Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I thank my good friend and colleague Eric Swalwell, Rodney Davis, and Jerry McNerney. I think we are all here to celebrate a life well-lived.

Coach John Madden had such an extraordinary career in so many different areas that I think reflected, with all of that fame and all of that success, a common touch, a common touch that we honor today.

I don't think there is anything difficult about being a Raider fan from California and being a 49er fan because the Raiders played in the AFC and the 49ers played in NFC. I think we have had a good run here for many decades because of those two incredible franchises. The same could be said for the San Francisco Giants and the Oakland A's.

But as a kid, John Madden was a hero of mine. He actually started in a very humble way playing at Cal Poly. Cal Poly's program was a smaller collegiate program in those days.

Sadly, there was a plane crash in 1961 that took place. Madden was able to avoid that disaster. I think that probably brought about his fear of flying for the rest of his life. But he never forgot Cal Poly, and he continued to support the university as he supported so many worthwhile causes, whether it was athletics in Pleasanton and East Bay or whether it was other important efforts.

As my friend noted, I don't know whether his record will ever be topped, with 103 victories, 32 losses, and 7 ties, a regular-season record, and the youngest coach to win a Super Bowl.

What a lot of people don't realize, Madam Speaker, unless you are from California, is the San Joaquin Valley that I have the honor and privilege to represent has always had a large group of Raider Nation fans there. Tom Flores, who was born in Fresno and raised in Sanger, the first Hispanic quarterback in the NFL, was succeeded by Daryle Lamonica, who was at Clovis and was a quarterback for the Raiders.

I think the Raiders have something that they really focus on, and they want their quarterbacks from the valley because Derek Carr is a Fresno State guy and, of course, had that great victory Sunday. We hope that continues through the post-season.

I was talking to Coach Flores, who was just inducted into the Hall of Fame--long overdue. Coach Flores was a valley guy. After he quit, after he retired as quarterback, he came back to the Raiders and coached as an assistant coach with Tom Flores. He talks about what kind of atmosphere Coach Madden had in the Raiders organization, and the players loved him. He said that when you have assistant coaches, you have rivalries, and you have coaches who want to then move on to become their own head coach. But he said that Madden had a great way. They would sometimes argue a difference on a game plan, but Coach Flores said that, in his opinion, Coach Madden, over the years and decades that he played in the NFL and coached, was a great game-day coach. In other words, the players not only trusted and had faith in him, but when they developed the plan to go out on that field on that Sunday afternoon, as the dynamics were changing and shifting, Madden's focus on the ability to be flexible and to make those adjustments were a large degree of his success as a head coach.

From one Hall of Fame head coach to another Hall of Fame head coach, I think that is an incredible compliment, and it reflects both on Coach Tom Flores and Coach John Madden.

I would be remiss if I didn't talk about the person who I think a lot of people know today, and that is Coach Madden, the man with a common touch. In his multitude of successes, he got involved in valley agriculture and got to know a number of my good friends in Merced in the area where he farmed grapes and almonds. Dan Fiahlo and a lot of the folks there used to love to get together with Coach Madden as well as with Dominic Mercurio from Cafe Fina on Fisherman's Wharf in Monterey.

What did these gentlemen all have in common?

First of all, Coach Madden would be a guy you would be attracted to because of his larger-than-life personality. But they loved the common touch. They loved the ability to grow things that people could consume, whether it be almonds or whether it be grapes, and the appreciation of the hard work it took to put that food on America's dinner table every night. So the love of food, for people who understood Coach Madden, was really part and parcel with his friends.

There was a card game for 27 years that Dominic Mercurio and Dan Fiahlo and others participated in, a legendary card game apparently that one could only hope to be a part of. Of course, both Danny and Dominic loved to cook and were great barbecue extraordinaires, and Coach Madden would hang out at Cafe Fina where he first got to know Dominic for his legendary chowder, which developed into a regular fixture, so when Coach Madden was inducted in 2006, he asked restaurateur Dominic Mercurio of Cafe Fina, Danny Fiahlo, and their team if these folks would come back to do the barbecue. You have thousands of people for the Hall of Fame induction in August, but Madden had his plan, and they fed over 500 people.

And Coach Madden says: Look, we are going to do it this way.

He is giving instructions.

Everybody who comes, whatever they are going to eat, there is going to be a multitude of foods. There has to be enough for everybody, whether you want chicken, whether you want brisket, sausages, whatever.

What they did was, after they fed everybody, they had an abundance of food left over that they gave to the charities, to the churches.

But that is what Coach Madden did in all the things that he was a part of. If there was stuff left over, you give it back to other people who need it most.

I think that there are a lot of reasons why we honor Coach Madden here today and his incredible, celebrated career, but the common touch, the fact that whether he was in Los Banos, California, or in the upper crust, one might say, of Carmel-by-the-Sea, he was still the same person. He was Coach John Madden, whom you would love to have breakfast or lunch with, talk about football, talk about other things that were important, important to communities and neighborhoods, as he related to you as a Representative.

I am honored today to celebrate the life of an American who made a difference, who made a difference in so many different ways. He touched so many people in so many different ways because he knew people, and he liked people. That was evident in terms of any capacity that you ever came across John Madden with.

We celebrate that larger-than-life legend today. We see him as a role model who impacted people throughout California and throughout not only the professional football league and other professional sports but his understanding of collegiate sports because he came from that. His understanding that and making changes and protecting collegiate athletics was something that John Madden knew well.

I thank Congressmember Eric Swalwell for allowing me to give my own thoughts about a person whom I will remember.

I can only close by saying one thing: Coach Madden, God bless you, and thank you for all you have done. Go Raiders.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Monica Criado-Cuevas. Monica passed away on December 13, 2021. She was an inspiring woman, mother, mentor, wife, and cultural figure.

Monica was born on February 5, 1967 in Fresno, California, where she was raised. Monica was brought up from humble beginnings. Her parents worked as seasonal farmworkers, and she herself took on the same responsibility to support her family. This was no small feat for Monica. While working to become the first individual to ever graduate in her family, she worked long hours picking oranges, peaches, and grapes. Monica persevered and went on to earn her bachelor's degree at Fresno State and her master's degree from National University.

Monica worked for State Center Community College District for 23 years and became the Dean of Student Services and Counseling at Fresno City College, where she will be remembered for her care, kindness and commitment to the students and faculty. Monica was a beacon of light for many students that came from similar circumstances as herself. Her ability to recognize and understand the challenges that presented themselves in those students' lives allowed her to help them overcome their obstacles more effectively. She was adored by her students. In 2019, Monica was inducted into the Muro de Honor (Wall of Honor) for accomplished district alumni.

Monica's excellence extended far beyond her profession. She was a prominent cultural figure in the Latino community. Monica served as president of the Latino Educational Issues Roundtable and was secretary of the Hispanic Serving Institution Consortium of the San Joaquin Valley. Her heritage was captured vividly in her love for Folkloric dance, which she developed a deep passion for at a very early age. Monica would put audiences in awe while perfectly executing elaborate traditional dances at charitable events and gatherings.

Monica will be remembered for her profound impact on the lives of those she came across. It was her kindness, care, and charisma that allowed her to touch the hearts of everyone around her. We send out our thoughts and prayers to her family. She is survived by her mother, Alicia Criado; her sister Leticia Montes; children Michael, Matthew, and Miranda; and two granddaughters.

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the life of Monica Cuevas. Her service and contributions to the city of Fresno will be missed dearly. I join her family and friends in celebrating Monica's life.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of my good friend, veteran, Jim Leyser, who passed away on November 17, 2021. Jim was well known in the Central Valley and was actively involved in the community, volunteering his time for many causes. Jim was a father, husband, loyal friend, and veteran.

Jim was born August 8, 1946 and was adopted in Hawaii to Maurice and Myrtle Leyser. Maurice, was a career navy submariner and was stationed on the submarine base of Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. As Jim got older, Jim felt the need to join the United States Marine Corps. In 1968, he enlisted and got out in 1976. During that time, Jim was part of the Crash Fire and Rescue in the Philippines and Japan. In 1976, Jim got out of the Marine Corps as a sergeant.

After serving in the Marine Corps, Jim met the love of his life, Mary. On April 24, 1981, they were married and started a family together. Jim worked at the Veteran Affairs Hospital in the specimen lab. He was part of the Marine Corps League as well as Commandant for Detachment-14 and was in the American Legion Charlie Waters Post 4, previously in Post 147. Jim participated on the K9 awards board committee and was State President for the American Legion for 2013- 2014. He also assisted the commander of the district 14 on American Legion Posts meetings, and so much more.

Jim was often seen during Christmas volunteering for Toys-for-Tots; celebrating the Marine Corps Birthday at the ball every year and helping bartend for veteran events with the Marine Corps League. He made sure to be included in awareness events like the Suicide Awareness Ride, the annual Spaghetti Dinner

fundraisers, and being with his American Legion Riders Chapter 509. He volunteered his time handing out blankets to veterans during the holidays and participated in many funeral ceremonies in the Honor Guard, specifically during the pandemic. Mary was always by his side at the events, with a smile on her face and chatting with veterans and their families. They were both friendly and helpful to everyone and ready to assist when needed.

Jim is survived by his wife of 40 years, Mary; his son; daughter-in- law, his son-in-law, 12 grandchildren, and 3 great-grandchildren. Jim's wonderful daughter, Vickie, passed away in 2020. He leaves behind many friends including his brothers and sisters of the Marine Corps.

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues in the House of Representatives to join me in celebrating the life of Jim Leyser. I join his family and friends in the veteran community in celebrating his life and continuous service to others.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the career of Jean M. Rousseau. Since 2015, Jean served as the County Administrative Office for the Fresno County Board of Supervisors.

Jean has been a citizen of the San Joaquin Valley his entire life. He has spent his marriage and his time raising his three children in the Central Valley. Jean attended California State University, Fresno where he received his bachelor's degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in accounting in 1986. Prior to attending college, he graduated from San Joaquin Memorial High School, my own alma mater. Jean has been with high school sweetheart, Andria for 38 years.

Before working for Fresno County, Jean was County Administrative Officer for Tulare County, and he held various other accounting-related positions throughout the Valley. His experience as a Certified Public Accountant has been an essential asset to the Central Valley for more than 30 years.

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the career of Jean M. Rousseau. His service and contributions to the Central Valley will be missed. I join his family, friends, and the community in celebrating Jean's successful career and wish him the best of luck in retirement.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Congressman John Garamendi, a friend and a person who I have worked with on a host of issues over the years, and Congressman Dusty Johnson. This is a good example of what bipartisan cooperation is all about. Mr. Speaker, I commend Congressman Garamendi's leadership in this effort--a member of the subcommittee and the full committee--with Congressman DeFazio in working out the differences, which was important.

Having said that, the Ocean Shipping Reform Act, of which I am a cosponsor, is the first major update in Federal regulations for global ocean shipping since 1998. Think about how much the world has changed in 23 years in terms of trade.

This legislation, as I said, is a result of bipartisan efforts.

This legislation supports U.S. exporters who have been disproportionately impacted by unfair trade practices in our ports and harbors.

No ship arriving with imports should leave an American port empty when products are ready to go, and that is what is happening, sadly.

Enacting strong regulatory framework will help end these disruptions to deal with the issue of demurrage and backup on the supply chain that has created this bottleneck.

We can and must do more to ensure that all exporters in this country have a fair and level playing field. California agricultural producers, as well as other U.S. exporters should be able to ship their products without unnecessary delays. It is a national security issue.

The increased shipping container costs and delays exporters are facing only continue to impact our recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Let me give you a local example. California is our Nation's largest agricultural producer and exporter with more than 400 commodities, over a third of the Nation's vegetables and two-thirds of the Nation's fruits and nuts. Forty-four percent of California's agriculture production is exported.

The San Pedro Bay Complex, which we otherwise call the Los Angeles and Long Beach Ports in southern California is the ninth busiest in the world and provides importation of 40 percent of the container industry in America. Think about that. This is where the bottleneck is most acute.

It is necessary that we utilize all resources to reduce port congestion and empower the Federal Maritime Commission to do what they can and should do. This is about short-term and long-term solutions to relieve the bottleneck in this supply chain. This is about an effort to, in fact, provide relief that benefits American workers, American consumers. It is about the economic recovery; it is about trade; and it is about jobs.

I urge my colleagues to support this important bipartisan piece of legislation. It is a part of the short-term and long-term solution. I recommend a ``yes'' vote on this legislation.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Michael Cavallero. Michael passed away to be with the Lord on November 2, 2021. He was a protector, family man, and helped so many in the community.

Michael was an officer for the Fresno Police Department (FPD) for 32 years. He has served on the Fresno Police Credit Union Board of Directors. Michael wanted what was best for his officers and worked hard to do what was best for them, even after his retirement. Michael has helped with the Peace Officers Research Association of California (PORAC) for region II, and Fresno Police Officers Association (FPOA). Always involved, Michael always wanted to be helpful the best way possible.

During his spare time, Michael enjoyed watching football; specifically his favorite team the San Francisco 49ers. For baseball, he enjoyed the San Francisco Giants and the Fresno Grizzlies. He loved being with his wife, Marsha, his siblings, and his two rescued cats from the Cat House, Max and Ruby.

Michael is survived by his loving wife, Marsha; siblings Libby, Steve, Jim, Joan, and Tim; and many nieces and nephews.

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the life of Michael Joseph Cavallero. His service and contributions to the State of California and the San Joaquin Valley will always be celebrated.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate Mr. Peter Aram Kezirian, who passed away at the age of 67. Although he will be remembered for his service in the military and his contributions to the community of Fresno, California, he will mostly be remembered for his devotion to his family and friends, who he was always there for, whenever they needed him.

Peter graduated from Central High School and earned a bachelor's degree from California State University, Fresno. He was a hard worker and spent his entire life working for the Kezirian family businesses. First, he worked at Rolinda Farmers Store until 1997, when the store closed; and then he worked at managing the family farm,

Peter dedicated 30 years of his life serving with the 144th Fighter Wing of the California Air National Guard. Achieving the rank of Master Sergeant, he retired with an honorable discharge in 2003. When he was not serving in the military, he continued his work with the family businesses, and loved watching his favorite sports teams play. He loved the San Francisco Giants and was a true fan of the Chicago Bears. When it came to NASCAR, he was a grand prix enthusiast.

Peter is survived by his mother Alice Kezirian; brothers Vaughn Kezirian (Ann) and Robert Kezirian, sisters Terry Kezirian, Paula Cunningham (Brian), and Janice Kezirian (Dalton Bennett). He leaves behind his many nieces and nephews, family members and dear friends.

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the life and achievements of my friend, Peter Aram Kezirian. He was a respected member in the community, a loving son and brother and a veteran, who had a passion for life and the people of the Central Valley.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor KMPH Television on its 50th anniversary. On October 11, 2021, this broadcasting institution will have been providing the Central Valley with high quality television programming for 50 years.

KMPH first took the air in 1971 and operated as an independent station. It was founded by the Pappas brothers, Mike, Pete, and Harry, whose initials make up the name of the station. Seven years later, it completely launched its news department and began airing The 10 O'clock News from Monday through Friday. It covered news from the Fresno and Visalia areas, as well as national stories.

Since then, the station has expanded to most weekdays and for Saturdays, including Great Day which airs on multiple mornings a week. Through these programs, KMPH has served as a vital source of information for viewers all across the Central Valley of California.

Even while news organizations across the United States have undergone serious challenges to their livelihoods, KMPH Television has remained a staple of Central Valley journalism. During this age of misinformation, KMPH has remained committed to ensuring the integrity of local news, something I and my constituents are very grateful for.

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring KMPH Television on their 50th anniversary.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the Fresno County Economic Development Corporation (EDC) in honor of their 40th Anniversary. Since 1981, EDC has served the San Joaquin Valley by expanding economic growth in Fresno County.

EDC effortlessly works to facilitate site selection for new companies within the county and assist in retention and expansion of local businesses. They market Fresno County as the premier location to develop core industries. Their staff hosts annual events and publish special reports such as their Real Estate Forecast and Investor's Meeting. With this, they have provided their investors, community leaders, and elected officials with crucial marketing intelligence, economic trends and networking opportunities.

In 2018, EDC received the International Economic Development Council Gold Award for the New Employment Opportunities Expanded Subsidized Employment Program. This innovative program matches the needs of industries with individuals seeking jobs. EDC uses their website, social media outlets, and community outreach to provide their clients, investors, and community members with important news, resources, and information. They connect people with one another in the community and it enhances relationships with businesses. Continuously, they have promoted business investment and job creation by informing economic development policy, programs, and legislation to the cities and companies it serves.

With the support of its Board of Directors and network of over a hundred investors, they use their creative license to bring about innovative ideas and collaborative opportunities to put forth Fresno County's economic evolution and growth. Their steady leadership has played a vital role in solidifying the economic strength of Fresno County and the future needs of the community.

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Fresno County Economic Corporation for their commitment to improving the quality of life in the local community. It is both fitting and appropriate that we honor them on the celebration of their fortieth anniversary. I wish them all the best and continued success in the future.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the Fig Garden Woman's Club on the occasion of its centennial anniversary. Founded on March 9, 1921, the Fig Garden Women's Club is celebrating 100 years of friendship and contributions to our local community.

The Fig Garden Woman's Club was founded in 1921, by, 13 young women who lived in the Fig Garden neighborhood in Fresno, California. The club was founded based on the shared values of friendship and finding ways to help improve their community. As interest, membership and work in the neighborhood grew, the club members began an effort to raise funds to build a clubhouse for their members to use and the community to enjoy. In 1926, the clubhouse was built with the help of friends and local developer J.C. Forkner and was established as a California Historical Landmark in 1987. The club is recognized under the California Federation of Woman's Clubs and the General Federation of Women's Clubs. Today, the club continues to thrive and has over 180 dedicated members.

Since 1921, the Fig Garden Woman's Club has made contributions to local non-profits for victims of domestic violence, provided food for hard-working college students, and actively participates in many other local efforts. They also fundraise to provide scholarships for nursing students from Fresno City College, among other philanthropic efforts. Past efforts have included, providing transportation and meals to school children, donations to local nonprofit organizations, Christmas donations for needy families and neighborhood beautification projects.

The Fig Garden Woman's Club members regularly sacrifice their time to help the Old Fig Garden neighborhood, in addition to their work within the City and County of Fresno. Annually, they donate their time to provide lifelong memories for Central Valley families by contributing to the beloved local tradition, Christmas Tree Lane. Members bake over 1,000 cookies to promote donations for Christmas Tree Lane, the two mile stretch of beautifully decorated homes in Old Fig Garden.

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the Fig Garden Woman's Club on their centennial anniversary. It is my honor to congratulate past and present members on this momentous accomplishment and thank them for the joy they have brought to the community.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Johnny Deniz. Johnny passed away on September 24, 2021. He was 90 years old. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean war, and after returning home, dedicated his life as a farmer in the Counties of Madera and Fresno.

Johnny was born on July 24, 1931 to Manuel and Rosa Deniz. He was raised in Madera, California.

Growing up, he went to Dixieland Grammar School and Madera High School. During school, he was elected President of the Madera F.F.A. Later, he served the Madera F.F.A. as Secretary of State and was awarded the American F.F.A. Degree. Johnny attended Fresno State University for a degree in engineering, but was soon drafted into the Army and served as Military Police Officer in Europe.

After serving in the military, Johnny returned back home and he married his first wife, Wilma. He became a dedicated farmer in the Counties of Madera and Fresno, in which he grew multiple crops such as tomatoes, cotton, stone fruit, and table and wine grapes. Johnny was a successful businessman and established the Madera Pump Company, Almond Tree Hauler Inc., and Deniz Packing Inc. His work for the protection of Madera County's water supply left a legacy in which he dedicated 24 years of service as a Director, and 15 years as President, of the Madera Irrigation District.

Johnny remarried in 2009 to his wife Dorie and continued the dedicated work for his community. In 2010, he was awarded Senior Farmer of the Year in the County of Madera for his dedication and hard work with the water district and for helping the needs of others. As one who was always civically engaged, he belonged to the Knights of Columbus as a 4th degree knight; the Madera County Farm Bureau; the Elks Club; and last but not least, the Veterans of Foreign Wars. His contributions and efforts on behalf of these organizations, made a lasting impact on the Valley.

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the life of Johnny Deniz. His service and contributions to the Central Valley and the State of California will be missed. I join his family and friends in celebrating Johnny's life.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the retirement of CBS47 anchor and Central Valley news icon, Ken Malloy. Ken has served as a journalist, reporter, and anchor for nearly 39 years, and he will be dearly missed by the Central Valley.

Ken was born and raised in Los Angeles. There, he attended and graduated from the prestigious University of Southern California, Ken began his career as an anchor and reporter at KESQ in Palm Springs, California, where he was recognized for his breaking news coverage.

Thereafter, he moved to New Hampshire, where he reported at WMUR and hosted an award-winning weekly political talk show that took home two Golden Mike Awards. Ken continued his pursuit of groundbreaking news coverage when he ventured to Providence, Rhode Island. He served as a co-anchor and reporter at WJAR, the number one-rated station in the city.

While there, Ken served on the Board of Directors for the state's adoption exchange program and produced weekly ``Tuesday's Child'' segments and half-hour specials on child adoption. These efforts served as a true testament to his purposeful reporting.

Ken came to Fresno, California, to join CBS47 after a stint at KTVT, the CBS Owned and Operated station in Dallas, Texas, where he anchored and reported for almost 12 years. In Fresno, Ken started as the weekend co-anchor, before launching the station's first morning show and serving as the primary anchor.

Ken has covered some of the most prolific moments in American history. This includes his coverage of the Oklahoma City Bombing, Timothy McVeigh's execution, and the capture of the ``Texas Seven.'' He took on the courageous responsibility of covering the 9-11 attacks, along with the 2000 presidential race. Ken's diligence and work ethic was put on full display while he stayed on the road for six weeks during the Election Cycle.

Today, we pride Ken for his work as an award-winning journalist, anchor, and community leader. Since 1984, he has anchored more than 30,000 newscasts, written more than 10,000 stories, and received countless awards and recognitions. His presence, charisma, and consistency will always be missed as a part of his greater legacy here in the Central Valley. I join his wife Michelle, their three wonderful children, and friends in congratulating Ken for all his achievements.

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the work and retirement of Ken Malloy. His service and contributions to the Central Valley will be missed and we wish him all the best for the future.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the San Joaquin Memorial HighSchool on its 75th anniversary. On October 1, 2021, this phenomenal educational institution will have been serving the youth ofthe San Joaquin Valley for 75 years.

San Joaquin Memorial was founded in 1945 by the late Most Reverend Philip G. Scher and was the first Diocesan Catholic High School with junior high students in the Monterey-Fresno Diocese. San Joaquin Memorial was named by individuals from the San Joaquin Valley who gave their lives in World War II.

That same year of 1945, classes commenced after the construction was completed on the first three buildings, Shortly thereafter, the fourth and fifth buildings were constructed and ready to be filled with students. The first mass was held on October 3rd; the first rally was on November 9th and the first football game on November 19th. The first yearbook was released in May of 1946. The school has continuously expanded and more programs were added. Since then, the high school has become a premiere educational institution in the Valley.

During the 1970s, Brother Phillip and Sister Ann Veronica became the first Vice-Principals of the high school. In 1981, Mary Alice Diener Library was built, and the science building was dedicated to the memory of Br. S. Albert FSC and Sr. Paola Harbeke CSC. Both individuals were the founding principals for San Joaquin Memorial.

The school is home to state-of-the-art technology, strong community service involvement, and several programs outside of standard scholarly activity for their students to take advantage of. They won the 1991 Valley Football Championship over Garces in the Super Holy Bowl and continuing into the 2000s, they dominated in athletics with many talented young student athletes and a talented coaching staff. Because of these advancements, many athletes enjoyed new equipment and renovations by generous individuals who had a passion for the school.

Over the years, San Joaquin Memorial has emphasized their commitment to faith, service, and community within a rigorous college-preparatory learning environment that effectively prepares their students for their university education and the work force.

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring my Alma Mater, San Joaquin Memorial High School on its 75th anniversary. Its service and contributions to the State of California and the San Joaquin Valley will always be celebrated.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Kathryn Bonnie Hassett. Kathryn passed away in her Merced home on August 26, 2021 after a seven-year battle with cancer. Kathryn was a mother, daughter, grandmother, and friend.

Kathryn was the daughter of Ken and Midge Riggs. She went to school in Merced, California at Merced High School and later went on to study at California State University, Fresno where she received her Bachelor of Arts in Health Sciences. After graduating from Fresno State, Kathryn attended the University of San Francisco where she graduated with her Master of Arts Degree in Educational Psychology, with an emphasis on Marriage and Family.

She was reunited with Frank ``Flip'' Hassett while attending Fresno State, as they had first met when they were much younger at the Skimmers swim meets. During their time in college, they dated until they were married in 1975, after Kathy began her career in Social Services with Merced County while Flip coached swimming and water polo. They had two children together in 1977 and 1979.

In her free time, Kathy always enjoyed trying new things while spending time outdoors and traveling. She and her husband Flip especially loved rafting in Class 5 rivers all over the West and even in the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon. In addition to rafting, Kathy was skilled at snow and water skiing in Yosemite, Lake Tahoe, China Peak, and various other locations.

Once she retired after 35 years with Merced County, Kathy continued her love for travel and exploration by partaking in several sea and river cruises all over the world, including a Disney Cruise in 2018 to Cabo San Lucas, when she was able to bring all of their children and grandchildren along for the trip.

Kathy was an active member of various community organizations in Merced including the League of Women Votes, Leadership Merced--Class 14, United Way, the Hospital Assistance League, MCMC Foundation, Federal Emergency Management Team, Continuity of Care Committee, Specialized Management Area Response Team, Adult Services Committee, and CalWorks Advisory Committee. In addition to her commitment to Merced County, Kathy also worked in associations at the state level, including Child Protective Services, Adult Protective Services, and Human Services Directors.

Her dedication to her community demonstrated her immense faith in humanity. Her warm spirit and loving charm was something she never failed to share with her children, family, and the community of the Central Valley and California as a whole.

Kathy is survived by her loving husband Frank ``Flip'' Hassett; her children Heather Shepherd (Kelcey) and Frank Hassett (Amber); and siblings Karen Davey (Erwin), Curtis Riggs (Gaye), and Kraig Riggs (Robin).

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the life of Kathryn Bonnie Hassett. Her service and contributions to the Central Valley and the State of California will be long remembered. I join her family and friends in celebrating Kathryn's life.

Madam Speaker, I thank my friend, Congressman Cartwright, for allowing me the opportunity to speak on the bipartisan infrastructure package. The fact of the matter is, this is long overdue.

We have been living off the investments our parents and our grandparents made a generation or two ago. During most of the 20th century, America led the world in investment in its water, in its transportation, in its electrical grid, all the things that have made us the great country that we are.

In recent decades, we have lagged behind. We now rank 13th in the world in terms of the amount of investment that we make in American people because investing in our water, in our transportation, in our roads and bridges, in our internet system, that is investing in people. That is investing in people who create jobs that make the economy better.

As a result of the passage of this bipartisan infrastructure bill, for the first time in a long time, America will lead the world next year in investments in the future in our water, our transportation, our electrical grid, and all the things that are a part of this piece of legislation.

We can't just take our eye off the ball. We have to continue these investments. In California, in the San Joaquin Valley that I represent, these investments are going to be billions of dollars in our water system. We have horrific droughts that we are experiencing right now. With climate change and the other efforts in this legislation to deal with the impacts of climate change, we need to ensure that we have a sustainable water supply in California for our farms and farm communities, as well as ensuring that we have clean drinking water for rural areas that don't have it today. This legislation does just that.

This legislation also takes an opportunity to look at the other areas that we need to do in the next piece of legislation: childcare for millions of women who want to get back to work; and providing efforts to improve our healthcare system, to fully fund the Affordable Care Act, a promise we made 11 years ago.

My district had 25 percent uninsured. Eleven years later, only 10 percent of my district is uninsured. These are the kind of investments we need to make in people.

I thank my colleagues for supporting this effort. Yesterday was a wonderful afternoon with the President, with my colleagues, Republicans and Democrats alike, to really celebrate the fact that we are beginning to do what the American people sent us to do, which is get the job done and invest in our country.