Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise this evening to welcome this much needed debate, on perhaps one of the greatest challenges facing our generation, our country, this war in Iraq. I intend to support this nonbinding resolution not because I believe it is perfect, rather in fact I feel it is probably imperfect.

But I am supporting it because I hope this will be the beginning of a rational, bipartisan dialogue for a new direction to be employed together with the House of Representatives, with the Congress working together with the President.

For after all, Mr. Speaker, we are the people's House. The choices that we have before us today are more than simply cut and run or stay the course. For after all, we know a long time ago that was nothing more than a sound bite, and the American public understood that it was nothing more than a political sound bite. We are a wonderful country. We have tremendous resources, ingenuity, and we have credibility notwithstanding our difficulties today throughout the world.

And therefore, as the world's greatest super power, we have resources and means in which we can offer alternative choices to bring together people, not only in the Middle East, but allies throughout the world that supported us in the past.

Everyone who has talked about this nonbinding resolution talks about the cost. We all talk about their support for our men and women in uniform, our support to continue to ensure that they are properly funded and to ensure that we always, always remember the current costs that have been expended, over 3,000 lives, over 23,000 that have been injured, and a fiscal accountability that has gotten lost in the checks and balances of the Congress, a war that initially was advertised to cost us $60 billion is now in excess of $379 billion, $8 billion a month, with a supplemental request for another $235 billion.

Mr. Speaker, we do not need nor should we micromanage the war. But we should, as an equal branch of Government, require and demand accountability. That is why I stood up on this floor 2 weeks ago supporting the Blue Dog Accountability Act to ensure that we have an opportunity to review on a regular basis the conduct of the war, the no-bid contracts, the single sourcing, putting our troops in harm's way without adequate armament.

Let us not forget, for almost 4 years our President and the course that he conducted and the case he has made has had a blank check, literally a blank check to conduct this effort as he saw fit.

And it has only been in the last 6 months when it became abundantly clear in the last year that it was determined that a new course or a new direction would be needed. But, unfortunately, so much of this new course that the President offered last month is more of the same and, unfortunately, too little too late.

I told the President that I was doubtful on this surge. Why? Because we have had previous surges, back in August of last year a surge in Baghdad with six brigades that was promised by the Iraqi Army. They delivered two. They weren't very good. We neutralized Sadr City. Maliki got political pressure placed on him. We were asked to leave.

Unless we have a robust political effort that accompanies this surge, I fear, unfortunately, more of the same will occur, which is why I asked the Secretary of State last week what is plan B?

We are, whether we like it or not, in the middle of a sectarian civil war. And unfortunately, the folks that we are trying to referee are more concerned about how power is distributed and how oil revenues are distributed as opposed to instituting a democracy in the Middle East. And therefore, we need a new direction.

Have we not learned the lessons that many of us remember from the Vietnam War? Secretary Powell knew those lessons well. Remember what Secretary Powell advised our President? He says, Iraq, Mr. President, is like a Pottery Barn. We break it, we own it. Unfortunately, how true those words have come.

But Secretary Powell knew from his experience as a general that the Powell doctrine invoked four principles, one, to have overwhelming support of the Nation; two, in fact, to ensure that we

had a broad international coalition; three, that we went in with overwhelming force; and, four, that we had an exit strategy. None of those are in evidence.

So let me close. I believe that a new direction is evident. I believe America is less safe today than it was before the 9/11 attacks. And as violence in Iraq climbs and the costs continue to soar, we need a new direction in Iraq in a bipartisan fashion.

I ask my colleagues to work on this bipartisan manner, evaluating the facts, not on rhetoric, to create a real plan for security in Iraq, stability in the Middle East, and let's not forget Afghanistan, the problems that exist in Lebanon today, and let's come together as a nation. Our troops deserve better.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 109, recognizing the historical significance of the Pinedale Assembly Center located in Fresno, California.

The history of this internment center is a reflection of the 65th anniversary of Executive Order 9066, which reminds us of a dark chapter in U.S. history.

On February 19, 1942, President Franklin Roosevelt signed the order authorizing the forced internment of over 120,000 Japanese Americans, placing tremendous hardship on the innocent that, in many cases, resulted in a loss of jobs, businesses, property and ultimately, in some cases, their dignity.

Further, the internment was a violation of their constitutional rights. Internees were denied their liberty, their civil rights, the right to due process, and equal protection under the law. Yet, no Japanese American, before or after their internment, was ever accused or convicted of espionage or sabotage.

In fact, over 14,000 Japanese Americans served valiantly and on a voluntary basis in our Armed Forces during World War II with great distinction. One could only imagine what went through their minds, the members of our military, as they defended our Nation's freedoms, while their own families were languishing back in American internment camps.

Pinedale, then, following the order, was a relocation center, and the Japanese Americans throughout the West were asked to report to these relocation centers. This relocation center handled over 4,823 individuals.

Numbers are just numbers, ladies and gentlemen. But let me tell you some of the stories that passed through this camp.

A dear friend of mine, and a beloved Member of this body, the late Congressman Bob Matsui, arrived at the Pinedale Assembly Center at age two. Congressman Matsui fought against all odds, as did all of those, and despite the prejudice and the hardships, rose to be a great leader of our Nation.

Another story, James Hirabayashi, interned there at age 17. And he wrote, and you can imagine hearing the words: ``My parents and three siblings and myself occupied a single barrack at the Pinedale detention camp. However, we were soon to be split further apart and never regained the unified family life during the war.''

Later, James received his Ph.D. at Harvard, became a professor of anthropology at San Francisco State and now chairs the Asian Studies program.

Another story: Jack Hata was evacuated to Pinedale on his 21st birthday. He recalled: ``The assembly center was made up of rows of tarpapered black barracks enclosed by barbed wire fencing with armed guard towers. The most vivid recollection of the Pinedale experience had to be that of a strong, hot wind picking up every mid-afternoon blowing dust over the entire camp and making seeing and breathing very difficult.''

Today, ladies and gentlemen, much has changed. Pinedale is a part of our history, a place of loss, of hatred and fear. But now it will be transformed into a place of remembrance for healing and hope.

The Pinedale Assembly Center Memorial Project Committee cosponsored by the Central California District of Japanese American Citizens and the California Nikkei Foundation is establishing a memorial. The memorial would not have been possible without the dedication and diligence of all those who have supported this effort, including Judge Dale Ikeda, chairman of the memorial project.

I am one of those that serves on the Project Advisory Committee. But Dale says it best: ``By preserving the Pinedale Assembly Center story, we hope to teach a lesson in history, that it takes people to ensure `justice for all.' And rather, it is the duty of each generation to strive to form a more perfect union for ourselves and for the sake of our children.''

The memorial groundbreaking will take place next week, February 19, on the 65th anniversary of the executive order.

Today, over 5,000 Japanese Americans, many former World War II internees and their families, live in Fresno County, and the Pinedale Memorial will honor these and those who suffered during that period.

The memorial sends a message that we are committed to healing historical wounds and replacing the prejudice and fear with the American values of equality and justice.

It has been said that those who cannot learn from history are doomed to repeat it. Let's make sure this memorial helps us learn.

Allow me to close by reading the parts of the memorial plaque inscription that will be dedicated next week:

``This Memorial is dedicated to over 4,800 Americans of Japanese ancestry who were confined at the Pinedale Assembly Center. This was an early phase of a mass incarceration of over 120,000 Japanese Americans. They were detained without charges, trial or establishment of guilt. May such injustices and suffering never recur.''

Madam Speaker, as co-chair of the Congressional Victims' Rights Caucus, I rise today to introduce the 2007 National Crime Victims' Rights Week Resolution on behalf of myself and my caucus co- chair, Congressman Ted Poe of Texas. This resolution expresses Congress's support of the goals and ideals of National Crime Victims' Rights Week and the efforts to increase public awareness of the rights, needs, and concerns of crime victims and survivors in the United States. This observance will take place the week of April 22 through April 28.

In 1980, President Reagan first called for a national observance to recognize and honor the millions of crime victims and survivors in America. National Crime Victims' Rights Week also pays tribute to the thousands of community-based and system-based victim services providers and to the criminal justice and allied professionals who provide critical support and assistance to victims every day, of every week, of every single year. National Crime Victims' Rights Week has since been proclaimed annually with ceremonies and observances in Washington, DC, and in thousands of communities throughout our Nation.

President Reagan's strong emphasis on the rights and needs of crime victims led to the passage of the Victims of Crime Act, which in 1984 created the Crime Victims Fund. Since then, the Crime Victims Fund has dedicated more than $8 billion collected from criminal fines--not taxpayers' dollars--that annually supports more than 4,400 victim assistance programs serving some 3.8 million victims, and compensation to more than 165,000 victims for their unreimbursed medical expenses, lost wages and funeral costs. The adage, ``crime doesn't pay, victims do,'' is challenged by the VOCA fund, which rightfully holds offenders accountable for their criminal actions, with fines ensuring that crime victims receive the services and support they so greatly need and deserve. And the Congressional Victims' Rights Caucus has worked since its inception to preserve the intent and integrity of the Crime Victims Fund as created by President Reagan nearly a quarter century ago.

The 2007 National Crime Victims' Rights Week theme is ``Victims' Rights: Every Victim. Every Time.'' Today more than ever, these simple words resonate with greater importance than ever before. In the decade between 1994 and 2004, the National Crime Victimization Survey found that violent crime rates declined, reaching the lowest level ever recorded in 2005. Unfortunately last year, the FBI's Uniform Crime Reports reported that crime is, once again, on the rise--violent crime rose 3.7 percent; murders increased 1.4 percent; robberies were up nearly 10 percent; and arson increased by nearly 7 percent. This means more victims than ever suffer the indignation of crime, and have significant losses that affect them physically, emotionally, financially and spiritually. Our caucus and our Congress must recommit our energies to ensure that ``every victim of every crime'' has access to support and services.

I know that my colleagues in Congress have heard a great deal about violence and victimization, and have heard from those who are directly affected:

The teenage girl who leaves home for the first time to go to college, only to be drugged and raped at a campus party; or the young mother who is beaten by her husband on a regular basis, but fears leaving him because he's threatened to kill her kids, and she has no money, nor no place to go.

``Every victim. Every time.''

Or the elderly man--no different from our parents--who is abused in a nursing home; or the parents whose only son is killed in a violent drunk driving crash.

``Every victim. Every time.''

Or the horrific day that nobody will ever forget--September 11, 2001--when nearly 3,000

people were killed in the terrorist attacks against our Nation in New York, Pennsylvania, and right here in the shadow of our own Capitol.

``Every victim. Every time.''

America is a nation known for its commitment to justice. Yet when we consider ``criminal justice,'' that's pretty much what it is about: justice for the criminal and, still too often, little consideration is given to justice for victims. National Crime Victims' Rights Week gives us the chance to talk about ``victim justice''--justice for innocent folks whose lives are irrevocably altered by crime. It gives Congress the opportunity to say, ``yes,'' every victim of every crime should receive information about their case; to say, ``of course'' every victim of every crime should be offered protective measures to make them feel safe; to say, ``absolutely,'' every victim of every crime that results in a conviction should receive restitution directly from the offenders who harmed them.

America's victims' rights movement is leading our entire Nation in this direction. Today, victims of crime and those who serve them have not only a voice, but a vision for what justice should look like in America. Today, there are over 32,000 laws that define and protect victims' rights. We have over 10,000 organizations in our communities and in our systems of justice that help victims cope in the aftermath of crime, and help victims recover. Criminal justice is no longer all about the offender; it is rightfully becoming very much about the victims.

I am proud to be one of the cofounders, along with Representative Poe, of the Congressional Victims' Rights Caucus. The goals of the Victims' Rights Caucus are to (1) represent crime victims in the United States through the bipartisan legislation that reflects their interests, rights and needs; (2) provide an ongoing forum for proactive interactions between the U.S. Congress and national victim assistance organizations to enhance mutual education, legislative advocacy and initiatives that promote justice for all--including victims of crime; and (3) seek opportunities for public education initiatives to help people in America to understand the impact of crime on victims, and to encourage their involvement in crime prevention, victim assistance, and community safety. We have an Advisory Group of victims, survivors, victim advocates and justice professionals who serve as our ``eyes and ears'' to victims and survivors of crime, and they are not shy about letting us know what victims need.

And we have learned that one thing victims need, the one thing that victims deserve, is recognition of their suffering, and recognition of their need for justice, and their need for supportive services. ``Victims' Rights: Every Victim. Every Time.''

This is what 2007 National Crime Victims' Rights Week is all about. And this is what Congress can commit to by passing the National Crime Victims' Rights Week resolution.

Mr. Speaker, I rise on behalf of my constituents in the small rural town of Mendota, California.

I thank my friends Chairman Obey and Ranking Member Lewis, and Chairman Mollohan and Ranking Member Wolf for their hard work and specifically for including sufficient funding to complete the construction of the Mendota Federal Correction Institution.

Crowding at Federal medium-security facilities currently is 37 percent over capacity.

The Federal Bureau of Prisons expects 7,500 new Federal inmates annually.

Once constructed, Mendota would provide 1,552 beds to help address the growing demand.

The BOP has spent $100 million to complete 40 percent of a prison in Mendota.

With this bill, the Federal Government is stepping up to a commitment that was made to California and Mendota by providing enough funds to complete the prison.

Mendota, is a city with an 18.6 percent unemployment rate and 42 percent living below the poverty line.

The prison will provide good jobs and a major boost to a very depressed local economy.

Again, thank you to my colleagues, completing Mendota is a sign that our new majority is committed to responsible governance.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce a Resolution recognizing the Pinedale Assembly Center site as having historical significance to our Nation on behalf of myself, Congressman Radanovich, Congressman Cardoza, Congressman Nunes, and Congressman Honda.

As we approach the 65th Anniversary of Executive Order 9066, we are reminded of what was the beginning of a dark chapter in United States history. On February 19, 1942, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the order authorizing the forced internment of Japanese Americans. Over the following three years, the United States Government forced 120,000 Americans of Japanese ancestry into internment camps, the single largest relocation of Americans in our Nation's history.

This internment placed tremendous hardship on innocent Americans and in many cases resulted in the loss of their jobs, homes, businesses and dignity. Furthermore, the internment was a violation of their fundamental Constitutional rights.

Executive Order 9066 included provisions which ordered Japanese Americans to report to assembly centers where they would be held until they were moved to permanent War Relocation centers. During World War II, 4,823 individuals reported to the Pinedale Assembly Center in Fresno, California.

On November 28, 2006, the Fresno City Council unanimously approved Resolution 2006-532 designating a portion of the Pinedale Assembly Center site known as ``Remembrance Plaza'' to the Local Register of Historic Resources.

The Pinedale Assembly Center Memorial Project Committee is currently charged with the task of establishing a memorial that recognizes the historic tragedy that took place at that site.

February 19, 2007, known as ``The Day of Remembrance'', marks the 65th anniversary of the Executive Order 9066, making it an appropriate day for the groundbreaking ceremony of the Pinedale Memorial Center.

Today over 5,000 Japanese Americans, many former World War II internees and their families, live in Fresno County, California. The Pinedale Memorial would serve to honor these and thousands of other Japanese Americans who suffered during this period. In addition, this memorial would serve as a lesson so future generations will not repeat the mistakes of the past.

The Pinedale Assembly Center Memorial sends the message that we are committed to healing historical wounds and replacing prejudice and fear with the values of equality and justice.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to mourn the loss of the Armenian Turkish newspaper editor, Hrant Dink. On January 19, the legacy of the Armenian genocide continued. Hrant Dink, who was tried and convicted of ``insulting Turkishness'' by recognizing the Armenian genocide, unfortunately, was shot dead over a week ago.

Dink was a voice for freedom of the press, for democracy and for Armenian genocide recognition. Between 1915 and 1923, the Ottoman Empire led a genocide on its Armenian population, killing over 1.5 million people. Over 90 years later, the Turkish Government still refuses to acknowledge it occurred.

I told the Turkish foreign minister last year that to move forward with democratic reform, Turkey must first comes to grips with its past, just as our country had during the civil rights movement. Yesterday, I sent a letter to President Bush urging the withdrawal of the nomination of Richard Hoagland to be Ambassador to Armenia. Given the assassination of Dink, we cannot have an ambassador who refuses to acknowledge the Armenian genocide happened. It would send the wrong message.

Thank you very much, the gentleman from Arkansas. I appreciate having an opportunity to share with my fellow Blue Dog colleagues this evening the challenges that our country is facing as we wage this war on terrorism, and try to bring together some level of stability in Iraq.

The War Funding Accountability Act that the Blue Dog Coalition is sponsoring, that we present to you this evening, is an attempt to bring accountability that has sorely been missing almost 4 years now after we have been engaged in this effort. And we, as Americans, are all engaged in this effort.

This War Accountability Act, if it successfully passes Congress, would require the Department of Defense Inspector General, as well as the Special Inspector General for Iraq on Reconstruction, to report to the Congress every 30 days after any supplemental bill passes, and quarterly thereafter. These reports, unfortunately, have been lacking over the last 4 years.

Now, as we look back, there has been a lot of water that has passed under this bridge, at tremendous costs, beginning first with over 3,000 American lives, men and women that have been lost, and over 20,000 Americans who have suffered injuries as a result of this engagement in Iraq and Afghanistan.

We are talking about the fiscal costs here this evening. But there is no way that we can put a cost or a value on the American lives that have been lost in this effort to try to bring stability and continue to protect Americans on this war on terrorism.

What has been lacking is accountability. The Blue Dogs feel strongly that accountability not only in the fiscal sense, but accountability in how we have engaged in this war effort needs to be seriously focused on. And that is why I am supporting this resolution.

A couple of weeks ago I met with the President, as he solicited our ideas about how we should go forth. I said, ``Mr. President, I was in Iraq last year, among the first delegation to meet with Prime Minister Maliki, and I asked Prime Minister Maliki what his goals were. He said they were disband the militias, reduce violence, get reconstruction going and move the economy.'' It all makes a lot of sense. Eight months later, going on to 9 months, unfortunately, the Prime Minister's actions have been far deficient of his words. And so today we are focusing on this War Funding Accountability Act.

But I said, ``Mr. President, militarily we cannot be successful in this effort alone. There needs to be a political agreement in which the major sectarian factions in this sectarian civil war are willing to agree upon on how to share the political power in Iraq and the oil revenues.'' Let's make no mistake about it. That is what we are fighting in today.

Unfortunately, that is the sectarian civil war that we have gotten ourselves into, and without a political solution, we will not be successful in Iraq.

I have been there. I looked into the eyes of the American men and women in uniform who are fighting valiantly on our behalf, and we need to put the same support for them as we try to put for you. So as we demand accountability on single-source bidding, on sole-source contracting for the efforts in Iraq, let's also hold the Iraqi Government to the same time lines and the same sort of accountability that we should be holding our own government for. And for these reasons, I support the Blue Dog Coalition on the War Funding Accountability Act.

And as I told the President, ``Put me in the doubtful column as it relates to the surge unless we have a political agreement among the Shiites, the Kurds and the Sunnis on how they are going to share power forthwith and how they are going to share the oil revenues, because otherwise, in my opinion, we are kidding ourselves, and, more importantly, we are misleading the American public. And sadly, what is at stake are the lives of American men and women in uniform who are in harm's way in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Madam Speaker, we rise today to recognize the retirement of Larry Sheingold after thirty-six years of service as a staff member in the California State Legislature.

Larry's years of service included ten years as an Assembly staff member and twenty-six years working for the State Senate. During his career he worked for Assembly Speakers Bob Moretti and Leo McCarthy and several State Senators including Jim Costa, Betty Kamette, Henry Mello and the current Senate President Pro Tern, Don Perata.

In addition, Larry Sheingold served on the National Conference of State Legislature's Executive Committee from 2003-06. He is one of only nineteen legislative staff members ever to do so.

Though Larry Sheingold may be on the understated side, he has always possessed a giant intellect and is a master of campaign strategies. His advice to candidates and officeholders alike has always been keen, thoughtful and delivered with a quick wit and much humor. Larry is one of those individuals that combine a rare blend of policy expertise and astute political judgment.

Thirty-six years ago, when Larry started his career as a legislative staff member, Ronald Reagan was governor, legislative committee votes were not public and no woman had ever served in the California State Senate. During his career all that has changed and as the invitation to his retirement event stated, ``The system may be working, but Larry won't be.''

But to paraphrase the late British politician, Lord Salisbury, Larry Sheingold is not the type of gentleman to retire gracefully into the background.

Today, we take great pleasure in honoring, through these remarks, a good friend, a former staff member and a valued advisor, Larry Sheingold. We wish him and his wife Judy only the best of times in retirement, though that may only last until the next election cycle.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to vote for H.R. 4 to fix the flaws of this program for our seniors and to save our taxpayers dollars.

For many years, I was the principle caregiver for my late mother.

Through her experience and my own, it became clear to me that the prescription drug bill passed by the 108th Congress was seriously flawed from the standpoint of being overly complex and not providing cost-savings for seniors.

It's time we make the necessary changes.

I've heard those opposed to this bill repeatedly claim it is contrary to free market principles.

But I ask you, what could be more apple pie to free market than being able to negotiate over pricing?

Those opposed to this bill also talk about the CBO's evaluation of the bill.

But what they won't mention is that, in 2003 the 10-year cost estimate for this bill was $395 billion.

Do you know what they say now?

Part D spending will cost the government nearly double the original estimates.

As a Member of this House it is time we support our free market and protect our taxpayer dollars.

Let's correct this injustice for those living on fixed incomes and put an end to this prescription drug rip-off.

This bill is an improvement. We should and can do better.

Vote for H.R. 4.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 3, a bill that I consider a pivotal step toward the fight against devastating and debilitating diseases.

The narrow view of stem cell research espoused by the administration places unrealistic limitations on the medical research capabilities of this Nation. The administration's position on this critical issue leaves patients across the country without the hope that they can be cured of the effects of medical conditions, including but not limited to Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases, as well as spinal cord injuries.

Every person who has had to watch a mother, a brother, a friend, a family member, knows of this terrible, terrible, difficult problem. I know. I have had that experience.

These conditions may be curable through stem cell research, but it will only be possible if Congress asks for full-fledged research to take place. We owe it to the afflicted and their families to put forth the best efforts to find cures for these debilitating medical conditions.

I urge the House to put political posturing aside and give hope to patients and families by passing this important measure today.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the 90th birthday of Ms. Erma Craveiro Trowe, a wonderful friend and loving community member.

Erma's life story is quite fascinating. She was delivered by her grandmother on January 8, 1918 in Lanare, California. She was a graduate of Caruthers High School and California State University Fresno, formerly known as Fresno State College. Upon the completion of her studies, she pursued a successful career as a teacher at Madison Grammar School, Ahwahnee Middle School and St. Anthony's School in Fresno, California.

On February 21, 1938 Erma married Joe Craveiro. Their home was in Fresno's Kearney Park neighborhood, where they raised their four children: Audrey, Jerry, Bob and Thomas. They also operated a dairy and grew alfalfa, cotton and sugar beets.

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

Further, Erma has been a very dear friend to the Costa family. She was my belated mother's best friend and actually drove her to the hospital at the time of my birth.

Erma's life has been an exceptional role model for all women. She attained a higher education degree, had a career in an important field, is a person who has demonstrated endless devotion to her family and has cared deeply about the welfare of her community. It is for these reasons that I join Erma Craveiro Trowe's family and friends in wishing her a blessed 90th birthday and continued health and happiness in the years to come.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today and join my colleagues Mr. Cardoza, Mr. Radanovich and Mr. Nunes in honoring and remembering the life of Mr. Cruz Bustamante Jr., who passed away on Friday, December 1, 2006. Mr. Bustamante was a respected member of his community and his memory will forever be cherished.

Mr. Bustamante, was born on November 2, 1933 in Loving, New Mexico. In his youth, he and his family left New Mexico and made California's San Joaquin Valley their new home. Cruz graduated from Dinuba High School and

Mohler Barber College. He successfully pursued careers as a barber and later as the Administrator for the Greater California Employment Program and United Health Centers.

Like his son, Cruz, who served two-terms as the California's Lieutenant Governor and as a Member of the State Assembly representing the San Joaquin Valley, Mr. Bustamante also had an appetite for public service and never shied away from the opportunity to influence change in his community. Following that passion, he served the City of San Joaquin both as a member and Mayor Pro Tem. In addition, many civic, educational and community boards and committees were the beneficiaries of Mr. Bustamante's interest in his community's welfare.

Mr. Cruz Bustamante Jr. is survived by his beloved wife of 54 years, Dominga and their children: Cruz M., Belinda, Dorothy, Ron, Andrew and Naomi. Also surviving him are nine siblings, ten grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Although his passing leaves a community in mourning, his devotion to his family, loyalty to friends, and commitment to helping others will never be forgotten. I would like to extend my deepest condolences to his family and friends, and reassure them that his memory will live on through the lives he so graciously touched.

Mr. Speaker, this December 8-10, an international symposium on democracy and congress will be held in Taipei, Taiwan. The symposium is sponsored by the Democratic Pacific Union (DPU), a non- governmental organization founded in 2005 in Taipei for the purpose of fostering better relations among members of parliaments from countries around the Pacific Rim.

This year's symposium will feature speakers from a number of countries, including Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, the United States and Taiwan. Taiwan Vice President Annette Lu, the driving force behind this year's symposium, is to be commended for putting this conference together.

I support and endorse the symposium's goal: It is time for everyone in the international community to respect one another, to abide by international norms, and to respect the common values, namely, democracy, peace and prosperity.

I hope my colleagues will find the time to participate in this important symposium on democracy and congress.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend Mr. Fredrick W. Hatfield for his achievement in receiving the California State University Fresno's Outstanding Alumni 2006 Top Dog Award for the College of Social Sciences. Mr. Hatfield has enjoyed an exceptional career in public service and has served in many key positions in both the Federal Government and the private sector. Mr. Hatfield is currently one of five commissioners appointed by the President, and confirmed by the Senate, to oversee the Commodity Futures Trading Commission.

A native of the Central Valley, Mr. Hatfield graduated from Fresno State in 1977, Suma Cum Laude, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in History. Upon graduating from Fresno State, he worked as a government teacher for the Fresno County Schools. After his time in the classroom, Mr. Hatfield relocated to Washington, D.C. and embarked on his lifelong career in public service by joining the staff of then, House Majority Whip Tony Coelho. His 9 years of diligent service to Congressman Coelho's office opened the floodgates for career opportunities elsewhere in our Nation's Capitol. Mr. Hatfield pursued and successfully served as a partner with Copeland and Hatfield Government Affairs; Chief of Staff for Senator John Breaux of Louisiana; Senior Vice President for Human Resources and Community Relations for Education Training Communications, Inc.; and Deputy Commissioner General for U.S. Pavilion's World's Fair in Lisbon, Portugal.

Above all, Mr. Hatfield is someone who has never forgotten his roots and has never failed to contribute and invest in the future of the Central Valley. Aside from serving as chief of staff, advisor, and confidant to some of the most powerful and influential elected officials on Capitol Hill, Mr. Hatfield has dedicated time to serve as a mentor, role model, and friend to many Central Valley residents who have gone to Washington, D.C. for internships and employment opportunities from Fresno State. In addition, Mr. Hatfield has provided many local elected officials and their staff with indispensable advice and guidance. He has also helped our local leaders by facilitating introductions to high level policy makers, administrative agencies, boards and commissions on behalf of many Central Valley residents.

Mr. Hatfield's commitments and efforts to improve the quality of life in the Central Valley are truly deserving of such recognition. It is for those reasons that I, a Fresno State Alumni myself, join his family, friends, colleagues, and the Fresno State community in honoring Mr. Hatfield as a 2006 Top Dog Awards recipient

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of Mr. Stuart Pyle of Bakersfield, California. Mr. Pyle was an exemplary advocate for effective water policy primarily in California's San Joaquin Valley.

As a past manager of the Kern County Water Agency, Stuart is remembered by all who knew him for his love and dedication to his family, his commendable service to the community, and his success in managing the second largest water contractor in the State of California.

Mr. Pyle was born in 1925 in Napa, California. He spent most of his adolescent years with his five siblings in Tahoe City and Auburn, California. As a Naval Officer during World War II, Mr. Pyle earned a degree in civil engineering in only three years. Following the war, he began his career in water as a developer of dams and canals for the California Department of Water Resources. As his career in water was established, he met his wife Virginia and married her in 1950.

In 1967, the Pyle family moved to Pakistan, where Stuart worked as a project manager for water systems for three years. When the Pakistani Civil War broke out they were forced to move back to the United States. Upon his arrival to the states, Stuart was hired as the manager of National Water Issues for the Federal Government in Washington DC. After three years in DC, he was offered a job as manager of the Kern County Water Agency. Stuart spent the next 17 years of his life dedicated to advancing water policy in Kern County.

Throughout his life Mr. Pyle was extremely involved in his community. He served on the National Academies of Science, was a Member of the Rotary Club, and was an active supporter of the Bakersfield Assistant League. Even while enjoying retirement, he was active in the United States Committee on Irrigation and Drainage. In addition to being a life long advocate of water policy, he was also a dedicated member of the Christian Science Church where he was a reader on the Board of Directors.

Mr. Pyle is survived by his beloved wife of 56 years Virginia, their five children; Linda, Jennifer, Stuart, Marianna, and Tom, and his nine grandchildren.

Stuart Pyle led a happy life full of love and adventure. His professional achievements will

leave an eternal legacy for his family and community.