Sam Farr

Mr. FARR

Mr. FARR. Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased that the Fiscal Year 2006 Foreign Operations Conference Report includes over $131 million for alternative development and institution building in Colombia. These funds will help foster both economic and social development and create more stability in Colombia. A key element to fostering a secure Colombia is creating growth and stability in the neglected rural areas. The government of Colombia must develop and implement a comprehensive rural development policy. I would like to thank the Chairman and Ranking Member for the language in the House report that calls on USAID to report to Congress about the concrete steps the Colombian government is taking to develop a rural development strategy. This report will provide a blueprint for what the Colombian government must promote development in rural areas--and how future U.S. assistance should complement those goals.

Mr. FARR

Mr. FARR. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding me time. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank Chairman Kolbe and Ranking Member Lowey for increasing the amount of money that has been put into the alternative development program in Colombia. It is a program that gets people away from growing coca into growing alternative crops. And I stand in support of the rule on this bill. I am a returned Peace Corps volunteer from Colombia and very much interested in building the capacity of local people to handle their own issues. If there is anything that we have learned from the Iraq war, it is the necessity to build local capacity for host country nationals to be able to run their own government and their own programs. And if you have a lot of people that are displaced, meaning they have no place to live, no jobs, no schools, no infrastructure to support them, you have a lot of problems. So what you need to do is provide abilities for them to have, in the rural areas, good economic opportunity. You do that by providing a base of what we call alternative development of programs that will keep them economically viable and thus not pressured into growing illicit crops and things like that. The committee in the House marked this with good money. The Senate raised it. And the conference committee brought it a little bit down, $5.5 million over last year's level. I really want to commend the committee for doing that. I think, frankly, that we need to, as a Congress, really address how much money gets to these countries, rather than just gets to K Street and lobbyists that are doing reports and doing studies of countries, rather than really helping the money get down to the people. And this is one program that focuses on local issues and NGOs, nongovernmental organizations, rather than multimillion dollar contracts for U.S. contractors. Building capacities is absolutely essential to survivability of a country. Now, one concern I have is that the report contains $20 million for demobilization activities from an unspecified account. I think it is great that we are helping with the demobilization of the paramilitaries and the FARC and other kinds of insurgents, terrorists in a sense; but I want to make sure that that demobilization money is not taken from the alternative crop money. I would appreciate if the chairman in his remarks could, perhaps for the record, respond to what conditions have been put on that demobilization money when they decide what account to take it from. Again, I want to thank the chairman and ranking member, and I really appreciate their efforts to look for how to make a saner and smarter world to live in, rather than just sticking to the old adage that we are going to give money to K Street and let them decide what are the priorities abroad. Anything we can do to build the capacities of local countries to sustain themselves will make this world a much safer and saner place to live.

Mr. FARR

Mr. FARR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the legendary Rosa Parks, who passed away last week. I had the great honor of meeting Rosa Parks several times throughout her life. The first time was in the late seventies when she was a guest speaker at Monterey Peninsula College in my district. I was also on hand when she received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1996 and the Congressional Gold Medal in 1999. Each time I saw Rosa Parks, I was again impressed that a woman of such slight stature started such a large scale movement for civil justice. Rosa Parks' decision not to give up her bus seat to a white man during the time of segregation was a courageous act, simple and without violence. Rosa Parks did not yell, swear or wave her hands around dramatically to get the Nation's attention. In fact, she did not even move. Today, the consequences of her choice can be seen throughout our society. I continue to believe that a more just society will not be achieved by water hoses, tear gas, night sticks and hostility, but through peaceful means including compromise and fairness. Fifty years later, Rosa Parks' actions don't seem radical or risky, but when you are the first one to take a stand, it is lonely. Indeed, Rosa Parks' death has given us the opportunity not just to remember her life and her actions, but also to remember the actions all of those who have stood up in the face of injustice. My mother was one of these people, like Rosa Parks. Though she died when I was a young adult, my father often told me of a bus ride my mother took in New Orleans in the mid 40s. My sister and I were young children at the time, and we all used the bus system to get around the city. Buses in New Orleans were segregated at that time, but during one ride my mother decided to seat us in the ``colored'' section, although there was room in the ``white'' section of the bus. When the bus driver saw what my mother had done, he told her that she and her children had to move to the white section. My mother refused, so the driver told her to get off the bus. Rather than change our seats, she shepherded my sister and me off the bus. I had a chance to share this story with Rosa Parks when I finally met her and she enjoyed hearing about my mother's actions. Though my family did not live in a segregated state, both my parents realized they still had a duty to combat prejudice. As a member of Congress, I have been honored to visit the heartland of the civil rights movement with fellow colleague and civil rights champion, Representative John Lewis. During a trip with the Faith and Politics Institute, we visited the Voting Rights Museum in Birmingham, AL, the Rosa Parks Museum in Montgomery, AL, and reenacted the march across the Pettus Bridge in Selma, AL. I cannot fully express how much I gained from visiting these sites with some of the original participants in the civil rights movement. Hearing about the pain and suffering they endured throughout those times was tempered by the joy we felt in our mutual support for a just cause. I was honored to join my colleagues by attending Rosa Parks' memorial service and supporting the unprecedented resolution that allowed her body to lie in honor in the Capitol Rotunda. Rosa Parks is one person who made a difference and whose actions will forever call on all of us to stand up--or remain seated--for civil justice.

Mr. FARR

Mr. FARR. Mr. Chairman, I have mixed emotions about this bill, but I see it as an environmental bill. This is a great bill. This stops growth, particularly the section of the sense of Congress on the use of eminent domain funds to take farmland or other real property for economic development. It just says you cannot do that. But what really bothers me in this bill is the fact that the terms of Federal economic development means any Federal funds distributed to or through States or political subdivision of the States under Federal laws designed to improve or increase the size of economies of the State or political subdivisions. As I look at it, those laws mean all the BRAC money that comes to reuse of military bases. It means transportation monies. It means sewer and water monies. It essentially is a no-growth bill. For those on the environmental side this is good. For those who want to see some economic development, we need this amendment.

Mr. FARR

Mr. FARR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the city of Marina on the 30th anniversary of its incorporation. Marina is a young city, particularly in contrast to its neighbor Monterey, founded in 1772. But young, in the case of Marina, is just another word for dynamic. Marina is located on the shore of Monterey Bay near the mouth of the Salinas River. The area known today as Marina was once owned by David Jacks and James Bardin, who in the mid 1800s owned much of the acreage that now constitutes the Monterey Peninsula. In the early 1900s the area was designated as ``Bardin,'' then ``Locke-Paddon Colonies,'' then ``Paddonville.'' It was at about this time that Southern Pacific Railroad, who had laid tracks through the area, was convinced by the then owner, William Locke-Paddon, to make a flag stop for his customers coming from San Francisco. Locke-Paddon, 1876-1972, is considered the father of Marina, and some of his relatives still live in the region. He renamed the area Marina to boost its attraction as a stop. As the land was developed, areas were set aside for a school, church and other necessities of an organized city. Marina's first post office was established in April 1919. As with the rest of the Monterey Peninsula, Marina witnessed a tremendous amount of growth and development during the 1950s and 60s--schools, churches, businesses, our community center and residential homes. The area has changed from a quiet rural area into a busy prosperous community. In 1956, the Marina Fire District was formed and Reservation Road began to develop as a commercial area. All through that time Marina served as a gateway to the very active U.S. Army base at Fort Ord. Marina incorporated as a city in November 1975. At that time I had the pleasure of serving as a Monterey County Supervisor and chaired the County's Local Area Formation Committee, LAFCO, that oversaw the creation of new jurisdictions. I remember Marina civic booster Frank Vineyard coming before the commission in 1975 to argue the case for Marina's creation as a stand alone city. I am proud to have been able to cast a vote as LAFCO chair to form the city of Marina. Frank went on to serve as Marina's first mayor. Marina has grown over the years and is now taking a leading role in the redevelopment of the former Fort Ord. It is also redeveloping its downtown and has a bright future as not only the gateway to the Monterey Peninsula, but as a destination unto itself. Mr. Speaker, Marina deserves the congratulations of this House for its success to date and best wishes for a future that will surely see the city continue to serve the needs of its diverse residents.

Mr. FARR

Mr. FARR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today as a former Boy Scout to honor Kenneth W. Allen II, as he retires from 31 years as a professional with the Boy Scouts of America. Ken served the Scouting effort in six Scout councils throughout California, including San Francisco Bay Area Council, Forty-Niner Council, Santa Clara County Council, Orange County Council, and Great Western Council. For the last four years he led the Monterey Bay Area Council as the Scout Executive, serving Santa Cruz, San Benito and Monterey Counties. I have had the particular pleasure of working with Ken on enhancing and preserving the Pico Blanco Boy Scout Camp in Big Sur that I enjoyed in my youth. Under his leadership the Boy Scouts of America was enriched with growth in the organization and its outreach to boys. Some of his accomplishments include leading the San Francisco Bay Area Council to expand membership in youth outreach programs by 37.5 percent, and the annual youth membership there increased by 41 percent, more than any other council in the United States. He wrote the original national Scouting curriculum for In-School Scouting, developed and implemented the first In-School Scouting program for Latino youth in Orange County and East San Jose, and prepared public relations strategies for the Boy Scouts of America both at the local level and the national level. Mr. Speaker, Ken Allen's career has been one of exemplary service to every community he lived in, and even more to the greater community of Scouting. His innovative programs and achievements are an inspiration to all who build our youth and strive to make the world a better place.

Mr. FARR

Mr. FARR. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me this time. Mr. Speaker, it is the best of times and the worst of times, today particularly. On this bill and on this rule, I want to first thank Chairman Bonilla of the Appropriations Committee and the staff, particularly Martin, Maureen, Leslie, Tom, and Jamie, for doing an admirable job; and they did it with the allocation figure they were given. I also want to congratulate ranking member Rosa DeLauro for completing her first cycle as ranking. I thank her for her hard work on the food safety and FDA issues. I also want to thank Martha Foley on our side. She is always ready with an answer anytime one asks. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the efforts of Chairman Bonilla in crafting this bill, which is an improvement over the President's budget request. I particularly want to thank the chairman for working with me to find $7 million for the Specialty Crop Block Grant program in full committee and maintaining that funding in the conference report that we have before us today. Investing in our specialty crop agriculture is imperative, and this certainly will be a happy day for the industry and all those who produce our Nation's fruits, vegetables, and nuts. I look forward to working together to provide innovative and effective assistance to make the specialty crop industry more competitive in the future; and, I might add, this is the industry that does not receive subsidies or help from the government. Because of the work of this committee, my growers will now have help with pests such as vine mealy bug and diseases such as verticillium wilt, and we will continue a voluntary water quality study for the entire Monterey Bay watershed. But as with any legislation this lengthy, it cannot all be good. I am very disappointed with, and strongly oppose, section 797 which was added as a ``legislative fix'' to an Organic Foods Production Act in response to a ruling by the courts in Harvey v. Johanns after the conference committee had adjourned, subject to call of the Chair. There was no public disclosure. This was all done behind closed doors. These changes will not return us to the status quo prior to the lawsuit. Rather, this legislative fix will weaken both law and existing regulatory standards and restrict the authority of the National Organic Standards Board. For example, numerous synthetic food additives and processing aids, including over 500 food contact substances, can be used in organic foods without public review. Young dairy cows can continue to be treated with antibiotics and fed genetically engineered feed prior to being converted to organic production. Loopholes under which nonorganic ingredients could be substituted for organic ingredients can occur without any notification to the public based on emergency decrees. If the history of OFPA has taught us anything, it is that changes should be done following an inclusive and transparent process that unites, rather than divides, the organic community. At the very least, the process should have given all stakeholders a fair chance to vet the proposed changes and their likely consequences. Consumers are willing to pay more for organic food because organic offers the most authentic of natural food. Consumers expect that food carrying the organic label will be natural and should not contain synthetic ingredients. In a March 2005 nationwide survey, 85 percent of the respondents did not expect food labeled ``organic'' to contain any artificial ingredients, a finding that is directly in opposition to the actions of the conference committee. The real losers under this policy change are American consumers. Consumers who care about having natural food will have to look for additional claims to organic, such as ``no synthetic ingredients included'' on processed foods and ``100 percent grass fed'' on meat and dairy products in order to know that their expectations have been met. This amendment undermines consumer confidence in the integrity of the national organic program. Back-room deals without proper debate undermine the integrity of the entire organic industry, and we are certain to visit this fix again and again. Mr. Speaker, we have come a long way with this process. Despite section 797, our farmers will be better off because of this legislation, and I want to thank all of my committee members for putting together such a good appropriations bill. I support the action of the committee when we followed regular order, and when we did that, we crafted a good bill. I only wish we would have finished the bill together so the process was as good as the final product.

Mr. FARR

Mr. FARR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Police Officer David Perry for his service to our community. Mr. Perry has dedicated his life to protecting his country as well as his community, and for that I am grateful. David Perry heroically served in the United States Marine Corps from 1983 to 1989. His service included a meritorious promotion to Corporal and assignment to the Marine Security Guard Detachment in Calcutta, India. While serving in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, he was promoted to Sergeant and honorably discharged from active duty on January 6, 1989. He has maintained Reserve status while serving as a Patrol Officer in the City of Santa Cruz. Furthermore, Mr. Perry had dedicated his time to serving the city as a Field Training Officer and is a member of the Santa Cruz Police Department Honor Guard. Mr. Perry is known for his allegiance to the enforcement of law, the prevention of crime, and his deep sense of community. Respectfully, David Perry has volunteered to return to active duty with the United States Marine Corps. He will be deployed to Iraq in January of 2006. Mr. Perry's voluntary service is truly appreciated and highly valued. Mr. Speaker, the service of local members of the community is an asset to this Nation, and I applaud Mr. Perry's contributions. We all look forward to the safe return of Officer Perry, and wish him well in his service in Iraq. Mr. Perry is an outstanding member of the community, and his dedication is appreciated.

Mr. FARR

Mr. FARR. Mr. Chairman, on rollcall No. 541, I inadvertently voted ``aye.'' I wish the Record to show that had I voted correctly, I would have voted ``no.'' Amendment No. 4 Offered by Mr. Leach

Mr. FARR. Madam Chairman, I rise in strong opposition to the Garrett amendment that would prevent an increase in the Conforming Loan Limit. If the Conforming Loan Limit is not increased, middle income families on the Central Coast of California will not be able to own a piece of the American dream--their own home. Right now, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac can purchase single family mortgages up to a nationwide limit of $359,650. Increasing the Conforming Loan Limit will allow these GSEs greater access to high cost housing markets, which will increase the availability of mortgage capital which will increase homeownership. I understand a mortgage of $359,650 sounds like a lot in some congressional districts, but in my district, middle class families will be priced out of the housing market if the Conforming Loan Limit is not increased. Let me give you some examples of housing prices for my district-- Monterey County, the median home sales price in September 2005 was $712,797. Santa Cruz County, the medium home sales price in September 2005 was $750,000. For the City of Salinas, in Monterey County, the median home sales price in September was $610,000, while the medium household income was $43,720, according to Census figures compiled for 1999. For the City of Watsonville, in Santa Cruz County, the median home sales price in September was $654,750, while the median household income was $37,617, according to Census figures compiled in 1999. There is a huge affordable housing-income gap in my district that will only get worse without an increase in the Conforming Loan Limit. The American dream--homeownership--should be an opportunity for all Americans. I urge a ``no'' vote on the Garrett amendment.

Mr. FARR

Mr. FARR. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to this bill. I would first like to say that I support the rights of gun owners and hunters, but this bill makes it clear this is not about the second amendment. This bill is about a direct assault on our civil justice system that endorses unscrupulous corporate behavior. Once again, with this bill, democracy has been thwarted by bringing this bill to the floor. Very reasonable amendments were offered, but the majority adopted a restrictive rule that prevented them from being heard on the floor today. One of those amendments would have expanded the ban on armor-piercing bullets also. For God's sake, who in this country needs to own armor- piercing bullets? We are not legislating via the intended democratic process. The people of this country want and deserve an open and participatory government, not law by fiat. I urge a strong ``no'' vote on this bill.

Mr. FARR

Mr. FARR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Community Action Board of Santa Cruz County, Inc. CAB on the occasion of its 40th anniversary. CAB was created in October 1965 to meet the challenge of President Lyndon B. Johnson's ``War on Poverty,'' and as such is committed to meeting the needs of low-income people. Since its inception, CAB has assumed responsibilities of great import to the community by providing vital preventative, emergency, and intervention services. They created and administer many programs in Santa Cruz County including Head Start, Second Harvest Food Bank, Legal Aid Society, Housing Authority, Women Infants and Children nutrition program, Senior Citizens Legal Services, Foster Grandparent Program, Women Ventures Project, Natural Resources and Employment Program, and CalWORKS Emergency Payment Program. CAB played an important role in disaster relief for low-income residents following the devastating Loma Prieta earthquake of 1989 and the 1995 Pajaro River flood. Many of the programs and policies nurtured by CAB successfully reduce poverty and increase independence and self- sufficiency. Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to recognize the Community Action Board for its 40 years of leadership in the community. I applaud the many contributions and achievements of the Community Action Board, and am proud to have such an exemplary organization fighting poverty and caring for the needs of the most vulnerable citizens in Santa Cruz County.

Mr. FARR

Mr. FARR. Mr. Speaker, today it gives me great pleasure to recognize Ms. Penny S. Sinclair, Director of Contracting at the Army Contracting Agency, Southern Region, at the Presidio of Monterey, California, for her 31 years of distinguished service to our Nation. Ms. Sinclair is a member of the American Society of Military Comptrollers. She began her career as a Clerk Typist in 1971. She became an Acquisition Intern in September 1984 and graduated with honors. Throughout her career she received numerous awards, all reflecting her support for military services and civilian support staff in the highest manner possible. She was appointed as the Director of Contracting in April 1993, at the time of Fort Ord's Base Realignment and Closure. Throughout this challenging time she dealt with year-end closure pressures, loss of personnel and a variety of emergency requirements with professionalism and superior performance. For this work she received a Special Act or Service Award and later was honored with the Commander's Award for Civilian Service. Ms. Sinclair was selected to serve on the Base Closure Ceremony team and was given the honor of assisting in the folding of the Fort Ord Parade Field flag for the last time. She returned as Director in 1999, continuing in that capacity until this year. Ms. Sinclair was a renowned advocate for the installation organizations, its tenants, and the local business community. During her tenure the Presidio of Monterey exceeded its goals to work with small businesses and woman-owned businesses. She habitually sought opportunities to work with the regional Small Business Administration office and the cities on the Monterey Peninsula. Ms. Sinclair continuously encouraged her staff to expand their learning experience through formal and informal training, and made sure that her staff received monetary rewards for excellent performance. Ms. Sinclair personally provided a workplace that allowed employees to grow and have opportunities for promotion within the organization. Serving as the Project Officer for Naval Support Activity Monterey Bay, Ms. Sinclair did a masterful job working the very difficult support agreements for fire protection services and public works support. She identified and recommended downsizing areas which were inefficient and costly and saved DLIFLC and POM over one million dollars per year. Mr. Speaker, Penny Sinclair's professionalism, untiring dedication, and personal involvement reflect great credit upon herself, the Army Contracting Agency, and the United States Army. Her contributions to the Army's contracting mission and her unselfish passion for the contracting profession over the past 31 years have earned her the recognition of this body.

Mr. FARR

Mr. FARR. Mr. Speaker, I'm pleased to announce that Geoff Boraston, of Granite Construction, Inc., located in my congressional district, has been named 2005 National Stone, Sand and Gravel Association (NSSGA) Environmental Professional of the Year. Geoff Boraston is the vice chairman of the NSSGA Environmental Committee. The NSSGA member companies account for 90 percent of crushed stone and 70 percent of the sand and gravel used each year in the United States, and employs 115,000 American workers. Mr. Boraston recognizes that we must all be good environmental stewards. He has made significant contributions in limiting emissions from naturally occurring asbestos to conform to the standards set by the California Resources Board. Mr. Boraston has coordinated summit meetings between government agencies and industry companies, and developed and implemented company-wide environmental management systems to address Granite Construction environmental issues. These are truly commendable actions that exemplify what one individual can contribute to the protection of the environment. We all look forward to Geoff Boraston's continued leadership on the NSSGA Environmental Committee to achieve environmentally sound operating practices. Granite Construction is one of the Nation's largest heavy civil contractors and construction materials producers. The Watsonville company is a major builder of all types of rail system infrastructure, such as light rail, monorail, commuter rail and freight rail. Granite Construction is currently pursuing some $12 billion in rapid transit and rail projects to be bid throughout the country over the next year.

Mr. FARR

Mr. FARR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor my dear friend Ted Sarbin, who recently passed away at his Carmel home in my Central California district. He was 94. I knew Ted first as a friend of my late father, but the academic world knew Dr. Sarbin as a pioneering research psychologist who helped shape the modern science of psychology. Born Theodore Ray Sarbin on May 8, 1911, Ted rose from humble beginnings in Cleveland, Ohio, as one of six children of Russian immigrant parents. As a young man, he rode the rails as a hobo, an experience he later said helped him identify with people on the margins of society. In 1941, he earned a Ph.D. from Ohio State University and did further post doctorate work at the University of Chicago. His dissertation used data gathered at the University of Minnesota to examine the relative accuracy of statistical versus clinical prediction of undergraduate success. During this time he also collaborated on research to measure hypnotic depth. This work pioneered research in these fields and framed the questions for hundreds of subsequent studies by psychologists. In 1949, after a short stint as a clinical psychologist in Illinois and Los Angeles, he joined the faculty at UC Berkeley. In 1969, he left UC Berkeley to join the faculty at UC Santa Cruz. During these academic years, he gained the reputation as an energetic teacher and graduate student mentor, supervising more students than any other faculty member in his department. He also gained the reputation as a prolific author of studies and journal articles. He focused his work on psychopathology--the study of anti-social behavior and its root causes and effects. He became known as ``Mr. Role Theory,'' defending the unorthodox view that the label ``mental illness'' was often used as a moral judgment to express or exert social power over those whose conduct was perceived as unwanted or dangerous. In the course of his academic career, Ted published over 250 scientific articles and book chapters. He received scores of honors, including both Fulbright and Guggenheim fellowships. He received the Morton Prince Award from the Society for Clinical Experimental Hypnosis, as well as the Henry Murray Award from the American Psychological Association. In 2001, the Western Psychological Association recognized him with a lifetime achievement award. Although Ted officially retired in 1976, he never stopped working. He continued to teach and write throughout his life. Recently in Washington, D.C., Ted presented a new award named in his honor as part of the annual American Psychological Association convention. Ted was perhaps best known for pioneering work he did on the subject of gays in the military. From 1987 until just before his death, Ted was a researcher for the Defense Personnel Security Research and Education Center at the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California. The Department of Defense founded the Center to study the impact of psychology on national security in the wake of its discovery of a spy ring embedded in the Navy. He had been at the Center less than a year when he co-authored a report which found no evidence to support the idea that gay and lesbian soldiers pose a security risk. The report later became public in 1990 when it was published under the title ``Gays in Uniform: The Pentagon's Secret Reports.'' The Report's publication propelled Ted into the spotlight. However, despite its notoriety, the ``Gays in Uniform'' report simply reflected the theme of Ted's life work: Listen to others and refrain from judgment in reporting the facts. Ted called this narrative psychology-- listen to what the patient has to say rather than rush to characterize them. Ted had a devoted following of former students and colleagues. He established a custom 40 years ago of hosting an annual party where he would present his own award ``Role Theorist of the Year,'' to one of those gathered. He presided over these celebrations with grace and wit. This past August, he hosted his final such banquet which drew over sixty participants. Ted bought a vacation home in Carmel in the 1950s. He moved to my hometown for good in the 1970s. He loved to golf and played almost every Monday, always aiming to shoot his age, which he achieved at 89. He and his wife, Genevieve, often hosted elaborate costume parties where he always played the part of Don Quixote--a role he often played in his professional life. Ted is survived by his sons Jim Allen, Ronald Allen, and Theodore Sarbin; sister Ruth Landy; domestic partner Karen Sobeck; four grandchildren: Mathew Allen, Chelsea Allen, Park Allen, and Link Allen; and two great grandchildren: MacKenzie Allen and Delaney Allen; and numerous people who still love and cherish him. His late wife Genevieve Sarbin, died in 1999.

Mr. FARR

Mr. FARR. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the Stupak substitute and in strong opposition to the underlying bill. I would use this moment just to wake up the city councils and boards of supervisors and county folks around this country, particularly if you have had a closed military base. Because this underlying bill just opens that up and says if the President of the United States decides we need oil refining capacities, they can puts it in your back yard. They waive all the requirements. They did make an amendment at midnight last night that is still vague, but says they have to following BRAC re-use law, but that does not affect Federal lands that may be in the closed base. So essentially they could parachute an oil refinery in the middle of a closed military base, and it waives all of the requirements that are local, zoning and all of that. That just would not have any effect. I will tell you why this is crazy. Because one of the bases that would probably qualify with a deep port and a lot of land is Fort Ord. Fort Ord, California, is surrounded by the National Marine Sanctuary and is one of the most beautiful areas in the whole United States. The last thing we should ever do is have an oil refinery there. This is a crazy bill, and I urge its defeat.

Mr. FARR

Mr. FARR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and thank Gary Anund Knutson, a dedicated public servant. Mr. Knutson, County Auditor- Controller of Santa Cruz, will retire after 35 years of public service, 19 of which were spent as the County Auditor-Controller. Mr. Knutson will be retiring on December 30, 2005, bringing an end to nearly four decades of outstanding service. Mr. Knutson, who has spent a great deal of time maintaining a great working environment in his office, has decided to pursue other ambitions. His retirement will be enjoyed spending time on other personal activities. Mr. Knutson has done an exceptional job and his service is truly appreciated. Mr. Speaker, when he retires, Gary Anund Knutson will be leaving behind 35 years of excellence and professionalism. I applaud Mr. Knutson for his work and contributions. He has left a lasting impact on his community, and we would like to wish him well in his upcoming retirement.

Mr. FARR

Mr. FARR. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of the underlying amendment, because in the middle of the night, the manager's amendment removed the NOAA fisheries provision in the Interior. Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to H.R. 3824, the Threatened and Endangered Species Recovery Act, as it is currently drafted. Mr. Chairman, once again California leads the Nation: This time it is for the number of listings for threatened and endangered species. California has more than twice the species listed as any other State. My home on the Central Coast in the 17th district has more habitat where both endangered plants and animals have lived with commercial farming and ranching. The same climate that produces over three billion dollars annually in agriculture farm gate also is home to the tar plant in Santa Cruz and the California condor in Big Sur. Another example is the Big Sur area of California where you can find redwoods from northern California growing next to the yucca of southern California. I recognize the need for some ``tune-ups'' in the ESA, unfortunately, H.R. 3824 takes a meat axe approach when what we need is a scalpel. The Endangered Species Act is one of America's most important and successful environmental laws. As one of the pillars of environmental law, it has brought public attention to the impact of human activities on our Nation's wildlife that contributes so much beauty and delight to life as well as growing economic development in environmental tourism. But it also goes beyond that to declare the preservation of such species as the American bald eagle and the California condor, that glide on the thermals along the Big Sur coastline, a national priority. While opponents of the law complain that it has restored healthy populations of only 16 of the more than 1,800 species on its endangered list, dozens of other species have dramatically increased their populations because of the law's protection. Without the ESA these species could easily have succumbed to extinction as corporations and developers decided the fate of their habitats. That's no small accomplishment. What's more, only nine endangered plants and animals have been lost. We cannot forget that robust biodiversity is absolutely necessary to a healthy human environment. Ninety-eight percent of the species protected under the Endangered Species Act are still alive today, and many are stable or improving. Without the Endangered Species Act, wildlife such as the bald eagle, American alligator, California condor, Florida panther and many other animals that are part of America's natural heritage could have disappeared from the planet years ago. The Endangered Species Act works because it safeguards the places where endangered animals and plants live. With the recent discovery of the once thought to be extinct Ivory- billed woodpecker in Arkansas and the Mount Diablo Buckwheat in California, I think this is an opportune moment to highlight the success of many of our conservation efforts. For example, in my home State of California, I am especially proud of the conservation and management efforts that have helped significantly restore populations of California condor, the Southern sea otter, the winter run Chinook salmon, the Least Bell's Vireo songbird, the California Brown Pelican, and the California gray whale. Mr. Chairman, it is fitting that Congress is moving to reauthorize ESA on Sea Otter Awareness Week since the sea otters are a success story in my district. While the Southern Sea Otter still has a long way to go before being delisted, the increased numbers of sea otters along my district shoreline have greatly contributed to our tourism economy. Studies show sea otters draw tourists to my district where they spend money on lodging, restaurants and other merchandise. The dramatic turnaround realized by the once thought extinct Southern sea otter is a result of two critical protection laws--the ESA and the Marine Mammal Protection Act, the Southern sea otter population grew from less than 100 otters in the 1930's to the present total of 2,800. Scientists maintain that it will take 3,100 otters to make a population stable enough to even consider removing them from the Endangered Species list and many threats remain. As reauthorization of the ESA moves forward this week in the House, I will fight to keep it strong enough to successfully overcome these threats to the Southern sea otter. Despite success stories, like this we need to be aware that more needs to be done. At this time, more than 1,000 species in the U.S. and abroad, are designated as ``at risk'' for extinction. One small step is to increase awareness about the seriousness of the circumstances facing many of these endangered species and educating the public about these species. I know the ESA has it's problems and the proponents of this legislation have brought many of those cases to light today. Any law that has been on the books for as long as the Endangered Species Act will have issues--Some of these issues deal with inadequate funding, and some with the law itself. I agree we need to tweak and update the current law, to make changes, but we do not need to completely rewrite this critical protection legislation. Mr. Chairman, I want to use the rest of my time to discuss a specific provision to move the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's ESA responsibilities to the Department of Interior. This is an awful idea, and it should have been vetted within the Resources committee before being brought to the floor. As you know, many of our constituents across the country care deeply about, whales, salmon, and sea turtles. Taking ESA responsibilities away from the experts at NOAA, will put these animals at further risk. Giving jurisdiction of the ocean animals, whose survival is most at risk, to an agency without ocean expertise is ludicrous. Taking ESA responsibilities from NOAA will split jurisdiction on marine animals, creating a management nightmare and further fracturing our marine management. For example, Pacific salmon will be a management nightmare. Fish in one river that arrive in spring will be managed by the Department of Commerce, while fish that arrive in that same river during fall will be managed by the Department of Interior. To make things more complicated, who will manage these fish when they are all mixed together in the ocean? Will the fishermen have to choose from two sets of fishing regulations, one from the Department of Commerce and the other from the Department of Interior? As the Pew and US Commissions on Ocean Policy recommended, we need to consolidate our ocean management under one roof, Specifically the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in the Department of Commerce, to be effective. Further splitting our ocean management is only going to create more problems. Mr. Chairman, let's not send the message that this Congress is more interested in private property development than in the common good of America the beautiful, from sea to shining sea. The action this House takes today is a step in the long process to reauthorizing the Endangered Species Act. I urge my colleagues not to take the meat axe approach but to support the bipartisan Miller/ Boehlert substitute.

Mr. FARR. Mr. Chairman, when you do take, meaning you have no value left, then you have just compensation, was the Supreme Court decision.

Mr. FARR. Mr. Chairman, will the gentleman yield?

Mr. FARR

Mr. FARR. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman for yielding me this time, and I rise as a Member probably more affected by this law than anybody else in the United States Congress. I probably represent more critical habitat in the coastal counties of Monterey Bay than anybody. That is the Big Sur, Carmel, Pebble Beach, Santa Cruz region. That critical habitat has made us a lot of money on what is watchable wildlife. Watchable wildlife is the largest business, fastest-growing business in the United States. Of all the sports in this country, watchable wildlife exceeds them all. This bill undermines the greatest economic asset we have, which is our natural things by creating a new issue on takings. You argue the bill is broken because the administration has not been able to administer it. Well, it is not the bill that is at fault; it is the United States Congress and the President of the United States that are at fault. I am on the Committee on Appropriations, and in 2003 the Fish and Wildlife Service said it needed approximately $153 million to address the critical backlog of listings of critical habitat; yet the President only asked for $18 million. This is the way to kill an organization. You do not fund it, and say, look, the law does not work, you have a backlog. So let us take the law. Every city councilmember, every city supervisor in the United States ought to wake up and look at this law because now they give full development rights under this law. If you do not like the way the law is, you have trees in your backyard that the government says, the community says you ought to preserve, you do not have to worry about that now because you can say that is a taking. Pebble Beach, cut all of your cypress trees and pine trees, which are the Monterey cypress and the Monterey pines, because now instead of beautiful scenery, you can build hotels all over that land. And if they do not allow you to do that because of the trees, the government will pay you. Mr. Speaker, guess what, the government has no money. It cannot even pay the bureaucrats that are responsible for carrying out the law. This bill is a gun to the head. This bill says if you do not grant that development, by God, government, you have to pay it. The lawyers say, government, you have no money, you better grant the request. This is a full development rights. It is an attack on America's greatest heritage. It endangers wild and scenic species.

Mr. FARR

Mr. FARR. Mr. Speaker, the Justice Department is entrusted with one of the most sacred rights of American citizenship--protecting the right to privacy. The privacy rights of my constituents at Moss Landing Harbor on the central coast of California were recently violated under the guise of ``homeland security.'' At 10:30 at night, Coast Guard members armed with M-16 rifles approached docked boats, woke my constituents up, and boarded and searched their boats. When asked why they were subject to these searches, the officers cited safety, ``homeland security'' and allegedly the PATRIOT Act. The PATRIOT Act does not give the Coast Guard the right to violate the privacy of law-abiding citizens. It is exactly these kinds of abuses that prove why we should not be making PATRIOT Act provisions permanent. As we reauthorize the Department of Justice today, we must be mindful of our obligation to uphold the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. The U.S. cherishes the rule of Law and the protection of civil liberties. Unlawful search and seizure in the name of Homeland Security is Homeland insecurity. [From the Monterey Herald, Sept. 18, 2005] Coast Guard Overboard With Searches Coast Guard officers apparently were on firm ground legally when they randomly boarded and inspected nearly 30 boats docked in Monterey Bay during the Labor Day weekend, but that doesn't make it right. An officer with the Coast Guard's Monterey division said the operation, carried out with the Monterey County Sheriff's Office, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, was directed at ensuring boating safety during the busiest boating weekend of the year. And officers found problems worthy of citation, including lack of flotation and fire-extinguishing devices. But some boaters who were subject to the inspections had legitimate complaints. Two who contacted the Herald said their boats were boarded after 10:30 p.m. and that officers arrived carrying M-16 rifles. Some of the boats were live- aboards, making the inspections comparable to having law enforcement officers show up at homes on dry land for a random search with no probable cause--something banned under the Constitution. Officials said U.S. Code and maritime law give them authority for inspections and searches on Federal waters and the waterways that lead to them. But surprised area harbormasters and boating enthusiasts said they've never before seen random, door-to-door inspections. One called it ``pretty preposterous.'' Another described it as ``a little scary.'' The Coast Guard said the officers weren't responding to any particular law enforcement report or threat. So why start this intrusive practice now? Because they can isn't a good enough answer. Maybe it's time, instead, to shore up maritime law and bring it more in line with the protections we enjoy on land. Andy Turpin, senior editor of Latitude 38, a popular sailing magazine in Marin County, said the gaps are significant. ``All the things we take for granted when we're living ashore go out the window with maritime law,'' Turpin said. ``It's all based on a big-vessel context. There's very little legislation,'' that has to do with smaller vessels and live- aboard boats. Lt. Mark Warren of the Monterey Coast Guard Station said in light of some of the criticisms, his agency may rethink future, similar actions. ``We take lessons and learn from these types of operations. If the public is genuinely distasteful of it, we might not do it,'' he said. Part of the Coast Guard's aim was to increase public awareness of its role as a law enforcement agency. Mission accomplished--but in an unnecessarily intrusive way. We depend on the Coast Guard for law enforcement on open seas. We're grateful for the role it plays in search-and-rescue operations. And we appreciate its efforts to make sure the boats on the bay are in safe condition. But random, dockside boardings are going overboard and should be discontinued.

Mr. FARR

Mr. FARR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to mark the annual selection of The Golden Poppy Award in California. The Golden Poppy Award is given annually by the California State Parks Foundation to individuals or organizations that have made a significant contribution to protecting, enhancing, and advocating for California's state parks. This year's recipient of the Golden Poppy Award is Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A. Support of our state parks means support of our environment. This company has developed its own ``Toyota Earth Charter.'' In it, Toyota outlines its goal of growing as a company in a way that is in harmony with the environment, including achieving zero emissions throughout all areas of business activities. To that end the company pledges to build close and cooperative relationships with a wide spectrum of individuals and organizations involved in environmental preservation, including governments, local municipalities, and related companies and industries. One such example of the company's interest in a clean environment is its development of a high-mileage, low-emissions gas-electric hybrid vehicle, the Prius. The technology behind the Prius has made Toyota a leader in environment friendly hybrid technology today. In keeping with the spirit of their Earth Charter, Toyota supports a wide range of projects, and awarded a major grant to the California State Parks Foundation for its ``Coast Alive!'' program. ``Coast Alive!'' underwrites workshops to middle school teachers that enable them to lead their classes on field studies at nearby State Parks. Armed with this knowledge, their students study the fragile marine ecology of our coastline, experience its beauty, and come to understand the importance of restoring and preserving it as a valuable resource. With the generous donation from Toyota, the Foundation will be able to create interactive, multi-media materials for this program. Mr. Speaker, I join with the California State Parks family in congratulating Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A. on earning the Golden Poppy Award, the symbol of the Golden State.

Mr. FARR

Mr. FARR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Ellen Moir for receiving the prestigious Harold W. McGraw Jr. Prize in education. Ms. Moir is the founder and executive director of the New Teacher Center (NTC) at the University of California, Santa Cruz. The NTC is a unique place where educators and researchers develop programs for new teachers. Evolving from a staff of 5, NTC has grown into an organization of 65 teachers and researchers who continue to turn Moir's mission into a reality. Ms. Moir has brought academic innovation as well as tireless focus to preparing students and teachers for success and it is certainly fitting that Ms. Moir is nationally recognized for her expertise in teacher preparation, induction, and support. Thus, I would like to salute Ellen Moir for her outstanding contribution to teacher professional development education. She has dedicated her life to improving the education system in this country and without her motivation and expertise, organizations like the NTC would never have been established. Her accomplishments are invaluable and continue to make a difference in the nation today. Mr. Speaker, I am proud today to honor such a compassionate and innovative individual who resides in the 17th district of California.

Mr. FARR

Mr. FARR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to call attention to Sea Otter Awareness Week, sponsored by Defenders of Wildlife. The support given by Defenders, Friends of the Sea Otter, the Otter Project, and the Ocean Conservancy to recover the Southern Sea Otter has raised public awareness and helped protect this important species under the Marine Mammal Protection Act and the Endangered Species Act. The study of southern sea otter populations provides much-needed information on ways to improve the health of coastal ecosystems. We already know sea otters play a critical role in maintaining healthy kelp beds along the California coast, an important habitat and nursery ground for some of the depleted West Coast rockfish stocks. Sea otter research has proven to be an effective method of monitoring toxins and diseases in the marine environment, both of which can affect the health of humans and other wildlife. These charismatic animals also bring significant tourism spending to central Californian coastal communities. Mr. Speaker, it is fitting to hold Sea Otter Awareness Week this week as Congress moves to reauthorize arguably the bedrock of environmental laws, the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The dramatic turnaround realized by the once thought extinct southern sea otter is a result of two critical protection laws--the ESA and the Marine Mammal Protection Act, the southern sea otter population grew from less than 100 otters in the 1930's to the present total of 2,800. Scientists maintain that it will take 3,100 otters to make a population stable enough to even consider removing them from the Endangered Species list. Unfortunately, threats from disease, exposure to environmental pollutants, and entrapment in fisheries gear are threatening the species' continued recovery. As reauthorization of the ESA moves forward this week in the House, I will fight to keep it strong enough to successfully overcome these threats to the Southern Sea Otter. Many constituents in my District have an interest in, and are affected by, sea otter management. I introduced H.R. 2323, the Southern Sea Otter Recovery and Research Act, and work with my colleagues to secure funding in an effort to support the recovery of the population. The nonprofit environmental groups work with the Monterey Bay Aquarium, researchers, fishermen, and state and Federal agencies to recover the Southern Sea Otter, obtain increased research funds, and remove threats to this keystone species. Mr. Speaker, I applaud the many accomplishments of the non-profit environmental organizations and other agencies and people who devote a tremendous effort to protect and recover the Southern Sea Otter. This week I join the people of my and other districts honoring Sea Otters and those people working to save them and restore their populations.