Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to all of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Fresno County, California, on this occasion of their 60th anniversary aptly recognized as, ``60 years of Hope and Opportunity.''

Meeting the needs of our community has been and continues to be, the Boys and Girls Clubs' highest priority. Clubs provide young people that do not have adult care or supervision at home with people that care about them. Our local organizations have programs and services that promote and enhance the development of boys and girls by instilling a sense of competence, usefulness, belonging and influence.

Boys and Girls Clubs enable all young people, especially those in the most need, to reach their full potential as productive, caring and responsible citizens. We are very fortunate for the guidance that these individuals give to the future leaders of our community. The work that these volunteers do can never be underestimated.

The Boys and Girls Clubs believe, as do I, that volunteers make a powerful difference in the community. Their service, advocacy, leadership and mentoring have touched countless lives throughout our Valley. I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing this wonderful group of men and women as the Boys and Girls Clubs of Fresno County celebrate their 60th Anniversary of ``Hope and Opportunity.''

Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the life of Kendall L. Manock. Ken was a pillar in the legal community and a valued civic leader that will be sorely missed.

After attending Fresno High and Fresno State College, he studied law at the University of California at Berkeley's Boalt Hall, graduating in 1954. Upon returning to Fresno, Ken made his mark at an established Fresno law firm that traces its roots to the turn of the previous century. Ken Manock and Jack Baker built the firm into one of the premier law firms in the Central Valley: Baker, Manock & Jensen. Ken became a nationally recognized expert on agricultural marketing orders and the taxation of agricultural cooperatives. Mr. Manock was the firm's managing partner for decades. He was aware of every aspect of the firm's business and proved to be an effective leader through the years.

Mr. Manock mentored several generations of attorneys at Baker, Manock & Jensen. He taught hard work and keen analysis by example, as he was always willing and able to talk out a difficult legal problem in any subject. He was a brilliant legal tactician and constantly strove for excellence in the practice of the legal profession.

Ken was a longtime board member of Community Medical Centers. He was instrumental in founding the Fresno Heart Hospital, a Community joint venture with physicians that opened in 2003, and the expansion of the Henry Madden Library at California State University, Fresno.

As a loving husband, Ken enjoyed traveling with his wife of more than 50 years, Doris. He will be missed by his children, grandchildren and great-grandchild. Ken was proud to see his son Charlie Manock join the law firm, where his extended legal family will certainly miss his fatherly guidance.

Kendall Manock was part of a generation that endured incredible hardships and sacrifices to make America a better place. Mr. Manock will be remembered for his commitment to his family, our community, the practice of law and the lives he so graciously touched. I am honored and humbled to join his family and the citizens of the San Joaquin Valley in celebrating the life of an amazing man.

Mr. Chairman, I rise to support H.R. 4715, the Clean Estuaries Act of 2010. The reauthorization obviously provides opportunities to clean up our Nation's waterways.

I want to thank Chairman Oberstar and Ranking Member Boozman and the other cosponsors on a bipartisan basis. This is a good example of how we work together.

In California, we have a lot of challenges with our own waterways. A persistent degradation of the largest estuary on the west coast is California's San Francisco Bay and the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta system. Unfortunately, in my opinion, two flawed biological opinions focus solely on exported water to the valley and southern California for the decline in this important estuary for both the bay and the delta, ignoring other significant contributing factors.

Meanwhile, urban centers continue to pollute this bay-delta with toxic runoff, waste discharged from sewage facilities, refineries, city streets and power plants, significantly degrading the ecosystem and putting water supply to the valley and to southern California at risk. This single-minded view has resulted in the loss of jobs and endangered livelihoods of farmers, farm workers and farm communities in the San Joaquin Valley who rely on that water to grow half the Nation's fruits and vegetables.

Enough is enough. It's time for other regions of California to share in the responsibility for the decline of water quality and fisheries. Playing the blame game and pointing fingers at our valley's economy and some of the hardest working people in the country will not solve our water crisis in California; however, working together will. Step one is reducing and preventing the longstanding pollution that is threatening the Sacramento-San Joaquin River systems and our region.

Passing this measure will help our Nation's estuaries, and we must do more. I want to commend, once again, the chairman and the cosponsors of this measure and look forward to continuing to work with them.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to discuss the importance of National Crime Victims' Rights Week, which occurs from April 18 to April 24. As founders and co-chairs of the Congressional Victims' Rights Caucus, Congressman Ted Poe and I this evening are hosting the annual Victims' Rights Caucus Awards ceremony, honoring six individuals from around the country for their outstanding accomplishments in the field of victims services and victim advocacy.

National Crime Victims' Rights Week helps us all to celebrate and acknowledge the victim service providers and the criminal justice professionals who every day provide critical assistance to the victims of crimes. They do it on a 24-7 basis.

Crime victims are our sons, daughters, brothers, sisters, parents, and our friends. They are struggling to survive in the aftermath of a crime, and they deserve services and support to help them cope.

Madam Speaker, on rollcall No. 200, I would have voted ``aye.'' Unfortunately I was unavoidably detained.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to commemorate Holocaust Remembrance Day, the 65th anniversary of the liberation of Nazi concentration camps. I would like to specifically recognize the Yom HaShoah observation being held in Bakersfield, California on April 11, 2010 by Temple Beth El and B'Nai Jacob Synagogue.

The Holocaust was the state-sponsored, systematic persecution and annihilation of European Jewry by Nazi Germany. Over six million Jews were murdered and millions of others were slaughtered including the handicapped and those targeted for racial, ethnic or national reasons. During one of the darkest moments in human history, we experienced the human capacity for evil and the catastrophic consequences of indifference in the face of evil.

This year's theme Stories of Freedom: What You Do Matters compels us to remember the victims of the Holocaust and honor the survivors, rescuers and liberators. Their stories of freedom remind us that individuals have the power to make a difference. William Harvey, a Holocaust Survivor, will share his personal testimony during Bakersfield's commemoration service. We must also pay tribute to the U.S. soldiers whose valiant efforts helped defeat Nazi Germany and liberate Holocaust survivors from years of suffering.

To preserve human freedom, we must choose to uphold the moral responsibilities of individuals, societies and governments. Madam Speaker, I urge all of our colleagues to recognize the importance of Holocaust Remembrance Day and actively rededicate ourselves to the principles of individual freedom in a just society and the need of respect for all people.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 3820, the Natural Hazards Risk Reduction Act of 2009. As a representative of a state that faces perhaps more natural hazard risk than any other--including not just from earthquakes, but also wildfires, windstorms, landslides, and tsunamis--I cannot overstate the importance of the programs authorized in this legislation, which are essential for protecting the lives and property of tens of millions of Californians.

Two tragedies over the past two months have shown us the dramatic difference that comes from being properly prepared for a natural disaster. The magnitude 7.0 earthquake in Haiti on January 12th struck a country that was woefully unprepared for such an event. Unreinforced buildings collapsed like houses of cards, and an almost unfathomable 200,000 people were killed. This past Sunday, a far-stronger magnitude 8.8 earthquake hit Chile, and while this tragedy claimed the lives of over 700, the death toll was much lower than Haiti's because people were protected by buildings constructed to withstand that sort of shaking.

The United States has not suffered these sorts of staggering casualties from a seismic event in over a hundred years, in large part due to the work of the U.S. Geological Survey's Earthquake Hazard Program. We cannot predict when the next major earthquake will strike the United States. But we know where it is most likely. And we have been able to enact building codes in those areas to protect people in their homes and offices. We have conducted preparedness drills so people know what to do when the Big One hits. We have been able to engineer pipelines, power lines, and roads to survive a major quake, so we can rebuild and recover as quickly as possible. The U.S. Geological Survey has helped make this all possible.

This legislation reauthorizes the National Earthquake Hazard Reduction Program, of which the U.S. Geological Survey's Earthquake Hazard Program is a part. When this legislation was first reported out of the Science and Technology Committee, I was concerned about the cut in authorization levels to the U.S. Geological Survey, which I believed reflected the wrong message about the importance of this critical program. I am pleased to say that after a hearing in my subcommittee on January 20th, my good friends Bart Gordon, Chairman of the Science and Technology Committee, and David Wu, chief sponsor of this legislation, worked with me to increase the authorization levels and put the Earthquake Hazard Program on the path for continued growth. I would also like to thank the ranking member of my subcommittee, Doug Lamborn of Colorado, for working with me in this endeavor, as well as all the scientists and engineers who wrote to me expressing their support for this program.

Madam Speaker, in closing, I urge my colleagues to support this bill, but more importantly, I urge us all to help the people of Haiti and Chile in any way we can as they attempt to clean up and rebuild. The hopes and prayers of everyone in this Chamber are with them.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Carl Tubbesing, Deputy Executive Director of the National Conference of State Legislatures, NCSL, upon his retirement after 35 years of distinguished service to the organization.

Through his tireless efforts promoting state's rights and federalism during his tenure at the NCSL, Carl Tubbesing has earned the admiration and affection of his many colleagues across the country. Legislatures cannot run effectively without professional, high-quality staff

and resources. NCSL provides these resources, producing numerous publications, conducting research, and assisting lawmakers in crafting legislation.

Prior to joining NCSL in 1975, Carl Tubbesing taught Government and Public Affairs at Southern Illinois University in Edwardsville. After joining NCSL shortly after the organization's inception, he worked in the Denver office as Assistant Director of State Services working to meet the needs of state legislatures and their staffs nationwide. From there, he advanced to Director of State Federal relations where he was instrumental in the passage of the Child Care Development Block Grant, providing federal funding to states to assist low income families with child care burdens. Carl was also a valuable partner as NCSL strove to enact the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (UMRA). This legislation aimed to curb the practice of imposing unfunded mandates on state and local governments.

In 2000, as I assumed the role of NCSL President, Carl Tubbesing was instrumental in the adoption of the Farm Bill, including a major expansion of the Food Stamp program and a restoration of food stamp benefits to legal immigrants. Over the past ten years he has continued his admirable work on behalf of state legislatures, including providing temporary fiscal relief to states and territories in 2003, and more recently providing technical assistance to states as they implemented provisions under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).

Carl Tubbesing has always been an incredible leader, and a valuable resource to myself and other lawmakers and we are sad to say goodbye. He is a man of outstanding character and we will remain grateful for his unwavering dedication and exceptional insight.

I want to personally wish Carl continued success and my best wishes upon his retirement.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay special tribute to a truly exceptional man whose life, passions and labors exemplify the meaning of true servant leadership. On January 19, 2010, Stephen K. Hall, a well respected water leader who played a central role in some of the biggest achievements in recent California water policy history, passed away after bravely battling Lou Gehrig's disease. He was only 58.

For years, I had the good fortune of working closely with Steve in Sacramento, California, and more recently in Washington, DC, seeking to address and solve the complicated water problems besetting the people of California. During his 30-year career in water, Steve worked diligently to bring diverse interests together and advance rational policies to address the State's water supply challenges. I can say without reservation that Steve was listened to and respected by all policy makers and stakeholders that he interacted with.

Steve Hall served as executive director of the Association of California Water Agencies, ACWA, from 1993 until his retirement in 2007 due to Gehrig's disease. Steve brought a unique brand of leadership to water discussions when it was needed most. He forged relationships that transcended political and ideological circles. Known as a consensus builder, Steve's ability to bring people together was a determining factor in some of the key water successes of our time. Tim Quinn, current head of ACWA recently credited Steve's contributions with helping set the stage for the historic water legislation enacted last fall.

Steve Hall fought for solutions that work for farms, cities and the environment. He is credited with breaking a long-running gridlock and helping forge agreements that laid the groundwork for the landmark Bay- Delta Accord signed in 2004. He played a primary role in the so-called ``three-way'' negotiations that led

to creation of the CALFED Bay-Delta Program and paved the way for passage of Proposition 204 of 1996 and Proposition 13 of 2002, which provided funding for water management projects and programs statewide.

Steve Hall was always a strong advocate for science-based regulations that protect public health in a cost-effective manner. Steve was a leading advocate for strategies to address invasive species, reform the federal Endangered Species Act, and resolve water supply and ecosystem problems in the Delta. More recently, Steve led a year-long effort to develop ACWA's recent water policy document, ``No Time to Waste: A Blueprint for California Water.'' Among his numerous pursuits, Steve served on the boards of directors of the California Water Institute and the California Infrastructure Coalition. He also served on the State Reclamation Board, the UC Davis Land, Air and Water Advisory Committee and the California Bay-Delta Public Advisory Committee.

After retirement, Steve's motto became, ``As much as I can for as long as I can.'' Beyond his dedication to water issues, Steve cared deeply about his family, friends, his Lord and the people of California. Steve leaves behind his wife Pamela, two grown children, Jennifer and Adam, three grandchildren, his parents and a brother and sister. For all of us who knew him, he was an exceptional role model for how we should live; a life lived to its fullest. Steve will truly be missed by all. Here's to a truly great servant of the people.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend Jo Johnson, the Executive Director of the Fresno-Madera Agency on Aging in Fresno, California as she prepares to retire after 18 years of dedicated service to seniors and the community of Fresno.

Jo Johnson is a Valley native, born in Fresno, California. She is a graduate of the Class of 1968 from Roosevelt High School and received her Bachelor's Degree from California State University, Fresno in 1972. Jo is married to Mr. John J. Johnson, Jr.

Jo has spent the majority of her career working as a selfless public servant. In 1973, she was hired by the Fresno County Probation Department as a Research Analyst. Then, in 1974, she moved to the State of Oregon to work as a Social Worker in the Children's Services Division. Jo returned to the Central Valley in 1975 and worked as a Probation Officer for the Tulare County Probation Department in Tulare, California until 1984. After spending time in the public sector, Jo worked as a paralegal in her husband's office in Big Bear Lake, California. In 1991, Jo was hired by the Fresno-Madera Area Agency on Aging (FMAAA).

Serving as Executive Director, Jo has helped direct the Fresno-Madera Agency on Aging to numerous accomplishments. When she was first hired in 1991, Jo created the Valley Coalition of Area Agencies on Aging which brought together the various county agencies to plan and direct legislation which would benefit the elderly. At the National level, Jo has participated in the 1994 Health Care University conference in Washington, D.C. sponsored by the Administration on Aging. Jo also received a Congressional appointment to the California delegation for the 1995 White House Conference on Aging. At the State level, she was appointed by the California Department on Aging to numerous committees helping to create nutrition policy and shape administrative structure.

Under Jo's guidance, the Fresno-Madera Agency on Aging became the first California area agency to own real estate. The Fresno-Madera Agency on Aging is the only statewide Agency to develop a campus of collocated services that facilitates immediate responses to consumer needs. Jo helped create a system that supports a team that investigates elder abuse and was the first to be recognized by the California Attorney General. The Fresno-Madera Agency on Aging has taken their original investment of $1.5 million in community development block grants provided by the City of Fresno and helped create $25 million worth of real property on an 8 acre campus. Furthermore, over 17 years ago, Jo was instrumental in the creation of the FMAAA's annual event ``Seniors Serving Seniors''. This event honoring seniors and those who help seniors is held in May of each year and is overwhelmingly successful because of Jo's love for seniors.

The leadership that Jo has shown for the senior community of Fresno has been steadfast during her time of service. Jo serves as an outstanding example for those who truly want to make a positive difference. I am honored to not only call Jo a friend but also a champion for seniors. Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to rise with me today to express our appreciation for Jo Johnson's dedicated service to seniors and her community.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay special tribute to Mr. John Yoshio Kashiki of Parlier, California on the occasion of receiving an honorary degree from the University of California, Davis more than six decades after his studies were interrupted by the events of World War II. I ask my colleagues to join me in thanking John for his decades of service to the people of California's Central Valley.

Mr. Kashiki was born in California in 1919 and grew up in the Imperial Valley. John was attending the University of California, Davis when the onset of World War II led to the internment of Japanese- Americans and nationals of Japanese heritage. John Kashiki was one of hundreds of men and women attending the University of California who were forced to leave their studies in 1942 as a result of the executive order.

Mr. Kashiki's experience with internment did not, however, serve to sway his commitment

to his country. John volunteered to serve in the storied 442nd Infantry regiment of the United States Army which was composed of Asian-American soldiers who served with great distinction in Europe. After returning home, John started farming and packing businesses in Parlier, California and remains an active member of the community and an avid fisherman.

Over six decades after enrolling in college, John and the forty-six other students who were forced to abandon their studies at the University of California, Davis, are being recognized by the University with the awarding of the honorary degrees they so richly deserve. John, and fellow class members, will receive their degrees on December 12th, 2009 with friends and family in attendance.

Please join me in congratulating Mr. John Yashio Kashiki on this well-deserved honor and thanking him for his years of service to his community and to his country.

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2278) to direct the President to transmit to Congress a report on anti-American incitement to violence in the Middle East, and for other purposes, as amended.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous material on the bill under consideration.

I yield myself as much time as I may consume as I rise in strong support of this resolution.

Madam Speaker, I want to commend my friend from Florida (Mr. Bilirakis) for introducing this piece of legislation as well as my friend and colleague from New York, Joe Crowley, for his leadership on this issue.

This is an important matter. The Obama administration has brought a new, more positive tone to American foreign policy in the Middle East. Yet, despite the President's desire to seek a new beginning between the United States and Muslims around the world, there still lies fanatical anti-American and anti-Semitic efforts which continue to incite people around the world through broadcasts in the Middle East by television stations for those Muslim viewers.

Without a doubt, freedom of the press and freedom of expression are the foundations of free and prosperous societies throughout the world. Yet with this important freedom comes the great responsibility to reject and repudiate that incitement to violence. This resolution attempts to remind us of that fact.

For years, certain media outlets in the Middle East, particularly those associated with terrorist groups, have repeatedly published or have broadcast incitement to violence against the United States and our allies. Television stations, such as Hezbollah's al-Manar, Hamas' al- Aqsa, the Iraq-based Al-Zawra, and others that broadcast incitement to violence against the United States aid foreign terrorist organizations in their key functions to recruit, to fund-raise, and to incite further propaganda. This must not continue. Some of these stations are broadcast throughout the region by two prominent Arab world satellites--Egypt's Nilesat and the Arab League's Arabsat--in which both Saudi Arabia and Kuwait are the leading shareholders. Saudi Arabia and Kuwait have relations with our country.

This is unfortunate. This propaganda threatens long-term U.S. interests in the region, and it does a great deal of damage to the prospect of improving bilateral relations between America and our allies in the Arab world. In addition, it undermines the prospects for Arab-Israeli peace. Make no doubt about that.

Americans have witnessed the direct connection between the charged rhetoric of the jihadist narrative, as Tom Friedman called it in his recent column that many of us have read, and it incites actual violence. This incitement creates an environment conducive to and accepting of terrorism, terrorism that impacts all of us throughout the world. As the U.S. and other nations join in fighting this terrorism, there must be renewed vigilance against the purveyors of anti-American hatred abroad and of the consequences for inaction, inattention, or state sponsorship of this hatred.

This legislation requires the State Department to submit to Congress an annual report that details, country by country, Middle Eastern media outlets that engage in anti-American incitement to violence and of the satellite companies that transmit them. They are the enablers.

It also establishes as U.S. policy that satellite providers which knowingly and willingly contract with terrorist entities can be legally designated as ``specially designated global terrorists,'' under Executive Order 13224, for perpetrating this incitement. In addition, it calls upon our government to consider the state sponsorship of anti- American incitement to violence when determining the level of assistance to and the frequency and nature of relations with Middle Eastern states. We ought to reflect and make an analysis

of this effort. This legislation attempts to do so.

Finally, H.R. 2278 urges all governments and private investors who are involved with satellite transmissions to oppose the broadcasting of telecasts by any specially designated global terrorist-owned-and- operated stations which openly incite their audiences to commit acts of terrorism or acts of violence against the United States and its citizens or against citizens throughout the world.

I know that the terrorist likes of Hamas and Hezbollah will not soon abandon their mass media attempts of promoting hatred and violence, but there are efforts that we can and should pursue. It is longtime past for all state-owned and privately owned satellite companies, wherever they are located, to cease transmitting these ugly messages which encourage the murder of Americans and our allies. That is why, Madam Speaker, I strongly support this legislation, and I urge all of my colleagues to join me in that support.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to turn the management of this measure and of the other remaining items to my friend, the gentleman from New York (Mr. Engel).

Madam Speaker, I rise today to discuss the importance of jobs and our economy, and the importance of putting Americans back to work to really spur the economic growth that I think we all desire.

I was pleased that the mayor of Fresno last week was one of the five mayors to participate in the jobs forum in the White House since she and I represent a region that has suffered severe economic hardships, including a drought, a devastating drought, that has impacted much of the San Joaquin Valley and other aspects of California, the collapse of the dairy market, and the precipitous drop in housing markets that has put housing and foreclosures of the utmost concern. We need to do everything we can to invest in our infrastructure and transportation, schools, and water.

California is in the midst of a water crisis, and I urge the administration to use all of the flexibility within its power to get water flowing for next year's growing season to allow tens of thousands of hardworking farmworkers, farmers, to return to work, to putting food on America's dinner table. Water equals jobs, equals food. That's what we need to do.

I'd like to submit a letter for the Record that I wrote to the President concerning this crisis.

Congress of the United States,

House of Representatives,

Washington, DC, December 3, 2009.

The President,

The White House,

Washington, DC.

Dear Mr. President: Today, as the White House convenes its

jobs summit and examines ways to speed job growth in a slow-

moving economy, please accept my sincere appreciation and

best wishes for a successful event. I am pleased to hear that

Mayor Ashley Swearengin of Fresno, CA is one of five U.S.

mayors invited to participate today, since the region that

she and I represent has suffered from severe economic

hardships including a crippling drought, a collapse of the

dairy market and precipitous drop in the housing market.

Mayor Swearengin's presence is especially timely as she

navigates unprecedented fiscal challenges in the city's

operating budget which include employee furloughs, fire

station closures and over one hundred employee layoffs.

As you are well aware from our prior meetings and my

correspondence, California is in the midst of a water supply

crisis and likely heading into the fourth consecutive year of

a crippling drought. I urge you to keep California's San

Joaquin Valley in the forefront of your economic recovery

dialogue. I would be remiss if I did not point out that one

way to bring people back to work in the San Joaquin Valley

immediately is to use all the discretion within your power

under the law to get water flowing this growing season. This

action alone would allow tens of thousands of hard-working

farmers, farm workers, and farm communities to return to the

honest work of putting food on America's dinner table.

Water is the lifeblood of the Valley, and without it, our

cities and towns have literally been withering and drying

out. Unless Mother Nature intervenes and you take action now

to implement short, mid, and long-term solutions to alleviate

the crisis, all of California will have to prepare for the

devastating impacts of the drought. On Tuesday of this week,

the California Department of Water Resources announced its

projected allocation for water deliveries to two-thirds of

Californians at 5 percent of contracted totals. For your

reference, this is the lowest initial allocation in State

Water Project history. It is my understanding that the

announcement from the Bureau of Reclamation will not be far

behind. Mr. President, farmers cannot get bank loans to

sustain their businesses with water supply delivery

allocations this low. Many communities throughout the Valley

are facing unemployment levels that rival any in recent

memory--up to forty percent. I believe that every region of

California deserves a sustainable water supply, and your

direct commitment and leadership is necessary to help with

California's short-term water needs.

In addition, I am disappointed that the released list of

attendees at your jobs summit today did not include community

bankers from a diverse cross-section of the country. As you

know, community bankers have continued to lend to consumers

and small businesses in communities where the largest banks

have closed branches or reduced access to credit. The ability

to obtain credit is essential to any sustainable growth in

the small business sector, and I urge you to invite community

bankers to share their solutions for growth with your

administration.

The San Joaquin Valley can benefit from additional

investments in our highway infrastructure. Just yesterday,

House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman

Jim Oberstar held a press conference

with The American Association of State Highway and

Transportation Officials (AASHTO) regarding infrastructure

investment. They identified 120 ready-to-go highway projects

in California worth $4.012 billion. Investment in our

highways will put people back to work immediately, and

improve transit in the San Joaquin Valley.

In addition, a renewed focus on high-speed rail would

greatly impact the local economy in the San Joaquin Valley.

Top economists have indicated that direct investment in

infrastructure projects is the best way to create jobs and

stimulate the economy. The short-term and long-term economic

impacts of a high-speed rail system would be tremendous for

California's economy. Construction of the system is estimated

to generate almost 300,000 jobs, and following construction,

the system will provide 450,000 permanent jobs in California.

These jobs will have a huge ripple effect into other areas of

California's economy such as the service and manufacturing

industries. Overall, for every dollar spent on this system,

we will see two dollars in return. I urge you and Secretary

LaHood to approve California's Track 2 application for

federal high-speed rail funds, and would be happy to join you

when this funding is announced next year.

Thank you for your consideration of these requests, and I

look forward to continue working with your administration to

bring jobs and long-term economic growth to California's San

Joaquin Valley.

Sincerely,

Jim Costa,

Member of Congress.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay special tribute to John C. Harris for receiving the Distinguished Citizen Award, in recognition of his strong dedication to the Boy Scouts of America in the San Joaquin Valley. Mr. Harris has hosted the Westside Luncheon at Harris Ranch for nearly twenty years. This casual and friendly fund raising lunch supports the Scouting programs in western Fresno and Kings Counties. The Luncheon has become a model for other Scout Councils to emulate. In fact, the Monterey Bay Area Council borrowed the Harris model and began a similar event in King City years ago. John's concern for the youth of our area and his love of Scouting have kept his efforts concentrated in the Sequoia Council, and in the growth of the Scouting in the San Joaquin Valley.

John has been involved in the Agriculture and Thoroughbred business all of his life, as he and his family have worked to create one of the nation's largest Agribusinesses. A diversified family farming operation, this successful business consists of the Harris Ranch Beef Company, Harris Ranch Inn & Restaurant, Harris Feeding Company, Harris Fresh, and the Harris Farms Horse Division. Much has contributed to California's bountiful agriculture industry and economic well-being, but one significant underlying factor in California's agricultural success has been the presence of families such as the Harris family.

We are fortunate to have generous and giving individuals like John Harris, who help to make our Valley a better place. John's commitment to excellence and hard work reflect much of the same values the Boy Scouts embody in their scout oath: to do your best, help other people at all times, and to serve your country. John Harris certainly lives up to these values as is evident in his business success and devotion to serving others in our community.

For all these reasons, it is without a doubt an honor to recognize John Harris today for his leadership in our Valley, as he continues to touch the lives of many people and leave his mark of good will in our community. We are especially thankful today for his service to the Boy Scouts of America in the Central Valley.

Madam Speaker, I rise today during Native American Heritage Month, to honor and remember the life of Native Elder and Leader Philip D. Hunter.

Mr. Philip Daryl Hunter was a citizen of the Tule River Tribe. He was an exemplary leader and a powerful advocate for the needs and rights of Native people; especially those throughout the great state of California and the San Joaquin Valley. Mr. Hunter was a strong spiritual and political leader for his tribe.

Philip Hunter graduated from Porterville Union High School in 1966 and attended Porterville College, where he excelled not only in academics, but also in baseball. During breaks from school he would work for the Tribe as a fire fighter. He went on to serve our nation in the United States Army as a paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne Division.

Following his military service, Mr. Hunter graduated from Columbia College with an Associate of Arts Degree, focusing his interests on helping others. He spent fourteen years as a Drug and Alcohol Counselor, consistently placing the needs of others above his own. Demonstrating a strong dedication to his tribe, Mr. Hunter served on the Tule River Tribal Council for over twelve years, with five years in the position of Tribal Chairman. He was the longest-serving member on the Tule River Tribal Council. During his time on the council, Mr. Hunter became a familiar and strong voice in our state's and nation's capitols as he worked to shape federal, state and international California Indian policy, including protections for Native Sacred Places. He represented the Tule River Tribe on the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Central California Agency Policy Committee, BIA/Pacific Regional Offices Fee to Trust Consortium, Council of Energy Resources Tribes and the National Congress of American Indians. He was a proud member of the Tule River AMVETS Post 1988 and respectfully honored veterans during times of remembrances.

Philip D. Hunter was acclaimed for being an effective and traditional cultural leader. His knowledge and dedication to tribal members ran deep throughout Indian Country. He was devoted to his wife, Beverly J. Hunter and loved his family, his tribe and his country. Mr. Hunter will always be remembered as a true champion for Native Americans.