Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the remarkable public service career of Darlene Dunham. Darlene is retiring from her work in Monterey County as the chief of Staff for County Supervisor Simon Salinas. However, she has had a long path of education and leadership before going to work for the County of Monterey. Of historical interest, Darlene was one of the top 16 money winners on the old television game show The Joker's Wild.

Darlene returned to college after having two children, Troy and Denyse. In 1983, she opened her own political consulting and training firm named Darlene Dunham and Associates. By 1998, she had expanded her business by 3 partners and focused on management training and consulting to the agricultural community. She finally received her Masters degree in Leadership at the age of 57.

Darlene spent a decade working in state and local political campaigns as a fundraiser and campaign consultant for now famous Willie Brown, former Speaker of the California Assembly, and former state legislators, now Members of Congress, Lucille Roybal-Allard, Xavier Becerra, Jim Costa, Maxine Waters, Diane Watson, and myself. While serving as chair of the Monterey County Commission on the Status of Women, Darlene led the first sexual harassment training course for county employees and was one of the first persons certified by the California State Bar Association to train public and private sector personnel including California prison guards.

Along with running her business, Darlene found time to get involved in the community. Darlene has served on the Monterey County Arts Council, she has volunteered with the Salinas Women's Crisis Center, she served as a representative on the Hartnell College Board of Trustees, Vice Chair of the City of Salinas Recreation-Park Commission, and a board member of the Education Foundation for Salinas Union High School District. She was recognized as one of the outstanding women of Monterey County's Commission on the Status of Women. The Salinas Chamber of Commerce gave Darlene their Athena Award for outstanding businesswoman.

Darlene's passion and leadership led her to organize a trip to Morelia, Mexico to provide an opportunity for a group of Elementary School teachers to study the Spanish language and the Mexican culture. Darlene notes that she is looking forward to being retired so she can return to traveling the world with her husband and enjoying her grandchildren Emma, age 4, and Truman, age 1\1/2\.

Madam Speaker, I know that I am not alone in recognizing the work of this amazing

woman. Darlene has always been involved in the community and her dedication to make Monterey County a better place will surely continue, even after she retires. For all that she has done and all that she will undoubtedly do, I extend my most sincere thanks and warmest wishes to our friend and professional colleague, Ms. Darlene Dunham.

Mr. Speaker, I believe that we must advance a negotiated peace process in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. However, I have concerns that H. Res. 1765 only addresses one of the issues that is impeding lasting peace in the region. For the United States to be an honest, effective broker of peace, we must take into account the roles that all parties play in the conflict.

Particularly now, as we try to rebuild the potential for direct talks, we must weigh our actions based on how effectively they will advance the likelihood of all parties coming to the negotiating table. I strongly support American diplomatic efforts to mediate a two-state solution, and I believe we must direct our efforts towards balanced measures that lay the strongest possible foundation for a peaceful resolution.

I thank the gentleman for yielding.

Wake up and listen to the sirens, the sirens of the election that were about the deficit in America, and you want to add $1 trillion to that deficit. Wake up and listen to the sirens of the people who are needing of help.

I can't believe that you talk about this bill as fiscal sanity. It's fiscal insanity, putting us in another trillion dollars of debt, and with this concept of, if you give the rich more money, it will trickle down.

Well, those sirens that are responding to the children that are in need of health care, to the people who need to be rescued, aren't paid for by trickle-down economics. The rich never pay for that. There isn't an ambulance in the country that's paid for by the rich. There isn't a soldier that's paid for by the rich. There isn't a schoolteacher in a public school paid for by the rich. That doesn't happen.

Your putting our country into debt is what Admiral Mullen said is the biggest issue in national security. It's what the debt commission said we couldn't do. There's nothing in this bill that's fiscal sanity. It's insanity. We fixed this debt by closing these tax loopholes, and now you want to give them away. Shame on you.

Announcement by the Acting Chair

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Dr. Robert G. Gard, Jr. and his spouse Dr. Janet Wall of Monterey, California, as the Philanthropists of the Year chosen by the Monterey Institute for International Studies for their commitment to enriching the lives of the Institute's scholars.

Retiring after 31 years in the United States Army, Dr. Gard became President of the Monterey Institute for International Studies. He has been awarded the Defense Distinguished Flying Cross and the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, the Silver Star, and the Bronze Star. Dr. Robert Gard has served our country proudly and it is with great enthusiasm that he continues to contribute to the community.

Dr. Janet Wall, an author and expert on career development and educational review continues to donate her skills to the Institute's Yellow Ribbon program, which offers scholarships and career advice to returned military veterans. Her kindness and guidance has led many veterans to graduate from the Institute and attain successful careers.

Dr. Gard and Dr. Wall established the Gard `n' Wall Scholarship in Nonproliferation Studies to assist ambitious candidates to excel in the field of Nonproliferation Studies. The esteemed couple has also donated generously to the Robert Gard Scholarship, set up by the Institute to honor the work of Dr. Gard. I am proud to be a part of honoring Drs. Gard and Wall and that I am able to associate myself with the Monterey Institute of International Studies.

Madam Speaker, it is a tremendous honor to recognize Dr. Robert Gard and Dr. Janet Wall for their continued support of the Monterey Institute for International Studies. The Institution is a jewel of higher education on the Central Coast and I offer my sincerest congratulations to this accomplished couple.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and service of United States Army Staff Sergeant Vincent Wayne Ashlock, who died on December 4, 2010, while serving in Khost Province, Afghanistan. Wayne, as he was known to his family and friends, was a loving father, husband, brother, and son who devoted his life in equal measures to his family and our nation. Public service was his calling, and while his death leaves a void in the lives of his family, friends, and comrades, Staff Sergeant Ashlock's patriotism, loyalty, and love, will remain an example to all who had the privilege to know him.

Wayne was born in San Jose, California on May 10, 1965. He grew up in the small farming and military town of Merced in the heart of California's San Joaquin Valley. He enjoyed a small town childhood surrounded by brothers and sisters playing little league baseball and exploring Bear Creek.

Wayne began his military career by enlisting in the Army at age eighteen. He served for ten years on active duty before leaving the Army for civilian life. Following the 9/11 attack, his sense of duty and patriotism led Wayne to enlist in the California National Guard. As a Guardsman, Wayne deployed to Iraq, where he drew on his military experience to help train Ugandan troops. He later sought deployment to Afghanistan. To accomplish this, he transferred from the California National Guard, which had no immenant Afghanistan deployments scheduled, to the Mississippi National Guard which did. Once in there, Wayne served with the 287th Engineer Co., 176 Engineer Bde., 101st Airborne Div. (Air Assault). His unit was assigned to help clear homemade bombs and discover ambushes in front of other units. During his military service, Wayne earned many awards and commendations, among them the Army Commendation Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal with a Bronze Service Star, and the Iraq Campaign Medal with a Bronze Service Star.

Wayne is survived by his wife, Angela, and five children, Kali, Jesse, Steven, Erica and Christopher, two grandchildren, Addison and Brady, brothers Ryan, Lonnie, and sister Dawn, his mother Margot, and grandmother Bonnie.

Madam Speaker, I know I speak for the whole House in expressing our heartfelt condolences to Staff Sergeant Ashlock's family. Their loss is our nation's loss. Their pain is our nation's pain. Public service was his calling, and while his death leaves a void in the lives of his family, friends, and comrades, Staff Sergeant Ashlock's patriotism, loyalty, and love, will remain an example to all who had the privilege to know him.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Philip Mark Coniglio, Sr. who recently passed away at the age of 85. I am honored that I have this opportunity to recognize this great man as a prominent community businessman and a wonderful friend.

Philip was born and raised in Monterey, California. He attended Monterey High School and Hartnell College. After serving in the Army from 1943 to 1945, Philip worked with his uncles growing grapes. This led Philip to take an interest in grapes and thus, the wine industry. He owned and operated Mediterranean Market for 41 years which was known as a landmark for gourmet food and wines.

Philip was heavily involved in the community; he was a member of the Knights of Columbus, Italian Catholic Federation, Paisano, Sierra Club, and the Compare Club. He also maintained a long-standing tradition of entertaining and cooking dinner for family and friends on Sundays.

I will always remember Philip as a traveler. He had been around the world several times and frequently visited the big island of Hawaii.

Philip is survived by his wife of 59 years, Carla Lepori-Pacini Coniglio; his daughter Cara Mia Coniglio and granddaughter, Tiana Marie Lagemann; daughter, Lisa Paula Kaufmann and son-in-law, Mark Kaufmann and grandsons, Michael Colin and Patrick Joseph Kaufmann; son, Philip Coniglio Jr., and daughter-in-law Star Bullock Coniglio and granddaughter Margaux Isabella Coniglio; and his brother, Peter Coniglio.

Madam Speaker, Philip Mark Coniglio, Sr. touched the lives of many people in the community. He will be missed and I know I speak for the whole House in honoring the life of this dedicated and loving man.

Madam Speaker, I rise to remember the life Dr. Dick B. ``Coach'' Lawitzke, who passed away at the age of 84. I am honored to recognize this great man who lived his life helping others.

Dick graduated from Humboldt State College in 1950. Shortly after, he was drafted into the U.S. Army and married his college sweetheart, Millicent. They soon named the beautiful Monterey Peninsula home. He became Superintendent, Principal, teacher, and bus driver of Carmelo Elementary School from 1956 to 1958. Dick was also a sports enthusiast which is why many remember him simply as ``Coach''. He was Athletic Director at Carmel High School and coached championship teams in basketball and football.

I believe that every community needs a person like Dick; he was always involved in programs positively influencing kids and adamant about adult education. We were close and remained in close contact until recently.

Dick leaves his wife, Millicent; children Loree Burroughs, Amy Consul, and Milton ``Mo'' Lawitzke; grandchildren Travis Fluegge, Edward Lee Lawitzke, Cayden and Ian Burroughs, and Margo and Nina Consul.

Madam Speaker, I know that the Carmel area community will continue to benefit from the work that Dick ``Coach'' Lawitzke did and that he is a shining example to those who were inspired to continue his work.

Mr. Speaker, since I became a Member of Congress, I have always been unwavering in my commitment to repeal the discriminatory Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy.

At a time when our military is already stretched to the breaking point and standards are being lowered to increase recruitment numbers, it is outrageous that thousands of highly skilled soldiers, like Arab linguists, have been forced out of uniform because of their sexual orientation. These gay men and women only want to serve their country with honor.

Changing a social institution is not easy, but President Truman persevered and ended racial discrimination in the military in 1948. Women were accepted into the military in the 1970s, and they now make up 20% of our Armed Forces. Congress rescinded the female combat exemption laws in 1996 and our military personnel, both men and women, are universally acknowledged as the best in the world.

Mr. Speaker, our Armed Forces are resilient and adaptive and will embrace Open Service as they have successfully embraced other social changes it in the past. Repealing this policy is long overdue and will finally allow gays and lesbians to serve their country honorably without fear of being discriminated against by the very Nation they fight to protect.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Pat Loe, on the occasion of her retirement from the San Benito County Board of Supervisors. It has been a pleasure working with Pat on various projects and she will be missed by many.

Pat is a lifelong resident of San Benito County. Prior to her service on the San Benito County Board of Supervisors, she worked for Tiffany Motor Company for 34 years.

Pat first began her career in politics when she was appointed to the San Benito County Planning Commission where she served for 10 years. Her leadership on the Commission prepared her to run for a seat on the Hollister City Council. Pat served on the council for four years and made some momentous advancements for women. She became the first woman to break the glass ceiling and serve as Mayor for the City of Hollister allowing many other councilwomen to follow suit.

On March 5, 2002, Pat was elected to the San Benito County Board of Supervisors, District 3. The County district seat is unique, wholly within an urban area, geographically in central Hollister, defined by its established homes, and its population is dominated by longtime Hollister residents. Pat was reelected on June 6, 2006 to serve a second term of four years. She was Chair of the San Benito County Supervisors in 2006 and also served as Vice-Chair in 2010.

Pat served on various committees including the Council of Governments, Local Agency Formation Commission, Veterans Park Commission, Children and Families First Commission, Community Action Board, Intergovernmental Committee, Juvenile Justice Commission, Local Task Force, Behavioral Health Board, Monterey Bay Unified Air Pollution Control, Association of Monterey Bay Area Governments, City Revolving Loan Fund Committee, Gang Prevention Task Force, and National Association of Counties. She also served on various sub-committees: Community Development Block Grants, Ethics, Library Vision Committee, Governance, Redevelopment, Agency Revolving Loan Fund Board, and New Courthouse Project. She also served on other community organizations such as the Homeless Task Force, Emmaus House and Relay for Life.

Madam Speaker, on behalf of the House of Representatives, I would like to extend our Nation's deepest gratitude to Pat Loe for all of her years of service. I wish her well and hope she enjoys the time with her family and friends. This is not a goodbye for I know that Pat will continue to serve the County of San Benito on other capacities. Pat clearly loves the County of San Benito, and she's changed it, for the better--with her unique brand of gentle persistence.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor a model public servant who dedicated his life to the betterment of the Pajaro Valley on California's central coast. Tony Campos, a native of the Pajaro Valley, has served his community as a city councilmember, a mayor, and a county supervisor since 1987. His leadership and dedication has resulted in many successes. Moreover, his loyalty and compassion made him a dear friend to me and many others.

Tony was born and raised in the Pajaro Valley, graduated from Watsonville High School and attended Cabrillo College. He spent fourteen years working in the sprawling agricultural fields with his father. From this strong foundation, Tony sought to continue his success by becoming a small-business owner. However, the biggest success in his life came in March of 1977 when he married Becky Tegenkamp.

In 1987, Tony was elected as to the Watsonville City Council. He was the first Latino elected to the City Council since the city's incorporation in 1868. Two years later, he demonstrated exemplary leadership in the Loma Prieta earthquake and its aftermath. As Mayor of Watsonville, Tony led the city through one of its worst natural disasters when the Pajaro River overflowed, flooding large portions of the Pajaro Valley.

In June of 1998, Tony became the first Latino elected to the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors since 1853. For twelve years, he fought tirelessly to improve social and health services in the county. Moreover, as Chairman of the Board, Tony has brought further attention to the needs of seniors, Latinos, young people, and farm workers. Recently, Tony accomplished his goal of equal access to the courts and other government services by playing an instrumental role in the construction of the new Watsonville Civic Center.

Madam Speaker, it is my honor to recognize this community leader and to applaud him for his tenure on the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors. As Tony begins the next chapter of his life, he will continue to be a strong advocate for the Pajaro Valley and the Central Coast. I wish my friend and his lovely wife all the best in their future endeavors.

Thank you very much for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this bill but with real dismay.

First, it is ludicrous that Congress continues to pass the SGR instead of to fix it once and for all. This bill, though necessary, doesn't fix what is broken, and we will just find ourselves back here again next year, trying to find a way forward. It is time to ``repeal and replace'' the doctor payment formula and to come up with something new.

Second, this bill contains special ``pork'' favors for certain Midwest Senators which will pay their doctors more than the doctors in other parts of the country--in particular, my State of California.

Section 103 of this bill provides an arbitrary ``floor'' for certain doctors' payments in Iowa and in other Midwest States that will boost their Medicare reimbursements, but this provision does not extend to all doctors in the United States. Iowa will get an additional $17 million in FY 2011, on top of regular Medicare reimbursements, which other States will not get. Over the 2-year cycle of FY 2010-2011, Iowa doctors will be reimbursed over $34 million because of this special ``floor'' in payments inserted by Senator Grassley and by others in that body.

In a bill that is supposed to be ``clean'' and that is supposed to simply advance a moratorium on reductions in the sustained growth rate, section 103 is an abomination. It is plain unfair to doctors in other States.

My doctors in California and especially in my district have suffered for more than a decade under a misaligned doctor payment formula due to outdated geographic locality designations. Despite numerous government reports by the GAO and CMS and despite numerous times that the House has passed legislation to fix this problem, the Senate has refused to accept the fix in favor of tipping the scales in order to satisfy Senator Grassley's whims.

If Congress really wants to do right by doctors, it needs to do right by all doctors. This bill does not do that.

Mr. Speaker, I am very proud to rise before you as a former Peace Corps volunteer, both the Speaker and myself, who know something about living in another country.

Look, we are in the Chamber of the House of Representatives. We have been here every day. We have these debates. Surrounding us every day, we look at these lawgivers, 23 people, all men. Only two have ever been American citizens. All the rest, we worship them, because they had great minds. Most of them lived before the United States was even created.

Those minds are in the children in America, and you are calling them illegal? Is that what you call bright children of your own? You want to raise people in that kind of climate? These kids have done nothing wrong. All they want is to fill that dream, that dream, with all kinds of restrictions that are in this bill. This ain't easy.

My God, give those children, your children, our children, that dream.

I rise today in strong support of the DREAM Act.

Bottom line: The DREAM Act is good for America.

It is good for the economy and it is good for the future competitiveness of our country.

According to Secretary Gates, ``The expansion of the pool of eligible youth that would result from the DREAM Act provides an important opportunity to selectively manage against the highest qualification standards.''

General Colin Powell says the DREAM Act is important because it invests in education and expands educational opportunities for minority students.

I believe that a well-educated population raises the standard of living for all Americans.

Immigrant children brought here illegally through no fault of their own deserve the opportunity to chase the American Dream.

America is still the land of opportunity, and education is the portal for achieving opportunity.

It is vitally important that all students, including undocumented students with good character who are long-term U.S. residents, have the same chance to pursue higher educational opportunities, be eligible for in-state tuition assistance, and earn legal status.

This is a good bill. I am a co-sponsor of this bill and I urge that my colleagues support its passage in the 111th Congress.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Reb Monaco, a model public servant on the occasion of his retirement from the San Benito County Board of Supervisors. I have had great pleasure in working with Reb. I am proud to honor my friend and thank him for his service.

Reb is a second generation Californian. He grew up in Santa Clara County. He graduated from Santa Clara High School and went on to pursue an undergraduate degree from San Jose State University. He also holds a Masters Degree from the University of California Santa Cruz.

In 1968, Reb decided to settle in San Benito County and began his career in public education. He taught grades 6th, 7th, and 8th to special education students in the Hollister School District for 32 years. He also served as adjunct faculty at Gavilan Community College for 14 years teaching health education to college students.

While Reb retired from teaching he still had no desire to stop working. Instead he ventured into a new career in politics. He ran for County Supervisor and was successfully elected to the San Benito County Board, District 4 on November 5, 2002. Reb was subsequently re-elected to serve a second term in 2006. During his tenure he served as Chairman of the Board in 2005 and 2010. He has also served on various committees during the past 8 years including, County Supervisors Associations of California, Local Agency Formation Commission, Monterey Bay Unified Air Pollution Control District and the Veteran's Park Commission. He also served on the Hollister Hills Advisory Committee, National Association of Counties and the following sub-committees: New County Courthouse Project Advisory Group, Courthouse Security Project, In Home Support Services Negotiations, Budget, General Plan Element-Economic Development, Southside Building Use, Juvenile Justice Commission, and the Redevelopment Agency Revolving Loan Fund Board, to name a few.

It has been a pleasure working with Reb on legislation to elevate the Pinnacles National Monument into a full fledged national park. Reb has been the Godfather behind the proposal and every time I see him he reminds me of the work that must be done. Reb has personal connections to the lands in the Pinnacles area and understands the economic development that the park will bring to the region. I admire his tenacity and persistence to continue to push for a Pinnacles National Park.

Reb was a founding member of the California Blacksmith Association, which is composed of diverse group of men and women who have a common interest in working on hot iron metal. The group is dedicated to keeping the art and tradition of blacksmithing alive. Reb is also a 32 Mason one of the highest honors for this national an international freemasonry organization. Reb has many other hobbies and I hope he uses this time to indulge in those things that he likes the most. I know that his wife Jill, two children and grandson are all looking forward to spending more family time together.

Madam Speaker, on behalf of the House of Representatives, I would like to extend our nation's deepest gratitude to Reb Monaco for all of his years of service. He is retiring from the board but I know that he will continue to be involved in the community in other capacities.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Lancelot McClair, who recently passed away at the age of 68 following a long illness.

Lance was born in Arkansas and moved to Seaside at the age of 9. He joined the Navy during the Vietnam War and served on a submarine. On returning home he studied law at Monterey Peninsula College and received his Masters Degree from Golden Gate University. He trained as a police officer and joined the Public Defender's Office as an investigator.

In 1982, he was elected Mayor of Seaside, California. At thirty-nine years old at the time, he was the youngest mayor in the city's history. Lance served as Mayor until 1994, his twelve year tenure setting another record. During that time, Seaside was hit hard by recession, followed by the closure of neighboring Fort Ord, at the time the Army's largest base and home to over 35,000 soldiers and civilians. He worked hard for his city's economic development and promoted tourism.

After his time as Mayor, Lance continued to be involved in local politics, working to strengthen Seaside's position in the county. He made an unsuccessful run for Congress, and later for County Supervisor.

Madam Speaker, Lance McClair is remembered by all as first and foremost a fighter for his city. I know I speak for every Member of Congress in offering our condolences to his wife, Earlene; his mother, Chester Viola McClair; two sons, Todd and R. Vance; daughter, Gigi Stephens; and his many friends upon this great loss.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Curtis J. Hill, a model public servant who is retiring from the position of San Benito County Sheriff/Coroner after a thirty-four year career in law enforcement. Over the course of my tenure in the House of Representatives, I have had the great pleasure of working with Curtis. I have come to value his professionalism and admire his steady counsel on public safety matters. I am proud to honor and thank him for his service.

Curtis was born in Ankara, Turkey. He lived in Germany, Southern California and in Texas before he settled in San Benito County. Curtis holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminology from California State University Fresno. He is also a graduate of the FBI National Academy, a professional course of study for U.S. and international law enforcement leaders that serves to improve the administration of justice in police departments and agencies at home and abroad, which raises law enforcement standards, knowledge, and cooperation worldwide.

Curtis began his career with the San Benito County Sheriff's Office in 1976, working in the Patrol, Training, Civil, Corrections, Coroner and Investigations Divisions. He became a court expert, testifying on problems surrounding illegal drug production. Curtis also became the first Fingerprint Examiner for the Sheriff's Department and gave expert testimony in various high profile court cases. In 1988 he was appointed Undersheriff, by Sheriff Harvey S. Nylan and held the position for ten years. In January 1999, he was elected as Sheriff/Coroner and was reelected to his third term in 2006.

Curtis is the current president of the California State Sheriffs' Association and is the past President of the California State Coroner's Association. He is a past member of the Corrections Standards Authority. At the federal level, Curtis sits on the Health and Human Services Organ Donation Leadership Coordinating Counsel, and is a tireless advocate for saving lives through organ donation. He has been appointed to the Mental Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission and is a strong supporter of prevention and intervention activities for youth.

Madam Speaker, on behalf of the House of Representatives, I would like to extend our nation's deepest gratitude to Sheriff Curtis Hill's thirty-four years of service in law enforcement. He was a great Sheriff/Coroner and he will continue to be a strong community leader, loving husband to wife Ellen and proud father of son Kevin.