Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Westin Schindler, an officer with the Santa Rosa Police Department. I have named Mr. Schindler as a Public Safety Hero of the Year for Sonoma County in California's 5th District as a result of his extraordinary selflessness, dedication, and service to others.

Mr. Schindler was born in Santa Rosa, California and raised in Petaluma. He received two associates degrees from the Santa Rosa Junior College and a bachelor's degree in criminal justice administration from Sacramento State University. While attending Santa Rosa Junior College, Mr. Schindler began his law enforcement career as a police cadet and shortly after, became a community service officer at Sacramento State University. Immediately following his college graduation, Mr. Schindler was hired by the Petaluma Police Department and attended the police academy. After serving over two years with Petaluma Police Department as a member of their gang enforcement team, Mr. Schindler was hired by the Santa Rosa Police Department, where he works today. In addition to his role as a patrol officer, Mr. Schindler has also served on the special weapons and tactics team and as a defense tactics instructor.

Every year, Santa Rosa Police Department receives over 100,000 calls for service, with busy shifts averaging between 200 to 300 dispatched calls. Through his skill and determination, Mr. Schindler has also invested significant time in preventing criminal activity

through proactive traffic enforcement stops and investigations. In the last year alone, he has seized ten illegally possessed firearms, including numerous Polymer80 ``ghost guns'' and assault rifles. Mr. Schindler has also authored a search warrant and led an operation typically reserved for specialized detectives, allowing the rapid seizure of evidence before it could be destroyed.

Mr. Schindler is the younger brother of two other public servants--a firefighter with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection and a fellow officer at Santa Rosa Police Department. He is also devoted to his family, which includes his two-year-old daughter Savannah and fiancee Jenn Eastham.

Madam Speaker, there is no doubt that Mr. Schindler is an exemplary civil servant whose resolve and endless commitment to the safety of his community is worthy of commendation. Therefore, it is fitting and proper that we honor him here today.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Rory Logan, a Criminal Detective with the Benicia Police Department. I have named Ms. Logan as a Public Safety Hero of the Year for Solano County in California's 5th District as a result of her extraordinary selflessness, dedication, and service to others.

Ms. Logan was born in Los Angeles, California and graduated from Eagle Rock High School. She served for over 12 years in both the United States Marine Corps and United States Navy Reserves where she qualified as a field radio operator, parachutist and Stinger/Avenger gunner. Ms. Logan's overseas deployments include Korea, Thailand, Japan, Panama, and Kuwait. She is a recipient of two Navy Achievement Medals, a Navy Unit Commendation, and a Global War on Terrorism

Expeditionary Medal, among other awards and decorations.

In 2020, following nearly two decades of experience with other law enforcement agencies, Ms. Logan joined the Benicia Police Department. As a Criminal Detective, Ms. Logan played a key role in the investigation of illegal gun sales, burglaries, and child predator cases. In each of these instances, Ms. Logan displayed remarkable skill and determination, often resulting in the arrest of wanted suspects and criminals. In March 2022, Bahadur Singh, the owner and clerk of Rose Market, was murdered during a robbery. Ms. Logan worked tirelessly to investigate the incident, cooperating with multiple other agencies, and led to the swift arrest of the suspect before he was able to cause further harm.

Outside of her service with the Benicia Police Department, Ms. Logan is a licensed vocational nurse and proud mother of two sons, Anthony and Scott.

Madam Speaker, I thank Ms. Logan for her persistence and investigative skill. Therefore, it is fitting and proper that we honor her here today.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Rodger Collinson, a firefighter and paramedic with the Napa Fire Department (NFD). I have named Mr. Collinson as a Public Safety Hero of the Year for Napa County in California's 5th District as a result of his extraordinary selflessness, dedication, and service to others.

Mr. Collinson was born and raised in Napa, California. He graduated from Napa High School in 1996 and has attended both Napa Valley College and Solano Community College. Mr. Collinson spent five years with Piner's Napa Ambulance before joining the Napa Fire Department in 2003. While working with the NFD, Mr. Collinson proposed, developed and continues to lead the Safe Program. The program provides fire safety messages to elementary schools across Napa.

In addition to putting his life on the line to protect our community from fires, Mr. Collinson demonstrated incredible initiative by creating the Facebook Group ``Support Napa Valley Restaurants.'' The purpose of the group is to provide free advertising to the many local restaurants impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, Mr. Collinson recently competed on the Food Network's ``Guy's Grocery Games'' where he won $40,000 for the Napa City Firefighter's Charitable Fund.

Outside of his work with the NFD, Mr. Collinson has served as the team lead for the annual City of Napa employee breakfast and is a member of the Native Sons of the Golden West. He is also passionate about bridging the gap between first responders and our Spanish speaking community, having studied Spanish with his wife Amanda.

Madam Speaker, there is no doubt that Mr. Collinson is an exemplary civil servant who represents the very best of our community. Therefore, it is fitting and proper that we honor him here today.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Robert O'Connor, a recruit with the Vallejo Fire Department. I have named Mr. O'Connor as a Public Safety Hero of the Year for Solano County in California's 5th District as a result of his extraordinary selflessness, dedication, and service to others,

Mr. O'Connor was born in Fremont, California. In 2015, he became a paramedic and in June 2022, began his training with the Vallejo Fire Academy. Mr. O'Connor is currently enrolled in their 20-week Firefighter I program. He resides in Tracy, California with his wife Adrienne and daughter Delaney.

On July 1, 2022, Mr. O'Connor was driving to the recruit academy when he observed a major traffic accident on the Byron Highway in Tracy, California. There, two vehicles had recently collided with each other, with one forcing the other to roll off the side of the road. Although he had not yet finished his program at the academy, Mr. O'Connor drew upon his training and took immediate action. He pulled over and assessed the injuries of those involved, relaying a full update of the incident to dispatch. After apprising them of the situation, Mr. O'Connor placed himself at risk by climbing into one of the badly damaged vehicles to provide life-saving care to two individuals. Even though the crash was miles from the area covered by the Vallejo Fire Department, Mr. O'Connor remained on scene to assist in medical care even as South San Joaquin Fire Authority resources arrived.

Madam Speaker, we thank Mr. O'Connor for his bravery, quick action and remarkable focus during an incredibly stressful situation. Therefore, it is fitting and proper that we honor him here today.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Kristy and Bob Brindley, founders of the Just1Mike Foundation. I have named the Brindley's as Public Safety Heroes of the Year for Sonoma County in California's 5th District as a result of their extraordinary selflessness, dedication, and service to others.

Kristy Brindley is a native of Chicago, Illinois and a graduate of Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas. Bob Brindley was born in Buffalo, New York and is a graduate of Cornell University and the University of Michigan. The Brindley's met and married in Chicago, where they lived for 29 years and raised their three boys, Robbie, Jack, and Mike. In 2016, they lost their youngest son Mike to sudden cardiac arrest. A year later, they founded the Just1Mike Foundation, in honor of Mike's beloved sports blog, to increase survival rates of sudden cardiac arrest in children and young adults. The Just1Mike Foundation began its work in the Chicago area where it supported cardiac screenings for thousands of high school students. In the first screening alone, 13 students were found to have previously undiagnosed heart conditions.

After moving to California in 2018, the Brindley's broadened their foundation's reach even further. The Just1Mike Foundation donated four automated external defibrillators (AED) SaveStations to Sonoma Valley High

School, eight to the Sonoma Valley Boys & Girls Clubs, and many more throughout Northern California. They plan to continue providing vital equipment and screenings well into the future. On June 15, 2022, a 16- year-old boy at Sonoma Valley High School collapsed while playing basketball from sudden cardiac arrest. Thanks to the quick action of three friends and an AED provided by the Just1Mike Foundation, the boy is still alive today.

Madam Speaker, I thank Kristy and Bob Brindley for the great work of the Just1Mike Foundation. For this reason, it is fitting and proper that we honor them here today.

Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of the four public safety bills that the House is considering today.

Crime, and in particular gun violence, continues to be a major problem affecting every community in our country. The annual cost of gun violence alone is more than $280 billion.

This Congress has already taken the most significant action in 30 years with the enactment of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act to reduce gun violence.

Today, we take another step forward to strengthen public safety by passing four bills that will keep our communities safer.

Together the bills will save lives by increasing grants for police training and recruitment for small police departments which often lack the resources they need.

They will fund the deployment of mental health crisis response units and evidence-based community violence intervention programs--two strategies that have been used very successfully in my district.

And they will provide funding so local law enforcement can solve homicide and non-fatal shootings.

I would like to thank Representatives Horsford, Demings, Gottheimer, and Porter for their leadership on these bills.

I urge my colleagues to put party over politics and vote YES on each of the public safety bills being considered today to reduce crime and save lives.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Carlos Tamayo. Through the creation of La Tortilla Factory with his family, Mr. Tamayo helped contribute to his community by increasing the diversity of cuisine in the area, providing jobs and livelihoods for so many.

Mr. Tamayo was born in Nebraska in 1946 to a family of five sons. After attending college in Arizona, Mr. Tamayo and his wife moved to Fremont, California, where they found inspiration to partner with his parents to create La Tortilla Factory,

La Tortilla Factory was founded in August of 1977 in Santa Rosa, California. It began as a family-run restaurant owned by Mr. Tamayo's parents, and siblings, and quickly expanded into a business that focused solely on producing tortillas. The factory's growth led to more than 300 new job opportunities for the local community.

Mr. Tamayo has dedicated his life and work to helping others through a variety of roles. He served in the United States Army during the Vietnam War from 1969 to 1971. After earning his master's degree, he took on a job as a financial analyst at the National Economic Development Association and worked to help Latino individuals who were interested in a career in business.

Mr. Tamayo was heavily involved in decision-making and financial components of La Tortilla Factory, and served as the business' Chief Executive Officer, Chairman, and President throughout its duration. La Tortilla Factory's success as the main tortilla distributor for the United States is in part due to Mr. Tamayo's expertise.

Mr. Tamayo was well-known in his community, and will be remembered as friendly, passionate, and incredibly intelligent. He was dedicated to his family, and travel was a huge part of his life. Mr. Tamayo was also inspired by his parents. They raised a family and achieved success in the United States after his father immigrated to the U.S. from Mexico through the Bracero program, and his mother's parents immigrated to the U.S. Mr. Tamayo passed away on July 29, 2022, and he will be greatly missed by all.

Madam Speaker, it is evident that Mr. Tamayo has left a tremendous impact on the community. Therefore, it is fitting and proper that we honor his legacy here today.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor North Bay Regional Center for 50 years of service to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. This organization has demonstrated their commitment to helping those in need by providing the resources necessary for these individuals and their families to thrive.

The North Bay Regional Center is part of a system of centers that were created in 1965 and spread throughout the State of California. This center was founded in 1972, and specifically provides services to individuals in Napa, Solano, and Sonoma County. The priority of the center is to provide support for these individuals and their families through the Early Start program and the Lanterman Act program.

Early Start is focused on helping children under 3 years old who have or are more at risk of experiencing a developmental disability. These children are given the tools they need to thrive in their home environments and other areas they may frequent. The Lanterman Act program is concentrated on supporting individuals who are 3 years old or older. Combined, these programs provide continual support and continue to advocate for these individuals from birth to late adulthood.

Over 10,000 individuals are receiving help from the North Bay Regional Center alone. As a result, individuals with various disabilities are able to gain access to the resources they need to become more independent and included in their community.

The North Bay Regional Center has played an important role in the lives of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities by encouraging the involvement of these individuals in their own communities, which in turn will only continue to encourage growth and inclusivity.

Madam Speaker, it is evident that North Bay Regional Center has been instrumental in providing support to the people that it serves. Therefore, it is fitting and proper that we honor it here today.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 150th year milestone of Glen Ellen and the Glen Ellen Post Office in Sonoma County, California.

Originating on July 19, 1872, Glen Ellen was named after Ellen Mary Stuart, the wife of Colonel Charles Stuart. Glen Ellen is located in the canyon between the Mayacamas Mountain Range and Sonoma Mountain. The beautiful Calabasas and Sonoma creeks run through downtown Glen Ellen further adding to the immaculate scenery.

Glen Ellen, part of the historic Valley of the Moon, is home to many Sonoma County wineries and culinary gems. It is home to nearly 800 people but also serves as a getaway for many California residents due to the various hiking trails and its close proximity to Sonoma Valley Regional Park.

The Glen Ellen Post Office holds historical value in the community it serves. It was created at the same time as the town and has been led by a distinguished list of postmasters, such as Charles Justi, John Gibson, and Charles Crofoot. The post office is located in historic Jack London country, surrounded by vineyards.

One of the most notable attractions of Glen Ellen is the Jack London State Historic Park. Created in 1960 and named after author and owner Jack London, the park spans fourteen hundred acres and contains a winery dating back to the 19th century, as well as a variety of orchards and historic structures. Celebrations commemorating Glen Ellen and its post office have been held here, signifying the importance of the park and the historical significance it has to the community.

Glen Ellen is a place for Californians to seek quiet and relaxation. The variety of attractions, including wineries, restaurants, hiking trails, historic landmarks, such as the Mill, all contribute to the town and its community. Along with the historic Glen Ellen Post Office, these attractions are an important part of what make Glen Ellen a special place to live.

Madam Speaker, it is therefore appropriate that we acknowledge Glen Ellen's 150th milestone and wish them another 150 years of success.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Wayne T. Wirick, Jr. for 40 years of outstanding service to the City of Sonoma. Mr. Wirick has demonstrated his commitment to the local community through various roles in service to the City of Sonoma, and volunteer work with emergency response departments.

In the last 40 years, Mr. Wirick has fulfilled several roles in the City of Sonoma. He has served as Building Inspector, Building Official, Project Manager, and Interim Public Works Director. In these roles, he was involved in ensuring that buildings were updated and secured to the correct standard, especially as the area experienced earthquakes. Mr. Wirick was also the Planning Section Chief when the city experienced several disasters, including the Nuns fires. Currently, he is Sonoma's Acting City Manager and on-site Information Technology specialist

Volunteer service is an important part of Mr. Wirick's life, as he volunteered with the City of Sonoma Fire Department for 17 years. Volunteer firefighters are a valuable addition to fire departments everywhere, and by participating, Mr. Wirick put himself in danger in order to protect the people in his community.

Mr. Wirick has also been recognized for his involvement with the Sonoma Valley Boys and Girls Club. He has been recognized by the Sonoma League for Historic Preservation in 1988 for his involvement in preserving Sonoma City Hall and in 1993 for the City of Sonoma Seismic Upgrade Ordinance.

Mr. Wirick is a family man at heart. He and his wife Carol have three children, Matt, Danny, Emily, and two grandchildren, Luke and Reagan. His community views him as a mentor and a leader, with a sense of humor. He holds himself and others in his community to a high standard, while also maintaining patience and kindness.

Madam Speaker, it is evident that Mr. Wirick has worked endlessly to serve his community. Therefore, it is fitting and proper that we honor him here today.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Hands Across the Valley President and Founder, George Altamura, upon the creation of the George L. Altamura Endowment. Mr. Altamura has dedicated his life to serving others, choosing to focus on preventing his fellow citizens from going hungry by creating programs that offer food resources.

Mr. Altamura was born in 1934 in Buffalo, New York, and came to live in the Napa Valley in the 1940s. He began a successful career in real estate after owning both a dry-cleaning business and a restaurant. Community service became a priority in Mr. Altamura's life, starting largely with food insecurity prevention.

This all started with the cancellation of an annual food fundraising event. Mr. Altamura acted quickly in inviting Francis Coppola, Johnny Miller, Steve Young, and me to help him serve food at his restaurant, in the Napa Valley, instead. Our team was able to serve over 300 people and raise more than $30,000, making Mr. Altamura's efforts profoundly successful.

This event inspired Mr. Altamura, along with other leaders in our community, to come together ``to do something about the hunger in Napa Valley.'' Learning that hundreds of people in Napa County went hungry on a daily basis, Mr. Altamura founded Hands Across the Valley, an annual event which raises funds for the Napa Valley Food Bank, Meals on Wheels, the Salvation Army, and The Table.

Since its founding in 1994, Hands Across the Valley has raised over $2 million to help benefit Napa Valley's Safety Net Food programs. In addition to providing much needed funding to these services, Hands Across the Valley helps the Food Bank, Catholic Charities, The Table and American Canyon Family Resource Center provide holiday turkeys and food baskets each year.

In honor of over 30 years of service, Hands Across the Valley has established the George L. Altamura Endowment to permanently aid in the fight against hunger in Napa Valley. The Endowment will supply safety net food programs in Napa Valley with long-term financial support.

Madam Speaker, it is evident that Mr. Altamura has worked endlessly to help the fight against hunger in our community. Therefore, it is fitting and proper that we honor him here today.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the Napa Parks and Recreation Foundation for its outstanding work to preserve our public lands and bring excellent outdoor experiences to our community.

The Napa Parks and Recreation Foundation is increasingly becoming a stronger and more recognized voice for supporting the parks and recreation opportunities in the City of Napa. In the last two years, its board membership has risen from five members to nine members, fostering a more diverse representation of our community. As a non- profit, the Napa Parks and Recreation Foundation is primarily focused on supporting and improving our community parks and recreation resources for families, individuals, and youth. The Napa Parks and Recreation Foundation collaborates with the Napa Parks and Recreation Services Department to continually assess the needs of the community and to improve accessibility and awareness of parks and recreation opportunities.

Today, the Napa Parks and Recreation Foundation comes together in celebration of, ``A Day in the Park,'' to bring awareness and support for the Foundation at Westwood Hills Park in honor of National Park and Recreation Month. Westwood Hills Park was established by the Napa City Council in 1976. The park is used by many in our community and by visitors for hiking, running, enjoying the beautiful summit vista overlooking Napa Valley, experiencing the natural wildness of the outdoors within the town and walking the trails throughout the park.

The focus of ``A Day in the Park'' is to introduce the community to Westwood Hills Park and to support the work of the Napa Parks and Recreation Foundation and Napa Parks and Recreation Services. This event will also support the purchase of trail markers for the Westwood Hills Park and the eventual installation of interpretive displays at the summit vista.

Madam Speaker, there is no doubt that the Napa Parks and Recreation Foundation has been an important part of the Napa community. It is therefore fitting and proper that we honor it today.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the Charles M. Schulz Museum and Research Center in celebration of its 20 years of operation in California's Fifth Congressional District.

Founded in 2002, the Charles M. Schulz Museum and Research Center commemorates Charles M. Schulz, creator of the ``Peanuts'' comic strip, and his artwork. As a longtime Sonoma County resident, Mr. Schulz made a tremendous impact on the community of Santa Rosa, and the museum aims to honor the famed cartoonist himself as well as his comic strip legacy.

Mr. Schulz, or ``Sparky'' to those who knew him, was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota in 1922 and moved to Sonoma County, California in 1958. He passed away in Santa Rosa in 2000 after writing and drawing ``Peanuts'' for almost 50 years. His creations ran in more than 2,600 newspapers and he personally created and drew 17,897 strips, even after a tremor in his hand affected his ability to draw. Along with its 20th anniversary, the museum plans to honor Mr. Schulz's 100th birthday on November 26, 2022, making this an especially eventful year for the institution.

In the recent years, the museum has worked to represent and diversify exhibits, speakers, and cartoons. The staff hope to honor the memory of Mr. Schulz by encouraging a new generation of cartoon artists from a variety of backgrounds as the museum continues to fulfill its mission to encourage understanding and appreciation of comic strip art.

In celebration of its 20th anniversary, the museum welcomed more than a dozen professional cartoonists from Sonoma County for a panel discussion and book signings, bringing local talent into the mix of those being represented by the museum.

Madam Speaker, it is evident that the Charles M. Schulz Museum and Research Center has been a meaningful establishment in our community, providing joy and entertainment for so many in our district. Therefore, it is fitting and proper that we honor the museum here today.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Sherri Vannest in recognition of her 31-year career dedicated to public safety.

Records and Communications Supervisor Sherri Vannest joined the Clearlake Police Department in 1991. In the Department, she served as an Office Assistant, Confidential Secretary and Secretary to the Chief of Police.

During the Great Recession in 2009, Sherri was laid off, but undeterred in her desire to serve, she returned in 2010 to the Clearlake Police Department as a dispatcher. She went on to earn her Dispatcher Basic, Intermediate and Advanced certificates from the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training. In 2014, Sherri was promoted to the position of Records and Communications Supervisor.

Sherri has also taken on other important assignments throughout her career. As a notary public and proctor for the Police Officer Standards and Training (POST) entry level testing for dispatchers and police officers, she was directly involved in the hiring of the many people who have served the agency. Sherri managed numerous grants, including the Bulletproof Vest Partnership grant, which has helped make our officers safer in instances of gun violence. As the de-facto technology coordinator, Sherri kept the computers running and ensured personnel were knowledgeable and supported in their use.

Sherri took a lead role in the department's transition into a state- funded 9-1-1 public safety answering point, which brought the level of 9-1-1 service and accessibility to the standard enjoyed elsewhere in the state. Sherri has been a consistent and strong advocate for the dispatchers she leads.

Sherri decided to enter a much-deserved retirement on August 5, 2022, so she could spend more time with her family and working on her farm. She will be remembered for her considerable amount of service to the public.

Madam Speaker, it is evident that Sherri Vannest has worked endlessly to serve and support safety within the community of Clearlake. Therefore, it is fitting and proper that we honor her here today.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Reverend Ann Gray Byrd for her outstanding contributions to our community.

Rev. Byrd was born March 30, 1936, in Tatum, Texas. She moved to Santa Rosa in 1952, where she was one of only three Black students at Santa Rosa High School. From a young age, she was deeply involved in the local chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), cofounded by her father. During her 70 years living in Santa Rosa, Rev. Byrd went on to make an incredible impact in our community through her work serving as the President of the Santa Rosa-Sonoma NAACP chapter. She also served as Sonoma County Chapter Chair of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU).

In 1992, Rev. Byrd helped to establish and served as the Executive Director of the Gray Foundation. The Foundation provided over $180,000 in scholarships to help low-income Sonoma County high school students attend college. Rev. Byrd was a founding member of the Sonoma County Commission on the Status of Women and Sonoma County People for Economic Opportunity. Rev. Byrd was the recipient of the 2016 ACLU Jack Green Award and multiple NAACP accolades including the Legacy Award. She was also recognized with a Woman of the Year award by the California State Legislature in 2005.

In addition to her extraordinary public service, Rev. Byrd devoted her life to her two children, two grandchildren, and four great- grandchildren. She instilled the spirit of activism in her family and was proud of young people carrying on her legacy by taking to the streets to advocate for a better future. Ms. Byrd passed away on July 7, 2022, and she will be greatly missed by our community.

Madam Speaker, it is evident that Rev. Ann Gray Byrd has left a monumental impact on our Santa Rosa community. Therefore, it is fitting and proper that we honor her and her legacy here today.