Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Staglin Family Vineyard as they celebrate 40 years of business. The longevity of this great establishment is a remarkable accomplishment and a testament to the Staglin family's efforts in our community.

In 1985, the Staglin family purchased an historic estate on Rutherford Bench in the heart of Napa Valley. The family estate was founded by Shari and Garen Staglin. For four decades, the Staglin family has produced wines of remarkable quality from their 61-acre Rutherford vineyard.

The Staglin family approaches winemaking with a deep sense of responsibility to the land and our community. They farm their Rutherford Bench vineyard organically, invest in renewable energy through solar power, and operate a cutting-edge underground production facility that reflects their commitment to sustainability. Their work is not only about producing high quality wines, but also about preserving the character of Napa Valley and developing meaningful relationships.

The Staglin Family Vineyard produces top quality wines in our district, most notably Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay from their estate under the Staglin and Salus labels. Additionally, they grow and bottle a small production of Stagliano Sangiovese, named after Garen's father, and INEO, a Bordeaux Blend.

The Staglin family has proven to be dedicated members of our community through more than just winemaking. The family motto, ``Great wines for great causes,'' rings true as they regularly engage in philanthropic wine and other donations. Since 1985, they have collectively raised over $1 billion to support charities, including championing their main cause, mental health. Their efforts have culminated in the founding of a non-profit, known as One Mind, which has raised over $600 million in the past thirty years. The organization's mission seeks to radically accelerate cures for brain illnesses and injuries by funding and fostering scientific research collaborations and initiatives, to achieve healthy brains for all. I was proud to collaborate with Garen Staglin and introduce the bipartisan Mental Health Research Accelerator Act to incentivize private companies with financial resources to collaborate with academic or nonprofit research institutions on neurological and mental health research to tackle the root causes of mental health conditions.

The Staglin's are leaders in our community. They are actively involved in the Napa Valley Vintners, Napa Valley Grape Growers, Napa Communities Firewise Foundation, Mentis, Copia, and many other community organizations.

The Staglin family is distinguished by a strong foundation in higher education and public service. Garen Staglin earned an MBA from Stanford University and Shari Staglin received an MPA from New York University. Shannon Staglin holds an MBA from UC Davis, and Brandon Staglin earned a Master of Science in Healthcare Administration and Interpersonal Leadership from UC San Francisco.

Mr. Speaker, the Staglin family has established a legacy befitting their enduring commitment and passion to serving our community through winemaking and philanthropy. It is therefore fitting and proper that we honor their work here today.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Napa Police Chief Jennifer Gonzales upon her retirement after 32 years of service in law enforcement. Chief Gonzales' career exemplifies commitment to community, service, and excellence, and her legacy in Napa will continue to inspire future generations.

Born in Santa Clara, California, Chief Gonzales attended California State University, Chico, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Latin American Studies with a minor in Health Science. She later earned a Master of Arts in Behavioral Science, specializing in Negotiation and Conflict Management, from California State University, Dominguez Hills. Committed to continuous professional development, she further honed her leadership skills by graduating from the FBI National Academy, both the Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Command College and Sherman Block Supervisory Leadership Institute, and the Executive Leadership Institute at the Drucker School of Management, Claremont Graduate University.

Chief Gonzales began her law enforcement career in 1993 as a Community Service Officer and Dispatcher with the CSU Chico Police Department. She became a sworn officer in 1995, serving in the Chico Police Department for 20 years, and rose through the ranks to the level of Lieutenant. In 2015, she joined the Napa Police Department as Captain and was named Chief of Police in 2021.

Throughout her career, Chief Gonzales has been deeply involved in community service and law enforcement leadership. She has served on the boards of Nurturing Empowerment, Worth, Safety (NEWS) Napa domestic violence and sexual abuse services organization, the Napa Special Investigation Bureau, the California Massage Therapy Council, and the Women Leaders in Law Enforcement Mentor Committee. She was also appointed by Governor Gavin Newsom to the State of California 9-1-1 Advisory Board. Additionally, Chief Gonzales has been a representative on the Napa County Juvenile Justice Coordinating Council, the Child Abuse Prevention Council, the Napa Opioid Safety Coalition, and the Napa Valley Community Leaders Coalition.

Chief Gonzales has also made significant contributions to officer wellness and professional development. As a certified member of the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation team, she traveled to New York City after the September 11th attacks to assist with first responder recovery efforts. She also served as the founding Napa Police Peer Support Coordinator and was a part-time lecturer in the Political Science Department at CSU Chico, where she helped prepare future law enforcement professionals.

Mr. Speaker, Chief Jennifer Gonzales has dedicated her career to strengthening public safety, building community trust, and mentoring the next generation of law enforcement professionals. It is fitting and proper that we recognize her service and leadership here today as she enters her well-deserved retirement.

Mr. Speaker, today I did not vote on Roll Call Nos. 148 and 149, as I was meeting with constituents. Had I been present, I would have voted NO on Roll Call No. 148, Ordering the previous question of H. Res. 458, and NO on Roll Call No. 149, Providing for consideration of H.R. 2483, SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Reauthorization Act of 2025; H.R. 2931, Save SBA from Sanctuary Cities Act of 2025; H.R. 2966, American Entrepreneurs First Act of 2025; and H.R. 2987, CEASE Act of 2025.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the late Suki Kahaulelio for his lifelong contributions to the preservation of Hawaiian culture and his decades of service as a mentor, teacher, and leader in our Sonoma County community.

Born on June 4, 1957, in Oahu, Hawaii, Mr. Kahaulelio graduated from Kahuku High School in 1975. Shortly after, he moved to California to attend Santa Rosa Junior College (SRJC), becoming part of the first wave of Polynesian student-athletes recruited to the school. Mr. Kahaulelio was a standout on the 1977-78 State Championship football team, and his success helped pave the way for other Polynesian student- athletes in our region, including Les Goeas, Tom Ako, and Chauncey Ako to thrive in out region. Though many expected him to return to the Islands after graduation, Mr. Kahaulelio chose instead to build a life, raise a family, and establish a vibrant Polynesian community here in our Sonoma County.

Following his time as a student-athlete, Mr. Kahaulelio remained deeply committed to community building, athletics, and cultural preservation. He was a key figure in the development of the Santa Rosa Rugby Club, helping the team win two National Championships. Mr. Kahaulelio later coached for the Rohnert Park Warriors youth football team, here he mentored young athletes and instilled in them the values of humility, teamwork, and service.

For 46 years, Mr. Kahaulelio served as a kumu (teacher), mental, and Hawaiian cultural bearer. His life's work was rooted in perpetuating core Hawaiian principles such as kuleana (responsibility), malama `aina (care for the land), and pono (righteousness). Grounded in the wisdom of his kupuna (ancestors), Mr. Kahaulelio's teachings emphasized intergenerational learning, cultural sovereignty, and healing through connection. His lifelong commitment to teaching traditional Hawaiian values, mentoring youth, and organizing cultural events helped preserve Hawaiian identity across generations. By creating spaces for language, ceremony, and shared history, Mr. Kahaulelio fostered a sense of pride and belonging among the Hawaiian diaspora and helped raise broader awareness of Hawaiian culture in our Sonoma County community.

While attending SRJC, Mr. Kahaulelio met his first wife, Val, with whom he had two children, Cheylyn and Jacob. He later married Toni Guanella, who passed away in 2018, and they had one son together, Dino. Mr. Kahaulelio passed away on January 14, 2021, due to a stroke. His impact continues to resonate in the lives of those he touched, and his legacy will carry forward through the inaugural Suki Kahaulelio Memorial Golf Tournament, taking place on May 31, 2025, in Rohnert Park. Proceeds from the event will support student-athletes and help preserve Hawaiian culture, continuing Mr. Kahaulelio's life work.

Mr. Speaker, we thank Suki Kahaulelio for his dedicated service to our community. Therefore, it is fitting and proper that we honor his legacy here today.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Rio Vista Caring Actions Reaching Everyone (CARE) as the organization celebrates 40 years of service to the Delta community. Since 1985, CARE has provided critical mental health and family support services to children, families, and individuals across Rio Vista and other rural communities in our district.

Rio Vista CARE was founded as a grassroots effort in response to a growing need for professional, low-cost mental health care in the region. Under the leadership of founding Executive Director Araminta Blackwelder, the organization grew into a trusted service provider, offering counseling, in-home visitation, mentoring, and crisis intervention. For over 26 years, Ms. Blackwelder guided CARE through economic challenges and expansion efforts, ensuring it remained a lifeline for families in need. In 2011, she passed the reins to Paul Shane, a seasoned nonprofit leader, and today the organization continues to thrive under the leadership of Executive Director Adriana Bejarano.

In 1995, CARE established the CARE Family Resource Center, expanding its ability to offer wraparound support. The center helps individuals and families access health insurance enrollment, translation services, assistance with unemployment, and connections to local resources. In 2002, CARE launched a home-visiting program to serve families in isolated rural areas. Today, the organization continues to offer school-based counseling from kindergarten through 12th grade, as well as individual and family therapy, grief counseling, support groups, crisis services, and a teen center.

Over the last four decades, CARE has served more than 18,000 children and family units. Seventy percent of its current clients are children. For many families, CARE has become an enduring presence, with parents who once sought help at CARE as childien returning to the clinic with their own children, showing how deeply woven CARE is into the fabric of the community.

Rio Vista CARE remains the Delta region's only low-cost professional counseling and family resource center. Its services are provided regardless of a client's ability to pay, ensuring accessibility for those who need it most. CARE's success over the past 40 years reflects the power of community-based service, strong leadership, and an unwavering commitment to the well-being of others.

Mr. Speaker, Rio Vista CARE has stood by our community for four decades, helping families through their most difficult moments and building pathways to resilience and hope. It is fitting and proper that we recognize their invaluable contributions here today.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Benovia Winery on the 20th anniversary of its creation and to recognize the incredible contributions of its founders, Mary Dewane and Joe Anderson, and its winemaker, Mark Sullivan. For two decades, Benovia has produced handcrafted wines with a deep commitment to sustainability, land stewardship, and community support, values that have made it a treasured part of our Sonoma County.

The story of Benovia began with Ms. Dewane and Mr. Anderson, a wife- and-husband team whose shared careers in the healthcare sector focused on expanding access for underserved populations, especially Medicaid recipients. Their passion for service extended into their personal lives when, in 2002, they began exploring California's Wine Country and discovered a mutual love for Pinot Noir. In 2003, they purchased the Cohn Estate Vineyard, the oldest Pinot Noir vineyard in the Russian River Valley. By 2005, their commitment to the craft had grown into a full-fledged winery named ``Benovia,'' a blend of their fathers' names: Ben Dewane and Novian Anderson.

Benovia's first vintage was produced in 2005, followed by its commercial debut in 2006. That same year, Mr. Anderson sold his successful managed care company to focus entirely on the winery. The team also welcomed Sonoma County native and fermentation science graduate Mark Sullivan, who joined as winemaker and has played a vital role in shaping Benovia's signature style ever since.

Over the past twenty years, Benovia Winery has expanded to over 71 acres across the Russian River Valley American Viticultural Area (AVA) and the Sonoma Coast AVA, where it farms at three estate vineyards: Cohn, Martella, and Tilton Hill. The original ranch property has been restored, with an old ranch house converted into a welcoming tasting room, a former horse barn now used as the red wine facility, and the original winery repurposed for white wine production.

Benovia specializes in small-lot, handcrafted Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Zinfandel, most of which is sold directly to consumers. In the vineyard, the team employs numerous sustainable farming techniques, including the use of 171 solar panels, organic composting, and the cultivation of habitats that support beneficial wildlife.

Beyond then work in the vineyard, Ms. Dewane and Mr. Anderson have remained deeply engaged in philanthropic efforts, giving back to the community through support for programs that address food insecurity, literacy, and local journalism. Through Benovia Winery, they have created several charitable wine releases to benefit nonprofit causes. Ms. Dewane and Mr. Anderson also created a wine line in tribute to the life and career of Congressman Ed Pastor, with their 2018 Pastor Adelante Pinot Noir release. Their dedication to service, both in business and beyond, has left a meaningful and lasting impact in our community.

Mr. Speaker, it is fitting and proper that we honor Benovia Winery for twenty years of excellence in winemaking, sustainability, and community engagement. I join the people of our Sonoma County in celebrating this milestone and in recognizing Joe Anderson, Mary Dewane, and Mark Sullivan for their vision, generosity, and leadership.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Oscar Renteria on his selection by the Napa Valley Grapegrowers as the 2025 Napa Valley Grower of the Year. This award recognizes Mr. Renteria's steadfast commitment to sustainable farming, agricultural preservation, and community leadership, all of which have left a lasting impact on our Napa Valley grapegrowing community.

Born in St. Helena, Mr. Renteria graduated from St. Mary's College in 1989 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. Shortly after graduation, he joined his family's business, Renteria Vineyard Management, founded two year's earlier by his father Salvador Renteria, a respected vineyard worker who became a leading entrepreneur in our Napa Valley. While Mr. Renteria originally focused on administrative work, he quickly became engaged in the hands-on aspects of viticulture. By 1993 he had assumed proprietorship of the business, working directly with the company's prestigious clients.

In 1995, following his father's retirement, Mr. Renteria was named President of Renteria Vineyard Management. Under Mr. Renteria's leadership the company has grown to become one of the largest and most trusted vineyard management firms in the North Bay, with the company managing over 2,200 vineyard acres, nearly 80 full time employees, and 400 seasonal workers. In 1997, Mr. Renteria founded the Renteria family's wine brand, Tres Perlas Wines, a boutique wine label producing limited-production wines.

As President of Renteria Vineyard Management, and owner of Tres Perlas Wines, Mr. Renteria has championed environmentally responsible farming practices that elevate our Napa Valley's global reputation for premium viticulure. Mr. Renteria has committed his companies to environmental stewardship by utilizing the latest innovations in equipment, tools, software, fruit analysis, imaging, and data analysis. These resources enable precision farming and help his team respond effectively to the increasing challenges posed by climate change.

Mr. Renteria is also dedicated to supporting the farmworkers who work alongside him through leadership development, education, and legal assistance. Through his company's Farmworker Concierge Service, Renteria Vineyard Management offers services such as driver's license assistance, document translation, housing support, citizenship guidance, notary services, English literacy classes, and high school scholarships for employees.

Mr. Renteria's leadership extends into community and philanthropic work. He currently serves on the boards of the Napa Valley Grapegrowers, the Napa Valley Farmworker Foundation, and the St. Helena Hospital Foundation. His previous service includes roles with the Napa Valley Community Foundation and serving on the Board of Trustees of his alma mater, Justin-Siena High School. Mr. Renteria has also made significant contributions to nonprofit organizations that support educational opportunities for farmworker's and their families. His philanthropy has benefited institutions such as the Blue Oak School and the Napa Valley Community Foundation, empowering underserved communities and creating lasting opportunities for advancement and growth.

Outside of the wine community, Mr. Renteria is husband to Denise Renteria, and they are the proud parents of three daughters Isabella, Mia, and Gabriella. He is widely appreciated for his sense of humor, strong personal values, and wholehearted commitment to both his family and his work.

Mr. Speaker, Mr. Renteria is a community member we should all strive to be. His passion for viticulture and dedication to his grape growing community make him deserving of the 2025 Napa Valley Grower of the Year. It is therefor fitting and proper that we honor Oscar Renteria here today.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize William ``Bill'' Hanna, who has been selected as the recipient of the Napa Valley Grapegrowers Lifetime Achievement Award. This honor celebrates his decades of service as a steward of the land, a leader in sustainable agriculture, and a deeply respected member of our Napa Valley community.

Mr. Hanna is the great-grandson of legendary naturalist John Muir, whose legacy of environmental conservation shaped the Hanna family's enduring commitment to land stewardship and sustainability. He was born in Oakland, California, in 1945, and in 1950, his family moved to Napa, where they purchased a 100-acre ranch northwest of town. The property was originally planted with prunes and used for raising cattle, but in 1969, Mr. Hanna's father, John Hanna, began replanting the orchards with grapevines. After retiring in 1972, Mr. Hanna's father began farming full-time and laid the foundation for the family's future in viticulture.

Mr. Hanna graduated from the University of the Pacific in 1967 with a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry and a minor in Geology. That same year, he began a 26-year career in the United States Air Force, where he served in roles including Nuclear Research Officer, Environmental Chemist, and Deputy of the Industrial Products Division. During his service, he completed advanced coursework in nuclear physics, electronics, and statistics, and graduated from the Air Command, Staff College, and the Air War College. He later pursued graduate studies at California State University, Sacramento.

In 1977, after transitioning from active-duty military service to the reserves, Mr. Hanna returned to Napa to join his father in managing the family vineyard. Together, Mr. Hanna and his father established Hanna Vineyards, Inc., which they operated together for two decades. In 2000, the family founded Muir-Hanna Vineyards and launched their first commercial wine. While the family has since retired the wine label, Muir-Hanna Vineyards continues to operate today, with Mr. Hanna serving as co-owner, growing and selling grapes to other producers.

Mr. Hanna's vineyard practices have long reflected a deep commitment to environmental responsibility. In the 1970's, his family eliminated insecticide use at their ranch, and by the 1980's, began adopting broader sustainable farming methods. In 2007, Mr. Hanna introduced organic practices across the vineyard's operations. These efforts, combined with cover cropping, composting vine prunings, and fostering wildlife habitat near irrigation channels, demonstrate his long- standing dedication to land stewardship as a grapegrower.

Mr. Hanna's commitment to the land is part of a broader family legacy in Napa Valley agriculture. Mr. Hanna's father, John Hanna, helped organize the Napa Valley Grapegrowers Association and played a key role in drafting language that shaped the Agricultural Preserve. That legacy continued through Mr. Hanna's son, Michael Hanna, who served as the winemaker for the family wine label and currently is the Vineyard Manager at Muir-Hanna Vineyards. Like his father and grandfather before him, Michael Hanna served as a board member of the Napa County Farm Bureau, cementing the Hanna family's agriculture legacy in our Napa Valley agriculture community.

In addition to his contributions to viticulture, Mr. Hanna has served our Napa Valley community through civic leadership. He is a past president and director of the Napa County Farm Bureau, where he helped shape local policy on land use, water, and natural resources. He also contributed to the development of ordinances protecting the Agricultural Preserve, refining winery definitions, and safeguarding environmental quality. Mr. Hanna also served as an advisor to the Bay Area Air Quality Management District and spent 12 years on the ROP Agricultural Advisory Council. His local service also includes board positions with Napa County Farm Supply, the Napa Housing Foundation, and Jefferson Street Senior Housing. He currently chairs the Finance Committee at Napa First United Methodist Church.

Mr. Hanna is married to Claudia Hanna, and together they are the proud parents of Michael and Kristin. The Hanna family has long exemplified a life rooted in conservation, balance, and service to their community. From their passive-solar home to their shared love of hiking near Mono Lake, they continue to live out the environmental values passed down by their ancestor, John Muir.

Mr. Speaker, William Hanna's leadership in agriculture, conservation, and civic life reflects a lifetime of service grounded in science, tradition, and deep care for the land. It is fitting and proper that we recognize him today for receiving the Napa Valley Grapegrowers Lifetime Achievement Award.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and recognize Latinos United of Lake County (LULC) as they celebrate their 30th Annual Cinco de Mayo Festival. This celebration not only honors cultural heritage but also highlights the LULC's three decades of outstanding service to the Latino community in Lake County.

Founded as a grassroots, volunteer-led organization, Latinos United of Lake County has long served as a cornerstone of leadership and support within our region's Latino community. For thirty years, LULC has remained committed to improving the lives of our Lake County's Latino community by promoting education, health, and cultural connection in our area. Its mission includes providing scholarships to local Latino students pursuing or continuing their higher education, organizing cultural events celebrating and preserving Latino heritage, and offering resources supporting the health and well-being of individuals in need.

In addition to its longstanding scholarship program, LULC is involved in broader efforts to support public health, community awareness, and resource accessibility. The organization plays a key role in health- related outreach through its participation in the Climate Health Adaptation and Resilience Mobilization (CHARM) project, where it has been a part of the project's working group and has supported the project's outreach to Spanish-speakers. LULC also uses its Facebook social media page to share countywide news, promote mutual aid efforts such as food and clothing drives, and connect residents with vital services. Furthermore, the organization regularly collaborates with other local partners, including Lake County Tribal Health and Hospice Services of Lake County, and the Lake County Office of Education, to host community events and educational forums.

LULC's Cinco de Mayo Festival, now in its 30th year, is not only a major fundraising event for the scholarship program but also a vibrant celebration of culture and community. The event annually brings together families local agencies, performers, vendors, and neighbors from all backgrounds in a shared space that highlights Lake County's rich cultural diversity. The festival serves as a reminder of the strength that comes from unity, inclusivity, and honoring the many traditions that shape our region.

The success of this year's event, and the continued strength of the organization, would not be possible without the leadership of its current board: Angela Cuellar-Marroquin, President; Roman Arroyo, Vice- President; Ana Santana, Secretary; Maggie Gonzalez, Treasurer; and Anahy Olmedo, Public Relations Chair. Their dedication ensures that Latinos United of Lake County continues to grow and evolve while staying true to its founding purpose.

Mr. Speaker, the story of Latinos United of Lake County is one of resilience, generosity, and community-building. By investing in education, LULC strengthens not only individual lives but the fabric of our entire community, affirming that when we uplift one another, we all rise together. It is fitting and proper that we recognize their 30 years of impact and honor their ongoing contributions to the district and the state.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Unitarian Universalist Church of Davis (UUCD) on its 70th anniversary and to commend its unwavering dedication to fostering an inclusive, compassionate, and justice-oriented community. Since its inception in 1954, UUCD has been a beacon of progressive values and community engagement in our Davis community.

Founded by a group of liberal-minded parents seeking meaningful religious education for their children, UUCD was chartered as a Unitarian Fellowship in 1958 and became a Unitarian Church in 1962. Over the years, the congregation has grown to over 300 members, reflecting its welcoming and inclusive ethos. The church's governance reflects its democratic principles, with a seven-member Board of Trustees overseeing operations and legal responsibilities. This structure ensures that UUCD remains responsive to the needs and aspirations of its congregation. The church embraces individuals from diverse faith backgrounds, including Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Humanism, Judaism, Islam, Paganism, atheism, and agnosticism, exemplifying the church's belief that ``we need not think alike to love alike.''

UUCD's commitment to social justice is deeply embedded in its identity. The church has a legacy of ``deeds not creeds,'' actively engaging in service, projects, educational initiatives, and efforts to foster sustainable living and international understanding. This dedication is evident through various church teams and groups, such as the Climate Crisis Action Team and the Uniting for Racial Justice Team, which work tirelessly to address pressing societal issues in our community.

In 2003, UUCD was certified as a ``Welcoming Congregation'' by the Unitarian Universalist Association, recognizing its proactive efforts to include LGBTQ+ individuals. The church's commitment to environmental stewardship led to its designation as a Green Sanctuary in 2006, following a comprehensive initiative to integrate sustainable practices and environmental justice into the church community. In 2017, UUCD declared itself a sanctuary congregation standing in solidarity with immigrant and undocumented individuals.

For seven decades the Unitarian Universalist Church of Davis has exemplified the values of inclusivity, social justice, and environmental responsibility. Its unwavering dedication to creating a diverse and compassionate community serves as an inspiration to all.

Mr. Speaker, it is both fitting and proper that we recognize and celebrate the Unitarian Universalist Church of Davis for its 70 years of invaluable contributions to the community and its steadfast commitment to fostering a more just and inclusive society.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Rotary Club of Lakeport and congratulate them on their centennial celebrations. For one hundred years, the club has exemplified the Rotary motto of

``Service Above Self,'' carrying out thousands of local and international service projects and strengthening our Lakeport community and beyond.

The Rotary Club of Lakeport was founded in 1925 after the Oakland Rotary Club sponsored its creation. Today, the club stands as one of more than 46,000 Rotary Clubs worldwide, with Rotary International encompassing over 1.2 million members of all races, colors, and creeds. The Lakeport club is composed of a diverse membership that includes business owners, religious leaders, attorneys, judges, educators, and other community leaders. The club also sponsored the creation of the Clearlake and Kelseyville Sunrise Rotary Clubs, showcasing its commitment to the development of our Lake County community.

Over the years, the club has made a lasting impact in our region through numerous initiatives. Its annual community Easter Egg Hunt, first held in 1925, remains their longest-standing event and will mark its 99th occurrence this year. Members also helped construct the bleachers for Clear Lake High School's football stadium, enhanced amenities at Westside Community Park, and restored the historic Lakeport Curfew Bell, which now stands in the newly completed Xabatin Lakeside Park. The club has also completed countless beautification projects in our area and helped found the Lake Area Rotary Club Association (LARCA), which provides vital disaster relief to victims of wildfires and other natural disasters in our Lake County.

The club has also generously supported healthcare institutions. It has donated medical equipment, refrigeration units and TV's to Lakeside Community Hospital and created a Hospice Memory Garden in honor of those who have passed. Their commitment to service includes the creation of a community garden, a medical equipment Lending Library, and the construction of restrooms and showers at the Lake Berryessa Boy Scout Camp. The club has also funded playgrounds for out local Safe House and a teen parenting facility and has maintained the Pearl Harbor Mast to honor the many veterans in our community.

Beyond local work, the Rotary Club of Lakeport has made notable contributions to international causes. Members have hosted numerous foreign exchange students and spearheaded projects across the globe, which include delivering clean water, constructing playgrounds and providing medical services to those in need. They have raised thousands of dollars to support Rotary International's mission to eradicate polio, with members even traveling village to village across the African continent to administer vaccines. Additionally, the club has shipped 100 hospital beds to Haiti, sent two tons of gardening tools to various countries, and supported humanitarian efforts in South Korea though the Lakeport Friendship Center. The club also formed a sister club in Loreto, Mexico, where it has helped build a children's playground, construct a Red Cross building, and have donated an ambulance to the area. Members have also participated in RotoPlast, offering cleft palate surgeries, and supported school infrastructure projects in Mexican orphanages.

Mr. Speaker, the Rotary Club of Lakeport's century of service is a powerful example of community dedication, international outreach, and compassion in action. It is fitting and proper that we recognize and honor their 100th anniversary here today.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Kate Miller, the Executive Director of the Napa Valley Transportation Authority (NVTA). After 12 years of service at NVTA, Ms. Miller is retiring, ending her 30 year career in transportation and leaving behind a lasting impact on our Napa County community and the broader Bay Area.

Born and raised in the Bay Area, Ms. Miller earned a Bachelor of Arts in U.S. and International Studies from the University of Washington and a Master's in Public Administration, Urban Studies, and Transportation from San Francisco State University. She began her career in transportation in 2000 at the Metropolitan Transportation Commission, where she worked as a Senior Planner before moving to AC Transit as the Manager of Capital Development, Legislation, and Grants. In 2012, she became Executive Director of NVTA.

Ms. Miller's leadership at NVTA has resulted in significant improvements to our Napa County's transportation infrastructure. She led the passage of Measure U, a sales tax expected to generate $1.2 billion over 30 years for local streets and road projects. Under her direction, NVTA completed the $56 million Soscol Junction Interchange, reducing traffic congestion and improving mobility. She also played a key role in expanding the Napa Valley Vine Trail, securing funding, and guiding its construction from Napa to Yountville and from Calistoga to St. Helena.

Ms. Miller oversaw the operations of Vine Transit, which serves over 600,000 passengers annually and connects Napa County to Vallejo Ferry, Amtrak, and BART. During the 2017 Tubbs Fire, Vine Transit worked with emergency services to evacuate residents and visitors while maintaining limited bus service, earning NVTA and its partners the Bay Area Metro (Grand) Award from the Metropolitan Transportation Commission in 2019. The agency later provided similar emergency response efforts during the 2020 Glass Fire. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Vine Transit also played a critical role by delivering meals to shelters and isolation sites, transporting high-risk individuals to quarantine facilities, assisting emergency staff, and ensuring access to testing and vaccination sites for those without transportation.

Beyond our Napa Valley community, Ms. Miller has been a key voice in statewide transportation policy. She served as Chair of the Bay Area Partnership Board at the Metropolitan Transportation Commission and was appointed to the California Transit Transformation Task Force, where she worked on long-term funding solutions and operational improvements for public transit. Ms. Miller is also a well-respected mentor, collaborator, and advocate for sustainable transportation. Known for her ability to bring together local governments, agencies, and private partners, she has strengthened Napa's position in regional and statewide transportation planning.

Outside of her professional life, Ms. Miller is a dedicated family member and friend. She has been married to her husband, Greg, for 21 years and is a devoted aunt to her nieces and nephew Ashley, Natalie, and Wesley. A proud Napa resident, Ms. Miller is an cyclist and enjoys spending time with friends, sharing meals, and walking her dog, Lilly, through the streets of Browns Valley.

Mr. Speaker, Ms. Miller's leadership has improved transportation infrastructure, expanded transit services, and advanced sustainability efforts in our Napa Valley and beyond. It is fitting and proper that we recognize her contributions here today.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize International House Davis (I-House) as the organization celebrates 40 years of service. Since its founding, I-House has helped make our Davis community a more welcoming and inclusive place by building cultural understanding and supporting international residents.

I-House was originally established in 1981 to connect International students attending UC Davis to our greater Davis community. In 1984, the organization opened its permanent location at 10 College Park, which has since become a central space for cultural exchange, language learning, and public programming in our area. What began as a small, volunteer-led effort has grown into a well-established nonprofit reaching thousands of people each year.

Each year, over 250 international residents participate in I-House's English language programs. In addition, more than 2,500 individuals take part in the organization's cultural events and community programs. These include music and dance classes, parenting groups, public speaking workshops, and the I-House World Tour, a program that features cultural traditions from around the world and partners with local organizations to deepen community ties.

After the COVID-19 pandemic, I-House reevaluated its operation norms, and decided to begin work on expanding its programming and reaching a broader cross-section of our Davis community. The organization has since strengthened its support for immigrants, refugees, and newcomers by launching new English language offerings and volunteer-driven initiatives. It has also added more community-led cultural programming, including classes in Persian drumming, French and Peruvian dance, and other areas that reflect the diversity of its participants.

Throughout its four decades of work, I-House Davis has remained committed to the values of community, curiosity, collaboration, culture, and belonging. These principles are reflected in the organization's day-to-day efforts to promote civic engagement, foster cross-cultural understanding, and support individuals as they navigate life in a new place. Whether through language instruction, cultural exchange, or shared community space, I-House has created opportunities for people from many different backgrounds to learn from one another and feel connected.

As part of its 40th anniversary, I-House has launched a community storytelling project titled ``40 Years of Stories,'' highlighting the organization's history and its continued importance to the region. Under the leadership of Executive Director Shelly Gilbride and a dedicated staff and board, I-House Davis remains a trusted and active presence in the Davis community.

Mr. Speaker, International House Davis has spent four decades promoting cultural exchange and supporting our international and immigrant communities. It is fitting and proper that we recognize the organization today for its 40 years of dedicated service to our district.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to this big, terrible bill.

This bill takes healthcare away from 14 million people. With this bill, 9 million people lose food assistance. It adds $4.3 trillion to the debt, and that is before the interest on that.

This bill also advances China in the race for renewable energy superiority at a time when energy demand is soaring off the top of the charts. All of this is to give a tax cut to the Musk billionaire-type donors.

Mr. Neal talked about the distribution charts. The distribution charts are the coin of the realm. That is what we go by. Look at those distribution charts. They tell the truth. If someone makes under $50,000 a year, they get a tax cut of about $260. If they make a million dollars a year, they get a tax cut of about $81,500. All of this is to give a big tax cut to the richest people in the country. At the same time our constituents lose and our hospitals and our clinics will close. Our veterans' community loses. This is a bad bill. I urge a ``no'' vote.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor Officer Matthew Bowen of the Vacaville Police Department.

Officer Bowen joined the Vacaville Police Department in 2023 and was celebrated by his friends, family, and colleagues for his kindness, humor, work ethic, and unwavering calm under pressure.

On Thursday, July 11, 2024, Officer Bowen was initiating a traffic stop when he was struck by a vehicle, tragically losing his life in the line of duty.

His selfless dedication to protecting others, even in the face of danger, is a testament to his courage and commitment to public service

Officer Bowen is survived by his wife, Elizabeth; and their two young sons, Mason and Everett. It was my privilege to name him my district's Public Safety Hero of the Year for Solano County in 2025.

Mr. Speaker, this Police Week, I am honored to recognize Officer Matthew Bowen's legacy of courage and sacrifice. May he rest in peace.