Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise today with my colleague Congressman Jared Huffman to recognize Kevin Barr as the recipient of the 2019 Viticulture Award of Excellence. This award recognizes grape growers who have made significant contributions to our Sonoma County wine community and Sonoma County overall.

Mr. Barr attended the University of California, Davis where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Management with a specialization in Viticulture and has since been committed to sustainability and conservation. Mr. Barr started his company, Redwood Empire Vineyard Management (REVM), in 1983, which sustainably develops farms and other properties. Mr. Barr is committed to sustainable farming and conservation. REVM was the first vineyard management company to be certified sustainable in California and has 22 clients that have been certified by the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance.

Mr. Barr has been an active and involved community member since he first moved to Sonoma County in 1979. He is a current board member and past chairman of the Sonoma County Winegrape Commission Board. His expertise played no small role in the Commission certifying 100 percent of Sonoma County's vineyards as sustainable by 2019. Mr. Barr is also the current chairman of the Santa Rosa Junior College Viticulture Advisory Board and the Sonoma County Grape Growers Foundation Board.

The 2019 Viticulture Award of Excellence is not the first time Mr. Barr has been recognized for his contributions and commitment to our community. He received the Leadership in Agriculture Award from the Santa Rosa Chamber of Commerce in 2015, the Award of Excellence for Sustainability in Farming in 2016, and the Nick Frey Community Contribution Award in 2018. Despite his well-deserved accolades, Mr. Barr has remained humble and dedicated to sustainable farming and our community.

Madam Speaker, Kevin Barr is a generous person who works hard to keep our land beautiful for generations to come and is committed to our community. Therefore, it is fitting and proper that we honor him here today.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Alice Darrow on her 100th Birthday on March 16th, 2019.

Ms. Darrow was born Alice Beck in Paso Robles, California. She graduated from Hamilton City High School and continued her education at California State University, Chico. Ms. Darrow earned her Nursing Degree at Highland Hospital in Oakland, California.

Ms. Darrow is a veteran. She was a Navy Nurse stationed at Mare Island during World War II. She met her husband, Dean Darrow, after he survived the attack on Pearl and was shipped to Mare Island for open heart surgery, where Ms. Darrow was his nurse. They married after they were both honorably discharged from the Navy. They lived in Pleasant Hill and Kelseyville, where they raised their four children, Becky, Jim, Diane, and Neil. Ms. Darrow also has ten grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren.

As a ``Sweetheart,'' the wife of a Pearl Harbor survivor, Ms. Darrow remained active in the local chapter of the Pearl Harbor Survivor's organization until the last local member passed away. She also spoke at local high schools and colleges as part of her role as a ``Sweetheart.'' Ms. Darrow is known for her compassion and drive to help others. She was a member of Gleaner's Group where she gathered and bagged fruit, nuts, and vegetables for needy members of our community.

Madam Speaker, Alice Darrow is a special member of our community. She has been committed to serving others, as a nurse, veteran, and volunteer. It is therefore fitting and proper that we honor her here today.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Barry Biermann for his years of dedicated service as a member of the Cal Fire community and as the Napa County Fire Chief.

Mr. Biermann is a Napa County, California native. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from California State University, Chico and has served Napa County as a CalFire employee since 1986. He began his tenure with CalFire as a seasonal firefighter. In 2007 he became a Battalion Chief and in 2014 was promoted to be the County Fire Chief for Napa County. Additionally, Mr. Biermann is a Hazmat specialist and is a fifteen-year member of the CalFire Incident Management Team. Some of his responsibilities have included managing the Oroville Spillway Emergency, the Valley Fire, and the Atlas Fire/Napa Complex Fires of 2017.

Mr. Biermann is known for remaining calm during emergencies and has a disposition that puts others at ease during difficult situations. He is an important member of and asset to our community. He is also a loving husband to his wife and dedicated father to their two sons.

Madam Speaker, Mr. Biermann is the committed community member we should all strive to be. He has dedicated his career to helping our community and diving head first into dangerous situations to protect others. It is therefore fitting and proper that we honor Barry Biermann here today.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the Napa Valley College Puente Program on the 15th anniversary of its implementation.

Since its launch in 2004, the Puente Program has served underrepresented community college students in the Napa Valley. The curriculum-focused program was designed to assist Napa Valley College students that are statistically more likely to not finish college. The Puente Program helps students acquire the necessary skills for success in both their academic and professional careers. Students are paired with a Counselor, English Instructor, and Mentor to help them prepare to transfer to a four-year college or university. The program accepts all students, but the majority of students link their background to Mexico and other countries in Central and South America. The Puente Program tailors its services and class materials to connect students to their Mexican-American and Latino identities.

The Puente Program also spurred the creation of the student-led Puente Club. The Puente Club has been instrumental in collaborating with the community on initiatives, including the first ever Dreamer's Conference. The Napa Valley Community Foundation awarded the program three grants to help further its impactful work. Many of the students of the Puente Program have already positively impacted our community. Two students became Napa County Student Leaders of the Year, one is a dedicated social worker, some have become Puente leaders, and even more have returned to serve our community in myriad ways.

The Napa Valley College Puente Program is a member of the Northern California Statewide Puente Project. It is governed by a statewide Memorandum of Understanding and the college funds personnel and events. The Napa Valley College Puente Program would not be the successful and collaborative project it is today without its founders, Cathy Gills, Mary Salceda, and Christina Rivera.

Madam Speaker, the Napa Valley Puente Program is an important institution in our community. It is therefore fitting and proper that we honor the program on its 15th anniversary.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Karen Collins as the 2019 Honorary Alcaldessa for the City of Sonoma, California. Ms. Collins has been named Alcaldessa, the Spanish word for mayor, in recognition of her contributions to our community.

Ms. Collins is originally from Washington State. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and History from Whitworth College, a Master of Arts in American Government from George Washington University and a junior college teaching credential from San Francisco State University. She is also a graduate of the Public Affairs Institute of Washington, D.C.

Ms. Collins is a tireless advocate for the preservation and protection of the environment and has worked diligently towards this goal. She is a current Commissioner of the Sonoma County Regional Parks and Recreation Commission, which she has also chaired three times. Ms. Collins serves as Vice President of the Board of Jack London Park Partners and chairs its government relations committee.

Ms. Collins was appointed to the California Recreational Trails Committee in 1998 and served as chair for two years of her four-year term. She has also served on Sonoma's Environmental Advisory Commission and was a past Bicycling and Hiking Trails Advisor where she represented Sonoma's interest on the County Transportation Commission. Additionally, Ms. Collins served on the boards of Yosemite National Institutes, the Headlands Institute and the Bay Area Ridge Trail. She is also a former chair of the California Recreational Trails Committee.

In addition to her environmental advocacy, Ms. Collins has also supported the arts and women's health care in our community. She helped establish a women's health program at Sonoma Valley Hospital and has served on the board of the Hospital's foundation. Ms. Collins has chaired Salute to the Arts and served on the Sonoma Community Center Board.

Madam Speaker, Ms. Collins is the committed volunteer and dedicated community member we should all strive to be. She has spent countless hours advocating for our community. It is therefore fitting and proper that we honor Karen Collins as Sonoma's 44th Honorary Alcaldessa.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Lorez Bailey, whom I have named the 2019 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. Bailey has spent over 20 years overseeing youth development programs and creating opportunities for young people in our community. She is the Executive Director of Chop's Teen Club in Santa Rosa, California. In her two years at Chop's, she has supported collaborative initiatives to give members a wider range of programs and services. She has also worked to raise the visibility and inclusion of Chop's in our community. Before joining Chop's, Ms. Bailey was the Director of College and Career Readiness at Social Advocates for Youth. In this role, she revamped all the high school college and career centers in Sonoma County. She also oversaw a team of coordinators who worked to implement work-based learning initiatives and Career Technical Education programs.

Ms. Bailey has positively impacted our community through her work at West County Community Services where she was the Manager of Youth and Adult Education and Employment Services. In addition, Ms. Bailey has spent a large portion of her career in media. She has worked at publications including The Press Democrat, The Community Voice, and Fremont Argus. In all her work, Ms. Bailey has followed her passion for advocacy and commitment to community service.

Ms. Bailey is an Oakland, California native and longtime resident of Sonoma County. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies from Sacramento State University and her Master of Arts in Education from Sonoma State University. Ms. Bailey is married to her husband Andre, with whom she has three daughters.

Madam Speaker, Lorez Bailey is an incredible member of our community whose tireless work throughout her career has benefited the women throughout Sonoma County and California. Therefore, it is fitting and proper that we honor her here today.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Trazena ``Kandie'' Jones, as 2019 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.

Ms. Jones has been active in our military community for over 30 years. Ms. Jones is the Commander of Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 1351 in Martinez, California. At the VFW, she does outstanding work helping veterans connect with one another and assists elderly and sick members with tasks that have become too difficult for them. She works tirelessly at Post 1351 and spends her remaining free time volunteering at the Veterans Service Office assisting veterans with obtaining the benefits that they have earned. She is also the driving force behind Post 1351's local Buddy Poppy distribution program, which benefits veterans' rehabilitation and other services across the United States.

In addition to her work at the VFW, Ms. Jones has been an active volunteer of the PGA Veterans Hope Tournament and the Valor Games Far West. The Valor Games helps veterans and their families receive the services they need within their community. Ms. Jones also curates veterans hall military memorabilia.

Ms. Jones enlisted in the U.S. Army and rose to the rank of Sergeant while serving as Quartermaster. She was honorably discharged at Fort Ord near Monterey and since then has been committed to helping our veterans.

Ms. Jones grew up in Chicago, Illinois where she graduated high school. She enlisted in the Army and moved to California, where she attended aviation school. She also studied automotive/machinist training.

Madam Speaker, Trazena ``Kandie'' Jones is an incredible member of our community whose tireless work throughout her career has benefited the women throughout Contra Costa County and California. Therefore, it is fitting and proper that we honor her here today.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Mary Jane Bowker, as 2019 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.

Ms. Bowker is at the heart of political organizing up and down the Napa Valley. She's a strong defender of our democratic values and devotes much of her time, energy and resources to bettering our community. Her passion is working towards positive change, as seen from her leadership with Progressive Women of Napa Valley and Napa Valley ACTS. Through Progressive Women of Napa Valley, Ms. Bowker has trained numerous community members to constructively engage their local, state and federal representatives. Ms. Bowker works within Napa Valley ACTS to promote progressive activist collaboration and support the annual Napa Valley Women's March.

Ms. Bowker has also been instrumental in planning and organizing some of the biggest political events in our community, including the Napa Valley Women's Marches, Rock the Congress and Rock the Ride. For Rock the Congress, she has hosted luncheons, dinners and meetings to encourage interaction between the public and elected officials.

In addition to her activism, Ms. Bowker has also been my Campaign Events Coordinator since 2002. She has planned countless events for me to engage with our community and has hosted numerous celebrations to thank volunteers.

Ms. Bowker was born in Southport, Connecticut. She has been married to Dennis Bowker since 1972, with whom she has two sons. She is also the grandmother to four grandchildren.

Madam Speaker, Mary Jane Bowker is an incredible member of our community whose tireless work throughout her career has benefited the women throughout Napa County and California. Therefore, it is fitting and proper that we honor her here today.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Verna Mustico, whom I have named the 2019 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.

Ms. Mustico has been dedicated to our community for over 60 years. She has served as the Chair of the Board of the Vallejo Chamber of Commerce. During her tenure she helped establish a new headquarters downtown and started the Leadership Vallejo Program. The Chamber was also awarded several awards under her leadership. Ms. Mustico assisted the Salvation Army with finding a Vallejo location and opening a soup kitchen. Ms. Mustico led the effort to build a helipad at Sutter Solano Medical Center. She organized our community to raise $250,000 for the project. She was also instrumental in the successful $500,000 fundraising campaign for the East Wing expansion of the Medical Center. Most recently, Ms. Mustico worked to rename the main post office in Vallejo after Janet Capello, her longtime friend and a prominent Vallejoan.

Ms. Mustico has participated on numerous boards and received many awards for her selfless service. She is a past president and a member of the Vallejo Rotary Club, which awarded her Rotarian of the Year. She is also the past president and a member of the Vallejo Symphony Association Board. Ms. Mustico is a lifetime member of the Solano Association Board of Realtors and serves on the Scholarship Committee. She has also been honored by the California State Assembly for her professional and civic achievements.

Ms. Mustico was born in Oklahoma and moved to San Diego at the age of four. She moved to Vallejo in 1951 and began her career at the Coca Cola Bottling Company and Staats & Bell Furniture. She is the Broker and Owner of Mustico Realty in Vallejo, a successful real estate company that she founded. She was married to Peter Mustico, with whom she has two daughters, for 58 years. She has five grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

Madam Speaker, Verna Mustico is an incredible member of our community whose tireless work throughout her career has benefited the women throughout Solano County and California. Therefore, it is fitting and proper that we honor her here today.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Marie Elaine Beery, whom I have named the 2019 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.

Ms. Beery has been active in our wine and food community for over 30 years. From 1991 to 1999 she was the Chief Financial Officer for Steele Wines. Since 2001, she has been the proprietor of Saw Shop Gallery Bistro in Kelseyville. Ms. Beery is also the founder and leader of a local wine group for businesswomen. Through this group, she aims to empower and develop future generations of female business leaders. She has been the president of the Kelseyville Business Association for three years and has sat on the Board of Directors of the Lake County Wine Alliance since 1998.

Ms. Beery devotes much of her time, energy and resources to charitable organizations and the betterment of our community. She is the Treasurer of Habitat for Humanity Lake County and hosts their annual dinner at her restaurant. She also works year-round to organize the Lake County Wine Alliance Wine Auction. For this event, she collects donations, solicits sponsors and selects beneficiaries. Ms. Beery generously supports local non-profits, which positively impact our community. Some of the organizations she works with include the Hunger Task Force, the Imagination Library, Lake County Land Trust, Kelseyville Senior Center and Kelseyville Food Pantry.

Ms. Beery grew up on a farm in Warsaw, Indiana. She graduated from Pierceton High School and studied at Ball State University and the Marysville campus of Yuba College. She has a daughter who was a longtime teacher who now owns her own business like her mother.

Madam Speaker, Marie Elaine Beery is an incredible member of our community whose tireless work throughout her career has benefited the women throughout Lake County and California. Therefore, it is fitting and proper that we honor her here today.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Deputy Riley Michele Jarecki, whom I have named a Public Safety Hero of the Year in Napa County, California.

Ms. Jarecki was born in Napa, California and has a family history of public service. She is a third generation Napa County law enforcement officer, following the footsteps of her father, a Sergeant with the Napa County Sheriff's Office, and her grandfather, who was a Police Captain with the City of Napa Police Department.

On February 17, 2019, Ms. Jarecki displayed her dedication to public safety. Around 11:00 pm, Ms. Jarecki was performing a vehicle check on a rural road in Napa County. After speaking with the driver from the passenger side window, Ms. Jarecki moved to the driver side window and asked the driver to roll down the window. After rolling down the window, the driver presented a firearm and fired

at Ms. Jarecki. Ms. Jarecki remained calm under pressure and radioed in her situation. She moved to a better position and returned fire to protect herself. Ms. Jarecki protected herself and was not hit by the gunfire. Ms. Jarecki's immediate and calm response not only saved her life, but also prevented harm from being done to additional people. Deputy Jarecki's professionalism amidst intense pressure is commendable and shows her commitment to public service within our community.

Ms. Jarecki began her college career at Napa Valley College before transferring to Boise State University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in communications and received a certificate in public relations. Ms. Jarecki has also coached girls soccer for Napa Blaze and the Napa Sheriff Activities League.

Madam Speaker, we thank Riley Michele Jarecki for her dedication. For this reason, it is fitting and proper that we honor her here today.

Mr. Chair, I thank the gentleman for yielding.

Mr. Chair, I rise in strong support of my bill, H.R. 8, the Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2019.

Mr. Chair, first, I thank Speaker Pelosi and Chairman Nadler for their support. Gun violence is a true national emergency, and I am glad that we are moving so early in this Congress to address this crisis.

Mr. Chair, I also thank my colleagues on the other side of the aisle who recognize the importance of passing this legislation, Representatives King, Fitzpatrick, Mast, Upton, and Smith, who stand with more than 90 percent of Americans who support universal background checks.

This bill will require a background check on all firearm sales and most transfers. Mr. Chairman, I am a lifelong gun owner. I am a hunter and I support the Second Amendment. If this bill did anything to erode the rights of lawful gun owners, I wouldn't support it and it wouldn't have my name on it.

Background checks work. Every day, they stop 170 felons and 50 domestic abusers from getting a gun from a licensed dealer. But, in some States, those same people can go into a gun show or go online and buy a gun without a background check. This bill will help stop them from doing so.

Some will argue that criminals won't follow the law. If that is the case, then why do we have laws against murder? People still commit murder. Why do we have laws against stealing? People still steal. This is flawed logic, and don't fall for it.

This bill is supported by law enforcement, medical professionals, veterans, gun owners, religious leaders, and the millions of Americans who took to the streets in support of H.R. 8.

Mr. Chairman, I ask that my colleagues support this bill and honor the lives lost with action. No more moments of silence with no action to follow. Today, your thoughts and your prayers aren't enough. Today, you can vote, ``yes''.

Mr. Chair, I thank the gentleman for yielding.

I was asked to talk about some of the outrageous allegations that were made about this bill, and the chairman already cleared one up, and that is the $100,000 fine that we are hearing from the other side. It is $1,000, as was pointed out.

We also heard that this isn't constitutional. Well, the Constitution is pretty clear: Individuals have a right to bear arms. Nobody is disputing that. As a matter of fact, it was settled in District of Columbia v. Heller.

But also in that opinion were Justice Scalia's remarks that stated that government also has a responsibility and a right to regulate firearms. That is all we are doing.

We are saying that people who are felons, domestic abusers, dangerously mentally ill, a danger to themselves or others shouldn't be able to have guns. I don't think anybody can dispute that. And how do you find out if you don't do a background check?

My friends on the other side of the aisle said this won't work. We have

heard it a hundred times: This won't work. Well, we have been working on this for 6\1/2\ years, ever since Sandy Hook. We have pleaded with the other side to work with us, have a hearing.

What are your ideas?

Absolute silence from them. Absolute silence.

This does work. We know that licensed dealers stop the sale of firearms to 170 felons every day and 50 domestic abusers every day because they are required to do background checks.

But in some States, that same individual can be found to be prohibited, walk outside and go to a gun show or go online and buy a gun without the benefit of a background check--and that is wrong.

Countless speakers from the other side of the aisle said this wouldn't have stopped this crime, this wouldn't have stopped this mass shooting, this wouldn't have stopped that mass shooting. Well, my friends, if that is your standard, if you will only support a bill that will stop every mass shooting, that will stop every death by a firearm, that means you want to get rid of all guns, and no one on this side of the aisle is saying that.

The only way you can ensure that there will never be another person murdered by someone with a gun is to do away with all guns. We recognized that from day one.

Numerous speakers have said, just today on this floor, this will not stop every death. But it will stop some, and it is certainly worth pursuing.

I urge your ``aye'' vote.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this rule and for the underlying legislation, a bipartisan measure that will make all of our communities safer and will save lives.

I would like to thank Chairman McGovern for his fair consideration of H.R. 8 and the proposed amendments that came before the Rules Committee.

This is an important time in our Nation's history. Over 80 percent of Americans have come together to support universal background checks. This is a new day, and this is the time to act now.

Since the tragedy in Newtown about 6\1/2\ years ago, this House has held 54 moments of silence, but we have not held one moment of action.

With Speaker Pelosi's leadership, we now have a chance to vote for two--two--bipartisan bills which will help save lives.

As a gun owner and a strong supporter of the Second Amendment, I was proud to introduce H.R. 8 with my bipartisan colleagues. I look forward to its consideration tomorrow, and I urge my colleagues to support this rule today and the bill tomorrow.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of S. 47, the Natural Resources Management Act.

This public lands package represents a real investment in our natural heritage.

By protecting over 1.3 million acres as wilderness, and making significant expansions of some of our most sacred national parks, this legislation will ensure that our public lands are pristine and accessible for our children and grandchildren.

As a lifelong hunter and outdoorsman, I am especially proud that this package includes legislation from my ACCESS ACT that is crucial to sportsmen and sportswomen across the country.

This includes my legislation to permanently reauthorize the Land and Water Conservation Fund, our nation's most successful conservation program in all 50 states, for over 50 years.

And, S. 47 includes my language to encourage innovative ways for citizens to work alongside natural resource agencies to conserve wildlife and its habitat.

I thank my colleagues on both sides of the aisle who worked to negotiate this important public lands package and I urge my colleagues to vote yes on S. 47.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Barbara Pahre for her many successes throughout her career and at the American Association of University Women (AAUW) and the Napa County