Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and service of Mr. Jim Looney, who passed away in 2012. Jim was a World War II veteran who served the United States of America honorably in the Philippines and Japan. He was truly a leader in the Chowchilla community.

Jim grew up in Puyallup, Washington, a small community near Tacoma. In 1943, after he graduated from Puyallup High School, Jim moved to Chowchilla, California, where he worked on his uncle's dairy farm.

In 1944, Jim joined the U.S. Army and underwent basic training at Camp Roberts in California. During the winter of 1945, Jim boarded a ship headed to the Pacific. He was assigned as a rifleman to the 163rd Regiment of the 41st Division in the Philippines. By the time Jim joined, the 163rd was a battle-hardened regiment that had fought several battles since their landing in October 1944.

Jim and his fellow soldiers conducted patrols and mopping up actions in the southern Philippines. He and the 163rd landed at Arara in May 1945 and consolidated the areas of Arara and Toem. They then moved onto Wakde Island and invaded Biak Island two weeks later.

After securing the islands, the Army began preparations for Operation Olympic, the invasion of the Japanese mainland. The 41st Division and its infantry regiments, including Jim and the rest of the 163rd began to prepare for the invasion. The men were issued cold weather gear for their planned landing in northern Japan, code-named HIRO, for Hiroshima. Jim, along with the men of the 163rd were waiting to board troopships for the invasion, when the atomic bombs hit Hiroshima and Nagasaki, ending the war.

Jim was promoted to staff sergeant and was shipped to Japan as part of the occupation forces. Jim and the 163rd went ashore near Hiroshima a few weeks after the end of the war and saw the overwhelming effects of the bombing first-hand.

Jim returned to the United States in 1946 and was discharged at Fort Lewis, Washington. For his service, Jim was awarded the Combat Infantryman's Badge, the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, the Philippine Campaign and Liberation Medals, the Army of Occupation Medal and the World War II Victory Medal.

Upon leaving the service, Jim returned to Chowchilla where he became well known for his involvement in ranching. He was a founding member of the Chowchilla Stampede Committee and also served with distinction as a member of the Chowchilla-Madera County Fair Board for more than thirty years.

Jim was a Life Member of the Chowchilla Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9896. He and his wife, Annie, had four daughters, eight grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in paying tribute to the life and service of Mr. Jim Looney for his love and dedication to his family, community, and nation.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mr. David Schoolen for his honorable service to the United States of America.

In 1940, David was born in Des Moines, Iowa. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1963 and graduated from Navy boot camp at the U.S. Navy Training Center in Great Lakes, Illinois.

Because of his high score on the aptitude test, David was selected to undergo highly specialized training at the Submarine School in New London, Connecticut. He successfully completed the basic course and continued on to receive specialized training in electronics followed by additional training at the Naval Nuclear Power School.

After his training, David reported aboard the USS Tecumseh, a ballistic missile submarine. The submarine had two crews, a Blue Crew and a Gold Crew, that alternated onboard the ship's deterrent patrols during the Cold War. David was part of the Gold Crew, which was made up of 133 enlisted men and 14 officers. The Tecumseh completed 21 patrols in the Pacific including patrols in the Gulf of Tonkin, the North China Sea, and the South China Sea during the Vietnam War.

David re-enlisted in the Navy and completed further training in gas, wielding, burning, and brazing. He also completed training in electronic test equipment operation, hydrogen detection, damage control, and noise and vibration measurement. David became an Electrician's Mate 1 and served in the capacity of a Nuclear Power Propulsion Plant Operator.

After four tours with the Gold Crew onboard the USS Tecumseh, David served as an instructor at the Nuclear Power Prototype (Operational) School for three years.

In January 1971, David was honorably discharged after more than seven years of service. Mr. David was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, and the Dolphins Badge of the Submarine Service.

David is a Life Member of Chowchilla Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9896. He is also active in the community of Chowchilla as a deacon in El Nido Missionary Church. He and his wife, Dorothy, have three children and one grandchild.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the honorable service of Mr. David Schoolen. We must thank him for his unwavering commitment to protecting the citizens of the United States of America.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mr. Eric Crownover, who served honorably as a Marine during the Iraq War. Eric's commitment and dedication to ensuring the safety of the American people deserves to be commended.

Eric was born in Chowchilla and attended Chowchilla High School. In 1997, he graduated and soon after enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps.

After completing boot camp at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Eric completed the School of Infantry Training course and was designated as an infantryman. He qualified as Expert on the M-16 rifle and reported to Company F, 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment at Camp Pendleton.

Eric quickly advanced in rank and military proficiency. He completed the Machine Gunners Course and became involved in the USMC Mixed Martial Arts. Eric decided to re-enlist and remained in the 1st Marines.

In January 2003, the 1st Marines were deployed to Iraq as part of Regimental Combat Team 1, a combined task force of 5,000 men. Eric and his fellow Marines fought their way from Kuwait to Baghdad, with actions at An Nasariyah, Al Kut, and Baghdad.

After the fall of Baghdad, Eric and the regiment conducted security and stability operations in Baghdad and Al Hillah. He returned to Camp Pendleton in the summer of 2003, where he completed Martial Arts Grey Training. Later in 2003, Eric returned to Iraq for a second tour and was in combat in Fallujah and Ramadi.

In addition to his service in Iraq, Eric also spent several months in Afghanistan fighting the Taliban and insurgent forces. He eventually returned to Camp Pendleton where he joined Golf Company, 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment. He continued with the USMC Mixed Martial Arts and earned a brown belt.

Eric became a CST instructor and was selected for the Sergeant's Course. After completing the course, he was promoted to sergeant. During his off-duty hours, Eric took courses in criminal justice at Saddleback College, Mission Viejo.

In February 2006, Sergeant Eric L. Crownover received an honorable discharge from the United States Marines Corps. For his service, he was awarded the Combat Action Ribbon with one star, Presidential Unit Citation, the Good Conduct Medal with one star, the Iraq Campaign Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Navy Achievement Medal, and Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation, Letter of Commendation, and Letter of Appreciation. He was also awarded the Expert Rifleman's Badge and a Brown Belt in Mixed Martial Arts.

Eric has three children and lives in Merced, California. He is a Life Member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Chowchilla Post 9896.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Mr. Eric Crownover for his honorable service to our great nation and wishing him the best of luck and health in his future endeavors.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mr. Jacky Parks for being honored as the 2014 Labor Leader of the Year by the Fresno, Madera, Tulare, and Kings Central Labor Council. The outstanding contributions he has made to the law enforcement community in Fresno and the entire San Joaquin Valley must be commended.

Jacky was born and raised in Oakdale, California. Upon graduating from Oakdale High School in 1983, Jacky went on to attend Merced Community College where he majored in criminal justice.

In 1985, Jacky was hired by the State of California and began his career as a peace officer. Throughout his law enforcement career of nearly three decades, Jacky has served as a patrol officer, field training officer, narcotic detective, and street violence detective. For the past 19 years, Jacky has been with the City of Fresno Police Department.

In October 2004, Jacky's peers elected him to be president of the Fresno Police Officer's Association (FPOA), a position he has held for a record five consecutive terms. As president, Jacky serves as the lead negotiator for the FPOA Basic and Management Units. He coordinated and participated in a successful campaign to defeat California Propositions 74, 75, 76, and 77, and joined forces with local labor leaders to successfully defeat the City of Fresno's Measure ``G.''

In addition to serving as President of FPOA, Jacky serves in other leadership positions. Jacky is a member of the City of Fresno Health and Welfare Trust, and he sits on the executive committee and board of directors of the Peace Officer Research Association of California (PORAC). Jacky is a terrific representative for the Fresno Police Department and regularly participates in community events and town hall meetings. In addition, he is active in educating law enforcement labor groups around the state and nation.

Throughout his career, Jacky has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to service. In 1989, Jacky left the World Series baseball game to work with the California State Police in assisting citizens affected by the 1989 San Francisco earthquake. He also served as a street violence detective investigating the Marcus Wesson homicide case which resulted in a successful prosecution and conviction.

Because of Jacky's efforts, he has been the recipient of several awards presented by the Fresno Police Department including: a Life Saving Medal, the Fresno Police Department Nominee Rookie of the Year award, and the Southeast District Police Officer of the Year award. Jacky also received a special recognition award at the 2008 PORAC Conference for his dedication and efforts to promoting the goals of the organization.

Mr. Speaker, it is with great respect that I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Mr. Jacky Parks for his service and commitment to our community. His hard work and dedication to ensuring public safety is greatly appreciated.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Phil Larson as he is honored with

the Ag One Community Salute. Phil is truly a ``champion for agriculture'' as he has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to his community and devoted his time, energy, and service to California's agriculture industry.

Phil is a longtime resident of the San Joaquin Valley. Upon graduating from Kerman High School in 1951, Phil attended California State University, Fresno and Pasadena College. He joined the United States Marine Corps, and proudly served his country in the Korean War from 1953-1956 and the Reserve until 1961. Phil earned the rank of Sergeant E-4.

In 1962, Phil began a long and distinguished career as a pest control adviser (PCA) for Wilbur-Ellis Company, an international marketer and distributor of agricultural products. He won multiple awards from the industry, including being named to the Ag Chemical Professionals Hall of Fame. In addition, Phil was a founding member of the Fresno County Chapter of California Association of Pest Control Advisors (CAPCA), where he was honored as PCA of the Year in 1990.

In 2002, Phil was elected to the Fresno County Board of Supervisors to represent District One, and was re-elected in 2006 and 2010. As County Supervisor, Phil serves on various Boards and Commissions, including: the Biological Diversity Task Force, Historic Parks Committee, Mid Valley Water Authority, and San Joaquin Water Coalition. Phil is an authority on agriculture and water supply issues. He was instrumental in developing the west side of Fresno County after the installation of the California Aqueduct.

In addition to his service as County Supervisor, Phil has been a leader in the community in many other capacities. He has served on several boards including: Kerman Unified School Board, Kerman Covenant Church, and the Greater Fresno Area Chamber of Commerce. Phil has also served as president of the Fresno County Farm Bureau and as a State Director for the California Farm Bureau.

The Central Valley has benefitted in so many ways from the efforts made by Phil. His support for Ag One and Fresno State will reach new heights through the Ag One--John P. ``Phil'' Larson Endowment, which will support deserving students and programs in the Department of Plant and Science in the Jordan College at California State University, Fresno.

Mr. Speaker, it is with great respect that I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Phil Larson for his commitment to ensuring that the San Joaquin Valley continues to prosper and thrive as one of the nation's leaders in agriculture.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mr. Ray Pool for the outstanding contributions he has made to the farming community in Madera and the entire San Joaquin Valley. Ray is more than deserving to be honored as Senior Farmer of the Year by the Madera Chamber of Commerce.

Ray has strong roots in Madera County. Upon graduating from Madera High School, Ray joined the United States Air Force where he developed a love for flying planes. When World War II ended, he moved to Nevada where his father owned a cattle ranch. He herded wild horses with an airplane, but unfortunately, it ended after a short time due to an accident he endured losing his leg and an eye. In 1950, he moved back to Madera where he began a lifelong journey of farming.

Ray's many accomplishments can be attributed to his determination and willingness to never give up. The first time he grew cotton, corn, and alfalfa, he nearly lost all of his money. However, instead of giving up, he worked for Cal-Air Dusters to earn extra cash. He saved enough to start his own crop dusting company, Ray Pool Dusting. As a crop duster, Ray met several farmers, and he formed partnerships that ultimately resulted in the expansion of his farm. By 1971, in addition to crop dusting, Ray was also farming 225 acres of almonds and 150 acres of grapevines.

Flying and farming will always have a special place in Ray's heart, but his achievements would never have been possible if not for the support of his devoted wife, Audrey. Ray and Audrey haven given back to their community in so many ways, and they must be commended for all of their great efforts.

Mr. Speaker, it is with great respect that I ask my colleagues in the House of Representatives to recognize Ray Pool as the Senior Farmer of the Year presented by the Madera Chamber of Commerce. Ray's success is exemplary of the American Dream, and he serves an inspiration for all of us.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Margie Wright as California State University, Fresno (Fresno State) changes the name of Bulldog Diamond to Margie Wright Diamond. For nearly three decades, Margie dedicated her life as the head coach to the softball program at Fresno State. Her passion for the sport is truly exemplary, and she is more than deserving of this special recognition.

Margie was raised in Warrensburg, Illinois, and her extraordinary athleticism was evident at a young age. In 1974, she graduated from Illinois State University where she played on both the softball and basketball teams for four years as well as the field hockey team for three years. Upon graduation, Margie played three years in the Women's Professional Softball League.

Margie's career as a softball coach quickly took off. She began coaching at Metamora Illinois high school, and then continued on to become the assistant softball coach and the head volleyball coach at Eastern Illinois University. Prior to her arrival at Fresno State, Margie coached six years at Illinois State University.

The expertise and knowledge that Margie brings to the game of softball goes unmatched. Margie changed the dynamic of the game during her career at Fresno State. Her leadership and dedication to ensuring the success of her teams has led to increased attendance and revenue for the university. Margie has the most wins of any softball coach on the Division I level, and she has the second most wins among National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I coaches, regardless of sport.

In 1998, the Fresno State Bulldogs won the NCAA Women's College World Series under Margie's leadership, which was the first national team title won by the university. Margie also directed the program to three NCAA runner-up finishes while leading the program to 10 NCAA Women's College World Series appearances and 26 straight NCAA postseason appearances. Earning National Coach of the Year honors, she also led the program to 27 straight years ranked in the national polls and captured 17 outright or shared conference titles. Margie has coached 16 Academic All-Americans, 53 NCAA All-Americans, 4 NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship Award winners, two NCAA Top VIII Awardees, 15 Olympians, 8 professionals, and two No. 1 professional draft picks while averaging 48 wins a season. In addition, in 1996, Margie served as the assistant coach to the United States Olympic Softball National Team which won the gold medal in the inaugural year of the Olympic sport. Margie is undoubtedly a legend as she has been inducted into 14 halls of fame.

Most important are the lives Margie has positively affected through her dedication and work. Margie is a pioneer who fought for the rights of women. It is because of Margie's advocacy for equality that college campuses have grand stadiums, better salaries, and workable budgets for women's sports. The renaming of Bulldog Diamond to Margie Wright Diamond is a deserved tribute to her exceptional service at Fresno State.

Mr. Speaker, it is with great respect that I ask my colleagues in the U.S. House of Representatives to recognize Margie Wright. Margie impacted the lives of many through her love of softball and has worked tirelessly for the advancement of women's athletics in California and the entire nation.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Tom Richards for his years of service as Board Chair of the Fresno Regional Workforce Investment Board, FRWIB. Tom's commitment and dedication to ensuring the success of FRWIB must be commended.

Over the past four years, Tom has worked tirelessly to carry out FRWIB's mission to be a catalyst for mobilizing and integrating public and private partners to effectively educate and train individuals with the necessary skills to fulfill employer needs. As Board Chair, Tom strives to increase the number of job opportunities available to unemployed and underemployed residents in the region. He plays an integral role in advancing vocational education opportunities directly related to job placement. Businesses and individuals throughout the community have benefited immensely from Tom's business insight and civic interests.

Tom's leadership expands beyond FRWIB. He is a leader for our entire community, and he strives every day to ensure the success of our city, state, and nation. He is the past chair of the Planning Council that developed the 10 Year Plan to End Chronic Homelessness in the City of Fresno. Tom was also instrumental in the planning and funding of Terry's House, a hospitality home for families who have loved ones who are in the hospital. Tom has overseen dozens of successful projects, and he has proven to be an effective leader. He is an individual of outstanding character, and I am proud to have him as a friend for more than 30 years.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Tom Richards for his service as Board Chair of the Fresno Regional Workforce Investment Board. Tom's vision, passion, and persistence have led to improvements in the region's economy. As Tom steps down as Board Chair, we can still expect him to be an advocate for businesses and residents throughout the San Joaquin Valley.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and service of Dr. George Nishio, who passed away in November 2013 at the age of 97. George served the United States of America honorably during World War II and was a pillar in the community.

George was born in Fresno, California, to Japanese immigrant parents. He graduated from Fresno State College and went on to complete a Doctor of Optometry degree at the University of California, Berkeley. With his optometry degree in hand, George returned to Fresno and began a private practice.

Following the attacks on Pearl Harbor, George was sent to a concentration camp in Jerome, Arkansas. Despite being driven from his home to a concentration camp, George volunteered for duty in the U.S. Army. Following basic training, George was selected for medical training. After being designated as an optometrist, George was assigned to a medical company and boarded a ship for the campaign in the European Theater.

The U.S. Army recognized George's expertise and leadership abilities and promoted him to Technical Sergeant. George would go on to serve in Europe as the allied forces fought their way into Germany. His unit received a meritorious unit citation and was designated a Distinguished U.S. Army Medical Regiment.

For his service, George received the World War II Medal, African- Middle Eastern Medal, European Campaign, Meritorious Unit Award, Army of Occupation Medal, and the Good Conduct Medal.

George married Michiko Saiki and returned to Fresno where he resumed his optometry practice. He and Michiko had six children in whom they instilled a strong sense of appreciation for nature and education. Eventually, George and his family moved to Chowchilla where he established a practice that still serves the community.

Believing that everyone should serve and be an active member in their community, George served as a member of the City Planning Commission, Chowchilla School Board, and was President of the Madera County Board of Education. He was also a longtime member and past president of the Chowchilla Rotary Club, and a Paul Harris Fellow.

In addition, George was a member of the American Optometric Association, serving as president of the Central California Chapter. He was named Optometrist of the Year by the Central California Optometry Association. He was a Life Member of Chowchilla Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 0896 and Nisei VFW Post 8985 in Sacramento.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in paying tribute to the life of Dr. George Nishio who dedicated his life to serving his nation and community. His presence will be greatly missed, but his legacy will surely live on throughout the San Joaquin Valley.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of John W. Wells, who passed away on March 24, 2014, at the age of 86. John was a community leader in the City of Madera, and his unwavering service will be greatly missed.

John spent much of his life in Madera County. He was born to John and Mary Wells, and grew up in a large family with eight siblings. In 1947, he graduated from Chowchilla Union High School and joined the United States Army.

John served as a member of the infamous Wolfhound Division. He was wounded in action and after receiving treatment in Japan was sent back to Korea, where he remained until the end of the war. He served as an airborne forward artillery observer. John was awarded the Purple Heart medal for his brave and honorable service.

John continued his military service in El Paso, Texas, where he met his wife Bette Collins. In 1952, John and Bette married. After completing his final tour in Germany, John remained in the Army Reserves for many years and retired with the rank of Captain. John attended Fresno State College and earned his teaching credential. As a student, John also served as an officer for Madera's Police Department. He later worked as a teacher and eventually retired from teaching at Sugar Pine High School, a Madera Unified School District continuation high school.

John had a long and distinguished career in city politics. In 1964, he was elected to Madera City Council, and he served for 10 years. For part of that time, he served as mayor. John went on a hiatus from elected office, but returned and was re-elected to the city council in 1990. He served consecutive terms as city councilman until 2006. John was truly committed to serving the people of Madera and doing what was best for the city. He faithfully attended council meetings and members of the community felt they could always count on him.

Because of John's dedication and commitment to ensuring the success of young people, the City of Madera inaugurated the John W. Wells Youth Center to commemorate John's service and accomplishments. The center now stands as a fitting tribute and memorial to John's life. Apart from the youth center, John also promoted and worked tirelessly to build a skate park within Rotary Park. He was driven to serve the youth in Madera and worked tirelessly to create places where the youth could remain busy and out of trouble.

Mr. Speaker, it is with great respect that I ask my colleagues in the U.S. House of Representative's to join me in honoring the life of John W. Wells. John will undoubtedly be missed by his family, friends, and community, but his legacy will surely live on.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Dr. Peter Ammon as he leaves his post as Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to the United States. His hard work and dedication to strengthening the economic and cultural relationship between Germany and the United States must be commended.

In his role as Ambassador to the United States, Dr. Ammon strengthened the strong ties that bind Germany and the United States. Within the U.S., he visited 45 states and met with ordinary Americans, Governors, State Legislators, Members of Congress, and local elected officials. He also helped establish the German residence as an icon of German culture by featuring art crafted by U.S. and German artists on a rotating basis. The National Day parties hosted at the residence drew more than 3,500 guests, who enjoyed German art and food.

Dr. Ammon has championed the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership both as German Ambassador and for nearly 20 years prior because he knows this groundbreaking trade agreement will create jobs and growth on both sides of the Atlantic. Dr. Ammon leaves his post in Washington with the United States and Europe taking great strides toward finishing these tough, but necessary negotiations.

Dr. Ammon has served as German Ambassador to the United States since 2011. Previously, he served as Ambassador to Paris, France, and various other roles in the German government, including Director General for Economics at the German Foreign Office from 2001 to 2007 and Head of Policy Planning from 1996 to 1999. Prior to his service in these roles, Dr. Ammon served as a career diplomat in London, Senegal, and New Dehli.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing my good friend Dr. Peter Ammon for his great service and commitment to the special relationship between Germany and the United States. We thank Dr. Ammon for his leadership and send him our very best

wishes for his next post in the United Kingdom.

Mr. Chairman, I rise today to offer an amendment to H.R. 4486.

Mr. Chairman, this bill makes critical investments in our military and upholds a sacred promise we make to our men and women in uniform that we will stand by them when they return home, but we can do more.

My amendment provides additional funding to end what has been a shameful backlog of disability claims that, for too long, has delayed benefits for veterans throughout the west coast, especially in the San Joaquin Valley that I represent.

The Oakland regional office services the majority of veterans throughout the west coast and in my district. Sadly, it has one of the largest loads of backlogged casework. Currently, more than 10,000 entitlement claims are stuck in this backlog, and the average claim is left pending for nearly 400 days, which is over a year. This is unacceptable. It is immoral.

Yesterday, the Central Valley Honor Flight brought 68 World War II veterans from California to see the World War II Memorial and other important monuments in our Nation's capital. These men and women raised their right hand over 70 years ago and took an oath that they would defend our Nation and our freedom for the future of democracy throughout the world.

Their efforts and their honor is without question. This is a depth that we can never repay. Therefore, it is our obligation to provide them with the care that they earned for their service to our country.

This amendment I am offering today honors the service of these World War II veterans and veterans of all the wars who have served our Nation. Specifically, this amendment provides $10 million to the Veterans Benefit Administration to pay for programs like the veterans' claims intake program, the centralized mail initiative, and staff overtime.

No one can deny that the Veterans Administration recently has taken strong and meaningful steps to end the backlog, but we can do more. They have gone from 2\1/2\ years now to over 400 days. Well, that is progress, but it is not good enough.

Our work is not complete until we are able to strip every bit of red tape separating a veteran from the benefits that they have earned and should receive.

I want to thank my colleagues who have cosponsored this amendment: Congressman LaMalfa, Congressman Thompson, Congressman Denham, and Congressman Lowenthal; and I want to thank Chairman Culberson, as well as Ranking Member Bishop for their efforts and good work on this important bill.

I hope that we will adopt this amendment, so that we can do the right thing, which is end this backlog once and for all, so veterans who have served their country can receive the benefits that they so richly deserve.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the ranking member, Mr. Levin, for the 2 minutes.

I rise today to speak in favor of H.R. 4414, the Expatriate Health Coverage Clarification Act. I am a cosponsor of this bill because I think it provides a targeted fix to the unintended consequences of the Affordable Care Act. It is too bad, though, that we cannot work together in fixing other flaws in the ACA instead of trying to repeal it over 50 times over the last 2 years.

I think, though, this bill will save American jobs, including many in the San Joaquin Valley. There have been some concerns that this bill would negatively impact green card holders and other immigrants to our country. I think this bill does provide safeguards to ensure that that will not happen.

An expat plan, by its nature, offers robust benefits across the globe. No one should be concerned that this bill will somehow erode coverage or quality for non-Americans living here in the U.S. or for Americans living abroad, for that matter.

With more than 1,000 jobs at stake, passing this bill will signal to the American people that, yes, on occasion Congress can work together and that we do care about more than business as usual.

I am pleased to join my colleagues, Mr. Carney and Mr. Nunes, in standing up for this effort to protect some American jobs. But let's remind ourselves that it is a work in progress and the author knows that this legislation, I suspect, would not be signed into law in its current form. But it is a work in progress. We move it along, we work with the Senate and get the concerns addressed the administration has raised. That is what it takes working together on a bipartisan basis to get legislation done.

I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on the bill when it comes up for a vote today.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize my friend and former colleague, Dennis Cardoza. Dennis served as the U.S. Congressman for the 18th Congressional District of California. He has truly led a life dedicated to public service, and his efforts deserve to be commended.

Dennis grew up in Atwater, California where he attended Atwater High School followed by California State University, Stanislaus. He later transferred to the University of Maryland College Park where he earned his Bachelor of Arts Degree in 1982. He was the first member of his family to graduate college. Dennis' first taste of public service came in 1979 when he spent a summer in college interning on Capitol Hill.

After graduation, Dennis returned to the San Joaquin Valley where he ran a successful small business and served as a city councilman for Merced and Atwater. In 1996, he was elected to the California State Assembly where he served as Chairman of the Rules Committee and cofounder of the Moderate Democratic Caucus.

In 2002, Dennis was elected to his first term in Congress. He had many legislative accomplishments that truly made a difference in his district. Dennis was an unwavering advocate for issues impacting Valley residents such as water, agriculture, unemployment, and poverty. Dennis lobbied to bring Secretary of the Interior, Ken Salazar and Secretary of Agriculture, Tom Vilsack to the Central Valley. Their visit influenced the decision by the Department of Agriculture to declare Merced, Stanislaus, and San Joaquin counties as natural disaster areas. Also, Dennis was an active member of the Blue Dog Coalition. He proudly cosponsored H.R. 2166 the ``Fiscal Honesty and Accountability Act of 2009'' to extend Pay-As-You-Go spending through 2014 in order to strengthen Congress' commitment to fiscal responsibility and accountability. In 2007 Dennis joined the House Rules Committee where he assisted the victims of the Valley's home foreclosure crisis by securing language in H.R. 1728, the ``Mortgage Reform and Anti- Predatory Lending Act'', that established a federal database to track foreclosures across the country. In the 110th and 111th Congresses, Dennis served as Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee's Subcommittee on Horticulture and Organic Agriculture, which had a prominent role in the formation of the 2007 Farm Bill.

Dennis believes that one of our greatest responsibilities as a society is to leave our nation a better place for our children and grandchildren. Dennis worked diligently to ensure that the University of California's 10th campus would be in Merced, California. In addition, one of Dennis' proudest legislative accomplishments was the language he introduced in the ``Fostering Connections to Success and increasing Adoptions Act'', which ensures that children in the foster care system receive necessary medical attention until the age of 21. Dennis has been an advocate on behalf of children and adoption not just as a legislator but also as a parent, raising two adopted children in addition to his one biological daughter.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the leadership and public service of Dennis Cardoza. His contributions to the Central Valley, the State of California, and the future generations of this nation ennobled this body of Congress with his presence.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today with my colleague Mr. Valadao to recognize Mrs. Greta Cardoso as she celebrates her 90th birthday. Greta's generation set an example for our country in the 20th century, and Greta's life is truly reflective of the American Dream.

Greta was born in Tranquility, California, on April 1, 1924. She grew up in a large immigrant family with nine siblings. Her parents, Senhorinda Barcellos and Elisas Baptista, both emigrated from the Azorian Island of Terceira. Strong values were instilled in Greta at a young age. She attended Kerman High School and worked at the local Five and Dime. After graduation, Greta met her husband, Lee Cardoso, while she was working at The Chat and Chew.

In 1950, Lee and Greta married and began their lives together. Both of their families emigrated from Terceira, so their union encompassed many common traditions and values. Their marriage initiated a partnership between the families and led to the establishment of a dairy business. Greta and Lee raised four children: Linda, Sonny, Joe, and Mark. Growing up on a dairy, the Cardoso children gained a strong work ethic and learned to never take their successes for granted.

Greta is a loving and devoted mother to her children. She always gave her children freedom to learn and explore on their own. While they were in elementary school, Greta would volunteer as a room mother. She was not only an outstanding mother to her own children but also to her nieces, nephews, and neighborhood kids. Greta's hospitality goes unmatched. Relatives and friends are always more than welcome in the Cardoso household. On a personal note, Greta was an exceptional role model for me--her nephew.

Outside of working on the dairy and spending time with family, Greta enjoyed several hobbies. She loved to sew, crochet, and needle point. Her needle points are a work of art and are cherished by many. She also loved to play cards and liked Portuguese card games the most. Playing bridge, bunko, and bowling were all activities that Greta truly enjoyed because she loves to be in the company of others.

Greta loved her husband, and loves her children, nine grandchildren, and 14 great grandchildren dearly. She has led a long and fulfilling life, and is a great example of a strong woman who shows many individuals the beauty and love this amazing life has to offer.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues in the U.S. House of Representatives to join Mr. Valadao and myself in recognizing Mrs. Greta Cardoso as she celebrates her 90th birthday. She is an inspiration for all of us as she has a led a long life filled with joy, love, and happiness of Armenian to the San Joaquin Valley I call home and the entire Nation.