Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 2701.

As Chairman of the Subcommittee on Terrorism, Human Intelligence, Analysis, and Counterintelligence, I am pleased that today we can discuss the merits and qualities of this much needed, and long overdue, legislation. This bill will support critical U.S. intelligence capabilities, enhance congressional oversight, and improve accountability across the Intelligence Community.

In addition to modifying congressional notification procedures for covert actions and providing a framework to allow GAO access to the Intelligence Community, this legislation also contains several important reporting requirements.

Specifically, H.R. 2701 includes a reporting requirement related to the Intelligence Community's involvement in detention and interrogation activities. This report will assist in improving the effectiveness of interrogations and prevent the repeat of past abuses by directing the Director of National Intelligence to revisit training policies and procedures for interrogators, as well as evaluate current scientific research on the conduct of interrogations.

Another provision requires the newly created Inspector General of the Intelligence Community to study the electronic waste disposal practices of the IC. This provision serves a dual purpose: to protect our environment and our national security.

The language directs the IC/IG to assess both the environmental impact of disposal practices and the steps taken to ensure that discarded devices do not contain sensitive information that can be exploited by our adversaries.

Madam Speaker, this legislation is long overdue and will enhance the capabilities of the Intelligence Community and make our nation safer. I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of House Resolution 1605, which recognizes the service of medical and air crews in helping our wounded warriors make the expeditious and safe trip home to the United States and commends the personnel of the Air Force for their commitment to the well-being of all our service men and women.

The Air Force's Aeromedical Evacuation Squadrons help guarantee that our wounded soldiers are quickly reunited with their families and given the best medical care in U.S. hospitals. Since September 11, 2001, Aeromedical Evacuation flights have been responsible for transporting over 81,000 patients from Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom, yielding a 98 percent survival rate for injured soldiers. Today, a soldier injured on the battlefield in Afghanistan or Iraq will be back in an American hospital in an average of three days. This is over seven days faster than during Operation Desert Storm and over 40 days quicker than during the conflict in Vietnam.

As a veteran who was wounded in Vietnam, I was flown into Travis Air Force Base in Northern California. Travis Air Force Base is now home to the 349th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron. These physicians, nurses and medical technicians go above and beyond the call of duty every day.

I am honored to bring this resolution to the floor and remain committed to supporting our Armed Forces.

Madam Speaker, I rise today as co-founder of the Congressional Wine Caucus to pay tribute to Jed Steele for 42 years of excellence in the wine industry.

Mr. Steele began his journey as a cellar worker at Stony Hill in Napa Valley in 1968. From there, he received his Masters in Enology from UC Davis and went to work at Edmeades Vineyards in Mendocino County. He moved on to Kendall-Jackson in Lake County in 1982. By the time Jed left Kendall-Jackson in 1991, they increased production from 35,000 cases to one million cases and had become one of the premier wineries in California. In 1991, Jed founded Steele Wines in Lake County and to this day makes some of the most highly-regarded wines in the world.

Mr. Steele is a true giant in the wine business. He made 74 wines that scored 90 points or higher in the Wine Spectator. Six of his wines made the ``Top 100 Wines of the Year'' list in the same publication. In 1989, Wine and Spirits Magazine named Jed Winemaker of the Year. In 1990, he received the Robert Mondavi trophy as the Best California Winemaker from the International Wine Society in London.

Jed does not just make great wine--he is an innovator who gives back to his industry. In 1977, he produced the first commercial American ice wine from grapes grown in Mendocino County. He was also a leader in the creation of American Viticultural Areas in Anderson Valley and Clear Lake. He was the founder and served as director of the annual Mendocino County Wine judging.

Madam Speaker and colleagues, it is my distinct pleasure to recognize Jed Steele for his many years of leadership and excellence in winemaking. The American wine industry owes him an enormous debt of gratitude. I join the other members of the Congressional Wine Caucus and the entire community in wishing him continued success and fulfillment.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Diana and Leon Berliner, extraordinary citizens of Humboldt County, California, who have dedicated their lives to public service. The husband and wife team are being honored by the Humboldt County Democratic Central Committee as 2010 Citizens of the Year for one of our nation's most precious rights--participation in the political system. Their commitment to the general health and welfare of the community and to the preservation of our liberty is worthy of appreciation and recognition.

Diana Berliner has been a dedicated educator for over 40 years. She has focused her career on the needs of special education students, in the classroom and in training student teachers. Diana has also had a distinguished career in connection with the California Association of Resource Specialists, serving as a board member, president, conference presenter and newsletter editor. She has served as an advisory member to the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing and served on advisory committees to the Humboldt County Office of Education. And, as a vigorous advocate for public education, Diana Berliner has also been active in the Association of Retired Teachers. She continues to volunteer in many capacities throughout our community, including Ferndale Repertory, College of the Redwoods and North Coast Repertory Theatre.

Leon Berliner arrived safely in the United States after boarding a Liberty Ship at the age of 13 in 1948. As a Holocaust survivor and native of Antwerp, Belgium, Leon's harrowing story of survival inspires our deepest admiration. It is a story of perseverance and determination that led to a life-long commitment to help those less fortunate. Leon became a citizen and went on to receive his education, then served in the United States Army from 1954 to 1956. Upon returning to civilian life, he launched a long and distinguished career serving children and adults with disabilities. He worked in that capacity from New York to California, developing model programs and educating the community to the needs of people with disabilities. After moving to Humboldt County in 1971, he became the founder and Executive Director of Redwoods United Workshop, dedicated to providing training and work experience for the disabled. Following his retirement, Leon pursued his passion for classical music by opening Berliner's Cornucopia, sharing his knowledge and enthusiasm for life by further educating and enriching the lives of many on the North Coast.

These extraordinary individuals have demonstrated many times over their commitment and public spirit. They possess a keen interest in community life and participate every day in a meaningful and thoughtful manner by making our community a better place in which to live.

Madam Speaker, it is appropriate at this time that we recognize Diana and Leon Berliner for their unwavering compassion and for their contribution to the ideals and traditions that have made America a nation of hope and achievement.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Calpine Corporation on the 50th Anniversary of their commercial operations at The Geysers in Lake County, California.

Calpine Corporation owns and operates the world's largest renewable geothermal power facility at The Geysers. The company's 15 geothermal power plants there are capable of generating up to 725 megawatts of baseload renewable, green energy around the clock.

Calpine is expanding its production at The Geysers through wastewater discharge projects in which clean, reclaimed wastewater from local municipalities is recycled into the geothermal fields where it is converted to steam for electricity production. This provides an environmentally-sound wastewater discharge solution for the neighboring cities and increases the long-term productivity of The Geysers.

In addition to The Geysers, Calpine operates natural gas fueled power plants in 21 states and Canada. Its 93 power plants have nearly 29,000 megawatts of generating capacity. It is the nation's largest operator of combined-cycle and cogeneration plants.

In April 2010, the California Department of Conservation recognized Calpine for its ongoing commitment to safety and the environment for its facilities at The Geysers.

At The Geysers, Calpine owns and operates the Cartwright Geothermal Visitors Center, a 6,500 square foot learning center that is open to the public. More than 60,000 visitors from all 50 states and 77 countries have visited the center. Calpine regularly hosts open houses for the community and guided tours of its plants there.

The 330 full-time Calpine employees at The Geysers volunteer in the community and each year host a popular Earth Day event and contribute to the Blood Bank of the Redwoods and United Way. Calpine helps underwrite local paramedic services, community pools, sports fields and recreation areas.

Madam Speaker, Calpine Corporation is an industry leader and one of the leading community partners in my district. It is therefore appropriate that we honor them today on the 50th Anniversary of their operations at The Geysers.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Victor A. ``Vic'' Pozzi as the Town of Windsor, California honors him for 45 years of community service on October 22, 2010.

Mr. Pozzi has served as a director of the Windsor Volunteer Fire Department, which later became the Windsor Fire Protection District, for 45 years. He was a volunteer fire fighter for 41 of those years. Over those years, he has responded to approximately 220,000 calls for service.

He was the consummate fire fighter and received Windsor's Firefighter of the Year Award multiple times. He was further honored when the award given annually to the department's most reliable firefighter was named the ``Vic Pozzi Award.''

Mr. Pozzi began his fire service career in neighboring Sonoma Valley, where he was born and raised. He joined the Shell Vista Fire Department in Sonoma Valley in 1956 and served with that unit until 1963 when he moved to Windsor. He was given a gold shield when he left Shell Vista and is still an honorary member of that department.

In addition to his fire fighting duties, Mr. Pozzi has been a member of the Farm Bureau for more than 60 years. He grew up on a dairy farm and transferred his farming interests to his property in Windsor, where he still keeps a dairy herd, ducks, geese, emus, Brahma bulls, sheep and a llama.

Madam Speaker, Vic Pozzi is a true ambassador for Windsor, for firefighters, for farmers and for everyone who believes that a good citizen is one who participates and gives back to his or her community. It is appropriate that we honor him at this time.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Evan Blasingame, who is being honored as the Napa County 2011 Teacher of the Year.

Mr. Blasingame has taught United States History and International Baccalaureate History of the Americas at St. Helena High School since 2007. Before his move to the Napa Valley he taught in Mendocino County, where he was named Laytonville High School Teacher of the Year.

To Evan, teaching and learning do not stop at the classroom door. Throughout his teaching career, Evan has volunteered to serve as Academic Decathlon Coach, National Honor Society advisor, Interact Club advisor and English Club advisor. He has also supported his peers by serving as St. Helena Teachers Association Site Representative, WASC Team Leader, Teacher Representative to the District Advisory Council and Cofounder of the Vets Back to School Program.

Mr. Blasingame is known as one of the hardest working teachers in Napa County. His door is always open to his students to ensure they reach their fullest potential. He is an engaging speaker who is incredibly passionate about his subject matter and his passion is passed onto his students. He makes history fun and accessible.

A great teacher can have an impact on a young person that lasts forever. All of us can remember a teacher who has had a profound influence on our lives. Mr. Blasingame has had this impact on hundreds of students and is a sterling example of the best his profession has to offer.

Madam Speaker and colleagues, it is my distinct pleasure to recognize Evan Blasingame for the leadership, guidance and inspiration he has provided to hundreds of young people throughout his career. I join his wife, Hiromi, his son Kai and the entire community in thanking him for his service and wishing him continued success and fulfillment.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the Rutherford Dust Society. They are being recognized by the Friends of the Napa River this evening for their sterling work to restore the Napa River in the Rutherford area.

The Rutherford Dust Society was founded in 1994 by growers and vintners in tribute to the legacy of our grape growing and winemaking forebears. In 2002, the Society's board voted to empower a subcommittee to be known as the Rutherford Dust Restoration Team (RDRT). The Restoration Team, chaired by Davie Pina, was tasked with initiating a plan to manage and restore the Napa River. Among other objectives, RDRT focuses on reducing sediment loading into the river downstream; restoring habitat for salmonids and other aquatic species; restoring a continuous corridor of riparian habitat for birds and wildlife; replacing invasive plants with native species; and engaging landowners in the process to maintain regulatory compliance.

After seven years of hard work and planning, the RDRT broke ground on phase 1 of its restoration project, which will rehabilitate over four miles of the river. RDRT is a pioneering project in that it is one of the few comprehensive reach-scale restoration projects in the region to move beyond just planning into on-the-ground implementation. This rare achievement would not have been possible without the leadership of Mr. Pina and the Dust Society's board.

Madam Speaker, it is appropriate at this time that we thank everyone involved with the Rutherford Dust Society for the example they set as consummate stewards of the land. We wish them the best of luck on their continued efforts to improve our environment for agriculture and the community.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Celia Kupersmith, who is resigning after 11 years of service as General Manager of the Golden Gate Bridge, Highway, and Transportation District in Northern California.

A native Texan, Celia Kupersmith attended Southwest Texas State University where she earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Geography and Planning, followed by a Master's Degree in Urban Planning at Texas A&M University. Prior to joining the Bridge District in 1999, Ms. Kupersmith served as Executive Director of the Regional Transportation Commission in Reno, Nevada.

As General Manager, Celia Kupersmith has led an organization that comprises the landmark Golden Gate Bridge and two public transit systems, including a network of almost 200 buses and five ferries serving the North Bay Area and San Francisco County. Under her direction, approximately 825 employees serve more than 50 million Bridge and transit customers, as well as six million tourists each year.

During her tenure, Ms. Kupersmith moved the Bridge District forward in many ways, including leading efforts to seismically retrofit the Bridge, now two-thirds complete; enhance overall security of the Bridge; transform Golden Gate Ferry services into an expeditious 30 minute crossing; lead the introduction of new technology including FasTrak and TransLink; and improve internal business operations and long-term financial stability.

Celia Kupersmith has also been active in various professional organizations including serving as Chair of the American Public Transportation Association and on various committees of the International Bridge, Tunnel, and Turnpike Association. She has been a member of the Mineta Transportation Institute's Board of Directors, the Transit Cooperative Research Project Selection Committee, and the National Transportation Institute's Advisory Board.

Ms. Kupersmith leaves the Bridge District to pursue a new career as Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Sound Transit in the Seattle, Washington area where she will oversee the construction and operation of commuter and light rail systems, as well as a regional commuter bus service.

Madam Speaker, it is appropriate at this time that we honor Celia Kupersmith for her extraordinary contributions to the Golden Gate Bridge, Highway, and Transportation District. I thank Ms. Kupersmith for her service and join her colleagues in wishing her continued success in her new career.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

I came down to the floor to speak about this bill because it's incredibly important to jobs in America, jobs in my district, jobs across this country.

My good friend, the ranking member, Mr. Camp--and I say ``good friend'' because we work together on a lot of things in a bipartisan manner and are able to accomplish a lot--mentioned that what's happening today is what's important to Americans, and what's happening today is important to this bill.

Right outside of my district, Sacramento International Airport was able to get $480 million worth of bonding authority because of the AMT provision that's in this bill, and they were able to put that into that airport reconstruction/renovation that they're doing, a $1.1 billion total job that created 1,200 jobs in that immediate area.

It gave us the type of infrastructure and public airport facility that will go on to create jobs today and tomorrow and on into the future. It's very, very important.

The Build America Bonds part of this bill is extremely important. There were two areas in my district that relied on this. It has created jobs, and it has improved the area.

The Napa County school system was able to use $22 million worth of Build America Bonds to do important work in the schools, renovating the classrooms, expanding the campuses to be able to have a good spot for students to be able to learn, creating jobs today as they go forward.

UC Davis, University of California, Davis, in my district, they were able to use Build America Bonds to create $48 million worth of expansion, renovation and deferred maintenance on that campus. They have done everything from deferred maintenance to the expansion of the physical sciences building, creating jobs and improving the campus and the infrastructure for many generations to take advantage of.

So today when this bill is up, say ``yes'' to American jobs, say ``yes'' to important American infrastructure and say ``no'' to the tax dodge that would preclude us from being able to put good jobs on the forefront today.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize my friend Kathryn Winter on the occasion of her retirement as executive director of Fair Housing Napa Valley in Napa County, California. Kathryn's leadership will be truly missed by her colleagues, the people of Napa County, and all of the organizations around Northern California that heavily relied on her immense knowledge and experience in public service.

Mrs. Winter is a native San Franciscan who graduated from Lowell High School. She received her bachelor of arts degree from the University of California, Berkeley and her masters from Stanford University. Mrs. Winter has dedicated her life to serving her community. She began her career of public service as an English instructor on the Navajo and Hopi Indian reservations, Napa Valley College and Hillsdale High School in San Mateo, California. Prior to her current position, she served honorably as a town councilmember in Yountville, California and as a Napa County supervisor. She also brought her talents to the Governor's Office of Planning and Research.

In her 6\1/2\ years as executive director of Fair Housing Napa Valley, she has worked tirelessly to eliminate housing discrimination and ensure equal housing opportunity for all people through leadership, education, conciliation, outreach, advocacy and enforcement. Under Kathryn's leadership, Fair Housing Napa Valley emerged as a powerhouse in the local non-profit community. She raised over $1.8 million, expanded the program from one to five staff members, doubled caseload and tripled revenues.

Madam Speaker, it is my distinct pleasure to recognize Kathryn Winter for her many years of service to Napa County, California, and to thank her for her many contributions to our community. I know she will continue to make the Napa Valley a better place during this next phase of her life. I join her husband Mick, her daughter Joanna and our colleagues in wishing her the best as she moves on to future challenges.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Robert Steinhauer, who is being honored as the Napa County Farm Bureau's 2010 Agriculturalist of the Year.

Mr. Steinhauer and his family have a long and storied history in California agriculture. He first found his way to the Napa Valley in 1971, serving as Vineyard Manager for Napa Valley Vineyard Company. In 1979, he joined Beringer Blass Wine Estates and served as senior vice president of vineyard operations for over 25 years. During his tenure, he was responsible for farming operations on over 10,400 acres of vineyards in five counties. He also managed grape purchases from over 400 growers for one of the Napa Valley's legendary wine companies. Today he is president and part owner of Wineland Consulting and is still a farmer; he owns 20 acres of raisin vineyards in Fresno.

Mr. Steinhauer's 2010 Agriculturalist of the Year Award is one of many he has earned during his distinguished career. He was the recipient of the 1983 Foremost McKesson California Vintner Award, 1978 Fresno State Viticulture Alumni Award, Copia 2004 Winegrower of the Year Award, 2005 Wine Integrity Award and the 2008 Merit Award from the American Society for Enology and Viticulture.

Robert is known as one of the kindest and most generous people in the industry. His legacy will be carried on by his daughter Anne, who continues the family agricultural tradition with the Napa Valley Vintners Association. This honor is long overdue and I am fortunate to be able to call Mr. Steinhauer a friend.

Madam Speaker and colleagues, it is my distinct pleasure to recognize my dear friend Robert Steinhauer for his countless contributions to California agriculture. The Napa Valley and the entire agricultural community owe him an enormous debt of gratitude. He is a true giant in the industry. I join his wife Verna, daughter Anne and son Erik in wishing him continued success and fulfillment.

Mr. Speaker, on July 1, 2010, I was unavoidably unable to cast my vote for rollcall 416 due to an important meeting with a constituent. Had I been present, I would have voted ``aye.''

Madam Speaker, I rise today along with my colleague, Lynn Woolsey, to honor and pay tribute to Frank Kappeler, one of eight surviving members of ``Doolittle's Raiders'' who passed away Wednesday, June 23, 2010, in Santa Rosa, California at the age of 96.

Lieutenant Colonel Kappeler was one of 79 U.S. Army Corps aviators who volunteered to fly the daring bombing mission over Japan four months after the surprise attack by the Japanese on Pearl Harbor.

Sixteen B-25 bombers and the men aboard launched from an aircraft carrier in the Pacific on April 18, 1942, and headed for Japan, knowing that they did not have enough fuel to return and even if they could get back, the large bombers were not able to land on the American carriers.

Lt. Col. Kappeler was the navigator on the No. 11 plane and was forced to bail out over China when the plane's engines stopped at 11,000 feet. Chinese partisans helped Lt. Col. Kappeler and his crew mates escape capture by Japanese forces.

He eventually escaped from China and spent the rest of WWII in the European theater, where he flew 53 combat missions.

He retired from the Air Force in 1966 as a Lieutenant Colonel.

The Doolittle Raid was a significant episode in the war in the Pacific because it demonstrated to both the American and Japanese people that Japan was not invincible and that American forces could and would strike the Japanese homeland.

All of the planes participating in the raid were lost and 11 crewmen were killed or captured.

Lt. Col Kappeler is survived by his wife of 53 years, Betty Kappeler, his daughter, Francia Kappeler, and three grandchildren, all of Santa Rosa, California.

Madam Speaker, Lt. Col. Frank Kappeler is a true American hero who served his country with great distinction. It is therefore appropriate that we honor him today and send our condolences to his family.

Madam Speaker, on June 8, 2010, I was unavoidably unable to cast my votes for rollcall 337 and rollcall 338 due to a delayed flight. Had I been present, I would have voted ``aye.''