Jeff Denham

Mr. DENHAM

Mr. DENHAM. Mr. Chairman, I claim time in opposition to the amendment.

Mr. DENHAM. Mr. Chairman, I, too, represent San Joaquin County, along with Representative McNerney, and believe that this is a solution to a big problem that we share within the delta. This native species is something that needs to be managed and is a welcome amendment to this bill. This amendment rightly focuses on the invasive plant that can have devastating impacts on fish and other organisms in the delta. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. DENHAM. Mr. Chairman, I ask unanimous consent to claim time in opposition to this amendment, although I am not opposed to it.

Mr. DENHAM. Will the gentleman yield?

Mr. DENHAM. I believe the gentleman has two amendments today.

Mr. DENHAM

Mr. DENHAM. Mr. Speaker, it is an important and critical time for the State of California. We are facing an unprecedented drought that is affecting farms, families, and communities that are just being shut off from water, communities that are not only rationing, but now having to have water trucked in. This has been an ongoing battle. This battle has been going on for years. Some would say this is all due to climate change. But shouldn't we as a country, shouldn't we as a State be focused on infrastructure that will actually capture water so that we can save the water for years like this rather than seeing huge unemployment levels? Rather than seeing people waiting in lines to receive free food because they can't get a job, shouldn't we be making the simple fixes to actually store and capture our water? The amendments that we heard earlier talk about desalinization. Sure, I am fine with desalinization. I think we ought to use every opportunity that we have. But rather than pushing all of our clean water out into the ocean only to desalinate the salt water to bring it back into clean water, shouldn't we first start by saving the precious resources that we have? So, sure, desalinization is a good idea, but it ought to be mixed in with everything else that we do. We ought to have greater water storage. We ought to be actually protecting the fish that we talk about protecting. Let's actually address the predator fish that eat 95 to 98 percent of the fish that we are trying to save, spending millions of dollars not only trying to save them, but pushing out thousands of acre-feet of freshwater that would go to our communities, which would create thousands of jobs rather than seeing this huge population that begins to see unemployment levels at record levels. We ought to do the restoration to the environment. We have a number of different tributaries that we entered into agreement on, bipartisan agreements, to actually address the restoration of that area.

Mr. DENHAM. Rather than restore the riverbeds themselves, we truck the fish around the river. That doesn't help the environment; it doesn't help the fish, and it certainly does not help the communities of California. What the rest of the country needs to worry about is this shortage of food, the scarcity of food that we will see across the country not only being sent from California, but the high prices that go with it. You are affecting the American family; you are affecting the jobs in California, and it is time to fix this water situation on the West Coast and in the United States and in California and to do it now.

Mr. DENHAM

Mr. DENHAM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to talk about California's water crisis. Later this week, we will be debating a bill, the Western Water and American Food Security Act of 2015, which was born out of many conversations with the Senate and with the administration. Over the years, we have discussed how dry California is. Now, we can't prevent Mother Nature from creating a drought, but we can plan and store water for those dry years. It has happened for centuries. The problem is it just hasn't been happening in the last several decades in California, which means over 1 million acres of farmland will go fallow. Mr. Speaker, this is not just a California issue. This is an issue that will affect the entire United States food supply. We need to make sure we are capturing water. While Members want to continue to debate climate change, shouldn't we all agree that hydroelectricity, the cleanest electricity out there, is good for our environment? The trees that I grow as an almond farmer are good for the environment. If you want to reduce carbon, let's plant more trees. If we want to have safety and security in our communities that have forestland, then shouldn't we clear the brush and make sure that we don't have a fuel supply again, creating a better environment with a healthy forest? There are things that we should do to create a healthy California and a healthy country. This water bill is one of those solutions.

Mr. DENHAM

Mr. DENHAM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge and honor the life of a beloved leader in the Merced community, Robert L. Ayers on his 90th birthday. Bob was born in New York's most populous borough, Brooklyn, on June 14, 1925. During his youth. Robert and his family lived in different parts of New York but eventually settled in the town of Bellmore, Long Island. Growing up during the Great Depression his family was faced with daily struggles, despite the economic hardships, Robert continued to strive towards a better future. On June 19, 1942, at the young age of seventeen, Robert left his hometown of Bellmore with the goal of enlisting in the Navy. As part of the Navy Squadron VPB-33, he was stationed in South America and also the South Pacific where his active duties involved chasing submarines, air sea rescue, and sinking enemy ships. In February of 1945, Robert returned to the states and was stationed at NAS, Jacksonville, Florida. Shortly after his return, Bob was released from the Navy and immediately joined the Marine Corps. He spent two years as a Marine and then resigned to pursue service in the Army Air Corps where he gained experience from all over the world. Not only did he heroically fight in the Korean War but also his perseverance continued throughout the Vietnam War. Upon returning to the homeland. Robert met his wife Yvonne and they were married on January 19, 1946. After bravely serving his country for twenty-eight years, Robert retired from the Air Force on July 31, 1970 and he and his wife moved to Merced, California. For two years Robert sold insurance and then decided to try his luck in the title and escrow business at First Merced Title Co. Transamerica Title Company bought the company in March 1977 and by July, he was named the branch manager where he remained until 1985. It was then he decided to become a business owner when he purchased the company and formed TransCounty Title Co. After numerous years in the business, Bob made the decision to retire in 2010, turning the operation over to his daughter Peg, who is now the president. TransCounty Title Co. remains the only locally owned title company in Merced County. In addition to being a business owner, Bob was a dynamic member of the Merced community. He was actively involved in Kiwanis and served on the capital campaign for Mercy Medical Center. Also, he has been an active contributor to the Greater Merced Chamber of Commerce and both higher education facilities, UC Merced and Merced College. During their nearly 70 years of marriage, Robert and Yvonne welcomed three children, sons Robert Jr. and John Ayers and daughter Peg Larson. Both sons followed in their father's footsteps by serving their country. Robert Jr. is a retired Lieutenant Colonel from the U.S. Army and a retired correctional warden of several California State prisons. Their son John pursued a career in medicine and served as a medic in the United States Navy. Currently, he works in the surgery center at Marin General Hospital. Mr. Speaker, please join me in honoring Robert Ayers for his unwavering leadership, and recognizing his accomplishments and contributions to this nation. As Bob celebrates his 90th birthday, he serves as an example of excellence to those in our community.

Mr. DENHAM

Mr. DENHAM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge and honor the life of a leader in the Ceres community, former Ceres Police Chief Gail W. ``Pete'' Peterson. The beloved father, son and husband died peacefully at the age of 77 after a courageous eight month battle with bladder cancer. Pete was born on November 28, 1937 to Milburn and Lucille Peterson in the charming town of Panton, Illinois. In his adult years, Pete found his calling in law enforcement when he became a reserve officer for the Newport Beach Police Department. Following his service in Newport Beach, he moved to the Laguna Beach department and then on to the City of Orange, known as a ``major city with small-town ambiance.'' During Pete's time at the Orange Police Department, he took many different positions. Initially, he started as a patrolman, but was quickly promoted to the first accident investigation officer. Not one to rest on his laurels, he became a motorcycle officer and continued to further his career by being promoted from Sergeant to Lieutenant. From there, Pete migrated to Idaho where he became the Chief of Police for the Moscow Police Department. Chief Peterson began his distinguished career with the Ceres Department of Public Safety on June 30, 1983 where he spent sixteen years of his life being a local hero. Pete was involved in integrating the Ceres Police Department headquarters and the Ceres Fire Department into one department of Public Safety. He introduced new technology and instrumental programs into the police department such as mobile data terminals, the canine unit and a motorcycle unit which the department still utilizes today. Admired by each member of the public safety family, Chief Peterson is fondly remembered for positively impacting the lives of his fellow officers by his concern, dedication and leadership. To honor him, his name will be put on the new Ceres Police Department building where his commitment to serving the Ceres community can be forever acknowledged. Believing that community involvement is important, Chief Peterson was an active member of the Rotary Club of Ceres and the Ceres Lions Club. In addition, he was also the former president of the Stanislaus County Peace Officer Association. After retiring in 1999, Pete and his loving wife of 27 years, Karen Peterson, spent time at their vacation homes but made their residence in Modesto, California. Together they have a large, loving family who were there at every opportunity to lend their love and moral support. Pete is survived by his daughter, Lisa Kermode and sons: Brett Peterson, Jeff Peterson, Steve Peterson, Ken Katz, Kim Katz, Khris Katz, and Kurt Katz as well as his grandchildren, Jeff Cravens, Jesse Peterson, Shaun Peterson, Tanner Peterson, Matthew Peterson, Jordan Katz, Rebecca Hailstones, Kelly Kermode, Abigale Kermode, Chelsea Hanneyer, Jo Lynn Peterson, Hannah Peterson, Erika Webber, Brittaney Da Branca, Kendra Katz, Tara Katz and six great grandchildren. Pete is preceded in death by his parents and oldest son, Chris Peterson. Mr. Speaker, please join me in honoring and recognizing Gail W. ``Pete'' Peterson for his unwavering dedication to the Ceres Department of Public Safety and the community at large. He was a true hero to his family, fellow officers and the City of Ceres; he will be deeply missed by many. God bless him always.

Mr. DENHAM

Mr. DENHAM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge Lucille Harris, who will be honored by the Manteca Chamber of Commerce with their Lifetime Achievement Award. This award is given to prominent individuals who diligently enhance the lives of the residents, youth, and businesses in the community. Lucille Harris was born in Manteca, California to John and Mary Mendosa. Following her graduation from Manteca High School in 1950, she furthered her education by attending Humphreys Business College. In 1951, Lucille married the late William Robert Harris, and together they laid the foundation of a successful business enterprise. In 1955, Lucille and Bill purchased the Smith Welding Company, and five years later, the business evolved into Tuff Boy Sales Inc., also known as Tuff Boy Leasing and Equipment Sales. This year, the business will be celebrating its 60th anniversary. In addition to Tuff Boy Sales Inc., Lucille and Bill also own W/L Harris Ranches, where Lucille remains an active manager in both companies today. Community involvement has always been an important part of the Harris family, which is why they are devoted to several different clubs and organizations. Believing that history is vital to the community, Lucille is the trustee of the Manteca Historical Society and a member of the Ripon Historical Society. She puts a high emphasis on reading and writing and has a significant role in both Manteca and Ripon ``Friends of the Library'' programs. Furthermore, Lucille is an active member of the Manteca, Lathrop, and Ripon, Chambers of Commerce. Lucille has always believed education to be essential, and has committed herself to several youth programs. The Harris name is renowned for their gracious donations and extensive dedication to fund many educational endeavors. They have been major sponsors of the California State University, Stanislaus ``Great Valley Writing Project'', St. Anthony's School, Boys and Girls Club, RCAF Ripon Community Athletic Foundation, FFA, 4H programs, as well as supporting the Give Every Child a Chance program. For many years, Lucille has been a strong supporter of two grass root organizations; Citizens for Judicial Integrity, supporting ADA Legislation Reform, and Neighbor's United, supporting sensible growth and agriculture protection. In addition, she has joined Californians against Lawsuit Abuse, the Civil Justice Association of California, and the National Federation of Independent Business. Over her lifetime, Lucille has received many awards, one of the most recent being the Women's Connection--Lady of Influence Award in 2012, for leading the way in business, industry, and enterprise. In 2013, Bill and Lucille were inducted into the Manteca Hall of Fame in the fields of business, community service, and at-large. Together, Lucille and Bill raised three children, son Martin Harris and two daughters Marcia Perkins and Melissa King, who all reside locally. They are also proud grandparents to seven grandkids and five great-grandchildren. Unfortunately, on October 27, 2012, Lucille's beloved husband Bill passed away after 61 years of marriage. Mr. Speaker, please join me in acknowledging Lucille Harris, an extraordinary woman whose contributions to her family, community and the economic vitality of Manteca have made her an ideal candidate to receive the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Manteca Chamber of Commerce.

Mr. DENHAM

Mr. DENHAM. Madam Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. DENHAM. Madam Chair, once again, I am here one more year, offering another amendment to end this incredible waste of taxpayer dollars. I have been clear about my position on high-speed rail. High-speed rail has a future in the United States. It just can't be done as it is being done in California--$70 billion over budget and completely changed from the proposition that the voters originally voted on. If the Governor and the Obama administration are committed to bringing this high-speed rail to fruition, then it should go back before the voters and actually uphold the will of the voters. This is a case study. If you want to get it wrong, if you want to end high-speed rail across the Nation, then go ahead and continue to waste dollars in California on a project that continues to have many different flaws. This authority in California is not only demolishing homes, but it is demolishing businesses. The only way they can continue to get right-of-way is through eminent domain--slashing farms, tearing down businesses, and now kicking people out of their homes. Today, it was announced that, instead of ending the initial construction segment in the outskirts of Bakersfield, the rail work will now stop just north of Shafter--a full 8 miles of what the original segment was--with still no operating segment that will allow people to travel from one end of the State to the other or even from one end of the valley to the other. Currently, if you ride Amtrak from north to south, you have to get off in Bakersfield, get on a bus, go over the mountains, and take that bus until it hits rail in the LA area. Now we are going to have a bus in Shafter. This just doesn't make any sense. They continue to change over and over again. In the wake of Amtrak accident 188 and with the incredible focus on safety that is necessary to pass PTC across the country, why wouldn't we take high-speed rail dollars and actually fix the safety improvements that need to be done in California? Where is the commitment to safety? Let's fix the positive train control and make sure that our trains in California are safe, and let's end this project that continues to waste taxpayer dollars. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. DENHAM. I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. LaMalfa).

Mr. DENHAM. Madam Chair, as you have heard, this project is $70 billion over budget. It has a shortfall of $87 billion. If my colleagues in California, if the minority party of this body would like to continue on with this project, then where is the $87 billion? I don't see a proposal from them, nor do I see a proposal from the Governor for $87 billion. We have priorities in the State. As you may know, we are going through a big drought in California. We would love to create the jobs. Let's utilize the billions of dollars that would be spent on high-speed rail over the next several decades on water projects that would actually help our infrastructure, our agriculture, as well as people throughout California. There is a good way to spend taxpayer dollars. This is not it. We cannot afford to leave the next generation with an $87 billion hole that will continue to not only put California in further debt, but will continue to show that our priorities are misguided. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. DENHAM

Mr. DENHAM. Mr. Chairman, I rise to offer an amendment.

Mr. DENHAM. Mr. Chairman, this amendment will help protect native salmon and steelhead species in California. My amendment would increase the effectiveness of recovery plans for species of salmon and steelhead listed under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 by ensuring an appropriate focus on predation control efforts. Predation has long been recognized as a source of significant mortality for endangered and threatened species. In fact, according to NOAA, nonnative species are cited as a cause of endangerment for 48 percent of the species listed under the U.S. Endangered Species Act. This is especially true for marine species, and along the Pacific coast salmon and steelhead juveniles. Recently, the National Marine Fisheries Service found protection of salmon and steelhead required ``significantly reducing the nonnative predatory fishes,'' and that reducing the number of nonnative predatory fishes was necessary to ``prevent extinction or to prevent the species from declining irreversibly.'' In my own State, as far back as 1995, the State Water Resources Control Board recommended in its water quality control plan for the Bay Delta that the State and Federal fish agencies pursue programs to determine the impacts of predation by nonnative fish on salmon and steelhead. Unfortunately, despite such recognition, nothing has been done, and there are currently no programs in California to remove these nonnative predator fish. Today in California, species such as the nonnative striped bass, introduced into California from New Jersey, consume up to 95 percent of the salmon and steelhead juveniles along the Sacramento and San Joaquin River System. These bass are not suppressed but, rather, managed by local State officials for abundance and sport fishing. Mr. Chairman, predator control efforts can and do work. Currently, control of predator fish is being successfully used in a number of locations in North America. In the Great Lakes, control efforts of sea lamprey have reduced predation on lake trout, whitefish, salmon, rainbow trout, and others. In the Wood River System of Alaska, control of the arctic char reduced predation on sockeye salmon. In the Columbia and Snake Rivers, control of pike minnow reduced predation on salmon. In Cultus Lake, British Columbia, sockeye salmon increased after an eradication program focusing on pike minnow. Recovering threatened and endangered salmon and steelhead populations has been a critical priority for Congress for years. This amendment simply ensures that controlling nonnative predators is a top priority for NOAA and all other stakeholders interested in maintaining healthy and sustainable salmon and steelhead populations. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. DENHAM. Mr. Chairman, how much time do I have remaining?

Mr. DENHAM. Mr. Chairman, I would just like to point out one thing. Turlock Irrigation District, which is in my district, was forced to do a federally ordered study which actually showed, on the lower Tuolumne, 42,000 snook were killed by nonnative fish. This nearly eliminated the entire population. This is a federally ordered study. With that, I yield the balance of my time to the gentleman from California.

Mr. DENHAM. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. DENHAM

Mr. DENHAM. Mr. Speaker, today, I rise to acknowledge and honor the life of a personal friend and Gold Star Father Brent Winn Layton. The beloved father, son, brother, and uncle died unexpectedly at the age of 47 on Saturday, May 23, 2015, in Longmont, Colorado. Brent was born on October 23, 1967, in Berkeley, California, to Shirley Hughes and A. Winn Layton. Although Brent lived in many cities throughout his life, he was a longtime resident of the Escalon area and considered it home. Brent was a very gifted man with many levels. He served as a deputy sheriff in Kern County, California, and Clark County, Arkansas. He also served as a peace officer for the Escalon Police Department. In addition to his commitment to law enforcement, Brent was committed to God. He was a very spiritual man and found great comfort in his faith. Unfortunately, in 2009, Brent became a Gold Star Father when his firstborn son, James, was killed in action in Kunar province, Afghanistan, serving during Operation Enduring Freedom. Since then, Brent's mission in life was to embrace other Gold Star families and help them through the grieving process. Brent had many friends that loved him, and he had a heart full of love for them. His laugh, his sense of humor, and his big bear hugs will be missed forever. In addition, his friends and family admired his honest pride in his Cherokee Nation citizenship and will miss listening to him play guitar. There is peace in knowing that he is now with his son as well as the family and friends that have gone before him. Mr. Speaker, please join me in honoring and recognizing Brent for his friendship, faith, and unwavering support for other military families. He had a genuine love for people, community, and country and will be missed by many. God bless him always.

Mr. DENHAM

Mr. DENHAM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge and honor the life of a beloved leader in the Ceres community, former Ceres City Councilmember Guillermo Ochoa. The beloved father, son, son-in-law, brother, and uncle died at the age of 54 on Monday, March 2. Guillermo was born on August 29, 1960. He immigrated to Ceres, California, from Mexico when he was 9 and became an American citizen. He attended school in Ceres at Caswell Elementary School, Mae Hensley Junior High School, and Ceres High School. After graduating from Ceres High in 1979, Guillermo attended Modesto Junior College and transferred to St. Mary's College of California. He earned a BS in business administration and economics from St. Mary's in 1984. Over the course of 17 years, Guillermo was employed in an administrative capacity for several employers, including Campbell's Soup, Diamond of California, Yellow Roadway, and ConAgra Foods. Guillermo became a dedicated public servant in 2005, when he was appointed to the Ceres City Council. He ran for a seat on the city council 2 years later and won, making him the first Latino immigrant to become an elected city councilmember in Ceres. ``Working and succeeding together'' was a slogan Guillermo lived by. He demonstrated his dedication to community service through the many committees, boards, and organizations he was a member of. The list includes the Ceres Chamber of Commerce, the Society for Human Resources Management, the StanCOG Policy Board, the Tuolumne River Regional Park committee, the Mello-Roos joint powers authority board, the City-School Committees, the Ceres Partnership for Healthy Children Committee, the Howard Stevenson Memorial Committee, the Daniel Whitmore House Preservation Committee, and the Latino Community Roundtable. He also served as president and vice president of the Hispanic Leadership Council during various periods of his life. He was a true servant to the public and a strong community leader. He motivated Ceres students to actively learn, working diligently with a Modesto group of students in an HLC organization called Hispanic Youth Leadership Council. The council has had a lasting impact on the educational success of students in both communities. Although he was not reelected again in 2011, a few years later, he achieved his true dream of opening his own business, Garcia's Market, a new grocery store in Empire, California. To this day, Garcia's Market remains a vibrant testament to the economic vitality of the American free enterprise system. One has to admire men like Guillermo Ochoa, who display consistent dedication to public service. He remained active in the community even after he was unseated from the city council. Guillermo was once asked what sets him apart. His response was: ``My business and professional experience, as well as being a product of two diverse cultures, which helps me understand the issues that face our community as a whole.'' Guillermo has set a loving standard of humanity for us all to remember him by. Guillermo leaves behind his wife, Martha Ochoa; a daughter, Kimberly Ochoa; and a son, Christian Ochoa--each of them from Ceres, California. Also from Ceres, he leaves behind his father, Guillermo Ochoa, Sr.; mother, Maria Ochoa; sister, Luz Ochoa; nephew, Alexis Ochoa; sister, Irma Ochoa; brother-in-law, Rosendo Ruiz; nieces, Kassandra Ruiz and Clarissa Ruiz; and nephew, Angel Ruiz. Mr. Speaker, please join me in honoring and recognizing my very, very good friend for his unwavering leadership and many accomplishments and contributions to our community. He had a genuine love for the people and community he worked so hard to help. We will have a long memory of him. I now yield to the gentleman from West Virginia (Mr. Mooney). Syrian Atrocities

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

Mr. DENHAM

Mr. DENHAM. Madam Chair, every Member of this body recognizes the special obligation this House has to take care of our veterans. We also have an obligation to ensure that the funds we entrust to the Department of Veterans Affairs are actually properly spent. The shocking waste of funds at the Aurora Hospital in Denver has rightly earned the outrage of both this body and the American public. The $930 million in cost overruns in Denver will have to be paid for by taking funds that could otherwise have accelerated critical access projects across the country or assisted the Department as it attempts to tackle the backlog in claims at the Veterans Benefits Administration. I am particularly concerned that the complete failure of project management of the Denver hospital is negatively impacting veterans in my district. They have already suffered from a lack of access to care. Specifically, I am seeking clarity on what the committee intends with the major construction funding appropriated under this bill. The Committee report includes language requiring the funding provided for major construction to be used for new hospital construction and seismic corrections. One of the projects included in this request is the Livermore Realignment and Closure project. This project would utilize FY 2016 funding to provide for the complete construction of a new medical facility at French Camp in the Central Valley. The facility would provide direct medical care to more than 87,000 veterans in its service area and dramatically reduce the nearly 6-hour commute faced by veterans in my district for even routine health care. Madam Chairman, does the Livermore Realignment and Closure project, a project that was authorized more than a decade ago by this Congress, meet the criteria for funding set by the committee in the report accompanying this appropriations bill?

Mr. DENHAM. I yield to the gentleman from Pennsylvania.