Jeff Denham

Mr. DENHAM

Mr. DENHAM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge and honor the life of an exemplary leader in our community, in the Turlock area, and the Assyrian community, Henry ``Hank'' Adams. The beloved husband, brother, father, and grandfather died at the age of 92 on Friday. He was born and raised in Turlock, California, to Reverend Isaac and Sarah Adams. His father is known as the patriarch of Turlock's Assyrian community. Isaac encouraged his fellow Assyrians to join him in the Central Valley and farm in the rich soils of the region. In 1943, at the age of 18, Henry graduated from Turlock High School and enlisted in the Army Air Corps. Henry completed over 20 bombing missions in Japan on the Lucky Lady B-29 bomber. He was discharged at the rank of lieutenant in 1947. Henry moved to San Francisco, where he married his wife, Joanne, eventually settling down in Turlock. Henry had a genuine love for his country and his community. He is known for his service and contributions to the Assyrian community, where he continued the legacy that his father left behind. Henry leaves behind the love of his life and his wife of 62 years, Joanne, and their two daughters, Nora Adams and Nellie Adams-Morse. Mr. Speaker, please join me in honoring and recognizing the tremendous life of Henry ``Hank'' Adams for his service to his country, and his unwavering leadership and many accomplishments and contributions to the Turlock Assyrian community. God bless him always.

Mr. DENHAM

Mr. DENHAM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Assyrian American Civic Club of Turlock as we celebrate its seventieth-year anniversary. Since the club's founding in 1946, it has provided service to Assyrian Americans in the City of Turlock through the promotion and protection of the Assyrian culture, education, religion and humanitarian rights. The club was established in the fall of 1946 to help families preserve their deep rooted culture that can be passed on to future generations. It is progressive in nature not only to the benefit of Assyrian Americans, but also to all in California's 10th Congressional District. The members of the Assyrian American Civic Club of Turlock recognize civic responsibility to their people and allegiance to the United States of America. It is in their core interests to uphold the principles of freedom and democracy, support the Constitution, instill a sense of individual obligation and responsibility for Assyrian unity, and support programs that perpetuate Assyrian cultural heritage. The club is dedicated to promoting goodwill and understanding among Assyrians and non-Assyrians alike. The club also recognizes and values the importance of education. On March 13, 2002, it created the Assyrian Civic Club Education Foundation. This 501(c)3 non-profit continues to provide hundreds of scholarships to high school and university students, as it has done so for the past 15 years. The foundation educates, informs, and enhances cultural values for Assyrians in the community through their own local radio and television programs. Additionally, the civic club has its own facility that the community at large utilizes, while also serving as a place for Assyrian Americans to come together for social, recreation and educational activities. Mr. Speaker, please join me in honoring and recognizing the seventieth anniversary of the Assyrian American Civic Club of Turlock for its service and outstanding contributions to the Assyrian community as we celebrate this important milestone.

Mr. DENHAM

Mr. DENHAM. Section 4: ``The validity of the public debt of the United States, authorized by law, including debts incurred for payment of pensions and bounties for services in suppressing insurrection or rebellion, shall not be questioned. But neither the United States nor any State shall assume or pay any debt or obligation incurred in aid of insurrection or rebellion against the United States, or any claim for the loss or emancipation of any slave; but all such debts, obligations and claims shall be held illegal and void.''

Mr. DENHAM

Mr. DENHAM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor Reverend Father Jon E. Magoulias from Modesto, California, for his thirty years of service to the Greek Orthodox Church of the Annunciation. Father Jon has followed in his father's and grandfather's footsteps by obtaining his Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy of Religion and Masters of Divinity from the Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology. In addition to being recognized as a Scholar for his depth of knowledge of the Orthodox Christian Faith, Father Jon has also written extensively on his faith. ``The Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom'' (2004) translated a compilation of the most celebrated liturgy of the Orthodox from Greek to English. His work is used by at least seventy- nine Greek Orthodox Parishes. In 2010, Father Jon published his second book, ``The Priest as a Liturgist: A Handbook of Rubrics,'' which serves as a manual for priests in fulfilling their duties in celebrating the liturgies of the church. This book was written for and at the request of the ordained clergy of the Metropolitan Gerasimos of San Francisco. In addition, the book has been requested by over 350 priests across the world. In his thirty years of ministry as Parish Priest, Father Jon has impacted the community by conducting over 500 baptisms, 200 weddings, and 300 funerals. He has encouraged philanthropic giving not just for the ministries of the Church, but also for local charities such as Modesto Gospel Mission, Sierra Vista Home, and Habitat for Humanity. Father Jon is married to his beloved wife, Presvytera Georgia Magoulias, and together they have three daughters, Stamatia, Maria and Anastasia, and a son named Efstratios Jon. Mr. Speaker, please join me in honoring Father Jon E. Magoulias for his 30 years of service and outstanding contributions to the Greek Orthodox Church of the Annunciation and the community.

Mr. DENHAM

Mr. DENHAM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge and honor the life of David Luis, former battalion chief for the Ripon Consolidated Fire Department. He passed away on November 24, 2016, surrounded by loved ones. Over 26 years, David dedicated himself to the Ripon Consolidated Fire Department. He advanced from firefighter to captain to battalion chief. He had a passion for helping people, which was reflected not only in his professional career, but also in his personal life. When David was not working, you could find him coaching youth football or helping FFA members with their projects. He also served as a member of the Ripon High School Ag Advisory Board. His selfless service has left an impact on multiple generations. An inspiration to his family, friends and community, David brought out the best in people. His life embodied simple principles of authenticity, kindness, loyalty, humility, hard work, integrity, and above all else, service. Our community will greatly miss David's presence, but his legacy will live on. David leaves behind his wife Clarice, three children, Josh, Kaleigh, and Courtney, as well as his father, brother, sister, nieces and nephews. Mr. Speaker, please join me in honoring and recognizing Dave Luis and thanking him for his many years of outstanding and heroic service to the Ripon community. God bless him always

Mr. DENHAM

Mr. DENHAM. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous materials on H.R. 6135.

Mr. DENHAM. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 6135 would designate the Federal building and United States courthouse at 719 Church Street in Nashville, Tennessee, as the Fred D. Thompson Federal Building and United States Courthouse. I would like to thank the gentlewoman from Tennessee (Mrs. Blackburn) for her leadership on this legislation. Senator Thompson was an accomplished lawyer, actor, U.S. Senator, and a great friend. We spent numerous occasions together here in the Washington, D.C., area as he got to know new Members when we came in 2010. I have appreciated his counsel, his friendship, and I look forward to seeing this bill passed. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. DENHAM. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from Tennessee (Mrs. Blackburn).

Mr. DENHAM. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 6135) to designate the Federal building and United States courthouse located at 719 Church Street in Nashville, Tennessee, as the ``Fred D. Thompson Federal Building and United States Courthouse''.

Mr. DENHAM. Mr. Speaker, given Senator Thompson's dedication to the law and public service, I believe it is more than fitting to name this courthouse and Federal building in Nashville after him. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. DENHAM

Mr. DENHAM. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous materials on S. 546, as amended.

Mr. DENHAM. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (S. 546) to establish the Railroad Emergency Services Preparedness, Operational Needs, and Safety Evaluation (RESPONSE) Subcommittee under the Federal Emergency Management Agency's National Advisory Council to provide recommendations on emergency responder training and resources relating to hazardous materials incidents involving railroads, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. DENHAM. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, rail safety is critical to the transport of goods and services throughout our country. As chairman of the Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials Subcommittee, I have consistently worked to improve the safety of transporting hazardous materials by rail, especially crude by rail. In the Passenger Rail Reform and Investment Act of 2015, and later in the FAST Act, Congress required response plans and adopted strong national standards for transporting hazardous materials by rail. Additionally, the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee has held several hearings at both the full committee and subcommittee level to examine how Congress can improve upon what is already a very safe rail network. I personally have facilitated training for dozens of first responders in my district to ensure they are prepared to respond in the unlikely event of an accident involving hazardous materials transported by rail. Recently, I traveled with my good friends, Ranking Member Capuano and Congressman Farenthold, to Colorado and the Transportation Technology Center to see how the first responder community trains for tank car accidents and the investments our Nation's freight railroad are making to build a safer network. The bill before us today is an extension of these efforts to build and advance rail safety across our Nation. The RESPONSE Act tasks both government and nongovernmental experts to develop recommendations improving emergency responder training for hazardous materials incidents involving rail. It requires the evaluation of a number of issues related to rail hazmat incidents, including the quality and application of training for local emergency first responders. Additionally, it looks at overlap in training and ways to modernize training for emergency responders, especially those in small communities near railroads. This bill will further improve rail safety and enhance responses to rail hazmat incidents. I saw how important this hands-on training can be in August at the Transportation Technology Center in Pueblo. I believe that this bill will build upon the safety of our rail network in communities like mine. Again, I want to thank the chairman, Mr. Kind, and Senator Heitkamp for working on this bill. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. DENHAM. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. Mr. Speaker, in conclusion, this is a great bill. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this important piece of legislation. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. DENHAM

Mr. DENHAM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the service and memory of Deputy Dennis Randall Wallace, who was shot and killed in the line of duty on November 13, 2016, in Hughson, California. On behalf of our community and this Congress, I would like to offer my deepest condolences to Deputy Wallace's family, friends, and fellow law enforcement officers. Deputy Wallace's end of watch came when he was fatally wounded this past Sunday while investigating a suspicious vehicle. As a D.A.R.E. officer, he took great pride in his work with our community's youth, helping them stay away from drugs and gangs. Dennis was not only a law enforcement officer, but also a coach and a mentor and a friend to many of these young individuals. Dennis has received countless awards and commendations for his outstanding service to our community. The outpouring of support from Stanislaus County and our State reflects the love for our fallen hero. Mr. Speaker, please join me in honoring the life of Deputy Dennis Wallace, who defended and protected our community until his last breath. He made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. My deepest sympathy goes out to the Stanislaus County Sheriff's Department, the Wallace family, and his many loved ones. God bless him always. He will be dearly missed.

Mr. DENHAM

Mr. DENHAM. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1296) to amend the San Luis Rey Indian Water Rights Settlement Act to clarify certain settlement terms, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. DENHAM. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous materials on the bill under consideration.

Mr. DENHAM. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. The bill before us today helps bring closure to almost 50 years of litigation and uncertainty that have impacted tribal and nontribal communities in southern California. Negotiations between five tribes, water districts, cities, and Federal Government have been ongoing for decades, and this bill represents the results of those successful negotiations. The Federal money has already been appropriated for this settlement, and this bill, as amended, includes provisions that are aimed at resolving direct spending issues that have been identified by the Congressional Budget Office. It is not often that both sides of the aisle come to an agreement on anything involving California water. While I hope that we will have agreement on larger California water issues in the near future, this bill shows that we can come together. I urge my colleagues to support this bipartisan measure. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. DENHAM. Mr. Speaker, in closing, this is one small step to California's water solutions. It is about time that we came together on this one small issue in California. Now it is time to face the much bigger issues of a drought-stricken State that continues to see a lack of water storage. It is time that we find a real solution for all of California. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. DENHAM. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from California (Mr. Hunter).

Mr. DENHAM

Mr. DENHAM. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4564) to redesignate the small triangular property located in Washington, DC, and designated by the National Park Service as reservation 302 as ``Robert Emmet Park'', and for other purposes.

Mr. DENHAM. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous materials on the bill under consideration.

Mr. DENHAM. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. This bill, introduced by Congressman Crowley of New York, redesignates a small, triangular property in Washington, D.C., that is currently designated by the National Park Service as reservation 302, as Robert Emmet Park. Robert Emmet is a prominent historical figure who is known for his role in the Irish Rebellion of 1803 and for his classic Speech from the Dock that inspired future efforts to gain Irish independence. Last April marked the 100th anniversary of the 1916 uprising, commonly known as the Easter Rising by Irish Republicans, to end British rule and establish an independent Irish Republic. The small property redesignated by the bill is located just a few blocks from the Irish Embassy, and it currently features a nearly 100- year-old statue of Robert Emmet--a source of pride for America's Irish community. The bill also authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to post informational signage regarding Robert Emmet and his statue in the park. I urge my colleagues to support this measure. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Mr. DENHAM

Mr. DENHAM. Mr. Speaker, Congressman Capuano and I rise today to extend my sincerest appreciations to Joseph Boardman for his tireless effort and contribution to our nation's railroad system. For over forty years, Joe has been actively involved in the transportation industry, working at the local, state, and federal level. Before starting his career in public service, Joe served as the Chief Operating Officer of Progressive Transportation Service, Inc., a company that provided local and regional transportation services to communities throughout the state of New York. In 1997, Joe was appointed Commissioner of the New York State Department of Transportation where he became the longest-serving Commissioner in the department's history. He also served as the Chairman of both the Transportation Research Board Executive Committee, and the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials' Standing Committee on Rail Transportation. Prior to joining Amtrak, Joe was the Administrator of the Federal Railroad Administration and a member of the Amtrak Board of Directors. In November 2008, Joe was appointed President and CEO of Amtrak. Under his leadership and management, Amtrak greatly improved and expanded its operational and financial performance while providing a crucial service to the American people. As President and CEO of Amtrak, Joe implemented a corporate strategy that resulted in record-setting ridership and revenue, as well as an expansion of customer services and infrastructure projects. He was instrumental in a major planning effort to develop a next-generation high-speed rail system, an extensive employee safety program, enhanced security initiatives, and improved maintenance of Amtrak's infrastructure. Joe was a visionary leader at a pivotal moment for Amtrak and for the country's railway system. Mr. Speaker, please join me in honoring and commending Mr. Boardman for his unwavering dedication to public service and his contribution to our transportation infrastructure.