Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Holy Trinity Armenian Church during their celebration of the 100th Blessing of the Grapes ceremony. This is a very special time for the Armenian community as they gather on this holy day.

The blessing of grapes is a special tradition within the Armenian Church. The ceremony takes place on a major feast day, ``Assumption of St. Mary'' which is a celebration of St. Mary being assumed into Heaven. Grapes have a symbolic significance in the Christian faith, and on this day they are considered to be forbidden fruit before being blessed by the Priest at the closing of the ceremony.

Holy Trinity Armenian Church is an historical landmark in Fresno, California. The first Armenian Church was destroyed in a fire in 1913, and the Holy Trinity Armenian Church was built at an alternate location. Armenian architect, Lawrence Cone, created the magnificent church as a sacred place for the Armenian community. It was the first traditional Armenian Church in the United States.

The Central Valley is home to thousands of Armenians, and as a community we must also celebrate the 100 year anniversary of the Holy Trinity Armenian Church. They have made everlasting contributions to the City of Fresno, and our entire country.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the 100th Year Anniversary of the Blessing of the Grapes Ceremony at the Holy Trinity Armenian Church. Their mission to provide an infinite amount of faith, hope, and love to the public is highly respected and praised.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Donald Larson as he celebrates his 80th birthday. His many years of dedication to education and service deserve both acknowledgement and appreciation.

Don and his twin brother, Phil, were born on September 5, 1933, to Bengt John and Olive Emmingham Larson. He grew up in Kerman, California, and graduated from Kerman High School in 1951. After attending the College of the Sequoias, Don continued his education at the University of California, Berkeley. Immediately following graduation, Don began his teaching career in Caruthers, California. He taught sixth grade for two years, and then went on to teach at Kerman High School for two years. During his first few years of teaching, Don was also completing a Masters at California State University, Fresno. He taught six years for Fresno Unified and ended his teaching career after 35 years with Fresno City College.

Staying active and involved in the community has always been very important to Don. He takes great pride in his lifelong membership at the First Covenant Church in Fresno where he has taught Sunday school for over six decades. Don has served at various organizations including Fresno County Housing Authority, Fresno Economic Opportunities Commission, and Fresno County Democratic Central Committee. He has also served on the State Center Community College Foundation and was the co- chair of the Capital Campaign for the Old Administration Building on the Fresno City College campus. In addition to these impressive undertakings, Don also found time to be the scorekeeper at basketball games for Kerman and McLane High Schools, and Fresno City College. He also ran the football chain gang for over fifty years, and taught a current events class to high school seniors from 1965 to 2010.

During Don's retirement he enjoyed spending time with his late wife Carol Kraft Larson. Carol passed away in 2004, but her kindness and love for teaching will always be remembered. They raised one daughter, Lynn, who has furthered the family's tradition by working as an elementary school teacher.

Furthermore, Don has a tremendous interest in the World's Fair. His vast collection of World's Fair memorabilia is housed in the Special Collections Department of the Henry Madden Library at California State University, Fresno. The collection has been named in his honor and is considered second only to that of the Smithsonian in Washington DC.

Mr. Speaker, it is with great respect that I ask my colleagues in the House of Representatives to recognize Donald Larson on his 80th birthday. He serves as a pillar in our community, and I thank him for all of his contributions to our education system.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the life of Marion Alice Falkner Gash, who passed away on July 31, 2013, two weeks before her 100th birthday. She had an exceptional spirit with an ``I- can-do-it'' attitude. Marion inspired others through her military service, professional achievements, excellence in teaching, support of her community, and devotion to family and friends.

Marion Alice Falkner was born at her family's Germania Farm in Yazoo County, Mississippi on August 14, 1913. She was born to Marion and Minniealice Falkner and was the eldest of seven children. Marion graduated from Hinds Junior College in Raymond, Mississippi and continued onto Maryville College in Tennessee to obtain her teaching credential. After graduation, Marion taught for six years in Bentonia, Mississippi. In 1940, she moved to New Orleans to attend Soule Business College and worked for attorney John Minor Wisdom who later became a judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.

Shortly after Congress declared war, Marion moved to Washington, D.C. to serve her country. She worked at the Pentagon in the Office of the Budget of the War Department. In 1943, she joined the Navy WAVES and rose to the rank of Lieutenant J.G., serving as the Administrative Officer to Admiral W.K. Romoser, Commander of the Naval Training School in Hollywood, Florida.

In 1946, Marion married Navy Lt. Russell Warner Gash, and they raised two sons, Frank and Warner. At the time, Navy policy did not allow female officers to have children so Marion reluctantly resigned her commission and assumed the role of navy wife for the rest of Russell's naval career. Over the next 15 years, the family moved to eight duty stations in six different states and Cuba. In 1961, the family settled in Fresno, California, and Mrs. Gash returned to teaching.

Mrs. Gash taught English and speech, directed plays, coached debate teams, and established a forensics program at Central Union High School. While working full time, she earned her Master's degree in education at California State University, Fresno in 1967. After retiring in 1978, she continued to volunteer in school, church, military, veterans and community activities. Mrs. Gash was a great teacher who positively affected the lives of thousands of students.

Mr. Speaker, it is with great respect that I ask my colleagues in the House of Representatives to pay tribute to the life of Marion Alice Falkner Gash, a veteran of World War II and a beloved mother, grandmother, aunt, teacher, and friend.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the service of Kenneth Abrahamian as he receives his World War II (WWII) Medals. He is the recipient of the Philippine Liberation Medal, WWII Victory Medal, WWII Asiatic Pacific Medal, Navy Good Conduct Medal, and American Campaign Medal. Mr. Abrahamian is a source of pride for our Central Valley and our entire nation.

Mr. Abrahamian grew up in the Valley and graduated from Central High School in 1941. Following his graduation, he enlisted in the United States Navy to serve his country in WWII. He served honorably and proudly from 1942 to 1946. Mr. Abrahamian was stationed in the Pacific as a machinist mate aboard the USS Spangler and the USS Ajax.

Mr. Abrahamian married Isabelle Zadurian at the Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church in Fresno, California. They have three children; Jeanette, Patricia, and Kenneth, daughter-in-law, Sue, and two grandchildren; Kenneth Andrew and Allyson Marie.

The Abrahamians have spent their entire lives in the Rolinda area, a small unincorporated community in Fresno County. They farmed raisins, almonds, alfalfa, barley, black-eyed peas, broccoli, corn, cotton, oats, onions, sugar beets, turkeys, and wheat. Mr. Abrahamian truly understands the importance of hard work and he has shown that through his labor on the farm and service in the military. As a resident of the Rolinda area, Mr. Abrahamian is known to be a great neighbor and friend.

Staying involved and supporting the community has always been very important to Mr. Abrahamian. He is an active member of his church, and he always participates in the annual Rolinda Charity BBQ. Mr. Abrahamian's spirit and drive keep him going every day. A couple months short of 90 years old, Mr. Abrahamian is still out on his farm daily. He is an inspiration for all of us.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the service of Mr. Kenneth Abrahamian. He truly is a shining example of a proud American, and we must thank him for his service to our country.

Mr. Speaker, tomorrow afternoon we will board our flights back to the district for the August recess. Sadly, we'll be leaving behind a lot of unfinished business.

Just yesterday, the Republican leadership pulled the catastrophe of a transportation and housing appropriations bill because it couldn't even get the votes within their own caucus.

I ask my friends, when are we going to begin to govern and work together?

When we come back from the August recess period, we will have 9 days, just 9 days left until the farm bill extension expires. But we're leaving the House without passing a true farm bill that we can conference, much less appointing any conferees to work out the differences between the two bills. The farmers, ranchers and dairymen expect better in my district.

Uncertainty swirls around the Capitol, but the only thing that seems certain here lately is that we cannot act on anything that the American people want us to that they view as no-brainers.

Take immigration reform. Over half the voters in this country think we should get this done and pass the Senate bill. Yet we are watching the summer fade into fall without even a timeline for when the House will bring up real immigration reform.

It's far too easy for us to throw up our hands and say this place is broken, but that's not why we came to Washington.

No budget, little in appropriations bills, no tax reform, little progress on immigration reform, and no farm bill.

Yet last week, the Republican leaders said that we should, instead, be measured by the laws that we repeal. Okay. Well, on that score, we've exactly repealed zero laws.

I came here to roll up my sleeves and get to work. We have real problems in this country; but we also, I think, share in real bipartisan solutions to fix those problems. All that we need is the green light.

The problem here is that the art of the political compromise has been lost. And it's about time we rediscover that art of the political compromise.

We have divided government. That's not a secret. We've had divided government in the past. And by the way, we're going to have divided government for the next 3\1/2\ years.

Let's get real. It's about time that we begin to figure out ways to work together. My hope is that when we go back home we are reminded that every vote here in the House of Representatives, the people's House, is not a litmus test, and that every issue that we deal with should not be looked at in terms of black and white, but in shades of gray.

We have a lot of challenges facing America. I hope, after the August recess, we come back here in September and that we put solving America's problems before our own political agendas.

America cannot afford to continue this three-ring circus. It's about time we begin to work together, ladies and gentlemen.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a talented educator in my district, Andrew Walter. Mr. Walter is a math teacher at Stagg High School in Stockton, California. He is one of five California finalists for the 2013 Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching.

For the past 20 years, Mr. Walter has been enriching the lives of youth in San Joaquin County as the chair of the mathematics department, as well as serving as the math, engineering, science, and achievement adviser for pre-engineering students. An education in STEM-related fields is critical for our students to help them survive in these competitive fields.

Mr. Walter has led his Math Engineering Science Achievement, or MESA, team to win the State championships multiple times and the national championship last year with a wind turbine built solely by his high school students.

It is this type of dedication and commitment that will lead to innovation, the creation of good-paying jobs, and keep America as a world leader in these areas.

I urge my colleagues to join me in congratulating Andrew Walter not only for his nomination, but everything he has done for his students.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Pamela Kallsen as she retires as Executive Director from the Marjaree Mason Center. Pam has dedicated her life to empowering domestic violence victims and advocating for their well-being. Her efforts have been paramount in ensuring the safety of hundreds of families in Fresno County.

Pam grew up in Fresno, California. After completing high school, she moved to Tennessee and attended the University of Memphis. Pam obtained her degree in Vocational Education and returned back to Fresno to receive an additional degree in Home Economics from California State University, Fresno.

Prior to her position as Executive Director at the Marjaree Mason Center, Pam worked extensively in the health care arena. While pursuing her career in the medical field she served as Vice President of executive services at Fresno Community Medical Centers. In addition, she held various positions at the California Eye Institute, St. Agnes Medical Center, and the Fresno Hospital Council.

Pam is a true advocate for those in need. She is past chair of the Fresno Continuum of Care, which is an initiative that is devoted to housing and supporting the local homeless population. Pam serves as a critical component to the Fresno County Ten-Year plan to abolish homelessness. She is also a dynamic participant in the Fresno County Domestic Violence Roundtable and the California Domestic Violence Advisory Council.

Under Pam's leadership, the Marjaree Mason Center has gone above and beyond, providing victims with resources to help them thrive in a safe environment. In addition to providing victims with shelter, the center offers legal assistance, counseling, and education for victims as well as for individuals throughout the entire community. During Pam's tenure, the center has expanded, so the Marjaree Mason Center reaches out to more women and children than ever before.

Pam has proven to be a successful change agent because she fights for what she believes is right. In 2001, Pam was recognized as one of the Top Ten Professional Women of Fresno, and in 2006, she was selected as Woman of the Year by the California State Assembly. Pam's efforts to make the Central Valley a better place are observed throughout the entire state and nation.

In addition to being a victims' advocate, Pam is also a wife and mother. It is my hope that Pam enjoys her retirement with her husband, Gene, and daughters, Laura and Leslie.

As co-chair of the Victims' Rights Caucus and a passionate supporter of the Violence Against Women Act, it is truly an honor to recognize Pam. Her years of tireless work on the behalf of some of the nation's most vulnerable is exceptionally admirable.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the service of Pamela Kallsen. Pam will undoubtedly be missed as she retires from the Marjaree Mason Center, but we can expect that she will continue to be a strong voice and advocate for victims and their families.

Thank you very much.

I, too, want to thank my colleagues who participated with the Stars and Stripes. Fun was had by all. We raised a good amount of money for charity. I want to thank the Kastles for their wonderful hospitality. I got a tennis lesson from my partner, Martina Hingis.

But I do have, from a reliable source, that the Stripes, our opposition, pulled in two ringers from the Main Street media with NBC's David Gregory and Bloomberg's Hans Nichols. These two failed to disclose their professional tennis status in an amateur charitable tournament. So much for press ethics under full disclosure.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mr. Ernest ``Ernie'' Conner as he is honored as the Daughters of the American Revolution's National Outstanding Veteran Volunteer of 2013. His longstanding service to our nation and his commitment to serving as a strong advocate for veterans make Ernie Conner most deserving of this honor.

A retired Master Sergeant of the United States Air Force, Ernie understands first-hand the virtue of serving our nation. From January 1955 until June 1976, Ernie honorably served the United States with two tours in Vietnam. He flew 150 missions in B-52 Stratofortress. Due to his dedicated service, Ernie received the Air Force Commendation Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster, the Air Force Good Conduct Medal with four Oak Leaf Clusters and the Army Good Conduct Medal with two bronze loops. His loyalty and devotion to our country is remarkable and highly commendable.

A tireless advocate for all veterans, Ernie believes it is his duty to remember the men and women who defend our freedoms with courage. He has served as the Chair of the Veterans Service Committee, Americanism Committee and the Support the Troops campaign for the Merced Elks Lodge for the past seven years. Through his efforts, the Support the Troops program has secured the donation of over four tons of almonds and various care packages that are sent to our deployed troops. In order to keep this program going, he organizes several fundraisers as well as reaching out to local businesses for support. Ernie also organizes the Elk veterans' participation in the Annual Merced Veterans Day parade, including assisting in construction of the float. He is involved in putting on regular Recognition dinners for our Veterans and their families, including the Blue and Gold Star families. In total, Ernie volunteers over 2,000 hours annually to help serve the needs of our veterans.

A veteran and great American, Ernie's longstanding dedication to service is truly a reflection of his superior moral character. As a Merced County Veterans of Foreign Wars Honor Guard active member, Ernie is committed to ensure proper burial services for our local veterans. He helps provide solace and peace of mind to grieving families during these

difficult times. As long as Ernie is involved, veterans will never be forgotten.

In addition to his significant community work, Ernie is a loving husband, father and grandfather. He and his wife Joanne have been married for 55 years.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Ernie Conner for his unwavering allegiance to our veteran community. He truly exemplifies the best of what America has to offer.

Mr. Speaker, since 1977, Pastor Paul Binion has stood at the helm of one of Fresno's most vibrant churches, the Westside Church of God, and the wonderful congregation that he serves. From offering comfort to families during challenging times, to taking the lead on issues impacting the economically disadvantaged in our area, Pastor Binion has truly left a mark and continues to in our community.

He has urged his congregation to go beyond just knowing the Gospel, but to living them by performing good works for those in need.

Over the nearly 10 years that I've known Paul, I know that he cares. He has overseen efforts to foster interfaith and interchurch dialogue by serving at the head of the West Fresno Ministerial Alliance because he knows that our faith communities have much more in common than whatever divides them.

I'm proud to call Pastor Binion my friend and thank him for his wise words this morning.

Paul, thank you for joining us today to remind us that service, the service that we all involve ourselves with daily on behalf of our constituents, is the highest calling, and must remain the center of our work.

I thank the gentleman from Minnesota.

Mr. Speaker, ladies and gentlemen, the farm bill usually is one of the most bipartisan things we do around here, but not today.

Even though many of my colleagues, unlike myself, were not farm kids, I assume that they could tell the horse's head from the horse's rear; but they are totally backwards on this one.

Last night, we received notice that previously an unreleased farm bill was going to be sprung on the floor today. What about regular order? This stunt makes a mockery of Chairman Lucas and Ranking Member Peterson and the committee's work over the last year and a half.

Farmers, ranchers, and anyone who believes in government transparency must be shaking their heads, saying, There they go again.

Once again, the majority has chosen to make everything we do around here partisan. This is one of the least likely partisan persons you are going to talk to. Unlike many of my colleagues on this side of the aisle, I supported the farm bill 2 weeks ago when it failed. I supported it because I thought we ought to move the process forward. This moves us backwards, and it removes permanent law, and I don't think we will ever see a farm bill again.

I cannot support this bill. I urge my colleagues to do the same.

Mr. Speaker, this month we celebrate one of America's best ideas, our national park system, and what it means for millions of our families each year to be able to enjoy the park system throughout our country. As we mark National Parks and Recreation Month, we remember that the parks in America belong to all of us.

We have some wonderful parks in California. Yosemite National Park is in my backyard, and it brings millions of Americans to California, who stand in awe of Half Done and Yosemite Falls, Toulumne Grove and the Mariposa redwoods.

I have introduced legislation before this House that would protect Yosemite's vulnerable western boundary by expanding the park to include 1,600 acres that was originally intended by John Muir. This would ensure that we continue to preserve the park for future generations of Americans as it was originally envisioned almost 150 years ago.

It has been said that nothing is more American than our national park system. My bill would guarantee that we're protecting one of the crown jewels of this truly American treasure.

Mr. Speaker, since 1982, the Congressional Art Competition has recognized the special power that arts have in students throughout our country. In my district, the art competition winner this year was Elizabeth Palafox. Her piece has a message for every young woman in the San Joaquin Valley. When describing her work, Elizabeth stated clearly that her art ``defines women in our Valley that don't give up on their dreams, and live large, no matter the challenges it brings upon us.'' Her mother, who raised her as a single parent, has been a strong role model and taught her firsthand the lessons of hard work and life in her own artwork.

Sadly, Elizabeth could not make it to Washington to see her artwork unveiled this week. But she's watching back home. Her self-portrait is representing our Valley well here in the Capitol.

Elizabeth, your work reminds me of the hope that we all have not just in your future but for the future of our women in our Valley and throughout our Nation. Thank you for showing your talent, and congratulations on being chosen as the art winner from the San Joaquin Valley in the 16th District.

Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I rise today to honor the distinguished public service of Ambassador William Kennard and recognize his vital role in reinvigorating the deep relationship between the United States and the European Union.

As the first U.S. Ambassador to the European Union to work with the institutions created by the Lisbon treaty, Mr. Kennard was instrumental in strengthening relations between the United States and a rapidly changing European Union. Ambassador Kennard has worked tirelessly to expand the economic dialogue and minimize the regulatory divide between the United States and the European Union, and his efforts were a driving force behind the decision to begin negotiations on a Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership that will ignite economic growth and create jobs on both sides of the Atlantic. For his work on behalf of United States business interests in Europe, Ambassador Kennard received the prestigious Transatlantic Business Award from the American Chamber of Commerce to the European Union.

Prior to his nomination as U.S. Ambassador to the European Union, Ambassador Kennard served as the chairman of the Federal Communications Commission from 1997 to 2001 where policies he shaped brought the Internet to a majority of U.S. households for the first time. In his time at the FCC, Ambassador Kennard championed programs to bridge the digital divide, such as the e-rate program which brought Internet service to 95 percent of K-12 schools and 58,000 libraries in the United States. Ambassador Kennard's commitment to expanding digital access earned him many accolades, and U.S. News and World Report called him ``a consumer champion for the digital age.''

Mr. Speaker, as Ambassador Kennard prepares to step down as U.S. Ambassador to the European Union, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing his exemplary public service and wishing him well as he writes the next chapter of his life. His dedication to encouraging dialogue and expanding trade will have a lasting impact on our transatlantic relations.

Mr. Chairman, the Dairy Security Act in this bill is as a result of 4 years of hard work on a bipartisan basis.

It's intended to provide a strong, market-based safety net that will keep dairy producers afloat while providing stable prices to our consumers.

Simply put, the amendment being offered here, the Goodlatte-Scott amendment, is about American taxpayers fully paying the bill for down prices that occur in down cycles in the dairy industry.

The dairy industry, especially producers, have been victims of these down cycles and the volatility in recent years because the old programs simply don't work and they encourage overproduction.

At the same time, producers have been forced to deal with increased feed costs that have increased from $2 a bushel to $7 a bushel, further impacting their bottom line.

The Goodlatte-Scott amendment will neither provide a safety net for producers, nor prevent the volatility in the market because of unpredictable swings. And, again, it's important to understand reform is in the bill.

This amendment would put the taxpayers footing the bill for the insurance program. This amendment will continue to foster the outdated, tired dairy programs that haven't worked.

In California, my home State, the Nation's leading dairy State in the Nation, we've seen over 100 bankruptcies in the last 18 months. The current program isn't good for the dairymen and -women, nor is it good for American consumers.

The Dairy Security Act not only provides more stability for the producer, but the consumer benefits as well. And you should understand this is voluntary. If you want to grow, you can grow. If you don't want to enter the program, you don't have to enter the program. It is voluntary.

I strongly urge, as a third-generation dairy family in California, my colleagues to oppose this amendment and to bring our Federal dairy policies into the 21st century, so dairymen and -women can compete, and American consumers can have milk prices at reasonable levels.