Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to an extraordinary public safety officer who has spent his entire career serving the public. I am speaking of Captain Drew Bessinger, of the Clovis Police Department (CPD) in Clovis, California. Captain Bessinger will conclude his years of service in law enforcement and retire from the Clovis Police Department this year.

Captain Bessinger was born in the Garden State of New Jersey, where he graduated from high school in 1975. Upon his graduation, he enlisted in the United States Army. During his tenure in the Army, Captain Bessinger was a Military Police Officer; serving in Germany and achieving the rank of Sergeant.

Upon returning from his service overseas, Captain Bessinger worked for the Department of Defense Police in Virginia. Santa Barbara Police Department hired Captain Bessinger which brought him to California in 1980 and he served there until 1984. In 1984, he accepted a position with the University Police Department of Fresno State, my alma mater. He was then hired by the Clovis Police Department in 1987, where he remained for twenty two years in a variety of roles helping the community of Clovis.

At Clovis Police Department, Captain Bessinger served in patrol, investigations, neighborhood policing, youth services, administration, planning and neighborhood services assignments. He continued his years of service with undoubtedly flawless service to the community and people of Clovis, he climbed the ranks from Corporal in October, 1992, and only five years later in 1997 became Sergeant. At the height of his career, he became Captain in April 2007.

During his tenure at Clovis Police Department, Captain Bessinger helped design: the shoulder patch policemen wear on their uniforms for CPD; the department's Honor Guard Badge; and Challenge coin. He also led the Honor Guard Unit, participated in the Peace Officers Memorial at Pelco Company, participated in the Annual Peace Officers Memorial in Fresno's Courthouse Park, the State Officers Memorial in Sacramento, and was an officer at the funeral for fallen Marine Jared Hubbard and Army Soldier Nathan Hubbard. The Hubbard's where sons of a retired department sergeant. Captain Bessinger volunteered for the Special Olympics and also managed to oversee several operations in the CPD including Youth Services, Animal Services, Communications, and administrative duties ranging from writing/updating Municipal Codes, Homeland Security and Grants, Internal Affairs and Audits, Workers Comp, and Public Information.

Aside from serving the public as a Policeman throughout his life, one of Captain Bessinger's proudest accomplishments has been raising his two sons; Derek who is twenty nine and Chris who is twenty five. Singlehandedly, he raised his two boys from the ages of four and sixteen months, a responsibility any father would fathom. During this time, he managed the duties of a father, police officer, and as a student earning his college degree. Captain Bessinger celebrates with his wife Yvonne, their ninth anniversary this year. I ask that my colleagues please salute Captain Bessinger for his years of service in the law enforcement field and to wish him well as he retires from the Clovis Police Department.

Mr. Speaker, Congress has come back here in September and the primary focus is on health care, as it should be. But I rise today to speak

about the health of millions of Californians that are dependent upon a reliable water supply. I'm speaking on behalf of farmers, farm workers, and people who live in our cities.

This manmade--with the aid of Mother Nature--drought crisis will not go away. It could go a fourth year. We are living on borrowed time to fix California's broken water system. Wishful thinking will not wish it away.

With over 30 lawsuits pending on two biological opinions, we can't have the courts making the most important decisions. It is time that we take action. Now is the time for the Federal Government to keep its commitment to being a partner in helping to solve California's water problems. We need administrative flexibility immediately. We need near- term assistance with the Two-Gates and Intertie projects. And in the long term, we must address all the stressors that are impacting water quality and fisheries in the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta. And finally, we need to increase our water supply.

This is not, nor should it be, a partisan issue.

I want to start by thanking Chairman Emeritus John Dingell for his hard work on this effort, as he does in so many pieces of legislation that have been a part of his legacy; Chairman Waxman and Chairman Peterson for their support and efforts to ensure that we come together in a collective effort; Ranking Member Barton and my colleague and friend Congressman Adam Putnam from Florida.

We introduced this legislation in the last session of Congress, working to try to put together a bipartisan effort, understanding that food safety is job number one for all American farmers, ranchers and dairymen because they are consumers, their families consume their products, and they must ensure, as we all must ensure, that America's food on our dinner tables is the safest it can possibly be.

Our farmers are to be commended for their tireless efforts to produce the world's safest and most wholesome food, but we can always do better. This legislation intends to address that. Our food safety laws have not been updated for nearly 50 years. They're in need of modernization, both to protect the consumers and to protect our farmers from the loss of the markets. When an outbreak occurs, they're the first to be impacted; and obviously food safety is job number one for all consumers in America. I think it's important for us to note that there is not a one-size-fits-all approach to food safety; therefore, working together with the United States Department of Agriculture and the Food and Drug Administration is critical to making this legislation work.

What does it establish? It establishes science-based, risk-based standards for both producers and processors here and abroad; and let me underline abroad. Any food products that come into this country ought to meet the same standards that we require of our farmers and food processors here in America. This legislation attempts to do that. It means that ensuring our foreign partners, whether they are growing leafy greens or peppers or anything else, that they meet the same standards that American farmers must meet to put those products on the table.

Is this a perfect bill? No. It's a work in progress, but I think it's a good bipartisan bill. I would urge my colleagues to support this measure, and I thank the chairmen for their good work.

Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

I yield to the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Pastor), the chairman of the subcommittee, to speak on behalf of the amendment.

I want to thank the subcommittee chair and those Members who have worked very hard on our behalf. This amendment, along with the next amendment offered by my colleague and friend, Congressman Cardoza, should be taken as two amendments because they are both part of an overall effort that many of us from the Valley delegation have been working on for over the last year on a bipartisan basis to deal with the third year of the drought in California, which, unfortunately, could last a fourth and a fifth year.

Water in California has traditionally not been a partisan issue. My colleagues, Congressmen Radanovich, Nunes, McCarthy, and Cardoza and I have worked together on many of these issues. I hope that that tradition will continue.

The drought has been devastating. These two pictures reflect ground zero, which is in my district, in which we have farm communities that have 30 to 40 percent unemployment, food lines in Mendota that I have helped provide food for for those farmworkers, who are some of the hardest working people you will ever meet in your life.

The picture next to that shows fallow fields, over 300,000 acres this year, on which family farmers, in second and third generation, are in fear and frustration of losing their farms.

These two amendments, taken together, are important. Congressman Cardoza deserves a great deal of credit and effort for working very hard. These two amendments are not a silver bullet, but they are part of an overall effort to provide incremental additional water to our valley.

Amendment 93 provides $10 million for drought relief to the San Joaquin Valley to fund two important projects that we have identified on our list of things to do. The Two Gates project that we have strong support throughout the State on that, if implemented this November, we believe, could act as real relief to allow the Federal and State operating--Federal projects and the pumps to operate as they were intended to. The pumps have operated intermittently and sometimes have been shut down this year. Today, thank God, they are operating at near full capacity. But that will not continue on next year if a biological opinion is implemented that I think is flawed, as does my colleague.

The Two Gates project and the Delta-Mendota Canal Aqueduct Intertie funding will provide, in this amendment, money for the Secretary of the Interior, within the Central Valley Project, to be used to implement both a Two Gates and the Intertie project.

In addition to that, this amendment provides a resolution to the giant garter snake issue which has long been an impediment to water transfers. It gives the Bureau of Reclamation flexibility needed to facilitate water transfers throughout counties in the Central Valley Project area.

Lastly, I want to commend my colleague and thank Congressman Cardoza, my colleague, for his hard work on this issue. As a result of our efforts beginning in January working with the Westlands Water Agency, with the San Luis unit and others, we have provided, together, with the State of California and the Bureau of Reclamation, over 560,000 acre- feet of water to the west side that otherwise would not be there in these drought conditions, on top of, sadly, what has been a 10 percent allocation of water. Together, that has provided nearly 700,000 acre- feet to the very dry west side.

I want to thank all of those who have been a part of it: Leadership, Steny Hoyer; the Secretary of the Interior, who visited at our request last month to the Valley; Secretary Salazar and his Deputy Secretary Hayes and Commissioner Connor, all of whom have been designated as a part of a drought task force team with Secretary Vilsack, the Secretary of Agriculture, because God forbid this drought could last a fourth or a fifth year, in which all of California would be rationing water.

Today, my district is ground zero, along with Congressman Cardoza's district, but next year it could be far worse. So we will continue to work with Chairman Obey and other members of the Appropriations Committee.

I want you to know that the San Luis-Delta Water Authority supports these amendments, along with the Friant Water Authority and most of the water agencies in California, because they understand that this amendment, along with the next amendment, is part of that incremental effort to bring water to a drought-stricken area in California that could be, next year, the rest of the State.

I reserve the balance of my time.

For the record, I indicated that, traditionally, water has been a bipartisan issue, and I said for over a year now, Congressmen Radanovich, Nunes, McCarthy, Cardoza and myself, the five of us, have been working on a bipartisan basis. And I said I hope it continues to work on a bipartisan basis.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the life of an agricultural icon in California, Mr. Don Gilkey of Corcoran, California. Don passed away on May 24, 2009 at the age of 74. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Moonyeen Gilkey, three children and several grandchildren.

Don Gilkey was born on February 3, 1935 in Corcoran, California to Margaret and Ralph Gilkey. Don graduated in 1952 from Corcoran High School. In 1953 he left for the University of California, Berkeley, where he played football and rugby all four years of college. Don was a lineman and punter for the Cal Berkeley Bears and in 1956 was voted the team captain. He was named First Team All Pacific Coast and Second Team A.P. All-American. In August 1956, during his senior year, Don married the love-of-his life, Moonyeen Apperson, and they spent their first year of marriage in Berkeley while Don finished college. After graduating from Cal, Don spent a short period of time as an officer with the U.S. Army. Upon returning, Don declined several offers to become a professional football player, deciding instead to return home to Corcoran where he would become an integral part of the family farming business.

In 1958, Don became a partner with his brother Charles and brothers- in-law Don Riddle and Ken DeVaney in the family farming operation. Soon thereafter, the family partnership grew to include another brother-in- law, Bill Bondurant. During his farming career, Don farmed cotton, grain, alfalfa and raised turkeys. In 1962, the family farming operation was such a success they decided to build their own cotton gin and the company went on to successfully bale 30,000 to 60,000 bales per year at their peak.

In 1966, one of Don's many community efforts became a reality when a new football stadium was built. In appreciation of Don's efforts, the following year the community of Corcoran overwhelmingly named Don Gilkey as their ``Citizen of the Year''. His community involvement was boundless. For many years, Mr. Gilkey served on the board of directors for Lakeland Dusters Aviation and Commercial Tire. He was a three-term board member and president of the Corcoran Unified School District board of trustees, president of the Corcoran Chamber of Commerce, member of the Corcoran Hospital Foundation, a lifelong member and trustee of the Corcoran First United Methodist Church, a long time member of Corcoran's Rotary Club, board member of the California Wheat Commission and the California Wheat Growers Association, past delegate to the National Cotton Council, member of Class V of the California Agricultural Leadership Program and for several years Don served as a board member of the California Ammonia Company. Don was honored as a member of the ``65 Club'', a select group of farmers chosen for their achievement in agriculture production, farm and community leadership. This special honor was given to him in 1982 in Washington, D.0 by then U.S. Secretary of Agriculture John R. Black during the National Agriculture Day ceremonies.

It goes without saying that Mr. Don ``Donnie'' Gilkey's dedication to his family, the family farm and his community have earned him a legacy of respect and enormous appreciation from Central Valley farmers, the Corcoran community and the agriculture industry. He will forever be remembered as ``Don Gilkey, The Big Man with the Big Heart''. I am honored and humbled to celebrate the life of this amazing man and agricultural icon.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to give recognition to James V. ``Jim'' Boren, the Editorial Page Editor/Vice President of the Fresno Bee newspaper as he prepares to celebrate four decades of dedicated service to the Fresno Bee.

A native of Fresno, California, Jim attended Hoover High School, where his talent for using written words to convey specific imagery and captivate a reader's interest, officially began. While at Hoover, Boren became actively involved in the school's newspaper, the Hoover Patriot, and continued as a school reporter until his graduation in 1967. Following graduation, Boren attended Fresno City College where he earned his AA degree and became engaged with the official news publication of Fresno City College, the Rampage. His strong interest in journalism continued during his tenure at California State University, Fresno, where he graduated in 1972 with a bachelor's degree in journalism.

While still in college, on June 9, 1969, at the age of 19, Jim Boren was hired as a vacation relief reporter for the Valley Department of the Fresno Bee and with that position, Boren's illustrious journalism career officially began. During his 40-year tenure at the Bee, Boren has covered almost every beat at the paper. In 1980, Jim Boren quickly became known as ``The Bee's Political Guru,'' as he continued to report exclusively on politics for nearly 15 years. During that time, Boren covered every level of politics, including city council elections, gubernatorial races, and presidential campaigns, joining the press pool of national campaigns to see, hear and report first-hand the events and progress surrounding those campaigns.

In 1995, Jim became the Editorial Page Editor of the Bee, one of the positions he still enjoys today. Boren has received a variety of journalism awards, including an investigative reporting award from the Society of Professional Journalists and in 2004, Boren earned recognition as the winner of the Jim Tucker Journalism Award presented by the Mass Communications and Journalism Department

of his alma mater, California State University, Fresno.

Always dedicated to helping prevent hunger for Valley residents, Boren's volunteer advocacy on behalf of the Community Food Bank continues to aid those less fortunate. Additionally, his volunteer efforts on behalf of Children's Hospital of Central California, resulted in significant funds being raised for the annual Kids Day event, where he has raised tens of thousands of dollars for those seeking medical care at the valley's only children's hospital. Boren is a founding board member and remains active on the board of the Kenneth L. Maddy Institute at California State University, Fresno.

A proud father, Marissa Boren continues in her father's footsteps and is dedicated to education and the community. She has just completed her education at the University of California at San Diego.

Boren, in his current role as Editorial Page Editor/Vice President, continues to write a weekly column on politics and public policy in addition to his duties overseeing the Bee's opinion pages. He is also a member of the Operating Committee, which is the senior management group of the newspaper.

On behalf of all those who have read his words, it is with great pleasure that I congratulate Jim Boren for 40 years of providing interesting informative stories, columns and opinions to Fresno Bee readers everywhere.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to give tribute and honor to the brave men and women of Kern County who have proudly served their country in the United States Armed Forces. As a nation, one of our most vital duties is to ensure we are committed to providing for our military veterans. This includes providing a final resting place for the honored to be recognized. Thus, today, I would like to commemorate the first burials at the new Bakersfield National Cemetery.

The Bakersfield National Cemetery is a 500-acre site located approximately 25 miles outside of Bakersfield nestled in the Tehachapi Mountains. Surrounded by golden scenery, crushed red rock and drought resistant plants, the newly developed cemetery is furnished with a memorial walkway, committal service shelter, internet areas and administrative and maintenance buildings. Upon project completion, the cemetery will be equipped to serve 200,000 Central California veterans, their spouses and children.

The first cremation and casket burials will take place on July 1 and July 2, 2009, respectively. On July 1, the cremated remains of nine soldiers and one spouse from the Bakersfield and surrounding area will be lowered in unison. The casket burial ceremony on July 2 will commemorate the life of Iraqi veteran Army Reserve Maj. Jason E. George, a fallen soldier killed in action.

``A Place of Honor, For Those Who Served With Honor.'' These patriotic words to be inscribed at Bakersfield's National Cemetery demonstrate the overwhelming pride we have for our soldiers. Veterans in Kern County and surrounding areas take comfort in knowing their undying pledge and sacrifice to protect America's freedom is not forgotten. Having our own national shrine allows us to properly honor the fallen soldiers, veterans from generations past, and soldiers who are currently fighting overseas from the Kern County area.

On behalf of our veterans, I hereby express my high admiration and appreciation for all those who are currently serving our nation and commemorate those who have given the ultimate sacrifice. Let today's ceremony be a perpetual reminder of honor for all of America's men and women of valor.

Mr. Chair, I rise today asking my colleagues support an amendment to H.R. 2647, the National Defense Authorization Act for FY10. This amendment would request the Secretary of Defense to carry out a study and submit to the congressional defense committees a report on the distribution of hemostatic agents to ensure each branch of the military is complying with their own policies on hemostatic agents.

Since the American Civil War, the percentage of our men and women that are killed in action has remained unchanged at approximately twenty percent, despite the numerous advances in battlefield equipment and treatment. The American Red Cross also estimates that half of all military deaths on the battlefield are a result of excessive blood loss. All branches of our Armed Services are using hemostatic agents, which are either surgical gauze with blood clotting agents or a granular powder, which have been proven to save the lives of soldiers and Marines.

In February 2003, the Committee on Tactical Combat Casualty Care, an organization made up of over 30 military and civilian doctors, recommended that all combatants carry hemostatic dressings. Military Medicine published a report in January 2005 which stated that ``the use of effective hemostatic dressings will benefit most combat injuries (whether they are life threatening or not) because better hemorrhage control is always advantageous.''

It is clear that the men and women who are risking their lives in combat zones should have access to any and all life saving items, including hemostatic agents. Also, these combat zones can be extremely hostile and the terrain can be extreme, resulting in delays in evacuating injured soldiers or Marines. We need to ensure that not only field medical staff is supplied with these life saving items, but ensure that each solider and Marine has one in their individual first aid kit as well.

This amendment also includes a Sense of Congress that every member of the Armed Services deployed in a combat zone should carry a hemostatic agent and asks the Department of Defense to submit a report back to Congress on how these agents are distributued and where distribution problems may occur.

I want to thank Chairman Skelton and Ranking Member McKeon for accepting this amendment. Also, I want to thank both of them and their staff for their hard work on this authorization.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay special tribute to Mr. Fred H. Swanson. On June 29, 2009, after 26 years, Fred is retiring from his position as Director of the University of California Kearney Research and Extension Center near Parlier, California, a tenure that saw the transformation of a quiet UC field station into a world-class agricultural research facility.

Mr. Swanson's journey began only five miles from Kearney on the family farm. Upon graduating from high school, Fred left for college to the University of California, Davis. In 1965, upon receiving his Bachelor of Science Degree in Viticulture, the adventurous side of Fred led him to take a position growing food for thousands of workers who were tasked with constructing dams in West Pakistan. Three years later, the job finished with West Pakistan's electricity capacity successfully doubled and the 35-acre farm effectively turned over to the Pakistan army. With the completion of this project, Mr. Swanson returned to California where he took a post managing a vineyard in the McDowell Valley of Mendocino County.

Mr. Swanson was then hired as a UC Cooperative Extension viticulture farm advisor for Fresno County, a position he held for 10 years. Fred then returned to expand his own farming operation while helping others with their farms. During this time, Fred met the legendary viticulture specialist Fred Jenson which led Mr. Swanson to apply for the open directorship at the Kearney Ag Station.

Since 1983, Fred has made outstanding contributions to the Kearney Ag Station. One of his early additions was the purchase of 75 acres of farmland across the street from the original parcel. With this purchase, the total amount of land available for research grew to 330 acres with 45 different varieties of agricultural crops including stone fruit, nut crops, raisins, wine and table grapes, specialty vegetables, blueberries and kiwifruit being grown on this acreage.

In 1989, Swanson made one of his most visible improvements with the construction of a two-story state of the art laboratory, office and meeting complex. This laboratory and office complex provided UC scientists, recognized worldwide for their pioneering agricultural research, the facilities needed to further their research. Additionally, under Fred's direction, a 20,000 square foot greenhouse complex was completed in 2003. This complex continues to give Valley agricultural scientists access to 24 high quality greenhouse modules with computer controlled heating, cooling and lighting systems. Among his many awards, Fred's accomplishments have been recognized by the University of California, Davis through the Award of Distinction from the College of Ag & Environmental Sciences and the Citation for Excellence by the Cal Aggie Alumni Association.

Madam Speaker, it goes without saying that Mr. Swanson's dedication and accomplishments to the San Joaquin Valley's agriculture community have gained him respect and appreciation from all who have worked with him and know him. With retirement now a reality, Fred is preparing to spend more time with his wife Cheryl, as well as enjoying fishing and hunting trips. We owe Fred a magnificent collective thank you. I honor Fred Swanson, before you my colleagues, for his productive years of service to agriculture and the nation.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Commander Franklin D. Mellott, United States Navy, upon his retirement after twenty three years of service to the United States Navy and to the Nation.

Commander Mellott has served the United States Navy with distinguished service over his exceptional career. His devotion to the Navy and the Nation is inspiring.

My initial experience with Commander Mellott began when his service commenced in 2006 as Executive Officer for Naval Air Station Lemoore, which is located in my 20th Congressional District in Kings County, California. I met with Commander Mellott at the base to introduce myself and my staff and from that day on, a great working relationship was formed. Commander Mellott served as Committee Chair for my 20th District Academy

Committee. During this time, he devoted countless extra hours to coordinating the committee and assisting my office with academy nominations. Whether we were calling Frank to ask a question or to follow up on issues my office was working on with the base, Frank was always professional, courteous and helpful. His volunteer service to my office will always be remembered.

It is so fitting that the President of the United States has presented Commander Franklin Mellott with the Meritorious Service Medal for his outstanding leadership as Executive Officer of NASL. I ask that excerpts from the Citation be printed.

``For outstanding meritorious service as Executive Officer, Naval Air Station Lemoore, California, from June 2006 to June 2009. Commander Mellott displayed extraordinary leadership and exceptional insight in supporting half the fleet's tactical air combat power at the Navy's largest and busiest master jet base. Brilliantly assisting the Commanding Officer in every facet of business and operations, he provided superior support to Commander Strike Fighter Wing Pacific, four operational air wings, 16 squadrons, and a work force of more than 10,000 military and civilian personnel through mishap-free control of more than 700,000 operational and training sorties. Under his leadership, the installation opened more than 2,500 cubic miles of new training airspace to the fleet, the largest new training airspace the Navy has developed in more than 25 years, completed several large military construction projects valued at over $150 million, provided support to 16 helicopters fighting wild fires in Northern California, and provided award winning services to a community of more than 25,000 constituents. Additionally, he helped orchestrate and align Navy efforts to preserve the strategic value of Naval Air Station Lemoore in the future with an exceptionally diplomatic strategy to influence current land-use decisions by local governments and to develop productive forums for perpetual engagement. Singularly responsible for good order and discipline aboard the installation, he balanced justice with mercy in the effective handling of countless delicate and emergent law enforcement and operational matters during his tour. His actions culminate a 23 year career of distinguished service to the Navy and the Nation. Commander Mellott's decisive, principled, and visionary leadership and inspiring devotion to duty reflected great credit upon him and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.''

Commander Mellott has always been available to myself and my staff 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.

On behalf of the United States Congress, I wish to express my sincere thanks for his hard work, selfless service, and dedication to the United States Navy.

I want to personally wish Frank continued success and my best wishes go out to his wife, Sheri, and his children; sons, Alex and Nathaniel and daughter, Francesca as they embark on their new endeavors in Pennsylvania.

Mr. Speaker, one of the most important duties we have as a nation is the commitment to taking care of the men and women who have served their country in the Armed Forces. I am proud to cosponsor H.R. 403, The Homes for Heroes Act of 2009 to help aid homeless veterans.

This legislation will unlock important tools to combat the ongoing challenges of homelessness within the ranks of our poorest veterans. The VA estimates that 154,000 veterans are homeless on any given night, accounting for about a quarter of the total number of homeless individuals.

My district, Fresno in particular, has a large homeless population. Many are veterans who would benefit from the implementation of the programs in this legislation. This bill will unlock important tools to combat the ongoing challenges of homelessness within the ranks of our poorest veterans. At-risk veterans live with lingering effects of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and substance abuse, compounded by a lack of family and social support networks.

No matter how many urgent problems face our Nation, we must never forget those who put their lives on the line to defend the United States. Their uniformed service is a testament to the common values of sacrifice, honor, and patriotism we all share.

It is my hope that this legislation will find swift passage in the Senate, and be signed into law by President Obama in an expedient manner. I urge an ``aye'' vote.

Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman.

I rise to speak in favor of Congressman Nunes' amendment. My district is ground zero, where the drought is having its most severe effect in California. The biological opinion in question asked for modifications to the Central Valley and State water projects that would divert even more water from agricultural communities in the San Joaquin Valley. We believe, with the modeling, that this adds another 330,000 acre-feet to more than 3 million acre-feet of water that has already been reallocated over the last 20 years.

There are substantial biological assessments that have been performed on the delta. These opinions have been cited, the assessments have been made, but they were not taken into account in this biological opinion. Therefore, we believe it's flawed.

There are other factors that contribute to the decline of the fisheries in the delta which we must change, which we must correct-- treatment from sewage facilities; unscreened private pump diversions that take up as much water in the delta as we export south; nonpoint source pollution that has quadrupled as a result of urban areas in the area; and invasive species.

Bottom line, this biological opinion is flawed, and we ask that we finally stop this nonsense and come together. When will this stop? When our valley has no more water left for its farmers and its farm workers? I strongly support Congressman Nunes' amendment. I ask that we come together in a bipartisan sense. This is not a Republican or a Democratic issue. It's an issue that we must solve, and we must do it now.

Mr. Chairman, I just think that it's time for common sense to prevail. I've lost 30,000 jobs in my district as a result of this drought. We may lose generations of farmers. We need to come together with a California solution that is aside from the partisan differences and bring back water for all regions of California.

We're fighting for farmers and farm workers. I would ask common sense to prevail.

Mr. Chairman, I want to thank Chairman Berman for the hard work that he and the committee staff have done on reauthorization of this bill. A lot of work has been put into it, and I think all of us, as we look upon the challenges we face around the world, understand that there has to be a utilization of all of the tools in our foreign policy tool box to ensure that we take care of America's interests and that we gain greater support in our interests abroad.

Smart Power is a part of that effort. Smart Power allows us to reenergize our diplomatic work around the globe. Specifically, the reauthorization of this bill allows the State Department to do work that the Department of Defense is doing, more appropriately under the Department of State: international organizations, strengthening the Peace Corps, focusing on drug trafficking and violence along our southern borders. There are so many good things that this does.

Smart Power is often overlooked, but it's a vital tool in this foreign policy toolbox. We've seen the benefits of American Smart Power in Afghanistan and Iraq, and we need to continue to do that good work.

I thank the chairman and his staff for the importance of the reauthorization. I urge all of the Members to vote for this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I rise this evening to discuss what continues to be pernicious drought conditions that affect the people of the San Joaquin Valley, those in my district and my colleague's district.

I hope that most of the Members, if not all of you, recognize that we are now in three continuous dry year conditions in the San Joaquin Valley that is not only affecting the richest agricultural region in the United States, in California, but the entire State as well. A drought caused by Mother Nature, expanded and impacted by numerous judicial decisions and legislative changes, has very, very much devastated the economy of the valley I represent.

Water is the lifeblood of the agricultural communities in my district, supplying over a $20 billion industry in the

San Joaquin Valley that provides half the Nation's fruits and vegetables, Number two in citrus production, Number one in production of wines, the list goes on and on, 300 commodities that are grown and produced; Number one dairy-producing State in the Nation.

Sadly, if this drought continues, we will find not only the San Joaquin Valley but the entire State of California, that is already economically depressed, further set back.

Today, unfortunately, the National Marine Fisheries Service finalized a biological opinion asking for modifications in the Central Valley Project and the State Water Projects that would divert even more water away from the agricultural communities and the San Joaquin Valley. This biological opinion, I think, on top of the additional reallocations of water, could relocate a very, very significant amount of water and make a very fragile system even more difficult to operate.

We have a sad situation where communities have 41 percent, 38 percent, 34 percent unemployment. While we have a deep recession facing all parts of our country, when you have those kinds of unemployment numbers, they are depression-like circumstances that we're facing.

We have food lines. I have been with my constituents in those food lines, some of the hardest working people you'll ever meet that, sadly, today, are asking for food. These people would normally be working if the water was there. If you had water, you'd have jobs, you'd have food. They would be working to put food on America's dinner table, but they're not today because of this man-made and Mother Nature-combined drought.

There are numerous factors that come together to issue this biological opinion, but I don't believe that the biological assessment supports the biological opinion because it only deals with one of the contributing factors that are cause for the decline in fisheries in the Sacramento San Joaquin Delta. What the biological opinion ignores is the presence of invasive species, striped bass that were actually planted there, non-native in the 1920s, tertiary treatment from sewage facilities in Sacramento and Stockton which caused ammonia to leak into the Sacramento San Joaquin River systems. It would cost $2 billion for Sacramento City to fix this ammonia problem, but they don't want to deal with that.

We have over 1,600 pumps in the delta that divert water that are unscreened. And we have non-point source pollution from the surrounding urban areas because they've quadrupled in population.

In sum, this administration must understand that, while we've lost over 30,000 jobs this year, if this drought, God forbid, extends a fourth or a fifth year, there will even be greater impact. Without water there is no work and there is no food, and that impacts not just California but the entire Nation.

We must work together to address the drought crisis in California in the short term and in the mid term. These fixes include factors that could lead to improving and moving water around, to get water supplies to those who need them, to deal with pump schedules and conflicts that arise, to increase the water bank, to ensure that in the next 6 months and the next year and beyond, that we do everything possible on the State, with the Federal Government's collaboration, to ensure that we deal with not just the fisheries of California, but people who have lost their jobs and whose lives have been impacted. That's what we need to do.

We have a water system in California that was designed for 20 million people. Today we have 38 million people. By the Year 2030 it's estimated that there may be 50 million people in California. It's now time to fix the problems in the delta in a comprehensive fashion, not simply by impacting those who grow the food in our Nation.

Mr. Speaker, I will submit the rest of the information for the Record.

I rise to discuss the drought that continues in our San Joaquin Valley.

As you all should know by now, we have faced three years of drought conditions in the San Joaquin Valley, further exacerbated by numerous judicial decisions and legislative changes to benefit fisheries and water quality in other areas of California.

Unfortunately, we are still a long ways from bringing solutions to our Valley.

While we have found some short-term fixes such as water transfers and temporary projects that will bring drought relief to our distressed communities, we must not forget the fact that this drought could continue for a fourth, fifth, or sixth year.

Water is the lifeblood of communities in my District, supplying a robust $20 billion industry in the Valley that provides over 50 percent of the nation's fresh fruits and vegetables.

If this drought continues into the years ahead, we must be prepared to ensure that those hard-working people in the San Joaquin Valley who work to put food on America's dinner table will not stand in food lines and go hungry.

This is unacceptable, and we cannot sit by and watch it happen.

Today, the National Marine Fisheries Service finalized a biological opinion asking for modifications to the Central Valley and State Water Projects that would divert even more water away from agricultural communities in the San Joaquin Valley to protect salmon, steelhead, and green sturgeon populations in the Delta.

Over the past several years, more than three million acre-feet of the Central Valley's federal water supply has been reallocated as a result of similar decisions.

All the while, fisheries such as the Delta smelt are still on the decline!

If this system were working, we would not see this happening.

Today's biological opinion adds yet another 330,000 acre-feet to that total.

This decision is unwise, and will have very serious implications for Valley farmers and communities.

Agricultural communities south of the Delta, especially in my District, will bear the entire brunt of today's biological opinion facing further reductions in water supply allocations when they already face Depression-level unemployment numbers and food insecurity.

People are standing in food lines and being turned away; unemployment has risen above 35 percent in many Valley towns.

There are numerous factors that can lead to the decline of fisheries in the Delta, but federal agencies continue to only focus on the state and federal pumps that supply agricultural communities in the Valley.

Federal policy should take all factors into account, such as: the presence of invasive species such as striped bass. tertiary treatment from sewage facilities in the Sacramento and Stockton area which cause ammonia to drain into the Delta, over 1,600 private pumps in the Delta diverting water without screens, and non-point source pollution from the surrounding urban areas, among other factors.

In sum, the administration must understand that over 30,000 farm- workers have lost their jobs due to limited water supply allocations.

How much more can we stand?

Without water, there is no work; there is no food on the table. There is no San Joaquin Valley.

We must work together not only to address the drought crisis in the short-term, but also to find long-term solutions to California's water supply needs.

In the short-term, the Administration must get more creative in finding ways to fix the Delta.

This includes looking at all factors that could lead to the decline of fisheries, not just federal and state pumps.

It also includes expediting transfer activities that will get water supplies to those who need them.

Resolving pumping schedules and conflicts before they arise.

And identifying any present or near future yields for south of the Delta water users.

Beyond this, we have a system that was designed for 20 million people, and we have 38 million now. We might have 50 million by 2030.

We must work to address California's long-range infrastructure needs.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to bring attention to a drought crisis that is affecting California's San Joaquin Valley. Three years of below-average rainfall have created tremendous hardships in valley communities that are the backbone of California's agriculture economy. We have heard time and time again about the deep, deep financial impacts affecting all regions of our country. But in places like Detroit and in places like the San Joaquin Valley, where you have 30 and 40 percent unemployment, it is no longer a deep recession, but it is a depression.

Farmers and farm workers in the San Joaquin Valley grow over 350 different crops, employing tens of thousands of people and providing half the Nation's fruits and vegetables. It is number one in the dairy industry and a host of other important agricultural commodities that are not subsidized, that don't use subsidized water, that, in fact, are critical to healthy diets for Americans and provide a tremendous balance of payments on our trade efforts abroad.

Sadly, though, three critical years of drought shortage have had a devastating effect on communities in the San Joaquin Valley and in my district. My district and Congressman Cardoza's district are at ground zero where we have communities that have 30 and 40 percent unemployment, communities that have 10 and 12,000 people, 30,000 people, 50,000 people. When one-third of the people in your community don't have jobs, it is a depression.

Today, clearly, our environmental regulations are not working. We have an inability to move water around California.

We know that, if this drought lasts a fourth and fifth year, Katy, bar the door.

These are food lines in communities in my district. The irony is that these are some of the hardest working people you will ever meet. Normally, they would be working in fields, working in processing facilities, putting food on America's dinner plates. Sadly, they're in food lines. How horrific in America. Many of my colleagues for the last 4 months, 5 months have been working to try to bring attention to our State representatives, to our Governor and, here, to our President and to the new administration in town because we know, in California, like other parts of the country, droughts and floods are cyclical.

This photograph is an almond orchard that has been pulled out because of a lack of water. So, to that degree, Congressman Cardoza and I, in January, began meeting with the new administration, laying out a host of administrative efforts that we thought, with flexibility, could allow us to move water around from parts of the State that have water. We have met with Secretary Salazar and his staff, with the Mid-Pacific Region and their staff time and time again and with the Governor and his director of water resources, and we have brought to the attention of the President and of his White House staff the fact that they should come to the valley and see firsthand the devastating impacts.

We need to have flexibility during times of drought. Clearly, people are as important as the other environmental balances and trade-offs that are there. If the Environmental Species Act were working, we would not have a decline in the fisheries that have taken place over the last two decades. So we are working on short-term efforts to try to deal with the current situation in the event that this drought lasts a fourth or a fifth or a sixth year.

The last drought we had in California lasted 6 years, from 1988 to 1993. I predict to my colleagues that if, in fact,

this drought lasts a fourth or a fifth year, California will be rationing water in southern California and in the Bay Area, and we will see a horrific set of circumstances affecting our State.

So it is time to act now, both with the short-term remedies as well as with the long-term remedies. We need to try to do everything we can to plan for the next year in the event that this drought continues. We need to provide flexibility at the Federal and State pumps to move water around, to make water banks work, and yes, in the long term, we need to fix the plumbing system in the delta.

California has 38 million people. By the year 2030, it is estimated we will have 50 million people. We have a water system designed for 20 million people. It cannot work. So, with a larger coalition of the Latino Water Caucus, we marched on water in April. We are going to continue to march. We are going to continue to try to seek out our colleagues who want to constructively help us with the administration to understand that both short-term and long-term investments in California infrastructure are critical if we are going to solve this problem.

This is a forerunner of what's occurring, not just here in California but around the world. Water is the lifeblood of man's ability to produce food and fiber. The problems we are having in California today are happening around the world. We need to act today.