Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of a loving family man, a great friend, a veteran, a civil rights leader, and former Fresno City Council member, Joe Williams.

Joe passed away last week at the age of 79. He was a loving husband, father, and grandfather. He dedicated much of his life to public service.

No matter whether you were a good friend or you hardly knew Joe, he had a way of making everyone feel important and special.

In 1968, he started a 26-year career at the Fresno Economic Opportunities Commission. After 2 years of serving as the director of the Fresno County Head Start, Joe was promoted to serve as the executive director for Fresno EOC. During his tenure at the Fresno EOC, he established 35 new programs, with a budget starting at $1.8 million, growing it to $37 million.

With the help of over 670 employees in the Fresno EOC, he was able to implement so many important programs, such as the Women, Infants, and Children program, otherwise known as WIC; opened the first rural health clinic in Fresno County; and started Meals on Wheels programs for seniors.

But he didn't stop there. Joe was a doer. He created a sanctuary program for homeless youth, which was established and later named in his honor upon Joe's retirement. Under his leadership, the Fresno EOC became a model for similar programs around the Nation, one of the truly outstanding leaders in terms of community action agencies in the country. Joe made that happen.

In 1977, he became the first African American elected to the Fresno City Council. He served two terms and was always an advocate for what was best for the entire city. He said: You know, you've got to feel it in your gut; and if it's there, you do it.

He was a civil rights leader in our San Joaquin Valley and throughout the State and the Nation, encouraging others to do the right thing.

My thoughts and prayers are with Joe's wife, Laura; their children, Michael and his wife, Sonya, Winston, and Terri; his brother, George; his grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.

My colleagues, I ask you to join me in paying tribute to the life and times of Joe Williams. He will be remembered in a selfless way in which he lived his life, always looking to help those in the community who needed help.

As Emerson once said: ``To have a friend is first to be a friend.''

Thank you, Joe, for being my friend and being the friend of our community. I join his family in honoring his life and love and service to our country, and he will be greatly missed.

Flooding Conditions in California

Mr. Speaker, I rise to speak about the flood conditions in California. It is either feast or famine. We either had the last 6 years of some of the driest conditions we have experienced in over 1,000 or, in the last 2 months, record rain and snow in the mountains and, thus, floods that we are experiencing.

This last weekend I joined on an official tour of Merced County with Sheriff Warnke. In Le Grand, this weekend we had 25 homes in my district that were evacuated.

I commend the collaboration between the Merced County officials, the California Office of Emergency Services, and FEMA for rightly declaring a state of emergency for the flooding that is happening and may continue with new storms coming.

My thoughts are with the people in Butte, and Sutter and Yuba Counties. The emergency spillway that could be compromised at Oroville Dam is something that we are all concerned about; 200,000 people, as we know, have been evacuated from their homes.

That is why I joined Congressman Garamendi and my colleagues in sending a letter to President Trump requesting, as the government has asked, a Major Disaster Declaration under the Stafford Act. A Major Disaster Declaration will provide greater collaboration among local, State, and Federal governments, and will provide immediate resources where they are most needed.

Additionally, we must invest in California's infrastructure needs. Its water infrastructure needs to fix a broken water system. The President has proposed a significant massive infrastructure program, $1 trillion. That could be used not only in California, but throughout the entire country.

We need additional water storage in order to prevent devastating flood conditions as we are having now, and also to store that water so we can have it during the dry conditions. So two things go hand in hand.

There are another series of storms expected later this week, and we still have about 2 months left of our winter season. Therefore, we need all hands on deck. We are using every tool available to reduce the potential flood and damage and accidents that are there, but we must invest to fix this broken water system.

The President's proposal will allow us to provide additional surface storage supply to not only protect against flooding, but also to store that water so that when we have the dry periods in California, we can use that water for our crops and for the people who need it the most.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today along with my colleague Mr. Valadao, to honor the life and achievements of Peter Vincent Belezzuoli. Peter passed away on December 15 at the age of 61. He will be remembered as a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, auctioneer, dairyman, and friend to all who knew him.

Peter was born on August 22, 1955 in Tulare, California to Pete and Louise Belezzuoli. In 1959, the Belezzuolis moved to Hanford, California after his father purchased Overland Stockyard. From a young age, Peter worked with his father to learn all aspects of the cattle business. He graduated from Hanford High School in 1973. During his years at Hanford High he was a member of 4-H and FFA, in addition to playing on the basketball team. It was his father's business partner Hoke Evetts that taught him the art of auctioneering. Following high school, Peter attended College of the Sequoias and graduated from Missouri Auction School as a Colonel in 1974.

Peter took over his father's role at Overland Stockyard following Pete's sudden death in 1983. Peter continued his father's legacy through the passion he put into his work each and every day. Peter became very well known in the dairy cattle, and beef cattle sales industry both locally and throughout the country. He was an innovative businessman, utilizing internet video auction capabilities, allowing buyers from all over the country to participate in auctions held in Hanford.

Peter had a number of hobbies that brought him joy. In his spare time he enjoyed visiting his home in Shell Beach, riding his pontoon boat through Shaver Lake and barbecuing for his many family and friends.

Peter enjoyed giving back to the community he loved so dearly. He frequently used his talents as a skilled auctioneer for local charity groups, including the Kings County Fair and the Fresno Fair. He was also a lifelong member of St. Brigid Catholic Church in Hanford.

Peter is survived by his wife of 35 years, Lisa and their children Julie, Daniel and Douglas, their spouses and three grandsons, Bryson, Korban and Peter.

Mr. Speaker, I respectfully ask my colleagues in the U.S. House of Representatives to join Mr. Valadao and myself in honoring the life of Mr. Peter Belezzuoli. He will be remembered as a man of great character, who valued his family above all else. His presence in the San Joaquin Valley and in the local dairy community will truly be missed. We join his family in honoring his life, service to his community and tremendous legacy he leaves behind.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Ms. Bobbie Summers for her outstanding work with the Social Security Administration (SSA) and to congratulate her on her retirement after 40 years of dedicated service.

Bobbie began her career with the Social Security Administration in 1976. She was hired for a Claims Representative position in Hanford through the outstanding Scholar Program. After her time in Hanford, Bobbie worked as a Claims Representative in Southeast Fresno, West Fresno, Fresno Downtown and as Operations Supervisor for the Madera SSA office. In 1984, Bobbie was promoted to an Operations Supervisor position in the Fresno SSA office. In 1990, she was promoted to Branch Manager in Carmel. Bobbie returned to Fresno in 1993 as an Operations Supervisor. In 2003, Bobbie was accepted for the Regional Leadership Development Program where she worked in the SSA Office of Public Service and Operations Support on the SDW ramp up initiative. In 2004, she was promoted to Assistant District Manager in the Fresno office, and later that year, she accepted a yearlong detail to the SSA Office of Public Service and Operations Support where she worked on the cross program recovery project. Bobbie was promoted to Level 1 District Manager position in the Southeast Fresno SSA office in 2005 where she served until 2008. In 2008, she was given a detail in the SSA Central Office to assist with the transition for the newly formed SSA Office of Disability Determinations Division. She returned to her Level 1 District Manager position in 2009.

Bobbie's ongoing hard work and dedication resulted in many awards throughout the years. Some of the awards she received are: The Commissioner's Citation, Deputy Commissioner's Citation, Regional Citation and Commissioner's Team Award.

In is with great pleasure that I applaud Bobbie Summers for her many years of tireless work on behalf of the United States government.

Mr. Speaker, it should be noted that in addition to her countless gifts to the Social Security Administration and our community, Bobbie has been a true champion for my constituents. In my office, a majority of our constituent casework involves the Social Security Administration. These are sensitive cases that can sometimes take a great deal of time to resolve. One member of my Fresno staff, Ms. Kelly Gill has worked closely with Bobbie Summers on Social Security issues for over twenty years and proudly recollects Bobbie always being available to discuss cases and work together on issues of concern. I ask my colleagues to join me today in recognizing the commitment, dedication and success of Bobbie Summers and wish her well as she embarks on new endeavors.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Roselyn Baker, who passed away January 5, 2017. Roselyn was a wonderful mother, wife and friend, whose presence will be greatly missed.

Roselyn was born in Fresno, California in 1926 to Kourken and Varsenig Shabaghlian, both survivors of the Armenian Genocide. The family initially lived in the heart of downtown Fresno before relocating to San Francisco when Roselyn was a young child. There her parents operated several grocery stores. You would frequently find Roselyn by her father's side at the stores, assisting with deliveries and getting to know the customers.

Roselyn attended Girls High School in San Francisco, where her love of classical music was born and fostered by her teachers. Roselyn graduated high school in 1944 and enrolled in San Francisco City College. Roselyn began working in the ladies glove department for Roos Brothers and Ransahoff's Department Stores in downtown San Francisco.

Roselyn met the love of her life George F. Baker, a veteran who was attending the College of Physicians & Surgeons Dental School on the GI Bill. George and Roselyn were married in 1947 at St. John's Armenian Apostolic Church in San Francisco. The couple moved to Fresno, where George would open a dental practice in the Tower District. Roselyn served as the office manager and dental assistant in her husband's practice. Roselyn was a devoted mother, frequently serving as a volunteer teacher's aide. Roselyn enjoyed reading books and keeping up with current events. She was an avid San Francisco Giants fan, rejoicing when the team finally won the World Series in 2010.

Roselyn is survived by her two devoted children, Dr. Timothy G. Baker and Bethany R. Baker, in addition to family and close friends. Timothy practices dentistry in the same building in the Tower District as his father.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in memorializing the life of Roselyn Baker.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the career and achievements of Mr. George Meskus, outgoing Claims Representative at the Merced Social Security branch, and lifelong resident of the San Joaquin Valley. In over 35 years of service to the Social Security Administration, Mr. Meskus has consistently shown his colleagues an exemplary degree of dedication and passion for his work, earning praise from his coworkers and the community he's served over the course of his tenure.

Mr. Meskus's long life of service to the United States began in 1975 with his enlistment in the U.S. Air Force, where he would remain until he began his career with the Modesto Social Security branch in 1981. Mr. Meskus was initially hired as a Service Representative, but was quickly promoted to become a Claims Representative, and eventually moved to the Merced Social Security branch to continue his services.

Throughout his time at the Modesto and Merced Social Security offices, Mr. Meskus has gone above and beyond the expectations of his peers. He has displayed a keen awareness of the sensitive nature which prefaces many of the cases he processes, and always does so with the well-being of his clientele in mind. He has proven to be a fast and efficient employee, and frequently offers his peers direction and historical perspectives on complicated technical issues that so often face members of the Social Security Administration. His willingness to take on more than his fair share of cases has been invaluable to the productivity of the branches that he has served. Such selflessness will be deeply missed by those who have been lucky enough to call Mr. Meskus their coworker.

Mr. Meskus's decision to retire has been bitter-sweet news to process for many of his peers. The Social Security Administration is losing an integral colleague with a wealth of knowledge that has been essential to the efficiency of the branches he has served. The hard work and determination that he has demonstrated throughout his career has earned his well-deserved retirement to become a world traveler and to renew his devotion as a father and grandfather.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in recognizing the career and achievements of Mr. George Meskus. His stalwart commitment to the greater cause of the Social Security Administration has bettered the lives of countless people in Modesto and Merced. As he prepares to travel the world with his wife, Gloria, we wish him the best of luck, and hope his journeys bring him a fruitful life in the years to come.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and career of Mr. Larry Pistoresi, Sr., lifelong resident and deeply involved community member of Chowchilla. Mr. Pistoresi's unfailing drive to improve his community has been an inspiration to countless others who have crossed his path. His genuine character and love for the people of Chowchilla will be deeply missed by those fortunate enough to have known him.

Larry Pistoresi, Sr. was born in Berenda, California and raised in Chowchilla, where he spent his childhood and teenage years attending local schools. After graduating from Chowchilla High School in 1942, Mr. Pistoresi served in the United States Air Force for 3 years, and returned to Chowchilla to work as a car salesman with his father, Pete. After surmounting great success as a car salesman, Mr. Pistoresi eventually joined Pistoresi Chevrolet in partnership with his father, and brother Monte. After selling Pistoresi Chevrolet, Mr. Pistoresi continued working as a car salesman at Steve's Chevrolet until he celebrated his 92nd birthday.

As a public figure and role model for the people of Chowchilla, Mr. Pistoresi's track record has excelled above and beyond what most would consider as impressive. Mr. Pistoresi joined the Chowchilla Rotary Club in 1949 when he was 25 years old, and did not miss a single meeting for 68 years. He was a founder of the Board of Directors of the Chowchilla District Memorial Hospital, which was created in 1954, and has served under virtually every position on the Board, including Director, President, and permanent Chair of the Finance Committee. Mr. Pistoresi also served in the Chowchilla Chamber of Commerce since 1970, where he had perfect attendance for 46 years.

To list every accomplishment and public service provided by Mr. Pistoresi would require far more time than we have here today. However, it should be stated firmly that few people, if any, have served the community of Chowchilla in the same capacity, and with the same fervor as Mr. Pistoresi did throughout the course of his long, fruitful life. He is remembered by his family and friends, including his wife of 44 years, Velma, his sons Larry Pistoresi, Jr., Jerry Danieli, and Kent Danieli, his sisters Violet and Irene, his brother Monte, and many members of his extended family, 10 grandchildren, 11 great- grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in honoring the life and career of Mr. Larry Pistoresi, Sr., one of the most recognizable and hard-working figures in the community of Chowchilla. The level of devotion he has provided to the people around him has proven to be an unparalleled catalyst for the growth and advancement of Chowchilla.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to call attention to a 12-year- old girl Emon Ali, who is stuck in Djibouti. Emon and her father, Ahmed Ali, who is an American citizen, are in Djibouti because of President Trump's flawed executive order to ban travel to the United States.

The Ali family is like many immigrant families throughout our country, including my own, who came to the United States in hopes of achieving the American Dream.

As Americans, we know that the Statute of Liberty is a symbol of freedom and new beginnings for immigrants past and present, and it is a symbol around the entire world for the values that America holds.

Since the founding of our country, immigrants from all over the world have been coming to the United States to make a better life for themselves and their families, or to escape persecution.

Mr. Ali and his wife immigrated to the United States and earned their U.S. citizenships in hopes of achieving that American Dream.

They had been making a living in my district and are supporting their two daughters in Los Banos, California. But they have also been living in sadness and heartbreak because their 12-year-old daughter, Emon, was born in Yemen before the civil war.

For 6 years, the Ali family has been working through the appropriate channels to get their daughter a visa so she can gain U.S. citizenship and be reunited with her family legally.

On January 26, after years of going through a thorough vetting process, Emon finally received her immigrant visa--after 6 years. You could call that extreme vetting.

One day later, on the 27th, President Trump turned the Ali family's and hundreds of other families' lives upside down by signing an executive order to implement a travel ban to prohibit refugees and others from coming to the United States. That is not the American way.

Hours after this executive order was signed, Emon and her father went to the airport in Djibouti, passed through security, and, when boarding the plane, Emon was told by the airline that she could not board because of the recently signed executive order.

The immigrant visa issued to Emon would have given her status as a lawful permanent resident upon entering the U.S. And since she is 12 years old and both of her parents are U.S. citizens, Emon would have immediately been eligible to file for U.S. citizenship.

President Trump's executive order is preventing this legal process from taking place and is putting Emon and her father in harm's way while they wait in Djibouti.

In the past 48 hours, the Trump administration has been defending this executive order, saying it is not a travel ban or a ban on refugees. So I would like to ask the President: How is this executive order not a ban on refugees or individuals who have been legally approved to enter the United States? It certainly is a ban for Emon. And how is keeping this 12-year-old girl out of the United States from joining her family making America safer? It is not making Americans safer.

Extreme vetting was in place during both the Bush and Obama administrations. We just didn't call it that by name.

This travel ban is flawed, both in its lack of adherence to American values and its technical execution, which is banning Emon from coming here, and it could possibly be ruled unconstitutional.

A bipartisan group of national security experts agree that the executive order does not make Americans safer and could potentially put our country at greater risk for terrorist attacks. I agree with them.

Since September 11, 2001, we have focused a bipartisan effort to improve

American security for Americans both at home and abroad, and by and large, it has been very successful.

It is our first constitutional duty to ensure the national defense and the safety of Americans, but I think President Trump's executive order is doing the opposite. The executive order will create a rallying cry for Islamic extremists around the world to say that America is now engaged in a war against the religion of Islam. No good can come from that. It is clear that this executive order is putting Emon and her father in harm's way in Djibouti.

So, Mr. President, Secretary Kelly, I appeal to your compassion and to your common sense. This 12-year-old girl, Emon, has been extremely vetted for 6 years or whatever you would like to call it. She is not a threat to our country. Let her join her American family.

My staff and I are working diligently through the appropriate channels with the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of State to bring Mr. Ali and his daughter home as soon as possible.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak about the water conditions facing California as I have for many times over the last 6 years.

Today, obviously, we have recent storms that we welcome in California. Over the past several days, my district has received above- average rainfall and snow in the mountains; and we welcome that. But also that presents flood conditions.

After over 5 years of record-breaking drought conditions, of course, we welcome the rain and snow; but there is

also destructive flooding that is occurring as a result of that.

Regrettably, to reduce this potential flooding, we are having to let this water go out to the ocean. This precious water could be extremely beneficial to farmers, farmworkers, and farm communities in the dry years. But, of course, we can't store it because the storage is not there.

This water could be used to replenish groundwater aquifers that were depleted during these drought conditions and could be carried over for ground storage for use in dry years. This water could help ensure that farming communities would not continue to deal with double-digit unemployment levels that we have had to face over the last 6 years.

It is why we need to invest more in the water storage projects in California, both surface storage and groundwater recharge, like raising the gates at Exchequer Dam, building Sites Reservoir and Temperance Flat Dam.

The WIIN Act that we passed last month was enacted in December, and it provides funding for water storage authorization and for groundwater banking projects. And just in the last several weeks, we have determined that over 130,000 acre-feet of water is available today for use in our farm communities that otherwise would not be available.

It is my sincere hope that those projects and others like this, like the Los Banos Creek Reservoir and raising San Luis Reservoir, are advanced as rapidly as possible in the next administration so that we can begin to capture the much-needed water that comes from these storms as we have had in the last 10 days.

Fixing California's broken water system requires a multiprong approach, as I have said many times on this floor, and focusing on how we improve the water infrastructure and storage capacity will be imperative as we work together to update California's water system, both here in Congress with the new administration and with the administration in Sacramento that is also trying to create a water system that serves California's needs in the 21st century.

After 5 years of devastating drought conditions, we are now witnessing these large storm events which have created floods in certain regions of California. It is either feast or famine in California; and with the climate change impacts, we know that will only continue in the future.

So as we reflect on the last 5 years and we look at the progress we made last month with the WIIN Act that was part of WRDA legislation, as time goes on, it is important that in the future, during the dry years that we will face more intensive drought conditions, that we plan and provide for those drought conditions by creating the necessary surface storage and groundwater storage projects so that when we have wet years--we have wet times, as we witnessed in the last 10 days, when we see greater rainfall amounts, increased flooding, and snow pack--that we have the water storage capabilities to meet the captured water during the wet years so we can use it during the dry ones. Common sense tells us that.

I urge my colleagues in Congress and the people of California to continue to work together on a bipartisan basis because it is the only way we ever get anything done. So for the new administration, for my colleagues in the new Congress, and for my friends back in California, we must work together. If California, one of the most prosperous States in the Nation, the seventh or eighth largest economic power in the world, cannot fix the water challenges that we face in the 21st century, God help the rest of the world.

This is all about sustainability--sustainability of our food supply, sustainability of our Nation. Food is a national security item. We don't look at it that way, but it truly is.

Mr. Speaker, I look forward to the new Congress and the new administration to build on the progress we made last month so that we can fix California's broken water system by using all of the water tools in our water toolbox, and we can only do that on a bipartisan basis.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the career and achievements of Mr. Hubert ``Hub'' Walsh, outgoing chairman of the Merced County Board of Supervisors and longtime servant to the people of Merced. Mr. Walsh has been an eminent figure in Merced politics for many years, occupying various elected positions at the city and county levels. His unfailing drive to serve the people of Merced in all available capacities has cemented his legacy as a leader, public figure, and role model in the community.

Mr. Walsh arrived in Merced in 1967 with his mother, father, brother, and sister after spending much of his life moving from community to community due to his father's career in the Air Force. Mr. Walsh graduated from Merced High School in 1968, and moved on to attain his associate degree from Merced College in 1970. He transferred to the University of California, Berkeley shortly thereafter, and received his Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Sociology in 1973. Mr. Walsh made the decision to serve his country in the United States Army after graduation, spending the greater portion of his tour of duty in Ft. Lewis, Washington, where he was able to concurrently earn a master's degree in Social Science from Pacific Lutheran University. After his service in the Army, Mr. Walsh married his college sweetheart, Rita Arzamendi, with whom he had two children, Melissa and Travis. Mr. Walsh then earned a Master's in Business Administration from California State University, Stanislaus, all the while remaining active in his church and community.

Mr. Walsh spent over thirty years working in the Merced County Human Services Agency in various positions, which allowed him to affect a great deal of positive change throughout the city and county of Merced. Mr. Walsh has been involved in a breadth of public service organizations, playing the role of administrator and advocate for countless causes and groups throughout Merced, ranging from Parks and Recreation to drug abuse prevention programs. Mr. Walsh's decision to run for Merced City Council in 1995 would foster his long, fruitful career as an elected representative. After serving two terms on the City Council, Mr. Walsh was elected Mayor of Merced in 2001, where he served two terms before winning his election bid for a seat on the Merced County Board of Supervisors. During his time as a Councilman, Mayor, and Supervisor, Mr. Walsh's efforts to reinforce and transform the image of Merced have been immeasurably beneficial for the many people he has served. Mr. Walsh has routinely demonstrated to his colleagues and constituency that no issue is too big or small to tackle. This credence has earned Merced a litany of achievements thanks in large part to Mr. Walsh's efforts.

Although Mr. Walsh's retirement finds us with a heavy heart, there is no doubt that he will remain an active member of his community. Mr. Walsh's passion for public service runs beyond the positions that he has held, but is evidenced throughout his whole career and adult life.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in recognizing the remarkable career and achievements of Mr. Hubert Walsh. His tenure in public service will be appreciated for years to come.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak on the importance of funding the Department of Homeland Security. Playing partisan politics with DHS for ransom because you are unhappy with the President's executive order on immigration is inappropriate.

There are only 16 days--more importantly, there are only 6 legislative days--remaining before the Department of Homeland Security runs out of money. This is America's security at stake.

The events in Paris recently showed us that terrorism remains a threat around the world. It is also a domestic threat.

Why in the world would we want to put American citizens at risk, in harm's way?

Yet the majority seems to be content to risk our national security by defunding Homeland Security. It is either my way or the highway. The opposition insists that Congress dismantle the administration's immigration priorities, but they have yet to offer or bring a solution to the floor to fix our broken immigration system. If you have a better approach, then bring it to the floor for debate and we will vote on it.

In the valley that I represent, the San Joaquin Valley, this bill would have a devastating effect on farmworkers, farmers, and farming communities.

I ask us to come together. Let's fund Homeland Security and put the American people first.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today along with my colleague Mr. LaMalfa to pay tribute to the life of Thomas ``Tom'' Birmingham, who passed away on January 8, 2015 at the age of 93. Tom was an extraordinary person, and he will always be remembered as a man who lived his life with purpose and great dedication to his students, family, friends and community.

Tom was born on March 21, 1922 to Thomas and Nell Birmingham in Red Bluff, California. He spent much of his childhood living in various northern California towns, as his father's career as a Highway Patrolman required. It was while living with his family in Westwood, California that Tom developed many life-long friendships and his happiest childhood memories. He graduated from Clarksburg High School in Clarksburg, California, now called Delta High School, in 1940.

World War II interrupted Tom's first attempt at attending college. He left school to join the United States Navy. In the Navy, Tom was assigned to Bombing Squadron Nineteen which flew off of the USS Lexington. Mr. Birmingham proudly served our country as an aviator, and was awarded an Air Medal and a Distinguished Flying Cross for his actions on October 25, 1944 during the Battle of Leyte Gulf. Tom was extremely proud of his service and of the men with whom he served on board the Lexington.

Mr. Birmingham continued his education after the War. He enrolled at San Jose State College and graduated in 1950. While at university, Tom competed in numerous track events including the high hurdle and the triple jump, known at the time as the ``hop, skip, jump.'' A talented, athletic individual, Mr. Birmingham garnered the reputation of a world class athlete. In addition to his skills on the track field, Tom was an avid skier, becoming one of the first instructors at the Mt. Shasta Herald Ski School.

It was while Tom studied at San Jose State College that he met the love of his life, Lulu Archer. Tom and Lulu were married in 1951 and stayed in the bay area for another year while Tom completed his teaching credential. Lulu truly was Tom's one and only. Later the same year, Tom and Lulu moved to Yreka, California where they grew their family with the addition of three children, Kate, Thomas, and John.

In Yreka, Mr. Birmingham accepted a teaching and coaching position at Yreka High School. As a teacher of art and history, Mr. Birmingham was able to motivate students and develop an excitement in them for learning and personal development. Additionally, coaching track and basketball allowed Tom to form lasting bonds with his students, many of whom he kept in contact throughout his life.

Following a distinguished 31 years at Yreka High School, Mr. Birmingham retired in 1983. Upon his retirement, Tom and Lulu made it a priority to travel together. He also accepted the responsibility of taking care of his wife in the latter stages of her illness. Several years after her passing in 1987, Tom chose to relocate to Redding, California to be closer to family, specifically his beloved grandchildren. Throughout his life, his hobbies included hunting, fishing, and, in retirement, restoring old cars.

Tom's friendliness and honest nature built many lasting friendships during his lifetime. His long and remarkable life is fondly remembered by colleagues, students, friends and family. Tom leaves behind his three children; Kate, Thomas, John, their spouses, and his grandchildren.

Mr. Speaker, it is with great respect that I ask my colleagues in the House of Representatives to join Mr. LaMalfa and me in saying farewell to a man from the greatest generation, Mr. Thomas W. Birmingham. His genuine character and his loving commitment to his family and community will be greatly missed.

``The Congress shall have power to declare the punishment of treason, but no attainder of treason shall work corruption of blood, or forfeiture except during the life of the person attainted.''

Mr. Speaker, I rise with my colleagues, Congressman Xavier Becerra, Congressman Ami Bera, Congresswoman Julia Brownley, Congresswoman Lois Capps, Congressman Tony Cardenas, Congresswoman Judy Chu, Congresswoman Anna Eshoo, Congressman Sam Farr, Congresswoman Janice Hahn, Congressman Jared Huffman, Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren, Congressman Alan Lowenthal, Congresswoman Doris Matsui, Congresswoman Gloria Negrete McLeod, Congressman Jerry McNerney, Congressman George Miller, Congressman Rick Nolan, Congresswoman Grace Napolitano, Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi, Congressman Scott Peters, Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard, Congressman Raul Ruiz, Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez, Congressman Adam Schiff, Congressman Brad Sherman, Congresswoman Jackie Speier, Congressman Eric Swalwell, Congressman Mike Thompson and Congressman Henry Waxman to pay tribute to the life of former Congressman, John H. Krebs.

John Krebs was an honorable man, and a community leader whose unwavering service will be greatly missed. In addition to his two terms in the United States Congress from 1975-1979, Mr. Krebs was a civic and Democratic Party leader in Fresno, California. Additionally, he worked as an attorney for over 30 years, he was an apprentice diamond cutter during his youth in Tel Aviv, and he served in the U.S. Army.

While in Congress, he was best known for his authorship and enactment of legislation incorporating the Mineral King Valley into Sequoia National Park, thwarting Disney developers who wanted to turn the wilderness area into a major ski resort. In 2009, President Obama recognized John for his efforts, and signed legislation establishing the John Krebs Wilderness Area which covers 40,000 acres within the Mineral King Valley.

John Krebs was born on December 17, 1926, in Berlin. His parents fled Germany a few months after Hitler came to power, and he was raised in Tel Aviv. During his adolescence, John embarked on a career as a diamond cutter and joined the Haganah, a Jewish underground organization opposing the British rule, while also preparing to attend college.

In 1946, John moved to the United States to attend the University of California, Berkeley. He graduated in 1950 and became a U.S. citizen in 1952. Following his two years in the Army, he attended the University of California Hastings College of Law and passed the California Bar in 1957. For the next three decades, he practiced law with the Parichan law firm, specializing in civil defense litigation.

John wanted to make a positive difference in the community, and he quickly became an activist and leader for Fresno's Democratic Party, playing a key role in local and statewide campaigns. In March 1970, he was elected to the Fresno County Board of Supervisors, a position he held until his election to Congress in 1974. He was the first foreign- born congressman from California. John fulfilled the American Dream, and he serves as an inspiration for all of us.

John returned to Fresno after his tenure in Congress, and practiced law until his retirement. He served on numerous boards and commissions, and was foreman of the Fresno County Grand Jury for two years. John and his wife, Hanna enjoyed traveling, and loved spending time with their children and grandchildren.

John's strong values, work ethic, and compassion for others were evident to all of those who were fortunate to know him. His loving guidance as a husband, father, grandfather, and friend will be forever cherished.

John will be greatly missed by Hanna, his son, Daniel Krebs, his daughter, Karen, daughter-in-law, Susan, son-in-law, John, and grandchildren, Elizabeth, Caroline, Jack, Clay, and Peter as well as his 90 year old brother, Shlomo.

Mr. Speaker, it is with great respect that we ask the entire House of Representatives to join us in paying tribute to the life of John H. Krebs. We all have an extraordinary role model to look up to, and his presence will be greatly missed, but his legacy will surely live on.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and express my appreciation to the Lao and Hmong-American community in California's 16th Congressional District and across the country, especially the veterans and their families. It is important to note their historic and positive contributions to California's San Joaquin Valley and their critical sacrifices in support of the United States during the Vietnam War.

This year, my Congressional office was pleased to once again attend the memorial ceremonies held this past May in Arlington National Cemetery to honor those who served during the Vietnam War as well as their refugee families who were resettled in America following the end of the conflict.

Each year, since May 1997, constituents from my district in the San Joaquin Valley travel a very long distance to Washington, D.C., to help organize and host this memorial service. Colonel Wangyee Vang, President of the Lao Veterans of America Institute, of Fresno, and Philip Smith, Washington Director of the Lao Veterans of America, worked closely with members of the U.S. Congress, Arlington National Cemetery, the U.S. Army and Department of Defense, and others, to coordinate the memorial service at the ``Laos Memorial'' in Arlington. A joint U.S. Armed Services Color Guard, the ``Old Guard,'' and a U.S. Marine Corps Honor Guard provide additional support for the events, which are attended each year by a delegation of Lao Hmong veterans from the Central Valley. A U.S. Army wreath-bearer and bugler contribute additional meaning to this moving ceremony. These important events, which my office has attended over the years, seek to honor the Lao and Hmong veterans and their U.S. Special Forces and CIA clandestine advisers.

As always, I am grateful and proud of the historic and ongoing contributions of the Laotian- and Hmong-American community in the San Joaquin Valley and across the United States. We must not forget how Hmong veterans have sacrificed and struggled to help the United States during and after the war. These brave individuals have truly made the San Joaquin Valley a better place.

Many of my colleagues in the U.S. House and Senate have been supportive of my steadfast efforts to introduce and advance the Hmong Veterans' Service Recognition Act (H.R. 3369), which continues to gain strong bipartisan support in Congress. I wish to thank the many Senators and Members of Congress for standing alongside me in this worthy effort. I must also thank the Hmong veterans and Hmong-American community, who seek to honor their veterans and historic legacy. It is my hope that this legislation will continue to progress as more of my colleagues in the Congress and the public become aware of the unique and important contribution that the Hmong people have made, and continue to make, to our nation.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Hebert Leslie McCabe, Jr., who honorably served our nation in the United States Navy during World War II and was employed by Merced College for more than 30 years.

Les was born in Upper Lake, California, on April 9, 1927. Twenty years later he married the love of his life, Elizabeth, with whom he raised five children. After serving in the United States Navy during World War II, Les returned to California to attend college. He earned a bachelor's degree from UC Davis in 1950, his master's degree from UC Davis in 1956, and his doctorate from Nova-Southeastern University in 1977.

Les was employed by Merced College for more than 30 years, working as an Agriculture Business instructor, Career Programs coordinator, and Work Experience coordinator. Les also assumed the roles of Director of Financial Aid and Career Placement and Dean of Vocational Education. Les has the honor of being a charter member of the California Agriculture Teachers Association Hall of Fame as well as a member of the Academic Senate and President of the Faculty Association. Les served honorably on the Merced College Board of Trustees for 16 years and the Merced County Farm Bureau Board of Directors for 15 years. He was also appointed by Governor George Deukmejian to serve on the State Council on Vocational Education.

Les and his family have lived in Merced since 1967. He has been active in the community as a member of many organizations, including the American Legion Le Grand Post, Disabled American Veterans Atwater Post, the Masonic Order, and the Scottish Rite. Not one to shy away from leadership, he also served as President of the Kiwanis Club of Greater Merced and President of the Merced County Chamber of Commerce.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in honoring the service of Les McCabe. He has earned the respect of his peers and the admiration of all who know him.