Elton Gallegly

Mr. GALLEGLY

Mr. GALLEGLY. Madam Speaker, I rise in honor of Lorene Foster, who will turn 100 years young on October 20. Lorene has been a resident of Simi Valley, California, since 1947. A real Simi Valley pioneer, she and her late husband, Chester, owned and operated the Simi Susana Airport in the east end of Simi Valley, where I kept my airplane when I was a private pilot. Lorene and Chester became my good friends. Lorene has always been active and organized. She was involved in the Simi Valley Women's Club, PTA and served as class parent, 4-H, Campfire Girls, Bluebirds, Bridge Club, Boots and Slippers Square Dancing, Community Drama Group, Garden Club, and was a Simi Valley Hospital volunteer. Many of the groups she involved herself with she led or served as president. Somehow, she also found time to travel around the world--twice. Lorene still lives on her own and cares for her own finances. She still enjoys floral arranging, board games, cards, and painting. Lorene also enjoys her 3 daughters, 14 grandchildren, and 15 great- grandchildren. Madam Speaker, I know my colleagues join my wife, Janice, and me in congratulating Lorene for 100 years of good and active living and in wishing her many more.

Mr. GALLEGLY

Mr. GALLEGLY. Madam Speaker, I rise in tribute to Pat and Jerry B. Epstein, who will be honored next month by the Saint John's Health Center Foundation with the prestigious Spirit of Saint John's Award. My wife, Janice, and I have known Pat and Jerry for 25 years. Jerry is a hardworking, industrious, and charitable entrepreneur. Jerry and Pat's philanthropic endeavors have helped legions, myself included. Pat and Jerry are being honored by Saint John's for their ``vision, determination, and generosity of spirit'' which has ``advanced the mission of the Health Center.'' Jerry has been a member of the Board of Trustees since 1975 and served as chairman in 2006 and 2007. His vast involvement has included leadership of the Development Oversight Committee, Building Committee, Leadership Giving, Jimmy Stewart Relay Marathon Committee and Chautauqua Inaugural Committee, Board of Counselors, The Endowment Legacy Project and the Campaign for Saint John's. He also served as member of the Executive, Finance, and Board Affairs committees. Pat is one of the founding members of the Irene Dunne Guild, founded in 1987 to advance Saint John's mission. With more than 100 dedicated members, the Guild is a major support group of Saint John's Health Center. Guild members are goodwill ambassadors to the community and are committed to promoting the charitable objectives of Saint John's Health Center Foundation. Pat is also a committee member of the Women's Health Initiative and serves on several fundraising event committees. Pat has hosted countless dinners and special events in their home to introduce friends and neighbors to Saint John's. Yet, this only touches on their involvement in the community. A World War II veteran as both an enlisted man and commissioned officer, Jerry has been involved in the development, construction and management of real estate since 1952, and is probably best known as one of the founders of Marina Del Rey, CA. His many involvements include chairman of the Energy Commission for the Cities and County of Los Angeles from 1981-1984; service on the Los Angeles State Building Authority since 1983, for which he is currently president; service on the city of Los Angeles Board of Airport Commissioners from 1985-1990, including 2 years as president; service from 1991-1997 on the California Transportation Commission, including 2 years as chair; member of the Board of Directors of The Jewish Federation of Los Angeles; and member of the Board of Governors of the Southern California Division of NCCJ. The list goes on, and even this impressive list does not do them justice, but the time grows short. Madam Speaker, let me close by asking my colleagues to join Janice and me in thanking Jerry and Pat, his wife and partner of 60 years, for their many years of passionate service to our community and to join with Saint John's in honoring them for their ``vision, determination, and generosity of spirit.''

Mr. GALLEGLY

Mr. GALLEGLY. Madam Speaker, I rise in honor of Simi Valley Police Department Sergeant Archer Raymond Morgan, Jr., who will retire October 12 after 33 years of dedicated and exceptional service to the department and the city it serves. Simi Valley, California, has been my home for more than 40 years. When I was first elected to the City Council, Simi Valley's public safety was entrusted to the Simi Valley Community Safety Agency. Officers rode in white cars and wore light blue uniform shirts. It was an intentionally low-key and, some might say, casual approach to law enforcement. Not long after my election to the council, I became the city's first elected mayor. Soon thereafter, we transformed the Simi Valley Community Safety Agency into the Simi Valley Police Department. White patrol cars became traditional black and whites. Community safety officers became trained and professional police officers and dressed the part. Arch Morgan was an integral part of that transformation into a professional police force. I have done several ride-alongs with Arch over the years--in both white cars and black and whites. He is a professional's professional and one of the most liked and respected members of the department. Arch worked patrol for the first 5 years with the department. He also served as the department's Court Officer, field training officer, and on the department's Driving Under the Influence Team (DUIT). In 1980, he was promoted to sergeant. As a sergeant, Arch worked in Patrol, Patrol Support, Youth Services, Inspection & Planning, and the Special Enforcement Detail. For the past 11\1/2\ years, he has supervised the Field Training Office Program. Prior to his law enforcement career, Arch was a Medical Corpsman for the U.S. Army National Guard. He earned his associate of arts with a Police Science major from Moorpark College. Sergeant Archer Raymond Morgan, Jr., epitomizes the professionalism of the Police Department he has served for more than 3 decades and on which he has left a visible possible mark. Madam Speaker, I know my colleagues join me in thanking Arch Morgan for his dedication to the Simi Valley Police Department and the people it serves, and in wishing him well in a long and fruitful retirement.

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 the Senate Amendment to H.R. 2638--Consolidated Security, Disaster Assistance, and Continuing Appropriations Act, 2009: Requesting Member: Representative Elton Gallegly, CA-24. Bill: The Senate Amendment to H.R. 2638--Consolidated Security, Disaster Assistance, and Continuing Appropriations Act, 2009. Account: Research, Development, Testing, and Evaluation, Navy, Line 94, Electronic Warfare Development. Legal name and address of receiving entity: NAWCWD Point Mugu at Naval Base Ventura County, Point Mugu, CA 93042. Description of Request: This $1,600,000 would be for the development and construction of the Enhanced Electronic Warfare laboratory at NAWCWD Point Mugu. This laboratory upgrade at Point Mugu would directly support EA-18G, EA-6B, MH-60, and the E-2C platform development. In order to be effective in modern battle scenarios that contain multiple threats, the EW weapon system requires the exact location and type of all the threats in a 360 degree, or 4 quadrant, field of view. The lack of a four quadrant simulation capability does not allow for complete lab testing of modern EW weapons systems. Four quadrant lab testing results in cost savings and more accurate test results due to the repeatability of test data without having to repeat test flights. Requesting Member: Representative Elton Gallegly, CA-24. Bill: The Senate Amendment to H.R. 2638--Consolidated Security, Disaster Assistance, and Continuing Appropriations Act, 2009. Account: Other Procurement, Navy, Line #91, Aviation Support Equipment, Weapons Range. Legal name and address of receiving entity: Argon ST, located at 2810 Bunsen Avenue, Ventura, CA 93003. Description of request: This $1.28 million increase to this account will be used to fabricate Advanced Ground Target Threat Simulators (AGTTS) that simulate current threats and to develop AGTTS that simulate new emerging threats that U.S. personnel and their weapon systems may have to face. The AGTTS program will provide the majority of the land-based simulators that U.S. forces will be able to use for weapons T&E and operator training. I am told that the funding will be used to design, analyze, develop, field and sustain the AGTTS. Requesting Member: Representative Elton Gallegly, CA-24. Bill: The Senate Amendment to H.R. 2638--Consolidated Security, Disaster Assistance, and Continuing Appropriations Act, 2009. Account: Other Procurement, Army, Line 118, Communications and Electronics Equipment, Items under $5 million. Legal name and address of receiving entity: ITT/EDO, 2193 Anchor Court, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. Description of request: This $1,600,000 would upgrade and replace GPS survey tools for Army topographic engineers. The current instruments face a growing parts obsolescence problem and are subject to GPS jamming. This would create as many as fifty jobs in Ventura County. I am told that approximately half of the funding would be used to update and integrate real-time kinematic algorithms and modify SAASM software; approximately 25% of the remaining funding would be used to test data collection software and a handheld controller; and the remaining funding would be used to complete and test the prototype system. Requesting Member: Representative Elton Gallegly, CA-24. Bill: The Senate Amendment to H.R. 2638--Consolidated Security, Disaster Assistance, and Continuing Appropriations Act, 2009. Account: RDT&E, Navy, Line 70, PE# 0603795N, Land Attack Technology. Legal name and address of receiving entity: MBDA, 5701 Lindero Canyon Road, Suite 4 100, Westlake Village, CA 91362. Description of request: This increase in this account would allow the Navy to continue development of innovative missile solutions for an Affordable Weapons System (AWS), capable of operating from ships and with a potential Navy/USMC airborne launch capability. Phase I, under completion, will define detailed weapon system missions, system and subsystem requirements and capabilities, and system architecture to allow the Navy to begin Phase II and serve as a basis for subsequent development. The requested funding will transition AWS from Phase I to Phase II, selecting the best materiel approaches for subsystem development, testing and program risk reduction and create aerospace engineering jobs in Southern California. Specifically, $5.8 million of this increase will provide a technical design baseline; will identify expected service life, environmental limits, reliability, maintainability, and system operational tempo; will prescribe a test program for system certification; and a plan for weapon system integration on surface vessels and aircraft to meet Service requirements. Further breakout of funds as follows: $2.8M to MBDA, $1.7M to Subcontractors, $1.3M for Navy Management. Requesting Member: Representative Elton Gallegly, CA-24. Bill: The Senate Amendment to H.R. 2638--Consolidated Security, Disaster Assistance, and Continuing Appropriations Act, 2009. Account: RDT&E, Defense-Wide, Line 95, PE# 604608D8Z, Joint Capability Technology Demonstration (JCTD). Legal name and address of receiving entity: Malibu Research, 3760-A Calle Tecate, Camarillo, CA 93012. Description of request: This $1,600,000 would create jobs in Ventura County that will help to further develop for deployment the Silent Guardian--Active Denial System, which provides an alternative to deadly force by generating a very focused and controllable millimeter wave energy that the skin absorbs, producing a heat sensation that rapidly becomes intolerable. The sensation stops immediately when subject steps out of the beam or it is turned off. This will be used for soldiers, who, Under Escalation Of Force (EOF) protocol, are supposed to perform actions to get the drivers of potentially threatening vehicles to stop. In today's operational environment, soldiers conducting security and peace enforcement operations along convoy routes and at checkpoints face the extreme circumstance of making instantaneous life and death decisions balancing the EOF and ROE. With this funding, I am told that approximately $500,000 will be used to develop high power waveguide lens and procure long lead items including transmitter; approximately $800,000 will be used to fabricate large diameter W band system prototype; and approximately $300,000 will be used to perform functional testing of W band prototype.

Mr. GALLEGLY

Mr. GALLEGLY. Madam Speaker, on Friday, September 12, 2008, a Metrolink commuter train collided with a freight train near Chatsworth, California. Most of the passengers were residents of my congressional district, on their way home from the Los Angeles area. Twenty-five people have been killed and many more critically injured. It was the deadliest train accident in this country in fifteen years. It is also the second deadly crash on this commuter line in three years. This one however, was much worse. As gas prices have skyrocketed, Southern California commuters have increasingly turned to rail service. Among the dead and injured are law enforcement personnel, educators, civil servants, students, and others, who were doing their best to save time and money while avoiding some of the worst congestion in the country. As reports continue to come in regarding the cause of this tragedy, my neighbors in Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks, Moorpark, Camarillo, Ventura, Santa Paula, and other communities in Ventura County now mourn for their loved ones. I would like to express my condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in this tragedy and offer comfort to those who are injured. I assure them we will do everything we can to determine the cause and to ensure that something like this never happens again.

Mr. GALLEGLY

Mr. GALLEGLY. Madam Speaker, I rise in honor of Simi Valley Police Department Lieutenant William Sterling Johnson, who retired in July after 27 years of dedicated and exceptional service to the department and the city it serves. Simi Valley, California, has been my home for more than 40 years. I served as City Councilman before being the city first elected Mayor. From my days as a city official to today, I have periodically accompanied officers on their rounds to keep myself familiarized with the challenges they face. It is a professional department, and Sterling Johnson epitomizes that professionalism. As an officer, Sterling Johnson served as a field training officer and a member of the SWAT team, in addition to working three dogs as a K-9 handler. In addition, Sterling is a licensed paramedic and created the department's SWAT paramedic program. Sterling and his first canine partner, Atlas, twice won the World Police & Fire Games, Police Service Dog Competition, in 1989 and 1991. In recognition of his professionalism and dedication, in 1994 his fellow officers selected him Officer of the Year. As a sergeant, Sterling served as a patrol supervisor and SWAT team leader. Upon his promotion to lieutenant in 2003, Sterling worked as a patrol watch commander and was assigned to the Auxiliary Services Unit. In addition to his law enforcement duties, Sterling has worked part time for American Medical Response, the city's 911 responder; taught advanced cardiac support and pediatric advanced life support at the UCLA Medical Center; and has been the CPR/First Aid instructor for the city and police department for more than 12 years. Sterling also served on the State of California Commission for Emergency Services from 1997- 2006. In short, Lieutenant William Sterling Johnson has left a positive mark on the police department he served for nearly three decades. Madam Speaker, I know my colleagues join me in thanking Sterling Johnson for his dedication and professionalism with the Simi Valley Police Department and in wishing him well in a long and fruitful retirement.

Mr. GALLEGLY

Mr. GALLEGLY. Madam Speaker, I rise in honor of Simi Valley Police Department Lieutenant Gordon Weeks, who retires today after 31\1/2\ years of dedicated and exceptional service to the department and the city it serves. Simi Valley, California, has been my home for more than 40 years. When I was first elected to the City Council, Simi Valley's public safety was entrusted to the Simi Valley Community Safety Agency. Officers rode in white cars and wore light blue uniform shirts. It was an intentionally low-key and, some might say, casual approach to law enforcement. Not long after my election to the council, I became the city's first elected mayor. A young officer approached me with his concerns about the image and functions of the Community Safety Agency and his ideas for professionalizing it. Our discussions, some of which occurred as I rode the streets of the city with officer Weeks in his patrol car, led to action. Soon the Simi Valley Community Safety Agency became the Simi Valley Police Department. White patrol cars were transformed into traditional black and whites. Community safety officers became trained and professional police officers and dressed the part. Gordon Weeks was a pivotal force in bringing about those changes. He acted on his sense of professionalism and thereby helped to modernize Simi Valley's police force. Gordon's influence over the maturity of the department did not end there. He remained at the forefront of building a professional police department. He was a founding member of the department's SWAT team and, after he was promoted to lieutenant in 1997, Gordon served 4 years as the SWAT commander. Gordon also trained new recruits as a field training officer and later oversaw that program and the firearms training program for 3\1/2\ years. As a Driving Under the Influence Team member for less than 2 years, Gordon arrested approximately 400 drunken drivers. For 2\1/2\ years he solved property and violent crimes as a detective. He was a patrol sergeant for 8 years. He worked as a background investigator. He served as a patrol watch commander and patrol administrative lieutenant. Always, Gordon Weeks served as a professional. And the Police Department Lieutenant Weeks leaves behind today has his mark on it, for the better. Our collaboration and my respect for his dedication and professionalism has led to a long and lasting friendship. Madam Speaker, I know my colleagues join me in thanking Lieutenant Gordon Weeks for more than three decades of dedication and professionalism to the Simi Valley Police Department and in wishing him well in a long and fruitful retirement. Godspeed, Gordy.

Mr. GALLEGLY

Mr. GALLEGLY. Madam Speaker, I rise in honor of Alex Mistri, a former U.S. House of Representatives staffer who left the legislative branch to serve with honor and distinction as President Bush's Special Assistant to the President for Legislative Affairs. I have known many White House legislative liaisons in my 22 years as a U.S. Representative. Of all those who have served the four presidents I have worked with, Alex Mistri stands out as the most professional, dedicated and skilled. Alex recently left the White House to work for the State Department at our embassy in Baghdad. He is joined there by his wife, Amy McKennis Mistri. I have no doubt Alex will be an asset to both our government and the Iraqi people. Alex began his service as Special Assistant for Legislative Affairs to the President in February 2005. As one of the President's principal liaisons to the House, Alex's primary responsibility was to develop, coordinate and execute White House strategy on legislative issues. Alex specialized in issues related to national security, homeland security, international affairs and tax policy. As a senior member of the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and Foreign Affairs, I developed a very strong and productive working relationship with Alex. Part of Alex's effectiveness, no doubt, arose from his familiarity with congressional procedures. Prior to his service in the White House, Alex served as chief of staff for Congressman Bill Shuster. In that role, Alex was the congressman's chief political and legislative advisor with daily responsibility for the management of the office. From the mid-'90s until taking his position as Congressman Shuster's chief of staff, Alex worked as legislative director to Congressman Robin Hayes, legislative assistant to Senator Lauch Faircloth, and press aide to Senator Alfonse D'Amato. Madam Speaker, I know my colleagues join me in thanking Alex for many years of laudable service to the House, Senate and administration, and in wishing him great success in Iraq.

Mr. GALLEGLY

Mr. GALLEGLY. Madam Speaker, I rise in honor of Aviation Electronics Technician First Class (AT1) Kathleen A. Reilly USN, upon her selection as Navy Reserve Sailor of the Year for 2007. In these halls, Kathleen Reilly is better known as a professional staff member for the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. Kathleen has been the professional staffer on several committee CODELS on which I have participated. I have come to greatly respect and rely on her expertise, and have come to consider her a friend. Those of us who know her are not surprised Kathleen was chosen for this honor. The Navy Reserve Sailor of the Year candidate is typified by sustained superior performance, proven leadership, a proven dedication to self improvement, outstanding professionalism and superior personal appearance. That sums up Kathleen pretty well. Petty Officer Reilly is a native of Lexington, Massachusetts, and enlisted in the Navy on active duty in November 1988. She attended advanced electronics schools and reported to her first duty station as part of the Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron Two (VQ-2) at Rota, Spain. She was one of the first three women selected for airborne combat operations in support of Desert Shield/Storm. Her squadron's mission was to conduct airborne electronic reconnaissance to obtain information on areas and targets of naval and national interest. This tour gave Petty Officer Reilly her first experience with the ways our intelligence community supports our National Command Structure and she developed a reputation as someone who always gave the extra effort. Following her tour in Spain, Petty Officer Reilly deployed onboard the USS Abraham Lincoln and later the USS Nimitz. She was the first female Navy Tactical Operations Instructor in her squadron. Kathleen was also selected as the first female Special Intelligence and Radar Operator in a Patrol Squadron supporting the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the Special Operations Command. These highly classified missions provided intelligence instrumental to maintaining our National Security. Kathleen has continued to prove her leadership skills during her current tour as one of the senior enlisted responsible for the safe load out and operations of cargo aircraft. On the Intelligence Committee, Kathleen is responsible for overseeing budgets, programs, legislation and preparing funding for members assigned to the Intelligence Committee. Kathleen has been the monitor of the Military Intelligence Program and other intelligence community programs. Her military experience allows her to understand the dual nature of the nation's intelligence apparatus supporting military operations and policy decisions. Her oversight has been instrumental in providing the information necessary to establish, terminate and in some cases preserve military intelligence community programs vital to a balanced portfolio of intelligence capability. Kathleen has earned numerous military awards, including two Air Medals, three Navy and Marine Corps Achievements, Enlisted Air Warfare Wings and, as a result of her selection as the Navy Reserve Sailor of the Year, is being meritoriously advanced to Chief Petty Officer. Mr. Speaker, we in the Congress are fortunate to have someone with Kathleen's abilities and professionalism as part of our professional staff. I know my colleagues join me in congratulating Chief Petty Officer Kathleen A. Reilly on her achievements and in thanking her for extraordinary service to her country.

Mr. GALLEGLY

Mr. GALLEGLY. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Res. 1266, a resolution I introduced that congratulates Albania and Croatia for the decision by NATO to invite these two countries to become full members of the alliance. On April 3rd of this year, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization at its summit meeting in Bucharest invited Albania and Croatia to begin accession talks to join the organization. This decision was in recognition of wide-ranging political, economic and military reforms undertaken by these two aspiring members. Both Albania and Croatia have made significant progress in establishing civilian control in their armed forces and ensuring those forces are closely integrated with the militaries of NATO members. Both have made substantial progress in holding free and fair elections, establishing democratic institutions and building their free market economies. Regarding Albania, I want to single out the assistance of their military in three areas of operation: Albania's participation in the NATO-led peacekeeping mission in Bosnia; its contribution of 140 men to the NATO operations in Afghanistan; and the participation of Albanian Special Forces as part of the U.S.-led coalition in Iraq. With respect to Croatia, it has been and continues to be a significant contributor to peacekeeping missions in Bosnia and Kosovo. In Afghanistan, Croatia has been a supporter of the NATO-led mission and in the past year has sharply increased their military forces in that country. In addition, Croatia has strongly backed international efforts in the areas of nonproliferation and the fight against illegal trafficking of weapons, drugs and persons. I have traveled to Croatia on numerous occasions and can attest to the fact that the Croatians and Americans enjoy a close friendship based on common interests and common values. Today we enjoy the closest bilateral relationship with Croatia since the country achieved its independence in 1992. Madam Speaker, Albania and Croatia are two strong allies that have shown that they are ready, willing and able to become full members of NATO. I urge the passage of H. Res. 1266, and also urge the Senate to move quickly to ratify amendments to the NATO treaty that would allow these two nations to join our most important international alliance.

Mr. GALLEGLY

Mr. GALLEGLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 6633, the E-Verify Amendment Act. E-Verify is an Internet-based system that can be used to verify the employment eligibility of newly hired employees. It does so by checking the worker's Social Security number and citizenship status against the Social Security database. For non- citizens, it also checks work authorization status against a separate Department of Homeland Security database. E-Verify, formerly known as Basic Pilot, was one of the recommendations to come out of the 1995 Task Force on Immigration Reform, which I chaired. While I support this legislation, I also firmly believe E-Verify participation should be mandatory for all employers throughout the country. We know that most illegal immigrants come to this country looking for work. If they are unable to find and hold jobs, most will go home on their own. Even more important, when they learn that finding jobs in the United States is more difficult, other illegal workers will be less likely to come to this country in the first place. E-Verify is currently used by more than 75,000 employers. Almost everyone authorized to work in the United States is immediately verified by the system. Only about one-half of 1 percent of employees queried who are actually eligible to work in the United States receive a ``tentative non-confirmation.'' But this system gives them the opportunity to correct their information and ensure their tax and Social Security records are accurate. Mr. Speaker, E-Verify works. I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

Mr. GALLEGLY

Mr. GALLEGLY. Madam Speaker, this past weekend marked the 34th anniversary of the invasion of Cyprus by Turkish forces. During the war, approximately 5,000 Cypriots were killed and close to 200,000 Greek Cypriots were forcibly removed from their homes. This anniversary also marks another year in which Cyprus is divided between north and south and between the Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot communities. However, despite 34 years of division in Cyprus, I am more optimistic today about reaching a just and lasting settlement than I have been in many years. In February of this year, the Greek Cypriots elected a new president, Demetrius Christofias. Immediately following his election, President Christofias followed through on his commitment to make the solution of the Cyprus problem his top priority. President Christofias found a willing partner in Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Talat. The leaders of the two main Cypriot communities met on March 21 for the purpose of trying to implement the provisions of the U.N.-brokered July 8, 2006 agreement. This agreement, which sets forth a framework for negotiations with the objective of trying to achieve the unification of Cyprus based on a bizonal, bi-communal federation and political equality, as set out in the relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions. The March 21 meeting also established a number of Working Groups and Technical Committees, as described in the July 8 agreement, in order to prepare the ground for full-fledged negotiations leading to a comprehensive and durable settlement. The two leaders have already met on three occasions and will meet again on July 25 when they will review the progress of the Working Groups and Technical Committees. It is my hope that both leaders can agree to move forward and begin full-fledged negotiations. The House of Representatives has already voiced its strong support for comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus issue. On October 9, 2007, the House on a voice vote passed House Resolution 405, which expressed its support for the immediate implementation of the July 8, 2006 agreement as the way forward to prepare for new comprehensive negotiations leading to the reunification of Cyprus within a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation. In addition, the resolution called upon the United States Government to fully support the immediate implementation this agreement in its entirety. I believe the time is right for a permanent settlement in Cyprus. We have two leaders--President Christofias and Turkish Cypriot Leader Talat--who are ready and willing to reach an agreement. I also believe that the people of Cyprus, whether Greek Cypriot, Turkish Cypriot or members of the other ethnic groups on the island, recognize that a settlement leading to a reunified Cyprus will help lead the way to a future of peace and prosperity.

Mr. GALLEGLY

Mr. GALLEGLY. I thank the gentleman for yielding. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 5235, the Ronald Reagan Centennial Commission Act. To prepare for the upcoming anniversary of his 100th birthday on February 6, 2011, Mr. Blunt and I, along with 160 cosponsors from both parties, introduced this legislation creating the Ronald Reagan Centennial Commission to pay tribute to our 40th President. This 11-member bipartisan commission is similar to the others created for Presidents Abraham Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Harry Truman and Dwight Eisenhower. This commission will develop plans and memorials to honor President Ronald Reagan. These events will take place all over the country, from here in Washington, DC to his birthplace in Illinois, to California, where he lived most of his life. As a fellow Californian, I had the great pleasure of spending time with him when I first came to the House of Representatives in 1986. And as a matter of fact, his Presidential Library and burial place is only a few blocks from my own home in Simi Valley, California. ``The Great Communicator'' spoke for the American people, capturing the hearts of small-town citizens and world leaders alike. His remarkable career and public life spanned over 50 years. It began as a student leader, sports broadcaster in Illinois and Iowa, then to Hollywood as an actor and long-time president of the Screen Actors Guild. California enjoyed an economic resurgence during his terms as Governor, and as President of the United States, his legacy is extraordinary. In 8 short years as President, Ronald Reagan presided over international changes and ushered in unparalleled peace and prosperity, not only for our Nation, but for the entire world. I want to thank my good friend, Roy Blunt and his staff for supporting, as well as Chairman Waxman and the ranking member, Tom Davis, and their staffs for their assistance in putting this bill together. I also want to express my appreciation to our Majority Leader, Steny Hoyer, for bringing this bill to the floor today. I ask my colleagues to join me in strongly supporting H.R. 5235, the Ronald Reagan Centennial Commission Act.

Mr. GALLEGLY of California

Mr. GALLEGLY of California. Madam Speaker, I rise in tribute to J.D. ``Dave'' Power III, who is retiring from the day-to-day operations of the company he founded 40 years ago, a company that revolutionized market research. Dave Power's plunge into entrepreneurship was sparked by dissatisfaction with the way businesses then conducted market research. Armed with an MBA from Pennsylvania University's Wharton School of Business, Power went to work with big-name automotive and advertising agencies as a financial analyst and market researcher. Over the years, he became disillusioned with the quality of work he was asked to provide, likening it to ``torturing the data until it confessed'' instead of delving into customers' real opinions. In 1968, Dave Power launched his company with his wife, Julie, in a rented apartment in Los Angeles. It began to take off when Power talked himself into an impromptu meeting with a visiting Japanese executive. That meeting led to a collaboration with Toyota that continues unabated today. Using research focused on how potential customers perceived Toyota, Power and Toyota built a business model that changed that perception for Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A. As Toyota began hiring internal marketers, Power began conducting smaller, independent and self-funded studies on individual products. By that time, Dave, Julie and their family were operating out of their family home in Calabasas, California. Julie's role was to tabulate data from the surveys. One survey had gone out to owners of Mazda's new Wankel rotary engine. Those owner surveys showed a problem with the engine's O-ring, which was causing the engines to self-destruct after 30,000 miles. Julie showed the findings to Dave, Dave shared it with the 14 auto manufacturers who subscribed to his surveys, and one subscriber leaked it to the Wall Street Journal. J.D. Power was on his way to becoming a household name, and Mazda joined the growing legions of industries as a subscriber. Today, nearly every major global manufacturer is a J.D. Power and Associates client and the company provides research, analysis and consulting for a wide range of global industries with offices throughout the world. Madam Speaker, J.D. Power and Associates has made the ``voice of the customer'' a force to be listened to within industries around the world, providing benefits for consumers and businesses alike. While Dave has stepped away from the day-to-day operations of the firm, he will continue to be the face of J.D. Power and Associates. I know my colleagues will join me in wishing Dave and Julie well in their semi- retirement and thank Dave for building better relationships between customers and companies, resulting in positive results for both.

Mr. GALLEGLY

Mr. GALLEGLY. Madam Speaker, I rise in tribute to Rex Laird, who retired this week after 28 years as Chief Executive Officer of the Ventura County Farm Bureau. As CEO, Rex was responsible for managing the Farm Bureau's staff, daily operations and finances. He recommended policy to the bureau Board of Directors, implemented board directives, and represented the interests of the membership at legislative and regulatory hearings. He also served as the bureau's liaison with the news media and community organizations. Rex did it all with a calm, consensus-building demeanor. It's safe to say that Rex and I didn't always agree, but we always parted with a handshake and looked forward to seeing each other again. Rex commands respect due to his knowledge and passion for Ventura County's agricultural industry. During his tenure, the county's population more than doubled. Restrictions tightened on pesticide use; trade with the Pacific Rim expanded; competition from foreign growers increased; and growers faced floods, freezes, fires, droughts, and agricultural pests. Rex not only helped steer the industry through it all, he helped it grow and expand. Today, agriculture remains one of Ventura County's top industries, grossing more than $1.5 billion annually. Agriculture is also diverse in Ventura County, with citrus and nut groves, row crops, livestock and poultry, and nursery stock, among others. Rex's skill as a consensus builder is epitomized by his role as a founding member of the Ag Futures Alliance Committee, which was formed to promote better understanding and dialog within the community on agricultural issues. The group includes representatives from the community, media, business, agriculture, environmental, and advocacy groups. In 2005, the California Farm Bureau Federation recognized the Ventura County Farm Bureau for its activities in the Ag Futures Alliance and its leadership role working in a collaborative effort with the Association of Water Agencies and other agricultural and water entities. Rex has been awarded numerous personal citations as well. Madam Speaker, Rex leaves Ventura County's agricultural industry strong. I know my colleagues will join me in thanking him for his many years of dedicated service and in wishing him a long and fruitful retirement with his wife, Susan; and many years of enjoyment with their sons, Sean and Kevin; and their five grandchildren.

Mr. GALLEGLY

Mr. GALLEGLY. Madam Speaker, I rise in tribute to Lieutenant General Michael Hamel, who will officially retire from the United States Air Force on July 1 after 36 years of distinguished service. I first met General Hamel when he commanded the 14th Air Force, Air Force Space Command, and the Space Air Forces, U.S. Strategic Command, at Vandenberg Air Force Base, which is in my district. With a bachelor's degree in aeronautical engineering from the U.S. Air Force Academy, a master's in business administration, and a lifetime of service to the Air Force and its role within and beyond our atmosphere, General Hamel impressed me not only with his knowledge, but also with his ability to explain it in conversational terms. We quickly became friends. General Hamel's illustrious career included assignments in a variety of command, acquisition, operations and policy positions involving space, system development, intelligence, space operations and launch. General Hamel has served in senior staff positions at Headquarters U.S. Air Force and Air Force Space Command, and he was the Vice President's military adviser on defense, nonproliferation and space policy. General Hamel's final assignment was to command the Space and Missile Systems Center, Air Force Space Command, Los Angeles Air Force Base. While there, he was responsible for managing the research, design, development, acquisition and sustainment of space and missile systems, launch, command and control, and operational satellite systems. General Hamel also was the Air Force Program Executive Officer for Space and was responsible for the Air Force Satellite Control Network; space launch and range programs; the Space-Based Infrared System Program; military satellite communication programs; the Global Positioning System; intercontinental ballistic missile programs; Defense Meteorological Satellite Program; the space superiority system programs and other emerging transformational space programs. Madam Speaker, in his nearly four decades as an Air Force officer, General Hamel has played a major role in our nation's military and civilian space program. I know my colleagues will join me in thanking General Hamel for his many years of dedicated service and in wishing him a long and fruitful retirement.

Mr. GALLEGLY

Mr. GALLEGLY. Madam Speaker, I was unable to make the following rollcall votes on June 4, 2008: On ordering the previous question on H. Res. 1234, providing for consideration of H.R. 3021, the 21st Century Green High-Performing Public School Facilities (Rollcall vote No. 370), I would have voted ``nay.'' On agreeing to the resolution, H. Res. 1234, providing for consideration of H.R. 3021, the 21st Century Green High-Performing Public School Facilities Act (Rollcall vote No. 371), I would have voted ``nay''. On the motion to suspend the rules and pass, as amended, H.R. 1343, the Health Centers Renewal Act of 2007 (Rollcall vote No. 372), I would have voted ``aye.'' On the motion to suspend the rules and pass H.R. 5669, the Poison Center Support, Enhancement, and Awareness Act of 2008 (Rollcall vote No. 373), I would have voted ``aye.'' On agreeing to the Kildee Amendment to H.R. 3021, the 21st Century Green High-Performing Public School Facilities Act (Rollcall vote No. 374), I would have voted ``nay.'' On agreeing to the Ehlers Amendment to H.R. 3021, the 21st Century Green High-Performing Public School Facilities Act (Rollcall vote No. 375), I would have voted ``aye.'' On agreeing to the Welch Amendment to H.R. 3021, the 21st Century Green High-Performing Public School Facilities Act (Rollcall vote No. 376), I would have voted ``aye.'' On agreeing to the Matheson of Utah Amendment to H.R. 3021, the 21st Century Green High-Performing Public School Facilities Act (Rollcall vote No. 377), I would have voted ``nay.'' On the motion to recommit with instructions H.R. 3021, the 21st Century Green High-Performing Public School Facilities Act (Rollcall vote No. 378), I would have voted ``aye.'' On Passage of H.R. 3021, the 21st Century Green High-Performing Public School Facilities Act (Rollcall vote No. 379), I would have voted ``nay.''

Mr. GALLEGLY

Mr. GALLEGLY. Madam Speaker, consistent with the Republican Leadership's policy on earmarks, I am placing this statement in the Congressional Record. Requesting Member: Rep. Elton Gallegly. Bill: H.R. 5658, The Duncan Hunter National Defense Authorization Act for FY 2009. Account: Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation, NAVY. Requesting Entity: MBDA, Incorporated. Address: 5701 Lindero Canyon Road, Westlake Village, CA 91362. Description of project: It is my understanding that this funding will be used for Phase II of a program to assist the U.S. Navy to develop innovative missile solutions for an Affordable Weapon System (AWS) capable of operating from ships. The Navy is looking for an AWS that can kill a variety of targets including mobile targets, time critical targets, and targets of opportunity such as terrorist leadership meeting facilities, mobile missile launchers, and weapons caches. In concept, AWS will defeat targets at stand-off ranges, rapidly completing the engagement phase by having the capability to loiter in a target area. The $5.8 million increase in this account for Phase II will be divided into two tasks. The funding approximately will be spent as follows: The first task will be used to determine the best materials for use in the AWS. This includes trade studies ($600,000), hardware bench tests ($900,000), and deployment tests ($1,300,000). The second task will perform a feasibility study on the technical baseline being delivered within the stated time frame ($1,300,000). An additional $1,300,000 will be used for program management and oversight by Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR). The intent of this program is to develop a low-cost, disposable weapon capable of being launched from U.S. Naval vessels. But it provides an additional benefit for my Congressional district and the state of California. Since 1986, the employment of high-technology aerospace professionals in California has declined dramatically because of the reduction in California-based aerospace programs and companies. This decline in the employment had a ripple-effect throughout the State and has lowered associated markets in employment, goods and services. A production contract award will bring 200 professional aerospace employees to the company and add significantly to the California base of aerospace professionals and aerospace production. MBDA has already increased its skilled work force by 10 percent due to the Phase I contract. Support for this program will work toward reversing this trend in California.

Mr. GALLEGLY

Mr. GALLEGLY. Mr. Speaker, last week the Livingston Memorial Visiting Nurse Association celebrated its 60th anniversary and, in doing so, paid tribute to Charles M. Hair, M.D., for his enduring devotion to the organization. I, too, rise in tribute to Dr. Hair, Chairman of the Board of Livingston Memorial Visiting Nurse Association. Dr. Hair was raised in the farming community of Santa Paula, California. He joined the U.S. Army after earning his M.D., at the USC School of Medicine, and served two years in an Army field hospital in post-World War II Salzburg, Austria. He returned to his home in Ventura County, California, in 1948, and embarked on a career as a family doctor. He and his wife, Gerry, whom he met when he was a student at Ventura College and she a student at Ventura High School, raised five children here. Dr. Hair retired from family practice in the mid-1980s, but his dedication to his profession and the ill continues undaunted. Throughout his tenure with the Visiting Nurse Association, Dr. Hair has overseen the direction and growth of the agency to meet the complex and ever-changing home health needs of Ventura County. In doing so, Dr. Hair brings a rural family doctor's perspective and philosophy to Livingston Memorial Visiting Nurse Association. The Association was founded to provide home care services as an alternative to institutionalizing the frail, elderly, sick and disabled, an idea dear to the heart of a family physician. In 1965, Medicare certified the Association as a home health agency. In 1987, it developed a Medicare-certified Hospice program. Today, Livingston Memorial Visiting Nurse Association is Ventura County's only not-for-profit home health agency with a Medicare- certified home hospice program. Livingston services are provided for every individual in need, regardless of ability to pay. Livingston Memorial Visiting Nurse Association's continued ability to provide professional, licensed, compassionate home care that is high quality and cost effective is in no small measure due to Dr. Hair's vision and direction. Mr. Speaker, I know my colleagues will join me in tribute to Dr. Hair and his vast contributions to comforting and treating the ill and thank him for a lifetime of healing.

Mr. GALLEGLY

Mr. GALLEGLY. Madam Speaker, I rise in memory of Duncan Reed, Jr., a good friend whose love of life, people, and community was reflected in the multitudes who considered him family. He was a man of action that only ended when he passed away last week at age 69. Duncan was a U.S. Army veteran who tested weapons at the U.S. Arctic Test Center in Fort Greely, Alaska, to make sure they would work in extremely cold conditions. After the Army, he returned to southern California, where he tested nuclear fuel reactors for Rocketdyne. For the next 30 years, he worked for Thrifty Drug Stores, which was later acquired by Big 5 Sporting Goods. After he ``retired,'' he spent the next 13 years as the local ``Seed Man,'' replenishing vegetable and flower seeds at retail outlets for the Northrop King Company But it was his activities outside of work that defined him to the community. A Boy Scout who was inducted into the ``Order of the Arrow'' during his youth, Duncan took that commitment to God and country to heart and served as Cubmaster for Ventura County Troop 3660 as an adult. He was also active in the March of Dimes and Muscular Dystrophy charity drives, and volunteered for the Flying Samaritans, a group of doctors, pilots, and civilians who flew to Mexico to give aid to those less fortunate. Politics were also a huge passion, and the avenue by which we became friends. His television was almost always tuned to the Fox News Channel. Even Duncan's avenues of relaxation involved action. His hobbies included growing cactus and other succulents and entering them into competition at the Ventura County Fair. He also enjoyed hiking in the mountains, fishing, and camping. His love of cooking was reflected in his involvement with Dark Chocolate, a gourmet food club, entertaining while cooking on his barbecue, and being a restaurant critic for the local newspaper. In addition, Duncan loved helping his children, grandchildren, and any other child who entered his orbit. The few times he slowed down was to relax by a campfire or to set on a river bank where, as Duncan would tell people, he liked to watch it go from left to right. Madam Speaker, I know my colleagues will join me offering our condolences to Duncan's wife of 44 years, Nighla; his children, Kelly, Robert, and Douglas; grandchildren, Lindsey, Matthew, Coral, and Devon; godchildren, Travis, Jacob, Brent, Tom, and Christina; and all who knew him and called him a friend. Godspeed, Duncan.

Mr. GALLEGLY

Mr. GALLEGLY. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 328, I was in the well waving my ``present'' card. The Speaker clearly saw me and did not recognize me. Had I been recognized, I would have voted ``present.''

Mr. GALLEGLY

Mr. GALLEGLY. Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize the Moorpark High School Academic Decathlon Team as the United States Academic Decathlon Champions. This is the third time in 9 years that Moorpark High School's team has won this premier scholastic contest. Prior to its win in 1999, no team from Ventura County, California, had even competed in the nationals. This year's team made history, scoring 53,119 points, the highest ever scored in the decathlon's 40-year history. In winning the national title, the Moorpark team broke the record it set as California champions by 240 points. Team members Angela Chen, Jonah Buck, Christie Calle, Colin Calle, Anaamika Campeau, Justine Levan, Chrissa Rutkai, Kris Sankaran, and Paul Watanabe are now recognized as the best and the brightest in the country. They are the pride of their school, their community and their country. These youngsters won by literally dedicating their lives to the challenge. For 9 months they put in up to 40 hours a week beyond their school days to study and hone their skills. They gave up weekends, vacations, part-time jobs, and time with their families. Their hard work paid off. Moorpark came home with more medals than any of the other 41 teams from throughout the country, including 36 for individual subjects. Special honors go to Colin Calle, the top-scoring varsity student; Chrissa Rutkai, top scorer in the scholastic division; and Kris Sankaran, the second-highest individual scorer in the honors division. Their coach, Larry Jones, worked as hard, if not harder, than his students and is as deserving of high praise. Coach Jones has coached all three U.S. Championship teams. He is a man of outstanding strength, patience, and perseverance. Madam Speaker, I know my colleagues will join me in applauding nine outstanding students who made history while achieving a very prestigious goal--Angela Chen, Jonah Buck, Christie Calle, Colin Calle, Anaamika Campeau, Justine Levan, Chrissa Rutkai, Kris Sankaran, and Paul Watanabe--the 2008 U.S. Champion Moorpark High School Academic Decathlon Team.

Mr. GALLEGLY

Mr. GALLEGLY. Madam Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to Paul Mole, a family man, a Marine, an entrepreneur and a long-time friend to my wife, Janice, and I, as well as our children, who died too young this week at age 60. I met Paul more than 30 years ago while I was mayor of Simi Valley, California. A retired Marine and Purple Heart-decorated Vietnam War veteran, Paul served as the Marine bugler at Veterans Day and other veteran community events in Simi Valley and elsewhere throughout Ventura County. He founded the Marine Corps League Ventura County Detachment 597 to help active and retired Marines. The restaurant he and his wife, Roseann, purchased from Roseann's parents in 1974 and which they renamed Paul's Italian Villa, became a mainstay of community activity. Not only was it a meeting place-- official and unofficial--for the Marine Corps League, it served as the collection site for the annual Toys for Tots campaign for disadvantaged children, which Paul helped organize every year. In addition, the Royal High School football team carbed down on spaghetti at the restaurant and were treated to Marine cheers from Paul before every game. Like many in Simi Valley, my tie to the restaurant is also personal--my daughter, Shannon, was one of the many Simi Valley teens and young adults who found work at the restaurant. Once you became part of Paul's and Roseann's extended family, you never left. In addition to the restaurant, Paul was building a business repairing musical instruments, which grew out of his 1940s-style swing band, Paul Mole's Late Night Big Band. Paul played trumpet with 19 other professional musicians at community events and professional venues. Paul Mole's a man with a huge heart accented by a lively sense of humor and a love of life. He is survived by Roseann, his wife of 38 years; two grown sons, Peter and Paul; two grandchildren; and too many friends to count. Madam Speaker, I know my colleagues will join me offering our condolences to Roseann, Peter, Paul and the rest of the Mole family, and all who knew him and called him a friend. Godspeed, Paul.

Mr. GALLEGLY

Mr. GALLEGLY. Madam Speaker, first of all, I would like to thank Chairman Wexler and Chairman Berman for their kind words in their opening statements. I stand here today to rise in strong support of House Resolution 997 which reaffirms the support of the House of Representatives for NATO enlargement. The resolution also specifically calls on the United States to take the lead in supporting closer integration between Ukraine, Georgia and NATO. I would like to commend Representative Wexler, as I mentioned earlier, the chairman of the Europe Subcommittee, for introducing this measure and for being a strong, consistent advocate for strengthening our bilateral ties with Ukraine and Georgia. Both of these allies have demonstrated the military capabilities and political reforms required to provide concrete benefits to the alliance. In the past several years, Ukrainian forces have participated with NATO troops in peacekeeping operations in the Balkans and Afghanistan. They have also made important contributions to coalition forces in Iraq in 2004 and 2005. Georgia has also shown they are ready to take the next step toward NATO membership. Georgia has undertaken a top-to-bottom reform of their military forces, often working closely with U.S. forces in this effort. As previously mentioned by Representative Ros-Lehtinen, with over 2000 troops in Iraq, Georgia today has the third largest troop contingent in that country after the U.S. and Britain. Madam Speaker, both Ukraine and Georgia are ready, willing and able to integrate more fully with NATO. Again, I would like to recognize Representative Wexler for his hard work on H. Res. 997 on behalf of a stronger NATO, and I urge passage of this resolution.

Mr. GALLEGLY

Mr. GALLEGLY. Madam Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to Ventura County, California, Agricultural Commissioner Earl McPhail, who has the distinction of being the longest serving Agricultural Commissioner in the history of the State of California. Now, after 29 years of regulating Ventura County's agricultural industry, Earl has decided to retire. He leaves a large set of shoes to fill. In 2006, the value of agricultural products produced by Ventura County's 2,300 farms and ranches was more than $1.5 billion. That's an increase of more than $282 million from the previous year. The county's top three crops in 2006 were strawberries, nursery stock, and lemons. Earl and the 40 people who work for him enforce state and local regulations on pesticides, worker safety, and other agricultural issues, as well as inspecting flowers and produce for pests before they're shipped to other parts of the state and nation and internationally. It's a huge job with a tremendous economic impact for Ventura County, but Earl has always done it with a calmness that belies his tough resolve in protecting the industry and the industry's consumers. Earl is a native Southern Californian who graduated with a degree in agricultural biology from the California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, and is a graduate of the California Agricultural Leadership Program. He serves as president of the California Agricultural Commissioners/Sealers Association and is a member of the Ventura County Farm Bureau. He is a past member of the Ventura County Environmental Review Report Committee, Agricultural and Rural Affairs Committee for National Association of Counties, the Ventura County Management Association Board of Directors, and the Santa Paula Future Farmers of America Advisory Committee. He is equally active outside the agricultural arena. He is an elder for the Santa Paula First Christian Church and chairman of its Board of Directors. Earl serves as a coach for the Saint Bonaventure High School Baseball League, and is a past member of the Boy Scouts of America, Troop 304, Advisory Committee and the National Association of Republican County Officials. In addition, Earl is past treasurer of the Santa Paula Little League, past president of the Santa Paula Rotary Club, past president of the Ventura County Fair, Board of Directors, and past chairman of the Ventura County 4H Sponsoring League. Earl has earned his retirement and we thank him for three decades of professionalism and dedication to an industry and community that has grown tremendously during his tenure. I have no doubt he will continue to serve the community and be an elder statesman for the industry. Madam Speaker, I know my colleagues will join me in wishing Earl and his wife, Willa, the best in the years ahead. Godspeed, my friend.