Jerry Lewis

Mr. LEWIS of California

Mr. LEWIS of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to one of the most respected public servants in my district, San Bernardino County Sheriff Gary Penrod, who is stepping down this month after nearly 40 years protecting our citizens. A Southern California native, Gary Stephen Penrod graduated from Redlands Schools, worked as a U.S. Forest Service firefighter and is a U.S. Army veteran. But his life has been in law enforcement, and he has served in the sheriff's department since being deputized in 1971. Sheriff Penrod spent time on patrol in most of the vast desert and mountain reaches of San Bernardino County, and received regular promotions over the years. When the city of Hesperia incorporated in 1988, the sheriff's department contracted to provide police services, and Gary Penrod became the first Hesperia Police Chief. By the time our former sheriff retired in 1994, Gary Penrod had been promoted to Deputy Chief. He easily defeated six other candidates and was sworn in as sheriff on Jan. 3, 1995. He has been reelected to three more four-year terms. When he first took office in 1994, San Bernardino County had a population of 774,000 people. Today, more than 2 million people live in the sheriff's jurisdiction. Deputies responded to 617,000 calls in 1994, last year they had more than 1.2 million. Mr. Speaker, San Bernardino County was known in the past for having some colorful characters as our top law enforcer. Sheriff Penrod has had a reputation for quiet leadership, for helping the department achieve high recognition for professionalism, and for encouraging his deputies to stay on the cutting edge as law enforcement has modernized. During his tenure, Sheriff Penrod implemented community based policing and many innovative programs and staffing enhancements including: Crime Free Multi-Housing, Operation CleanSWEEP, Public Safety Internship Academy, Marijuana Eradication Team, Methamphetamine Lab Task Force, Narcotics Special Enforcement Teams and Gang Enforcement Units. Sheriff Penrod oversaw the merger with the San Bernardino Marshall's office and in 2005 he became Sheriff-Coroner of San Bernardino County. A highly respected leader, Sheriff Penrod is a member of San Bernardino County Children's Network, San Bernardino County Chiefs of Police and Sheriff's Association, California Police Officers' Association, International Association of Chiefs of Police, National Sheriffs' Association, Western State Sheriffs' Association, California State Coroners' Association, and the Governor's Corrections Standard Authority. He is a past president of the California State Sheriffs' Association. Although he is respected for his professionalism and progressive thinking, among his deputies Sheriff Penrod is most known as someone who always cares for the members of his department. Wounded deputies have often told of finding the sheriff by their bedside, personally promising to help them and their families. Madam Speaker, after 38 years as a law enforcement officer, Sheriff Penrod has decided to retire to spend more time with his wife Nancy and at his hobbies--horseback riding, raising cattle, fishing, camping and snow skiing. Please join me in thanking him for his years of service, and wishing him and Nancy success in all of their future endeavors.

Mr. LEWIS of California

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Chairman, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Idaho (Mr. Simpson).

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Chairman, pursuant to H. Res. 88, I yield the balance of my time to the ranking member of the Ways and Means Committee, Mr. Camp.

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Chairman, could I inquire as to the amount of time that's remaining?

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Gingrey).

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Chairman, I am pleased to yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Nunes), a member of the Ways and Means Committee.

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Neugebauer).

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Chairman, in order to ask a question, let me yield 30 seconds to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Hensarling).

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Chairman, I proudly yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Burton).

Mr. LEWIS of California. I will be yielding time, Mr. Chairman, to others, so I will reserve my time for now.

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Linder).

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Chairman, I am pleased to yield 2 minutes to my colleague from Indiana, Mr. Buyer.

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Chairman, I'm pleased to yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Fortenberry).

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Hensarling).

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Chairman, I am proud to yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Broun).

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from California (Mr. McClintock).

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Chairman, I am proud to yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Crenshaw).

Mr. LEWIS of California. I yield an additional 30 seconds.

Mr. LEWIS of California

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. LEWIS of California

Mr. LEWIS of California. Will the gentleman yield?

Mr. LEWIS of California. I appreciate my chairman's yielding. Mr. Speaker, it has been my privilege to work with the chairmen both when they were in the minority and now running the place. I must say that very few staff people combine both the intellect and personality kind of warmth that Rob reflects in the everyday work of this fabulous guy. He's a wonderful member of our staff. OMB is going to be very fortunate to have him, and we will miss him. So thank you very much.

Mr. LEWIS of California

Mr. LEWIS of California. Madam Speaker, I would like today to pay special tribute to San Bernardino Community College District Trustees Chuck Beeman and Allen Gresham, who over the past several decades have overseen the rapid growth and maturing of the major community colleges in my district in California. A respected attorney in San Bernardino County, Allen Gresham was first elected as college trustee in 1971 and is now the third-longest- serving in California. Chuck Beeman, a retired pharmacist and owner of Beeman's Pharmacy, was appointed to the board in 1983. The two men are leaving the board this year after a combined 62 years of public service. While they have been on the board, the district's two campuses have grown significantly--now serving more than 18,000 students with nearly 500 full- and part-time faculty members. Since Allen Gresham joined the board, more than 150,000 students have received degrees and certificates. The two campuses--San Bernardino Valley College and Crafton Hills College--have two of the most diverse student bodies in California. As the student body has grown, Mr. Gresham and Mr. Beeman have led the board of trustees in meeting their needs through a continuing building program that has expanded and significantly modernized both campuses. With the help of Federal Emergency Management Agency earthquake mitigation funding, Valley College has completely remade its central facilities, building a new library, Health and Human Sciences Building, administration building and a 37,000-square-foot Campus Center. A new art building with a modern gallery--named in honor of Clara and Allen Gresham for their devotion to art--opened last year. At Crafton Hills College, ground was recently broken for a new library and learning resource center, as well as a new swimming center. The district has also built a new central headquarters at the former Norton Air Force Base and upgraded facilities for its public-access television and radio station, KVCR--which provides the only broadcast local news for San Bernardino County. In addition, the college district has opened a nationally-recognized academy at the former air base to give firefighters hands-on training in dealing with jet fuel and aircraft fires. Madam Speaker, wary California taxpayers have turned back construction bond measures for many cities and school districts in recent years. But thanks in large part to the leadership of Allen Gresham and Chuck Beeman, San Bernardino County taxpayers gave solid approval to a $190 million bond in 2002 and a $500 million bond just this year to continue the expansion of these fine college campuses. In addition to academic excellence, the college district has won intercollegiate athletics championships in many sports. These accomplishments have especially delighted Chuck Beeman, who came within a fraction of a second of qualifying for the 1956 U.S. Olympic team and taught track at Valley College for many years. The college's track was named in Mr. Beeman's honor last year. Madam Speaker, Allen Gresham and Chuck Beeman can look back with pride as they come to the end of their time on the San Bernardino Community College District Board of Trustees. Please join me in saluting them for their decades of service to education and our community and wishing them well in their future endeavors.

Mr. LEWIS of California

Mr. LEWIS of California. Madam Speaker, pursuant to Republican earmark guidance, I am submitting the following project that was included in H.R. 2638, the Consolidated Security, Disaster Assistance, and Continuing Appropriations Act of 2009: Requesting Member: Congressman Jerry Lewis. Department of Defense Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2009. Project Name: Lafayette Escadrille Memorial. Account: American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC). Legal Name of Requesting Entity: U.S. Air Force. Address of Requesting Entity: HQ USAF/CC, 1670 Air Force Pentagon, Washington, DC 20330. Description of Request: Provide $500,000.00 to conduct an updated engineering study of the Lafayette Escadrille Memorial to determine the long term recurring costs to preserve and maintain the memorial at ABMC standards.

Mr. LEWIS of California

Mr. LEWIS of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a good friend and longtime leader in my community, San Bernardino County Supervisor Dennis Hansberger, who is leaving office this year after more than 20 years in public service. While he was a young businessman in 1968, Dennis Hansberger was selected as a field representative and executive assistant by then- County Supervisor Donald Beckford. When his boss decided not to run for re-election, Mr. Hansberger mounted a successful campaign and won election to the county board in 1972. Dennis Hansberger quickly revealed his strong leadership capabilities, and was chosen as chairman of the board by his fellow supervisors in 1974--becoming the youngest chairman in the state and the youngest in San Bernardino County history. When the legislature created the South Coast Air Quality Management District, Supervisor Hansberger became a founding board member of that ground-breaking agency. After 2 successful terms, Mr. Hansberger decided to take a hiatus from elected office and went into private business as a well-respected consultant on land management and mining issues. He remained extremely active in public service, however, serving for 3 years as Chairman on the Redlands Community Hospital's Board, as well as on the Board of Counselors of the California State University in California, the Foundation Board of the San Bernardino County Museum, the Inland Empire Council of the Boy Scouts of America, and the Capital Projects Committee of the Girl Scouts of America. Mr. Hansberger was again elected to the Board of Supervisors in 1996, and has been at the forefront of many of the major issues faced by the county in the past 12 years. Faced with the closure of Norton Air Force Base, Supervisor Hansberger has been a leader in seeking ways to replace the 12,000 jobs lost. He served as chairman of the Inland Valley Development Authority, a joint effort of the county and cities surrounding the base. By working as a team, the communities have brought about a complete makeover of the former base into a new airport, supporting major businesses that have brought thousands of new jobs to the area. Five years ago, San Bernardino County was confronted with an even more dire problem--millions of trees were dying around mountain communities and creating a grave fire danger for tens of thousands of residents. As the supervisor representing the area, Dennis Hansberger pushed county officials to create the Mountain Area Safety Taskforce and work with residents on an evacuation plan. The plan's effectiveness was demonstrated when nearly 50,000 residents were evacuated with no serious injury during terrible wildfires the following year. Mr. Hansberger has since led the county in cutting down more than a million trees and significantly reducing the fire danger. Madam Speaker, as you can see, Dennis Hansberger has been a leader in improving the economy and safety for San Bernardino County residents. Please join me in thanking him for his decades of public service, and wishing the best to him and his wife Karen in all of their future endeavors.

Mr. LEWIS of California

Mr. LEWIS of California. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of the measure before us. Madam Speaker, there is a sense of urgency in the Capitol. We all know that this urgency is real: we have seen the largest U.S. bank failure in history, the demise of century-old Wall Street firms, and a nearly total freeze of our credit system. Everyone, Republican and Democrat, is keenly aware that our economy is in dire straits. It seems increasingly clear that unless we in Congress allow the Federal Government to take bold steps, we are facing a serious recession or worse. Treasury Chief Henry Paulson--backed by President Bush--has laid out a plan that would commit up to $700 billion to relieve the pressure on the credit system by buying bad mortgage debts and other ``toxic assets.'' The American people are rightly furious that their tax dollars will go to ``reward'' the businesses and business people who they believe got us into this mess. Most who have called my office forcefully said ``I've paid my bills, I shouldn't have to pay their bills, too.'' Frankly, I'm furious, also. The idea of spending taxpayer dollars to prop up risky investments keeps me awake at night. It goes against all the principles I have lived by--personal responsibility, smaller government, reliance on the free market. But we cannot afford to simply look at this as angry taxpayers who believe we should just let the greed gamblers fail. The stakes are too great for that. Uncle Sam has been involved in controversial bailouts before. There was the bailout of Chrysler in the '80s and later of Mexico in the '90s. On the optimistic side, in both instances, the dollars delivered were repaid including interest. Thus, some suggest that as our own marketplace improves, these bailouts could very well be repaid and perhaps even lead to some profits. Earlier this week Chairman Bernanke reminded us that Wall Street is an abstraction. The internal credit markets that allow banks to borrow money from each other are hard to understand for our constituents--and for most of us, as well. I have heard constituents--and some members-- say we shouldn't worry about the lack of credit between banks. But the failure of our credit system has broad. implications, not only for the high rollers in Manhattan, but also for the families and small businesses of the Inland Empire. When local business owners do not have cash today for payroll but know they will in the future, they can turn to their bank and get a short-term loan to pay their employees, stay open and help build the local economy. When families do not have cash to buy a home or a car, they turn to their bank to get a mortgage, create wealth and help build the local economy. When high school students do not have cash to pay for college, they turn to their bank to get a student loan. When those students graduate, they enter the workforce and help build the local economy. When banks stop lending between themselves, they soon stop lending to everyone else and economic expansion at the local level stops. The crisis on Wall Street becomes the crisis on Main Street. The liquidity crisis is a linchpin of the broader economic crisis facing our constituents. This crisis has already hit our seniors in retirement and those looking at retirement. Even savvy retirement age constituents who made sound investment choices are not immune to our current market downturn. Should we refuse to act swiftly, those who rely on investment income and do not have the luxury of time to wait for long-term market adjustments will have even less money for food, housing and medical needs. In my own district and yours, we are seeing clear signs that a downturn in the financial markets impacts city and county investments and puts important public projects at risk. Can we afford to increase that risk to local growth? There is no question that investing in the market also poses risks, but if we can reduce market uncertainty, those risks are reduced for everyone. That is the only way to protect the investments made by seniors who built our economy's foundation and localities serving our constituents. Allowing the markets to crash and leaving Wall Street to its own devices does punish the decisionmakers who fueled this crisis. But we all know it won't stop there. Millions of Americans will suffer the consequences, even those who felt they were being careful with their retirement nest egg. There is no question that we in Congress must move deliberately and do everything we can to reduce or eliminate the risk to taxpayer funds. And whatever action is taken by Congress, we must make certain that those who got us into this mess do not profit further from the solutions we develop. But we cannot avoid risk. Ultimately, we must face the realization that doing nothing will cause a potential catastrophe, and the suffering won't be felt just on Wall Street. It will be on every Main Street in America.