Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise today to bring your attention to an exciting new project, Mathematics of Planet Earth, which begins in 2013. More than 100 different organizations from around the world have come together to outline mathematics' integral role in solving real- world issues, including energy freedom, medical challenges, and weather events. As someone who has earned a Ph.D. in mathematics and went on to work in the renewable energy sector for two decades, I know mathematics can be an essential feature to finding solutions to many challenges facing humanity.

The Mathematics of Planet Earth projects will spotlight the importance of mathematics. A national focus on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education will ensure the United States remains a competitive force in the global marketplace. People across our Nation are working together to create a better world, and it is important that their efforts be recognized and supported. I encourage my colleagues to join me in recognizing the benefits and goals of the Mathematics of Planet Earth project.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Central High School in Morgan Hill, California, which is located in my congressional district.

A quality education is the cornerstone of our children's and country's future. A strong educational system ensures that we will remain competitive in an ever growing and interconnected world. We must demand the best from students, excellence from teachers, and the involvement of parents and communities. Central High School is emblematic of the rewards of hard work.

Central High's dedication and commitment to quality education has been a model for schools throughout California. The hard work of everyone involved at the school, including teachers, students, and administrators is evident in its exceptional 158 point improvement in the state's Academic Performance Index. This success shows what can be achieved when all stakeholders work together with a focused goal, and is something that will benefit these students their entire lives.

I urge my colleagues to join me in recognizing the improvements, accomplishments, and dedication to academic excellence at Central High School.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the memory of the six Sikh Americans that were shot and killed in a senseless act of violence on August 5, 2012.

Bhai Seeta Singh, Bhai Parkash Singh, Bhai Ranjit Singh, Satwant Singh Kaleka, Subegh Singh, and Parmjit Kaur Toor were slain without regard to human dignity or the sanctity of life. The people of my district and Americans across the Nation stand in solidarity with the Sikh community. Violence against any group is unacceptable, and I offer my prayers and condolences to the families of the victims in Wisconsin and to Sikhs everywhere.

Hate, particularly hate speech, is all too common in today's world. The Sikh community's unified and peaceful response to this hateful attack demonstrates the resilient spirit of the Sikh people. They have shown the world their love of peace, and it is my hope that we can all learn from the Sikh community in the wake of this tragedy.

In this great country, there is no room for the prejudice, intolerance and stereotypes that perpetuate hate acts and hate language. I stand beside the Sikh people as they continue to have the strength and dignity to be proud of their long heritage. To show such grace when faced with such a senseless act of violence is a true testament of their honorable culture.

I had the unique privilege to stand vigil with the Sikh people from my district. To join together in the face of such animosity was an honor. I commend the Sikh community in my district and around the country for their courageous response.

It is for these reasons that I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the memory of the six Sikh Americans who were killed on August 5, 2012.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize my colleague, Representative Jerry Costello, who has announced his retirement at the end of this Congress. I am honored to have served with Jerry on two committees, and I respect and admire his bipartisan approach to our work here in Congress.

During my first term here in Congress, Jerry addressed an issue in the Science Committee with the force and backing to make a real impression on me. He has provided us all with a model of how a leader can engage in robust debate with respect and an open mind. Whenever a colleague approached Jerry, he has always been willing to listen and give valuable input.

Congressman Costello has been a wonderful leader and colleague, providing us with a great example of how we can accomplish things in Congress to benefit the areas we represent. The entire country and I thank Jerry for his 24 years of service to his constituents in Illinois and to all Americans, and while I am sorry to see him go, I wish him the best in his next endeavors.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask my friends and colleagues to join me in recognizing the distinguished career of Cosmo Panetta and his 38 years as a small business owner in Pleasanton, California.

Cosmo embodies the American Dream, emigrating from Calabria, Italy in 1957. After graduating from Pacific High in San Leandro, he attended Moliere's Barber College. Cosmo obtained his state barber's license and soon bought his own business to serve the residents of the Tri-Valley. Cosmo has been a fixture in the community ever since. He's touched the lives of all those he's come across, including my own. His work ethic is exemplified by his shop's 12-hour workdays and seven-day workweeks. There is even a sign that hangs outside Cosmo's barbershop reading ``1 billion haircuts.''

With exemplary dedication to his adopted country and outstanding service for 38 years, Pleasanton will always be thankful to Cosmo. Grace, diligence and kindness are only a few of the many words that can be used to describe a gentleman of his exceptional character. He is a true example of the American Dream and of what a person can accomplish in our great country. I ask you to join me in honoring Cosmo Panetta for his remarkable service to the City of Pleasanton.

Mr. Speaker, big money from corporations and billionaires is corrupting Washington and hurting the middle class. To make matters worse, 2 years ago the Supreme Court decided in the Citizens United case to open up campaign spending to secret, unlimited donations, possibly even from foreign sources.

Let's be clear: a handful of corporations and billionaires are trying to buy elections and control of our government. We need new rules to make Washington work for the middle class. We need to limit political contributions, and the public has a right to know who is paying for political ads.

Hey, because of Citizens United, our government is for sale. We need to stand shoulder to shoulder to stop Big Money from destroying our democracy.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the Kiwanis Club of Stockton on the occasion of its 90th anniversary.

The Kiwanis Club of Stockton was first chartered in 1922. It is a part of Kiwanis International, a global organization that is represented around the world. Kiwanis International works to make a difference in children's lives by providing grants to local Kiwanis clubs that benefit community projects, scholarships to high school students, and youth leadership programs.

In my district, the Kiwanis Club of Stockton works tirelessly to support the youth of the Stockton area. One of the chief ways the Kiwanis Club assists students is through its High School Scholarship Program. Each year, the club awards accomplished high school seniors with funds to help support their college educations. The Kiwanis Club promotes the well-being of children in the community by donating ``wish list'' items to the St. Mary's Service Center in Stockton and by hosting an annual clean up day of Pixie Woods, a local children's park in Stockton.

I commend the Kiwanis Club of Stockton for its outstanding service and I have no doubt that its efforts have made, and will continue to make, a positive impact on the lives of many children and families throughout our community. I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the Kiwanis Club of Stockton on the occasion of its 90th anniversary.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the city of Dublin for its designation as a 2011 ``All-America City'' by the National Civic League (NCL).

The NCL established the All-America City Award in 1949. Each year, the NCL presents this award to 10 cities that effectively work to find solutions to local challenges. Dublin was the only city from California to receive this prestigious award in 2011.

Dublin was recognized for its tireless work to address the challenges its residents face. The city improved its educational system by supporting the School of Imagination, which is a non-profit preschool that serves children with special needs. Dublin also focused on establishing new sustainability programs and implementing effective affordable housing policies. I commend Dublin's resourcefulness in finding ways to solve problems in the community.

Dublin serves as an excellent example to the rest of the Nation of what can be accomplished when communities come together to address common issues. It is my privilege to serve the residents of this great city. I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Dublin for receiving the All-America City Award.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the Girl Scouts of the USA in recognition of the 100th anniversary of its founding. The Girl Scouts has a long and proud history, and I am pleased to recognize the group's achievements and many successes.

Since 1912, the Girl Scouts has helped millions of girls develop into strong, confident women of character. With a current membership of 3.2 million people, the Girl Scouts seeks to develop informed and engaged leaders who will make a positive contribution to the world. Many of these leaders can be found here at the U.S. Capitol, where 45 of the 75 congresswomen in the House of Representatives are former Girl Scouts along with 10 of the 17 women senators. These representatives are a testament to the significant impact that the Girl Scouts has made on the lives of American women and the Nation as a whole.

The Girl Scouts proclaimed 2012 as the ``Year of the Girl,'' and the organization continues to help girls across this nation reach their full potential. I applaud the dedicated efforts of the Girl Scouts, and I have no doubt that the group's work is just as important today as it was a century ago. I am confident that the Girl Scouts will continue making our country a better place long into the future. I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating the Girl Scouts on the occasion of its 100th anniversary.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to express my strong support for S. 1302, an important bill to facilitate a land transfer in Tracy, California. I was proud to introduce identical companion legislation in the House of Representatives last year, and I am glad to see S. 1302 on a path to final enactment.

S. 1302 allows the city of Tracy to purchase 150 acres of property from the Federal Government. Congress previously conveyed the parcel to the city but placed certain restrictions on its use. This legislation waives these restrictions so long as the city purchases the property at fair market value.

Tracy has long-standing plans to build a solar energy project at the site. Building this solar field will create nearly 200 jobs, improve air quality, and increase the availability of renewable energy in California. S. 1302 will also generate revenue for the Federal treasury. This bill is a win for Tracy and a win for the taxpayers.

S. 1302 is being passed today in the spirit of bicameral, bipartisan cooperation. I would like to thank Senators Boxer and Feinstein for their support of this initiative in the Senate as well as Representatives Denham and Issa for their work here in the House. I look forward to seeing the President sign S. 1302 into law.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to discuss issues affecting veterans throughout California, particularly the VA disability claims backlog and inaccuracy rates at the Oakland regional office.

A Vietnam veteran from my district, like many others across the country, is suffering from stage 4 lung cancer caused by exposure to Agent Orange. He made great sacrifices to defend our country, but waited for more than a year for the Oakland office to process his claim.

My office was able to help him, but such delays are unacceptable. Unfortunately, long waits have become the norm for veterans in northern California. With more and more veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan, it is imperative that the VA take action now to address the backlog in Oakland.

While I welcome the news that the entire staff at the facility will be retrained, much more is needed. I call on the VA to implement a concrete plan to address the inaccuracies and delays at the Oakland office. Our region's and Nation's veterans deserve no less.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the memory of Cesar Chavez on the occasion of what would have been his 85th birthday.

Cesar Chavez was born on March 31, 1927, near Yuma, Arizona. After losing their family farm, the members of the Chavez family became migrant workers, moving to California and following seasonal harvests around the state. Upon experiencing the exploitation of migrant workers and injustices committed against them, Mr. Chavez became a champion of workers' rights.

In 1962, Mr. Chavez and Dolores Huerta co-founded National Farm Workers Association, later known as the United Farm Workers, UFW. Mr. Chavez was inspired by leaders such as Mahatma Gandhi and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and understood the power of non-violence as a tool for change. As a leader of UFW, he used non-violent tactics and strong organizing methods to protest poor working conditions. Mr. Chavez fought for basic improvements for farm workers such as access to drinking water, shade, and restrooms. He was also a tireless advocate for fair wages and decent living conditions.

Cesar Chavez led the fight for the passage of the landmark California Agricultural Labor Relations Act in 1975. This law was the first in the nation to guarantee farm workers the right to organize and bargain collectively. Additionally, his understanding of human suffering led him to fight against the use of the short-handled hoe, which caused personal injury and pain to farm laborers. A California Supreme Court ruling in 1975 banned the use of this tool.

Mr. Chavez was known for his spirit as much as his accomplishments. Mr. Chavez and the UFW embraced an empowering and enduring rallying cry that exemplifies his optimism of the human spirit: ``Si se puede,'' or ``Yes we can.''

Cesar Chavez is an inspirational figure in California and throughout our nation. I have no doubt that his efforts have made a positive impact on the lives of countless workers. It is for these reasons that I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Cesar Chavez on the occasion of the 85th anniversary of his birth.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the importance of National Prescription Drug Awareness Month.

Throughout California, March is recognized as National Prescription Drug Awareness Month. The purpose of this initiative is to increase community awareness about the dangers that many medications may pose if not used properly.

Recently, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention declared prescription drug abuse to be a national epidemic. In 2008, approximately 20,000 people died from prescription drug overdoses. In 2009, 1.2 million emergency department visits were related to misuse or abuse of pharmaceuticals. These numbers are tragic and unacceptable, and we must make every effort to address the issue.

Fortunately, the National Coalition Against Prescription Drug Abuse, NCAPDA, is leading the effort to combat this epidemic. NCPDA is hosting a variety of events in California this month to help raise awareness and public engagement in the battle against prescription drug abuse. Education plays a critical role helping children, young adults, and their parents to avoid prescription drug abuse, and education serves an important first step to combating this serious problem.

I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the important work of the NCAPDA and the role National Prescription Drug Awareness Month can play in preventing the loss of loved ones across the country.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise with my colleagues Congressman George Miller, Congressman Mike Thompson, Congresswoman Doris Matsui, and Congressman John Garamendi to honor the life of Alexander Hildebrand, who passed away at age 98 on January 23, 2012.

Alex was a father, farmer, engineer, and defender of the Sacramento- San Joaquin Delta. Alex graduated with honors from UC Berkeley with a degree in Physics and Chemistry in 1935. Alex went on to have a lengthy career with Standard Oil, working in refining and other areas. During World War II, Alex contributed to the war effort by serving in the Navy Reserves and then as chief engineer at an oil refinery in the Persian Gulf. He took an early retirement from Standard Oil and moved his family to a farm near Manteca in San Joaquin County, California in 1962. Alex loved the land and was working on his farm into his 90s.

Alex was a champion of Delta water and agriculture as the consulting engineer to the South Delta Water Agency. Additionally, he served on numerous boards and committees including the San Joaquin Farm Bureau board, the California Farm Bureau water committee, the Delta Water Users board, the Water Education Foundation advisory board, and the California Central Valley Flood Control Association board. He worked to create the San Joaquin River Flood Control Association and was appointed by Governor Wilson to the CalFed Bay Delta Oversight Committee and the CalFed Bay Delta Advisory Committee. Alex also served as president of the McMullin Reclamation District.

Alex was a valued and respected leader whose understanding of the Delta and California's water challenges was unsurpassed. Alex was always generous with his time and eager to teach new generations of leaders about the Delta and its precious waterways. Alex's work as an unwavering voice in defense of the Delta and its farmers leaves a legacy that will continue to benefit the people of San Joaquin County and the Delta. It is for these reasons that I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the memory of Alexander Hildebrand and sending our thoughts and prayers to his beloved family and friends.

Mr. Speaker, today I ask my friends and colleagues to join me in honoring William Evans, who passed away on February 25, 2012 at the age of 75.

Public service was an important part of Bill's life. He served in the U.S. Air Force as a navigator in B 47s and C 141s. In his service with Strategic Air Command, he stood guard against the Soviet threat so his fellow Americans could be secure. When assigned to the Military Airlift Command, he flew regular missions into Vietnam, delivering the supplies necessary to support our troops and bringing home those who had fallen. Bill was a graduate of the Air War College, received recognition for his contributions to the Skylab project, and was awarded the Air Force Meritorious Service Medal.

In his civilian career, Bill continued his work safeguarding America by bringing his technical expertise to the guidance of our reconnaissance satellites and interpreting the data they sent back. After retirement, Bill served as a volunteer English teacher in Poland and was a Eucharistic minister for his church. He even learned to be a brakeman as a volunteer with the Niles Canyon Railway.

Bill was an active member of the Tri-Valley community who cared deeply about his fellow citizens. He served his community and his fellow veterans as a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6298 in Pleasanton, California.

Bill was also a highly valued and respected member of my Air Force Academy nomination committee. Bill took a keen interest in helping patriotic young people succeed in their aspirations to serve our nation. Bill was an excellent judge of character, and because of his efforts, the 11th District of California produced more than its share of Air Force Academy cadets.

Bill had a tremendous intellect and exemplary character. He was a gentleman in the truest sense of the word. He will be dearly missed by his friends and by the members our community. I ask you to join me in honoring his life and his service to our great nation.