Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise today to remember John Joseph Manfreda for his lifelong belief in and staunch commitment to exceptional public service.

Born in Washington, DC, Mr. Manfreda received his undergraduate degree in business finance and economics from the University of Maryland. He earned his law degree from the American University School of Law in 1970 and earned a master's degree in tax law from Georgetown University Law Center in 1974. Mr. Manfreda began his almost 50-year career in public service at the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF) Counsel Office and its Internal Revenue Service predecessor. From 1999 to 2003, he served as Chief Counsel for ATF. Mr. Manfreda was integral to the founding of the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB). He served TTB as the Deputy Administrator before being appointed to the Administrator of the Bureau in 2005.

Mr. Manfreda was widely respected for his knowledge, fairness, and honesty by his colleagues and those he worked with in the industry he regulated. He helped write many alcohol laws when he served as Counsel for ATF and retained the information about those laws. He was a fair man and was always willing to listen. Mr. Manfreda was an honorable man of character who valued honesty and demonstrated that value. Mr. Manfreda was recognized for his important work with the Meritorious and Distinguished Presidential Rank Awards and the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms.

Madam Speaker, John Joseph Manfreda was a dedicated public servant who held the sincere belief in the good of public service. He inspired his coworkers and was a friend and mentor to all who knew him and a devoted family man to his wife, children, and grandchildren. It is therefore fitting and proper that we remember the life and honor the service of John Joseph Manfreda here today.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mr. John Shackford for his contribution to our Napa Valley community as a local business owner and dedicated community member.

Mr. Shackford was born in Los Angeles, California, and received a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Whittier College. He served in the Air Force from 1951 to 1958 as a distinguished fighter pilot and is a Korean War veteran. Mr. Shackford married the late Ms. Donna Shackford and in 1960 they moved to Napa County.

For forty-three years, Mr. Shackford owned Shackford's Kitchen Store, the beloved culinary store located in downtown Napa. The store employed countless people from our community and served local businesses, home chefs, and culinary students. Prior to establishing Shackford's Kitchen Store, Mr. Shackford was the owner and chief head pilot at the Nut Tree in Vacaville from 1967 to 1974.

Mr. Shackford has been active in our community through the programs he and Ms. Shackford sponsored over the last thirty years. He sponsored Babe Ruth baseball teams, girls softball teams, Slow Pitch teams, 4-H, and Derby cars for kids. Mr. Shackford is a family oriented man and he has shown with his generosity and involvement that he considers Napa to be part of his family.

Madam Speaker, John Shackford is an important member of our Napa County community. He is a kind and giving person who has served the people of Napa for over forty-three years. It is therefore fitting and proper that we honor him here today.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that when the House adjourns today, it adjourn to meet at 10 a.m. tomorrow.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Gun Violence Awareness Month.

All month members of the Gun Violence Prevention Task Force will be coming to the floor to remember those we have lost and to call upon the Senate to take up H.R. 8, the Bipartisan Background Checks Act.

More than 100 days ago, Democrats and Republicans came together to pass legislation which is supported by more than 90 percent of the American people. Since the beginning of the year, more than 6,500 people have been killed and more than 12,500 have been injured by someone using a gun. Yet, the Senate refuses to allow a simple up or down vote.

On Thursday, activists from around the country will be holding a day of action to call on the Senate leadership to take up universal background checks. No more thoughts. No more prayers. They want action, and they want a vote.

The Senate should do the right thing. The Senate should pass H.R. 8.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to remember Lewis F. Brown for his years of exceptional public service to Solano County, California and to honor him for his commitment to our community.

Born in Cleveland, Mississippi as the ninth of twelve children, Mr. Brown moved to California in the 1950s after he served in the Korean War. He attended Vallejo College and San Francisco State University where he graduated with a B.S. in Political Science. Mr. Brown was elected to the City Council of Vallejo in 1965. This victory made Mr. Brown the first African American individual to be elected to office in Solano County. He later served as Vice Mayor. In 1970, Mr. Brown was the first African American attorney in Solano County and the first African American attorney to integrate a law firm in the San Francisco Bay Area--Beeman, Bradley, Brown and Beeman.

Mr. Brown was a lifelong advocate, representing marginalized people and those without a platform. He sued the State of California to eliminate the offensive legal title that was given to children whose parents were not married. Within Solano County he worked to develop local housing assistance programs. Mr. Brown also challenged the discriminatory policy that required beauticians of color take more curriculum than white beauticians. The equal policy he helped create has been in use by the California Cosmetology Board since the 1960s. Mr. Brown also helped the City of Vallejo receive matching funds to build its John F. Kennedy Public Library. Mr. Brown worked with Los Angeles city and county officials in the 1960s to replicate the community harmony that the City of Vallejo fostered. Mr. Brown was integral to Vallejo being named the most ``Multicultural City in America'' in the 2000 and 2010 censuses.

Madam Speaker, Lewis F. Brown had an unrelenting commitment to serve the people of Solano County and the City of Vallejo throughout his life. It is therefore fitting and proper that we honor the service and remember the life of Lewis F. Brown here today.

Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding.

Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of the SECURE Act. I thank the chairman, Mr. Neal, and Speaker Pelosi for their leadership on this important bill.

America is facing a retirement crisis. Nearly half of all the people in America do not have any money saved for retirement. The SECURE Act before us today helps fix that.

I am glad we could reach this bipartisan solution to make it easier for workers, including home healthcare workers in California, to take advantage of important retirement savings tools.

As a combat veteran and the father of two first responders, I understand how important it is that this bill also reverses the harmful tax hikes included in the Republican tax bill on survivor benefits. Hiking taxes on Gold Star families and families of first responders is unjust, and it insults how sacred these benefits are. It is just plain wrong. This bill reverses that harmful provision.

Madam Speaker, I thank Congresswoman Luria for her leadership in this effort.

Madam Speaker, I ask that all my colleagues join me in support of this very important bill.

Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize today as Stop the Bleed Day. For four years, the American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma has been leading the way on training folks in our communities about how to safely stop traumatic bleeding.

I was honored to host a Stop the Bleed training here on Capitol Hill where we trained almost 100 people on how to save the lives of others and themselves. Because of this training, these folks are equipped and empowered to assist someone before a trained medical professional can take over.

Whether as a result of a gunshot, traffic accident, or other injury, traumatic bleeding can be life threatening. Like with CPR training, the hope is that the training will never be put into use. However, should a tragedy occur, those who have taken the Stop the Bleed training just might save a life.

I hope all of my colleagues here today will join me in recognizing Stop the Bleed Day, commending the American College of Surgeons, and think about hosting training sessions in their communities.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. Rick Jones and the E. Richard Jones Family Foundation for their contribution to our Napa Valley community, and Community Health Initiative.

Mr. Jones received a Bachelor of Arts from Princeton University and a Master in Business Administration from the Stanford Graduate School of Business. For as long as he has resided in the Napa Valley, Mr. Jones has been deeply involved in and committed to our community. Mr. Jones has worked to better the health and well-being of Napa residents through his foundation, The E. Richard Jones Family Foundation. The Foundation has been critical to the success of Community Health Initiative. The Foundation provided seed funding to Community Health Initiative to become the first non-profit health insurance broker in California that is motivated by the need to assist vulnerable populations and provide access to health care services in the public and private markets. Additionally, The E. Richard Jones Family Foundation was instrumental in registering over 18,000 people for health insurance and providing them with access to care.

Mr. Jones is active in our community in addition to his work with his foundation. He is a current Board Member and former Board President of the Napa Valley Vintners Association, the Board Chair of OLE Health and Raising a Reader, and a Board Member of NapaLearns, St. Helena Hospital, and the St. Helena Hospital Foundation. Through his work on these boards and through Community Health Initiative, Mr. Jones is admirably working to improve the health of the residents of Napa County.

Madam Speaker, Rick Jones is a friend of mine, a kind and generous person and his organization, the E. Richard Jones Family Foundation, is essential to the continual improvement of our community. It is therefore fitting and proper that we honor them both here today.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Pete Richmond as the Napa Valley Grower of the Year for 2019.

Mr. Richmond's career in agriculture began in 1986 after earning a degree in Agricultural Business from California State University, Fresno. He gained valuable experience as a viticulturist while working at Bien Nacido Vineyards. Mr. Richmond went on to work for many prestigious wineries. In 1992 he was at Stag's Leap Winery; he worked at Atlas Peak Winery from 1993 to 1995; from 1995 to 2001 he was at Kendall Jackson. Mr. Richmond founded the Silverado Farming Company, a vineyard management company, in 2001. Many of the finest wineries and vineyards in the Napa Valley contract with Silverado Farming Company to manage their vineyards. The company oversees vineyard management for over 650 acres of grapes.

Mr. Richmond's passion for agriculture is not confined to the vineyard. He is involved in our community--through his philanthropic contributions and the Boards on which he sits. In 2006, Mr. Richmond established the One Percent for the Community Fund, a foundation that receives one percent of gross revenue profits made by the Silverado Farming Company. The foundation uses the money to support at-risk youth in our community and helps find a solution for a variety of issues that impact farm workers. Mr. Richmond is on the Farmworker Foundation Board of Directors, OLE Health Operating Board, and the OLE Health Foundation Board. He is also an Advisory Board Member for Teens Connect, a member of the Marketing Committee for the Napa Valley Community Foundation, and a past member of the Napa Valley Grapegrower's Board of Directors. He is active in the housing community as a member of Napa Valley Community Housing and Napa County Housing Commission. Mr. Richmond is also involved with Ag for Youth and is a former Babe Ruth Baseball League Coach.

Madam Speaker, Mr. Richmond is the community member we should all strive to be. He is a person of integrity, is generous and caring, and well-deserving of the title Napa Valley 2019 Grower of the Year. It is therefore fitting and proper that we honor Pete Richmond here today.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Dennis Pedisich for his involvement with Community Health Initiative and his leadership in providing health insurance to residents of Napa County.

Mr. Pedisich has been active in our community since earning his Master in Business Administration from Santa Clara University. He sat on the Community Health Initiative Board of Directors for nine years. During his time on the Board, he held many positions, including that of Vice President. Mr. Pedisich has selflessly given many hours of his time to Community Health Initiative, which has provided over 18,000 uninsured individuals with health insurance and access to care.

Mr. Pedisich has been active in our community in other positions as well. He has been the President of the Napa Valley College Foundation, the Justin-Siena High School Board of Trustees, and the Kiwanis Club of Napa Valley. He also sits on the Board of Trustees for the Queen of the Valley Medical Center. As the former President of Napa Community Bank and Vice President of Rabobank, Mr. Pedisich has shared his expertise of the finance community with the local non-profit sector and has helped many businesses thrive through his generosity with his time and knowledge.

Madam Speaker, Mr. Pedisich is an active member of our community who uses his expertise to assist others and help important local institutions, such as the Community Health Initiative, thrive. Community Health Initiative has been able to reach such a large number of Napa residents in no small part because of Mr. Pedisich. It is therefore fitting and proper that we honor Dennis Pedisich here today.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Pete Richmond as the Napa Valley Grower of the Year for 2019.

Mr. Richmond's career in agriculture began in 1986 after earning a degree in Agricultural Business from California State University, Fresno. He gained valuable experience as a viticulturist while working at Bien Nacido Vineyards. Mr. Richmond went on to work for many prestigious wineries. In 1992 he was at Stag's Leap Winery; he worked at Atlas Peak Winery from 1993 to 1995; from 1995 to 2001 he was at Kendall Jackson. Mr. Richmond founded the Silverado Farming Company, a vineyard management company, in 2001. Many of the finest wineries and vineyards in the Napa Valley contract with Silverado Farming Company to manage their vineyards. The company oversees vineyard management for over 650 acres of grapes.

Mr. Richmond's passion for agriculture is not confined to the vineyard. He is involved in our community--through his philanthropic contributions and the Boards on which he sits. In 2006, Mr. Richmond established the One Percent for the Community Fund, a foundation that receives one percent of gross revenue profits made by the Silverado Farming Company. The foundation uses the money to support at-risk youth in our community and helps find a solution for a variety of issues that impact farm workers. Mr. Richmond is on the Farmworker Foundation Board of Directors, OLE Health Operating Board, and the OLE Health Foundation Board. He is also an Advisory Board Member for Teens Connect, a member of the Marketing Committee for the Napa Valley Community Foundation, and a past member of the Napa Valley Grapegrower's Board of Directors. He is active in the housing community as a member of Napa Valley Community Housing and Napa County Housing Commission. Mr. Richmond is also involved with Ag for Youth and is a former Babe Ruth Baseball League Coach.

Madam Speaker, Mr. Richmond is the community member we should all strive to be. He is a person of integrity, is generous and caring, and well-deserving of the title Napa Valley 2019 Grower of the Year. It is therefore fitting and proper that we honor Pete Richmond here today.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Dennis Pedisich for his involvement with Community Health Initiative and his leadership in providing health insurance to residents of Napa County.

Mr. Pedisich has been active in our community since earning his Master in Business Administration from Santa Clara University. He sat on the Community Health Initiative Board of Directors for nine years. During his time on the Board, he held many positions, including that of Vice President. Mr. Pedisich has selflessly given many hours of his time to the Community Health Initiative, which has provided over 18,000 uninsured individuals with health insurance and access to care.

Mr. Pedisich has been active in our community in other positions as well. He has been the President of the Napa Valley College Foundation, the Justin-Siena High School Board of Trustees, and the Kiwanis Club of Napa Valley. He also sits on the Board of Trustees for the Queen of the Valley Medical Center. As the former President of Napa Community Bank and Vice President of Rabobank, Mr. Pedisich has shared his expertise of the finance community with the local non-profit sector and has helped many businesses thrive through his generosity with his time and knowledge.

Madam Speaker, Mr. Pedisich is an active member of our community who uses his expertise to assist others and help important local institutions, such as the Community Health Initiative, thrive. The Community Health Initiative has been able to reach such a large number of Napa residents in no small part because of Mr. Pedisich. It is therefore fitting and proper that we honor Dennis Pedisich here today.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Pete Richmond as the Napa Valley Grower of the Year for 2019.

Mr. Richmond's career in agriculture began in 1986 after earning a degree in Agricultural Business from California State University, Fresno. He started working for Bien Nacido Vineyards, gaining valuable experience as a vintner. Mr. Richmond went on to work for other prestigious wineries. In 1992 he was at Stag's Leap Winery; he worked at Atlas Peak Winery from 1993 to 1995; from 1995 to 2001 he was at Kendall Jackson. After spending 15 years at various wineries, Mr. Richmond founded the Silverado Farming Company, a vineyard management and client communications company. Wineries contract Silverado Farming Company to tend, field, and harvest grapes in Napa County. The company oversees vineyard management for over 600 acres of Cabernet grapes.

Mr. Richmond's passion for agriculture is not confined to the vineyard. He is involved in our community through his philanthropic efforts and the Boards on which he sits. In 2006, Mr. Richmond established the One Percent for the Community Fund, a foundation that receives one percent of gross revenue profits made by the Silverado Farming Company. The foundation uses the money to support at-risk youth in our community and help find a solution for a variety of issues that impact farm workers. Mr. Richmond is on the Farmworker Foundation Board of Directors, a past member of the Napa Valley Grape grower's Board of Directors, and an Advisory Board Member for Teens Connect. He is active in the housing community as a member of Napa Valley Community Housing and Napa County Housing Commission. Mr. Richmond is also involved with Ag for Youth and is a former Babe Ruth Baseball League Coach.

Madam Speaker, Mr. Richmond is the community member we should all strive to be. He is a person of integrity, generous and caring, and well-deserving of the title Napa Valley 2019 Grower of the Year. It is therefore fitting and proper that we honor Pete Richmond here today.

Madam Speaker, I rise today with Congressman Jared Huffman to honor Snoopy's Home Ice on its 50th anniversary.

Snoopy's Home Ice, also known as the Redwood Empire Ice Arena, opened on Monday, April 28th in 1969. Snoopy's was built and owned by Charles M. Schulz, creator of the Peanuts comic strip. Snoopy's is the only permanent ice rink between Oakland and the Oregon border serving California coastal communities. The 33,500-foot facility welcomes over 110,000 skaters a year and has been a venue for ice skating performances, skating lessons, hockey games, tennis matches, and concerts. The Santa Rosa Figure Skating Club, Santa Rosa Junior Hockey Club, Snoopy's Adult Hockey League, and the Santa Rosa Junior College hockey team all call Snoopy's Home Ice their home.

Snoopy's Home Ice is the home of the Snoopy's Senior World Hockey Tournament, which was started in 1975 by Mr. Schulz. The annual event draws over 50 teams of players aged 40 to 96 from all over the world to play more than 100 games. Teams have traveled from numerous countries, including those as far away as Japan, Austria, and Australia. Snoopy's Senior World Hockey Tournament has brought in an estimated $5.8 million per summer to Sonoma County. The arena also hosted holiday ice shows from 1986 until 2003. The shows had elaborate choreography performed by many well-known and respected skaters.

Madam Speaker, Snoopy's Home Ice has not only been a recreational facility for the last fifty years, it has been a place for our community to gather, children to celebrate birthdays, families to celebrate holidays, and the site of numerous sporting events. It is therefore fitting and proper that we honor its 50th anniversary here today.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Martinez Adult Education on its 100th year of providing comprehensive adult education programs to our community.

Martinez Adult Education began in 1919 when local Shell refinery employees sought evening classes to learn new skills and further their education. Today, Martinez Adult Education offers programs and classes on career readiness, college transition, literacy, and educational enrichment. Martinez Adult Education provides English as a Second Language and citizenship courses, high school completion opportunities, adult literacy resources, and trainings for adults seeking career changes or enhancements. Martinez Adult Education works to serve the needs of each individual that utilizes its services.

Martinez Adult Education serves more than 1,900 students annually and the English as a Second Language program enrolls students from 46 countries. It is the only adult education school in California to offer Peace Officer Standards and Training modules. Additionally, it serves as the Local Education Agency for seven apprenticeship programs.

Martinez Adult Education is fully accredited by the Schools Commission of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges and has formed partnerships with six other local adult schools. Additionally, Martinez Adult Education collaborates with Contra Costa Community College and the County Office of Education.

Madam Speaker, Martinez Adult Education strives to provide access to education, career training, and other community resources to underserved and diverse populations in our community. It is committed to providing community members with the needed skills and education to further their careers and thrive in other aspects of their lives. Therefore, it is fitting and proper that we honor Martinez Adult Education here today.