Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in celebrating the 90th anniversary of A&W, a famous and treasured American company.

Founded in Lodi, California, a city I am honored to represent, meals and root beer floats at A&W are a tradition for many families.

A&W started as a root beer stand owned by Roy Allen, who sold root beer for a nickel a mug on a downtown corner. The soda proved so popular that the company quickly expanded to four sites, and the concession evolved into what is thought to be the country's first ``drive-in.''

Later, Mr. Allen asked Frank Wright, one of his employees, to join him in business and the two formed the partnership that became A&W.

There are more than 675 A&W All American Food outlets in 15 countries and territories around the world, and A&W produces the world's number one selling root beer.

I ask my colleagues to join me in commemorating A&W's 90 years of exceptional service.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Gordon Hayes Medlin, also known as Gordy, who passed away last week. Gordy was born in Modesto, California, in 1922 and moved to Stockton in high school. Later Gordy enlisted in the Marine Corps to serve in World War II. Twenty-four years ago, inspired by the nearby Gilroy Garlic Festival, Mr. Medlin cofounded the Stockton Asparagus Festival. This festival is a 3-day food and entertainment festival celebrating asparagus, one of the signature crops of San Joaquin County, California. Attendance at the festival often reaches 100,000 people. To this date, the

festival has raised more than $4.5 million for participating charities. Mr. Medlin's influence on the community is tremendous, and the results of his efforts will continue to be felt for years to come.

I am saddened by Gordy's passing and proud to honor his lifetime of service and good work.

I rise in proud support of H. Res. 426. I thank the gentleman from Texas for his words and support. We're basically here to honor police officers and law enforcement professionals.

I introduced this resolution last Tuesday in recognition of National Police Week. H. Res. 426 commends police officers and law enforcement professionals for the hard and often dangerous work they perform to keep us safe.

Almost 47 years ago, in October of 1962, President John F. Kennedy signed a resolution designating May 15 as Peace Officers Memorial Day and the week in which it occurs as Police Week. Since then, police officers have held events during Police Week honoring their fallen brethren and officers who worked tirelessly to keep us safe.

May 15 just passed, but our law enforcement officials should be celebrated daily.

So far this year more than 40 officers from around the country have lost their lives in the line of duty. Four officers from California, including Sergeants Mark Dunakin of Tracy and Ervin Romans of Danville, both from my district, were killed earlier this year. My thoughts and prayers are with the families and loved ones of these dedicated officers.

In honor of their memory and in thanks for the hard work and selfless dedication of our Nation's police officers and law enforcement professionals, I urge my colleagues to support this resolution. These brave men and women deserve our respect and gratitude. I further encourage my colleagues to support our law enforcement professionals not just during Police Week but every day of the year.

Madam Speaker, I am proud to rise today to congratulate the students of Tokay High School in Lodi, California for winning their regional Science Bowl competition, hosted by the Department of Energy. The National Science Bowl is an academic competition testing students' skills in math and science. Only 67 high schools from around the country are asked to participate in this National Competition, and Tokay students recently visited Washington, DC to compete in the national finals. Math, science, and technology education are keys to our nation's future, and Tokay's students are an example of excellence. I hope that Tokay students continue to participate in the National Science Bowl and that I see them back next year.

I have an amendment at the desk.

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

Mr. Chairman, I am proud to offer this amendment to the Mortgage Reform and Anti-Predatory Lending Act. This important bill will crack down on many of the most common predatory lending practices that have contributed to the housing crisis. H.R. 1728 also includes essential provisions to establish an office of housing counseling to provide consumers with the information they need to make informed mortgage decisions.

I am proud to represent the city of Stockton, California, a city that unfortunately suffers from one of the Nation's highest foreclosure rates. Back home, I have hosted several foreclosure assistance workshops where mortgage counselors approved by the Department of Housing and Urban Development provided unbiased advice to struggling homeowners. I have seen firsthand how effective these counselors are. But counseling resources remain very stretched.

The amendment I offer today simply helps counseling agencies serving areas with high rates of foreclosures to get their fair share of grant funding. I am proud to support the bill we are considering today, and I would ask all of my colleagues to join me in making sure that the areas most hard hit by the housing crisis receive the counseling resources they need.

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

Mr. Chairman, I just want to say I thank the gentlewoman from Illinois for her leadership on this issue for housing counseling. Again, I have seen too many families that are in trouble and could have used help early on in the process or that are in trouble and could use help now to salvage the best of a bad situation.

With that, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of Sandra Cantu, a child whose life was tragically cut short. Eight-year-old Sandra lived in Tracy, California, a town I am honored to represent.

Now known as ``Tracy's precious angel,'' Sandra was a cheerful, friendly girl whose joyful life was evident whether she was doing cartwheels or playing on the jungle gym. She brightened the lives of everyone she came into contact with, even those who never met her, as was seen in the number of people at her memorial last week.

Her horrific kidnapping and death are a tragedy beyond description. No parent should have to experience the loss of a child, especially at such a young age.

I am touched by the outpouring of support for Sandra's family from the Tracy residents and for the tireless work of the Tracy Police Department.

Sandra Cantu will be missed, and I join those who grieve as we celebrate her short life.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 290, a resolution honoring the lives, and mourning the loss, of four Oakland police officers who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.

Madam Speaker, these were men of flesh and blood, with dreams and hopes and families, and their lives were cut short by senseless violence this month. I just want to say a few words about each one of them in honor of their sacrifice.

Sergeant Mark Dunakin lived in my district and served in Oakland for 18 years as a police officer, the last 10 of which as a sergeant in the criminal investigation division. His work investigating homicides made our streets safer and more secure. Sergeant Dunakin, from Tracy, California, leaves behind a wife and three children.

Sergeant Ervin Romans, who was also a resident in my district, was considered one of the most skillful and knowledgeable members of the Oakland Police Department's SWAT team. Sergeant Romans, a former Marine, made a number of high-profile drug arrests during his tenure in the narcotics department. He was known for his dedication and work ethic. Sergeant Romans, a resident of Danville, also leaves behind a wife and three children.

Sergeant Daniel Sakai, only 35 years young, studied forestry at UC Berkeley, where he also served as a campus community service officer. He began his dedication in service to community as a Boy Scout, eventually obtaining the rank of Eagle Scout. He leaves behind a wife and a young daughter who will miss him dearly.

Officer John Hege recently achieved his dream of joining the department's motorcycle unit before that fateful Saturday. Before he joined the force, he was a teacher in Hayward. He continued to work with teens even after he became a police officer, serving as a high school baseball umpire. He was known for his cheerful attitude, friendly nature, and his eagerness to help those in need.

Madam Speaker, these officers represented the best our society has to offer. They will be sorely missed, but their dedication to duty is an example for all of us. I join all of northern California, and the Nation, in mourning their loss and honoring these heroes.

Madam Speaker, I rise to honor four police officers who gave their lives in the line of duty in a tragic shooting in Oakland this past weekend.

I join all of Northern California in mourning their loss and honoring their sacrifice.

Two of these brave officers lived in my district. Sergeant Ervin Romans of Danville, California, was a member of the SWAT team and had served with the Oakland Police Department for 13 years. He was a recipient of the department's Medal of Valor for bravery. Erv, as he was known, leaves behind his wife and three children.

Sergeant Mark Dunakin of Tracy served with the Oakland Police Department for 18 years. He was known and respected as a passionate guardian of public safety. Sergeant Dunakin grew up in Pleasanton and is survived by his wife and three children.

These heroic officers dedicated their lives so that we might live in safety. My thoughts and prayers are with their families and their loved ones during this difficult time.

Mr. Speaker, earlier today my vote in favor of House Concurrent Resolution 76, which was rollcall No. 144, was not properly recorded due to an electronic error. I would like the Record to reflect that I would have voted ``yea'' on this resolution.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the importance of National Kidney Month and in honoring Tanya Lombardi, a courageous kidney donor.

Four years ago, Tanya joined a local book club in Danville, California. There she met Maxine Moir. Maxine needed a new kidney, but couldn't find a donor. In response, Tanya offered her kidney to Maxine, displaying great compassion and courage. This past December, Tanya provided Maxine with a miraculous holiday gift. Since the successful transplant, Tanya and Maxine take weekly walks and remain close friends, a friendship extending from a unique and incredible relationship that began at the book club.

Selfless donors like Tanya gave more than 13,000 kidneys in 2008, but many more people need help. Brave acts of kindness like those by Tanya Lombardi continue to bring hope to thousands of people and show that each of us can make a difference.

I urge my colleagues to join me during National Kidney Month in recognizing the selfless acts of kidney donors across America.

I thank the gentleman from Illinois.

And I rise this evening to add my voice to the chorus of praise for Captain Sullenberger, who on January 15 safely set down a US Airways Flight 1549 on the icy waters of the Hudson River. Captain Sullenberger is a graduate of the United States Air Force Academy and spent years as an Air Force pilot before going to US Airways. He was always a proponent of safety and training. Captain Sullenberger wasn't one who looked for trouble, but he was one who was ready when trouble came. And on January 15, trouble found Captain Sullenberger and Flight 1549.

Captain Sullenberger and the crew of Flight 1549 were ready with less than 2 minutes, the time that I'm speaking here right now, made critical decisions and safely set down the plane on the Hudson River. Because of the heroic action of Captain Sullenberger and the crew of Flight 1549, 155 American citizens are home safe with their families tonight. There wasn't one fatality and not one critical injury.

This Saturday, in Captain Sullenberger's hometown of Danville, California, in my congressional district, more than 5,000 people came out on a dark, windy, cool day, a damp day to give praise and to give honor to Captain Sullenberger. And Captain Sullenberger is a true American hero. He is not an action figure from a movie. He is a true American hero.

I commend Captain Sullenberger and the crew of 1549 and urge my colleagues to join me by passing House Resolution 84.

Madam Speaker, I take this opportunity to express my concern about events in Israel and Gaza, and my support for Israel's right to defend itself against rocket attacks launched from the Hamas- controlled Gaza Strip. The region must have a meaningful resolution that will permanently end these rocket attacks and open a pathway to alleviate civilian suffering and develop a secure and prosperous Palestinian society. Hamas' rocket attacks targeting civilians triggered the current crisis. Any country is compelled to defend its civilians against attack.

The situation in the region has reached a new level of violence, and each civilian death is tragic. The images of suffering innocents, especially children, in both the Gaza Strip and Israel are a stark reminder that it is long past time for this region to know peace. The United States must be deeply involved in the peace process while vigorously working for short and long term solutions that will provide security to Israel and the means for a better future to Palestinians.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the dedication of so many volunteers who eight times a year line the streets of Manteca, California, with 2,400 flags in a stunning display of patriotism. Flags Over Manteca began after September 11 to recognize those who lost their lives on that day and all Americans who have sacrificed in service to our country.

Each morning on days of remembrance during the year, volunteers and service groups place flags along eight miles of Manteca's main roads to celebrate our country's heroes. Coordinating it all is the Manteca Chamber of Commerce and volunteer Les Thomas who arrives early to ensure that everyone knows what to do. He is there at the end of the day to receive all 2,400 flags and carefully pack them away until the next holiday.

The event has become so meaningful that volunteers arrive at 4:30 in the morning to have the privilege of placing flags in honor of those who will not be forgotten.

Today I commend all those who make Flags Over Manteca work. I hope it continues to memorialize the sacrifices of our Nation's heroes.

Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 598, had I been present, I would have voted ``no.''

Mr. Speaker, I represent the city of Stockton, California, which suffers from the highest foreclosure rates in the country. I have seen exactly how devastating this problem is for communities, and more important, for the families in our district. I hear all too often the heartbreaking stories of people struggling to keep up. In fact, Mr. Cardoza, who spoke a minute ago, and I have had foreclosure workshops to provide counseling to help families refinance and stay out of foreclosure.

Our current economic crisis, including the housing market meltdown, can financially devastate many people, and we need change right now so that hardworking American families can stay in their homes. We need to reform the system by raising the conforming loan limits and providing critical relief to hardworking families.

I strongly believe that we can help provide the breathing room that families need so they not only weather the downturn, but come back stronger than ever.