Floor Statements

Mr. Chair, Congresswoman Esty has introduced a common sense amendment to inhibit gun trafficking along the Southwest Border.

Her amendment seeks to strike Section 539, which prohibits the necessary funding required for federally licensed firearms dealers to report to DOJ when they sell multiple rifles or shotguns to the same person. This requirement applies to dealers in Arizona, California, New Mexico, and Texas due to their proximity to Mexico. Nearly 80% of Mexico's illegal firearms are imported illegally from the U.S.

Gun traffickers frequently buy multiple guns at one time and then resell them to prohibited persons. Section 539 blocks ATF's ability to track the bulk buying of assault rifles in those border states.

Eliminating this key reporting requirement opens the door wide for criminals, and those who would normally not pass a background check, to obtain a gun. Each year nearly 12,000 gun murders are committed by people who have no legal right to a gun. I applaud Congresswoman Esty for introducing the amendment to strike the language, thus curbing gun trafficking and allowing ATF to properly do its job.

We need to strike negative gun riders from CJS legislation, like section 539. I lend my support to this amendment and to Congresswoman Esty and I hope you do, as well.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Napa Valley Horsemen's Association (NVHA) for 75 years of service to the Napa community. Throughout its history, NVHA has provided education and training about horses, offered scholarships for local students, and participated in community service projects, which is both admirable and deserving of recognition.

NVHA was founded in Napa, California, in 1939 to promote interest in horses as a hobby and recreational activity. The Association has grown from its original 61 members to almost 300 members and is the oldest horsemen's association in California today.

Outside of horse shows and educational clinics, NVHA has never ceased to serve the Napa community. After a flood damaged the community in 1940, NVHA members helped to repair the Napa Fairgrounds. NVHA also hosts fundraising events to help local charities. They recently helped Ag 4 Youth, an animal husbandry program for at-risk youth, by providing land where these kids can raise their animals. In addition to helping the community, NVHA provides scholarships to graduating high school seniors who will study veterinary science, agriculture, or forestry after high school.

Mr. Speaker, it is appropriate at this time that we honor and thank NVHA not only for their commitment to equestrianism, but for their commitment to our community. NVHA's unyielding dedication to educating the community and providing community services is greatly appreciated by the Napa community and we wish them further success as an already distinguished organization.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and thank Community Action of Napa Valley as it celebrates fifty years of dedicated service to those in need in the Napa community. Community Action of Napa Valley has worked tirelessly to secure funding for local non-profit organizations in addition to developing programs that strive to address the needs of low-income and at-risk populations in the Napa region.

Community Action of Napa Valley has been able to help secure funding for numerous non-profit organizations that serve the Napa community in a multitude of ways. Such organizations and programs include Clinic Ole, Legal Aide, NEWS, Head Start/ChildStart, the Therapeutic Child Care Center and Lugo Park. In addition, Community Action of Napa Valley has worked with local elected officials and leaders in the faith community to reduce homelessness and hunger in the Napa Valley. Finally, Community Action of Napa Valley has developed programs that seek to serve those deemed low-income and at-risk in our community. Such programs include The Food Bank, Shelter and Housing Services, Senior Nutrition and Meals on Wheels, Community Action of Napa Valley Kids Child Development and Family Program and the Culinary Training Program.

For fifty years, Community Action of Napa Valley has worked to make the Napa Valley a better place to work, live and raise a family for all members of our community. On behalf of a grateful community, I thank Community Action of Napa Valley and wish them continued success.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Donald L. Schwarz for his work with the Military and Veterans Appreciation Trust Foundation (MVAT). Mr. Schwarz has worked tirelessly to raise funds to assist veterans, wounded warriors and their families as well as increase awareness of veterans' issues. Mr. Schwarz's leadership and commitment to MVAT is admirable and it is therefore fitting that we honor and recognize him today.

Mr. Schwarz was born and grew up in Los Angeles, California. He attended California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, where he received a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture. After serving our country in the U.S. Armed Forces, Mr. Schwarz began a career in the securities and investment industry where he continues to work today.

In addition to his professional career, Mr. Schwarz has been a constant advocate for the veteran community. During his time as Chairman of MVAT, Mr. Schwarz has directed efforts to support Pathway Home in Yountville, California, which serves members of the active duty military and veterans who suffer from post-combat mental health challenges. Mr. Schwarz also volunteers his time to fifteen other charities that all strive to help our military and veterans and is an active participant in non-profit organizations that provide guidance to policymakers in the area of national security. He sits on the President's Executive Council of the Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation and the Board of Governors of the City of Hope Cancer and Medical Center. Mr. Schwarz is also a board member of the American Committee for the Weizmann Institute of Science and is a member of the Jewish Institute for National Security Affairs' Board of Directors.

Mr. Speaker, it is appropriate at this time that we honor and thank Mr. Schwarz for his invaluable service to Napa County's veterans, their dependents, and survivors. Donald Schwarz's unyielding dedication to raising funds and awareness for our veterans and guiding our policymakers is greatly appreciated by the entire Napa community and we wish him further success in an already distinguished career.

Madam Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.

Madam Chair, I want to thank my friend, Mr. Wolf, for all of your years of outstanding service to this fine institution.

I rise in support of the bipartisan Thompson-King-Esty-Heck- Fitzpatrick amendment to strengthen the National Instant Criminal Background Check System.

Everyone agrees that we don't want criminals, domestic abusers, or dangerously mentally ill folks getting guns; and the first step in stopping this is through our background checks system, but the background checks system is only as good as the data you put in it.

Right now, all of the information isn't getting in. When the information doesn't get into the system, we can't enforce the law, and dangerous people who otherwise wouldn't pass a background check can slip through the cracks and buy guns.

A recent USA Today report found that, in just five States, records for 2.5 million fugitives weren't entered into the NICS system. Six States have fewer than 30 total records in the NICS system, and 12 States have submitted fewer than 100 mental health records to the NICS system.

When States fail to submit these records, there is nothing to stop a dangerously mentally ill person from passing a background check and buying a gun. This is exactly what happened in the tragedy at Virginia Tech.

My bipartisan amendment will address this dangerous shortfall. It provides an additional $19.5 million to help States improve their submissions into the criminal background checks system. It will bring NICS grant funding to $78 million.

Many people on both sides of the aisle have already voted to support funding at levels that are much higher. After the Virginia Tech shooting, Congress unanimously enacted legislation that authorized DOJ to provide up to $190 million per year to help States improve submissions into the NICS system.

The NRA supported it, too. In fact, Wayne LaPierre said:

Our members don't want mental defectives and criminals

buying handguns. We supported the background checks and

support the money to make it work effectively.

Since the unanimous passage of this NICS improvement legislation, Congress hasn't come close to appropriating these funds. In FY 2013, Congress appropriated just $18 million.

Last year, we started to move in the right direction, increasing funding to almost $59 million. While this was a good bump, it wasn't enough because, also last year, almost $20 million in requests from States went unfunded.

Our States need more resources to get all their information into the NICS system. If we give them the resources, we can stop dangerous people from getting guns, and we can save lives.

Every day, our background checks system stops more than 170 felons, some 50 domestic abusers, and nearly 20 fugitives from buying a gun; but millions of dangerous purchasers could be passing background checks when they shouldn't be, all because States don't have the money they need to get records into the criminal background check system.

Madam Chair, this is dangerous. We can only stop criminals, domestic abusers, and the dangerously mentally ill from getting guns if their information is in the system, so let's pass this amendment and give our States the resources they need to keep people safe.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Dr. Monte Dean Butler for

his 18 years of service to Pacific Union College's Department of Psychology and Social Work. Mr. Butler has dedicated his career to preparing students for a career in social work and to providing social services to the Napa County community, which is both admirable and deserving of recognition.

Mr. Butler was born and raised in Dinuba, California. He attended Pacific Union College, where he received a Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies. Mr. Butler then continued his studies at the University of Utah, where he received a Graduate Certificate of Gerontology, a Master of Social Work, and a Ph.D. in Social Work. He returned to Pacific Union College, where he has taught social work courses for 18 years, including 10 years as the Bachelor of Social Work Field Coordinator, 8 years as the Program Director, and 7 years as the chair of the Psychology and Social Work Department.

As Program Director, Dr. Butler managed the Bachelor of Social Work Program's reaffirmation process, which resulted in the program receiving the highest level of affirmation from the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). Outside of Pacific Union College, Dr. Butler continues to serve the Napa community through his work with numerous organizations. He developed the Angwin Food Pantry in 2006 and he started the Christmas Tree Family Project to help families in need in the Napa community. Dr. Butler has also served as the Volunteer Coordinator for ALDEA Treat Foster Care Program's ``Foster Parent University'' and he has served as a volunteer for the Get Out the Vote: General Election and Shuttle Service Project and as a home visitor for the COPE Family Resource Center.

Mr. Speaker, it is appropriate at this time that we honor and thank Mr. Butler not only for his commitment to social work, but for his commitment to our community. Dr. Butler's unyielding dedication to educating students and providing social services is greatly appreciated by the Napa County community and we wish him further success in an already distinguished career.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mary Maher, the recipient of the Napa Valley Grapegrowers 2014 Grower of the Year award. Ms. Maher is a leader in the wine industry and has dedicated her career to advancing the Napa Valley as a premiere wine region, which is both admirable and deserving of recognition.

Ms. Maher was born and raised in Glenn County, California. She attended California State University, Chico, where she received a Bachelor of Science in Plant Science and Biology. After managing vineyards for seventeen years throughout the Napa Valley, she made her way to her current position as Vineyard Manager for Harlan Estate, where she has worked for the past twelve years.

As Vineyard Manager, Ms. Maher established Harlan's in-house vineyard farming and development company, which today employs more than fifty people in the area. However, her involvement in the community does not end at Harlan. Ms. Maher has been a member of the Napa Valley Grapegrowers Board of Directors, the Industry Issues and Harvest STOMP committees and the Napa County Pest & Disease District Board. She has even served as President of the Carneros Quality Alliance and the Napa Valley Vineyard Technical Group. Remarkably, Ms. Maher was one of only two female vineyard managers in Napa when she began her career. Since then, she has worked with the International Women in Cabernet Association and St. Helena Ag Boosters, serving as a role model for her fellow women in the grape growing industry.

Mr. Speaker, it is appropriate at this time that we honor and thank Ms. Maher not only for her excellent grape growing, but for her commitment to our community. Mary Maher's unyielding dedication to excellence in growing is greatly appreciated by the entire Napa community and we wish her further success in an already distinguished career.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Jane Snowden, who after thirty years and at the age of eighty-eight, is retiring as an Ombudsman for residents of both nursing homes and assisted living facilities in Napa County, California. I thank Mrs. Snowden for her thirty years of dedicated service to the senior citizens of Napa County, during which time her advocacy for the rights of seniors living in facilities helped to improve the quality of care for thousands.

Mrs. Snowden began working as an Ombudsman in 1985, first as a volunteer and then later as a member of staff. Initially, the Ombudsman Program was coordinated through the Volunteer Center, before it became a direct service offered by the Area Agency on Aging Serving Napa and Solano. In addition to her work as an Ombudsman, Mrs. Snowden has volunteered and worked extensively in the Napa area. She worked as a Quality Control Supervisor for Christian Brothers Winery for fifteen years and was also a Medical Technologist. She has worked at the Blood Bank and as a hospital aide. Mrs. Snowden is a devoted member of St. Mary's Episcopal Church in Napa, where she serves on the Altar Guild.

In addition to her work on behalf of the Napa community, Mrs. Snowden is a devoted mother; together with her late husband, Red, she raised four sons in Napa. She is admired by friends for her elegance, tenacity and capacity to teach and mentor others. Mrs. Snowden is known not only for her love of flowers, but also for her talent to create wonderful floral arrangements.

Mr. Speaker, it is appropriate at this time that we honor and thank Mrs. Snowden for her invaluable service to the senior citizens of Napa. Her unyielding dedication to protecting and improving the quality of care that our seniors receive is greatly appreciated by the entire Napa community and we wish her a most enjoyable retirement.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Kathryn Moira Hayes for her thirty years of service to the people of Sonoma County in both the public and private sector. Ms. Hayes has been an honorable and effective advocate for the community in which she lives, for Sonoma County's business community and for all those in need.

Ms. Hayes' leadership of the North Bay Board of Realtors (NORBAR) over the last sixteen years has grown the organization to serve over 3,000 members in Lake, Mendocino, Napa and Sonoma Counties. During her tenure, NORBAR has been known not only for a high degree of professionalism and dedication to its members, the industry and community, but also for promoting professional standards and ethics, and seeking to preserve property rights and services of importance.

Prior to joining the North Bay Association of Realtors, Kathy was a member of my district staff for six years, responsible for district and field activities in Sonoma and Mendocino counties. During her time on my staff, she was a tireless advocate for constituents. In particular, I commend her work on issues related to Leaking Underground Storage Tanks, which was critical to maintaining a healthy community in our district.

Ms. Hayes' catalog of community involvement and achievements is far too prolific to list here. She is a past President of the Santa Rosa Education Cooperative Board and past Chair of the Board for the Sonoma County Chapter of the American Red Cross, as well as a current member of the Board for Habitat for Humanity of Sonoma County. She has received numerous prestigious awards, including the George Escofie Distinguished Board Service Award from the American Red Cross, the Sonoma County Spirit Award from the

Sonoma County Economic Development Board and the Gerald Hathaway Memorial Award for Significant Contributions to Chamber of Commerce Management in California.

In her spare time, Kathy is a master chef, a classically trained musician, and a graceful leader who builds consensus for every effort of which she is a part. Kathy has been a valuable contributor to her community for her entire life. But her most noted and beloved role is that of mother to her two sons.

Mr. Speaker, it is fitting and proper that we honor Kathryn Moira Hayes at this time. She has been a model citizen and leader in Sonoma County and her presence has enriched the lives of all those in our community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Cheryl Diehm upon her retirement as the District Representative in my Congressional office. Cheryl has been an integral member of my staff, both in the California State Senate and in Congress for the past twenty-six years. The unwavering dedication, loyalty and compassion she has displayed throughout these twenty-six years is both admirable and deserving of recognition.

Cheryl came to work on my staff after my first campaign and has been the best person to work with, both in the State Senate and in Congress. In twenty-six years, there is no part of our district that Cheryl has not touched. From our offices in Vallejo to Napa to Santa Rosa, wherever I needed her to go, she went. No matter what office she was in, and no matter what her role in the office was, she made the office better and she made the community those offices served better.

Cheryl is loyal, compassionate and committed to our office, our district and the institution of representative government. She knows that government has a responsibility to make sure things are fair and she's always working for what is best for the American people. When constituents called with problems, she solved them. She has helped countless constituents navigate everything from Medicare benefits to mortgage problems, and VA payments. She spearheaded our office's Military Service Academy nominations. She organized interviews, sorted through applications, and worked with liaison officers to help make sure that young people who wanted to serve our country had the opportunity to do so.

Cheryl has an unrivaled political antenna, and she always took time to nurture and mentor young staff. She shared her skills and traits with the other people in our office and because of that, her service to our county and country will endure long past her retirement from our office.

Cheryl is an asset to our district, a role model to our younger staff, and a best friend to me. Mr. Speaker, it is appropriate at this time that we honor and thank Cheryl for her invaluable service and wish her a most enjoyable retirement.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Robert C. Penny upon his retirement as the Veterans Service Officer for Lake County, California, after nearly twenty years working in the Lake County Veterans Service Office. I thank Mr. Penny for his years of dedicated service to Lake County's veterans as well as their dependents and survivors. His commitment to advocating on behalf of our nation's veterans is both admirable and deserving of recognition.

A veteran himself, Mr. Penny served in the U.S. Navy between July, 1966, and January, 1969, before being disability retired due to injuries he sustained in combat while serving on a River Patrol Boat in Vietnam. For his service, Mr. Penny was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal with Two Bronze Stars, the Presidential Unit Commendation Ribbon, the Republic of Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citation (Gallantry Cross Medal Color with Palm), the Combat Action Ribbon as well as a Purple Heart.

Mr. Penny's career with the Lake County Veterans Service Office began in September of 1994, when he was brought in as an office assistant. While working in the office, Mr. Penny pursued a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration from Dominican University, which he received in 1997. It was then that Mr. Penny began to work full time in the Lake County Veterans Service Office, first as a Veterans Service Representative, and later as a Veterans Service Representative II, Assistant California Veterans Service Officer for Lake County and finally, as the Veterans Service Officer. His colleagues remember him as being not only extremely efficient, professional, and hard-working, but also as being unfailingly friendly and cheerful.

Outside of his official duties, Mr. Penny never ceased to serve the veteran community. He is the co-host of a bi-monthly radio show that aims to inform veterans about the benefits they are eligible to receive and to discuss veterans' issues. Mr. Penny also serves as the elected Commander for Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2015 and the Educational Committee Chair for the California Association of County Veterans Service Officers. A tireless public servant, Robert Penny has volunteered extensively with his community's youth, through both the Boy Scouts and Sea Scouts.

Mr. Speaker, it is appropriate at this time that we honor and thank Mr. Penny for his invaluable service to Lake County's veterans, their dependents, and survivors. Robert Penny's unyielding dedication to advocating on behalf of our veterans is greatly appreciated by the entire Lake County community and we wish him a most enjoyable retirement.

Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

I rise in support of H.R. 3771. This bill allows taxpayers to treat charitable contributions in support of Typhoon Haiyan recovery efforts in the Philippines made between the date of enactment of this bill and April 15, 2014, as if they were made in the 2013 tax year.

More than 4 months ago, on November 8, Typhoon Haiyan struck the Philippines, killing 6,000 people, destroying more than 1 million homes, displacing 4 million people, and affecting 16 million people.

Following this disaster, there was an outpouring of support for the people of the Philippines and from people around our country, including a number of folks in my district, particularly members of the Filipino American community, like Norma Placido, president of the Filipino Community of Solano

County, and members of the Filipino American Chamber of Solano County. Many of my constituents have family members in the Philippines that were affected by this typhoon, and they are trying to do everything possible to help them rebuild.

The United Nations-developed Strategic Response Plan, to coordinate and prioritize assistance, estimates that $788 million will be needed for humanitarian aid through November 2014. Sadly, only $369 million has been contributed to date. This bipartisan legislation, which I am proud to be part of with my colleague, Mr. Swalwell, from California, Representative Heck from Nevada, and Representative Issa from California will allow people to deduct qualifying charitable contributions made after the date of enactment of this bill and before the 15th of April on their 2013 tax returns. This will help incentivize charitable giving to the Philippine rebuilding efforts while the need is so great. Identical legislation has already been introduced and was passed unanimously by the Senate earlier this year.

Our country's relationship with the Philippines runs very deep. In World War II, 57,000 military Philippine servicemembers and 900,000 Philippine civilians gave their lives in support of our Allied Forces. And the Manila American Cemetery holds 17,202 brave American and Filipino troops killed during World War II.

The Philippines sent 7,500 combat troops to the Korean war and 2,000 troops to the Vietnam war. They sent 200 medical personnel to assist in the gulf war, and 60 medics, engineers, and other troops to assist in the Iraq war. In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, they offered to send our country a 25-team member of aid workers, and the Philippines Red Cross donated money. And they are one of our closest allies in the war on terror.

When tragedy strikes around the world, Americans don't sit on the sidelines; we help. Our allies in the Philippines are still working on their long-term rebuilding effort, and this bipartisan legislation will make sure that our committees are able to provide the help our friends need for this important phase of rebuilding.

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support this important piece of legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I yield 6 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Swalwell), my friend and a great leader on this effort.

Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Scott).

Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Kelly) for his help and persistence on this.

As we have already discussed, Typhoon Haiyan has been absolutely devastating. It hurt a tremendous number of people and has hurt communities. We really need to do everything we can to make sure that Americans can do what we do so well, and that is help our allies and our friends. This bill does that.

This bill, as the gentleman from Pennsylvania pointed out, is common sense. It has been done before. There is precedent. And this is a nation of our allies and our friends who are waiting for our help. I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to vote in favor of this bill.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Master Sergeant Anthony Daniel Cutter upon his retirement from the United States Air Force. I thank him for his twenty years of dedicated and honorable service to our country.

Sergeant Cutter was born and raised in Lake County, California. In December, 1993, he joined the United States Air Force. Throughout his career, Sergeant Cutter was stationed across the United States as well as overseas. He was deployed to South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Iraq and Afghanistan. For his honorable service Sergeant Cutter received two Meritorious Service Medals, one upon his return from Afghanistan in 2011 and the other in Las Vegas in 2014.

Throughout his years of service, Sergeant Cutter remained a dedicated husband and father to his four children. When home on leave, he generously volunteered his time to support Operation Tango Mike; an organization that aims to support fellow service men and women by sending care packages to troops stationed overseas.

Mr. Speaker, it is appropriate at this time that we honor and thank Sergeant Cutter for his invaluable service to our country. His twenty years of service with the United States Air Force is both admirable and deserving of recognition. On behalf of a grateful community, I wish him a most enjoyable retirement.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of Saralee McClellan Kunde, who passed away on January 26, 2014, after 66 remarkable years.

Saralee devoted her life to bettering the community and the people she so cherished. She was a tireless and passionate advocate for agriculture in Sonoma County. Raised on her family's dairy ranch, Saralee never wavered from promoting the agricultural legacy into which she was born.

She was an impassioned supporter of 4-H and the Future Farmers of America (FFA) as well as of the Sonoma County Fair and the Sonoma County Harvest Fair. She was equally as dedicated to promoting the Russian River Valley as a premiere wine region. Together with her husband, Richard Kunde, Saralee owned and operated a 265-acre vineyard that produced wine grapes for renowned wineries in the Sonoma and Napa Valleys as well as across our Nation. Perhaps most admirable about the Kunde estate was the private park Saralee and Richard created. Once an overgrown field, the park known as ``Richard's Grove and Saralee's Vineyard,'' hosted countless community and charitable events.

Aside from her work to promote Sonoma County Agriculture, one of the most poignant examples of Saralee's devotion to bettering her community are the thousands of daffodils she planted each year along the highways and back roads of Sonoma County.

Her unwavering passion and dedication to the many causes and organizations she championed was an inspiration to all. And in turn, Saralee was beloved by all those who were fortunate enough to have known her. Saralee was inducted into the Sonoma County Farm Bureau Hall of Fame in 2013. She was honored as a Friend of Agriculture by the Sonoma County Harvest Fair, was awarded the Shining Star Award by the 4-H Foundation as well as with the Leadership in Agriculture Award by the Santa Rosa Chamber of Commerce.

Saralee was kind, magnetic and loving. Her zest for life and ``can- do'' attitude were contagious. Mr. Speaker, it is appropriate at this time that we honor and thank Saralee McClellan Kunde for her life of service to a grateful community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor my good friend, Zelma Long, as she celebrates her 70th birthday.

It is not uncommon to be knowledgeable about growing, producing and consuming wine in Napa and Sonoma Counties, but Ms. Long's fame and accomplishments elevate her far above the average. She and her then- husband Bob Long established Long Vineyards in my home town of St. Helena, which the two of them continue to operate today. Here she found her calling in viticulture and in producing some of the finest wines to come out of Napa and Sonoma.

She first worked with the legendary Robert Mondavi as Chief Enologist at his winery in Napa County, before becoming Vice President of Business Development at Chandon Estates winery in Napa Valley. Ms. Long moved over to Sonoma County as Vice President and later President and CEO of Simi Winery in Healdsburg. At the time, she was the first woman to assume senior management of a California winery.

Ms. Long was the first President of the Americana Vineyard Foundation and one of its founding members. This organization helped finance research in enology and viticulture. She was also a founding member of the American Viticulture and Enology Research Network. In 2000 she established her own international wine consulting business, with clients in California, Washington, Italy, France and Argentina. She and her husband, Dr. Phil Freese, are California joint venture partners in Vilafonte Vineyards in South Africa, the only South African winery to have been nominated twice for designation as ``New World Winery of the Year.''

She has been inducted into the James Beard Hall of Fame, named a California Wine Pioneer by Wine Spectator Foundation, selected to receive one of Italy's most prestigious wine awards, the MASI, and honored

as Alumni of the Year by both Oregon State University, where she did her undergraduate work, and the University of California Davis, where she did her graduate work.

While continuing to make global wines she finds the time to further her education at UC Davis in a Ph.D. program in Performance Studies and Native American Studies, which she began in the fall of 2009.

Mr. Speaker, Zelma Long is a giant in the wine industry, a woman with a long list of accomplishments and a good friend. It is appropriate that we recognize and honor her today and wish her a very Happy 70th Birthday.