Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today alongside my colleague, Congresswoman Anna Eshoo, to recognize the life and legacy of a beloved member of our community on the central coast of California. James Carl Aschbacher passed away on April 25, 2018 with his wife and several dear friends at his side. While his time on this earth may seem short at 66 years, those who knew him understand that he was someone who made the most out of every moment given to him by following his passion and serving his community.

Born October 9, 1951 in Evanston, IL, James began his career as the proprietor of Atlantis FantasyWorld Comic Book Store with his partner, Joe Ferrara. At the age of 40, James discovered his passion for art and gave up retail to pursue art full time. As many talented artists are, James was entirely self-taught and quickly created a positive reputation for his whimsical and distinct style within the Santa Cruz arts community. He created numerous amazing works of art, but was perhaps known best for his pieces involving figures and animals surrounded by magical symbols.

James also found ways to use his unique talents to serve his community. He was a popular Open Studios artist for over 25 years, and the Chair of the Open Studios Committee for the Arts Council of Santa Cruz County. In addition, he devoted himself to arts education by leading 4th and 5th grade students to create murals at various elementary schools in Santa Cruz County where he helped students to create and paint their own creatures.

James had a genuine love for Santa Cruz and its residents, and the feeling was mutual. Those of us lucky enough to have met or spent time with him remember his enduring kindness, generosity, good humor and work ethic. In life, every day was a celebration for James. We, as a community, celebrate his legacy and a life well lived. Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join us in honoring the life of James Carl Aschbacher.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Theresa ``Terrie'' Iacino on the occasion of her retirement from her position as the Executive Director of Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Monterey. Mrs. Iacino leaves behind a legacy of dedicated public service.

Mrs. Iacino was born in Denver, Colorado and obtained her bachelor's degree in 1972 from Loyola Marymount University. Mrs. Iacino worked as an administrator for the Catholic Diocese of San Jose for twenty-five years. She also taught elementary school at St. Alphonsus School in East Los Angeles and junior high in Cupertino, California. Mrs. Iacino later served as the first Director of Step of Silicon Valley, spearheaded the campaign to cut poverty at Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County, and assumed the position of Executive Director of Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Monterey in 2012.

During her tenure, Mrs. Iacino was instrumental in upgrading the Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Monterey's technology system. These upgrades included the installation of vital programs and a redesign of the organization's website. In addition, Mrs. Iacino redesigned and expanded Catholic Charities Family Supportive Services, a program that provides council for lower income families on achieving financial stability. Mrs. Iacino also extended aid to immigrant families seeking lawful long-term residence in the United States by expanding the organization's Immigration and Citizenship programs.

In addition to her position with Catholic Charities, Mrs. Iacino has dedicated herself to other community causes. She has served as a member of the National Board of the Emergency Food and Shelter Program, where she fought to provide food and shelter assistance to residents in need in Monterey, Santa Cruz, San Luis Obispo, and San Benito counties.

The mission of Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Monterey is to provide specified human services to the poor and disadvantaged, promote social justice, peace, human dignity, self-determination, and self- sufficiency in accordance with the Gospel and Catholic social justice teachings. Throughout her long career, Mrs. Iacino has successfully carried out this selfless mission. Mr. Speaker, I stand with Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Monterey and the entirety of California's 20th District in expressing our gratitude for Theresa ``Terrie'' Iacino's many years of meritorious service.

Mr. Speaker, I recognize July as American Grown Flowers Month. I am proud to offer this recognition since my district on the central coast of California produces many cut flowers, including $62 million worth in 2016.

The cut flower industry doesn't just offer a product. It provides jobs, investment, and, of course, beauty to our communities.

Now, despite changes, trade conditions, and ongoing international uncertainty within the market, this industry survives because those in the cut flower industry, like many of their ancestors who immigrated here, are willing to take risks by pivoting, adjusting, and making sure that their businesses continue to bloom.

As co-chair of the Congressional Cut Flowers Caucus and as a member of the Agriculture Committee, I am working to ensure that our producers who want to remain or even enter into the industry now not only have the opportunity, but the tools they need to succeed and grow.

So I ask you to help this American-made industry by supporting investments in research and innovation, for access to accurate industry data at USDA, and to work to ensure an available workforce through immigration reform.

Do this so that those American producers can continue to do what they do best: grow flowers, contribute to our community, and bring joy into the lives of all of our constituents.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the life of the Most Reverend Richard John Garcia, bishop of the Diocese of Monterey. Bishop Garcia lived a long life, filled with God and God's children. His service to the central coast of California and love for all people will be missed.

Bishop Garcia was the son of immigrants from Mexico who wanted to give their children a better life. That American Dream was fulfilled when Bishop Garcia became a priest in 1973 and pursued further doctoral studies in Dogmatic Theology in Rome from 1980 to 1984. After serving multiple dioceses in California, Bishop Garcia was named fourth bishop of Diocese of Monterey by Pope Benedict XVI.

When Bishop Garcia would see you, he would grab you and he would not look through you, but at you. It was then that you would feel his love and divine spirit for every man. He welcomed everyone who entered his church but also those who entered this country. He did not just care about people, but also the future of our planet, as an early supporter of a power plan which promoted and provided renewable energy to our community.

As recounted by the Diocese of Monterey and known by anyone to have had the pleasure of knowing Bishop Garcia, he had a special concern for the poor, the incarcerated, migrant workers and immigrant communities. He always had time for his priests, deacons, religious, seminarians, and the people of God throughout the Diocese of Monterey, especially children with special needs. He was proud of his Mexican-American heritage and the diversity of cultures that are represented in the Church.

Saint Junipero Serra, another eminent priest from the Central Coast, encouraged followers of God to ``always go forward and never turn back.'' As we look back on the life of Richard Garcia, we know that his spirit, love, and guidance provides us with the divinity to always go forward. Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in celebrating the life of Bishop Richard John Garcia.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud today to recognize the reopening of Highway 1, located south of Big Sur in Monterey County in my district on the Central Coast of California.

Two winters ago, after a long drought and then a large amount of rain, there were a number of landslides along scenic Highway 1, just south of Carmel and north of Morrow Bay. One of those landslides occurred 14 months ago, when close to 8 million cubic yards of dirt and truck-sized rocks came sliding down off that mountain, taking Highway 1 and putting a quarter mile of it right into the Pacific Ocean.

This was the largest landslide and the longest closure along that stretch of the world's most scenic roadway. Unfortunately, it prevented many people from traveling on that route and many businesses in Big Sur from benefiting from that tourism.

But now, 3 months ahead of schedule, the California Department of Transportation, Caltrans, finished rebuilding this road, literally on top of the slide, and it will open today.

I recognize the opening of Highway 1 because it is an example of what can happen when people work hard, work smart, and, most importantly, work together.

Congratulations, and all of us in this body can learn from this.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize S. Martinelli & Company, a family owned and operated business located in Watsonville, California, as they celebrate their 150th anniversary. Over the past century and a half, Martinelli's has become a household name across the United States and around the world, known for producing the highest quality sparkling cider and apple juice.

Founded in 1868, Martinelli's has persevered through two World Wars, Prohibition, the Great Depression, and an increasingly globalized marketplace. Despite having faced radically changing environments and numerous challenges, Martinelli's never altered its mission to produce juices made from one hundred percent U.S grown, hand-picked apples, with no chemical preservatives or sweeteners.

Though Martinelli's has adopted technological advances over the years to improve and preserve their fresh apple flavors, they remain committed to historical traditions of washing, hand-sorting, and freshly pressing each apple. Martinelli's distinctive and crisp flavor comes from their time-honored blend of locally grown Newtown Pippin, Gala, Fuji, Granny Smith, Jonagold, Mutsu and Honeycrisp apples. John Martinelli, fourth generation family member and CEO of S. Martinelli & Company, tastes every batch of juice produced to ensure its quality meets company standards.

Martinelli's is a Certified Green Company devoted to employing sustainable practices such as recycling, water and energy conservation, and land preservation. Martinelli's also works closely with local and regional growers to ensure that their products are made with the freshest apples available in the Western U.S. In addition to their focus on environmental sustainability, Martinelli's is developing new organic orchards in order to increase production of certified organic juices. These initiatives represent Martinelli's dedication to preserving and expanding the heritage of apple orchards in Pajaro Valley, while enhancing the beauty of the area.

We are fortunate to have a family run company like Martinelli's call the central coast of California home for four generations. Their devotion to quality of product, sustainability, tradition, and community health is unrivaled and has enormously benefited our community. Mr. Speaker, it is my privilege to recognize S. Martinelli & Company for 150 years of excellence in producing apple juice and sparkling cider.

Mr. Speaker, this week, we witnessed the weakening of the Presidency due to the actions of this President.

Now, I realize that President Trump is not constrained by customs, norms, or decorum, but his actions this week contravened his oath to preserve, protect, and defend the United States Constitution.

Yes, this President likes to act tough with tweets and trash talk, but he has proven that he is unwilling to get tough with adversaries when he stands face to face.

What is worse is that he is willing to sell out our intelligence agencies in order to suck up to the leader of a nation that has attacked us and continues to attack many democracies around the world.

Hopefully, his actions will motivate this body, our Congress, to act. Let's condemn these comments. Let's protect the special counsel. Let's protect the integrity of our elections. Let's fully implement the Russian sanctions passed last year and pass even harsher ones, if Russia does this again.

By doing anything, we can keep this President in check. When we do that, we restore the credibility of our Presidency. If we do that, we uphold the credibility of this Congress by fulfilling our oath to our democracy, so help us God.

Madam Speaker, I recognize today the life of Catholic Bishop Richard Garcia who recently passed at the age of 71. Although his loss was after a very short battle with Alzheimer's, Bishop Garcia lived a long life filled with God and God's children.

His parents were immigrants from Mexico who wanted to give their children a better life. That American Dream was fulfilled when Bishop Garcia became a priest in 1973, and, fortunately for me and my constituents, in 2006 he was then named the bishop for the Monterey Diocese.

When Bishop Garcia would see you, he would grab you, he would hug you, and he wouldn't look through you, but he would look at you. It was at that point that you would feel his love and his divine spirit for every man.

Bishop Garcia welcomed everyone who entered his church, but also those who entered this country. He didn't care just about people, but also the future of this planet.

A quote by another eminent priest from the central coast of California, Saint Junipero Serra, was: ``Always to go forward and never to turn back.''

As we look back on the life of Richard Garcia, we know that his spirit, his love, and his guidance provides us with the divinity to always go forward.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to mark the life and legacy of Charles Page, a true public servant who considered himself so blessed that he went by the nickname of Mr. Lucky.

But it goes without saying that all of us benefited from Charlie's generosity and willingness to give back to the place that we call home.

He came to the Monterey Peninsula as a young airman assigned to the Defense Language Institute. He stayed there, built his life there, and continued to serve there as a two-term city councilman, as the president of the Association of Monterey Bay Area Government, and as the founder of the Monterey County Legal Aid Society, as well as the founder of the Monterey Peninsula College Foundation.

Charlie understood the value of junior colleges, not just for students, but for the entire community.

He inspired people to get involved, including myself. I will never forget when I received a phone call out of the blue asking me when I was going to get involved, when I was going to serve.

I believe that that call sparked the beginning of my career in service.

Mr. Speaker, for that and all of his contributions to our community and country, I recognize Charlie Page, for we are all blessed and lucky to know him.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Ed Boutonnet for receiving the Grower Shipper Association's esteemed E.E. Harden Award for Lifetime Achievement in Central Coast Agriculture. Mr. Boutonnet's hard work and dedication to crop science, agricultural leadership, education, shipping, and growing has had an immeasurable impact on California's agricultural community and economy.

Mr. Boutonnet's education is extensive, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Crop Science from California State Polytechnic College, San Luis Obispo and a Master of Science in Vegetable Crops and Soil Science from Cornell University. He was also a Kellogg Fellow in the California Agricultural Leadership Program of the Agricultural Education Foundation for which he was presented the Award of Excellence for generosity and commitment to the program.

Mr. Boutonnet's extensive work in agriculture earned him a reputation as a pillar of the Central Coast agricultural industry. He joined Ocean Mist Farms of Castroville, California in 1970 where he served as president and CEO from 1990 to 2015. During his tenure, Mr. Boutonnet transformed the company from a local artichoke, broccoli, and brussels sprout farm to one of the top growers and distributors in North America. As the Member of Congress representing the ``Salad Bowl of the World,'' I realize the great importance of Mr. Boutonnet's work. I am honored to recognize his many achievements that continue to advance and shape the agricultural industry.

Besides his service as the CEO of Ocean Mist Farms, Mr. Boutonnet has served as a board member for a number of different local agricultural and environmental organizations, including the Monterey County Agricultural and Historical Land Conservancy, Inc., the California Artichoke Advisory Board, and the Grower Shipper Association of Central California. In addition, he is currently on the board of the Cal Poly College of Agriculture's Dean Advisory Council and the Elkhorn Slough Foundation.

Mr. Boutonnet's long list of accomplishments and service to the agricultural community are proof that he is a deserving recipient of the E.E. Harden Award. Since the 1960's, he has devoted his life and career to developing the agricultural industry on the central coast of California and expanding its reach across North America. Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to recognize Mr. Boutonnet's exemplary work in the agricultural sector, and I ask my distinguished colleagues to join me in congratulating him on receiving the E.E. Harden Award for Lifetime Achievement in Central Coast Agriculture.

Mr. Speaker, I cannot support H.R. 4760, and I cannot support this rule, obviously, for a number of reasons that we heard here today, but I would like to highlight two.

This bill does not provide the DACA fix that our Dreamers deserve. Personally, I have nearly 20,000 Dreamers in my district in California. I have met with many of them numerous times at their work and at their jobs. Although they were brought here through no fault of their own, these kids want to stay here; they want to live here; and, most important, they want to contribute here.

They don't want this given to them. They are willing to earn it. Unfortunately, this bill does not give them that chance. And that is why I cannot support it.

Also, in my district, we lay claim to being the salad bowl of the world. Our agriculture industry is due to our farmworkers. Now, I appreciate that this bill addresses ag labor, and the added amendments have tried to make it better, but it is just not enough.

This bill hurts our communities. Why? Because our ag workers are not just an important part of our ag industry, they are an integral part to our communities. Some of these people have been here 5, 10, 15, 20 years. They have spouses; they have kids; and they have families.

Mr. Speaker, because of the important role that they will play, and because of the lack of any information on what this can do for these ag workers, I am against the resolution.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize John William Robrock for his lifelong dedication to art education and congratulate him on his well-deserved retirement. Mr. Robrock began his teaching career in 1979 and has taught in California, South Dakota, and Wyoming. He has spent the last eighteen years in my district at San Benito High School. Throughout his career, Mr. Robrock inspired countless young students to explore their creative abilities and pursue their artistic goals.

With his support and guidance, Mr. Robrock's students have earned thousands of dollars in scholarships as well as trips to Washington, D.C. and Japan to present their work. Since 1989, his students have participated in the Congressional District Art Competition, five of which won first place awards and displayed their artwork at the U.S. Capitol. This year I was honored to award first place in the Congressional Art Competition for Congressional District 20 to one of his students.

Mr. Robrock has a great ability to inspire and motivate his students in their artistic endeavors. Mr. Robrock has maintained a lifelong commitment to artistic explorations in a wide variety of mediums. This is apparent in his dedication to the art of comic books, and he has even traveled internationally to spread the appreciation of this art form. Moreover, Mr. Robrock maintains a deep love of classical music and opera, and was even willing to stand-in last minute for the University of Wyoming's marching band. As a teacher, Mr. Robrock has coached students in performing arts who went on to win statewide theater competitions. He has also designed parade floats in the Pasadena Doo Dah Parade and banners for the San Benito Writers Group in the Saddle Horse Association of San Benito parade.

Mr. Robrock has dedicated his life to the proliferation of the arts. His four decades of teaching countless college and high school students--both inside and outside my district--are a testament to his dedication to ensuring younger generations appreciate all art has to offer. His awards, both personal and those of his students, are too numerous to list in full. It is the tireless dedication of art connoisseurs and instructors like Mr. Robrock that ensure our country continues to rightfully treasure the arts.

Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to add my name to the recognition of John Robrock's accomplishments and passion for the arts. I wish him the best in his retirement and future endeavors and encourage all of my colleagues in the House to join me in congratulating and appreciating Mr. Robrock's four decades of public service.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Colonel Phillip J. Deppert for his 28 years of military service and congratulate him on his retirement. COL Deppert assumed command of the Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center (DLIFLC) in Monterey, California in 2015 and has served this post and our community with distinction. COL Deppert's accomplished career is an inspiration, and I am honored to recognize his service to our country and our community on the central coast of California.

COL Deppert entered active duty in 1990 with the 82d Airborne Division in Fort Bragg, North Carolina. In 1994, he transferred to the Military Intelligence Corps and served in the Republic of Korea as a Battalion Intelligence Officer and in the United States (1995-1998) as the Group Military Intelligence Detachment Commander and Group Senior Intelligence Officer. During this time, COL Deppert took part in numerous Special Operations assignments where he supported the Geographic Combatant Commanders' worldwide contingency planning tasks.

COL Deppert then completed Command and General Staff College and served as the chief, Division Analysis and Control Element, and Military Intelligence Battalion Operations Officer for the U.S. Army's 25th Infantry Division (2003-2005). During this time, COL Deppert served in Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom. He was then transferred to U.S. Special Operations Command Headquarters where he served as the Special Operations Branch Chief and as the first Director of Intelligence for the U.S. Special Operations Command Interagency Task Force. COL Deppert then became the U.S. Army's 4th Infantry Division Senior Intelligence Officer when he served in Iraq during Operations Iraqi Freedom and New Dawn.

After an assignment as the Deputy Mission manager in Mexico, COL Deppert earned a Master of Arts Degree in National Security and Strategic Studies from the U.S. Naval War College. COL Deppert then served as the

Chief of Staff and the Deputy Commander of Joint Task Force North before coming to the Monterey Bay and assuming command of DLIFLC. During his tenure at DLIFLC, COL Deppert was diligent in strengthening relationships between the Army and the community stakeholders that surround DLIFLC. COL Deppert has inspired those around him, including his wife and family, who have steadfastly supported his service in our nation's armed forces. COL Deppert and his family embody the principle of selfless service to a higher calling, and set an example for us all.

Mr. Speaker, please join me in congratulating COL Deppert on his well-earned retirement and thanking him for his many years of dedicated service to our country. My district is fortunate to have had the Deppert family working and residing in the Monterey Bay area, and I am delighted that they will remain on the Central Coast after COL Deppert's retirement.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Paul Hamrick, Monterey County's 2018 Spelling Bee champion and two-time Scripps National Spelling Bee contestant.

Last year, Paul finished in 35th place, but this year, and just last week, out of over 500 spellers from all 50 States, Paul finished the Bee tied for seventh, the best finish ever for a Monterey County student.

Now, in a lot of ways, Paul is a normal 14-year-old from the central coast of California. He loves Weird Al Yankovic, the movie ``Black Panther,'' and he even likes to bowl. But Paul is the only Monterey County student to ever make the evening finals at the National Spelling Bee.

Paul's proud father, Tom, said that Paul studied over 50,000 words this year. That number is incredibly impressive because, according to a 2016 study, the typical English-speaking 20-year-old American only knows 42,000 words.

During last Thursday's Scripps National Spelling Bee, Paul confidently spelled words that most people couldn't even pronounce, like ``soubresaut'' and ``binnacle'' and ``rubricate,'' an impressive run and finish for a very intelligent young man.

Congratulations, Paul. You should be proud of your hard work because, from the central coast of California to right here in the U.S. Congress, we are proud of you.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mental Health Awareness Month. We have got to realize that one in six adults in the United States lives with a mental illness. However, only 43 percent of them receive any sort of treatment.

I saw this firsthand as a prosecutor, as many, not all, but many men, women, and even juveniles were behind bars because of a mental illness. Unfortunately, due to the cutbacks in funding and the legislature's cutting back on sentences, many failed to receive the proper treatment, and what we had was a revolving door where we no longer could rely on the criminal justice system to house and treat those with mental illnesses.

Fortunately, in my district on the Central Coast of California, we have many organizations that realize this and attempt to provide proper services, including Interim, Parent's Place, and the Monterey and Santa Cruz Counties Behavioral Health Departments.

So now it is Congress' time to play their part. We, on the bipartisan Mental Health Caucus, are committed to ensuring accessible mental treatment. Good mental health this month and every month for all ages of life and all walks of life contribute to the overall health of our communities, and that is why we should continue to work to fund and provide mental health services throughout our country.