Cal Dooley

Mr. DOOLEY of California

Mr. DOOLEY of California. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson-Lee). (Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas asked and was given permission to revise and extend her remarks.)

Mr. DOOLEY of California

Mr. DOOLEY of California. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman for yielding time to me. I also want to commend the gentleman from Texas (Chairman Combest) and the ranking member, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Stenholm), for their work on crafting this proposal. I am going to vote for this measure today on the floor, or when we vote on final passage; but I also want to assure Members that there is more work that we need to do on this bill before it is going to be drafted in a responsible manner that can, I think, give us great confidence that it is the best policy for agriculture when it is signed into law. This bill does take the appropriate direction in terms of moving forward with an increased investment in conservation, nutrition, as well as rural development; that those are important components of our rural economy and the fabric of our communities in rural America. I commend the chairman and the ranking member for moving in that direction. I also understand, as a farmer as well as a Member of Congress, that we are facing as tough times in the agriculture sector as we have faced in a century. We have the lowest sustained commodity prices that we have ever seen. Farmers are on the ropes. The additional financial assistance we are providing through the fixed payments, as well as the countercyclical programs, are important to these farmers. However, I hope as we move this legislation through the House in the next day, and move hopefully into a conference committee with the Senate this year, that we will be open to making some modifications that will ensure that this significant increase in investment of taxpayer dollars will in fact go to the farmers. I am very concerned that a lot of our programs, and even some of the programs that are in this bill today, are designed in a way where too much of that financial benefit is being derived by landowners and has resulted in increased property values and land grants. We are going to be paying $90 billion in fixed payments and countercyclical payments to farmers over the next 10 years. Unfortunately, a lot of that money is not going to go to the actual producers of the crops. In my area is a good example. We have some farmers who have not farmed an acre of cotton in the last 10 years that, under this program, could get as much as $125,000 a year for a cotton payment without ever growing an acre of cotton. I think that is a problem and I think we need to make some reforms. Later in the consideration of this bill, I will be offering an amendment that will provide for a different approach on a countercyclical program that will ensure that payments go directly to the farmers, which I think is very, very important. I am also a little concerned about the special consideration that we are giving to the peanut program. We will be spending $3.2 billion additional taxpayer dollars for peanuts, a crop I consider a specialty crop. A crop that is going to result in having taxpayer payments of $320 million a year in a commodity that only has a gross annual product value of $1 billion. I represent the Central Valley of California that is home to a lot of specialty crops. I have the almond industry in my district, which is a $1.8 billion industry. In this bill, they get absolutely no support. I think that we need to find a way that we can assure greater equity and that we are providing support to all of our commodities that are specialty crops in an equitable manner.

Mr. DOOLEY of California

Mr. DOOLEY of California. Mr. Speaker, yesterday our nation experienced one of the worst tragedies in its history. It was a tragedy caused by violent terrorists with no regard for precious human lives. It was a tragedy that reminded us not to take our freedoms for granted. And it was a tragedy that will be sure to touch the lives of everyone in our nation for a long time. Today I want to express my deepest personal condolences and concerns to the victims of yesterday's tragedy and their families. The attacks yesterday on passengers on four airlines flights, the World Trade Center in New York, and the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. struck at the heart of our nation. They struck our entire country by attacking some of our great nation's most important symbols and institutions. The Pentagon is a symbol of our nation's great military might, which protects our borders and defends our democratic way of life. The World Trade Center was a symbol of this nation's vital and strong economy--an economy that will remain as strong as the resolve of all Americans. More than assaulting our symbols, the terrorists struck at the heart of our nation--its people. They struck not just the immediate victims of yesterday's violence, but at many, many more. They struck the victims' families, friends, and all our communities. Their violence didn't just destroy buildings--it took away the gift of life from countless innocent Americans. The human cost of this violence will be deep. I join with all of my colleagues in declaring today a national day of mourning. It is important that we take the time to mourn the dead and others affected by this tragedy. Only by mourning and praying can we come to grips with this terrible act and make peace with its consequences. But we must do more than mourn. We must act swiftly in the coming days to provide emergency aid to support to those areas affected by the violence. This should include federal funds for rescue, recovery, rebuilding, and counseling. And it should also include individual volunteer efforts, whether it's the donation of blood or assistance in providing solace and comfort to the victims' families. We must find the perpetrators of these heinous acts and bring them to justice. I have faith the President Bush will act quickly and aggressively to identify the terrorists and launch appropriate retaliation. We must do everything in our power to prevent terrorists from inflicting this strain of violence in the future by significantly increasing our intelligence budget and investing more in traditional human espionage. We must work to restore the fullest confidence in our airway safety by strengthening security measures at airports around the country. Most Americans understand that greater security measures may entail some sacrifices, but those sacrifices may be a small price to pay for greater peace of mind. And finally, we must help each other heal from this tragedy. When terrorists seek to divide us, we must remember to trust each other and to stand united. By placing our trust in each other, we can once again strengthen and preserve the strong bonds of this country that these terrorists tried to break.

Mr. DOOLEY of California

Mr. DOOLEY of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to former California state senator Rose Ann Vuich, a mentor and friend of mine who passed away in Dinuba, California on August 30, 2001. Rose Ann's parents immigrated from Yugoslavia to California's Central Valley, where the family ranched near the community of Cutler. After Rose Ann's father Obren passed away in 1940, her mother Stana and the family worked hard to keep the ranch prosperous. Their prosperity led them to eventually acquire three other ranches and allowed Rose Ann to open her own accounting firm in Dinuba. Rose Ann was close to her family and deeply committed to her community. She served on the boards of the Tulare County Fair and Alta District Hospital and was active in political organizations. Rose Ann was truly a barrier breaker. She paved the way for other women in public service by being elected as California's first female state senator in 1976. Before that, she was the first female president of the Dinuba Chamber of Commerce. She forced changes in the Senate, most notably when she rang a bell on her desk whenever male colleagues referred to the ``gentlemen of the Senate.'' During her sixteen years in the state senate, Rose Ann was a model public servant. She listened carefully to her constituents, represented them tirelessly, and set an example of integrity and character. She encouraged people to expect more of their elected officials, and her shadow over the Central Valley will be long. She set a strong standard of ethical behavior that led her to raise tough questions about legislation before the Senate. She rose to become chairman of the Senate Banking and Commerce Committee, a position that allowed her to advocate on behalf of Valley agriculture. She also tirelessly shepherded construction of Highway 41 in Fresno, which she considered her proudest accomplishment. On a personal level, I had the pleasure of serving as Rose Ann's Administrative Assistant immediately prior to my coming to Congress in 1990. I learned from Rose Ann the virtue and dedication of public service, and the importance of standing up for what is right. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me today in paying tribute to Rose Ann Vuich and celebrating her long and distinguished legacy of service to California's Central Valley.

Mr. DOOLEY of California

Mr. DOOLEY of California. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of the association health plan proposal before us. The number one problem in health care facing Americans is not their problems with their managed care organization; the number one problem facing Americans today is the fact that we have 43 million of our citizens who are uninsured. I represent a district in the Central Valley of California, one of the lowest income areas, one that has a lot of families that are farm workers. It is predominantly Latino in its makeup. Association health plans hold the promise of allowing associations to come together to offer these families and the children of these farm worker families a health insurance policy that otherwise would not be available to them. Mr. Chairman, we have to come to understand that what we are trying to do here is to provide a mechanism for farmers and small business people to come together, to come together so that they can offer a plan that is similar to what Boeing, Microsoft and GM are offering to their employees. This holds the promise of ensuring that some of those 43 million people, some of whom are living in my district, some of whom have the lowest incomes, will have access to a quality health insurance plan that otherwise they would be denied.

Mr. DOOLEY of California

Mr. DOOLEY of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Vinh Trong Ngo, a loving father of four and a community leader from Fresno, California, who died of a heart attack in Sacramento on May 10, 2001. Mr. Ngo was born in Vietnam, graduated from Law University Saigon and later attended the University of California at Los Angeles. He then retuned to his home country and, in 1975 while fighting for the Army of the Republic of Vietnam, was captured by North Vietnamese soldiers and spent the next five years in a labor camp. In 1980, Mr. Ngo escaped from the camp and fled to the United States. Mr. Ngo received from the United States the Distinguished Award for Bravery and the Silver Star for his military service. In the early 1980s, he earned a Master's degree in Family Counseling from Western Oregon State College and moved to California. Over the years, Mr. Ngo worked as a legislative assistant to Senator John McCain of Arizona and was a principal consultant to former Californian Assembly Member Art Agnos of San Francisco. For the past four years, Mr. Ngo worked as the regional director of public affairs and development for Planned Parenthood Mar Monte. He was a leader in numerous community organizations, including the East Bay Vietnamese Association, the Refugee Federation of Oregon, Interfaith Alliance of Central Califonia, Amnesty International, the Vietnam Veterans Association of California, the National Women Political Caucus and the Institute for Democracy. He is survived by his wife, Namanh Bui, and four children. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me today in paying tribute to Vinh Trong Ngo and celebrating his legacy of service to his family, his community, and his country.

Mr. DOOLEY of California

Mr. DOOLEY of California. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. In closing, I urge all my colleagues to support this amendment. Once again, I want to compliment the gentleman from Ohio (Chairman Boehner) and the gentleman from California (Mr. George Miller) for their terrific work on this legislation. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. DOOLEY of California. I yield to the gentleman from Michigan.

Mr. DOOLEY of California. I yield to the gentleman from Ohio.

Mr. DOOLEY of California. I yield to the gentleman from Rhode Island.

Mr. DOOLEY of California. Mr. Chairman, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Rhode Island (Mr. Kennedy).

Mr. DOOLEY of California. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. DOOLEY of California. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. First off, I want to compliment the gentleman from Ohio (Chairman Boehner), the gentleman from California (Mr. George Miller), the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Kildee), and the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Roemer) for the terrific work they have done in putting together what is truly a bipartisan education reform bill. I represent a region of California, the Central Valley, which is one of the most low-income areas of the Nation, an area populated by a lot of farmworker families. It is these children that this bill has the greatest promise of helping, because it is important for us to have our schools ensuring that they are providing the academic programs that are ensuring that these students are going to have the skills that allow them to compete and win in our economy and our society today. Mr. Chairman, this legislation holds a promise, by providing for greater accountability, to really empower communities, families, students, as well as schools, to really be able to understand what they need to be doing in order to improve the programs they are providing to enrich the academic performance of their schools. What is also important for us, and that is the crux of this amendment, is that we ensure that that information that we are gathering, through this accountability process, will be easily understood by parents, teachers, as well as the community. The thrust of this legislation is really truth in accountability. We need to be able to assure that we can provide this data and this information in a manner which really can be utilized and understood by the families so that they can understand what they have to do to see how they can improve the schools, how they can ensure that they are working together as partners with our teachers and schools. In many ways, this amendment can also be viewed as a sunshine amendment by ensuring once again that when we ask schools to adopt these accountability standards, that they are providing this information in a manner which is easily understood. This amendment I think will go a long way to ensure that the thrust and the focus of this legislation, which is to provide greater academic performance in our schools through this greater accountability, that will make sure we can translate this information in a way that will empower parents to have a better understanding of what needs to be done and how their school is actually performing. Mr. Chairman, I ask all my colleagues to support this. Mr. Chairman, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Roemer).

Mr. DOOLEY of California. Mr. Chairman, I offer an amendment.

Mr. DOOLEY of California

Mr. DOOLEY of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Rita Bee Hill of Visalia, California, a loving mother and wife, a community leader, and a dear friend of mine who passed away in an automobile accident on May 4, 2001. Rita was born in Hayward on Aug. 1, 1949. After graduating from California State Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo in 1971, Rita moved to Visalia to work for the Tulare County Planning Department. She married Jim Hill in Visalia on Dec. 16, 1972. Throughout her 17-year career with the Planning Department, she served in many local and state leadership roles and was instrumental in the establishing and managing the Tulare County Economic Development Corporation. In 1989, Rita joined my sister in law, Diana Dooley, as partners in a local public relations agency. The company, which later became Rita B. & Company, worked on behalf of local community projects and groups, exemplifying Rita's commitment to community. As a friend recently observed, Rita Bee Hill was her father's daughter. Her father, Carlos Bee, was speaker pro tem of the California Assembly and was a champion for higher education. Like her father, Rita believed people could solve problems by working together. She inspired, cajoled and shamed people into doing the right things and she rolled up her sleeves and worked alongside everyone from whom she requested help. Rita was active in a number of community organizations, serving as a member or leader of groups including the Visalia Chamber of Commerce, Visalia and County Center Rotary Clubs, Networking for Women, Visalia Planning Commission, City Manager's Advisory Group, California Women for Agriculture, Family Planning Program and the United Way of Tulare County. In 1998, Rita was recognized for her record of service by being bestowed with Visalia's Woman of the Year award in 1998. In addition to all she did for our community, Rita was extremely dedicated to her family. She is survived by her husband, Jim, a math instructor at Redwood High School; her son, Tony; her granddaughter, Libby; and a large extended family throughout the country. Rita also leaves behind many friends who feel as she treated them as family. On a personal note, my wife Linda and I had the opportunity to become close friends with Rita and Jim over the years. When I first ran for office at a time when few believed that I would succeed, Rita was one of my strongest and most dedicated supporters. She went on to be one of my most loyal supporters in all my subsequent re-election efforts, and even hosted my campaign office in her company's conference room for many years. This year, I designated her as my delegate to the California Democratic Party convention. Rita's strong civic spirit, generous heart, and concern for others were obvious to all those she touched. Always living life to the fullest and always advocating the most noble of causes, Rita was a shining example of what it means to be a citizen and friend. Her passing will leave a tremendous void in the life of the Visalia community. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me today in paying tribute to Rita Bee Hill and celebrating her legacy of service to her family, her community, and her country.

Mr. DOOLEY of California

Mr. DOOLEY of California. Mr. Speaker, as a proud member of the Congressional Armenian Caucus and the representative of a thriving community of Armenian-Americans, I join many of my colleagues today to recognize the 86th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. This terrible human tragedy must not be forgotten. Like the Holocaust, the Armenian Genocide stands as a tragic example of the human suffering that results from hatred and intolerance. One and a half million Armenian people were massacred by the Ottoman Turkish Empire between 1915 and 1923. More than 500,000 Armenians were exiled from their ancestral homeland. A race of people was nearly eliminated. It would be an even greater tragedy to forget the Armenian Genocide. To not recognize the horror of such events almost assures their repetition in the future. Our statements today are intended to preserve the memory of the Armenian loss, and to remind the world that the Turkish government still refuses to acknowledge the Armenian Genocide. The truth of this tragedy can never and should never be denied. I would like to commend the Armenian-American community as it continues to thrive and provide assistance and solidarity to its countrymen and women abroad. The Armenian-American community is bound together by strong generational and family ties, an enduring work ethic and a proud sense of ethnic heritage. Today we recall the tragedy of their past, not to place blame, but to answer a fundamental question, ``Who remembers the Armenians?'' Our commemoration of the Armenian Genocide speaks directly to that, and I answer, we do.

Mr. DOOLEY of California

Mr. DOOLEY of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Stephen J. Hawkins, who is retiring as Postmaster of the city of Fresno after more than thirty-five years of service to the United States Postal Service. Mr. Hawkins arrived in Fresno after a successful career with the Postal Service in San Francisco, San Diego, and Los Angeles. Mr. Hawkins has served the Fresno community in numerous ways. As the city of Fresno has grown exponentially over the past few years, Mr. Hawkins was instrumental in increasing the number of postal stations in Fresno. Mr. Hawkins' dedication to public service extends beyond his professional life. He was the chairman of the Fresno/Madera County Combined Federal Campaign from 1994 through 1999 and helped raise more than five hundred thousand dollars for local charities. Mr. Hawkins has been a leader in community organizations, having served on the Board of Directors of Fresno United Way and President of the Federal Executive Association. He has also encouraged postal employees to volunteer and contribute to the community to such events as the Juvenile Diabetes Walk and the American Cancer Society Run. Mr. Hawkins has helped to raise public awareness of commemorative stamps honoring worthy causes and notable Americans, including the breast cancer awareness stamp, the stamp honoring those who serve, the hospice stamp, and the adoption stamp. Mr. Hawkins has been active in Fresno's civic life, working with the Sister Cities Organization and making a presentation and tour of the Fresno postal facilities to Fresno's sister city in China. In recognition of Mr. Hawkins' outstanding communications and community outreach, he was awarded with the Postal Service's prestigious Benjamin Award for four years in a row. Mr. Speaker, please join me in congratulating Stephen J. Hawkins on his retirement and in wishing him continued success in the future.

Mr. DOOLEY of California

Mr. DOOLEY of California. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Washington (Mr. Smith) for yielding to me, and I am just delighted to be here in support of our three Rs proposal. As Democrats, we recognize that we have to make reforms in the way that the Federal Government is participating as a partner with our local school districts, and what we are doing with this proposal is understanding that it is incumbent upon us to invest more in our public schools and investing those dollars in a way which we are sure are going to benefit those students that are facing the greatest challenges. I represent a district in the central valley of California. It is one of the lowest income districts in the State. There is a lot of farm worker families that are struggling to make ends meet. Our school districts are struggling financially, and what this proposal will ensure is that those children of farm workers are not going to be left behind, that the Federal Government is going to be there in order to provide them with the resources that those schools need to ensure that they are going to have the opportunity to excel academically. But basically as a covenant that we are creating here with our local school districts, by providing these additional dollars, we are going to be demanding more. We are going to be demanding that those schools be held accountable for improving the academic performance of these students. We are going to require that we see improvement on an annual basis of these children and their performance in their classes. We also are convinced that while we are providing these additional resources, we are providing for greater accountability that we have to have confidence in our local school districts, to do what they think is best in order to provide for this quality academic environment. Thus, we are giving those school districts greater flexibility. We have consolidated over 45 programs down into five revenue streams, giving those school districts the ability to develop those programs that are going to meet some of their unique challenges. So in return for that investment of additional dollars, in return for giving those school districts greater flexibility, we are going to demand the greater accountability, because we believe, as President Bush does, that we cannot leave any child behind. We disagree with President Bush on a number of his proposals, but where there is a lot of in common, there are some significant differences is that with our proposal, when we have a school that is not meeting the academic performance that we believe is appropriate, is that we provide them with additional resources, both in personnel and dollars initially to help see improvement there. But if they continue to fail, we then provide for the option of those school children to go into other public schools. We provide for public school choice. We also allow that school district to convert that school to a charter school so they can try different and more innovative approaches to improving the academic environment there. President Bush takes a little bit different approach, and basically he would abandon those schools after 3 years and give that child a $1,500 voucher that could be used at another public school or a private school. Many of us think that is a false promise, because a $1,500 voucher to a farm worker child in my district that does not have a private school option, or the private school option they have is much more expensive than that, it is really a false promise. We are hopeful as we move forward here with this debate on education that we can narrow or find the common ground that is between President Bush's proposal and what we are offering today, because we think, we are not that far apart, with the exception of the utilization and embracement of vouchers by President Bush. Our 3 R's proposal is one which I am convinced will provide the flexibility and resources that our local schools need, will ensure that our children will have a higher quality education, and will ensure that those children that are in some of the most struggling economic areas of our country will have the resources that they need to ensure that they will have the academic opportunities that are going to be so important in terms of their future success. Mr. Speaker, I say to the gentleman from Washington (Mr. Smith), I really appreciate all the work the gentleman has done there and all the cosponsors of this legislation.

Mr. DOOLEY of California

Mr. DOOLEY of California. Mr. Speaker, I was unavoidably detained during the vote on the conference report on H.R. 4577 on December 15, 2000. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on the measure.

Mr. DOOLEY of California

Mr. DOOLEY of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the brave American sailors aboard the U.S.S. Cole whose lives were taken off the coast of Yemen on October 12, 2000. I would like to express my deepest sympathies to the sailors' families during this difficult time. We will never forget the sailors and the sacrifice they have made for our country. It is through their courageous service that all Americans are allowed to live in freedom. I would also like to honor the other sailors aboard the U.S.S. Cole, both those injured and non-injured. This tragedy should be a reminder to all Americans that on a daily basis our men and women serving in the military are continually putting their lives on the line for our country in many parts of the world. Even in times of relative peace, the potential dangers faced by our service members never cease to exist. This horrible incident is of particular concern to me because my District is home to Naval Air Station, Lemoore. Men and Women in my district proudly serve their country and bravely confront serious dangers. I know that the tragedy aboard the U.S.S. Cole evokes a painful reminder of these dangers to all military families. My thoughts are with the Navy families in my district who are mourning the loss of their fellow service men and women. I am hopeful we will find those who were responsible for this cowardly act and hold them accountable. We owe it to the lost sailors and their families. Today, as the families and friends of the victims come together in Norfolk, Virginia to honor their loved ones, I would like to offer my condolences and prayers. They will not be forgotten.

Mr. DOOLEY of California

Mr. DOOLEY of California. Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not present.

Mr. DOOLEY of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 3986 would simply authorize a study of a new water pumping plant at the Prosser Diversion Dam in the State of Washington. According to the sponsors of the legislation, the gentleman from Washington (Mr. Hastings) and Senator Gorton, the study would determine if diverting water for irrigation from the larger Columbia River instead of the Yakima River would help save the endangered fish in the area. There is no objection to the enactment of H.R. 3986. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. DOOLEY of California

Mr. DOOLEY of California. Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong support of this amendment. I would agree on one point that one of the opponents of this amendment made, and that is that none of us are apologists for the actions of Castro. Truly, he has infringed upon human rights, he has impeded religious freedoms, he has impeded the advancement of democracy. But where I absolutely disagree is what is the policy that this country can adopt that is going to advance democracy in Cuba? And it is a policy of engagement. This simple amendment we are talking about today is one that we will allow for the sale of U.S.-produced agricultural products and medicines to Cuba. A policy of isolation has done nothing to advance democracy over the past 40 years. It is time for us to adopt a policy that will let us flood Cuba with U.S.-produced rice, with U.S.-produced wheat, with U.S.-produced beef products. That is going to do more to achieve our objectives. I think it is somewhat ironic that Cuba today, per capita, is probably exporting more doctors throughout the world than any other country, yet the United States, the economic power, the leader in medicine technology, is refusing to sell medicinal products to Cuba. That is outrageous. That is not a policy that this country should be proud of. If we truly are a country that respects democracy, that understands how we can best influence the actions of a country, then we should be embracing the policy of economic engagement which we adopted with China, that we should adopt in Vietnam, and which we should adopt in Cuba to make a difference in advancing the rights of the people of Cuba.

Mr. DOOLEY of California

Mr. DOOLEY of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise just to announce to my colleagues that the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Roemer), our good friend, and his wife, Sally, had a baby this morning, a little girl. I think it is important, when we have spent some time talking about marriage today, that we talk about a product of a very great marriage, and that is Tim and Sally Roemer, who, this morning, at 3:30, had their fourth child, a girl, Grace Elizabeth, who is 7 pounds 11 ounces. I just want to announce this to my colleagues, and we all join them in wishing them the best.

Mr. DOOLEY of California

Mr. DOOLEY of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Armando and Betty Rodriguez of Fresno, CA, who are this weekend celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary. As life-long residents of Fresno and active participants in the community, Armando and Betty have had a tremendous impact on their friends, neighbors and fellow community members over the past 50 years, and have demonstrated a loving devotion to one another that make their successful marriage an inspiring example. Betty and Armando Rodriguez were both born in Fresno and were high school sweethearts at Edison High School, where they graduated in 1947. They were married on July 15, 1950 and 2 years later, Armando joined the U.S. Air Force, serving for 4 years including a tour of duty in Korea. After being discharged, Armando reunited with Betty in Fresno and completed his undergraduate degree. After being accepted to Lincoln University School of Law in San Francisco, Armando began his legal studies while Betty supported both of them by working in a number of part time jobs. Armando's deep commitment to serving the public interest through the legal system was demonstrated immediately after he passed the bar exam and returned to California's Central Valley to help establish the California Rural Legal Assistance office in Madera. His commitment to public service has been the hallmark of his career, having served as an elected member of the Fresno County Board of Supervisors from 1972 to 1975, and on the bench as a Fresno Municipal Court judge for 20 years, from 1975 to 1995. Though he officially retired from the bench in 1995, Armando continues to serve in his capacity as a judge when called upon. He has also been actively involved in the Fresno Torreon Sister Cities program, Arte Americas, Fresno Metropolitan Rotary, and previously served as the state president of the Mexican American Political Association. Betty Rodriguez has also been active in a number of community organizations, helping to found the League of Mexican American Women, and participating in Ladies Aid to Retarded Citizens, the League of Women Voters, the Mexican-American Political Association, Friends of the Library, and countless other organizations. Despite her many commitments to the community, she has also been a devoted caretaker of the Rodriguez home throughout their 50 years of marriage and has been the behind the scenes leader keeping the family very close. The key to Armando and Betty's 50 years together has been their undiminished love for each other and for those around them, and their shared and deep desire to contribute to the local community. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me today in congratulating Armando and Betty Rodriguez on celebrating their 50th year of marriage, and expressing our hope that they are blessed with many more joyous years together.