Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, today, Mr. Saxton and I are pleased to introduce the bill, Reconstruction and Stabilization Civilian Management Act.

In his State of the Union speech, the President called on Congress to support a civilian response corps which ``would function much like our military reserve. It would ease the burden on the Armed Forces by allowing us to hire civilians with critical skills to serve on missions abroad when America needs them. It would give people across America who do not wear the uniform a chance to serve in the defining struggle of our time.''

The Reconstruction and Stabilization Civilian Management Act would authorize a civilian response corps. Why is this authorization necessary? Since the end of the Cold War, the U.S. has been engaged in a stabilization or reconstruction operation once every 18-24 months. By default, the services have taken on the task of nation building, and OSD Directive 3000.05 makes stabilization and reconstruction operations a core competency of the military.

While our military personnel have done an excellent job for which they have not been trained, filling the void should be the responsibility of the State Department. In order for our operations to be successful, the State Department must fill this void, and can do so by creating a comparable civilian force to take over once the military has stabilized a war-torn country.

Combating failed states requires a complex combination of political, diplomatic, development assistance and military actions, as well as the ability to respond quickly in the immediate aftermath of crisis. The military plays an extremely important role in stabilizing a country, but civilians play an equally important role and have comparative advantage in helping to develop civil society--judicial systems, law enforcement, health care, economic development, trade promotion and other essential sectors to stabilize a country.

The Reconstruction and Stabilization Civilian Management Act establishes the legislative framework for authorizing this integral civilian capacity by:

Authorizing the establishment of the State Department Office of the Coordinator for Reconstruction and Stabilization, S/CRS;

Authorizing the establishment of a 250-person Civilian Response Corps with both Active-Duty and Reserve components. The corps would be rapidly deployed with the military for both initial assessments and operational purposes. They would be the first civilian team on the ground in post-conflict situations, well in advance of the establishment of an embassy.

Establishes personnel exchange programs with other relevant Federal agencies that can help a failed state develop government and civil society infrastructure.

Importantly, the bill promotes a stabilization and reconstruction curriculum and the utilization of already existing programs like the Center for Stabilization and Reconstruction Studies at the Naval Postgraduate School.

I urge my colleagues to cosponsor this important piece of legislation that would greatly assist in improving the capacity of our Government to respond to some of the most important and pressing security threats of our time.

Thank you for yielding.

Madam Speaker, it is a pleasure to see you in the Chair tonight.

I would like to thank the new leadership in the House tonight for the opportunity and the time to allow this body and the Members of this body to go on record about the President's war strategy.

Of course I would prefer that we were debating my bill, H.R. 413, which would rescind the authority that we gave the President to invade Iraq back in October of 2002. I voted against this war then, and I will continue to do so now.

We just cannot thank, though, our leadership. We have to thank the American people, the people that went to the polls in November, who voted for a change and a new direction for this country. You, our constituents, voted for this change, and now you are witnessing the historic debate on the President's policy in Iraq.

This resolution that we are voting on is very simple. It has two sections. The first section affirms our support for our troops who are serving and have served in Iraq.

The second section expresses disapproval over the deployment of 21,000 combat troops in Iraq. These two simple statements aren't legally binding. But they are binding promises to the American people who voted for us to change the direction. Promises are important. When soldiers and their families go to war, our government promises to support them, and that we should.

Just think, if we made the same promise to the school children when they go to school, that we would protect them from school violence and fully support their efforts to get an education, and that we should.

Just think, if we made that promise to provide health care for 47 million Americans who are without health insurance today, and that we should. The promise and the list of promises goes on and on, many unmet domestic needs that are not getting attention because of the war in Iraq.

Some say this resolution is meaningless. I disagree. It is a promise, and promises are important.

If we can support our troops and we can support the teachers who are educating their children, we can support the health care providers that are caring for their loved ones.

By voting for this resolution, we are making a promise to the American people to change United States' policy on the war. This resolution doesn't end the war, but it begins a new direction.

This is the first time that we have said ``enough is enough'' to the President. It is a good start. If we go on record in opposition to troop surge, we can express our disapproval to the country's addiction to oil and to the rich getting richer and the poor getting poorer. We can express our disapproval of the policy that keeps homeless people on the streets, that keeps one in six American children living in poverty, and allows our skies and oceans to continue to be polluted.

So to the American people, I thank you. I thank you for getting involved, because when you do, politicians respond. You have empowered us to chart a new course for the war in Iraq, and I am proud to cast my vote for this resolution.

Today we are keeping our promise to the people, for what we do for our brave troops, we can do for all of God's children. Yes, Mr. President, we can tell you that you are wrong.

In closing, I think what this debate is about is to wake up the world. America is coming back. It is coming back with the most powerful force on Earth, the energized electorate. This resolution is a breath of fresh air in our Nation's Capitol. It is time to get out of Iraq, it is time to lead.

Thank you, Speaker Pelosi, for bringing us this far in just a few short weeks.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to speak in honor of Verna M. Woolfolk-Sloan, who passed away on Wednesday, January 31, at the age of 81. Verna lived in Central California's Monterey County for more than 50 years. In that time she built a great record of personal, professional, and community achievement in advancing equal employment opportunity for women and minorities.

Verna was born in Providence, Kentucky and received straight A's throughout school, indicative of professional successes to come. She graduated as class Valedictorian from Rosenwald High School. Verna married Sergeant First Class Robert D. Sloan and they traveled throughout the United States and Germany with their son Joseph. They first set down roots in Seaside with her husband's 1955 posting to Fort Ord. A lifelong learner, Verna studied at Monterey Peninsula College, was awarded high honors in a Masters Degree in Business Administration from Golden Gate University, and later completed a Ph.D. in Organizational Psychology from International University.

Verna's motivation for education and equal opportunity came from her paternal grandparents, former slaves, who established Woolfolk School as the first Black secondary school in Kentucky. These principles guided her civil service career, which she began in 1956 as a simple typist, before climbing the career ladder as an accountant, manager, and ultimately Director of the U.S. Army's Equal Opportunity Office, which monitored and oversaw equal employment opportunity programs at Fort Ord and Fort McArthur. Here, she was the highest-ranking civilian employee at these bases.

Retiring after forty years of civil service employment gave Verna an opportunity to become ever more deeply involved in her local community as a volunteer. She was a Golden Heritage life member, Secretary and Executive Committee member of the Monterey Peninsula's branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, and held seats on the boards of many Christian, cultural, and women's organizations. Verna was a role model and inspiration to countless young women and minorities in her local Monterey County, and was recognized with a number of awards, including the Outstanding Woman of Achievement Award and the Outstanding Equal Opportunity Officer award.

She is survived by her sister Eloise Wells of Marina, her brother Thomas Woolfolk of Chicago, grandson Joseph Sloan, Jr. of Atlanta, along with numerous beloved family members, including two great great nieces, one great great nephew, and three godchildren. Many of her family are also based in Seaside or Monterey County, which will ensure her legacy is continued and her work remembered in the district.

Madam Speaker, on behalf of the House, I would like to extend our Nation's deepest thanks for Verna's service to the United States and her local community. Her dedication and commitment opened the door to equal opportunity for many to whom that door would have otherwise been closed, and I know that I speak for every member of Congress when I say that it is our honor to recognize her today.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the 75th anniversary of the Japanese American Citizens League of the Monterey Peninsula. On January 25, 1932, two years after the national Japanese American Citizens League was formed, 18 charter members organized this local chapter to fight against discriminatory legislation and racial prejudice, and to help their first generation citizens (Issei) navigate through the American bureaucracy in such matters as alien registration.

Throughout the 1930's, the chapter involved itself in the larger community. In 1937, they made a giant American Flag to carry in the Independence Day parade. They reasoned that only a few people could ride on a float but 60 people could carry this huge flag. Another way they assimilated into the community was to participate in organized sports. The JACL-sponsored Monterey Minato established a formidable reputation and broke records in several sports because of its gifted athletes. From 1934 to the outbreak of World War II, the Monterey Minatos virtually dominated all other teams within the Central California Coast Counties Athletic Association. In 1938, just three Minato trackmen won nine of the eleven events at the YMCA Olympics at Kezar Stadium in San Francisco.

Built in 1927, the JACL Hall was originally the Japanese Association building, erected for the purpose of creating a community center for immigrant Japanese. In 1942, the leaders of the Japanese Association gifted the building to the JACL as a way to keep it serving the community. During World War II, the building was used by the National Guard, and after the war it became a hostel for returning internees. Today the Hall plays host to the JACL Japanese Language School, Nisei Memorial Post 1629 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Chinese Language School, Nisei Bowling League, Monterey and Satsuma Bonsai Clubs, Mugen Shinshu Daiko (Japanese Drum) classes, Tai Chi, and Jazzercize. The JACL Hall has truly become an Asian Cultural Center.

Today the chapter continues to fight for tolerance and diversity, helps its members preserve their cultural heritage, and assists new immigrants assimilate into society. As they begin their eighth decade, they will build on their 75-five year commitment to redress racism in our society, so that the next generation truly experiences equal justice under law.

Madam Speaker, I know all our colleagues join me in applauding the JACL and in wishing them continued success for these most admirable goals.

Madam Speaker, I rise to commend Scott Haskins on successfully swimming the English Channel. It is considered one of the most challenging swims in the world. This has been accomplished by fewer than 850 swimmers. Scott, a California native, became the first in the Haskins family to swim the English Channel.

Scott Haskins was born on July 3, 1964. His father Sam Haskins, my first cousin, and mother Judy Chapman Haskins live in the San Francisco Bay area. Scott has a sister Eliza and brother John, and is married to wife Elizabeth ``Timmie'' Friend.

Scott learned to swim at the age of 4 in a swimming pool and began swimming in the ocean at the age of 5. Scott swam butterfly and freestyle events competitively from age 11 to 20. He first began swimming open water events in 1990--mostly one and two mile swims in the San Francisco Bay Area. Scott swam his first long distance open water swim in 1994.

In 1995, Scott achieved the level of All American Long Distance Swimmer with the U.S. Masters Swimming in 1995 and 1996. On August 3, 1996, Scott swam around the island of Manhattan, a distance of 28.5 miles.

In 2006, Scott trained for 6 months at the Dolphin Club in San Francisco, California. His training included daily swimming as well as a 6-hour swim, an 8-hour swim, and a 10-hour swim in preparation to swim the English Channel.

On August 16th, with brother John on board the boat Galivant, Scott began to swim across the English Channel toward France. Scott finished with an official time of 10 hours and 25 minutes. Scott's time is in the top 18 percent of the fastest Channel swims.

To celebrate his great accomplishment, Scott with his family at his side, went to a tavern in Dover, England that is frequented by swimmers and a place where many have ``signed in'' on the walls and ceiling after completing their Channel swims. Scott also ``signed in'' on the ceiling next to the other Channel swimmers from San Francisco's Dolphin Club.

Madam Speaker, I take this opportunity to congratulate Scott Haskins on successfully swimming the English Channel and to recognize him for this outstanding achievement.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of a true national servant. Frederick Johnsen, a 9-year volunteer and contributor to Hospice of the Central Coast, passed away peacefully on Thursday, November 16, 2006. He was 71 years young.

Mr. Johnsen was born in Newark, New Jersey and attended primary schools in Union, New Jersey, and University of Omaha from where he graduated with a B.S. in 1963. Fred retired from the Army in 1980 after 22 years of service with the rank of Major. His outstanding military service earned him the Bronze Star Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters twice, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, and the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (Dominican Republic). Upon his retirement, Fred and his wife Edith, settled in Marina, California, adjacent to his last duty station at Fort Ord.

During his early years of retirement he enjoyed teaching sailing at the Naval Postgraduate School. He was a founding member of Sun Street Center, and SeaRina Community Recovery Center Advisory Board. He loved growing roses and was a member and president of the Monterey Bay Rose Society and served as a Consulting Rosarian. Most recently he was known for his supportive role as husband and confidante to my good friend Edith Johnsen, former Mayor of Marina and Supervisor for the Fourth District of Monterey. He took great pleasure in gourmet cooking, sports--especially NASCAR racing--and his relationships in the community.

Fred is survived by Edith Vallo Johnsen, his wife of 48 years; his sons, Christopher of Portland and Kenneth of Miami; his brother, Robert Johnsen and his mother, Margaret Salerno Johnsen of Union, New Jersey; along with numerous beloved family members.

Madam Speaker, on behalf of the House, I would like to extend our Nation's deep gratitude for Fred's service to the United States and his own local community. I know I speak for every Member of Congress in offering our condolences to Edith and the whole Johnsen family for the loss of their beloved husband, father, son, and brother.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of Jack Kakis, a war hero who immigrated to the United States from his native Greece and created his American Dream.

Jack was born in Thessalonica in Greece in 1920. When his country was occupied by Italian and German troops during World War II, he served with the U.S. Office of Strategic Services, a precursor to the Central Intelligence Agency. Trained by British commandos in guerrilla operations, he was commissioned as an officer and led his men on horseback through Greece harassing the occupying armies. He received the Medal for Bravery Under Duress from his government, the National Medal of Greek Resistance, and was inducted into the Military Order of the World Wars.

After the war, he studied agriculture in Greece, working in that field until he was recalled to active duty because of the Greek Civil War, during which he attained the rank of major. In 1951, following that conflict he and his wife, Mirka, immigrated to the United States.

Jack arrived in this country with no English skills. He drove a flower delivery truck in New York City while attending night school. Eventually he earned a master's degree in horticulture from the University of Connecticut, also mastering English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, and German. He arrived in

Monterey County, California to work for Basic American Foods Company, where his language skills took him all over the world. On leaving Basic he set up his own business, Monterey Agricultural Products, which specialized in garlic. Jack was given the title ``Garlic King'' by the agricultural industry because of his expertise with that crop, and he was the first president of the Order of the Stinking Rose, an association of garlic growers and processors.

Jack continued to be active in agriculture even in retirement. He worked with Volunteers in Overseas Cooperative Assistance, helping Central American Indians become more self-sufficient by growing and selling crops. One of his favorite charities was the American Farm School at the Thessalonica Agricultural and Industrial Institute in Greece, which has provided free education to Greek children since 1904, and where he was a trustee.

Madam Speaker, I honor the life of Jack Kakis, a man who worked hard and diligently to make a place for himself and his family in his adopted country, but who never forgot his homeland and worked for the betterment of people in need all over the world.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor one of my district's most colorful characters, Joyce Smith Stevens. Joyce is known for her outspoken devotion to local environmental issues, and for her wonderful sense of humor.

Joyce was born in Seattle, WA, in 1927. She graduated from the University of Washington in 1954 with a degree in architecture. Encountering gender discrimination in this ``man's field,'' and looking at the experiences of female civilians working for the government, she decided that she would be happier in that environment. As a single mother, she moved to Carmel, CA, in 1962 and took a job as Post Engineer at Fort Ord, working there until her retirement more than 20 years later.

One of Joyce's proudest achievements was designing the Post Chapel at Fort Hunter Liggett. It is located near the Hacienda, which was designed by another female California architect, Julia Morgan. She also convinced, pestered, actually, the Army into protecting some rare native plant habitat at Fort Ord. Because of her persistence she had the satisfaction of seeing Fort Ord receive ecology awards.

Joyce's commitment to the community is unparalleled. She appointed herself full-time activist to save everything we all love about the Monterey Peninsula. As chair of the Ventana Chapter of the Sierra Club, she was devoted to protecting our local natural setting. She served on the Board of Trustees of Big Sur Land Trust, which is dedicated to preserving the wild lands of Big Sur. Joyce joined Pine Watch to educate people about the significance of our native Monterey Pine Forest, with the goal of creating a Monterey Pine State Park.

For over 20 years Joyce served on the Carmel Area Wastewater District. She became known as the ``Sewer Queen'' for her work to save the Carmel River by encouraging the increased use of treated wastewater and thus reduce pumping from the river. She formed the Dunes Coalition to save the Monterey Bay shores from development. Eventually this concept grew into the Monterey Bay State Shore. She also created the Hatton Canyon Coalition to preserve the scenic beauty of Carmel and the canyon.

Joyce was very active in the local chapter of the American Institute of Architects and was one of the founders of AIA's Carmel Sand Castle Contest--a great Carmel tradition. It is generally suspected that she volunteered to

serve as a judge in order to solicit bribes. However it started, it has become part of the fun of the event for judges to offer to accept bribes from the various competitors, champagne being a favorite.

In all of these activities, she never hesitates to roll up her sleeves and do the actual work, whether it is getting up at 5 a.m. to pull weeds, or working on dune planting during winter storms. She uses her graphics skills to convince the public that they don't want to see resorts on the beaches, freeways in the canyons, and mega-mansions all over our native forest habitat. Joyce is a gem among gems, and we are indebted to her for her fierce devotion to the importance and the beauty of our natural resources.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Richard Stillwell, who, after spending the past 56 years as a firefighter in Pacific Grove, California, has finally decided to retire at the age of 76.

Richard grew up in Pacific Grove, and upon graduating from high school he submitted his application to the Pacific Grove Volunteer Fire Department. The following year he was promoted to a paid position as Fire Engineer. He worked as a paid firefighter for 11 years. In 1962, he resigned from the paid staff to pursue another career, but remained a vital member of the Volunteer Department. Richard was promoted to Volunteer Assistant Chief in 1995, and will hold the title of Honorary Volunteer Fire Chief upon his retirement. No other person in the history of the town has achieved this honorable rank.

Richard is known around town as ``Mr. P.G.,'' and for good reason. He is involved in many community organizations and sponsors several scholarships for students at his alma mater, Pacific Grove High School. He is especially helpful to the young volunteer firemen and finds their enthusiasm for the service keeps him young. He was recently given the Department's highest honor, the Medal of Valor for his meritorious service. Special recognition must be given to his wife, Bev, and their family, for supporting him throughout his career. Over the years, there is no way to count how many birthday parties, Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners, and nights of sleep Richard missed while serving his town.

Madam Speaker, I would like to honor Richard Stillwell for the many years that he spent serving and protecting Pacific Grove.

Mr Speaker, I rise today to honor Sister Julie Hyer, O.P., whose uncommon mixture of faith, benevolence and business savvy has seen the Dominican Hospital of Santa Cruz through twenty-two years of exceptional service and growth.

As president and CEO of Dominican Hospital, Sister Julie sat at the helm of Santa Cruz County's largest health care facility. With 1,700 employees, 500 doctors on staff and more than 500 volunteers--to say nothing of the hundreds of patients Dominican Hospital serves daily in its 369 beds--Sister Julie has overseen a considerable operation and done so without compromising individualized care and treatment.

Under Sister Julie's leadership, Dominican Hospital has implemented numerous programs and services which address the particular needs of our community; from the Infant Hearing Assessment program, to Occupational Rehabilitation, to the ShareCare Health Plan for Older Adults, Sister Julie has ensured that Dominican Hospital is prepared to see patients through every stage of their lives. Other services, such as Dominican's Tattoo Removal

Program which gives former gang members a chance to start a new phase of their lives, reflect Sister Julie's all-embracing approach to the health of our community.

To accommodate such a bold and comprehensive vision of health care, she has driven the hospital's steady institutional growth by continuously improving its facilities and establishing relationships with other distinguished healthcare organizations. Under Sister Julie's guidance, Dominican Hospital has seen three major building expansions, multiple remodels, and affiliation with Catholic Healthcare West, the eighth largest hospital system in the Nation.

The laurels of her tenure are as numerous as they are invaluable. They are the realization of Sister Julie's faith in action and a testament to the power of earnest and solemn goodwill.

Mr. Speaker, for all that she has done and all that she will undoubtedly continue to do, I extend my most sincere thanks and warmest wishes to Sister Julie in her retirement.

Madam Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to Congressman Lane Evans, who is retiring after serving this institution honorably for 24 years.

As Ranking Member of the House Veterans' Affairs Committee, Rep. Evans has served not only his 17th District constituents, but he has also been the voice for veterans nationwide. As a Marine and Vietnam veteran, Rep. Evans had a deep and abiding understanding of veterans' issues and a keen sense of the unique issues affecting Vietnam veterans, like Agent Orange. He has been a tireless advocate for improving veterans' health care and benefits and was not afraid to challenge the Veterans Administration if he thought they were shortchanging veterans' programs, particularly VA services for homeless veterans.

He shone a bright light on the horrific problems of antipersonnel land mines and authored the first law prohibiting the export of landmines which ultimately led to the awarding of the 1997 Nobel Peace Prize to the International Campaign to Ban Land Mines. His legacy on landmines has saved countless lives around the globe.

It is with a heavy heart that I bid farewell to Rep. Lane Evans, one of the most dedicated and principled public servants that I have ever had the privilege to serve with. Semper Fi.

I would just like to thank everybody who has worked on this bill and why, a lot of people have spoken on it, it is late at night, I know people would like to get on with the rest of the agenda for tonight. Put it in this perspective, this is the farm bill for the ocean. Next year we will spend a lot of time, an awful lot of time discussing the farm bill.

What has come here is a 10-year effort since the last reauthorization, Magnuson-Stevens, to really pull all factors together. I think a body that is sitting and watching this tonight who ought to be thanked is the sea grant fellows who have come and spent a year here in the Congress who as doctorates and master's degrees in marine fisheries and marine sciences have helped a lot with this bill.

I would particularly like to thank Letice Houser, who is spending her last week here in Congress as a sea grant fellow, and to all of the Members who have worked so hard. It is a good bill, and I hope it gets implemented in a very effective way to help fisheries in a responsible manner in the future.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Officer John Green of the Santa Cruz Police Department. During his tenure, Officer Green served in the Patrol Section as a Patrol Officer and Field Training Officer as a Detective in the Investigation Section and with the Santa Cruz County Narcotics Enforcement Team. He is a man of honor and will be greatly missed.

Officer Green was born in Long Island, New York and grew up in Queens, New York to a family of two sisters and one brother. He enlisted in the Navy in 1975 and was stationed in Jamaica, New York. He was an Aviation Machinest Mate First Class. He later transferred to Moffett Field, California and remained there until his discharge in 1981.

Upon discharge, John worked as a Maintenance Technician for a large corporation in Santa Clara, California before beginning a career in law enforcement when on February 3, 1986, Officer Green was sworn in as a Police Patrol Officer. In 1984, John was hired as a Deputy Sheriff with the Alameda County Sheriff's Department where he worked in the detention facility for 2 years before being hired by the Santa Cruz Police Department in 1986.

John attended several U.S. Navy Aircraft Mechanics schools, studied at Mission College in Santa Clara, California and graduated from the Alameda County Sheriff's Department Police Academy.

John's dedication to the community first began with his service to the United States, but it did not stop there. His desire to become a police officer revolved around his desire to serve the community and its citizens through law enforcement. He enjoys interacting and working with members of the community and strives to help keep our community safer. Community members describe him as professional, poised, kind, thorough, and having a positive attitude. One person even stated, ``His compassion for people, kindness . . . open and friendly attitude puts everyone at ease.'' Officer Green is a man of integrity and respect.

John has been married for 13 years to his wife Sharon. They have three children; Brandon, 12; Melissa, 20 and Lori, 31. In John's spare time he likes to fish, travel and spend time with friends and family. His retirement plans include more fishing, traveling, and time with friends and family, plus working part time and engaging in volunteer work of some sort.

Mr. Speaker, for all of these reasons it is with great joy that I acknowledge Officer John Green of the Santa Cruz Police Department for 20 years of service to the community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor my good friend Nancy Ann Budden as she transitions to a new career. She currently serves as Associate Provost for Strategic Development at the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California, and as of December 1, 2006 she will become the Director for Counter Terrorism Technology under the Secretary of Defense.

Nancy graduated from Carmel High School with the highest honors, earned her Bachelor of Sciences in Earth Sciences from the University of California at Santa Cruz in 1974, went on to get her Master of Sciences in Marine Geology from Oregon State University's School of Oceanography in 1977, and also took an M.B.A. at California Lutheran University's Graduate School of Business in 1982, again with highest honors. From earth science to counter terrorism seems like a big step, but it's not at all surprising for those of us who know Nancy.

In 1977 Ms. Budden joined Union Oil Company of California, (UNOCAL), as an exploration geologist and oceanographer. There she conducted research and wellsite geology, and served as chief scientist on research vessels conducting exploratory cruises off the shore of California.

In 1983 she joined the National Science Foundation in Washington D.C. as a White House Placement in the Reagan Administration, where she worked in Science Policy and Planning for the Assistant Director for Geosciences.

Nancy began a long career with NASA in 1988 at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, where she was Manager of the Office of Science Integration within the Lunar and Mars Exploration Program Office. During those years she participated in mission planning for human missions to the Moon and to Mars, published technical papers in professional journals and books, spoke to professional and government audiences around the world, and appeared on television programs and films dealing with the human exploration of space. She accepted several special assignments: Project Scientist for the NASA and NSF Antarctic Space Analog Program, and Acting Deputy Director of NASA's Mission Development Office. Nancy continues her association with NASA to this day as Acting Chair of NASA Headquarters Advisory Committee on Planetary Protection, and as Visiting Scientist to the Lunar and Planetary Institute. She is also an Associate Fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics.

In 1999 Nancy's husband, R. Terrance Budden, President of UNOCAL, was transferred to Dhaka, Bangladesh with UNOCAL Bangladesh, Ltd. Nancy and their son, Spencer, accompanied him on this assignment. Nancy worked two years there as Director of the Office of External Affairs. In that short period of time Nancy was instrumental in building the first tuberculosis hospital in Bangladesh, four regional libraries, and seven schools. She was a team leader for the regional joint USAID and UNOCAL Polio Campaign, and in 2000 she coordinated national flood relief efforts with CARE and Shell Oil Company.

After Bangladesh she returned to the Monterey Bay area with her family and began yet another career at the Naval Postgraduate School as Associate Provost for Strategic Development. In this capacity she worked with various directorates within the defense, intelligence and academic realms to advance the mission and accomplishments of NPS. These included the Office of the Secretary of Defense, the Combatant Commands, Combating Terrorism Technology Task Force, OSD Office of Stabilization and Reconstruction, Departments of Homeland Defense and Homeland Security, the Office of Naval Research, NASA, the National Science Foundation, and advisory bodies such as the Defense Science Board, National Research Council, and the Naval Research Advisory Committee.

I have known and worked with Nancy over a number of years, but especially in helping save the NPS and DLI from base closure efforts. Her inside work was most helpful and in the end, successful.

Mr. Speaker, I join her colleagues, friends, and family in congratulating her on this well-deserved promotion.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the generosity of the co-owners of the Shadowbrook Restaurant in the city of Capitola, Ted Burke and Bob Muncey. The Shadowbrook is known as one of the best restaurants in Santa Cruz County. But I am not here to commend them on their wonderful cuisine. I stand here today to thank them for their humanity and kindness to those in need.

Since 1982, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Santa Cruz County has created one-on-one mentoring relationships between children and responsible, caring, and dependable adult volunteers. These volunteers provide guidance and friendship to children in need. Many times these adults act as role models to children who lack this type of support system in their homes. The vast majority of the children live in very low-income, single-parent households. The mentoring services of Big Brothers Big Sisters have proven effective in preventing juvenile delinquency and decreasing school drop out rates. It also improves self-esteem, as well as peer-family relationships. By exposing children to new opportunities, the volunteer mentors show that options do exist; no matter how difficult the child's situation or life experience.

In 1986, Ted Burke and Bob Muncey began a tradition of closing down the Shadowbrook Restaurant to host a luncheon for the little brothers and sisters and their mentors. Ted Burke has carried on this tradition. During the past 20 years, over 1,000 children and volunteer mentors have shared the warmth of the holiday season at a restaurant many of the children may never have had the pleasure to dine at. Not only do the co-owners provide an amazing festive meal to the children, but the staff of the establishment volunteer their time to serve the children and volunteers.

Ted is no stranger to the challenges of raising a family. He has been a single parent and knows the value of mentoring in a child's life. He values those who take their time to spend with children, and he is aware that many of these children neither expect nor ask for anything in return. For many of the children, the holidays serve as an additional reminder of the hardship they face, as there may be very few if any gifts beneath the tree. Ted and his staff kindly share the holiday spirit with these children. This annual luncheon is a way to not only thank the mentors for their dedication and service, but to bring joy to the children during the holiday season.

Mr. Speaker, for all of these reasons it is with gratitude that I acknowledge the Shadowbrook Restaurant during this holiday season for 20 years of unselfish giving.