Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Fran Lemos whom I have named the 2023 Woman of the Year for Napa County because of her service to our community in the region. Woman of the Year recognizes women who have made important contributions to California's 4th Congressional District in Arts and Culture, Professional Achievement, Entrepreneurship and Innovation or Community Service.

Born in Vallejo, California, Ms. Lemos moved to American Canyon in 1948, back when it was known as Napa Junction. She has devoted her life since to building, transforming, and bettering the lives of American Canyon families. She did this first as director of the American Canyon Fire Board until 1992 and then as a board member of impactful non- profits such as Boys and Girls Club and American Canyon Chamber of Commerce. Ms. Lemos also was an active volunteer for the Napa Valley Wine Auction and the Sutter Solano Thrift Shop.

Known as the ``unofficial historian'' and ``matriarch'' of American Canyon, Ms. Lemos' role in her community cannot be understated. She holds an extensive knowledge of the area, which she passes on to visitors during tours of the city. She also attends every city meeting and community event and has served in multiple American Canyon committees since before American Canyon was even a city.

Ms. Lemos has become a staple of American Canyon through her community service. Her work in starting the American Canyon Chamber of Commerce has helped local businesses get off the ground and thrive by providing support networks for them. She also helped reinvigorate the outdoor landscape of the city through her work in the American Canyon Community and Parks Foundation.

Ms. Lemos' work has had a tremendous impact in helping American Canyon grow from a small unincorporated part of Napa County, into the emerging city it is now. In doing so, she has helped the community and visitors learn more about the city and the history behind it.

Mr. Speaker, Fran Lemos has been a dedicated public servant in our community for decades. Therefore, it is fitting that we honor her here today as Napa County's 2023 Woman of the Year.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Jose Frias Ramirez, for his dedicated service to the Guadalupanos de Iglesia Santo Rosario and his reception of Guadalupanos de Iglesia Santo Rosario's Unsung Hero Award.

Mr. Frias Ramirez credits his commitment to service and work ethic to his personal background and upbringing. Born in Mesquita de Oro, Zacatecas, Mexico, on April 10, 1930, Mr. Frias Ramirez was unable to complete his education after the 4th grade because he had to drop out of school to help care for his family.

Mr. Frias Ramirez has been married to his wife, Roselia Ramos, since 1953. They were wed in Venecia, Tamaulipas, Mexico. The couple welcomed six children: Juana, Mariana, Jose Manuel, Graciela, Martin, and Arturo into their lives. When he and his family moved to California, Jose learned English and earned an equivalent to a high school diploma in 1972.

Mr. Frias Ramirez served Guadalupanos de Iglesia Santo Rosario in several roles including as President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Committee Chairman. Mr. Frias Ramirez was also instrumental to the success of Mission of Mercy Surgical and dental missions in Mexico and Philippines, which were missions led by Cora P. Ramirez.

For 25 years, Mr. Frias Ramirez led a year-round Sunday Fundraising Menudo sale for the Guadalupanos Society and oversaw the production of 30,000 tacos during the four-day Yolo County Fair. Known to be a very generous and hard-working person, Mr. Frias Ramirez also donates his two-week vacation time every year to assist with fundraising efforts.

Mr. Speaker, Mr. Frias Ramirez has been an indispensable and dedicated member of Guadalupanos de Iglesia Santo Rosario and our community. Therefore, it is fitting and proper that we honor him here today.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Bill Lynch, for receiving the title of Sonoma City Alcalde in 2023.

Mr. Lynch has dedicated his life to the people of the city of Sonoma, California. During the Vietnam War, Mr. Lynch served in the U.S. Navy. Upon his return home, Mr. Lynch was a volunteer firefighter and served on countless boards and commissions. Mr. Lynch has devoted himself to the city of Sonoma for decades.

Mr. Lynch worked as the publisher of the Sonoma Index Tribune for 40 years, carrying on a 128-year family legacy of running the city paper. Throughout his career in journalism, Mr. Lynch developed numerous relationships throughout the city. He faithfully reported on the issues that were important to the people of Sonoma, even when it made him unpopular with the City Council. In 1998, Mr. Lynch wrote a story about a resort that was to be built in the city, which led to a citywide protest to prevent the completion of the deal. Although it sometimes made enemies, Mr. Lynch was never afraid to stand up for what he believed to be in the best interest of his community.

Mr. Lynch has also given back to Sonoma in many other ways in addition to his profession. He started the Youth Soccer Program and formed a committee to establish the modern Vintage Festival which celebrates the rich wine history in Sonoma Valley. He also worked on several committees which raised money for the Boys and Girls Club and is instrumental in raising funds to keep Sonoma Valley Hospital's doors open.

Mr. Lynch is a family man, with a heart as ``big as his community''. For all his years of public service, Mr. Lynch does not ask for awards or honors, but is happy to work behind the scenes for the good of our community.

Mr. Speaker, it is evident that Bill Lynch has devoted his life to our Sonoma community. I am proud to call Bill my friend. Therefore, it is fitting and proper that we honor him here today.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Anita Grant, who is retiring after 31 years of service to Lake County as a member of the county's legal counsel.

An Iowa native, Ms. Grant started her career with Lake County, California, in 1992 as a Deputy County Counsel. She quickly stood out as an exceptional attorney, oftentimes working with county officials on issues, like criminal justice and civil rights. Her hard work and preparation as a litigator were essential in ensuring strong representation for the interests of Lake County at the local, state, and federal levels of the legal system.

Ms. Grant's commitment to public service was unrelenting, especially during election years where she would provide an unbiased review and explanation of the ballot propositions that have appeared in front of Lake County voters. She also helped with the operation of ballot counting equipment to make sure all votes could be quickly and accurately counted. She also provided special training to officials on navigating through the complex set of laws and regulations that they had to adhere to while running elections.

Ms. Grant's leadership, legal expertise, and dedication have made her an indispensable member of our community. She always maintained an open-door policy for county officials who wanted to hear her advice and legal guidance on important matters. Her commitment could be seen in her strong work ethic as she rarely missed work, forfeited vacation leave, and worked on weekends and holidays to get the job done despite the heavy workload she faced.

Ms. Grant's legal work as County Counsel has helped the residents of Lake County by supporting the county's financial well-being. Her assistance in supporting better financial circumstances for Lake County has also helped the county afford to reliably provide necessary services for its residents.

Mr. Speaker, Anita Grant has been an indispensable part of Lake County's community for the past 31 years and her service will be fondly remembered as she heads into retirement. Therefore, it is fitting and proper that we honor her here today.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Robert ``Bob'' William Blattner, who passed away on February 2, 2023, after 67 remarkable years of life.

Bob was born in Erie, Pennsylvania to Bill and Mary Blattner. He spent his early childhood in Walnut Creek, CA, and moved to Pittsburgh, PA in 1964. Bob attended Yale University, where he studied medieval European history and captained the swim team.

Bob began his career of service as a reporter after receiving his master's in Journalism from University of California Berkeley. He wrote for the Sacramento Union, the Daily Press of Newport News, Virginia, and the Sacramento Bee.

In 1994, Bob began working as an education consultant, helping public school districts and county offices navigate the intricacies of school finance. In 2006, he founded Blattner & Associates, which lobbied lawmakers on behalf of public schools. Bob was also a frequent resource for reporters seeking insight on complex education stories and regularly hosted high school students to offer them a glimpse of life inside our state's Capitol. On Fridays, Bob could be found walking the halls of the Capitol in shorts and flip-flops explaining that ``the members aren't here anyway''.

Bob was married to his beloved wife Ann for 30 years, and is survived by their sons, Jack and Robby, and his brother John. Those who knew Bob will remember him smiling. He enjoyed spending time and energy on the things he valued: music, good food and drinks, history, time in the water, and above all else, his friends and family.

Bob was a compassionate public servant with a great sense of humor, and his upbeat attitude was contagious. Mr. Speaker, it is fitting and proper that we honor and thank Robert ``Bob'' William Blattner for his life of service to our grateful community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Penngrove Social Firemen and the 100th anniversary of the opening of the Penngrove Social Welfare Club House.

The Penngrove Social Welfare Club was established in 1919 by a group of women from Penngrove, California, who were holding monthly social meetings at their homes. They held dances and card games at other halls in the area, but needed a place of their own to serve their community. The Penngrove Social Welfare Club and the Penngrove community pitched in to donate their time, money, and energy to construct the Penngrove Community Clubhouse where a Grand Opening was held on March 10, 1923. One month later they hosted the club's first public dance, charging a 50 and 75 cent admission fee.

In 1929, the Penngrove Social Welfare Club donated a parcel of land to build the much-needed firehouse for the Penngrove Volunteer Fire Department. More than two decades later, the fire department purchased four acres of land to develop the Penngrove Community Park. At this time the Penngrove Social Firemen were formed. In 1963, the Penngrove Social Welfare Club sold the clubhouse to the Penngrove Social Firemen. Since then, the clubhouse has served as a meeting place for folk dancers, Finnish community members, 4-H meetings, voting, and fundraiser dinners. In 1976, the Penngrove Parade was established by the Social Firemen to honor the country's Bicentennial and the parade has continued to be held ever since. Community members have fond memories of their elementary school graduations and Christmas pageants in the grand building on the corner of Woodward and Oak Streets.

From its humble beginnings the Penngrove Social Firemen has been an entirely self-funded, non-profit organization. The dedicated team of directors, officers, and members volunteer their time to maintain the clubhouse and the community park with an emphasis on supporting the community. The Firemen support many beloved community organizations such as Penngrove School, Rancho Adobe Fire District, Petaluma Little League, Boys and Girls Scouts, Christmas for Kids, Penngrove 4-H, and Petaluma FFA.

Mr. Speaker, it is evident that the Penngrove Social Firemen have devoted themselves to serving our community. Therefore, it is fitting and proper that we honor them here today.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Chuck McMinn, the St. Helena Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year for his excellent work in our community.

Mr. McMinn is a graduate of Harvard business school and a successful Silicon Valley entrepreneur. Mr. McMinn and his wife Anne purchased the Vineyard 29 winery in the Napa Valley in 1999. They began producing Cabernet Sauvignon and established a beacon of environmentally sustainable winemaking, combining a passion for excellent wine with responsible production. The winery uses an on-site well and generates electricity on-site, minimizing its impact on the Napa Valley ecosystem. These and other sustainability practices allow Vineyard 29 to be 250 percent more efficient in how it utilizes natural resources, ensuring that the area can continue to supporting winemaking for generations to come.

After moving to Napa Valley, Mr. McMinn has also worked tirelessly in various philanthropic pursuits to improve our area. Mr. McMinn founded Napa-Learns, a nonprofit devoted to providing students in Napa County with valuable skills and resources through innovative public education programs. He also founded the Rail Arts District, a contemporary outdoor art museum designed to extend the benefits of public art to the semi-industrial neighborhoods of Napa Valley. As a board member of the St. Helena Hospital Foundation, the St. Helena Viticultural Society, and Appellations St. Helena, Mr. McMinn has extended his time, passion, and energy to the Napa Valley community.

In addition, Mr. McMinn is the founder and board president of the nonprofit Napa Valley Vine Trail Coalition. Under his leadership, the Vine Trail board team has grown to include members and organizations representing a broad spectrum of community and civic interests. This dedicated all-volunteer team share a vision to build a continuous trail connecting the entire Napa Valley from Vallejo's Ferry Terminal to the foot of Mount St. Helena. The Vine Trail will link the entirety of Napa Valley, physically, culturally, and artistically. The benefits of such a trail include increased tourism, a safe and environmentally friendly commuting alternative, and greater access to the beautiful and diverse Napa community.

Mr. Speaker, it is evident that Mr. McMinn has worked selflessly for the betterment of the Napa Valley community. Therefore, it is fitting and proper that we honor him here today.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Art Association of Napa Valley as this all-volunteer arts organization celebrates its 75th Anniversary.

Founded in 1948, the Art Association of Napa Valley is a nonprofit arts organization, with a mission to foster a more inclusive environment for all individuals through the arts and to support local artists of all ages and backgrounds. Many in Napa Valley have come to know the Arts Association of Napa Valley through their art exhibits and their several facilities. Some of the most notable facilities they have to offer include their downtown Art Gallery, the art center on Berens Street, and a newly opened clay and glass center on Jefferson Street.

Throughout the decades, the Art Association of Napa Valley has contributed greatly to its community through its constant advocacy for the arts. The organization has also been a pioneer in starting art festivals for the community, with its first one dating back to the 1950s. Today, the organization participates in the Arts in April festival, a valley wide celebration honoring the arts.

The Art Association of Napa Valley's philanthropic activities include providing scholarships for talented students who are pursuing an art career, organizing local art exhibits to display and market creations, and providing classes for those who wish to explore their artistic talents. Additionally, many students who have benefitted from the contributions of the Art Association of Napa Valley have pursued advanced degrees in the arts, with several earning a Master of Fine Arts degree.

Mr. Speaker, it is clear that the Art Association of Napa Valley has not only contributed immensely to highlighting Napa Valley's unique artistic community, but also has uplifted and encouraged students to fulfill their artistic ambitions. Therefore, it is fitting and proper that we honor here today the work of the Art Association of Napa Valley as it celebrates its 75th Anniversary of artistic advocacy.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Yountville's Town Manager, Steven Rogers, for his excellent work serving our community and congratulate him as he begins his retirement.

Mr. Rogers has been a devoted servant in California local governments for 37 years. He is the longest serving town manager in Napa Valley County history, being chosen in 2007 and serving for 15 years. Mr. Rogers was awarded Citizen of the Year by the Yountville's Chamber of Commerce in 2012. Under his leadership, Yountville navigated through challenges such as the Great Recession, Campbell wildfire outbreak, the Yountville mass shooting in 2018, and the COVID-19 global pandemic.

In addition, Mr. Rogers is recognized for his contributions in bolstering Yountville's financial position. As Town Manager, Mr. Rogers is noted for delivering balanced budgets, having an influential role in creating the Town's Revenue Stabilization Fund and Napa County's Tourism Improvement District. Steve is also

recognized for overseeing the construction of the Yountville Community Center, renovating the municipal wastewater treatment plant, and retrofitting Town Hall. Mr. Rogers has represented the town proudly through his roles on the Board of Directors of the California Insurance Risk Authority, Chair of the Napa County City Managers Group, and as the elected President of the League of California Cities City Managers Department.

Mr. Rogers has been a champion of civil rights and ensuring a more sustainable Yountville. He worked with the Town Council in establishing a new flag policy to ensure the raising of the LGBTQ+ Rainbow Pride Flag during Pride Month. Mr. Rogers was influential in the adoption of pesticide bans, installation of electric vehicle charging stations, expansion of the Town's recycled water system, and more.

When he is not serving the people of Yountville and California, Mr. Rogers is cheering on his alma mater's football team, the Michigan Wolverines.

Mr. Speaker, Mr. Steven Rogers has not only served the Town of Yountville proudly, but the entire state of California. Mr. Rogers' positive influence will be felt for generations to come. Therefore, it is fitting and proper that we honor him today, thank him for his service, and congratulate him on his well-deserved retirement.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Vacaville People's Forum in celebration of their 3rd annual Martin Luther King, Jr., Peace in the Park Parade.

Founded with the goal of amplifying the voices of underrepresented populations, the Vacaville People's Forum provides the invaluable service of informing local voters in often overlooked elections. Their work in holding elected officials accountable is a significant part of having an effective local government and an important job in Vacaville.

Their work includes highlighting outstanding members of our community on social media through campaigns like their ``31 Inspiring Women in Vacaville,'' where they recognized inspiring women in industries ranging from healthcare and education to non-profits.

The Vacaville People's Forum further enriches their community by organizing events like the Martin Luther King, Jr., Peace in the Park Parade, the Pride in the Park, and the Be You 2022 Event for individuals with special needs, all of which were held within the last year.

These events are an essential part of our community. They bring us closer together and help fight the systemic issues that impact our most vulnerable populations. The hard work, commitment, and dedicated service of the Vacaville People's Forum on the 3rd Annual Martin Luther King, Jr., Peace in the Park event showcases the best qualities of our community.

Mr. Speaker, the Vacaville People's Forum has been a source of quality debate for public officials and community building events in Vacaville. Therefore, it is fitting and proper that they are honored here today.

Mr. Chair, I thank Mr. Huffman for doing this amendment and for yielding me time.

Mr. Chair, the northern California coastline includes some of the most scenic and biodiverse waters in the world. As one of the five most significant upwellings in the world, California's north coast is home to nutrient-rich surface waters critical to maintaining vast biodiversity.

This coastline is home to dozens of marine mammals, over a hundred species of seabirds and shorebirds, and a tremendous number of fish species, which include salmon, striped bass, halibut, tuna, and many more.

An oilspill off this coast could devastate both the marine life and the local economy. It would crush the fishing community and local tourism. This amendment deserves to be passed.

Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk, No. 23.

Mr. Chair, my amendment would ensure that any plan to respond to high prices with the Strategic Petroleum Reserve includes oil conservation measures which will save our constituents money and strengthen our national security.

Reducing our country's reliance on oil reduces our economic and security exposure to hostile foreign governments.

The Biden administration has successfully used the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to lower prices for consumers following Russia's despicable invasion of Ukraine and in response to OPEC's punitive oil production cuts. In both cases, prices fell, and fell significantly, following the administration's actions.

My amendment would give the administration another tool to reduce prices and save money for our constituents. Policies that reduce oil use by using it more efficiently or transitioning to other fuel sources altogether benefit every American.

Having a plan with options that include boosting public transportation ridership, encouraging teleworking, and speeding the transition to using more electric vehicles would reduce our reliance on oil and lower fuel prices.

Relying on oil companies to drill our way out of overreliance doesn't make sense and will never deliver true energy independence. Oil companies are sitting on 13 million acres and about 9,000 approved but unused permits on public lands that aren't being used to produce gas or oil.

We need to do everything we can to build on the success of the true energy independence provisions secured in the landmark Inflation Reduction Act to break our dependence on oil, to create jobs in our country, and to strengthen our national security.

Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to support this commonsense amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Point of Order

Mr. Chairman, I couldn't disagree more. The whole purpose of this is to deal with providing a plan--that is the underlying bill, to provide this plan--and the whole idea is to save oil and gas and to reduce that. This amendment does that. It relies on that plan.

As a matter of fact, it embellishes the plan to include other known ways to save oil and gas. This is absolutely germane.

Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Offered By: Mr. Thompson of California

Amendment No. 23: Page 2, line 3, insert ``and

Conservation'' before ``Response Act''.

Page 2, line 4, insert ``and conservation'' after

``increase''.

Page 2, line 15, strike ``plan to increase'' and insert

``plan--''.

Page 2, line 15, before ``the'' insert the following:

``(A) to increase

Page 2, line 25, strike the period at the end and insert

``; and''.

Page 2, after line 25, insert the following:

``(B) to offset any drawdowns of petroleum products in the

Reserve with measures that reduce the demand for oil.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Councilmember Gary Kraus in honor of his retirement from the Calistoga City Council.

Mr. Kraus grew up in Claremont, California and graduated in 1974 from Mt. San Antonio College with an associate degree in fire science. After earning his degree, Mr. Kraus sought to protect his community by beginning

a career in fire service for the City of Calistoga. He spent a total of 38 years working for the fire department, including serving the last 8 years as the Department's Fire Chief.

In 2006, Mr. Kraus ran for and was elected to the Calistoga City Council. Mr. Kraus served as a Councilmember for 16 years and was successfully re-elected 3 times. During his time in public service, Mr. Kraus was a strong advocate for local support of the environment and addressing climate change. This led him to push for the re- establishment of the Green Committee which will work to effectively implement Calistoga's climate action plan. Mr. Kraus also pushed for stronger building codes to improve fire safety and diminish negative environmental impact.

Mr. Kraus had a number of other accomplishments including introducing the idea for the community to have free park and recreation services, working to significantly reduce Calistoga's unfunded liability debt, and serving for years on the city's finance committee.

Even when not at work, Mr. Kraus was still serving his community as a passionate Rotarian. Due to his outstanding community service and leadership in the Rotary Club, he was eventually named Rotary Club of Calistoga President.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Councilman Kraus for his selfless service and commitment to the people of Calistoga.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Travis Stanley for his outstanding contributions to our community upon his retirement as President and CEO of the Napa County Chamber of Commerce.

Mr. Stanley grew up in Michigan and attended Florida Southern College on a basketball scholarship where, he earned a B.S. Degree in journalism. After college, Mr. Stanley started a career in basketball where he worked as the Assistant Director of Public Relations for the Orlando Magic. After working with the Magic for 5 years, he then worked as Director of Public Relations for the Sacramento Kings for another 5 years before accepting a job with the Golden State Warriors. Mr. Stanley worked for the Warriors for 14 years and held multiple important positions including Senior Executive Vice President of Marketing.

Mr. Stanley was named President and CEO of the Napa County Chamber of Commerce in 2014. He took on the role at a crucial time as he was instrumental in helping lead Napa's businesses through the Napa earthquake, the 2017 wildfires, the Coronavirus pandemic, and the LNU Lightning Complex fires. Mr. Stanley navigated these challenges and helped bring new members into the chamber with an approach that encouraged members to engage, connect, and collaborate.

Outside of his professional duties, Mr. Stanley served as the Executive Leadership Chair of the 2015 Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Napa Light the Night Walk.

Mr. Stanley currently lives in Napa with his wife Irene and 2 children, Nina and Elijah.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Mr. Stanley for his commitment to helping our Napa community. His efforts have made Napa a more prosperous city.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to this misguided, expensive, and unpaid for legislation.

For years, my colleagues on the other side of the aisle have done everything they can to demonize the IRS. But here is the reality: When the IRS doesn't have the funding it needs, then two very bad things happen. The very wealthy tax cheats are able to avoid paying their fair share; and two, our constituents who need help from the IRS face unnecessary and destructive delays in getting that help.

The majority can't criticize the IRS for its performance while simultaneously fighting to cut the IRS budget.

Despite what my colleagues on the other side of the aisle would lead you to believe, Mr. Speaker, there aren't 87,000 storm troopers funded in this bill who are going to bang down your door. That is pure and utter nonsense.

Taxes are the price we pay to live in a civilized society. They are a fundamental part of our civic responsibility to one another.

This bill is a bad idea, and I encourage all my colleagues to vote ``no''.