect of international cheese experts in addition to their robust reputations in the regional and national artisan cheese marketplace.

From producers to consumers, Cowgirl Creamery occupies an unparalleled space in its influence on artisan cheesemaking worldwide. Mr. Speaker, on the occasion of their 20th Anniversary it is fitting to honor and thank Peggy, Sue, and Cowgirl Creamery for their impressive success and generosity, and to wish them success in the decades to come.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to this attempt to politically override the Interior Department's stream protection rule.

Much like the destructive mountaintop removal practice that this rule is designed to prevent, this Republican assault on the environment and the health of coal mining communities is a crude and dirty process.

Using the Congressional Review Act, a single hour in Congress is going to be enough to remove a rule that reflects 7 years of national public debate, including at least 30 stakeholder meetings, over 100,000 public comments. This blows up the regular legislative and regulatory process, ignores science, marginalizes public health, and puts communities at risk.

Let me be clear: when the coal dust settles on this devastating resolution, it certainly won't be Members of Congress who are left drinking polluted drinking water or battling lung cancer, heart disease, and birth defects.

Much like the coal executives who profit from exhausting and polluting the natural resources of these communities, the GOP will move on to the next target and look for the next way to let business off the hook, to let them externalize their costs to the environment, to local communities, and, ultimately, to the U.S. taxpayers who have to clean up the mess.

But communities in the Appalachian Mountains, vital salmon streams in Alaska, and much-needed water supplies across this country will be left dealing with the aftermath, while our Republican colleagues boast about having provided so-called regulatory relief.

For all the talk about coal jobs from Republicans and our new President, you would think they would care just a little about protecting the health of these coal miners and their families and their communities. And yet, when given a chance to protect the water quality of 6,000 miles of streams in coal country, this House is choosing to side with the polluting industry instead.

That is shameful, and we should oppose this wrong-headed resolution.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to bring up H.R. 724, which would rescind President Trump's unconstitutional Muslim ban that led to a Stanford University graduate student who has lived in the United States since 1993 getting handcuffed and then detained at JFK airport for 5 hours.

Mr. Speaker, on Tuesday, January 24, 2017, I was absent for Roll Call vote 63.

Had I been present for Roll Call vote 63, H. Res. 55--Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 7) to prohibit taxpayer funded abortions, I would have voted ``no''.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the Honorable Judge David Nelson as he retires from Mendocino County Superior Court.

David Nelson was born in Rochester, Minnesota. He received his Bachelor of Arts from Stanford University in 1968 and received his Juris Doctorate in 1971 from Yale Law School. He began practicing law as the Deputy Public Defender for Contra Costa County for three years before eventually starting his private practice.

In 2003 he was appointed to a judgeship with Mendocino County Superior Court by Governor Gray Davis and was re-elected for two terms in 2004 and 2010. Over his thirteen years of service, Judge Nelson presided over criminal, felony criminal, and juvenile courts. Most notably, he has been an avid supporter for the Adult Drug Court serving as its judge throughout his career. This program, which provides treatment and rehabilitation for drug offenders, has helped many individuals across Mendocino County. In addition to his official duties, Judge Nelson has served as President of the Mendocino County Bar Association, President of the Mendocino County Criminal Defense Bar Association, and Board Member of the Law Library. He and his wife Judith are known for their active involvement with many groups throughout the community.

Judge Nelson's legacy is one of dedicated service to the County of Mendocino and worthy of distinction. Please join me in congratulating him on his retirement and expressing our deep appreciation for his long and exceptional career and outstanding contributions to our legal system.

Mr. Speaker, on January 12, 2017, I erroneously voted ``yes'' on roll call vote 52, an amendment to H.R. 238 offered by Mr. Conaway of Texas. I intended to vote ``no'' on the amendment.