Floor Statements

Lilly Ledbetter went to work at Goodyear Tires every day for 19 years. She was one of the few female supervisors at the plant, and she was an outstanding one, at that. She received awards for her work.

However, all of those years she was paid less than her male colleagues, 20 percent less by the time she retired, because of gender discrimination.

A jury agreed that she had been discriminated against and awarded her over $3.8 million in back pay and damages. But the Supreme Court, the Federal Supreme Court, reversed the decision because it found that Lilly didn't file her claim within 180 days of the initial decision to discriminate, even though she had absolutely no idea at the time that she was being paid less than her male counterparts simply because she was a woman.

The Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act restores the common and longstanding understanding of employees, employers and the circuit courts alike that, when it comes to discriminatory pay, the protection of title VII extends not only to pay decisions and practices, but to each and every paycheck as well.

Unfortunately, Lilly will not reap the benefits of this legislation. As a result, she will continue to feel the effects of the Court's wrongheaded decision for the rest of her life, through smaller pension and Social Security benefits. But this bill will help other women, and it will also be a reminder that absolutely no employer can tell their employees to keep their pay a secret. They can tell you that, but, in fact, they have no right and no legal standing.

So, along with bringing that to light, this wonderful bill is a tribute to Lilly Ledbetter, who has paved the way for other women.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Madam Speaker, at one time I was a single mother raising three small children. I worked full time, but I still struggled to put food on the table and to care for my children because my paycheck did not cover all of our needs. That's when women earned 59 cents on the dollar. That's when I needed Aid for Dependent Children to make ends meet at our house, even though I got a paycheck every month.

And that's when I decided that I should join the Sonoma County Commission on the status of women where I eventually became the Chair, and we worked to change that very statistic of what women earn compared to men. But we now are only at 77 cents to the dollar.

That actually was more than 40 years ago, but today there are still millions of mothers in this country that are struggling to provide for their families while trying to balance full-time work. It is a fact, and we have said it before today, that single mothers are twice as likely than single fathers to raise their children in poverty. Unfortunately, so long as women continue to receive 77 cents on the dollar earned by a man, this statistic is unlikely to change anytime soon, particularly when a woman college graduate earns the equivalent of a male gardener.

You've got to take those statistics into your head. You've got to know what it means, and in this current economic climate, things are so bad. We can't in good conscience sit by, and let one American worker earn less than she rightfully deserves.

This gap in pay cannot be explained away just as a result of women's personal choices. In fact, a recent study from the American Association of University Women found that just 1 year out of college, women working full-time make just 80 percent of what their male counterparts earn.

The Paycheck Fairness Act is one of the first steps to get us back to an economic recovery. It must be passed.

Madam Speaker, this week was the beginning of the 111th Congress, and it is absolutely clear we face enormous challenges. We must deal with an economic crisis that is robbing the American people of their savings, their jobs and their homes. We must tackle our problems in health care, energy, education and the environment. The domestic agenda is going to be long, it is going to be hard, and it is going to demand our time and our energy.

But I rise today to make this plea: Let us not forget Iraq. About 140,000 American servicemembers remain in harm's way in Iraq. Military families and veterans continue to struggle and to suffer, and the occupation continues to cost us over $11 billion a month. That is money that is desperately needed to help the American people right here at home. Yet Iraq seems to have disappeared from our radar screens, from our newspapers, from our media. The three major television networks have decided to remove their full-time reporters. With Iraq off television screens, I am concerned that it will be out of sight and out of mind.

But forgetting Iraq would be wrong. It would be dangerous. The dying hasn't stopped. Nearly 100 civilians have been killed in the first few days of this month alone. In addition, over 300 died in December and over 300 died in November. Many, many more are sure to die in the days and months ahead, not to count those that are being injured and displaced. The number of Iraqis being killed today is about the same as the number that were being killed in 2003 and 2004.

There are other issues that demand our attention as well; the new Status of Forces Agreement, which is bound to create confusion and new problems for our troops. And we must come up with a plan, a plan to meet the refugee crisis. Four million refugees must be resettled. The humanitarian crisis goes on and on.

But despite all these problems, there is reason for hope. The administration that decided to destroy Iraq in order to save it will be gone in 2 weeks, and I am confident that the new administration, with President Obama and Secretary of State Clinton leading the way, will put us on the right path. They are committed to ending the occupation within 16 months. I actually urge them to do it even sooner and to ignore the voices that will advise them to leave residual forces and permanent bases behind. I also urge them to engage the international community and Iraq's neighbors, including Iran, in a diplomatic effort to stabilize the Middle East, which is absolutely essential.

A full redeployment of our troops in a new diplomatic effort will send a signal to the world that a compassionate America is committed to peace; that it is committed to human rights instead of war and instead of torture.

Madam Speaker, the pundits and neocons who got us into the Iraq mess in the first place are calling it a victory. This is the second time they have called it a victory. They would like us to close the book on Iraq and to move on. But the occupation is still standing in the way of peace, it is still undermining our moral authority in the world and is draining our Treasury at the worst possible time.

We have more than enough domestic problems to deal with, but ending the occupation of Iraq must also be at the very top of this new administration's agenda. I am confident that it will be, because we will finally have the leadership in the White House and the State Department that will do the right thing.

Madam Speaker, let's not forget Iraq.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate Carol J. Friedman of Point Reyes Station, California. Carol is retiring as Executive Director of the Dance Palace Community Center after 37 years at the helm. From the founding of the organization in 1971 to the present, she has been the force that has made the Dance Palace an integral part of the West Marin community.

Born and raised in Rye, New York, Carol was a dancer from her youngest days, whether it was the Nutcracker Suite in her living room or formal study with a number of modern dance teachers. She matriculated at Radcliff College but took time off in 1971 after two years as dance was not part of the Harvard curriculum. She came to the Bay Area and connected with fellow dancers who had rented a perfect dance space with apartments above in a building in Point Reyes that had previously housed the Palace Market. As described by Carol, ``So we moved into the Dance Palace--7 of us--dancers, musicians, hippies, idealists, and all completely naive about the community and about going about business.''

From those early beginnings, the Dance Palace evolved into a multi- use facility with input and ideas from all segments of the community and Carol as the guide. She made the ideas into reality, whether it took building a whole new building, constantly securing funding, running day-to-day operations, programming events, reaching out to new people, or plunging toilets. When she saw a need in the community, she worked to fill it. And she did it all with her own personal warmth, style, and creativity.

Today the Dance Palace Community Center has an annual budget of $475,000, presents 100 special events a year, offers 30 classes weekly, has 200 regular volunteers, and serves 27,000 people of all ages annually--providing a wide variety of services including a summer day camp, senior meals program, teen theater activities, after-school classes for kids, English as a Second Language instruction, and weekend performances and concerts. Carol personally participated in many of these activities, claiming, for example, ``I am personally responsible for introducing the ever-popular Bubble Wrap Day plus the Russian hand jive dance to generations of Dance Palace Campers.''

Carol expanded the Dance Palace's role by actively promoting collaboration among other local and County-wide organizations. She herself became an expert on non-profit and community work and gave unstintingly of her time and knowledge wherever it was needed.

Along the way, Carol had two sons, Abraham and Eli, whom she raised as a single mother. The Dance Palace was their second home, and they were early performers in community productions. Carol continues to dance and teach dancing as well as sing, and has volunteered in many capacities including as an elephant seal docent and hospice bereavement supporter. She also stars in a weekly soccer pickup game where she has evolved into a formidable talent. Clearly, she will not be sitting still after retiring from her Dance Palace duties.

Madam Speaker, Carol Friedman will be missed at the helm of the Dance Palace Community Center but will continue to be involved in her community, as long as it doesn't interfere with her soccer schedule. As the heart and soul of the Center for so many years, Carol's spirit will shine at the Dance Palace Community Center for generations to come.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate Noemi Anderson of Petaluma, California, for an unusual accomplishment. Noemi just turned 111 years old, making her the oldest person in Sonoma County, the 67th oldest person on earth, and even the oldest known member of the American Association of University Women (AAUW).

Noemi doesn't know the secret of her longevity. She has always exercised, eaten her vegetables, and quit smoking over 50 years

ago. But these activities alone cannot account for her years. That is probably why researchers are studying her life and genetics to unravel the secret.

Although her mind and body are in good shape, Noemi laments the loss of her eyesight a few years ago. Until then, she was a sharp bridge player, ardent about the game and with an astonishing memory for the cards. Today, her memory is still quick as she talks about her life and her past.

Born on September 28, 1897, Noemi Bernard grew up on a ranch in Oregon and later attended UC Berkeley. She became a history teacher and worked in various schools, marrying fellow teach Henry ``Andy'' Anderson in 1928. Shortly after their daughter Janice was born, she left teaching to take care of her home, including designing a new house for the family.

Andy and Noemi led a full life in Hanford and also traveled a great deal. When Andy passed away in 1988, Noemi moved to the Bay Area to be near Janice and her family. Today she lives in an assisted living facility in Petaluma. Janice passed away in 2001.

Madam Speaker, although we know we can't all live to be 111 years old, it is fitting to honor Noemi Anderson whose life exemplifies for us the benefits of living with enthusiasm and grace. I hope she will have many more birthdays to celebrate.

Madam Speaker, I rise today along with my colleague, Congressman Mike Thompson, to honor and acknowledge Linda Rawls, who has been named the 2008 Sonoma Treasure Artist of the Year, or simply the Sonoma Treasure, by the City of Sonoma. Each year the City's Cultural and Fine Arts Commission selects one of the hundreds of artists living and working in the Sonoma Valley to receive this honor. Ms. Rawls was singled out for her decade's long work in costume design.

By one account, she has fitted and costumed the stars and extras of more than 132 productions, including those of the Sonoma City Opera, the Sonoma Ballet Conservatory, schools plays at Sonoma Valley High and each of the grade schools, Vintage House Senior Center, churches and Hootchie Doo Productions, a community theatre group. Her talents have led her to create designs for productions in neighboring counties, including 42nd Street Moon productions in San Francisco.

According to Ms. Rawls, ``Costumes have to do everything. A show can have no scenery, but with a woman's dress or a man's hat, you can decipher the time and place in an instant.'' She calls costumes the ``elemental scenery of a play, telling more about character and context than anything else on stage.''

Ms. Rawls stumbled into her artistic calling 26 years ago when the costume designer for a school opera in which her 8-year-old son was performing unexpectedly quit. She volunteered to step in and has been following her passion ever since.

Her peers have acknowledged Ms. Rawls work by awarding her the Best First Day Costume Award from the International Gilbert and Sullivan Festival in Buxton, England in 1996 and the Dean Goodman Choice Award for Outstanding Achievement in Theatre for Costume Design in 2003.

Madam Speaker, Linda Rawls is a true artist in every sense of the word and it is appropriate that we honor her today as the 2008 Sonoma Treasure Artist of the Year.

Madam Speaker, I rise today along with my colleague, Congressman Mike Thompson, to honor Chief Vernon A. Losh II, who is retiring this month as chief/department director of the Sonoma County Department of Emergency Services. He has held the position since June 1999, and also served concurrently for over 5 years as fire chief of Rancho Adobe Fire Protection District.

Chief Losh has had a long and distinguished career in fire and emergency services, starting in 1974 with the South Placer Fire Protection District where he eventually held every rank from volunteer firefighter to full-time battalion chief. He came to Sonoma County in 1995 as deputy chief/fire marshal for the Department of Emergency Services and became chief a few years later with responsibility for all aspects of the department's work. He deftly managed 23 full-time employees, over 350 volunteers, and a budget of $7.5 million.

With extensive education in emergency management, including being one of the first twelve people certified in the State of California as a fire chief, Chief Losh has shared his expertise for years as a community college fire service instructor and also as chair of the Santa Rosa Community College Fire Tech Advisory Committee. A long list of professional affiliations--from local to international--are a testament to both his spirit of community volunteerism and the high regard with which he is held by his peers. He has been president of the Sonoma County Fire Chiefs Association, Sonoma County Department Heads Association, and the Northern California Firefighters Association, to name a few.

Shortly after the anthrax and 911 terrorist attacks on our country, we met with Vern Losh and other Sonoma County officials. We were particularly impressed by the level of emergency preparedness as well as by plans to continuously upgrade and improve equipment and procedures. These efforts, directed by a coordinated leadership effort, clearly paid off when much of the county was affected by severe flooding a few years ago. The response was swift and organized, mitigating what could have been a serious disaster.

The Losh family is also a source of pride to Vern. His wife Teresa is an accountant at the Sonoma County Office of Education and marathon walker for several charitable causes; his son Allen is a specialist in the Army serving as a combat medic ready to be deployed to Iraq on Thanksgiving Day; his daughter Whitney is a student at San Francisco State in the public health field. Whitney just finished her first marathon for Leukemia Lymphoma Society.

Perhaps since, as his biography states, he ``currently serves as the Grand Emperor of the Cosmic Order of Fire Gods, an honor he has held since birth,'' Vern Losh won't fully retire. He plans to continue as chair of the Sonoma-Mendocino Red Cross, chair of the Volunteer Fire Fighter Committee of the California State Fire Fighters Association, and as the California representative to the National Volunteer Fire Council. He will also become a volunteer firefighter for the City of Healdsburg. And he will continue his teaching at the California Community College.

Madam Speaker, Sonoma County will miss the skills of Chief Vernon Losh, but we thank him for helping to make our emergency services strong. We know he will appreciate having time for his family and his hobbies--photography, football and all sports, attending Giants and 49er games, and firefighting.

Madam Speaker, I rise with a heavy heart today to honor my friend Joe Mendoza, who passed away on October 25, 2008, at the age of 90. There are so many things to be said about Joe--a rancher, a community leader, and a family man who was held in high esteem by all who knew him. I can think of no better tribute than these remarks delivered at his memorial service by his long-time friend, Joseph Schoeningh:

Point Reyes is a unique geographical area on our beautiful coastline. It was there 90 years ago this past July that Joseph H. Mendoza, a truly unique man, was born. It was also there this past Saturday that he died.

Joe Mendoza (Papa Joe to many of us) was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and uncle. He was a caring friend and neighbor, a very successful businessman, dairyman and rancher, a true outdoorsman, avid hunter and fisherman. As a husband, he deeply loved, honored and cherished his ``Mrs. Scotty'' for 67 wonderful years. They worked as a synchronized team to build their ranching business, becoming highly successful. Recognized by his peers for his success, Joe became President of the Challenge Cream and Butter Association, served on the board of Directors of the National Milk Association, and also was one of the original board members of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area.

As a father, he was very proud of his three children. He could be a tough and stern taskmaster at times, but he always wanted them to learn and grow from his methods and example. Son Jim shared about the time when the manure system was broken and they cleaned out the pump, then Joe put his foot over the outlet and told his young son to turn on the pump. This was a ``hands on'' manure shower lesson for both men . . . bet Scotty was thrilled about their entry to ``her'' always spotless house. . . .

Son Joe remembers the time that he and fellow young men were entered as an adult ensemble into a parade, riding horses. Their Lions Club dads stuffed the kids' shirts to make them look bigger and the boys brought home a trophy. On the way home the proud fathers decided to stop at the Western in Point Reyes Station. The same proud fathers proceeded to ride those horses into the bar.

Young Joe watched as the horses and men partied in the bar and a passing driver almost got in a wreck as she drove by seeing a horse exit the bar. We wonder did this lay the groundwork for Joe Junior's future.

Joe passed on his acumen as a business and community leader to his family. Daughter Sharon put her accounting education to work taking a part-time job when she was raising her family. She did books for Joe, Scotty and the family dairy businesses. Really this was their way to connect and Sharon was able to learn from her ``hero''. Sharon and Joe enjoyed talking business, talking cows and strategizing financial and political plans.

As a grandfather, the stories are numerous and wonderful. He had a manner of connecting with young people and no matter what their age, he stayed connected. Joe combined his love of Grandchildren and other pastimes at various locations from ``the cabin'' to his Duck Hunting Club at Grizzly Island. Granddaughter Teresa recalls their tradition that went on for ages when she accompanied Joe and Scotty to the Duck Club. Before any other task, when they arrived, Joe and Teresa would get into the boat and ``cruise the Hawaiian Islands''--they were on the lookout for hula girls in that Fairfield swamp and saw many great performances as they checked on the water level and duck population. As a great grandfather of nine, he just burst with pride as he watched this latest generation sprout up and found a way to ``connect'' with each of them as well.

There was a special place in his heart for nephews Marvin and George Nunes whom he mentored in both businesses and life after the untimely death of their father in the early '50s.

As a hunter/gatherer, he was the organizer and leader of countless outings in pursuit of deer, ducks, doves and pheasant. Joe looked forward to every season with a new excitement and occupied most mornings calling up friends to set up their plans. He especially looked forward to the annual bird hunting trip to Mexico at the beginning of each year and was so fortunate to travel there only 6 months ago.

As a fisherman who knew the ocean around him, he brought home a wide array of fish, abalone, crab and oysters . . . Granddaughter Karen recalls a fateful day when their catch numbered 33 salmon and 1 halibut. Joe was in the company of Karen and her friend Kristy Skeen . . . he would describe them as ``2 Tomatas''. Of course all was good until the end of the day when the ladies retired to the kitchen of the Scotty-Joe to play cards and Joe was left on deck to clean all those fish. Of course, he graciously took on the task, never interrupting their game.

As a good friend and neighbor Joe Mendoza was a mainstay of the ``point'' ranches. Neighbors became friends and they were like their own family watching out for one another during crisis or time of need.

Joe was very proud, yet a very humble man, a man of much foresight and practicality. One good piece of advice he gave to many of us goes like this . . .

``If you do all of the talking, then they know everything you know and you don't know what they know.''

He was also very practical about avoiding the ``eye of a storm''. Once he and I, at the end of a great holiday party at the cabin, decided to take a small boat across Tomales Bay to the Marshall Tavern for a final ``nite cap''. When Mrs. Scotty discovered that we were missing and so was the boat, she correctly surmised where we were. As Joe and I were enjoying our final nite cap the bartender

hollered out, ``there is a very persistent woman on the phone who wants to talk to a JOE right now and she really means it''. Joe Mendoza calmly looked at me and said ``That call is for you!'' I took the phone and guess whose ear Mrs. Scotty burned to a crisp!

Joe and Scotty helped to organize the ``world famous'' Western Weekend in Point Reyes Station that continues to this day with a wonderful 2 block long parade that circled through town at least twice so that it would last longer than 10 minutes.

Joe had a great sense of humor and he loved a good story or a funny incident and when he really laughed he had a special little kick that just naturally happened. When you saw that extra little body language, you knew he was really enjoying himself.

Joe loved to dance and he was very good at it. So to his delight many Tomatas including daughter, granddaughters and great-granddaughters took turns sharing him with his very favorite Tomata and dance partner, his beloved ``Scotty''.

My last thoughts today are of Joe and Scotty arm in arm dancing to one of their favorite country songs, being sung by Pam Nadale, a local country artist who passed on some time ago. The song in which I have changed just one word is ``Waltz Across Texas''. It goes like this . . .

When we dance together my worlds in disguise

It's a fairyland tale that's come true

When you look at me with those stars in your eyes

I could waltz across heaven with you

Waltz across heaven with you in my arms

Waltz across heaven with you

Like a storybook ending I'm lost in your charms

and I could waltz across heaven with you

Waltz across heaven. . . .

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the heroic firefighters who, with bravery and dedication, halted the fire that threatened to devastate Angel Island State Park, one of our Nation's unparalleled treasures, located in San Francisco Bay near Tiburon in Marin County, California.

Heroic firefighters across America brave flames and smoke to save lives and protect homes and property. Everyday these men and women risk their safety on our behalf.

On Sunday, October 12, 2008 flames threatened to swallow Angel Island, a renowned landmark that boasts a history dating back to the Civil War. In 1863, Angel Island was home to Camp Reynolds, which guarded the bay during the Civil War. The island later served as an immigration station, dubbed ``The Ellis Island of the West''. During the Cold War, the Nike missile site was located on Angel Island.

Many of these structures are truly windows into our past. In particular, I have worked with my colleagues and with concerned citizens such as the Angel Island Immigration Station Foundation to restore the immigration station. The stories of peoples' lives are literally written into its walls and have much to tell us about our own history and humanity.

When fire raged at Angel Island, threatening to devastate our Nation's jewel, 275 firefighters united forces to stop the fire and ultimately protect 120 historic buildings and 360 acres from destruction.

Days after the orange and red flames dissipated into a cloud of smoke, a crew of 100 dedicated firefighters remained on the island to complete their duties.

Successfully battling a major wildland fire is never the act of one person alone. Marin's fire agencies have an effective mutual aid agreement which brought skilled personnel and resources from agencies throughout the County with a shared objective--saving the Island's historical buildings and minimizing resource damage. Angel Island Park personnel were an instrumental part of the command structure and, with the help of the U.S. Coast Guard, quickly evacuated overnight campers to a safe location. As always, the air attack and support provided by crews and personnel from CAL FIRE gave firefighters the upper hand to ultimately bring the fire under control. This was an amazing example of inter-agency cooperation that was the key to a successful outcome.

Madam Speaker, I thank these leaders and their crews who saved a tremendous part of our history. They and their many colleagues across the country are truly our heroes. Thanks to their tireless and timely response to a looming threat, Angel Island, a beacon of history and environmental beauty, can continue to enrich the lives of visitors from around the world.

Madam Speaker, I rise with sadness today to honor Scotty Mendoza, who passed away on August 15, 2008, at the age of 88. Scotty was the matriarch of the ranching community around the Point Reyes Peninsula in Marin County, California, and a highly respected leader to the townsfolk. She led by passion and example, filling needs as she saw them and creating many local traditions in the process.

Born Doris Scott in Woodland, California, she used the nickname Scotty bestowed on her by one of her early teachers. She met Joe Mendoza, a student at nearby U.C. Davis, while working at the soda fountain at the Woodland Hotel. They were married in 1941, moving shortly afterward to the family ranch on the Point Reyes Peninsula which had been purchased by Joe's father in 1899. She was a partner in the ranch with Joe her whole life, from doing the accounting to cooking for the many ranch hands.

Scotty was many things--outspoken, funny, energetic, and hardworking. But mostly she will be remembered for how much she cared for people, especially children. While doting on her own family, she also championed other children and was known as Grandma Scotty to many. She was a 4-H leader for 40 years, teaching sewing to generations of girls, and founded the Inverness Garden Club Scholarship fund to raise money for local students to attend college.

In 1949, Scotty and Joe joined with other ranching families to start Western Weekend, still the major community celebration in the Point Reyes area. It highlights the work of local 4-H groups and also includes a big parade that fills the town's Main Street. The parade features the Western Weekend Queen, based on a contest Scotty started to help sell raffle tickets for the event.

It is hard to imagine how the community we see today would look without Scotty's participation in the many local organizations she was involved in: as a founder of West Marin Senior Services and the Inverness Garden Club, as a volunteer and organizer of the Jack Mason History Museum, and as a supporter in many others where her behind-the- scenes work was always appreciated.

Scotty is survived by her husband Joe, daughter and son-in-law Sharon and Steve Doughty, sons and daughters-in-law, Joey and Linda Mendoza and James and Luci Mendoza, seven grandchildren and eight great- grandchildren (whom she called ``the eight greats'').

Madam Speaker, Scotty Mendoza truly exemplifies the compassionate, can-do community spirit that becomes the fabric for our lives. It is an honor for me to have known her, her husband Joe, and many of her family. We'll miss you, Scotty.

Madam Speaker, I rise today along with my colleague, Congressman Mike Thompson, to recognize and honor Tim Smith, who is retiring after serving for 20 years on the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors. Upon his retirement, Supervisor Smith will have earned the distinction of being the longest continuously serving supervisor in the county's history.

Supervisor Smith began his service to our country as a Navy radioman in Vietnam. When he returned from Vietnam, he attended Sonoma State University, where he graduated with a B.A. in Political Science in 1976.

Shortly thereafter, he joined the staff of State Assemblyman Doug Bosco and continued as his district director when the Assemblyman was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives.

Supervisor Smith was elected to the Board in 1988. As Supervisor, he provided constituent services to 95,000 people in the Third District. The Board also sets the policy direction for the $700 million annual budget and 3,500 county employees, works extensively with the legislative delegation on legislative and regulatory issues and serves on many regional and local agencies, commissions and boards.

Just a few of these agencies, commissions and boards include the Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District, the National Association of Counties, the California Association of Counties, the Association of Bay Area Governments, the Sonoma County Community Development Commission and the Bay Area Air Quality Management District.

In his spare time, he has been a volunteer, advocate or fundraiser for many nonprofit organizations, including the Volunteer Center, United Way, Day of Caring, the Hate Free Community Project, the Valley of the Moon Children's Home, the Heart Association and the Sonoma County Climate Protection Campaign.

Supervisor Smith intends to spend his well earned leisure time traveling with his wife, Suzanne, enjoying his hobbies of golf and fly fishing, and spending more time with his three children and five grandchildren.

Madam Speaker, Supervisor Smith leaves a distinguished record of public service and a lasting reputation as a problem solver who always had the best interests of the people of Sonoma County in mind as he worked on their behalf. We will miss our partnership with him but know he will continue to be a strong advocate for his community. It is appropriate that we honor and acknowledge him today for his lifetime of public service.

Madam Speaker, I rise today along with my colleague, Congressman Mike Thompson, to recognize Steve Olson, who has recently retired as Dean of Occupational Education and Economic Development at Santa Rosa Junior College, SRJC.

Dean Olson began his career as a Plant Science Instructor at SRJC in 1970, and was named Department Chair in 1974. Thirteen years later, he was selected as Dean of Instruction, Educational Programs and Services. In this role he administered a variety of programs for the college including the Agriculture Department, the college's Shone Farm, international education, as well as Community Outreach and Development.

During his tenure at SRJC, he helped establish the Agriculture and Natural Resources Department and the college farm. He also expanded course offerings to more than 50 sites

throughout Sonoma County, created a study abroad program for SRJC students, and developed an educational telecommunications program at the college.

Throughout his career, Dean Olson has been an active participant in many professional associations, serving as Vice President of the California Agricultural Teachers Association, CATA, President of the North Coast CATA, founding Chairman of the State Advisory Committee on Vocational Agricultural Education, a member of the California Joint Policy Council on Higher Education in Agriculture, President of the California Agricultural Leadership Associates, and co-chair of the Northern California Advocates for Global Education. His involvement in his community has also extended to numerous non-profit organizations including the Sonoma County Farm Bureau, the Sonoma County 4-H Foundation, Chair of the Rotary Club of Santa Rosa Foundation, and Director of the Sonoma County Harvest Fair among others.

Over the years, Dean Olson has been recognized for his many accomplishments with such honors as the Friend of 4-H Award, the Rotarian of the Year Award for Northern California, the Friend of Sonoma County Agriculture Award and the Harold D. Bostock Lifetime of Service Rotary Award.

Madam Speaker, Dean Olson has had a long and distinguished career where he has been a model for his community and his profession. He plans to spend his retirement years with his wife, Elaine, and their 6 grandchildren pursuing their many hobbies. It is appropriate at this time that we honor Dean Olson for his many accomplishments and wish him well in his retirement.

Madam, Speaker, I rise today to commend the formation of the Joint Working Group, JWG, in Azerbaijan. Consisting of representatives from a wide range of society and international experts, the JWG was founded in the spring of 2008 to improve and protect human rights in Azerbaijan by implementing international human rights standards.

The JWG is educating various strata of society on human rights issues, informing them about existing human rights violations, and have created a hotline and legal aid center, where services are free. It investigates complaints received on human rights violations and takes steps to restore citizen's rights and improve national legislative acts focused on human rights.

As a part of its ongoing responsibility, the JWG was asked to participate in the planning and execution of the upcoming Presidential election to be held in Azerbaijan on October 15, 2008. JWG will help to ensure that a free, transparent, and fair election is held in accordance with international standards. Extensive training with respect to election processes including gatherings and demonstrations is planned and ongoing for police officers, observers, and commissioners at all levels. The training is being conducted by internationally recognized experts. The training includes instructions to document and report all activities properly and promptly. The JWG has taken into consideration the inputs of numerous national and international entities who are concerned with many aspects of the election. These entities include the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, OSCE, and its Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, ODIHR. JWG is coordinating large groups of international observers who will monitor the elections in the district of their own choosing and will cover all districts and precincts.

I applaud the work of all election observers and hope the Azerbaijani people will have an election that is fair and transparent.

Madam Speaker, I rise today along with my colleague, Congressman Mike Thompson to recognize and honor the Nelson Family of Companies, which has been selected as the Business of the Year by the Sonoma Valley Chamber of Commerce.

The Nelson Family of Companies is an independently owned group of businesses that provide a wide variety of full-time and contract- staffing services as well as software and support services designed to facilitate workforce management.

The first of the ``Nelson Companies'' opened in 1970 in San Rafael. In 1989 a corporate office was established in Sonoma. The companies currently employ more than 300 people in 25 offices throughout northern California.

In addition to being a major employer itself in Sonoma and providing support services to other local businesses, the Nelson family has been an active participant in community organizations and events. Primary beneficiaries have been the Hanna Boys Center and Sonoma Valley Hospital. The companies have also been sponsors or supporters of the Sonoma Jazz Festival, the Charles Schwab Cup Champion's Tour event at Sonoma Golf Club, the Sonoma Wine Harvest Auction and Festival, the American Red Cross, the American Heart Association annual walk, the Blood Bank of the Redwoods annual blood drive, the Valley of the Moon Boys & Girls Club and the Valley of the Moon Teen Center and the Sonoma Valley Mentoring Alliance.

Madam Speaker, local businesses in the small communities throughout our two Congressional districts are much more than employers. They are the backbone of a support system for projects, non-profit organizations and civic events that would not be successful without their involvement. No organization better exemplifies this commitment than the Nelson Family of Companies. It is therefore appropriate for us to honor Chairman Gary D. Nelson and his leadership team and employees, both past and present, for their great work throughout the years.

Madam Speaker, I rise today along with my colleague, Congressman Mike Thompson, to honor and acknowledge the Sonoma County Medical Association, SCMA. The SCMA will celebrate its 150th anniversary on November 11, 2008.

Recently discovered documents place the first call to organize the forerunner to the SCMA on April 10, 1858, with the creation of a constitution and by-laws. The group went through at least two subsequent reorganizations, the latter being in 1888, which had long been considered by medical historians to be the original founding date of the organization.

From 1888 to 1910 the Sonoma County Medical Society, as it was then called, held monthly meetings around such topics as ``The Emotions in Their Relationship to Disease'' and ``Bubonic Plague: Keeping it Out of Sonoma County.'' In 1906, the association elected its first woman president, Dr. Anabel Stuart. During both World Wars, 29 percent of the medical society's membership served our country in uniform.

Since 1951, the SCMA has had only 5 full-time administrators or executive directors. Josephine Quayle served as ``general helper'' until her retirement in 1963. She was succeeded by Norman Brown, who served from 1960 to 1982. Roger Brown served from 1983 to 1989, followed by Tom Wagner from 1989 to 2000 and Cynthia Melody from 2000 to the present.

Over the years, the SCMA has made numerous contributions to the health of Sonoma County. In 1962, the SCMA coordinated a ``Knock Out Polio'' campaign that resulted in 92.3 percent of the county's population being immunized. From the mid-1970s to the late 1990s, the SCMA created several other affiliated companies that helped increase medical services to county residents, including the Specialty Physicians Association and the Children's Health Network. And, in 2000, the SCMA returned to its roots as a selfsustaining, non-profit county medical association supporting physicians and their efforts to enhance the health of the community.

Madam Speaker, the SMCA has a long history of assisting physicians practicing in Sonoma County and of preserving the well being of county residents. It is appropriate that we honor this distinguished organization and its members for their past accomplishments and wish them well as they continue to work

on behalf of the physicians and residents of Sonoma County.