Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, today and tomorrow we are spending more

than 10 hours of our time debating whether or not we should tell committees to do what they are already supposed to be doing.

Lake County, in my district, has 19 percent unemployment rate.

The people of Lake County know that we are not creating jobs by telling committees to do their jobs.

The people in my district, who are waiting on banks to call them back about their loan modification applications, know that this debate will not help them keep their homes.

There is real work to be done in Congress and this is not it.

I think we can stipulate that there are regulations that are redundant and unnecessary.

I, for one, know that a regulation from Federal Housing Finance Agency has shut down the incredibly successful Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) program.

PACE is an innovative program in my district, and districts across this country, that has created jobs, saved energy, and slashed homeowners' utility bills.

Spending 10 hours of debate on this meaningless resolution is not going to reinstate the PACE program.

It is not going to bring back the jobs for the people who installed residential solar panels and weatherized houses under PACE.

This resolution is a lot of talk and no action.

Committees have oversight responsibilities; it would be a much better use of our time to have simply scheduled 10 hours of Committee hearings on the matter.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today, along with my colleague, Lynn Woolsey, to recognize Mary Evelyn Arnold, who has been named the City of Sonoma's 2011 Alcaldessa, or Honorary Mayor.

The title ``Alcalde,'' or ``Alcaldessa,'' when referring to a woman, is the Spanish word for ``Mayor.'' During the Spanish colonial period in California, the Alcalde was the primary civil authority. In modern times 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. Ms. Arnold is no exception to this rule.

At the top of the list of Ms. Arnold's volunteer passions is the library. She has served on both the Sonoma County Library Commission and as Chair of the Sonoma Valley Library Advisory Board.

She also serves as Treasurer and Chair of the Investment Committee at Vintage House, organizes the Wednesday cooking crew at Meals on Wheels, and bakes birthday cakes for the WillMar Center, which offers support and counseling for children and teens grieving the death of a loved one. Pets Lifeline (where she is the unofficial cat cuddler), Kiwanis Club of Sonoma Plaza and the AAUW Scholarship Committee round out her volunteer community activities.

Ms. Arnold is also very active in her church, serving on the Committee on Ministry of the Northern California Nevada Conference of the United Church of Christ and serves as Vice Moderator of the First Congregational Church of Sonoma.

Ms. Arnold moved to Sonoma County in 1987 and was the co-owner of a specialty wine business and worked for the Wine Business Monthly and Wine Business Insider for several years, finishing her career with internet.com.

Mr. Speaker, Mary Evelyn Arnold is the quintessential volunteer, a dynamic and well respected member of the community. It is therefore appropriate that we acknowledge her today as the City of Sonoma's Alcaldessa for 2011.

Mr. Speaker, I have a motion to recommit at the desk.

I am opposed in its current form.

Mr. Speaker, the Patriot Act gave law enforcement some necessary tools to keep up with technological advances being used by those who would do harm to our country. It did not abolish our responsibility to make sure that the constitutional rights of law-abiding citizens are protected.

This motion to recommit will guarantee that the powers of the Patriot Act being voted on today are not used to violate the constitutional rights and freedoms of American citizens.

More specifically, this motion does two important things:

First, it states a fundamental truth, that even in secret national security investigations, Patriot Act investigations of U.S. citizens may not circumvent any provision of the United States Constitution. The Patriot Act powers are used in secret. As a result, when ordinary American citizens are ordered to turn over information to the government under these expansive powers, they are prohibited from discussing their case in public. The risk of government overreach is at its greatest in matters such as these.

The second section states that if a U.S. citizen argues to a court that government spying has violated their constitutional rights, that the citizen's case must be expedited. The FISA laws

currently require that when our government seeks a secret court order to conduct surveillance of an American citizen, the government's request must be expedited by the court. This provision is a basic promise of fair and equal treatment, and that the government should not have greater rights than the people.

We took an oath of office to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic. Our obligations to that oath and to the American people we represent are put to their greatest test when we consider matters of national security and government powers such as the ones before us today.

I urge all Members who support the freedoms guaranteed by our Constitution to vote ``yes'' on this motion to recommit.

I yield to the gentleman from North Carolina.

Reclaiming my time, Mr. Speaker, again, I urge all my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this motion to recommit to protect our Constitution and the civil rights and the civil liberties of the American people, while at the same time making sure we are safe from those who may wish harm to us.

Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Offered By: Mr. Thompson of California

Amendment No. 64: Page 357, after line 22, insert the

following new section:

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Judge William Blanckenburg, a great leader in the community of Napa Valley. Judge Blanckenburg is being honored by the Napa Valley College Foundation with their ``Spirit of Napa Valley College Award'' for his many contributions to higher education in Napa County.

Judge Blanckenburg is being recognized this evening for being one of the founding fathers of the Napa Valley College Foundation. He served as its first President and as a member of the board of directors for 33 years. His vision and leadership was essential in growing the foundation--today it boasts assets of over $5 million. He has also made personal financial contributions to the college by establishing several endowment funds to support the library, student scholarships and college programs.

Bill is one of Napa Valley's most accomplished citizens. He is a retired Napa County Judge who served for 22 years on the bench. He received his B.A. in History from UC Berkeley as well as a JD from Boalt Hall of Law. He was admitted to the State Bar of California in 1939, establishing a law practice in Napa from 1941 to 1957. Bill's career as an attorney was interrupted by his service with the United States Army in World War II. Judge Blanckenburg was a combat infantryman with the 3rd division at Anzio and was later commissioned in the Judge Advocate General Corps Reserve.

Judge Blanckenburg's catalog of community involvement and achievements is far too prolific to list here. He is a past President of the Rotary Club of Napa as well as the Napa Chamber of Commerce and the Napa County Bar Association. He is also a lifetime member of the Ridgeview PTA and a Member of the UC Berkeley Alumni Council, among many other boards and commissions.

Mr. Speaker and colleagues, it is my distinct pleasure to recognize Bill Blanckenburg for his many years of service. He has been a model citizen and leader in the Napa Valley and his presence has enriched the lives of everyone in our community. I join his entire family in thanking Bill for a distinguished lifetime of service and wishing him continued success and fulfillment.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the University of California, Davis, on the occasion of the grand opening of its world-class, LEED Platinum-certified research and teaching facility focused on food science, wine, and brewing.

Among its distinctions, UC Davis is the world's leading research and teaching center for agriculture, food science, and viticulture and enology. UC Davis research and teaching has developed an international reputation and strength in agriculture, and food, dairy, and wine production.

With the LEED Platinum brewery, winery, and food-processing laboratories, the Robert Mondavi Institute for Wine and Food Science at UC Davis fosters a new era of opportunity and environmentally sustainable economic development. This new complex will be self- sufficient in energy and water use, and contains numerous environmentally friendly features such as onsite solar power generation, and carbon dioxide capture. New food-processing, wine- making, and brewing laboratories will test production processes that conserve water, energy, and other natural resources.

Two of the Nation's leading academic departments related to food and beverage science are situated at the Robert Mondavi Institute at UC Davis. The Department of Viticulture and Enology and the Department of Food Science and Technology will utilize the new state-of-the-art research and teaching facility.

Within the UC Davis College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, the Department of Viticulture and Enology has been the creator of grape-growing and wine-making knowledge that enabled the growth and success of today's wine industry, and has placed California and the Nation among the global leaders in wine production and quality. Wine industry leaders rely upon the department's research, expertise, and counsel.

Likewise, the Department of Food Science and Technology is internationally recognized for its advances in making food and beverages more nutritious, appealing, affordable, and safe. It is the only such department within the University of California and is the state of California's principal academic food science research group.

Technologies developed at UC Davis have been instrumental in making high-quality food and beverage products that feed the nation--including dairy, seafood, vegetables, fruits, nuts, and beer. Food safety research has helped identify and eliminate contamination in handling and processing. Research on nutrients, antioxidants, and other food components are helping create more healthful foods for California and the world. Graduates of the university's College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences are highly sought after nationally in the food processing, wine-making, and brewing industries. Its graduates form the foundation on which food and agricultural industries have developed, grown, and flourished.

Mr. Speaker and colleagues, on the occasion of the grand opening of the UC Davis Research and Teaching Winery and the Anhenser A. Busch III Brewing and Food Science Laboratory, let us recognize UC Davis for its leadership and dedication to excellence in the area of the food, wine and brewing sciences. Please join me in commending the University of California, Davis, for its service to the people of California and the Nation.

Madam Speaker, I rise in opposition to the repeal of the Patients' Bill of Rights.

As Congress debates this legislation to repeal the historic health care reform law, it is important that our constituents know what working families, small businesses, and seniors stand to lose.

Repealing the health care reform law would remove new protections for 57 million Americans with preexisting conditions. That includes over 8,000 children in my district. It will end the chance for 2.5 million young adults to remain on their parents' plans until they are 26 years of age. In my district, over 4,000 young people will lose this coverage. It will increase prescription drug costs for more than 10,000 seniors in my district who hit the Medicare part D doughnut hole. These seniors will pay another $500 this year and, between now and 2020, another $3,000. Some 16,000 small businesses in my district alone will pay higher taxes.

Repeal will increase the deficit by $230 billion over the next 10 years and more than $1.2 trillion over the following decade. Repeal will shorten the life of the Medicare program by 12 years, putting Medicare benefits and the seniors who depend on it at great risk.

So when you consider these facts, it is clear that repealing the health care reform law is bad for families, bad for small businesses, and bad for seniors in my district and across our great country. I urge a ``no'' vote.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to commemorate the first hundred years or continuous service by the Fort Bragg Library on the Mendocino Coast in Northern California. From its beginning on January 18, 1911, Fort Bragg's beloved library has persevered through funding cuts, political ballot measures and an arson fire. It has flourished due to the ongoing support of the Mendocino Coast community.

Located in picturesque Fort Bragg, California, a former mill town that was incorporated in 1889, the library was opened with collections from the Women's Christian Temperance Union and the Union Lumber Company library. When the Union Lumber Company offered to donate property, plans were drawn and the library was built on Main Street and opened in January 1913. By 1924 the average monthly attendance had grown from 311 to 2,053. In the library's first decades, activities including new books received, hours of operation and programs available were regularly reported in the weekly newspaper.

In 1966, the Fort Bragg Library joined the two-year-old county library system. The City of Fort Bragg owned the building but the library was run by the county. The Mendocino Coast Genealogical Society rented space in the mezzanine. The biggest booster came when community members created the Friends of the Library in 1974 with the intent of upgrading the facility.

Tragedy struck on September 20, 1987, when the library was destroyed by fire seven minutes after another historic structure on Main Street, the Piedmont Hotel, was set ablaze. The Friends of the Fort Bragg Library and the community immediately came together to restore the library.

In their search for an existing building the purchase of a former mortuary was proposed using fire insurance money. The county, city and Friends of the Library partnered to buy and remodel the building. The library reopened on May 25, 1989, stocked with thousands of books donated by book dealers, libraries and individuals.

In 1996, the Fort Bragg Library was the first branch in Mendocino County to open Internet access. Over the years the Friends of the Library had wisely invested and wanted to modernize the library for the new millennium. They contributed $470,000 to the library's remodel which was completed with a celebration on July 3, 2007. Use of the new and improved Fort Bragg Library soared and became equal to and sometimes exceeded the operations of the County's main library at the county seat in Ukiah.

Mr. Speaker and colleagues, for its hundred years (and counting) historic and civic importance and invaluable service to the community it is appropriate that we honor the Fort Bragg Library.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in honor of a dear friend and colleague Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, as well as all of those who lost their lives or were injured during the tragic events of January 8, 2011, in Tucson, Arizona.

Today the House gathers at an incredibly sad moment for our country. The events of January 8, 2011, are reprehensible and truly heartbreaking. I speak today of my close friend and an esteemed colleague in the Blue Dog Coalition, Gabby. Her leadership and compassion for the people she represents is a testament to the meaningful work she has accomplished during her tenure as a United States Representative. The legacy she has created is one of moderate and pragmatic leadership--qualities that are essential to the people of Arizona she so strongly represents, and to our country as a whole.

In 2009, I had the opportunity to visited Gabby in her district. It was apparent how many folks she has touched with her work in the Arizona State Senate and the House of Representatives. Her passion for public service is truly an example we should all embrace.

I would also like to recognize and honor the victims who lost their lives during this horrible tragedy: Christina Green, Dorothy Morris, Judge John Roll, Phyllis Schneck, Dorwan Stoddard and Gabriel Zimmerman, the Congresswoman's aide.

I pray for a speedy recovery to everyone injured during this tragic event and hope for Gabby's quick return to Congress to do what she loves most, represent the people of Arizona's 8th

Madam Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to this rule that we're taking up today instead of focusing on jobs.

The new majority in the House ran on the platform of fiscal responsibility. This bill flies in the face of that promise by adding $230 billion in the short run and over $1 trillion in the long run to our deficit.

As important, under repeal, the Medicare trust fund will become insolvent in 2017. That's just 6 years away. Pushing Medicare over the cliff by passing this repeal breaks a sacred trust with our Nation's seniors to help provide health care coverage in retirement after a lifetime of working and paying taxes.

That is why I went to Rules Committee last night with two colleagues and offered an amendment to guarantee that repeal will not go forward unless it is certified that that repeal will not shorten the life of the Medicare trust fund. Sadly, the Rules Committee didn't allow us to help protect Americas's seniors. They didn't allow that amendment, we will not be able to vote for that amendment on the floor, and I urge a ``no'' vote on this rule.

Madam Speaker, I rise with my colleague Congressman George Miller today to recognize the great accomplishments of our friend Byron Leydecker, who recently announced that he will conclude operation of Friends of the Trinity River, the organization he founded 18 years ago and has led ever since.

The Trinity River flows through mountains in coastal northern California and is the largest tributary of the Klamath River. These rivers supported huge bountiful populations of both Chinook and Coho salmon, steelhead and other fish that sustained Native Americans for millennia and visitors from other continents for the past two centuries. The impacts of ill-advised and poorly managed development had devastated both the Trinity and the Klamath. Thanks in large part to Byron, the Trinity is on its way to recovery.

He pushed the Department of the Interior to develop and then implement the historic 2000 Trinity Record of Decision, he has worked tirelessly ever since to ensure that the Trinity restoration program goes forward as intended, and he has pushed the agencies to follow the science.

Byron has led an active and vigorous organization over the years, devoting his time, energy, and financial resources to make a real difference in the direction of the Trinity River restoration program, which is today one of the leading efforts of its kind.

Byron and FOTR have worked with the usual alphabet soup of government agencies, as well as tribes, fishermen, and water and power interests, to develop and implement the restoration plan. Byron has always been consistent and persistent, cooperative when possible and tough when needed.

Thanks to Byron and the work of FOTR, the Trinity River is now in better shape than at any time since the 1960s--we have seen increased flows, a healthier fishery, and a stronger scientific foundation for its management.

While there will always be snags and eddies in these undertakings, the successful restoration of the Trinity River will serve as a national model of a restored river below a Federal dam. The Trinity River could have no better friend than Byron Leydecker. We are grateful to Byron for his leadership, and thank him for all his work on behalf of healthy rivers and sustainable fisheries.

Madam Speaker, I rise today with my colleague, Congresswoman Lynn Woolsey, to recognize and honor Sonoma County District Attorney Stephan Passalacqua, who is retiring after a 22-year career as a County Prosecutor. For the past eight years, Mr. Passalacqua served as Sonoma County's elected District Attorney.

As District Attorney, Mr. Passalacqua was instrumental in obtaining $1.4 million in grant funding and private donations to create the Family Justice Center of Sonoma County, which will be a lasting testament to his service to his community.

He also hosted the first statewide Gang Summit and launched an educational gang prevention program in partnership with Boys and Girls Clubs. This was the first program in the nation to be taught by prosecutors.

His other innovations included co-hosting a Sonoma County Environmental Awareness Forum, hosting multiple Elder Protection Summits, and partnering with community groups to host forums on Internet Safety, Identity Theft and Mortgage Fraud.

He also initiated the first organized activities acknowledging National Crime Victims Rights Week in Sonoma County, which has now become an annual event. The hallmark of his tenure as District Attorney has been his insistence that victims are treated with respect and dignity. He continually worked to raise awareness of victims' rights, to help victims become survivors and to reduce and prevent victimization at the onset.

He has served on several professional boards, including the Institute for the Advancement of Criminal Justice, the Board of Directors of the Sonoma County Bar Association, the Santa Rosa Mayor's Gang Prevention Task Force, and as a Professor of Elder Protection Law at Empire College School of Law.

Mr. Passalacqua was born and raised in Sonoma County and he is firmly rooted in his community. In addition to his professional duties, Mr. Passalacqua has served on the Board of Directors of the Valley of the Moon Children's Foundation, the Rotary Club of Santa Rosa, the Advisory Board of Kidstreet Learning Center, the Board of Directors of the Community Support Network of Santa Rosa and as a mentor with Social Advocates for Youth.

Madam Speaker, after 22 years of public service to the people of Sonoma County,

Stephan Passalacqua deserves to enjoy the riches of this new phase of his life as a water and transportation consultant. We wish him well.

Madam Speaker, I rise today with my colleague, Congresswoman Lynn Woolsey, to recognize and honor Sonoma County Sheriff Bill Cogbill, who is retiring after a 36-year career in law enforcement.

Sheriff Cogbill began his career in 1975 with the Petaluma Police Department in Sonoma County. Three years later, he joined the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office as a patrol officer assigned to various beats throughout this large, rural county.

He was promoted to Detective in 1987 and specialized in narcotics enforcement. He was promoted to Sergeant the following year and was assigned to Patrol and Personnel Services.

In 1995 he was promoted to Lieutenant and was assigned to the Town of Windsor as that community's Chief of Police. He served in this capacity for three years when he became Captain of the Sheriff's Field Services, a position he held until 2003 when he was elected Sheriff.

He had many specialty assignments during his tenure with the Sheriff's Office, including service with the Hazardous Incident Team, Street Crimes Unit, Field Training Officer Program and Instructor and Coordinator of Defensive Tactics.

Sheriff Cogbill has received numerous awards and citations during his long career, including the Sheriff's Distinguished Service Award, the Santa Rosa Chamber of Commerce Leadership Award, and the Bob Tucks Peace Award. He is also a graduate of the FBI's National Academy in Quantico, Virginia.

Sheriff Cogbill has served on numerous local and state committees working to improve public safety, law enforcement and detention services, including the Board of Directors of the California State Sheriff's Association Board of Directors. He has continuously encouraged his Command Staff to participate fully in professional organizations and within the community.

Madam Speaker, Sheriff Bill Cogbill has served the people of Sonoma County well during his distinguished career. It is appropriate that we commend him for his many years of public service and wish him well on his retirement.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Jill Duffy for her 8 years of distinguished public service on the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors.

Born in Los Angeles, Ms. Duffy moved to Humboldt County at a young age. She completed her education at Humboldt State University, where she studied Environmental Engineering. After serving for 15 years as an Environmental Compliance Analyst for the City of Arcata and 4 years on the McKinleyville Community Services District Board, she was elected to represent Humboldt County's 5th Supervisorial District in 2002.

Throughout her two terms, Jill has been a capable and enthusiastic voice for the citizens of Humboldt County. She has provided competent leadership on a variety of issues, including protection of our rich natural resources. She was appointed by the governor to sit on the Statewide Watershed Monitoring Advisory Committee and was the county representative for Klamath River dam removal negotiations. She was also a stalwart advocate for securing county access to water rights on the Trinity River.

Jill has been active on numerous committees and boards, including the California State Association of Counties Working Group for Compact Negotiations for Indian Gaming, Northwest California Resource Conservation & Development Council, California Water Environment Association, North Coast Pollution Prevention Committee, Humboldt Bay Shellfish Technical Advisory Committee, McKinleyville General Plan Citizen's Advisory Committee, Redwood National Park Association, Redwood Coast Energy Authority, Humboldt County Code Enforcement Task Force Sub-Committee, North Coast Unified Air Quality Management District, Arcata-Eureka Airport Terminal Building Decoration and Advertising Committee, and the Humboldt Transit Authority.

Whether through her efforts to safeguard our region's unique environmental assets or champion the rights of towns to participate in the county planning process, Ms. Duffy has been a proven relationship builder and diligent representative.

Madam Speaker, it is appropriate at this time to acknowledge and thank Jill Duffy for her 8 years of commendable leadership and unwavering commitment to the citizens of Humboldt County.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Bonnie Neely for her twenty-four years of distinguished public service on the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors.

First elected to Humboldt County's 4th Supervisorial District on November 3, 1986, Ms. Neely has been an outstanding public servant with a reputation for astute knowledge of local issues, creative problem solving and compassion for people. She has proven herself as a skilled collaborator and tireless advocate for the citizens of Humboldt County.

Throughout her tenure as Supervisor, Ms. Neely has provided strong and resourceful leadership on community issues ranging from homelessness to natural resources. She was appointed by two Governors to sit on the statewide California Coastal Commission and California Board of Forestry and Fire Protection. She has been active on numerous local committees and boards, such as the Humboldt County Children and Families Commission, Humboldt County Convention and Visitors Bureau, Humboldt Bay Harbor Revitalization Advisory Committee, Redwood Empire Association, Redwood Community Action Agency, and the Rotary Club of Eureka.

A native of Humboldt County, Bonnie attended Humboldt State University and transferred to London, England to continue her education before returning home to complete her bachelor's degree in Liberal Arts.

Ms. Neely has a demonstrated passion for promoting our region's artistic culture and rich quality of life. She is Board President of Dell'Arte International, a founding member of the North Coast Repertory Theatre, and co-founder and board member of the Redwood Coast Music Festivals and the Humboldt Library Foundation. Along with her fellow board members, she also helped to establish the Headwaters Fund to support community development projects.

A dedicated champion for the citizens of Humboldt County, Bonnie has received numerous awards including the ``Woman of Distinction Award'' from the Soroptimist International of Humboldt Bay, Award of Outstanding Service to Homeless from the Redwood Community Action Agency, Community Achievement Award from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Friend of Seniors Award from the Area 1 Agency on Aging, Paul Harris Fellow Award from the Rotary Foundation, and the Contributor to the Arts Award from the Humboldt Arts Council.

Madam Speaker, it is appropriate at this time to acknowledge and thank Bonnie Neely for her 24 years of exemplary leadership and lasting contributions that have done so much to directly improve the lives of those she has so ably represented.