Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Ceja family, Pablo, Juanita, Amelia, Pedro, Armando and Dalia who own and operate Ceja Vineyards in Napa, California. Passion and dedication led the Ceja family to the successes they see in their grape harvests and production of premium Carneros wines.

The dream to build Ceja Vineyards began in a small village in Mexico, where Pablo Ceja's family lived while he worked in the Brasero Program in ``el norte.'' While working in California, Pablo came to understand what many people in our community have learned: in the Napa Valley, hard work and sacrifice in a fair system will result in great successes.

Pablo promised his family that he would bring them to a place ``surrounded by vineyards growing the finest, sweetest grapes, where hard work is plentiful for those that are strong.'' In 1967, Pablo, Juanita and their six children left Mexico and settled in St. Helena, where they found work in the growing number of local wineries. In 1983, the Ceja family came together to purchase 15 acres and plant their own grapes. By 1988, the second and third generations of the family were celebrating their first harvest on ``Ceja land.'' The family founded Ceja Vineyards, Inc. in 1999 and today own 113 producing acres.

The Ceja family understands the needs and realities of their workers. They provide a pesticide-free environment and treat their workers like family. Many of Ceja Vineyards workers are loyal to the company and stay on season after season. Their story is remarkable. The Ceja family traveled to Washington, D.C. this week as part of a group of Mexican- American vintners, not only to support the mission of the Smithsonian Institution, but also to further educate Congress about their vital contributions to our economy and community. Their stories of immigration, sacrifice and determination are what make America great.

Mr. Speaker, the Ceja family has built a successful business and are producing extraordinary wines. I am proud to have such a family working and living in our community. It is therefore fitting and proper that we honor them here today.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Rolando and Lorena Herrera, who own and operate Mi Sueno Winery and Vineyards in Napa, California. Love, passion, and dedication to their craft led Rolando and Lorena to the successes they see in their grape harvests and production of Carneros, Russian River Valley, Sonoma Mountain and Napa Valley wines.

The dream to build Mi Sueno Winery began in Mexico, where Rolando's grandparents taught him to tend fruits and vegetables in the mountainous state of Michoacan and where Lorena was born. Both of their families immigrated to the Napa Valley, seeking a better life and opportunities for their children. Lorena's family taught her about tending vines and growing grapes in the vineyards and Rolando obtained an education and aspired to own his own business. When the couple met, ``it seemed like fate.''

In 1997, Rolando and Lorena founded Mi Sueno, which is Spanish for ``My Dream,'' the same year that they were married. They believe that crafting truly unique wines requires careful attention to every stage of the winemaking process, from start to finish. From choosing the right plot of earth, to personally planting the vineyards and selecting the most attentive distributors, Rolando and Lorena have created a truly exceptional business and product. The White House recognized the quality of their wines by serving it at state dinners.

Rolando and Lorena traveled to Washington, D.C. this week as part of a group of Mexican-American vintners, not only to support the mission of the Smithsonian Institution, but also to further educate Congress about their vital contributions to our economy and community. Their stories of immigration, sacrifice and determination are what make America great.

Mr. Speaker, Rolando and Lorena Herrera have built a successful business and are producing extraordinary wines. I am proud to have such dedicated business owners living and working in our community. It is therefore fitting and proper that we honor them here today.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. Ted Hall, who is being honored as the 2017 Napa Valley Grower of the Year at the Napa Valley Grapegrowers' 42nd annual dinner.

Mr. Hall has a long and successful history of management and leadership within the wine industry in California and throughout the nation. A native of Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, Mr. Hall received his undergraduate degree from Princeton University and went on to earn his MBA from Stanford University.

Before coming to Napa Valley, Mr. Hall developed his true love of the land while living on his family's farm in the township of Potter, Pennsylvania. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps and is an active jazz trombonist and piano player.

Mr. Hall exemplifies the values of the Napa Valley Grapegrowers. He is dedicated, shows good judgement, and pays attention to the details that matter. He has served as President & CEO of Long Meadow Ranch since 1989. Additionally, Mr. Hall serves on the board of directors for numerous educational, charitable, and arts organizations. Drawing on his knowledge and success in the vineyard industry, Mr. Hall represents and advocates on behalf of growers as Chairman of the Napa Valley Grapegrowers and as a member of the Industry Issues Committee.

As someone who shares his great community pride for Napa Valley, Mr. Hall looks to the region's future by sharing his expertise with the next generation of growers and farmers. He is the current Chairman of the St. Helena High School Agriculture Education Committee and the Napa County Agriculture Protection Advisory Committee (APAC). Mr. Hall supports multiple conservation easements in Napa County and is a member of a variety of public and private organizations involved in food and agriculture.

Mr. Speaker, Ted Hall has had a remarkable career as a business leader in our Napa Valley community. Therefore, it is fitting and proper that we honor him here today.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Trefethen family, John, Janet, Lorenzo, Hailey and, posthumously, Eugene and Catherine, for their hard work, dogged perseverance and community involvement.

The Trefethen family first restored their historic McIntyre Winery, which is on the National Register for Historic Places, in 1973. In August of 2014 the largest earthquake in the Bay Area since 1989 caused significant damage to the winery. Rather than scrapping their winemaking operations and moving elsewhere, they stayed and rebuilt the winery and will hold a celebratory re-opening this week.

Led largely by Hailey, the McIntyre building has been resurrected and now includes a new base that is earthquake resistant. The McIntyre building today contains 85 percent of the original building material and will use the same 19th century pipes to distill the famous Trefthen family wine.

When Gene moved to the Napa Valley 50 years ago, the Trefethen family began a long tradition of community involvement. The family donates wine to many community events annually to be auctioned for charitable causes including children at risk and the environment, two of the family's passions.

The Wine Community is integral to our way of life in my district. The Trefethen family has done more than their part to support our community. John was the founding President of the Napa Valley Grapegrowers and has served multiple terms on the Napa Valley Vinters Board. Janet served on the Board of Directors for the Queen of the Valley Foundation and founded the Oak Knoll District of Napa Valley, where she lead the effort to have it recognized as an American Viticulture Area in 2004. Hailey recently finished serving terms on the Board of California Institute and the Napa Valley Vintners.

Mr. Speaker, on May 7, the Trefethen's will host their winery's grand re-opening. True to their love of community, it will feature local high school choirs, vocalists and a barbershop quartet. They have worked hard to preserve their winery. It is fitting and proper that we honor them here today.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and remember twelve brave soldiers from Crockett and Port Costa, California who paid the ultimate price to defend our nation. This week marks the 100th Anniversary of the United States Entry into World War I.

The Crockett Memorial in my district reads: ``In loving memory of the men of this community who gave their lives in the great war. D. Crowley, G.M. Lee, W.E. Dunn, O.A. Sweet, M.H. Sievers, F. Remaini, B.L. Catelini, C.W. Ross, J.R. Carroll, R.L. Dingman, V.L. Dunn, B.A. Secor.'' These soldiers, their families, and our community sacrificed to serve our nation. We are forever in their debt.

I would like to honor and thank the members of the Crockett Memorial Hall Restoration Committee, including Harvey Duran, Kent Peterson, Mike Kirker, Ron Wilson, Bud Burlison, Scott Lawton and Charles Dell, as well as the members of the Crockett Historical Society, including Mary Wais, Kathy Cargo and Erin Mullen-Brosnan for organizing a commemoration for this anniversary and for supporting numerous events for veterans in our community.

These individuals and their organizations bring our community together and encourage us to remember the sacrifices of those who came before us, as well as the heroes who still live among us. They are passionate advocates for our veterans and our history, and they are responsible for organizing the Phillips 66 Annual Crocket Walk of Honor for Veterans, fundraising events for the restoration of the WWI Memorial Hall, the Memorial Day Concert and the Veterans' Day Parade.

Mr. Speaker, we are forever grateful and humbled by the lives that were given for us all those years ago. We owe tremendous gratitude to the Crockett Memorial Hall Restoration Committee and the Crockett Historical Society for their service. It is therefore fitting and proper that we honor them here today.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to this bad bill. It is not a step toward fixing the ACA, this is a step toward destroying health care. It was bad when it ripped health care away from 24 million Americans. It was bad when it created an age tax, forcing seniors to pay five times that of what other people pay. It was bad when it forced hardworking Americans to pay higher premiums and deductibles while billionaires get a trillion dollars' worth of tax cuts. And it was bad when it shortened the life of Medicare.

But today it got worse. Today Republicans gutted coverage for emergency services, prescription drugs, hospitalization, mental health coverage, and preventative coverage. This bill also prevents millions of veterans from getting health care. This is a truly bad bill. It will cost millions of Americans their health care. It will force them to pay more for fewer benefits, and it gives the richest Americans a huge tax cut. This is a tax-cut bill, not a healthcare bill. The American people deserve much better. I urge everyone to vote ``no'' on this bad bill.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Leona Egeland Rice upon her retirement after over four decades of public service and leadership in California. Ms. Rice has served our state as a teacher, an elected official, and an advocate for quality healthcare.

A native of Tucson, Arizona, Ms. Egeland Rice came to California to earn a master's degree in education at San Jose State University. She stayed in California as she began her family and her career as a science teacher. While political issues always interested her, Ms. Egeland Rice first became personally involved in the public sphere through her instrumental role in the campaign to build a new sewage treatment plan to prevent ocean pollution.

After the success of her first community organizing experience, Ms. Egeland Rice found a new passion for local involvement. She worked with the Santa Clara County Supervisor's office to ensure women were appointed to boards and commissions in the county. In 1974, she launched her first campaign for the California State Assembly and won with over 57 percent of the vote. When she took office, only one other woman served in the State Assembly. Ms. Egeland Rice later led the charge to change members' title from ``Assemblyman'' to ``Assembly Member'' to reflect the body's growing diversity.

During her three terms in the Assembly, Ms. Egeland Rice successfully championed important legislation to improve children's welfare, public health, and access to healthcare across the state. After leaving the State Assembly, Ms. Rice became Chief Deputy Director for the California Department of Human Services, where she established an office in Los Angeles and worked on maternal and children's health.

Ms. Egeland Rice returned to Northern California to spend time with her family in 1998. There she began working with The Doctors Company, a physician-owned insurance company. She helped lead the company's growth over the past two decades, and served as Senior Vice President of Government Relations as well as Executive Director of the company's charitable foundation. As The Doctors Company expanded beyond California, Ms. Egeland Rice developed partnerships with other state governments. Furthermore, she championed the Corporate Charitable program and implemented an Employee Charitable Gift Matching program.

Mr. Speaker, Leona Egeland Rice has served as a dedicated and influential teacher, public servant, and business leader in our community for over four decades. Therefore, it is fitting and proper that we honor Ms. Egeland Rice here today and extend our best wishes for an enjoyable retirement.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Napa Junior Girls Softball League (NJGSL) upon the 50th anniversary of its founding. The NJGSL has been a trailblazing community partner and has supported the success of generations of Napa girls.

The NJGSL is a recreational league that offers girls ages 5-12 the opportunity to learn and play softball in a supportive environment. NJGSL participants learn the importance of staying active and healthy and have fun at the same time.

NJGSL participants also learn valuable life lessons that serve them well both on and off the field. Coaches, organizers, and parents focus on building teamwork and sportsmanship skills which will help girls communicate and maintain positive self-esteem throughout their lives. Furthermore, League alumni have even gone on to excel in collegiate softball careers.

Mr. Speaker, the Napa Junior Girls Softball League has been teaching girls in our community both softball and life skills for an impressive five decades. Therefore, it is fitting and proper that we honor the NJGSL here today.

I thank the gentlewoman for yielding and thank her for her leadership on this issue.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to this piece of legislation. This bill undermines our commitment to our veterans, it weakens our background check system, and it puts guns in the hands of those who shouldn't have them.

I am a combat veteran and I am a gun owner. I strongly support the Second Amendment. With responsible gun ownership comes the recognition that not everyone is mentally capable to own a gun.

Every day, 20 veterans take their own life, most of those with a firearm, so the VA acted to prevent violence and to comply with the law by keeping guns out of the hands of veterans who are in crisis. These are veterans with very serious diagnoses, including 20,000 veterans diagnosed with schizophrenia, over 11,000 with dementia, and more than 5,000 with Alzheimer's. Passing this bill would remove their names from our background check system.

This is absolute stupidity. The VA has done a good job to keep more than 174,000 veterans with serious mental health problems from getting a gun. They are working hard to save the lives of these veterans. This bill would make it easier for veterans to take their own life.

I don't want to see another veteran become a statistic. Passing this bill puts our veterans at risk. We owe them the best care and support. Sadly, this bill would leave them more vulnerable than ever. This is a dangerous overstep, and I urge every Member to seriously consider the impact this will have on our veterans, their families, and their communities.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Stacey Bressler, whom the St. Helena Chamber of Commerce has named the 2017 Citizen of the Year. This award recognizes individuals in our community who foster community spirit through their volunteer efforts, and Ms. Bressler exemplifies this mission.

Ms. Bressler is involved in the leadership and day-to-day work of many of our community organizations. Before moving to St. Helena in 1999, Ms. Bressler earned a B.A. in Graphic Design and an M.S. in Library Science. She worked for twenty years in high technology sales and marketing as the Vice President of Business Development for CommerceNet, as well as in sales and marketing positions with Hewlett- Packard, NeXT and Apple Computer, Inc. Ms. Bressler now uses her management and logistics talents in running Bressler Vineyards and serving important community organizations.

Ms. Bressler serves on the Board of Directors for the St. Helena Farmers Market, where she educates community members on the health benefits of eating locally-grown food and donates produce to the St. Helena Food Bank. She also sits on the Board of the St. Helena Hospital Foundation where she raises funds to provide high-quality medical care to those in need. Through her service on the Board of Directors for Planned Parenthood Shasta, Ms. Bressler helps provide necessary and caring services to women and families. Ms. Bressler is also the current President of the Board of Directors for Friends of the Cameo Cinema, which maintains and preserves one of the oldest continuously running single-screen theaters in America.

Mr. Speaker, Ms. Stacey Bressler is a hardworking leader and volunteer in our community. The St. Helena Chamber of Commerce has recognized her contribution to the health and vitality of our people and economy. Therefore, it is fitting and proper that we honor her here today and congratulate her on this well-deserved award.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Soroptimist International of St. Helena, the recipient of the St. Helena Chamber of Commerce Non-profit of the Year Award.

Founded in 1921 in Oakland, California, Soroptimist International is a worldwide volunteer service organization for women who work to improve the lives of other women and girls in local communities and throughout the world. The organization seeks equality, peace, and international goodwill for women. Over 95,000 members in more than 125 countries and territories worldwide contribute time and financial support to community-based and international projects.

The St. Helena Chapter of Soroptimist International was founded in 1954. Since then, the chapter has raised and distributed more than a million dollars in local scholarships and grants. This money was entirely raised by volunteers, many of whom also work full-time. Their fundraising has helped send numerous St. Helena students to college and summer camps, as well as educational trips to national parks and Washington, D.C.

The organization also provides support and stability to single parents in our community with education and career opportunities. Dozens of mothers throughout the Napa County region have been able to return to school or complete vocational training with the help of Soroptimist professional grants.

Mr. Speaker, Soroptimist International of St. Helena has worked to make our community and our world a more equitable place for over five decades. Therefore, it is fitting and proper that we honor the organization here today and congratulate the group on this well- deserved accolade.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Clif Family Winery, the recipient of the St. Helena Chamber of Commerce 2017 Business of the Year Award. The St. Helena Chamber of Commerce awards businesses dedicated to outstanding customer service, environmentally conscious practices, and commitment to giving back to the local community.

Gary Erickson and Kit Crawford, the founders and owners of Clif Bar & Co., started the Clif Family Winery in 2004. Their winery focuses on making environmentally-sustainable, high-quality wines while increasing awareness of organic and sustainable farming.

Clif Family Winery operates a popular tasting room and regularly hosts community functions. In the past year, Clif has held numerous fundraising events for local community groups, including the St. Helena Food Pantry, the St. Helena Public School Foundation, the Napa Bike Coalition, the Napa Valley Land Trust, and the Soroptimist Sunrise Club. For the past four years, Clif has held its signature Sip & Support event, which brings together citizens and community partners for an evening of socializing and learning about volunteer opportunities. Each event features a Clif Family Winery community partner to connect local nonprofits with the communities they serve.

The winery embodies what we value in our Napa Valley. It not only produces high-quality wines, but also brings together the people who make our community stronger. The Clif Family Winery provides good jobs, supports local businesses and resources whenever possible, and gives back to our community and important social causes.

Mr. Speaker, the Clif Family Winery exemplifies socially responsible and community-focused business practices. Therefore, it is fitting and proper that we honor Clif Family Winery here today and congratulate the winery on this well-deserved accolade.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor James ``Jimmy'' Allen Adams, whom the St. Helena Chamber of Commerce has named Employee of the Year in its annual Community Service Awards. This award recognizes individuals in our community who embody the industry and innovation which makes them exceptional employees. Mr. Adams is highly deserving of this award.

Mr. Adams has been a remarkable employee with Sunshine Foods for 12 years. He is a respected and well-liked coworker and an indispensable employee. Mr. Adams is a Navy Veteran, partner to Jim Villanueva for the past 23 years and the owner of two miniature schnauzer dogs.

Outside of his work with Sunshine Foods, Mr. Adams is a member of the Bay Area Stage Theater Group the On the Fringe acting group. He enjoys gardening and auditioning for different acting roles. He recently worked on the new Selena Gomez Netflix television show, 13 Reasons Why.

Mr. Speaker, Mr. Jimmy Adams is a diligent, hardworking employee in our business community and the St. Helena Chamber of Commerce has rightly recognized his great contributions. Therefore, it is fitting and proper that we honor him here today and congratulate him on this well-deserved award.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Ted Eliot and his late wife Pat Eliot, who have been named Alcalde and Alcaldessa for the City of Sonoma, California.

The title Alcalde, or Alcaldessa is the Spanish word for Mayor. During the Spanish colonial period in California, the Alcalde was the primary civil authority. Today in the City of Sonoma, it is an honorary title and the contemporary Alcalde or Alcaldessa presides over ceremonial events for the city. Alcaldes and Alcaldessas are nominated by the community and are representative of individuals with a long record of volunteer work. By volunteering their time to protect the beautiful land for our community now and in the future, Ted and Pat Eliot have more than earned the titles of Alcalde and Alcaldessa.

Mr. Eliot has held an advisory role with Sonoma County's Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District and was a leader in its formation and reauthorization. This district permanently protects the diverse agricultural, natural resource, and scenic open space lands for future generations. Mr. Eliot is known for his calm, even-handed counsel. He has served on the boards of Community Foundation Sonoma County, the Todd Trust and the Sonoma Valley Fund, organizations which prioritize and support community ethics and projects.

Mrs. Eliot recently passed away. By honoring her as Alcaldessa, Sonoma celebrates her life and work to protect the land in our community. She helped to negotiate the protection of 600 acres of land which included the Grandmother Tree, the largest and oldest redwood tree in our Sonoma Valley. This land has become part of Jack London State Park. Ted and Pat also donated a forever-wild conservation easement over their property which allowed for the completion of the East Slope Sonoma Mountain Trail.

Mr. Speaker, Ted and Pat Eliot's work was essential to protecting our beautiful land and they are excellent role models for community involvement and action. Therefore, it is fitting and proper that we honor them here today as Sonoma's Alcalde and Alcaldessa for 2017.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Napa Open Space District which is celebrating its 10th Anniversary. This special District has played a vital role in conversation and recreation in our community for the past decade and will continue to protect open spaces for future generations.

Napa County residents voted to establish the Napa County Regional Park and Open Space District in November 2006 with the goal to preserve wildlife habitat and nature areas. The District does so by conserving open space and creating recreation opportunities including a system of public parks, trails, outdoor recreational facilities for Napa County residents.

The District has had incredible success during its first decade of operation. It has preserved over 5000 acres of open space and parks and maintains over 100 miles of multiuse trails in our community. Community education programs are a major priority for the District, and it runs outdoor science and conservation education programs to reach people of all ages. The District has also facilitated and funded outdoor field trips for thousands of Napa County children, allowing them the opportunity to experience and learn about their local environment.

The parks and recreation opportunities provided by the Napa Open Space District have been tremendously successful and popular. The District's work enhances current Napans' quality of life and also ensures that future generations have the ability to experience the outdoors. Through its work, the District fosters a greater sense of community and pride within our Napa Valley.

Mr. Speaker, the Napa Open Space District conserves our natural resources and provides residents with magnificent open spaces and an enhanced quality of life. Therefore, it is fitting and proper that we honor Napa Open Space District here today.