Sam Farr

Mr. FARR

Mr. FARR. Mr. Speaker, throughout June, LGBT community members and allies across our country will march down Main Street to celebrate the tremendous progress we have made towards equality. I rise today to honor the many individuals in my district, as well as across the country, who have fought for generations for the right to be treated fairly and with decency. You have led the charge against bigotry, towards equality. We celebrate Pride Month in honor of you. In the 24 years that I've served in Congress, the understanding and acceptance of the LGBT community has greatly improved. Families across the country have opened their hearts to welcome increasingly diverse neighbors and loved ones. This change can also be felt in the halls of Congress. Just this past month, an amendment to prevent discrimination against Federal employees and contractors on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity passed the House with bipartisan support, after having been defeated just the week before. Discrimination against the LGBT community is increasingly being recognized for what it is--bigotry--and federal policy is starting the long trek to catch up. I do not deny that there is still much work to be done. North Carolina's recent move to target transgender children proves that bigotry and hate still must be fought and defeated. We must continue to work towards a Federal prohibition of discrimination based on actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity. I am a proud cosponsor of legislation that would do just that, the Equality Act, and remain committed to ensuring Congress enacts laws to fully protect the rights of all Americans, regardless of gender, ethnicity or race. I am proud to represent communities all along the Central Coast who celebrate our diversity and continue to fight towards the equality that the LGBT community so rightly deserves. Just this past Sunday, Santa Cruz celebrated their Pride Parade, just as they've done for forty-one years. Marchers, musicians, and drummers marched, danced, and waved flags of every color down Pacific Avenue. We are inspired by the beat of their drum to march on towards equality.

Mr. FARR

Mr. FARR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the hard work and dedication of Lisa Freeman who retires today after many years of service to our nation's veterans. For the last five years Lisa Freeman served as the Director of the Veterans Health Care System in Palo Alto, one of the largest, busiest veterans health centers in our country. She did the job with enthusiasm, efficiency and compassion. As director she was responsible for overseeing the complex needs of thousands of veterans, administering an annual budget of more than $1 billion, a capital budget of $2.67 billion, and organizing upwards of 7,000 staff and volunteers. She was so expert in doing her job that when the sad news of mismanagement at the veterans system in Arizona became public, it was Lisa Freeman that the Secretary of the VA tapped to make corrections in reforming the Arizona shortfalls. In the end, the entire VA health care system learned from her competence and management prowess. But I best know Lisa Freeman from the yeoman's work she did to help create the first from-the-ground-up joint DOD-VA health clinic in my district. For years the military community--veterans, active and retired military and their families--all knew options for health care were limited on the Central Coast in general and on the Monterey Peninsula, where there are numerous military installations, in particular. Under the leadership of the late Maj. Gen. William ``Bill'' Gourley, slowly a plan took shape to create a clinic that would serve the dual purposes of our active and retired military servicemen as well as our veterans. Lisa Freeman became an integral part of this effort and took over leadership of the effort as time went along, helping to coordinate the many federal sub-agencies necessary to make the dream of this clinic a reality. I am happy to say the ribbon cutting for that clinic will be this October, in no short measure due to the perseverance of Lisa Freeman. Mr. Speaker, Lisa Freeman will be missed by all of us who interact with the Palo Alto Veterans Health Care System. I am especially grateful to her for all she's done for the veterans in my district and across all of California. I commend her to you and to our colleagues in the House and hope you will all wish her well as she leaves government service for a well-deserved retirement.

Mr. FARR

Mr. FARR. Mr. Chair, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. FARR. Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. FARR. Mr. Chair, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Rhode Island (Mr. Cicilline).

Mr. FARR. First, whoever wrote your statement is wrong on the facts. I was here. This report that was done by the Bush administration was brought to the United States Congress, to the Natural Resources Committee. I was a member. Mr. Pombo was the chairman. He would not allow Admiral Watkins, who was chair of the committee, to testify on it. He would not allow a bill, carried by Republican members--Mr. Greenwood, Mr. Saxton, and others--to be heard. Every attempt was made to bring that report to Congress to enact as a bill, and the Natural Resources Committee rejected it, just slammed the door. What President Obama does, there was more in the recommendations because there was actually a way of governing regional areas, much like the National Marine Fisheries does with their regional fishery boards. None of that was allowed. He only uses executive order to get all the Federal agencies together so they can come up with a National Ocean Policy, and not a thing in that policy mentions any of that.

Mr. FARR. Will the gentleman yield?

Mr. FARR. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. FARR. Mr. Chair, I rise once again because every year we face this amendment and it does get knocked out in conference. But I rise with concern that it keeps coming back, because I think it is based on a lot of misunderstanding, and it really can cause serious problems. For many years, Congress has been struggling with all these sorts of conflicts at the sea. Different Federal entities have different responsibilities--some for mineral management, some for fishing, some for coastal zone protection, Coast Guard for buoys. And when we were in the State legislature, State after State complained that there was a conflict of seas. Congress actually appointed a commission to review these, a bipartisan commission. The membership was appointed by President Bush. The commission came back with an oceans report indicating that we had to avoid these conflicts among agencies. What we would do is create a National Ocean Policy, which required all the Federal agencies to look at their responsibilities and to make sure that they were all coordinated so that they carry out the functions that they have been responsible for, but carry them out in a timely fashion. What this language in this bill says is you can't carry out these responsibilities under the National Ocean Policy. It is really stupid to knock it out, because what it will do is cost the people who want permits from the Federal Government a lot more time and money. And in fact, what it really does is jeopardize our national security because, believe it or not, one of the ways that people are sneaking into our exclusive economic zone is through fishing boats. And fishing boats are the responsibility more of National Marine Fisheries and the Coast Guard, and they have to be able to communicate with each other on issues. So it is just one thing after another. I am really saying let's knock this language out. The other thing I would like to say is that I hate to make this thing partisan, but I was just at a huge Oceans conference in Monterey, in the district I represent, with a lot of national scientists and NGOs. The one thing that they pointed out time after time is how the Republicans are just attacking issues on the oceans, on marine fisheries, on oil and gas development, and so on. And a policy like this is not something that is not actually beneficial to try to get bureaucracy to work in knocking it out so that it goes back to the old bureaucracy. It is harmful for the government, it is harmful for users of ocean resources, and it is more harmful for people that are trying to get a handle on what is killing our oceans and killing our fish. So we spend absolutely no money on oceans planning. The National Ocean Policy does not supersede any local or State regulations or create any new Federal regulations. It just creates a mechanism by which 41 numerous ocean agencies, departments, working groups, and committees can coordinate and communicate to manage effectively. It is a bottom-up, not top-down project. National Ocean Policy leverages taxpayer dollars by reducing duplication between Federal, State, and local agencies, by streamlining data collection, by strengthening public involvement, by actually resulting in better decisionmaking and more decisionmaking, less costly decisionmaking. National Ocean Policy is a tool for planning, not a mandate to strip local and stakeholder control from our oceans' resource. It was supported by President Bush. It has been supported by President Obama. It is bipartisan, bicameral, bi-everything, and this language just makes it impossible to carry on the responsibilities that we have in using our natural resources in a responsible fashion. I ask that the amendment be adopted. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. FARR

Mr. FARR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the career of one of the most joyous and remarkable leaders that I have met in my 40 years of elective office. Rabbi Richard Litvak will retire this summer after 40 years of leadership at Temple Beth El in Aptos, California. In those years he has touched thousands of lives, nurturing their spiritual lives, counseling them in times of grief, bringing smiles in times of joy, and as a licensed family counselor, maybe even saving a few marriages. With the exception of my father, the late Fred Farr, there is no man who I admire more for his exuberant humanity and transcendent love for all those around him. Born in St. Joseph, Missouri, Rick grew up in a close-knit family whose social life centered around their own community's synagogue. In high school, he joined a Jewish youth group and a Mitzvah Corps program. That grounding in Reform Judaism encouraged his involvement in interfaith dialogue and Jewish social justice activism. This background led Rick to study at Hebrew Union College in Cincinnati, Ohio. He holds an MA in Hebrew Arts and Letters and is a rabbinic member of the Chesky Institute for Judaism and Psychotherapy. Rick first came to Temple Beth El in 1975--the same year I was sworn in as a Monterey County Supervisor--as a student rabbi, and then in 1977 became its first full time rabbi. Under his leadership, the Temple community grew steadily, from 50 families to over 500 today. He added religious programs, Jewish adult education courses, expanded religious school curriculums, a preschool, and community center activities. Rick also helped lead the development and 1990 opening of the current Temple site. In the broader community, Rick has built a towering reputation for leadership and peace building. He elevated social action and interfaith understanding to a central calling for the Temple Beth El community; supporting its leadership in the ``Out in Our Faith'' movement locally and nationally. People throughout Santa Cruz County and the Monterey Bay Area appreciate Rick for the faith, leadership, and joy that he brings to many social justice causes. Mr. Speaker, I know I speak for the whole House in thanking Rick for his years of service. The world is an immeasurably better place for having Rick among its people. I want to say what a pleasure it has been to work with him these many years. He is such an amazing leader. So much so, that once I heard that he planned to retire, I felt compelled to follow his example and announce my own retirement from elective office. I wish Rick, his amazing wife Nancy, and their daughters Jessica and Gwen, all the best. Shalom, my friend.

Mr. FARR

Mr. FARR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Sergio Klor de Alva. Sergio was a member of the Farr congressional team, and was taken from us in a tragic accident late Monday night. Sergio served as an intern in my office. He was engaging, kind, and ever helpful. Upon leaving Washington, he returned to the University of California at Santa Cruz, and he won a place on the student council. He later volunteered his time to work in Congressman Mike Honda's reelection campaign. At 24, he had amassed a resume that spoke to the dedication and passion he had for civil service. I was and continue to be impressed with this young man's incredible ambition. His future would have undoubtedly been one of public service. Upon leaving my office, Sergio said in his exit interview: I cannot tell the future, but I can see mine here. But until that day, know that I will miss this place. Rest assured, Sergio, this place will miss you. God bless your short, but so meaning meaningful, life and your beautiful family who have to live in the tragedy of your death.

Mr. FARR

Mr. FARR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Sergio Klor DeAlva. Members take the floor more regularly than we would like, to speak to the value of our friends, mentors and constituents who have left us in this life. But it is always more difficult when we speak of members of our family. Sergio was a member of the Farr family who was taken from us in a tragic car accident late Monday night. Sergio served as an intern in my office. He was such a unique spirit. Engaging, kind and ever helpful. One of our staff fondly remembers watching Sergio engage with my constituents on tours and in the office and enjoying the smile and sense of humor he brought to every situation. Upon leaving us, he returned to UC Santa Cruz where he ran for and won a place on the student council. He later would volunteer his time as a part of the campaign team of our colleague, Mike Honda. At 24, he had amassed a resume that spoke to the dedication and passion he had for civil service in whatever community he found himself. I was and continue to be impressed with this young man's ambition. His future would have undoubtedly been one of public service. We need more men and women like Sergio. Upon leaving my office, interns are asked to participate in an exit interview. In this interview, the very last question asks if there is anything we should be left with. Sergio answered this question in the form of a self composed poem. Mr. Speaker, I close with a quote from my young intern. ``I cannot tell the future but I can see mine here But until that day Know that I will miss this place.'' Rest assured, Sergio, this place will miss you too.

Mr. FARR

Mr. FARR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate May 1 through 7 as National Travel and Tourism Week 2016 and to honor the valuable contributions of the travel and tourism industry in the United States. As co-chair of the Congressional Travel and Tourism Caucus since 1997, I have long recognized the benefits tourism brings to our national economy. With this being my last year as co-chair of the tourism caucus, I rise to remind my colleagues that the travel and tourism industry generates nearly $950 billion annually and is a top 10 industry in 49 states and the District of Columbia. I rise to celebrate my local tourism industry that generates nearly $3 billion a year in my congressional district, and to thank Tammy Blount of the Monterey County Convention and Visitors Bureau and Maggie Ivy of Visit Santa Cruz County for helping with that success. I rise to celebrate an industry that supports more than 15 million jobs in the United States. That's 1 out of every 9 jobs related to tourism. I rise to celebrate an industry that is America's largest services export industry, accounting for 10 percent of all U.S. exports of goods and services. I rise to celebrate an industry that is present in every congressional district in the United States, an industry where success can be found by anyone with a positive attitude, a willingness to serve others and a desire to work hard. I rise to support this year's National Travel and Tourism Week as an opportunity to express to the nation the importance of travel in creating economic growth and opportunity, and enhancing the quality of life throughout the United States.

Mr. FARR

Mr. FARR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Monterey Salinas Transit, located in Monterey, California, where the history of California state government began. April 30, 2016 marks the 125th anniversary of the start of public transportation in Monterey County. On this date in 1891, the Monterey & Pacific Grove Street Railway system started service with horse drawn street cars operating on a series of rails laid in the existing road network. The rail network connected the world famous Del Monte Hotel, now the home of the world famous Naval Postgraduate School, through the Oak Grove neighborhood to downtown Monterey and the Presidio of Monterey via Del Monte Avenue to Alvarado, Munras, and Tyler Avenues. Those first transit passengers could continue on Lighthouse Avenue through New Monterey and end their journey at 17th street in downtown Pacific Grove. That first day of operation coincided with a visit from the 23rd President of the United States, Benjamin Harrison, who rode in a parade from Pacific Grove to the Del Monte Hotel. The horse drawn streetcars ran for ten years until 1901 when they were replaced by an all electric powered street car fleet operated by the Monterey Gas & Electric Company in 1903. Electric streetcars ran in Monterey and what is now Seaside in a variety of forms through 1921, when the Monterey & Pacific Grove Railway was abandoned because it was unable to compete with more cost effective rubber-wheeled, internal combustion engine powered buses operated by the Bay Rapid Transit Company. For the next 50 years, Bay Rapid Transit operated buses until the Monterey Peninsula Public Transit joint powers agency took over public operation of the transit system in September 1974. In July 1981, the MPT took over public transit operations for the City of Salinas forming the Monterey-Salinas Transit joint powers agency which eventually became the Monterey-Salinas Transit District in July 2010. At that time, the MST Board of Directors was expanded to include the cities of Gonzales, Greenfield, King City, Sand City and Soledad. MST continued to grow and passengers can now connect to neighboring Santa Cruz, Santa Clara and San Luis Obispo counties. One hundred and twenty five years later, Monterey-Salinas Transit buses and its wirelessly powered electric trolley continue to operate along the original routes of the first horse drawn street cars. And, MST continues to provide the same level of exceptional service and value to everyone who lives, works or visits the beautiful Monterey Bay region that riders of yesteryear experienced. With ridership of 4.5 million passengers a year, MST is a regional transportation asset that continues to innovate and provide exceptional value and service for the next one hundred twenty five years.

Mr. FARR

Mr. FARR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor John Fox Sullivan, who is retiring after four decades as the publisher of the National Journal. Most in this chamber knows John as the powerful media executive who transformed the National Journal into one of Washington's most respected periodicals. I've had the pleasure of knowing John as my childhood friend from Carmel, California. The Sullivan family moved next door to my family in Carmel during the 1950s. Thanks to our mothers' shared interest in politics, our two families quickly became friends. Johnny, as we called him back then, and I attended school together--from Carmel Sunset School to Carmel High School. After graduating, he left to attend Yale University and Columbia Business School. Following a five-year career at Newsweek, John joined the still relatively young National Journal in 1975, where he would go on to serve as Publisher, President and CEO. Under his leadership, the National Journal would change the face of Washington journalism. Shortly after John joined the National Journal, I reconnected with him at the Democratic National Convention in New York City in 1976. I was attending as a delegate and John noticed my name on the press roster. When my old high school friend found me in the Madison Square Garden crowd, I just happened to be sitting next to Jane Fonda. We shared a good laugh when he thought Jane and I were there together. After reconnecting at the convention, John and I managed to stay in touch. He and his wife, Beverly, would come and visit in Carmel. It was a joy to catch up on family news and to discuss politics. My father often joined those discussions and I believe he became the first subscriber of the National Journal on the West Coast. When I first came to Washington, the Sullivans returned that hospitality. Anyone who has ever had the fortune of dining with John and Beverly walked away with fond memories. Dinner parties in their beautiful home are known to be filled with charming people engaged in the most interesting conversations. History will remember the role their Georgetown rowhouse played in the leadership bid of the first woman to become Speaker of the House. John and Beverly always made their home available to anyone to discuss politics. One evening, I brought Representatives George Miller and Nancy Pelosi and a few members of Congress who had not yet agreed to support her leadership campaign. Thanks to that dinner, commitments were made that solidified her leadership bid that eventually led to her Speakership. Being a respected leader in one Washington wasn't enough for John. After moving to ``Little'' Washington, John was elected mayor of the historic Virginia town in 2010. He easily won reelection in 2014 with 28 of the 29 votes cast. Who in this chamber can boast about receiving 97 percent of the votes cast? That's how much people like and respect John. From our youth spent in Carmel to our friendship here in Washington, I have always admired the way John and Beverly celebrated the lives of others. Mr. Speaker, it is only fitting on the day of John Fox Sullivan's much deserved retirement that we get to celebrate his life and all the good that has come from his service.

Mr. FARR

Mr. FARR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay my respects to a great American, George Tanimura, who passed away on April 15, three months short of his 101st birthday. I offer my deepest condolences to George's wife of 72 years, Masaye, and to George's close-knit family: his son Glenn and his daughter Leslie, and their spouses; his grandchildren Chris, Erin, Ryan and Kelly and their spouses, and to his great grandchildren Makenzie, Jaklyn, and Karter, and to his siblings. George lived a remarkable life that spanned the Great Depression, WWII, and the rise of the modern information economy. In that time, George confronted prejudice, helped to rebuild a dislocated Japanese- American community in the Salinas Valley, nurtured a large extended family, and fostered the development of the modern fresh produce industry. George was a farmer's farmer. As one of the founders of the Tanimura & Antle, he helped build one of the nation's largest private lettuce producers. So while you may have never heard of George Tanimura, I can guarantee that every Member of this House has eaten something that George and his family have grown. He has planted and nurtured a legacy that will produce a crop for generations to come. George was born in San Juan Bautista on July 2, 1915. His parents had emigrated from Japan to build a better life in the United States. While attending grammar school in Castroville, George thinned iceberg lettuce on his father's small farm. After his mother died, George, the eldest of 12 siblings, had to leave high school to farm with his father. Then when George was just 16, his father died leaving George with the responsibility for the family and their farm. In the midst of the depression, George became the patriarch of his large family. Under his leadership, the Tanimura children began their own prosperous farming operations. However, just as they were recovering, the U.S. entry into WWII turned the Tanimuras' lives upside down. In 1942, they found themselves imprisoned by our government along with other Americans of Japanese descent in remote internment camps across the desert West. And even though the Tanimuras lost everything, two of his brothers fought with the U.S. Army in Europe. For George, his time in the camp offered him another opportunity to find fortune in the midst of adversity. He met Masaye Yamauchi and they were married on September 21, 1944. When George, Masaye, and their family returned to the Salinas Valley, they resumed lettuce farming. In the late 1950s, the Tanimuras began to grow exclusively for Bud Antle, another legendary Salinas Valley grower. Bud, and his son Bob, had been working closely with the Tanimura family for many years. Finally, in 1982, George and Bob combined over 30 years of mutual friendship, respect, and experience to create Tanimura & Antle. The new company combined the Antle's shipping and marketing savvy with the Tanimura's growing expertise. That combination has helped T&A grow into one of the world's premier fresh produce companies. And it forms the basis of T&A's continued success. Throughout his life, George was extremely active in countless community efforts, giving his leadership, commitment and wealth to making the Salinas Valley a better place for all farm families to live. Even though he was a living legend in the farming community and widely respected by all who knew him, it was his deep sense of humility that kept him from claiming any recognition other than his simple refrain, ``it doesn't matter, I'm just a farmer.'' While George Tanimura thought of himself as a humble farmer, his hard work and integrity created one of the pillars of the American agricultural economy. The Budda said, ``in the end only three things matter: how much you loved, how gently you lived, and how gratefully you let go of things not meant for you.'' In the end, George Tanimura will be remembered for his love for his family, how he lived his life and his willingness to encourage and support others in the fresh produce industry. It is a legacy for all of us to remember in these turbulent times.

Mr. FARR

Mr. FARR. Mr. Speaker, I rise for the 14th consecutive year in order to speak out on behalf of the LGBTQ youth community. It is unacceptable that, in 2016, young people are still experiencing discrimination across this country based on their sexual orientation or gender identity. Kaleb Lennon, a young transgender student in my district, sees this day as a chance to combat the bullying, the slurs, and the put-downs that these children face on a daily basis. I am proud to lend my voice to Kaleb's cause. It is our duty to speak out against the bigotry and hatred facing this community. We must celebrate the diversity in this country and reject all forms of discrimination. Mr. Speaker, this is my last year to take the floor and support these young people. I ask that, next year, my colleagues stand where I am and lend their voices to the support of the LGBTQ community. Today, as youth across the country take a vow of silence to protest the silent response they see to bigotry, I ask one last time that you remember that, while you are silent, we here in Congress should not be.

Mr. FARR

Mr. FARR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of the Housing Authority of the County of Monterey's celebration of 75 years of service in the 20th Congressional District of California. I have long argued that the biggest issue facing the economic future of my Central California region is affordable workforce housing. The Housing Authority of the County of Monterey was created on March 17, 1941. Its original purpose was to provide low-income rentals in the County of Monterey as an independent public agency. However, in the last 75 years, the Housing Authority has gone well beyond its original design. The Housing Authority has proven to be an invaluable asset in times of both war and peace. At the close of World War II, the Housing Authority's performance was exemplary in locating emergency housing for returning veterans and their families and they have continued to show this support for Monterey County for over seven decades. Throughout the years, the Housing Authority has expanded its programs to include low-income rental apartments, low-income Housing Choice Voucher rental assistance to the private market, and development of affordable housing in concert with related non-profits. In addition, the Housing Authority provides property management services and tax- exempt bond financing for housing construction to its related non- profits. The Housing Authority is contributing to the reduction of homelessness in the County of Monterey through its collaboration with other local non-profits and governmental jurisdictions. The Housing Authority has provided transitional and permanent supportive housing to local residents who have found themselves homeless. The Housing Authority provides permanent and migrant housing for low- income farmworkers who support the agricultural economy of the County of Monterey. The Housing Authority also provides housing for low-income persons with disabilities and senior citizens. As the population of seniors and the disabled grow in the County, the Housing Authority has risen to the challenge of housing these populations of citizens. Finally, the cost of rental housing has grown substantially in the last years, the need for affordable housing has also burgeoned. In partnership with its affiliated nonprofit development corporation, the Housing Authority has rehabilitated its housing units to insure that they remain an affordable housing option for generations to come. The Housing Development Corporation has assisted other housing authorities in the redevelopment of their obsolete housing units and has led the way in reuse of property. Mr. Speaker, I know that I speak for the whole House in recognizing the achievements of the Housing Authority of the County of Monterey. The Housing Authority has made endless contributions to Monterey County for the services it has provided for the residents of the 20th Congressional District of California.

Mr. FARR

Mr. FARR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express frustration and disappointment in my Republican colleagues' obstinate and insulting discussion about President Obama's Executive Action on Immigration. We are a nation built on the shoulders of immigrants. For most of us, our family trees will reflect a history with roots in other nations--making us the sons and daughters of immigrants ourselves. It has become profoundly clear, however, that many of us today have forgotten this. The arguments being made on the House floor today not only disrespect the legacy of the immigrants who helped shape this nation, but it undermines the authorities we entrust to our nations President. Simply put, the Executive Action taken to address the immigration crisis in this country fall wholly and legally into his executive authority. DACA and DAPA are necessary in approaching our immigration policy in a compassionate and humane way. We are not prepared to rip babies from the arms of their mothers and deport them. We do not support destroying the families of hardworking men and women who came here looking for a better life. We are better than that. America is better than that. We all recognize that the President is responsible for upholding and executing the laws passed by this Congress. The actions taken on immigration policy are not only legal but necessary, yet my friends on the other side of the aisle appear to ignorantly and vehemently disagree. So to them I ask, if this approach to immigration reform does not sit well with you, why don't you instead do your job and bring forward legislation on comprehensive immigration reform and let us vote on it in this House? You've made it clear in this discussion today that you understand that it is Congress' job to create immigration law and yet, all I see is a Party content to sit on its hands and scream at the administration for taking the action that they refuse to take themselves. This nation is ready for comprehensive immigration reform. Our constituents deserve answers, our hardworking immigrant families deserve relief and our undocumented guests, who work tirelessly to contribute to the economy of this country, deserve a clear and fair pathway to citizenship. I support comprehensive immigration reform. I do not support this ill conceived resolution. I urge a no vote.

Mr. FARR

Mr. FARR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Lin Schmale, who recently retired from The Society of American Florists where she was senior director of government relations and an advocate for flower and plant growers across the nation. Lin is someone known for tenacity and fearlessness--as well as collaboration and kindness. A walking encyclopedia of the federal bureaucracy, she has a long and well- documented history for promoting teamwork and partnerships to accomplish the sometimes seemingly impossible. For 22 years, Lin fought for the floral industry on Capitol Hill and throughout countless federal agencies, bringing together diverse people, groups and agencies, and standing her ground on issues that directly affect the livelihood of growers, wholesalers, retailers and suppliers. Known for her sharp intellect and her ability to grasp and then distill complex issues, Lin has played a lead role in two critically important areas: first, through her efforts, federal funds are now available to conduct important research on floral and nursery crops; and second, she has dedicated countless hours to ensure safe and efficient transportation of flowers and plants within the United States and across international borders. When Lin started working at SAF, the Floral and Nursery Research Initiative (FNRI) had been created and was poised to be a source of needed funding for research across the country. While the structure was in place, and there was support in Congress and the USDA, the Initiative needed more visibility. However, putting her knowledge of the federal and political bureaucracy to work, and calling on a vast network of colleagues and peers on the Hill, Lin soon helped take the Initiative to the next level. What was initially a glimmer in the eyes of the industry soon became a multi-million dollar annual USDA research program that today funds a wide variety of research benefitting not only the floral and nursery industries but literally all of agriculture. And the U.S. Department of Agriculture has called the Initiative a model program for private and public sector collaboration. As the international movement of floral products has increased, Lin's role in addressing pest and disease issues took on more importance. When the pathogen Ralstonia first threatened to disrupt the country's supply of geraniums, Lin made sure the industry maintained a respectful yet loud voice in often difficult negotiations between the USDA, the Department of Homeland Security and other agricultural groups. Leveraging her deep connections in Washington, she brought interested parties together to craft a realistic and workable solution that protected the geranium industry first and foremost, but also addressed the needs of other agricultural groups and the federal government. That was no small feat, and some people have said, without exaggeration, that Lin saved the geranium industry in the United States. Over the years, Lin has been a strong industry advocate and negotiator in many other similar situations. She has dealt with federal and state officials on a wide variety of other pest and disease issues that threatened to disrupt the flow of floral products. In working on these issues, Lin is often recognized because of her ability to get people to focus on the science of an issue and not only the politics. With that said, she knows politics in Washington, D.C., and at the state level and uses her knowledge to help diffuse challenging situations and work toward solutions. Through all of her interactions with government officials, Lin emphasizes candor and transparency. For that, people in both the industry and government place great trust in her word. At The Society of American Florists, Lin dedicated herself to staging SAF's annual Congressional Action Days event, and helped to inform and educate SAF members on the key issues of the day. And she has also had a major role in developing its annual Pest and Production Management Conference, a must-see for scientists, researchers and growers. Lin was honored this year with SAF's John H. Walker Award for excellence in the field of association management and she also received the Executive Director's Award from the North American Plant Protection Organization for her collaborative work with regulatory officials from the United States, Mexico and Canada. Mr. Speaker, it is truly an honor to rise and celebrate Lin's excellence in fighting for the floral industry every day on Capitol Hill and for her deep commitment to collaboration and partnerships.

Mr. FARR

Mr. FARR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Filipino Women's Club of Salinas (FWCS) on the occasion of its 86th Anniversary. The FWCS has been a pillar of Central Coast community service through most of the 20th Century, and exemplifies its motto of faith, worth, courage, and service. I am confident that the leadership and members of the FWCS have the vision, skill, and motivation to carry the organization forward into the 21st Century. The FWCS grew out of the struggles of Filipino farm workers for recognition and fair treatment in the early 20th Century. Many of the Filipino immigrants who came to California in the years around WWI gravitated to farm work in the Salinas and Central Valleys. In the Salinas Valley, some of the more enterprising fieldworkers had developed their own abilities to manage teams of workers and the regions' growers began to work with them as labor contractors. Most of these successful contractors were married--a rarity in that time given the laws that limited the immigration of Filipino women and interracial marriage. These wives cared for and counseled many Filipino field workers, most of whom had no family in the United States. Thus many Pinoy workers enjoyed the support of a surrogate mother or big sister. This economic success led many Filipinos to become active in the civic life of the Salinas Valley. Filipinos started businesses, founded churches, and even published a Filipino community newspaper, the Philippines Mail. The leaders of this civic activism founded the FWCS as an extension of this passion for community service. One of the early FWCS presidents, Paulina Morales, was emblematic of that spirit. She organized a Filipino youth marching band, promoted Filipino folk music performances, and generally brought Filipino culture to the general public. As the decades passed, the FWCS build on this foundation to become an integral part of the Salinas Valley's community fabric. In the wake of WWII, the FWCS helped to support U.S. and Filipino veterans. It established a scholarship fund for local youth. Following the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo in the Philippines, the FWCS raised funds to help the disaster's victims. And in just the last decade, the FWCS has joined in a civil society effort to support nation building in the Philippines. Mr. Speaker, I am deeply honored to represent this remarkable community of leaders. I know I speak for the whole House in recognizing the accomplishments and long tradition of service exemplified by the FWCS. I am confident that this tradition will carry on for many years to come. Mabuhay!

Mr. FARR

Mr. FARR. Mr. Speaker, for the past 17 years, the Uni-Capitol Washington Internship Program (UCWIP) has granted the opportunity for a select group of Australian students from ten partner universities the opportunity to intern in a Congressional office from January to March each year. Since 1999, over 180 Australian students have had the benefit of partaking in these internships, and credit is due to Eric Federing, a former senior Senate and House Congressional staffer who founded and continues to coordinate the program. The students must undertake a rigorous application process to be successful and come from a range of backgrounds. The program is a mutual exchange--the students use their time in Washington, D.C. to develop their knowledge of American politics and have the opportunity to work on a range of issues that are of personal interest, while simultaneously sharing experiences from their home country with their office. This year, our office is lucky to be hosting Emily Denbigh from the University of Adelaide. Emily is currently in her 4th year of a Bachelor's degree in Law and Arts, pursuing a major in Development Studies and a minor in French. She is passionate about social justice issues, and has previously undertaken an internship in Tanzania with a women's legal rights organization. She is interested in pursuing a career in international human rights law or environmental law. During her time in Washington, D.C., Emily has enjoyed learning about the dynamic American political system and California's beautiful 20th district. She has developed her knowledge of legal environmental issues, including what the American judicial system and legislators can do to combat climate change and promote conservation. She has also enjoyed talking to our constituents, who take a particular interest in her accent. We have enjoyed hearing her accent and all of her wonderful ideas. Emily is a hardworking and highly intelligent woman. She is a strong writer and researcher and her passion for the environment and social justice shows in all the conversations I have had with her and through her writing. She has been a great asset to our team and we will be sorry to see her leave. My staff and I have greatly enjoyed participating in the UCWIP program since its inception. I thank Mr. Federing for his hard work and dedication in bringing these Australian students to our nation's capital and for sending us Emily this session.

Mr. FARR

Mr. FARR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the accomplishments and celebrate the tourism award being presented to a truly remarkable woman and dear friend, Georgiana Clark. Today, the National Tour Association at their annual convention in Atlanta, Georgia, is recognizing Mrs. Clark with the Pioneer Award for her lifetime dedication to the tourism industry in the United States. I have known Georgie and her late husband, Norman, since the early 1980s. They are the founders and operators of a family attraction in Santa Cruz County: Roaring Camp Railroads. The goal of the Clark Family was to freeze a period in time so visitors can step across the authentic wooden covered bridge and step back in time to the 1880's. Norman and Georgiana Clark realized their family owned tourist attraction would never be able to financially afford the worldwide marketing needed to make their attraction a success, but they believed in cooperative marketing. Georgiana and Norman were the founders of what is today Cal Travel but was founded as the California Travel Industry Association and were the founders of what today is known as US Travel but was founded as the Travel Industry Association of America. After Norman's passing in 1985, Georgiana went on to launch the company's second rail service, the Santa Cruz, Big Trees & Pacific Railway, the train from the California Redwoods to the beaches of Santa Cruz, Monterey Bay and the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. I'm proud to say I was part of the original dedication ceremony when this tourist attraction began in Santa Cruz County. Today Roaring Camp is a thriving tourist attraction hosting many historical events and one of the largest Day Out With Thomas (Thomas the Tank Engine) events in the world. Georgiana Collins Clark was born in 1935 Honolulu, Hawaii. She learned the importance of tourism at a very young age. Georgie and her sisters would make leis and sell them to arriving visitors to Honolulu as they disembarked off of cruise ships. Remember--back then there was no commercial air services. Georgiana later became a stewardess for Aloha Airlines where she met her husband, Norman on a flight. After Norman and Georgiana were married they settled in to their new home on the property of Roaring Camp where together they raised their three daughters Chemene, Melani and Kapiolani. Today two of their daughters work in tourism; Melani is the CEO for Roaring Camp Railroads and Kapiolani is an Operations Director at the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim. Georgiana has played such a huge part in so many lives but especially to her family and friends. As the National Tour Association recognizing Georgiana P. Clark for her lifetime contribution to tourism, I am proud to say I have watched this family owned and operated attraction grow and flourish over the years. Mr. Speaker, I know I speak for the whole House in celebrating Georgiana P. Clark's amazing spirit and offering our congratulations to her on her lifetime of dedication to the tourism industry.

Mr. FARR

Mr. FARR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today as a native Californian to mark the 100th anniversary of my hometown, Carmel-by-the-Sea, California's most charming coastal community. Carmel was founded as a unique and special city by artists and writers. It is now known around the world for its charm and scenic coastal beauty. It is also where my parents Fred and Janet Farr raised me and my sisters, and where my wife Shary and I raised our daughter Jessica. So I am especially pleased to speak on the occasion of this special remembrance. Carmel may be celebrating 100 years as an incorporated city, but its history stretches back much further. In many ways, Carmel and the greater Monterey Peninsula is where California began. The Esselen natives called Carmel's estuaries, canyons, hills, beaches, and forests home for thousands of years. The first Europeans passed Carmel in 1547 when the explorer Juan Cabrillo sailed up the California coast on behalf of the Spanish Empire. In 1770, the recently canonized Father Junipero Serra accompanied the Portola expedition north from Mexico to establish a settlement in Monterey. In 1771, Serra established the now famous mission in Carmel as one of the eventual 21 such missions established along the California coast. Serra, himself, is interred at the Mission. By the end of the nineteenth century various investors made sporadic attempts to develop a township in the area adjacent to the old mission. Finally in 1902, the Carmel Development Company under James Frank Devendorf and Frank Powers filed a subdivision map and took other steps to found a town at Carmel's current site. By 1905, the Carmel Arts and Crafts Club formed to support Carmel's small community of artists. That arts community grew dramatically following the 1906 San Francisco quake as artists fleeing the destruction of their city were drawn to the beautiful community by the sea with the burgeoning reputation as an arts colony. The new residents were offered home lots for ten dollars down and whatever they could pay on a monthly basis. Many prominent artists became associated with Carmel, including Robinson Jeffers, Sinclair Lewis, and Jack London, to name just a few. All this growth built Carmel to the point in 1916 that it could incorporate as a full- fledged city. This background gave Carmel a vibrant energy as it continued to develop in the 20th Century. By the 1940s when my parents moved us to Carmel, it had grown into a thriving small town. As I grew up during the 1950s, every street was filled with families and children. My father was a local lawyer who got elected to the California State Senate in 1955 and represented the area in Sacramento until 1966. He returned to save the Robinson Jeffers home and the Odello artichoke fields at the mouth of the valley. Now in the 21st Century, the same beauty and culture that built Carmel has made it a global tourism destination. What will the next 100 years bring? Mr. Speaker, I know I speak for the whole House as well as my fellow Carmelites, in celebrating this first 100 years of our wonderful little city.

Mr. FARR

Mr. FARR. Mr. Speaker, we both got to know Rich through politics. It is amazing that he was a person who supported us both: Jeff being a Republican, myself being a Democrat; Jeff being in the State legislature, I being in the State legislature. I got to know him when I was a county supervisor in Monterey County. Rich was always the go-to guy to really do sort of the technical issues that you drill down deep on a lot of controversial agricultural issues. His ideas were always based on good science, good farming practices, always sort of the idea of conservation in the best sense of the word. He also was participatory in my daughter's wedding because the wines we served at that wedding were from Rich's vineyards. In fact, I brought a bottle of his wine today here on the floor to show the world that this man did some great things. His wines were served also at many, many charitable events that they did at their vineyards. He and Claudia were kind of leaders. Claudia was very interested in getting the whole ecotourism, agritourism involved to get people out into seeing how agriculture is really produced, and wine visits are obviously a good way of attracting people, but the knowledge of it. We are going to really miss him. He was a great person, and I am glad that we are able to create a national park right across from his vineyard so he can always stare at it. Got bless Richard Smith and the great wines he made.