Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the life of Erma Jeremias Craveiro Trowe who passed away on October 13, 2013 at the age of 96. Her character exemplified the very best of what our nation has to offer--she was thoughtful, generous, and possessed a strong work ethic.

Erma was a Central Valley native. She was born to Antonio and Francisca Jeremias on January 8, 1917 at Summit Lake near Fresno, California. The Jeremias's were Portuguese immigrants, and they managed a farm in Fresno County. When times were tough during the Great Depression, Erma and her seven siblings worked alongside their parents to help sustain the family farm. Erma attended California State University, Fresno, formerly known as Fresno State College and was one of the first in her family to graduate from college.

Erma married Joe Craveiro in 1938. They had four children: Audrey, Jerry, Bob, and Thomas. Joe and Erma raised their children in the Kearney Park area. Erma stayed active in the community, and was a supporter of Houghton-Kearney School, St. Patrick's Church in Kerman, and numerous Portuguese fraternal organizations. Joe and Erma also operated a dairy and grew alfalfa, cotton, and sugar beets.

When Joe passed away, Erma pursued a teaching career. She began at Madison Grammar School then went to Ahwahnee Middle School, and eventually settled at St. Anthony's School, where she taught fifth grade for many years. Teaching young people was very rewarding for Erma, and her students felt fortunate to have her as a teacher. Erma always found joy in the learning process. She loved languages and studied Portuguese, Spanish, Russian, and French. Her curiosity about the world and different cultures led her to travel to Africa, Europe, and Asia.

Aside from her commitments to her family, career, and the ranch, Erma had a lifelong involvement in various community activities. She was a member of the Fig Garden Women's Club, served as a Cub Scout Mother, and volunteered on the Parents Teacher's Association (PTA). Erma was also instrumental in the development of the Houghton-Kearney Elementary School.

Erma married William Trowe in 1981, and he passed away seven short years later. However, her faith in God never wavered. She believed that God has a plan for all of us, and His presence can be felt in each of our lives.

Erma was a very dear friend to the Costa family. She was one of my mother's greatest confidantes, and my sister, Bette, and I could always depend on her to be there for us in times of need.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in paying tribute to the life of Erma Jeremias Craveiro Trowe. She is admired by all who had the pleasure of knowing her, and she will be remembered for her warm and loving heart.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Chowchilla Elementary School District as they celebrate their 100-year anniversary. Chowchilla Elementary School District is comprised of four elementary schools and one middle school: Stephens Elementary, Fuller Elementary, Reagan Elementary, Fairmead Elementary, and Wilson Middle. For the past 100 years, Chowchilla Elementary School District has provided students with an excellent education that promotes high academic performance, personal responsibility, and respect for oneself and others.

In 1913, Chowchilla Grammar School was built. Several years later, due to the growing community, two additional classroom wings were added to the building. In 1949, numerous additions were made to the school, including a new office, restrooms and classrooms. Today, this building is now Stephens Elementary School.

In 1949, Merle L. Fuller Elementary School was established. Ronald Reagan Elementary School was completed in 2008 due to the land that was granted to Chowchilla Elementary School District in 2003 from C&R Holdings, LTD. Over a hundred years ago, students at Fairmead Elementary School were taught in a large warehouse in Fairmead, California. In 1913, a school building was completed, and in 1964, Fairmead Elementary School joined the Chowchilla Elementary School District. Wilson Grammar School was constructed in 1920, but was burned down years later. It was rebuilt in 1940, and is currently the location of Wilson Middle School.

The Chowchilla Elementary School District serves a diverse group of students. Every school district has its own challenges, but the administrators and teachers at Chowchilla Elementary School District are dedicated to providing their students with a quality education.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Chowchilla Elementary School District during their 100-year anniversary. We must thank all the administrators, faculty, and staff that provide students in the Central Valley with a quality education.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Darius Assemi as he is honored with the Fresno State Alumni Association's Top Dog Distinguished Alumnus Award. Darius is well deserving of this award as he has contributed so much to the City of Fresno and our entire Central Valley.

Darius immigrated to the United States from Iran almost 40 years ago. He graduated with honors from California State University, Fresno in 1983 with a degree in Civil Engineering. After graduation, he served as vice president of Granville Homes up until 2009 when he became president. Granville Homes is a local business that is family-owned and operated.

Fresno has benefitted in so many ways from the efforts made by Darius. Granville's developments are spread throughout the city. They provide housing to individuals of all ages, ethnicities, and socio- economic backgrounds. For over 30 years, Darius has stood behind Granville's mission ``to improve the well-being of people in our community'' and promote ``positive change in the lives of people in the Central Valley.'' For the past eight years, Darius has hosted a ``Home of Hope'' fundraiser. Participants buy one hundred dollar raffle tickets with the possibility of winning a new home. All of the proceeds from the raffle tickets are donated to local non-profits around the Central Valley. Since 2006, over 2.4 million dollars has been raised. The donations provide shelter, healthcare, education, and food to thousands of individuals.

Darius plays a big role in the city's effort to revitalize downtown Fresno. Granville has completed four housing projects downtown, and two more projects are in the works. As a result, over 500 individuals have moved to the area. Residents are making contributions to downtown Fresno that will have a lasting impact on the city's entire economy.

In addition to his work at Granville Homes, Darius is the chair of American Medical Overseas Relief (AMOR). AMOR is a non-profit organization that is improving the health of thousands of women and children in Afghanistan. In 2009, the Afshar Hospital in Kabul, Afghanistan was built due to funding from AMOR. The 100 bed hospital serves more than 3,500 patients a month.

Darius also sits on several other boards including the California Transportation Commission, the California Health Sciences University, the Islamic Cultural Center of Fresno, and the Fresno Chamber of Commerce.

Mr. Speaker, it is with great respect that I ask my colleagues in the House of Representatives to recognize Darius Assemi for his commitment to ensuring that the City of Fresno continues to prosper and thrive.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Jerry Tarkanian or ``Tark the Shark,'' for being inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Nationwide, Jerry is most recognized for his achievements as the basketball coach for University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), but in California's 16th Congressional District, we know Jerry as California State University, Fresno's (Fresno State) spirited and energetic former head basketball coach. Fresno State is Jerry's alma mater, and the community is very proud to say so.

Jerry was born in Euclid, Ohio, and is the son of Armenian immigrants. He moved halfway across the country to get an education and play basketball. In 1955, he graduated from Fresno State, and later earned his master's degree in Educational Management from the University of Redlands.

Jerry began his coaching career at San Joaquin Memorial High School in Fresno. He then went on to coach high school basketball in Southern California, and then coached at Riverside City College from 1961-1966 and Pasadena City College from 1966-1968. Jerry was successful at the city college level, and brought four consecutive teams to the California Junior College Championships.

Jerry coached his first Division I team at California State University, Long Beach from 1968-1973. As a coach during the late 60's, he defied some of the social norms of the time by becoming one of the first coaches to start more than three African-American players. He is also one of the first coaches to recognize the advantages of coaching junior college athletes. Jerry took a personal interest in his players and wanted them to succeed on and off the court. He reached out to young men who lived in inner-cities and normally would not have access to a higher education.

In 1973, Jerry moved to Nevada to become head coach at UNLV. During his tenure, he made four Final Four appearances, and in 1990 won the NCAA Division I National Championship. For many years to come, Jerry would be recognized as the individual who turned around the basketball program at UNLV and made it into a winning program. When his career ended at UNLV, Jerry returned to Fresno and coached at his alma mater from 1995-2002. For six years in a row, his teams had 20-win seasons.

Jerry coached 42 players who were drafted by the NBA, including 12 first-round selections. Some of his most notable players include: Larry Johnson, Stacey Augmon, Armen Gilliam, and Sidney Green. He also coached Roscoe and Clifton Pondexter also known as the Pondexter brothers who were a powerhouse at San Joaquin Memorial and have since left a legacy at the high school.

Due to the efforts made by Jerry and the ``Stadium Builders'' in the mid 1990's, The Savemart Center was built. For years, there had been discussions regarding an on-campus arena at Fresno State, but it was not made into a reality until Jerry began his successful coaching career at the university. When he finished his coaching career, Jerry worked as the Senior Development Consultant for the Savemart Center.

Jerry is appreciated by individuals throughout our nation, but he is especially treasured in Fresno, California. Central Valley residents take pride in Fresno State, and it was an honor to have Jerry leading our Bulldogs on the basketball court.

Jerry is married to Lois Tarkanian and they have four children and 11 grandchildren.

Mr. Speaker, it is with great respect that I ask my colleagues in the House of Representatives to recognize Coach Jerry Tarkanian as he is recognized for all of the contributions that he has made to the game of basketball.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the life of Dr. Howard Jacobson, who passed away on October 9, 2013 at the age of 88. Howard was an incredible man who loved his family and dedicated his life to strengthening the relationship between the public and its media.

Born on August 22, 1925 in Worcester, Massachusetts, Howard learned the value of hard work through selling ice boxes in his father's appliance store. He went on to earn his undergraduate degree at the University of New Mexico, then his graduate degree at the Missouri School of Journalism. Following graduation, Howard worked as a stringer for the Associated Press during World War II and later began a 36-year career as a teaching professor at the University of Bridgeport.

Between his time as a professor and Chair of the Journalism Department at the University of Bridgeport and a professor at Columbia University, Howard encouraged students to expand beyond their traditional means of communication to reach new audiences. His students thrived in this interactive environment that culminated in the circulation of a community newspaper that focused on local issues. Howard reveled in the special relationship between communities and their news, and he passed this enthusiasm onto his students. Testimonies from former students emphasize that Howard always took the time to focus on each and every student, and that his guidance, largely influenced by study of the behavioral sciences, continues to have a powerful impact on their careers today.

Outside of the classroom, Howard participated on the New England Cable Advisory Council for 30 years. He also founded the first Center for the Development for Community Media, which built on the lessons he taught in the classroom. Through the Center, Howard experimented with different means of communicating with the public in the urban media environment and encouraged his students to do the same. Finally, he co- authored several books that focused on the intersection of mass communications theory and technology, and how that connection would shape the future of journalism. All of Howard's work reinforced his belief that the public access to news depended on fiercely protecting first amendment rights and making the most of all available means of dissemination.

Howard leaves behind his wife, Dr. Dana Raphael, and his children Brett, Seth, and Jessa. Full of love and memories, Howard and Dana recently celebrated 60 wonderful years of marriage.

Mr. Speaker, it is with great respect that I ask my colleagues in the House of Representatives to pay tribute to the life of Howard Jacobson, a beloved husband, father, professor, journalist, and friend.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend and congratulate the Central California Veterans Home Support Foundation and the California Department of Veterans Affairs (CalVet) upon the grand opening of the California Veterans Home in Fresno. This veterans' home is not simply a brick and mortar building. This home is a promise we have made to the veterans of the San Joaquin Valley, and at long last we are keeping our promise.

Veterans in the San Joaquin Valley face great challenges every day. Tragically, more than 600 veterans in Fresno and Madera Counties go to sleep every night without a roof over their head. Guided by the belief that no man or woman who wore the uniform of the United States military should ever experience the scourge of homelessness, we set a goal of building a home to serve the needs of the veterans in the San Joaquin Valley.

Over the years, I have worked closely with the Central California Veterans Home Foundation (CCVHF), local veteran Charlie Waters and countless other volunteers and veteran advocates to plan, strategize, obtain funds and jump hurdles to be where we are today. Throughout the years, I have had many conversations with the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to keep the funding in place for this home and with Cal Vet to break ground and begin construction.

This gorgeous home at 2811 West California Avenue is located in my 16th Congressional District in Southwest Fresno and is a 300 bed facility with state-of-the art design and architecture. The facility is bringing employment to people in the Central Valley and security to our veterans who desire to live out the rest of their life with great honor and pride.

In May 2010 we were all at the future site of the home breaking ground on this beautiful piece of property. We shoveled dirt and we anxiously looked forward to this day with a great desire to quickly help the many veterans who would benefit from this home. However as we celebrate this grand occasion, we should pause to remember three dedicated veteran leaders from the foundation who were with us from the beginning and have since passed away. During the fight for the home, we lost George Sinopoli in 2006, Charles ``Chuck'' Parnell just a few months after we broke ground in 2010, and Bill Dietzel earlier this year. These great veterans worked closely with me and fought the great fight for this home. Their hard work and dedication will not be forgotten.

Mr. Speaker, the opening of the California Veterans Home in Fresno is truly a long-awaited and special event. I rise today to commend and congratulate CalVet, the VA, the Central California Veterans Home Foundation and all the organizations and individuals that have made this the opening possible. I invite my colleagues to join in wishing the home and its future residents great success.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Minnesota, as well as the chair from Oklahoma.

I rise to support this motion to instruct, and let me tell you why.

The farm bill traditionally, around this place, has been one of the most bipartisan efforts that we engage in. Unfortunately, for over the last year, it hasn't seemed that way.

I think that the importance of maintaining the permanent law of 1938 and 1949 is not to suggest that farming today is as it was then. Of course it is not.

But the fact is that it has always provided, in the past efforts, back in 2008, and back in the last three or four decades, the sort of incentive necessary to come together, in a bipartisan fashion, to put together a bill that reflects not just current farming needs throughout this great country of ours today, but also to focus on the necessary importance of the nutrition programs that go to so many of those in our society that are in need.

Now, that brings me to the second point that is reflected in the Senate measure, that is reflected in this motion to instruct, and that is, bifurcating the nutrition programs. It makes absolutely no sense.

There has been a tradition here that I think has worked well in maintaining the incredible amount of cornucopia of food that we produce in this Nation and also never forgetting those in our society who are most in need. That marriage between the nutrition programs, which have benefited from the food that our farmers and ranchers and dairymen produce, and those who need a helping hand has worked well.

So, therefore, why should we separate it?

Why should we have a 3-year nutrition program instead of the 5-year that marries and complements the ongoing farm programs?

So, for all of those reasons, I support this motion to instruct.

And let me finally say, the time has come. The time has come to put away the posturing, go to work, go to conference, and pass a farm bill that reflects America's needs.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the San Joaquin River Parkway and Conservation Trust (River Parkway Trust) in celebration of its 25th anniversary. The land around the San Joaquin River is protected due to the efforts of the River Parkway Trust, and we must thank them for all of their hard work.

The formation of the River Parkway Trust began in 1988 when citizens, landowners, and agencies joined together to outline their goals. Over the past 25 years, the River Parkway Trust has worked with 18 land owners to protect almost 3,000 acres of land. In addition to the number of land purchases made by associates of the San Joaquin River Conservancy and the California Wildlife Conservation Board, the total amount of protected land has increased to over 4,000 acres.

The protected land provides individuals with a place to enjoy outdoor activities. One of the signature attractions of the River Parkway Trust is the Lewis S. Eaton Trail. The trail is used daily by bikers and hikers. It truly is a gem in our Central Valley.

A priority of the River Parkway Trust is to encourage young people to visit the river. Many school districts participate in field trips, so thousands of students have the opportunity to view the beautiful nature and landscape. In addition, the River Parkway Trust has a summer youth program that provides children with a week full of fun river activities. Each year, more than 1,000 youth visit the camp.

The River Parkway Trust also serves as a ``natural defense'' to floods. It keeps pollution from flowing into the water; therefore, preventing our drinking water from becoming contaminated. The River Parkway Trust has contributed to restoring the area's cultural past so that symbolic structures like the Riverview Ranch on Old Faint Road do not disappear. Maintaining structures that are significant to the area is important for the 20,000 visitors that go to the parkway each year.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the San Joaquin River Parkway and Conservation Trust as they celebrate 25 years of preserving the invaluable land around the San Joaquin River. Their outstanding commitment to protecting the Central Valley's natural resources must be commended.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Dean and Jean Nicholson for their years of dedication and service to their community. Sanger, California is a better place today because of the Nicholsons' positive influence and compassion.

Dean and Jean met at Nebraska State Teachers College in Kearney, Nebraska. Dean was raised in Superior, and Jean grew up in Fairbury. In 1941, Dean joined the United States Military, and served in the Army for two years. After Dean completed his service, the Nicholsons moved to Sanger.

Dean was hired at Sanger High School, and taught algebra, geometry, and trigonometry for 38 years. Students and faculty admired Dean and his ability to teach, and for 20 years he served as Chairman for the Math Department. When Dean was not in the classroom, he could be found on the court. He was the head varsity basketball coach for 23 years. For five of those years, he led his teams to the championship. Dean also coached varsity golf and tennis. In addition to his notable career at Sanger High School, Dean also taught advanced algebra and trigonometry for 42 years at Fresno City College. Coach Nicholson had thousands of students in his classroom during his long career as a teacher and he had a profound influence on all of them.

Dean and Jean raised three children: Bob, Cindy, and Tom; and they have six grandchildren. Jean was a stay-at-home mom with three children, but most would agree that she was a mother to countless individuals throughout the community. Her kind and loving character makes it easy for people to go to her when they need to hear caring words or sound advice. Family and friends who are close to the couple often say that, ``you can hardly say Dean without Jean.'' They are an amazing team who exemplify the meaning of true love.

Teaching and coaching have always been important aspects of Dean and Jean's lives but above everything else is their faith. Since 1954, they have been members of the Presbyterian Church of Sanger. For 20 years, Dean and Jean played a prominent role in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and for the last several decades they have both taught Sunday school. Dean and Jean have positively impacted the lives of hundreds of students with their guidance and leadership.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Dean and Jean Nicholson for their years of service to the community that they love so dearly.

Madam Speaker, we're here today to honor a true public servant and a longtime friend of mine, Superintendent Pete Mehas. My Republican colleagues, Congressmen Nunes and Congressman Valadao, and I certainly have our disagreements, but among those things we all agree on is how important and meaningful the work of Pete's life was to so many in our valley and those that he touched throughout the State of California because he was a true public servant.

He committed his life to the furtherance of education for the young people throughout California. He and I worked together on so many issues, from special education, to bringing the Keeping Score program to the kids of Fresno County, to dealing with challenged school districts like West Elementary, the implementation of charter schools, and, yes, one of the last tasks that Pete did, even though he was in retirement, was to head the selection committee for the new president of Cal State University of Fresno, Dr. Joe Castro. A good selection that was.

It's time that we set our differences apart and find the solutions to the impasses that are affecting this Congress and this country today. It's what Pete would have done. It's what we should do.

Mr. Speaker, we have seen a great deal of political posturing and speeches over the last several days. I think it is time that we get our priorities straight and pass a clean budget that reopens this government. I think the American public is, frankly, sick and tired of the blame game.

I also believe that many of my Republican friends are distracted with issues that are important, but are not central to the question of funding government. We can debate the issue of the Affordable Health Care Act, as we should, but it is not central to reopening government.

Today, I would like to talk to you about two public servants from my neck of the woods, the San Joaquin Valley, who put their community first and delivered results. Sadly, in the last week these two individuals have passed away and we say good-bye to them. But I want to use their examples as role models because I think their commitment to public service, to the people of the San Joaquin Valley in California and our Nation, is a good example. One was a Democrat and one was a Republican. Both were widely respected; and they never, ever let partisanship or ideology get in the way of solutions.

George Zenovich and Pete Mehas were the best our Valley had to offer, especially on how they conducted their lives. Pete Mehas, from a Greek immigrant family, was a pillar of our education community in the Valley for almost 50 years. From the time he entered the classroom in 1963, he was bound for leadership and changed the lives of countless individuals. He realized the special challenges of students in our Valley and those throughout the State and he made their voices heard.

His passion was recognized by Governor George Deukmejian, who appointed him as his chief adviser relating to all matters involving education. Pete served also under Governor Pete Wilson and Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and, ultimately, President George Bush when he was appointed to the advisory commission on educational excellence for all Americans.

Knowing that strong schools require strong communities, Pete wanted to see Fresno prosper and develop into a thriving business hub. From cofounding Leadership Fresno, to sitting on the Valley Business Conference Executive Board, to serving as the president of the Fresno County Athletic Hall of Fame where he was enshrined, Pete invested his time in the community and the city he loved. For 16 years he served as the superintendent of Fresno County Schools where he represented 34 school districts, 325 schools, and almost 200,000 students.

He was a loving husband, a proud father, and a distinguished alum of Fresno State. He was part of the 1961 Mercy Bowl team that was a national champion. So it is with a heavy heart that we say good-bye to this man who dedicated his life to making the future of others brighter.

Another individual whom he worked with and whom I worked with was also a pillar of our community and that was George Zenovich. George was a man who lived his life with purpose and a dedication to public service. Born in 1922 of a Slavic family, he was a product of our Valley. He served in the United States Army Air Force. He was student body president at Fresno State.

Later on he enrolled in law school after he married the love of his life, Kika. Upon completion of his degree, he quickly built a strong professional reputation and served in the California Assembly beginning in 1962. Later on he became the majority leader, before taking a seat in the California State Senate.

His impact as a senator was far-reaching, from creating the California Arts Council, to the California Housing Authority Finance Agency, to authoring the first law in the United States that gave farm workers a chance at collective bargaining through the Agricultural Labor Relations Board. He was an advocate for those voices who sometimes got lost in the political banter.

In 1979, George was appointed by Governor Jerry Brown to be on the court of appeals. In 2008, Fresno's new Fifth District Court of Appeals building was named after him, the George Zenovich Court of Appeals Building, for his lifetime practice of fair and sound jurisprudence. George was a shining example of what a public servant should be and never lost sight of those in the community he served.

Both of these people put their community first. I worked with both George and Pete for years, and they were not only my friends, but they were friends of the Valley they loved and the State they called home, California.

My colleagues, Mr. Speaker, I think it is time for all of us in this body to live up to the memory of these two shining examples, people who we have all worked with throughout our lives, and I think in the true tradition of public service these are the kind of individuals we ought to have as role models when fixing our Nation's budget and putting government back to work.

Mr. Speaker, each year, from September 15 through October 15, we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, when we honor the contributions that Latinos have made throughout the communities in our Nation.

The Hispanic community embodies the idea that if you work hard, play by the rules and dream big, there is no limit to what you can achieve; after all, that is the American Dream. And achieve is exactly what we have done throughout our history. From serving in our military, to running 3.1 million Hispanic-owned businesses, the Hispanic community is an important part of moving our country forward.

We also know that to keep our country competitive, we must finally fix a broken immigration system. We believe that it is past time to offer hardworking Americans a pathway to citizenship. The future of our Nation depends largely on the future of all of our communities. Together, we keep fighting to give the next generation a meaningful shot at the American Dream. That dream is what we celebrate this month in Hispanic Heritage Month.

My mother used to say common sense tells us that we ought to always put our country before our politics.

I thank the gentlewoman.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong opposition to this irresponsible nutrition bill.

Should these cuts take effect, hundreds and thousands of Californians in need will lose access to a very important lifeline. This would include one of my constituents, Pazong Moua, a mother of two who works 33 hours a week and goes to school part time in hopes of becoming a teacher to get out of this network, this lifeline that she is presently in.

For her, the working poor--and in many cases some of the most vulnerable veterans across our country--SNAP is a hand ``up,'' not a hand ``out.'' It is a temporary safety net, not a lifestyle.

As we emerge from the Great Recession, now is not the time to play politics with hunger. With our rich agricultural heritage, we are also a Nation that has a duty to fight hunger here at home.

Former President Reagan maybe said it best:

As long as there is one person in this country who is

hungry, that is one person too many.

Let's do the right thing. Vote ``no'' on this bill and fix it.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the San Luis Canal Company (SLCC) during their centennial celebration. SLCC serves hundreds of landowners throughout Merced County, and we thank them for all of their hard work.

In 1913, SLCC was established as a private mutual water company. SLCC is comprised of 45,000 acres between Los Banos and Dos Palos. They strive every day to protect the land by managing water resources efficiently and effectively. Currently, SLCC is working diligently to resolve the land subsidence issues throughout the Central Valley.

SLCC has a long standing history of working with the neighboring water districts as well as communicating with the landowners in the area. Keeping the farmers involved and informed is extremely important to SLCC, so that all stakeholders can work to come up with solutions to the significant water issues.

SLCC's focus on sustainable irrigation practices is both impressive and commendable. The conservation techniques undoubtedly contribute to maintaining the Central Valley's status as an agricultural leader. Farmers in the Valley feed our great nation, and SLCC is a vital component to ensuring the success of farmers throughout Merced County.

In addition, SLCC manages some of the most substantial water projects in the State of California including the San Luis Canal. It is the largest earth-moving project in the Bureau of Reclamation's history. The Canal ranges from 8,350 to 13,100 cubic feet per second and extends 102.5 miles.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the San Luis Canal Company as they celebrate this momentous occasion. Their outstanding service and dedication to the farmers and residents in our Central Valley must be honored.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay to tribute to the life of May Song Vang Pao, who passed away on August 5, 2013 at the age of 62. Mrs. Gen. Vang Pao was constantly filled with optimism and drive despite her nearly eight year battle with cancer. Although faced with increasingly insurmountable odds, Mrs. Gen. Vang Pao continued to battle the disease to help maintain the legacy of her late husband, General Vang Pao.

May Song was born in Laos on February 5, 1951 to Nhia Chou Moua and Yee Lee. Receiving an education was very important to May even though it went against her father's beliefs and the gender roles at the time. She became a nurse and focused most of her attention on caring for the disabled. May's decision to receive an education was the beginning of her lifelong message that it is important for both men and women to be educated.

In 1973, she married General Vang Pao, who was the only ethnic Hmong general in the Royal Lao Army. This achievement earned him worldwide recognition. After aiding the United States forces in the Vietnam War, Mr. and Mrs. General Vang Pao as well as many other Hmong refugees resettled in the United States. Eventually settling in California's Central Valley, Mr. and Mrs. General Vang Pao continued their roles as leaders in the Hmong community.

Mrs. Gen. Vang Pao was instrumental in helping refugees settle into their new American lives. She inspired many young men and women to strive for greatness and brought the Hmong community together under her benevolent leadership. Mrs. Gen. Vang Pao will remain an inspiration to those in both the American and Asian Hmong communities.

After the passing of General Vang Pao in January 2011, Mrs. Gen. Vang Pao remained strong and unified the entire Hmong community. She helped the community recover from the loss of their mentor and hero. In 2012, she founded the General Vang Pao Foundation in Fresno which aims to help and support disadvantaged Hmong families.

Mr. Speaker, it is with great respect that I ask my colleagues in the House of Representatives to pay tribute to the life of May Song Vang Pao. She will always be remembered as an influential member of our very important Hmong community.