George Radanovich

Mr. RADANOVICH

Mr. RADANOVICH. Madam Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to recognize the 50th anniversary of the first vertical ascent of Yosemite's El Capitan. Standing at 3,593 feet above the Yosemite Valley floor, EI Capitan is the largest granite monolith in the world. Since it was named by the Mariposa Battalion in 1851, this natural wonder has lured travelers and climbers from all over the world. The natural beauty and wonders of Yosemite National Park have inspired countless travelers and have earned Yosemite its reputation as the ``crown jewel'' of the National Park System. It was this very majesty that compelled Wayne Merry, George Whitmore and Warren J. Harding to fearlessly ascend the seemingly impassable face of El Capitan and become legends amongst the climbing community. Over a strenuous period of 47 days, this team of climbers courageously charted the Nose Route vertically over the face of EI Capitan. Lacking many of the technological developments available in current climbing gear, these men relied heavily on aid climbing with nothing more than fixed rope, pitons and expansion bolts to facilitate their ascent. Finally, on November 12, 1958, they conquered the summit of EI Capitan, effectively raising the standards of climbing throughout the world. I am proud to recognize the accomplishment of Wayne Merry, George Whitmore and Warren J. Harding on the occasion of their endeavor's 50th anniversary. Thousands of climbers have since used the very same route to reach El Capitan's summit and vista. I urge my colleagues to join me in recognizing the 50th anniversary of this achievement and honoring the brave men of the original climbing team.

Mr. RADANOVICH

Mr. RADANOVICH. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Northwest Church upon celebrating their 50th anniversary. The church will be celebrating the anniversary throughout 2008 with golf tournaments, luncheons, all-church Bunko nights, reunions and a dedication and renaming of the church's chapel on September 28, 2008 at the church in Fresno, California. In 1958 a group attending First Baptist Church in Kingsburg began discussing the possibility of establishing a Baptist General Conference church in Fresno, California. The core group of planners consisted of three families; the Swansons, the Bertzs and the Satterbergs. The group determined that Curt Martin, a recent graduate of Bethel Seminary, was to be the first pastor of, what was then, Northwest Baptist Church. Pastor Curt and his wife, Carol Martin, moved to Fresno in August and the first public service was held on September 21, 1958 in their home. The church was officially formed on November 13, 1958 with twenty-four members. That number quickly grew to sixty. With the rise in numbers, the visionaries decided to purchase a five-acre piece of property, complete with a farmhouse. Almost one year after holding the first public service, they broke ground for the new church on September 20, 1959. The building was completed in 1960, with seating for one hundred. The members quickly realized that they were going to need more space for an educational unit. A building was completed for that purpose in the early 1960's. In 1961, Pastor Martin resigned to pursue his education goals. Reverend Eric Moody and Reverend Rollo Entz both served as senior pastor during the mid-1960s. In 1968 a young Youth for Christ director, Bufe Karraker, was brought on to serve as interim Pastor of Northwest Church. At that time, the average attendance at the Sunday morning services was about seventy- five to eighty people. However, with Pastor Bufe's gusto and passion during the services, the people began pouring in. Pastor Bufe was asked to stay on as senior pastor. Within six years the refurbished chapel was full; over 750 people would filter in and out for the three Sunday morning services. There was excitement surrounding the church and growth was inevitable. Over the next three decades the congregation built seven additions, including an 850-seat sanctuary and office building. Pastor Bufe was instrumental in this growth, and after thirty-three years at Northwest Church he passed away at the age of seventy-four. Northwest Church has since been lead by Dr. Jim Westgate (interim senior pastor), Pastor Scott Gossenberger, Pastor H. Spees and Pastor Mark Platt. Over the years, Northwest Church has been instrumental in developing new congregations in the Fresno area including New Covenant Community Church, Central Community Church and New Harvest Church. The church currently supports twenty-three local and national missionaries, and offers various mission trip opportunities to members of the church. They hold three services on Sunday for about 1,200 worshipers, a Thursday night service, and the doors are open to the community for various gatherings, such as Sunday school classes, Weight Watchers group meetings, Alcoholics Anonymous and Alanon. The focus on religion, family and community is the foundation that has led Northwest Church to be so successful. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend and congratulate Northwest Church upon their 50 anniversary. I invite my colleagues to join me in wishing Northwest Church many years of continued success.

Mr. RADANOVICH

Mr. RADANOVICH. Madam Speaker, October 10 marks the National Day of the Republic of China. Due to its democratic system, Taiwan has been able to flourish economically and socially as we have seen over the past decades. Taiwan is now one of the world's leading economic powers. To help us celebrate all the accomplishments of our friends in Taiwan, I urge my colleagues to support Taiwan's latest request to the United Nations General Assembly to participate meaningfully in the activities of 16 United Nations specialized agencies. I know leaders in Taiwan have worked tirelessly for Taiwan's participation in the United Nations and Taiwan's international participation will certainly encourage cross-strait dialogue and lead to permanent peace in the Asia-Pacific region. Madam Speaker, congratulations to the people of Taiwan, their president, Mr. Ma Ying-jeou, and their Washington representative: Ambassador Jason Yuan. Jason is an experienced diplomat and he will be an effective bridge between Taiwan and Washington.

Mr. RADANOVICH

Mr. RADANOVICH. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my colleagues Mrs. Capps and Mrs. Cubin for sponsoring H.R. 1014, the Heart Disease Education, Analysis Research and Treatment, or HEART, for Women Act. I lend my strong support for its swift passage both here and on the House floor Heart for Women Act will be a vital step forward in addressing the disparities in the diagnosis and treatment of heart disease and stroke between men and women. Heart disease, stroke, and other cardiovascular diseases are the number one killer of women, both nationally and in my home state of California. They account for over 30 percent of all female deaths in California, and there are currently approximately 43 million adult women living with one or more forms of heart disease. These numbers are very telling about the need for this reporting and authorization. But to really understand the importance of this legislation, you must look at how this can affect the lives of any one of those 43 million women living with heart disease today. I personally have seen the effects it can have--the struggles for the individual and the difficulties it can place on a family--through the experiences of a longtime and valued member of my staff But also through her, I have seen the courage displayed by women living with heart disease. They are dedicated to this cause, so that others may have it a little easier than they have. For her and all women living with this disease, this legislation today is a triumph and a testament to their strength. Thank you again to the bill's sponsors, and I encourage all my colleagues to fully support this extremely important legislation.

Mr. RADANOVICH

Mr. RADANOVICH. When President Bush lifted the Presidential moratorium on offshore oil drilling, the price of oil dropped $12 a barrel immediately and has been falling ever since. I have said many times over the summer that if Congress passes an energy bill that increases production of domestic energy, the markets will react immediately with lower prices. This is the litmus test that Congress will be delivering what the American people want. The Democrat energy bill will be received with a resounding thud on the world markets. It won't move the price of gas one cent because it provides no incentives for States who increase production offshore. Unlike the Comprehensive American Energy Act, the bill we are voting on today does not address oil shale production, lawsuit reform, streamlining the nuclear energy process, coal-to-liquid technology, increase refinery capacity, and opening ANWR. However, the bill does include a drawdown over Strategic Petroleum Reserves, a fraudulent use- it-or-lose-it legislation, and an extremely costly renewable energy mandate. Maybe this majority ought to go back to suing OPEC to produce more oil because under this bill, that reliance is still there.

Mr. RADANOVICH

Mr. RADANOVICH. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the ranking member from the Energy and Commerce Committee. When President Bush lifted the Presidential moratorium on offshore oil drilling, the price of oil dropped $12 a barrel immediately and began falling ever since. I have said many times over our summer recess that if Congress passes an energy bill that increases the production of domestic energy, the markets will react with lower prices. That is the litmus test that Congress should use to determine whether we are delivering what the American people want, which is lower gas prices. The Democrat energy bill will be received with a resounding thud on the world markets. It won't move the price of gas one cent because it provides no incentive for States to increase production offshore. Unlike the comprehensive American Energy Act, the bill that we are voting on today does not address oil shale production, lawsuit reform, environmental ESA reform, streamlining nuclear energy processes, coal- to-liquid technology, increasing refinery capacity, or opening ANWR. However, the bill does include a drawdown of our Strategic Petroleum Reserve, the fraudulent use-it-or-use-it legislation, and the extremely costly renewable energy mandate. Over the next 20 years, U.S. oil consumption is projected to grow even after factoring in a projected 26 percent increase in renewable energy supply and 29 percent increase in efficiency. Unless we look for and develop new U.S. reserves, reliance on foreign sources of oil-- already over 60 percent--will continue to rise. OPEC will continue to manipulate production levels and prices. Ladies and gentlemen, it's time to support the American Energy Act.

Mr. RADANOVICH

Mr. RADANOVICH. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Calvin James Beatty for his dedication to his family and community. Mr. Beatty passed away at Madera Community Hospital on August 19, 2008, at the age of eighty two. Mr. Jim Beatty was born in Puenta, California on March 21, 1926. He graduated from Sweetwater High School in National City, California in 1944 and immediately enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. He served in the Western Pacific during World War II and in China after the war. Before leaving the military he attained the rank of sergeant. He received an Honorable Discharge in April 1947. In 1949, Mr. Beatty settled in Madera, California. He met and married Edith Mae Sciacqua in 1950. They have three sons; Kelly, John and Jerry. He spent most of his life as the manager of a cotton gin and retired in the 1980's. He had many hobbies, including flying. Mr. Beatty maintained a pilot's license for over fifty years. He served as a deputy sheriff in the Madera County Aero Squadron. He was always active in the local chapter of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. He was also involved with the Knights of Columbus and the Young Men's Institute. Mr. Beatty is survived by his wife and three children, his daughter- in laws; Cheryl, Michele and Brenda, and five grandchildren: Ryan, Meghan, Michael, Christian and Hallie, and one great-grandson: Brannon. He is also survived by his sister, Donna, her husband and numerous extended family members. Madame Speaker, I rise today to posthumously honor Jim Beatty for his dedication to his family and community. I invite my colleagues to join me in honoring his life and wishing the best for his family.

Mr. RADANOVICH

Mr. RADANOVICH. Madam Speaker, I rise to honor the achievements of Maurice Cappelluti and to congratulate him upon being honored with the ``Lifetime Achievement Award'' by the Madera Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Cappelluti was honored on Thursday August 21, 2008, at the Fourth Annual Lifetime Achievement Awards and Board of Directors Installation Dinner. Mr. Maurice Cappelluti was born on February 23, 1930, in Madera, CA. He attended Lincoln Elementary School and graduated from Madera Union High School in 1947. A year later he graduated from the National Institute of Dry Cleaning in Silver Spring, MD. In November 1948, Mr. Cappelluti enlisted in the California Army National Guard and graduated from Officer Candidate School in 1953. He became a second lieutenant and commanded the Madera unit for 3 years. He then transferred to the Army Reserve 6237th School as an instructor for Command and General Staff Studies. He was promoted to Assistant Commandant for the Fresno School and served in that position for 4 years. He was then promoted to colonel and transferred to standby reserve. In 1965 he was awarded a Medal of Merit for his instrumental role during the Watts Riots. In 1966 he joined the Army Reserve. Mr. Cappelluti retired as a Colonel in 1990. During his time with the California National Guard, Mr. Cappelluti married Marie Bonandrini. Later, he entered into a family business with his parents, Madera Dry Cleaners. His brother joined the business and in 1965 he and his brother purchased the business from their parents. This business was sold to his son in 1999. Mr. Cappelluti is an active member of Saint Joachim's Church. He served on the Parish Council, was cochairman of the Thanksgiving Dinner Dance, cochairman of the Harvest Festival and has served on numerous other church committees. He also serves outside of the church. Once a week for the past 4 years, Mr. Cappelluti, has cooked at the Holy Family Table, which provides meals for homeless families in Madera. He is a charter member of the 20-30 Club and he was a member of the Madera Kiwanis Club for 35 years. He served as a board member for 5 years for the Red Cross Madera board. Mr. Cappelluti was a trustee for the Madera Cemetery Board for 23 years, and was named the 2008 ``Trustee of the Year'' by the California Association of Public Cemeteries. He has also served on the boards of San Joaquin Memorial High School, Madera Hospital Foundation and was a member of the Young Men's Institute for over 60 years. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend and congratulate Maurice Cappelluti upon being awarded with the ``Lifetime Achievement Award.'' I invite my colleagues to join me in wishing Mr. Cappelluti many years of continued success.

Mr. RADANOVICH

Mr. RADANOVICH. Madam Speaker, I rise to honor the life and accomplishments of William ``Bill'' Cerioni and to recognize him upon being named the ``Memorial Honoree'' by the Madera Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Cerioni was honored at a reception on Thursday, August 21, 2008, at the Fourth Annual Lifetime Achievement Awards and Board of Directors Installation Dinner. Mr. Bill Cerioni was born and raised in Madera, California. His father owned and operated Cerioni's Clothing Store. As a child he would work in the store sweeping floors and washing windows earning 25 cents per week. Mr. Cerioni graduated from Madera High School and attended Fresno State University, now California State University, Fresno. He was in school for 2 years before he joined the military during World War II. He had dreams of becoming a Navy pilot; however, with poor vision, the Navy and the Army Air Forces turned him away. He did enlist with the Army Air Forces as a gunner and served in the 8th Air Force Division just outside of London, England. In 1946, Mr. Cerioni became a partner at Cerioni's Clothing Store with his father. He had new ideas and wanted to broaden the clientele by providing a wider selection of merchandise and building a new store. In 1947 construction began and in 1949 the new store opened, which included a ladies' department. The family business experienced tremendous success. Mr. Cerioni's father passed away in 1962 and the business was left to him to operate. Remembering the family history of the store, Mr. Cerioni put his own sons to work in the store to continue the tradition of a father-son partnership. Mr. Cerioni was an avid golfer. He and his golf partners, Attorney Denny Green and Dr. Ray Miles, decided to develop a private golf and country club. They purchased land with backing from a number of community members. With some hard work and perseverance, the doors of the Madera Golf Country Club were opened in 1954. He always took pride in what he did, and felt that his success was the result of providing quality services and products. Since he understood that success came from the community, it was important for him to show the same support to the community. Beyond his business, golf and his family, he gave to his community. Mr. Cerioni was a member of the Madera Rotary Club for over 30 years, with perfect attendance for 28 of those years. He was a charter member of the 20/30 Club, involved in his church, member of the Madera Elks and was very active in the Madera Merchants Association and the Madera Chamber of Commerce. He assisted in launching the Downtown Parking Commission. Over the years, Mr. Cerioni was financially supportive to numerous local charities, including school activities. As a young man, Mr. Cerioni met and married Francis Miller from Sanger, California. They have two children, Jeff and Craig; and four grandchildren Ryan, Tisha, Rori, and Bart. Madam Speaker, I rise today to posthumously honor William ``Bill'' Cerioni for his dedication to his family, his business and his community. I invite my colleagues to join me in honoring his life and wishing the best for his family.

Mr. RADANOVICH

Mr. RADANOVICH. Madam Speaker, I rise to honor the achievements of Paula Baraldi and to congratulate her upon being honored with the ``Lifetime Achievement Award'' by the Madera Chamber of Commerce. Mrs. Baraldi will be honored at a reception on Thursday, August 21, 2008 at the Fourth Annual Lifetime Achievement Awards and Board of Directors Installation Dinner. Mrs. Baraldi was born and raised in Madera, California to Enrico and Armanda De Cesario She has one younger brother, Robert. She graduated from Madera High School in 1946 and immediately began working for a public accountant. In 1951, she married Ralph Baraldi and moved to Huron, California. In 1954, they moved back to Madera. At this time, she, her husband and Louie Mariani started a redi-mix concrete plant. Her brother Robert had also opened his own business, De Cesari Stationery. Robert was called to service in Vietnam, so they sold the redi-mix business and acquired the stationery store. Mrs. Baraldi owned and operated De Cesari Stationery for many years. She believes her success has been due to her family, friends, great customers and strong work ethic. Mrs. Baraldi has concentrated many of her efforts in community service to ensure that Madera would continue to grow as a friendly city and a solid place to raise a family. She served as director and treasurer for the board of directors of the Madera Chamber of Commerce. She participated in the Retail Merchants and Governmental Affairs Committee. She was heavily involved in the women's movement of the 1960s and 1970s. She has also been involved with the Soroptimist Club of Madera, Madera Historical Society, American Cancer Society, National Association of Republican Women, Association of Stationers, San Joaquin Paleontology Association and a member of Saint Joachim's Church. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend and congratulate Paula Baraldi upon being awarded with the ``Lifetime Achievement Award.'' I invite my colleagues to join me in wishing Mrs. Baraldi many years of continued success.

Mr. RADANOVICH

Mr. RADANOVICH. Madam Speaker, I rise to honor the achievements of Darwin Shebelut and to congratulate him upon being honored with the ``Lifetime Achievement Award'' by the Madera Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Shebelut was honored at a reception on Thursday, August 21, 2008, at the Fourth Annual Lifetime Achievement Awards and Board of Directors Installation Dinner. Mr. Shebelut was born on August 8, 1920, in Madera, California. He graduated from Madera High School in 1938 as the senior class president. After high school he attended Stanford University and received a degree in mechanical engineering. He also served in the United States Army for 4 years during World War II. Upon returning to Madera, Mr. Shebelut became a businessman and an opportunist. His father owned and operated a Chevrolet dealership in Madera that he eventually took over. Under his leadership the dealership grew to include Oldsmobile and Toyota. Mr. Shebelut purchased 182 acres of subdivided land in what is now the center of Madera. He formed a water company through the public utilities commission and developed the area into a residential and commercial area. He built Madera's first shopping center in 1954 on that land. During the late 1970s Mr. Shebelut purchased 50 more acres of land and rezoned the area to include residential, multiple housing and commercial properties. He developed another shopping center and was the co-owner of an adjacent apartment complex. He also owned and operated the Credit Bureau during the 1940s and 1950s. Mr. Shebelut was the president and director of American Standard Life Insurance Company, was the director of the Northern California Automobile Dealers Association for 20 years and a member of the National Automobile Dealers Association. Outside of owning and operating numerous businesses, Mr. Shebelut was very involved in the community. He served the city of Madera as a director of the development agency and in the early 1950s he served as a Madera City councilman. In the County of Madera he served as a director of the joint development agency, commissioner of the Juvenile Justice Commission and was the director for 18 years of the Transportation Authority. He served as the director for numerous organizations, including Madera Businessmen's Association, Madera Industrial Development Corporation and Boy Scouts of America Sequoia Council. He has served as trustee for the University of California, San Francisco's Fresno Foundation, California-Nevada Methodist Homes and Hospitals, San Joaquin River Conservation Trust and the Queen of the Valley High School. Mr. Shebelut was one of the founders of Madera Community Hospital in 1964 and later served as a trustee and chairman of the board. He has also been involved in Madera Noon Rotary for 42 years (and served as president), Elks Lodge 1918 (charter member), the Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, Fresno Chapter International Wine and Food Society, Fresno Chapter of Skal International, Fresno Owls Club and Madera Golf and Country Club (member of organizing group). Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend and congratulate Darwin Shebelut upon being awarded with the ``Lifetime Achievement Award.'' I invite my colleagues to join me in wishing Mr. Shebelut many years of continued success.

Mr. RADANOVICH

Mr. RADANOVICH. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Asbarez newspaper upon the celebration of their 100th anniversary. Asbarez newspaper began publication in August of 1908 in Fresno, California. The publication began as a weekly paper that was committed to providing news and information to the Armenian-American community. In 1908, the focus of this community was the instability of the homeland. Throughout the years, Asbarez has reported on the ever- changing, and fragile, conditions of the Republic of Armenia. The paper covered the tragedy of the Armenian genocide, the triumph of the first independent republic, the growing pains of a community, the catastrophic earthquake, the fall of the Soviet Union, the Nagorno- Karabakh liberation struggle, the rise of the independent Nagorno- Karabakh Republic and the realities of the people of Javakhk in southern Georgia. Asbarez provides news, information, commentary, criticism, and thought. On May 1, 1970, Asbarez began publishing its English section. During the early 1970s the offices and publishing headquarters moved to Los Angeles. Today, Asbarez is the largest and only bilingual newspaper serving the 750,000 plus Armenian-Americans in the western United States. It is published five times per week, Tuesday through Saturday. The newspaper also serves as voice for the community and is a source of information for Congress, libraries around the Nation and newsrooms of major media outlets. In 1997 Asbarez launched its Web site, keeping Armenians even more up to date with the issues that interest them the most. Asbarez has become a trusted source for news about the evolving Armenian realities. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend and congratulate Asbarez newspaper on 100 years of business. I invite my colleagues to join me in wishing Asbarez newspaper many years of continued success.

Mr. RADANOVICH

Mr. RADANOVICH. Madam Speaker, I rise to honor the achievements of Monte Pistoresi and to congratulate him upon being honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Madera Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Pistoresi will be honored at a reception on Thursday, August 21, 2008, at the Fourth Annual Lifetime Achievement Awards and Board of Directors Installation Dinner. Monte Pistoresi attended school in Chowchilla, California, and graduated from the University of Santa Clara in 1960 with a business administration degree. Upon graduating, he entered into the United States Army. In 1963, he began to work for his family's Chevrolet dealership in Chowchilla. The dealership had one ambulance that was used to provide services to the Chowchilla area. Mr. Pistoresi helped to drive the ambulance on emergency calls. In 1981, the dealership closed, but he was the successful bidder for the city of Madera ambulance contract. By 1982, the company had 3 ambulances and 10 employees. Today, Pistoresi Ambulance has been serving Madera for 26 years and has 8 ambulances and 45 employees. Mr. Pistoresi is always giving back to the community, everything from umpiring Little League baseball games to his involvement in the Madera Chamber of Commerce. He was a member of the Madera Community Hospital Foundation from 1990 to 1998, and on the board of trustees for the hospital from 1998 to 2008. Mr. Pistoresi is a member of the Madera Kiwanis Club, Golden Valley Chamber of Commerce, Madera Elks, Madera NAACP, Madera County Emergency Medical Care Community, Women's Prison Citizen Advisory Board, and the city of Madera Parks and Recreation Advisory Board. Mr. Pistoresi also donates time and money to Children's Hospital Central California. Due to his involvement in the community, he has received many awards and recognitions including the Madera Chamber of Commerce Business Person of the Year, Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and Chowchilla Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year, Madera Elks and Kiwanis Distinguished Citizenship Award, and the Martin Luther King Committee Humanitarian Award. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend and congratulate Monte Pistoresi upon being awarded with the Lifetime Achievement Award. I invite my colleagues to join me in wishing Mr. Pistoresi many years of continued success.

Mr. RADANOVICH

Mr. RADANOVICH. Madam Speaker, I rise to honor the achievements of Bernard ``Jake'' Robinson and to congratulate him upon being honored with the ``Lifetime Achievement Award'' by the Madera Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Robinson will be honored at a reception on Thursday August 21, 2008 at the Fourth Annual Lifetime Achievement Awards and Board of Directors Installation Dinner. Mr. Jake Robinson was born on August 19, 1933 in Arkansas. Mr. Robinson was born during a time of great societal barriers, and continually worked to overcome those barriers. As a child he loved to play basketball, and even fabricated a make-shift hoop. As a freshman in high school he wanted to play, but was told that he was not good enough. He continued to practice with his hoop and as a sophomore he made the basketball team at Scipio A. Jones High School. The team was unbeatable and Mr. Robinson was awarded All-State, All-Regional and All-American honors. He was the first African American in Arkansas to make the All-Star basketball team. After high school he continued to play basketball in college at Arkansas AM and N College. After serving in the U.S. Army, Mr. Robinson went to work for Forehand Motors washing cars. He quickly moved up the ladder and became a parts manager. Mr. Robinson was the only African American in management in the Northern Division of General Motors. During his career he received numerous accolades and awards for his commitment to excellence from General Motors. He retired after 39 years. His commitment to his career was equal to his commitment to his community. Mr. Robinson served 17 years on the Board of Trustees of Madera Unified School District. The B.J. Robinson Gymnasium at Thomas Jefferson Middle School was erected as a tribute to his dedicated service. He was also a member of the Kiwanis Club, worked on the Citizens Committee for Measure E, is a former member of the Madera Linkage Foundation, involved with the NAACP and an advocate for youth athletics. He worked tirelessly to see the completion of Martin Luther King, Jr. Middle School and successfully lobbied to have the canal by the school covered for the safety of the students and neighborhood. Due to his endless efforts, Madera High School honored Mr. Robinson as the Grand Marshall for the 1999 Homecoming Parade and Football game. Martin Luther King, Jr Middle School named him as Humanitarian of the Year in 1995. He was recognized by Kiwanis International for Distinguished Service for 1999-2000. Mr. and Mrs. Robinson were named as the Couple of the Year in 1988 during Black History Month and received the NAACP's Curtis Collier Award. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend and congratulate Bernard ``Jake'' Robinson upon being awarded with the ``Lifetime Achievement Award''. I invite my colleagues to join me in wishing Mr. Robinson many years of continued success.

Mr. RADANOVICH

Mr. RADANOVICH. Mr. Chairman, I rise today to express my support for H.R. 6599, The Military Construction and Veterans Affairs FY09 Appropriations Act. Unfortunately, I was unable to vote on this bill today, however if I had been able to cast my vote I would have supported this measure. I have been a strong and consistent supporter of the military, veterans, and military families and this measure provides much needed funds to assist our brave men and women in uniform.

Mr. RADANOVICH

Mr. RADANOVICH. Madam Speaker, as Congress prepares to depart for the August recess, I'm expecting to see more constituents around my district this August than usual. It isn't because they're anxious to visit with me; it's because many of my constituents can't afford to take vacations this summer due to the skyrocketing price of gas. My Republican colleagues and I have offered a comprehensive energy plan in the form of the American Energy Act, which seeks to reduce the price of gas through increasing American energy production, enhancing energy efficiencies, and promoting renewable and alternative energy technology. Yet the majority party refuses to bring this commonsense bill up for a vote before we leave for recess because they are afraid it will pass. I wish my Democrat colleagues would apply this same illogic to some of their pieces of legislation. It's unconscionable to punish the majority of the American people for the appeasement of out-of-touch environmental constituents. The American people deserve lower gas prices, and they deserve an up or down vote on the American Energy Act.

Mr. RADANOVICH

Mr. RADANOVICH. I thank the gentleman from Ohio, the gentleman from California, and also Mr. Gallegly for introducing this important statement in support of Croatia and Albania. Over the last 17 years, we have seen the bilateral relationship between Croatia and the United States grow to the point where today Croatia stands as a steady and reliable friend in Southeast Europe and the Balkans. Exemplified by President Bush's successful trip there in April of this year, Croatia has become a true partner on a global scale. The U.S. and Croatia share joint efforts in the war against global terrorism, proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, and international organized crime, which represent the most dangerous threats to national and international security. As an active contributor to NATO-led operations in Afghanistan, Croatia has already demonstrated itself willing and capable to assume responsibilities of NATO membership, and will prove to be an effective contributor to the collective defense and overall alliance mission. In total, Croatia currently participates in 17 international peacekeeping missions and is a current nonpermanent member of the United Nations Security Council. As cochair of the Croatian Caucus, it has long been a goal of ours to see Croatia receive an invitation to join NATO, and I was pleased when the invitation to begin accession discussions came earlier this year. The government and the people of Croatia have worked very hard, and NATO has taken notice of their political, social, and military reforms. All Croatians and Croatian Americans deserve to feel true national pride in this accomplishment. I know that I speak for myself, my cochair Mr. Visclosky, and other members of the Croatian Caucus when I say that we look forward to continuing to work with Croatia and their very capable embassy here in the United States on a variety of issues of mutual concern. This is truly a great accomplishment for the nation of Croatia, and it is very appropriate that as a Congress we stand together to honor the accomplishments of our friend and ally. I thank all the Members who cosponsored this resolution and helped to bring it to the floor, and encourage my colleagues to join me today in honoring Croatia and Albania.

Mr. RADANOVICH

Mr. RADANOVICH. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate and express my pride in Mr. Benjamin Dye for winning first place in the 2008 Holocaust Remembrance Project essay contest with his essay, ``Choices.'' I invite my colleagues to join me in wishing Mr. Dye success in his future endeavors. Mr. Dye resides in Modesto, California and is a recent graduate from The Hotchkiss School in Lakeville, Connecticut. As a high school student, Mr. Dye was an involved and passionate young man who excelled in many activities, but above all, committed himself to academic excellence. In the award-winning essay, ``Choices,'' which is printed below, Mr. Dye discusses the Holocaust and its effect on three individuals, author and Holocaust victim Elie Wiesel, newspaper editor-cum-rescue organizer Varian Fry, and a young Jewish man who would become the (former) United States Ambassador to Denmark, John Loeb. This fall, Mr. Dye will begin a new chapter of his academic career as an honors student at University of California at Irvine. He will study political science and economics, in preparation for his goal of one day continuing his education in law school. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend and congratulate Benjamin Dye for winning the Holocaust Remembrance Project essay contest. I invite my colleagues to join me in wishing Mr. Dye continued success. Choices (By Benjamin Dye) One Saturday night in fall 1944, a crowd of boys packed into the auditorium of their boarding school for the weekly movie, preceded as usual by a newsreel. But this week's footage was not just another montage of Allied victories; tonight, it contained some of the first publicly-released photos of the Holocaust, taken by Soviet soldiers liberating the Majdanek concentration camp. Tonight, the boys saw heaps of skulls, rows of genocidal crematoria, and processions of emaciated survivors. How did they react? John L. Loeb, Jr., one of the few Jewish students present, remembers with painful clarity: ``[i]t's hard to believe, but when they first showed those terrible pictures, the entire school cheered. ' '' (Kolowrat, 265) As these teenagers cheered, another teenager thousands of miles away lived in constant terror on the brink of starvation. In fall 1944, sixteen-year-old Elie Wiesel struggled to maintain his humanity in the Auschwitz III- Monowitz labor camp as he subsisted on meager rations, endured arbitrary beatings, and watched his father's health deteriorate. (Wiesel, 66-78) After the Red Army took Warsaw in January 1945 and its resumed race to Berlin, the S.S. force marched Wiesel, his father, and 66,000 other prisoners to Gliwice (Gleiwitz), Poland, where they were herded into cattle cars and taken to the Buchenwald camp. (Wiesel 82) Shortly thereafter, Wiesel's father--whom Elie believed was his last living relative--died. When liberation finally came a few months later, Wiesel found himself utterly alone, his family, his possessions, and his faith incinerated by Nazi hatred. He had one thing left: a choice. How would he respond to his horrific experience? Would he despair and bury his ordeal as society tried to forget its nightmarish past? Or would he hope, remember, and speak out? Wiesel chose the latter. As he recalls in the preface to the new translation of Night, in postwar Europe, ``[t]he subject [of the Holocaust] was considered morbid and interested no one''; even in the Jewish community, ``. . . there were always people ready to complain that it was senseless to `burden our children with the tragedies of the Jewish past.' '' (Wiesel xiv.) Nonetheless, he chose to bear witness, concluding that ``. . . having lived through this experience, one could not keep silent no matter how difficult, if not impossible, it was to speak'' (Wiesel x.) And he spoke of his ordeal without succumbing to despair; as he noted 41 years later in his Nobel lecture, ``Because I remember, I despair. Because I remember, I have the duty to reject despair.'' (Wiesel (2)) The consequences of his choice have been far-reaching; by calling attention to the Holocaust Wiesel has likely done more than any other individual to promise the children of tomorrow that ``his past [will not] become their future.'' (Wiesel xv.) Five years before Wiesel's liberation, Varian Fry arrived in France, 14 years after leaving the aforementioned school. He had been sent to Marseille by the Emergency Rescue Committee (ERC), a private American organization established in 1940 to secretly evacuate 200 intellectuals sought by the Nazis. Immediately upon arrival, Fry realized that there were many more than 200 people in imminent danger. Like Wiesel, Fry had a choice to make. As Elie Wiesel rejected despair, Varian Fry rejected indifference. His original mission called for three weeks in Marseille, but he chose to stay as long as possible saving as many as possible. With only $3000 from the ERC and no clandestine operations training, Fry set up a latter-day underground railroad, helping Jews and dissidents intellectuals escape into Spain, on to Portugal, and by boat to the U.S. By the time the Gestapo expelled Fry in September, 1941, his choice had saved nearly 4000 lives. Wiesel's and Fry's stories show that we must remember the Holocaust above all for its lessons about human nature. While we may know that the Nazis killed 6 million Jews, accounts like Wiesel's Night personalize and sharpen this statistic. And though putting individual faces on the victims helps us emphasize with victims of current crimes against humanity, it is perhaps even more important to humanize the perpetrators. It is easy to think of the Holocaust as a uniquely terrible deed committed by ``them''--ruthless incarnations of evil, with sinister black uniforms and totenkopfe on their caps-- but if we are to avert the Holocausts of the future, we must remember that the men responsible for the slaughter were once as human as their victims. If men born into one of the world's most ``civilized'' societies could become genocidal automatons, so could we. However, the Holocaust also reminds us of humanity's tremendous capacity for good. Varian Fry was a normal newspaper editor before the war, but confronted with evil, he became a hero, rising above the anti-Semitic conditioning of his high school years and risking his life to act ``beyond himself.'' (Isenberg, ix.) And Elie Wiesel's commitment to raising awareness of humanitarian issues--a commitment forged as a direct result of the Holocaust--is equally heroic, although it is impossible to calculate how many lives he has saved. While the Holocaust is generally seen as a grim reflection on humanity, we must remember it also as a reminder that ordinary individuals can choose to rise above any evil. Examining Wiesel's and Fry's experiences and choices, we see that we too have a profound choice to make. We can choose the path of least resistance, or we can follow Elie Wiesel in rejecting despair and Varian Fry in rejecting indifference, and in doing so empower ourselves to combat prejudice, discrimination, and violence today's world. In order to make a difference, however, not everyone needs to be a Wiesel or Fry. In the long term, the subtle choices we make to fight indifference and despair within our immediate communities are crucial in ensuring that ``never again'' is not an empty promise. We must, of course, stand up against modern day atrocities like the genocide in Darfur, but for deeper change, we must work in our everyday lives, doing what is right before crisis strikes. A final example demonstrates the power of this focus. John Loeb, after witnessing the callous anti-Semitism that night in 1944 at his and Varian Fry's alma mater, ultimately became the United States Ambassador to Denmark and a delegate to the United Nations. Despite his high profile work for peace, Loeb never forgot the seeds of hatred and indifference sowed that Saturday in the auditorium. So in 1993, he subtly helped uproot them by establishing the John L. Loeb Jr. prize, awarded annually at his former school for the best essay on tolerance and mutual respect. We will never know how much bigotry Loeb's action prevented, but quiet aggregation of such contributions brings about immense change to places like the Nazi-applauding prep school--change evident to me as a current student at this institution. I recently participated in a school sponsored trip to Poland, touring the camp where Wiesel thought his life would end and seeing ruins of the crematoria that had turned his mother and sisters to ash. A few weeks later, I saw Wiesel in person as he addressed the student body that 60 years earlier would have cheered his death, but which now empathized deeply with his suffering.

Mr. RADANOVICH

Mr. RADANOVICH. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Dick and Bette Gamegan on the occasion of their 70th wedding anniversary. This is truly a remarkable milestone and I am proud to stand here to recognize this extraordinary couple. Mr. and Mrs. Gamegan met in high school and quickly became a young couple. On July 17, 1938, Dick and Bette exchanged wedding vows before relatives and friends at Bette's mother's home in Fresno, California. That hot summer day in Fresno was the start of a union that has spanned seven decades. They spent their honeymoon in Pacific Grove, California where Mr. Gamegan was a golf caddy for the nearby golf course, Pebble Beach. Mr. Gamegan's later position as a sales manager for the Sears Department Store moved the couple to several different cities across the Nation. Wherever his career would take them, they happily acclimated to each new place and shared the journey that each new city presented. After working for the Sears Company, Mr. Gamegan purchased and operated Gibbel Hardware Store in California's Central Valley. After his retirement in 1972, the couple made their home in the mountains of Coarsegold, California where they currently reside. Mr. and Mrs. Gamegan's family includes a daughter, Karen, and one granddaughter. Over the years, Mr. and Mrs. Gamegan have traveled extensively throughout the world and have shared countless memories together. Since their honeymoon trip to Pacific Grove, the two have been enthusiastic to visit as many places as possible. In addition to their strong commitment to one another, Mr. and Mrs. Gamegan have shared a tireless dedication for community involvement in their area. They are outstanding community leaders and strong advocates in many worthwhile causes. Dick and Bette Gamegan have served actively on many neighborhood organizations and projects. Mr. Gamegan is an active member of the Lions and Kiwanis Club. In addition to other charitable work, Mrs. Gamegan served on the Los Ninos Guild for many years, which raised money to benefit the local children's hospital. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Mr. and Mrs. Dick Gamegan on their 70th wedding anniversary. I invite my colleagues to join me in recognizing this remarkable couple on their special milestone and to wish them many more years of happiness.

Mr. RADANOVICH

Mr. RADANOVICH. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the city of Turlock upon their celebration of their 100th Anniversary. In 1871, John Mitchell, a prominent land owner in Turlock, came to an agreement with the railroad. The railroad agreed to build a train depot, a switching yard and telegraph station on a portion of Mr. Mitchell's property. In return, Mr. Mitchell gave the railroad a twenty five mile right of way passage through his vast land holdings. The land consisted of over 100,000 acres of wheat that spanned from, what is now, Ceres to Atwater and west to the San Joaquin River. It was a win- win situation for all; while the railroad was able to expand, Mr. Mitchell was able to move products. Over the next 20 years, growth in the area was slow. It did, however, experience a great amount of financial success. During California's Golden Wheat era of the mid to late 1800s this area was shipping an extraordinary amount of wheat across the United States and around the world. Turlock was booming, but it did not last long. With the over planting of crops, the poor farming practices, and depleted soil the production of wheat fell drastically. The Golden Wheat era was over by 1890. It only took 3 years for Turlock to fade away, and in 1893 John Mitchell, the founder of Turlock, passed away. Mr. Mitchell had brought life to Turlock; he was responsible for bringing the railroad and he financed many farmers and businesses. With a nationwide economic collapse on the horizon, Turlock faced two more problems; water and fire. The farmers in Turlock desperately needed an irrigation system to keep their crops going, and then a massive fire destroyed downtown Turlock. Fortunately, luck changed for this small farming town. In 1901, irrigation was funded. Small farmers were back in business, and Turlock began to thrive again. John Mitchell's heirs hired a land promoter and sold his vast holdings into small farming lots. People began to flock to Turlock. By 1907, Turlock was experiencing record breaking activity in commercial and residential construction. The push for incorporation began to take hold. A special election was held on January 21, 1908 and Turlock was incorporated with about 1800 residents. A board of trustees, a treasurer, a clerk and a marshall were all elected into office. Today Turlock has a population of over 69,000 and is home to California State University, Stanislaus. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend and congratulate the city of Turlock on 100 years. I invite my colleagues to join me in wishing Turlock many years of continued growth and success.

Mr. RADANOVICH

Mr. RADANOVICH. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate St. Joseph's Catholic Church in celebrating its 100th anniversary. The congregation had its centennial celebration on Saturday, June 21, 2008. St. Joseph's Catholic Church is located in Twain Harte, California. The origin of this community can be traced back to some of the original settlers in 1907. The area began as a small mining and logging town in the high Sierra Nevada foothills. The church was founded in 1908 with the construction of St. Joseph's Church in Tuolumne City. The church itself not only sets the tone for the present generation but is a proud symbol of the dedication of the pioneer ancestors who built it. St. Joseph's was originally a member of Sonora's St. Patrick's Parish. Because of the distance to travel between Tuolumne City and Sonora, and the large number of worshipers, the people of northeastern Tuolumne County applied to the Chancery several times for the building of a new parish. Reverend Hugh A. Donohoe, the Bishop of Stockton, decided to go forth with the new parish. The parish in Twain Harte was formally erected and completed on June 20, 1962. The task of forming the Parish was effectively executed by the late Fr. George Lacey, who served the community for 21 years. Fr. William Ryan served the Parish for 10 years and worked to enhance and complete the Parish plant. The parish is now part of Twain Harte's All Saints Parish. Three generations of worshipers make up the 200 parishioners, headed by Fr. John Fitzgerald and Deacon Ed Zoma. Deacon Zoma is ordained in the Chaldean Rite and can claim to be the longest serving deacon in the country. The Alter Society has now grown into the All Saints' Parish Ladies' Guild and has about sixty members. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend and congratulate St. Joseph's Catholic Church on its centennial celebration. I invite my colleagues to join me in wishing the congregation of St. Joseph's Catholic Church many years of continued success.

Mr. RADANOVICH

Mr. RADANOVICH. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Mike Wagner upon his retirement as the Captain of the Stanislaus County Sheriffs Reserve. Mr. Wagner will be honored at the Stanislaus Sheriff's Posse Rodeo on June 14, 2008. Mike Wagner was born in Yuba City, California but was raised in Newman, California. In 1965 he joined the United States Air Force and served for 3 years. After leaving the Air Force, he moved back home and joined the Stanislaus County Sheriffs Department. Since then, he has documented over 25,000 volunteer hours for the reserve unit. He has held an administrative position within the reserve unit for over 25 years and was the Reserve Captain for 16 years. Mr. Wagner has contributed greatly to the Sheriff's Department through the Reserves and has received many accolades for his efforts. In 1972, Mr. Wagner was a founding member of the Sheriffs mounted unit. He has chaired the Sheriffs Posse Rodeo to raise money for the Reserve Organization. In 1980 he received commendation for water rescue and for presidential protection. He has received commendation by the Modesto Rotary, the California State Sheriffs Association Meeting for services provided, California State University, Stanislaus and was selected three times as the Stanislaus County Reserve Officer of the Year. He has been certified for mounted patrol and was sworn as a level one officer in 1996. In 1997, Mr. Wagner was selected by the California Reserve Peace Officer Association as the state Reserve Officer of the Year. He also received the 2004 Stanislaus County Sheriff's Department Medal of Merit. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend and congratulate Mike Wagner upon his retirement from the Stanislaus County Sheriffs Reserve. I invite my colleagues to join me in wishing Mr. Wagner many years of continued success.

Mr. RADANOVICH

Mr. RADANOVICH. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Delaware for giving me time to speak on this. I'd like to begin first by thanking my colleagues Mr. Nunes and Mr. Costa and Mr. Cardoza for working with me to introduce H. Res. 1327, and congratulate the Fresno State Bulldogs on winning the NCAA Division I College World Series. The Fresno State baseball team's journey of becoming the College World Series champion is, without a doubt, a Cinderella story. The Bulldogs faced obstacles and hardships, and yet they were able to overcome the odds to secure the college national baseball championship. Fresno State University is known for the quality education that it has provided since its founding in 1911. For 97 years, the students of Fresno State, including its student athletes, have illustrated the university's commitment to excellence in education. Now, Fresno State will also be known for its excellence in our national pastime. The Bulldogs' triumph has highlighted the quality athletic programs of Fresno State. The Bulldogs' baseball team is the only team in NCAA history to win a championship with a regular season record of 47 wins and 31 losses. Additionally, the Bulldogs spent over 40 long days away from home during their trek towards becoming the College World Series champions. The achievement of the Fresno State baseball team is not just an accomplishment that can be celebrated by Fresno State University, but by all residents of California's Central Valley and by all fans of America's favorite pastime. The Bulldogs captured baseball fans' hearts as college baseball fever spread Fresno State's colors of cardinal and blue across the Central Valley and the Nation, making this College World Series the most watched of all time according to ESPN. Radio fans tuned in to local Central Valley radio station, KMJ 580, to listen to the game. My family and I were among those huddled around our TVs, hanging on every pitch, e-mailing the results to our son King who was away at camp. Perhaps next year, when the Bulldogs are playing for back-to-back championships, we will listen to that game on the radio. As the lyrics in the Bulldogs' fight song state: ``So fight and give the best there is in you . . . we'll fight on to victory.'' And the Bulldogs did just that. With unwavering determination, with complete dedication, the Bulldogs gave their all, and in the end, they were victorious. It is with great pride that I stand here with my colleagues today supporting H. Res. 1327, congratulating the Fresno State Bulldogs on their College World Series Championship. Go Dogs!

Mr. RADANOVICH

Mr. RADANOVICH. Madam Speaker, today, I rise to congratulate Fresno State University men's baseball team as the national champions of the College World Series. This is the first college baseball national championship win for Fresno State University, and it is, indeed, a Cinderella story for the Bulldogs. Their record was 47 wins and 31 losses. No other college baseball team in the Nation has had 31 losses in the season and has still been able to overcome the odds and win the college baseball national championship. The outstanding leadership of coach Mike Batesole and the hard work and determination of all of the players, including the College World Series' Most Outstanding Player, Tommy Mendonca, led to this unlikely but well-deserved victory. I urge my colleagues to join me in congratulating the Fresno State Bulldogs who went from underdogs to wonder dogs. Go Dogs.

Mr. RADANOVICH

Mr. RADANOVICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise to support H. Con. Res. 365, which my fellow co-chair of the Congressional Wine Caucus, Mike Thompson and I introduced in remembrance of a friend and giant in the California and international wine community, Robert Mondavi, who passed away in May of this year. Robert may most be remembered for his tremendous success in producing and promoting California wines to the international community. After graduating from Stanford, Robert joined his family in running the Charles Krug winery in Napa, and then went on to found the Robert Mondavi Winery in 1966. His tireless efforts to introduce California wine to the world and compete against established European wines are much of the reason why winemaking in California is now an 18 billion dollar industry--the largest retail wine market in the world. In fact, the United States accounts for 61 percent of wine sold in the world. This would not be possible without the lifetime of hard work by Robert Mondavi. He was also extremely involved in charitable causes across the country to promote wine, food and the arts. Robert Mondavi was an inspiration to my own winemaking ventures as I'm sure he was to many boutique winemakers across the country. Such inspiration has led to wine being produced in all 50 States. His innovation, spirit and passion for winemaking will be sorely missed throughout our Nation and the world.