Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today on behalf of an organization that displays the unique beauty of my district around the entire world. The Monterey County Film Commission has served my district on the central coast of California by inspiring, facilitating, and assisting in the production of media that highlights the pristine beauty, and unique culture of our community. This year, the Monterey County Film Commission celebrates its thirtieth anniversary. Since its inception, the Commission has helped attract and assist in the production of hundreds of movies, television shows, commercials, documentaries and still photography productions. Thanks to the work of the Commission, our community has benefited from over one hundred million dollars in direct financial impact in our local communities.

The Commission serves as a liaison for movie producers, government entities and local businesses. It provides substantial information about our Monterey County, and straightforward guidelines for filming procedures that facilitate the development of successful media productions. The Commission also serves our community by highlighting highly desirable Monterey County locations through domestic and international tradeshows, sales trips and direct public advertising campaigns. Beyond this, the Commission also contributes to growing the next generation of young filmmakers, and is crucial in our communities' effort to create opportunity for creative-minded young people to find success pursuing their passion.

I would also note that the Monterey Peninsula has been, and remains, home to many prominent actors including Clint Eastwood and Betty White. Clint Eastwood came to Carmel to film Play Misty for Me, and later become Mayor of Carmel. The Peninsula has hosted stars such as Marilyn Monroe and Barbara Stanwyck in Clash by Night. Over the years, the Central Coast of California has attracted over two hundred films, hundreds of television programs and countless magazine ads. Most recently, my district played home to the highly successful and critically acclaimed HBO series Big Little Lies, filmed on the Monterey Peninsula, largely in Monterey and Pacific Grove.

The hard work of the staff and Board of Directors of the Monterey County Film Commission continues to provide our community and our country with great films and TV shows filmed in our beautiful district. Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to recognize the dedication and hard work the Monterey County Film Commission has given to the Central Coast and the entire State of California. I ask my distinguished colleagues to join me in recognizing the Monterey County Film Commission as an integral part of our community.

Mr. Speaker: ``Let us strive to bind up our Nation's wounds, to care for him who have borne the battle, his widow, and his orphan.''

Those words were declared by President Abraham Lincoln at his second inaugural address where he set out our Nation's obligation to our veterans.

On the eve of Veterans Day, I rise to honor our heroes, the men and women who served our Nation, and remind us of our responsibility to those, our veterans.

Now, in my district, on the central coast of California, nearly 30,000 veterans live in that area, an area imbued with military history, from the former Fort Ord to the many military installations that are on Active Duty now, to the men and women who have served in our community and kept the security of our country safe.

It has been those servicemembers and their families who have not only served, but stayed in our community, who have fulfilled that obligation by serving those who served us. Now we have a healthcare clinic, the VA-DOD General Gurley health clinic; we have the Central Coast Veterans Cemetery; we have the Veterans Transition Center; and we have a Veterans Treatment Court.

On this Veterans Day, we not only want to thank our veterans for their service, but we recommit ourselves to serving those who served us.

Mr. Speaker, I appreciate Mr. Lipinski's kind words, but

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a lifelong member of the Central Coast community, World War II veteran and member of the Office of Strategic Services, John Cardinalli. Mr. Cardinalli grew up on the Monterey Peninsula speaking Italian to a family of commercial fishermen. Drafted into the Army in 1942, he began his service to the United States at the Presidio of Monterey where he completed Army basic training. He was qualified as a Morse code expert and was sent to the Signal Corps. At Fort Bragg, he responded to a call for volunteers who were proficient in Morse code and a second language. Mr. Cardinalli responded and would find himself swearing a 65-year oath of secrecy to the Office of Strategic Services.

During his time in the OSS, he became proficient in collecting clandestine information about Axis forces. He was primarily stationed in the Netherlands, where he worked with members of the Dutch underground to ship weapons, ammunition and supplies to Allied forces. He volunteered to escort a Polish spy across the River Rhine in the cover of darkness, which was instrumental towards obtaining information about German defenses. He also participated in the Battle of the Bulge, the last German offensive on the Western Front in Belgium and Luxembourg. Mr. Cardinalli served in our intelligence community before the creation of the Central Intelligence Agency, paving the road for future intelligence analysts and operatives.

After World War II, he returned to the Monterey Peninsula and was a sardine fisherman for 25 years. He raised a family along with his wife of 70 years, Josephine. In 2008, he was allowed to tell his story of service in the OSS. Mr. Cardinalli's service to the nation as a member of the OSS became fundamental towards the creation of the Central Intelligence Agency. Current and future analysts and officers within the CIA and our nation's seventeen intelligence communities have many individuals to look up to, and John Cardinalli is certainly one of them. Mr. Speaker, please join me in honoring and commending John Cardinalli for his many years of service, devotion, and contributions to our nation.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Chase Kelsen for his attainment of the rank of Eagle Scout in Troop 614 of the Boy Scouts of America on the central coast of California.

At the age of just 16, Chase represents a personification of our nation and its values. He has demonstrated this through his service as First Sergeant with the Civil Air Patrol's Squadron 36 and his graduation from Non-Commissioned Officers School. These are difficult tasks and are a testament to Chase's fortitude and leadership capabilities. His sense of duty also goes beyond our nation's borders. He has spent considerable time teaching sustainable farming techniques and building orphanages abroad in places such as Mexico and Nicaragua.

Chase's tireless work and dedication to go far beyond what is expected of an Eagle Scout Service Project, the task required to be awarded the rank of Eagle Scout. His Eagle Project included building a crosstie and wash station for horses used in hippotherapy at the Pediatric Therapy Center in Aptos, California. During hippotherapy, the rider uses the movements of a horse as a type of physical therapy. With these new additions, the center will be better able to help children with disorders such as cerebral palsy develop greater posture, coordination, and a stronger sense of control over their bodies. The crosstie and washroom took over eight hundred and sixty-five hours to construct and cost over $20,000. Chase was able to acquire the cost of the project solely through donations, an impressive feat at any age. Facilities like these are deeply needed in the central coast of California and each improvement or addition to existing facilities serves to make our community that much stronger. Through his efforts, Chase has produced a positive, tangible impact on the place he calls home.

It is young women and men like Chase that will become leaders in our communities. His commitment to serving others and his sense of duty to our country and the world is something that deserves the highest recognition and praise. Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues in the House join me in congratulating Chase Kelsen.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the San Benito County League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) on the occasion of its thirty-year anniversary. For three decades, San Benito County LULAC has worked to advance civil and political rights and open economic opportunity to the Latino population of San Benito County. Founded in 1987, LULAC was the first organization whose primary objective was the advancement of civil and political rights for the Latino community. Since its founding, San Benito County's LULAC chapter has regularly mobilized its members to defend the rights of Latinos and to establish a forum for discussing community issues. They have made great progress in achieving these goals.

At the core of LULAC's mission is the belief that education is the foundation for the growth and success of the Latino community. San Benito County LULAC sponsors numerous educational initiatives in support of its mission to advance the academic opportunities of the Latino community. One such initiative is the Young Adult Council. Since its formation in 1989, San Benito County LULAC's Young

Adult Council has been instrumental in advancing the achievements of Latino students across the county by providing scholarships to over 175 students. The Young Adult Council works to provide the same support to its student members enrolled in universities and higher learning institutions throughout the state of California. Similarly, San Benito County LULAC's Young Readers Program works to promote reading comprehension skills within the Latino community. San Benito County LULAC's dedication to promoting educational success and opportunity helps make the American dream accessible to all.

In addition to its educational initiatives, San Benito County LULAC also works to encourage civic engagement among the Latino community in the county. One example is their voter registration drive, which drives greater participation in local races and local politics. Encouraging political engagement also helps defend Latino voting rights. San Benito County LULAC provides the Latino community of San Benito County with a valuable platform to discuss their needs and concerns.

For three decades, San Benito County LULAC has stood as a beacon for a large portion of the Latino community in my district. The organization's 30 years of work have been indispensable in making the American dream a reality for many people in my district. I would like to commend them for setting an example of community service in our district for 30 years. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues in the House to join me in congratulating the San Benito County League of United Latin American Citizens for 30 years of excellence and service.

Mr. Speaker, it is the 30th anniversary of Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

Domestic violence is a crime that impacts every race, gender, class, and sex.

In my home State, 33 percent of California women and 28 percent of California men will experience domestic violence. Nevertheless, since this month was recognized for the first time in 1987, much progress has been made.

I began my professional career as a prosecutor back in 1996, and I can tell you, back then it was tough to get a jury to understand and even listen to the circumstances behind domestic violence, and it was tough to convince jurors that domestic violence is not a private issue that should be kept in the bedroom, but instead, it is a righteous issue that needed to be brought out in our courtrooms.

Fortunately, there were police officers to make arrests, there were prosecutors to try the cases, and there were advocates to give the victims the confidence they need to come forward.

So this month we recognize those who support domestic violence victims, we vow to hold abusers accountable, and we strive to create and to update legislation that not only protects, but emboldens victims of domestic violence so that they can embrace living their lives.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Driscoll's, a company based in California's 20th Congressional District as the Second Harvest Food Bank of Santa Cruz County's 2017 Food Donor of the Year. The company, made up of dedicated independent growers, has been donating their fresh berries to the Second Harvest Food Bank in Watsonville for over two decades. In 2016 alone, Driscoll's donated nearly one thousand tons of berries. Because of Driscoll's efforts, many food insecure families on the central coast of California now have access to the vitamin-rich and highly nutritious berries and can make them a part of a healthy diet.

The Driscoll and Reiter families, the founders of Driscoll's, have been producing berries in the Pajaro Valley since 1904. Officially founded in 1950 as Driscoll Strawberry Associates, Inc., the company originally sold only fresh California strawberries. Their creation of the first patented strawberry variety in 1958 made Driscoll's the national berry of choice by extending the crop's growing season and allowing berries to be shipped long distances. Today, they have expanded their operations from just strawberries to include raspberries, blueberries, and blackberries. Driscoll's innovative work, along with the contributions from many other farmers and ranchers of the Central Coast, has contributed to my district's reputation as an agricultural powerhouse.

Driscoll's has always been committed to giving back to the local communities that have given them so much. Through their Berry Donation Program, Driscoll's works to make sure families throughout their community have access to berries during local growing seasons. The company also supports a variety of food banks and related organizations such as the California Association of Food Banks and Ag Against Hunger. Driscoll's culture of philanthropy is not limited solely to their senior leadership, but extends to their employees who are closely involved in the company's efforts to support their communities. Together, Driscoll's and their employees have donated over 5 million pounds of berries to the Second Harvest Food Bank.

As the representative of the 20th Congressional District, I commend Driscoll's for working to ensure that families on the Central Coast have access to the fresh and nutritious berries grown in their own backyard. We are lucky that they call the 20th Congressional District home. Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues in the House join me in congratulating Driscoll's on their 2017 Food Donor of the Year award.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Reverend Samuel E. Gaskins, Sr. for his tireless dedication to improving the lives of residents in my district.

Born in Lake City, South Carolina in 1937, Rev. Gaskins enlisted in the United States Army at the age of fifteen. By the age of seventeen he was promoted to Staff Sergeant and later a Chief Petty Warrant Officer, a testament to his innate leadership skills. After twenty four years of military service, including two tours as a chaplain in Vietnam, Rev. Gaskins settled in Seaside, California where he continued serving the public. In the late 1990s, the United States Army donated the former Fort Ord's Army chapel to Rev. Gaskins. Through tireless work, he restored and converted the building into the Christian Memorial Tabernacle's chapel still in use to this day.

Rev. Gaskins' efforts to improve the lives of his fellow citizens extend far past the walls of his church. Rev. Gaskins has founded numerous organizations and initiatives aimed at helping those in our community who are most in need. One such program is a new homeless ministry named ``The Stepping Stone Outreach Program.'' Rev. Gaskins' five year program aims to provide housing and education for over 500 people in need. I commend Rev. Gaskins for his dedication to caring for those in my district who need help the most.

Apart from his work to care for the less fortunate, Rev. Gaskins has worked to foster solidarity and strong relationships among communities in my district. One such initiative is ``One Great Fellowship,'' which he created in conjunction with Jason Harbert of the Carmel Presbyterian Church. One Great Fellowship aims to promote racial harmony between communities on the Monterey Peninsula. The program, which involves multiple Peninsula churches, has held several interracial and interdenominational services per year which regularly drew hundreds of people.

Rev. Gaskins has proven himself to be a natural leader in service to his country and community. His life's work adds up to nothing short of transforming the lives of the residents of the Central Coast. We are lucky to have someone as selfless and dedicated as Rev. Gaskins call the 20th district home. Mr. Speaker, I invite my colleagues to join me in recognizing Rev. Samuel E. Gaskins, Sr. for his many accomplishments and contributions to the betterment of his community, country, and fellow man.

Madam Speaker, I am proud to rise today to recognize the reopening of the Pfeiffer Canyon Bridge in Big Sur, California.

After 4 years of drought, my district on the central coast of California finally got the rain it needed, but a little too much. As a result, this year there were many large-scale landslides, including this one, as we see here to my right, which knocked out the pilings of the Pfeiffer Canyon Bridge, causing this bridge to fail.

This left a community of people isolated and numerous businesses without revenue for at least 8 months. But over that same amount of time, the people of Big Sur, the people and government of Monterey County, the engineers and construction crews, and the California Department of Transportation demonstrated a lot of grit, guts, determination, and dedication. They listened to each other and came together to fix this bridge.

Tomorrow I will be able to attend the opening of this bridge. We will be able to show our pride for the record pace of construction, of government working together to get things done, the businesses that struggled but remained open in Big Sur during this time, and, most importantly, we will show our pride in the people of Big Sur and the communities on the central coast of California.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Ms. Evan Malissa Williams on her retirement from the Presidio of Monterey. Ms. Williams leaves behind a distinguished career in public service.

Ms. Williams has worked for the Federal Government for 37 years, providing exceptional service to the Presidio of Monterey as a Contract Officer with Mission and Installation Contracting Command, Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center, and Installation Management Command. As a Contract Officer, Ms. Williams established a pattern of consistent merit, and her hard work served as an example to others. She excelled in her responsibilities of independently planning, directing and executing many complex contract actions while executing her duties promptly and professionally. It has been Ms. Williams' duty to ensure compliance and continuity in the office, even extending her retirement date six months later than planned to help meet great contracting demands.

Through her rigorous and thorough monitoring of purchasing and coordination efforts, Ms. Williams ensured critical deadlines were met while providing excellent service. Ms. Williams held many key contracts, enabling many projects supporting our service members.

Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to recognize the duty, tireless efforts, and consummate professionalism of Ms. Evan Malissa Williams. I ask my distinguished colleagues to join me in recognizing Ms. Williams' outstanding service.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Donald G. Freeman, a constituent of California's Twentieth Congressional district on the occasion of his retirement. Don began his tenure as City Attorney for the City of Carmel-by-the-Sea in 1983. Since then, he has worked with seven mayors and is the longest serving city attorney in the city's history. During his tenure, he has provided a full range of legal services as the chief legal advisor to the city council, city administrator, the city's departments, boards and commissions. He has consistently provided sound legal advice to the council during the course of innumerable meetings and has served as counsel for several special districts, including the Carmel Area Wastewater and the Seaside Redevelopment Agency. He is also an active member of the Association of Monterey Bay Area Governments, as well as the Mayor's Water Authority. He has also gone out of his way to provide the council, city staff, board and commission members with mentoring and training in areas of ethics, conflicts of interest, and the Brown Act.

In the performance of his duties, Don regularly evaluated projects that involved complex legal issues, recommended options to minimize legal risk, and ensured due process in city decisions. As he managed and guided the city through various types of litigation, he demonstrated a mastery of negotiating lease agreements, and drafting ordinances and resolutions that helped protect and preserve the character and integrity of Carmel-by-the-Sea.

In addition to the vital role he played in service to the City, Don maintained a strong belief in public service, helping others, fundamental fairness, and the importance of law and education. Over time, he developed a keen appreciation for the history of Carmel and for its unique village character, eventually becoming one of its staunchest defenders. His understanding of Carmel-by-the-Sea, and his many contributions have proven to be indispensable to the city's officials and residents.

Don has built strong ties that have benefitted Carmel. His counsel, guidance, and support to the City Council, city employees, and the community have made him a valued colleague. His historical and institutional knowledge will be missed by those who will carry on the work of the City or Carmel.

In honor and recognition of his service, I would like to express my gratitude and appreciation to Donald G. Freeman for his more than 33 years of counsel, advice, and dedication to the city of Carmel-by-the- Sea. I ask that my colleagues join me in wishing Mr. Freeman the very best in his future endeavors, and a very happy retirement.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize an important milestone in my district. The Capitola Begonia Festival has recently completed its 65th and final year. This event has provided family friendly fun in the beautiful village of Capitola for thousands of people in our neighborhood and beyond. It has brought hundreds of families together and has created many memories that will always be remembered.

The Capitola Begonia Festival has been a cherished event in our community since it began in 1952. The begonias have been donated by several growers in our community, including the Antonelli, Vetterle, and Reinelt families. The Golden State Bulb Growers provided additional support that helped keep the tradition alive for 65 years. The begonias provided by all of these growers have been a part of one of the most prized events of the weekend, the Nautical Parade of begonia adorned floats. Each year, volunteers head down to the city of Marina in the early morning to collect the blooming begonias to adorn the floats. While begonias once grew abundantly in Capitola by the 1970's, they were eventually only to be found in Marina.

The Begonia Festival has allowed us to encourage imagination in our community. We have seen a giraffe created out of begonias for the 2007 ``Jungle Safari'' theme and witnessed the sunshine yellow form of SpongeBob SquarePants come alive for the 2008 ``It Came From the Sea'' theme. Whether it is creative ideas or creative structures, the Begonia Festival has been an incredible outlet for art, creativity, and imagination here in our community.

Along with the Nautical Parade, there have been many other activities created to help celebrate this special weekend. Among these, some favorites stand out, including the Horseshoe Contest, Fishing Derby, and the Sand Sculpture Contest, where art is created from one of the finest mediums found on the Central Coast of California. All of these events are open to the community and beyond, making Capitola a warm and welcoming environment. These cherished events will be remembered fondly for creating a family friendly and historical tradition for Labor Day weekend in our community.

Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to recognize this treasured community tradition that has brought together countless participants, volunteers, and sponsors. I thank all of those who have given their time and resources to make the Capitola Begonia Festival a gem of our community; one that will be truly missed.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Shelby O'Neil, a dedicated constituent of the 20th Congressional District. At just sixteen years of age, Shelby has found a passion for environmentalism that she has channeled in ways that are truly exceptional.

In my district on the central coast of California, we understand the importance of conservation and respect for the natural environment we all enjoy. Among the many parks and recreation areas in the 20th district, our crown jewel is the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. This pristine stretch of coastline, while enjoyed in many ways by residents and tourists alike, also stands as an enduring responsibility to the residents of the Central Coast to ensure its protection. Protected lands such as the sanctuary in our backyard are living postcards that we pass to future generations. It is up to those future generations to shoulder that burden and rise to the responsibilities. Shelby has answered this call, and has risen to this challenge in truly impressive ways.

Shelby has demonstrated sincere dedication to the cause of reducing ocean pollution and has built a framework with which to engage her peers, neighbors, and businesses in protecting our local environment. She came to develop a passion for this cause by volunteering at the Monterey Bay Aquarium, a world-renowned institution of marine biological research. During her time as a volunteer, Shelby quickly learned about the threat that pollution poses to the ocean. Determined to take action, Shelby founded her own nonprofit organization, the Junior Ocean Guardians. Under Shelby's leadership, the Junior Ocean Guardians have planned several beach cleanup efforts and done classroom presentations at schools around the Central Coast to raise awareness and build support for the organization's mission of protecting our oceans.

In addition, the Junior Ocean Guardians are championing a new initiative called ``No Straw November.'' In my home state of California, a permanent ban has been issued on plastic bags due to the unnecessary pollution they cause in our oceans. However, there is still much work to be done in reducing other sources of plastic pollution. That is why I am so impressed with the Junior Ocean Guardians, who have taken on the goal of ending the use of single use plastic straws, which pose a serious risk to our diverse marine ecosystems on the coast of California. No Straw November represents an effort to raise the public's awareness of the importance of plastic pollution by challenging participants to go an entire month without using a single use plastic straw. While there is much work to be done in the halls of Congress to address environmental pollution, real change begins by changing our habits and behaviors. By challenging her community to make the small sacrifices necessary to sustain the beautiful natural habitats we all enjoy, Shelby is performing a vital civic duty, and her efforts set her apart as an example for her peers.

Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to add my name to the recognition of Shelby's accomplishments, and wish her the best in her future endeavors. I encourage all of my colleagues in the House to show their support by joining me in taking the No Straw November challenge.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize my predecessor in this seat, the Honorable Sam Farr, for one of the most significant accomplishments of his public career. In 2012, he led a remarkable bi- partisan effort to pass legislation that elevated the Pinnacles National Monument to our nation's 59th national park. On Saturday, October 7, the Pinnacles National Park Foundation will recognize Sam for this instrumental contribution to the conservation and interpretation of our nation's natural heritage.

Mr. Speaker, the Pinnacles is a truly remarkable place, but the Pinnacles National Park is more than its stunning scenery. The remnant of a 23 million-year-old volcano, the San Andreas fault carried the Pinnacles several hundred miles north to its present location. Its unique habitats form an island of biodiversity that is home to numerous unique plant and animal species, including the California Condor and over 400 species of bees.

It is also a place for people. The indigenous Amah Mutsun and Piknacih peoples lived amongst, traveled through, and revered the Pinnacles for thousands of years. The Spanish friars planted one of California's first vineyards in the shadow of the Pinnacles. After California became part of the United States, local ranchers would take summer trips to the Pinnacles caves to escape the heat. A rancher from one of those families, Schuler Hain, led a public campaign to have the Federal Government protect the Pinnacles. That culminated in President Theodore Roosevelt designating the Pinnacles a National Monument in 1908.

In the 5 years since its elevation to National Park status, even more people have come to visit the Pinnacles. This has provided a remarkable boost for the surrounding communities' economies, who have seen increases in their hospitality business. Prior to arriving to Congress, I heard Sam tell the story that the idea to author legislation initially came during a Rotary meeting in a community near the Pinnacles. A Rotarian suggested that making the Pinnacles a National Park would help the local economy.

Sam took that idea, added the environmental conservation element, and crafted legislation that could garner widespread support. He found a Republican partner in our colleague Jeff Denham. Together, they helped steer the bill through the House and ultimately to President Obama's desk.

Mr. Speaker, I know I speak for the whole House in thanking Sam for his years of service, and in particular for his efforts to designate Pinnacles National Park. The Honorable Sam Farr has given us a living postcard we can send to our children and grandchildren. Our community is forever grateful for his service.