Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, today, we, unfortunately, are enduring our government's second longest government shutdown since 1981.

I realize that some call it a partial government shutdown, but let me tell you, there is nothing partial about the lost wages that our Federal workers are encountering, there is nothing partial about the lost income that our small business owners are enduring, and there is nothing partial about the lost services that my farmers in the salad bowl of the world will experience during this shutdown.

That is why it has fallen on all of us in this Congress to make whole the victims of the shutdown. And it starts today by passing this Agriculture Appropriations act.

As a member of the House Agriculture Committee, I was proud to have passed and have signed into law the 2018 farm bill. But if this shutdown doesn't end soon, there are many provisions of that farm bill that will not be implemented.

Why? The USDA is closed, the Farm Service Agency is shuttered, agricultural research is suspended, organic certification programs are stopped, and families may not get their benefits through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

Those are just part of the problems with this partial government shutdown, a shutdown in which all of our farmers will be affected. That is why all of us in this government must do our job and live up to our responsibility to govern. Some may call it a charade. We call it governing. That is why I ask my colleagues to pass this Agriculture Appropriations Act.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the retiring Mayor of Pacific Grove, Bill Kampe for his career in public service and his commitment to the people of the central coast of California. His professional accomplishments and leadership in the community have affected the lives of many.

Throughout his ten years in public office, Mayor Kampe served the City of Pacific Grove as a dynamic and effective leader. Mayor Kampe endeavored in his three terms as Mayor and two terms as a Councilmember to improve the city's infrastructure, allowing visitors and residents to continue enjoying the breathtaking vistas and charming storefronts. Mayor Kampe has been a strong advocate for ocean protection, including procuring the Lovers Point Watershed project to help preserve our National Marine Sanctuary. Mayor Kampe also updated the city's Historic Preservation Ordinance to preserve city resources and maintain the city's historic properties.

In addition to his distinguished service as Mayor and Councilmember, Mayor Kampe holds several regional leadership roles that greatly benefit our community on the Central Coast. As President of the Monterey Peninsula Regional Water Authority, he has worked to help remediate water shortages on the Monterey Peninsula. Additionally, Mayor Kampe has dedicated his time to representing Pacific Grove on the Fort Ord Reuse Authority, an entity overseeing the development of the former military base Fort Ord. As a Navy veteran, Mayor Kampe has ensured that local resources remain accessible for local veterans and active-duty members of the military.

Throughout his career, Mayor Kampe prioritized the importance of giving back to our community's youth by hosting mock City Council meetings. Through this program, students are inspired to engage with current issues in Pacific Grove and learn the value of civic engagement. This spirit of service is evident in Mayor Kampe's service as a member of the Pacific Grove Beautification Committee and the Pacific Grove Rotary Club, and his volunteer contributions at countless town functions and events.

I thank Mayor Kampe for his service to his country, community, and the City of Pacific Grove. As he celebrates his retirement, I am proud to commend him on his invaluable work as a public servant for the past decade. Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in recognizing former Mayor of Pacific Grove, Bill Kampe, on his career of service and congratulate him on a well-earned retirement.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Conaway and Ranking Member Peterson for their leadership during my time on the Agriculture Committee, during our time putting this farm bill together.

As a proud member of the Agriculture Committee, as a proud member who represents the salad bowl of the world, I am very proud to support H.R. 2, this farm bill, in 2018.

In my district on the central coast of California, this farm bill will benefit our specialty crop industry by investing in mechanization technology and expanding research opportunities.

It will help our organics industry with the certification process and research by incorporating the OREI Act.

This bill invests in our future farmers, our young ranchers, and veterans getting into agriculture.

It doesn't make any changes to SNAP without any evidence supporting such changes for the people who need food the most.

Mr. Speaker, I am at the end of my first term in Congress, and I can tell you this is the best job I have ever had, mainly because of the Members of Congress I work with, mainly because of the Democrats and Republicans I have worked with on this Agriculture Committee, including its excellent staff.

So despite the fact that there were differences over this farm bill at the beginning, and even though we are on the verge of a possible shutdown, what gives me confidence in this job, what gives me confidence in this body is this final version of this farm bill.

This is a bill that, although it started as a partisan product, it ended as a bipartisan bill. It is a bill that is not based on ideology and emotion; it is based on evidence. This is a bill that is not based on party politics; it is based on people, not just people in agriculture, but all of the people of this Nation.

That is why we all should be proud to support the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 and vote ``yes'' on the final conference report.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the extensive contributions made by Big Sur Fire Chief Martha Karstens to the well- being and prosperity of our community on the central coast of California. Chief Karstens has been an invaluable asset to the Big Sur community, a rural area of my District adjacent to historic Highway 1 on the California coast. I know that every Big Sur resident can attest to Chief Karsten's character, integrity, and devotion to protecting and serving her community.

Residents of Big Sur have historically experienced a lack of access to basic services due to the community's rural location. Chief Karstens sought to fix this, and in 1976, enrolled in the first Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) class ever offered in Big Sur, eventually becoming involved with the American Red Cross' Central Coast Chapter as a volunteer ambulance emergency responder. In 1979, Chief Karstens became president of the Red Cross Big Sur Ambulance, the only emergency first response service stationed in Big Sur at the time. Chief Karstens also served on the Board of the Red Cross, Carmel Chapter, as a representative of the Big Sur community. Chief Karstens continued as the Big Sur Ambulance President until 1991, when Monterey County funded a full-time, paid ambulance crew for the Big Sur community.

Following fourteen years of service with the Big Sur Ambulance, Chief Karstens joined the Big Sur Volunteer Fire Brigade, where she has served for the last twenty-eight years. She was named the Brigade's first Medical Battalion Chief in 1991 and was instrumental in developing the Brigade's medical first responder and EMT mission. In 1994, Chief Karstens transitioned into an administrative role for the Brigade and was asked to become a Duty Officer, requiring her to respond to and direct responses for a wide range of incidents. Following further trainings and certifications in fire safety and emergency response, Chief Karstens was voted in as the Administrative Assistant Chief of the Brigade and recognized as Volunteer Firefighter of the Year in 2003. In 2009, Chief Karstens became the Chief of the Big Sur Volunteer Fire Brigade. During her tenure as Chief, she has overseen the organization throughout several devastating fires on the Central Coast. These included the Pfeiffer Fire in 2013, where, despite losing her own home, Chief Karstens continued serving as Incident Commander. She also played a crucial operational role during the Soberanes Fire and the coordinated response to the subsequent storms that collapsed the Pfeiffer Canyon Bridge and stranded hundreds of Big Sur residents. Chief Karstens helped to ensure these residents had access to food, medicine, and other essential supplies until the bridge could be restored several months later.

Chief Karstens' dedication to her community is evident in her work to protect and serve her fellow Big Sur community members over the last forty-two years. Throughout this time, she has responded personally to thousands of calls and committed thousands of hours of her personal time to volunteer in Big Sur. Chief Karstens has proven herself as a dedicated first responder and has served her community with steadfast commitment at great personal sacrifice. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Big Sur Fire Chief Martha Karstens on her distinguished service and in wishing her a long and healthy retirement.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize retiring Monterey County Supervisor Simon Salinas for his distinguished career serving the people of the central coast of California. His dedication to education has bettered many young lives, and his commitment to public service has immeasurably improved the lives of his constituents.

Supervisor Salinas began his career as a sixth-grade teacher and later became a professor at Hartnell College. During this time, he developed a passion for educating Monterey County's youth and expanding opportunity for young learners. Supervisor Salinas' first foray into politics came with his involvement in local activism organizing for proportional representation of California's Latino community in local governing bodies. Until this effort, local governing bodies in Monterey County used ``at large'' elections, where elected officials were chosen by the total population that the governing body represented, rather than by individual districts that more accurately represented the diverse communities within an area. In the City of Salinas, despite its large Mexican-American population, a Latino candidate had never been elected to the City Council. Supervisor Salinas became a leader in this movement, eventually running for an open seat on the Salinas City Council. In 1989, Supervisor Salinas became the first Mexican-American ever elected to the Salinas City Council.

In 1993, Supervisor Salinas was elected to represent District One on the Monterey County Board of Supervisors and served as the body's chair, the first Mexican-American to serve on the Board in 100 years. In 2000, he was elected as the representative for California's 28th Assembly District. During his tenure as Assemblymember, Supervisor Salinas worked on many important issues such as healthcare, agriculture, and affordable housing. His signature achievement during his time in the state legislature came during his service as Chair of the Assembly of Local Government Committee. During this time, Supervisor Salinas introduced and successfully passed AB 1234, a bill requiring local elected officials to attend mandatory ethics training and abide by strict requirements for expense reimbursement policies, thus creating a comprehensive policy to protect taxpayer funds from local corruption. Monterey County welcomed Supervisor Salinas back to the Board of Supervisors in 2007, where he was elected to represent District Three. Recently, he has expanded affordable housing, healthcare, and economic opportunity to the residents of the Salinas Valley.

I am immensely grateful for Supervisor Simon Salinas's distinguished service to the people of the central coast of California. Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in congratulating Supervisor Simon Salinas on his distinguished career in public service, and in wishing him a long and happy retirement.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor the retiring Mayor of Seaside, California, Ralph Rubio, for his career in public service and his commitment to serving the people of the central coast of California. His leadership has improved the lives of many, and I am honored to acknowledge this legacy today in the Congressional Record.

Throughout his two decades in public office, Mayor Rubio has remained committed to growing the local economy and increasing access to city services for residents. During his time on the Seaside City Council, Mayor Rubio led initiatives that prioritized city development and diligent budgeting. As Mayor of Seaside, he supported the expansion of vital city services, including police and fire departments, anti-gang and drug programs, and city beautification. Seaside students benefit daily from his work to support increased funding for public schools, allowing for necessary repairs, improving school safety, and retaining quality educators. Mr. Rubio's record of serving his constituents certainly left a lasting impact on the City of Seaside and the Monterey Peninsula.

A lifelong resident of Seaside, Mr. Rubio has continuously demonstrated his commitment to civic engagement. He has dedicated his time to multiple boards and commissions, working diligently to improve transportation infrastructure and decrease water pollution. He also served as Chair of the Fort Ord Reuse Authority, overseeing the development of the former military base to strengthen the local economy while also protecting the environment.

In addition to his professional efforts, Mr. Rubio is an active volunteer for many organizations. He has chaired the Seaside Special Olympics Committee, offering sports training and competitions for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, and is a proud member of the National Council of La Raza and National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.

As Mr. Rubio celebrates his retirement, I am proud to commend him on his invaluable work as a public servant for the past two decades. On behalf of Central Coast residents, I ask my colleagues to join me in thanking Seaside Mayor Ralph Rubio for his public service and wishing him a long and healthy retirement.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the service of Dr. Nancy Kotowski, who is retiring after serving three terms as the Monterey County Superintendent of Schools. Dr. Kotowski dedicated forty-six years to a career in education. Throughout this time, she made invaluable contributions to educational opportunities offered to students on the central coast of California.

Dr. Kotowski earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Dayton, a Master's degree from Northwestern University, and a Ph.D. from the University of Southern California. During this time, Dr. Kotowski also served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Cameroon where she was recognized as a ``Volunteer of the Year'' for her development work in education. This experience provided the basis for a lifelong dedication to improving education systems, especially in economically disadvantaged communities.

Dr. Kotowski's career on the Central Coast began at the Monterey County Office of Education (MCOE) in 1992. She quickly advanced to Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services, where she served with distinction for ten years, followed by another three years as Associate Superintendent of Educational Services. Her dedication and distinct talent in these positions led to her election as Monterey County Superintendent of Schools, where she began in January of 2007. She was reelected twice as voters continued recognize her true devotion to students and unique ability to ensure that our education system serves student bodies that are diverse in culture, language, and socio- economic status.

As Monterey County Superintendent, Dr. Kotowski streamlined MCOE operations, secured numerous grants to expand MCOE programs, and implemented a new accounting system and solar power project. She worked closely with Monterey County's twenty-four school districts, local higher education institutions, and directly with community members to improve the quality of education delivered to Monterey County students. Dr. Kotowski's commitment to public service has been recognized by many organizations. She was honored with the Champion of Education for Students of California by the California County Superintendents Association in 2010, Public Official of the Year Award by the Monterey Peninsula Chamber of Commerce in 2013, Talcott Bates Award by the Child Abuse Prevention Council of Monterey County in 2015, and the Summer Matters Bridge Builder Award by California Department of Education in 2016.

Dr. Nancy Kotowski's legacy of public service is impressive and has made an immeasurably positive impact on the lives of students on the Central Coast. I am honored to recognize this legacy, and ask my colleagues to join me in wishing Dr. Kotowski all the best on her well- earned retirement.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor Mary McCullough for a lifetime of service to her community, including her extraordinary efforts to address healthcare needs in Hollister, California. Ms. McCullough has been recognized by many local civic and community organizations for these efforts, most recently as the Hazel Hawkins Hospital Foundation's 2018 ``Heart for Hazel'' award recipient.

After moving to Hollister in 1963, Ms. McCullough immediately immersed herself in the community. She joined several community organizations and quickly distinguished herself as a leader in local preschools, concert associations, Girl Scouts, Woman's Fund, and the United Way. In addition to her volunteerism and community work, Ms. McCullough also made time to help establish the Community Foundation for San Benito County, which serves as a hub for philanthropic work in the area.

Most notably, Ms. McCullough chose to dedicate her time and efforts to improving healthcare at local and statewide levels. In 1963, Ms. McCullough joined the Hospital Auxiliary as a volunteer and, in 1982, began serving on the San Benito Health Care District Board of Directors, where she remained until her retirement earlier this year. She was also appointed to the Association of California Healthcare Districts Board of Directors where she has served since 2002. In these roles, Ms. McCullough committed to herself to supporting healthcare facilities and locations to better serve patients and their families.

During Ms. McCullough's tenure, the San Benito Health Care District Board oversaw the construction of a skilled nursing facility, extension of the main hospital, and development of a state-of-the-art emergency department and women's center. As Ms. McCullough prepares for her retirement from these positions, I am thankful for her work and feel confident that she will remain an active member of our community.

I am deeply grateful for Ms. McCullough's commitment to public service to the residents of San Benito County and state of California. As she celebrates her retirement, I am proud to recognize her for the invaluable work she has completed. Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in recognizing Mary McCullough on her lifetime of service and congratulate her on a well-earned retirement.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the long and distinguished career of retiring District Attorney Dean D. Flippo, who has served the people of Monterey County since 1972. Mr. Flippo's retirement comes after serving eight terms as Monterey County District Attorney. I had the distinct privilege to serve under Mr. Flippo as an Assistant District Attorney and can personally attest to his character. While our community is losing an exceptional public servant, we certainly wish him the best on his well-earned retirement.

Mr. Flippo received his bachelor's degree in 1963 at the College of William & Mary and

earned a Juris Doctorate from Wayne State University Law School in 1966. He began his law career in the United States Army in 1967, where he served as a Chief Prosecutor, Post Judge Advocate, and Military Judge. He was awarded the Army Meritorious Service Medal for his honorable service to our country.

Mr. Flippo began his career as a prosecutor in Monterey County in 1972 as an Assistant District Attorney and was overwhelmingly elected to the position of District Attorney in 1990. During his tenure as District Attorney, Mr. Flippo was instrumental in establishing numerous innovative programs to improve public safety in Monterey County. Among these programs was the award-winning Truancy Abatement Unit, which has received statewide recognition for success in working closely with schools and families to bring about compliance with mandatory school attendance laws. Mr. Flippo was also instrumental in making the Monterey County District Attorney's office one of California's most productive in child support enforcement. This effort was recognized in 1999, when Mr. Flippo was awarded the Outstanding Manager of the Year by the National Child Support Enforcement Association. Under Mr. Flippo's leadership, the Monterey County District Attorney's office maintained a steadfast commitment to finding new ways to protect our community.

In addition to his professional accomplishments, Mr. Flippo has also served in numerous civic and community organizations. Among the most important lessons I learned from my time as a prosecutor is the paramount importance of serving one's community both inside and outside the courtroom, and Mr. Flippo certainly embodied this ideal. He is the past President of the California District Attorneys Association (CDAA) and a past member of the Board of Directors of the National Child Support Enforcement Association. He is also the State Chair for the CDAA Consumer Protection Committee and a Board Member of the National District Attorneys Association. Locally, he is involved in serving on the board of directors of numerous organization including the Monterey Peninsula College Foundation, Monterey Peninsula Foundation Grant Committee, Child Abuse Prevention Council, Children's Council of Monterey County, and Community Alliance for Safety and Peace. He was also an educator at Golden Gate University and Monterey Peninsula College, where he taught Public Administration, Administration of Justice, American History, and American Government to the next generation of public servants. Mr. Flippo's extensive service to his beloved community stands as an enduring legacy.

Mr. Speaker, it is my honor to share the accomplishments and distinguished record of one of Monterey County's most committed and decorated public servants. I know he is looking forward to spending more time with his wife, Rene; daughter, Tracy; son, Derek; daughter- in-law, Marianna; and grandchildren, Katherine, Anne, and Douglas. I ask my colleagues to join me in extending our best wishes to District Attorney Dean Flippo and his family and thank him for his innumerable contributions to the central coast of California.

Mr. Speaker, I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted NAY on Roll Call No. 418.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and thank Monterey County District Attorney Dean Flippo. At the end of this year, Dean will retire after 40 years of service to our home on the central coast of California. DA Flippo is the longest-serving DA in Monterey County history, and the longest current serving DA in California.

During his tenure, he presided over pivotal cases. He fought the rise and he led the fall of our gang problem in our community. He enforced environmental policy. He established the consumer fraud unit. He created an early intervention anti-truancy program to keep kids in school and off the streets by getting their families involved. And he was a master at keeping a balanced budget.

I will always be grateful to Dean for giving me a chance and a job as a prosecutor when I moved back home to Monterey County. During that time, I was able to learn from him as I served under him. Now I count myself lucky to have continued to work with him over these last 2 years on criminal justice issues.

I hope Dean enjoys his retirement watching PG High School football games, except when they are playing Carmel High, of course.

As we know, Dean leaves big shoes to fill, but he has left a long legacy of public service and safety in our community.

We honor him. We congratulate him. And I thank Dean Flippo for his service.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Salinas City Elementary School District on their 150th anniversary. SCESD has demonstrated great dedication to our community and invaluable service to children and families of the central coast of California.

Founded in 1868, the SCESD began with nine students and quickly expanded to accommodate the growing Salinas Valley. The district has provided a well-rounded education and a safe learning environment for generations of Central Coast families. Today, it provides free, high quality education to nearly nine thousand students at fourteen public schools.

The district's belief in public education as the foundation of democracy shapes their ambition to serve children of all backgrounds regardless of race, economic status, religion or ability. Further, it strives to engage parents and families to create a strong collaborative community to support the educational experiences of their children.

As a district, the SCESD has also made great strides in engaging students with twenty-first century technology. Students in grades third through sixth are assigned their own laptop to complete homework and class assignments, while kindergarten through second grade students use shared iPads to complement their learning experiences. Teachers are also empowered to use digital programs to accompany in-class instruction that has resulted in immense progress for their students.

Through steadfast effort and wise use of resources, the SCESD has facilitated upgrades to numerous school facilities. Seven school sites have recently expanded outdoor playgrounds, sustainability features, equipment and security systems to enhance the educational experiences of students. The SCESD has assuredly continued its tradition of pursuing projects that increase opportunity for the children of the Salinas Valley.

As the Salinas City Elementary School District celebrates its 150 years as a fundamental component of our community, I am proud to commend them on their continued service to the young scholars of the Central Coast. The schools and teachers within this district have undoubtedly created substantial impacts on the lives of our future leaders. Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in congratulating the Salinas City Elementary School District on 150 years of excellence.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Community Action Board of Santa Cruz County for fifty-two years of outstanding service to the central coast of California. Since its founding in 1966, CAB has provided advocacy, employment training, food assistance, and housing support to Santa Cruz County residents.

Through CAB's ``ALCANCE'' program, at-risk youth and adults re- entering the work force have a vital resource for job training and employment. CAB also operates the Day Worker Center of Santa Cruz County, an important organization that helps day laborers secure safe employment, improve their skills, and earn higher wages. Together, these programs result in good jobs that pay residents, enriching and enabling participatory engagement in our community.

CAB's Rental Assistance Program and CalWORKS Emergency Payment Program provide relief to residents struggling to meet the financial demands of housing, education, and employment. These programs help provide the means for low-income, disabled, and elderly members of our community to live independently, remain employed, and continue providing for themselves and their families.

I appreciate the long-standing and ever-growing commitment of the Community Action Board of Santa Cruz County to the welfare of our diverse constituency on the Central Coast. Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me

in expressing gratitude to the Community Action Board of Santa Cruz County for its dedication to improving the economic, political and social standing of our community members.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Karin Strasser Kauffman for her lifetime of environmental stewardship efforts to improve the quality of life for the women and children of the central coast of California.

Views of the Pacific coast from Highway 1 would be less spectacular without Karin's efforts. As Chair of the Monterey County Board of Supervisors, Karin helped to restrict on-shore oil facility development in Monterey County and worked to ensure that breathtaking views of the Pacific remain unobscured for public enjoyment. Through the Big Sur Coastal Plan, Karin was also responsible for preventing the transfer of water out of Big Sur, thereby maintaining its verdant fields, waterways, forests, and biodiversity.

As a member of the Carmel River Watch citizen's group, Karin's efforts helped to create ecologically sound regulations for flood control, restore the riparian corridor, and improve water quality and wildlife corridors. This work led directly to the establishment of the Monterey Peninsula Water Management District. As its director, Karin was deeply involved in water conservation, water reclamation, and water resource allocations for Central Coast residents, including those living in affordable housing. Under Karin's leadership, Monterey County revised flood-way and flood plain issues relating to the Carmel River and Toro Creek, safeguarding residents from historic flood control issues.

Karin is also deeply committed to women's empowerment. Elected for the first time in 1984 and again in 1988, Karin was the second woman ever to serve on the Monterey County Board of Supervisors. She utilized her platform to appoint many other qualified women to positions and committees previously controlled by men alone. For her years of public service and commitment to the advancement of women's representation, Karin was awarded the Paula Wainwright Peace and Justice Award in 2008 by the Carmel Valley Women's Network--in addition to the Outstanding Political Woman of Monterey County award in 1985, Professional Woman of the Year in 1986, and the Monterey Bay Marine Sanctuary Award from the Association of Monterey Bay Area Governments in 1993.

I am grateful for Karin's dedication to service to the Central Coast and have no doubt that she is an inspiration to all who have been impacted by her work. Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in recognizing Karin Strasser Kauffman's service to the Central Coast.

Mr. Speaker, today I honor Weston Call. Weston was a beloved member of our close-knit Big Sur community in my district on the central coast of California who, unexpectedly and unfortunately, passed away in August at the young age of 32.

Weston was a fourth-generation Carmel native and a 2004 graduate of the same high school I went to, Carmel High.

Although he grew up in Carmel, Wes would give everything and do anything for the people of Big Sur.

During the 2016 Soberanes fire, he helped Big Sur neighbors fight the flames from their properties.

During the 2017 storms, when the Pfeiffer Bridge got knocked out, Wes took it upon himself to transport people from the makeshift trail around the bridge to their jobs.

And as tourist traffic has become a major problem in Big Sur, rather than complaining about it, Wes did something about it. He created a shuttle service to alleviate the congestion along Highway 1. During those rides, he would always provide a local point of view about where to go and what to do. He wouldn't share too much about our secrets, but he always stressed how sensitive we should be about the environment.

I hope that Wes' life serves as an example for all of us of how to be better neighbors, better citizens, and better stewards of our beloved home.