Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise this evening to talk about the challenges we face both in this country, my district, and around the world on critical issues affecting our country and the world, and that is food, water, and hunger. Because without water, you can't grow food, and without the sufficient sustainability of our ability to produce food in this country and around the world, hunger continues to be a pressing issue both at home and abroad.

Next week, Thanksgiving will be celebrated in this country, and we will all hopefully be with our families and friends. But in some parts of America, people will go hungry. In some parts of my district that has been ground zero on a drought that has been caused by a combination of regulatory and dry conditions for 3 consecutive years in California, we will have people in food lines. Sadly, these food lines have existed for months, and sadly, these food lines will continue throughout the winter because we have a problem in California. But that problem is exemplified throughout the world, and that is without sufficient water supplies, sustainable water supply, you cannot grow food, and without that ability, hunger persists.

On October 15, Bill Gates spoke at the 2009 Food Prize Symposium about the importance of productivity and sustainability of agriculture to feed our Nation and the world. He said, ``This global effort to help small farmers is endangered by an ideological wedge that threatens to split the movement in two. On one side is a technological approach that increases productivity. On the other side is an environmental approach that promotes sustainability. Productivity or sustainability--they say you have to choose.''

Bill Gates said, ``It's a false choice, and it's dangerous for the field. It blocks important advances. It breeds hostility among people who need to work together. And it makes it hard to launch a comprehensive program to help poor farmers. The fact is, we need both productivity and sustainability--and there is no reason we can't have both.''

The San Joaquin Valley in my district in central California is a good example that we must have both, yet we find ourselves in a regulatory drought because we are faced with posing the question: Should we have sustainability or productivity? Farmers who produce some of the most varied amount of production anywhere in the world have proven that you can have both productivity and sustainability, provided, provided you have water. That's why Bill Gates went on to say, ``That's why our foundation works closely with local farmers' groups. And that's why we are one of the largest funders of sustainable approaches such as no- till farming, rainwater harvesting, drip irrigation, and biological nitrous fixation.

``The environment also benefits from higher productivity. When productivity is too low, people start farming on grazing land, cutting down forests, using any new acreage they can to grow food. When productivity is high, people can farm on less land.''

In our valley, we have proven that time and time again. I ask my colleagues to ensure that we hold this administration accountable.

Last week, Secretary of the Interior Salazar made a positive statement. He said, on November 9, that the Department of the Interior will make a public announcement taking actions on California's water crisis next year to make sure that the intertie to Gates, the diversification of refuge water in level 2 and in level 4 supplies are made available to farmers and that the Patterson fish screen and pipeline will, in fact, take place next year. These are important.

The last administration left these on the backlog for years. This administration pretends they are going to take place next year. I will hold them accountable. These projects are very important. Again, without water, you can't have food and you can't have jobs.

I urge this administration to continue to move forward on these important efforts along with the National Academy of Science's attempt to look at the biological opinions that are providing the constraints to allow for the flexible operations of the Federal and State projects that provide the water to allow us to grow the food to have the jobs.

As I close, my colleagues, let me tell you, we are talking about trying to get the economy going. We are going to be talking about a jobs package this year when we come back from Thanksgiving. If we provide water to the people of the San Joaquin Valley, we will have 30,000 jobs that were eliminated this summer because we had no water. It's very simple. All we have to do is focus on flexibility with these biological opinions.

We hope that before the National Academy of Science completes their work, the administration will understand that regardless of what kind of a rainfall year we have this winter and snow in the Sierra, it's important that we are sensitive to operational flexibility of the State and Federal projects.

I urge all of my colleagues to understand that, as Bill Gates said, sustainability and productivity are key. You can have both. It should be a false

choice. Water provides food, and that equals jobs.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay special tribute to a man whose life and pursuits exemplify the spirit of fortitude, entrepreneurship, virtues of family and citizenship demonstrated by so many of those who strive to provide food and fiber to the citizens of this great nation. Many things have 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 agricultural leaders such as Fernando C. Machado. A veteran farmer and former dairyman, Mr. Fred Machado is being honored on November 18, 2009 in Fresno, California as the 2009 Agriculturist of the Year by the Greater Fresno Area Chamber of Commerce.

Fred Machado, born an American citizen on the Azores Island of Portugal in 1932, moved back to the United States with his family in 1949. After a four-year tour in the United States Navy during the Korean War, Mr. Machado returned to California in 1955 where he began to farm twenty-six acres of rented land near Easton. To make ends meet, he also worked on dairies, at cotton gins and at various other odd jobs. Today, Fred continues to farm, but on his own 800 acres of almonds, grapes, orchards and feed crops.

Fred and his family have always been involved in the San Joaquin Valley agricultural industry in a variety of capacities over the years. He was quoted recently as saying, ``I will always be in farming as long as I can, I cannot get away from the dirt.'' Machado continued, ``It's been great for us. We've made a good living, we've raised our family there . . . We're just real happy to be involved in agriculture.''

A past president of the Fresno County Farm Bureau, Mr. Machado has also served on the board of directors of the National Milk Producers Federation, Challenge Dairy and Danish Creamery and several other agriculture committees in the Valley. He has extensive community service in organizations such as Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #84, Knights of Columbus #153 of Easton, Fraternal Order of Eagles Fresno Aerie #39, and the Portuguese Fraternal Organizations--I.D.E.S.S., S.E.S, and U.P.E.C.

Fred Machado has also been the recipient of a number of other awards, among which are Fresno County Farm Bureau's Distinguished Service Award, the California Farm Bureau's Distinguished Service Award, and California State University Fresno, Ag One Community Salute Award. The award Mr. Machado is receiving this November 18th is indeed a high honor in Fresno County. Fred is truly deserving of this award. It is especially fitting to congratulate and salute Mr. Fred Machado for his outstanding service to agriculture, the people of California and our nation.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay special tribute to a family farming operation whose owners exemplify the spirit of fortitude, entrepreneurship, and advocacy demonstrated by so many of those who strive to provide food and fiber to our great Nation. 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 Errotabere family. A diversified family farming operation in Fresno County, Errotabere Ranches is being honored on November 18, 2009 in Fresno, California as the 2009 Baker, Peterson & Franklin Ag Business Award recipient.

Though the Errotabere story didn't begin in the United States, the Errotabere family has clearly added strength to the fabric of this great Nation since coming to America. Jean Errotabere was born in a French-Basque village in France called Aldudez just two miles from the Spanish-French border. He came to Riverdale, California in the late 1940s to work with his brother on their ranch which was started in the late 1920s. Georgianne, a native of Vancouver, Canada, also came to the Central Valley of California to look for work. While waitressing at the Santa Fe Basque Restaurant in downtown Fresno, now known as the Sheppard's Inn, she met Jean Errotabere and their life together began.

Over the next 3 decades, their family and their business continued to grow and at the time of Jean's death, in 1979, their sons Dan, Jean and Remi, took over the ranch operations. Together with their wives Susan, Colleen, and Maureen the Errotaberes have developed a diversified family farming operation that now spans over 5,500 acres throughout western Fresno County. Among the crops the operation grows are almonds, pistachios, processing tomatoes, garlic, pima cotton, alfalfa, wheat, safflower, Romaine lettuce, processing onions, seed lettuce, cantaloupes and honeydew melons.

Errotabere Ranches has been actively involved in Agricultural Organizations, Riverdale schools, the Jordan College of Agriculture Sciences and Technology at California State University, Fresno and the Fresno County Farm Bureau. Errotabere Ranches President Dan Errotabere has been recognized and praised as a crusader for agricultural water issues, including his role in negotiating the historical treaty between Westlands Water District and the Friant Water Users Authority in 2004.

``This great Valley that we have is certainly the envy of the world,'' Errotabere was recently quoted as saying. ``It's a promising story for California that agriculture can do as much as it can.''

It is a pleasure to honor and congratulate the Errotabere's ``can- do'' attitude and repeated earnest advocacy for Agriculture. The Errotaberes are truly deserving of this great honor and I salute the entire family for their accomplishments and contributions to Agriculture in California and the Nation.

Mr. Speaker, yesterday, I joined together with Congressmen Cardoza and Radanovich in a bipartisan effort to introduce legislation on the part of our ongoing efforts to bring more water to the San Joaquin Valley, and today I rise in support of that bill.

As I have said before on this floor, regulatory and hydrological reductions in water supply deliveries have devastated my district and parts of the Central Valley in California, leaving our cities and communities in many areas with unemployment levels of 30 to 40 percent.

This legislation calls for the review of the Federal biological opinions that have reduced the amount of water flowing to the valley, leaving some of the hardest working people you'll ever meet in your life ironically standing in food lines, unable to provide food for their families. Our farmers are in danger of losing their farms, and in some cases they have held them for generations.

The two biological opinions in question, one issued by the Fish and Wildlife Service and the other by the National Marine Fisheries Service, focus solely on Central Valley. They need to be reconsidered because I believe they are flawed.

For the last 18 months, I have repeatedly said there is not one single cause for the decline in the Sacramento and San Joaquin River Delta system and their fisheries. This legislation will assure that all environmental factors are taken into account.

Mr. Speaker, I rise on the rule to support the underlying bill, H.R. 3854, the Small Business Financing and Investment Act of 2009. This is an important piece of legislation that

will provide our country's small businesses with additional tools that they need during these uncertain economic times.

I'm particularly pleased that the Rules Committee adopted an amendment that I authored and included it in Chairwoman Velazquez' manager's amendment. I want to thank her and commend her for her hard work on this important piece of legislation.

The amendment that has been included gives priority to small businesses applying for stabilization loans in cities that have been hit especially hard by high levels of unemployment. For cities in my district and in the San Joaquin Valley, like Delano, Firebaugh and Mendota, that have over 30 percent unemployment, this will be an additional help for the struggling small businesses in those communities. But in communities throughout the country that are experiencing high, above-average unemployment levels, it will of course be very helpful.

Overall, the legislation helps facilitate small businesses by lending, by bolstering vital programs within the SBA, the Small Business Administration. It also encourages small lenders to participate in programs to help rural businesses and veteran-owned businesses to secure loans, loans which have been difficult for them to obtain. This bill is expected to produce over $44 billion in lending to small businesses across the country, help create jobs and get our economy back on the path to recovery.

I ask for an ``aye'' vote.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay special tribute to a man whose life and pursuits have exemplified the spirit of fortitude and the virtues of family demonstrated by so many of those who work to provide food and fiber to our great nation. Many factors have contributed to California's bountiful agriculture industry and the economic well-being of the State of California, but one underlying factor in California's agricultural success has been the fortitude of those such as Donald D. Laub. A long-time Fresno county agricultural leader and Easton-area grape grower, Donald passed away on Oct. 20, 2009.

Born on July 22, 1933, in Fresno, Don Laub was involved in farming for the majority of his 76 years. At the tender age of 9-years-old, Don was called upon to assist his mother Anna and twin brother Ronald in keeping the family farm going when his father Henry died in 1943. These early years of working the farm would set the foundation for Don's entire agricultural career.

In 1954, Don married Clara Fogal. The Laubs soon expanded the family farm to the Easton area of Fresno County with the purchase of prime vineyard land. Under Don's direction, Laub Ranches quickly became known for producing premium table grapes, raisins and wine grapes. As part of J&L Vineyards, Don was one of the first to embrace and actively use integrated pest management and trellis designs for table grapes. Four generations have now engaged in the family business. His grandson, Ryan Jacobsen, is executive director of the Fresno County Farm Bureau, and his mother, Debbie Jacobsen, Mr. Laub's daughter, became the first female president of the Fresno-area chapter in 2002. Through Don's example, they have endured many challenges, but all with the tenacity of a

strong family farm ethic whose commitment has remained to agriculture as a business, as well as a way-of-life. Up until his untimely death, Don was still actively farming and pursuing new agricultural challenges for his business.

Mr. Laub was a respected leader in local agricultural and community organizations. For more than 50 years, Don was involved with the Fresno County Farm Bureau, serving as the organization's president from 1986- 88. He represented Fresno County on the California Farm Bureau Federation Board of Directors, and served on several advisory committees for the state and national Farm Bureau organizations. In 1996, Don received the Distinguished Service Award from the California Farm Bureau Federation. 1994 brought an extra-special time as both the Laub and his in-laws, the Jacobsen family, received the Fresno County Farm Bureau Distinguished Service Award in 1994. That same year, Don was selected as the Fresno County Agriculturalist of the Year. In 2001, J&L Vineyards received the Agricultural Business of the Year Award.

Rennown for his passion and dedication to agriculture, Don Laub also served on the boards of directors of the Ag One Foundation at Fresno State, California Association of Winegrape Growers, Farm Labor Alliance, the advisory committee for the U.C. Extension Field Station in Parlier, and for several wine industry boards and commissions. In the late-1980s, Don was appointed to serve on the federal Western Region Immigration and Naturalization Service Advisory Committee. He was later appointed to serve on the Big Fresno Fair Board of Directors and the Fresno County Planning Commission. Don was a member of the California Agricultural Leadership Program, Class III.

In addition to his service to agriculture, Don assumed leadership roles in the Easton community, having served as a trustee and president of the American Union Elementary School Board and Washington Union High School Board. He also served as a director of the Fresno County Public Schools Foundation. Don's passion for education was evident in his program to host inner-city school children from Los Angeles and Fresno on his farm during the 1990s to learn more about agriculture. Don served in the Biola Congregational Church, and on the boards of Twilight Haven Convalescent Home, Fresno County Civil Service Commission, and Fresno County Affordable Housing Task Force.

Donald D. Laub will always be remembered for his passion for Agricultural issues, dedication to his family and friends, and for his lifetime of service to his industry and community. He will be greatly missed, but his legacy will continue throughout all of California's San Joaquin Valley.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the service of Lance Corporal Alfonso Ochoa, Jr., who was recently killed by a roadside bomb in Afghanistan.

A native of Armona, California, Alfonso joined the Marine Corps only after graduating early from Hanford High School. His enthusiasm to his country and his commitments were apparent to all who knew him. It is my hope that Alfonso's strength, valor, and pride in our Nation will serve as an example for all of us.

My thoughts are with his father and mother, as well as his wife, whom he just married 6 months ago, and go out on behalf of all Americans.

In addition, Mr. Speaker, I would also like to mention that two other

servicemembers from the Central Valley recently sustained serious injuries overseas, and I wish them and their families comfort and strength during these difficult times and a speedy recovery.

Staff Sergeant Christian Hughes and Senior Airman Phillip Newlyn, both of Fresno, California, are at Walter Reed Medical Center; and I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring these soldiers, their courage, and their service to their country and wish them a smooth and speedy recovery.

I thank my colleague.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to oppose H.R. 2442, the rule that we are speaking on, the Bay Area Regional Water Recycling Program Expansion Act of 2009. While this measure by Congressman Miller has merit, there are plenty of meritorious water projects and bills that we have repeatedly tried to bring to the floor to help those of us where the drought is most expansive in the San Joaquin Valley, and unfortunately, they have been ignored.

Unfortunately, yesterday I learned that H.R. 2442 was reported out of the Rules Committee with a closed rule, and therefore, no amendments would be allowed. I oppose this rule because we need every opportunity to offer amendments and to vote on legislation that will bring water to our farmers, our farmworkers, our farm communities and our valley in the middle of this drought crisis.

My district is ground zero for this crisis. Towns from Mendota to Delano have 35 percent and more unemployment. There is no water, there is no jobs, there is no money for our farms and farmworkers to put food on their tables. Can you imagine what it would be like if you lived in a community where a third or more of your citizens had no jobs?

In the 1990s, I was working with many of those water districts, farmers, and urban and environmental groups to pass legislation that would help fix California's broken water system. Unfortunately, we made little progress.

We tried to establish a water ethos that we would all get healthy together again. Clearly, we are not getting healthy in the valley. Our valley agriculture provides half the Nation's fruits and vegetables, and they are withering and dying out. Millions of acre-feet of water have been diverted from the valley, and unfortunately, the fisheries are not improving.

It is incumbent upon this body to come together and help us fix this problem. If we expect to get healthy again, we must secure a sustainable water supply for every region of California, and for Congressmen Cardoza, Radanovich and myself, that begins with the San Joaquin valley.

Let us start anew. Let us start with leadership focusing on addressing California's water crisis in the valley and not shying away from this crisis.

Congressman Cardoza agrees with my statement.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to all of the women of the Junior League of Fresno, California on this occasion of their 50th anniversary aptly recognized as, ``Women Building Better Communities.''

In 1948, the Service League of Fresno was formed and within the course of eleven years, it was accepted into the Association of Junior Leagues International, Inc. Each year since their inception, 20,000 hours of voluntary service time has been generously provided by the women of the Junior League of Fresno. As a result of their years of commitment, over one million hours of service has been given to the community of Fresno by members of the Junior League. Since 1959, it has raised more than $3,000,000 toward community projects in the areas of children, health, social services, education, women's issues and cultural arts.

Meeting the needs of their community has been and continues to be the Junior League's highest priority. Members research, develop, manage and support projects in conjunction with community partners, concentrating on areas where resources are nominal and where they can have the most meaningful impact.

Throughout the years, projects and organizations the Junior League has championed include: Break the Barriers, The Central California Blood Mobile, Children's Hospital Central California; The Craycroft Youth Shelter; The Discovery Center; Exceptional Parents Unlimited; Firefighters Creating Memories; Footsteps Child Bereavement Program; The Fresno Art Museum; the Fresno County Shot Mobile Immunization Clinic; the Fresno Metropolitan Museum; The Marjaree Mason Center; The Ronald McDonald House; The Sanctuary Youth Center; and Senior Girl Athlete Awards Banquet.

The Junior League believes, as do I, that volunteers make a powerful difference in the community. Their service, advocacy, leadership roles and mentoring have touched countless lives throughout our community. I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing this wonderful group of women as the Junior League of Fresno celebrate their 50th Anniversary of ``Women Building Better Communities.''

Madam Speaker, today with Congressman Cardoza I introduced the ``Water Transfer Facilitation Act of 2009.'' The measure should reduce unnecessary delays in water transfers at a time when Central Valley farmers have been hard hit by a three-year drought. It would allow new water transfers of roughly 250,000 to 300,000 acre-feet of water per year. The bill would grant new authority to the Bureau of Reclamation to approve voluntary water transfers between sellers and buyers in the San Joaquin Valley. The measure also would streamline environmental reviews for Central Valley water transfers by ensuring that they occur on a programmatic basis, instead of the current project-by-project basis.

Transferring water between and within counties for water districts is a critical tool during periods of drought. While the best solution would be to have the federal and state pumps fully operational, because we have been unable to modify the Endangered Species Act, this change in the law provides us some relief. This legislation makes permanent the ability to transfer water to our Valley's farms when it is most needed, therefore, allowing our farmers a lifeline to continue to grow crops and help our local economy. More will need to be done to protect the Valley's water, and I will continue that fight.

The bill is supported by a great number of water users across the Central Valley, including the following: Friant Water Users Authority, San Joaquin River Exchange Contractors Authority, Delta-Mendota Canal Authority, Westlands Water District, Metropolitan Water District, Glenn Colusa Irrigation District, Northern California Water Association, Banta-Carbona Irrigation District, Tehama-Colusa Canal Authority, Association of California Water Agencies, Placer County Water Agency, Conaway Preservation Group, and Reclamation District 2035.

I have submitted several of these support letters, and I understand that Mr. Cardoza will submit additional letters as well.

Friant Water Users Authority,

Lindsay, CA, October 1, 2009.

Subject: Support for transfer legislation for the Central

Valley Project.

Hon. Congressman Jim Costa,

Longworth House Building,

Washington, DC.

Dear Congressman Costa: On behalf of Friant Water Users

Authority (Authority), we thank you for introducing transfer

legislation for the Central Valley Project (CVP) and we

support your efforts and this legislation as a means of

providing greater flexibility for management of CVP water

supplies.

The diminished water deliveries to the CVP as a result of 3

years of below average precipitation amplified by various

regulatory restrictions, including the ESA and the most

recent delta smelt and salmon Biological Opinions, have, as

you know, created a desperate situation in the San Joaquin

Valley.

While long-term solutions are being sought, numerous short

term efforts are needed to help bridge the water supply gap

and greater flexibility, as provided in your legislation, to

move water supplies across the San Joaquin Valley would be a

useful tool. In addition, the legislation would help Friant

districts affected by the SJR Settlement improve management

of surface and groundwater supplies.

The Authority consists of nineteen member water, irrigation

and public utility districts. The Friant Service area

includes approximately one million acres and 15,000 mostly

small family farms on the east side of the southern San

Joaquin Valley (Madera, Fresno, Tulare and Kern County).

Friant Division water supplies are also relied upon by

several cities and towns, including the City of Fresno, as a

major portion of their municipal and industrial water

supplies.

We look forward to engaging in this effort and working

closely with you and your staff in advancing this legislation

and addressing California water issues.

Sincerely,

Ronald D. Jacobsma,

Consulting General Manager.

Madam Speaker, yesterday with Congressman Cardoza I introduced the ``Water Transfer Facilitation Act of 2009.'' Given the overwhelming water user support we received for this bill, I am submitting additional letters in connection with this bill.

San Joaquin River

Water Authority,

San Joaquin Valley, CA, October 5, 2009.

Re Support for Transfer Legislation for the Central Valley

Project.

Hon. Jim Costa,

Longworth House Office Building, Washington, DC.

Dear Congressman Costa: On behalf of the San Joaquin River

Exchange Contractors Water Authority (Exchange Contractors),

we thank you for introducing transfer legislation for the

Central Valley Project (CVP)

and we support your efforts and this legislation as a means

of providing greater flexibility for management of CVP water

supplies.

The diminished water deliveries to the CVP as a result of

various regulatory restrictions, including the most recent

delta smelt and salmon Biological Opinions and three years of

below average precipitation statewide, have, as you know,

created a desperate situation in the San Joaquin Valley.

While long-term solutions are being sought, numerous short

term efforts are needed to help bridge the water supply gap

and great flexibility, as provided in your legislation, to

move water supplies within the San Joaquin Valley would be a

useful tool.

The Exchange Contractors consist of four member agencies

serving over 240,000 acres in the San Joaquin Valley in

Fresno, Madera, Merced, and Stanislaus Counties.

We look forward to engaging in this effort and working

closely with you and your staff in advancing this legislation

and addressing California water issues.

Sincerely,

Steve Chedester,

Executive Director.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the Energy and Water conference report. By now I suspect all of the Members of the House understand the drought crisis affecting California, particularly in the heart of the

San Joaquin Valley, a large part of my district. If this drought continues a fourth, fifth year, it could impact the entire State of California.

Among many of the items in this conference report are two amendments that Congressman Cardoza and I have been fighting hard for on behalf of our farmers, farmworkers and farm communities who are at ground zero as it relates to this drought crisis. Communities are having 30 and 40 percent unemployment, the most difficult situation they've ever faced. In July, we offered an amendment to bring drought relief to the San Joaquin Valley by providing funding for two projects. The 2-Gates project and the Intertie project, both of these projects were on the back burner for years. They should have been already implemented. This administration is moving forward to put these into construction next year.

The second amendment addresses impediments to transfers. Transfers are critical during drought conditions, both regulatory and that by Mother Nature. This gives the Bureau of Reclamation the flexibility needed to facilitate, and much more needs to be done.

I thank the gentleman from Arizona. This gives the flexibility for the Bureau of Reclamation to facilitate these water transfers. This year, we transferred over 6,000-acre-feet of water that was a critical lifeline. Much more needs to be done. I urge my colleagues to support these two amendments in this conference report. I thank the gentleman from Arizona for his support in these efforts.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge the esteemed and cherished Tribal Leader of the Tachi Yokut Tribe, Chief Clarence Atwell, Jr., as he embarks upon his journey of retirement.

The Tachi Yokut Tribe, now 300 members strong, enjoys a rich California history, inhabiting the San Joaquin Valley for centuries. Chief Atwell has provided leadership, advice and spiritual guidance for his tribe and sister tribes across our great Nation for over 40 years.

Born in the early morning hours under a lone tree on the Rice Ranch, Clarence Atwell would grow to lead an extraordinary life. Raised by his grandmother on the reservation, Clarence spoke only his native language of Tachi. It was only when he began to attend school that he taught himself to learn and speak the English language. During his adolescent years, Clarence developed a strong passion for caring for the tribal elders. He would spend days hunting for food; sometimes walking several miles in order to bring the nourishment of rabbit, deer and fish to the elders. As he grew into a young man, his love of the land allowed him to work in the fields where he drove a tractor and worked from sunup to well beyond sundown each day.

Always strongly connected to his tribe, it was in his early 20s that he was first elected Tribal Chairman, a position he would hold for over 40 years. Under the powerful and wise Tribal Leadership of Chief Atwell, the Tachi Yokut Tribe has prospered. The members have grown into self-sufficiency and they have worked hard for many years to grow their Tachi Palace in Lemoore from a small gaming facility into one of the San Joaquin Valley's top destinations. Tribal members now have access to housing, a particularly significant accomplishment, the elders receive lunch each day and the members have dental and medical care.

Renowned for his spiritual as well as his political leadership, the Kings County of California acknowledges Chief Atwell as an official Spiritual Leader. He has been blessed to perform countless life- changing ceremonies including weddings, baptisms and funerals. Chief Atwell is a Bear Clan Leader for California, one of the highest native spiritual honors afforded to any individuals. The Bears

were part of the official inauguration ceremony of then California Lt. Governor Cruz Bustamante where they performed in full regalia at the State's Capitol. Chief Atwell has met many political leaders, including having had the honor to talk with Vice President Al Gore and President Bill Clinton at the White House. Certainly known for his candor and forthrightness, though always in a quiet manner, Chief Atwell had the occasion to meet Governor Schwarzenegger where he shared some very pointed comments, causing a national news story; a moment he remains proud of, on behalf of his tribe. Tribes across the country have come to count on Chief Atwell for his political savvy, keen knowledge and intense wisdom.

Wed to his sweetheart, Jeanette, Clarence and Jeanette's blended family includes sons, Rufus, Aub and Curtis and daughters Cheryl and Kimberly.

Chief Clarence Atwell, Jr., has endured much in his lifetime, and it is at this crossroads that I ask my colleagues to join me in acknowledging the fine deeds of Chief Clarence Atwell, Jr. and wish him and his family well as he embarks upon his retirement.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Saints Rest Baptist Church of Fresno, California, on this ceremonious day, in celebration of their 65th anniversary.

The Saints Rest Baptist Church was organized by the late Rev. A.W. White and their motto of ``Spreading Hope in the Midst of Hopelessness'' remains inspirational today. Their mission statement rightfully explains the reason for their long-standing and continuing service to the community of Fresno: ``The mission of Saints Rest Baptist Church is to become a Christ Centered Community within the community that transforms the community by providing relevant ministries that speaks to the mind, body, and soul of humankind.''

The community of West Fresno grew rapidly during the early years of the Second World War. Noticing the growth of California Avenue and knowing no church existed to accommodate residents of that area, a prolonged and dedicated fundraising venture began for the purpose of building a church.

In 1945, groundbreaking ceremonies were conducted and the church was officially named Saints Rest Baptist Church. Only 1 year later, the church was able to add four deacons to serve the Saints Rest family. The church continued to grow and the faithful congregation endured worship services in a metal building located just north of the foundation with the knowledge and belief that this sacrifice would promote growth and allow them to continue their mission.

Former Pastor Chester Riggins, who served the church as pastor for 44 years from 1965 to 2009, helped to erect and then dismantle the metal building. It was in 1950 that the permanent building was officially erected and, poignantly, its first funeral service was for that of the founding father, Rev. A.W. White.

Under the leadership of Pastor Chester Riggins, many programs were instituted at the church, including the House-to-House Revival, Community New Life and Big Brothers and Sisters. Additionally, the community stewardship expanded to include Marriage Workshops, the Food and Clothing Ministry, and the support of the Poverello House and the Fresno Rescue Mission. Senior Pastor Shane Scott has now assumed the leadership at Saints Rest and continues to expand upon the outstanding community service the church provides to the community. As a first course of business, Pastor Scott immediately undertook the project of renaming East Florence Avenue to East Chester Riggins Avenue, in memoriam for the outstanding dedication and service of Pastor Riggins. The Planning Commission accepted the renaming and a dedication ceremony was held in June 2007 and the address for Saints Rest is now 1550 E. Rev. Chester Riggins Avenue.

Today, 65 years after its inception, the Saints Rest Baptist Church continues to be a shining light for the community of Fresno and its worshippers. Please join me in recognizing Senior Pastor Shane Scott and the Saints Rest family on the occasion of their 65th anniversary and wish them well as they continue to provide a meaningful place of worship for their congregation and the community. I am proud of the spiritual substance Saints Rest provides to our valley; the church's many efforts inspire and bring support to all of us.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. John Tracy of Buttonwillow, California, the recipient of the 2009 Agriculturist of the Year Award from the Kern County Fair.

A fourth generation Californian, John Tracy was born in Bakersfield in 1947, the third of four sons to Tilton and Kathryn Tracy. John attended Wildwood Grammar School and graduated in 1965 from Wasco High School, where he was active in athletics and student government. Immediately following high school, Mr. Tracy attended California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, earning a degree in Farm Management in 1969. While at Cal Poly, Mr. Tracy met his wife, Donna Allen. They married in 1970 and have two children, Allen and Jessica.

Mr. Tracy is a member of the Historic Tracy Ranch, established in 1862 in Buttonwillow. He is also a founding partner of the Buttonwillow Land and Cattle Company. Primarily an agricultural operation, the enterprise has ventured into other business interests such as commercial property, a hotel, and a feedlot in Texas. Mr. Tracy's business sense and work ethic are excellent examples of his fine character and success.

Mr. Tracy is involved with several community and professional organizations including the Kern County Cattleman's Association, California Cattleman's Association, National Cattleman's Beef Association, California Feeders Association, California Beef Council, Cattle PAC and the Kern County Ag Foundation. He also has been active in the Buttonwillow Lions Club, Kern County Law Enforcement Association, Pismo Beach Moose Lodge, Los Flojos and Rancheros Visitadores. Mr. Tracy also served as Mayor of Buttonwillow in 1982.

Mr. Tracy has been involved with the Kern County Fair throughout his life. He showed animals during his youth, and then helped his children, as well as countless others, do the same. His family's support of the junior livestock auction is also a testament to Mr. Tracy's contributions to the Kern County Fair and the community.

John Tracy is a man of integrity, honesty and compassion. He genuinely cares for his community and is willing to share his vast knowledge with others. In addition, he and I share the same passion for the well-being of California's San Joaquin Valley. For this and so much more, I am honored to consider John Tracy a friend and certainly commend him for all his accomplishments and extend my most sincere congratulations for receiving this prestigious award from the Kern County Fair. As a respected agriculturalist in our nation, it is fitting and proper that John be so honored.