Sam Farr

Mr. FARR

Mr. FARR. I yield to the gentleman.

Mr. FARR. I thank the ranking member for yielding. Mr. Speaker, this is a very bittersweet moment for me. It is the last time I will speak on this floor after 23 years of serving in the House of Representatives. It is sweet because it is about the appropriations process and the wonderful camaraderie on that committee, which, I think, is the most important committee and the most exciting committee in Congress because you deal with all aspects of how government operates. You really do the policy wonk, the technical stuff, the drilling down--all of those words we use in order to understand how government works and how much it is going to cost. You have just heard this incredible bipartisanship of people--those dedicated to the job they were elected to do on the committees they serve on--do the appropriations process. All of that has developed this incredible friendship and, I think, professional respect we have for one another regardless of our philosophies. The bitterness of it is that you have just heard everyone so eloquently speak about the failure of the process in that we are doing a CR that nobody wants to do. Why is that? Frankly--and they are not saying it--I think this is the first test of how the Congress is going to respond to the new President-elect Trump's agenda. It was our former Member--now Vice President-elect-- Mike Pence who said: We want a CR. He served in this House, and he knows the process. We were all in agreement. We were going to do a comprehensive bill. We have caved to this request, and we shouldn't have, because this is the only place in which you do checks and balances. The abuses of the administration can be only checked and balanced mostly on this committee. It is going to be a tough year next year, Mr. Speaker. It is going to be a tough year. Some of the proposals being made are really radical. They are going to cut a lot of things and hurt a lot of people if this Congress doesn't correct them. We have a sense of how to do that, but we can't do it with a CR. So I leave here really appreciative of the incredible responsibility that my electorate has given me to be here--the privilege of being in the House of Representatives. I really have loved the opportunity to be on the Appropriations Committee. I respect, through the leadership of our chair and of our ranking member, they have been able to produce some remarkable appropriations bills. I will just say to my colleagues: Take back your power. Be what the electorate wants. Be what the Constitution asks us to do. Be that serious-minded, representational government that really drills down on how all of government is going to operate. Don't cave in to CRs.

Mr. FARR. In reclaiming my time, I thank the chairman. I really appreciate those kind remarks.

Mr. FARR

Mr. FARR. Mr. Speaker, I passed legislation called Proud to be an American Day. I was hoping that we could do that on the morning of the Fourth of July, but, because it is a Federal holiday, the Federal immigration people don't work that day. So we have been scheduling this around the Fourth of July and days before. It has been a huge turnout. It is the largest turnout for press because there are so many interesting people to interview. I really appreciate the gentlewoman coming as an immigrant family and talking about her family background. It has been a highlight to see the smiles and enthusiasm of a day when we are really proud to be Americans.

Mr. FARR. My daughter is on the way with my grandkids, who are trying to watch this. Maybe we can delay it a little more than that. Madam Speaker, I want to thank Ms. Lofgren for her leadership in the California delegation. She is the head of the Democratic side of the aisle in our caucus from California, the largest caucus just the Democrats alone. I would just like to point out what the politics of the West has done since I first got elected in 1975. I arrived here, and there were an even number of Democrats and Republicans representing California. Today there are 39 Democrats, and that is because the State has really shifted in their registration and voting. So the California Democratic delegation, it is interesting that Zoe is the chair of because it is the most diverse delegation in Congress: majority women, the highest delegation of Hispanics, of women, of Asians, and I would like to say with, Mike Honda and Mr. Garamendi and myself, the largest delegation of returned Peace Corps volunteers. It has been quite a change in the 23 years that I have been in Congress. I first arrived in 1993. I was the last guy in the door here because Leon Panetta, my predecessor, had been elected in the 1992 election, sworn in to the Congress that January; and then when President Clinton was sworn in for his first term, he turned around and appointed Leon Panetta to be head of the Office of Management and Budget. Leon resigns on that day, notifies Governor Wilson, who declares a special election. Interesting enough, in the special elections in California, it is an open election, so the highest vote getter from each party at the time would be in the runoff, and 27 people filed. I was in the state assembly. They said: You file and you will clear the field. No, it didn't happen at all. It was quite a primary, and it ended up with a June election; and on June 15, I think I was sworn here, right in this very spot, to the United States Congress. What was interesting is I was the 435th Member of Congress, the last person, and today I think my seniority ranks me around 50, from 51 to 55. So it takes 23 years to move from the bottom slot all the way up to the top 50 or so slots in this House. It has been a very interesting experience. This truly is--and I have seen it through all the years--a representational democracy. There are all kinds of people in Congress with all kinds of issues: personal issues, family issues, financial issues. It really is representational of the society we live in. One thing in common is that they all want to serve the public; they want to serve this country. That service, particularly in this House, because we are representatives, we serve districts. Madam Chair was a former county supervisor, as I was, and I like jokingly saying that, frankly, because we all serve districts, we are like 435 county supervisors back here. We are more concerned about our district than the whole country. That is a strength for the constituents of the district, to be able to have direct access to their elected Members of Congress. It is probably a drawback when you are trying to draw the whole country into a common purpose. It is very difficult to get at least 218 people to agree, and that is the challenge here. I have had the privilege of serving on the Agriculture Committee, the Defense Committee, the Resources Committee, and, in the last 20 or so years, on the Appropriations Committee. It has been a wonderful experience because you are able to really get involved in the Appropriations Committee with all the details of running government. I am ranking member, the chief Democrat on the Agriculture Subcommittee of the Appropriations Committee, and our budget for that committee is about the same as the entire budget for the State of California. That is an agency which was created by Abraham Lincoln. It was created to essentially deal with the home ec of westward expansion. So all of the rural development, the rural poverty programs, are in the Department of Agriculture. Plus you have ag attaches in every Embassy in the United States, in the world. You have the commodities futures exchange. You have Wall Street. You have everything in that committee and it is really interesting, and the biggest feeding program through food stamps, the WIC program, Food for Peace, and so on. I have been able to do a lot in changing policies so that we got fresh fruits and vegetables, and trying to get them in every school lunch program in the United States. That is good for California agriculture, and it is, more importantly, good for the kids of this Nation. I have had the privilege of being, I think, the only one in this House to create a national park during my service. The Pinnacles National Park was the 59th national park created in the history of this country. We have done a big expansion of ocean protection with the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. We have created a visitors center for that sanctuary. We have created, for the Department of Fish and Wildlife, a center in Santa Cruz. We have created a brand-new university out of the largest base closure that ever happened in the history of the United States, with the closure of Fort Ord. Cal State Monterey Bay is really up and coming, about 7,000 students, a great university, really reaching out to the underserved populations of California. I have been able to raise the pay for Federal workers in my district, what they call the locality pay. I have been able to, I think, save the Naval Postgraduate School and the Defense Language Institute from being closed or reorganized, realigned to other States. The list goes on and on. I think what I am most proud of is the fact that I have had such incredible staff. I would just like to take a moment to tell you about Rochelle Dornatt, my chief of staff, who has been with me for 23 years; Debbie Merrill; Troy Phillips; Tom Tucker; Sam Chiron; Dushani De Silva; Zoe Gentes, who is a Sea Grant fellow in my office; Rosie Julin; and Ana Sorrentino, who is my foreign service staffer. On my district staff, Alec Arago, Carina Chavez, Nancy DeSerpa, Bertha Munoz, Kristen Petersen, and Alicia Castro. Kristen Petersen just got elected to the Capitola City Council. All of these people are moving on as I leave tomorrow, and I am very excited that they were part of my life. Just in closing, I would like to say that my daughter, Jessica, is here in the cloakroom, I hope, and she has with her my grandson, Zachary, and my granddaughter, Ella. I am so pleased that they could be here and share this moment with me. Congress is a great experience. It is the check and balance. It is the initiator of new ideas. It is the people's House. And I just hope that as Member's face this next uncertainty of a new administration-- there is always uncertainty, and probably more so now with the controversial election we had in this country, but I really hope that this House will rise to the occasion to not let the people down. We fight for all kinds of wonderful reasons. This House, the people's House, has really got to protect the people. So I thank the gentlewoman for yielding time for me to make a few comments. I am sure that I will have a lot more that I would love to say, but I include in the Record a list that I have here of over 20 years of getting results for the 20th Congressional District. Over 20 Years of Getting Results. . . . Helping change things for the better while in Congress doesn't just mean passing bills, though Sam Farr did a lot of that. It means looking for every opportunity--to form partnerships, to push for White House involvement, to secure earmarks, and even on occasion, to block others from interfering in the district's welfare. Sam Farr did all this while in Congress and will continue to do so until the day he leaves. There is never a time when Sam Farr is not working for the best interests of the community. He leaves an indelible mark on the district that will have long-term, wide-ranging impact now and far into the future. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Item Approximate Date ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Authored federal organic standards 2002 legislation/law. Got WH to include Salinas in its Violence 2010-present. Prevention strategy (to fight gangs). Helped legislate the RCI program, which 2001-ongoing. has rebuilt military housing at Fort Ord (now the Ord Military Community). Monterey Bay Sanctuary Trail.............. 2001-present. Obtained approval of VA cemetery at Fort 1993-2014 Ord. NMFS lab in Santa Cruz.................... 1996-2002 Provided approximately $65 million, total, 1994-1999 to underwrite the new CSUMB. Oceans 21/National Ocean Policy........... 2000/2014 Helped negotiate, then got $$ for Salinas 1994-95 Valley Water Reclamation project and the Castroville Water Intrusion project. Opened up DLI to civilian students on a 1994 selected, space-available basis. Congressional Travel & Tourism Caucus..... 1997-present. White House Oceans Conference............. 1998 Prevented closure of local Social Security 1999 office. Transfer of EDD-owned building via DOL to 1999 city of Salinas for child care center. Creation of the center for stabilization 2000 and reconstruction studies; also a permanent office within the State Department. Got WH to use Antiquities Act to establish 2000 Coastal National Monument. House Oceans Caucus....................... 2000-present. Marine Protected Area center in Santa Cruz 2000 Plan Colombia (revising aid for local 2000 capacity growth). Annual Citizenship ceremonies............. 2001(?)-present. Cleaned up FUDS at Monterey Airport....... 2001 Got Fair Trade Sustainable Coffee mandated 2001 for House restaurant facilities. Wilderness bill (Ventana, Silver Peak).... 2001 Prevented the Navy from expanding bombing 2002 runs at Fort Hunter Liggett. Provided the funds (via earmark) for a new 2002 Olympic-sized public pool in Salinas. Created the U.S. Travel & Tourism Board... 2003 Legislated FHL lands into permanent status 2004 as a national forest under the direction of the Forest Service if FHL is ever surplussed by the military. Moved FORA policy from 0% affordable 2004 housing to a minimum of 20%. Passed a law making California Missions 2004 eligible for federal restoration/ rehabilitation grants. Won locality pay for federal workers in 2004 Monterey County. Environmental Services Contract Agreement-- 2006-2014 Fort Ord (clean up complete). Golf carts for the disabled at military 2006 golf courses. Transferred Pt. Pinos Lighthouse to City 2006 of Pacific Grove. Established the Center for Homeland 2007 Defense and Security at NPS. Organized Team Monterey--all DOD entities 2007 in Monterey County. A Salad Bar in Every School............... 2008 Launched the Civilian Response Corps...... 2008 Negotiated the swap of lands at Fort Ord 2008 (``Stilwell Kidney'') to allow the expansion of military housing and a new ``gateway'' for the City of Seaside. Saved post office in Aromas from closure.. 2008 Finalized new VA/DOD health clinic (now 2012 under construction). Got WH to use Antiquities Act to establish 2012 Fort Ord National Monument. Legislated elevation of Pinnacles National 2012 Monument to full National Park status. Marine debris bill (became law)........... 2012 Saved DLI, NPS from BRAC.................. 1995, 2005 Legislated the Economic Development 1993, 2009 Conveyance for BRAC properties. ``Monterey Model'' for contracting 2000, 2012 municipal services at military bases. Secured increased per diems for government 2003, 2012 rates in the district. Proud to be An American Act (became law).. 1996, 2006, 2008 Santa Cruz Visitors Center................ 2012 Helped break the logjam on H-2A visas for 2013 local growers during the government shutdown, ensuring a sufficient workforce for the holiday growing & harvest season. Overcame the government shutdown that had 2013 closed off parking for the annual Jade Festival in Big Sur. Passed a bill in the House (and sent it to 2013 and 2014 the Senate) to name the new VA-DOD health clinic after Gen. Bill Gourley. Approximate total dollars brought in to $1,016,000,000+ the district in 22 years (appropriations only, not formula money). Approximate number of constituent letters 511,000 answered in 22 years. Pajaro River flood prevention............. Multi-year. Provided nearly $7 million to Salinas/ Various. Monterey County to fight gangs. San Clemente Dam--working toward removal.. Multi-year. Secured waivers for Salinas and Hollister Various, on-going. so they can get Rural Development money. Authored legislation on medical marijuana 2014, 2015 that became law. Forced FAA to review the SAFR flight plan 2015 over Santa Cruz (on-going). Secured the funds to renovate the ``Low 2015 Water Bridge'' at Fort Hunter Liggett. Locked in $56.3 million from previous 2015 appropriations for a new barracks at DLI. Saved PEPRA funds for Monterey-Salinas 2015 Transit. Guaranteed a new ARS station would be 2015 built in Salinas by USDA. Reinstated $7.2 million in funding for 2015 NOAA's B-WET program. Engineered the highest appropriations 2015 level for the Peace Corps in its history (410 million). Got the House to pass H.R. 1838 to allow 2016 the recreational use of BLM land at Clear Creek as a public recreation area. ------------------------------------------------------------------------

Mr. FARR. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding. This is probably the last time I rise on this floor to speak after 23 years of serving here. It may take me a little more than 5 minutes.

Mr. FARR

Mr. FARR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Dave Potter, a model public servant on this memorable occasion of his retirement from the Monterey County Board of Supervisors. I have had the tremendous pleasure in working with Dave over the years and the great honor to call him a dear friend. Dave originally hails from Hingham, Massachusetts. In 1970, his van broke down on Highway 1 near Carmel and he just stayed and made the Monterey Peninsula his home. Starting in the early 70s, he built a general contracting business, Potter Construction. That work soon led him into the world of public policy as an appointee to the City of Monterey's Architectural Review Committee and then Planning Commission and ultimately to an elected seat on the Monterey City Council. In 1996, Dave was elected to the Monterey County Board of Supervisors to represent the Fifth District, the same supervisorial district I represented from 1975 to 1980. He quickly gained a reputation on the Board as a doer, a leader who got stuff done. The Carmel Hill Highway 1 climbing lane is a good example, and one that many of us use on a daily basis. And then there were countless other tasks and efforts that made life in the Fifth District that much better: resolution to a parking problem, a new park, viable ambulance service, assistance with County Planning, etc. His service stood out particularly in response to disasters both small and large. During the 2008 Basin Complex Fire and this year's Sobranes Fire, Dave and his office were ever present in the thick of the action helping the community and incident command resolve countless issues that came up on an almost daily basis. This kind of service won Dave reelection in 2000, 2004, 2008, and 2012. During his tenure on the Board, Dave served on many boards, committees and commissions including the California Coastal Commission for 12 years, Monterey Peninsula Water Management District, Fort Ord Reuse Authority, Legislative Committee, Fort Ord Committee, Capital Improvements Committee, Natividad Medical Center Board of Trustees, Chair of Transportation Agency for Monterey County, and Chair of the Rail Policy Committee. In addition, Dave received numerous awards of recognition from 1980 through 2015 from a multitude of local cities and organizations, Chambers of Commerce, including resolutions from California State Senate and Congress representatives. Mr. Speaker, I know that I speak for the whole House in thanking Supervisor Potter for his many years of dedicated public service. I want to especially thank Dave's wife Janine and his three adult children Myles, Tyler, and Sarah, and grandchildren, Ciara and Bella for lending their husband, father, and grandfather to the people of this community. As a resident myself of the Fifth District, I know that my neighbors and I owe him a deep gratitude for doing so much to improve our quality of life. The world is a better place because of his efforts.

Mr. FARR

Mr. FARR. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize Major Travis N. Toole for his dedication to duty and service as an Army Officer. In 2014, Travis was selected to be an Army Congressional Fellow in my office. His portfolio included working with Team Monterey, all the Department of Defense entities located in Monterey, CA. Team Monterey includes the Defense Language Institute and the Naval Postgraduate School, Guard and Reserve facilities, SATCOM, and nine other critical DoD and Navy missions all located in Monterey, after the closure of the former Fort Ord. Major Toole staffed me for the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction and Veterans Affairs and brought his expertise as an Engineer to the portfolio that led to significant accomplishments. He was instrumental in working the halls of the Pentagon on behalf of the California National Guard to secure funding for a bridge replacement, a number one priority of the Guard for several years. His diligence to constituent services enabled him to help a local transit provider navigate the Army bureaucracy for ultimate payment of transit services. He was well respected by the Military Construction Appropriations staff for his contributions to the Subcommittee hearings and markup. When Travis returned to the Pentagon as an Army Congressional Budget Liaison, he worked closely with the House and Senate Military Constructions Appropriations Subcommittees, ensuring Army's budget positions were extremely well represented and articulated to the Committees. He assisted the Subcommittee staff with their oversight responsibilities in Korea, Japan and many CONUS facilities, and accompanied Members visiting Afghanistan during the Christmas holiday. The next step for Major Toole will be further military education at the Command and General Staff College at Fort Belvoir, Virginia. A native of Cincinnati, Ohio, Major Toole was commissioned as an Engineer officer after his graduation from Ohio University with a Bachelor of Arts degree. He has subsequently earned a Master's degree in Legislative Affairs from the George Washington University. He has served in a broad range of assignments during his Army career. Major Toole's previous assignments include serving as a Mobility Support Platoon Leader for the 562nd Engineer Company, 172nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, and a Sapper Platoon Leader and Executive Officer for the 73rd Engineer Company, 1st Brigade 25th Infantry Division at Fort Wainwright, Alaska. He then served as a Current Operations Officer for the 130th Engineer Brigade and commanded the 34th Sapper Company, 65th Engineer Battalion at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii. Travis has led Soldiers in combat as a Platoon Leader, Battalion Operations Officer, and Company Commander while deployed in direct support of combat operations in Iraq on three separate occasions. Throughout his distinguished Army career, Travis has positively affected his Soldiers, peers, and superiors. His extraordinary leadership, thoughtful judgment, and exemplary work have made our country safer. On behalf of a grateful nation, I commend Major Travis Toole for his service to our nation and wish him all the best as he continues his journey in the United States Army.

Mr. FARR

Mr. FARR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to join President Obama in honoring a truly great American, Mr. Luis Valdez of San Juan Bautista, California. This past September, Luis participated in a White House ceremony where the President presented him with a National Medal of the Arts in recognition of his lifetime of contributions to the arts of the Unites States. The recognition highlights the incredible contribution Luis has made as a playwright, actor, writer, and director. Luis Valdez was born in Delano, California, in 1940. He was the second of ten children and grew up in a family of migrant farm workers. Luis began work in the fields at a young age and followed the harvest with his family up and down California's Central Valley. He attended numerous schools before his family finally settled in San Jose. He entered San Jose State University on a scholarship for math and physics but switched his major to English and began to pursue his passion for theater. The imagination of theater had held a grip on Luis from an early age. In grammar school, he had organized plays and put on puppet shows in his garage. While still at SJSU, Luis won a playwriting contest with The Theft, and produced a full length play called The Shrunken Head of Pancho Villa. In 1965, Luis returned to Delano and joined with Cesar Chavez in the UFW's effort to organize farmworkers. It was then that he had the inspiration to combine his passions for theater and social justice and created a farm workers theater troupe simply called El Teatro Campesino. The group specialized in short one act plays based on the farm worker experience that aimed to educate both farmworkers and the broader public. By 1967, El Teatro began to explore broader Chicano themes and Luis left the group to share that vision with a broader audience. He founded the Centro Campesino Cultural in Del Rey and later Fresno to produce plays in a theater setting. Luis quickly developed a reputation as the Godfather of Chicano theater and helped organize other Chicano theater groups throughout the Southwest. During this period he wrote and produced numerous plays, including La Virgen de Tepeyac, La carpa de los resquachis, and Corridos: Tales of Passion and Revolucion. However, Luis is best known for his seminal play Zoot Suit which he first produced in Los Angeles in 1978. The next year, Zoot Suit became the first play written by a Chicano produced on Broadway. A film version followed in 1981. This film experience led Luis to other television and movie projects, including the hit movie La Bamba in 1987 that told the story of Richie Valens. All along Luis remained committed to the campesino movement that he helped form and that helped to form him. In 1971, he moved his theater group to San Juan Bautisa in my California district. He became a founding member of the California Arts Council and is a member of the College of Fellows of the American Theater. Mr. Speaker, I know I speak for the whole House when I extend our congratulations to Luis Valdez for his most recent of honors. It comes on top of a lifetime of achievement giving voice to those voices that have been so often missed or dismissed by our broader society. Mindful of recent events, his voice is more important than ever.

Mr. FARR

Mr. FARR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the accomplishments of a remarkable man. I have had the great pleasure to have known and worked with George S. Lockwood for over 40 years. He is a boundless innovator, an expansive dreamer, and a relentless task master. I have no doubt that he is one of those remarkable human beings whose life's work in aquaculture will continue to pay dividends for humanity long into the future. George originally trained as an engineer. He earned a BS in Civil Engineering from Northwestern University followed by an MBA from Harvard University. He began his career with Perini, Inc., a large global heavy construction company where he served in various engineering and executive management positions. He next joined Los Angeles based Global Marine where he managed special projects for the firm's offshore drilling, marine engineering, and construction. George then left the corporate world to begin his second career as an aquaculture innovator. He founded Monterey Kelp Corporation in California, a marine plant harvesting and processing company that he later sold to a subsidiary of the pharmaceutical giant Merck. In 1972, he established Monterey Abalone Farms to develop commercial technologies for growing abalone and other seafood. Then in 1984, Mr. Lockwood founded Ocean Farms of Hawaii (OFH) in Kona, Hawaii, to grow salmon, oysters, abalone, sea urchins and marine plants on a commercial scale using cold pure seawater pumped from the deep ocean into ponds and tanks onshore. He recently founded a new company, Ocean Farms of The Bahamas, which he hopes will lead an expansion of aquaculture in the Caribbean. All along, George used his aquaculture experience to help shape public policy. In 1980, he worked with Congress to help craft the National Aquaculture Act. He then helped me in the California Legislature with drafting the California Aquaculture Act of 1982. This legislation modernized the regulation of aquaculture in California and served as a model for other states. George also served in numerous industry leadership roles, including: past president and multi-year director of the World Aquaculture Society; a founder and past president of the California Aquaculture Association--where I first met George; chairman of the Aquaculture Committee of the California Farm Bureau Federation; and a founding member of the U.S. Aquaculture Council. Since 2000, George has been involved in official and unofficial capacities advising USDA's National Organic Standards Board regarding the creation of organic certification standards for aquaculture. Since 2005, he has served as Chair of the Aquaculture Working Group of the USDA National Organic Program that has contributed to the development of proposed standards for farmed fish and shellfish currently working their way through the federal rulemaking process. Mr. Speaker, I know that I speak for the whole House in applauding George Lockwood's accomplishments. The world is a better place because of his efforts. We wish him, his wife, the Rev. Canon Marcia Lockwood, their four grown children and two grandchildren all the success in the world.

Mr. FARR

Mr. FARR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to mark the 50th anniversary of Bookshop Santa Cruz, a family-owned, independent bookstore based in Santa Cruz, California. Bookshop Santa Cruz started in 1966 and quickly became the heart of Downtown Santa Cruz, providing the community with access to books, magazines, newspapers and gifts while also creating a community meeting ground for friends and visitors alike. Over the last 50 years, Bookshop Santa Cruz established itself as a nationally- renowned bookstore dedicated to the written word, the discussion of ideas and the creation of community. In 1973, Neal and Candy Coonerty bought Bookshop Santa Cruz and raised their two children, Ryan and Casey, in the store. Together they helped the store survive many challenges including the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake, competition from nearby chain bookstores and the rise of the internet retailer. Bookshop Santa Cruz held thousands of author events over the years allowing numerous opportunities for authors to engage with their fans about their work. The store was instrumental in starting the shop local movement in Santa Cruz and lead community-wide conversations about the role of local business in our economy, the value of maintaining vital downtown corridors and the importance of freedom of speech and reader privacy. In 1989, Bookshop Santa Cruz survived the terrible Loma Prieta earthquake, which destroyed over 75 percent of Downtown Santa Cruz, with the help of their staff and community. Hundreds of volunteers signed liability waivers to enter the red-tagged Bookshop building to rescue all of the books and fixtures, thereby allowing Bookshop Santa Cruz to continue to operate for three years in a large pavilion tent as Downtown Santa Cruz was rebuilt. In the meantime, Neal Coonerty successfully ran for City Council and became Mayor of Santa Cruz to help with the downtown rebuilding process. Ten years ago, Casey Coonerty Protti, took over management of the store as a second-generation owner. During this time, she successfully launched vital children's programs such as Young Writers Contest, Summer Reading Program where each year over 600 kids earn rewards for reading during the summer months as well as bringing authors into local schools. These efforts are central in helping create the next generation of readers. In addition, the owners of Bookshop continue to give back to the community that supported them throughout the years with Neal Coonerty and Ryan Coonerty both serving as Mayor of Santa Cruz as well as on the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors and Casey Coonerty Protti serving on the Board of the Downtown Association, the Santa Cruz Education Foundation and an appointee on the Santa Cruz Downtown Commission. Mr. Speaker, I join the entire House in congratulating Bookshop Santa Cruz on 50 years and thanking their owners and bookselling staff for all that they contribute to the Santa Cruz community. We hope they continue to breathe life into the cultural fabric of the Santa Cruz community for another 50 years.

Mr. FARR

Mr. FARR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize one of the top leaders of the modern fresh produce industry and a Salinas Valley visionary. Lorri Koster is Chair, CEO and a primary shareholder of Mann Packing Company headquartered in Salinas, CA. Mann is a major grower, shipper, and processor of fresh vegetables on the cutting edge of technical innovation and market development. So while you may have never heard of Lorri Koster, I can guarantee that every member of this House has eaten something grown or shipped by Mann Packing. Lorri was raised in the agricultural industry and is the third generation of her family to work in produce. Her late father Don Nucci had been a key partner in the company. She started her full time career at Mann in 1990 directing the firm's marketing and communication programs. In 2000 Lorri left Mann to join ProduceOnline.com as vice president of marketing. Lorri then became an associate publisher with Produce Business magazine. After several years of writing, raising two young boys and working for Mann on a consulting basis, she returned to the company full time in 2006 to represent her family's interest and lead the business development, marketing and product innovation efforts. Lorri's leadership extends beyond Mann to the greater fresh produce industry and her local community. In 2000, Lorri was the International Fresh Cut Produce Association board president and the first woman to chair an American produce trade association. She is a past chair of the Grower Shipper Association of Central California. She has participated on the boards of various leadership committees for several industry organizations, including the United Fresh Produce Association, the Produce Marketing Association, Western Growers, the Grower Shipper Association of Central California, and the Produce for Better Health Foundation. She shares my passion and has been a relentless advocate for creating more access to fruits and vegetables in schools and federally funded feeding programs. Lorri currently serves on the Western Growers Association board of directors and a board alternate for the California Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement. At a local level Lorri serves on the boards of the Monterey Bay Economic Partnership, the Panetta Institute for Public Policy, and on the business advisory councils for Rancho Cielo and CSUMB's Business School. Lorri has a Bachelor of Arts degree in public relations with a minor in business marketing from California State University, Chico. A ``baseball mom'' and ``Forty Niner Faithful'', she resides in Salinas with her husband Tom where she loves cheering on their two boys, Jack and Sam. Mr. Speaker, I know I speak on behalf of the entire House in thanking Lorri Koster for her outstanding leadership in the produce industry and the Salinas Valley. Our nation is a better place because of her efforts. We wish her and her family many more years of success.

Mr. FARR

Mr. FARR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the remarkable public service career of Chief Kelly McMillin, who is retiring after a 32- year-long career in law enforcement, that last 4 as the Chief of the Salinas, California, Police Department. Kelly has been a remarkable leader who led the Salinas Police Department through a particularly challenging period. I am particularly grateful for his work with my office to help convince the U.S. Department of Justice in 2011 to include the City of Salinas as one of the initial 7 U.S. cities in the pilot National Forum on Youth Violence. I am proud of Kelly's service and honored to call him a friend. Kelly began his law enforcement career in 1984 as a Deputy with the San Benito County Sheriff's Department. In 1986, he transferred to the San Diego County Sheriff's Department before joining the Salinas Police Department in 1988. As a Salinas Police Officer, Kelly has worked patrol, several anti-gang units, vice/narcotics, administration, and various assignments as a detective including homicide. He was a SWAT operator, team leader and tactical commander. He has held the ranks of Officer, Corporal, Sergeant, Lieutenant, Commander and Deputy Chief. He was appointed Chief of the Salinas Police Department on June 11, 2012, and was the first Chief to be promoted from within the ranks since 1965. While he was serving as a full time officer, Kelly earned an Associate's Degree from Hartnell College, a BA from Saint Mary's College, and a Masters of Public Policy from the Panetta Institute at California State University Monterey Bay. He is a 2003 graduate of the 213th session of the FBI National Academy at Quantico, Virginia. In 2012, the White House recognized Kelly as a ``Champion of Change'' for his work in youth violence prevention in 2012. Kelly is married to his wife Teresa, a Physician Assistant who owns a cosmetic dermatology practice in Salinas. Their son Liam has followed in his father's public service footsteps and is currently a Plebe at the United States Military Academy at West Point. Mr. Speaker, I know I speak for the whole House in congratulating Chief Kelly McMillin on the occasion of his retirement and to thank him and his family for his many years of selfless service.

Mr. FARR

Mr. FARR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to mark the 20th anniversary of O'Neill Sea Odyssey, a remarkable science education organization based in Santa Cruz, California. It started as the brainchild of Jack O'Neill, the inventor of the modern wetsuit worn by surfers, divers, kayakers, and other water enthusiasts the world over. Now 93, Jack spent much of the last 60 years building the wetsuit company that bears his name into an internationally recognized brand of excellence. Throughout that time, Jack retained and grew a deep commitment to protecting the oceans as well as an unbinding love for the Santa Cruz coast and the Monterey Bay that he has called home since 1959. In 1996, he founded O'Neill Sea Odyssey as a community based non-profit dedicated to educating school children about the ocean science and the ocean environment. The program is located in Santa Cruz Harbor and takes 4th, 5th, and 6th graders onto Monterey Bay on a specially equipped sail catamaran to teach the fundamentals of science and environmental stewardship. Under the long term leadership of executive director Dan Haifley, the program has grown into an innovative education program that incorporates a curriculum in line with the latest Common Core and Next Generation Science Standards. The program's instructors enjoy a three to one ratio with students. They teach mathematics using navigation techniques; marine ecology, including the kelp forest, marine mammals, and human impacts on Monterey Bay; and marine biology, focused on examining and learning about plankton as a basis for study of the marine food web. Lessons taught during the ocean-going field trip are supplemented with in-classroom curriculum that participating students can use. Over 90,000 students have experienced this remarkable program since its inception, and that number grows every year. In June of 2016, O'Neill Sea Odyssey entered into a partnership with Public Consulting Group's education department to distribute the OSO curriculum nationally through Pepper, PCG's online curriculum development tool for teachers. The goal is for teachers and district administrators to use the OSO curriculum for their required continuing education units, helping teachers to reach their learning goals through marine science education. In 2004, O'Neill Sea Odyssey earned the Governor's Environmental and Economic Leadership Award. Other awards and include: Senator Boxer's 2008 Environmental Champion award; the Adam Webster Memorial Fund received the Community Spinners award; and The Silicon Valley Business Journal's Community Impact Award, to name just a few. Mr. Speaker, I know that I speak for the whole House in both congratulating and thanking Jack O'Neill, Dan Haifley, and the whole Sea Odyssey crew, from its board, boat pilot, and instructors to its interns and participating teachers. The world is a better place because of your efforts. Congratulations on 20 years of success. We look forward to many more.

Mr. FARR

Mr. FARR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the remarkable public service of Vinz Koller, who has worked tirelessly to strengthen and improve the American democratic process, both nationally and in Monterey County, California. As an immigrant who chose to be an American, Vinz embodies the core civic values of our nation's citizenship. Those of us who have had the great good fortune to have known Vinz over the years have all been touched by his tremendous integrity and boundless determination. So it is my pleasure to join with my Monterey County Democratic Party friends in recognizing Vinz for his invaluable support for strengthening democracy. Vinz came to Monterey County to study at the Monterey Institute of International Studies after earning a BA in political science and English from the University of Zurich in Switzerland. Professionally, he is Director of Training and Technical Assistance at Social Policy Research Associates and is in frequent demand as trainer and facilitator on a wide range of workforce development related topics for the U.S. Department of Labor and state and local agencies. Vinz likes to hike the Big Sur coastline, paddle on the bay in his kayak, climb Sierra peaks on skis or ride the bike trails at the former Fort Ord. He is a passionate bread baker and for ten seasons has been singing in the Carmel Bach Festival chorus. Vinz played an active role in the 2004 presidential campaign at the Democratic National Committee in Washington, DC, as well as Arizona and Oregon. This experience energized Vinz to improve the community level Democratic Party infrastructure in his home community. In 2004 and 2005, he was a vital member of the ``Boots Camp'' team that designed an ambitious new strategy that would establish the Monterey County Democrats as one of most effective central committees in California. Later, Vinz set up a countywide precinct program for the Monterey County Democrats, managed the 2008 presidential and 2012 special election campaigns, and is currently working the 2016 campaign. Vinz chaired the Monterey County Democratic Central Committee from 2006 to 2016. In that capacity he led the way in executing and refining strategy as the local Democratic party helped elect a list of great Democratic candidates, train hundreds of volunteers, and establish a culture of excellence and integrity, which in turn has been instrumental in attracting many new members. He is currently the Campaign Coordinator for the Monterey County Democrats and Chair of the Democratic 27th Assembly District Committee and is on the Executive Board of the California Democratic Party. Mr. Speaker, I know I speak for the whole House in thanking Vinz for his dedicated civic involvement. The strength of our Republic depends on the tireless efforts of the women and men like Vinz who make our democracy vibrant and representative.

Mr. FARR

Mr. FARR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Jo Clough Barton. Jo died peacefully, surrounded by her family, in her home in Annapolis, Maryland on August 3, 2016. She was 85 years old. Born Martha Jo Clough on March 19, 1931 to Sara Jo and Arthur Clough in Oklahoma City, she attended Edgemere Elementary School before her family moved to Ardmore, OK in 1941. She graduated from Ardmore High School in 1949 and then attended the University of Oklahoma where she met and married her husband Gerald (Jerry) Barton. She attended and graduated second in her class from the University of Oklahoma College of Law in 1955 and was admitted to the prestigious honor society, the Order of Coif. She was admitted to the Oklahoma Bar Association in 1955. Jo practiced law in Oklahoma from 1958 to 1968 for the firm Mosteller, Andrews, Mosberg (now Andrews, Davis) and later opened an independent book store in the Avondale Shopping Center. She was a volunteer at Beta Theta Chapter of Kappa Kappa Gamma Fraternity at OU, mentoring many young women. She also volunteered in many of her children's activities and at their school. An ardent Democrat, she championed liberal causes and raised money for progressive candidates throughout her life. She and Jerry later moved to Big Sur, CA where she served as president of the Carmel Bach Festival, on the board of Hospice of the Monterey Peninsula and opened a children's clothing store called Nana's. She moved to Annapolis, MD in 2015 to be close to her children. She is survived by her children, Joann Vaughan, Doug Barton and Martha Doherty, all of Annapolis MD; her grandchildren; Barton Vaughan, Elizabeth Vaughan, Christopher Austin, Robert Vaughan, Sam Barton, Alison Doherty, Caroline Vaughan Kreutzer, Sarah Doherty, Kylee Barton and Harrison Barton; and two great granddaughters; Georgina Vaughan and Caroline Vaughan. We honor and remember Jo's memory by opening a wonderful bottle of wine and cooking a favorite meal. ``Grieve not, nor speak of me with tears, but laugh and talk of me as if I were beside you . . . loved you so--'twas Heaven here with you.' ''--Isla Paschal Richardon

Mr. FARR

Mr. FARR. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to support S. 1579, the Native American Tourism and Improving Visitor Experience (NATIVE) Act. This bill will advance Indian Country tourism by requiring federal agencies with recreational travel and tourism functions to include Indian tribes and tribal organizations in updated management plans and develop Native American tourism. Anecdotally, we know the foreign tourists have a keen interest in our Indian history and culture. This bill will enable the collection of vital travel and tourism data and analysis and, importantly, increase integration of federal assets to Indian Country so they can advance their economic development goals and tribal sovereignty. Indian Country is a mosaic with vibrant cultures and a rich assortment of languages and traditions. By promoting this vast array of authentic Native tourism assets, the United States can increase its ability to compete for international visitors seeking a uniquely American experience while ensuring that diverse Native communities contribute to, and benefit from, the economic benefits that travel affords.

Mr. FARR

Mr. FARR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend the remarkable personal and professional achievements of Dr. Jan Black, a great educator, selfless activist, and dear personal friend. Jan is at the same time a model American and a global citizen. Over the years she has devoted countless hours to local political campaigns for offices ranging from the President and Congress to city council and school board. Equally, she has been a tireless advocate and traveled around the world on behalf of international education and human rights. Jan has taught for many years at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies in Monterey, California. She earned her BA in Art and Spanish from the University of Tennessee. She earned her MA in Latin American Studies and PhD in International Studies at the American University School of International Service in Washington DC. Jan's international experience includes Senior Associate Membership at St. Antony's College, Oxford University; Fulbright, Mellon and other grants and Fellowships in South America, the Caribbean, and India; on- site or short-term teaching and honorary faculty positions in several Latin American countries, and extensive overseas lecturing and research. She was also a Peace Corps Volunteer in Chile and a faculty member with the University of Pittsburgh's Semester-at-Sea program. Jan was a research professor in the Division of Public Administration, University of New Mexico, and editor and research administrator in American University's Foreign Area Studies Division. She has also served on some two dozen international editorial and non- governmental organization boards and has published numerous articles and books, including most recently a 2009 book titled ``The Politics of Human Rights Protection.'' In 2011, Jan was elected to the Board of Directors of Amnesty International USA, she is a member of the Advisory Boards of the International Political Science Association's Committee on Civil- Military Affairs; the Global Studies Program of California State University, San Jose; and the PhD Fellowship Program of the U.S. Inter- American Foundation. Mr. Speaker, I know I speak for the whole House in recognizing Dr. Jan Black for her remarkable personal and professional achievements. The world is a better place because of her efforts.

Mr. FARR

Mr. FARR. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to bring to my colleagues' attention the seventy-fifth anniversary of Fort Hunter Liggett, California. On December 12, 1940, the War Department purchased 266,950 acres of land between the Salinas River and the Pacific Ocean from William Randolph Hearst, in anticipation of the need to prepare U.S. troops for combat in Europe in 1940. On January 10, 1941, the Hunter Liggett Military Reservation was established and combat troops immediately began training. It is ideally located to provide excellent training opportunities to all U.S. Armed Forces and allied nations. From its inception, Fort Hunter Liggett has provided a realistic training environment for large-scale military exercises for U.S. Armed Forces. It is the largest installation in the Army Reserve, with more than 165,000 acres of unencroached mountains, valleys, rivers, plains, and forests, providing ideal maneuver areas to meet today's training requirements. Fort Hunter Liggett is one of only a few installations that have a 360-degree live-fire capability for small arms. Its state- of-the-art ranges, training areas, and facilities support year-round joint, multi-component, and interagency training. In its early history, the installation had five airstrips that were used during WWII to transport troops, supplies and the wounded. William Randolph Hearst's Milpitas Ranch House, commonly referred to as ``The Hacienda'', was used as the post headquarters. The Army has maintained and preserved the building designed by renowned California architect Julia Morgan, which is on the National Register of Historic Places. Today, the historic building is a hotel and enjoyed by the public as a tourist attraction. During the 1970s, Fort Hunter Liggett was the home of the Combat Development and Experimentation Center which provided critical testing and fielding of new weapons and warfare techniques, such as the Cobra Attack Helicopter and M16 Assault Rifle. The 4th and 7th Infantry Divisions used the installation as their primary training grounds, as well as Army Reserve and National Guard units. Today, Fort Hunter Liggett primarily serves as a world class training platform for Army Reserve combat support and combat service support training and large-scale exercises. Fort Hunter Liggett is funded by the U.S. Army Reserve and falls under the command of the U.S. Army Installation Management Command. Fort Hunter Liggett is also a leader in meeting the Department of Defense 2020 Net Zero Initiative. The Energy Conservation Investment Program established Fort Hunter Liggett as a prototype since it will be the first installation to achieve Net Zero goals. As one of nine pilot installations chosen by the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Installations, Energy and Environment, the Garrison has installed solar panels and energy storage systems, upgraded the waste water treatment plant, demolished Korean War-era buildings to conserve energy consumption, and ensured that all new construction meets the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design standards. In addition, Fort Hunter Liggett has partnered with the County of Monterey to field a waste-to- energy gasification plant. Since 1941, countless numbers of troops have come through Fort Hunter Liggett to train for their deployments to support WWII, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Cold War, and today's war on global terrorism. The Fort Hunter Liggett military and civilian workforce proudly serves all branches of the Armed Forces, as well as allied forces. I commend the Installation for all its role in enabling unit, Soldier, and family readiness. Mr. Speaker, for seventy five years, Fort Hunter Liggett has been an essential training platform for the U.S. Armed Forces, contributing to the security of our nation and strengthening international partnerships that build peace. In times of global unrest both past and present, Fort Hunter Liggett has demonstrated its capacity to ensure the readiness of its troops to defend the American ideals and freedom. I end with the refrain from the Army's Official Song, ``First to fight for the right, And to build the Nation's might, And the Army goes rolling along.''

Mr. FARR

Mr. FARR. Mr. Speaker, I am embarrassed that Congress is going home today for 2 months after having done nothing about this outrageous use of guns in America. We are going home because it is an election year. We have 2 months to be with our constituents. I hope that all constituents will approach their elected officials and ask them, their Members of Congress, and particularly the Republicans who are holding up this vote: Are you going to vote on this in September when you come back? Are we going to enact these laws? Because, if they are not, you can withhold their vote. You have the power. The power is in the people. Let's take back our country. Let's ask every elected official, school board member, city council, and water board, which have jurisdiction over real estate: What have they done to enact gun legislation? California, which is the State I am from, has taken those actions: we have banned assault weapons; we require background checks; we have waiting periods before you can buy ammunition. We have done more than any other State. Guess what? The courts have upheld this. We can do this. This is what elected officials are asked to do--to fix things that are broken and, particularly, in a crisis. You, the voter, take back this country. Make your elected officials respond.

Mr. FARR

Mr. FARR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of the families across the country that have been touched by gun violence. I am heartbroken, angry, and dismayed over this week's shootings in Baton Rouge, Falcon Heights, and Dallas. Unfortunately, these events are all too common in communities across the country. Every day, 91 Americans lose their lives to gun violence. The federal government can and must do more to make our communities safer. We should use California's gun safety laws as an example. California just enacted legislation to ban the possession of magazines that hold more than 10 bullets. California already bans most assault-style weapons. California has stricter background checks than most states. California mandates a cooling off period after a gun purchase. And, California requires a background check to buy bullets. Let's follow California's lead. Congress should pass ``No Fly, No Buy.'' Congress should vote on mandatory background checks. Congress should ban assault weapons. Let's have the courage to stand up to the powerful gun lobby. Two weeks ago, I was proud to join the historic sit-in to demand congressional action on bipartisan gun safety laws. The sit-in was widely supported by millions of law abiding Americans, including responsible gun owners, who want Congress to enact commonsense gun legislation. Instead, Speaker Ryan has pushed forward a watered-down bill that already failed in the Republican-led Senate. This is not a real attempt at preventing future gun violence. No more moments of silence. Instead I call for moments of action by this legislative body. For victims of gun violence and their families and for our children and grandchildren, let's do something that will make our communities safer.

Mr. FARR

Mr. FARR. I thank the gentleman for yielding. Third, it allows the BLM to enter into joint management agreements with the California State Parks system that manages a nearby off-road vehicle park without asbestos surfaces, known as Hollister Hills. Fourth, this legislation designates the adjacent Joaquin Rocks landscape as wilderness and five BLM-identified streams as National Wild and Scenic Rivers. The conservation piece of this legislation protects a diverse array of flora and fauna and several species of wildlife. In addition to falcons, hawks, and owls, the area provides a potential nesting habitat for the California condor, which was reintroduced in the nearby Gabilan Range. I thank my colleagues Jeff Denham and David Valadao for being tremendous partners and for their leadership in bringing this bill to the House floor today. In working with Representatives Denham and Valadao, their staffs, and many of our constituents in central California, we crafted a bill to support recreation, conservation, and economic growth. I also thank Chairman Bishop of the committee and Ranking Member Grijalva, subcommittee Chairman McClintock and subcommittee Ranking Member Tsongas for their support. Mr. Speaker, I urge support for the legislation, and I also urge the members of the committee to think about this when trying to solve difficult, conflicting problems in that we can bring all parties of interest together and end up with a win-win.

Mr. FARR. I thank very much Ranking Member Costa and Chairwoman Lummis for their support of this bill. Mr. Speaker, I think this bill is more than what we just talked about, because it is an incredible collaboration of groups that are not necessarily friendly to each other. We have in this sponsorship the Off-Road Vehicle Association and the Native Plant Society. Normally, they would not be on the same legislation. Why did it all happen? It is because we have 60,000 acres that have been shut down for nobody's use. It was a former asbestos surface mining area. Clear Creek has been a destination for outdoor recreation by off-road vehicle users, hikers, bird and animal enthusiasts, and many others. The area is home to unique habitats of plants and animals that attract visitors, which has helped a low-income rural area economically; but in 2008, the Bureau of Land Management closed the area because of an EPA report that said the naturally occurring asbestos may be dangerous. Without any further thought about assuming risk in the national area, it just closed it all down; but as long as people are aware of the risks and know how to safely enjoy Clear Creek, it is not dangerous at all. For example, people climb El Capitan, which is, probably, one of the more difficult climbs in America. You make a mistake there and you die, yet the National Park Service allows you to climb it. The risks go on and on. You also see the same with heli-skiing, skydiving, and many other high-risk activities. Two of my constituents--and they really deserve tremendous credit because they really learned how to petition government--Ed Tobin, who is with the Salinas Ramblers Motorcycle Club, and Ron DeShazer, who is a forklift operator in Salinas and a longtime Clear Creek rider, know about risks. They also know how to recreate safely in Clear Creek. We should learn from them. Clear Creek's closure not only upset the vast off-road vehicle community, but also the California Native Plant Society, the Sierra Club hikers, and, especially, the local community, which is suffering the economic loss. This is commonsense legislation that does three things: First, the bill redesignates the Clear Creek Management Area as the Clear Creek National Recreation Area. This allows it to be used for off-road vehicle recreation, and it requires the Bureau of Land Management to alert all users to the risks and to instruct people to wash off vehicles that may be used on the roads. The wash racks are already in place and have been there for years. Second, it gives the Bureau of Land Management the authority to levy a recreational user fee and apply the proceeds to the management of the area.

Mr. FARR

Mr. FARR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the distinguished career of an outstanding soldier and public servant, Colonel Paul W. Fellinger. On June 23, 2016, he will relinquish his command of the United States Army Garrison, Presidio of Monterey, and retire from the Army later this year. I have had the great pleasure of working with Colonel Fellinger during his tenure as the Garrison Commander of the Presidio of Monterey beginning in 2013. The Presidio garrison plays host to several thousand students and faculty of the Defense Language Institute as well as several other Army missions. Paul effectively served as the city manager of these dynamic communities. And it is in that capacity that I and my staff came to understand and rely on Paul's deep professionalism and problem solving skills in many different instances. He was the driving force behind gaining approval of an Intergovernmental Service Agreement, which was the first of its kind and set the standard for the Department of Defense. He was always highly involved in developing and maintaining partnerships with local organizations and immersed himself in the community. He helped steer several significant new construction projects to completion and has deftly managed his facilities relationship with the surrounding communities. He never failed to combine an understanding of the issue at hand with a deft personal diplomacy. It is a testament to his superlative leadership skills that Colonel Fellinger could perform so well both on the battlefield and in the base operations world. Colonel Fellinger was born in Cincinnati, Ohio. As part of a military family, he moved often during his childhood. Commissioned into the infantry from Xavier University in 1990, his first duty assignment was as platoon leader and company executive officer in the 3rd Battalion (Mechanized), 15th Infantry at Fort Stewart, Georgia. During his next operational assignment he served as a company commander and assistant operations officer in 2nd Battalion, 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, North Carolina. During command, he deployed the company to Haiti in support of the United States Support Group--Haiti. He later returned to the 82nd Airborne Division, where he served as a battalion operations officer and executive officer during Operation Iraqi Freedom I. He then served in the newly formed Asymmetric Warfare Group as a Troop Commander deploying in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. He later assumed command of 1st Squadron (Airborne), 91st Cavalry, Schweinfurt, Germany, and deployed the unit to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Mr. Speaker, I know I speak for the whole House in extending our most sincere gratitude for Colonel Fellinger's service to our Nation. The United States is a more secure and fruitful place as a consequence of his efforts. I want to wish Colonel Fellinger all the best as he transitions from active duty to a new career, in what will surely be an active and fruitful retirement.

Mr. FARR

Mr. FARR. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to Carol Fulton Yeates, a remarkable woman in California to whom we all owe a deep gratitude for her leadership in protecting California's wildlife. Because of her tireless work, California sea otters and mountain lions are protected. With wildlife advocates, like the late Margaret Owings and my late father, California Senator Fred Farr, Carol helped launch ``Friends of the Sea Otter.'' Carol became the executive director of Friends of the Sea Otter in 1981, a role she would lead with distinction and accomplishment until 1989. During that period, sea otter population went from near extinction to numbers in the thousands. Because of Carol's passionate management it has become a great success with global attention. Soon after the sea otter effort, Carol turned her attention to protecting the California mountain lion. Like her work on protecting sea otters, Carol achieved success in safeguarding mountain lions. Carol is one of the brightest, most creative and charming activists to grace California. She won over elected officials on both sides of the aisle and from across all levels of government, and often was the only woman in the room. Her voice remains heard above others because of her extraordinary ability to build consensus and her ability to drive a compelling narrative based on facts. During her work, she met my friend, Bill Yeates of Sacramento State Capitol fame. It was said by all their many friends on both sides of the wedding aisle, that their marriage was made in heaven by all God's creatures who they both worked so hard to save. Carol and Bill raised their son Zachary to follow in their footsteps into political advocacy for animals. He is now heavily engaged in local politics in Sacramento. Carol's legacy is grounded in empowering women to speak out for the humane treatment of wildlife and pioneering advocacy strategies. She supported women like Margaret Owings in carrying out her dreams. And Carol incorporated women into organizations like Defenders of Wildlife, the Humane Society of the United States and the ASPCA. While her work has helped wildlife and communities throughout California, a major part of her legacy is in Big Sur, protecting wildlife on the wild coast. The Sea Otter, the California Condors, the mountain lions--the wonders of the wilderness. I know the whole House joins me in saluting the great work of a great woman in a great state to protect and preserve the wonders of land and sea. Our thoughts and prayers are with Carol Fulton Yeates and her family during this challenging time.