Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to recognize the North Bay Children's Center on the occasion of the organization's 25th Anniversary Celebration, which will take place on November 8, 2014.

Incorporated in 1986, the North Bay Children's Center was founded on the fundamental belief that every child should have equal access to quality care and early education. Over the last 25 years, the Center has continually met this expectation and become an invaluable asset to the local community. Each year, new programs are added as the Center's staff continues to create positive change by locally addressing key national priorities, such as promoting early literacy, combating childhood obesity and reducing poverty.

The Center serves over 100,000 nutritious meals annually to children in California's Second Congressional District. By teaching families about nutrition, incorporating local gardens to enhance early education, and encouraging childhood literacy, the North Bay Children's Center promotes parent engagement and works to ensure that every child is ready to succeed in school and life from an early age.

Please join me in congratulating the North Bay Children's Center on 25 years of outstanding service to the children and families of Marin and Sonoma counties and wish them many years of future success.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today, along with my friend and colleague George Miller, to honor the important contributions of women on the Home Front during World War II.

During World War II, 6 million women entered the workforce nationwide, increasing the female percentage in the workforce from 27 percent to 37 percent. Women replaced men in many traditionally male jobs as men enlisted in active military service. They worked as riveters, welders, electricians, and draftsmen, among others.

Working women during World War II set the stage for working women today. African American women overcame long-held policies of discrimination and made significant contributions to the war effort by working in the shipyards and in supporting the Home Front. Federal, state, and local public and private agencies coordinated efforts to develop child care programs for working mothers.

Today, the image of ``Rosie the Riveter'' and the phrase ``We Can Do It'' have come to symbolize women's empowerment.

On October 24, 2000, the Rosie the Riveter-World War II Home Front National Historical Park Establishment Act of 2000 was enacted into law. As we approach the anniversary of that date, we ask that you take time on that day to honor the important contributions of women on the Home Front during World War II.

Madam Speaker, this month we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Land and Water Conservation Fund and the Wilderness Act, two of our Nation's most effective conservation tools.

In California, the Land and Water Conservation Fund has provided more than $2 billion to protect some of our most iconic natural landmarks. In my district alone, this includes the Point Reyes National Seashore, Redwood National Park, Golden Gate National Recreation Area, and countless State parks, trails, and recreation areas. The fund uses zero taxpayer dollars for these investments in the economic and environmental well-being of our communities; instead, it is funded by revenues from offshore oil and gas activities.

We celebrate also the 50th anniversary of the Wilderness Act, which has protected some of our Nation's most pristine and intact wild places. As climate change begins to take its toll, protecting these wild places will be even more vital to the survival of many threatened and endangered species and to the conservation values that are part of our national fabric.

This should not be a partisan issue. Every American benefits from these two important laws and the lands they protect. Please join me in supporting them for another 50 years.

Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 497: I was unavoidably detained in my district. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yes.''

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Lt. Matthew Stapleton on the occasion of his retirement from the City of Petaluma Police Department.

Lt. Stapleton joined the Petaluma Police Department on April 4, 1988. Over the last 26 years, he has dedicated himself to ensuring the safety of our community. Through various specialized assignments, including SWAT, Investigations, Narcotics and Patrol, Lt. Stapleton has consistently demonstrated bravery in the line of duty. As an instructor, he has provided proper training to numerous law enforcement officers throughout Sonoma County. It is no surprise that Lt. Stapleton's outstanding supervisory and managerial skills have earned him many decorations throughout his career, such as Petaluma Police Officer of the Year, Petaluma City Employee of the Year, and the Medal of Bravery.

Lt. Stapleton's legacy is one of sincere passion for the most challenging police work and dedication to the community. Please join me in expressing deep appreciation to Lt. Matthew Stapleton for his long and singularly exceptional career, and for his outstanding record of service to the people of the City of Petaluma and Sonoma County.

Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to recognize the Paul Bunyan Days in Fort Bragg, California, on the event of its 75th Anniversary August 29, Sunday, through September 1, 2014.

For seventy-five years, the citizens of Fort Bragg have celebrated and honored the history of the community and its foundation in logging. The first celebration of Paul Bunyan, a giant lumberjack in American Folklore, was held in the year 1939. As the economy and culture of the coast continue to change, this three-day celebration will continue to honor the town's roots, history, and traditions.

With the dedication of its residents, Fort Bragg's Paul Bunyan Days will surely continue to be a wonderful celebration for the entire family. Please join me in expressing hearty congratulations to Fort Bragg's Paul Bunyan Days on the occasion of the festival's 75th anniversary.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Valerie (Val) Raschke who is transitioning from her position as Congressional Representative after serving the district for nearly two years.

Val served as District Scheduler and Marin County Field Representative for California's 6th District State Assembly Office for five years prior to joining California's 2nd Congressional District Office staff at the beginning of the 113th Congress. Val's steadfast devotion to the constituents of Marin County and Sonoma County performing a myriad of assignments helped countless individuals throughout the region tackle challenging issues. With a special attention to veterans' services, Val worked tirelessly to improve conditions for others. Her work with the military academy nominations helped many students navigate the applications process in hopes of serving the country.

Val served as my trusted representative in many community events where she was always regarded for her professional and thoughtful manner. Her expertise and personal flair in the creation of hundreds of certificates of recognition over the years, and more recently, Congressional Record statements, were greatly valued by the many recipients of these honors. Revered for her strong work ethic, command of the written language, competence for managing sophisticated database systems, and wonderful sense of humor, Val has been an invaluable member of my staff in the State Assembly and the Second Congressional District and will be missed.

The residents of our congressional districts are better off today thanks to the work of Val Raschke. Her commitment to advocating for individuals in need of federal assistance is appreciated and we wish her continued success in the future. Mr. Speaker, it is appropriate at this time that we honor and thank Val for her many years of invaluable service to the people of Marin and Sonoma counties.

Mr. Speaker, I have a motion to recommit at the desk.

I am opposed in its current form.

Mr. Speaker, this is the final amendment to the bill. It will not kill the bill or send it back to committee. If adopted, the bill will immediately proceed to final passage, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, the underlying bill before us today will make it harder for the Army Corps of Engineers and the EPA to clarify the jurisdictional coverage of the Clean Water Act, leaving watersheds across the country in continued legal limbo.

Now, I have visited with ranchers, landowners, and folks from around my district. I understand the anxieties that have been expressed about what the Waters of the United States rulemaking means, but the solution to this situation is to seek tighter definitions and clearer rules, not to prohibit agencies from further developing an important proposal.

In particular, I am concerned that H.R. 5078 could have unintended consequences for those who rely on healthy watersheds. We need clarity in the law, so that we can protect water quality for drinking water supplies and for agricultural uses.

We are suffering from a historic drought in California, and the current legal mess--the ambiguity of what qualifies as waters of the U.S. under the Clean Water Act--actually makes it harder to know which water bodies are covered by the law.

It makes it harder to protect upstream wetlands that reach our groundwater supplies. The importance of these intermittent streams and wetlands is most notable during extreme weather events like torrential rains or droughts because wetlands and streams can absorb and then release water gradually to surrounding streams and aquifers.

This underlying bill would keep regulatory uncertainty in place, and it could leave upstream water sources subject to expensive and long- lasting litigation. That situation is not good for the communities in my district who need clean drinking water and clean water for their businesses. It is not good for my downstream ranchers who are already facing water shortages and are hurting from rising feed prices.

Now, remember, Mr. Speaker and colleagues, that the current proposal from the EPA and the Army Corps is actually very narrowly targeted.

Under President Reagan, the Clean Water Act covered any body of water that could serve as habitat for migratory birds, a much more far- reaching standard than the one the Obama administration is considering.

The GAO determined in 2004 that the Reagan rule would have allowed the Army Corps to regulate almost any body of water or wetland. Let's remember that when we hear the characterizations of the Obama administration's proposal as some vast overreach, it is far more narrowly tailored than what existed under President Reagan.

Right now, the Federal agencies have a proposal--again, much less expansive than President Reagan's--that they are reviewing with ranchers, with water utilities, and with States. It should be, it can be, and I believe it will be a workable proposal. We should let that process play out.

Let's not make the current situation worse. Let's ensure that this bill doesn't harm drinking water or water supplies for irrigation needs. Let's ensure that we aren't making it harder to respond to an extreme drought. I ask my colleagues to support this motion to recommit.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to simply allow a vote on H.R. 15, a bill that has the bipartisan votes to pass today that we can have on the President's desk today to properly address this crisis.

Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to recognize Dr. Lowell Diller on the occasion of his retirement from Green Diamond Resource Co. Dr. Diller's commitment and pioneering approach to scientific research and monitoring of fisheries and wildlife has been of tremendous benefit to California's North Coast and the United States.

Dr. Diller earned bachelors and masters degrees in zoology from Oregon State University before serving in the U.S. Army from 1970 to 1971, with a tour in Vietnam. He then attended the University of Idaho, where he earned a Ph.D. in zoology with a focus on herpetology.

In 1990, Dr. Diller was hired by Simpson Timber Co., now Green Diamond Resource Co. Dr. Diller developed a Habitat Conservation Plan for northern spotted owls for the company, the first for the species. The company now has the largest demographic data set within the range of the northern spotted owl. Dr. Diller was integral in developing Green Diamond's Aquatic Habitat Conservation Plan which covers the company's 457,000 acres in California.

Dr. Diller brought a passion for teaching to Humboldt State University's Department of Wildlife Management, where he is an adjunct professor since 2001. He has contributed to at least 37 peer-reviewed publications and major reports. Dr. Diller is a member of the California Board of Forestry Research and Science Committee and a member of the Northern Spotted Owl Recovery Team.

Dr. Diller's career in research and conservation will leave its mark for generations to come. Please join me in expressing deep appreciation to Dr. Lowell Verne Diller for his long and impressive record of service.

Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to recognize the Russian River Health Center on the occasion of the organization's 40th Anniversary Celebration and National Health Centers Week on August 15, 2014.

For four decades, the Russian River Health Center has been recognized as an invaluable asset within the community and has continued to serve the growing and diverse needs of the people of West Sonoma County. The Center's HIV program has become a model and a leader in the integration of HIV care in a primary care setting and continues to provide care to people affected by the disease and reduce the spread of it in our community. In 2002, West

County Health Centers became a Federally Qualified Health Center ensuring ongoing funding to care for low-income and uninsured patients.

Russian River Health Center has had an incredible impact on the community it serves and will continue to provide vital health care for many years to come. Please join me in expressing hearty congratulations to the Russian River Health Center on the occasion of their fortieth anniversary.

Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to recognize the City of Fort Bragg on the occasion of its 125th Anniversary Celebration on August 5, 2014.

For a century and a quarter, the remarkable citizens of Fort Bragg have helped the city evolve from a small lumber and fishing town to a city renowned for its beauty and small town feel. With just over 7,000 residents, Fort Bragg is a destination for sport fishermen, abalone divers, and visitors wishing to enjoy one of the most beautiful stretches of coastline in California.

In 1889, the City of Fort Bragg was incorporated on the site of a former military fort and Pomo Indian reservation with C. R. Johnson, president of the Fort Bragg Redwood Company, as its first mayor. His company established the plans for the city, which maintains many of its original historic features today.

The City of Fort Bragg is a Mendocino County treasure, a gateway to the Redwoods, and due to the enduring dedication of its residents, the city will surely continue to be a wonderful place to live and visit for years to come. Please join me in expressing hearty congratulations to the City of Fort Bragg on the occasion of its 125th anniversary.

Mr. Speaker, on rollcall votes Nos. 439-441, I was unavoidably absent. Had I been present, I would have voted in the following manner:

On rollcall No. 439, had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.''

On rollcall No. 440, had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.''

On rollcall No. 441, had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.''

Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to recognize Mr. James Farley on the occasion of his retirement as the Director of the Marin County Department of Cultural and Visitor Services after four decades of service to the people of Marin.

Beginning his career with Marin County in 1974 as an usher, Farley also spent 28 years as manager of the Marin County Fair and 34 years managing the Marin Center. During his illustrious and long career, Jim has brought wide recognition and praise to the Marin County Fair, including four Western Fairs Association Merrill Awards for being the most innovative county fair in addition to more than 700 other Individual Achievement Awards since 1987. Additionally, under his leadership, the Marin County Fair became the Greenest County Fair on Earth, a recognition it has received since 2008.

Throughout his years of managing the fair, Mr. Farley has built a reputation for his unselfish sharing of knowledge with fair leaders across the continent, and has helped make the Marin County Fair's reputation for unparalleled excellence known internationally. Please join me in expressing deep appreciation to Mr. James Farley for his long and singularly exceptional career, and for his outstanding record of service to the people of Marin County and beyond.

Mr. Speaker, on rollcall votes Nos. 433-436: I was unavoidably absent. Had I been present, I would have voted in the following manner:

On rollcall No. 433, had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.''

On rollcall No. 434, had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.''

On rollcall No. 435, had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.''

On rollcall No. 436, had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.''