Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Bill Sambrailo, a community leader who dedicated his life to improving the agriculture industry. Mr. Sambrailo passed away on January 31st, 2004, at the age of 76. He is survived by his wife Eileen Bromber Sambrailo and three children, Mark, Judy, and Michael, as well as seven grandchildren.

Bill Sambrailo was born in Watsonville, California to Charles and Henrietta King Sambrailo. He was an avid athlete and played on the football team at Watsonville High School, graduating in 1945. Bill attended Santa Clara University where he played running back on the university football team, including an appearance in the Orange Bowl. He graduated with a degree in business in 1950.

Bill went on to manage his family's business, with the help of his brother Chuck, and quickly became an entrepreneur and inventor. Bill helped the business grow by inventing new corrugated tray designs for containing produce, increasing their shelf life. He also started the Samco Plastic Company which invented and produced the green mesh baskets used for strawberries in the spring. He later invented the clamshell package designed to store many varieties of produce ranging from potatoes, beans, peas, strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and cherries. Samco Plastic Company also holds a patent on MIXIM packaging which produces extremely efficient packaging materials that condense the produce into smaller areas without damaging them. In addition to his agricultural successes, Bill also became the founding director of the Pajaro Valley Bank, and later the director of the new First National Bank.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to express my deepest sympathy to Bill's family and honor him by celebrating his life and contribution to society. Furthermore, anyone who has purchased strawberries or raspberries can thank Bill for the packaging that keeps them fresh. Bill was admired by all for his dedication to both his business and community, and will be greatly missed.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Emmett V. ``Bud'' Beauregard--husband, father, and friend. For over 60 years, he managed to preserve the traditional flavor of his historic market, Shoppers Corner, and has been a valued community member and family man. Bud ran his market with the reputation as a demanding but fair boss who spoke his mind and he is remembered today as a hardworking and dedicated member of the community, who went head to head with corporate chains with his traditional market and left it as a legacy that still thrives.

A Santa Cruz native, Bud was born August 10, 1917 to Dwight and Cecelia Beauregard. He was a graduate of Chaminade High School, and as a boy he worked for the Espindola Grocery Store on Pacific Avenue. This led to the opportunity to buy Shoppers Corner from Ed Calwell and Carl Schwartz in 1938 with his long time friend and business partner, Vincent Williams. The transaction was famously finalized on a piece of butcher paper and with a hand shake over a barrel of pickles.

During World War II Bud was drafted and served for four years in the Army Air Corp. In 1940 he met Patricia Oaks and in 1942, while stationed in Blytheville, Arkansas, the couple married. Following his military service he returned to Santa Cruz where he resumed his ownership of Shoppers Corner and continued to build the business into a successful and well known local establishment. Bud's son Jim now owns and runs the Shoppers Corner in the family tradition learned from father to son.

Mr. Speaker, I believe don't believe that it is an exaggeration to say that Bud Beauregard was a community icon in Santa Cruz, and a tireless advocate for ``Main Street'' versus ``Wall Street''. He is survived by his daughters, Cheryl Ann Beauregard and Joanne Malmin; son, Jim Beauregard and sister, Vernie Reed. He is also survived by his five grandchildren, Ryan Beauregard, Andre Beauregard, Michael Ann Demille, Troy Malmin and Hayley Malmin and two great grandchildren, Emily Demille and Robert Demille. He was preceded in death by his wife, Patricia Beauregard in 2000 and his son, Michael Beauregard in 1976. He will be missed by many in the community, as well as his family.

Mr. Speaker, as a strong supporter of ending violence against women, I look forward to the day that this House debates legislation that will actually make women safer. Unfortunately, the main goal of H.R. 1997 is undermining the freedom of choice, rather than protecting pregnant women.

I strongly oppose H.R. 1997, which provides that whoever causes the death of, or bodily injury to, a fetus, embryo, zygote, or otherwise fertilized cell would be guilty of a separate criminal offense, and the punishment would be the same as if the violent act had been committed against an adult. By elevating a fetus to the same legal status as an adult, this legislation seeks to recognize the existence of a separate legal ``person'' where none currently exists. This creates the legal ability to threaten the Supreme Court's decision in Roe v. Wade. Moreover, H.R. 1997 does not recognize two victims but focuses solely upon providing legal protections for the fetus. the crime perpetrated against the woman is absent from the bill altogether.

The issue of violence against women is a serious and concerning problem that deserves our attention and resources. I support the Democratic substitute to H.R. 1997, the Motherhood Protection amendment. Without unnecessarily engaging in the abortion debate, this substitute creates a new, separate federal offense for any violence or assault against a pregnant woman that interrupts or terminates her pregnancy. Crimes committed against pregnant women are heinous and should be punished to the fullest extent of the law, and the Democratic substitute accomplishes that without undermining the principles of Roe v. Wade.

Given the broad attention that many members have focused on this particular issue of protecting women from violence, I am looking forward to similar support for the full funding of the Violence Against Women Act, which is currently funded 200 million dollars below the authorization level.

I encourage my colleagues to support women both in their right to be protected from violence, and in their right to reproductive freedom: support the Motherhood Protection substitute, and oppose H.R. 1997.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Dennis Powers, former Director of Stanford University's Hopkins Marine Station and Harold A. Miller Professor of Biological Sciences. He passed away on December 8, 2003, at the age of 65, following a long illness.

Dennis was born on May 4, 1938 in Dearborn, Michigan. He served in the United States Marine Corps' First Reconnaissance Company from 1957 to 1959 and then in the Marine Corps Reserve from 1960-1963. In 1963 he graduated from Ottawa University in Ottawa, Kansas; he was married this same year. Dr. Powers received a PhD from the University of Kansas in 1970 and subsequently completed postdoctoral research at both the State University of New York-Stony Brook and the Marine Biology Laboratory at Woods Hole, Massachusetts. From 1972 to 1988 he held multiple positions at Johns Hopkins University, including chair of the Department of Biology, Director of the McCollum-Pratt Institute for Biochemistry, and Acting Director of the Chesapeake Bay Institute.

In 1988 he became Director of Stanford's Hopkins Marine Station, which is located in Pacific Grove, on the Monterey Peninsula. Dr. Powers held the Director's position until 2000. I think one of his colleagues stated it best when she said, ``Dennis Powers' impact on Hopkins Marine Station has been enormous.'' His legacy at Hopkins includes collaborating with others to establish four new endowed chair positions, ensuring construction of a new research and teaching facility, and working with the Monterey Bay Aquarium to launch the Tuna Research and Conservation Center.

Dr. Powers was a brilliant research scientist and dedicated administrator. His scientific career involved development of ``integrative biology,'' a branch of biological inquiry whereby scientists study the interconnections between the microscopic and macroscopic levels of biological organization. This discipline recognizes the fundamental fact that all levels of biological systems, from a tiny cell to a whole ocean basin, play important roles in the overall health and well-being of our living systems. Dennis's inquiry into marine organisms, particularly fishes, focused on understanding how genetic information helps animals survive under different, and often-times stressful, environmental conditions. In addition to his contributions to integrative biology, he was known for his efforts to integrate biomedical research techniques into the areas of marine biology and environmental science.

Dr. Powers mentored numerous students, was active in many scientific societies, and served on the editorial boards of multiple peer-reviewed academic journals, including Physiological and Biochemical Zoology as well as Biological Oceanography.

Mr. Speaker, Dennis Powers was a brilliant scientist and an exceptional person, and for these reasons, I am proud to be able to honor him today. I wish to express my condolences to his three daughters, Kathi, Julie, and Wendy, and his four grandchildren.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. Joe Watson on being the 2004 recipient of the Monterey Peninsula NAACP Branch's highest award, The President's Award. This award is being presented to Mr. Watson for his lengthy and outstanding service, dedication and contributions the Monterey Peninsula Branch of the NAACP.

Mr. Watson was born July 21, 1944, in Wilcox County, the town of Camden, Alabama during the height of Jim Crow segregation. The degradation that African Americans underwent during that period left an indelible imprint on Joe's life, resulting in a lifetime commitment for fighting for equal rights and social

justice for all people. He graduated from Camden Academy High School in 1962 and entered the Armed Forces that same year, spending one tour of duty in Vietnam.

After his tour in Vietnam, in which he was honorably discharged from the army, Mr. Watson relocated to the Monterey Peninsula, taking up residence in Seaside in 1966. While working for the Firestone Tire and Rubber Company in Salinas, Joe was elected to the executive board of the local United Rubber Workers Union, AFL-CIO, and served on that board until 1980 when the plant closed. He took his union leadership with him when changing careers to a meat cutter, becoming first a member and then the leader of the United Food and Commercial Workers Union, Local 506. As shop steward and as an executive board member of the UFCW local, Joe was instrumental in bringing a civil rights activist's approach to dealing with issues and negative actions by employers against members of his union in their respective work places. Mr. Watson was greatly admired by co-workers who saw him as an unafraid union leader who was totally committed to standing up for them and working in their interest.

During the mid-1970's, Mr. Watson became a member of the Monterey Peninsula Branch of the NAACP. Elected almost immediately to the Branch's Executive Committee, due in no small part to his union activism, Joe took over the Branch's Labor and Industry Committee. There he had the responsibility of resolving issues involving complaints of discriminatory practices in hiring, on the job treatment and terminations. Over the years, the Branch received recognition for the outstanding work Mr. Watson and that committee carried out in this area of work, including negotiating a National NAACP-sponsored ``Fair Share Hiring Agreement'' with the local stores owned by Albertson's, conunitting these stores to hiring, retaining and promoting minorities.

In 1994, Mr. Watson was elected as President of the Monterey Peninsula Branch of the NAACP, serving until 2000. During his tenure as President, Joe continued to lead the Branch in dealing with issues of police abuse against minorities, hate crimes on the Peninsula and continued to strengthen the ties between the Branch and organized labor in this county. Joe has laid the groundwork for the kind of activism in our branch that continues to be followed and emulated by those who have come after him. True to his tradition as an activist, Mr. Watson continues his lifelong commitment to the struggle for and protection and extension of civil, labor and equal rights and social justice, making him most deserving of this award.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Paul and Sharon Elerick, one of the most active and dynamic couples I have ever known. For over 30 years, the Elericks have selflessly donated their time, resources and often their home, in hopes of electing laudable candidates to represent the community of Santa Cruz. Paul and Sharon share their time with many charitable organizations and community advocacy groups, but their hearts and souls remain dedicated to supporting and promoting the Democratic Party. It is my honor to recognize them as the ``Democrats of the Year'' by the Santa Cruz County Democratic Central Committee.

Paul and Sharon have embodied the spirit of the Democratic Party since the beginning of their relationship in 1958. Paul's involvement with politics started when he cast his vote for President Kennedy. Since then, he has steadily risen through the ranks of the local Democratic chapters, ultimately serving a successful 5-year term as the chair of the Santa Cruz County Democratic Central Committee. Sharon began her own political activism by organizing voters for Hubert Humphrey's presidential campaign. She has also served on the executive board of the Democratic Women's Club of Santa Cruz for several years. Both Paul and Sharon deserve enormous credit for securing vital funding for important local projects as well as sustaining the successful campaigns of many of our current legislators, including myself.

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the United States Congress, I congratulate the Elericks for being rewarded ``Democrats of the Year.'' I would also like to express my gratitude for their commitment to the community. The fruits of their years of dedication extend far beyond political appointments and we are grateful for their extensive contributions.

Mr. Speaker, I rise tonight in the hallowed halls of Congress to pay tribute to a colleague in public service, Monterey City Councilwoman Ruth Vreeland, who was killed in an auto accident on Highway 101 in Southern Monterey County.

What a loss! This 68-year-old woman had the energy of one hundred locomotives. Involved in everything--teacher, statewide education activist, 20 year City Councilwoman, statewide League of Cities Activist, Democratic Party Activist, mother, member of various boards. . . . She was always there, always prepared, always wanting to do more.

Born in Chunking, China, she grew up in Szechwan province where her parents worked as medical missionaries. Returning to Toronto, Canada in 1940, and moving to San Francisco where her parents taught at the University of California-Berkeley, Ruth earned a bachelor's degree in arts and education from San Francisco State University. She also met her husband, Dick Vreeland, there and then continued on to the University of San Francisco to earn a Master's Degree in organization development.

In 1956, she moved to the Monterey Peninsula to teach school, and was elected to the Monterey City Council with the intention of protecting the quality of life in the City of Monterey. ``This town is more than buildings and streets, first it is people,'' she wrote in her campaign statement. She championed the tearing down of waterfront buildings so that people could see the Bay where California began. She replaced buildings with parks and recreational trails, now the highly successful ``Window on the Bay Project.''

She served in a variety of leadership positions including the League of California Cities Board of Directors, Institute for Local Self- Government, the 20th District Parent-Teacher Association, Monterey Bay Task Force, Quota International, Women in Municipal Government; Friends Outside of the Monterey County, and the Overall Economic Development Committee of Monterey County. She was also a Volunteers in Action Board Member, a Monterey City Council member since 1983, an alternate in the Monterey Bay Sanctuary Advisory Council and a former president of the Association of Monterey Bay Area Governments (AMBAG), the Monterey Peninsula Concert Association and the Winnie the Pooh Chapter of the Children's Home Society.

She was also involved with various organizations, including the Monterey Vista Homeowners Association, Community of Caring, League of Women Voters, American Association of University Women, California Teachers Association, Monterey Bay Teachers Association, Responsible Hospitality, California Elected Women's Association for Education and Research, Monterey Main Street Program, National Organization of Women, Old Monterey Preservation Society, Sierra Club, ACLU, State Theater Preservation Group, Monterey Civic Club, Monterey History and Art Association, American Association for Retired Persons, California Retired Teachers' Association, and the Unitarian Church.

Throughout her life, many of these organizations honored her outstanding commitment and service to our Bay community with awards. The Volunteers in Action honored her community service, the Sierra Club honored her for Outstanding Achievement, Planned Parenthood named her an Outstanding Woman in Politics, and the Monterey Rotary named her an Outstanding Teacher. Furthermore, the Fisherman's Wharf named her Wharf Rat of the Year in 1995, the California Democratic Party recognized her for Outstanding Service, J.C. Penney gave her the Golden Rule Award and the Old Monterey Business Association recognized her for Exceptional Dedication. The Monterey Civic Club honored her for being a Community Volunteer and finally, the Association of Monterey Bay Area Governments recognized her for her 20 years of service.

As I mentioned earlier, and as you can see from this lengthy list of accomplishments, Ruth was always moving, always involved. Her friends wondered if she ever had time to sleep. She adored her family and always seemed to be on her way to visit a child. In fact, the tragic accident that led to her death occurred as she returned from visiting one of her three daughters, Lauren, Amy and Melissa. Between the three of them they have seven of Ruth and Dick's grandchildren.

Ruth and Dick's home blended elements of Ruth Vreeland's youth in China with the Japanese culture that Dick Vreeland picked up in the Army. She cooked Chinese food and raised the children to use chopsticks. A proud naturalized citizen from Canada, Ruth also instilled civic values in her daughters. ``She believed in this country because she was naturalized in it and she taught me what patriotism is,'' her daughter said.

Throughout her life, Ruth tackled the large-scale problems that had always energized her. The Sierra Club recognized her in the 1980's for fighting offshore drilling and sewage spills. She traveled to Sacramento and Washington to promote education and local government, rising to leadership roles I previously mentioned with the Association of Monterey Bay Area Governments and the League of California Cities.

Ruth was active in Democratic Party politics and was not afraid to bring progressive political causes to Monterey. She challenged the city in 1988 for not having enough women and minorities in management positions, and a decade later she discouraged the council from subsidizing the Boy Scouts because of its exclusionary policies toward gays.

In the months before her death, Vreeland's last big project was saving education and local government in the face of California's budget crisis, a problem epic enough to discourage even the most ardent community activist.

But not Ruth Vreeland.

America will miss her. She came to this country to do good--we are all better for it and will miss her forever.

Mr. Speaker, I rise tonight in these hallowed halls of Congress to pay tribute to a colleague in public service, Monterey City Councilwoman Ruth Vreeland, killed in an automobile accident on Highway 101 in southern Monterey County just this last Sunday.

What a loss. This 68-year-old woman had the energy of 100 locomotives. Involved in everything, teacher, statewide education activist, 20-year city councilwoman, statewide League of Cities activist, Democratic Party activist, mother, member of various boards. She was always there, always prepared, and always wanting to do more.

Born in Chunking, China, she grew up in Szechwan Province where her parents worked as medical missionaries. Returning to Toronto, Canada, in 1940, and moving to San Francisco where her parents taught at the University of California, Berkeley, Ruth earned a bachelor's degree in arts and education from San Francisco State University. She also met her husband there, Dick Vreeland, and then continued on to the University of San Francisco to earn a master's degree in organizational development.

In 1956, she moved to Monterey Peninsula to teach school, and was elected to the Monterey City Council with the intention of protecting the quality of life in the city of Monterey.

``This town is more than buildings and streets; first it is people,'' she wrote in her campaign statement. She championed the tearing down of the waterfront buildings so that people could see the Bay where California began. She replaced the buildings with parks and recreational trails, the now highly successful Window on the Bay Project.

She served in a variety of leadership positions, including the League of California Cities Board of Directors, Institute for Local Self- Government, the 20th District Parent-Teacher Association, the Monterey Bay Task Force, Quota International, Women in Municipal Government, Friends Outside of the Monterey County, and the Overall Economic Development Committee of Monterey County.

She was also a Volunteers in Action Board Member, a Monterey City Council member since 1983, an alternate in the Monterey Bay Sanctuary Advisory Council and a former president of the Association of Monterey Bay Area Governments, the Monterey Peninsula Concert Association and the Winnie the Pooh Chapter of the Children's Home Society.

She was involved in various organizations.

Tonight, in paying tribute, I would also like to recognize my colleague, the minority leader of the United States House of Representatives, the gentlewoman from San Francisco, California (Ms. Pelosi).

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Pelosi) for joining us. I know her family and all her friends and people in elected government will be so touched because she was a big admirer of the gentlewoman. My colleague led the way for women in politics.

Throughout her life, many of these organizations honored her outstanding commitment and service to our Bay community with awards. The Volunteers in Action honored her community service. The Sierra Club honored her for outstanding achievement. Planned Parenthood named her an Outstanding Woman in Politics. The Monterey Rotary named her an Outstanding Teacher. Furthermore, the Fisherman's Wharf named her the Wharf Rat of the Year in 1995. The California Democratic Party recognized her for outstanding services. J.C. Penney gave her the Golden Rule Award. And the Old Monterey Business Association recognized her for exceptional dedication. The Monterey Civic Club honored her for being a community volunteer. Finally, the Association of Monterey Bay Area Governments recognized her for 20 years of service.

As I mentioned earlier, and as you can see from this lengthy list of accomplishments, Ruth was always moving, always involved. Her friends wondered if she ever had time to sleep. She adored her family and always seemed to be on her way to visit the next child. In fact, the tragic accident that led to her death occurred as she returned from visiting one of her three daughters, Lauren, Amy and Meslissa. Among the three of them, they have seven of Ruth and Dick's grandchildren.

Ruth and Dick's home blended the elements of Ruth Vreeland's youth in China with Japanese culture that Dick Vreeland picked up in the Army.

She was also involved with various organizations including the Monterey Vista Homeowners Association, Community of Caring, League of Women Voters, American Association of University Women, California Teachers Association, Monterey Bay Teachers Association, Responsible Hospitality, California Elected Women's Association for Education and Research, Monterey Main Street Program, National Organization of Women, Old Monterey Preservation Society, Sierra Club, ACLU, State Theater Preservation Group, Monterey Civic Club, Monterey History and Art Association, American Association for Retired Persons, California Retired Teachers' Association, and the Unitarian Church.

She cooked Chinese food and raised the children to use chopsticks. A proud naturalized citizen from Canada, Vreeland also instilled civic values in her daughters. ``She believed in this country because she was naturalized in it and she taught me what patriotism is,'' her daughter said.

Vreeland also continued to tackle the large-scale problems that had always energized her. The Sierra Club recognized her in the 1980's for fighting offshore drilling and sewage spills. She traveled to Sacramento and Washington to promote education and local government, rising to leadership roles with the Association of Monterey Bay Area Governments and the League of California Cities.

Vreeland was active in Democratic Party politics and was not afraid to bring progressive political causes to Monterey. She challenged the city in 1988 for not having enough women and minorities in management positions, and a decade later she discouraged the council from subsidizing the Boy Scouts because of its exclusionary policies toward gays.

In the months before her death, Vreeland's last big project was saving education and local government in the face of California's budget crisis, a problem epic enough to discourage even the most ardent community activist.

But not Ruth Vreeland.

America will miss her. She came to this country to do good--we are all better for it and will miss her forever.

Mr. Speaker, I am not from Illinois, but I have to tell my colleagues that Senator Simon was a man of all seasons, was a mentor and a teacher. And most importantly, when he talked, people listened. I remember when the Defense Language Institute, which is our premier language school in the world, and he was very dedicated to having Americans learn languages,

and it was threatened for closure, he called President Clinton and said, do not take that off the list. Clinton said, why are you interested in a base that is in California? And Senator Simon said, because it is an intellectual capital for languages and we need to keep it that way.

A very impressive man. The country will greatly miss him. He was the epitome of politics, the greatness of politics in America.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to rise today in honor of Andrew Uram's 81st birthday. A World War II veteran, loving father and grandfather, and upstanding citizen, Andrew Uram embodies the 20th century American Dream.

Born December 18, 1922 to an immigrant father and a first-generation Swedish Danish American, Andrew was one of eight children of Andy Sr. and Minnie Uram, who met while Mr. Uram was a soldier during the First World War. Andrew continued this tradition, enlisting in the Navy on March 20, 1941--seven months before the United States entered WWII. His initial training was as an aviation machinist in Alaska, however he quickly rose to the rank of Seaman 1st class by the outbreak of the war. Following his service in Alaska, Andrew arrived three days after the invasion of Tawara, located in the South Pacific. There, he saw some of the most intense fighting he ever saw during the war, as his group was bombed throughout the night by Japanese forces. The sound and vibration from the bombs made his whole body ring like a bell, and he lost his hearing in one ear. However, he continued to serve throughout the night and next day with honor; indeed, his Navy career continued for years to come--thirteen in all.

After retiring from the military, Andrew moved with his wife and daughter to Burlington, Washington, and later to California. He continued his work in mechanics, this time with automobiles, retiring as the Senior Auto Mechanic at the garage he worked in. He and his wife retired back to Washington, but have since moved to Soquel, California, to be with their daughter and granddaughter. He continues to be active, and is well known to the birds of the Monterey Bay coastline, where he goes to feed them often.

Andrew Uram has led a long and honorable life, serving his country and raising a wonderful family. Mr. Speaker, I wish to take this moment to extend my congratulations as he and his family celebrate his birthday this year.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Mother Deola Booker, a dedicated community leader and an exceptional gospel singer, who passed away recently. She was an active member of the Christian Memorial Tabernacle Church of God in Christ Congregation in Seaside, California, for over twenty years.

Her dedication to her church was matched only by her dedication to her community, for which she received numerous awards and recognition. Among them was a certificate of recognition for her work with the Monterey County Department of Social Services Children's Services presented by me on behalf of the California Legislative Assembly in 1991. She was also a well-known and well-loved musician, gracing those who knew her with her amazing voice and talented piano playing. She shared this love of music with others through her work directing choirs, as well.

Mother Booker will be greatly missed by the many that knew her, were helped by her, or who shared in her love and kindness to all people. Those who were touched by her will forever remember her spirit of service and faith.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge the passing of one of our nation's great heroes. Jack Reid, a former Naval Aviator who helped turn the tide of World War II, passed away on December 12, 2003 in Santa Cruz County. Many veterans throughout California and beyond will observe his passing. He was ninety years old.

Mr. Reid was born in Kentucky, in the small town of Bandana, and was an excellent student. However, the hard times of the Great Depression precluded college, so he joined the Navy in 1933. His hard work and dedication to service earned him the chance to attend flight training, which he began in 1937, graduating as a Naval Aviation Pilot in 1938. After receiving his wings, he continued his education, attending the University of Washington and earning a degree in Aeronautical Engineering from LaSalle Extension University in Chicago.

Mr. Reid is perhaps most well known for his role in the Battle of Midway, in the Pacific. On June 3, 1942, he spotted the Japanese fleet 800 miles from Midway Island, allowing Admiral Nimitz and the fleet commanders to prepare and successfully defend their position. In an interview in May of 2002, Mr. Reid commented, ``It was the greatest naval battle in the history of the world--a battle we won that we should have lost.'' What he did not acknowledge was that it was his early action and information that helped save the day, and eventually the war.

His naval service continued after the war, including piloting dignitaries such as Madame Chiang Kai-shek and Admiral Radford, and he finally retired with the rank of Captain after twenty-five years of service. He continued his interest in naval history and aviation, speaking as a panelist before symposiums at the National Air and Space Museum and on the Fiftieth Anniversary of the Battle of Midway.

Mr. Reid settled in Aptos, California, in 1967, after a successful second career as a real estate broker and developer. He was a life member of the California Alumni Association and a member of the Who's Who in California, as well as the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 10110 in Aptos. I have also heard that he was an avid golfer, and enjoyed the many courses available in our area.

Mr. Speaker, I wish to take this moment to honor Jack Reid for the service he gave to his country, for his continuing efforts to make a difference in the world, and for his significant contributions to the history of naval aviation in World War II. He will be greatly missed by his family, including his wife, Ina Mae Reid; two sons, Hal Reid and Jim Reid; his sister, Berah McKinney; his grandson, Jim Reid and two great grandchildren. His grandson, Steve Reid, preceded him in death in 1991. In addition to his large and loving family, Jack will be missed and remembered by all who knew him.

Mr. Speaker, Dynamic social activist, tireless volunteer, caring mother, innovative supporter, teacher--Shirley Prussin has filled many shoes during her time in the Monterey Peninsula. Today, however, I rise to recognize Shirley in another role, as a close and dear friend. Sadly, after a rich three decades on the Central Coast of California, Shirley has decided to move to Florida. I cannot overstate her importance in my life. Her departure marks a tremendous loss for our community.

Shirley's life and accomplishments on the Central Coast have helped hundreds, if not thousands of people in the area. Shirley has had a leadership role in countless organizations that affect the citizenry of the Monterey Peninsula profoundly: the ACLU, the Democratic Woman's Club, the Reproductive Rights Coalition, the YWCA, Planned Parenthood-- it's impossible to name all the groups that she has lent her leadership and support.

As an advocate for human rights and political activism, Shirley's commitment to grass-roots politics is truly an inspiration. Shirley's political resume dates back to 1947; while in Southern California, she worked for Tome Rees' race for State Assembly. Since then, here dedication to social justice and a better world has led her to work on, and in many cases lead, numberless community-based organizations.

Shirley's kindness, compassion and empathy for her fellow community members remains unparalleled. It's difficult to express how deeply her loss will affect me, but I would like to wish her well with the rest of her life's journeys. Somewhere in Florida, there's an extremely lucky community that is about to receive an amazing person, and I am sad to see her go.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Leon and Sylvia Panetta, both dedicated members of the Central Coast and Washington, DC communities. Specifically, I would like to address their efforts regarding the founding of the Panetta Institute, a non-partisan center for the study of public policy. Located at the California State University, Monterey Bay, the institute serves the entire CSU system, as well as providing insight and policy information for legislators around the country.

Soon after its founding in 1998, the Panetta Institute quickly became an integral contributor to the political community in a variety of media. One of the main focuses of the program is to equip today's young people with the practical skills of governance, all the while inspiring a life-long dedication to public service. In these efforts to develop ambitious and successful leaders, the Panettas have, in turn, provided legislators in California and DC with over 120 well-trained and informed interns. It suffices to say that, through their thoughtful and effective program, the Panettas have designed a quality system that greatly benefits both the student and legislative office. After working with students from the Panetta Institute in my office, it is clear that they are well oriented with the governmental process.

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the United States Congress, I would like to commend Leon and Sylvia Panetta for their commitment to supporting sustainable progress in the 21st century by researching public policy and nourishing tomorrow's leaders. Their many contributions to all of us in office are invaluable. I am honored to represent the Panettas in Congress, as well as to hold the office that Leon himself held with dignity prior to my tenure.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of a fallen soldier, U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer Christopher Nason, a dedicated patriot who gave 19 years of his life to military service. Mr. Nason was killed in a motor vehicle accident while serving in Iraq on November 23, 2003. Mr. Nason is survived by his sister Gina Nason.

A young man seeking focus in life, Christopher Nason enlisted in the Air Force in 1985 at the age of 20. Nason attended the Defense Language Institute (DLI) in Monterey, CA in June of 1995 through May of 1996, where he excelled in his studies of Arabic. He became a warrant officer in 1999 and was assigned to the 306th MI (Military Intelligence) Battalion out of Fort Huachuca, AZ before he was deployed to Iraq. Those who knew him best reflect on his transition into a strong and irreplaceable member of the armed forces and mourn the loss of their friend, brother and leader.

As an expert in the Arabic language, Chief Warrant Officer Nason's services were extremely valuable to the Army, both in combat and in the classroom. After graduating from the DLI in 1996, he taught intelligence officers Arabic at both the DLI and Fort Gordon, GA. As a respected member of the DLI faculty, he successfully fulfilled the mission of the institute by helping to develop proficient linguists who would then be utilized for a variety of missions that would support national security interests. The DLI, located in my congressional district, is the world's largest foreign language school. It is the Department of Defense's only foreign language school that not only educates soldiers, sailors, marines and airmen in mission-specific foreign languages, but also on the history, culture and current events in the region in which their language is spoken. The courses are intensive and demanding as well as incredibly adaptive, in order to reflect U.S. military priorities around the globe.

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of a grateful nation, I would like to offer condolences to Officer Nason's family and friends, as well as to those service members who will no longer benefit from his exceptional leadership. This nation was privileged to have a person of his caliber serving in our armed forces.