Floor Statements

Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to this bill, and I rise on behalf of the fishermen, the landowners, the delta and north-of-delta farmers, the conservationists, the sportsmen, coastal communities, the counties in my district, and the water users across our State that will be harmed by this bill.

This is a disappointing effort to take care of the San Joaquin Valley's massive agro businesses at the expense of everyone else.

More times than I can count, I have stood on this floor with many of my colleagues from California to explain that our State's water system is complicated. It is because there are hundreds of stakeholders. There are decades of rules, laws, and court cases from every level of government and industry that regulate the delivery of water to users across our State.

Once again, this body is proposing to end-run that delicate balance to benefit one interest. That is wrong.

Once again, we are gutting Federal protections for fish and wildlife that support our State's $3.5 billion hunting and angling industry and our $1.5 billion salmon industry.

Once again, we are preempting California laws and regulations, telling States across America that we are okay with the Federal Government undermining State and local experts from coast to coast, but this time they are going further.

This bill isn't just about water anymore. It is about giving contractors a pass on their obligations to be good stewards of the resources they are using in the Central Valley of California; it is about reneging on this body's commitment to the restoration of wildlife and habitat that have suffered the consequences of water management plans that already put them last; it is about cutting stakeholders out of the picture and determining winners and losers in Federal statute; taking a blunt ax to our State's water system over the objections of our Governor, both of our Senators, and many of our colleagues in the House. This is wrong for California.

It won't alleviate water shortages, but it will kill jobs, and it will ruin drinking water for millions.

We need real solutions that are based on sound science and that work for everyone. This bill is not that solution. It is bad for California's economy, bad for our State sovereignty, and bad for our environment. I urge my colleagues to vote ``no.''

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor bloomers, a full-service floral shop in San Francisco, California, upon their 40th Anniversary.

On July 9, 1977, Patric Powell opened bloomers, which offers artistic arrangements designed with fresh flowers of exceptional quality. bloomers' reputation for excellent service and beautiful arrangements has established an incredibly high standard in the flower community. Patric and the designers at bloomers have decades of experience choosing local flowers and materials to incorporate into their designs.

After many years of cultivating relationships in the business, Patric and his employees have become good friends with their customers and the wider community. Their work has brought delight, happiness and pleasure to many people over the years. Patric also frequently donates flowers, arrangements and gift certificates to local schools, churches and charities.

Making it in the small business universe is a challenge for anyone. Establishing a business that is successful for 40 years is a testament to Patric's business acumen and his wisdom in hiring and retaining talented people. Success only happens when a great boss cares about both his business and the people that work for him. Patric is passionate about his work and is committed and loyal to his employees and customers. His employees praise Patric as the most kind, generous and dedicated person they know.

Mr. Speaker, Patric T. Powell and bloomers has been providing well- designed floral arrangements to his customers in the Bay Area of California for the past 40 years. I am proud of this hardworking man and everyone that has made bloomers a success over the years. It is fitting and proper that we honor them here today.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Francisca ``Cisca'' P. Tisher upon her retirement as a judge on the Superior Court of Napa County in California. She is retiring after more than 20 years of judicial experience and service and has been an active member of our community for many years during her successful career.

Born in the Netherlands, Judge Tisher emigrated with her family at the age of three. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics from the University of California, Davis in 1974. She went on to earn her Juris Doctorate degree in 1980 from the Empire College School of Law in Santa Rosa, California, and was admitted to the California State Bar later that year.

Prior to her appointment as a judge, Judge Tisher specialized in family law. She and her husband Tim have three children, so she worked hard to balance her family life and her career. In 1993, she received the Pro Bono Attorney of the Year Award for Napa County.

Judge Tisher was appointed to the Napa County Superior Court by California Governor Pete Wilson in 1995, becoming the first female judge on the court. She served as the presiding judge from 2006 to 2008. Over her 22 years as a judge, Judge Tisher ruled on many cases on a variety of topics. For Judge Tisher, no case was trivial, and every case mattered and was important to the parties involved.

In addition to her work in the judiciary, Judge Tisher has been an active member of the Napa community. She has served on several boards, including the Napa Valley Domestic Violence and Prevention Board and the Napa Valley Activity Center Board. Judge Tisher is a compassionate and determined individual, and she has made a tremendous impact on Napa County.

Mr. Speaker, Francisca ``Cisca'' P. Tisher has led a long career in our community's judicial system. She is an active member of our community. Therefore, it is fitting and proper that we honor her here today and extend our best wishes for an enjoyable retirement.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor sisters, Ms. Carmela Sandoval and Ms. Maria Sanchez, whom I have selected to receive the American Dream Award for California's 5th Congressional District. This award recognizes the achievements of immigrants in my district who have made remarkable contributions to our communities in the areas of Arts and Culture, Professional Achievement, Entrepreneurship and Innovation, or Community Service. Ms. Sandoval and Ms. Sanchez are very deserving of this award and recognition.

Ms. Sandoval and Ms. Sanchez are daughters of Mexican immigrants to the United States. Together they own and manage Bere's Bridal and Christening Wear in Vallejo, California. They are both successful and inspiring community leaders.

Prior to moving to Vallejo, Ms. Sandoval and Ms. Sanchez grew up and attended school in Los Angeles. Though she loved school, Maria had to withdraw to begin working to support her family. Their diligence, perseverance and sacrifice for their family at such a young age embodies the ideals of the American dream and foreshadows their future roles as dedicated community leaders in Vallejo, California.

Carmela and Maria volunteer regularly for Vallejo Together, a nonprofit in our community that provides resources to homeless individuals. They also volunteer for Centro Latino, an organization that advocates for Latino youth in Vallejo. Every year, the sisters organize a holiday ``posada'' for underserved children, which includes a gift drive and a hot meal for all the youth in attendance. While Carmela and Maria are ambitious leaders, they remain humble and willing to lend a helping hand. Both sisters take pride in being loving parents, and, for Maria, being a grandparent as well.

Mr. Speaker, we recognize Ms. Carmela Sandoval and Ms. Maria Sanchez for their achievements and for enriching our community. It is fitting and proper that we honor them here today with the American Dream Award.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Ms. Amelia Ceja, whom I have selected to receive the American Dream Award for California's 5th Congressional District. This award recognizes the achievements of immigrants in my district who have made remarkable contributions to our communities in the areas of Arts and Culture, Professional Achievement, Entrepreneurship and Innovation, or Community Service. Ms. Ceja is very deserving of this award and recognition.

Ms. Ceja was born in Las Flores, Jalisco, an agricultural village in Mexico, and immigrated to the United States at the age of 12. She is a successful businessperson and an important member of our community.

Ms. Ceja moved with her family to the Napa Valley American Viticulture Area in California as a child. Her parents worked for a local vineyard management company, her father as a mechanic and her mother as a farm worker. She met her husband, Pedro Ceja, while picking grapes with their families. In 1983, the Ceja family came together to purchase 15 acres and to plant their own grapes. The family later founded Ceja Vineyards, Inc. in 1999. Today they own 113 producing acres. Ms. Ceja is the first Mexican American woman to be the president of a California winery. Her vineyard and winery are famous for their quality grape harvests and production of premium Carneros wines.

Ms. Ceja cares deeply about the family business and employees. She is dedicated to producing the highest quality of wine. The California Legislature recognized her contributions to the community on March 15, 2005 by naming her ``Woman of the Year.'' Ms. Ceja's story is one of sacrifice and determination. Stories like hers make America great.

Mr. Speaker, we recognize Ms. Amelia Moran Ceja for her achievements and for enriching our community. It is fitting and proper that we honor her here today with the American Dream Award.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. Art Ibleto, whom l have selected to receive the American Dream Award for California's 5th Congressional District. This award recognizes the achievements of immigrants in my district who have made remarkable contributions to our communities in the areas of Arts and Culture, Professional Achievement, Entrepreneurship and Innovation, or Community Service. Mr. Ibleto is very deserving of this award and recognition.

Mr. Ibleto was born in Argentina and raised in Sesta Godono, Italy. He immigrated to the United States in 1949. He is a successful businessman and a well-known Italian chef.

During World War II, Mr. Ibleto was imprisoned for refusing to fight for Mussolini's army against the Americans because he was opposed to fascism. He escaped and joined an underground network known as the ``Partisans'' to oppose Nazi Germany and the Axis Powers. Following the war, Art immigrated to the United States and settled in Sonoma County, California, where he worked as a vegetable picker, a mechanic, truck driver, and factory worker. He and his wife Vicki joined the Sons of Italy in 1958 to help other Italian Americans in the United States, and he served as both the Vice President and President of the California State Chapter. He continues his public service as a member of the Sonoma County Farm Bureau and Chamber of Commerce.

His business career began in 1961, when he bought a small farm to raise hogs and cows and grow potatoes, before moving on to sell Christmas trees and building duplexes. In 1974 he began Spaghetti Palace at the Sonoma County Fair and it became an instant success, leading him to begin a career supplying pasta and Italian cuisine to Californians. His reputation and the success of Spaghetti Palace has led him to become affectionately referred to as ``The Pasta King.'' He now owns a restaurant and catering business by the same name in addition to 75 acres of grapes used by local wineries. He cooks pasta for many charity organizations in our community. His successes and volunteer work have led him to be the recipient of both the City of Santa Rosa and City of Rohnert Park Honorary Citizen of the Year.

Mr. Speaker, we recognize Mr. Art Ibleto for his achievements and for enriching our community. It is fitting and proper that we honor him here today with the American Dream Award.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Ms. Suzanne Smith, whom I have selected to receive the American Dream Award for California's 5th Congressional District. This award recognizes the achievements of immigrants in my district who have made remarkable contributions to our communities in the areas of Arts and Culture, Professional Achievement, Entrepreneurship and Innovation, or Community Service. Ms. Smith is very deserving of this award and recognition.

Suzanne Smith was born in Sechelt, British Columbia, Canada and immigrated to the United States at the age of six. She is the successful Executive Director of the Sonoma County Transportation Authority and the Sonoma County Regional Climate Protection Authority.

As Executive Director of the Sonoma County Transportation Authority, Ms. Smith has orchestrated numerous projects, including the widening of Highway 101 and the development of the SMART rail line. She lobbied at the state and federal levels to secure funding for these projects while also securing a voter approved sales tax measure to support future transportation developments in Sonoma County. She is the founder of the Sonoma County Regional Climate Protection Authority (RCPA), where she helped establish a climate action plan in Sonoma County to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions 25 percent by 2020. The RCPA was recognized by President Barack Obama as one of sixteen Climate Action Champions in the United States.

Suzanne Smith serves on the boards of the Red Cross, Leadership Santa Rosa, Tomorrow's Leaders Today and as a member of Sonoma County's Democratic Central Committee. Ms. Smith holds a BA in Political Science from the University of California, San Diego and an MPA from the University of San Francisco.

Mr. Speaker, we recognize Ms. Suzanne Smith for her achievements and for enriching our community. It is fitting and proper that we honor her here today with the American Dream Award.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. William K.W. Kim, whom I have selected to receive the American Dream Award. This award recognizes the achievements of immigrants in my district who have made remarkable contributions to California's 5th Congressional District communities in the areas of Arts and Culture, Professional Achievement, Entrepreneurship and Innovation, or Community Service. Mr. Kim exemplifies these attributes and is very deserving of this award and recognition.

Mr. Kim was born in Daegu, South Korea and immigrated to the United States. He and his wife Yolanda came to Vallejo in 1980. He is a successful business owner and a hard-working member of our community.

Over the past 36 years, Mr. Kim taught over 10,000 students to be leaders in society through Taekwondo in Vallejo. The philosophy of Taekwondo and Mr. Kim's teaching have helped students from all walks of life. Many struggling young people have found support and personal growth through their lessons from Mr. Kim. He currently operates William Kim's Taekwondo Center, one of the nation's largest martial arts facilities. He holds the highest rank in Taekwondo, the 9th Degree Black Belt, and was inducted into the ``Taekwondo Hall of Fame'' in 2009.

In addition to running his business and mentoring our youth, Mr. Kim is an active member of the Vallejo community. Most notably, he initiated the Sister City Relations with Jincheon, South Korea and the City of Vallejo in 1999. He has helped us improve our community's relationship with the people of South Korea. Mr. Kim currently serves as the International Liaison Officer for the two cities. Mr. Kim and his wife have a son and two daughters. They strive to live positive lives and help others do the same.

Mr. Speaker, we recognize Mr. William K.W. Kim for his achievements and for enriching our community. It is fitting and proper that we honor him here today with the American Dream Award.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Ms. Luisa Acosta, whom I have selected to receive the American Dream Award for California's 5th Congressional District. This award recognizes the achievements of immigrants in my district who have made remarkable contributions to our communities in the areas of Arts and Culture, Professional Achievement, Entrepreneurship and Innovation, or Community Service. Ms. Acosta is very deserving of this award and recognition.

Ms. Acosta was born in Mexico and immigrated to the United States. She is a successful community activist and is committed to social justice, particularly for employee rights.

Luisa Acosta, the daughter of immigrant farmworkers, spent her childhood in the fields harvesting pears and walnuts and working in a fruit packing facility, Though this work was difficult, her time as a farmworker instilled in her a fierce determination, resilience and desire to better her community through social justice work. She has worked as a Lake County Substance Abuse Counselor, a paralegal and a grant writer for United Farmworkers of America, a representative for Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local and an internal organizer for National Union of Health Workers.

Ms. Acosta is an active participant in local politics and serves on the Lake County Democratic Central Committee. She finds time to direct and instruct various Latino cultural programs, including the Kelseyville Ballet Folklorico and the Lake County Fair Latino Fiesta. Ms. Acosta cites the farmworker activist and leader, Cesar Chavez, as one of her inspirations, and she strives to impact her community as he did--through humility, kindness and fearless leadership.

Mr. Speaker, we recognize Ms. Luisa Acosta for her achievements and for enriching our community. It is fitting and proper that we honor her here today with the American Dream Award.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. Gustavo Brambila, whom I have selected to receive the American Dream Award for California's 5th Congressional District. This award recognizes the achievements of immigrants in my district who have made remarkable contributions to our communities in the areas of Arts and Culture, Professional Achievement, Entrepreneurship and Innovation, or Community Service. Mr. Brambila is very deserving of this award and recognition.

Mr. Brambila was born in Jalisco, Mexico, and immigrated to the United States in 1957. He is a successful vintner and his hard work and ingenuity makes him one of our community's finest entrepreneurs.

Mr. Brambila developed an interest in wine making as he watched his father work in winery maintenance. He later joined Mike Grgich and Jim Barret in 1976 at Chateau Montelena to begin his career in the wine community. Shortly after, he joined Mike Grgich in the opening of Grgich Hill Cellars in 1977, where, in his first harvest, he produced the winning chardonnay in the Great Chardonnay Showdown of 1980. Inspired by old-world wine making techniques, Mr. Brambila produced his first wine under the Gustavo Wine label in 1996.

Mr. Brambila has been a trail blazer for both vintners and Mexican- Americans. He was one of the first Latinos to earn a degree in Fermentation Science from University of California, Davis's oenolgy program. He has also traveled to Washington, D.C., with a group of Mexican-American Vintners to support the mission of the Smithsonian Institution. Mr. Brambila has been active in our community, appearing on our local news channel and hosting events like an outdoor movie night for local families. He has gained international recognition with his involvement in the landmark wine competition known as the Judgment of Paris.

Mr. Speaker, we recognize Mr. Gustavo Brambila for his achievements and for enriching our community. It is fitting and proper that we honor him here today with the American Dream Award.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Dr. Maryam Mohsenzadeh, whom I have selected to receive the American Dream Award for California's 5th Congressional District. This award recognizes the achievements of immigrants in my district who have made remarkable contributions to our communities in the areas of Arts and Culture, Professional Achievement, Entrepreneurship and Innovation, or Community Service. Dr. Mohsenzadeh is very deserving of this award and recognition.

Dr. Mohsenzadeh was born in Iran and immigrated to the United States at the age of 14. She moved to St. Helena, California in 2006 with her husband, Dr. Hossein Razavi. She is the Director of Queen of the Valley Hospital's Mobile Dental Clinic Community where she delivers oral care to the most vulnerable children of our community.

Dr. Mohsenzadeh grew up in a small town in Iran, where she did not have the right to an education. Her ambition to go to school and her brave choice to leave her home without her parents' knowledge, shows the grit and determination she needed to immigrate to the United States. With a Doctoral degree in Dental Surgery and additional training in Hospital Dentistry, Dr. Mohsenzadeh is an example of how hard work and sacrifice enriches our communities.

Dr. Mohsenzadeh transformed her suffering into the empathy she needs in order to be a focused, compassionate and fearless dentist for the most vulnerable members of our community. Through her work with Queen's Mobile Dental Clinic, Dr. Mohsenzadeh delivers free dental care to children and young adults who are uninsured or unable to pay for the high cost of dental care. She has made more than 45,000 clinic visits to children from the under-served population of Napa County since 2008.

Mr. Speaker, we recognize Dr. Maryam Mohsenzadeh for her achievements and for enriching our community. It is fitting and proper that we honor her here today with the American Dream Award.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mayor Myrna Lardizabal De Vera, whom I have selected to receive the American Dream Award for California's 5th Congressional District. This award recognizes the achievements of immigrants in my district who have made remarkable contributions to our communities in the areas of Arts and Culture, Professional Achievement, Entrepreneurship and Innovation, or Community Service. Mayor De Vera is very deserving of this award and recognition.

Mayor De Vera was born in Cebu City, Philippines and immigrated to the United States. She has lived in Hercules, CA since 1991. She is a successful insurance agency owner and public servant.

Mayor De Vera learned the value of community service from her parents who were both active in their Cebu City community. She began volunteering with the Cebu Jaycees and Rotary Club of Cebu-West when she was six years old. She received her Bachelor's Degree in Architecture from the University of the Philippines before immigrating to the United States. Mayor De Vera honors her parents' Filipino heritage and legacy of community service by working with organizations such as the Filipina Women's Network and Hercules Democratic Club.

Mayor De Vera was elected to be the Mayor of Hercules in 2011, 2014 and 2017. She is the only women and Filipina on the city council, something she does not take lightly saying, ``I took on the challenge of changing the stereotyping of Filipinas.'' Ms. De Vera dedicates herself to public service not just in Hercules, but throughout the region, serving on various commissions and committees to help improve the lives of those around her. Her great work led the Hercules Chamber of Commerce to name her Citizen of the Year in 2014.

Mr. Speaker, we recognize Mayor Myrna Lardizabal De Vera for her achievements and for enriching our community. It is fitting and proper that we honor her here today with the American Dream Award.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Ms. Nataly Deherrera,

whom I have selected to receive the American Dream Award for California's 5th Congressional District. This award recognizes the achievements of immigrants in my district who have made remarkable contributions to our communities in the areas of Arts and Culture, Professional Achievement, Entrepreneurship and Innovation, or Community Service. Ms. Deherrera is very deserving of this award and recognition.

Ms. Deherrera was born in Angeles City, Philippines and immigrated to the United States. She is a successful business owner and a compassionate volunteer.

Ms. Deherrera is driven by integrity. Her personal success and contributions to our community are examples of the American Dream at work. As owner of TaxAce Group Inc., a five star accounting firm, she voluntarily assists hospice groups, firefighters, and teachers with their aunual tax returns. She also provides free tax classes for small business owners and free educational workshops for families. She volunteers for the national organization, City Impact, which supports urban youth, families and neighborhoods.

With a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Accounting and Computing, Ms. Deherrera has set an exceptional example for her two daughters, Natasha and Andrea. Natasha is a graduate of the University of California at Davis, and Andrea is currently attending San Francisco State University.

Mr. Speaker, we recognize Ms. Nataly Deherrera for her achievements and for enriching our community. It is fitting and proper that we honor her here today with the American Dream Award.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. Sonu Chandi, whom I have selected to receive the American Dream Award for California's 5th Congressional District. This award recognizes the achievements of immigrants in my district who have made remarkable contributions to our communities in the areas of Arts and Culture, Professional Achievement, Entrepreneurship and Innovation, or Community Service. Mr. Chandi is very deserving of this award and recognition.

Mr. Chandi was born in India and immigrated to the United States in 2000, at the age of sixteen. He is the successful founder and CEO of Chandi Hospitality Group, which manages fourteen restaurants and the North Bay branch of Mountain Mike's Pizza.

Though Sonu Chandi arrived in the United States with little money and knowledge of English, his powerful work ethic helped him achieve his dream of owning a restaurant. After seeing his father work tirelessly in restaurant kitchens, Sonu and his brothers helped their father open his own restaurant, forming the Chandi Hospitality Group. In 2007, the Chandi Hospitality Group invested in the Mountain Mike's Pizza franchise and became integral to the franchise's development in the North Bay area of California.

Mr. Chandi's business strategy is community centered, and he has used his profits to support local organizations, such as Food for Thought, The Cancer Society, The Living Room, and The Heart Association. The Chandi Hospitality Group has also funded programs for Santa Rosa Junior College, Sonoma State University and several local public schools. Sonu Chandi is an active member of the Santa Rosa Chamber of Commerce. He is a fine example of a socially conscious businessman, using his impressive success to nourish his local community.

Mr. Speaker, we recognize Mr. Sonu Chandi for his achievements and for enriching our community. It is fitting and proper that we honor him here today with the American Dream Award.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. Newton Luu and Mrs. Jackie Truong, whom I have selected to receive the American Dream Award for California's 5th Congressional District. This award recognizes the achievements of immigrants in my district who have made remarkable contributions to our communities in the areas of Arts and Culture, Professional Achievement, Entrepreneurship and Innovation, or Community Service. Mr. Newton Luu and Mrs. Jackie Truong are very deserving of this award and recognition.

Mr. Luu was born in Vietnam and immigrated to the United States in 1975, following the fall of Saigon in the Vietnam War. Mrs. Truong, also born in Vietnam, arrived in the U.S. shortly after the end of the Vietnam War.

Newton Luu and Jackie Truong met while attending San Francisco State University. Newton is now the president and founder of LeChat Nail Care Products. Jackie is the head of international product education and is the driving force in product development. Together, they have built a company that does business with hundreds of distributors and salons in over 40 countries.

Newton and Jackie received the U.S. Department of Commerce President's ``E'' Award for their business. Though Newton and Jackie have achieved international business success, Mr. Luu and Mrs. Truong have kept the company headquartered in the Bay Area, with facilities in Hercules and Richmond providing employment opportunities for underserved communities.

Newton and Jackie volunteer for local Vietnamese American groups and fundraise for local elections. Their greatest happiness is being parents to two daughters: Logan, age 13, and Megan, age 12.

Mr. Speaker, we recognize Mr. Newton Luu and Mrs. Jackie Truong for their achievements and for enriching our community. It is fitting and proper that we honor them here today with the American Dream Award.