Elton Gallegly

Mr. GALLEGLY

Mr. GALLEGLY. I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank Chairman Conyers; my good friend, subcommittee chairman Bobby Scott; and, of course, our ranking member, Lamar Smith, for working closely with me to draft a bill that would help put a stop to the sale of animal crush videos while, at the same time, addressing the First Amendment concerns that were raised by a recent Supreme Court ruling. The district attorney of Ventura County, California, first brought this issue to my attention back in 1999. He explained that, although crush videos were illegal under State laws, the crime was difficult to prosecute because video producers moved their goods through interstate commerce to avoid prosecution. The FBI, the U.S. Department of Education, and the U.S. Department of Justice consider animal cruelty to be one of the early warning signs of potential violent youth. The Boston Strangler, the Unabomber, Jeffrey Dahmer, and Ted Bundy all tortured animals before they began to murder people. Everyone agrees that these disgusting videos must be stopped. My first bill passed the House in 1999 by a bipartisan vote of 372-42, by unanimous consent in the Senate, and was signed into law by then- President Bill Clinton. The Supreme Court ruled in April of this year that the 1999 law was too broad, but indicated it may uphold a law that is more narrowly drafted. In response to the court's decision, I, along with my good friend Representative Gary Peters, introduced H.R. 5566, the Prevention of Interstate Commerce in Animal Crush Videos Act of 2010. Based on the testimony of the constitutional experts at the May 26 Crime Subcommittee hearing, I worked with Members on both sides of the aisle to craft legislation that is narrowly focused on prohibiting crush videos rather than prohibiting depiction of animal cruelty. Immediately after the 1999 bill became law, the crush video business virtually disappeared. It has recently reemerged in light of the court ruling. Quick passage of H.R. 5566 will once again stop these revolting videos that depict the torture of animals and killing defenseless animals. I strongly urge my colleagues to join me in support of H.R. 5566. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. GALLEGLY. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join us in passing this bill, and yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. GALLEGLY. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. GALLEGLY

Mr. GALLEGLY. Madam Speaker, I rise in memory of the Rev. Dr. Frank Witman, a close, personal friend of my wife, Janice, and me, who passed away on Tuesday. Frank Witman had a calmness about him that belied his inner strength. He arrived in-Simi Valley, California, in the summer of 1969 to assume the post of senior pastor of the United Methodist Church of Simi Valley. It is not an understatement to say that the city was blessed by his presence. Frank was the sixth of seven consecutive generations of United Methodist pastors on his father's side and the third of four consecutive generations on his mother's side. After serving as a pastor in Rialto and Pomona, he anchored his roots in Simi Valley and branched out into every aspect of community life. In 1978, Frank founded the chaplain program for the Simi Valley Police Department and for more than 30 years served as the department's senior chaplain. He provided comfort, counseling, prayers and support during most of the city's traumatic and tragic events, including the untimely death of Officer Michael Clark. His support of the city and its police officers earned him the department's Volunteer of the Year Award in 1997, the department's Lifetime Service Award in 2007, and recognition from the Simi Valley City Council in 2008. When not at his church or the Police Department, Frank could frequently be found at Simi Valley Hospital, where he was a charter member of the Simi Valley Hospital Board Strategic Planning Committee, visiting church members and others in need. Following his retirement from the church in 1997, he remained active as a volunteer chaplain for the hospital, filling in for the staff chaplains as needed. Earlier this year, the hospital named its chapel the Witman Chapel in honor of his years of service. In 1990, I had the honor of nominating Frank to offer a prayer to open a session of the House of Representatives as guest Chaplain, which he did on May 2, 1990. Frank also co-authored a book on world hunger and two books on church administration. He served as an adjunct faculty member at the Claremont School of Theology from 1992-2000, teaching church administration with his coauthors in four states. Frank was recognized numerous times for his unselfish devotion, including the Paul Harris Award, one of the highest honors Rotary International bestows upon an individual, and the Simi Valley Chamber of Commerce Strathearn Lifetime Achievement Award. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Elsie; sons, Mark and Paul; their wives, Luene and Barbara; and grandchildren, Lauren and Peter, as well as his two older brothers, Harold and Henry. Madam Speaker, I know my colleagues will join Janice and me in offering our condolences to Elsie and the Witman family, and in remembering a remarkable man whose life of service will live on in all those whose lives he touched.

Mr. GALLEGLY

Mr. GALLEGLY. Madam Speaker, I rise in tribute to Los Robles Hospital & Medical Center, which has been designated eastern Ventura County's first Level II Trauma Center by the Ventura County, California, Board of Supervisors. Beginning tomorrow, Los Robles will provide Level II Trauma Treatment for residents living in the Greater Conejo Valley and the surrounding communities in eastern Ventura County. The Ventura County Medical Center in Ventura will provide trauma treatment for critical patients in western Ventura County. With its designation as a trauma center, Los Robles will be staffed and equipped to provide trauma care for any type of emergency patient, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Ventura County had been only one of two counties in the state without an approved trauma plan. Two years ago, Ventura County began the process to develop a trauma plan and in March the state approved the county's plan to designate one trauma center in the west part of the county and one in the east. To be designated a trauma center, hospitals must meet stringent requirements. Los Robles Hospital's Trauma Center will offer immediate availability of specialized personnel, equipment and services to treat the most severe and critical injuries. The Trauma Center includes ready-to-go teams that perform immediate surgery and other necessary procedures for people with serious or life-threatening injuries caused by traumatic events. It involves working together with emergency services throughout the county including EMS services, ambulances, helicopters and other healthcare emergency resources in a coordinated and pre-planned way. Being named the Trauma Center for eastern Ventura County speaks volumes to the solid commitment from the Los Robles Hospital's Trauma Team members, Emergency Department staff, hospital support staff and medical staff. Madam Speaker, I know my colleagues join me in congratulating Los Robles Hospital & Medical Center for being named the Trauma Center for eastern Ventura County and in thanking Los Robles doctors and staff for their commitment to providing high quality care for the most seriously injured patients.

Mr. GALLEGLY

Mr. GALLEGLY. Madam Speaker, I rise in tribute to Jim Meredith, who has retired from the Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District Board of Directors in Simi Valley, California, after 28 years. Jim was Chairman of the Board in 1984, 1991, 1994, 1995, 1999, 2003 and 2008. He was Vice Chairman in 1990, 1993, 1998, 2002 and 2007. In addition, he was President of the Ventura County Special District Association for 10 years, President of the State Board of the California Association of Recreation and Park Districts in 1991 and 2004, President of the California Special Districts Association Board of Directors, member of the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy Board Liaison Committee, etc., etc. etc. It's easy to see why Jim is known around town as ``Mr. Parks and Rec.'' While Jim was on the board, the District budget increased from $3.5 million to $16 million, 303 acres of park land were developed and an additional 3,820 acres of land was acquired. Since Jim's first election, the District has added 37 parks to the system and 11 after- school clubs. Jim was instrumental in nearly every one of the district's expansion decisions during those years. As someone who was a professional baseball player and involved in youth baseball, the Royal High School girl's softball program, adult women's softball program, co-ed softball, youth football, the Simi Valley High School and Royal High School football programs, semi-pro football, soccer programs and the Boy Scouts, Jim has an intimate knowledge of what the community's recreation needs are and how to fill them. As a result of his vision and dedication, Jim has been recognized with the Founder's Award from the Ventura County Special Districts Association; Board Member of the Year from the California Association of Recreation & Park Districts; 2002 Board Member of the Year from the American Park & Recreation Society; and the 2002 Meritorious Service Citizen Award from the American Park & Recreation Society. In addition to his recreational activities, Jim is a member of Disabled American Veterans, Simi Valley Chamber of Commerce, Kiwanis Club, Simi Valley Historical Society and the Simi Valley Christian Foundation for Homeless. Jim also found the time to be a husband, father and grandfather during those years. He and Amy have been married for more than 50 years and have five children and numerous grandchildren. Madam Speaker, the mark James L. Meredith leaves on Simi Valley and Oak Park--the communities the Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District serves--is both deep and enduring. I know my colleagues join me in thanking Jim for his tireless dedication to his community and in wishing him and Amy great joy in their retirement.

Mr. GALLEGLY

Mr. GALLEGLY. Madam Speaker, I rise in memory Donna Jevens, a close friend of mine and my wife, Janice, and anyone who ever knew her or worked with her. Donna was a vivacious woman who was the center of all that was positive. She worked with me for nearly 7 years in my Ventura County office, retiring to Surprise, Arizona, with her husband and high school sweetheart, Jim, in 2000. Donna was one of my case workers, handling every problem with efficiency and great empathy for the people whose problems she helped to solve. My staff do not consider themselves coworkers; they are family and Donna was an intregal member of our family. She also worked for another member of this chamber, Representative Tom McClintock, when Tom was a State representative. Tom and I both remember an unflappable personality with an ever-present smile. Her very presence brightened a room. Just before she died earlier this month, Janice and I traveled with my district director Paula Sheil to Arizona to visit Donna and Jim. Though near death, Donna was still upbeat and positive. She was a remarkable woman and will be remembered dearly. Prior to her work with Representative McClintock and me, Donna was an elementary school teacher. Donna was a proud member of the Alpha Gamma Delta Sorority at the University of Wisconsin, from which she graduated in 1961. She was also a longtime member of P.E.O., Camarillo Chapter UM, in California. During their retirement, Donna and Jim traveled the world and often visited their children and grandchildren. Aside from Jim, her husband of nearly 50 years, Donna is survived by her son, Rob, in Chicago; and son, Tom, daughter-in-law Heather, and granddaughters Emily and Allison, in San Jose, California. Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in sending our condolences to Donna's family and in remembering a remarkable public servant, mom, grandmother, wife and friend whose spirit will live within us forever. Godspeed, Donna.

Mr. GALLEGLY

Mr. GALLEGLY. Mr. Speaker, I support targeted sanctions against the government of Iran in an effort to stop the Iranian regime's pursuit of nuclear weapons. For this reason, I voted in favor of the Conference Report on the Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability, and Divestment Act on the floor of the House today. The effectiveness of this legislation will now depend on whether the sanctions are forcefully implemented by the Obama Administration. I urge the President to work closely with our allies and use all the tools provided by the Act to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear capability.

Mr. GALLEGLY

Mr. GALLEGLY. Madam Speaker, I rise in tribute to the Commonwealth of Australia and the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) for its quick and effective response to locating and rescuing Abby Sunderland, a 16-year-old sailor from Thousand Oaks, California, whose sailboat was severely damaged in the Indian Ocean. Abby was attempting to sail solo around the world when rough seas tore the mast from her boat, Wild Eyes, rendering cell phone communication with her sail team impossible. Abby activated two distress beacons, whose signal was picked up by the AMSA's Rescue Coordination Centre. At the time, Wild Eyes was in the search and rescue region of the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre at La Reunion, which is operated by France. However, AMSA immediately offered assistance. La Reunion asked for air search assistance and an AMSA crew departed from Perth at first light in a QANTAS A-330 Airbus passenger aircraft. Before the aircraft arrived on the scene, Abby's beacons indicated Wild Eyes had drifted into AMSA's search and rescue region. She was spotted at about 4 p.m. Australian time (11 p.m. PDT) about 2,000 nautical miles from western Australia. The AMSA crew made radio contact and found that Abby was alive and well, although with some scrapes and bruises. AMSA then coordinated with La Reunion to have a ship retrieve her from Wild Eyes. About 40 hours after Abby activated her beacons, the French fishing vessel, Ile De La Reunion had Abby safely on board. AMSA had dispatched a Global Express aircraft to the scene, which provided top cover during Abby's transfer to the fishing vessel and served as a communications relay between Wild Eyes and Ile De La Reunion. Media reports this morning stated that the crew of Ile De La Reunion delivered Abby to the remote Kerguelen Island yesterday afternoon, where she will catch a French patrol boat for the next leg of her journey home. Madam Speaker, while we are grateful to the French fishermen and French authorities for their role in Abby's rescue, it is the Australian government that took lead in ensuring she was found and rescued. I personally called Australian ambassador to the United States, His Excellency Kim Beazley, AC, on Friday to thank him for Australia's role in locating and rescuing one of my constituents at considerable time and cost to them. I would also like to publicly thank the Australian Maritime Safety Authority, the QANTAS crew, and all the support personnel who made Abby's rescue possible. I know my colleagues join me in thanking our ally and friend for her quick response to one of our citizens in distress.

Mr. GALLEGLY

Mr. GALLEGLY. Madam Speaker, I rise in tribute to my friend, Ken Starr, who is leaving his post overlooking Malibu, California, and the Pacific Ocean as dean of Pepperdine University's School of Law to return to his native Texas as Baylor University's 14th president. Judge Starr has had a long and storied career. After graduating law school, he became a clerk for then-Chief Justice Warren Burger. He left Justice Burger to work as an attorney in Los Angeles for several years before returning to Washington, DC, in 1981 to serve under U.S. Attorney General William French Smith. Judge Starr was a federal judge on the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals from 1983 to 1989 and was U.S. Solicitor General from 1989 to 1993. While on the bench, Judge Starr won the respect of both political parties. He was often mentioned as a potential U.S. Supreme Court nominee. In 1994, Judge Starr was appointed independent counsel to continue the investigation into the Whitewater land transactions begun by Robert Fiske. He was charged with investigating several allegations connected to President Clinton, eventually issuing a report on President Clinton's intentional cover-up in the Monica Lewinsky case, which led to the President's impeachment. On April 6, 2004, Judge Starr was appointed dean of Pepperdine University's School of Law--the second time the post was offered. During the Whitewater investigation and impeachment hearings, Judge Starr was painted by his enemies and the media as a wild-eyed zealot whose only goal was to bring down the presidency. The Judge Starr I know, and the Judge Starr history will record, is a soft-spoken and intelligent attorney and judge whose only goal has always been to serve the law. For the past 6 years, he has inspired young legal minds at Pepperdine University to embrace that goal as well. Beginning June 1, he will inspire young minds at Baylor. Madam Speaker, I know my colleagues will join me in congratulating Judge Starr for his appointment as president of Baylor University and in thanking him for his dedication to our up-and-coming leaders, for his contribution to the legal community, and for his long and distinguished service to our country.

Mr. GALLEGLY

Mr. GALLEGLY. Madam Speaker, I rise in tribute to Dean Rasmussen, businessman, philanthropist and recipient of this year's ALS Association's Lifetime Achievement Award. Dean's father died from ALS, commonly called Lou Gehrig's Disease, more than 20 years ago. Always a man of action, Dean joined the National Board of Directors for The ALS Association. He spearheaded advocacy programs in Washington, DC, and Sacramento, California, and was instrumental in the growth and success of the Los Angeles Chapter. Known as the godfather of The ALS Association's advocacy efforts, he served as the catalyst and provided seed money for the creation of the association's Advocacy Department. Subsequent advocacy efforts have resulted in nearly $1 billion of support for research, patient care and advocacy that helps people with ALS throughout the United States. Dean's success in driving The ALS Association to new heights is typical of his drive in business, sports and advocacy for education and our children. Dean graduated from the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy and served 2 years aboard Standard Oil of California tankers as a third mate before enrolling in Arizona State University, where he graduated with a bachelor's of science degree in construction. In 1968, he joined the company his father founded 4 years earlier as vice president and general manager. Dean is now the managing member of C. A. Rasmussen Co., LLC, and emeritus chairman of the board of C. A. Rasmussen, Inc., a privately- held, general engineering contracting firm that builds highways and other infrastructure throughout California. Among Dean's other activities, he is a former member of the Liberty Mutual Insurance Company Advisory Board, emeritus member of the board of trustees of Harvey Mudd College and former trustee/president of Harvey Mudd College's Friends Committee. He is also a former trustee and campaign chairman of Viewpoint School in Calabasas, California, past president of the Southern California Contractors Association and emeritus director of Casa Pacifica (an abused children's home serving Ventura County). Dean enjoys spending time with his wife, Kathleen, and his four children; reading history; collecting shotguns and fine wines; as well as bird hunting and other shooting sports. He is a member the Ventura County Game Preserve Association, the Point Mugu Gun Club, a life member of the National Rifle Association, and is on the Board of the L. C. Smith Collectors Association. Madam Speaker, I know my colleagues will join me in congratulating my wife, Janice's, and my friend of 40 years, Dean Rasmussen for earning The ALS Association Lifetime Achievement Award and in thanking him for a lifetime of service to his community and country.

Mr. GALLEGLY

Mr. GALLEGLY. Madam Speaker, I rise in recognition of Gills Onions, a Ventura County, California, company recently awarded the Grand Conceptor Award from the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC), considered the Academy Awards for engineering. Gills Onions, owned by Steve and David Gill, teamed with HDR Engineering to develop a groundbreaking waste-to-energy system fueled solely from onions. Gills Onions and HDR were chosen from a field of eight finalists selected from among 163 projects worldwide. ACEC represents more than 5,600 engineering firms throughout the United States. Other finalists included the new $1.3 billion Dallas Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas, and the Sea-to-Sky Highway project in British Columbia, Canada. Gills Onions hired HDR Engineering to develop the Advanced Energy Recovery System (AERS), which converts 200,000 pounds of daily onion waste (peels, stems, and tops) into biogas. The biogas, in turn, powers 300-kilowatt fuel cells to supply plant operations. Gills Onions is the world's largest processor of fresh-cut onions and distributes them across the nation. AERS satisfies 60 percent of Gills Onions' annual power needs--an estimated $1.1 million savings. In addition to increased energy independence, AERS has allowed Gills Onions to eliminate a waste stream, reduce its operational costs and provide a smaller carbon footprint. The combination of the energy produced, cost savings generated and grant funding achieved by the project will result in a full payback in less than six years. Madam Speaker, I know my colleagues will join me congratulating Steve and David Gill and Gills Onions for being awarded the Grand Conceptor Award and for their out-the-box thinking that has possibly revolutionized how food processing waste is treated.

Mr. GALLEGLY

Mr. GALLEGLY. Madam Speaker, I rise in memory of Christie Stanley, the first female District Attorney for the County of Santa Barbara, California, who died this week at 61 years young after a courageous fight against cancer. Christie was elected District Attorney in June 2006 with 70 percent of the vote. In many ways, she epitomizes the American Dream and how hard work and perseverance can bring a person to the pinnacle of her career. Christie graduated from Ventura College of Law Magna Cum Laude, first in her class, while married, caring for two young daughters and commuting from Lompoc for 4 years--a round-trip of about 160 miles. She was drawn to a career in law enforcement while in Kansas for her uncle's funeral. While she was there, her uncle's murderer was caught and brought through the small town square. Armed townspeople waited, intent on vengeance. The officers who had him in custody--friends and colleagues of Christie's uncle--brought the killer in safely so he could be prosecuted. ``I was and am consistently impressed by law enforcement professionals who do the right thing, even when it is the hard thing to do,'' Christie said of the experience. Christie practiced civil law for 2 years before she joined the Santa Barbara County District Attorney's office in 1980. Soon after she was assigned to supervise the Lompoc District Attorney's office. She prosecuted hundreds of cases, including murders, rapes and arson, and had a nearly perfect conviction record. In 1984, she was recognized as ``Deputy District Attorney of the Year.'' She had been an associate member of the Santa Barbara County Law Enforcement Chiefs since 1991, was an original Core Committee Member for the creation and operation of the Substance Abuse Treatment Court and trained volunteers for the Lompoc Rape Crisis Center. Christie is survived by her husband Gary; daughters Renee Edman and Dawn Wright; stepchildren Mark Stanley, Ryan Stanley and Tami Millican; mother Jeanette Claycamp; and her grandchildren. Madam Speaker, I know my colleagues will join me in offering our condolences to Christie's family and friends and in remembering a life dedicated to incarcerating criminals and caring for their victims.

Mr. GALLEGLY

Mr. GALLEGLY. Madam Speaker, I rise in tribute to Deb Holler, who will be honored Friday as the 2010 Woman of the Year by the First Ladies of Simi Valley Hospital Foundation. Every year, First Ladies honors one remarkable woman from a local business or organization who gives of her time, talents and treasures to a local organization that benefits the community. Deb Holler gives of her time, talents and treasures in spades. Deb and her husband, Bob Huber, have been close personal friends of my wife, Janice, and me for many, many years and I know firsthand the contributions she has made. For the past 20 years, Deb has been deeply active in the community she calls home. She supports many community events and has graciously opened her home for a wide variety of fundraisers for community organizations. Deb has been a member of the Rotary Club of Simi Valley for the past 13 years and is the current President. She also serves on several boards within the community, including the Simi Valley Chamber of Commerce, where she served as its Chief Financial Officer, and the Boys & Girls Club. Deb also has been involved with the Moorpark Community College Foundation Board and is a graduate of Leadership Simi Valley. In 2006, Deb was named Business Person of the Year by the Simi Valley Chamber of Commerce for her high ethical business standards and outstanding leadership abilities. Over the years, Deb has hosted numerous fundraisers for many worthy organizations, including the Free Clinic of Simi Valley, the Rotary Club of Simi Valley, the Simi Valley Community Foundation, the Boys & Girls Club, the Samaritan Center and the Moorpark College Foundation. Deb has consistently made herself available to help others for many years, oftentimes putting her own needs aside to do so. Deb Holler is categorically deserving of this honor. Madam Speaker, I know my colleagues will join the First Ladies of Simi Valley Hospital Foundation and me in thanking Deb Holler for her numerous contributions to her community and in congratulating her for being awarded Woman of the Year.

Mr. GALLEGLY

Mr. GALLEGLY. Mr. Speaker, if Congress wants to remove fraud and abuse from the healthcare system, it can start by overturning this bill. The Congressional Budget Office released an updated analysis of H.R. 4872. According to the Congressional Budget Office, this bill will cost taxpayers $1 trillion. The analysis also confirmed that this bill will raise healthcare premiums $2,100 more a year for millions of families than if Speaker Pelosi had left healthcare alone. It also reaffirmed that as many as 9 million people now enrolled in employer-based plans will lose their coverage. At a time when our military men and women are fighting terrorists around the world, the national commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars urged Congress to vote the bill down because it does not protect veteran healthcare plans. At a time when unemployment has hit a record 11.6 percent in Ventura County and 10.4 percent in Santa Barbara County, Speaker Pelosi's bill adds $569.2 billion of additional taxes onto the backs of American families and $52 billion on struggling employers. It hurts seniors with $200 billion in cuts to Medicare Advantage and raids Medicare and Social Security to fund the new mandate and hide the true cost of the bill. This bill must be overturned before the bulk of its provisions take effect in 2014. I support real reform that reduces premiums, reduces government spending and protects the doctor-patient relationship. I cosponsored a bill that would provide real reform, but Speaker Pelosi will not allow a vote on it. It includes: Allowing small businesses to band together to purchase health insurance for employees and use their combined bargaining power to negotiate better health benefits at lower prices. Reforming medical liability laws to discourage unnecessary and frivolous lawsuits, which only drive up prices for everyone and force doctors to practice defensive medicine. Removing unnecessary regulations that prevent health insurance companies from operating across state lines--which will provide the competition without government-run health care. Establishing high-risk pools to help people with pre-existing conditions find affordable insurance. I and many of my colleagues believe issues of portability, increasing costs and rescinding coverage must be addressed. However, in doing so, we must also protect a patient's right to choose the best coverage for him or herself in a vibrant, competitive marketplace, not force Americans into a one-size-fits-all government-run program designed by Speaker Pelosi.

Mr. GALLEGLY

Mr. GALLEGLY. Madam Speaker, I rise in memory of an extraordinary actor, a gentleman, a family man, a successful vintner and hotelier, and a patriotic American, Fess Parker, who died Thursday after 85 years of making the world around him a better place. My wife, Janice, and I were fortunate to call Fess Parker and his wife, Marcella, our friends. I first met Fess in 1987 when by chance we were seated together on a flight from Washington, DC, to Los Angeles. He had just left the White House where he had been a guest of his old friend Ronald Reagan and I was on my weekly trip home. From that chance meeting, we built a lasting friendship. I had the good fortune of visiting with Fess on several occasions at his home in Los Olivos. Fess was a humble man with a great sense of humor. He shared many great stories, like how he was discovered by Adolphe Menjou, the debonair movie star of the '30s and '40s. At the time, Fess was a student at the University of Texas and president of his fraternity. Fess chauffeured Mr. Menjou on his visit to the university, they built a rapport and Menjou paved the way for Fess's own success in Hollywood. There were many other stories, but none that I enjoyed more than how he met the love of his life, Marcella. It was a true love story that even the most talented of Hollywood writers could not have created. My experience with Fess is typical. He never acted like a Hollywood star in private life. After more than 20 years in Hollywood, Fess and Marcella moved to Santa Barbara County. There he produced Fess Parker wine from his 2,200-acre vineyard and opened two top-class hotels, the Fess Parker Wine County Inn and Spa in Los Olivos and Fess Parker Doubletree Inn in Santa Barbara. His wine bottles feature the familiar coonskin cap he made famous in his role as Davey Crockett, as do wine glasses sold at the winery. Fess Parker was known to spend hours signing wine bottles for visitors while regaling them with stories of Hollywood. He and Marcella also were well-known in town, often seen walking hand-in-hand. In addition to Marcella, with whom Fess celebrated 50 years of marriage in January, Fess Parker is survived by his son, Eli; daughter, Ashley; 11 grandchildren; a great-grandchild; hundreds of friends and millions of fans. Madam Speaker, I know my colleagues will join me in offering our condolences to Marcella, Eli, Ashley and their entire family, and in remembering a Hollywood icon whose off-screen values and successes in many ways surpassed the successes of his onscreen personas.

Mr. GALLEGLY

Mr. GALLEGLY. Madam Speaker, I rise in tribute the Los Padres Council, Boy Scouts of America, as the Boy Scouts celebrate 100 years on February 8, 2010. The mission of the Boy Scouts of America is to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Law. Today's Boy Scouts are tomorrow's leaders, as evidenced by the fact that more than 200 members of the 111th Congress were Boy Scouts or adult leaders, including myself. Boy Scouts alumni also include 179 U.S. astronauts, 35.5 percent of the United States Military Academy cadets, 30.5 percent of United States Air Force Academy cadets and 25 percent of United States Naval Academy midshipmen. In 2005, the Boy Scouts of America and the Youth and Family Research Center produced a report on the ``Values of Americans, A Study of Ethics and Character.'' The report found: ``Compared with men who were never Scouts, men who were Scouts five or more years as youth are more satisfied with their present lives and occupations, have sustained lifelong friendships, and place a higher value on family relationships. Men who were Scouts also earn higher incomes, achieve higher levels of education, and attend religious services more often then men who were never Scouts. ``Boys who are or were Scouts also agree that Scouting is a positive influence in their life. Scouting has helped them gain self-confidence, leadership skills, determination, and social interaction skills. Scouting has also impacted their academic skills. Scouting activities have helped Scouts improve their reading, science, engineering, physical fitness, and emergency preparedness skills. In addition, boys who are Scouts report earning higher grades than do boys who were never Scouts.'' Furthermore, the report also found that, ``Scouts are also more likely to make the most ethical decisions, not the easiest. Scouts are more likely to volunteer to be a leader, practice responsible recycling procedures, and take part in community service. They are also more likely to report a classmate with a gun and are less likely than non- Scouts to drink alcohol.'' It is clear that the Boy Scouts of America has had a positive impact on our youth for a century. The Los Padres Council, which reaches across Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo Counties, is at the forefront of training tomorrow's leaders by serving more than 9,000 Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, and Venturers. Madam Speaker, I know my colleagues will join me in paying tribute to the Boy Scouts of America and the Los Padres Council for their dedication to molding our youth into responsible and high-achieving citizens.

Mr. GALLEGLY

Mr. GALLEGLY. Madam Speaker, I rise in tribute to Robert O. ``Bob'' Huber, who was recently awarded the Ben E. Nordman 2009 Public Services Award by the Ventura County Bar Association in recognition of his many years of community service. This award recognizes outstanding community contributions by a Ventura County, California, attorney through charitable and public services activities. One would be hard-pressed to find someone more deserving of the award than Bob. I have known, and been friends with, Bob for more than 30 years. We served together on the Simi Valley City Council in the early 1980s and he was one of my first and most fervent supporters when I decided to run for Congress. Bob became an attorney after 13 years as a mortician. He runs his own law office in partnership with Russ Takasugi and has served as a Judge Pro Tem since 1981. In 2004, he returned to elective office as a Ventura County Community College District trustee. He currently serves as board president. As examples of his leadership, Bob initiated the first Affordable Housing Committee in the state of California while serving on the Simi Valley City Council. As a College District trustee, he prompted the board to launch an emergency response system to protect students at the district's three campuses after the Virginia Tech massacre. The district was the first college or university system in California to launch an emergency program and earned the district a special commendation from the State Chancellor's office. Throughout the years, Bob has also served on a number of governmental boards and commissions. He also became active in the private sector starting at an early age. For instance, he was 27 years old the first time he served as president of the Simi Valley Chamber of Commerce. In addition, he has also headed his Rotary Club, the Simi Valley Boy Scout District, the Southeast Ventura County YMCA and the Administrative board of the United Methodist Church of Simi Valley. He was a founding steering committee board member for Leadership Simi Valley, the Simi Valley Education Foundation and the Simi Valley Community Foundation. He has also provided pro bono legal work for the Simi Valley Chamber of Commerce, the United Methodist Church, the Presbyterian Church, the Rotary Club, the Boys & Girls Club, the Free Clinic of Simi Valley, the Simi Valley Community Foundation and the Simi Valley Cultural Arts Foundation. There is more but, in short, Bob Huber is very deserving of this honor. Madam Speaker, I know my colleagues will join me in congratulating Robert O. ``Bob'' Huber for earning the Ben E. Nordman 2009 Public Services Award and in thanking him for his many decades of service to his community.

Mr. GALLEGLY

Mr. GALLEGLY. Madam Speaker, I rise in memory of Nao Takasugi, a former California assemblyman and Oxnard mayor, who passed away last week after 87 years of dedication to family, friends, his country and his community. Nao and I served together on the Ventura County Regional Sanitation Board more than 30 years ago and he and his wife, Judy, quickly became friends with me and my wife, Janice. I have also been friends with his son Russell for more than 30 years though Russell's law partnership with Bob Huber. They are a close and strong family. Nao was an incredible gentleman. I don't think I ever heard him raise his voice. His strength was in quiet determination, a will to do good always, and an undyingly optimistic outlook. Nao's parents immigrated to the United States from Japan and set up shop in Oxnard, California, where Nao was born on April 5, 1922. When World War II broke out, Nao was a junior at UCLA and he was called home to help his family pack their belongings. With thousands of other Japanese-Americans, the Takasugi family was sent to internment camps, first at the Tulare County fairgrounds and then at Gila River, Arizona. Nao's parents would have lost the Asahi Market his father had owned and operated since 1907 if it hadn't been for an employee, Ignacio Carmona, who offered to run it in their absence. When the family returned, Ignacio handed the keys over and thanked Nao's father for the opportunity to run the business. Nao's family spent the entire war in an internment camp but Nao was offered an opportunity to continue his studies through a program run by the American Friends Service Committee and the Quakers in Philadelphia. He completed his business degree at Temple University in 1945 and went on to earn his master's from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. Then he returned to Oxnard to help run Asahi Market. In Tom Brokaw's book, The Greatest Generation, Nao described the internment camp experience this way: ``I find that I am compelled to remember the best--not the worst--of that time. To focus not on the grave deprivation of rights which beset us all, but rather on the countless shining moments of virtue that emerged from the shadows of that dark hour.'' Nao's road into politics mirrored my own. When the city denied his plans for a new sign, he decided politics needed a businessman's perspective. He was appointed to the planning commission, ran for city council and won, ran for mayor and won consecutive terms, ran for the California Assembly and was elected to three terms, then was elected to two terms on the Oxnard Harbor Commission. Nao experienced the best and the worst that America had to offer during often trying times. Many Americans experienced the best America has to offer because of Nao's friendship, compassion and dedication to his country. I will miss him. Madam Speaker, I know my colleagues will join me in sending our condolences to Judy, their children, and all their family and friends, and in remembering a gentle man who left an indelible mark.

Mr. GALLEGLY

Mr. GALLEGLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the amendment offered by Mr. Boehner. I have long supported changes to current health care system which reduce health care costs through increased efficiency and provide affordable insurance for people with preexisting conditions. But, at the same time, any changes to our current system should ensure doctors and patients are allowed to make health care decisions--not government bureaucrats. Therefore, I support real health insurance reform and support the version offered by the Minority Leader, which would: Lower health care premiums for working families, Allow small businesses to join together in order to buy reasonably priced health insurance, Reduce medical costs by limiting frivolous medical malpractice lawsuits, Prevent insurers from unjustly cancelling health insurance policies, and Establish universal access programs that provide affordable insurance for people with preexisting conditions. Mr. Speaker, we should not consider changes of this magnitude without a complete report from the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, CBO. The preliminary estimate from the CBO puts the cost of H.R. 3962 at more than $1.05 trillion, but many independent experts believe this bill will actually increase Federal expenditures by more than $1.3 trillion. In addition, this bill would impose $730 billion in new taxes and mandates on individuals and small businesses. Most economists, including CBO experts, have concluded that these requirements could increase unemployment by discouraging businesses from hiring low-wage workers. It could also lead to wage stagnation as payroll is diverted to comply with new Federal mandates on health care coverage. I am also concerned about the impact of this proposal on Medicare beneficiaries. H.R. 3962 would cut $400 billion from Medicare over 10 years, including a $170 billion reduction to Medicare Advantage plans, which provides insurance coverage for many seniors. Finally, H.R. 3962 does not address the problem of frivolous malpractice lawsuits in a meaningful way. These suits lead to the practice of expensive, defensive medicine and raise the health care expenses of all patients. I urge my colleagues to reject H.R. 3962 and support the amendment offered by Mr. Boehner.

Mr. GALLEGLY

Mr. GALLEGLY. Madam Speaker, I rise in recognition of the City of Simi Valley's 40th birthday. On September 20, 1969, the people who lived in the unincorporated Ventura County, California, communities of Simi Valley and Santa Susana voted 6,454 to 3,685 to incorporate. On October 10, 1969, the combined communities officially incorporated into the city of Simi Valley. Simi Valley lies on the far eastern end of Ventura County. Ventura, the county seat, lies on the far western end. It is a long drive to obtain governmental approval, and the quest for local control is what drove incorporation. Since incorporation, the people of the city have worked tirelessly to structure a safe, balanced, family-friendly and business-friendly community. It was done by embracing citizen involvement. Neighborhood Councils, the Youth Council and the Council On Aging were established as part of the government infrastructure, ensuring that residents of all ages have an opportunity to be heard and to be involved in government decisions at a grassroots level. Today, Simi Valley maintains more than 20 citizen advisory boards and commissions that advise the City Council on a variety of community issues. Obviously, in any city differences of opinion arise. But unlike in some cities, Simi Valley's elected leaders have a well-earned reputation for discussing issues vigorously and then, once a vote is taken and the decision is made, having all sides come together behind that decision. I believe that is very much the result of empowering the community to shape the issues before they come to the City Council. Madam Speaker, I am proud of my role in helping to shape Simi Valley. I served on the City Council as a member and appointed mayor, and as the city's first elected mayor, from 1979 to 1986. During that time, we began bringing jobs into what was then primarily a bedroom community, and there was much debate on how to accomplish that. One of the issues that came from that debate was the creation of the city's first hillside ordinances, which we passed while I was mayor. The issue was framed by many as preservation vs. development. I was seen as being on the side of development. Then-Councilwoman Ann Rock was seen as being on the side of preservation. Either side could have dug in their heels and accomplished nothing. Instead, working together, and with the help of many other conscientious people, Ann and I crafted an ordinance that worked for both sides. In the process, Ann and I also became dear friends. Ann has since passed away, but her handiwork can still be seen in much of Simi Valley. Simi Valley shows the handiwork of many, many others, too. From the burgeoning farming community that incorporated in 1969, Simi Valley has grown into a balanced city of about 120,000 people with homes, schools and churches alongside upscale retail centers and clean industry. Since 1993, it has been among the top 10 safest cities in America, and topped the list several times. It is the home of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum and the gateway to Ventura County. I am proud of the city I have called home since before it was a city. Madam Speaker, I know my colleagues will join me wishing Simi Valley, California, a happy 40th birthday and congratulate its citizens on a job well done.

Mr. GALLEGLY

Mr. GALLEGLY. Mr. Speaker, I would like to express my strong support for H.R. 2522, which is a bill introduced earlier this year that would raise the ceiling on the Federal share of the cost of completing the Calleguas Municipal Water District Recycling Project. I believe most of the country knows about the water shortage plaguing the state of California. In my district, maintaining adequate water supplies has also become increasingly problematic, especially as the traditional sources of imported water have become unreliable. For this reason, I introduced H.R. 2522, which will assist the Calleguas Municipal Water District with the development of new water sources. Specifically, this legislation would authorize an additional $40 million in funding for the Bureau of Reclamation to support the completion of a salinity management pipeline, also known as a brine line. This pipeline will collect salty water generated by desalting facilities and excess recycled water and then transport that water for reuse elsewhere. The result will be both improved water quality and an enhanced supply of local groundwater. The increased use of recycled water will expand the water available for approximately 600,000 of my constituents and, at the same time, reduce dependence on water from the sensitive Bay-Delta ecosystem. In an era of drought and water shortages throughout California, local water districts need to do all they can to reduce their dependence on increasingly scarce supplies of imported water. I want to thank Chairman Rahall and Ranking Member Hastings, along with their staffs, for their assistance with moving this important legislation.

Mr. GALLEGLY

Mr. GALLEGLY. Madam Speaker, I wish to make the following disclosure in accordance with the Republican Earmark Transparency Standards requiring members to place a statement in the Congressional Record prior to a floor vote on a bill that includes an earmark that I have requested. H.R. 2522, a bill to raise the ceiling on the Federal share of the cost of the Calleguas Municipal Water District Recycling Project, and for other purposes, which I introduced on May 20, 2009, contains one earmark as defined under House Rule XXI, clause 9. The earmark contained in H.R. 2522 would authorize additional appropriations for a project under Title XVI of Public Law 104-266, the Reclamation Recycling and Water Conservation Act of 1996. The project authorized under H.R. 2522 would authorize an additional $40 million in federal spending authority, not to exceed 25 percent of the total project cost, to allow the Calleguas Municipal Water District to fully complete their Salinity Management Pipeline, which will generate an additional 27,000 acre feet per year of groundwater and facilitate the use of an additional 16,000 acre feet per year of recycled water in the area. Consistent with the Republican Leadership's policy on earmarks, I hereby certify that to the best of my knowledge this request (1) is not directed to an entity or program that will be named after a sitting Member of Congress; (2) is not intended to be used by an entity to secure funds for other entities unless the use of funding is consistent with the specified purpose of the earmark; and (3) meets or exceeds all statutory requirements for matching funds where applicable.

Mr. GALLEGLY

Mr. GALLEGLY. Madam Speaker, I rise in memory of Lompoc, California, Mayor Dick DeWees, who passed away last night from complications related to a prior medical condition. Dick DeWees was more than a legislative colleague. He was an ally and personal friend. The relationship we built over the years greatly benefited our mutual constituencies. I will miss his leadership and friendship. Dick and his wife of more than 30 years, Jane, moved to Santa Barbara in 1974 and to Lompoc in 1987, where Dick quickly became involved in the community. In addition to serving as mayor, Dick served on the Santa Barbara County Local Agency Formation Commission and is its past chairman, and was the City of Lompoc's representative on the Santa Barbara County Association of Governments. Dick also served on numerous local non-profit organization boards. As owner of a local advertising agency, DeWees & Company Media Services, which specializes in electronic media, Dick was the recipient of the Sam Walton Business Leader Award. In addition, he taught a public speaking course at the Lompoc Valley Center of Alan Hancock College. Jane and Dick met while they were performing Summer Stock Theater together in Michigan. Their two married children, Nathan and Anna, also live in Lompoc, as does their first grandchild, Emma Chastain. Mr. Speaker, I know my colleagues will join me in sending our condolences to Jane, their children, their grandchild, and all their family and friends. Godspeed, Dick.

Mr. GALLEGLY

Mr. GALLEGLY. Madam Speaker, pursuant to the Republican Leadership standards on earmarks, I am submitting the following information regarding earmarks I received as part of H.R. 3326, the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2010: Requesting Member: Rep. Elton Gallegly Bill: H.R. 3326, the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2010 Account: Research, Development, Test and Evaluation, Navy; Electronic Warfare Development Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Regional Defense Partnership--21st Century Address of Requesting Entity: 311 Main Road, Building 1, Point Mugu, CA 93042 Description of Request: Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division (NAWCWD) Point Mugu is an Electronic Warfare Center of Excellence for the development and maintenance of airborne electronic attack, tactical, and assault system platform electronic warfare (EW) systems. This request for $4,500,000 is for a laboratory upgrade at Point Mugu that would directly support EA-18G, EA-6B, MH-60, and E-2C platform development. Additionally, this enhanced capability would provide risk reduction to current acquisition programs such as the P-8A multi mission aircraft. In order to be effective in modern battle scenarios containing multiple threats, the EW weapon system requires the exact location and type of all the threats in a 360 degree, or four quadrant, field of view. The current lab equipment is limited to simulating a 180 degree, or 2 quadrant, field of view of the battle space. The EW Center of Excellence at NAWCWD Point Mugu utilizes laboratory test equipment to simulate this complex electronic battle space. Testing that cannot be performed in the laboratory must be done using flight test hours on an open air EW range. This not only costs more, it is also very difficult to obtain test repeatability and exposes the system under test to electronic eavesdropping. No open air range can duplicate the dense electromagnetic environment of large numbers of threat and friendly emitters encountered in a modern battle scenario. This can only be replicated through laboratory simulation. Funding is requested to upgrade the EW laboratory facility at NAWCWD Point Mugu to a four quadrant simulation capability and acquire the AMES III High Speed Calibrator and the Airborne Interceptor Simulator for real world threat simulations. The bill provides $4,000,000 in funding for this project request.