Jimmy Panetta

Mr. PANETTA

Mr. PANETTA. Mr. Chair, today, I rise in support of an amendment to the underlying bill, the National Defense Authorization Act. The NDAA is a bill that articulates our defense priorities and secures our national interests. I am very, very proud and thankful to Chairman Smith and committee staff to have incorporated a number of provisions into this bill. Of particular importance, I am honored to have included a provision that improves privatized military housing. I think all of us can agree that it is imperative that the Department of Defense develop a holistic solution to remedy systemic privatized military housing issues and empower servicemembers and their families. I saw this need firsthand in my district while engaging with servicemember constituents throughout this past year. That is why I offered legislation that was included in the NDAA that enhanced transparency, communication, and accountability standards. The core elements of this bill, the Better Military Housing Act, included a tenant bill of rights, housing advocacy, and an improved work order system. This amendment that I am speaking about today adds two additional important provisions. First, it authorizes an additional $5 million for new military housing construction, utilizing the Army's high-performance and healthy living All-American Abode design. Second, it requires the Department of Defense to provide an accounting for the legal services available to servicemembers harmed by health or environmental hazards while living in privatized military housing. We must continue to prioritize the health and safety and the lifestyles of our servicemembers and their families. They serve us. Let's continue to serve them. I thank Chairman Smith, the committee, the professional staff, and my colleagues for their support on my amendments.

Mr. PANETTA

Mr. PANETTA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Aromas Water District as they celebrate their 60th anniversary. For 60 years, the Aromas Water District has dedicated itself to the enrichment of our community on the central coast of California by serving the water needs of the greater Aromas area. The Aromas Water District was established on July 24, 1959 by a Resolution of the State of California, Office of the Secretary of State. It was formed as a County Water District and ultimately became a California Multi-County Special District. Originally there was one well, one storage tank and a small distribution system serving less than 150 parcels. In the past 60 years, the District has grown to serve our expanding community and now serves approximately 3,000 people on over 900 parcels, utilizing three wells, 35 miles of distribution system, and nine storage sites with over 1,200,000 gallons of water storage and fire protection. The District is governed by an elected five-member, at large, board of directors. Community members serving on the Board of Directors of the Aromas Water District have helped successfully usher in the latest improvements in their treatment plants, like the removal of iron and manganese from the water source. The rigorous water testing is conducted under the oversight of the State Water Resources Control board and successfully meets all health and safety standards. I am proud to say that the District is continually striving to educate our community on the benefits of water conservation and aquifer protection. One of the ways they accomplish this goal is by maintaining a drought-tolerant demonstration garden at the District's office. Visitors from the local community are shown how drip irrigation reduces water loss and permeable gravel paths encourage groundwater recharge and rain water catchment, all while achieving this without the use of herbicides or pesticides. This garden is in downtown Aromas and is open and easily accessible to the public year-round. The District is proud to have consistently served high-quality water to customers in both Monterey and San Benito counties for the last 60 years, as well as moving forward into the future. Madam Speaker, it is my pleasure to recognize the Aromas Water District for their service to the Central Coast on the occasion of their 60th Anniversary.

Mr. PANETTA

Mr. PANETTA. Madam Speaker, I rise today on behalf of Captain Greg Hansen, who has given over four decades of altruistic and indispensable service to the central coast of California. Working as a firefighter in Aptos, California from 1980, and acting as Fire Captain for Aptos since 1990, Mr. Hansen has demonstrated an outstanding commitment to public safety over the course of his prolific career, now ending with his retirement from Fire Captain position. Since he began his career as a firefighter in 1977, Mr. Hansen has worked tirelessly to ensure public safety. Not only has Mr. Hansen continued to respond to the public's fire safety issues with bravery and urgency, he has also worked to better the community he serves through education and outreach, such as his provision of CPR training for middle school students. Through this ability to combine efficient public protection with significant public engagement, he has fostered an admirable commitment to public safety in his community and effectively utilized his position as Fire Captain to ensure the wellbeing of his neighbors. Throughout his career, Mr. Hansen's outstanding contributions have earned him many accolades, including the VFW's Firefighter of the Year on three occasions, Man of the Year from the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors, California State Assembly, and California State Senate on four occasions, and the Congressional Award from the United States Congress. He was also honored with the National Gold Medal Award as EMT of the Year for directly saving the life of an injured young man. Now, Madam Speaker, it is my pleasure to recognize the dedication and incredible service of Greg Hansen. I ask my distinguished colleagues to join in me in thanking him and all that he has done for our community.

Mr. PANETTA

Mr. PANETTA. Madam Chair, I thank the gentlewoman for this opportunity. I rise today in support of the funding in this appropriations bill for flood and storm damage reduction in economically disadvantaged areas. Included in this bill, thank goodness, is $15 million for Army Corps of Engineers projects in communities that have previously experienced devastating floods and where the per capita income is less than half of the State and national averages. This type of funding, as we can tell, is critical for economically disadvantaged communities across our country to not only recover from, but prevent, destructive and deadly floods. One of these areas is the Pajaro Valley in my district on the central coast of California, an area where flooding has consistently hit it for the past 25 years and caused millions of dollars of damage to the surrounding agriculture crops. But it has also displaced hundreds and hundreds of residents, many of whom work in those fields. That is why this bill is very important, because it can provide important funding for projects that protect the people who need it the most, for businesses that need it the most, in my community and in communities all across this country. Madam Chair, I urge my colleagues to support this funding bill, and I thank Chairwoman Kaptur for this time.

Mr. PANETTA

Mr. PANETTA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Dr. Walter Tribley for his distinguished service as the President of Monterey Peninsula College (MPC). Dr. Tribley served as President of MPC from 2012 to 2019 and will assume the position of President of Northern Wyoming Community College District this Fall. Dr. Tribley has had a profound impact on MPC, its students and our community on the central coast of California, and I am grateful for his contributions. Under Dr. Tribley's leadership as President, MPC became a model for other colleges and universities to emulate. His efforts have contributed to a diverse learning environment where all students have the opportunity to reach their educational goals. In the 2008-2009 academic year, Hispanic and Latino students made up less than 20 percent of MPC's total student body. Less than decade later, that number doubled to more accurately represent the population of the Central Coast. Furthermore, the number of total young people between the ages of 18 and 24 enrolling in higher education at MPC has risen significantly during Dr. Tribley's tenure. Many positive changes to MPC are a result of Dr. Tribley's ability to articulate a strong vision and implement tangible and innovative policies. Examples of these forward-thinking approaches include the establishment of dual enrollment programs for local high school students and offering free tuition to first year students. Dr. Tribley was also instrumental in MPC's College Incentive Program and acquiring the Title V Developing Hispanic-Surviving Institutions Grant for a transfer and degree completion initiative titled ``Ready, Set, Transfer.'' Both programs aim to expand access to higher education and increase success rates among underserved students. Dr. Tribley also demonstrated his financial management skills by reducing unnecessary spending and being a responsible steward of public funds. Dr. Tribley's service is not limited to MPC. He serves in a number of advisory rules, including his membership on the South Bay Regional Public Safety Training Consortium, the Monterey County Workforce Investment Board, the Monterey County Children's Council, and the Monterey Peninsula College Foundation. While our community will certainly miss Dr. Tribley's presence, I am confident that he will continue to find success and purpose in his future undertakings. Dr. Walter Tribley embodies the meaning of a community leader and has undoubtedly made a lasting impact on community prosperity and education on the Central Coast. Madam Speaker, I ask that my distinguished colleagues please join me in thanking Dr. Tribley for his significant contributions and wishing him success in his new position as President of Northern Wyoming Community College District.

Mr. PANETTA

Mr. PANETTA. Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairwoman Lofgren for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I rise today for the American Dream and Promise Act of 2019, but more importantly, for Dreamers and TPS recipients in my community and all across our country. As the Representative for the central coast of California, this bill will affect not just the lives of Dreamers and TPS recipients, but the lives of people throughout our communities. In my district, there are nearly 20,000 Dreamers and thousands and thousands of Salvadorian TPS recipients. These are men and women who don't just live in my district; they work there; they go to school there; they own homes there; they have families there. They are our loved ones; they are our friends; they are our neighbors; they are our employees. They are our community. They are our country. As the grandson of immigrants who grew up in this Nation of immigrants, I can tell you, Mr. Speaker, the Dreamers and TPS recipients in my community are filled with the spirit of this country. They don't just want to stay here; they want to contribute here. They want to give back to this community and country that has given them so much. They understand, they value, they yearn to fulfill their obligations as Americans in this democracy. Mr. Speaker, let's fulfill our obligation in Congress. Let's do our job for our communities by giving our Dreamers, our TPS recipients that opportunity for our country.

Mr. PANETTA

Mr. PANETTA. Madam Speaker, I thank Mr. Woodall for his advocacy as well as his oratory skills. As a member of the Ways and Means Committee, I want to talk about the SECURE Act and obviously the work that we did in the Ways and Means Committee in regard to not only H.R. 1994 but, more particular, a certain part of that bipartisan legislation that helps home healthcare workers save for their retirement. That would include the over 375,000 home healthcare workers in my home State of California. Madam Speaker, we know that home healthcare is usually less expensive. It is more convenient and, most times, just as effective as the care people receive in a hospital or in a skilled nursing facility. Home healthcare workers not only provide critical services for seniors and those with physical, mental, or emotional disabilities, but they also ensure that our loved ones with special needs are able to live their lives in a dignified manner. That dignity, that skill, and that care, I can tell you, is something that I experienced firsthand throughout my childhood when my grandmother suffered a debilitating stroke and had to live with us. We took her in realizing that the effects of her stroke were permanent. That is when my family decided to ensure that she had appropriate home healthcare, not just the family but with full-time home healthcare workers. With both my parents working full-time, we were forced--but, yes, we were also fortunate--to hire home healthcare workers, people who actually came into our home, took care of my grandmother, and allowed her to live a life with dignity and with the care necessary to enjoy the latter years of her life. However, and unfortunately, right now under the current Federal Internal Revenue Code, home healthcare providers like those who cared for my grandmother are not able to participate in a retirement plan or save in an IRA. If you are a home healthcare worker in California who works in and helps out families, then you would be ineligible to participate in the CalSavers retirement program due to the current Federal law. That is why this bill is so important, because it would allow home healthcare workers to contribute to a defined contribution plan or IRA, giving home healthcare workers the ability to save and prepare for their own retirement. These healthcare workers give our family members dignity. This is the least that we can do for home healthcare workers so that they can retire with dignity. That is what this bill does. That is one of the reasons why, as a member of the Ways and Means Committee, I did vote for this bill. It is also why I urge my colleagues to support the rule and the underlying legislation.

Mr. PANETTA

Mr. PANETTA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the retiring Chancellor of University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC), George Blumenthal, for his 47 years of service to our community on the central coast of California. His leadership has touched the lives of many, and I am honored to acknowledge this legacy. Chancellor Blumenthal's record in education has shown him to be a distinguished professor, researcher, and leader to all on the UCSC campus. He first joined the Astronomy and Astrophysics Department at UCSC in 1972 and was appointed as Chancellor of the university in 2007. Committed to expanding his involvement in public service, Chancellor Blumenthal has also served on multiple governing boards in California, including the California Association for Research in Astronomy, the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine, the Silicon Valley Leadership Group, and the Monterey Bay Economic Partnership. Throughout his academic career, Chancellor Blumenthal's work has led to numerous groundbreaking studies and discoveries in our understanding of galaxies and the interactions of celestial bodies. His work has transformed knowledge of concepts once seen only as science fiction, including the function and behavior of dark matter and how it plays a role in the shaping of the universe. His contributions cannot be overstated. A natural leader, Chancellor Blumenthal has garnered praise from his associates, coworkers, and students. This past year, Santa Cruz Mayor, Martine Watkins, declared May 9th to be ``George Blumenthal Day'' in the city of Santa Cruz as an annual recognition of his scholarly and governing efforts. Chancellor Blumenthal's decades of service make him more than worthy of such an honor. As he celebrates his retirement, I am proud to commend Chancellor Blumenthal on his invaluable work as an academic leader for the past four decades. Madam Speaker, on behalf of the Central Coast, I ask my colleagues to join me in thanking Chancellor Blumenthal for his contribution to our community and wishing him a long and healthy retirement.

Mr. PANETTA

Mr. PANETTA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Chef Estevan Jimenez for his exemplary community service on the central coast of California. Chef Jimenez's important work with at-risk youth at Ranch Cielo has had a lasting impact on the community and continues to inspire young people to pursue careers in the culinary arts. Recently awarded the 2019 Chef of the Year by the American Culinary Federation's Monterey Bay Chapter, Chef Jimenez exemplifies the very best of the Central Coast. Chef Jimenez attended the California School of Culinary Arts' Le Cordon Bleu program. He moved to Monterey shortly after graduating to work as a chef for Bon Appetit Management, handling the restaurants and events for the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Always exuding professionalism and expertise, Chef Jimenez was promoted in 2007 and eventually moved on to the position of executive sous chef at the Ventana Inn in Big Sur. He then returned to the Monterey Peninsula to work for Aqua Terra Culinary and eventually Rancho Cielo's Drummond Culinary Academy. Over the years, Chef Jimenez has blazed a fiery trail in the culinary industry and has always promoted excellence and encouragement. As executive chef of the Drummond Culinary Academy, Mr. Jimenez oversees all of the culinary education programs and acts as a mentor to underserved and disconnected youth to provide a path for a brighter future. Chef Jimenez has also volunteered his time for a variety of fundraising causes throughout Monterey County including the United Way, Salinas Rotary, Kinship Center, ASPCA, Meals on Wheels, Artichoke Festival, and Community Christmas Dinner of Monterey. Utilizing his culinary talents, Chef Jimenez has mentored and prepared our community throughout his career. Madam Speaker, it is my honor to recognize the incredible community service of the American Culinary Federation's Monterey Bay Chapter 2019 Chef of the Year, Chef Estevan Jimenez, for his tremendous contributions to California's 20th Congressional District. I ask my distinguished colleagues to join in me in thanking him for all that he has done for our community on the Central Coast and congratulating him on this prestigious award.

Mr. PANETTA

Mr. PANETTA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mr. James Bogart for his decades of service to the central coast of California with the Grower-Shipper Association of Central California. Through his decades of serving agricultural producers on the Central Coast, Mr. Bogart leaves an indelible legacy in our community. Mr. Bogart joined the Grower-Shipper Vegetable Association on November 3, 1980 as a Staff Attorney. In 1998, began his leadership role by serving as President and General Counsel for what would later be re-named the Grower-Shipper Association of Central California, where he has helped lead the Association and its members on many issues in the Monterey, Santa Cruz, San Benito and Santa Clara Counties. He is the longest serving president of the Grower-Shipper Association and is a highly respected advocate for agriculture. Mr. Bogart has been a prominent leader in agriculture and his community all of his professional life. His community activities include service on several boards of directors, including but not limited to the Community Foundation of Monterey County, Salinas Valley Chamber of Commerce (Chairman of the Board), California Bar Association (Agribusiness Committee), Monterey County Bar Association (Labor Committee), Ag Against Hunger (Founding Director), Monterey County Agricultural Education (Founding Director), Grower-Shipper Association Foundation (Co-Founder and Incorporator), ``AgKnowledge'' Executive Leadership and Education Program (Past President and Founding Director), Hartnell College Ag Steering Committee (Founder and Past Chairman), Spreckels Union School District Board of Trustees, Monterey County Legal Services (Founding Director), Community Homeless Solutions (Past Chairman and Member of the Board of Directors), and the Salinas Valley Chapter of the American Cancer Society (Past President). Mr. Bogart takes pride in the growth of the Grower-Shipper Association in both membership and in their leadership. Through the AgKnowledge program, he has focused efforts to educating community stakeholders in the importance of the produce industry. Mr. Bogart has been tenacious in working on issues that impact the produce industry, including labor relations, water, food safety, and crop protection tools. He has led by example and worked to build relationships with individuals on all sides of an issue by emphasizing work to identify common ground. He is well known for entertaining all with his good sense of humor. Mr. James Bogart exemplifies what it means to be a conscientious and engaged citizen of the Central Coast. In retirement, Mr. Bogart will be cheering on his beloved alma mater, the University of Southern California, and enjoying life with his wife, Janis; two stepsons, David and Aaron; and his grandchildren. Madam Speaker, the agricultural community on the Central Coast will miss Mr. Bogart, and I ask my colleagues to join me in wishing him a long and fulfilling retirement.

Mr. PANETTA

Mr. PANETTA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Moncovich family for their commitment to philanthropy to empowering their community and bettering the lives of others through the Original Spring Lamb Barbecue. Mr. John Moncovich founded the Original Spring Lamb Barbecue in Watsonville, California 60 years ago, and his son, Mr. Bill Moncovich, has chaired the event since his father's passing in 1972. Since its inception, the Original Spring Lamb Barbecue has been a celebration of family, friends, and the fight against cancer on the central coast of California. In May of 1959, John Moncovich held the very first Original Spring Lamb Barbecue. The Original Spring Lamb Barbecue started as a simple gathering among friends to collect donations for charity. Held annually, it has evolved into a beloved community event benefiting the American Cancer Society. Volunteers from a local produce company, California Giant Berry Farms, and agriculture industry members from the Pajaro Valley commit their time and energy each year to make the event a memorable one. Live music, family friendly activities, and a horseshoe tournament make this a community event for culture and fun, all while benefitting families who have been affected by cancer. The Original Spring Lamb Barbecue is the oldest consecutively held fundraiser for the American Cancer Society in the United States and has been recognized as such by the charity. Ten years ago, the organization congratulated the Original Spring Lamb Barbecue for raising over $1 million worth of cumulative proceeds. This year, the event will celebrate its diamond anniversary for 60 years of outstanding community leadership and fundraising efforts for cancer research. Madam Speaker, it is my honor to recognize the dedication and commitment to cancer prevention and community service that John and Bill Moncovich and the Original Spring Lamb Barbecue have provided to the Central Coast. We are fortunate to have such a longstanding tradition of community fundraising organized every year by the Moncovich family and California Giant Berry Farms. I ask my colleagues to join me in celebrating the Moncovich family and the Original Spring Lamb Barbecue.

Mr. PANETTA

Mr. PANETTA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary as they celebrate their 20th Snapshot Day. This annual event brings volunteers together at over 250 sampling sites on the central coast of California as they collect valuable data on the water quality of the watersheds that drain into the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. The first Snapshot Day was organized in 2000 when the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary collaborated with the Coastal Watershed Council and the Center for Marine Conservation to organize a volunteer effort to better understand land-based sources of ocean pollution in the sanctuary. With a better understanding of the sources of pollution from the 10 watersheds directly connected to the sanctuary, local agencies, stakeholders, and citizens can better protect the water quality along 276 miles of shoreline across four coastal counties that are home to more than 1.8 million residents. These protected waters support a wealth of biological diversity, coastal scenery, and recreational and business opportunities. Snapshot Day depends on a small army of volunteers who measure bodies of water for temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, conductivity, and turbidity and collect samples that will be tested in a laboratory for nutrients and bacteria levels. These assessments test the overall health of the water as well as any threats to aquatic organisms, fish, and humans. Through this work, volunteers become environmental stewards and ambassadors for the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary and local watersheds. Since 2000, a total of 3,783 volunteers have donated 18,915 hours of their time to monitor any of the Snapshot Day sites. Since its beginning in 2000, Snapshot Day has shown how engaged volunteers can make a critical impact in their community. Madam Speaker, I ask that my distinguished colleagues join me in recognizing the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary as they celebrate their 20th Snapshot Day.

Mr. PANETTA

Mr. PANETTA. Madam Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. PANETTA. Madam Chair, I yield myself as much time as I may consume. Madam Chair, I rise to offer an amendment to H.R. 9, the Climate Action Now Act. As we know and as we have been hearing all day, this bill that we are considering ensures that the United States honors our commitments detailed in the Paris Agreement and lays the groundwork for further action on climate change. By including this amendment in this bill, it will then be crystal clear that it is the United States that has led and will continue to lead when it comes to influencing other nations to participate in the Paris Agreement. Now, yes, I do admit that it was the leadership of the United States that got other nations of the world to come together and boldly declare our unified commitment to dealing with the growing climate crisis. We did that by explicitly committing ourselves to play a leadership role. We had to do that in order to attract other countries to join in the goal of limiting the temperature of our globe. That is why the United States gave structural and directional leadership with ready greenhouse gas reduction targets and a vision for institutional design principles. Moreover, in our efforts to entice other nations to be a part of the deal, the United States made recommendations for financing adaption, energy investment, and support for developing countries. The U.S. then stepped up and led by example by announcing its intent to reduce carbon pollution by drastic levels, an act that underscored our role as a global leader on the issue of climate change. It was that American ambition, that American action, that encouraged other nations around the world to set their sights and their standards higher and to be bolder on the most pressing issue that we face when it comes to climate change. As a result, we saw an unprecedented display of a global commitment to address that pressing issue. That is why it is all the more disappointing that this administration announced its intention to withdraw the United States from the Paris Agreement, an act that would make the United States, the country that pushed us and others into this agreement, the only country to reject this agreement. If the United States abdicates its leadership role here, it will not only cost us influence in this agreement, it will also invite other countries to walk away from combating the climate crisis. As Todd Stern, the former U.S. special envoy for climate change, stated at a World Resources Institute conference on May 30, ``In the absence of the United States, you have a phenomenon of a fair number of countries . . . trying to pull back a little bit on some of the things that were agreed to, some of the compromises that were reached in Paris.'' Madam Chair, we cannot let this happen. That is why I seek to include my amendment to H.R. 9 to strengthen this important bill, to stop the administration from advancing the withdrawal of the United States from the Paris Agreement, and to reclaim our leadership role in combating climate change and protecting our planet. Madam Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. PANETTA

Mr. PANETTA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mr. Pat McCormick for 46 years of exemplary service to our community on the central coast of California. First serving as a Planning Technician for Santa Cruz County and later as a Planning Director for the City of Capitola, Mr. McCormick's prolific career of public service is ending with his retirement from the position of Executive Officer for the Santa Cruz County Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO), a position Mr. McCormick has held with distinction for over 39 years. Mr. McCormick has worked passionately to encourage orderly growth of urban development and ensure that it did not interfere with agricultural lands on the Central Coast. Over the years, he has made significant contributions to the development of Santa Cruz County by proposing over 1,200 boundary changes and LAFCO actions. Working closely with City Council Members, County Supervisors, and local stakeholders, Mr. McCormick has helped the Central Coast responsibly grow into the incredible community it is today. Throughout his career, Mr. Pat McCormick has been recognized on numerous occasions by the California Association of Local Agency Formation Commissions. In 2009, he was honored with the Outstanding LAFCO Professional Award and was recognized in 2018 with the Lifetime Achievement Award. Madam Speaker, it is my honor to recognize the dedication and incredible service of Mr. Pat McCormick. I ask my distinguished colleagues to join in me in thanking him for all that he has done for our community on the Central Coast and congratulating him on a well-earned retirement.

Mr. PANETTA

Mr. PANETTA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mr. Dan Haifley for his decades of service to the Santa Cruz community as the Executive Director of O'Neill Sea Odyssey, and to congratulate him on his retirement. Mr. Haifley has been at the helm of O'Neill Sea Odyssey, a cornerstone of the Santa Cruz community and maritime education, since 1999. Through his years of dedication to environmental education and our environment, Mr. Haifley made an immeasurable impact on our community on the central coast of California. During his tenure of twenty years with O'Neill Sea Odyssey, the organization grew into a pillar of the Santa Cruz community as it offered free oceanography and ecology programs for grade school children, often from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. Mr. Haifley also championed the integration of oceanography into formal educational institutions, making the subject matter accessible to youth of diverse backgrounds. Under Mr. Haifley's direction, over one hundred thousand children had the opportunity to receive hands on marine biology, ecology, and navigation lessons aboard Team O'Neill's `Catamaran' yacht. Mr. Haifley's leadership was intrinsic to the extraordinary performance of O'Neill Sea Odyssey, which has received numerous awards and recognition on multiple occasions for outstanding environmental leadership and education. Mr. Haifley's conservation efforts did not begin with O'Neill, but rather span throughout his career. He was also the executive director of Save Our Shores, where he played a vital role in the creation of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. In addition, he led a successful campaign against offshore oil drilling throughout California and actively writes columns about the importance of our oceans. Mr. Dan Haifley exemplifies what it means to be a conscientious and engaged citizen of the Central Coast. Mr. Haifley influenced generations of citizens to cherish and preserve the environment and through them he leaves a legacy of respect and admiration for our planet. Madam Speaker, it is my pleasure to stand here today in recognition of Mr. Dan Haifley's accomplished career. I have no doubt that he will continue serving his community and giving a voice to our oceans.

Mr. PANETTA

Mr. PANETTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the National Day of Silence that is going to happen this Friday, April 12. That is a day when people around the country and in my community on the central coast of California take a vow of silence to raise awareness about the issues faced by lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer students. One of those students will be Oliver Cantrell, who lives in Santa Cruz and is transgender and bisexual. As president of the queer- straight alliance at Harbor High, Oliver works to build bridges between students and school staff through education and outreach. When Oliver transferred to Harbor High, he was met with support. However, we know there are students at other schools who may not be so lucky. That is exactly why Oliver is taking a vow of silence to highlight the struggle for acceptance by LGBTQ youth. Many students will take that vow of silence this Friday. That is why we as leaders should continue to speak up and step up every day to ensure that all Americans are respected and appreciated for who they are.

Mr. PANETTA

Mr. PANETTA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor the life and legacy of Stephen ``Pops'' Culver. Pops, as he was fondly known, lived his life to serve his country during the Vietnam war; his students as an elementary schoolteacher; and his community as an advocate for suicide prevention and awareness, something that was personal to him after the tragic loss of his son. It was that sense of service that guided Pops on an epic 10,000-mile motorcycle ride across this great country to raise money for the brand- new Central Coast Veterans Cemetery on the former Fort Ord. During this trip, Pops and his fellow American Legion brothers of Post 31, Crash and Phin, the group known as the Black Sheep, carried an American flag, which you see here in this photo, from the Central Coast Veterans Cemetery to Arlington National Cemetery, where that flag was flown over the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Now on Memorial Day each year, that flag is flown over the Central Coast Veterans Cemetery to honor those who served and sacrificed. Based on Pop's service, he was honored as the 2017 Veteran of the Year in Monterey County. Today, we here in Congress honor Pops Culver not just as a veteran but as an American who not only served but understood and lived up to his obligation to serve those who served us.

Mr. PANETTA

Mr. PANETTA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the life of Sue Merrill Crawford Antle, the matriarch of the central coast of California's Antle family. Sue will be remembered as a devoted mother and wife, talented sewing artist, and active supporter of her community. Sue Antle was born on February 23, 1936 in Watsonville, California. A native of the Central Coast, Sue attended Watsonville High School, where she met Bob Antle. The two would eventually enjoy 58 years of marriage together. Sue and Bob would remain on the Central Coast throughout their lives, establishing even deeper roots in their community. As Bob managed his family's lettuce company, Sue tended to the family home and raised their four children. Sue could often be found in her home's sewing room, where she created beautiful and precious keepsakes for her family, friends, and community. These pieces included Christmas stockings for her entire family and colorful jackets frequently auctioned for charity. Sue and Bob's family on the Central Coast continued to grow to include her children's spouses, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and nieces and nephews. Sue's beloved family was a foundation for her life and a blessing that guided her desire to give back to her community. Sue co-chaired California State University Monterey Bay's Have a Heart fundraiser for student scholarships and, as an avid booklover, took joy in reading to children through the Monterey County Reads program established by the Panetta Institute for Public Policy. Sue was a passionate advocate for the children of field workers and leaves a legacy of fostering early childhood education and supporting first- generation college students. Sue will be remembered for unfailing kindness and generosity. We, as a community, celebrate her legacy and life well-lived. Madam Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in honoring the life of Sue Merrill Crawford Antle.

Mr. PANETTA

Mr. PANETTA. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1 so that more Americans can exercise their right to vote. On election day of last year, voters in my district on the central coast of California set a new record for turnout in a midterm election. In San Benito County, we saw one of the highest increases in the State for folks registering to vote. In Monterey County, the majority of registered voters voted by absentee ballot and by mail. These are servicemembers who filled out their ballot from where they were stationed and also folks at home who could take time to thoughtfully cast their vote. Unfortunately, on that same election day, voters around this country didn't have that opportunity, and they had to go to polling places where they faced malfunctioning voting machines and found their registration frozen or purged. These instances left thousands of citizens without a vote and without a voice in our democracy. That is why we need to pass H.R. 1. The most important persons in our democracy are not those who hold office, but it is those educated and informed voters who put us in office. Let's give those types of voters more opportunity to participate in our democracy and pass H.R. 1.

Mr. PANETTA

Mr. PANETTA. Mr. Speaker, we just experienced our government's longest shutdown. For 35 days in California, nearly 40,000 Federal workers were furloughed and denied paychecks because of the shutdown, and that number included Federal employees at the NOAA weather service station in my district on the central coast of California. Now, recently, I met with those workers to hear how the shutdown impacted them, and I can tell you that, although they were affected by the loss of pay, they definitely did not lose their sense of service. For over 1 month, right in the middle of rainy season, with the potential for serious flooding, these public servants didn't get a paycheck. They didn't miss one day of work, not one shift; and that is why, in large part, in our region, we were safe. I can tell you, from what I saw when I met these employees, these are employees who are not just doing their job for the paycheck. They do it for the weather; they do it for the science; they do it for the job security; but most importantly, they do it for the service to our Nation. As negotiations in Washington continue, we must learn from, we must be inspired by, and we must be motivated by not just my NOAA employees, but every Federal worker across this country who has that sense of service. We do that here in Congress. That is how we not only avoid government shutdowns, that is how we should govern.

Mr. PANETTA

Mr. PANETTA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. Randy Randazzo for his service to the community of Carmel Valley, California. Mr. Randazzo has made a career out of service and has fostered an environment of collectiveness and compassion in his tight-knit community. As a World War II Marine Veteran, Mr. Randazzo heroically served in the Bougainville Campaign in the Solomon Islands. He served on the fleet that facilitated the Japanese surrender, signaling the close of World War II. Upon returning to his home of Carmel Valley, Mr. Randazzo dedicated his life to his community. He and his wife, Charlene, have owned and operated the local market in Carmel Valley Village, which has served as the cornerstone for the community. Randy is also active in the local Kiwanis Club, where he works to empower youth to change the world by investing in their futures. Among his many achievements, Mr. Randazzo has been awarded Carmel Valley's Good Egg award for Citizen of the Year twice for his service to the community. Additionally, he has been recognized by the Carmel Historical Society for his contributions in organizing and establishing the Carmel Valley Community Center. Many called Mr. Randazzo the unofficial mayor of Carmel Valley, as the small, unincorporated community views his leadership as invaluable and irreplaceable. I am immensely grateful for Randy Randazzo's distinguished service to his country and the residents of the central coast of California. Madam Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in congratulating Mr. Randy Randazzo on his distinguished career and recognizing his outstanding citizenship and immense contributions to both Carmel Valley and the United States of America.

Mr. PANETTA

Mr. PANETTA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Dawn Pease Bryant for her efforts as a homeschool educator and a military spouse. This recognition is well-deserved and most timely in light of her son's recent high school graduation and on the eve of her husband's promotion to Colonel in the United States Army. The education of our children is one of the most important undertakings we have as parents, and it is an impressive accomplishment when this responsibility is balanced with the homeschool setting. Dawn Pease Bryant has excelled as a homeschool educator, having educated her son from first grade through high school. The milestones and experiences during these formative years include completion of over 75 junior-ranger programs at our National Parks, participation in state envirothon competitions and oratory programs, and a special attention to domestic and international history and culture. Beyond the education of her own child, Dawn routinely led group classes and events for homeschool groups in her community, mentored and supported other homeschool parents, and served as President of the regional homeschool cooperative. These efforts have all been accomplished in tandem with Dawn Pease Bryant's dedication and service as a military spouse. The sacrifices endured by servicemember spouses often go unnoticed and unappreciated. Balancing an education in the home is particularly challenging when a spouse is required to work late, weekends, or deploy around the globe. Dawn's unwavering support of her husband undoubtedly enabled his promotion to the rank of Colonel. Madam Speaker, the recent achievements of Dawn Pease Bryant's son and husband are in no small part due to her many sacrifices and devotion. I commend this remarkable mother, educator, wife, citizen, and friend on her efforts, accomplishments, and service. I ask that my colleagues in the United States House of Representatives join me in honoring her today.

Mr. PANETTA

Mr. PANETTA. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate this opportunity. Obviously, I would like to share my appreciation of Chairman Engel for everything that he has done as a leader of all of his constituents in his district and, more importantly, all of our fellow countrymen and -women here in the United States of America; as well as Ranking Member McCaul; and the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Hurd), my good friend. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 676, the NATO Support Act. This is a bipartisan bill that allows Congress to assert our Nation's support for NATO; to answer anybody who questions the purpose of this alliance; and to reaffirm the NATO pledge, that an armed attack on one of us is an attack on all of us. The mutual defense pledge is why NATO has been the most successful military alliance in human history. It is an interdependency that has stood as a sturdy, strong, and sound anchor for peace that has prevented new world wars, fostered Western prosperity, and advanced democratic governance. It has been the will of our Nation, the United States of America, to lead and to finance the defense of other nations, which has allowed them to develop and prosper economically, and to expand and evolve democratically. Yet, at the same time, Moscow never went to war with a NATO partner. We got bases and a guarantee that we would not have to fight alone. Europe became our largest trading and investment partner and our chief diplomatic and military companion. And everybody on the European Continent got stability and peace to strengthen their democracies. Now, all of us agree that we can continue to put pressure on our NATO partners to pay their self-stated goal of 2 percent of their GDP to this alliance. But that doesn't mean that we want to get out of NATO. In fact, doing such would be a historic mistake. NATO is not--is not--a transactional relationship. Our sole focus can't be just on who pays and who gets what. Being a part of NATO is not like being a part of a country club. Instead, we value our NATO partners, and more importantly, we realize that the power of the NATO partnership is absolutely--absolutely--invaluable. The tangible results prove it, not just what we have seen in the past, but what we are seeing now. In our enduring fight against terrorism, our NATO partners' will to join that effort was demonstrated just hours after the attack on 9/11, as partner nations volunteered to invoke Article 5. Now, I served alongside many troops from many NATO countries during my service in Afghanistan from 2007 to 2008. I left that country in 2008, but I can tell you, after 17 years of war, NATO troops are still there, serving alongside our sons and daughters who are serving in uniform. When it comes to Russia, our NATO partners will continue to play an important role as a deterrent for their aggression, and they will continue to coordinate and collaborate with us as we not only ready for a conventional war but also push back against Russia's use of hybrid warfare. NATO is instrumental in setting us apart from Russia. Why? We have allies that will stand by us; Russia does not. That is the foundation for our NATO partnership, and that is the foundation for the NATO Support Act, an act that rejects efforts to withdraw from NATO and prohibits any funds to be used as such. It supports increased defense spending by NATO partners, as well as the funding of the European Deterrence Initiative to deter against Russian aggression. It reaffirms our unwavering support of NATO, not only as a defense pledge, not only as a partnership, but as a proven core for an international order that favors democracy and peace. Once again, Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Engel. I also thank Daniel Silverberg from Majority Leader Hoyer's staff, Jacqueline Ramos from the Foreign Affairs Committee, and Matt Manning and Jay Hernandez from my office. Mr. Speaker, I respectfully thank and ask all of my colleagues, Republican and Democrat, for their support on H.R. 676, the bipartisan NATO Support Act.

Mr. PANETTA

Mr. PANETTA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of the late Mayor of San Juan Bautista, Jim West, for his outstanding career in public service and his commitment to the people of the central coast of California. His professional accomplishments and leadership in the community have profoundly touched the lives of many. Mayor West served his community in San Benito County for over 20 years in multiple capacities. He was appointed to San Benito County Parks and Recreation Commission, served as vice chairman of San Benito County's General Plan Update Committee, served on the United Way Board of Directors, and was the recipient of many honorable awards commemorating his outstanding character. In addition to his heavy involvement in the community, Mayor West also honorably served our country in the United States Marine Corps. Throughout his ten years in public office, Mayor West served the City of San Juan Bautista as a dynamic and effective leader. Colleagues and friends alike praised his ability to compromise and put community needs at the forefront of his priorities. Mayor West was the recipient of two National Philanthropy Awards, the Gavilan College Community Spirit Award, and the San Benito Community Leadership Award. His presence in the community transformed many lives, and he will be remembered as a distinguished community member, mayor, and friend. Mayor Jim West's legacy is defined by his invaluable work as a public servant. His dedication to the community and to the people in his life serves as an inspiration to the Central Coast of California. He is survived by his daughter, granddaughter, and great-granddaughter, and his legacy will live on with them and in the memories of those of us who had the honor to know him. Madam Speaker, I ask that my colleagues in the House join me in honoring Mayor Jim West.