Jared Huffman

Mr. HUFFMAN

Mr. HUFFMAN. Mr. Chairman, the tragic shooting in Charleston, South Carolina, has forced a national conversation about symbols like the Confederate battle flag that represent racism, slavery, and division. Now, like you, I applaud leaders in South Carolina and other Southern States, both Democrat and Republican, who have called on their States to end the display of the Confederate flag on government property, including State houses and license plates. With the consideration of the Interior Appropriations bill, this House now has an opportunity to add its voice by ending the promotion of the cruel, racist legacy of the Confederacy. The National Park Service has asked its gift shops, bookstores, and other concessionaires to voluntarily end the sale of standalone items, such as flags, pins, and belt buckles that contain imagery of the Confederate flag. While many concessionaires have agreed to do this, I am dismayed by reports that some will continue to sell items with Confederate flag imagery. This amendment to the Interior Appropriations bill would end these sales. It would prevent the National Park Service from allowing the continued promotion of the Confederacy through these symbols. Major American retailers like Walmart, Amazon, and eBay are already taking their own steps to ban sales of this type of merchandise, and we now have an obligation to ensure that the Federal agencies that we oversee act with the same moral clarity. Mr. Chairman, with that, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. HUFFMAN

Mr. HUFFMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Ann Duvall, who passed away on June 15, 2014 at her home in Sausalito, California at the age of 66. Her family and friends are taking time this week to honor her extraordinary life. Fittingly, the celebration will be held at the Pt. Reyes National Seashore. As a lifelong outdoors enthusiast, Mrs. Duvall would have loved nothing more than to spend time with her loved ones in a place so close to heart. Mrs. Duvall was known for her technological leadership and role in advancing free speech, but more than that she will be remembered for her kindness, her passion, and her love for life. Born and raised in New York, she moved to California after college, where she received a master's degree from Stanford University, began her career, and met her husband of 37 years, Bill. Together, the Duvalls helped found and run Surfwatch Software, the first program that allowed users to block explicit online content back in the nascent days of the internet. Surfwatch was later used-- successfully--as a linchpin in arguments to repeal the anti-indecency provisions of the Communications Decency Act, seen as a victory for free speech advocates. While her professional accomplishments are impressive, I'd be remiss not to mention her unyielding enthusiasm, thirst for adventure, and compassion for others. Mrs. Duvall excelled at nearly every sport she came across, from tennis to swimming to cycling. A Francophile and avid backpacker, she and her husband hiked the entire GR10 trail in France, walking from the Atlantic Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea. But her gusto was not reserved just for herself. Following a bout with breast cancer, Mrs. Duvall worked as an advocate for other breast cancer patients. She had a way with people that left anyone she came across feeling welcomed and appreciated. Our community is a slightly darker place today without Ann Duvall lightening our lives. On the first anniversary of her passing, Ann's memory prevails in our thoughts and our hearts. It is therefore appropriate that we pay tribute to her today and express our deepest condolences to her husband, family, and friends.

Mr. HUFFMAN

Mr. HUFFMAN. Mr. Speaker, I do want to start by thanking Chairman Royce and Ranking Member Engel for moving this bill forward; and a huge thanks to my great colleague from Michigan, Representative Kildee, he has been described as tireless and courageous and relentless. He is all of that and more in working to highlight the injustice that these American detainees are facing in Iran. One of these detainees, Jason Rezaian, has been mentioned as having grown up in California. He actually grew up in my district. I have gotten to know his family. And in some way, I feel like I have gotten to know Jason--at least a little bit--through this tragic situation. So I know something about the terrible hardship that he and his family have been going through for this past year. It is with that unconscionable level of hardship in mind that I am proud to join with my colleagues in working to make sure that Congress does everything that it can to secure Jason's safe release and also the safe release of these other unjustly detained Americans. Passing this resolution on a bipartisan basis is one of the most important things that we can do to reaffirm to the Iranian regime that the whole world is watching. Jason Rezaian was The Washington Post Tehran bureau chief when he was arrested in Tehran on July 22 last year. He has now been held twice as long as any previous western journalist in Iran. The circumstances under which he has been held are an absolute mockery of justice. There has never been any evidence brought against him. For 9 months, there were no charges brought against him publicly. Jason was denied the most basic rights: denied access to a lawyer for months, denied bail after he was charged, and held in solitary confinement after his investigation ended. Jason's family members and his fellow journalists have been fierce advocates for his freedom. I hope that the passage of this resolution today will make the sentiment of Congress very clear: that Iran should immediately release Jason Rezaian and the other detained Americans. Whatever issues or disagreements that we may have about broader issues involving Iran, it is important that we are able to speak today with one voice for the Americans who are unjustly detained and for their families. I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes.''

Mr. HUFFMAN

Mr. HUFFMAN. Mr. Chairman, we have well over 30 other defense installations in Germany and hundreds of others across the globe. To my knowledge--and I have made inquiries on this subject--not a single one of those installations operates with a congressionally mandated fuel source like the one we are talking about here. The Kaiserslautern facility is, truly, one of a kind. This is a commonsense amendment that provides the Pentagon the flexibility to ensure that our military installations continue to have reliable, cheaper, and cleaner energy sources in the years ahead. The congressional mandate in question was added to the Defense Appropriations bill over 40 years ago to an accumulated cost of well over $1 billion to the taxpayers. Mr. Chairman, this is not about our national security. This is not a weapons system. This is not funding to support or protect our troops. This isn't doing anything for our country or our national security except wasting taxpayer dollars and making one particular coal company in eastern Pennsylvania a little bit richer. I urge my colleagues to vote ``aye'' and support this bipartisan amendment. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. HUFFMAN. Mr. Chairman, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. HUFFMAN. Mr. Chairman, I have amendment No. 4 that is printed in the Congressional Record.

Mr. HUFFMAN. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Each year, the Department of Defense ships coal from Tamaqua, Pennsylvania, about 3,000 miles away to an Air Force base in Germany, costing taxpayers millions of dollars more than if we simply treated this particular base like every other military base in the world. Why do we do this? Since 1972, each Defense Appropriations act has included an earmark requiring that the Pentagon purchase anthracite coal from Pennsylvania to heat this base in Kaiserslautern, Germany. This is wasteful spending, pure and simple. My bipartisan amendment, which I am offering with my colleague Tom McClintock, would finally remove this zombie earmark and save taxpayers millions of dollars each year. At its peak, this earmark mandated that the government purchase more than a million tons of anthracite coal each year to power overseas bases and installations, but today, the Department of Defense purchases only about 5,000 to 9,000 tons of coal annually, and it is to meet the requirements of this specific base in Kaiserslautern. It costs taxpayers millions of dollars each time. According to the last study we did on this, which was way back in 1989, the Department of Defense, the State Department, and the Department of Commerce jointly concluded that these mandates had cost U.S. taxpayers $1.1 billion, and that was 26 years ago, so it is a lot more since then. For decades, the Pentagon has urged Congress to remove this wasteful earmark and allow the use of cheaper fuel to power our military base in Germany. President after President has urged the removal of this earmark--both Republicans and Democrats-- every President since Jimmy Carter and including President Ronald Reagan. Today, we have an opportunity to finally achieve that goal. I want to thank Mr. McClintock for his leadership in introducing this amendment with me. The passage of this amendment would be proof positive, I think, to Americans back home that Republicans and Democrats can work together to cut wasteful spending. I urge my colleagues to support the Huffman- McClintock amendment. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. McClintock).

Mr. HUFFMAN

Mr. HUFFMAN. Mr. Speaker, we rise today to recognize Sunny Hills Services in San Anselmo, California, on the occasion of their 120th Anniversary Celebration, held on June 5, 2015. For more than a century, Sunny Hills Services has dedicated itself to protecting, nurturing and healing at-risk youth in Marin County and the greater Bay Area. Originally founded as an orphanage and farm, today Sunny Hills helps children and adolescents across the region grow up in safe, healthy environments, develop life skills, achieve academically, and engage positively with our community. They have worked tirelessly on behalf of our most vulnerable citizens, and remain a leader in best practices for child welfare programs. Sunny Hills' relentless advocacy on behalf of our youth has left a lasting impact on individuals, families, and neighborhoods. In the past year alone, they have helped more than 1,600 minors and 1,100 families and caregivers--and that does not include the countless friends, teachers, and classmates affected by their work. From providing mental health services for children experiencing behavioral and emotional difficulties to organizing transitional housing for former foster youth, Sunny Hills continues to engender meaningful change in the lives of our young people and enrich the fabric of our community. Future generations rely upon the support today's children receive. We are all better off because of the vital work Sunny Hills performs by giving youth the tools they need to thrive. Mr. Speaker, we urge our colleagues to join us in congratulating Sunny Hills Services on this milestone and wishing them continued success for years to come.

Mr. HUFFMAN

Mr. HUFFMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Nan McEvoy, who passed away on March 26, 2015 at her home in San Francisco at the age of 95. A trailblazer and tour-de-force in every aspect of her life, Mrs. McEvoy left a lasting impact on family, friends, colleagues, and community. Mrs. McEvoy occupies, in particular, a special place in the hearts of Marin County residents. Along with serving as Chairwoman of the San Francisco Chronicle, a leader in several philanthropic causes, and a lifelong advocate for women's rights, Mrs. McEvoy also ran an olive farm near Petaluma. Originally intended as a getaway for her family to experience the beauty Northern California offers, McEvoy Ranch today produces high-quality oils and body care products for specialty stores across the nation. While Mrs. McEvoy's time in Marin represents just a slice of her collective achievements, it's an apt metaphor for the remarkable life she led. When she first proposed the idea to grow olives, people told her that it wouldn't work--that she should use the land for cattle, perhaps. She ignored her critics, and moved forward with her original plan. Today, McEvoy Ranch now grows more than 18,000 trees and receives accolades from national media and local voices alike. In Mrs. McEvoy's way, though, her efforts have not just proven successful financially, but also for our community as a whole. The ranch uses certified organic farming practices, produces its own compost, and--as of 2009--meets half its electrical needs with an on-site windmill, the first privately-owned turbine of its size in the county. Nan McEvoy was a leader in our community and a voice for the underserved. While her professional success was remarkable, it's her passion for life and compassion for others that will endure. It is therefore appropriate that we pay tribute to her today and express our deepest condolences to her son and grandchildren.

Mr. HUFFMAN

Mr. HUFFMAN. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise in support of our amendment in the nature of a substitute. I do want to express my respect and appreciation for the gentleman from Alaska (Mr. Young) and his commitment to fisheries management issues over the years. I know many Members, including myself, are very concerned about the sustainability of the fishing industry in our own districts. I represent about a third of the California coast, including many working coastal communities; and the importance of marine fisheries to my district and, I would say, to our country cannot be overstated. U.S. fisheries have not only shaped the cultural identity of coastal communities, such as those I represent and our country, but they have also contributed economically in a very significant way, nearly $90 billion and 1.5 million jobs. Recreational fishing provides important opportunities to bring families and communities together, and, of course, subsistence fishing is a culturally significant tradition that provides an important food source for many people. However, I do not believe that H.R. 1335 represents a constructive approach to ensuring abundant resources for current and future generations of fishermen. This bill would take us backward in many respects. It would roll back important elements of the Magnuson Act that are critical to making fisheries and the fishing industry in the United States economically and environmentally sustainable. I also don't believe that successful fisheries management has to include taking potshots at bedrock environmental laws like the Endangered Species Act, the Antiquities Act, and NEPA, as this bill seeks to do. For these reasons, I can't support it. Congress first enacted the Magnuson-Stevens Act in 1976, with two main goals: first, to put an end to unregulated fishing by foreign fleets in U.S. waters, and, second, to develop domestic fleets that could reap the economic benefit of our considerable fisheries resources. It worked, and it worked so well that domestic fishing soon replaced foreign fleets in overexploiting U.S. fisheries. The 1996 reauthorization required regional fisheries management councils, for the first time, to end domestic overfishing and to develop rebuilding plans, and then the 2007 reauthorization added an important timeline for rebuilding plans and also enforced catch limits. The original law, together with these amendments, established a fisheries management system in the United States that is now a model for the rest of the world. The important point here is that all three of these acts were bipartisan bills, developed and approved by Republicans and Democrats alike, because everybody recognized the need to maintain sustainable fish stocks and to support domestic commercial and recreational fishing. Now, these were also effective progressive endeavors that drastically improved the fisheries in our country. In fact, our Federal fisheries today have the lowest ever number of stocks that are overfished or subject to overfishing, and a total of 37 stocks have been rebuilt. This is evidence that our science-based approach to determining stock status and the managing for sustainability is working. But contrary to previous bipartisan acts of Congress, this bill was developed with very little input from Democrats. Subsequently, it was passed out of committee on a strict party-line vote--no Democrats voting in favor and not a single Democratic amendment accepted. Every witness at each hearing that the committee held on this topic in the last Congress agreed on one thing: the Magnuson-Stevens Act was largely working. This is not a situation where we should be overhauling the law in a wholesale way. It is a situation where we should be making small improvements so that the law can continue to work well into the future. Now, Mr. Chairman, we want to have meaningful discussions with our Republican colleagues and develop bipartisan legislation in the spirit of previous successful Magnuson Act authorizations. To this end, I introduced the Fishing Economy Improvement Act with my friend, Mr. Sablan, and we are offering a germane version as a substitute amendment that would reauthorize Magnuson and leave intact the core conservation and management provisions, including the requirements to rebuild overfished stocks and set annual catch limits. The substitute amendment would also make improvements to the act. It would prioritize cooperation between scientists and fishermen on research efforts, a collaboration that produces useful information, breeds confidence in the system, and improves management outcomes. It infuses new funding into cooperative research, allowing the agency to accept outside funding, and it modernizes fishery collection and management by encouraging the use of electronic monitoring. The amendment makes improvements to the operations of the regional fishery management councils, as well, by increasing transparency and public participation in the process; and it requires that the councils consider the interests of Native Alaskans, Pacific Islanders, and American Indians, who often depend on fish for their livelihoods, in fishery management plans. Our hope is that we can use this reauthorization process to start a thoughtful, constructive, and bipartisan conversation about fisheries management in the United States. At a time when our oceans face many stressors, including the combined effects of pollution, acidification, and ocean warming, it is essential that we reauthorize Magnuson and build on the act's legacy of successful science-based management. Mr. Chairman, the fishermen and coastal communities I represent and those whom my colleagues represent deserve that conversation; and, more importantly, they deserve a bill that honors the decades of work that have gone into making American fishery management more sustainable, both economically and ecologically. I urge my colleagues to support our substitute amendment, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. HUFFMAN. Mr. Chairman, I would just note that the process for listing under the Endangered Species Act requires best available science. It is a very rigorous and public process, and it is subject to being challenged in various ways. So we think it is robust and has proven itself. With that, Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Beyer), who also represents a coastal State that understands the importance of sustainably managing our fisheries.

Mr. HUFFMAN. Mr. Chairman, I have nothing further, and I urge an ``aye'' vote on the amendment in the nature of a substitute. With that, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. HUFFMAN. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Maine (Ms. Pingree), a district that certainly understands the importance of sustainable commercial and recreational fisheries.

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

Mr. HUFFMAN

Mr. HUFFMAN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Colorado. Like the gentleman from Alabama, I do represent a coastal district, a fishing district. In fact, the Second District of California includes about one-third of the California coastline and many working harbors and ports where fishing men and women have been catching fish with their families for many, many generations, as well as the Native American tribes that I represent, who have been depending on healthy fisheries for hundreds, if not thousands, of years. So this is important to me. I share the gentleman's concern that we continue to make fishing available for ourselves and for future generations. We have some disagreements on how to get there, and we will talk about that. I think the thing that we have to recognize at the outset of this debate is that the Magnuson-Stevens Act has been a great success by just about any measure. It succeeded initially in helping us protect and rebuild fisheries from the threat of foreign fleets that were coming into U.S. waters and overfishing and harming our American fishing communities and fishing families. It then went on to succeed in preventing overfishing by U.S. fishermen by a number of mechanisms in the bill that we will talk about in a moment. The other way in which Magnuson-Stevens has been a huge success is that it has always been bipartisan. Both the original act and the subsequent reauthorizations of Magnuson-Stevens have always been strongly bipartisan. And unfortunately, Mr. Speaker, we are departing from that positive history with the bill we have before us today, and we need to get it back on track. The keys to Magnuson-Stevens' success have included strict rules on rebuilding of fishery stocks and also very strict fishery specific quotas, so that we can make sure that we prevent overfishing and ensure a sustainable fishery population. This is not so that we stop fishing, quite the contrary. The purpose of these mechanisms is so that we can continue to fish for future generations by maintaining sustainable populations. Absent these mechanisms, these very successful provisions in Magnuson-Stevens' history teaches us what would happen. We have a history that is played out over and over again in this country and, frankly, around the world--that, without strict protections for sustainable fish populations, we will overfish them, we will deplete them. It puts us on a path where the tragedy of the commons plays out over and over again, and the end result of that is fisheries closures. We are not helping the folks who want to fish. When we don't manage these populations, we are actually hurting them in the long run. Now, Democrats have put forward a substitute amendment that is much closer to a clean reauthorization of Magnuson-Stevens. We think that is really the conversation we need to be having. What kind of clean reauthorization can we have? And are there consensus areas where we can actually improve Magnuson-Stevens? The gentleman from Alabama might be surprised to find Democrats strongly agreeing with him, that we could benefit from additional science, better science. There may be better data available on the red snapper in the Gulf. We are also working with Republicans to try to get that science and make it available to the decisionmakers who set those rules for that fishery. There is also more than meets the eye, even for that red snapper fishery because, while you are talking about a small number of days for recreational fishermen in Federal waters, you have got a much greater number of days in State waters. You also can fish for red snapper and any other species just about any day you want. When you are in Federal waters, you can only keep them during those certain number of days. The reason for that is because approximately half the fish caught are reserved for commercial fishermen who have made their case to the regional council that it is only fair that about half the fish ought to be available to them and about half the fish are allocated to recreational fishermen. In those small number of days, believe it or not, the recreational folks catch almost the same amount of fish that the commercial fishermen catch during a much greater number of days. There is always a little more than meets the eye. You hear sensational statistics perhaps about the very small number of days available. There is, frankly, much more to the story. Where we do agree is, if we can get better data, better science, better monitoring, all of this should be subject to discussion and revision in the councils. That is the flexibility of the Magnuson- Stevens Act, and that ought to be something that we can work on here together. Unfortunately, though, Mr. Speaker, we have a Republican bill that is taking away some of the key provisions of the act that have actually been the very source of its great success over the years, so that heads in a wrong direction. Then, unfortunately, we have the obligatory runs at NEPA and various environmental laws, including the Antiquities Act. This is no place to be carrying out that endless assault on America's environmental laws. Let's get back to that point of consensus, sustainable management of our fisheries. If we can do that, I think we have something we can work on together in this House.

Mr. HUFFMAN

Mr. HUFFMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Joan Eriksen, who is completing twenty-one years of service on the Mendocino Lake Community College District Board of Trustees, where she has been a leader and driving force in a multitude of valuable community projects and programs. Ms. Eriksen has diligently guided the college district in overcoming fiscal challenges during economic downturns and has been a powerful and consistent advocate for high-quality educational opportunities for students in remote areas. She provided strong leadership to secure critical funding to develop and improve College facilities and stellar oversight in the construction of these projects. The permanent structures now housing classrooms and facilities for students in Willits and Lake County are in large part a result of her hard work. As a skilled relationship builder with the extended community and a valuable role model for new board members over the years of her service, Ms. Eriksen's heartfelt commitment to Mendocino College and the Mendocino Lake Community College District--as well as its staff, students, and the community it serves--will leave a lasting impact for years to come. Mr. Speaker, it is fitting to honor and thank Joan Eriksen for her years of dedicated service to the students of Mendocino College and the Mendocino Lake Community College District. On behalf of the many individuals she has served, I am privileged to express deep appreciation to Ms. Eriksen for her exemplary leadership, and convey to her best wishes as she pursues new endeavors.

Mr. HUFFMAN

Mr. HUFFMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Janice Barlow, who officially retired on May 7, 2015, from her position as the Executive Director of Zero Breast Cancer. For the past fifteen years, Zero Breast Cancer has thrived under Ms. Barlow's leadership, growing beyond the local grassroots to become a regionally and nationally recognized model for communities interested in prevention and elimination of breast cancer. Janice Barlow has skillfully guided Zero Breast Cancer's development by actively engaging the local community and continuously pursuing research partnerships and opportunities. Over the past 15 years, Janice Barlow has helped Zero Breast Cancer adopt innovative technologies and outreach strategies to engage new demographics and increased revenue despite the recent economic downturn. During this time, Ms. Barlow also personally co-authored two groundbreaking reports: The California Breast Cancer Mapping Project: Identifying Areas of Concern in California and Breast Cancer and the Environment: Prioritizing Prevention. Under Janice Barlow's leadership, Zero Breast Cancer has successfully partnered with senior academic scientists on more than a dozen research grants, bringing over 20 million research dollars to Marin County and the greater San Francisco Bay Area. Ms. Barlow has been a particularly strong advocate for increased funding for breast cancer prevention research, which currently comprises only a small portion of overall breast cancer funding. Zero Breast Cancer is a national leader in supporting research on the role of environmental risk factors behind breast cancer and continues to advocate for research that specifically investigates prevalence of breast cancer in Marin County and the Bay Area. By helping to lead a study that investigated the relationship between pubertal development and breast cancer, Ms. Barlow paved the way for breakthrough science focused on youth. Mr. Speaker, it is fitting that we honor and thank Janice Barlow for her years of dedicated service to the people of Marin County and the extended Bay Area community, and for her advocacy on behalf of all whose lives have been impacted by breast cancer. On behalf of the many individuals and organizations she has served, I am privileged to express our deep appreciation to Ms. Janice Barlow for her exemplary leadership, and convey our best wishes as she pursues new endeavors.

Mr. HUFFMAN

Mr. HUFFMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of former Judge Patricia ``Pat'' Joan Hofstetter, who passed away on March 25, 2015, at her home in Ferndale, California. Ms. Hofstetter was a pioneer for women on the California bench, and her commitment to the communities in which she lived was well known to everyone acquainted with her. A longtime fisherwoman, Ms. Hofstetter grew to know and love Northern California rivers, for which she was a staunch advocate. Born in Burbank, California, on August 25, 1927, to Helen Culbertson and Leonard Orin Hofstetter, Ms. Hofstetter grew up in the towns of Artesia and Whittier. She graduated from Whittier High School in 1943, Monmouth College in 1948, and Boalt Hall Law School at the University of California at Berkeley in 1951. Ms. Hofstetter opened a law office with her sister Marilynn in 1953. She was appointed to judge at Whittier Municipal in 1963, and became the first woman to serve as President of the California Judges Association in 1976. Ms. Hofstetter was a life member of Soroptimist International and the American Association of University Women. She served on the College Board at Monmouth College, where she was later inducted into the Hall of Fame. Ms. Hofstetter was an active member of the Democratic Party and a champion of democratic values on the North Coast. Among her favorite hobbies was fishing the rivers and lakes of California and Oregon with her lifelong friend and partner, former California Assemblywoman Sally Tanner. In 2001 and 2002, Pat and Sally were winners in the California-Oregon Fishing Derby. Ms. Hofstetter was an avid poker and bridge player and had a great appreciation for music and movies. Pat is survived by her companion Sally Tanner; her sister Helen Raphael and niece Rose Anne of New Liberia, Louisiana; her sister Marilynn Hofstetter of Ferndale and nephew John Raphael and wife Christine, along with their children Melanie and Kathleen. Mr. Speaker, it is with deep respect that we pay tribute to Ms. Patricia Hofstetter and extend condolences to her partner, Sally Tanner, and surviving family. Her presence will be sorely missed and her legacy not soon forgotten.

Mr. HUFFMAN

Mr. HUFFMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Dr. Larry Meredith, who retired on March 31, 2015 following a long and successful career in health and human services that culminated as director of the Marin County Health and Human Services Department for the past 13 years. After earning a degree in business administration from the University of Western Ontario and his master's and doctorate degrees in psychology from Penn State University, Dr. Meredith worked for the San Francisco Department of Public Health for 30 years before coming to Marin. Dr. Meredith led the department of Health and Human Services during challenging and exciting times. From his first day of work in Marin, Dr. Meredith has navigated the Department with distinction through restructuring and a severe economic downturn while maintaining a focus on promoting wellness and preventative health care to achieve improved, comprehensive community health. With a bold vision for the future and an unwavering dedication to strengthening partnerships, Dr. Meredith proved time and again his merits as a devoted leader. He successfully directed Marin County's Team HHS--a staff of more than 700 employees across 10 sites--and managed a $160M budget with multiple grants and funding streams. Those feats would be remarkable by themselves, but it's his dedication to building community relationships and inspiring collaboration among stakeholders that truly sets his service apart. In his work and life, he has supported and strengthened commitments to many pressing community issues, including access to services for those facing mental health issues, homelessness, disabilities, and socio-economic disadvantages. His work will have a long-lasting and positive impact on Marin County for many years to come. Mr. Speaker, it is fitting that we honor and thank Dr. Larry Meredith for his years of dedicated service to the people of Marin County and extended Bay Area community, and for guiding Marin to its ranking as the Healthiest County in California for six consecutive years by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the University of Wisconsin. On behalf of the many individuals and organizations he served, I am honored to express our deep appreciation to Dr. Meredith for his exemplary public service, and convey our best wishes as he pursues new endeavors.

Mr. HUFFMAN

Mr. HUFFMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with my colleagues, Nancy Pelosi, Mike Thompson, and Jackie Speier, to recognize the incredible legacy of William `Zeke' Grader, Jr., who has tirelessly served California's fishermen and coastal communities and as an environmental champion and community leader for many decades. Always willing to share his vast knowledge and expertise with others, Zeke has helped fishermen to define their interest in battles over offshore oil and gas development, land-use, timber harvesting, water allocation, and other issues of social equity and sustainability. From an early age, Zeke Grader grew up in the coastal fishing community. His father founded Grader Fish, Co., in Fort Bragg, California, to buy, process, and broker fresh, local fish. Zeke spent much of his childhood on the family dock, helping fishermen to unload their catch. He graduated from Fort Bragg High School and moved south to attend Sonoma State University, where he studied political science and graduated in 1970. Zeke Grader served his country in the United States Marine Corps before obtaining a law degree from the University of San Francisco and passing the California State Bar in 1975. At that time, Congress was deliberating how to assert our national sovereignty over a two-hundred mile wide economic zone in order to curb foreign overfishing in U.S. waters, allow depleted stocks to recover, and conserve fishery resources. Amidst such explosive public interest in natural resource protection, some in the fishing industry felt threatened by the burgeoning environmental movement. Zeke Grader was asked to serve as the executive officer of the newly formed Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen's Associations (PCFFA), and he led the organization in a more productive and effective direction by embracing efforts to protect the coastal environment. With Zeke at the helm, the PCFFA took a leading role in crafting important state and federal legislation to preserve the coastal fishing industry. Zeke lobbied strongly for California's 1988 Salmon, Steelhead Trout, and Anadromous Fisheries Program Act, which called for a statewide salmon conservation plan to double the present numbers of wild salmon. He pushed for modernization of the federal Fishery Conservation and Management Act, litigated to expedite water quality restoration under the federal Clean Water Act, and fought for protections of fishing grounds by organizing for the prevention and clean-up of petroleum spills. In 1988, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration honored Zeke Grader with its prominent Environmental Hero award. For many Zeke has been a hero over many decades and his tireless efforts to protect the wild California Coast have ensured the present vitality of our fishing communities. Our friend and former colleague George Miller is one of those who counts Zeke as an inspiration. He passed along this message to us to include in the Record: ``Zeke Grader has been my friend almost my entire time in the Congress. During that time Zeke has been a leader in our state, on the Pacific Coast and in our nation to give voice and rights to the men and women of our vital and historic commercial fishing industry. The Pacific coast fisheries from time to time are threatened with droughts, economic downturns, high fuel prices, habitat destruction, and bad public policy. Through it all, Zeke Grader has led this magnificent group of fishers to maintain and grow our fisheries. So many people in California's diverse economy are dependent on their success. The commercial fishers of the Pacific coast must both catch and protect this magnificent species. Zeke Grader for so many years has successfully advocated for both the fish and the fishers. All of us owe him great thanks.'' Today, Zeke continues his strong advocacy by working with and advising leaders at every level of industry and government. His legacy shows us the lasting positive impact that one man can have on countless others and he has shown that you can build a thriving and sustainable economy without depleting natural resources for future generations. Mr. Speaker, it is fitting that we honor Zeke today for his work in representing the fishing community, and we express our deepest appreciation for his friendship and his service.

Mr. HUFFMAN

Mr. HUFFMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with my colleague, Mike Thompson, to recognize the incredible legacy of William `Zeke' Grader, Jr., who has tirelessly served California's fishermen and coastal communities and as an environmental champion and community leader for many decades. Always willing to share his vast knowledge and expertise with others, Zeke has helped fishermen to define their interest in battles over offshore oil and gas development, land-use, timber harvesting, water allocation, and other issues of social equity and sustainability. From an early age, Zeke Grader grew up in the coastal fishing community. His father founded Grader Fish, Co., in Fort Bragg, California, to buy, process, and broker fresh, local fish. Zeke spent much of his childhood on the family dock, helping fishermen to unload their catch. He graduated from Fort Bragg High School and moved south to attend Sonoma State University, where he studied political science and graduated in 1970. Zeke Grader served his country in the United States Marine Corps before obtaining a law degree from the University of San Francisco and passing the California State Bar in 1975. At that time, Congress was deliberating how to assert our national sovereignty over a two-hundred mile wide economic zone in order to curb foreign overfishing in U.S. waters, allow depleted stocks to recover, and conserve fishery resources. Amidst such explosive public interest in natural resource protection, some in the fishing industry felt threatened by the burgeoning environmental movement. Zeke Grader was asked to serve as the executive officer of the newly formed Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen's Associations (PCFFA), and he led the organization in a more productive and effective direction by embracing efforts to protect the coastal environment. With Zeke at the helm, the PCFFA took a leading role in crafting important state and federal legislation to preserve the coastal fishing industry. Zeke lobbied strongly for California's 1988 Salmon, Steelhead Trout, and Anadromous Fisheries Program Act, which called for a statewide salmon conservation plan to double the present numbers of wild salmon. He pushed for modernization of the federal Fishery Conservation and Management Act, litigated to expedite water quality restoration under the federal Clean Water Act, and fought for protections of fishing grounds by organizing for the prevention and clean-up of petroleum spills. In 1988, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration honored Zeke Grader with its prominent Environmental Hero award. For many Zeke has been a hero over many decades and his tireless efforts to protect the wild California Coast have ensured the present vitality of our fishing communities. Our friend and former colleague George Miller is one of those who counts Zeke as an inspiration. He passed along this message to us to include in the Record: ``Zeke Grader has been my friend almost my entire time in the Congress. During that time Zeke has been a leader in our state, on the Pacific Coast and in our nation to give voice and rights to the men and women of our vital and historic commercial fishing industry. The Pacific coast fisheries from time to time are threatened with droughts, economic downturns, high fuel prices, habitat destruction, and bad public policy. Through it all, Zeke Grader has led this magnificent group of fishers to maintain and grow our fisheries. So many people in California's diverse economy are dependent on their success. The commercial fishers of the Pacific coast must both catch and protect this magnificent species. Zeke Grader for so many years has successfully advocated for both the fish and the fishers. All of us owe him great thanks.'' Today, Zeke continues his strong advocacy by working with and advising leaders at every level of industry and government. His legacy shows us the lasting positive impact that one man can have on countless others and he has shown that you can build a thriving and sustainable economy without depleting natural resources for future generations. Mr. Speaker, it is fitting that we honor Zeke today for his work in representing the fishing community, and we express our deepest appreciation for his friendship and his service.

Mr. HUFFMAN

Mr. HUFFMAN. Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to recognize Frank Dean who will be retiring from the National Park Service after nearly forty years of dedicated service. Since 1976 when he first joined the National Park Service as a Ranger at Alcatraz Island, Frank Dean has remained committed to preserving the natural beauty and strong cultural heritage of America's National Parks for this and future generations. Over the past four decades, Mr. Dean has served the American public at parks across the United States, and he will retire in March 2015 as the General Superintendent of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA). Since 2009, Frank Dean has taken on the monumental task of managing the GGNRA, which is the nation's largest urban park and is currently visited by an estimated twenty million people each year. As General Superintendent, Mr. Dean has been responsible for overseeing a staff of nearly three hundred federal employees and tens of thousands of volunteers, in partnership with over twenty-five affiliated nonprofit and commercial organizations. Frank Dean's ability to balance the diverse and competing interests of those who enjoy the park has allowed the GGNRA to continue to flourish and expand its appeal while keeping pace with America's changing demographics. Under Mr. Dean's visionary leadership, world-class art has been incorporated to enhance the park through unique installations, such as Mark di Suvero at Crissy Field and @Large: Ai Weiwei on Alcatraz Island. Frank Dean has pursued the park service's proud tradition of providing youth engagement and educational opportunities through the Park Youth Collaborative. He has overseen critical improvements of park land, notably the restoration of natural ecosystems at Muir Beach to benefit endangered Coho salmon populations. Frank Dean also played a leading role in forging the Tamalpais Lands Collaborative, a groundbreaking five-way partnership to secure a better future for Mt. Tamalpais. Frank Dean's effective leadership has benefited all who enjoy the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. While he may be retiring from the National Park Service, his outstanding commitment to our parks will continue as Mr. Dean works to preserve and protect Yosemite National Park as the new President and CEO at Yosemite Conservancy. Please join me in recognizing Frank Dean and expressing deep appreciation to him for his long and impressive career, and exceptional record of service to our great nation.

Mr. HUFFMAN

Mr. HUFFMAN. Mr. Speaker, I honor the memory of former Congressman Donald ``Don'' Holst Clausen, who passed away on February 7, 2015, at the age of 91. Mr. Clausen, a native of Humboldt County, California attended several colleges, including St. Mary's College. From there, he joined the V5 Naval Aviation Cadet Program and enlisted in World War II. His service in aviation during the war carried over to starting a flight school and ambulance service at the Del Norte airport. Mr. Clausen served on the Del Norte County Board of Supervisors from 1955 to 1962. He was elected to Congress in 1963 following the death of Congressman Clement Woodnutt Miller. During his time in the U.S. House of Representatives, he worked on the formation and expansion of Redwood National Park, and was an ardent supporter of the Klamath, Eel and Russian Rivers. He also worked to establish a 200-mile fishing boundary to prevent the exploitation of ocean fisheries by foreign fleets. Following his defeat for reelection in 1982, Mr. Clausen was appointed by President Ronald Reagan to be director of special projects for the Federal Aviation Administration, in which he served until 1990. It is with deep respect that we mourn the passing of Mr. Don Clausen and extend condolences to his daughters Dawn Marie Baumgartner and Bev Mendenhall. His presence will be sorely missed.

Mr. HUFFMAN

Mr. HUFFMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with my colleague, Mike Thompson, to recognize California Senator Noreen Evans, who recently retired on November 30, 2014 following twenty-one years of public service. Senator Evans has a distinguished record of serving the North Coast as a public servant and community leader. She has devoted her career to protecting the North Coast's invaluable natural resources, reforming the California legal system, and advocating for the rights of underserved communities, especially women and children. Ms. Evans began her career in public service on the Santa Rosa Planning Commission and continued this service as a member of the Santa Rosa City Council before serving three terms in the California State Assembly and one term in the California State Senate. As an Assemblymember, Ms. Evans took on key roles as a Majority Whip, Human Services Committee Chair, and Budget Committee Chair. In the Senate, Ms. Evans led the Senate Banking and Finance Committee, the Senate Committee on Judiciary, the Legislative Women's Caucus, and the Senate Select Committee on Wine. Ms. Evans used her leadership positions to champion local issues as well as statewide policy and was able to forge bipartisan consensus among her colleagues. In addition to her time in elected office, Ms. Evans has practiced law for more than twenty years and litigated before both state and federal courts, up to the United States Supreme Court. In 2011, she became the first woman to receive the Defender of Justice Award from the Judicial Council of California. Mr. Speaker, it is fitting that we honor Noreen Evans upon her retirement from the California State Senate for her tireless work representing the North Coast by protecting its valuable natural resources and championing its people. We express our deep appreciation to Noreen Evans for her exemplary public service, and convey our best wishes to Ms. Evans and her family as she pursues new endeavors.

Mr. HUFFMAN

Mr. HUFFMAN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the House bring up H.R. 861, a clean Department of Homeland Security funding bill that would keep the Department open so it can carry out its important mission of keeping the American people safe.