Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise to urge my colleagues to keep the immigration issue alive today. In spite of extraordinary efforts by our President and the Senate, the House majority is stalling any real negotiations by insisting on time-consuming hearings aimed at taking the temperature of the American public.

We know a clear majority of Americans want action and reform. Should we attempt border security first, which I believe we should, we still need to face the fact that comprehensive reform is necessary. This must include a guest worker program and dealing with the 11 million people who are here today that are contributing to our economy.

Need I remind my colleagues of the difficulty we had in just moving a few hundred thousand people from the gulf coast during the Katrina hurricane? Let us convene now the conference committee on immigration and deal with the issue and develop a bipartisan solution.

Delaying the conference committee with this proposed dog and pony show does the Nation no good. Further discussions need to begin. Delaying the difficult decisions will not make it go away. The American public wants and deserves action, not the politics of division.

Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the last word for the purpose of engaging in a colloquy with the chairman.

Mr. Chairman, I would like to first commend the chairman and the ranking member for the good work that they have done on this legislation.

Mr. Chairman, as you know, there is a Federal Bureau of Prisons facility that has been authorized and appropriated in a small farming community in my district, in Mendota, California. In May, 2000, the Bureau of Prisons proposed to build a medium security correctional institute in the U.S. Western Region and selected Mendota as the site. This facility, when completed, would house 1,152 beds that are needed in a system that is already over 37 percent over capacity.

In fiscal 2001 and fiscal 2002, $158.9 million was appropriated for the site planning, development, construction of the Mendota facility. However, rescissions of $57 million in fiscal year 2002 and 2004 have jeopardized this project. To maintain the existing contract, the final option must be exercised by this year, October 8, 2006.

Should this contract expire, a new bid is expected to increase the cost of the facility by over 20 percent more. Over $100 million in Federal funds has already been spent on the facility. It now sits empty, and 40 percent of the construction is completed.

If this rescission is allowed to stand, it will stand as a testament to the Federal Government's response of being penny wise and pound foolish.

Mr. Chairman, is it your understanding that the $89 million included in this bill for construction and maintenance of Federal prisons is not directed to specific facilities?

Then, Mr. Chairman, if the Bureau of Prisons deems this project a priority, would the chairman agree to work with me to try to make funds available to continue this facility so that it is not left half completed and therefore wasted Federal funds would have been spent?

Mr. Chairman, reclaiming my time, I would like to thank the gentleman from Virginia for his comments.

With the permission of the Chair, I will now submit for the Record an additional statement detailing the situation at this Mendota facility and commit to continue to work with you.

Chairman Wolf and Ranking Member Mollohan, I commend you for your leadership and good work on the Science State Justice Commerce Appropriations measure, given the limitations of the budget. I was particularly pleased with the report language addressing the Administration's shortsighted request to rescind prison construction funds bearing in mind the increasing demands on our already overcrowded federal prisons.

Mr. Chairman, on behalf of my constituents in the small rural town of Mendota, I would like to call your attention to an issue of pressing concern in the congressional district I am proud to represent. At its core this is an issue of smart budgeting, addressing security demands, and the federal government following through on its commitments.

In May of 2000, the City of Mendota was approached by the Federal Bureau of Prisons proposing to build a medium security federal correctional institution in Mendota, California. The required environmental impact study followed, after which Mendota was selected. The local elected officials and community leaders have been strong supporters of the project, proud to provide a public service to the country and encouraged by the economic stimulus the prison would create.

The demand for such a prison is imperative and the Mendota facility will provide much needed bed space for 1,152 medium-security male inmates. With crowding at medium-security facilities currently 37 percent over capacity, this institution is of critical importance. Worse yet, an additional 7,500 new federal inmates are expected to enter our federal prisons annually.

Today, California's Corrections Institutions are the second-largest prison system in the nation after the Federal Bureau of Prisons. California's prison population, according to a June 11, 2006, report in the Washington Post, ``has surged in recent months to more than 173,000, resulting in the worst overcrowding in the country and costing taxpayers more than $8 billion a year.'' Just today, The Sacramento Bee reported that California ``prisons are more overcrowded than ever, some 200 percent of design capacity.'' In response, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger called for a special legislative session and proposed an initiative to expedite the construction of State prisons.

The funding history for the Mendota facility is an embarrassment. Should the Administration get its way in the FY2007 budget, it is the American taxpayer that will bear the burden of increased costs. Funding for this facility includes $11.9 million in FY2001 for site and planning development and $147 million in FY 2002 for remaining construction funding. However, rescission of $5.744 million in FY 2002 and $51.895 million in FY 2004 has jeopardized the entire project. To maintain the existing contract, the final option must be exercised by October 8, 2006. Should this contract expire, it is anticipated that any new contract will cost at least 20 percent more.

However, the President's FY2007 Budget contained no funding for the completion of the Mendota facility.

The federal government has made a long term commitment to construct and operate the Mendota facility. Over $100 million in federal funds has already been spent on the facility with 40 percent of the construction complete. To bring this project to a virtual halt at this stage would be unfair to the citizens of Mendota, a city with an 18.6 percent unemployment rate and 42 percent living below the poverty line. Mendota is counting on the government to keep its promise.

Mr. Speaker, this body and the American public should be outraged by the continuing reports of the theft of personal identification of America's finest, our veterans and our brave men and women who are serving in uniform today here at home and abroad.

As a result of the Department of Veterans Affairs incompetence, the well-being of millions of our military families has been compromised today.

Congress must act now to provide appropriate oversight. I have worked with my colleagues to demand accountability and full disclosure of the VA. I support my friend Congressman Salazar's legislation to provide veterans credit monitoring services. I have joined with those who demand that not one penny of the funding to pay for the VA's debacle be diverted from veterans health care or other sorely needed services.

The House must demand more of the Veterans Administration than its unacceptable response of hand-wringing and wrist-slapping. We owe our veterans and our active military personnel nothing less than to respond appropriately.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate Dr. Timothy G. Baker of Fresno, California on the occasion of his 50th birthday.

Dr. Baker has been a committed political advocate and a valued member of our community for as long as many of us can remember; it is for these reasons we honor him for his accomplishment and his character.

An advocate even in grade-school, Dr. Baker's interest in politics began long ago when he ran for President and Vice President of his class while attending Tenaya Junior High School and Bullard High School in Fresno. While his legislative agenda has progressed from leading student council meetings in grade school to managing key components of state political campaigns in his professional life, Tim Baker's energy never waned in community fundraising efforts to improve the quality of life for citizens in our Valley.

After graduation from high school in 1973, he continued his education at California State University, Fresno where he pursued a Bachelor's of Arts in Zoology. It was during this time that Dr. Baker became drawn to California State politics. He was involved in the campaign for Senator George Zenovich, now retired from the California State Legislature. Having acquired the taste for political campaigns, Tim became a valued asset in Congressman Rick Lehman's first California State Assembly campaign and my own first campaign for the California State Assembly.

The community has truly benefited from Dr. Baker's hard work and distinctive character. He eventually earned his Doctorates of Dental Surgery from the University of Pacific in 1982 and went on to serve as a resident in general practice dentistry at Valley Medical Center. Dr. Baker continues to practice dentistry in Fresno and also serves as the 6 County Dental Education Director for the University of California in San Francisco, headquartered in Fresno. In honor of his hard work and commitment to the community, Dr. Baker was awarded the University of California, San Francisco Outstanding Achievement Award.

Dr. Baker is a shining example of what it means to constantly strive for perfection. He is a political consultant, a practicing dentist and a valued member of our community. On behalf of all who know him, I would like to thank Dr. Tim Baker for his many contributions to our community and wish him continued success.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to join with the Irrigation Association in designating July as Smart Irrigation Month.

Since 1949, the Irrigation Association has been charged with and has been successful in leading the advancement of water-use efficiencies to create smarter solutions for agricultural, residential and commercial landscape irrigation. The Irrigation Association is dedicated to developing the irrigation industry and effectively utilizing our most vital resource.

With such charge in mind, the Irrigation Association has named July Smart Irrigation Month to raise awareness about the importance of using efficient watering practices, technologically advanced irrigation products and water conservation. In addition, Smart Irrigation Month is a great opportunity to educate constituents and consumers, including homeowners, garden clubs, growers and farm irrigation managers, with valuable watersaving irrigation information, products and services.

Additionally, Smart Irrigation Month serves to recognize advances in irrigation technology and practices that produce not only more but also higher quality plants with less water. Given that July is a peak month for the use of water irrigation; this designation also stands to encourage the adoption of smart irrigation for substantial water savings. Consequently appropriate irrigation technology combined with efficient practices can significantly reduce water usage and runoff while creating healthy lawns, landscaping, sports turf and increasing agricultural production.

Water is a finite resource that is essential in the advancement of agriculture, and is vital to human life. Smart Irrigation Month will showcase the importance of smart irrigation practices to the health and well being of communities and individuals. I would like to commend the Irrigation Association for its continued promotion and advancement of efficient water and irrigation use and therefore ask that you join me, together with the Irrigation Association, in designating July as Smart Irrigation Month to be recognized annually from July 2006 forward. Water is the lifeblood of resources that gives sustenance to life. We must wisely use this resource for the future of mankind. Therefore, smart irrigation technologies allows us to do just that.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and remember the life of James A of Fresno, California. Mr. A served in the U.S. Army in both Vietnam and Korea and was a prominent veteran's activist; he passed away May 15, 2006.

James A was born James Burris on October 18, 1946 in Yreka, California. He attended school in Fresno and graduated from Edison High School in 1964. As a way of protesting early American slavery, James Burris legally changed his name to James A. After investigating his genealogy, Mr. A had felt `Burris' was his slave name.

While serving in the U.S. Army, Mr. A learned to speak German, Korean, and Vietnamese. While stationed in Germany, Mr. A met the love of his life, Edith Isamann. They were marred in 1966 and had two daughters Sabine and Sonja.

The couple returned to Fresno to raise their daughters in the community James affectionately called home. It was during this time that Mr. A began noticing physical problems that later resulted in his paraplegia. He was diagnosed with a neurological condition and as a result of this he was forced to use a wheelchair. Ever the active sole, Mr. A participated in wheelchair basketball and wheelchair races as a way of not letting his illness beat him.

Mr. A used his experience with misfortune to lend a helping hand to others. He waged a personal campaign for veterans in Fresno and in the state of California. James A helped to establish the Vietnam Veteran Monument in Woodward Park. He was also involved with the effort to establish the California Vietnam Veteran's Memorial in Sacramento. Mr. A worked with the Bay Area Western Chapter of Paralyzed Veterans of America and in 2005 he served as its Vice President.

In 2002, Mr. A was diagnosed with lung cancer and was in remission until January of 2005. Determined to be a shining example for his family, despite all of the physical challenges he faced, James A continued to serve his community.

James A is survived by his wife Edith; two daughters Sabine and her husband Asker and Sonja and her husband Andrew; grandchildren Ilkin, Timur, Emily and Rebecca; two sisters and two brothers.

James A cared deeply about advocating for veterans. His warm and compassionate personality which inspired those around him will be missed deeply. I stand today to honor this noble veteran, who served our country not only as a soldier but also as a citizen.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Massachusetts for yielding 2 minutes.

Mr. Speaker, I served in the California Legislature for 24 years, half of which was spent in a leadership role, and I believe I know how to engage in a bipartisan process. Unfortunately this budget resolution is not a bipartisan process.

Rather than provide the House with an opportunity to engage in serious and meaningful budget discussions, we are left with this ``take it or leave it'' package. Today this body acts in a de facto parliamentary fashion. Rather than consider the constructive and realistic solutions to our budget problems, like the Blue Dog 12-point plan that was referenced by Mr. Cooper, that includes a pay-as-you-go provision, we are left with this proposal as our only option. It is a Hobson's choice, which I believe is no choice at all.

Rather than do what our constituents expect us to do, discuss, debate, and have meaningful oversight, make tough policy choices, we are left with a budget package within a failed budget process that is nothing more than a fig leaf to cover a host of fiscal policy shortcomings that have resulted in massive budget deficits over the last 5 years. It is a chronic case of wanting to have your cake and eat it, too.

We cannot continue to tell the American people they can have tax cuts, increased spending, and not impact our budget deficits, but that is what this budget resolution does. I do not believe that a majority of Americans support this way of doing the people's business. They expect us, as adults, to work together to solve the fiscal problems of our Nation. Unfortunately, that is not what is happening in this effort, and I unfortunately must oppose this budget resolution.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Fresno Metropolitan Flood Control District for reaching a momentous milestone--its 50th anniversary.

Over 50 years ago, the Fresno Metropolitan Flood Control District was created in order to regulate flooding that had plagued the community for over 80 years. From the outset, the Flood Control District committed itself to managing the flood, storm, surface and ground water resources of the area with the goal of preventing property damage and personal injury as a result of floods. The agency works to conserve such waters for local, domestic and agricultural use. In addition, it seeks to maximize the public use and benefit of the District's programs and infrastructure. This has resulted in the use of ponding basins for recreational purposes such as soccer fields, baseball diamonds and parks. The district has generated 22 recreational sites, including the Sloan Johnson Oso de Oro Lake Park in Fresno, which serves to accommodate disabled children. This recreational facility has received numerous awards, including the Innovations in American Government Award from the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.

With such a mission in mind, the Fresno Metropolitan Flood Control District has established infrastructure projects and completed systems in Fresno and its surrounding areas. These projects, valued at over $600,000,000, include 149 ponding basins, 57 pumping plants, 513 miles of pipeline, three dams, seven flood detention basins, two major stream diversion channels, 145 miles of natural streams and eight river outfalls.

In addition to the creation of these infrastructure projects, the Fresno Metropolitan

Flood Control District has worked resolutely for over 50 years to create programs such as ``Clean Storm Water'' that seek to educate the community on the importance of water resource management and the prevention of pollution to help protect and preserve groundwater supplies for the future. Moreover, many of its policies on outsourcing construction, professional services and maintenance of certain facilities have not only helped the flooding problems, but also have created countless local jobs as well.

The Fresno Metropolitan Flood Control District has had long standing and effective working partnerships with State and Federal agencies such as the California Department of Water Resources and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The agency and its partners have created a successful model for cooperative interagency planning, management, and execution of local public works projects among the Fresno Irrigation District, County of Fresno, City of Fresno and the City of Clovis. Moreover, it has greatly enhanced the safety and quality of life in the Fresno and Clovis areas.

For all its efforts, I would like to commend the Fresno Metropolitan Flood Control District. The organization has tirelessly worked to meet the flood control, drainage and water resource management needs of its constituency; while adhering to high standards of performance, environmental sensitivity, economic efficiency and maximization of public benefit. On this special occasion I would like to extend congratulations to the Fresno Metropolitan Flood Control District on its milestone 50th Anniversary.

Mr. Speaker. I rise today to recognize Dr. Ned Doffoney, President of Fresno City College for his dedicated service and invaluable commitment to his students and his community.

Dr. Doffoney has had an extensive career as leader of numerous community colleges. He hails from Louisiana where he was the founding President and Chancellor of the South Louisiana Community College. Following his time in Louisiana, he moved to

Southern California where he held notable positions in various colleges. For over 4 years, Mr. Doffoney served as the President of Saddleback College of South Orange Community College District; he was the Dean of Academic Affairs at Los Angeles Southwest College as well as the Dean of Admissions; and he served as the Assistant Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid at Los Angeles Trade-Technical College. In addition to his administrative positions, he was also a teacher at California State University, Dominguez Hills. On July 1, 2002, Fresno City College welcomed Dr. Doffoney as its new President.

With a wide variety of leadership experience, Dr. Doffoney has received numerous recognitions and has earned the respect of many education institutions. In 2003, he was invited to participate in the National Community College Working Group organized by the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Vocational and Adult Education. Dr. Doffoney was the only community college representative from California who was invited to join a distinguished group of 15 community college Presidents and Chancellors that were given the task of discussing issues and opportunities that affect the community college mission. He was a strong advocate for students with disabilities and was able to provide the group with insight into historic measures made to service those with disabilities in California.

Aside from being a strong advocate for students with disabilities, Dr. Doffoney has also worked tirelessly to promote the role of community colleges as a portal to higher education for California's ethnic majority. His efforts earned him the 2004 New California Media ``Exceptional Communicator Award,'' highlighting the shared values of ethnic media and representing the interest of people from all of the various ethnic communities in the Valley. Dr. Doffoney is a proud recipient of this award and continues to bring new opportunities for education to the millions of underserved people in California.

Dr. Doffoney acknowledges the role of college education in his life and has worked to help those who are also in need of support; through his encouragement of the crucial role of education in shaping the lives of individuals. This work has earned him the 2005 TRIO Achievers Award where he was honored for his leadership and dedication in establishing and promoting effective and powerful learning environments. He continuously exemplifies the benefits of education to the Fresno City College community.

In addition to his dedicated service to Fresno City College, Dr. Doffoney has also made it a priority to establish a presence in community organizations. ``As we continue to grow, my top priority is to find new ways to serve the needs of our community. It is our mission to help communities learn and find innovative ways to engage learning at all levels,'' he says. He is a member of the Rotary Club of Fresno and a board member for the Fresno Metropolitan Museum and Commission on Athletics. He has also recently served as a board member for the Public Safety Commission, Fresno Fire Chiefs' Foundation and Break the Barriers.

Dr. Ned Doffoney continues his quest for excellence and has established a core philosophy of student service at Fresno City College. He has stated, ``This is a time to dare to be great. Although higher education faces many challenges, we must be undaunted in our task to provide the best educational experience to our students.'' Dr. Doffoney's dedication in the promotion of education and his invaluable service to Fresno City College and its surrounding communities are accomplishments worthy of honor and recognition.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor the lifetime achievements of Jack Woolf from Fresno, CA.

For more than 30 years, Jack Woolf and his family have been an integral part of the development of diversified agriculture on the west side of Fresno County. He has been an active community member who has tirelessly worked to promote Fresno and the agricultural industry. Mr. Woolf embarked upon his entrepreneurial career in 1974, with the creation of Woolf Enterprises. The business began as a simple row crop operation but under Jack's watchful eye it grew into a large agricultural business that ultimately branched out into many agricultural industries.

Presently, Woolf Enterprises products include tomatoes, garlic, cotton, wheat, alfalfa, wine grapes, almonds and pistachios. In addition, Jack Woolf is a partner in several processing plants, an irrigation business and an agricultural nursery. Mr. Woolf is an individual who, through hard work and his commitment to a vision of a better future, has established Woolf Enterprises as a cornerstone in California's agriculture industry. By serving in leadership positions with various agriculture and water agencies, Mr. Woolf has been able to promote his dynamic vision and direction for a strong San Joaquin Valley agricultural industry.

In addition to his entrepreneurial spirit--Jack has also diversified his community interests by serving on various boards throughout the Valley. These boards include the Westlands Water District, the Fresno Metropolitan Museum, Channel 18 KVPT--public programming, the Clark Museum in Hanford, and the Fresno County Grand Jury. Mr. Woolf has also been generous in giving back to the community. The following institutions have all benefited from his philanthropic efforts: CSU Fresno, University of Santa Clara, Fresno Metropolitan Museum, Santa Catalina School in Monterey, Channel 18 KVPT, the Clark Museum and Saint Agnes Hospital. Furthermore, the agricultural community in Fresno has decided to establish a Jack Woolf Scholarship Endowment fund which will be awarded to students pursuing a degree in the College of Agricultural Sciences and Technology.

On behalf of the residents in the San Joaquin Valley, it is with great pleasure that I stand today to laud the efforts of Jack Woolf and extend my utmost appreciation for his contributions and continued loyalty to the community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and remember the life of Eva Murillo. Ms. Murillo was a prominent advocate for victims and survivors of violent crime in the State of California. She passed away on April 4, 2005.

Eva Murillo was born on July 29, 1946 in Delicias, Chihuahua, Mexico. She came to the United States at the age of 11 and lived in Sacramento, California where she became a United States citizen. Ms. Murillo earned her B.A. in Liberal Studies from California State University Northridge and upon graduation she worked as a Project Coordinator for El Proyecto, where she helped at-risk youth. In 1991 a business trip led her to Hanford, California, where she fell in love with the community and its small town charm. She immediately decided to move her family there.

Shortly after her arrival in Hanford, Ms. Murillo worked with Kingsview Community Services. It was there that she discovered her passion to help victims of crime and embarked on a life-filling career. Mrs. Murillo's advocacy efforts include her twelve years of distinguished service to the Kings County Victim Witness Assistance Program, in which she compassionately pioneered efforts to help women in abusive relationships. Ms. Murillo's work ethic proved that working for victims and survivors of violent crime was more than just a job, but a way to give back to her community. Her uncanny ability to bring people together and her sincere demeanor truly represented the 2006 National Crime Victims' Rights Week theme of ``Strength in Unity.''

On March 26, 2006, Ms. Murillo accepted an award from the Soroptimists International of Hanford for making a difference in her community. An excerpt from the award given to Ms. Murillo described her as a person with ``true compassion for those she came into contact with.''

To honor the tremendous contribution of Mrs. Murillo, the Congressional Victim's Rights Caucus has decided to name one of our annual victim's rights awards after her. It will be called ``The Eva Murillo Unsung Hero Award.'' This award will be given to a crime victim/survivor who has taken a personal tragedy to triumph over adversity. The honoree is a person who has utilized his or her experiences as a crime victim to promote public education and awareness, public policy development, or greater awareness about crime victim's rights and needs. Their efforts result in increased help and hope for other victims and survivors of crime.

Eva Murillo is survived by her husband Tomas and three children: Gerald, Jo Ann and Lory. She is also survived by her daughter-in-law Irma and three grandchildren: Jade, Julian and Justine.

Eva Murillo cared deeply about advocating for victims and witnesses of violent crime. Her warm and compassionate personality which inspired those around her will be missed deeply by the people of Kings County. I would like to extend my deepest condolences to her friends and family.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to speak on behalf of the Victims Rights Caucus which Congressmembers Poe, Harris and I chair. We have introduced a resolution that recognizes what many Americans know all too well: crime does not know any geographic, demographic, or political boundary. It touches all of our communities.

We support the Victims Rights Week and the Crime Victims Fund, legacies that President Reagan and Congress passed in the 1980s. The Crime Victims Fund is distributed to service providers who assist millions of crime victims annually throughout our communities in a host of ways. It is paid for by fines levied on criminals, not taxpayers.

Yet today, our caucus is fighting to protect that fund from this administration's wrongheaded attempt to balance the budget on the backs of victims by putting those dollars into the general fund. That is simply wrong.

We must ensure that this fund is used for its original intent: to provide for crime victims, to provide for probation departments, and to help the victims who truly need and deserve our assistance to hold offenders accountable.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to introduce this proposed legislation to require States to implement commonsense planning policy as it relates to the Class III Indian gaming within State borders.

Too often, Indian tribes are at the mercy of the shifting political winds of State government. Negotiating a Tribal-State compact for the right to engage in Class III gaming on their tribal lands is a process complicated by elections, changing attitudes towards the tribe, as well as an understanding that tribal gaming can be a lucrative business for the State. This process is frequently understood as ``let's make a deal'' time.

This proposed legislation directs the Secretary of the Interior to withhold approval of a Tribal-State compact until the State first develops a long-term plan to administer Class III gaming within its State boundaries. It employs a process to incorporate opinion by both the local communities and tribes, and represents a process often recognized by State and Federal Government as necessary but missing from the present application process for Class III gaming. This legislation will not prevent tribes from engaging in the application process or affect already approved Tribal-State compacts.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the city of Coalinga on the celebration of their 100th anniversary.

The birth of the city of Coalinga dates back to the late 1800s, when the mining industry was booming in developing communities across the country. Rich in oil and flourishing in production, the city established several major oil production supplies. With the expansion of the industry, Coalinga oil workers embarked on a campaign to enhance workers rights, improve working conditions for oil producers and create a better community for fellow community members. A glorious and monumental day for Coalinga came on April 3, 1906, when the small town was incorporated into Fresno County.

Still, the city of Coalinga encountered other obstacles, such as a severe economic decline in 1909. After the economic setback, residents struggled to obtain rights to clean and reliable water supply. Due to the lack of flowing surface water and highly mineralized ground water, water in the city of Coalinga was deemed unsafe for drinking. It was not until 1972 that the State water system granted the city of Coalinga its first delivery of San Luis Canal water.

On May 2, 1983, a 6.7 magnitude earthquake struck the small community, which virtually destroyed what took almost a century to build. Fortunately, this catastrophe did not deter the strong community; residents and businesses locked arms and carried on to rebuild their city, to rebuild their home.

Despite the perils that the city of Coalinga experienced, there were many successes that ushered further advancement. At one point in time, Coalinga paid approximately one-fourth of the entire tax burdens for Fresno County. The city prides itself in being the birthplace for the award-winning A&W Root Beer formula, home of the first junior high school in Fresno County and West Hills Community College. Today, the city ranks as one of the most independent communities in the San Joaquin Valley and champions itself in providing residents with a competent municipal library system, recreation and parks system, water supply and hospital systems.

The history of this city further demonstrates that it is only by embracing the importance of community, cooperation and shared vision can such success be achieved. I am honored to stand and shine a spotlight on the city of Coalinga, as they celebrate a century of pride and progress.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Leonard Hall of Armona, California who will be celebrating his 100th birthday on April 24, 2006.

Mr. Hall was born in 1906 to parents Clarence R. Leonard and Ida Mae Hall. Leonard learned at a young age the daily routine of life on a farm. When he was in his early twenties, Leonard began farming on his own. Soon his business grew to include a dairy and he also raised and sold cattle. Mr. Hall successfully ran his business for about 80 years.

Leonard Hall once stated, ``I think everyone should give back something to the community where they lived. How else are we going to keep our memories alive?'' These were not words without substance--Mr. Hall is a great advocate for his hometown and has financially supported several important projects within Kings County.

In remembrance of his wife Katherine, he gave financial support to the Burris Park Museum in Hanford. The museum recognized the gracious gift by dedicating the new wing of the museum in her name. The Hanford Carnegie Museum also benefited from Mr. Hall's generous donations. With his help the institution was able to install a new foundation and also introduce the original Beacon Oil office as an historical exhibit.

Perhaps the most poignant of his contributions is the funding he provided to help restore the Grangeville Church, which is known as the first church of Kings County. For Mr. Hall, the renovation was not just for the purpose of historical preservation but it was a way for him to honor the memory of his parents, who were wed there at the turn of the century.

Leonard Hall's generosity is his way of saying thank you for all the wonderful memories. During this momentous occasion of Leonard Hall's 100th birthday, I would like to wish to him and his family all the best. I would also like to extend, on behalf of the residents of Kings County, heartfelt appreciation and gratitude for Mr. Hall's generosity that has helped preserve the past for the generations of the future.