Dennis Cardoza

Mr. CARDOZA

Mr. CARDOZA. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. CARDOZA. Mr. Chairman, I rise today to offer an amendment that would require the GAO to conduct a study that highlights the impact that elimination of funding would have on the number of physicians that would be trained if this program were allowed to continue as intended. Countless studies have demonstrated a serious and growing shortage of health professionals facing the United States--most critically a shortage of primary care physicians and dentists. However, where I come from, there is a shortage of specialties as well. With an existing shortage well established and an aging population increasing, our country desperately needs investments in the health care workforce, not rescissions. In my home State of California alone there are 567 designated health professional shortage areas, which include a population of more than 3.8 million medically underserved individuals. In California's San Joaquin Valley, there are already fewer than 87 primary care physicians for 100,000 patients of population. The doctor/patient ratio in my region is not getting better; it is getting significantly worse. That is why I have consistently advocated for the need to improve access to care and address this vital shortage. All eight counties in the San Joaquin Valley have been designated as medically underserved by the Department of Health and Human Services, including Merced, Stanislaus, San Joaquin, Madera, and Fresno Counties. At one point a few years ago, we were down to one pediatrician for the entire county of Merced. With the passage of the Affordable Care Act, we were able to include additional funding for these medical residency programs to help address the mounting health care profession shortage in already established underserved areas. The new Teaching Health Centers Graduate Medical Education Program is intended to be an investment that helps struggling underserved communities deal with the reality of increasing demands on an already strained health care system. Studies have shown that the most effective way to attract and retain new doctors in underserved areas is to allow medical students to complete their medical residency programs in the communities that are in need. Graduating physicians most often practice in the communities where they have completed their residency training, which is why this program is uniquely important. My wife is a perfect case in point, a primary care physician who stayed in our community and practiced for 18 years after she finished the program. Without these critical investments, the lack of care will most certainly have a costly price on the health and well-being of many rural underserved communities, including those I represent. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. CARDOZA. Mr. Chairman, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. CARDOZA

Mr. CARDOZA. Mr. Speaker, May 15th through the 21st is National EMS Week, a week set aside to reflect upon and honor the life-saving and heroic role the Emergency Medical Services, EMS, community plays in our society. While everyone associated with the EMS system is worthy of due praise, I rise today to pay tribute to one particular segment of the EMS system. In conjunction with EMS Week, the Association of Air Medical Services is instituting the inaugural MedEvac Hour, asking those who are participating in EMS Week to find one hour of the week to recognize the contributions of all those involved in helicopter and fixed-wing aircraft medical transport. As a co-chair of the Congressional Air Medical Caucus, I recognize the vital role the air medical community plays in this nation's health care system. I would like to take this opportunity to especially commend the exemplary services provided to my constituents in California's 18th congressional district: PHI Air Medical of Modesto, Medi-Flight of Modesto and Merced, REACH Air Medical Services of Stockton, Sky Life Central California of Fresno, and the California Highway Patrol-- Central Division. The work they do saves lives and we are grateful for it. Numerous studies have shown that the first hour following a trauma is a critical period in determining the final health outcome of the patient. However, 46.7 million Americans live more than an hour away from a Level 1 or Level 2 trauma center. When time and distance are critical, helicopter MedEvac is the quickest and most efficient way to get critical level medical care to the patient. MedEvac helicopters are most often utilized for time-sensitive illnesses and injuries such as severe trauma, heart attacks, or strokes. In remote rural areas, MedEvac helicopters are often the only access to definitive treatment and diagnosis. It is estimated that MedEvac helicopters transport approximately 400,000 patients annually, with MedEvac fixed-wing aircraft transporting an additional 100,000-plus patients over longer distances annually. As early as 1926, the United States Army Air Corps used a converted airplane to transport patients from Nicaragua to an Army hospital in Panama, 150 miles away. Routine MedEvac transport utilizing helicopters began during the Korean conflict in the 1950s. In March of 1970, the Maryland State Police transported the first critically injured trauma patient by helicopter in the United States. The first civilian hospital-based medical helicopter service in the United States was established in 1972 at St. Anthony's Hospital in Denver, Colorado. As of the close of 2009, there were over 4,400 MedEvac pilots, 600 physicians, 5,500 nurses, and 5,300 paramedics/EMTs staffing MedEvac vehicles, both fixed-wing and helicopter, in the United States. These people save lives every day, providing critical level medical care and safe, rapid transport to the most appropriate health care facility during the most dire of circumstances. In addition, we cannot overlook the many other people, from aviation mechanics to communication specialists, that play a key role in MedEvac operations. All of the dedicated men and women of the MedEvac community deserve our heartfelt thanks. I urge all of my colleagues, during this National EMS Week, to take a moment to recognize these unsung heroes and the life-saving services the MedEvac community brings to their districts and across the nation.

Mr. CARDOZA

Mr. CARDOZA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to say a few words honoring my friend and colleague, Rep. Gabrielle Giffords. I first came to know Gabby when she joined the Blue Dog Coalition, a group of moderate, fiscally conservative Democrats of whom I have served as co-chairman. I came to know--and admire--Gabby more when I travelled to her district in southern Arizona to host a town hall on agriculture with her. As all who have met her know, Gabby is a bright, energetic young woman who is deeply committed to public service. That inner strength will no doubt carry her through this tragedy and to a full recovery. As painful as it may be too admit, this tragedy was not unexpected. Gabby's office had been the target of violence before. And, as all of us who have held public events over the past few years know, the anger and vitriol has been escalating. Sadly, it was only a matter of time before hateful speech turned to hateful action. Passionate public debate is essential to our democracy. It is what our founders fought and died for, and it is what made the United States unique among nations at our birth. But we must maintain respect and civility in our discussions. Elected officials have a responsibility to set an example and behave like statesmen. The media have a responsibility to encourage debate, without feeding the flames of anger. And the public has a responsibility to stand up and be strong voices in our democracy, without degrading the debate into petty name-calling. As one of my colleagues said recently about a verbal attack made against him, ``It's not what you meant to say that matters, or even how I understand it. What matters is how your words are interpreted by the least sane person in my district.'' I look forward to the day--hopefully soon--when we will see Gabby back on this floor, fighting for her constituents in southern Arizona. Until then, instead of pointing fingers and playing the blame game, let's take this tragedy as an opportunity to return civility to our democracy.

Mr. CARDOZA

Mr. CARDOZA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Blue Diamond Growers, celebrating 100 years of quality service, both domestically and worldwide. The seed for this American icon was planted on May 6, 1910, by 230 California almond growers, forming the California Almond Growers Exchange, a cooperative created to establish a market for quality almond production. Sixty percent of California's almond growers joined the cooperative, giving birth to America's first almond brand, the Blue Diamond, named after the world's rarest and most precious of gems, a true symbol of quality. In an effort to expand Blue Diamond's commitment to innovation and quality, the Blue Diamond forefathers made their first voyage to Italy and Spain, in 1917, to share cultural and marketing information. This marked the first promotion by an American cooperative to provide almonds to a foreign market. Soon after, Spain would become a leading market for California almonds. Blue Diamond established a partnership with the Federal government in 1928 to obtain better rail rates, thus facilitating the first speech in America aboard a train headed cross country about the importance of equitable almond prices. With continuing commitment to innovation, integrity, and satisfaction of customer needs, Blue Diamond developed the first cellophane bag to package almonds. The company funded the first nutritional research program, establishing almonds as a viable source of protein and energy. As a result, almonds are now an essential source of food in the Federal School Lunch Program. Continually searching for new ways to make almonds enjoyable and fun, Blue Diamond introduced the first almond snack, Smokehouse Almond, an American favorite for airline passengers. In 1950, Blue Diamond established the Almond Board of California, a federal marketing order, which helped to collect market information by funding research and promoting California almonds. With a commitment to quality and a desire to provide for almond lovers everywhere, Blue Diamond led the way in opening the Japanese market and established its first foreign office in Japan in the 1950s. Blue Diamond exported California almonds to Russia when it was still known as the Soviet Union. In the 1970s, Blue Diamond provided the Indian market with California almonds, a relationship that still exists today. India now imports over $100 million dollars of California almonds, making almonds the number-one U.S. export to India. Blue Diamond is currently expanding the almond market in China, which ranks among the largest in the world for California almonds. From Blue Diamond's modest beginnings as a small industry of three million pounds of almonds in 1910, California is now producing more than 1.65 billion pounds and 80 percent of the global supply. Blue Diamond's business has grown to nearly $1 billion dollars with over half of the state's almond growers owning the cooperative. Due to Blue Diamond's diligence and commitment to quality, almonds are now California's largest food export and rank as the largest tree crop in the world. Blue Diamond represents the best of the American entrepreneurial spirit and its products have become ingrained in many aspects of Americans' lives. It is a privilege to honor Blue Diamond Growers for its 100 years of leadership in developing and promoting the California almond industry both domestically and abroad.

Mr. CARDOZA

Mr. CARDOZA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize California State University, Stanislaus on their Founders Day, celebrating 50 years of service and education to the San Joaquin Valley. California State University, Stanislaus was established as Stanislaus State College in 1957 as the 15th campus in the California State University system. The new college conducted its first classes at the Stanislaus County Fairgrounds in 1960. The State of California and private donors have invested nearly $200 million in new building projects, infrastructure and campus improvements since the move in 1965 to the University's now beautifully landscaped 228-acre site in Stanislaus County. The institution gained university status and its current name as one of the 23 California State University campuses in 1986. CSU Stanislaus serves a six-county area, including San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Merced, Calaveras, Tuolumne and Mariposa Counties. Since opening in 1960 with 15 faculty and less than 800 students, 25 of whom graduated in that first year, CSU Stanislaus has grown to an enrollment of over 8,600 students and confers degrees to over 2,000 of them each year. Over 41,000 students have been awarded bachelor's and master's degrees since the first commencement ceremony in 1961. From a modest start with six undergraduate degree programs, the University has expanded its academic offerings to now include six colleges, 40 undergraduate degree programs, 25 graduate degree programs, and 13 school credential and certificate programs. CSU Stanislaus has seen its academic reputation grow, with the University ranked by The Princeton Review as one of the nation's best 373 colleges--the only institution in the CSU system included in that elite ranking. CSU Stanislaus has also been recognized by the American Association of State Colleges and Universities as one of 12 campuses nationwide for outstanding graduation and retention rates. CSU Stanislaus generates more than $300 million annual impact on the regional economy. Today, on Founders Day, CSU Stanislaus marks a half-century of excellence as students, alumni, faculty, staff and friends celebrate the University's 50th Anniversary.

Mr. CARDOZA

Mr. CARDOZA. I would like to thank Ms. Kaptur for calling up my amendment. It beat us a little bit in our anticipation of its coming forward. Mr. Chairman, I will tell you simply that the HUD programs have not worked for the central valley of California. The foreclosure programs by HUD have not worked for the United States people. Many of us in Congress warned the administration that they wouldn't work, and they continued to pursue them in any case, and they have simply failed the job. Thirty percent of the housing units in my district have been foreclosed on. It is unconscionable that we could not have done more to step in and assist the people of my district, of the people of California, of Ohio, of Florida, and of Nevada. I think that the Secretary should give his full attention to this problem. Last March, he took a trip to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. He took a whole delegation on an international housing study conference. I think he should have stayed right here in the United States and focused on the problems of the millions of Americans who are losing their homes. So, Mr. Chairman, I think it is time for HUD to stay at home and to do their jobs. If it requires us to eliminate their travel funds in order to get their attention to focus on the housing crisis, so be it.

Mr. CARDOZA. I won't take all of that time, Mr. Chairman. I will just ask my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to join me in sending a strong message to the Department of Housing and Urban Development that the foreclosure programs they have put in place have not worked for America. They need to get the message sooner rather than later because people are losing their homes every single day while they dawdle.

Mr. CARDOZA

Mr. CARDOZA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 4658, the Benton-MacKaye Cherokee National Forest Land Consolidation Act, authorizes the conveyance of land in the Cherokee National Forest and authorizes the Secretary to use the proceeds of the sale of that land for purchase of other suitable land within the forest. This bill, sponsored by my colleague from Tennessee, Representative Duncan, has the support of the Forest Service. Specifically, this legislation would relieve the Forest Service of a 66.5-acre parcel of land that has long been maintained by the Towee Falls Baptist Church. The church will purchase the land at a fair market value to make the needed expansion to the property's cemetery and church buildings. The proceeds of the sale will be used to purchase the Doc Rogers Tract within Cherokee National Forest. This tract is close to the Benton-MacKaye Hiking Trail, which feeds into the Appalachian Trail. The local community supports this sale, including the parcel into the forest boundary. I encourage all my colleagues to support the legislation.

Mr. CARDOZA. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on H.R. 4658.

Mr. CARDOZA. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4658) to authorize the conveyance of a small parcel of National Forest System land in the Cherokee National Forest and to authorize the Secretary of Agriculture to use the proceeds from that conveyance to acquire a parcel of land for inclusion in that national forest, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. CARDOZA. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. CARDOZA

Mr. CARDOZA. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on H.R. 5669.

Mr. CARDOZA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 5669 would authorize the Secretary of Agriculture to sell a parcel of land that is part of the National Animal Disease Center to the city of Ames, Iowa, in order to facilitate the building of a new water treatment facility. Faced with increasing demand and aging infrastructure, the city has determined that the most cost-effective solution is to build a new plant. The land owned by USDA adjacent to the National Animal Disease Center is such a suitable location. If Congress does not authorize this land for sale, then the city of Ames may find itself in the unpopular position of using eminent domain to acquire land to move forward with the project. It makes sense to move this legislation quickly so that a needed infrastructure project can move forward, especially since the United States Department of Agriculture has expressed support for this legislation. I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to join me in supporting this bill. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. CARDOZA. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 5669) to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to convey certain Federally owned land located in Story County, Iowa, as amended.

Mr. CARDOZA. Mr. Speaker, I want to congratulate my friend and colleague from Iowa for doing what seems to be a very responsible piece of legislation here. I have no further speakers, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. CARDOZA

Mr. CARDOZA. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1558) expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that fruit and vegetable and commodity producers are encouraged to display the American flag on labels of products grown in the United States, reminding us all to take pride in the healthy bounty produced by American farmers and workers.

Mr. CARDOZA. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on House Resolution 1558.

Mr. CARDOZA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, in my district my farmers produce a bounty of fruits and vegetables that feed families across the country and abroad. My farmers work hard in the field every single day. They love their families, their farms, and the healthy products that they grow. They also love their country. As with many of my constituents, they are proud to fly the American flag on Memorial Day and the Fourth of July. My resolution, the Grown in America Act, encourages farmers across the country to feature the American flag on their packaging so that all Americans know quickly and easily that the food that they are feeding their families is grown with pride right here in the good old USA. In the U.S., we have 310 million consumers to feed, and much of the food is supplied by our hardworking farmers right here at home. Whether you realize it or not, agriculture is at the center of many of our vital issues: feeding the hungry, improving our health, addressing the crisis of childhood obesity, emphasizing the importance of the school lunch program and much, much more. Where does that food come from? From people across the United States who are becoming more curious about their food sources. They want to know more about the food products themselves and who grew it. This resolution also has a practical application. Starting in 2002, Congress mandated that all food products be labeled with their country of origin. We had a sense that consumers wanted to know the true origins of their food. And when given that choice, consumers will choose an American-made product most every time. This choice strengthens demand and prices for U.S. farmers and ranchers. It is also important that the public understand the vital role domestic agriculture carries out to produce the safest and highest quality food in the world. Agriculture not only serves the public with high quality food, but it also creates jobs right here. In a time of economic hardship, a strong agricultural sector is needed to ensure employment at multiple levels. We often use the expression ``farm to fork'' in reference to the jobs gained as a certain commodity is grown, harvested, packed, bagged, labeled, shipped, and sold at local farmers' markets and in our neighborhood grocery stores. With this resolution, consumers can be even more empowered to choose American products over foreign imports. The flag clearly communicates the origin of the fruit or vegetable, and it's easier to read than the fine print at the bottom of the label that reads ``Product of the USA.'' If we want to feed our children the healthiest possible foods and simultaneously try to create jobs in our country, then we need to encourage American production of American products. I'm proud of the great agricultural tradition of this country, Mr. Speaker, and I encourage my colleagues to support this resolution. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. CARDOZA. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentlelady from Ohio, the ranking member on my committee, for her support of this resolution. It's a pleasure to serve with her on the Horticulture and Organic Subcommittee of the Agriculture Committee. I would just say that support of this resolution is in fact, as she said, something that will help promote products, and it is voluntary.

Mr. CARDOZA. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to support the motion, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Mr. CARDOZA

Mr. CARDOZA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Colonel Thomas C. Chapman as he is completing his post as the 29th District Commander of the Sacramento District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Col. Chapman was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Army Corps of Engineers in 1984. His initial assignments were at Fort Knox, KY, with the 552nd Engineer Battalion, 194th Armor Brigade and 19th Engineer Battalion as Platoon Leader, Company Executive Officer and Battalion Assistant S3. Follow-on assignments included Battalion S4 and Company Commander with the 326th Engineer Battalion, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) at Fort Campbell and during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. He was also Project Manager in the Chicago District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; Staff Engineer for the 2nd Infantry Division at Camp Red Cloud, Korea; and Brigade Operations and Executive Officer at Ford Leonard Wood. Col. Chapman also served as Assistant Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army Maneuver Support Center and Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army Engineer School. Col. Chapman commanded the Philadelphia District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers from July 2002 to July 2004. Before coming to the Sacramento District in 2007, he also was Assistant Corps Engineer for the NATO Rapid Deployment Corps in Italy, which included serving as Chief Engineer for NATO's International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan. Col. Chapman holds a bachelor of science degree in civil engineering from the United States Military Academy and a master of science degree in civil engineering from the Illinois Institute of Technology. He is a graduate of the U.S. Army Ranger, Airborne and Air Assault courses, the Engineer Officer Basic and Advanced courses, the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, and the Industrial College of the Armed Forces where he earned a master of science degree in national resource strategy. He is a registered professional engineer in Virginia. Through my professional work with Col. Chapman, I found him to be a consummate public servant dedicated to mission of the Corps and to seeing progress on several flood control projects of utmost importance to my congressional district. I am honored to recognize his service and call him my friend. I wish him continued success and happiness in his future. Madam Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in honoring Colonel Thomas C. Chapman for his efforts and dedication to the Sacramento District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Mr. CARDOZA

Mr. CARDOZA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Judge Donald Shaver who will retire from the court in August 2010. Judge Shaver began his legal career in private practice with Diehl, Steinheimer, Riggio, Haydel and Mordaunt in 1981. He continued private practice in 1982 with the firm, Calone and Roster in Modesto. He entered into the Stanislaus County District Attorney's Office as a homicide attorney where he remained for 7 years. Judge Shaver was appointed Judge of the Municipal Court of California, County of Stanislaus, in 1990. He served on the Superior Court and Municipal Court Consolidation Committee from 1996-1998. During this time he was elevated to the Superior Court of California, County of Stanislaus. Judge Shaver demonstrates leadership through many avenues including his recent activities as section liaison to the ABA Coalition for Justice and co-chair to the ABA Section of International Law, International Criminal Law Committee. In 2006, Judge Shaver was the first American judge to work with the International Criminal Court in The Hague. Judge Shaver is highly respected by a broad segment of the justice system based on his honesty, integrity and sense of fair play. Madam Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in honoring Judge Donald Shaver for his efforts and dedication to the Superior Court of California and the County of Stanislaus.