Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge the outstanding efforts of Brian James McInnis, a student at the University of California, Davis, to increase student participation in the electoral process. In 2004 Brian McInnis conceived and coordinated with the Yolo County Clerk/Recorder, the first UC Davis Early Voting Satellite Station which had the effect of increasing student participation in the 2004 Presidential Election by 100 percent, resulting in 3,000 more students voting.

Brian took full responsibility for every aspect of the UC Davis Early Voting Project, was faultless with regard to dependability and fairness, and made the program so successful that early voting will be extended to other satellite locations.

Brian, who was reared in Marin County, California, has been enrolled at UC Davis since 2002, majoring in history and economics. He has been active in the Associated Students of UC Davis where he has served in numerous capacities, including Founder and Chair of the Associated Students of UC Davis Lobby Corps Program. Currently Brian is Director of External Affairs for ASUCD.

Nominated by UC Davis Chancellor Larry Vanderhoef, Brian was the honorable mention recipient of the 2005 USA Today's All-USA College Academic Team program which recognizes students who excel in leadership roles both on and off campus. Brian was also recently recognized as ``Advocate of the Year'' for his work with the California State Legislature and the University of California Board of Regents.

Mr. Speaker, it is appropriate at this time that we commend Brian James McInnis for his outstanding record of community service and dedication to the democratic process, and who serves as an inspiration for all young people who may want to become more effectively involved in public service.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize former Napa County Supervisor Mike Rippey of American Canyon, California as the Sierra Club honors him with the Earl Thollander Award for his outstanding environmental achievements.

Mike's keen interest in the environment has led him to a lifetime dedicated to environmental preservation. After earning his Bachelor of Science degree from California State University, Humboldt and his Masters Degree from Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government, Mike returned to Napa County where he has made numerous invaluable contributions to our community.

Mr. Speaker, Mike is known to be a soft-spoken man, but his actions resonate throughout the community. After garbage companies threatened to turn the Napa County into San Francisco's dumping grounds in the 1980's and 90's, Mike quickly took action. A passionate and dedicated man, Mike worked tirelessly to fight the garbage companies, spearheading an opposition group that raised awareness of the potentially hazardous landfills. His activism was met with overwhelming success. He was not only able to stop the creation of these landfills, but also encouraged the garbage companies to implement recycling as a method of reducing unnecessary waste.

He has also served on multiple environmental boards across Northern California including the CalFed Task Force-Bay Area Water Forum and the Bay Conservation and Development Commission. Mike also chaired the Napa County Local Agency Formation Commission working to prevent urban sprawl.

Mr. Speaker, from 1992 until 2004, Mike served on the Napa County Board of Supervisors. During his tenure, Mike played an integral role in the creation and implementation of the Napa River Flood Control Project. Each year heavy winter rain has caused the Napa River to flood, destroying many homes and hundreds of acres of land. Instead of constructing man made channels to re-direct the flooding river, Mike helped design an environmentally sound alternative to allow the river to flow naturally without damaging homes or land.

Mike's most recent accomplishment has been the creation of the new solar powered Sheriff's office which is the only law enforcement building in the country to have been awarded a National Leadership in Energy Efficiency Gold Certificate.

Mr. Speaker, it is necessary that we take this time to thank Mike Rippey for his service and dedication to protecting our environment and ask that you join me in wishing him the best in all his future endeavors.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Marla Ruzicka, who was killed last Saturday, April 16, 2005, when a suicide bomber attacked a convoy of security contractors that was passing next to her vehicle in Iraq. The attack occurred on the Baghdad Airport road as she traveled to visit an Iraqi child injured by a bomb, part of her daily work of identifying and supporting innocent victims of the war in Iraq. Marla's outstanding contributions and dedication to human rights around the world are truly appreciated and will be sorely missed.

Although just 28, Marla lived a full life. She began a door-to-door survey of civilian casualties in Iraq the day after Saddam Hussein's statue was toppled in April 2003. She founded a non-profit organization, Campaign for Innocent Victims In Conflict (CIVIC) and formed survey teams that gathered first-hand accounts of civilian casualties in Iraq.

Marla traveled repeatedly to danger zones in Afghanistan and Iraq to locate and document people who were killed or injured and then worked to secure compensation for them or their families.

A native of Lake County, California Marla graduated from Long Island University. After college, she returned to California, where she worked for Global Exchange, a San Francisco-based human rights organization. This led her to Kabul, Afghanistan, shortly after the Taliban fell, where she focused her attention on the plight of war victims.

Mr. Speaker and colleagues, Marla Ruzicka earned the respect, friendship and admiration of all of those with whom she came in contact. She will be greatly missed both personally and professionally. Her compassion and commitment to human rights were unquestionable. For these reasons and countless others, it is most appropriate that we honor her life's work and we extend our condolences to her family.

Mr. Speaker, we are here today to honor a colleague who honorably served in the House for 26 years, our good friend, the late Robert T. Matsui.

This bill to rename the U.S. courthouse in Sacramento after Bob is a small tribute to our friend who always rose above petty, partisan politics to do what was good and what was right for his district and for our country.

Bob provided more than a voice for those who could not speak for themselves. He provided monumental victories and results, not by being the loudest but by always being the smartest and the most informed person in any debate.

Bob's legacy of legislative victories directly improved the lives of millions of Americans spanning several generations. His victories included protection for single mothers with infants, stronger civil rights laws and protection of our Nation's most vulnerable seniors.

He also played a key role in crafting fiscal policy for the past 26 years, and before his very untimely death he was leading the effort to protect Social Security benefits for America's seniors.

Bob left an indelible mark on national policy, but he never forgot the needs of his district. His district and the greater Sacramento region were always his number one priority.

Today, we will vote to rename the U.S. courthouse in Sacramento after Bob Matsui. This courthouse is a symbol of Bob's commitment to his district. Here in Congress, he was able to secure $142 million that was used and needed to build that courthouse.

The courthouse not only created 1,200 new jobs in the Sacramento area, but it was the anchor for redevelopment and revitalization of downtown Sacramento, California.

It is more than fitting that we name this important building in honor of a very important figure in our history and our friend, Bob Matsui. I urge everyone to cast a vote for this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the Napa Valley Grapegrowers organization as it celebrates its 30th anniversary.

The Napa grapegrowers, or NVG as they are commonly referred to, started in 1975 as a group of 7 local farmers and now boasts over 400 members. Since that time the NVG has worked passionately with one goal in mind: to serve and protect the grapegrowers of the Napa Valley. The members of the NVG are dedicated, hard working individuals who care very deeply about the Napa Valley and the communities in which they live and work. They truly understand what it is that makes the Napa Valley so unique and special.

Mr. Speaker, the NVG has contributed to numerous efforts across the Napa valley and beyond, providing a powerful voice for grapegrowers in Sacramento and Washington, DC. In 1976, just one year after its foundation, the NVG played a crucial role in writing the rules that brought about the recognition of truly unique grapegrowing regions through the creation of the American Viticultural Area designation. As a result, these standards have enhanced the quality and reputation of Napa Valley Wines.

When not fighting for grapegrowers' rights, the NVG is busy on the home front conducting monthly forums, seminars, and outreach programs in order to educate the public on wine related issues. The NVG has always believed that educating its membership and the public is the best way to grow and protect their wonderful industry.

Most recently, the NVG has been an integral part of the Federal, State and local partnership that is fighting to stop the spread of the Glassy-Winged Sharpshooter and Pierce's Disease. If it is not contained, Pierce's Disease, which is spread by the Sharpshooter, could threaten the life-blood of the Napa Valley's economy and California's $45 billion a year wine industry.

Mr. Speaker, under the leadership of many outstanding individuals, the NVG has become a vital part of our local community. As a life long resident of the Napa Valley, I understand the many challenges of being a successful grapegrower and a responsible steward of our land. I speak for grapegrowers and citizens throughout the Napa Valley when I say that we are truly grateful to have the NVG looking out for our best interest. It is certainly appropriate that we take this time to recognize and honor the success of the Napa Valley Grapegrowers as they celebrate 30 years of service to the community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Hans-Peter Klein for his nearly three decades of distinguished public service as Counsel for Mendocino County in California. Peter's devotion and service have left a lasting impression on Mendocino County.

Born in Germany, Peter immigrated with his parents to the United States at the age of four. He received his Bachelors Degree from the University of California before he was drafted into the United States Army during the Vietnam War. Upon his military discharge, Peter enrolled in an evening law school program. At the time, he worked for the Port of San Francisco and volunteered with Marin County Legal Aid. He received the Demetrius Sepatsis Award for Academic Excellence upon graduation.

Peter joined the Mendocino County Counsel's office in 1978, one month after its creation. In 1983, he was appointed as Mendocino's County Counsel, a position in which he has served with dedication and distinction for the past 22 years. Peter also served on the Board of Directors for the California State County Counsel Association, where he has been a long time member of the Association's Ethics Committee. The Association is dedicated to the maintenance of the highest professional standards in the practice of governmental law and service to the public.

After so many years of serving others, I know that Peter is looking forward to spending more time with his wife Toni, and their three grown children.

Mr. Speaker, it is appropriate that we recognize Hans-Peter Klein for his commitment and dedication to his profession and for his service to the people of Mendocino County and his country.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize my dear friend, Ken Slavens, of Saint Helena, California, for his 21 years of public service. His outstanding leadership and commitment have helped to make my hometown the incredible community that it is today.

Born and raised in Saint Helena, Ken's appreciation, love, and devotion to protecting and preserving this small, unique community are obvious from his many years of dedicated service. With an innate knowledge of his community and unyielding compassion, Ken was elected to the office of City Council in 1994. His energy, drive, and undeniable hard work are only a few of the many reasons that he was appointed as Vice Mayor in 1997. Shortly thereafter in 1999, Ken was elected Mayor of Saint Helena.

Mr. Speaker, during his tenure on the City Council and as Mayor, Ken has been a strong advocate for Saint Helena on numerous boards throughout Napa County and California. These include the Long Range Water

Task Force, Napa County Cities Mayors Council, the Association of Bay Area Government, and the North Bay League of California Cities just to name a few. As Mayor, he tackled important and complicated issues ranging from job training and employment for the disadvantaged, to flood control and improving local water supplies. He also worked arduously with the Napa County Flood Control District to protect Saint Helena from dangerous and destructive winter flooding. He is also recognized for spearheading the creation of the new Saint Helena First Station.

Mr. Speaker, Ken has even risked his own life on multiple occasions in order to protect his fellow citizens. From 1976 to 1978 he served as Captain of the Saint Helena Police Reserves. After his time with the Police Department, he selflessly devoted the next seven years to the Saint Helena Volunteer Fire Department. During his time there, his passion for protecting and serving the community earned him overwhelming respect and praise from his fellow fire fighters. As a result, he has been recognized as an Honorary Member of the Fire Department.

When not working with the Native Sons of the Golden West, the Sierra Club, or other local organizations Ken and his wife Barbie look forward to cruising through the Napa Valley on their Screaming Eagle Harley Davidson.

Mr. Speaker, it is appropriate that we thank and honor Ken Slavens for his passion, dedication, and numerous contributions to this community. We wish him the best in all his future endeavors.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize William Savidge, Vice Mayor of Saint Helena, California, as he retires after 37 years of public service. His outstanding leadership and commitment to community service has made my hometown a better place.

Throughout the past 11 years, Bill has served selflessly as a member of the Saint Helena City Council. In 1994 Mayor John Brown, appointed Bill to the city council citing his voice and perspectives as qualifications for the job. Mayor John Brown was right. Since he joined the council, Bill's leadership has benefited our entire community.

Bill worked to pass a retrofit ordinance which lead to the restoration of 25 historic buildings in St. Helena. He reached out to youth of our community by leading the effort to build a teen center. Bill's public service was not limited to the City Council. He also served as St. Helena's representative to the county Housing Authority and, Housing Element Task Force.

Mr. Speaker, Bill's devotion to community and country began many years before his time on City Council. Bill Savidge dedicated 24 years of his life serving our country in the Armed Forces. After earning his degree at Stanford University, Bill went on to become a pilot in the United States Air Force. He later received his MBA from George Washington University while stationed at Maxwell Air Force Base. Bill bravely fought for and protected our country in World War II, Korea, and Vietnam. In 1974 Bill retired from the military and he and his wife Charlotte moved to St. Helena.

Even though Bill will retire from public office, his dedication to community does not end here. He plans to continue his active role with Kiwanis, the Food Pantry, and other local organizations. With his new found free time he also plans to write his memoirs.

Mr. Speaker, it is appropriate that we honor William Savidge today, for his distinguished service to his community and to his Country and extend our best wishes in all of his future endeavors.

Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Chairman, I rise on behalf of the Committee on Ways and Means, and the committee approved the tax title to the highway reauthorization bill last week. The tax title of this bill appears to be noncontroversial.

To summarize, the tax provisions would extend current law highway- related excise taxes until 2011 and the Highway Trust Fund expenditure authorities until 2009. These provisions under current law expire in 2005.

We need more transportation funding. This is a good bill, and I commend both the chairman and the ranking member and all of those on the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure who have worked so hard to bring this bill to the floor today. Apparently, there has been agreement among the Republican leadership that H.R. 3 provides the right level of funding for our transportation systems in the coming years. However, I believe strongly that we still need to be doing more.

I know that the ranking member, the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Oberstar), who has done so much on this for so long, will speak strongly on the need to do more to improve and to maintain our existing transportation system and to ensure adequate infrastructure investments nationwide; and I strongly agree with the gentleman.

Our Nation's long- and short-term needs have been specific and well documented by the Department of Transportation. All that needs to be done is for this Congress to act and to provide that adequate level of funding.

Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, I yield the balance of my time to the gentleman from Oregon (Mr. Blumenauer).

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in anticipation of National Future Fanners of America Week, which we celebrate next week, to recognize the Winters High School Future Farmers of America Livestock Judging Team as National Champions. Jesse Beckett, Brenden Benson, Matt Hayes, Jacob Thorne, and their coach Kent Benson merit commendation for their high achievement, fine teamwork, and their leadership as members of the Future Farmers of America.

Last May, the team won the California State Champion Livestock Judging title in San Luis Obispo. Team members spent many hours each week studying for the written examination and traveling on weekends to practice evaluating livestock. On October 29, 2004 their team was named the winner of the National Champion Livestock Evaluation Career Development Event at the 77th Annual FFA National Convention in Louisville, Kentucky. They competed against 43 other State Championship teams from the United States.

At the national contest, Mr. Hayes was the highest individual overall, Mr. Beckett was 7th, Mr. Thorne was 8th, and Mr. Benson 21st. The team placed first on the written exam, 1st in sheep, and 1st in reasons. Mr. Benson and Mr. Thorne each received a perfect ``50'' score on market lamb reasons. In June the Winters High School FFA Livestock Judging Team will travel to the Royal Highland Show World Competition in Scotland.

Mr. Speaker, it is appropriate at this time that we commend, Jesse Beckett, Brenden Benson, Matt Hayes, Jacob Thorne and coach Kent Benson for their skill and commitment in this endeavor and recognize their outstanding success in achieving their National Championship goal. Let us convey our hopes and best wishes to them as they prepare to represent our nation at the Royal Highland Show World competition a few months hence.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mike Blakey, Lake County Victim Witness Administrator, who is being honored on the occasion of his retirement. He has been an exceptional public servant throughout his long and prestigious career.

Since November 1984, when Mike Blakey started the Victim-Witness Division, he has planned and organized the activities of that division to improve the safety of Lake County residents. Mike was instrumental in preparing the original grant application for the Victim-Witness Program and over the years he has actively expanded and enhanced assistance programs for victims of crime. Due to his efforts, Lake County has enjoyed one of the top programs in the State of California.

Over the years, Mike has received numerous letters of recognition from local and state agencies acknowledging his accomplishments in protecting and enhancing the rights of victims of crime. In early 2000, Mike and his office were formally commended by a federal auditor as the Best Rural Counties Program in the Nation for compliance with the Violence Against Women Act.

For the past 20 years, Mike has been a leader in California's victim's rights and advocacy movement. He provided leadership for California as President of the California Victim-Witness Coordination Council, as Chairman of California's Victim-Witness Rural Coalition, as President of Lake County's Service Coordinating Council, as Chairman of the Lake County Crime Victims for Court Reform Committee, and as Treasurer of Lake County's AWARE program. In addition, he worked with the National Organization for Victim Assistance, Governor's Training Conference on Crime Victims, and AGAPE Shelter for Battered Women and Children.

Mike's personal dedication, vision, leadership abilities, and commitment have given victims of crime the resources and protection they need.

Mr. Speaker, it is appropriate at this time that we recognize Mike Blakey for his commitment and dedication to his profession and for his service to the people of California.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Hospice of Napa Valley, Inc. as it celebrates the grand opening of its newest facility.

Hospice of Napa Valley has provided hospice services throughout the Napa Valley for

25 years. The new facility will allow hospice services and adult day services to meet current and future needs of those with chronic conditions and patients with terminal illness.

Situated on 2.4 acres in central Napa, the new facility houses programming and operations for both Hospice of Napa Valley and Adult Day Services of Napa Valley. This building establishes a permanent home to ensure that the needs of Napa Valley's terminally and chronically ill populations will be served for generations to come.

Over the past 25 years, Hospice of Napa Valley, Inc. has grown substantially in response to community needs. The new facility will allow Hospice of Napa Valley to extend their aid for terminally ill patients who seek comfort as well as quality of life. Hospice also provides support for the family members of those that are terminally ill.

Adult Day Services of Napa Valley provides comprehensive health care, rehabilitation therapies, social services and personal care for frail, elderly persons and younger functionally-impaired adults 18 years or older. Continuing care is also provided for adults with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias.

Mr. Speaker, Hospice of Napa Valley, Inc. has significantly expanded health care services to our community with respect and dignity. It is therefore appropriate to honor Hospice of Napa Valley, Inc. on its new facility's grand opening.

Mr. Chairman, I yield the balance of the time to the gentleman from California (Mr. Farr).

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Sister Ann McGuinn, of Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange, for her lifetime of service attending to the spiritual and health care needs of others.

Sister Ann is retiring from a long and distinguished career as a health care administrator with the St. Joseph Hospitals System of California. She served as Vice-President of sponsorship for St. Joseph's Hospital of Humboldt County from 1992 to 2005. She formerly served as the administrator for St. Joseph Hospital, in Orange from 1961 to 1972; and CEO of Queen of the Valley Hospital in Napa from 1971 to 1992. Under her leadership, the Children's Hospital of Orange County was established. During her tenure at Queen of the Valley she established a dental clinic for the poor, now called Sister Anne Dental Clinic, developed specialized cancer programs and created the system's first home health care.

Throughout her long career, Sister Ann has been a tireless champion for the poor and an advocate for the vulnerable. She has been generous with her time and energy and is highly regarded by those who have had an opportunity to work with her. She has played a large role in improving the lives of thousands of people.

In Humboldt County, Sister Ann's force of compassion brought together a myriad of resources to fund homeless programs, winter shelters and improved dental health for poor children. She has been unflaggingly supportive of efforts to expand rural healthcare services, particularly for battered women and underprivileged children.

In 1992, I had the privilege of naming Sister Ann ``Woman of the Year'' for the 2nd Senate District of the California State Senate. She is the past recipient of the ``Value in Action Award for Justice'' presented by the St. Joseph Health System.

Sister Ann entered the order of St. Joseph of Orange in 1944; she received her RN from Mary's Help Hospital, now called Cedar Sinai Medical Center, in San Francisco. She was trained as an obstetrics nurse. She is the daughter of John and Mary McGuinn of San Francisco.

Mr. Speaker, it is appropriate at this time that we recognize Sister Ann McGuinn for her compassion, leadership and commitment to families and the less fortunate and for her extraordinary record of public service to the people of the State of California.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Jack B. Reese, member and Chairman of the Del Norte County Board of Supervisors, who is being honored on the occasion of his retirement. Mr. Reese was first elected to serve the citizens of Del Norte County in 1993. He has been an exceptional public servant throughout his long and prestigious career.

Jack Burle Reese received an Associate of Arts Degree in Police Science from Butte College, a Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice from California State University, Sacramento and holds a lifetime Teaching Credential. He served the people of California as a Law Enforcement Officer for 30 years.

In twelve years of service as a member of the Del Norte County Board of Supervisors, Jack Reese championed many issues to improve the lives of his constituents and to bring prosperity to the community. He provided leadership for Del Norte County as Chairman of the Northern Rural Training & Employment Consortium, as Chairman of the Solid Waste Management Authority, as a member of the Regional Air Quality Control Board and as Chairman of the Local Transportation Commission. In addition, he served on the Del Norte Senior Center Board of Directors and the Local Agency Formation Commission.

Jack was a Command Sergeant Major in the U.S. Army and was a highly regarded member of the Crescent City Police Department and the Del Norte County Sheriff's Department. He attained management and executive certificates from the Commission on Peace Officer Standards as well as specialized certification from the State Department of Education and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

As a private entrepreneur, he owned and operated Reese Hydro Farms for over twenty years. He is a member of the Crescent City Car Club and founded the Sea Cruise car event. He is a Harley-Davidson enthusiast, an accomplished photographer, an amateur astronomer and a passionate karaoke singer.

Jack Reese is a native of Bellflower, California who has shared his life with his wife of 38 years, Kathryn. They have three children, Greg, Ryan and Angela and three grandsons.

Mr. Speaker, it is appropriate at this time that we recognize Jack B. Reese for his commitment and dedication to his profession and for his service to the people of California.