Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the contributions of U.S. Army Colonel Seth Krummrich, who will relinquish command of the Fort Irwin Garrison on June 27, 2019. Colonel Krummrich is leaving for his next duty assignment as the Chief of Staff, Special Operations Command Central (SOCCENT) at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Florida.

Since Colonel Krummrich assumed command of the Fort Irwin Garrison, I have been impressed by his hard work on behalf of the Army. During his command, Colonel Krummrich oversaw the completion of Weed Army Community Hospital, a $211 million improvement designed to bring medical facilities at the garrison into the 21st century. In addition to the successful completion of the hospital, Colonel Krummrich has worked closely with my staff and I on several proposed projects to further improve Fort Irwin and better support the Army's critical training mission. While these projects were not completed during his tenure, his hard work has laid the foundation for their future success.

In addition to thanking Colonel Krummrich for his service at Fort Irwin, I would also like to recognize his outstanding military career. Colonel Krummrich is a combat veteran with numerous deployments to both Iraq and Afghanistan, including participating in the initial invasion of Afghanistan in 2001 as a member of the 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne). His service on the battlefield is complimented by his impressive educational background, where he was most recently a senior Military Fellow at Stanford University. While I wish him the best at SOCCENT, I will miss the passion, energy, and determination that he brought to the Fort Irwin Garrison

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the retirement of Superintendent Thomas E. Hoegerman, who will retire from Apple Valley Unified School District on May 22, 2019.

Thomas E. Hoegerman was born September 15, 1959 in Lodi, CA. He attended California State University Sacramento where he earned a B.A. in liberal studies, which he later followed with a teaching credential from the University of the Pacific and a master's degree from Chapman University. He joined the Apple Valley Unified School District in 1989, where he taught at Yucca Loma Elementary School and later at Vista Campana Middle School. In 1996, Tom joined the District Office, where he has worked to improve education outcomes across the district.

During his time at the District Office, Tom oversaw the construction of both Granite Hills High School and Sitting Bull Academy. He also implemented class-size reduction, assessment systems, and data analysis programs across the district. His leadership during the restructuring that followed the Great Recession was instrumental in ensuring student success while keeping the district financially stable. Tom has also served in several educational organizations, including the San Bernardino County District Advocates for Better Students, California Association of Health and Education Linked Professions, and San Bernardino Gangs and Drugs Task Force Executive Committee.

Superintendent Thomas Hoegerman has been an incredible asset to the education community in Apple Valley, and he will be sorely missed in retirement. I wish him and his wife Lisa a happy retirement and a happy 30th anniversary this July.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the retirement Chief Warrant Officer James R. Curry, who will be retiring after 30 years of active duty in the United States Navy.

Chief Warrant Officer Curry joined the Navy on August 28, 1989 as an Airman Recruit and completed Basic Recruit Training at Great Lakes, Illinois. His first assignment for as Naval Air Station North Island, where he served as a Plane Captain for Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Ten. Over the course of his career, Chief Warrant Officer Curry has served in support of numerous operations, including North Korean Contingency Operations, Operation Desert Strike, Operation Southern Watch, Operation Enduring Freedom, and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Following multiple deployments afloat with Helicopter Anti- Submarine Squadron Four and Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Six, Chief Warrant Officer Curry reported to NAVSUPPFAC at Paxtuent River, Maryland, where he served as Command Duty Officer. His most rewarding and satisfying tour, however, was with Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 23, the ``Wildcards'', where he served as Avionics Division Officer and Armament Division Officer.

Chief Warrant Officer Curry has honorably served our nation for the last three decades, and it's thanks to people like him that our country remains free and secure. I congratulate him on an exemplary career, and wish him a happy retirement with his wife Tracy and his five children.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the retiretnent of the President of the San Bernardino County Medical Society, Dr. Damordara Rajasekhar, who will be completing his term on June 20, 2019.

Dr. Rajasekhar earned his medical degree in 1976 from Madras Medical College in India. Afterwards, he went on to serve his pediatric internship and residency at the University of Connecticut John Dempsey Hospital, and cmnpleted a fellowship in neonatal perinatal medicine at the University of Massachusetts Memorial Health Care. Dr. Rajasekhar began

his term as President on June 20, 2018, serving the 2,800 member physicians with distinguished leadership over the past year. Dr. Rajasekhar also served as the chief of medical staff at Victor Valley Community Hospital and has a solo practice in Apple Valley. He believes that the physician-patient relationship is a key factor in providing quality health care, and he has always worked to promote the betterment of the medical profession.

Dr. Rajasekhar's leadership and cmnmitlnent are greatly appreciated by his colleagues and the public he served. On behalf of the United States House of Representatives, I would like to thank Dr. Damordara Rajasekhar for his years of public service and wish him the happiest of retirements.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the incredible work of Julie Norton, who has served as the Executive Director of the High Desert Phoenix Foundation for the past ten years. The Phoenix Foundation provides financial assistance to families in the High Desert who have lost a loved one due to an accident, criminal act, or suicide.

Julie has served as Executive Director for the ten years that the Phoenix Foundation has been in existence. She is the founding member of the Foundation, and was motivated to create it after dealing with a tragic loss in her personal life. Over her ten years as executive director, Julie has helped well over 500 families lay their loved ones to rest. Additionally, Julie helped start the HALOS (Healing Loved Ones After Suicide) Program, which is a peer support group for those affected by the suicide of a friend or family member.

Julie has had an incredible impact on thousands of people during some of their toughest and most vulnerable moments, and I cannot thank her enough for all the work she has put in over the last ten years to make the Phoenix Foundation the success it is today. I offer my sincere congratulations to her for a decade as Executive Director of the High Desert Phoenix Foundation and I am certain that wherever she goes she will continue to have a positive impact on people's lives.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to thank Lieutenant Colonel Lawrence ``Larry'' M. Doane for his distinguished service to the Nation, especially while assigned to the National Capitol Region.

Larry served in my office as a Defense Fellow from January 2016 to December 2016. He worked diligently throughout his tenure, assisting in the 2016 National Defense Authorization Act process to ensure the continuation of our national defense. Larry built enduring relationships, making him an asset in representing the people of California's Eighth Congressional District. In addition to working Defense policy, Larry became an expert on Veterans policies. In that capacity Larry demonstrated genuine care for every person he interacted with and he attacked every assignment to achieve swift resolutions.

As a Legislative Liaison in the National Guard Bureau Office of Legislative Liaisons from January 2017 to April 2019, Larry served as the lead liaison during a high-profile decision regarding stationing of four Army National Guard Apache battalions. This issue contained massive implications for Army Guard units, their states, and their Congressional representatives. Through direct engagements with senior Army leaders, the Chairmen of the Armed Services Committees, Professional Staff, and individual Member offices, Larry distilled the varied and complex stakeholder positions into clear, actionable courses of action for decision-makers to consider. This was among the most poignant displays of Larry's ability to bridge communication between the Department of Defense and Congress on a complicated issue. Larry operated with ease in a high-visibility, stressful environment.

As Lieutenant Colonel Doane's time in this assignment ends, he will continue his path as a Citizen-Soldier and assume command of 1st Squadron, 172nd Cavalry Regiment of the Vermont National Guard's 86th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Mountain). Larry is supported in his military career by his wife, Melissa, and their four children. Please join me in congratulating Lieutenant Colonel Doane on his selection as a Battalion Commander and in expressing our gratitude for his and his family's service to the Nation.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and congratulate Barbara and Ron Duott for being named Citizens of the Year by the Lake Arrowhead Communities Chamber of Commerce.

Barbara and her husband Ron have been residents of the Lake Arrowhead area for many years, where they have gone out of their way to volunteer in the community and support local organizations. Barbara has worked with the Mountain Community Hospital on their Foundation Board, as well as served on the board for the Mountain Communities Scholarship Society. She is also a member of the Soroptimist International Rim of the World chapter and coordinated their Every Girl Counts program. Ron has been involved with the Rim of the World Historical Society for more than a decade, where he has served as president and treasurer. He has also been a member of the Rotary Club of Lake Arrowhead and the Boys and Girls Club of the Mountain Communities.

Barbara and Ron Duott are the epitome of citizenship and community involvement, and I sincerely thank them for their dedication and support of so many in our mountain communities. They are truly deserving of being named the Lake Arrowhead Communities Chamber of Commerce 2018 Citizens of the Year.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and congratulate Coldwell Banker Sky Ridge Realty on being named Business of the Year by the Lake Arrowhead Communities Chamber of Commerce.

Coldwell Banker Sky Ridge Realty recently celebrated their 36th anniversary of operating in our mountain communities. The business was purchased in 2004 by Steve and Jamie Keefe, and they will celebrate their 15th year of ownership this April. They and their 60 agents are active throughout the community and serve on numerous boards and communities across the mountains, including Rotary, Soroptimists, Boys and Girls Club, RIM Educational Foundation, Hearts and Lives, and Fifes and Drums. Coldwell Banker Sky Ridge Realty is also a ``Chairman's Circle Company,'' meaning it is in the top 6 percent of Coldwell Banker Companies worldwide.

Anyone present in the mountain communities knows that Steve, Jamie, and their agents at Coldwell Banker Sky Ridge Realty are incredibly active in both business and community service, and they are truly deserving of this award. I sincerely congratulate them and their staff on being named the Lake Arrowhead Communities Chamber of Commerce 2018 Business of the Year.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and congratulate Rebuilding Together Mountain Communities on being named Non-Profit of the Year by the Lake Arrowhead Communities Chamber of Commerce.

Rebuilding Together Mountain Communities is a community program organized and supported by the Association of Building Contractors. In conjunction with the national Rebuilding Together organization, it focuses on and brings awareness to housing issues faced by some of our most vulnerable populations including veterans, seniors, and disaster victims. Rebuilding Together Mountain Communities is also celebrating their 25th Anniversary this year, and over its history has worked on over 200 homes in the mountain areas. The work they have done has touched innumerable lives, and I congratulate them on the longevity and success of their program.

Rebuilding Together Mountain Communities, the Association of Building Contractors, and their community partners deserve this and many other accolades for their hard work. They are truly deserving of being named the Lake Arrowhead Communities Chamber of Commerce 2018 Non-Profit of the Year.

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

Madam Speaker, H.R. 1388 will provide for the acquisition of a number of acres of noncontiguous land in trust for the benefit of Lytton Rancheria. The lands, located in Sonoma County next to the town of Windsor, are the subject of a fee-to-trust application filed by the Tribe with the Department of the Interior in 2009.

Neither the Obama nor Trump administration has provided a reason why the Tribe's application has not been approved in the last 10 years.

The Tribe has testified that it intends to use a portion of the land for tribal housing, while the rest would support a diverse range of economic development, including plans for a future resort and winery.

I notice everyone paid attention to that last word.

An identical measure passed the House in the previous Congress, and it has been reported twice by the Committee on Natural Resources, though not in the current Congress.

Madam Speaker, I urge adoption of the measure, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Madam Speaker, H.R. 297, sponsored by Congressman Gianforte, would extend Federal recognition to the Little Shell Tribe of Chippewa Indians of Montana.

With Federal recognition, the Little Shell Tribe and its members would be eligible for all services and benefits provided by the Federal Government to Indians because of their status as Indians.

A previous version of this bill passed without opposition in the last Congress, thanks in large part to the gentleman from Montana (Mr. Gianforte), who has been a tireless advocate of recognizing the Little Shell Tribe and whose work has been instrumental to bring this legislation closer to the finish line.

Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Montana (Mr. Gianforte).

Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 100th anniversary of the American Legion. The Legion was first chartered on September 16, 1919 to serve as a patriotic veteran's organization.

One of the oldest veteran non-profit organizations, the American Legion also stands as the nation's largest wartime Veterans Service Organization. The Legion is devoted to supporting service members, veterans, communities, and families. In its 100 years of existence, the Legion has made remarkable strides in advancing the cause of our veterans and service members through legislative accomplishments like the GI Bill, Flag Code, and the creation of the U.S. Veterans Bureau, a forerunner of the Veterans Administration. The Legion is also active in our local communities, with programs like Operation Comfort Warriors, Boys State, and the American Legion Baseball. Since its charter, the American Legion has made it their mission to mentor youth, advocate for patriotism and honor, and promote strong national security and a continued devotion to our fellow service members and veterans.

I applaud the Legion for passing the century mark in their never- ending quest to improve the lives of service members and veterans. I'm proud to be a member of such an excellent organization, and I wish them another 100 years of excellence.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the incredible service of the Assistance League of Victor Valley, who was honored by the Apple Valley Optimist Club on Saturday, March 8.

Founded in 1979 and achieving Full Chapter Status in 1982, the Assistance League of Victor Valley is a nonprofit organization focused on identifying and funding ongoing, community based philanthropic programs in the Victor Valley. Their signature program is Operation School Bell, which provides new school clothes to children in need living in the Victor Valley. Since the Operation began, 27,244 local children have received clothing, with 1,357 students receiving clothing during the 2017-2018 school year. The Assistance League has also logged 28,000 volunteer hours during that same period and gave 1,620 bears to children in local hospitals.

The Assistance League of Victor Valley is one of the most effective nonprofit organizations in the High Desert, and I am proud to see them receiving some very well-deserved recognition. I wish them nothing but success as they continue to help the less fortunate in our community.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the service and commitment of Bobby Tarango, who was honored by the Apple Valley Optimist Club on Saturday, March 8.

Bobby Tarango has worked as a sales representative for Chicago Title Company for the past 22 years, where he has worked to make Chicago Title one of the premier players in the High Desert real estate industry. He has twice served as the Affiliate Director for the Victor Valley Association of Realtors, previously served as Chairman of the Board for St. Timothy's Preparatory School in Apple Valley, and currently serves on the board of directors for the Victor Valley Chamber of Commerce and the St. Mary's Hospital Foundation Board. In his spare time, Bobby enjoys coaching his son's and daughter's soccer teams, and serves as Vice President of Storm Soccer Club and President of Storm Recreational Soccer.

Bobby Tarango is consistently doing all he can to make the High Desert a great place to live and raise a family. I congratulate him on being honored by the Apple Valley Optimist Club, and I wish him years of happiness and success.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and congratulate the Big Bear Fire Department and Mercy Air on a successful year of Emergency Air Medical Services for the Big Bear Valley.

The mountain communities of my district are uniquely rugged, and ground based responses are oftentimes too slow or limited by terrain to provide lifesaving medical care in a timely fashion. Air ambulances have the ability to rapidly transport patients to treatment centers, and emergency air medical services improve the survival and recovery rate of those in need. On February 14, 2018, Big Bear Fire Authority (BBFA) and the BBFA Critical Care Medical Air Ship crew undertook their first flight. Over the past year, arrival times have decreased, lives have been saved, and over 300 missions have been safely and successfully flown.

I applaud the BBFA and the BBFA Critical Care Medical Air Ship crew, and their partners Mercy Air, Big Bear Valley Community Healthcare District, and Big Bear Airport District for their commitment and dedication to bringing this lifesaving service to the Big Bear Valley. I wish them many years of safety and success ahead as they work to keep our community safe.