John T. Doolittle

Madam Speaker, in my years of public service, I have benefitted from the efforts of many capable employees on my staff who have come and gone. Yet there has always remained one constant in my office, Martha Franco, and for that I am truly grateful.

Martha was born in Guadalajara, Mexico. Her parents, Maria and Doroteo Franco and her siblings, Jeronimo, Humberto, Benilde, Bertha, Oscar, Abel, Hector, Dinora and Gloria all emigrated to the United States where they settled in the small town of Colusa, California. As a naturalized citizen, she is a model example of someone who made the efforts required to become a U.S. citizen and has gone on to contribute to our country through public service. She is also active in helping needy families in the Sacramento area and from the small village in Mexico where her family is from. Martha first came to work for me in 1984 when I served in the California State Senate.

When I was elected to Congress in 1990, Martha became my Executive Assistant and Office Manager. She has worked for me in Washington and in California, and this year I named her as my Deputy Chief of Staff. Martha's loyal presence has meant so much to my wife, Julie, to me, and to our entire organization. The people who call upon our office have appreciated seeing a familiar face through the years, and I have appreciated having someone who knows the many people who have been important to us throughout my career. Martha's unsurpassed character and dedication have allowed me to trust her with confidential and sensitive materials and to do so with great confidence.

Martha's spirit is demonstrated by her commitment to family and heritage as well. She cares for her father at home and is a wonderful aunt to her many nieces and nephews, their beloved ``Tia Mart''. I know she is looking forward to spending even more time with her large family as she begins a new chapter in her life.

While our work together will soon end, Martha will always remain an important person in our lives. As she looks to new opportunities, I wish Martha all the best, and look forward to her continued friendship in the years to come.

Madam Speaker, I would like to pay tribute to Paul H. Snider. Paul is a loyal American and a fine man.

Paul grew up in Denair, CA and graduated from Turlock High School. After high school he entered the U.S. Maritime Service as a radio operator. Following his Maritime service, he enrolled in Modesto Junior College. While attending Modesto Junior College, Paul and his father started Snider Honey, a business in which they marketed and distributed honey to retailers. One of those retailers was Tom Raley, who at that time had only one store in Placerville, but went on to establish the well-known chain of Raley's grocery stores.

After graduating from Modesto Junior College, Paul joined the National Guard. He was sent to Okinawa for 6 months and was honorably discharged in January 1953. Upon returning to California, Paul began working for his uncle, Stewart Snider, selling Buicks. As was the custom in the early 1950s, Paul went door-to-door after dinner contacting people who had visited the dealership in order to sell them a car.

In 1956, Paul bought his own Chevy dealership in Patterson, CA. In 1966, he bought a Volkswagen dealership in Sacramento. Paul's success continued, and at one time he owned about one dozen dealerships, including Ford, Toyota, Nissan, Volkswagen, Chevy, Pontiac, Isuzu, Hyundai, and Infiniti. Paul has managed to succeed in business without compromising his character; he has remained humble and has cared about his many employees. In fact, Paul hated it when he was forced to fire someone and agonized over the decision each time it needed to be made.

Paul has three children: Shelby, Marcus, and Blake. He is an avid hunter and has been a member of the Safari Club International, Ducks Unlimited, the Lions Club, and the Rotary Club. He has contributed generously and repeatedly to the Red Cross, the Shriners, the River Oak Center for Children Foundation (for children with developmental disabilities), and to Ducks Unlimited and the Safari Club International. Paul is a man who puts his energy behind his beliefs, and he has been a faithful supporter of many conservative causes. I am grateful for his support and friendship and wish him well in the years to come.

Madam Speaker, I would like to pay tribute to Rick Staats, a man whose passion and energy for conservative principles in northern California have made a great contribution to the region.

Rick was born on August 1, 1943, in Berkeley, CA, where he grew up. After graduating from Berkeley High School, Rick left California to attend the University of Oregon.

After college, Rick returned to California and became active in politics. While living in the Bay Area, Rick served as the Alameda County chairman for the U.S. Senate campaign of then-State Senator H.L. Richardson. Rick was also an alternate delegate for the 1976 Republican National Convention in Kansas City. Rick's political activism eventually led him to Sacramento in 1978. At that time, Rick and I served together on the staff of Senator Richardson, and 2 years later Rick was an integral

part of my successful campaign for the California State Senate.

Rick worked for me in many capacities throughout my tenure in the state Senate, including as my district director. When I was elected to U.S. Congress in 1990. Rick chose to remain active in California politics. He served as chief of staff to Assemblyman David Knowles and as a consultant for the Republican caucus in the assembly.

While working in the California State Legislature, Rick remained active in volunteer organizations in California. He served as the statewide president of the California Republican Assembly, chairman of the Placer County Republican Party, credentials chairman for the California Republican Party, and in other important roles for groups that were advocating the conservative principles to which Rick has always been committed.

In 2004, Rick left California to retire in Idaho. Though he is retired, Rick remains active in politics and in public service. He currently sits on the board of directors for the Cabinet Mountains Water District and is still an important figure in California politics. I am pleased to have known Rick for many years as a colleague, a member of my staff, and a friend. I would like to express my gratitude to him for his work over the years for me and for the many causes he has championed, and I wish him all the very best in the future.