Vince Fong

Mr. FONG

Mr. FONG. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to extend my deepest condolences to the family and friends of Coach Carl Bowser, who passed away last month. While Coach Bowser was a pillar of the Bakersfield College football program, his legacy extends beyond the field, evident in the outpouring of love following his death and the honors proclaimed of Coach Bowser's impact on the lives of others. He was a great man, a beloved mentor, and a leader who made positive contributions to countless individuals. Born in Oklahoma, Carl Bowser was first introduced to Bakersfield College's football program when he became a team water boy. His passion for the sport led him to become a fullback for California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo (Cal Poly), where he rushed for 620 yards and seven touchdowns in 1959. Coach Bowser demonstrated early on his perseverance in the face of tragedy when he narrowly survived the tragic 1960 Cal Poly plane crash, losing 16 of his teammates. Coach Bowser would go on later that year to rush for 288 yards and score two touchdowns. In 1962, Coach Bowser completed his bachelor's degree at Cal Poly in physical education and returned the following year to earn his master's degree in education. Coach Bowser soon sharpened his passion for coaching football, serving as the Head Coach of Burroughs High School in Ridgecrest and later as Head Coach at Shafter High School. Joining Bakersfield College's program, Coach Bowser served as the Renegades Assistant Coach under Head Coach Gerry Collis for 17 years before rising to the Head Coach position in 1984. Coach Bowser's masterful 83-31-3 career record across 11 seasons will certainly be remembered as a golden age of Renegade athletics. Second to no other season, was the team's 1988 triumphs, where under Coach Bowser's leadership, the Renegades beat the undefeated Fullerton College Hornets to secure the 1988 Junior College Football Championship. Coach Bowser earned the esteemed title of Conference Coach of the Year four times, where his team won six Western State Conference titles, and earned seven Potato Bowl appearances before his retirement from the program in 1994. Coach Bowser was well-known for his rousing halftime and pre-game speeches. Yet his strong heart and easy laugh made him beloved by everyone who knew him. Under his leadership, the Bakersfield College football program thrived, and his influence continues to this day. The hundreds of students and athletes he trained will never forget how Coach Bowser dedicated his life to fostering excellence on and off the field. Aware of the steep climb players face seeking professional football careers, Coach Bowser taught personal life discipline which would set his players up for success beyond football. His Interest in the lives of his players both on and off the field makes this loss particularly difficult, serving as a reminder of his unique way of leading strongly but with grace and empathy. On behalf of the 20th Congressional District, I would like to extend my deepest sympathies to Coach Bowser's family, the Bakersfield College community, and all who were fortunate enough to have known him.

Mr. FONG

Mr. FONG. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge and celebrate the remarkable interns who have been working in service of the 20th District of California this summer. These exceptional young individuals--who joined us in our Washington, D.C. office and our Clovis, California office--have shown our team their energy, commitment, and strong drive to effect positive change. As our nation navigates uncertain times and many young people feel out of touch with public service, their enthusiasm and resolve give us great hope for the future. With their summer in Congress reaching its close, I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to Jacob Cohen, Gabriella Gutierrez, and Ayush Nallapally for their work in our Washington, D.C. office, and Luca Fanucchi and Braden McConaghy for their service in our Clovis, California office. Their hard work and dedication have been invaluable, and I hope that the experiences gained here will serve them well in then future endeavors.

Mr. FONG

Mr. FONG. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mrs. Patricia Pope on her 100th birthday. Mrs. Patricia Jean Hayes Pope has lived in the Central Valley her whole life, having lived in San Martin, Salinas, King City, and now Visalia. Mrs. Pope will reach an incredible 100 years of age this August, and is deserving of recognition for the incredible life she continues to live. Born on August 4, 1924, to Katherine Hitchcock and Francis ``Austin'' Hayes in San Jose, California, she is the middle child of three, born between her oldest brother Jack and younger brother Danny. While attending King City High School, she played piano for the dance band, clarinet in the school's marching band, and was the editor of the school newspaper. After high school, Mrs. Pope attended Hartnell Junior College, after which she began teaching 4th grade at King City Grammar School. At the city pool in 1945, she met Marion Pope, who was then serving in the U.S. Navy. The next year, they were married in Del Monte, California, a marriage which would last 65 years. They later moved to King City, California, where they had five children together--Susan, Linda, Dennis, Laurie, and Leslie. Throughout their lives, Mrs. Pope has been dedicated to her children and active in their activities. She served as den mother for Cub Scouts and troop leader for Girl Scouts, taught 4-H sewing, and was president of the Parent Teacher Association. Mrs. Pope has been an active member of her community throughout her life. She worked as the bookkeeper for her husband's painting business and was a substitute teacher at the local elementary school. Mrs. Pope also dedicated more than 4,000 hours as a volunteer at the local hospital service league. Mrs. Pope and her husband were key participants in the establishment of the Mee Memorial Hospital Foundation. To honor their life of service to the community, they were named King City Citizens of the Year in 1997. After her husband's passing in 2012, Mrs. Pope moved to Visalia to be closer to her family. She is the proud grandmother of 2 grandsons, 7 granddaughters, and 16 great-grandchildren. In addition to spending time with her family, she remains a thriving member of the Visalia community, enjoying playing piano concerts, painting, and spending time with friends. Mr. Speaker, I ask all my colleagues in the House of Representatives to join me in celebrating Mrs. Patricia Pope on her 100th birthday.

Mr. FONG

Mr. FONG. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that I may hereafter be considered to be the first sponsor of H.R. 2989, a bill originally introduced by Representative McCarthy of California, for the purpose of adding cosponsors and requesting reprintings pursuant to clause 7 of rule XII.

Mr. FONG

Mr. FONG. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that I may hereafter be considered to be the first sponsor of H.R. 5617, a bill originally introduced by Representative Mr. McCarthy of California, for the purpose of adding cosponsors and requesting reprintings pursuant to clause 7 of rule XII.

Mr. FONG

Mr. FONG. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that when the House adjourns today, it adjourn to meet at 9 a.m. tomorrow.

Mr. FONG

Mr. FONG. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and celebrate Bryson DeChambeau on his second career 2024 U.S. Open Golf Championship win. This achievement not only exemplifies his impressive skill and dedication to the sport, but also reminds us of his journey from the Central Valley of California to the pinnacle of professional golf. Originally born in Modesto, California, Bryson attended Clovis East High School, where his passion and innate talent for golf quickly became apparent. His first major golf moment arrived in 2010 when at age sixteen, he secured the California State Junior Championship. Five years later in 2015 as a Southern Methodist University Mustang, Bryson's hard work led to winning the NCAA Individual Championship, along with the United States Amateur Championship. These dual wins propelled Bryson forward, becoming one of only five golfers to ever hold both titles in the same year and launching him into the professional ranks in 2016 at the age of twenty two. Unorthodox but confident in his approach, Bryson has reimagined golf using irons and wedges that are all the same length. This unique innovation, characteristic of the Central Valley's dynamic style, inspires future athletes to push boundaries as they see the U.S. Open Champion with nine career victories still finding new ways to excel in a game steeped in tradition. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of my constituents in Clovis and California's Central Valley, I am immensely proud of Bryson DeChambeau and congratulate him on his outstanding victory at the 2024 U.S. Open Golf Championship.

Mr. FONG

Mr. FONG. Mr. Chair, I rise today in support of Mr. Obernolte's amendment to the fiscal year 2025 National Defense Authorization Act. From Navy missile systems to Air Force aircraft, the might of the American warfighter can often be traced to the testing and development that occurs in my congressional district. The last thing that the remarkable individuals at Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake and Edwards Air Force Base need to worry about is whether the hospital doors supporting these communities remain open. In Ridgecrest in the Indian Wells Valley, a hospital that supports China Lake and the Ridgecrest community is struggling financially. At Edwards Air Force Base, significant growth is anticipated, but it is unclear whether the installation has the supporting healthcare system in place. This amendment would require the Secretary of Defense to explore this critical healthcare issue for the installations within the R-2508 airspace in the Western United States and report back to Congress. This would ensure that we have the information needed so that we can best support this critical endeavor. We need to ensure that we have a stable healthcare system so that the workforce at these legendary installations remain open to the creativity and the innovative spirit that has kept America safe for generations. Mr. Chair, I thank Mr. Obernolte for his leadership on this issue, and I urge my colleagues to support this amendment.

Mr. FONG

Mr. FONG. Mr. Speaker, it is my great privilege to stand before you as the Representative of the 20th District of the great State of California. I am truly honored, humbled, and grateful to be given this opportunity by the voters to serve and be a strong voice for our region. It is truly more special to have been sworn in with my family here in the gallery. I thank my wife, Amanda, for her love and support. I thank my parents, my mother-in-law, my sister, and all of our family for always being by my side. I especially acknowledge my niece, Evie, who is celebrating her ninth birthday with us today. I also especially thank my mentor and friend, Speaker Kevin McCarthy. He has worked tirelessly for decades on behalf of the constituents of the Central Valley of California and our Nation. In traveling the 20th Congressional District, listening to my neighbors, constituents, and friends throughout Fresno, Tulare, Kings, and Kern Counties, I know that our concerns are very familiar with the concerns that all of you have heard: We must do more to find solutions and to deliver results. We need to address the border crisis, stop the rising costs of everyday essentials that are squeezing our family budgets, and work to keep our communities safe. We must strengthen our crumbling infrastructure, find long-term solutions to water and energy resources, especially out West, and create more career and educational opportunities. We must support our military installations. I personally thank the men and women at Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake in the Indian Wells Valley, Naval Air Station Lemoore, Edwards Air Force Base in the Antelope Valley, and the Fresno Air National Guard for their service and sacrifice defending our great Nation. I certainly anticipate passionate discourse that is expected of us. There is certainly no shortage of challenges facing our Nation, my State of California, and my district, but this is also the moment where we together can make the most positive impact. I was born and raised in the Central Valley, the son of a local pharmacist who moved his family to Bakersfield, California, for new opportunities, never imagining that one day he would witness his son speaking on the floor of the House of Representatives. Our region is known for its grit, its perseverance, and its generosity driven by faith, family, and patriotism. I am blessed to call it my home. In closing, I look forward to serving and working alongside all of you to address our Nation's challenges and to ensure that the voices of the congressional district my neighbors have entrusted to me are heard every single day in these Halls of Congress. We can tackle these challenges head-on and leave a better and stronger America for future generations.