Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Jose ``Moke'' Simon III upon his retirement after two terms as a Lake County Supervisor and to recognize his contributions to the Middletown Rancheria and the Lake County community. Mr. Simon, born and raised in Middletown, California, has dedicated his life to the advancement and well-being of his community.

As Middletown Rancheria's Tribal Chairman, Mr. Simon oversees Tribal Government Operations and represents the Tribe in all critical decision impacting Middletown Rancheria. During his tenure, Mr. Simon successfuljy guided the investment of $47.5 million dollars in the construction of Twin Pine Casino. As Chairman, he also successfully negotiated with the State of California to secure the gaming compact for the Middletown Rancheria, leading to substantial economic development for his tribe. Furthermore, Mr. Simon's leadership was critical to the Tribe's acquisition of the Mount St. Helena Brewing Co., marking the first off-reservation business owned by Middletown Rancheria.

In recognition of his commitment to Middletown Rancheria's economic development, in 2016, Mr. Simon received the Wendall Chino Humanitarian Award, the highest honor for tribal leaders and awarded by the National Indian Gaming Association.

In 2017, Mr. Simon became the first Native American elected to the Lake County Board of Supervisors representing District 1, where he has continued to work tirelessly for his constituents and contribute to local governance.

In times of crisis, Mr. Simon's leadership has been invaluable. During the catastrophic Valley Fire of 2015, which devastated over 76,000 acres, he provided stability to his district as they faced one of California's most destructive wildfires. Governor Gavin Newsom later named Mr. Simon to the State Board of Fire Services in September 2019.

Beyond his work with the Tribe and the Board of Supervisors, Mr. Simon is a former professional football player. During his football career. Mr. Simon played with the NFL's Indianapolis Colts, AFL's Arizona Rattlers, WFL's Barcelona Dragons in Spain, and the Scottish Claymores in Scotland. An avid sports enthusiast, Mr. Simon continues to serve his community as the defensive coach for the local high school's varsity football team.

Mr. Simon currently resides on the reservation with his wife Nancy, son Joshua and daughter Theresa, cherishing time with his grandchildren Taylor and Bently, and staying deeply involved in family and community life.

Mr. Speaker, as we bid farewell to Supervisor Jose ``Moke'' Simon III, we thank him for his service, his contributions to the economic and cultural advancement of his Tribe, and his dedication to public service in Lake County. His leadership has uplifted our community, and it is only fitting that we honor him here today as he embarks on this new chapter of his life.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Doug Wight, who was named the 2024 Member of the Year by the Napa County Farm Bureau. Mr. Wight is being honored for his decades of outstanding contributions to our agricultural community in Napa County.

Mr. Wight is a fifth-generation farmer in the Napa Valley who graduated from St. Helena High School in 1968. He obtained a degree in Fruit Science from Cal Poly in 1973 before returning home to plant his first vineyard of Cabernet Sauvignon at his family's Lewelling Ranch in 1974. With Mr. Wight's extensive viticulture knowledge, he is upholding the 160-year tradition of continuous family farming on his family ranch. Today, Mr. Wight continues to farm and mentors the future farmers of his family.

In 1983, Mr. Wight started his business, Wight Vineyard Management, which has been in operation for over 40 years. The company manages 500 acres of vines across the Napa Valley. Over the course of his career, Mr. Wight has also been a longstanding member of the American Society of Oenologists and Viticulturists, one of the original members of Napa Valley Vineyard Technical Group (Vit Tech) and served on the board of directors of the Farm Supply and Grape Growers Association.

Mr. Wight also made great contributions beyond our agricultural community. As Chairman of the St. Helena High School Class of '68 Scholarship, Mr. Wight has helped ensure educational opportunities for our local students, supporting their growth and success. For 25 years, he has also served with pride on the St. Helena High School Football Chain Gang. Additionally, Mr. Wight was a founding member of the committee to reestablish the St. Helena High School FFA program, helping to revive and strengthen agricultural education programs in our region.

Mr. Speaker, Doug Wight has continued to uphold his family's legacy of humility, generosity, and community in Napa County agriculture. His award as Napa County Farm Bureau's Member of the Year recognizes the positive impact he has had in Napa County. Therefore, it is fitting and proper that we honor him here today.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Johnny White, who was named the 2024 Agriculturist of the Year by the Napa County Farm Bureau. Mr. White is being recognized for his years of dedicated service and contributions to Napa County's agricultural community.

Mr. White's experience with farming began at a young age on a ranch in Chiles Valley where his family grew hay and raised cattle and sheep. Taking after his great-grandfather John Wooden, for whom Wooden's Valley in Napa County is named after, Mr. White has continued a legacy of earnest work as a fifth-generation farmer. Mr. White graduated from St. Helena High School and continued his education at Santa Rosa Junior College, ultimately discovering a passion for viticulture in the heart of wine country.

For 37 years, Mr. White has worked at Pina Vineyard Management, where he now acts as both Partner and President. Mr. White manages over 1,000 acres of vineyard and assists growers with another 1,000 acres for removal and preparation of vines every year.

In addition to his work in our wine community, Mr. White has served as a volunteer firefighter with the Pope Valley Fire Department and St. Helena Fire Department, where he retired as the Assistant Fire Chief after 25 years of service. In this capacity, Mr. White, alongside other brave individuals, aided in protecting land from the 2020 Lightning Complex fires in Pope Valley, creating protective rings around property lines with bulldozers to prevent the fire from progressing.

Over the years, Mr. White has dedicated countless hours to educating and supporting his hometown's youth in agriculture. Regularly aiding St. Helena High's FFA in agricultural education and working directly with the vine pruning team, Johnny has been a council member on the school's Ag Boosters and Ag Advisory boards.

Mr. Speaker, through decades of work as a leading figure in our agriculture community, educator for our youth, husband, father and friend, Johnny White has greatly improved life in our county and is highly deserving of the honor as Agriculturist of the Year from the Napa County Farm Bureau. Therefore, it is fitting and proper that we honor him here today.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Tawny Tesconi, an esteemed member of our farming community, who has been named the 2024 Friend of Agriculture by the Napa County Farm Bureau. This recognition highlights her outstanding service in support of the Napa County agricultural community.

Ms. Tesconi was born in Santa Rosa, California, in 1961. Growing up on a small family farm in West Sonoma County, she expressed her love for agriculture through her involvement in Future Farmers of America and the 4-H Youth Development Program. Ms. Tesconi earned a degree in Agricultural Economics and Management from the University of California, Davis in 1983. She graduated from the Western Fairs Association Graduate Training Program in 1987. Ms. Tesconi spent the next three decades in fair management in Sonoma County. She continues to live on her family property in Western Sonoma County with her husband.

Throughout her career in Napa and Sonoma Counties, Ms. Tesconi committed herself to serving the community. She has served as a president and a board member of the Petaluma Rotary Club. Ms. Tesconi has also served on the board of the Friends of the Sonoma-Marin Fair. Since her retirement as a fair manager, Ms. Tesconi returned to leadership in her role as Interim Executive Director of the Sonoma County Farm Bureau from 2017 to 2022. Most recently, she has played an important role in the Napa County farming community as Interim CEO of the Napa County Farm Bureau.

Her collaboration with others and passionate commitment to farming served the Napa County agricultural community well. Her contributions and dedication to agricultural causes has helped our farming communities to prosper.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Ms. Tesconi for her service to the Napa County Farm Bureau and her dedication to the farming community throughout California. It is fitting and proper that we honor her here today.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. John Whitridge III, an esteemed member of the Napa community, in celebration of the 50th anniversary of Napa County Landmarks. Mr. Whitridge is being recognized today for his outstanding service in developing Napa County Landmarks and preserving historic structures in our community.

Mr. Whitridge was born in Baltimore, Maryland, in 1937. After graduating from Yale University in 1960, he married Jean Maschal in 1961. The couple moved to Napa in 1969 after Mr. Whitridge earned a second degree from the University of Washington. He relocated to Napa to take a position as a city planner and remained for the rest of his life. He dedicated himself to the community, with a particular focus on historic preservation, until his death in 1997. He is survived by his three children Anne, John, and Catherine.

Throughout his life in Napa, Mr. Whitridge committed himself to serving the community. He founded Napa County Landmarks--now celebrating its fiftieth anniversary--and initiated the Napa Historic Resources Inventory. Additionally, he co-founded the Napa County Land Trust and played a key role in the restoration and preservation of the First National Bank on First Street, the Opera House on Main Street, the Napa County Hall of Records, and Churchill Manor.

His collaboration with others and passionate commitment to preserving our history for future generations solidify his place as a pillar of service in Napa County. His contributions and unwavering dedication to public causes have undeniably enriched our community and ensured that our history will be preserved for future generations.

Mr. Speaker, we thank Mr. John Whitridge III for his service to Napa County and his dedication to safeguarding our heritage. It is fitting and proper that we honor him here today.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Francis L.H. Cailles, an esteemed member of our community. Mr. Cailles is being honored today for his outstanding career in service to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.

Mr. Cailles dedicated 29 years of public service to the State of California. On June 14, 1994, he began his career in public service as a Staff Services Management Auditor with the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation's Audits Services Section, which is now known as the Office of Audits and Court Compliance.

He worked in this department until his retirement, holding many positions. He was first promoted to Associate Management Auditor in 1997. Then, he was appointed to Staff Management Auditor in 2006, and Senior Management Auditor in 2008.

After nearly three decades in public service, he retired from state service in 2023.

Mr. Cailles's colleagues describe him as a true leader and mentor. He is known to be unfailingly thorough in his work, diligent, conscientious, and a person his peers could always depend upon. Mr. Cailles is also a deeply caring and humble man, known to all around him as a patient person, with a good sense.

Mr. Speaker, it is my esteemed privilege to acknowledge Mr. Cailles for his dedication to public service, and the state of California. His many years of service deserve recognition. Therefore, it is fitting and proper that we honor him here today.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor UpValley Family Centers, an esteemed group in our community. This organization is being honored today for their 25th anniversary and outstanding service in promoting equity and access to social resources throughout Napa County.

Since its founding in 1999, UpValley Family Centers has worked to support working families in the greater Calistoga and St. Helena area. UpValley Family Centers is an organization committed to offering prevention and intervention services at a local level. It generously serves our community with time and the money it raises.

UpValley Family Centers' 25 years of service have been commendable. They serve over 4,000 people annually. Last year, 94 percent of those served fell below the median income for Napa County. Sixty percent were women, and 56 percent were Spanish speakers. The family center itself provides a variety of programs: from assisting residents with accessing health insurance and housing resources to playgroups and family support. UpValley also collaborates with over 40 partner organizations to help engage residents and community members as volunteers.

Over their 25 years of service, UpValley Family Centers' programs have made significant longterm impacts. As a Department of Justice recognized organization, UpValley has helped over 2,000 people become U.S. citizens in tandem with the Napa Citizenship Legal Service. They have increased early literacy, socialization, and school readiness skills in over 1,000 children 0-5 through weekly bilingual playgroups. Children participating in their youth mentoring services are more likely to meet requirements needed to attend a 4-year college. And in 2020, they distributed over $2.1 million in pandemic and wildfire- related emergency funds, which reached over 300 households.

UpValley Family Centers also participates in broader civic initiatives throughout Napa County. As a part of the Drug-Free Communities Initiative, they partnered with local officials and helped pass social host ordinances in Calistoga and St. Helena. And in 2020, they assisted local messengers and other Napa County-based community organizations to increase participation in the 2020 Census. Napa County saw a 2 percent increase in census participation as a result of their efforts.

Mr. Speaker, we thank UpValley Family Centers for their dedicated service to the Napa County community. Therefore, it is fitting and proper that we honor them here today.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Salvador Preciado on his 85th birthday. Mr. Preciado is a pillar of our community, having revolutionized grape growing through his techniques of grafting vines.

Mr. Preciado grew up in El Grullo, Mexico. In 1963, Mr. Preciado immigrated to the United States from Mexico. He began working with Annie and Frank Emmolo at their plant nursery, where he was first introduced to grafting. Mr. Preciado then fell in love with grafting, and this led him to start his own company. Simultaneously, Mr. Preciado attended language classes to help strengthen his English. Today, Mr. Preciado resides in St. Helena and is regarded as one of the most successful grafters in the wine community.

Mr. Preciado has had a thriving career in the wine community. He has taught grafting around the world, including South America, Europe, and throughout the United States. Mr. Preciado's hard work created many job opportunities within the wine community. The lessons he shared with fellow grafters have been spread throughout the word's wine community. Mr. Preciado has helped shape many vineyards in Napa, Sonoma, and in other countries.

Mr. Preciado is a strong community servant, guided by the desire to help others. In the 1980s he was given the title, ``The Vine Whisperer'' as Mr. Preciado proved essential when he used his grafting skills to save vineyards during the phylloxera outbreak in Sonoma and Napa Counties. Mr. Preciado and his crew have worked tirelessly to graft infected vines and preserve local vineyards. In response, the University of California, Davis invited Mr. Preciado to help identify vines in their vineyards because of his impressive abilities. Mr. Preciado was also recognized for his work in the ``Latino Winemakers Oral History Project Collection'' of the Smithsonian National Museum of American History Kenneth E. Behring Center.

Mr. Preciado's wife, Gloria, also gives back to the community. Mrs. Preciado was recognized in 2001 by the Dalai Lama for the work she did in the St. Helena community as well as in El Grullo. In Mexico, she worked to help build a local drug and alcohol rehabilitation center and a soup kitchen for underserved children. Mr. and Mrs. Preciado also helped start a local soccer team in St. Helena so people from El Grullo could feel connected to their hometown and to each other. They maintain an open door, often hosting community dinners and inviting community members and friends to stay in their home.

Mr. Preciado has positively impacted our community. Therefore, it is fitting and proper that we honor Mr. Preciado here today.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Dr. Anthony Truchard and Mrs. Jo Ann Truchard as we celebrate the 50th anniversary of Truchard Vineyards. For the last five decades, Dr. and Mrs. Truchard have worked tirelessly to develop their vineyard in Carneros. With their son, Anthony Truchard II, the family continues to operate their successful vineyard and support the Napa community.

Dr. and Mrs. Truchard met at a country dance while they were both attending the University of Texas, Austin. After graduating, Dr. Truchard embarked on his medical career, graduating from medical school and consequently joining the Army. He completed his internship at Walter Reed Memorial and his residency at Brooke General Hospital in San Antonio.

While Mrs. Truchard was pregnant with their fourth child, Dr. Truchard was set to be stationed in South Korea for a two-year tour. That all changed when a very pregnant Mrs. Truchard slipped on a grape at a grocery store and broke her knee. As a result, Dr. Truchard was diverted from Korea and reassigned to an Army base in Northern California to serve as a medical commander. While in California, the Truchards loved taking road trips and after a trip to the Presidio in San Francisco, they got the idea to go see the vineyards in Napa.

After the Napa trip, Dr. Truchard thought it would be ``fun'' to buy 20 acres of property in Napa and start a vineyard. Growing the Carneros vineyard to what it is today was no easy task. Historically, the Carneros region was long thought to be unsuitable for grapes due to its little rainfall and dense clay soils. Additionally, Dr. Truchard was a practicing physican during the week. However, he still found time to develop the land into a beautiful property with over 400 acres of land and over 280 acres of grapevines. The work ethic and effort that Dr. and Mrs. Truchard displayed while expanding their vineyard embodies the very essence of the American Dream.

In addition to their work in the wine industry, Dr. and Mrs. Truchard have supported various causes throughout their five decades in the region. These causes include Napa Little League, OLE Health, Cope Family Center, Puertas Abiertas, and many more organizations.

Their legacy continues with their six children and twelve grandchildren, many of whom continue to serve on the boards of these organizations that their parents support, making the

Truchards an integral pillar of the Napa community.

Dr. and Mrs. Truchard have undoubtedly touched our community of Napa. As pioneers of the region, they are widely credited for making the area into the thriving wine region it is today. Therefore, it is fitting that we honor Dr. and Mrs. Truchard for the 50th anniversary of Truchard Vineyards here today.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Brandon Staglin, Garen Staglin, Shannon Staglin, and Shari Staglin, the founders of One Mind, in recognition of the 30th One Mind Music Festival for Brain Health, the organization's annual premier brain health charity event.

One Mind was founded by the Staglins in 1995 to address the gaps they identified in brain health research and patient support in the wake of Garen and Shannon's son, Brandon's, diagnosis of schizophrenia. That same year, the Staglins hosted a small concert fundraiser at their Napa vineyard, to support the burgeoning organization and its ambitious goals. Since this first iteration, the One Mind Music Festival for Brain Health has evolved to become one of the most important fundraising events for brain health in the country, raising over $600 million over the years to support invaluable research and initiatives revolutionizing the mental health field.

With the money it fundraises through its music festival, One Mind has been able to play an integral role in pushing the brain health field forward. In 2003, One Mind partnered with the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) to launch the North American Prodrome Longitudinal Study, leading to the discovery of biomarkers enabling the prediction of psychosis onset in clinical high-risk youth with 70 percent accuracy. One Mind was also the principal fundraiser for the 2021 Ken Burns documentary ``Hiding in Plain Sight: Youth Mental Illness'', which was screened at the White House and the U.S. Capitol and has aired on 350 PBS stations. Furthermore, One Mind has been instrumental in launching the careers of boundary-pushing scientists with their Rising Star Awards, recognizing the likes of Dr. Kafui Dzirasa, a pioneer of the brain pacemaker, and Dr. Joshua Gordon, the director of NIMH from 2017 to 2024.

Outside of One Mind, the Staglins have continued to commit themselves to lives of service. In 2008, Shari and Garen advocated alongside U.S. Representative Patrick Kennedy to pass the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008, a bill mandating fair and equal insurance coverage for physical and mental health. In 2009, Shari, Garen, and Brandon collaborated with actor Glenn Close to launch the nonprofit Bring Change to Mind, an organization dedicated to ending the stigma surrounding mental health. Additionally, Shari and Garen chaired UCLA's Centennial Fundraising Campaign, leading the campaign to raise over $5.49 billion to support the school and its programs.

Mr. Speaker, the Staglins have left an indelible mark on mental health in this country. Their philanthropic efforts and continued support of scientific innovation in the brain health field through their One Mind organization deserves recognition. Therefore, it is fitting and proper that we honor them here today.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Napa County Hispanic Network for the occasion of their 40th anniversary.

As the oldest Latino nonprofit organization in Napa County, the Napa County Hispanic Network seeks to develop the Napa County Latino community through political and economic empowerment, pursuit of education, and social advocacy. The network was established in 1983 by a group of local professionals seeing a gap in access to services for the Spanish-speaking community. In addition to emphasizing collaboration, voluntary civil service, and the value of cultural heritage for Latino communities, the network raises critical funds for Napa County students in their pursuit of higher education.

With a mission of closing the opportunity gap for Napa County's Latino students financial needs, the Napa County Hispanic Network has worked tirelessly to increase access to financial support and scholarship services for graduating high school students in our district. Since its founding, the network has distributed over $500,000 of academic scholarships to more than 700 Napa County students, with the organization increasing their annual impact each year.

Higher education in the United States has always been heralded as the road to career success and fulfillment for our children. By providing students from our county with scholarship funds that empower that pathway, the network has performed an incredible service to our community.

In 2024, the Napa County Hispanic Network awarded $41,000 in the form of $1,000 to $2,500 scholarships through seven different programs, the largest contributions for a single year to date. As college costs have risen over the years, the network has increased its level of support to help parents navigate the growing financial challenges of sending their children to college and university. The impact of assisting children's journeys through education will benefit students and their families for generations to come.

Mr. Speaker, through academic scholarships and community contributions, the Napa County Hispanic Network has spent an impactful 40 years striving to cultivate the next generation of Latino community leaders in Napa County. This invaluable mission is central to the health and preservation of our community, as well as the prosperity of our children. For the terrific work the network has done, we honor them here today.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Calistoga Library, as it celebrates its 100th year in service to the Calistoga community.

The Calistoga Library has consistently provided our community with education and entertainment catered to all ages, but most important for our youth. The library's role of informing children in fun and innovative ways has continually inspired a love for learning from one generation to the next. Cultivating a safe environment for individuals who seek knowledge, Calistoga's library contributes to the lifelong passion for learning that so many of us hold dear.

The Calistoga Library has a rich history in our community. The library traces its origins back to the 1880s, when the property was rented for just $3.00 a month. Thanks to the early 20th century efforts of the Calistoga Civics Club, which fundraised for a permanent building to be established for the library, the building we know today as the Calistoga Library was completed in 1924 for $20,000.

Decades of hard work by library staff have seen the library grow from the once rented room above the police station with a handful of paperbacks, to a community center that distributes games, puzzles, and e-books. The library's services, such as rentals and publicly accessible computers, have adapted with the ever-changing technological advancements of the modern era, displaying the dynamic nature and dedication of countless employees over the years.

In addition to offering an outstanding variety of materials to the people of Calistoga, the library has partnered with public and private agencies to assist in improving lives and the quality of our community. In collaborating with schools, government agencies, and numerous local businesses over the years, the library has acted as a forum for events that the whole town enjoys. The past 100 years have tested the resilience of Calistoga: wildfires, social unrest, even pandemics. With the help of incredible institutions such as the library, our town has navigated one crisis after another and remains stronger than ever.

Mr. Speaker, the Calistoga Library has evolved from small beginnings into a beloved institution deserving of our recognition for its 100 years of service to all whom love to learn. Over the decades, the building and organization has become a staple of our town. Years of quality service to our community have embedded the library as a core aspect of the town. Without it, Calistoga would not be the same. As such, it is fitting and proper that it be honored on this terrific anniversary as we look forward to the next 100 years of meaningful education and civil service.

Madam Speaker, there have been many great women and men who served in this Congress, walked these Halls, and cast votes on this floor, but today, we are here to reflect on the life and service of one of those great Members, Bill Pascrell.

I had the honor of serving with Bill on the Ways and Means Committee for the 15 years that he served on the committee, and he served recently as the ranking member of the Subcommittee on Trade. He always served with incredible passion. In every debate, markup, hearing, and vote, Bill never backed down from doing what he knew was right and what he knew was fair.

In his nearly three decades in Congress, law enforcement and firefighters didn't have a better friend. His constituents couldn't have asked for a better fighter working every day for them.

For Bill, there was no adversary too powerful to challenge. There was no wrong too small to right. When he took on an issue, he left it all on the field. He brought 110 percent to the arena.

Bill was a great husband, father, Army veteran, and schoolteacher. He loved baseball, and he absolutely loved his Italian heritage.

Of course, Bill was a lifelong Patersonian. I have a Navy shipyard in my old district, and we had a Navy ship come in for repairs, and I stopped by to visit with the troops. The captain of that ship was impressed. He said, you are the second Member of Congress that I have met. The first one was my hometown Congressman, and what a great guy.

I said, where are you from? He said, Paterson, New Jersey. I said, Bill Pascrell. He said, absolutely, he was wonderful. The entire community loved him.

They loved him for a long time. A number of my colleagues have mentioned that he served for a long time, and we were all amazed by the tenaciousness and the stay-with-it that Bill had, and I can tell you why. Many times on the floor, he would come to me and say, I learned about a new wine this weekend. What do you know about it? He would tell me the name of the winery.

Case in point here, those long, strong years, it is good to know that a good glass of wine will keep you healthy for a long time.

To Bill's wife, his three kids, and his six grandchildren, we all thank them for sharing Bill with us and with the country that he loved so much.

To Ben and the rest of Bill's team, we thank them for all they did. They are so lucky to have been able to share that time with just a great guy.

Bill, thank you for your fierce commitment to public service. You are dearly missed.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Chief Jonathan Mazer, an esteemed member of our community. Chief Mazer is being honored today for his outstanding service in his career in law enforcement.

Chief Mazer was born in Portland, Maine, but grew up in California where he graduated from Las Lomas High School Chief Mazer is a graduate of Union Institute & University and has pursued graduate studies in Clinical Psychology at John F. Kennedy University and Walden University. Chief Mazer and his wife, Angela, have six children Kayla, Tyler, Victoria, Riley, Rebecca and Eli.

Chief Mazer's long career in law enforcement is commendable. He started his career in 1991 as a Sheriff's cadet with the Contra Costa County Sheriff's office. From there, he moved to work as a police cadet with the Pinole and Lafayette Police Departments. In 1996, he was sworn in as Solano County Deputy Sheriff.

In 2015, Chief Mazer was promoted to Sheriff's Lieutenant where he managed County Animal Control and the Transportation Bureau. In April of 2021, he was appointed Chief of Police for the Rio Vista Police Department, a police service contracting with the Sheriff's office. Our country is safer because of the courage and sacrifice Chief Mazer has shown throughout his long career.

Since the beginning of his career, Chief Mazer worked to support our community. In 2013, when assigned to the Office of Emergency Services, he created the Sheriff's Cadet Program, which brings youth into the Sheriff's office to learn about law enforcement and public service careers. He also founded the Solano County Cadet Academy, a multi-day live-in training academy for youth interested in careers in law enforcement. Outside of his work, Chief Mazer has worked as a Safety Team member at Chabad of Solano County, Vacaville and worked as an AYSO soccer coach in his hometown of Rio Vista. His dedication to serving his community both in and out of uniform is honorable.

For the past 28 years, Chief Mazer has given countless hours to serving our community that have not gone unnoticed. He has dedicated his life to our Solano County community over the duration of his long and storied career. We are thankful for his service and wish Chief Mazer a wonderful retirement.

Mr. Speaker, we thank Chief Jonathan Mazer for his dedicated service in law enforcement and our broader Solano County community. Therefore, it is fitting and proper that we honor him here today.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Dixon Family Services as they celebrate their 40th year of service.

Established in 1984, Dixon Family Services is a community-based organization that offers intervention and support services. Cooperating with local schools, churches, businesses, and community members, Dixon Family Services assists residents in the pursuit of goals such as financial stability, improved or increased employment, escape from domestic violence, household budgeting, improved nutrition, and emotional wellness.

Dixon Family Services maintains the Dixon Family Services Food Pantry, which helps combat food insecurity in local households. Dixon Family Service also acts as a bridge between residents and larger health care and governmental programs, ensuring that the local population is aware of and able to use resources that they may have otherwise overlooked or struggled to access.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, our community's need for human services dramatically increased. Answering this need, the dedicated staff of Dixon Family Services ensured that the organization safely remained open. Because of their compassion and commitment, Dixon Family Services was able to continue to provide vital information and referral services to clients even during the depths of the pandemic.

Dixon Family Services uplifts members of our community, providing future opportunities for all. Over the past 40 years, Dixon Family Services has welcomed numerous college intern therapists, case managers, and clerical

and administrative staff, who were able to gain invaluable experience in the organization prior to moving on to other important positions or launching private practices in social work. Additionally, many of the clients Dixon Family Services provides resources to have gone on to make their own contributions to the community, paying forward the same assistance that they received.

Although, historically, many of its programs were funded by government contracts or grants, in recent years Dixon Family Services has been supported primarily by private foundations, corporations, churches, service organizations, and businesses, as well as many caring and generous community members whose donations and kind words of support sustained the organization.

Mr. Speaker, during these last 40 years Dixon Family Services has consistently upheld a devotion to the highest ideals of community service. It is therefore fitting and proper that we honor Dixon Family Services' outstanding work by and for our Dixon community, and its 40th year of service.