Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, today I rise in recognition of Yeoman First Class Kenneth J. Hammond, an Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist (ESWS), and an exemplary community volunteer for Food Forward, an organization dedicated to promoting food justice and making change around hunger in our community.

Born in Ukiah, California, YN1 Hammond graduated from Temecula Valley High School and joined the United States Navy on July 16, 1996. Over the years, YN1 Hammond has had a distinguished career in the Navy. YN1 Hammond is currently serving the sailors and officers of U.S. Naval Mobile Construction Battalion FIVE (NMCB 5) as the Administrative Department Leading Petty Officer. His work has earned him many accolades and awards that demonstrate his personal vigor and professional work ethic.

In addition to his honorable service in the Navy, YN1 Hammond is equally as dedicated and selfless in his community. As a Pick Leader, Neighborhood Captain, and Board Advisor for Food Forward, YN1 Hammond has volunteered over 787 hours, has picked over 40,000 pounds of fruit, and has recruited over 160 volunteers to help at various events. These accomplishments are indicative of YN1 Hammond's unwavering commitment and dedication to both his community and to the ideologies of philanthropy.

YN1 Hammond is dedicated to the mission of Food Forward and inspires others through his work. With great enthusiasm, YN1 Hammond encourages others to take part in the fight against hunger through his continuous and successful recruitment of new pick leaders.

YN1 Hammond has impacted the lives of those in our community by spearheading the ``picking'' events with volunteer recruitment, fundraising and building awareness of the Food Forward mission. In 2013 alone, YN1 Hammond's positive attitude and determined spirit of volunteerism has helped the Ventura County branch of Food Forward harvest over 120,000 pounds or 480,000 servings of fresh fruit that would have otherwise gone to waste to help feed our hungry neighbors.

It is with sincere appreciation that I would like to recognize YN1 Kenneth Hammond and commend him on his steadfast dedication to his country and, especially, to his community.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise in recognition of the 17 World War II veterans and residents of Belmont Village Senior Living in Thousand Oaks, CA. For their service to our country, I would like to express my sincere appreciation to the following individuals:

Corporal Keith Balkwill, Corporal Leslie Bedding, Bill Bouch, Daphne Forst, Harold Hertzberg, Private Don Matson, Aviation Machinist Mate 2nd Class Paul McAlister, Captain Frank McCarter, Lieutenant JG Grant Olweiler, Tech 5 Sergeant Willis Peterson, Senior Assistant Surgeon Dr. John Phelan, Robert Roth, Private 1st Class Cyril Shepro, Seaman 1st Class Bill Smith, Tech 4 Sergeant Dorothy Weems, Sergeant John Weems, Master Sargent Alex Weinper, Private First Class Robert ``Bob'' Yanchus.

On May 21, 2014, the Belmont Village Gallery will open and showcase the captivating stories, memoirs, and pictures of these iconic

heroes. The depth and richness of each veteran's story is indicative of the valor and sacrifice that has come to define this chapter in American history.

These men and women are members of the Greatest Generation--a generation that overcame multiple challenges of adversity and embodied the definition of resilience. These brave men and women fought heroically, inspired our nation and put us on the path to victory. They remind us that no challenge is too great when we as a nation stand together as one.

Today, as we face new and profound challenges, we must look to our past and be encouraged to carry on their legacy of keeping our country strong and free and prosperous. It is incumbent on this generation to remember the challenges of our history and reaffirm our commitment to our veterans for their bravery and sacrifice. Without their selfless service to our nation, America would not have the liberties so many of us enjoy and often take for granted.

This is why our nation has an obligation to ensure that each veteran, who fought so bravely to defend our country and our freedoms, receives all of the services they need and deserve and have so honorably earned.

It is with deep appreciation and admiration that I recognize each of these veterans for their patriotism and service to our country during World War II. As a nation, we will be forever grateful for their service.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize the 10th anniversary of the Rebozo Festival of Ventura County, an annual event which celebrates the cultural diversity of our region, promotes communal pride and encourages philanthropic and educational endeavors.

The first Rebozo Festival took place in 2005 when Las Madrinas (the Godmothers), a small group of community volunteers, organized and established the event with the intent of raising funds for local organizations while celebrating the rich heritage of the Latino community by highlighting the colorful Mexican rebozo (shawl) as the symbol and theme of the event.

Over the years, this event has attracted hundreds of local residents and out-of-state visitors who enjoy the liveliness of this cultural celebration, and above all help contribute to local commendable organizations.

The Rebozo Festival's underlying purpose is a philanthropic one. For ten years now, the Rebozo Festival has been able to raise thousands of dollars each year for numerous worthy non-profit organizations focusing on the cultural, social and educational needs of the region. Past recipients of these funds include the Heart 2 Heart Program, United Farm Workers Freeze Relief Fund, the Oxnard College Women's Re-entry Program and Central Coast Alliance United for a Sustainable Economy (CAUSE). This year's proceeds will benefit Future Leaders of America-- Ventura County, an organization that works with our public schools to promote youth empowerment and leadership. Through the selfless dedication and work of the event's organizers, the Rebozo Festival has been able to raise and contribute over $185,000 to the Ventura County community.

For over a decade, the Rebozo Festival has promoted and celebrated the richness and diversity of the Mexican culture and heritage in Ventura County. It is with great enthusiasm that I offer Las Madrinas my sincere congratulations and I am pleased to join them in celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Rebozo Festival.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Newbury Park cancer survivor and my constituent, Lynn Buchanan, who has been named a Breakaway from Cancer champion.

As a Breakaway from Cancer champion, Ms. Buchanan will be honored as part of the ``Amgen Tour of California,'' the largest cycling race in the United States. Ms. Buchanan will lead the ``Breakaway Mile,'' a special walk to the Tour of California finish line in Thousand

Oaks, honoring the millions of cancer survivors among us and in remembrance of the lives lost to this deadly disease. She will be joined by 150 members of the local Ventura County community.

In addition to Ms. Buchanan, the Breakaway from Cancer initiative will also recognize cancer survivors in other host communities along the course, which runs from Sacramento along the California coastline to Thousand Oaks. At the conclusion of each of the six stages of the Amgen Tour, Breakaway from Cancer champions will also present the ``Most Courageous Rider'' jersey.

A national partnership between biotech company Amgen and four nonprofits, the Breakaway from Cancer initiative works to increase awareness of the important resources available to people affected by cancer, from prevention to education and support to financial assistance and life after cancer.

First diagnosed with breast cancer in 1988, Ms. Buchanan was diagnosed a second time in 2012. Drawing strength from her family, friends, and her local Cancer Support Community, Ms. Buchanan persevered. Now that her treatments are complete, she volunteers to help improve the lives of cancer patients and survivors in her own community.

I ask my colleagues to join me in commending Ms. Buchanan for her courage and leadership, and to commend the efforts of Amgen and its many community partners and volunteers for empowering cancer patients and celebrating cancer survivors.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise in recognition of the U.S. Coast Guard's 9th Annual Channel Islands Harbor Safe Boating Expo, which recognizes May 17 through 23, 2014 as National Safe Boating Week. The event also marks the start of the year-round effort to promote safe boating.

With an average of 700 people dying each year in a boating-related accident, approximately 71% of these fatalities are caused by drowning. The vast majority of these accidents are caused by human error and/or poor judgment, not by faulty equipment or environmental factors. It is known that a significant number of boaters who lose their lives by drowning each year would be alive today had they worn their life jackets. It is crucial that the public stay educated about boating safety and the ways in which they can protect themselves and others.

At the Channel Island Harbor Safe Boating Expo, attendees will be able to watch offshore helicopter and fire rescue demonstrations, as well as flare inspection and disposal services, vessel safety exams and other hands-on exhibits. The event will also be attended by the American Red Cross, the Coast Guard Auxiliary, Channel Islands Harbor Patrol, Oxnard Police/Fire Dive Team, the Channel Islands National Park, Ventura County Sheriff Rescue, Ventura County Fire Department, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Weather Service, Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary and Ventura Sail and Power Squadron. These attendees represent the collaborative efforts and partnerships that we have in Ventura County.

This important and engaging community event is hosted by the United States Coast Guard Station Channel Islands Harbor, a multi-mission unit that conducts Search and Rescue, Homeland Security, Maritime Law Enforcement, Counter Drug & Alien Migrant Interdiction Operations, Marine Environmental Protection and Boating Safety from Point Dume, CA, to Point Conception, CA, and out 50 nautical miles. Their area of responsibility also includes the gorgeous Channel Islands in Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties. The station is also homeport to the 87-foot Patrol boat USCGC Blacktip and ESD Detachment Oxnard.

I want to congratulate the U.S. Coast Guard on their ongoing efforts to educate our community about recreational water safety and join them in supporting the campaign efforts of National Safe Boating Week.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise in recognition of Terry Gibson, a vibrant resident of Ventura County, who will celebrate her 80th birthday on May 27, 2014.

Originally from the San Fernando Valley, Terry has always been an active member of her community. Her generosity and spirit of giving is resonated in her work, where her depth of sincerity and selflessness knows no limits.

While living in Glendale, California, Terry served as President of Temple Sinai, President of the Sisterhood of Temple Sinai, Vice President for new members of the Union of American Hebrew Congregations Southwest Region and Executive Vice President of the Western States Federation of Sisterhoods. In each of these leadership roles, Terry's spirit of volunteerism and commitment to her community never wavered even while she was a full-time, single working mother.

When Terry moved to Ventura County, her penchant for being an active and contributing community member continued. As a resident of Oxnard, she helped in the founding of the Ventura Chapter of the National Women's Political Caucus (NWPC) and served as its first president for two years. Under her direct leadership, the Ventura County Chapter of the NWPC was able to increase women's participation in the political process. Today, with Terry's unwavering help, the organization continues to recruit, train and support diverse female candidates who will bring a woman's perspective to issues such as reproductive health, the environment and social, educational and economic justice. Her vision of gender parity in California politics is a mission we are all united on.

With her extensive experience, Terry has served as the treasurer for the Ventura County Women's Forum Collaborative, where she is part of an organization that is dedicated to empowering Ventura County women in areas such as education, health, economic justice, power sharing, institutional mechanisms, and

human rights. Her impacts in the Ventura County political sphere have been extensive and invaluable.

In her personal life, Terry is even more remarkable. She is the mother of five children, grandmother to fourteen grandchildren and great grandmother to three great grandchildren. Indicative of her sharp character and dedication to her personal and professional priorities, Terry has never missed a birthday, graduation, or family celebration during her years of working and volunteering in her community. She truly is as dedicated to her family as she is to her community.

I want to congratulate and thank Terry for all of her years of community service and it is with great enthusiasm that I offer Terry Gibson my sincere congratulations on the occasion of her 80th birthday! I wish her a very happy birthday and express my appreciation and admiration for all that she has accomplished.

Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the last word.

Mr. Chairman, I rise today to bring the House's attention to an important issue.

The Veterans Retraining Assistance Program, also known as VRAP, which has helped our veterans retrain to develop the skills they need for jobs of today, expired on March 31. I had planned to offer an amendment today to reauthorize the program and provide funding for the Veterans Retraining Assistance Program. However, I understand the amendment would have been subject to a point of order. Nevertheless, this critical issue is deserving of the House's attention.

As a member of the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity, I know well the struggles our unemployed veterans face on a daily basis to reenter the workforce. In my home district in Ventura County, where I am proud to represent Naval Base Ventura County, we have a large community of veterans who have sacrificed for our country and who deserve

every effort we can to ensure they receive the training they need to find the jobs they deserve, especially after the recent recession.

It is deeply disappointing that the 113th Congress has allowed this critical job training program to expire. VRAP helps veterans who are no longer eligible for the GI Bill to get the training they need at community colleges and technical schools in high-demand occupations. One such veteran who is being helped by VRAP is my constituent, Jonathan Pascua. Jonathan is a first-generation Filipino American from Oxnard who served in the United States Marine Corps from 1995 to 2013.

As an Active Duty marine, he handled telecommunications on a vessel in theater during the Iraq war supporting his brothers and sisters who landed ashore. When Jonathan was preparing to retire from the Marine Corps, he learned about VRAP through their education benefits class and signed up for the program. He is currently a full-time student in Oxnard majoring in business management and is scheduled to graduate in 2015.

As a result of VRAP's expiration, Jonathan may not be able to afford to continue. That would be devastating for Jonathan and a tragedy for our country. That is why I introduced H.R. 4149, the bipartisan Help Hire Our Heroes Act, which has gained support from the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Association of the United States Navy.

Despite the obvious need for reauthorization of this important program and this body's solemn obligation to serve our veterans as they have served our Nation, my bill has still not been brought forward for a vote. My amendment would have ensured that this critical program continue, and I am disappointed that I was unable to offer it here today.

The Veterans Retraining Assistance Program has succeeded in helping many veterans retrain and find employment, and it should not have been allowed to lapse. Because our veterans, like Jonathan, were there for us, it is our duty to be there for them. Therefore, I urge the leadership of this Chamber to quickly bring forward legislation that will extend the VRAP program and help our unemployed veterans.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to discuss the severe impact of climate change across the United States.

On Sunday, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change released a new report, laying out the ways that climate change has already impacted our economy.

Climate change threatens our coastal communities through ocean acidification and sea level rise. It threatens our big cities by making extreme weather events, like Hurricane Sandy, more frequent and more intense. It threatens all of us who rely on rain to water our crops or on snow for our drinking water.

California faces a future where less snow and earlier snowmelt will strain our already scarce water resources. 2014 is already one of the driest years in our State's history. Who knows what 2015 will bring?

I call on all of my colleagues to come together in a meaningful and bipartisan way to tackle climate change.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize Dr. Kant Tucker and Dr. Irma Harriman on the special occasion of their 25th wedding anniversary.

Dr. Tucker, who was born in Mumbai, moved to the United States in 1975 with just eight dollars in his pocket, a plane ticket that was purchased by his siblings and a bag of clothes. Unaware of the trials and tribulations that lay ahead, Dr. Tucker was determined to make a living and stay true to his humble beginnings.

During his first months in the United States, Dr. Tucker struggled to earn a living. He was hired as a dishwasher at a fast food chain for only a short time before he was let go. The owners believed that he was a short term employee because he was a medical school graduate.

He continued his search for a career as a doctor, hoping that he would find a hospital that would accept him as an intern. On one occasion, Dr. Tucker was on his way to St. Barnabas Hospital in the Bronx to interview for an internship when he was mugged at gunpoint causing him to miss his appointment. Although discouraged and disappointed, Dr. Tucker went back to the hospital for a second interview, where he was later offered an internship. From there, Dr. Tucker went on to complete a residency in Jersey City and then to research positions at hospitals in New York and California.

During the course of Dr. Tucker's career, he was also able to find love. In the early 1980s, Dr. Tucker was an assistant professor of nephrology at University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) where he met Irma Harriman. Seven years after Irma Harriman became his partner in his Simi Valley practice, they married.

In Dr. Tucker, Dr. Harriman saw the same determination and idealism that she saw in herself and related to the same barriers that she, too, had faced. The pair symbolized hard work and determination. Despite the adversity that both Dr. Tucker and Dr. Harriman faced, they remained persistent in their pursuit of success, always remaining true to their upbringing.

Today, Dr. Tucker and Dr. Harriman operate nine dialysis centers throughout Southern California. Currently living across the Santa Susana Pass, Dr. Tucker and Dr. Harriman never forget the experiences, people, and opportunities that shaped their lives.

I want to sincerely thank Dr. Tucker and Dr. Harriman for their generosity and commitment to our community and wish them all the best upon the celebration of their 25th wedding anniversary. I applaud the love and support they have both provided each other over the years, and I know that there are many more memories to be made.

Mr. Speaker, this Women's History Month, we learned that women continue to struggle with long-term unemployment. In fact, long-term unemployment among women increased from 34.8 percent in January to 37.7 percent in February.

According to a recent Pew Research Center study, women are the sole or primary breadwinner in 4 in every 10 American households with children. When women who have jobs only receive 77 cents to every dollar a man makes, when 70 percent of Americans in poverty are women and children, in a country where women, out of the gate, start out behind, refusing to extend long-term unemployment compensation to those who have looked for a job but cannot find one is particularly hurtful.

For all these reasons, we must renew emergency unemployment compensation--because when women succeed, then Ventura County succeeds; and when Ventura County succeeds, America succeeds.

Mr. Speaker, I have a motion to recommit at the desk.

Mr. Speaker, I am opposed.

Mr. Speaker, this is the final amendment to H.R. 3826, which will not kill the bill or send it back to committee. If adopted, the bill will immediately proceed to final passage, as amended.

My amendment is a simple, straightforward improvement that I believe both sides of the aisle can agree is absolutely necessary, and would be overwhelmingly supported by the American people.

If my amendment passes, it will ensure that the American people and American businesses throughout our country will be protected from avoidable energy price increases.

Specifically, my amendment ensures that nothing in this act would limit

the ability of regulators to issue rules that save consumers money on their electricity bills, including rules that allow for or encourage energy efficiency, demand response, and other approaches to lower the cost of electricity for consumers.

Making our homes and businesses more energy-efficient will save Americans trillions of dollars and, simultaneously, fight climate change by reducing our country's carbon footprint.

Energy efficiency standards have already saved Americans $40 billion, and we are on track to save $1.7 trillion in energy costs by 2035. Proven Federal programs, like Energy Star, boost energy efficiency and have conserved energy by helping consumers and businesses find energy- efficient appliances and products.

In fact, commercial buildings which used Energy Star technology show an average of 7 percent energy savings. Progress in energy efficiency is a win/win that is good for our pocketbooks and good for our environment. We can do more.

If just 1 in 10 households used current technology to upgrade their home heating systems, we could keep 17 billion pounds of pollution out of our air.

A vote for my amendment is a vote to ensure that we keep every tool available to conserve energy and help consumers avoid needless energy costs.

Mr. Speaker, price increases in the energy sector are a very real and very serious problem. It hurts working families struggling to make ends meet. It hurts homeowners who struggle every month to pay their mortgage and utility bills, including many of my hardworking families in Ventura County.

It hurts small and large businesses, driving up the price of doing business and impacting their ability to invest in new equipment and hire new workers.

It hurts our military and impacts military readiness, including Naval Base Ventura County, costing more to keep the lights on and operate critical facilities at Point Mugu and Port Hueneme.

It hurts our seniors who live on fixed incomes and cannot afford an increase in their utility bills.

It hurts the specialty crop growers in Ventura County, our lemon, strawberry, avocado, and lettuce growers, as well as our cut flower producers, whose bottom line is so closely tied to the price of energy.

It also hurts our overall national economy and threatens to slow job creation and the recovery of our very fragile economy.

This is why it is so important that we allow regulators, like the EPA, to move forward with rules that can save consumers money on their electricity bills, encourage energy efficiency, and lower the cost of electricity for all of our consumers.

I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on the motion to recommit to ensure a better and cleaner America for our children, our grandchildren, and many, many more generations to come.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. Speaker, today, I rise to recognize Donald C. Robinett, or ``Robby'' as he is endearingly referred to by his colleagues, on the occasion of his 97th birthday. It is with great enthusiasm that I join his family and friends in celebrating this milestone and the life of Mr. Robinett, a World War II veteran and among the last of the Pearl Harbor veterans living in Ventura County.

Born in Oxnard, California and now a resident of Oak View, California, Mr. Robinett served in the United States Navy from 1935 to 1945 and served on the USS Tracy for over five decades.

On that fateful day of December 7, 1941, Mr. Robinett was below deck when the first bombs hit. His experiences and flashbacks of the events that unfolded that tragic morning aboard the USS Tracy remain intact. For over 72 years, the vivid memories of the attack on Pearl Harbor still remain with Mr. Robinett. His courage, bravery, and service during one of our Nation's most historic moments, are an example of the characteristics that define the people that have come to be known as the Greatest Generation.

Honorably discharged on September 1, 1945, Mr. Robinett's career includes 10 years in the Navy and even without a day of leave, he was able to marry Eunice Hegna in Las Vegas in 1945. Donald and Eunice had 8 children.

I want to sincerely thank Mr. Robinett for his service and recognize his unwavering commitment, not only to our country, but to the freedoms and liberties that we hold so dear today. As a country and as people united, we will be forever grateful.

It is my honor to offer my sincere congratulations to Mr. Robinett on this special occasion. I wish him a very happy birthday and many more years of continued health and happiness.

Mr. Speaker, today, I rise to recognize the City of Thousand Oaks, California, who will be welcoming its sister city, Shibei District of Qingdao of the People's Republic of China, for their first visit to the Conejo Valley on February 27, 2014.

Formally approved on July 9, 2013, the Thousand Oaks City Council unanimously accepted the concept of Thousand Oaks, California and Shibei District, Qingdao as sister cities. The relationship between the two cities has a mission to create an environment for promoting and developing effective and mutually beneficial cooperation between the citizens of both municipalities. It is a harmonious relationship in which both parties conduct reciprocal cultural, educational, business, professional and technical exchanges. The friendly cooperation between both cities is based on the principles of mutual respect of the partners and the sovereignty of each state.

With a large Asian-American population presence in the Conejo Valley, community leaders, in collaboration with the Center for Asian Performing Arts, conceptualized the idea of a sister city relationship with China to promote Asian culture and support the cultural exchange between East and West.

There are many shared interests and commonalities among the two cities which makes it an ideal partnership. While Thousand Oaks was named among the top ten safest large cities in the United States, Shibei District, Qingdao was named among the top ten livable cities with the most beautiful bay in China. Additionally, both cities have developed in the areas of technology.

Among the delegation members that will visit the Conejo Valley are the mayor of the Shibei District, the directors of the Bureau of Tourism and of the Bureau of Economic Development, and the deputy chief of staff for the Department of Commerce. On this momentous occasion, the mayors of both cities will sign documents declaring their formal relationship.

I want to congratulate Thousand Oaks and Shibei District on this momentous occasion and look forward to the future accomplishments and successes that this relationship will foster.

Madam Speaker, I rise in opposition today to the rule. I offered an amendment to H.R. 7 which was not made in order by the Rules Committee. In fact, not a single amendment was made in order.

The majority continues to tell us about their commitment to open debate and regular order. Yet we continue to govern under closed rule.

I am disappointed by the majority's broken promises. I am also opposed to the underlying bill, which is an attack on women and an attack on their families. It limits a woman's constitutionally protected right to choose.

It denies affordable health care, particularly to low-income women. It disproportionately hurts individuals who are counting on Federal assistance to get health care coverage for themselves and their families.

Instead of bringing up bills that undermine a woman's constitutional rights, why can't we just focus on legislation that creates jobs and helps struggling families?

Madam Speaker, today, let us just put an end to these attacks on women's rights. Indeed, we can do this.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and congratulate Mary Anne Rooney, the newly-elected president of the Oxnard Harbor District's Board of Commissioners.

On January 13, 2014, the board held their first meeting of the year and unanimously voted to appoint Mary Anne Rooney to take the helm as its president, the first woman to hold the position in the board's 77- year history.

As president, Mary Anne will lead the five-member governing body that oversees the Port of Hueneme and its operations. As one of the primary economic drivers in Ventura County and Southern California, the Port of Hueneme is a critical asset to our community. Currently, the Port of Hueneme supports the transport of over $7 billion in cargo, generates $1 billion of economic impact, and provides more than 9,400 jobs to the region. Without a doubt, under Mary Anne's strong leadership and dedicated service, the Port of Hueneme will continue to thrive.

With more than 15 years of experience in various business industries, Mary Anne brings a knowledgeable and unique perspective to the community. Her commitment to the advancement and success of Ventura County is evident from her various roles of involvement throughout the region. Mary Anne has served as treasurer of Oxnard Sister City Committee, she is a member of the World Affairs Council, founding member of the Ventura County Women's Political Council, member of the League of Women Voters, former trustee of Ventura County Community College District, past president of Gull Wings Children's Museum, and former president of the Associated Student Government at Oxnard College.

Mary Anne also serves as program director at the Economic Development Collaborative--Ventura County (EDC-VC), and serves as an advisor to the Small Business Development Center, a comprehensive business service through the collaborative. Additionally, with her extensive experience and knowledge base, Mary Anne developed a program that focusses on international trade. She also leads an outreach program for manufacturers that promotes business services to bolster the international trade sector in the county.

In recognition of her hard work and dedication to the community, Mary Anne was one of the Pacific Coast Business Times' Top 50 Women in Business for 2010, 2012, and 2013.

Mary Anne's energetic character and creative leadership style, coupled with her vision to improve Ventura County's economic competitiveness, will be a continued asset to the Board of Commissioners. I congratulate Mary Anne Rooney on her continued success and look forward to working with her in her new role.