Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Sheriff John Robertson and to recognize his extensive contributions to our community through his leadership in law enforcement.

A California native, Sheriff Robertson was born and raised in Burlingame, California. He went on to attend San Diego State University, where he received his degree in Criminal Justice. Sheriff Robertson began his accomplished career in Law Enforcement at the San Mateo Police Department in 1981. It was there that he established his expertise in Hazardous Materials, Explosives, and Incident Management. Since June 1991, Sheriff Robertson has been with the Napa County Sheriffs Office, where he established himself as a natural leader and resource to the Napa community. Soon after, he began teaching at the Police Academy and Criminal Justice Training Center, where he instructed both Academy Cadets and law enforcement officers on a wide variety of topics.

He became Sheriff of Napa County in 2012 serving for 11 years, including during the terrible earthquake in 2014 and the apocalyptic fires in 2017, 2019, and 2020. Sheriff Robertson's leadership and innovation has recently led to a pilot program utilizing the European ``Hi-Lo'' siren in patrol cars for use during evacuations. As a result, departments across California began participating in this program, leading to the passage of Senate Bill 909, which amended the California Vehicle Code to

allow for Sheriff Robertson's idea to become an industry norm nationwide.

Throughout his career, Sheriff Robertson has never lost sight of the importance of Community Policing. He has tirelessly advocated for programs to improve his community, including bicycle patrol in jurisdictions like Yountville and Sheriffs Activities League programs in Napa and American Canyon. Serving under the mantra ``The less you say, the more people listen,'' Sheriff Robertson has established himself as a leader in his community and continues to be a resource to elected officials and department directors alike. His extensive legacy will be continued by his son, Jack, who is serving as Deputy Sheriff in Solano County. I wish my friend, colleague, and cycling partner well in his retirement.

Madam Speaker, it is no doubt that Sheriff Robertson's achievements will leave a tremendous impact for generations to come. Therefore, it is fitting and proper that we honor him here today.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Ren Harris, the 2021 Napa Valley Grape Grower of the Year, for his accomplishments and contributions toward our community.

Born in 1941 in San Francisco, Harris is a sixth generation Californian. After attending Napa Valley College, the University of San Francisco, the University of California Davis and the University of Bordeaux, Mr. Harris began his career in the wine community in 1967 as a grape grower and vintner. In the late 1960's, Mr. Harris and his wife Marilyn moved from San Francisco to Oakville and began planting grapes on what was once a prune orchard. By 1975, they had successfully created the Paradigm brand, which is known and loved by residents throughout Napa Valley today.

Mr. Harris's contributions to the wine community extend far beyond Paradigm Winery. His leadership within the industry is exemplary, having served as the President of the Napa County Farm Bureau, Council Member of the California Growers Board, Director of the Napa Valley CoOp Winery, and both President and Director of the Oakville Winegrowers. Additionally, he was the founder of both the Napa Valley Grape Growers and the California Grower Foundation.

Perhaps the best testament to Mr. Harris's dedication to Napa Valley and his fellow viticulturists is his extensive work throughout his career advocating for the protection of Napa Valley's land, workforce, and community. Through the California Grower Foundation, he was able to help improve the working conditions of viticulturalists as well as establish affordable healthcare access for farmworkers. These contributions have made a lasting impact on Napa Valley and beyond.

Madam Speaker, Mr. Harris is a community member we should all strive to be. His passion for viticulture and dedication to his grape growing community make him deserving of the Napa Valley Grower of the Year. It is therefore fitting and proper that we honor Ren Harris here today.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 172, bipartisan legislation reauthorizing the United States Anti-Doping Agency, USADA.

Since 2001, USADA has been recognized by Congress as the official anti-doping agency for Olympic, Paralympic, and other sporting competitions in the United States.

The organization conducts drug testing for athletes, manages test results, and pursues bad actors who seek to undermine the principles of clean and fair support through the use of illicit or banned substances.

This important legislation reauthorizes USADA through fiscal year 2030 and provides a slight funding boost to allow USADA to prepare for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, California.

In addition, this legislation requires USADA to devote a portion of its funding to clean sport initiatives for young athletes and authorizes the Department of Justice and other Federal agencies to cooperate with USADA in the course of its investigations.

I am grateful to my colleagues on the Energy and Commerce Committee for advancing this legislation to the floor, and I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes.''

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Beth Bartke, whom I have named the 2020 Woman of the Year in Contra Costa County, California. Woman of the Year recognizes women who have made important contributions to California's 5th Congressional District in Arts and Culture, Professional Achievement, Entrepreneurship and Innovation or Community Service.

Although she is proud to call Martinez home, Mrs. Bartke was born in Pasadena and spent most of her youth in San Fernando and Santa Rosa, initially coming to our district to pursue a degree in elementary education from Sonoma State University. She could not bring herself to leave its natural beauty and tight knit community, choosing to settle in the district permanently.

Dedicating her time and effort to the community she holds dear; she served on the Hercules City Council from 1992 to 1996 and was a ten- year board member for the Commissioner's Advisory Panel for the Rodeo- Hercules Fire Protection District and a thirteen year employee of the Pinole Police Department. Even in her retirement, Mrs. Bartke is committed to public safety and regularly volunteers with both the Pinole and Martinez Police Departments while simultaneously working to enhance community recognition and appreciation of our first responders throughout the district.

Beyond the time she gives to city government, Mrs. Bartke also works with our community's homeless population, operating showers and serving meals to a multitude of non-profits. She also participates in the torch relay for the Special Olympics, a tradition she carries on every June. Mrs. Bartke is relentless in always finding a way to serve our community.

Mrs. Bartke's selflessness and commitment to service can in part be attributed to her faith. The Bartke Family are members of the Creekside Church and the tenets of Mrs. Bartke's faith have guided her professional and private life. There is no doubt that Mrs. Bartke has had a great impact on so many members of our community.

Our community is immeasurably better for all of Mrs. Bartke's contributions and it is therefore fitting and proper that we honor her here today as Contra Costa's 2020 Woman of the Year.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Karissa Kruse, whom I have named the 2020 Woman of the Year in Sonoma County, California. Woman of the Year recognizes women who have made important contributions to California's 5th Congressional District in Arts and Culture, Professional Achievement, Entrepreneurship and Innovation or Community Service.

Born in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Ms. Kruse grew up surrounded by a loving and supportive family. A University of Pennsylvania alumna, she graduated with a BS in Economics and an MBA in Marketing from the prestigious Wharton School of Business. In pursuit of a warmer climate, she came to Sonoma County shortly after graduating, starting Argot Wines and Karma, an angel investment firm.

Ms. Kruse began her career with the Sonoma County Winegrowers in 2012 as the Director of Marketing before being named President in 2013. The following year, she launched an initiative charting a 5-year path to 100 percent sustainability, an ambitious target that reflects both her decisiveness as a leader and her passion for our environment and farming families. By September of 2019, nearly all of Sonoma County's vineyards had been certified sustainable, making it the most ecologically friendly wine region in the world. Ms. Kruse continued to build upon the organization's environmental leadership, establishing an exclusive partnership with the California Land Stewardship Institute to launch a Climate Adaptation Certification, the first of its kind for agriculture.

Her tenure as President has also coincided with the recent wildfires that have challenged the resilience of the wine community. Ms. Kruse has been instrumental in guiding our agricultural communities through these tumultuous times, re-establishing the Sonoma County Grape Growers Foundation in 2016 to improve the lives of agricultural workers and their families. Over the past two years, the Foundation has provided over $1 million for wildfire recovery, housing support, and workforce development. These funds have been crucial in supporting the stability of the wine industry, which in turn has been a lynchpin in rebuilding our communities. Moreover, Ms. Kruse is thrilled to have recently married Steve Dutton, a 5th generation Sonoma County farmer, on January 1, 2021. She is honored to be a member of the Dutton family along with Steve and her new stepchildren, Jake and Jordan.

Madam Speaker, Ms. Karissa L. Kruse exemplifies the kind of business leadership that fosters vibrant, cohesive, and prosperous communities. It is therefore fitting and proper that we honor her here today as Sonoma County's 2020 Woman of the Year.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Elizabeth Ann Hoffman, whom I have named the 2021 Woman of the Year in Contra Costa County, California. Woman of the Year recognizes women who have made important contributions to California's 5th Congressional District in Arts and Culture, Professional Achievement, Entrepreneurship and Innovation or Community Service.

A California native born in San Leandro and raised in Benicia, Ms. Hoffman attended Sonoma State University for her undergraduate degree and San Jose State University for her graduate education in Social Services. A member of Food Bank of Contra Costa and the Vallejo Chamber of Commerce, Ms. Hoffman has been an active member of our community for many years.

Most notably, Ms. Hoffman serves as the Executive Director for Rebuilding Together Solano County (RTSC), working diligently to improve the lives of low-income families, veterans, seniors, and disabled members of our community. Throughout the years, Ms. Hoffman's contributions to RTSC have resulted in the rehabilitation of over 40 low-income homes and 52 community centers. She has also impressively amassed over 12,000 volunteers for the organization, expanding resources to better the lives of those in need.

Her exceptional commitment to our community has not gone unrecognized. Ms. Hoffman has received numerous public health service awards, including PG&E's Environmental Remediation Sibley Award and the American Red Cross' Community Service Hero Award.

Madam Speaker, Ms. Hoffman has proven herself to be a true asset to the groups she serves. Our community is immeasurably better for all of Ms. Hoffman's contributions and it is therefore fitting and proper that we honor her here today as Contra Costa County's 2021 Woman of the Year.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Eloise Scott, whom I have named the 2021 Woman of the Year in Solano County, California. Woman of the Year recognizes women who have made important contributions to California's 5th Congressional District in Arts and Culture, Professional Achievement, Entrepreneurship and Innovation or Community Service.

Born in the Philippines in 1935, Ms. Scott immigrated to the United States in 1959, where she lived in San Francisco until settling in Vallejo in 1976. She graduated from the University of San Francisco with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Counseling and Social Work. She has utilized her expertise in counseling to aid families and respond to numerous community tragedies. In 1998, she brought community awareness of the shooting of 14-year-old Filipino student Regi Infanti, organizing respite care and counseling, and has continued to expand her meaningful work since.

Ms. Scott has become a notably fierce advocate for change among the Filipino community in Vallejo. Serving as a board member for both the Filipino Community of Solano County Inc. and Filipino American Social Services, Ms. Scott has been instrumental in the progress made for the Filipino American community and positively impacted the lives of young women, from substance abuse treatment to pregnancy prevention. She also serves as the Chairperson of the Philippine Cultural Committee ``PISTA SA NAYON'' and has been the President of Hinunangan Association, Inc., and a member of Solano County's Democratic Central Committee.

Driven by her faith, Ms. Scott is also a proud member of St. Basil's Catholic Church in Vallejo, where she serves as a Eucharistic Minister. She has volunteered her time to fundraising for the building maintenance and other various activities and programs within the church, as well as helping with physical education classes for St. Basil's secondary school.

Our community in Vallejo has been improved from Eloise Scott's contributions and it is therefore fitting and proper that we honor her here today as Solano County's 2021 Woman of the Year.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Carol J. Huchingson, whom I have named the 2021 Woman of the Year in Lake County, California. Woman of the Year recognizes women who have made important contributions to California's 5th Congressional District in Arts and Culture, Professional Achievement, Entrepreneurship and Innovation or Community Service.

A Northern California native, Ms. Huchingson earned her Bachelor and Master of Arts degrees in Social Welfare and Education, with special studies in Human Services Administration, from Humboldt State University in 1990. She worked for the County of Lake Department of Social Services as Director from 1994-2016 and currently works as County Administrative Officer.

Ms. Huchingson worked to revamp Lake County's Department of Social Services into an organization that effectively responds to the needs of our community members and efficiently reacts in times of disaster. Similarly, during her time as County Administrative officer, she advocated to strengthen our county's government workforce by increasing training and developing better relationships with labor organizations.

Ms. Huchingson was also an active leader during the 2015 Valley Fire, the 2016 Clayton Fire, the 2017 Wine Country Fire, the 2018 Mendocino Fire, and the 2020 August Complex Fire. Her leadership helped our community through difficult times. Due to Ms. Huchingson's initiative and commitment, Lake County is making its way to economic viability and recovery after these horrific disasters.

As COVID-19 has recently hindered local involvement in government, Ms. Huchingson led a team that developed a new, award-winning hybrid approach to public meetings. In August of 2020, six Board of Supervisors and

Virtual Community Meetings averaged 12,000 participants and viewers, which is equivalent to 18 percent of Lake County's population. Through her work, local governments will now be able to increase community participation as already seen in New York, Virginia, and Pennsylvania.

Ms. Huchingson has made a great impact on our community by serving in our government and has devoted countless hours during her 21-year career. Our community is better for all of Ms. Huchingson's contributions and it is therefore fitting and proper that we honor her today as Lake County's 2021 Woman of the Year.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Lydia Mondavi, whom I have named the 2021 Woman of the Year in Napa County, California. Woman of the Year recognizes women who have made important contributions to California's 5th Congressional District in Arts and Culture, Professional Achievement, Entrepreneurship and Innovation or Community Service.

The seeds that bloomed into Ms. Mondavi's community service lay nearly 240 years in the past. A member of the historic Rutledge family, who count among their members signers of the Declaration of Independence and Constitution, she has always embodied her ancestors' spirit of civic dedication. As a businesswoman and as a philanthropist, she has made her family and our district proud through her selfless action on behalf of others.

In the early days of the corona virus pandemic, Ms. Mondavi employed this spark to ensure that all members of our community would have equitable access to COVID-19 testing services. Leveraging her healthcare and logistics experience as Chair of the Queen of the Valley Foundation Board of Trustees and owner of The Abernathy Group, Rutledge & Vine, and 29 Cosmetics, she united local and state governments, businesses, and non-profits to establish testing sites and deploy mobile testing teams. These sites have performed over 200,000 tests to date, including many for agricultural workers and other vulnerable populations. Now as doses of the vaccine become more available, she is again working with Core Response, Napa Valley Vintners and the Queen of the Valley Community Outreach program to launch an immunization clinic that will be online by the end of March.

Aside from her efforts during the recent pandemic, Ms. Mondavi has served our Napa community through her role as an Advisory Board Member of The What. Sharing her experiences as an accomplished businesswoman and owner of three companies, she works with the organization to foster an open forum for women to learn, network, and grow. Her dedicated service to this mission has no doubt helped many women become industry leaders in the Napa Valley.

Our community is immeasurably better for all of Lydia Mondavi's contributions and it is therefore fitting and proper that we honor her here today as Napa County's 2021 Woman of the Year.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Letitia Hanke, whom I have named the 2021 Woman of the Year in Sonoma County, California. Woman of the Year recognizes women who have made important contributions to California's 5th Congressional District in Arts and Culture, Professional Achievement, Entrepreneurship and Innovation or Community Service.

Ms. Hanke was born in San Pablo and moved to Lake County at the age of five. As a new student entering a homogeneous community, she was often bullied. Though these experiences hurt her, she learned to channel her emotions into creative pursuits. At the urging of her elementary school music teacher, she picked up the trumpet. By the age of nine, she was playing with the high school band, and more important had found a community of friends who stuck up for her. Carrying this passion through her middle and high school education, she decided to attend Sonoma State University in 1993 to pursue a degree in Music Performing and Recording Arts.

Working full-time at a roofing company to pay for school, she quickly rose through the ranks. Despite having no background in the construction industry, the owner of the business offered his mentorship and the chance to purchase the business from him. Stepping away from her final year of school, she pulled the cash together and became CEO of ARS Roofing, Gutters, and Solar.

As one of the few women, and even fewer Black women working in the roofing industry, she found herself once again subject to adversity as a newcomer. Reminded of the power of the community that advocated on her behalf, she founded the LIME Foundation to help underrepresented youth accomplish their dreams. Made up of the Nextgen Trades Academy, the Senior Activities Program, and the Turner Arts Initiative, LIME has trained and placed over 100 youth in construction trades, increased quality of life for seniors through nutrition and exercise classes, and provided youth the opportunity to pursue their creative passions through summer camps and after school arts programs.

Our community is immeasurably better for all of Ms. Hanke's contributions and it is therefore fitting and proper that we honor her here today as Sonoma County's 2021 Woman of the Year.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Crystal Martin, whom I have named the 2020 Woman of the Year in Lake County, California. Woman of the Year recognizes women who have made important contributions to California's 5th Congressional District in Arts and Culture, Professional Achievement, Entrepreneurship and Innovation or Community Service.

Born in Fayetteville, North Carolina, Ms. Martin is well known across our district for her interest and engagement in several fundraising events in Lake County, as well as her exceptional work in the Lake County District Attorney's Office. She is also a devoted wife and mother and she takes great pride in her family.

In 2016, inspired by the generosity of women in her community, Ms. Martin co-founded the ``100+ Women Who Care'' in Lake County. Currently, the organization consists of approximately 150 women and has raised more than $200,000 for non-profit groups, 100 percent of which goes directly to the chosen non-profits in the Lake County area.

Crystal works as the Lake County District Attorney's Victim-Witness Program Administrator as an advocate for victims. Her skills have allowed many victims of violence to continue their journeys to healing and reconciliation by ensuring that their offenders have been brought to justice. Ms. Martin has also helped many victims of violence navigate the sometimes-overwhelming criminal justice system. Always committed to protecting and supporting the interests of those for whom she advocates; Ms. Martin has helped victims navigate their difficult experiences.

Madam speaker, Ms. Crystal Martin is a dedicated advocate who has devoted her life to helping members of our community. It is therefore fitting and proper that we honor her here today as Lake County's 2020 Woman of the Year.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Annette Taylor, whom I have named the 2020 Woman of the Year in Solano County, California. Woman of the Year recognizes women who have made important contributions to California's 5th Congressional District in Arts and Culture, Professional Achievement, Entrepreneurship and Innovation or Community Service.

Born in Savannah, Georgia, Ms. Taylor's family moved to Vallejo in 1958. She attended the University of San Francisco and graduated in 1987 with a Bachelor of Science in Organizational Behavior. A member of the Vallejo Chamber of Commerce and the Solano County Black Chamber of Commerce, Ms. Taylor has prioritized nurturing local small businesses toward success and advocating for equity and equality for all. These efforts have not gone unnoticed, earning her dozens of accolades. Most notably, she was the recipient the Assemblywoman Pat Wiggins Woman of Achievement Award, not once but twice, in 2000 and 2002 and the Athena Award in 2004 from the Vallejo Chamber of Commerce.

Over the course of her life as a community leader, Ms. Taylor has had an immense impact on the people of Vallejo. A lifetime member and former president of the Vallejo Section of the National Council of Negro Women, Ms. Taylor has proven herself a leader amongst others. She has been an effective community advocate for communities of color in her roles as a life member and the former first vice president of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People's (NAACP) Vallejo Branch, receiving the President's Award in 1988.

Ms. Taylor currently serves as the Senior Community Development Analyst in the Economic Development Division in the city of Vallejo. In 2000 and 2020, Ms. Taylor received the California on Location Award as the Employee of the Year for Cities for her many years of professionally supporting the film industry and their activities. She has utilized her personal and professional successes to lift worthy causes in our community. Further, as a consummate philanthropist, Ms. Taylor has donated to the arts, public broadcasting and veterans.

Madam Speaker, Ms. Annette Taylor is a lifelong public servant, dedicated to giving back to our community of Vallejo, and a great friend. It is therefore fitting and proper that we honor Ms. Annette Taylor here today as Solano County's 2020 Woman of the Year.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Hope Reyes Lugo, whom I have named the 2020 Woman of the Year in Napa County, California. Woman of the Year recognizes women who have made important contributions to California's 5th Congressional District in Arts and Culture, Professional Achievement, Entrepreneurship and Innovation or Community Service.

Born in San Bernardino, California, Ms. Lugo was the oldest of 13 children. At just 24 years old, she moved with her husband and family to Napa, where they settled permanently. Originally finding work on small farms, Lugo picked up extra jobs to support her family, enrolling her children in the community Head Start program with the hope of giving them better lives.

Never one to leave her family's wellbeing in the hands of others, she joined the parent policy council and became a Head Start instructor. Earning the trust and admiration of our community for her advocacy on behalf of farm workers and her poor neighbors, she was later appointed to the Napa County Council for Economic Opportunity (NCCEO) Board of Directors. Graduating to the role of Executive Director in 1970, she served with pride and distinction for 30 years. Throughout her tenure as director, she took on numerous other civic and philanthropic responsibilities, including membership in the Napa Latino Leadership Organization and the President's Commission on the White House Conference for Children and Youth.

Our community and the nation have recognized Ms. Lugo for her leadership numerous times. In 1990, the Department of Health and Human Services bestowed the National Head Start Award on her for providing an exceptional education to her students. Ten years later, the city of Napa further celebrated her impact on children by dedicating the Hope Lugo Child Development Center in her honor. Most recently, in 2014, the Napa County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce awarded her the Building a Legacy Award to Ms. Lugo for nearly six decades of distinguished service. Though her accolades are many, Hope takes the greatest pride in being matriarch of a large, devoted family. A caring mother, a doting grandmother, a cherished great-grandmother, and a teacher in the truest sense of the word, she has intimately shaped the experiences of children across generations.

Madam Speaker, Hope Lugo is a great friend and has dedicated her life to the communities and people she holds dear. It is therefore fitting and proper we honor her here today as Napa County's 2020 Woman of the Year.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to take from the Speaker's table the bill (S. 579) to make a technical correction to the ALS Disability Insurance Access Act of 2019, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this legislation.

This bill is one of the most consequential policies considered by this body during my time in Congress. From top to bottom, it provides struggling Americans with the relief that they need.

It provides critical healthcare funding to help crush the virus, including funds to continue ramping up vaccinations.

It provides funds to help small businesses stay afloat, to help restaurants keep their lights on, to help families afford health insurance, to keep workers employed, and to help kids get back into school.

It bolsters State and local governments and provides emergency assistance to the millions of Americans behind on rent. On top of that, this bill is projected to cut child poverty in this country in half.

This is an excellent bill, and I thank my colleagues, the chairman, especially, and our partners in the administration for swiftly bringing this critical relief to the floor.

The American people know that help is on the way. I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes.''