Anna Eshoo

Ms. ESHOO

Ms. ESHOO. Mr. Speaker, consider the following: if the United States had an adopted policy of equal pay, it would put $200 billion more into the economy every year. That comes out to about $137 for every white woman per paycheck and to approximately $300 for every woman of color, who is doubly discriminated against. These women are not going to put their money into a Cayman Islands bank account. Instead, they'll spend it; and this will boost our economy, create jobs and help families. With a record number of women in the workforce, wage discrimination hurts the majority of American families both in terms of their economic security today and their retirement security tomorrow. The Institute for Women's Policy Research found that wage disparity will cost women anywhere from $400,000 to $2 million over a lifetime of lost wages. That means fewer resources to pay the mortgage, to send kids to college, or to have a decent retirement. Also, due to rising employment rates, an unprecedented number of women are now the family breadwinners, making pay equity even more critical, not simply to family economic security but also to the Nation's economic recovery. As we look for ways to create more jobs and grow the economy, it is astounding to me that Congress has not yet passed legislation ensuring equal pay for equal work. It is a powerful policy with what would be powerful and positive economic outcomes. That is why I support the Paycheck Fairness Act. It ensures that employers who try to justify paying a man more than a woman for the same job must show that the disparity is not sex-based, but job-related and necessary. It prohibits employers from retaliating against employees who discuss or disclose their own salary information with their coworkers, and it strengthens the remedies available to wronged employees. Pay inequity due to gender discrimination is real, and it should not be tolerated. The House of Representatives should address this issue.

Ms. ESHOO

Ms. ESHOO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Evelyn Filice Stanton who died peacefully while on a family vacation on December 29, 2012. Evelyn was born on December 17, 1926, in Hollister, California, at the apricot and prune ranch of her parents. She lived there until World War II when her father moved the family to San Francisco, where she entered Lowell High School, graduating with the Class of 1944. She earned her A.B. degree from U.C. Berkeley where she met her future husband, returning war veteran Emmett Stanton, whom she married in 1949. Evelyn earned a teaching credential from San Francisco State University, and taught at El Cerrito High School while Emmett practiced dentistry. The couple moved to San Mateo County in 1952, where they raised their four sons. Evelyn Stanton served as the President or as a board member of the United Way of the Bay Area; Mills Peninsula Hospital; Belmont Hills Psychiatric Center; AAUW Education Foundation; San Mateo County League of Women Voters; Family Services Association; American Heart Association; Poplar Center for the Developmentally Disabled; the Hillsborough Concours D'Elegance, which she co-chaired with her husband, and for which they were honored as Hillsborough's Citizens of the Year in 1979; San Mateo High School and Crocker Middle School PARENT Groups; Admiralty Home Owners Association; and the Citizen Task Force to study county government operations in 1975-1977. In 1979, Evelyn began working for the Mental Health Association of San Mateo, her first foray into the paid workforce since her years as a teacher. She became Executive Director in 1979 and served in that post until 2003. Evelyn Stanton distinguished herself in every community organization she was part of but her extraordinary leadership in the mental health community of San Mateo County was legendary. She was ``Mrs. Mental Health'', shaping and making the system the best in California. Together we were founding members of the San Mateo County General Hospital Foundation. She was a member of the AIDS Community Board, and Chair of the Mental Health Contract Agencies. Evelyn earned and was awarded many honors--the Soroptomist Woman of the Year; the Evelyn F. Stanton Endowed Fellowship established by AAUW; the Seaton Manning Outstanding Agency Professional Award; and she was inducted into the San Mateo County Women's Hall of Fame in 1987. Evelyn will be deeply missed by her four devoted sons, Gary of San Mateo, Greg of San Diego, Dave of San Francisco, Emmett of San Francisco and her nine beloved grandchildren. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring a great and good woman who served the people of San Mateo County with honor and generosity, earning the respect of the entire community, as well as her colleagues in public service. I ask my colleagues to extend to her family our most sincere sympathy for their loss. Evelyn Stanton will be missed by everyone who had the good fortune to know her, and I count myself among those so blessed. Our community has been strengthened by her life and her service, and our country has been immensely bettered by her extraordinary contributions and a life lived exceedingly well.

Ms. ESHOO

Ms. ESHOO. Mr. Speaker, I thank the ranking member, Mr. Pallone, for his leadership and legislative courtesies along the way. I'm very proud that as we begin a new year and a new Congress that this bill is on the floor. I think it's fitting that we begin a new Congress with this bill, the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Reauthorization. It is very important legislation, as you have already heard from those that have spoken. I first introduced this legislation with Congressman Mike Rogers, my friend, my colleague, at the committee, and we've done other bills together very successfully, as well. We began that particular effort in 2006 to better help our country prepare for a chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear attack--all words that none of us really wish to utter. But we need to be prepared. Developing and stockpiling appropriate countermeasures is essential for public safety. And these programs encourage American companies to invest in areas of critical need because we need the partnership of the private sector in this as well. The bill before us today includes new provisions that highlight the important needs of our Nation's children. Children are not just little adults. They need special care and medical attention. They're especially vulnerable to biological or chemical agents because of their size, their limited capacity to flush toxins out of their bodies, their underdeveloped motor skills, and their total reliance on their parents or other caregivers. And certainly the role of the Congress in this is to make sure that we have laws that really speak specifically to them. While the hope is that we will never need to use these countermeasures to combat an attack on our country, I'm proud that we've strengthened these programs for everyone in our country, especially children. This legislation is supported by the American Public Health Association, the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials, the National Association of County and City Health Officials, and Trust for America's Health, as well as, very importantly, the American Academy of Pediatrics. I'm very pleased that we're, once again, voting to pass the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Reauthorization Act, just as we did a month before the end of the last Congress, and I strongly urge my colleagues in the Senate to do the same. This is a bipartisan effort, and it's critical to our national preparedness and security strategies. We very often come to the floor about strategies relative to our military and strategies relative to our national intelligence community. This is about the public health element of that national security for our country. We need to move forward with this and bring the legislation to the President's desk for his signature. I thank Chairman Upton, the ranking member of the full Energy and Commerce Committee, Mr. Waxman, and certainly the distinguished chairman of the Health Subcommittee and, again, my wonderful partner, Congressman Mike Rogers.

Ms. ESHOO

Ms. ESHOO. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the National Defense Authorization Act which contains a very special provision, the Recalcitrant Cancer Research Act. I first introduced this bill in the 110th Congress in honor of my dear friend, Ambassador Richard Sklar, who was a victim of pancreatic cancer, a devastating disease. Pancreatic cancer is essentially a death sentence, with very few surviving. It is only because of the families, friends, neighbors, doctors, and co-workers who have advocated for better research and treatments, that we've made it to the ``finish line'' legislatively after a five-year effort. Sadly, the outcomes for those with pancreatic cancer have remained relatively unchanged since the passage of the National Cancer Act more than 40 years ago. Only 6 percent of people diagnosed with the disease live longer than 5 years, and 75 percent die within a year of diagnosis. Pancreatic cancer remains one of the most lethal types of cancers, even as survival rates for other cancers have increased. The Recalcitrant Cancer Research Act, which I introduced with my colleague, Representative Leonard Lance, directs the National Cancer Institute to develop a long-term strategic plan for addressing recalcitrant cancers beginning with pancreatic and lung cancers. The plan will bring together the finest minds in our country with the best expertise in this area. The plans will be used by the Agency as a roadmap for navigating the best way forward in research for early detection, new diagnostic tools, treatment therapies, and even cures. While pancreatic cancer is one of the most devastating of all ``recalcitrant cancers,'' or those with a high mortality rate and few treatments, it is certainly not the only one that needs increased attention. I have worked closely with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to expand our legislation to include all recalcitrant cancers so that we can make progress in other areas, too. I am exceedingly proud that this legislation enjoyed the bipartisan cosponsorship of 294 Members of the House and more than half the U.S. Senate with 58 bipartisan cosponsors. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse championed the legislation with his steadfast leadership, and without him, this effort would not have ultimately been successful. I thank Chairman Upton and Ranking Member Waxman of the Energy and Commerce Committee for their work in moving the bill forward. I'm very proud of the efforts of the pancreatic cancer advocates who had the courage to share their stories with their representatives, educating them about the importance of this legislation. I look forward to seeing the Recalcitrant Cancer Research Act signed into law as part of the National Defense Authorization Act so we can finally bring a renewed effort to finding cures for all recalcitrant cancers.

Ms. ESHOO

Ms. ESHOO. Mr. Speaker. I was not present during the rollcall vote No. 623, on December 12, 2012. I would have voted ``no.''

Ms. ESHOO

Ms. ESHOO. Mr. Speaker, I was not present during the rollcall vote No. 623, on December 12, 2012. I would have voted ``no.''

Ms. ESHOO

Ms. ESHOO. I thank the gentleman. Madam Speaker, I'm very proud to rise in support of the PREEMIE Act legislation that I introduced with Congressman Leonard Lance. He's been a terrific partner not only on this legislation but on other pieces of legislation that we've moved through the Energy and Commerce Committee, and I salute him. This bill will expand research, education, and prevention of preterm birth. As the mother of two children, I know how precious the earliest part of life is, and it's our responsibility to do everything we can to make sure that our little ones begin their lives with more than a fighting chance. Each year, as was stated, half a million babies are born prematurely in our country, and preterm birth is the leading cause of newborn mortality and the second-leading cause of infant mortality. Babies born even a few weeks too early can require weeks to months of hospitalization after birth, and premature birth can sometimes lead to developmental delays and disability later in life. In addition to the emotional and physical toll of prematurity, there are significant health care costs to families, to our medical systems, and our economy. A 2006 report by the Institute of Medicine found the cost associated with preterm birth in the United States was $26.2 billion annually, or $51,600 per infant born preterm. These are staggering amounts of dollars. While employers, private insurers, and individuals bear about half of the cost of health care for these infants, 40 percent is paid for by Medicaid. So it's in the best interest of healthy babies, hopeful families, and the budget of our country to decrease preterm births. The good news is our investment in preventing prematurity is paying off. In 2006, I introduced and Congress passed the first ever comprehensive PREEMIE Act, and prematurity rates have declined since then. This is very good news. The better news is that today we're reauthorizing this law, which will build upon the momentum of the original law and provide us with new tools and knowledge to improve the lives and health of America's mothers and children. The PREEMIE Act has been packaged with other important pediatric health bills. I thank the chairman of the subcommittee, Mr. Pitts, the chairman of our full committee, Mr. Upton, the ranking member of the full committee, as well as Mr. Pallone, and all of our colleagues. You know very well, Madam Speaker, that we come to this place to do good things for our country that will strengthen our Nation. How proud I am that we are living up to that in presenting this bill here today. In closing, I would also like to thank Erin Katzelnick-Wise of my staff, who has worked on this bill as if it were the most important thing she could do in her life, understanding that it is one of the most important things she could do in her life for children in our country; to the American Academy of Pediatricians, who have been so magnificent in instructing all of us in our work on this legislation; and a particular shout-out to Dr. Phil Pizzo, the dean of the Stanford School of Medicine, a pediatrician himself who at one time worked with great distinction at the National Institutes of Health.

Ms. ESHOO

Ms. ESHOO. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague and good friend and classmate Mrs. Maloney from New York, and I thank our colleague from Texas for his very kind and generous remarks about the designation of the United States post office in Mountain View, California, in my district, as the Lieutenant Kenneth M. Ballard Memorial Post Office. A Mountain View native, Ken Ballard joined the Army at the age of 18. He comes from a distinguished family that have given a long line of military service to our country. He attended basic training at Fort Knox, Kentucky. He went on to bravely serve our Nation in Germany, Bosnia, Macedonia, and Iraq. On April 3, 2004, Lieutenant Ballard's battalion, the 2nd Battalion, 37th Regiment, 1st Armored Division turned in their weapons and began preparing to return home. The very next day, violence broke out in Baghdad, and shortly thereafter, Lieutenant Ballard's tour was unexpectedly extended for an additional 120 days. Less than 2 months later, on May 20, 2004, after 9 years of service, Lieutenant Ballard was killed in Najaf, Iraq, by accidental discharge of the M-240 weapon on his vehicle. He was a recipient of the Purple Heart and three Bronze Stars, two with valor device. Lieutenant Ballard was a true American hero, and his ultimate sacrifice deserves our formal recognition of gratitude, which is what we are doing here today. In paying tribute to him and his service, the House will not only honor his sacrifice, but also that of every brave American who dons a uniform in defense of our Nation each and every day. So many have given their lives so that we may live ours freely, and each deserves our gratitude, our respect, and our remembrance. I want to thank the city council of Mountain View, California, for their support of this effort, and I want to pay tribute to Lieutenant Ballard's mother, Karen Meredith, for her unswerving advocacy on behalf of her son that the truth would be documented and put forward, and of course her support in the renaming of the post office of his hometown after him. So I urge my colleagues to vote for this legislation. I thank everyone on a bipartisan basis that has been involved in this.

Ms. ESHOO

Ms. ESHOO. I thank the gentleman. Madam Speaker, it's good to see you in the chair. We're all going to miss you a great, great deal. I rise today in support of the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act's reauthorization, legislation I first introduced in 2006 with Congressman Mike Rogers to better help our country prepare for a chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear attack. Developing and stockpiling appropriate countermeasures is essential for public safety, and these programs encourage American companies to invest in areas of high critical need. The bill before us today includes new provisions that highlight the important needs of our Nation's children. Children are not just little adults; they need special care and special medical attention. They're especially vulnerable to biological or chemical agents because of their size, their limited capacity to flush out toxins, their underdeveloped motor skills, and their total reliance on their parents or other caregivers. While the hope is that we will never need to use these countermeasures to combat an attack on our country, I'm proud that we've strengthened these programs for everyone in our country, especially the children. I'm pleased to see the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act voted on today. I thank everyone that's been involved in this on a bipartisan basis in the spirit in which it was first introduced when we introduced it in 2006, and I look forward to seeing it signed into law by the President of the United States.

Ms. ESHOO

Ms. ESHOO. I thank my colleague, Congressman and Senator-elect from the State of Connecticut, Chris Murphy. There have been many magnificent and heart-rending tributes being paid this evening, and how appropriate it is that they are. On behalf of my constituents in the 14th Congressional District in California, I hope that our words and our prayers and also our future actions will be a source of comfort to the parents of the victims and to the community of Newtown, Connecticut. It is appropriate that we offer our prayers and our sympathy, but that's not enough. That is not enough. It is in this Chamber and in this Congress we're together. We can, indeed, make the changes that the American people, in their anguish, are looking for. I can't help but think of the words of Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address when he said: The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to their great unfinished work. And so the massacre of these angels should really inspire us to take on the job of what really needs to be done in our country. Will we be able to resolve every last problem that this violence has brought about in our country? I doubt that. Can we take great steps to avoid what we know has taken place in public places, in shopping malls, in theaters, on college campuses, and now for where the little angels go to school? I pledge not only to my constituents but to the Connecticut delegation and to the people of our country that I will do everything possible to help resolve this. We know that they are living in the sight of Almighty God, but our work is truly our own, and it will be the hand of God that will guide us. I believe that.

Ms. ESHOO

Ms. ESHOO. I want to thank the gentleman from California, my dear friend Mr. Miller, for organizing this Special Order tonight so that we can take some time, which is the most precious thing, really, that God gives us, is time, and pay tribute to our colleagues who have spent their time being giants in terms of representation and fighting on behalf of their constituents, bringing honor to the House of Representatives and to our country--some of the best exports of the Bay Area and our State of California. I want to start with the dean of our delegation, Congressman Pete Stark. We salute you, Pete, for all that you have given and done. It's an extraordinary record of 40 years in the House of Representatives. Your name has been synonymous with health care consistently for all of that period of time; for fighting for a place in that health care system for people that are unknown to so many in our society and rejected. You have made room for them in the emergency room and wrote a law that no one would be mistreated. In fact, they had to be treated before they were asked whether they had health insurance or not. Your record is replete with great and good things. On behalf of your constituents, on behalf of those that so much of society has overlooked, I know that those blessings will come back to you in a very rich and meaningful way as you depart this place. We will miss you. I thank you for your personal kindnesses and for all the wonderful things that you have done. The Bay Area delegation will miss you enormously. Next, I want to pay tribute to Congressman Howard Berman. This is really hard to do. Congressman Berman's name is synonymous with the following: with farm workers and their rights and with human rights around the world. Anyone that has met and worked with him respects him. It matters not what side of the aisle they have ever come from or what country they come from or what agency they have worked in. Howard Berman has been an indispensable Member of this Chamber. When he took over the leadership of the Foreign Relations Committee, we saw a new and inspired leadership there demanding a recognition of the Armenian genocide. He served as the original cosponsor of that legislation. His record is replete with distinction. Howard, we will all miss you in a very, very deep and special way. This House will miss you because you brought honor to it in everything that you have done. So it is bittersweet. No, it's just bitter. There isn't any sweetness to it. When I speak of you, I really can't bring enough words to one of the most distinguished records over 30 years that any Member of Congress could ever put together, and that the American people thank you and freedom-lovers and human rights advocates around the world appreciate and bless your name. And I know that, together with Janis, Brinley, and Lindsey, you haven't seen the last of us. We're going to keep coming after you. To Lynn Woolsey, my classmate, we came here and we couldn't even find our way to the credit union, we were so terrified. But together we came. Lynn has brought an exceptional voice to families and to women, so often women heading up those families. And she spoke through the prism of her own experience, which is the most powerful story that anyone can ever tell. No one could ever say to Lynn Woolsey, You don't know what you're talking about. Because they knew that she lived it, that she had experienced it. And she came here to change so many women's lives and the lives of families in terms of education for women and girls and for stronger family benefits. I could go on and on. She brought great voice and vision to the unfortunate policy--the march to folly--when we invaded Iraq. She came to this floor over 100 times to speak against that invasion. We are all in her debt for her conscience, for her integrity, for her wonderful voice, for her friendship, and for her love of the environment of the coast of California, which if there is ever the magical touch of Almighty God, you see it there. She has called on the President and the Congress to make sure the protections will be there in perpetuity. We will remember you in perpetuity. I ask that every blessing you have brought to your constituents in this House will come back to you. To Bob Filner, to Joe Baca, Laura Richardson, Dennis Cardoza, and to our Republican colleagues Jerry Lewis, Elton Gallegly, Wally Herger, Mary Bono Mack, Brian Bilbray, Dan Lungren, and David Dreier, we thank you. I thank you for your service to the people of this country in this, the House of the people, the magnificent House of Representatives.

Ms. ESHOO

Ms. ESHOO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor an extraordinary man, Edward Patrick McGovern, who was born in San Francisco on December 26, 1927, and died on November 6, 2012. A proud American who was also proud of his Irish heritage, Ed served his country during World War II. He and his beloved wife of 56 ears, Maggie, founded Knight's Restaurant and Catering, a business which they loved and fostered for more than forty years. Ed was a devoted member of many organizations to which he gave generously of his time and resources, including San Francisco's Irish Cultural Center, the Pearse and Connelly Fife and Drum Band, the St. Vincent De Paul Society, Catholic Charities, and the Knights of the Holy Sepulcher. Ed and Maggie loved to travel, and visited six continents, but their favorite trips were ``home'' to Ireland. In 2005 they moved from San Francisco to Sonoma, and became active members of their new community. Ed and his beloved wife Maggie, who survives him, raised a large and loving family. He leaves eight children: Moira McGovern; Deirdre and Doug Muller; Eileen and Andrew Patania; Kevin and Lori McGovern; Brian and Theresa McGovern; Maureen Kelly; Margaret and Frank van Beuningen; and Ed and Tina McGovern. He was beloved Poppi to Katie, Claire, Meagan and Jack; Molly, Danny, and Grace; Brian, Christopher, Thomas, Stephen and Elizabeth; Rosie; and Devin and Ryan. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in expressing our deepest condolences to the immediate and extended family and many friends of Edward Patrick McGovern. He will be remembered and missed by all who had the honor and privilege to know him. I feel blessed to have had the honor to know him and call him my friend.

Ms. ESHOO

Ms. ESHOO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of a great public servant and longtime friend, Michael D. ``Mike'' Nevin, a native of San Francisco. He died at the early age of 69 and leaves his wife Kathleen; his sons Mike Nevin Jr. and Tim Nevin; his daughter Michelle Nevin Levine; his father Edward J. Nevin and five grandchildren. Mike Nevin was a proud American, and a man who loved his native city and his adopted county of San Mateo. He rejoiced in his Irish heritage, and this ancient culture, with its poetry of love and loss, which influenced him in his lifelong devotion to helping others less fortunate than he was, and to teaching others to live life as he did, in love, faith, friendship and service. He had public service in his blood, and his constituents were the beneficiaries. He joined the San Francisco Police Department after graduation from City College and USF, and served with the Department for 27 years. Mike served as a Daly City Planning Commissioner, was elected to the Daly City Council, and was twice the City's Mayor. In 1992 he was elected to the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors, serving 12 years, and twice as President of the Board. He served on several boards and commissions and received many awards and commendations, including the Citizen of the Year Award from Daly City and the Papal Medal Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice. Mike Nevin was an ardent and tireless advocate for universal health care, for better transportation, and for a ban on gun shows. He took on unpopular issues and had a vision of how things could be. He was able to lift others up and empower them to work with him in pursuit of important policies. After learning how marijuana helped relieve the pain of a cancer patient, Mike advocated for medicinal use of the drug. He fought hard to protect funding for mental health services, always fighting for those who are overlooked by society. At the time of his death, Mike was the Executive Director of the Service League, a nonprofit organization that provides services to inmates, helping to rebuild their lives and become productive citizens. It was a perfect fit for a man of compassion. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in extending our deepest sympathy to Mike Nevin's family and his wide circle of friends. Former St. Ignatius College Preparatory School, San Francisco, President Anthony P. Sauer, S.J. said ``Mike truly was a great man of a marvelous, wonderful, happy, very intelligent, giving, gracious, generous, social justice-oriented Catholic family. We will miss him terribly.'' Mike Nevin loved his family, his faith, his community and his country, and he bettered us all by his life of meaning and purpose.

Ms. ESHOO

Ms. ESHOO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, it's fitting that on the week in which the World Conference on International Telecommunications convenes in Dubai that the House will once again take up a resolution demonstrating the bipartisan commitment of Congress to preserve the open structure and multistakeholder approach that has guided the Internet over the past two decades. I think we are all very, very proud that there is not only bipartisan but bicameral support underlying this resolution, and there is complete support across the executive branch of our government. In other words, the United States of America is totally unified on this issue of an open structure, a multistakeholder approach that has guided the Internet over the past two decades. The Senate resolution before us today, Mr. Speaker, makes a minor technical change to a resolution that the House passed unanimously in August by a vote of 414-0. I have no objection to this change, and I ask my colleagues to support this bipartisan measure. I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. ESHOO

Ms. ESHOO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor an extraordinary woman, Belva Davis, and her storied career. She has been an icon of Bay Area journalism, and the first African-American reporter on the West Coast of the United States. Belva Davis was born in Monroe, Louisiana, on October 13, 1932, to John and Florence Davis. She moved with her parents and three younger siblings to West Oakland at the age of eight, and the family later moved to Berkeley. Belva graduated from Berkeley High School in 1951, the first in her family to graduate from high school, married at the age of 20, and had two children. Belva's first job was as a typist, and next as a freelancer for Jet. She began writing for the Sun Reporter and the Bay Area Independent, and in 1961 she became an on-air interviewer for KSAN. She made her television debut hosting an African- American beauty pageant. In 2010 she published her autobiography, Never in my Wildest Dreams: A Black Woman's Life in Journalism, which begins with her story of being chased from the 1964 Republican Convention at the Cow Palace in San Francisco by a threatening crowd screaming racist slurs. During her news career, Belva Davis covered the birth of the Black Panthers, the assassination of Mayor George Moscone, and the Free Speech Movement at Berkeley. She has interviewed countless world leaders, anchored hundreds of news programs on several stations, and been part of many organizations, including the Museum of the African Diaspora, which she was instrumental in creating. Belva Davis has earned countless accolades. She was inducted into the Bay Area Radio Hall of Fame in 2007, and has been awarded two honorary doctorate degrees. She has earned six regional Emmy Awards, and received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences in 1996. Leader Nancy Pelosi said of Belva, ``When she speaks, people listen.'' Mr. Speaker, I ask the entire House of Representatives to join me in expressing our deepest gratitude to Belva Davis for her inspiring leadership of countless women who seek careers in broadcasting, and for the thousands of hours of quality television she has provided as host of ``This Week in Northern California'' on KQED, from which she retired in November, 2012. We wish Belva and her beloved husband Bill Moore every blessing as they enjoy the fruits of their well-deserved retirement. Because of her first rate professionalism, broad knowledge and intellect, she has informed Bay Area citizens for decades, strengthening our communities, our country and our democracy.

Ms. ESHOO

Ms. ESHOO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of my dear friend and colleague, Gary Fazzino. He was born on June 15, 1952, and died on October 30, 2012, at his Palo Alto home following a 2\1/2\-year battle with multiple myeloma. Gary Fazzino was a genuinely kind man. He was learned, curious, inquisitive, fun loving and serious. In all my years of knowing him, I never heard him say an unkind word about anyone. He was multi-faceted and represented many good things to so many people. First and foremost, Gary was a loving husband and devoted father. He came late to the calling of parenthood, often joking that he did things backward, becoming a city councilmember at the age of 24 and a father at 56. Late or not, he adored his children and loved being a father. In the short time he had with his twins, Julia and Matthew, he imparted his deep love for them, his love for life, and his love of learning. He adored his beautiful wife Annette, and the glow of strength that she emits comes in part from knowing how well and fully she was loved by Gary. In addition to his family, the list of Gary's passions is a long one, but the first of these is the city his parents brought him to when he was a freshman in high school. Sal and Dolores Fazzino packed three children into the family station wagon and drove from Connecticut to California, with no job waiting, in search of a better life for all of them. They found it, and Gary found a community that he was proud of and loved deeply all the days of his life. Gary was a graduate of Palo Alto High School, and received his undergraduate degree with a major in Theology from Stanford University. He received a master's degree in public policy from Occidental College and earned an MBA degree from the University of Washington. Gary Fazzino was Palo Alto's unofficial historian, knowing more about the city and its history than anyone else. In fact, he was working on a history of the city at the time of his death. He became one of the youngest elected leaders in Palo Alto history when he joined the City Council in 1977 at the age of 24, and served on the Council from 1977 to 1983, and from 1989 to 2001, and as Mayor in 1992 and 1999. Gary was also an ardent sports fan. He knew statistics for soccer teams on many continents, often making friends through his knowledge. He loved to run, ride bicycles, and travel, particularly to his beloved Italy. He loved people and maintained many friendships over many years and great distances. Gary had many and diverse interests, enough to occupy an average man's every waking hour, but Gary was not an average man. He worked for almost three decades at Hewlett Packard, rising to the top position of Vice President of Government Affairs, and moved on to lead as Vice President of Applied Materials. The offices he held at these major companies paint a picture of his business success, and are very much a part of his Silicon Valley story. Gary was a leader in the Valley whose opinion was sought and whose ideas and creativity were always valued. He knew that technology and innovation were key to changing the world for the better, and founded TechNet to be the voice of the innovation economy in Washington, D.C. He was recognized by all as a voice for the Valley and two years ago was the inspiration for the Information Technology Industry (ITI) Council's Gary P. Fazzino Award for Innovation Excellence. Dean Garfield, President and CEO of ITI, wrote recently of Gary that ``In truth, for the tech sector, there is no better definition of consistent leadership, no better demonstration of exemplary service than the work and the life of Gary Fazzino. A poet once called for men with ``strong minds, great hearts, true faith, and ready hands.'' Gary was one of those men, in a class by himself.'' Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in expressing our deepest condolences to Annette, Julia and Matthew Fazzino, as well as the entire Fazzino family. It is fitting for the U.S. House of Representatives to honor the life of this extraordinarily brilliant, kind, honest and capable man who loved his community and his country so deeply. I count among the greatest blessings of my life my friendship with Gary Fazzino.

Ms. ESHOO

Ms. ESHOO. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the life of an extraordinary man, Dr. Richard F. Chapman, who passed away on October 12, 2012, in Menlo Park, California, after decades of living and adjusting to life with multiple sclerosis. Dr. Chapman was the son of a pediatrician whose father was a Congregational Church minister with deep roots in Old Saybrook, Connecticut. His mother graduated from Vassar and taught mathematics. Dr. Chapman graduated from Yale University, as did his two brothers, Rob and Ned, and he received his M.D. from Northwestern University in 1959. Following his internship at Highland Hospital in Alameda County, California, he took his residency training in psychiatry at the Menninger School of Psychiatry. Dr. Chapman served as a Captain in the U.S. Army at Fort Sill where he developed a program of group mental health consultation that was used as a model for the delivery of mental health services to U.S. forces in Vietnam. He moved to the Bay Area in 1966 with his young family and established a private practice, helping to found one of the first approved psychiatry training programs within a community mental health center. The center was an early model for the national community mental health center movement. He later became a clinical professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Stanford University. He served as President of the San Francisco Psychoanalytic Institute, and later as Dean of Faculty of the Pacific Graduate School of Psychology, now known as Palo Alto University. He was known by many for his soft spoken manner, his enthusiastic laugh, and more than anything else his ability to inspire and encourage those around him to pursue their dreams, hopes and aspirations. He leaves his loving daughter, Karen, who cared for him daily with great devotion for the last several years of his life, and his dear son Eric (Sarah) Chapman; his grandchildren, Ryan, Katie and Jack; his brother, Robert, and sister-in-law, Virginia; his nieces, Lucia and Sarah (Barry); his nephew, Robert (Laurie); as well as his devoted caregivers, Mercedes, Mildred, Marcia and Ricky. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in extending our condolences to Dr. Chapman's family, and honoring this great and good man who gave so much of himself in service to his country and his community. He will be missed by all who had the good fortune to know him, and I count myself privileged to be among that special group.

Ms. ESHOO

Ms. ESHOO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and celebrate the life of a courageous and legendary community leader, Alex Esclamado, who passed away in the Philippines on November 4, 2012. He was held in the highest regard, and his name was synonymous with freedom and the fight for democracy. Alex Esclamado arrived in the United States in 1959, living and working in California for decades. As founding publisher of The Philippine News and a devoted Filipino community advocate in the United States, he championed the key issues of immigration reform, farm workers' rights, professional recognition and licensing of foreign graduates, and naturalization of World War II Filipino Veterans. In the United States, Alex Esclamado's biggest battle was against the dictatorship of then President Ferdinand E. Marcos. In 1997, Alex retired from the daily operations of the newspaper to devote his full-time attention to establishing the foundation of NaFFAA, whose goals are the national unification of some 3,000 Filipino-American associations in the United States, the empowerment of Filipino Americans, and assistance to the Philippines. Alex became the founding national chair of NaFFAA and was elected unanimously as the first National Chair during the First National Filipino-American Empowerment Conference held in Washington D.C. in August 1997, which was attended by over 1,500 Filipino-American leaders representing associations throughout the United States. He served as National Chair from 1997 to 2002. He also served as National President of the Filipino American Political Association (FAPA), a political advocacy group since 1965. In 1998-99, he served as the only Filipino-American member of the U.S. Census Advisory Committee on the Asian and Pacific Islander Populations. Mr. Esclamado's life and work are a lasting example of a true profile in courage. His work inspired generations of leaders in the Philippines and in the United States. His many honors include a special award for his Filipino-American Welfare and Human Rights Advocacy during the celebration of the 432nd Araw Ng Maynila, the first Filipino-American awardee by the City of Manila. He was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award, and was compared with the inspirational leadership of Dr. Martin Luther King and Cesar Chavez from the Greenlining Institute. He was awarded the Philippine Legion of Honor Award and Medal, the highest honor accorded to a civilian in the Philippines, by Philippine President Corazon Aquino for ``his distinguished and outstanding service to the country during the past 20 years.'' He was the only Filipino-American recipient of this award. During the centennial celebration of the Statue of Liberty in New York in October 1986, outstanding immigrants were honored for their contributions to America. Alex Esclamado was the only Filipino-American recipient of the Congressionally-sponsored Ellis Island Medal of Honor along with 79 other outstanding Americans representing all other nationalities.

Ms. ESHOO

Ms. ESHOO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Ken Walsh, a member of the faculty of St. Joseph's School of the Sacred Heart in Atherton, California, who is being honored with the Henry Schimpf Award for his selfless service contributions, commitment and dedication within the St. Joseph's community. Like the man for whom the award is named, Ken Walsh has touched and improved the lives of so many while at St. Joseph's School of the Sacred Heart, and embodies the kind of patient, humble, selfless teaching methods we should all aspire to practice. Ken was behind the founding of the entire Athletic program for St. Joseph's School. He expanded the sports program from beyond basketball and baseball, and included other sports programs such as, tennis, track and soccer. Because of Ken's dedication, SJS has a strong sports presence along the Peninsula. His actions have provided more opportunities to more students, enabling many of them to participate in a variety of sports of their choosing. With the help and support of the community, along with SJS faculty, Ken raised money for a new field, which was named after Henry Schimpf. Ken is not only an outstanding educator, but he is also a great collaborator. He has been known to offer other schools in the region, like Sacred Heart Preparatory to utilize SJS tennis courts, and has taken the opportunity to organizing various tournaments between the two schools for both boys and girls. He is well respected by the community, his peers, his family, and his students as a teacher, an athletic director and as a friend. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Ken Walsh, an educator who lives a life which embodies the goals and criteria of Sacred Heart Schools. He lives the five commitments of faith, respect, social awareness, community building and personal growth, and his contributions to his students have strengthened our community and our country immeasurably.

Ms. ESHOO

Ms. ESHOO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Sean Cole, a 1992 graduate of Sacred Heart Preparatory. The School is proud to offer the Athletic Hall of Fame to honor him for his athletic achievements. The award recognizes contributions of alumni athletes, teams, coaches, and administrators of Sacred Heart Preparatory. Individuals like Sean Cole who are inducted into the Hall of Fame have made significant achievements in his sports of soccer and baseball and exemplified the principals of sportsmanship and Christianity as illustrated in the Goals and Criteria of Sacred Heart Schools. Before Sean Cole became an outstanding goalkeeper, he was varsity baseball starter for four years and was the first topline pitcher to attend SHP. While playing baseball he played third base and batted in middle of lineup, which is reserved for strong hitters. Sean is a tremendous athlete with unmatched effort and integrity. While attending college at Skyline College in San Bruno, California he played soccer and coached at Menlo College and SHP. Sean is a perfect representation of what it takes to excel at our passions and demonstrates a great level of determination. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Sean Cole, an athlete who lives a life which embodies the goals and criteria of Sacred Heart Schools. He lives the five commitments of faith, respect, social awareness, community building and personal growth, and his contributions to his sport have strengthened our community and our country immeasurably.

Ms. ESHOO

Ms. ESHOO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the extraordinary life of the always faithful Captain Matthew Patrick Manoukian, United States Marine Corps. Captain Manoukian made the ultimate sacrifice on August 10, 2012, giving his life for his country during his service in Afghanistan. He was 29 years old. Captain Manoukian was a lifelong resident of Los Altos Hills, California, and graduated from Saint Francis High School in 2001. Since the age of 10, it had been Matthew's goal to become a Marine. Shortly after graduating from the University of Arizona in 2005, he attended Officer Candidates School in Quantico, Virginia. After commissioning as a Second Lieutenant into the Marine Corps, he joined Camp Pendleton's 1st Marine Special Operations Battalion after enduring a grueling training program that only 40 of 100 men passed. Captain Manoukian was in the top five. Captain Manoukian rose through the ranks and was deployed twice to Iraq and twice to Afghanistan, always at ``the tip of the spear.'' He saw his role in Afghanistan as freeing the oppressed from the Taliban and bringing a fair legal system to a country that has never had one. He also had a deep respect for Middle Eastern cultures and history, learning to speak Arabic, and insisting on walking through villages, greeting children and their parents in person, instead of patrolling in a Humvee. Captain Manoukian was completing his fourth tour of duty in Afghanistan and had plans to attend law school after completing his military obligation. He had already been accepted at Golden Gate University where he planned to begin his studies in 2014. On a fateful early morning on August 10th during a predawn Ramadan meal that Captain Manoukian insisted his troops respectfully observe during the Muslim holy month, an insurgent dressed as an Afghanistan police officer opened fire and took his life, and the lives of two other fellow Marines. Captain Manoukian is survived by his father, Santa Clara County Superior Court Judge Socrates ``Pete'' Manoukian; his mother, Patricia Bamattre-Manoukian, Associate Justice of the Sixth District California Court of Appeal; brothers Michael and Martin; and the extended Manoukian and Bamattre families. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in extending our deepest condolences to Captain Manoukian's beloved family. We celebrate his life and his accomplishments, and we are proud to honor his memory in the U.S. House of Representatives. Our nation has lost a beloved citizen who made his community proud and his country stronger. His life enriched ours and may our tribute be a source of comfort to his beautiful family during their time of great grief.

Ms. ESHOO

Ms. ESHOO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Denise Sheldon, a 1993 graduate of St. Joseph's School and a 1997 graduate of Sacred Heart Preparatory. The School is proud to offer the Athletic Hall of Fame to honor her for her athletic achievements. The award recognizes contributions of alumni athletes, teams, coaches, and administrators of Sacred Heart Preparatory. Individuals like Denise Sheldon who are inducted into the Hall of Fame have made significant achievements in her sport of volleyball and exemplified the principals of sportsmanship and Christianity as illustrated in the Goals and Criteria of Sacred Heart Schools. Denise Sheldon was part of a two-time division five state championship team. Denise led Sacred Heart women's varsity volleyball team to back-to-back CIF State Championships during her junior and senior years and was honored as the `Most Valuable Player' in the League, CCS Section, and State of California in Division V. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Denise Sheldon, an athlete who lives a life which embodies the goals and criteria of Sacred Heart Schools. She lives the five commitments of faith, respect, social awareness, community building and personal growth, and her contributions to her sport have strengthened our community and our country immeasurably.

Ms. ESHOO

Ms. ESHOO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Trevor Schaffer, a 1998 graduate of St. Joseph's School and a 1992 graduate of Sacred Heart Preparatory. The School is proud to offer the Athletic Hall of Fame to honor him for his athletic achievements. The award recognizes contributions of alumni athletes, teams, coaches, and administrators of Sacred Heart Preparatory. Individuals like Trevor Schaffer who are inducted into the Hall of Fame have made significant achievements in his sports of soccer, baseball and basketball and exemplified the principals of sportsmanship and Christianity as illustrated in the Goals and Criteria of Sacred Heart Schools. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Trevor Schaffer, an athlete who lives a life which embodies the goals and criteria of Sacred Heart Schools. He lives the five commitments of faith, respect, social awareness, community building and personal growth, and his contributions to his sport have strengthened our community and our country immeasurably.

Ms. ESHOO

Ms. ESHOO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor an exceptional young man for his outstanding performance at the 2012 London Paralympics. Joe Wise is a tenacious athlete, a brilliant student and a dedicated son. Despite being diagnosed at age nine with mitochondrial myopathy--a severe muscular disorder affecting his legs, hips, core muscles and lungs, and was told by his doctors that he may not reach his fifteenth birthday--Joe Wise has never given up on his dreams of living an extraordinary life. Joe is an enthusiastic and energetic nineteen year old from Menlo Park, California, who with a passion for swimming was selected to represent the U.S. Paralympics swim team at the 2012 London Paralympics. Joe's dedication to swimming began the same year he was diagnosed, and although he suffered from allergies and asthma, his mother insisted he swim to improve his health. It wasn't until a fellow swimming mate, Kelly Crowley, introduced him to the Paralympic Games that Joe began to aspire to compete. In 2004, he competed in the trials for the Athens Paralympics in Minneapolis, but did not make the team. Instead of giving up, Joe tried again at age fifteen and was successful, competing in one event at the 2008 Beijing Paralympics. His goal after Beijing was to make it to London, but this time he wanted to compete in multiple events. Joe's strength and perseverance was tested once again in February of 2012 when he was preparing for the 2012 London trials. His health forced him to take a medical withdrawal from college and pause from swimming. His ``times'' got slower, his heart continued to weaken, and he began spending more time on the ventilator. Joe's doctors and coaches refused to give in and vowed to get him to London. By early May, Joe's condition drastically improved and in June he tried out and earned a place on the team. All of Joe's time, effort and hard work paid off as he competed in five Paralympic events: the 200-meter individual medley; the 100-meter butterfly; the 100- and 400-meter freestyle; and the 100-meter breaststroke. He finished fifth in the finals of the 400-meter freestyle race, with a personal best time of 4:15.66. Joe is extremely proud of his results and says the victory was in being selected for the team. Joe has now returned to Loyola University, Maryland, to pursue a degree in political science, with a minor in communications. He intends to continue swimming and will be preparing for Rio 2016. Mr. Speaker, I ask that the entire House of Representatives join me in honoring this brave and gentle young man. Joe is determined to reach for gold. He's not only won us over with his smile and spirit, he has also won our hearts with his courage and can-do attitude. Joe is deeply loved and supported by his community of family and friends, and his secret weapon is his mother, Marie Wise. Joe is an inspiration to us all and it is a high privilege to represent him and his family, and pay tribute to him and his extraordinary accomplishments.

Ms. ESHOO

Ms. ESHOO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Robert ``Bat'' Batinovich, a special friend and extraordinary citizen who passed on September 11, 2012, on the Big Island of Hawaii surrounded by his loved ones. He is survived by his wife Garnet, son Andy (Debbie), daughter Angela, and grandchildren Kyle and Kelly Cotchett, Alexa Batinovich and Avery Bysouth, brother Ken (Annette), many wonderful cousins and scores of friends. Robert Batinovich was born July 13, 1936, in Long Beach, California, to Matthew and Margaret Batinovich. He attended St. Anthony's High School and worked as a tuna fisherman in South America. A resident of Hillsborough and a highly trusted and respected businessman, ``Bat'' was the founder of Glenborough Corporation based in San Mateo, California, and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Glenborough Realty Trust Inc. a Real Estate Investment Trust through his retirement. He spent seven years as an executive with Norris Industries, after which most of his business life was devoted to entrepreneurial and venture capital activities primarily through the start-up or acquisition, operation, and ultimate sale, of a variety of businesses. Between 1976-1980, ``Bat'' served on the California Public Utilities Commission, and for the last two years of his service, he was President. He served on the California State Board of Transportation in 1977, and the Health Facilities Authority in 1981. He also served on the Board of Farr Company and the Advisory Board of Greater Bay Bank Corp., Palo Alto, California. His love of charities led him to support Community Gatepath, Georgetown University, The Samaritan House and Catholic Charities. He loved people and lived a full life, contributing significantly as a public servant and a businessman. He always led by example and integrity. He was universally respected for his compassion, his caring, his drive, and his generosities, and it was a privilege to call him my friend. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in extending our deepest condolences to ``Bat's'' beloved wife, Garnet, and their entire family. ``Bat'' was a strong leader, businessman, philanthropist and public servant who brought much joy to the lives he touched, strengthened his community and bettered the Nation he loved so much. His life and his contributions are worthy of this tribute we pay to him today.