Dennis Cardoza

Mr. CARDOZA

Mr. CARDOZA. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to my colleague from Michigan, Mr. Stupak. (Mr. STUPAK asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. CARDOZA. Mr. Chairman, my amendment is a simple sense of Congress stressing the importance of interoperability in emergency communications. We all know the importance of overcoming interoperability problems, which have been prevalent for years but only brought to light due to the 9/11 tragedy. In this day and age, Mr. Chairman, it is critical that our first responders be able to communicate with each other in the field. The reality, however, is that firefighters, police and other emergency responders simply cannot communicate during times of emergency. For example, police chiefs in my district have informed me that officers are forced to communicate on their cell phones literally from across the street because their radios cannot operate on the same frequency; and, recently, radio communications were ineffective and created an extremely dangerous situation in the 2006 canyon fire that devastated 34,000 acres in the western portion of Stanislaus County. The need for improved emergency communications is not new. Whether we are talking about wilderness, wildfires, hurricanes or other disaster, or even day-to-day events, the same interoperability problems exist for the large communities as they do for the smallest. Large cities are receiving the bulk of homeland security funding for interoperable communications. In many instances, that is rightly the case. But interoperability is a problem that permeates across the country and also affects our smaller communities. Smaller communities face the exact same problems, yet only receive a fraction of the funding and the attention that they need. As a result, smaller communities are left behind and are forced to do the best they can with what they've got. In Stanislaus County, for example, the county was able to build the architecture for one channel through which all responders in the field can communicate. However, only one person can talk at a time. We can and need, Mr. Chairman, to do better. The point of this amendment is simply to stress the importance of achieving local, regional and national interoperability plans and the impacts they have on the ongoing efforts in communities across the country. Simply stated, localities and smaller communities matter as well, and their efforts to address interoperability should not be ignored by the Department of Homeland Security. I want to make one other statement, Mr. Chairman. In the year 2000, FEMA issued a report that outlined the three greatest disaster scenarios that might befall the United States: a terror attack in New York, a hurricane that would hit New Orleans, and an earthquake on the Hayward fault in the east bay of California that would affect the California delta and flood massive lands near my area. Well, the first two scenarios have, in fact, taken place, as we all know, and the third is still a very grave possibility. If, in fact, we have an earthquake on the Hayward fault in Northern California, the evacuation area would very likely be my area. Another area affected would be the San Joaquin delta in San Joaquin County. All of this needs to be addressed, Mr. Chairman, and interoperability is the third awaiting disaster that could hit us anytime with an earthquake. Mr. Chairman, I ask that we adopt this amendment and that Homeland Security help prepare California for the third disaster that FEMA's already noted could befall the United States at any time. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. CARDOZA. Mr. Chairman, I offer an amendment.

Mr. CARDOZA

Mr. CARDOZA. Mr. Speaker, in my close, I just want to assure the Members of Congress that we are, in fact, running the most open process in this Congress, that, in fact, we have provided seven open rules. Now those rules may have a pre-printing requirement, as Mr. Diaz- Balart mentioned, the gentleman from Florida. In fact, though, requiring a pre-printing requirement allows every Member who desires to put forward an idea to come and have their ideas presented to the House. That is much more than what happened in the prior Congress, when they were in charge. We are keeping our commitment to running an open process. As I mentioned, this legislation is very worthy of this rule and of passage. As I mentioned, small businesses have not received their fair share of Federal Government contracts, despite their importance to our economy. The bill before us today, H.R. 1873, addresses some of the key causes. By making a few targeted reforms to the procurement process, we can help thousands of small businesses and give a much-needed jolt to our national economy. We must continue to shepherd our small businesses to give them every opportunity to succeed for today and for tomorrows yet to come. This bill will move us in that direction, and a small business will be that much closer to making their dreams of prosperity a reality. I urge a ``yes'' vote on the rule and on the previous question Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time, and I move the previous question on the resolution. The previous question was ordered.

Mr. CARDOZA. Mr. Speaker, I would just like to respond to my good friend from Texas and state the committee considered his amendment, proposed amendment, and rejected it for a large reason, because we feel that it is important to make companies certify that they are, in fact, small businesses, that there have been mistakes made in the past, that companies have gotten beyond the threshold and have won contracts that they may not be authorized to do. Just because the Small Business Administration periodically will go and check that, we don't believe that that is enough of a cause to require that other small businesses be shut out of the process because companies that grow beyond the requirements are allowed special treatment. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time for my close.

Mr. CARDOZA. Mr. Speaker, I reclaim my time. The point of my claim was the gentleman's amendment had failed because we have already instituted the PAYGO rules in our rules of the House of Representatives, and we do that on a daily basis. When the gentleman's party was in power for a number of years, we saw the largest deficit increases in the history of our country, more foreign debt that they piled on to our Nation, and in fact, we are reversing the course that they set out in their prior control of Congress. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. CARDOZA. I yield to the gentleman from Georgia for a question.

Mr. CARDOZA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, in the last Congress, in both sessions, the Rules Committee reported a grand total of three open rules that were not appropriation rules. Two of them were open rules with a preprinting requirement. In this session, the new majority, we have already done seven open rules, six with preprinting requirements. And that is just in over 4 months. Say what you want, we have already had a fairer and far more open process than happened in just the last 2 years of the prior majority's rule, when their party ran this place. Mr. Speaker, Mr. Price from Georgia indicated that he has proposed a rule to get our fiscal house in order, an amendment that would do that. Yet, he has offered that same amendment several times in other pieces of legislation. Every time when it was allowed and came to the floor, his amendment failed. Further, I would like to just mention the fact that the current majority has, in fact, instigated PAYGO rules in the House of Representatives, and so we have made that the law of the House. We, in fact, are bringing fiscal responsibility to this House on a daily basis, something that the prior party in charge was not able to do over 14 years while they were in charge. In fact, the deficit went up at an astounding rate while they were in control of this institution, and it has been the Democrats who have come back to power and are instigating PAYGO rules and fiscal responsibility in the House of Congress.

Mr. CARDOZA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such times as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, House Resolution 383 provides for consideration of H.R. 1873, the Small Business Fairness in Contracting Act, under a structured rule. The rule provides 1 hour of general debate equally divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking member of the Committee on Small Business. The rule makes in order the substitute reported by the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform as original text for the purpose of amendment. The substitute shall be considered as read. The rule waives all points of order against consideration of the bill except for clauses 9 and 10 of rule XXI. The rule makes in order eight amendments that were submitted for consideration that are printed in the Rules Committee report on this accompanying resolution. Finally, the rule provides one motion to recommit with or without instructions. Mr. Speaker, the Small Business Fairness in Contracting Act, H.R. 1873, amends key sections of the Small Business Act to assist small businesses in participation in Federal procurement. The predecessors to the Small Business Administration can be traced back to World War II and efforts by President Roosevelt and President Truman. In fact, during World War II, it was found to be in our national interest to ensure a strong and diverse industrial base. Through a series of laws and procurement requirements, Congress established a benchmark to give small business every opportunity to compete fairly for the awarding of Federal contracts. Despite this clear mandate in existence for more than 50 years, small businesses, however, have not received their fair share of Federal Government contracts. For example, in 2006, the Federal Government spent over $417 billion on goods and services in 8.3 million separate contract actions. Small businesses won approximately $80 billion in contracts, approximately 21.5 percent of these contracts. This was the sixth straight year that the government has failed to meet its 23 percent small business contracting goal. This cost entrepreneurs an estimated $4.5 billion in lost contracting opportunities last year alone. Small businesses suffered this massive loss, despite their importance to our national economy. Small businesses are the engine of our economy. In fact, they are responsible for creating three out of every four jobs in the United States. We cannot afford our budding entrepreneurs to be shut out of what would be an open market and be denied the opportunity to succeed. Not when their existence is so vital to our national economy. We should not be shutting them out. Instead, we should be opening doors and shepherding their growth to ensure continued prosperity. There are many reasons for the failure to break the stranglehold on Federal contracting process. In response, H.R. 1873 takes several necessary steps to address some key causes. H.R. 1873 seeks to break down the barriers for countless entrepreneurs and small businesses that are on the road to opportunity. First, the bill bans contract bundling. Past practice has been to combine two or more smaller contracts into a single, larger package. While this bundling may be administratively convenient, it reduces competition and opportunity for small businesses. Bundling squeezes small businesses out of the contract competition, benefiting larger, full-scale businesses in the process; and when there is less competition, there is also higher cost on the taxpayer. To add insult to injury, Federal agencies are skewing the data with respect to small businesses. To give the impression that 23 percent of small business contracting goals are being met, agencies are using contracts awarded to larger companies and including them towards their small business contracting goals. H.R. 1873 seeks to reverse these trends and make it easier for small businesses to compete in the Federal marketplace. Second, the bill makes an appeals process more accessible. Under current law, small businesses are only allowed to protest the award of a contract if they are directly harmed by it, but they are unlikely to do so given the costs involved in the process. Under the bill, small businesses and trade associations acting on their behalf that are adversely affected, directly or indirectly, by a proposed procurement can now request that the SBA appeal the procurement on their behalf. H.R. 1873 increases the procurement goals for small businesses. It increases the government-wide goal for the number of contracts awarded to small businesses from 23 to 25 percent, a goal which has not been raised in over 10 years. It also increases from 5 percent to 8 percent the government-wide contracting goals for both disadvantaged and women- owned small businesses. The bill raises the threshold for small business contract set-asides to the simplified acquisition threshold. It also requires that an independent audit of the Central Contracting Registry be conducted on a biannual basis to ensure that large firms are not misrepresenting themselves as small businesses. Mr. Speaker, the opportunity for open competition for Federal contracts is immensely important to small businesses. This bill has strong bipartisan support. It passed the Small Business Committee by a voice vote, and it was sequentially referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform where it also passed by a voice vote. I would like to thank both committees for their hard and thoughtful work in bringing this legislation to the floor today. In particular, I extend my thanks to Chairwoman Velazquez, the subcommittee chairman, Mr. Braley, and Chairman Waxman. Mr. Speaker, we all recognize the importance of small businesses to our economy, and we must act on this bill without further delay. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. CARDOZA

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

Mr. CARDOZA. Mr. Speaker, I first want to acknowledge the fantastic remarks of my colleague, Mr. Israel, from the great State of New York. I also want to respond to my colleague in closing, that while we hear continued complaints about the rule process this session, we have granted the vast majority of amendments that have been offered on these last two bills. In fact, I think every amendment that was offered was granted to the minority. There is certainly no shortage of allowing the minority to have input, both in the committee and here on the floor. I just get to the heart of the topic at hand today, and that is, quite simply, we must, we must reinvigorate America's commitment to discovery. Where there is research to be done, we must undertake it. There is opportunity to be pursued. This country has always pursued the opportunities presented. We have been an innovator in the last 225 years that we have been in existence, and we must continue to pursue it. When a technological breakthrough lies far away on the horizon, we must seek it and discover it. I urge a ``yes'' vote on the rule and on the previous question. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time, and I move the previous question on the resolution. The previous question was ordered.

Mr. CARDOZA. Madam Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 318 and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. CARDOZA. Madam Speaker, for the purpose of debate only, I yield the customary 30 minutes to the gentleman from Washington (Mr. Hastings). All time yielded during consideration of the rule is for debate only. I yield myself such time as I may consume. General Leave

Mr. CARDOZA. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and to insert extraneous material into the Record.

Mr. CARDOZA. Madam Speaker, House Resolution 318 provides for consideration of H.R. 363, the Sowing the Seeds through Science and Engineering Research Act, under a structured rule. The rule provides for 1 hour of general debate, equally divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking member of the Committee on Science and Technology. The rule waives all points of order against consideration of the bill except for clauses 9 and 10 of rule XXI. The bill shall be considered as read. The rule makes in order and provides appropriate waivers for all three amendments that were submitted for consideration. The first amendment to be debated on the floor will be that of the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Hall), the ranking member of the Science and Technology Committee. Finally, the rule provides for one motion to recommit, with or without instructions. Madam Speaker, the talent, intellect and entrepreneurial spirit of the American people have made this Nation the leader in economic and technological advancements. In fact, high-tech industries drive economic growth around the world. Every day, however, my constituents tell me the United States has fallen further and further behind our competitors in Europe and Asia. The United States continues to lead the world in many statistical categories such as R&D spending and the number of scientists and engineers; however, the rest of the world is increasing its capacity, its R&D investments, and its will to catch up with us. Other countries such as China and India are pouring resources into their scientific and technological infrastructure at staggering rates, which is increasing their ability to compete with us in the global economy. For example, in South Korea, 38 percent of undergraduates received their degrees in science or engineering. In France, the figure is 47 percent. In China, it is 50 percent, and in Singapore, it is 67 percent. In the United States, only 15 percent of undergraduates receive a degree in science or engineering. More telling is the fact that approximately one-third of U.S. students intending to major in engineering switch majors to something else before graduating. Madam Speaker, the warning signs could not be any clearer. Our leadership in the race to discovery is being challenged at unparalleled levels around the world. We cannot ignore this challenge, and we cannot afford to ignore this challenge. Our society has always depended on innovation and discovery. It has depended on pioneers who push themselves to their intellectual and physical limits to find the hidden paths that lead to that discovery. Over 125 years ago, Thomas Edison who famously quipped that he had not failed but instead had found 10,000 different ways that would not work invented the light bulb, and it was Albert Einstein who once said, ``I never came upon any of my discoveries through the process of rational thinking.'' My point, Madam Speaker, is that our advancement as a society depends on leading the search for the unknown. Americans must continue to research, we must continue to develop, and we must continue to innovate in order to create new and thriving industries that will produce millions of good jobs and a better future for our children. To do that, however, we must continue to reinvigorate America's commitment to this discovery process. The National Academy of Sciences recently released a report, ``Rising Above the Gathering Storm.'' The report outlines specific recommendations to enhance the scientific building blocks in the United States. The bill we have today before us, H.R. 363, the Sowing the Seeds through Science and Engineering Research Act, draws directly from several of those recommendations. To paraphrase the report, the report recommends that we strengthen our Nation's commitment to research to maintain the flow of new ideas that fuel the economy, provide security and enhance our quality of life. In that regard, H.R. 363 seeks to improve Federal support for scientific research and education in order to maintain our position as the unequivocal global leader in innovation. H.R. 363 creates a program at the National Science Foundation to award grants to scientists and engineers at the early stage of their careers at colleges, universities and research institutions across the country. Young researchers are eligible to receive up to $80,000 per year for 5 years. The awards are granted on a competitive basis and are based on intellectual merit of their work, the innovative or transformative nature of the proposed research, and the researcher's potential for leadership at the frontiers of knowledge. The bill requires that the National Science Foundation director allocate at least 3.5 percent of its research funding for this grant program. The bill also creates a similar program in the Department of Energy for which $25 million is authorized. H.R. 363 directs NSF to allocate at least 1.5 percent of its research funds to an integrated graduate education and research training program. This program provides support to those scientists and engineers who will pursue careers in research and education. Just this week, Madam Speaker, the president of my alma mater from the University of Maryland, Dr. Mote, came by to describe some of the challenges for young researchers in just this area. It is so appropriate that Congress is taking this action at this time. This bill establishes the Presidential Innovation Award, an award which will recognize scientists and engineers who develop unique innovations in the national interests. The bill creates a national coordination office within the Office of Science and Technology Policy to better coordinate research efforts, and, finally, H.R. 363 directs the National Institute of Standards and Technology to provide a report to Congress on the efforts to attract and retain young researchers. But this bill goes far beyond the long-lasting impacts of development and innovation. It goes far beyond our ability to create jobs and compete in a global economy. It will plant the seeds of hope for a better tomorrow in communities across this country. I know firsthand what research funding will be able to do. The University of California in Merced, my hometown in my district, is on the cutting edge of several research projects where additional funding could spur the next big breakthrough. UC Merced is a leader in solar concentration technologies, just one of the many of our ongoing projects. To date, this research has largely been supported through public and private partnerships. However, increased research funding could potentially improve the efficiencies of solar power and solar thermal technologies; and if efficiency and affordability are within our grasp, we can decrease the carbon emissions and reduce our dependence on foreign oil, certainly worthy goals for this Congress. This is but one example of many research efforts across our country that has the potential to define and shape tomorrow. It is this type of project that would benefit from the funding of this bill, but how many more ideas could become reality if our researchers only had the tools that they sorely need? How many more concepts, how many more ideas are out there on the horizon waiting to be discovered? Madam Speaker, it is our duty and our responsibility as legislators to help make those dreams and ideas become a reality. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. CARDOZA. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. CARDOZA. Reclaiming my time, I acknowledge this is not an open rule, this is a structured rule. That is what we put forward. In the 12 or 14 years that the current minority was in power, we saw a declining, ever-declining number of what he considers an open rule. As I said before, we granted every amendment that came forward in the last two bills. Certainly that is in the spirit of cooperation that we bring this legislation to the House floor. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Eddie Bernice Johnson), a member of the Science Committee.

Mr. CARDOZA. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Israel), a member of the Appropriations Committee.

Mr. CARDOZA. We have no more requests for time and are prepared to close.

Mr. CARDOZA. Mr. Speaker, before I turn it over and yield to my colleague from Texas, I just want to respond to the gentleman and say, on an ongoing basis, we have heard the same drumbeat that we are somehow trampling on the rights of the minority. It is true that this is a structured rule, but it is also true, as it was with the last bill, that every amendment that has been offered has been granted. Certainly that is in the spirit of collegiality and cooperation that this House deserves. We have gone far beyond what is required. This is not an open rule, but certainly we have done more open rules in this committee than was done in the past Congress already in the first few months. We are doing everything we can to accommodate the minority in both spirit and practice. So I say to my colleague, my good friend from the State of Washington, that he has had the opportunity, every Member, I have heard no one who is clamoring for an amendment to this bill. In fact, all three amendments that were offered to the committee were, in fact, granted, and it seems to me that we are offering cooperation on a silver platter. We just need our colleagues to say ``yes'' and agree that we have done that.

Mr. CARDOZA

Mr. CARDOZA. Madam Speaker, it is with a heavy heart that I rise today to remember the late Marjorie Kathleen Heller. Known to all as ``Peggy,'' she was a wonderful friend, a remarkable teacher, an outstanding mother, and an extraordinary member of our community in Atwater, California. At the age of 91, Peggy Heller passed away on Friday, April 20, 2007. This occasion is particularly personal to me because Peggy Heller was my reading teacher in the third grade. She taught me to read in a small silver trailer on the playground of Elmer Wood Elementary School in Atwater. She was an inspiring woman, a great friend, and I never knew her to have a bad day. Peggy's love for children was evident in her words, her generosity, and her entire persona. She was a pillar of the community, an amazing educator and a dear friend who will be missed by everyone in our community. Peggy Heller was born in Oakland, California, on June 15, 1915, to Walter and Mac Gernreich. She graduated from the University of California, Berkeley in 1935 at the age of 19 and began teaching a year later at South Fork Union High School in Miranda, California. In 1938, she married Jim Heller and they moved to Atwater, California. Peggy devoted her life to the field of education and to her community. During the early years of her sons' lives, she worked as a substitute teacher at Livingston High School. She later began her work as a full-time teacher in Atwater in 1943. While working as a third grade teacher, the superintendent, Mr. Tom Olaeta, suggested she pursue her interests in reading instruction. She became Merced County's first reading specialist in 1955 and later earned her reading teacher's credentials in 1968. Many of the instructional approaches Peggy used as a teacher have now been implemented in schools across the Central Valley. She loved and respected children and strived to instill a positive feeling of self worth in each of them. She was also a mentor-teacher long before the idea was popular and she always assisted those who came to her for advice. She devoted countless hours to tutoring students and assisting teachers before, after school and on the weekends. She effortlessly helped diagnose and remediate students' reading troubles. She is an inspiration to many teachers, not only in Merced County, but to the State of California. Peggy believed each member of the school staff played a vital role in the education of youngsters. Not only did Peggy work hard in her classroom, she graciously hosted many special occasions for teachers such as Christmas get-togethers and retirement teas. Even though Peggy was the resident expert on reading instruction, her inquisitive nature led her to constantly read journals and books about education. She attended classes and seminars often at her own expense and she always shared her knowledge with others. In 1981, after 45 years of teaching, Peggy retired, briefly. She was called upon to teach English as a second language, which she did with much success. In 1987, Peggy was appointed supervisor for Chapman College. Aside from the fact that Peggy was an outstanding professional educator, she and her husband were great humanitarians. Throughout the years she served our community in a variety of capacities. She was responsible for forming the Atwater Recreation Commission and served as its first chairwoman. During her tenure as chairwoman, the commission built Ralston Park and Heller Park. She served on the County Recreation Commission, too. Both Peggy's and Jim's interest in Atwater's youth was shown by their effort to organize fundraisers for a new public swimming pool, the Atwater Plunge. They even housed Red Cross swimming instructors for many summers. She and her friends started a club for teens and taught dancing on Friday nights. The Hellers also helped Atwater develop good relations with Castle Air Force Base and they helped find housing for and entertained military personnel. Peggy was an active participant in the Girl Scouts of America, Parent Teachers Associations, International Reading Association, American Association of University Women, Retired Teachers, Atwater Women's Club, Merced County Historical Society and Bloss Historical Society. Peggy received many awards for her service to the community and her work as an educator. The National Education Association named Peggy ``Outstanding Teacher at the Intermediate Level'' in central California in March of 1966 and presented her with the Golden Apple, of which she earned several. She received Atwater's ``Mother of the Year'' award and was named ``Woman of Distinction'' in 1991 by Soroptomist. In 1995, she was given the ultimate honor of dedicating a new school in her name, the Peggy Heller Elementary School in Atwater. Later that year she received recognition from the State legislature during Women's History Month for her work with Project Cherish in Atwater. In 1999, as a member of the California State Assembly, I named Peggy ``Woman of the Year'' for the 26th District. Peggy Heller was preceded in death by her grandson Brian Boru in 1983 and her husband Jim in 1985. Today, she is survived by her son Jim and his wife Barbara, and her son Brian and his wife Dee. She also leaves behind her grandchildren Jim III and his wife Kathy, Randall and his wife Diana, Christopher and his wife Amy, Tamera and her husband Mark Johnson, and Kandace and her husband Ron Osborn. Also surviving are her 12 great-grandchildren Spencer, James IV, Randall, Nicole, Joshua and Lindsay Heller, Sophia Heller, Samantha, Mason and Tyler Johnson, and Jared and Courtney Osborn. Lastly, Peggy is survived by her caregivers Jeffrey Lawton, Mary McMurry and Jackie Benner. Madam Speaker, it is my honor and privilege to join the community of Atwater in recognizing Marjorie ``Peggy'' Kathleen Heller. Our community benefits greatly from the example she set throughout her lifetime of service as an educator who dedicated her life to her community and her family.

Mr. CARDOZA

Mr. CARDOZA. Madam Speaker, it is with the greatest respect and sincerity that I rise today to honor the late Mr. Jess Bowling. Known to many as ``Pooch,'' he was an endearing friend, a first-class sheriff, a well-beloved family man, and a respected member of our community in Merced County, California. At the age of 82, Jess Bowling passed away on Wednesday, April 18, 2007. Jess Bowling was born in Binger, Oklahoma on August 23, 1924. He moved to Dos Palos, California at the age of 11 with his father and brother, where he attended school and later married Darlene Dorrell in 1945. He began his career in law enforcement in 1953, working for the Dos Palos Police Department. In 1956, he joined the Atwater Police Department until finally moving back to Merced in 1958 to work as a resident deputy for the Sheriff's Department on the Westside. He rose quickly through the ranks of the department and was promoted to sergeant-in-command of the new Los Banos sub-station in 1962. Eleven years later, Mr. Bowling was appointed undersheriff and in August of 1974, he was named acting sheriff. That year he was officially elected sheriff by the citizens of Merced County. As sheriff, Mr. Bowling was instrumental in the development of the department, including the creation of the department's corrections division and the hiring of its first female deputy. In addition, Mr. Bowling oversaw the creation of the county's first 24-hour patrol, organized a special narcotics investigation team, began a countywide crime prevention program, created the work furlough program for prisoners and significantly improved the jail communication system. Sadly, due to health reasons, Mr. Bowling retired from the Sheriff's Department in 1980. At the time of his death in 2007, Bowling was the oldest living Merced County sheriff. Mr. Bowling is survived by his daughter Shirley Foley of Los Banos, his brother Jack Bowling of Atwater, his three grandchildren Talisha Zorra of Los Banos, Aaron Crutcher of Anchorage, Alaska, and Lance Crutcher of Merced, and 15 great-grandchildren. Madam Speaker, it is my honor and privilege to join the community of Dos Palos in recognizing Jess ``Pooch'' Bowling. Our community benefits greatly from the example he set throughout his lifetime of service as a sheriff who dedicated his life to his community and his family.

Mr. CARDOZA

Mr. CARDOZA. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Res. 179, a resolution declaring the sense of the House that a National Foster Parents Day should be established. I have a very personal interest in this issue. Seven years ago, I adopted two foster children. Since then, I have advocated on behalf of adoption and foster children in the California Assembly and in Congress. Our Nation's foster care system was created as a temporary safe haven for abused and neglected children. Sadly, it has become a way of life for too many of our youth. On average, foster children spend nearly 3 years in the system, and move as many times from one placement to another and from school to school. Far too many spend much longer in the system, with as many as 24,000 young adults expected to ``age out'' of the system this year, cut loose with no family and little support. Several studies released in 2005 documented the special challenges facing these youths, especially in the areas of mental health, education and employment. They are especially poorly prepared to be self-sufficient. Despite the sometimes valiant efforts and good intentions of social workers, judges, foster parents and others, day-to-day life for children in foster care is often filled with emotional hardship. Each year, thousands of children entering foster care will be separated from their brothers and sisters, some losing touch with each other for years to come. The trauma of foster care takes its toll on young children. Over one-third will neither earn a high school diploma nor a GED. One in four children in foster care will be incarcerated within the first 2 years after leaving the system, and over 20 percent will become homeless at some time after they turn 18. These children are waiting. Speaking from personal experience, there is no greater joy in life than helping a child. Every child, no matter what station they may be born to, deserves a chance to be raised in a stable and loving home. Innocent children should not be forced to bear the mistakes of others. This is a big problem that will require bold solutions. In order to save the next generation of children, we must re-dedicate ourselves to their welfare and pledge to do whatever necessary to nurture and protect them. This resolution, by highlighting attention to the problem, is a necessary first step. I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.

Mr. CARDOZA

Mr. CARDOZA. Mr. Speaker, the Rules Committee is expected to meet the week of April 23 to grant a rule which may structure the amendment process for floor consideration of H.R. 362, the 10,000 Teachers, 10 Million Minds Science and Math Scholarship Act. Members who wish to offer an amendment to this bill should submit 30 copies of the amendment and a brief description of the amendment to the Rules Committee in H-312 in the Capitol no later than 4 p.m. on Friday, April 20. Members are strongly advised to adhere to the notice of amendment deadline to ensure the amendments that they provide receive consideration. Amendments should be drafted to the bill as reported by the Committee on Science and Technology. A copy of that bill is posted on the Web site of the Rules Committee. Amendments should be drafted by Legislative Counsel and should also be reviewed by the Office of the Parliamentarian to be sure that amendments comply with the rules of the House. Members are also strongly encouraged to submit their amendments to the Congressional Budget Office for analysis regarding possible PAYGO violations.

Mr. CARDOZA

Mr. CARDOZA. Mr. Speaker, I rise in full support of House Concurrent Resolution 88, honoring the life and many achievements of Ernest Gallo. I am proud to say that Ernest Gallo was not only a constituent of mine but he was also a dear friend. Over the years I served in the California State legislature and here in Congress, Ernest's deep commitment to California and to winemaking was a constant presence that guided many of my legislative efforts. Decades ago Ernest Gallo, along with his brother Julio, recognized the great potential of the San Joaquin Valley, with its temperate weather and its extraordinary fertile soil, to foster the growth of a strong domestic wine industry. They cultivated the Gallo Winery from a small plot of land with just a few grape varieties to a multinational beverage company that ranks as the second largest in the world. My district, California's 18th Congressional District, grows nearly 250 different crops, from asparagus to sweet potatoes, and is home to a number of agricultural businesses, some small and some quite large. But not one business has had more impact on the rich tapestry of the valley than Gallo Winery. The Gallo Winery provides hundreds of my constituents with high-skill employment opportunities and serves as a solid foundation for continued growth in the region. The Gallo family has contributed to countless community projects throughout the valley and to medical research projects devoted to curbing alcoholism. Ernest Gallo and the Gallo Winery revolutionized the U.S. wine industry. But what was once a boutique industry reserved for the upper crust of society is now a billion dollar business that equalizes social classes by allowing the masses to participate in wine drinking and winemaking. In his youth, Ernest and his brother Julio recognized an unmet need in the wine industry. Demonstrating his acute business skills, Ernest quickly capitalized on the market gap and set about to create inexpensive wines for the enjoyment of all citizens. The trend of affordable wines caught on, and quickly Gallo Winery became one of the most respected companies in the business. For agriculture, the impact has been just as immense. The success of the Gallo Winery was one of the catalysts to bringing much-needed attention to the other side of American agriculture, that which was taking place outside of the traditional farming that was done in the Midwest. Furthermore, Gallo's commitment to environmentally sustainable farming permeates the wine grape growing industry even today and will surely be the standard for years to come. Ernest and the entire Gallo family have long partnered with the surrounding community, especially with the city of Modesto, to give back in a number of generous ways. For instance, the Gallo Arts Center in Modesto, which is under construction now, once completed will attract quality arts and entertainment performances where there had been virtually none before. For the first time, valley residents can participate in the cultural experiences on par with our urban neighbors. However, above all, beyond Ernest's commitments and achievements in his professional life, he must also be lauded for his personal story. He was the son of Italian immigrants who started out with nothing and, armed with little else than a brochure in winemaking from the local library, he grew the Gallo Winery empire. Ernest Gallo is one of the finest examples of an American success story. Our culture praises individuals like Ernest, and rightly so. It is what we teach our children and our children's children, that you can take nothing for granted, that you always must take what you are given, and in Ernest's case it was his keen business sense, and turn that gift into something substantial. I am proud to have represented Ernest Gallo all these years and even more proud to have called him my friend. He will be remembered fondly for his contributions to the industry, to agriculture, and to the community. I thank my colleagues for their consideration.