Doris Matsui

Ms. MATSUI

Ms. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Patricia Pennisi as she retires after forty years of service to the Stanford Settlement Neighborhood Center. As her family, friends, and colleagues gather to celebrate her long list of accomplishments and years of service, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring this great individual who has served and contributed so much to the Sacramento region. Since receiving her Master's Degree in Social Work in 1970 from the University of Kansas and shortly after her certification from the Academy of Certified Social Workers in 1972, Ms. Pennisi has been committed to the mission of social work. For the last forty years, Ms. Pennisi has been an integral part of the important programs that have made the Stanford Settlement Neighborhood Center an essential part of the North Sacramento community. As longtime Assistant Director of Stanford Settlement Neighborhood, she has been at the forefront of directing the center's children and youth services. With the leadership of Ms. Pennisi, both the Children's Program and the Teen Center Program have grown and flourished. In addition, to helping raise funds to support the center's many programs, she has been vital in ensuring its continued success. Over her entire career, Ms Pennisi has worked tirelessly to be a champion for children. She has been a remarkable influence on her colleagues, as well as the student interns that have had the privilege of working with her. Although she will be greatly missed for her vast contributions, she will be fondly remembered for her ability to make Sacramento a better place and for her contributions to the Stanford Settlement Neighborhood Center. Mr. Speaker, as Patricia and her family, friends and colleagues gather to celebrate her retirement, I am pleased to honor and recognize her for her hard work to help the Sacramento community. I ask my colleagues to join me in wishing her the best in retirement and thanking her for her service to the Sacramento region.

Ms. MATSUI

Ms. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, it is with profound sadness that I rise to honor the life of my good friend, Edith Norle McMillan Roberts, who passed away on Saturday, August 15, 2015, in Antelope, California at the age of 96. Edith was not only a good friend of mine, but she was a friend to Sacramento--someone who spent her life dedicated to her family, education and public service. Edith Norle McMillan Roberts was the widow of the late Tuskegee Airman George ``Spanky'' Roberts, Colonel, USAF (Retired), a member of the first graduating class of the Tuskegee Airmen in 1942. She was born on March 18, 1919, in Gilliam, West Virginia. While attending West Virginia State University (formerly West Virginia State College), she met George. She graduated in 1941 with a Bachelor's degree in music and French. While at college, she joined the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority and the college choir. After graduation, she taught second through fifth grade, as well as the Boys' Glee Club, at Lakin Boys' Reformatory in Point Pleasant, West Virginia. Edith and George married on March 7, 1942, immediately following his graduation in the first class of Tuskegee Airmen. Moving to Sacramento, California in 1965, George worked at McClellan Air Force Base where Edith directed the Military Wives' Choral Group and sang in the chapel choir. The pair retired to civilian life in 1968. The family attended St. Stephen's Presbyterian Church, where Edith, once again, took up the post of choir director until 1997. Edith graduated in 1972 with her Master's Degree in social work from the Graduate School of Social Work at California State University, Sacramento. She worked for the Sacramento City Unified School District as a School Social Worker from 1972-1985, and was the first African- American Social Worker for the school district. Edith did extensive work for the George S. ``Spanky'' Roberts Chapter of the Tuskegee Airmen, Inc. and founded the ``Living History Team.'' She traveled the United States teaching adults and children about the legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen and the many hardships they were dealt in life, from Jim Crow laws and segregation to her struggles of being a military wife. Edith was always a strong advocate of education. The George S. ``Spanky'' Roberts Chapter will honor her memory by creating the Edith Roberts Scholarship Award in her name. Similarly, the Tuskegee Airmen, Inc. national organization will create the George and Edith Roberts Scholarship award. These scholarships will help graduating seniors to follow their goals through higher education and beyond. Nothing made Edith happier than watching young people recognize and follow their dreams. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the life of Edith Norle McMillan Roberts. She leaves a legacy that we should all aspire to follow. She is loved deeply and will be missed by many. I pray that her loving family, George Roberts, Jr., Lanelle Brent, Michalyn Green, and Leigh Roberts; six grandchildren, Richard Brent, Heather Mercer, Joshua Roberts, Margaret Green, Zachari Roberts, and Nathaniel Roberts; and three great-grandchildren, Kathryn Mercer, Grace Roberts and Lauren Mercer will find comfort in the fact that Edith provided so much love and service to those of us who had the honor to share in her life.

Ms. MATSUI

Ms. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in memory of retired U.S. District Court Judge Lawrence K. Karlton, who passed away last month. I ask my colleagues to take a moment and join me in tribute to Judge Karlton's truly distinguished life and service to the American people. Judge Karlton was a steadfast believer that justice and equal protection under the law applied to all Americans, regardless of one's place in our nation and society. After graduating from New York University and Columbia School of law, Judge Karlton served in the United States Army and was the lead Civilian Legal Officer at the Sacramento Army Depot. He would later serve in private practice and volunteer as a lawyer for the American Civil Liberties Union on a number of civil rights cases. Governor Jerry Brown, well aware of Judge Karlton's talents, appointed him to the Superior Court of California in 1976. Three years later, President Jimmy Carter appointed him to the United States District Court for the Eastern District of California in 1979. He would serve honorably for a number of years and took senior status in 2000. After thirty-five years on the federal bench, Judge Karlton formally retired last September. With his passing, Judge Karlton has left behind a clear legacy as a fair jurist, one who was always impartial to those who stood in front of him, and one who clearly valued the rights enshrined in the United States Constitution. He has left an unforgettable mark on the people of our nation who needed the federal courts to be strong in order to protect their rights. While on the federal bench, Judge Karlton served on a number three judge panels that were charged with overseeing the State of California's overcrowded prison system. He oversaw a complex class action case filed on behalf of those who had immigrated to the United States in the 1980s, and waded into the complexities of federal protections for endangered species in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta in the 2000s. Finally and perhaps most importantly, Judge Karlton leaves a legacy as a mentor to many talented lawyers, a number of whom have gone on to be appointed to federal and state judgeships. While the responsibilities of serving on federal bench were immense, he also was a wonderful husband to his wife, Sue, and father to his daughter, Emily Williams. Mr. Speaker, as Judge Lawrence Karlton's family, friends and colleagues gather to honor his life and accomplishments, I ask that my colleagues join me in thanking him and recognizing him for his many years of service to our nation and the legacy that he leaves behind.

Ms. MATSUI

Ms. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 50th anniversary of Medicare and Medicaid. When President Lyndon B. Johnson signed Medicare and Medicaid into law, he proclaimed that: ``No longer will older Americans be denied the healing miracle of modern medicine. No longer will illness crush and destroy the savings that they have so carefully put away over a lifetime so that they might enjoy dignity in their later years. No longer will young families see their own incomes and their own hopes eaten away simply because they are carrying out their deep moral obligations to their parents.'' We need to continue to keep these promises by protecting and expanding Medicare and Medicaid. Together, these two programs provide health coverage for our Nation's seniors, people with disabilities, and moms and families. We must ensure that these programs are here for now and for future generations.

Ms. MATSUI

Ms. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize St. John Missionary Baptist Church and its parishioners as they celebrate the church's 70th anniversary. As its congregation gathers to celebrate this wonderful occasion, I ask all of my colleagues to join me in recognizing and honoring St. John Missionary Baptist Church for their contributions to the Sacramento community. St. John Missionary Baptist Church was formed on August 24, 1945, under the leadership of Reverend Benjamin F. Davis. Their first location was known as ``the little storefront church'' and was located downtown on Capitol Avenue between Third and Fifth Streets. The church has been at their current location at 2130 4th Street for the last 53 years and it has thrived under the pastoral leadership of the Rev. J. D. Griffin, Dr. William E. Hights, and their current pastor, Rev. Darryl B. Heath. St. John Missionary Baptist Church is committed to building stronger and synergistic relationships with its neighboring families and businesses. Their motto is ``Small Enough to Care, Large Enough to Serve!'' They do this by providing much needed social services to the underserved. An example of their exemplary work includes the Repairing the Breach Neighborhood Project which was established in 2008 and the Resource Referral Center opened in 2010, which is staffed by volunteers to assist in home ownership and financial counseling. Mr. Speaker, as the congregation gathers for their 70th anniversary celebration, I am pleased to honor and recognize St. John Missionary Baptist Church for its important role in enhancing Sacramento's community. I ask my colleagues to join me in wishing them continued success and thanking them for their service to the Sacramento region.

Ms. MATSUI

Ms. MATSUI. I thank the gentleman from Florida for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to H.R. 2898. California is in the fourth year of a devastating drought, and what is on the House floor today does nothing to address the crisis, but, rather, it sets California back by fanning the flames of century-old water wars. The story of California and the West's drought is known across the country because it is unprecedented. Not only has our annual rainfall plummeted, but for the first time in our history, California has no snowpack--none. The snow in the Sierras once sustained us through the dry summers and replenished our streams with cold water, but not this year. Folsom Reservoir, just upstream from the city of Sacramento, is projected to be at the lowest it has been by the end of September, less than 15 percent of capacity. This is not due to government mismanagement or environmental restrictions; it is due to the lack of rain. We need real solutions to this crisis, short- and long-term solutions. There are no silver bullet solutions. It is an all-of-the- above approach, and it should certainly not be the fear-mongering legislation like H.R. 2898. For the short term, our State has used the flexibility it already has to move the water and make timely deliveries to make the best of this very, very bad situation. We also need to continue our conservation efforts and fix our infrastructure where there are leaks and wastes, but that is just for the short term. In the long term, we need to be investing in wastewater recycling, above- and below-ground water storage, and new technologies to help us monitor our water use on demand. I have introduced a sensible bill that will allow wastewater recycling projects to move forward much more quickly with Federal support. We should be debating solutions like that and not wasting time, yet again, on a bill that does not solve the real problem. As the daughter of a Central Valley farmer and the granddaughter of another, I grew up on a farm, and I deeply understand the value of and the controversy over water. In northern California, we have done our best to balance our watershed to provide water for our farms, our cities, and the environment. To say that this bill will help the drought is grossly misleading and, frankly, irresponsible. Mr. Speaker, even if we pump as much water south as possible, it still wouldn't be enough. The problem is a lack of rain. There is simply no more water to pump from the delta. This bill only further divides our State. My district, the city of Sacramento, the Sacramento region, and northern California as a whole strongly opposes this bill. Some of the concerns that have been raised include the loss of the State's right to manage its own water; the decimation of environmental protections for our Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta; the ability to manage Folsom Reservoir for the benefit of the Sacramento metropolitan area; and, most importantly, the overall instability that this bill will create in California. We cannot afford to give up California's right to control its own water future. The stakes are too high. I urge my colleagues to strongly reject this legislation.

Ms. MATSUI

Ms. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me time. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the rule to consider the 21st Century Cures Act on the floor. On the Energy and Commerce Committee, we worked tirelessly with our colleagues on the other side of the aisle to get this bill to a place that we could all agree upon, a place where we provide new mandatory funding for NIH to do the critical research that is a foundation for cures, a place where we tweak FDA processes and provide FDA with additional resources to do the new things that will help get treatments and cures to patients faster. As we worked together to find ways to accelerate innovation, patients with rare diseases have been at the forefront of our conversations. It is often more difficult to research and develop cures for rare disease patients due to their small populations. However, finding cures for rare diseases is not just of the utmost importance to the patients with those rare diseases and their families, it is important to all of us. You never know where a cure might come from, and often research and drug development on one disease may turn out to be fruitful for another. Mr. Speaker, we all need to work together to advance cures and treatments. A provision of this bill would encourage public-private partnerships to foster better utilization of patient registries that generate important information on the natural history of diseases, especially rare diseases for which other types of research can be difficult. I also applaud the efforts in this bill to advance the President's Precision Medicine Initiative to accelerate discoveries that are tailored to individual patients' needs. The telehealth language in 21st Century Cures recognizes telehealth is the delivery of safe, effective, quality healthcare services by a healthcare provider using technology as the mode of delivery, and the interoperability provision makes great strides toward ensuring that our health IT systems can communicate amongst each other and with patients. Mr. Speaker, I don't claim that this bill is perfect. Compromises have been made. I am disappointed that the amount of NIH funding has been recently reduced from $10 billion to $8.7 billion. I am also disappointed that policy riders, such as the Hyde amendment language, have been inserted after we voted this out of committee, and I look forward to voting for the amendment offered by my colleagues Barbara Lee, Jan Schakowsky, and Yvette Clarke to strike the policy riders language. With that, Mr. Speaker, I do, however, support the 21st Century Cures legislation.

Ms. MATSUI

Ms. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Sacramento Japanese American Citizens League's annual high school scholarship recipients. As the members of the Sacramento Japanese American Citizens League and the students gather to celebrate, I ask all of my colleagues to join me in recognizing these deserving young women and men. Each year, the Sacramento Japanese American Citizens League provides scholarships to a select group of high school students who have demonstrated academic excellence, community service and commitment to pursue a higher education. These students will be honored in a public ceremony at the Sacramento Japanese American Citizens League's scholarship dinner this evening. This year the following outstanding students will receive scholarships: Kevin Abdelnour, John F. Kennedy High School; Kenji Bennett, Mira Loma High School; Quinn S. Fujii, C.K. McClatchy High School; Lindsey Kikumoto, Laguna Creek High School; Benjamin Kopania, Oak Ridge High School; Reid Masaki, West Campus High School; Jasper Miura, Mira Loma High School; and Alex Playdon, C.K. McClatchy High School. I would also like to recognize last year's scholarship recipients: Sydney Kajioka, Laguna Creek High School; Aaron Matsuda, C.K. McClatchy High School; Kari Nakamura, John F. Kennedy High School; Matthew Nakatomi, John F. Kennedy High School; Rebecca Uda, C.K. McClatchy High School; and Kayla Umemoto, Mira Loma High School. The Sacramento Japanese American Citizens League is dedicated to advancing the civil rights of all Americans, while also leading the Japanese American community to further social and economic equality. I trust that the students being recognized will carry this tradition forward to protect the civil rights of all of our citizens and stay engaged in their communities. Mr. Speaker, as these students are being recognized by the Japanese American Citizens League members, I ask my colleagues to join me in wishing them success in their future endeavors.

Ms. MATSUI

Ms. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Fox & Goose Public House as they celebrate their 40th anniversary. As its owners, staff, and loyal patrons gather to celebrate this wonderful occasion, I ask all of my colleagues to join me in recognizing and honoring the Fox & Goose for their contributions to the Sacramento Region. Modeled after the famous public house bearing the same name in the English town of Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire, Sacramento's Fox & Goose has become a similarly thriving institution. Founders Bill and Denise Dalton, along with their daughter and current owner Allyson Dalton, have successfully created a tradition of excellent quality and service that is an integral part of Sacramento's dining scene. Since its grand opening on January 15, 1975, Fox & Goose has truly embodied its name as a public house by providing a gathering place for all to visit with friends, unwind with a traditional English or American meal and enjoy their wide range of fine beers, wines, and Scotch. Every time that I am home, I find time to stop by for breakfast and enjoy one of their famous olallieberry scones. Over its 40 year history, Fox & Goose has received a number of accomplishments and accolades. The restaurant is widely regarded to have the ``Best Breakfast'' in Sacramento, winning awards and honors in this category many times, and from a number of different publications. Additionally, Fox & Goose's Open Mic and Pub Quiz nights have provided a great deal of entertainment for many in the Sacramento community to enjoy. The environment created by Bill and Denise, and sustained by Allyson, has also become the centerpiece of the revitalization of Sacramento's historic R Street. Mr. Speaker, as patrons gather for their 40th anniversary celebration, I am pleased to honor and recognize Fox & Goose for its important role in enhancing Sacramento's community. I ask my colleagues to join me in wishing them continued success and thanking them for their service to the Sacramento region.

Ms. MATSUI

Ms. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Sutter Medical Center, Sacramento and its employees as the Center celebrates the opening of the Anderson Lucchetti Women's and Children's Center. Sutter Medical Center, Sacramento is a community based, not-for-profit hospital, with the mission of enhancing the well-being of the people in the communities it serves through a commitment to compassion and excellence in health care services. Sutter Health does more than just deliver quality health care. Sutter Health serves as a major economic driver, with more than 12,000 employees in the greater Sacramento Region. Moreover, Sutter Health provided more than $100 million in Community Benefit and Charity Care investments to the underserved in the Sacramento community in 2014 alone. Sutter Medical Center, Sacramento is embarking on a new era in its mission to deliver the latest and highest quality health care. The new Anderson Lucchetti Women's and Children's Center and the comprehensive renovation of Sutter General Hospital into the Ose Adams Medical Pavilion are opening in the coming weeks. It has resulted in a state- of-the-art medical campus designed to meet the growing health care needs of the greater Sacramento region. The medical center renovation project required an investment of $750 million and created nearly half a million square footage of new space. This new facility will allow Sutter Health to bring its medical expertise, technology and patient-focused care into one easily accessible campus to better serve the greater Sacramento community. By locating all primary and specialty care services in a central location, patients and families will gain faster and easier access to needed medical services. The 242-bed Anderson Lucchetti Women's and Children's Center is a 10- story acute-care hospital, where patients and their families can obtain the highest level of neonatal and pediatric intensive care services, pediatric cardiac care, pediatric neurosurgery services, pediatric cancer services, high-risk and conventional maternity services. When the new hospital officially opens on August 8th, it will replace Sutter Memorial Hospital as Sacramento's ``baby hospital'' and home to the Sutter Children's Center. Additionally, Sutter General Hospital has been significantly renovated, transforming it into the 274-bed Ose Adams Medical Pavilion. These two acute-care facilities are connected seamlessly by a unique, three-story spanning structure across L Street that also houses clinical space. This effectively blends the two facilities into one comprehensive medical campus. Mr. Speaker, as Sutter Health's staff, patient, and the Sacramento community come together to celebrate the opening of the Anderson Lucchetti Women's and Children's Center, I ask all my colleagues to join me in congratulating Sutter Health on completion of this integrated medical campus and in thanking Sutter Medical Center, Sacramento for the quality care it provides every patient who walks through its doors.

Ms. MATSUI

Ms. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and congratulate the C.K. McClatchy High School Girls Basketball Team for winning the 2015 Division I State Championship. As the team's players, coaches, student body and faculty look back on this terrific season, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the team for its remarkable success. The 2014-2015 McClatchy Lady Lions are comprised of an excellent group of student-athletes who play a tenacious, gritty brand of basketball that energized not only the school, but the entire Sacramento community. Their selfless play and team spirit exemplified the best that high school athletics has to offer. The Lady Lions culminated their brilliant season on March 27, 2015 by defeating Serra of Gardena 65-61 in double-overtime to win the California Interscholastic Federation Division I State Championship. Their state championship is the first for McClatchy High School in any sport, and also was the first in Sacramento City Unified School District history. McClatchy's victory is a fitting conclusion to the season for a group of players who have demonstrated tremendous skill, perseverance, and effort throughout the year. Each player, whether senior, junior, or sophomore, exhibited a steadfast commitment to the team. The Lady Lions outstanding roster includes Lauren Nubla, Destiney Lee, Jordan Cruz, Kelsey Wong, Kristi Wong, Alex Washington, Sara Shimizu, Ka'maree Donald, Haley Arakaki, Jade Fonseca, and the Sacramento Bee's 2014-2015 Basketball Player of the Year, Gigi Garcia. In addition to their talented roster, the McClatchy team also benefitted greatly from the tutelage of one of the best coaching staffs in the area. Head Coach Jessica Kunisaki and her able assistant coaches, Jeff Ota, Que Ngo, and Carlos Vicenty cultivated a spirit of camaraderie and hard work under which the players thrived. Mr. Speaker, as McClatchy's 2014-2015 school year concludes, I am honored to pay tribute to the exemplary members of the C.K. McClatchy High School girls basketball team, who have brought so much enthusiasm and pride to McClatchy and the Sacramento community. Their success this year is highly commendable and I am pleased to have the opportunity to recognize their accomplishments. I ask all of my colleagues to join me in congratulating the C.K. McClatchy girls basketball team on a wonderful season and wish them continued success in future years.

Ms. MATSUI

Ms. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize my friend and a true leader of our nation's seniors, Ms. Elizabeth ``Betty'' Perry, who recently passed away. I ask all my colleagues to join me in recognizing her for her work on behalf of all Americans. A Sacramento native, Betty returned home to become a teacher after graduating from UC Berkeley. She first taught at Kit Carson Junior High School, and then became a teacher and counselor at C. K. McClatchy High School, where she influenced many students. One of these students was my husband, the late Congressman Robert Matsui. Bob adored Betty and remained close to her when he served on the Sacramento City Council and in Congress. After her teaching career came to a close, Betty emerged a true expert and leader on senior issues, where she and Bob worked closely to ensure Medicare and Social Security were preserved for future generations. Betty was especially known for her work with the Older Women's League (OWL), an organization whose mission is to improve the status and quality of life for midlife and older women. Within OWL, she served in many positions, including President of its Sacramento and California chapters, Coordinator of Education & Research, and Director of Public Policy. She also served as President of Health Access California. Betty was an unwavering advocate for improved access to quality health care, including universal coverage and improved in-home care, as well as fair housing laws and preserving each American's civil rights. Betty married Calvin Perry in 1977, gaining three step-children and six step-grandchildren in the process. In addition to her thoughtful advocacy, she was known as an incredibly caring woman and accomplished athlete. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me today in paying honor to Elizabeth ``Betty'' M. Perry for her extraordinary service and advocacy to those of us in Sacramento and across the nation. Her life and legacy is an inspiration to us all. I ask that we take a moment and extend our utmost respect and condolences to her family.

Ms. MATSUI

Ms. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of retirement security for women. We celebrate the month of May as Older Americans Month. This year also marks the 50th anniversary of Medicare and Medicaid and the 80th anniversary of Social Security. There is no better time to recognize the profound impact that these important programs have had on our country. They are vital programs to all Americans. We also know that they are especially key for women. Women on average live longer, have lower retirement savings, and spend more on health care. I am committed to protecting and expanding Medicare and Social Security for women and for all seniors. Congress must also pass legislation to support caregivers--women and men--who may leave the workforce to care for a child or a sick family member. Strong retirement security policies help women succeed and America succeed.

Ms. MATSUI

Ms. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize OCA--Asian Pacific American Advocates, Sacramento Chapter and the distinguished leaders who are being honored at their 2015 Dragon Boat Festival and 20th anniversary gala. I ask all my colleagues to join me in honoring OCA Sacramento and these fine Sacramentans. Dedicated to advancing the social, political, and economic well-being of Asian Pacific Islander Americans, OCA's Sacramento chapter is an active advocate for all Asian Pacific Islander Americans and works diligently to develop strong leadership, community involvement and civic participation. OCA Sacramento also fosters cultural heritage by hosting a variety of annual events celebrating traditional Chinese holidays and festivals, such as the Dragon Boat Festival. The events bring together the Asian Pacific Islander American community, while also educating and sharing its heritage with our entire community. OCA Sacramento promotes education and leadership for young people by offering essay contests and scholarships, as well as internship opportunities. It is clear to me and so many others that OCA Sacramento's deep involvement and commitment to improving Sacramento is exemplary. In keeping with their theme of ``Honoring the Past, Celebrating the Future,'' being recognized at this year's Dragon Boat Festival are past Chapter Presidents Dwanchen Hsu, Tom Bhe, Ph.D., Felix Chen, Ph.D., RungFong Hsu, Sam Ong, Linda Ng, Joyce Eng, Michael Head, and David Low. These community leaders have all dedicated their lives to improving Sacramento through their work with OCA Sacramento. All that has been accomplished by the organization would not be possible without these individuals at the forefront of their efforts. Mr. Speaker, as the members of OCA--Asian Pacific American Advocates, Sacramento Chapter gather at the Dragon Boat Festival to celebrate their 20th anniversary, I ask all my colleagues to join me in honoring them for their unwavering commitment to the Sacramento region.

Ms. MATSUI

Ms. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Kaiser Permanente's Sacramento Medical Center as the Center celebrates its 50th anniversary. For half a century, Kaiser's Sacramento Medical Center has provided high quality care to residents of the Greater Sacramento area. As members, physicians, and staff gather to celebrate the Center's 50th anniversary, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the Kaiser Permanente Sacramento Medical Center and its indispensable place in the Sacramento health care community. Kaiser Permanente was founded 70 years ago in Oakland, by Henry J. Kaiser, a business leader who believed in providing affordable, quality health care. Today, Kaiser Permanente is the nation's oldest and largest health care system. On May 1, 1965, Kaiser Permanente began providing health care for the first time in the Sacramento region with the purchase of the 64-bed Arden Community Hospital on Morse Avenue. The hospital opened with 13 physicians serving 12,000 members. Since then, Kaiser Permanente has grown into a leading health care provider and one of the largest private employers in the region with more than 737,200 members, 1,530 physicians, and 11,780 staff. The Sacramento Medical Center has been integral to Kaiser Permanente's success in the region, earning numerous honors over the years, including Top Hospital from The Leapfrog Group, Top Performer from The Joint Commission, and Best Hospital by U.S. News & World Report. As the population of the region has grown, the Sacramento Medical Center has grown to meet its needs. The Center now has 287 beds and one of the busiest emergency rooms in the region. The Center is home to the Comprehensive Community Cancer Center, an Advanced Neuroscience Center, and a certified Primary Stroke Center. In addition, Kaiser Permanente has helped improve the health of the region through its involvement in community programs, including support of the local nonprofit clinics, Sheriff's Community Impact Program, Arden Manor Recreation and Park District, Mutual Assistance Network, and the San Juan Unified School District. Mr. Speaker, as the physicians, staff, and members of the Kaiser Permanente Sacramento Medical Center come together to celebrate the Center's 50th anniversary, I ask all my colleagues to join me in honoring their excellent work in the Sacramento Region. I am confident that the Sacramento Medical Center will continue to be a leader and a model for quality health care for many years to come.

Ms. MATSUI

Ms. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Asian Pacific State Employees Association (APSEA) and the distinguished Sacramento leaders who are being honored at their 16th annual scholarship gala. I ask all my colleagues to join me in recognizing APSEA, the students they serve, and the fine Sacramentans they are honoring. APSEA and the APSEA Foundation have played a vital role in the education and professional development of countless state employees and local students. Since 1975, APSEA and the APSEA Foundation have advocated for the advancement of its members, who are primarily California State government employees. APSEA holds training seminars and provides networking opportunities that have resulted in a more well trained state workforce. Additionally, they foster civic participation and cultural awareness throughout Sacramento. The APSEA Foundation raises money to provide vital scholarships for our leaders of tomorrow. At the 16th annual gala, Darrel H. Woo is being honored with APSEA's President Award. Mr. Woo is a community leader and activist who serves as a senior staff counsel for the State of California Department of Insurance, as well as an elected trustee of the Sacramento City Unified School District. Jim Kahue is also being honored at this year's gala, as APSEA's Member of the Year Award. Mr. Kahue has been a public servant since 1960 when he began working for the State of California. He has been actively involved in APSEA as the organization's co-founder and its first president. Mr. Speaker, as the members of the Asian Pacific State Employees Association and the Asian Pacific State Employees Association Foundation gather to celebrate, I ask all my colleagues to join me in honoring them for their unwavering commitment to the Sacramento Region.

Ms. MATSUI

Ms. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, every day, our nation's broadcasters serve communities across the country by providing the news and entertainment we rely on to get through our day. Whether it is an update on what is happening in the world, educational programming, or a review of the movies opening that weekend, most Americans turn to broadcasters for news on issues big and small. This is especially true for local broadcasters. These broadcasters provide the public with the news that is most important, and most useful for them, because it is the news from their own communities. This is true in Sacramento and across the nation. Our broadcasters play an integral role in Sacramentans day-to-day lives, informing all of us about everything from local traffic to an in-depth look at local political issues. Local broadcasters play a particularly important role in times of an emergency. In Sacramento, we continue to experience drought-like weather conditions, as well as heavy rains that bring with them the threat of flooding. Unfortunately, the entire state of California is susceptible to a number of natural disasters, including earthquakes, wildfires, and--of course--flooding. It is essential that residents have access to local emergency broadcasts, so that they have the public safety information they need when a disaster strikes. And the role of broadcasters goes beyond disseminating information to the public. They have also played an important part in growing and investing in our nation's airwaves. The spectrum sharing agreement that the broadcasters entered into with the Department of Defense helped solidify the Federal Communications Commission's recent record breaking spectrum auction of the AWS-3 band. This spectrum auction generated nearly $45 billion in revenue, enough to fully fund FirstNet, the nationwide interoperability network for America's first responders and public safety officials. Broadcasters play an important role in our country. I want to applaud the work of broadcasters, particularly those in Sacramento, for working diligently to cover and provide local news programming to our communities, and for being strong community partners.

Ms. MATSUI

Ms. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the many outstanding Sacramento business leaders being honored at the Sacramento Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce's 120th annual dinner and business awards ceremony. Those being honored are dedicated to the success of the Sacramento Region and have worked tirelessly to advance the region's economic vitality. I ask all my colleagues to join me in honoring these fine Sacramentans. Mark Friedman, President of the Fulcrum Property Group, has been named ``Sacramentan of the Year.'' An accomplished businessman, he has led many community oriented projects throughout the region, including the current transformation of Downtown Plaza into the new sports and entertainment complex that will help revitalize the core of our city. He is also a civic leader and an active supporter of the arts and higher education. Mr. Friedman is part of the UC Davis Chancellor's Cabinet for the $1 Billion Comprehensive Capital Campaign and serves on the boards of the UC Davis School of Education and the M.I.N.D. Institute. Mary Rotelli, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Teichert, Inc., has been named the ``Business Woman of the Year.'' Ms. Rotelli is very involved in the community and was recently appointed by Governor Brown to the California Public Works Contract Arbitration Committee. She is also a member of the California Transportation Foundation and the National Readymix Concrete Association. Ms. Rotelli helped found the Capital Region Family Business Center, an organization that helps family businesses meet their unique needs. Eric Stille, President and CEO of Nugget Markets, has been named the ``Businessman of the Year.'' The local, family-owned chain is a grocery industry leader and the company has been recognized as being one of the ``100 Best Companies to Work For'' by Fortune Magazine. California Clothing Recyclers, a company that exports used clothing thereby reducing landfills, has been named ``Small Business of the Year.'' Erica Taylor, Vice President and Communications and Community Relations Director for Five Star Bank, who holds leadership positions in various organizations and was one of the Sacramento Business Journal's ``Top 40 Under 40'' in 2012, has been named ``Metro Edge Young Professional of the Year.'' Emilie Cameron, Senior Public Relations Manager for 3fold Communications, is being recognized for her many philanthropic endeavors as ``Volunteer of the Year.'' Ellie Shaw, President of Shaw Media Consulting, whose company helps guide online communication for small businesses and who is an avid volunteer for the Chamber, is being named ``Ambassador of the Year.'' Warren Smith, President of Sacramento Republic FC, is being honored for his efforts to infuse professional soccer in the Sacramento area with the ``Peter McCuen Award for Civic Entrepreneurs.'' These awards could not go to more deserving Sacramentans. Dignity Health, Los Rios Community College District, and the Van Vleck Ranch are the inductees into the ``Sacramento Business Hall of Fame'' for their significant contributions to the Sacramento Region. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to recognize these individuals and businesses for their contributions to the Sacramento Region. I ask all my colleagues to join me in honoring them for their unwavering commitment to our region.

Ms. MATSUI

Ms. MATSUI. I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong opposition to the rule and the underlying legislation. Here we go again. This bill marks yet another attempt by the Republican majority to repeal the Affordable Care Act but the first time after implementation of many of the provisions that Americans have relied upon. People think the ACA only provides the ability to buy health insurance on an exchange or marketplace. Yes, it is a new way to shop for health insurance in which you can compare plans apples to apples. Yes, it is a way to obtain subsidies to make that coverage more affordable. Yes, with all these benefits, people can join the system and cover themselves prior to a medical catastrophe. However, the Affordable Care Act has also accomplished so much more than that. Repealing the law lock, stock, and barrel that has been in place for nearly 5 years is not in anyone's best interest. As an example, the ACA created the prevention and public health fund, an unprecedented mandatory investment in States' public health systems. The need for this investment has become increasingly evident after public health emergencies in recent months--evidenced by Ebola and, today, measles. Repealing the ACA today would mean 129 million Americans could again be denied insurance coverage for preexisting conditions. It would mean Americans would no longer have access to free preventive services such as vaccines, disease screenings, well-child visits, and tobacco cessation. I heard from one of my constituents Lara who, as a freelance film producer with a former cancer diagnosis, found getting health insurance to be impossible. Thanks to the ACA, she now has coverage and is able to have regular checkups to make sure that the cancer does not return. Do you want to take away all of that? The health care providers, health plans, and consumer advocates in my district and across the country have worked hard to put these provisions in place and to make the ACA work.

Ms. MATSUI. We can't take this away now. It works. I urge my colleagues to vote down the rule and the underlying legislation.

Ms. MATSUI

Ms. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Bishop Parnell M. Lovelace, Jr. as he steps aside from his position as Senior Pastor of the Center of Praise Ministries of Sacramento, California. As a spiritual leader, he has served the Sacramento community since he founded the Center of Praise Ministries in 1989. Before this he held various other positions for which our community is grateful. As his congregation, family, colleagues and community leaders gather to celebrate his efforts, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring his many years of contributions to the Sacramento region. Bishop Lovelace has been an enthusiastic and effective spiritual leader. He received his Bachelor of Arts in Social Work from Oral Roberts University and Master of Arts in Social Work from the University of Oklahoma. He received early spiritual training at Sacramento's Shiloh Baptist Church, and went on to receive his Certificate of Completion from the Jack W. Hayford School of Pastoral Nurture at King's College and Seminary, a Master of Arts in Practical Theology with High Honors from Oral Roberts University, and his Doctor of Ministry from the Talbot School of Theology at Biola University. In addition to leading the Center of Praise Ministries, Bishop Lovelace was a public servant in Oklahoma and Sacramento, where he held a number of positions, including being the Sacramento Regional Office Manager and Case Worker for the Koinonia Foster Homes, a Pediatric Medical Social Worker for the University of California, Davis Medical Center, and served as the Vice Chairperson for the Board of Directors of CARES Community Health clinic. In 1989 Bishop Lovelace led the Center of Praise Ministries' founding meeting and it has grown exponentially since then. As Senior Pastor, he has contributed an unimaginable amount of time and effort to improving our community and has made it a priority to reach out to those in need. Other important positions he has held include a stint as a Senior Fellow with the American Leadership Forum's Mountain Valley Chapter, Advisory Board Member of East Lawn, Inc., leadership within 100 Black Men of America, Inc., co-pastoral chair of the 2012 Luis Palau Sacramento Festival, and he served as member of the Board of Trustees at William Jessup University. Not surprisingly, Bishop Lovelace has received numerous honors throughout his career. Some of his most recent awards include being honored by the Martin Luther King, Jr. International Board of Preachers and Collegium Scholars at Morehouse College, receiving the 2012 President's Award from the Sacramento Black Chamber of Commerce, and in 2013 he was named Person of the Year by the Observer Media Group. Mr. Speaker, in honor of his dedication to the betterment of our community, I ask my colleagues to join me in thanking and recognizing the Bishop Parnell M. Lovelace, Jr. for his many years of service and in wishing him and his family all the best.

Ms. MATSUI

Ms. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of former Yolo County Supervisor Mike McGowan, to celebrate his career and many accomplishments. Mr. McGowan served the people of West Sacramento and Yolo County for nearly three decades and now is a leader with the State of California's Department of Motor Vehicles. I ask all my colleagues to join me in honoring him and celebrating his incredible contributions to our community. A lifetime Yolo County resident, Mr. McGowan served his nation in the United States Marine Corps during the Vietnam War. After the war, he returned to Sacramento and graduated from California State University, Sacramento and the University of Pacific's McGeorge School of Law. He and his wife, Sue, have a daughter, Becky, and two grandchildren, Phoebe and Franklin. In 1987 Mr. McGowan began his illustrious career in public service. He was instrumental in the formation of the City of West Sacramento, serving as the city's first Mayor and continuing to serve on the City Council for six years. After his time on the City Council, Mr. McGowan was elected to the Yolo County Board of Supervisors, where he represented the people of West Sacramento and Clarksburg for over two decades. He would serve as chairman of the Port of West Sacramento Commission, and as a board member of a number of organizations including Yolo County Transportation District, Delta Protection Commission, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Yolo County Housing Commission, Sacramento Regional Counties Sanitation District, Sacramento Area Council of Governments, Local Mental Health Board, Sacramento Area Trade & Commerce Advisory Board, Yolo-Solano Air Quality Management Board and as an officer on the California State Association of Counties' executive committee. Mr. McGowan worked tirelessly to protect our region's natural resources, promote agricultural growth, and improve Yolo County's economy. As a Supervisor, he worked with Governor Jerry Brown on the implementation of the Affordable Care Act. I have always enjoyed working closely with Mr. McGowan, as he has been a true partner on a number of critical issues; including complex water, flood protection and transportation projects. In 2013, Mr. McGowan was appointed by Governor Brown as Deputy Director of Strategic Planning and Policy for the Department of Motor Vehicles. In recognition of his steadfast commitment to the City of West Sacramento, the city named a bridge over the Barge Canal, the Mike McGowan Bridge and the West Sacramento Chamber of Commerce has renamed their annual leadership award the Mike McGowan West Sacramentan of the Year Award. With these honors, future generations will know what Mike McGowan has meant to West Sacramento and Yolo County. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in thanking and recognizing former Supervisor Mike McGowan for his many years of exemplary public service and to wish him continued personal and professional success.

Ms. MATSUI

Ms. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, it is with sadness that I rise in honor of Thomas J. Hammer, Jr. who passed away at the beginning of December in Sacramento. With Tom's passing, our country has lost a true leader, philanthropist and family man who has left an indelible mark on the Sacramento region, our state, and our nation. Tom's life is an American success story. Born in 1932 in Birmingham, Alabama, he and his family moved to Sacramento when he was 12. A graduate of McClatchy High School, Tom went on to earn a bachelor's degree and a law degree from the University of California, Berkeley. He also spent two years as an Army counterintelligence officer. Tom married Phyllis MacAulay, and they raised four remarkable daughters, Dayna Joonas, Noel Richardson, Katie Brown and Tanis McGregor. Phyllis and Tom have twelve grandchildren and one step-child. Almost 50 years ago, Tom and his brother-in-law, Gordon T. MacAulay, purchased Shasta Linen Supply in Sacramento. For the first twenty-five years of operating the company, Tom also practiced law. Over the years, Shasta Linen Supply has grown to be a leading supplier of linens and uniforms for restaurants and medical institutions, and importantly it has always remained a family run business. Beyond his successful business endeavors, Tom's philanthropic efforts were immense. Bob and I had the pleasure of serving with him in a number of capacities and he also held leadership positions with the Downtown Rotary Club of Sacramento, Mercy Foundation, Teichert Foundation, and the Sacramento-Yolo Port District, among many other organizations. Tom was also fascinated by, and loved, California's rich cultural history and the majestic beauty that defines our state. In order to preserve our state's history, he was active in the California Historical Society, the Sacramento Trust for Historic Preservation and the Sacramento History Museum, and the California Railroad Museum. Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me today in paying honor to Thomas J. Hammer, Jr. for his exemplary service to those of us in Sacramento and across the nation. His life and legacy--as a husband, father, friend, leader and philanthropist--is an inspiration to us all. I ask that we take a moment and extend our utmost respect and condolences to his family.

Ms. MATSUI

Ms. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from California for yielding this time to me. Today, Mr. Speaker, we are here to thank and honor two of California's greatest congressional legislators and our dear friends, Henry Waxman and George Miller. This is an especially, as the Leader has said, bittersweet and poignant time because they are our dear friends. We are so proud of them, and we are going to miss them dearly. The reason why Henry and George are so significant here in this body are that they are the architects of the most significant legislation of the last 40 years. You think about anything we have done in this House, whether it is health care, environment, energy, consumer protection, communications, workforce protection, education opportunities, it goes on and on. The reason why they have been so successful and why they are so dearly respected and loved is that they are men of the House, they are men of the people. They love this institution and they honor this institution, and so this institution honors them. They are people, individuals, who understand this country and understand what makes it great, understand that it is the people that they are going to be helping. Henry has been a dear friend of mine for over 30 years and his absence will be keenly felt in the Halls of Congress and in the Energy and Commerce Committee, on which I serve. In his four decades here, Henry has been a stolid advocate for his constituents in Los Angeles and for this whole Nation and the world too. On the Energy and Commerce Committee, I have worked closely with Henry to tackle a number of critical issues facing the country. The Affordable Care Act will forever stand out in my mind as one of the committee's greatest accomplishments, and Henry has been a true leader in that passage. We worked together to combat climate change, eliminate the harmful formaldehyde emissions, promote strong net neutrality rules, and expand access to Internet services for more Americans. He has been a true leader. We are also saying good-bye to my really good friend, George Miller. During my time in Congress, he has become a trusted friend and colleague. He led the fight on raising the minimum wage and fighting for a vibrant education system. But what I remember the most and cherish the most about him is that he leaves such a great legacy on water law and policy in California, from his historic California water reform law that requires the balanced use of our State's scarce water resources to the many battles on the floor fending off ill-conceived attempts to drastically change the distribution of our precious water resources. With the departure of Henry and George, Congress is losing champions of the people whose knowledge and passion will not soon be replaced, but they leave many of us behind who understand how important it is. We say farewell to them, but we also wish them well, and certainly wish their families well.

Ms. MATSUI

Ms. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, the life and career of the Dean of the House, John Dingell has been remarkable and historic. John has been a friend . . . colleague . . . and a true leader in Congress. During his nearly 60 years serving in the House . . . John has served with passion and integrity. His commitment to public service and deep understanding of this institution has been unmatched. John has shaped policies that have improved the lives of countless Americans. From backing landmark Civil Rights legislation, to ensuring our environment is protected by authoring the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act and Endangered Species Act. Most significantly, John has never given up on the fight for affordable, quality health care for all Americans. Early in his career, he helped to pass Medicare, and achieved what he set out to accomplish with passage of the Affordable Care Act in 2010. There is no question that his work here will have a lasting impact on Congress . . . and this country . . . for generations to come. It has been an honor to serve with John on the Energy & Commerce Committee . . . where I have had the privilege to work with him on a number of issues, including helping to spur clean energy manufacturing jobs in this country; and helping American small businesses export their clean energy products and services abroad. I thank him for his service and his friendship. John, I wish you nothing but the best in your next adventure. You will be truly missed in this body. I also look forward to working with your wife, Congresswoman Elect Debbie Dingell, in the coming years on important issues facing our country.