Ken Calvert

Mr. CALVERT

Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today, on behalf of the California Delegation, to honor and pay tribute to the USS California (SSN-781), a Virginia-class submarine and the first submarine to be named after the Golden State. On the occasion of the submarine's commissioning, we could not be more proud to have one of the world's most modern and sophisticated nuclear-powered attack submarines named for the state of California. The contract to build her was awarded to Northrop Grumman Newport News (now Huntington Ingalls Industries Newport News Shipbuilding) in Newport News, Virginia, on August 14, 2003. Construction began in December 2006. California's keel was laid down on May 1, 2009. She was christened on November 6, 2010, sponsored by Donna Willard, wife of Admiral Robert F. Willard. The California was launched eight days later, on November 14, 2010. The commissioning has been scheduled for October 29, 2011 by the Secretary of the Navy. USS California will be homeported at Groton, Connecticut. Designed to meet the Navy's requirements in a post-Cold War era, Virginia-class submarines use advanced technologies to increase firepower, maneuverability and stealth. Along with other Virginia-class submarines, the California is tailored to excel in a wide range of warfighting missions with several innovations that significantly enhance its warfighting capabilities, especially in the littoral environment. The ship has a fly-by-wire ship control system that provides improved shallow-water ship handling. The class has special features to support special operation forces and prolonged deployments. Advanced technology is employed to provide the ship's company enhanced situational awareness and is designed to remain state of the practice for its entire operational life through rapid introduction of new systems and payloads. Previous ships bearing the USS California name have a long and storied history. The first USS California, a screw propelled frigate, was christened in 1869. In 1941, the USS California (BB-44) was the flagship of the U.S. Pacific fleet stationed in Pearl Harbor. She was badly damaged by Japanese torpedoes, and partially sunk. The three crewmen serving aboard the battleship that day were posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for acts of bravery in saving the lives of their shipmates. A few months later, the California was salvaged and repaired, and served in the Pacific theater during the final two years of World War II. She was present at several crucial battles in the Pacific theater, including the Battle of Surigao Strait--the last naval engagement fought by opposing battleships. The most recent USS California (CGN-26) was the lead ship of her class of nuclear powered guided missile cruisers and was also a vital part of the U.S. fleet from her launch in 1971 to her retirement in 1999. She was known as the ``Golden Grizzly,'' in recognition of the grizzly bear on the California state flag. We are pleased that the USS California (SSN-781) will follow in the footsteps of previous ships that have served this great country so proudly. California is a state with a long naval history and strong naval tradition. The entire California Delegation is proud to welcome the USS California as the eighth U.S. Navy ship named after our home state. We have no doubt that she, and her crew, will serve our country honorably. The following are the names of the Members of the California Congressional Delegation in support of the USS California: Mike Thompson, Wally Herger, Daniel Lungren, Tom McClintock, Doris Matsui, George Miller, John Garamendi, Jerry McNerney, Jackie Speier, Pete Stark, Anna Eshoo, Mike Honda, Zoe Lofgren, Sam Farr, Dennis Cardoza, Jeff Denham, Jim Costa, Devin Nunes, Kevin McCarthy, Lois Capps, Elton Gallegly, Howard ``Buck'' McKeon, David Dreier, Brad Sherman, Howard Berman, Adam Schiff, Henry Waxman, Xavier Becerra, Judy Chu, Karen Bass, Lucille Roybal-Allard, Maxine Waters, Janice Hahn, Laura Richardson, Grace Napolitano, Linda Sanchez, Edward Royce, Jerry Lewis, Gary Miller, Joe Baca, Ken Calvert, Mary Bono Mack, Dana Rohrabacher, Loretta Sanchez, John Campbell, Darrell Issa, Brian Bilbray, Bob Filner, Duncan Hunter, and Susan Davis.

Mr. CALVERT

Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor Howard H. ``Tim'' Hays who recently passed away at the age of 94. He will be deeply missed. Mr. Hays spent 51 years at the Riverside Press Enterprise, the sixth largest newspaper in the state of California. Before coming to the newspaper, Mr. Hays was an FBI Special Agent during World War II. In 1946, he joined the paper as an Assistant Editor and also passed the California bar exam. The Riverside Press Enterprise wrote an article detailing the many accomplishments of Mr. Hays and the incredible contributions he made to the newspaper, the community and the country. [Oct. 14, 2011] Former P-E Publisher and Editor Tim Hays Dies Howard H. ``Tim'' Hays, Jr., the Harvard-educated lawyer who chose a newspaperman's life and led what became The Press-Enterprise into national prominence as a Pulitzer Prize-winning advocate of open government and defender of the First Amendment, died Friday in St. Louis. He was 94. Mr. Hays had been struggling with Alzheimer's disease, his son Tom Hays said Friday. He said his father died in the afternoon at Barnes-Jewish Hospital following a brief acute illness. Mr. Hays spent 51 years at The Press-Enterprise. He was an FBI special agent during World War II and joined the newspaper as assistant editor in 1946. He passed the bar the same year but never practiced law. His subsequent roles included editor, co-publisher, publisher and chairman. He continued as chairman until 1997, when The Press-Enterprise was sold to the A.H. Belo Co., ending 67 years of family ownership of the Riverside-based newspaper. The news organization's five-story office on Fourteenth Street was named in 2006 as the Howard H. ``Tim'' Hays Media Center. ``Tim was a rarity, a man whose moral compass was set on true,'' said Mel Opotowsky, the former managing editor of The Press-Enterprise. ``That is especially important as a newspaper owner because of the obligation as a public trust. There are many instances of Tim's beneficence, not only to his employees, but to his readers and to principles of quality journalism.'' Mr. Hays once joked that his choice of journalism over law and his ``semi-meteoric rise'' at the newspaper were due to ``diligence, and the fact that my father was co-owner.'' Courtly, soft-voiced and with a penchant for remembering anyone's name, from civic leaders to cleaning crews in the hallways of his newspaper, Mr. Hays' personality contrasted sharply with flamboyant news-executive contemporaries. His memos were to his ``Fellow Employees.'' But his reserved manner was matched with a steely resolve. He stood up to pressure and confrontation to lead his newspaper to a Pulitzer Prize. He took two open-government cases to the U.S. Supreme Court, winning both. Media attorneys use shorthand to refer to two landmark cases won by the newspaper, Press-Enterprise One and Two. In January 1984, the newspaper won a case establishing the public's right to attend jury selection in criminal trial proceedings. In a 1986 case, the court asserted the right of the public to attend pre-trial hearings in criminal cases with few exceptions. Mr. Hays oversaw publication of a series of articles in 1967 that exposed malpractice in the conservatorship program for Agua Caliente Indians in Palm Springs. Editorials combined with more than 100 stories, mostly written by reporter George Ringwald, earned the newspaper the Pulitzer Prize for meritorious public service in 1968. (Ringwald died in 2005.) During the newspaper's reporting of that issue, a judge who was under investigation became infuriated by a Press- Enterprise editorial and ordered Mr. Hays arrested. The publisher stood his ground and was not jailed. Mr. Hays also stood by his reporters, even as advertisers took their business away in protest over investigative pieces. Despite national recognition, Mr. Hays kept his community at the foreground of his work. He was among the civic leaders who worked to get a University of California campus established here. UC Riverside opened in 1954. ``Tim had a very active mind that saw beyond the ordinary but was able to bring it down to earth,'' said his former executive secretary, Jean Wingard. ``He was an excellent newsman, and had the respect of those who worked with him and for him.'' Mr. Hays established the Hays Press-Enterprise Lecture in 1966, which was underwritten in 1998 by a $100,000 endowment after the newspaper was sold. The free lectures, open to the public, featured leaders in news media, including retired Washington Post Executive Editor Ben Bradlee; Gene Roberts, former managing editor of the New York Times; and W. Thomas Johnson, who was then president of Cable News Network. Mr. Hays also undertook the cause of preserving the Mission Inn. He and other civic leaders maintained their effort during a seven-year stretch in which the state and national historic landmark in downtown Riverside was closed--at one time surrounded by a chain-link fence. Several attempts to reopen the Inn failed. Some suggested the land was a prime spot for a parking lot. In 1992, Duane Roberts bought the hotel and invested millions of dollars in renovations. The Press-Enterprise under Mr. Hays also quietly helped to underwrite local cultural and arts organizations. ``I'm not married to any cause,'' Mr. Hays once said. ``I believe in generosity to the community in which you live. I think you can contribute more with time and energy than with dollars. But I guess the money can be pretty dandy, too.'' Retired appellate court Justice John Gabbert said Mr. Hays, similar to his brothers, developed his sense of community engagement early in life. ``He was motivated by the very strong civic background that he probably inherited from his father,'' Gabbert said Friday. ``They were all there, out in the community, making it better.'' Contemporaries of Mr. Hays said he was less likely to deliver a fiery speech, and more likely to argue his points over lunch or in a casual conversation. Former state Sen. Robert Presley said each time he would meet Mr. Hays at the same downtown Riverside restaurant, the publisher would prod him for support of downtown Riverside projects. ``He didn't seem to have a lot of ego, although he could be vigorous and persuasive in his arguments,'' Presley said Friday from Sacramento. ``He was a very special person,'' said Marcia McQuern who worked for Hays at The Press-Enterprise and eventually became the paper's publisher. ``He had a true journalist's heart. He always tried to live up to his standards and ideals.'' McQuern remembered Hays being well tied into the community. So much so that he often knew what was going on before his reporters did. ``I would come to him with a story and he'd say, `You finally found that out,' '' she said. ``But he never would kill anything.'' Even when it may have been unpopular among the community leaders he mingled with. ``He took a lot of heat. He really stuck by the newsroom. That's where his heart was,'' she said. McQuern remembered one instance where the paper wanted the name behind a large anonymous donation to UC Riverside. ``We fought for access,'' she said. ``He let us go fight for the information. We were about to file suit and he finally admitted it was him.'' Howard H. ``Tim'' Hays, Jr. was born in Chicago on June 2, 1917, the son of Howard H. Hays, Sr. and Margaret Mauger Hays. He came to Riverside with his parents in 1924. A graduate of Riverside Polytechnic High School, he was editor of the school newspaper, Poly Spotlight, during his senior year. Mr. Hays earned a bachelor's degree in social sciences at Stanford University, graduating in 1939. In 1942, he received a law degree from Harvard Law School. After his service with the FBI, he briefly served as a reporter at the San Bernardino Sun before joining the family newspaper and beginning his leadership role in American journalism. Mr. Hays moved to St. Louis part time in 1989, and began living there full time after his retirement from The Press- Enterprise, his son Tom said. In a message read at the 2007 dedication of the news building named after him, Mr. Hays noted that he still read every day the newspaper that he had led for so long. Survivors include wife Susie Hays of St. Louis, sons Bill Hays of Corona Del Mar and Tom Hays of New York City, and brother Dan Hays of Riverside. His brother, William H. Hays, died earlier this year. Mr. Hays' first wife, Helen Hays Yeager, died two years earlier, to the day, of Mr. Hays' death. Said Tom Hays, ``He lived a very long and productive and fortunate life, and he died very peacefully, so we are thankful for that.'' Mr. Hays will always be remembered for his incredible work ethic, generosity, love of family, and the numerous contributions he made to the newspaper industry. His dedication to the integrity of the newspaper, the protection of the First Amendment and to the community as a whole are a testament to a life lived well and a legacy that will continue. I extend my condolences to Mr. Hays' family and friends. Although Mr. Hays may be gone, the light and goodness he brought to the world remain and will never be forgotten.

Mr. CALVERT

Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to bring attention to a recent article in the Riverside Press Enterprise about E-Verify and the new California state law that will prevent cities and counties from requiring businesses to use E-Verify. It is disappointing that when so many other states are moving towards mandating E-Verify, California is going in the opposite direction. With unemployment at 12.1 percent in California, preventing cities and counties from using E-Verify to ensure local residents have an opportunity to work makes no sense. Instead, the state is protecting illegal immigrants who are employed illegally. Furthermore, federal law already requires businesses to hire a legal work force; allowing the use of E-Verify simply gives employers the tool to ensure they can comply with existing law. Again, many of us in California are outraged by Governor Jerry Brown's decision to sign this bill and deny cities and counties their right to require use of the E-Verify program. It is telling that the Governor decided not to issue a statement announcing the signing of the legislation. The E-Verify program is overwhelmingly popular, with over 80 percent of Americans supporting its mandatory enactment. The Governor is wrong on this issue and I support local cities and counties that choose to challenge the constitutionality of this law. [From the Press Enterprise, Oct. 20, 2011] Region: Cities Scramble in Wake of E-Verify Bill (By Kevin Pearson) A number of Inland cities may be forced to repeal ordinances requiring businesses to verify that employees are not undocumented immigrants, now that the state has prohibited cities from mandating use of the federally run E- Verify system. The law that was signed this month and goes into effect Jan. 1 left cities with few other options, but it has stoked the debate on both sides of the issue about the state's role in immigration issues. E-Verify, created in 1996 by Rep. Ken Calvert, R-Corona, is operated by the Department of Homeland Security. It can be used to ensure that an employee has the legal right to work in the United States. The new state legislation does not prohibit businesses or government entities, including cities and counties, from using E-Verify; it does prohibit making E-Verify's use a requirement to do business within those cities our counties. In the past year and a half, Temecula, Murrieta, Lake Elsinore, Hemet, Menifee, Wildomar, Norco and San Bernardino County have passed ordinances requiring businesses to use the system, to varying degrees. The Inland area is home to the majority of municipalities in the state with such ordinances. The state law comes as a bill is making its way through Congress that would require every business in the nation to use E-Verify, signaling that the issue between cities, states and the federal government may just be getting started. ``Right now, across America, various states and local governments are enacting mandatory E-Verify,'' Calvert said in a statement. ``Meanwhile, California is going the other way . . . and in fact the Governor is signing laws to preempt the use of E-Verify. This is an outrage.''

Mr. CALVERT

Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and pay tribute to a group of individuals--heroes--who are receiving the recognition and honor they deserve for their service to our country. Operation Recognition is operated by the Riverside County Office of Education with assistance from the Riverside County Department of Veterans' Services. The program awards high school diplomas to veterans who missed completing high school due to military service in World War II, the Korean War, or the Vietnam War, or due to internment in WWII Japanese-American relocation camps. A recognition ceremony will be held on November 9, 2011, for the following individuals who received their high school diplomas through Operation Recognition: Juan Abarca, Alfred Aguilar; Virgil Edward Archer; George Van Ashley; Clayton M. Babbitt; Thomas Jones Barber; Webster W. Brahams, Jr.; Claude Chastain, Jr.; Lonny Ross Ciinklaw; Willie B. Exson; Rick Farrell; Michael J. Federico; Jack Garvin Gale; Dwayne L. Gallo; Raul P. Garcia; Daniel Keith Gibson; William Onicten Gutierrez; Clarence Weldon Hart; Harley James Henson; Drexal Q. Jackson; Joseph F. Laturno; Gordon Peter Martens; Charles E. Murphy; Johnnie D. Riley; Lold B. LeRoy Sadler; Eric Schlitz; Mark D. Switzer; Larry Joe Wade; William Franklin Williams; and Otis Lee Wilson. Our country owes a debt of gratitude to all the above recipients for their service and sacrifice. I salute all the above individuals and congratulate them on receiving their high school diploma.

Mr. CALVERT

Mr. CALVERT. I rise in support of H.R. 320, a bill to designate a national Distinguished Flying Cross memorial in Riverside, California. I thank my friends Mr. Young and Mrs. Napolitano for managing the bill today. I am honored to represent the Inland Empire Chapter of the Distinguished Flying Cross Society, which is the primary sponsor of this memorial. The memorial honors all current and former members of the Armed Forces who have been awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. In the 111th Congress, I introduced H.R. 2788, which passed the House unanimously; and today, I stand again in support of H.R. 320, which would designate a memorial at March Field Air Museum as the Distinguished Flying Cross National Memorial. The legislation is supported by the Distinguished Flying Cross Society, the Military Officers Association of America, the Air Force Association, the Air Force Sergeants Association, the Association of Naval Aviation, the Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association, and the China-Burma-India Veterans Association. I would like to point out the language in the bill specifically states that the designation shall not be construed to require or permit Federal funds to be expended for any purpose related to the national memorial. Funds have been and will continue to be raised through private means for these purposes. The Distinguished Flying Cross recipients have received this prestigious medal for their heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving in any capacity with the U.S. Armed Forces. There are many well-known people who have played a vital role in the history of military aviation and have received the award. As was previously mentioned, this renowned group includes Captain Charles L. Lindbergh, former President George H. W. Bush, Brigadier General Jimmy Doolittle, General Curtis LeMay, Senator McCain, Jimmy Stewart, and Admiral Jim Stockdale--just to name a few. The March Air Reserve Base, which hosts the C-17As of the 452nd Air Mobility Wing is adjacent to the location of the memorial at the March Field Air Museum. Visitors are able to witness active operational air units provide support for our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, which is an appropriate setting that honors the many aviators who have distinguished themselves by deeds performed in aerial flight. I would like to thank those who worked tirelessly to ensure this memorial is built and is properly designated in honor of the distinguished aviators that have served this great Nation. In particular, I'd like to recognize Jim Champlin; his late wife, Trish; Distinguished Flying Cross Society president, Chuck Sweeney; and the society's historian, Dr. Barry Lanman, who have been instrumental in this effort. Again, I hope you'll join me in supporting the designation of the National Distinguished Flying Cross Memorial at the March Field Air Museum and support H.R. 320.

Mr. CALVERT

Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to talk about the E-Verify Program and legislation pending in the House. Last weekend California Governor Jerry Brown signed into law AB 1236, making it illegal for the state and California municipalities to voluntarily use the E-verify system. This is an outrage. Right now, across America, various states and local governments are enacting mandatory E-Verify. Meanwhile, California is going the other way by enacting a ban on voluntary E-Verify, and in fact the Governor is signing laws to preempt the use of E-verify. The illegal population looking for work will now head to states that are ignoring the problem and away from states like Arizona and Alabama which have taken a proactive role to fill the vacuum the federal government has left with regard to immigration policy. People will understandably go where they can find work. However, in a state with 12.1% unemployment, we cannot afford the burden on our schools and social services the influx brings. This is why we need a uniform system that ensures ALL workers in America are legal and paying into the system that they are using. That is why I support and am a sponsor of H.R. 2885, the Legal Workforce Act. Before I came to Congress, I owned and operated several restaurant businesses. I was required by law to hire a legal workforce but there was no tool available to determine if the identifying documentation presented at the time of employment was fraudulent. When I first created employment verification in 1996, I wanted to build a system that would utilize existing information and processes that was reliable, fair and simple to use. At that time, and still today, every employer is required to file an I-9 form based on paper identification documents. My solution was simple: provide employers a way to check that a given name and Social Security number match government records. Today, the E-Verify program has over 268,000 employers representing 900,000 hiring sites. In fiscal year 2011, there have been more than 10.9 million queries run through the system. The Legal Workforce Act would essentially make E-Verify mandatory by requiring the Secretary of Homeland Security to implement a verification process for mandatory employment verification. Of the millions of queries run through the computer based E-Verify system, 98.3 percent of employees are instantly verified. Individuals who are given a tentative non-confirmation are given eight business days to contact SSA or DHS regarding their case. Currently one percent of all queried employees choose to contest an E-Verify result and only half of them--point five percent--are successful in contesting that the governments information was incorrect. E-Verify is doing the job it was intended: denying employment to people in the United States not authorized to work. E-Verify is ready for mandatory use. The Legal Workforce Act would phase in the mandatory requirement over 24 months for most employers with the exception for agricultural labor which will have 36 months to comply. As a member from an agriculture state, I think it is important to ensure our agriculture community has the labor they need. I support parallel legislation to provide a workable guest worker program that includes the necessary safeguards to ensure that guest workers leave on time. This should be easier to do because with mandatory employment verification guest workers will not be able to secure a legal job in the U.S. after their seasonal work visa expires. The Legal Workforce Act also implements worker protections for mismatched Social Security numbers and use of multiple Social Security numbers. The bill also provides good faith exemptions for employers who use the program while increasing the penalties for employers who knowingly hire illegal immigrants. The Legal Workforce Act is a thoughtful and comprehensive approach to mandatory employment verification and E-Verify is ready to fulfill the obligation. America is ready for mandatory employment verification: employers are required by law to hire a legal workforce, and mandatory E-Verify will ensure that they are complying with the law. While the legal name of the current program is ``Basic Pilot Program,'' the effective brand name is E-Verify. Many businesses have incorporated the term ``E-Verify'' into their business and marketing plans. I would strongly suggest that we enshrine the name in law to provide clarity and continuity for businesses currently using E-Verify. E-Verify is an extremely effective program and as we've seen from recent actions all over the country, from Arizona to Rhode Island, mandatory employment verification is quickly becoming a reality. As Members of Congress responsible for controlling our borders and enforcing legal employment, let's build upon what works and give the American people what they want: a federal law mandating employment verification.

Mr. CALVERT

Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and pay tribute to an incredible young boy, Cade Spinello, from my congressional district who has faced so many challenges in his young life. Cade's story came to me from a family friend of the Spinello's and I am honored to share it here. In 2009, Cade's parents, Michael and Erin, noticed that Cade's eyes were not lining up normally when he tried to focus. The doctor told the Spinello's that little Cade had lazy eye and prescribed a patch over the good eye to strengthen the weak eye. After a year of using the patch, Cade's condition worsened, and after a closer look the doctor realized that Cade's optical nerve was inflamed. After an MRI, the doctor told Cade's parents the devastating news: Cade had a tumor the size of an egg at the bottom of his brain right behind his right eye. All of this was happening as Erin gave birth to their second child, Lucy. After the discovery of the tumor, Cade was immediately sent to surgery where surgeons were able to remove 30% of the tumor and provide much relief to Cade. The Spinello's, and all their friends and family, were relieved to hear that the tumor was benign. Unfortunately, as Cade was recovering from surgery, he suffered a stroke that paralyzed the right side of his body and left him without speech. Over a year has passed since the surgery and the stroke and the only word to describe Cade's recovery is ``miracle.'' This brave young boy has overcome challenges most of us never face in a lifetime. He is walking and talking again. He has participated in a T-ball league. All this while going through a second surgery that saved his right eye and chemotherapy that has significantly reduced the size of his tumor. The Spinello family has endured through so many hardships yet they face each day with optimism and with their deep faith in God. The community of Ladera Ranch has rallied around them and held fundraisers to help pay the medical bills. Through it all stands Cade Spinello, a testament to love, courage, and perserverance. Today I ask the U.S. House of Representatives to take a moment and honor this incredible young boy and his family. I ask that all of us keep Cade, and the entire Spinello family, in our prayers as they continue down the path of recovery. I look forward to the day, not so long from now, that I will stand up here and congratulate Cade on his high school graduation and all the accomplishments that he will achieve in his life. For now, I simply stand in awe of a young boy who has conquered more in his young life than most do in an entire lifetime.

Mr. CALVERT

Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and pay tribute to an individual whose dedication and contributions to the community of Riverside, California, are exceptional. Riverside has been fortunate to have dynamic and dedicated community leaders who willingly and unselfishly give their time and talent and make their communities a better place to live and work. Brad Hudson is one of these individuals. On August 9, 2011, Brad will be honored at a Riverside City Hall reception as he ends his tenure as the City of Riverside's City Manager. Brad Hudson came to the City of Riverside after serving as the Assistant County Executive Officer of the Economic Development Agency where he was responsible for broad activities and operations throughout the county. Earlier, Brad spent more than 14 years with the County of Riverside, where he began as Deputy Chief Executive Officer for Eastern Riverside County. Additionally, Hudson proudly served his country in the United States Air Force. He received his B.S. degree from California State University, Fresno, and an MPA from the University of San Francisco. Appointed as City Manager by the City Council, Brad has acted as the Chief Administrative Officer of the City. He enforces the laws and carries out the policies of the Council through the control and direction of City Departments. In addition, during his time as City Manager, Brad made numerous recommendations to the Council on legislation, fiscal matters, capital improvements and other City policies, and he oversaw the responsibilities of the Communications Officer and the Intergovernmental Relations Office. Riverside City Council members have extensively praised Hudson for accomplishing so much during his six year tenure, particularly a long list of public works projects known as the Riverside Renaissance. After Brad leaves Riverside, he will take the helm as the City of Sacramento's Chief Executive. As such, he will provide leadership to ensure the smooth operation and management of all City Departments. In light of all Brad Hudson has done for the community of Riverside, we wish him the best as he moves on to his next professional endeavor. Brad's tireless passion for the community has contributed immensely to the betterment of Riverside, California. I am proud to call Brad a fellow community member, American and friend. I know that many community members are grateful for his service and salute him as he ends his time as City Manager for the City of Riverside.

Mr. CALVERT

Mr. CALVERT. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. CALVERT. Reclaiming my time, the program has already taken a substantial hit, a $20 million hit, as a matter of fact. Almost every other program in our bill has taken substantial hits. We're serious about reducing spending. If we had the additional money, I'm sure the chairman would have added more money in the DERA account in the first place if we had the extra money to do so, because it's an extremely successful program, something that I certainly support. I understand the gentlelady's conviction, but we just don't have the money to take care of this offset, so we have to oppose the amendment. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. CALVERT. I yield to the gentlewoman from California.

Mr. CALVERT. I do this extremely reluctantly because I am very supportive of the DERA program, but I can't support the offset. The DERA program, as the gentlelady is aware, was not in the administration's mark, and in this underlying bill, we provide for $10 million for the DERA program. As she well knows, throughout the country this is a way to remove old diesel engines that pollute, and this is something that actually works. It's not a program; it's not a study; it's not some academic exercise. It's actually something that cleans up the air, so it's something I am very much supportive of. But right now EPA's Buildings and Facilities accounts are cut by nearly one-third. We have cut back these accounts substantially, and so we just can't support the offset in the bill.

Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to the amendment.

Mr. CALVERT. I yield to the gentleman from Washington.

Mr. CALVERT. I appreciate the gentleman's shared desire to reduce spending, however, I must oppose this amendment. As the minority pointed out, to meet the 2012 302(b) allocation, we cut the Energy Star program by $27.5 million, funding for the Energy Star program down to $48.2 million, which is below the 2006 level. And we believe that significant cuts took place in this program, as they should have been taken. And with that we reluctantly oppose the amendment, and would ask for a ``no'' vote.

Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the last word.

Mr. CALVERT

Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong support of the Fiscal Year 2012 Interior, Environment and Related Agencies Appropriations bill. I would like to thank Chairman Simpson and Ranking Member Moran for being excellent leaders on the subcommittee. It has been a pleasure to work with both of them. I especially commend the 22 oversight hearings that our subcommittee held this year. The subcommittee works hard, and we have done our due diligence in putting this bill together. The FY 2012 Interior and Environment Appropriations bill recognizes the current economic environment and the past 4 years of out-of-control spending. It is $2.1 billion below last year's level, and $3.8 billion below the President's 2012 request. It is a focused and lean bill which supports funding for duties which are clearly the responsibility of the Federal Government and makes tough decisions about how we allocate taxpayers' dollars. The bill fully funds Federal firefighters and Forest Service Wildland Fire Management. It ensures our national parks, which belong to the American people, remain fully operational in 2012. And it includes $30 million for diesel emissions reduction grants to retrofit old diesel engines with cleaner burning ones, a program that has been successfully implemented across the United States and is contributing to cleaner air. The bill also reduces the EPA inflated budget back down to the 2006 level and cuts $46 million in requested funding for burdensome regulation of greenhouse gases, which means control of carbon dioxide, a regulation unilaterally adopted by the administration that is making the U.S. less competitive in the world and sending American jobs overseas. Finally, yes, Mr. Chairman, there are many spending reductions in this bill, including programs I support. However, we have to start somewhere to bring economic sanity back to the budgeting process, and this is one of the first of many steps to come. In conclusion, I am pleased to support this bill. I urge my colleagues to support the bill.

Mr. CALVERT

Mr. CALVERT. Madam Chairman, before I came here to Congress, I was in the restaurant business. We had to please the customers that we served. We certainly couldn't give them an inferior product. Only in Washington, D.C., would we spend more and get less. The gentleman from California has referenced $500,000 a year more in cost, and if you did a survey of the people who used those products, it would be dismal. I had the experience of putting a fork in a hot piece of meat one day, and it melted. That is ridiculous. We in Congress should not give inferior products to people who work here and serve here, and spend more money for it. So with that, Madam Chairman, let's just do the commonsense thing here and get a product that works and spend less money.

Mr. CALVERT

Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Chairman, I certainly rise in strong support of this fiscal year 2012 Defense appropriation bill. I want to particularly thank Chairman Young and Ranking Member Dicks and their staffs for a fantastic job. Thank you very much for your hard work and a great bill. This bill is a great example, when it comes to our national defense, that we work together as Americans, not as Democrats, not as Republicans, but as Americans. At a time that we're in a number of conflicts around the world, it's important that we show that we stand united in support of our troops and against our enemies. There was a point made about what's the longest war. I would say the longest war in American history is the Cold War. We were in that war for well over 40 years, and we're at war today against terrorism and radical elements out there that are trying to kill us and to maim us and to harm our national interests. This is a long-term commitment, and I certainly congratulate this committee for doing the job that's necessary. Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong support of the fiscal year 2012 Defense Appropriations bill. Chairman Young, Ranking Member Dicks and the staff on both sides have worked together to produce a very good bill that supports our warfighters, plans for the future, and funds current operations in Afghanistan and Iraq, while also taking into account the fiscal restraints of the current economy. I think every Member would agree that our troops deserve the absolute best we can give and this bill reflects that they are our top priority by providing a 1.6 percent pay increase. The bill also provides for important health research--from traumatic brain injury to psychological treatment--in order to help troops transition from battle to home. The defense funding bill also ensures our military has the necessary equipment to succeed not only in the present, but in the future as well. The bill replaces the C-17 that went down in Alaska last summer, provides for the procurement of 32 Joint Strike Fighter aircraft, funds the building of 10 Navy ships, and provides for the purchase of 48 Reaper UAVs. Finally the bill accounts for the current operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, ending the bad habit of ``emergency'' funding bills that were rarely subjected to regular order and often loaded up with non- emergency items. The bill is $9 billion less than the President's request--a reflection of our times and the realization that no department in the Federal Government is exempt from budget cuts. Again, I rise in strong support of the FY12 Defense Appropriations bill. I commend Chairman Young and Ranking Member Dicks for their hard work and urge my colleagues to vote in support of the bill.

Mr. CALVERT

Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to a hero from my congressional district, United States Army Special Forces Sergeant Aaron J. Blasjo. Today I ask that the House of Representatives to join me to honor and remember this incredible young man who died in service to his country. Aaron was born in Riverside, California and graduated from Ramona High School in 2004. He was determined to be in the Special Forces and after graduation he promptly enlisted in the United States Army. Aaron was assigned to A Company, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group, Fort Bragg, North Carolina. His most recent deployment was his third tour in Afghanistan, where he served in the Special Forces canine unit. About Aaron, his grandfather, Wesley Blasjo, stated, ``I think he wanted to do something for his country. He liked the camaraderie and all the things that go along with Special Forces.'' Aaron was a member of the Palm Baptist Church and traveled to Africa on a short missionary trip to help others. A youth pastor at the church remembers Aaron as serious but caring member of their church community. In 2009, he married Crystal Thompkins in Riverside. Two months ago, Aaron became a proud father to his son, Talon Blasjo, which was one of the highlights of Aaron's life. On May 29, 2011, the day before Memorial Day, Aaron was killed in action in Wardak Province, Afghanistan, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. He was 25 years old. In addition to his wife Crystal and son Talon, he also leaves behind his mother and father Daniel and Roberta Blasjo; and his extended family. As we look at the incredibly rich military history of our country we realize that this history is comprised of men, just like Aaron, who bravely fought for the ideals of freedom and democracy. Each story is unique and humbling for those of us who, far from the dangers they have faced, live our lives in relative comfort and ease. The day they learned of Aaron's death was probably the hardest day the Blasjo family has ever faced and my thoughts, prayers and deepest gratitude for their sacrifice go out to them. There are no words that can relieve their pain, and what words I offer only begin to convey my deep respect and highest appreciation. Sergeant Blasjo's wife, son and parents have all given a part of themselves with the loss of Aaron, and I hope they know that their husband, father, and son, the goodness he brought to this world and the sacrifice he has made, will always be remembered.

Mr. CALVERT

Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor a constituent and patriot, Ronald Shugart Barbre who passed away peacefully at his home on May 15, 2011 after a brave battle with cancer. He was 76 years old. Ron was born December 20, 1934 at Queen of Angels Hospital in Los Angeles. His father, Thomas Russell Barbre, was the 39th captain in the history of the Los Angeles County Fire Department and his mother, Sarah Shugart Barbre, was a homemaker. He grew up in the Athens District of Los Angeles and graduated from Washington High School. He attended the University of Southern California (USC) on a naval ROTC scholarship and graduated with a degree in International Relations. Even though she was a graduate of cross town rival UCLA, he married the love of his life, Nancy on June 23, 1957 while on active naval duty. They initially lived in Bremerton, WA while he finished his active duty, and upon honorable discharge, moved to Balboa Island before settling in Fullerton, CA. In 1969, Ron and Nancy moved to the new community of Yorba Linda, CA where they raised their family and were active members of Rose Drive Friends Church. After his active duty military service, he earned his MBA from USC and embarked upon a successful sales career in the publishing business. He carried the first issue of Electronic Component News (ECN) and helped develop this publication in the burgeoning electronics industry for Chilton Publishing. By the time he retired in 1998, he had risen to the role of regional vice president for Chilton-ABC Publishing. Ron helped form the Orange County chapter of the Business and Professional Advertising Association (BPAA) where he annually organized the annual tennis tournament. He became a Certified Business Communicator (CBC) through the organization and assisted countless students interested in the advertising and publishing business. He also became known as ``Mr. Closer'' and developed the art of the ``power lunch''. Ron led a very active life as a competitive tennis player and indefatigable hiker & biker. He was an avid reader who loved history and biographies, and was always a faithful and active member of his church. Following the loss of his first wife, Nancy, to cancer in 1993, he moved from the hills of Yorba Linda to the coastal community of San Clemente where he married his second wife, Joyce. His dream retirement was one in which he could play as much tennis as he wished, ride his bike in flat areas, and walk on the beach every day. With Joyce, Ron joined the San Clemente Presbyterian Church where they each found a new life together. In retirement he spent time volunteering at the San Diego Air & Space Museum, as a docent at the Ocean Institute in Dana Point, and travelling the world with Joyce and many friends. He also consistently spent time with his family on both coasts and with Joyce's family of 4 children and 9 grandchildren. Ron is survived by his wife Joyce of San Clemente; son Brian (Birgit) of Gloucester, MA; his son Brett (Jean) of Yorba Linda; his grandson Daniel of Gloucester, MA; his sister Josephine Cullen of Rolling Hills Estates; his sister Jeanette Pickering of Ventura; numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, step-children & step-grandchildren, and friends and colleagues coast to coast. He was predeceased by his first wife Nancy, his parents Tom Sr. and Sarah; his sister June Wagner and his brothers Tom Barbre, Jr. and Robert Shugart. A memorial service celebrating Ron's extraordinary life will be held in June. Ron will always be remembered for his incredible work ethic, generosity, athleticism, and love of family. His dedication to his family and community are a testament to a life lived well and a legacy that will continue. I extend my condolences to Ron's family and friends; although Ron may be gone, the light and goodness he brought to the world remain and will never be forgotten.

Mr. CALVERT

Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong support of Chairman Ryan's FY 2012 budget. For the first time in several years, this budget tackles our fiscal reality and stops burying our collective heads in the sand. Let's start where we all agree: We are in dire financial trouble. But if we make some adjustments now, we will set our country on a long-term path of fiscal solvency. That's exactly what the Republican budget does. President Obama and my friends on the other side of the aisle lament the lack of tax increases in our budget. First, let's remember that we already have a deeply progressive tax structure. The top 5 percent of earners pay 60 percent of Federal income taxes collected. Yet our President and my friends on the left want to tax them even more. There seems to be a trifecta of economic strangulation under President Obama: increased regulation without congressional consent, skyrocketing energy prices and the doubling of gas prices, and now an attempt to increase taxes. How can businesses survive in this environment? We're not just talking about a precipice of fiscal solvency in our country; we're talking about the death of the American entrepreneur as we know it if we go down the path outlined by the President. Thankfully, there is a better way, the only way. The Republican budget recognizes that we must end the relentless drive to seize wealth and redistribute it. This is an alternative to the class warfare tactics of the left that pits one American against another. The Republican budget is a fair, pro-growth plan rather than a punitive tax plan. Make no mistake, the budget includes tax reforms to simplify our Tax Code, broaden the tax base, create a more fair and equitable system that will provide certainty. The Ryan budget reflects the most basic American principles. It provides for the strong defense of our Nation, ensures the safety net for our most vulnerable citizens remains solvent, and it gets government out of the way of the American free enterprise system and makes sure that entrepreneurs can survive. The budget demands that we as leaders step up and make a choice between what's popular and what's right. I choose right.

Mr. CALVERT

Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor a friend of mine, Joseph ``Joey'' Alioto who passed away peacefully at his home on March 21, 2011 after a brave battle with cancer. He will be deeply missed. I knew Joey through one of his many passions, Alioto's Restaurant which started as a fresh fish stall on San Francisco's Fisherman's Wharf in 1925. He was often found greeting guests at the door with a big smile. He had a quick wit and a generous nature that was always welcoming. Joey has joined his parents, Antoinette and Nunzio, and his sister, Michelle, and is survived by his wife of 36 years, Judy Alioto, and their four children Nunzio, Marc, Alexa, and Joey; his two siblings, my friend Francesca, Rose Marie Violante and her husband Cosmo; his mother-in-law, Ada Barone, his sister-in-law, Sister Claire ``Bonnie'' Barone, his brother-in-law, Joseph Barone and his wife Maricela. Uncle Joey was blessed with the love and support of his five nieces and nephews--Rochelle and her husband Kenneth Simurdiak, Matthew Violante, Gina and her husband Eric von Esmarch, Alessandro and Giancarlo Barone, and his five great grand nieces and nephews. Joey generously contributed his time and resources to many local civic events and causes including Fisherman's Wharf Merchant Association, Fisherman's Wharf Community Benefit District, JIGs (Just Italian Guys), Kevin Collins Foundation, The Olympic Club, One Child at a Time, Ronald McDonald House, Salesian Boys' & Girls' Club, St. Ignatius Booster's Club, St. Ignatius Alumni, St. Ignatius Fathers' Club, Special Olympics, Toys for Tots Foundation, and numerous local school fundraisers. He served as President of the Port Tenants Association and the Fisherman's Wharf Merchant Association. In April of 2009, he was given the esteemed honor of being named the ``Man of the Year'' for the Salesian Boys'' & Girls' Club. He was a person of great humility who constantly showered those around him with the abounding generosity of his heart. He will always be remembered for his passion for life, his love of music--especially opera, his sense of humor, and his generosity of heart. Yesterday a memorial service celebrating Joey's extraordinary life was held at Saints Peter and Paul Church in San Francisco. Joey will always be remembered for his incredible work ethic, generosity, love of family, and sense of humor. His dedication to his family and community are a testament to a life lived well and a legacy that will continue. I extend my condolences to Joey's family and friends; although Joey may be gone, the light and goodness he brought to the world remain and will never be forgotten.

Mr. CALVERT

Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and pay tribute to an individual whose dedication and contributions to the community of Riverside, California, are exceptional. Riverside has been fortunate to have dynamic and dedicated community leaders who willingly and unselfishly give their time and talent and make their communities a better place to live and work. Brian Hawley is one of these individuals. On March 24, 2011, Brian will be honored as the ``Volunteer of the Year'' at the 111th Inaugural Celebration of the Greater Riverside Chambers of Commerce. Brian Hawley is Chairman and Chief Financial Officer of Luminex. Founded in 1994, this privately held, global, growing, and consistently profitable company develops distinctive data storage products based on proven technologies that tackle the complex challenges of storing, archiving, distributing and protecting data. In 2002 and 2003, Luminex was named to the Deloitte Fast50 list as being one of the fastest growing technology companies in Southern California. In 2003, Luminex was one of the select few companies named to both the Inc. Magazine ``Inc. 500'' and Deloitte ``Fast 500'' as one of the 500 fastest growing companies in the United States. Along with his co-founders, Luminex received the Spirit of the Entrepreneur award in technology, the Greater Riverside Chambers of Commerce Small Business Eagle award, the UC Riverside Bourns College of Engineering Honored Alumni Award, and was honored as a California Small Business of the Year. Luminex has twenty-seven employees headquartered in Riverside, California, and additional development offices in San Diego, California, and Beaverton, Oregon. Prior to co-founding Luminex, Brian owned and managed Computer Systems International, a consulting firm specializing in corporate business computing and software development in a variety of industries. Brian has served on Riverside's High Tech Task Force, is past chairman and a founding member of the Riverside Technology CEO Forum, a past chair of the Science Technology Education Partnership, and is currently Chair of the Chamber's Governmental Affairs Committee. Brian has participated in the Chamber's annual advocacy trip to Sacramento, advocating for the best interests of the region. He was called upon by the California Chamber of Commerce to testify in support of a bill that allows employees greater flexibility in their work week. In light of all Brian has done for the community of Riverside, the Greater Riverside Chambers of Commerce named Brian their Volunteer of the Year. Brian's tireless passion for community service has contributed immensely to the betterment of the community of Riverside, California. He has been the heart and soul of many community organizations and events and I am proud to call him a fellow community member, American and friend. I know that many community members are grateful for his service and salute him as he receives this prestigious award.

Mr. CALVERT

Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and pay tribute to an individual whose dedication and contributions to the community of Riverside, California are exceptional. Riverside has been fortunate to have dynamic and dedicated community leaders who willingly and unselfishly give their time and talent and make their communities a better place to live and work. Debbi Guthrie is one of these individuals. On March 24, 2011, Debbi will be honored as the ``Citizen of the Year'' at the 111th Inaugural Celebration of the Greater Riverside Chambers of Commerce. Debbi Huffman Guthrie is retired from her 27-year career as the third-generation owner of a roofing company established by her grandfather in 1921. Since 1993, Debbi has served as a Director with Provident Bank, a publicly traded, community bank established in Riverside in 1957. Debbi is the current and former member of numerous organizations including: member, Riverside Community College District Capital Campaign Executive Committee; Chair, Riverside Aquatics Complex Fundraising Committee; Chair, Greater Riverside Chambers of Commerce Inaugural Ball Committee; Chair, ATHENA of the Inland Valleys Committee; Member, Board of Directors--Greater Riverside Chambers of Commerce; Member, Riverside Sport Hall of Fame Induction Celebration Committee; Trustee, University of California Riverside Foundation; Chair, University of California Riverside A. Gary Anderson Graduate School of Management Dean's Leadership Council; Chairwoman, Greater Riverside Chambers of Commerce; Chair, Governmental Affairs Committee and Leadership Riverside Program, Greater Riverside Chambers of Commerce; President and Member, Kiwanis Club of Riverside; President, Riverside Community College District Foundation; State Director, ATHENA Foundation; March Air Force Base Military Affairs Committee (Honorary Commander's Program); Inland Empire Council Boy Scouts of America, Distinguished Citizens Committee; and Junior League of Riverside. Debbi is the recipient of many awards including: the 2010 Riverside YWCA Irene Bonnett Volunteer of the Year; the 2010 Riverside Downtown Partnership Roy Hord ``Volunteer of the Year''; the 2003 Association of Agency Executives, Spirit of the Non-Profit Award; the 2003 Gold Key Award, Soroptimist Club; the 2001 Boy Scouts of America Distinguished Citizen Award; the Riverside Community College Inaugural Community Service Award; the 2001 Kiwanis International George Hixson Fellowship Award; the 2001 President's Award, Greater Riverside Chambers of Commerce; the 2000 Management Leader of the Year, Private Sector, UC Riverside A. Gary Anderson Graduate School of Management; and the 1999- 2000 Volunteer of the Year, Greater Riverside Chambers of Commerce. In addition to her continued involvement with Provident Bank and her volunteer commitments in Riverside, Debbi now lives part-time in southern Utah where she takes pride in working with her husband to manage their 1300-acre ranch. She enjoys being with her family, horseback riding, house-boating on Lake Powell, hikes in Zion National Park and international travel with friends. Debbi is a native of Riverside and attended Ramona High School and California State University, San Bernardino. Debbi and her husband, Jim, have four adult daughters and four grandchildren. In light of all Debbi has done for the community of Riverside, the Greater Riverside Chambers of Commerce named Debbi their Citizen of the Year. Debbi's tireless passion for community service has contributed immensely to the betterment of the community of Riverside, California. She has been the heart and soul of many community organizations and events and I am proud to call her a fellow community member, American and friend. I know that many community members are grateful for her service and salute her as she receives this prestigious award.