Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize California Highway patrolman, Michael ``Mike'' Walker of Lower Lake, California as he retires from 33 years of public service.

Born in Vallejo, California, and raised nearby in Benicia, Mike learned at an early age the importance of public service and the necessity of helping others. Compelled to serve our country, he enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1972. He served as an instructor teaching jungle survival techniques overseas. His hard work and commitment were duly noted as he earned four promotions during his three years in the United States Marine Corps.

In 1975, Mike joined the Benicia Police Department as a reserve officer. One year later, he transferred to the Alameda County Sheriff's Department where he served as Deputy Sheriff. Three years later, in 1978, he joined the California Highway Patrol and went through the academy in Sacramento. Upon graduation Officer Walker was assigned to the Glendale law enforcement team. In 1980 he transferred to Newhall and in 1984 to Clear Lake where he has spent the past 21 years serving the citizens of Lake County.

Officer Walker served as an instructor, training and arming his fellow officers with the proper knowledge and skills needed for fieldwork, including physical methods of arrest and advanced accident investigation.

Officer Walker is a kindhearted man, who has selflessly devoted his life to helping others. He is revered throughout Lake County as someone always willing to lend a hand wherever it is needed.

In retirement, Mike and his beloved wife of 29 years, Dorrie, plan on spending more time with their children, Christopher and Patricia, and their 2 grandchildren, Denim and Katie.

Mr. Speaker and colleagues, it is appropriate that we honor and thank California Highway Patrolman Michael ``Mike'' Walker for his hard work and dedication to public service and extend our best wishes to him in retirement.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Kevin Twohey from my hometown of Saint Helena, California, as he is honored with the 2005 Saint Helena Citizen of the Year Award.

Mr. Speaker, born in Ohio, Kevin joined our unique community more than 18 years ago. Since that time, Kevin has devoted his life to serving the people of Saint Helena. Kevin is not only a driven, hard working man who is not afraid to role up his sleeves and get his hands dirty, but he is also selfless and has remained steadfast in his commitment to bettering our town.

Shortly after settling in California, Kevin, an avid and astute horticulturalist, purchased the locally owned Whiting's Nursery which has been a part of our community for nearly 60 years.

For the past 17 years, Kevin has served as a volunteer firefighter for the St. Helena Fire Department and has held the position of fire chief for 11 years. An integral and highly revered member of this team, Kevin has become a mentor to his fellow firefighters, helping them and guiding them through fires and life. What Kevin enjoys most about volunteering is the camaraderie and the ability to positively affect people's lives every single day.

When not fighting fires or running the nursery, Kevin can be found at the Saint Helena public pool coaching the Waves, Saint Helena's Swim Team. Kevin is also a passionate fly fisherman and fitness guru.

Mr. Speaker, I'm sure Kevin's wife, Margaret, and their daughter, Kathleen, are extremely proud of him. I believe I speak for Kevin's family, friends, and community when I say Kevin Twohey is an exemplary citizen and an inspiration to all of us. My fellow colleagues, it is appropriate that we take this time to thank and honor Kevin Twohey for his numerous, invaluable contributions to Saint Helena.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Angelo Regusci who has been named the 2005 Agriculturalist of the Year by the Napa County Farm Bureau.

I have had the privilege of knowing the Regusci family for nearly all of my life. Angelo, the family's patriarch, has spent the last eight decades as a dairyman, cattle rancher, farmer, businessman, viticulturalist and winemaker in the heart of the Napa Valley's Stags Leap District. Mr. Regusci, as I always referred to him while growing up just a short distance from his family's ranch, is a man of great talent and practical wisdom.

Mr. Regusci grew up living the hardscrabble life of rancher's son. He and his sister Isabella worked side-by-side with their parents Gaetano and Livia as they wrestled a living from the land through hard work and perseverance. Their stunning 286-acre ranch on the Silverado Trail was purchased by Angelo's father in 1932 or the princely sum of $22,000. As the economics of agriculture evolved over the next fifty years, Angelo and his family transitioned their love of labor and land from dairy to prunes to beef and ultimately to premium wine grapes. Throughout this entire time, Angelo and his family remained pillars of their community for their contributions to the advancement of agriculture and their work on behalf of local youths wanting to pursue future careers in farming.

Angelo Regusci began selling grapes door-to-door decades before his now famous Stags Leap District started producing coveted $100 bottles of Cabernet. He and his brother-in-law sold grapes by the ton to first and second-generation Italian, Portuguese, German and Greek home winemakers who kept alive the custom of making wine at home. I am told the price varied from $50 to $70 per ton, depending on whether they had to carry the bins more than two flights of stairs.

Angelo and Mary Regusci have produced many of the Napa Valley's greatest resources, but their finest contribution to our community has been the wonderful children they have raised and shared with all of us. They should be extremely proud of Jim, Joe, Bernadette and Martha.

Mr. Speaker and colleauges, it is appropriate at this time that we recognize and honor Angelo Cesare Regusci for his contributions to American agriculture and for being awarded the 2005 Napa County Farm Bureau Agriculturalist of the Year.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize David Crawford of Napa, California as he steps down from the Napa City Council after 8 years of service.

David was first elected to the Napa City Council in 1982. After a 4- year break he decided to run for office again and was elected to his second term in 2000. As a councilmember, he helped restore and rejuvenate historic downtown Napa.

Mr. Speaker, David also acted as the mayor of Napa for 6 months in 1988 after Mayor Bob Pelusi passed away.

A dedicated and professional man, David continued working as a full time physician during his 8 years on the Napa City Council. He continues his practice full time at Kaiser Permanente Medical Center in Vallejo, CA.

Mr. Speaker, David is also very active with the First Christian Church of Napa, California where he has served for 10 years as the mission chairman.

David graduated with a bachelor of arts from the University of California, David earned his medical doctorate at Temple University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Born in Palo Alto, California, David and his wife Christine reside in Napa, California. They have three daughters.

Mr. Speaker, it is appropriate that we recognize and thank David Crawford for his dedication to our community. Please join me in wishing him the best in all his future endeavors.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Paul Berlant who is retiring after seven years as Town Manager of Windsor, California.

During his tenure, the Town of Windsor experienced a renaissance. The Town's old downtown area was redesigned as a vibrant and thriving mixed use neighborhood. The Town Green was central to this redevelopment and became the focal point for a farmers market, Movies on the Green, holiday tree lighting, summer concerts, 4th of July celebration and other seasonal festivals.

This was consistent with Mr. Berlant's vision for orderly development throughout the town. The single-family homes in the Vintage Green subdivision use recycled water for irrigation. Keiser Park was expanded by leveraging federal, state and local grants.

Mr. Berlant also oversaw the development of the Shiloh Commercial Center, the town's new corporation yard, various housing projects and the opening of the Arcata Lane/Highway 101 interchange.

He will be remembered as a skilled negotiator who treated everyone fairly and with respect and as someone who was able to interpret the Town Council's vision that, as the local newspaper said, ``turned a vast vacant lot into a thriving urban center.''

Mr. Speaker, Paul Berlant has spent 33 years working for cities throughout California. He and his wife, Carol Ann, plan to spend time with their new grandchild and traveling. It is appropriate that we honor him today for his public service and to wish him well on his retirement.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize John P. Gurney who is retiring this month after 12 years as the Chief of Police for the City of Sonoma, California.

How a police department in a small town interfaces with the community has always been central to Chief Gurney's policing philosophy. During his tenure in Sonoma, Chief Gurney successfully integrated the concept of community policing into the department by redirecting resources from administration to patrol officers. He established the Sonoma Police Department Community Advisory Council to provide public, input and feedback on department policies, programs and training. He then facilitated a department-wide workshop identifying community expectations and developed a strategic plan to meet those expectations. A departmental mission and value statement was developed to incorporate the community's vision.

He also established the Sonoma Valley Interagency Council for Youth and Family. This organization consists of government and non-profit youth and family service organization and is charged with reducing the risk factors to our youth and their families. In acknowledgment of his work with young people, he received the 2001 Sonoma County Office of Education's Youth Award.

On a countywide basis, Chief Gurney also participated in the development, acquisition and implementation of a $12 million Computer Aided Dispatch, Records Management and Mobile Computing/Field Reporting system and chaired the Oversight Committee for this project.

Professionally, he has served as President of the Sonoma County Law Enforcement Chiefs Association, Chair of the Santa Rosa Training Center Advisory Committee, member of the California Peace Officer's Association, law enforcement representative to the California Judicial Council Collaborative Justice Courts Advisory Committee, member of the California Police Chief's Association, the California Police Chief's Association representative to both the Community Colleges Chancellor's Office Statewide Public Safety Advisory Committee and the Commission on Peace Officer and Standards and Training Advisory Committee.

As a member of his community, Chief Gurney served on the Board of Directors of the Valley of the Moon Boys and Girls Club, and was in the inaugural class of Leadership Sonoma Valley.

Mr. Speaker, Chief Gurney and his wife Phyllis own a small vineyard in Sonoma and they intend to enjoy the good life upon retirement. It is appropriate that we commend him for his many years of public service and wish him well on his retirement.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Captain Jeffrey ``Jeff'' Markham of Lakeport, California as he retires from the Lake County Sheriff's Department after serving and protecting our community for the past 35 years.

Captain Markham has been an indispensable member of the Lake County law enforcement team. Since 1969, he has wholeheartedly committed himself to our community, working selflessly and relentlessly towards bettering the lives of Lake County citizens. Whether out patrolling the streets or supervising the office, Jeff has worked day and night to protect Lake County.

A highly respected and revered man, Captain Markham has held many other important positions throughout the county and state including law enforcement liaison between the Lake County Board of Supervisors and the Lake County Sheriff. In addition to his responsibilities in Lake County he has served as the State of California Narcotics Agent for 18 Northern California counties.

Mr. Speaker, when not in uniform, Captain Markham is very active throughout the community. While President of the local Little League he helped lead the development of a new baseball field. He has served as Head Cub Master for local Cub Scouts. For eight years he served on the Konocti Unified School District Board of Trustees and taught police science at Yuba College's Lake County campus in Clearlake. He has been a member of various organizations including the Rotary Club, Kiwanis Club, Elks Lodge, and the Old Car Club.

A native Californian, Captain Markham graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from California State University at San Jose. He then earned his Master's in public Administration from the University of Southern California and later attended the FBI National Academy. Jeff and his wife Jeanne have two sons, David who also lives in Lakeport and Stephen who resides in nearby Clearlake where he is the Vice Mayor. Jeff and Jeanne are also the proud grandparents of six.

Mr. Speaker and colleagues, it is appropriate that we honor and thank Captain Jeffrey Markham for his years of devotion to public service and extend our best wishes to him as he retires.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Maureen Stanton, Professor of Ecology and Evolution at the University of California, Davis as the 2005 recipient of the UC Davis Prize for Undergraduate Teaching and Scholarly Achievement. The prestigious $30,000 prize, funded by the UC Davis Foundation, is believed to be the largest award of its kind in the nation. The winner is selected on the recommendation of faculty members, students and research peers.

Professor Stanton has made significant contributions throughout her years of University service. She served as the dynamic and extraordinarily productive director of the Center for Population Biology from 1993 to 1998. She frequently advises National Science Foundation panels and has been a National Council member of the Society for the Study of Evolution. She is also the Vice President of the American Society of Naturalists and an elected member of the California Academy of Sciences.

Dr. Stanton began her research of the interactions between plants and insects as a sophomore at Stanford University. At Harvard University she earned her Ph.D. in five years. Dr. Stanton then accepted a position at the Academy of Natural Sciences in Philadelphia, but missing the discovery of science, she soon relocated to Yale University for post-doctoral research. Her findings on the underappreciated importance of male characteristics in flowers lifted her into the top ranks of evolutionary ecologists.

In 1982 she joined the UC Davis faculty as an assistant professor of botany. At 28 she was younger than many of her doctoral students. In her teaching role she continually reshapes course curricula to provoke inquiry. She once stated, ``I want to build critical thinking skills. That means I have to teach students to question pre-conceived ideas, to ask `How confident are we of what we think we know?' ''

Mr. Speaker, it is appropriate at this time that we recognize Professor Stanton and her passion for scholarly achievement, university service and undergraduate teaching.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Chief of Police Tom Engstrom of Lakeport, California, as he retires after 37 years of dedicated public service.

As a young man in his early 20s, Chief Engstrom was determined to lead a life devoted to protecting his fellow citizens. He began his service in 1968 when he joined the Phoenix, Arizona Police Department. Several years later he moved to California and was promoted to Sergeant with the City of Turlock Police Department. In 1980, at just 33 years of age, Sergeant Engstrom was selected as Chief of Police for the City of Newman becoming the youngest Chief of Police in the State of California. Over a decade later, Tom and his family moved to Lakeport, California where he was selected by the Lakeport City Council to serve as Chief of Police.

For the past 11 years Chief Engstrom has made numerous contributions to his community, enabling the people of Lakeport to live in a safe environment. He has dedicated much of his time towards implementing various educational programs throughout the community including Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) and Gang Resistance Education & Training (G.R.E.A.T). With these outreach programs, Chief Engstrom has been able to educate and promote awareness of these important issues to Lakeport citizens of all ages.

Chief Engstrom has also played an active role in creating other law enforcement programs and patrol units including the Canine Program, School Resource Officer Program, Personal Watercraft Patrol and Bicycle Patrol. He is responsible for the creation of the New Police Facility and for raising $1.5 million in grants for the Lakeport Police Department.

The Chief earned his Bachelor of Art's Degree from the University of San Francisco in Public Administration. He continued his education and graduated from the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia.

Tom and his wife of 38 years, Cindy, are the proud parents of seven children and 12 grandchildren.

Mr. Speaker and colleagues, it is appropriate that we thank Police Chief Tom Engstrom for all that he has done to protect the citizens of Lakeport, California, and extend our best wishes to him in retirement.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Dr. Philip A. Gary who is retiring in June 2005 after 19 years as principal of Ukiah High School in Ukiah, California and nearly 40 years in education.

Dr. Gary is widely recognized for his dedication to staff, students, parents, community and profession. He has received numerous awards, recognitions and recommendations from students and parents, including Mendocino County's High School Principal Administrator of the Year and California Schoolmasters' Mendocino County Educator of the Year for exemplary commitment to children and leadership in an educational profession.

Dr. Gary brought creative problem solving to many sections of the school curriculum. Under his guidance the state recognized vocational education classes, which developed between industry ties and local businesses for student job placement. Large numbers of Advanced Placement classes were added; a widely lauded Mathematics Engineering Science Achievement (MESA) program increased the

number of college-bound Hispanic students; a Native American counselor and out-reach program were initiated; at-risk student classes and support systems were added and increased; special education student programs were enhanced; gang forum, drug and alcohol prevention programs were instigated; and monies needed to keep athletic, fine arts and performing arts were raised.

Dr. Gary also encouraged programs to support gender equity, as well as ethnic and cultural diversity. And he encouraged professional development and personal creativity among staff members, maintaining the highest standards for the faculty, students and himself.

Mr. Speaker and colleagues, Dr. Gary gained the admiration and respect of all and represents everything that is positive in our public education system. For these reasons and countless others, it is most appropriate that we honor his commitment and service to perhaps our nation's most important resource--educating our youth.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my sadness regarding the recent passing of a leader in our community, Lourminia Carino Sen, known to all as ``Mimi.''

A 37-year resident of Davis, California, Mimi was born and raised in the Philippines where she received a bachelor's degree in food technology from the University of the Philippines. She also earned a bachelor's degree in food science, a master's degree from Oregon State University--where she met her husband, Arun--and a Ph.D. in agricultural chemistry and biochemistry from the University of California, Davis, where she was a National Institutes of Health Pre- doctoral Fellow.

Mimi had an illustrious career conducting research at UC Davis. In 1991 she began her service, working at the State of California Department of Food and Agriculture's Center for Analytical Chemistry. In 1996, CDFA Secretary Ann Veneman presented her with the Outstanding Performance Award for her efficient management of the laboratory. In 2001, Governor Gray Davis appointed Mimi as the Agricultural and Environmental Science Advisor to the California Department of Food and Agriculture; she was the first person to be appointed to this position.

Mimi dedicated her life to her family and the community of Davis. While raising her two daughters, she was active in the Davis School Arts Foundation, serving as president from 1987-88. She was active in Girl Scouts, Davis Ballet, the Davis Art Center and Habitat for Humanity. However, her most extensive volunteer work was on the board of the International House of Davis. Starting in 1986, she chaired the Philippines conference and eventually became vice president in charge of programs. An excellent cook, Mimi initiated the ethnic and Thanksgiving dinners that brought people together from all over the world. During that period she also cochaired a China conference, Japan conference, Sunday brunches and international teas. Over the years the Sen family hosted more than 40 foreign exchange students. Mimi's volunteer work at I-House led to her being honored with the city's Brinley Award for outstanding contributions to an organization.

Mr. Speaker, Mimi's dedication to others inspires us all. In her personal life, her volunteer life and her professional life, Mimi Sen was continually promoting respect and appreciation for all peoples and cultures. It is appropriate that we celebrate and honor her life. Mimi will be missed in our community but her dedication to international relations and her life example will be cherished forever.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge the children of Congregation Shir Shalom in Sonoma, California who are deeply concerned about the tragedy taking place in Darfur, Sudan. These children recognize that the world cannot stand by while whole populations are slaughtered because of their race or religious beliefs. In the children's own words:

We are Jewish children at Congregation Shir Shalom in

Sonoma, California, who have learned about tikkun olam, about

making the world a better place. We have learned that Jews

cannot be just for ourselves. We must be for others, too.

In our synagogue's school, we have learned there are other

children we do not know, but who are living in danger in

Darfur, Sudan. We know that bandits and other bad people are

killing them and their families. Many people have died in

Darfur, including many children. Also, children in Darfur and

their mothers and fathers have had their things stolen from

them. Because of all this millions have run away from their

homes in Darfur.

As Jewish children, we know about the Holocaust, when Jews

were killed just for being Jews. We know that there are

people in Darfur who are now being killed just for being who

they are.

Knowing this, we know we cannot stand by and let it happen.

We know we are only children, so we need the help of grown-

ups in our city, our state, and national governments to take

action to protect the children in Darfur and their families.

We ask our government to make it safe for families living

in Darfur. We ask for bandits and other bad people to be

stopped from robbing and killing the children, women, and men

living in Darfur. That way maybe all the food that is being

sent to the people in Darfur might get through. Books might

get through, too, and then children in Darfur can get to go

to school like we do.

We ask all this because we are all human, and it is

important to not just think of ourselves. It is important to

make the world a better place for children like us who just

want peace and maybe a chance to play and have fun like we

can do in Sonoma, California.

Please listen to what we are asking and do what you can do

to help those living in Darfur, Sudan have a chance to be

happy.

Mr. Speaker, these words are profound and they will echo through history. We owe it to the children of Congregation Shir Shalom and to the children of Darfur to do everything in our power to resolve this grave humanitarian crisis.

Mr. Speaker, last weekend, the President finished his 60 stops in 60 days tour. He traveled to a lot of places, but I wish he had come to my district because my district and my constituents would have told him, in no uncertain terms, that privatizing Social Security just does not cut it.

I have here over 3,000 petitions that were submitted to me by Rosalind Peterson and Becky Curry on behalf of the residents of three of my counties--Lake, Mendocino and Sonoma. They speak for people all along California's north coast who know that privatization will do three things: it will worsen the solvency of Social Security, it will lead to benefit cuts for everyone, and it will cause an explosion in our already record level national debt and our deficit.

My constituents know that Social Security is the most successful Federal program in our Nation's history. We need to strengthen Social Security to make sure it is solvent for future generations, but privatization is not the answer.

My constituents know that, and given the nationwide opposition to the President's privatization scheme, his constituents know it, also.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Sarah Gorodezky of Napa, California as she retires from 22 years of distinguished public service.

Since 1983, Sarah has selflessly dedicated her life to improving the lives of others through her work at various Hospices and organizations throughout Northern California. She began her career as the Executive Director for the Northern California Hospice Association. From 1985 until 1991 she directed the Oakland Hospice Program at Kaiser Permanente. In 1991 she joined Alive Hospice as the Executive Director where she worked for the next six years.

Mr. Speaker, Sarah has served the past 8 years as Executive Director for the Hospice of Napa Valley, commonly referred to as HNV. Under her leadership, the HNV earned independent non-profit status and established the Adult Day Services of Napa Valley. She also helped spearhead the campaign to raise $7 million for a new HNV facility.

Mr. Speaker, Sarah, has played an active role on numerous boards and commissions throughout California including the California Hospice Foundation, the California Association of Adult Day Services, Napa County Coalition of Non-Profit Agencies, and the Napa County Commission on Aging. While working at the HNV, Sarah served on the Board of Directors and Council of State's Leaders for the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization.

Throughout her career Sarah has been recognized for her compassion, devotion, and outstanding public service. The National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization awarded her with the 1995 Heart of the Hospice Award and the 2003 Founders Award. In 2000, she was the recipient of the California Hospice and Palliative Care Association's Pierce Salmon Award.

Sarah graduated from the University of California Berkeley with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Sciences and earned her Masters in Adult Continuing Education from the University of Michigan.

I am sure Sarah is looking forward to spending more time with her husband Michael, two daughters, and three grandchildren.

Mr. Speaker, Sarah Gorodezky's work has touched many lives throughout our community and it is appropriate that we take this time to thank Sarah for her 22 years of public service. I wish her the best as she begins her retirement.

Mr. Speaker, it is an honor to join with my colleague Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi to honor our friend, Victor Marcus, on the occasion of his 90th birthday.

Victor Marcus was born in 1915 in Berlin, Germany. He escaped Nazi Germany in 1936 and immigrated to America.

He is one of San Francisco's most prominent residents and has been president of a real estate firm, the Victor L. Marcus Company, for the past 52 years. He serves on numerous committees and boards and actively participates in a variety of civic and political endeavors. His leadership and vision have no doubt strengthened his beloved home, San Francisco, California.

In 2003 Victor Marcus received the Distinguished Leadership Award from the Jewish Committee of San Francisco for his immeasurable contributions to San Francisco's business world, cultural institutions, and the Jewish Community. He has generously and enthusiastically supported the Jewish Community with particular expertise in issues relating to Israel, foreign affairs and diplomacy.

Victor Marcus is a connoisseur and patron of the arts and one of his greatest passions, music, is demonstrated by his support of the San Francisco Opera and Symphony. His loves in life are music, fine wines and wonderful food. He is the proud uncle of three nephews from South Africa who have traveled to the United States to celebrate this milestone with him.

Mr. Speaker and colleagues, we join Victor Marcus's family and friends in congratulating him on his 90th birthday and extend our best wishes to him.