George Radanovich

Mr. RADANOVICH

Mr. RADANOVICH. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend and congratulate Susan Lafferty upon being named as a 2010 Common Threads honoree. Mrs. Lafferty will be honored by California State University, Fresno at the 2010 Common Threads Award luncheon to be held on Friday, April 16, 2010. Mrs. Sue Lafferty was born and raised in Los Angeles, California; away from farmland and agriculture. Mrs. Lafferty married Dave in 1976, and they moved to the Hanford-Lemoore area to begin their farming adventure. Today, Mrs. Lafferty spends many volunteer hours working with the youth and agricultural education programs. She became involved with the Kings County 4-H Program while her daughter, Katie, was involved with the program. Although Katie is an adult, Mrs. Lafferty continues to spend countless hours with the group. Within the Kings County 4-H she has served as project leader, community leader, council secretary, council director and department chair for the Dairy Show 4-H Fair. Mrs. Lafferty is also the co-founder of Kings Harvest 4-H. In 2009, Mrs. Lafferty encouraged eight 4-H members to develop a farm gleaning program to help them earn their Emerald Star and to supply fresh fruits and vegetables to the local food banks. Through her leadership and direction, the members were able to donate almost fifteen hundred pounds of tomatoes, nine hundred pounds of cantaloupes, seven hundred and fifty pounds of onions and two thousand pounds of sweet corn to Kings Community Action food pantry. Beyond 4-H, Mrs. Lafferty volunteers for the Kings Fair Boosters, where she has served as President, Vice-President and secretary while also working on special events and fundraisers for the fair. Over the years, she has served in various positions for the Kings Fair Junior Fair Board, Kings Lamb Feed Committee, Hanford Future Farmers of America Parents' Club, Beef Educational Enhancement Fund (BEEF), Tulare County Fair and Great Western Livestock Show as well as the Dance Guild. Mrs. Lafferty is a lifetime member of Hanford Future Farmers of America. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend and congratulate Susan Lafferty upon her achievements. I invite my colleagues to join me in wishing Mrs. Lafferty many years of continued success.

Mr. RADANOVICH

Mr. RADANOVICH. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend and congratulate Susan Lafferty upon being named as a 2010 Common Threads honoree. Mrs. Lafferty will be honored by California State University, Fresno at the 2010 Common Threads Award luncheon to be held on Friday, April 16, 2010. Mrs. Sue Lafferty was born and raised in Los Angeles, California; away from farmland and agriculture. Mrs. Lafferty married Dave in 1976, and they moved to the Hanford-Lemoore area to begin their farming adventure. Today, Mrs. Lafferty spends many volunteer hours working with the youth and agricultural education programs. She became involved with the Kings County 4-H Program while her daughter, Katie, was involved with the program. Although Katie is an adult, Mrs. Lafferty continues to spend countless hours with the group. Within the Kings County 4-H she has served as project leader, community leader, council secretary, council director and department chair for the Dairy Show 4-H Fair. Mrs. Lafferty is also the co-founder of Kings Harvest 4-H. In 2009, Mrs. Lafferty encouraged eight 4-H members to develop a farm gleaning program to help them earn their Emerald Star and to supply fresh fruits and vegetables to the local food banks. Through her leadership and direction, the members were able to donate almost fifteen hundred pounds of tomatoes, nine hundred pounds of cantaloupes, seven hundred and fifty pounds of onions and two thousand pounds of sweet corn to Kings Community Action food pantry. Beyond 4-H, Mrs. Lafferty volunteers for the Kings Fair Boosters, where she has served as President, Vice-President and secretary while also working on special events and fundraisers for the fair. Over the years, she has served in various positions for the Kings Fair Junior Fair Board, Kings Lamb Feed Committee, Hanford Future Farmers of America Parents' Club, Beef Educational Enhancement Fund (BEEF), Tulare County Fair and Great Western Livestock Show as well as the Dance Guild. Mrs. Lafferty is a lifetime member of Hanford Future Farmers of America. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend and congratulate Susan Lafferty upon her achievements. I invite my colleagues to join me in wishing Mrs. Lafferty many years of continued success.

Mr. RADANOVICH

Mr. RADANOVICH. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend and congratulate Susie Snedden upon being named as a 2010 Common Threads honoree. Mrs. Snedden will be honored by California State University, Fresno at the 2010 Common Threads Award luncheon to be held on Friday, April 16, 2010. Mrs. Susie Snedden grew up on the family farm in Maricopa, California. She graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles with a Bachelors Degree in political science. While in school, she interned for then-Congressman William Ketchum in his Washington, DC, office, the Republican State Central Committee and was the first intern for the California Cattleman's Association in Sacramento. As a young adult she returned to the family cow-calf operation that she now co-owns with her husband, Richard. Mrs. Snedden is very active in the Kern County community. She has served as president and director for the Kern County CattleWomen and as a state director for the Kern County Cattlemen's Association. She and her husband served as state membership co-chairs for R-CALF, USA, a national cattle producer's organization. Mrs. Snedden operates an educational booth at, and assists with, the annual Farm Day in the City, has been involved at Maricopa School on the School Site Council and School Bond Committee. She often gives presentations about beef, its by-products and the cattle ranching business to classrooms and organizations. Mr. and Mrs. Snedden have hosted visitors from around the world, providing them with a taste of ranch life. Mrs. Snedden is active member of her church, where she has led mission trips to Mexico, and has opened her home to Vacation Bible Schools and women's retreats. For her efforts, Mrs. Snedden was named ``Kern County Cattle Princess'' in 1972 and ``Kern County CattleWoman of the Year'' in 2001. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend and congratulate Susie Snedden upon her achievements. I invite my colleagues to join me in wishing Mrs. Snedden many years of continued success.

Mr. RADANOVICH

Mr. RADANOVICH. Madam Speaker, I rise today to posthumously honor the life of Roy Isom. Mr. Isom passed away on Thursday, April 15, 2010, at the age of seventy-two. Mr. Roy Isom was born in 1937. He grew up in Kingsburg, California. Shortly after graduating from high school, Mr. Isom joined the United States Air Force and served in Korea. Upon fulfilling his duties with the military, he returned to Central California and started his career in broadcasting. After forty years of working for radio and television broadcasts, Mr. Isom has become known as the ``voice of agriculture'' in the San Joaquin Valley. After working many years in television news, Mr. Isom went to work as the news director and farm news editor for KMJ Radio, a local news talk channel, in 1981. He produced a daily hour-long morning agriculture news show, reporting on the concerns and activities of farming and agribusiness. The daily news segment provided a forum for educating farmers and non-farmers about the important role agriculture plays in the San Joaquin Valley. He was a friend to the Fresno County Farm Bureau and interviewed many of the officers, members and staff. Mr. Isom was a true advocate for farmers and agriculture. Mr. Isom was a member of the National Association of Farm Broadcasters and was active in the Sanger Masonic Lodge and community. He was regularly recognized for his work. In 1994, he was named ``Agricultural Reporter of the Year'' by the California Farm Bureau Federation and in 2005 he received the ``Heavy Puller Award'' from the Fresno County Farm Bureau. Madam Speaker, I invite my colleagues to join me in honoring the life of Roy Isom and wishing the best for his family.

Mr. RADANOVICH

Mr. RADANOVICH. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Marilyn Oller for her dedicated service to her family and community. Mrs. Oller passed away on Sunday, April 18, 2010 surrounded by her family. Mrs. Marilyn Oller was born on October 26, 1939 to Ronald and Lois. She grew up in Palo Alto, California where she attended Notre Dame High School. Upon graduating from high school, she attended the University of California, Davis. While in college she met her future husband, Ben Oller. As a young woman, Mrs. Oller was a teacher and then became a domestic engineer. She was the owner of a dress store, ``Sweet Pea'', and later built homes in Madera, California. Over the years, Mrs. Oller was involved with countless community organizations including the Red Cross, Les Amis Guild, House of Hope, Evangel Home and the Amici Del Poverello Guild. She was instrumental in starting the Brunch for Elvis fundraiser for the Poverello House in Fresno, California. She was dedicated to helping those in need. Mrs. Oller also volunteered during my initial campaign and continued to volunteer, on a weekly basis, in my district office answering phones and keeping the staff up-to-date on the most recent celebrity news and movie reviews. Mrs. Oller had a wonderful sense of humor and loved to laugh. She was always the life of the party and was known for her many escapades. She loved entertainment news and gossip; she attended countless concerts, plays and weekly movies. Mrs. Oller was most known for her love and dedication to her family. She and her husband created a nurturing and loving home for their two children, and in her later years she found tremendous joy in her role as a grandmother to her three grandchildren. Mrs. Oller is survived by her husband of forty-nine years; her daughter, Lisa and her husband Jay; her son, Marty and his wife Dianne; her sisters-in-law, Darlene and Shelly; her brother-in-law, Chuck; her grandchildren, Dyllan, Benjamin, and Mallory; and many cousins, nieces and nephews. Madam Speaker, I rise today to posthumously honor Marilyn Oller. I invite my colleagues to join me in honoring her life and wishing the best for her family.

Mr. RADANOVICH

Mr. RADANOVICH. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend the California Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma Society International upon their 74th anniversary. The organization will be holding its annual convention at the Fresno Radisson Hotel and Conference Center in Fresno, California from Friday, April 30 through Sunday, May 2, 2010. This is the first time that the annual meeting has been held in Fresno. Delta Kappa Gamma Society International was established in 1929, with the desire to promote professional and personal growth in women educators and excellence in education. Chi State is the State Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma Society International and was established in 1936. The organization is involved in literacy and philanthropy projects throughout the state. The membership is made up of active administrators, teachers from kindergarten through college and retirees who continue to substitute or volunteer in classrooms and community centers. Today, there are over six thousand members in California and one hundred and forty thousand members from sixteen countries. Many individual members are also members of other district-level, state and national education organizations. Delta Kappa Gamma Society International offers financial aid to outstanding educational and community projects; as well as women students outside of the United States and Canada pursuing professional careers. The goal of the organization is to provide guidance and inspiration to women educators helping them to excel in their professional careers. They have a strong mentorship program and provide mutual support and interaction in all educational fields and at all levels. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend and congratulate the California Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma Society International on their success in assisting women educators from around the world. I invite my colleagues to join me in wishing the organization many years of continued success.

Mr. RADANOVICH

Mr. RADANOVICH. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend and congratulate Dieter Heinz Dubberke upon being awarded with the Americanism Medal from the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution. Mr. Dubberke will be recognized and honored by the Merced River Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution on Saturday, April 24, 2010. Mr. Dieter Dubberke grew up in Natzlaff, Germany in the late 1930s. As a young child, his mother and brother moved around Germany, attempting to flee from the Russians as they swept through parts of Germany. The three were finally able to reach Reinbek, a city in the Western Sector, where they were reunited with his maternal grandmother. At the age of 13, Mr. Dubberke's mother passed away, leaving him and his brother to care for their elderly grandmother. It was decided that the brothers would travel to the United States, where they would be adopted by their uncle Max Dubberke. Arriving in the United States, Mr. Dubberke settled in with his uncle and attended high school in Culver City, California. Upon graduating from high school, he joined the United States Army. He served in the Army for 3 years, and then returned to California to marry his high school sweetheart, Diane, and began working for the Safeway Corporation. Mr. Dubberke eventually moved to Mariposa, California. With his strong entrepreneurial spirit and grocery experience, he opened a small mini-mart. Later, he established Pioneer Market in Mariposa, and Dubberke and Dubberke Investments. Today, he serves as Chief Executive Officer of Dubberke and Dubberke Investments, which has five entities and eighty employees. Mr. Dubberke is an instrumental part of the Mariposa community. He values and displays hard work, common sense, determination, honor and integrity. He is a champion of small business owners' rights and in his own business he hires local people, especially high school students, and provides generous benefits to his employees. Mr. Dubberke sponsors the annual Grizzly Family Hoedown, an event that has raised more than $20,000 in funds for transportation to non-league athletic events. He also sponsors the annual Mariposa High School Golf Tournament, in support of the school's athletic programs. He initiated the Sports Challenge program, whereby he contributes one percent of collected receipts to school sports and exercise programs to Mariposa Elementary School. Mr. Dubberke often supplies ice to booths, concessions and exhibitors during the annual Mariposa County Fair, Homecoming and other community events. Mr. Dubberke has held numerous leadership positions. He was appointed by the Governor to the Mariposa County Fair, Board of Directors. He has also served on the Mariposa County Water Agency Advisory Board and is past president of the Sierra Edelweiss German Club. For his tremendous service to his community, Mr. Dubberke has been honored with the Western Fairs Association's Blue Ribbon Award, Central California Excellence in Business Award in 2005, California Outstanding Retailer of the Month and was named Businessman of the Year in 2000 by the Mariposa County Chamber of Commerce. The Americanism Medal is awarded to a person that has demonstrated extraordinary qualities of leadership, trustworthiness, service and patriotism. Mr. Dubberke has certainly met those qualifications; he understands the responsibility as an American citizen to respect the flag, teach others to support our Constitution, participate in government and to give back to our country. Mr. Dubberke recently published a book, ``Three Times Blessed,'' in which he teaches valuable lessons on what it takes to find true happiness and success. Mr. Dubberke and his wife have been married for over 50 years; they have four children and eight grandchildren. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend and congratulate Dieter Dubberke upon being honored with the Americanism Medal. I invite my colleagues to join me in wishing Mr. Dubberke many years of continued success.

Mr. RADANOVICH

Mr. RADANOVICH. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Exceptional Parents Unlimited upon the celebration of the 20th anniversary of their annual fundraiser ``Fiesta! A Celebration of Children.'' The annual event will be held at the Clovis Memorial Building on Friday, May 7, 2010. Exceptional Parents Unlimited, EPU, was founded in 1976, as a support group for the parents of children with Down's syndrome. The name Exceptional Parents Unlimited was chosen because EPU was designed to provide services to children with all different special needs. Since it was established, EPU has developed a wide range of programs and services in response to the expressed needs of the families in the community. EPU has become a national leader in providing and promoting comprehensive, family-centered services through five major programs including early intervention, family support, supporting the development of the parent-child relationship, providing parent education and training, as well as assisting in preventing child abuse. EPU has also created a successful Family Resource Center, providing training and support to families through the Parent Training and Information Center Grant and the Family Empowerment Center Grant. Currently, EPU provides direct services to more than three thousand families. They provide services in English, Spanish and Hmong, reflecting the most common languages spoken in the Fresno area. The services provided by EPU include home visits as well as locations in urban and rural centers. The EPU staff has grown to one hundred employees including experienced management personnel, a Chief Financial Officer, a Human Resource Director, a Development Director, a Director of Evaluation and Data and five program managers. EPU has been recognized by many organizations over the years. In 1998 EPU was honored with the Daily Points of Light Award by the Points of Light Foundation, a foundation that honors individuals and volunteer groups with a commitment to connect Americans through service to meet critical needs in their communities. In 2003, EPU was honored with the Central Valley Excellence in Business Award by The Fresno Bee, the Fresno Economic Development Corporation and the Fresno Chamber of Commerce. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend and congratulate Exceptional Parents Unlimited. I invite my colleagues to join me in wishing EPU many years of continued success.

Mr. RADANOVICH

Mr. RADANOVICH. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Thomas Crow upon his retirement as the Chancellor of State Center Community College District (SCCCD). After serving over 20 years with the college district, Dr. Crow will be honored by the State Center Community College District Board of Trustees and Foundation Board of Directors on Friday, May 7, 2010. Dr. Thomas Crow earned a Bachelor of Arts degree and a Master of Arts degree in Physical Education from California State University, Fresno. Later, he attended Arizona State University, where he earned a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Education. Dr. Crow has a long history in education which includes a broad spectrum of experience in kindergarten through twelfth grade; including his service as Superintendent of Fowler Unified School District. Prior to his appointment as Chancellor, Dr. Crow served as President of Reedley College for 7 years. While with SCCCD he also served as Vice Chancellor, External Operations and Assistant to the Chancellor. Outside of SCCCD, Dr. Crow is active in the community. He is the past president of the Reedley Rotary Club. He is also an active member of the Fresno Business Council, Fresno County Economic Development Corporation, the Greater Fresno Area Chamber of Commerce, The Regional Jobs Initiative, Fresno Compact and the Workforce Investment Board. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend and congratulate Dr. Thomas Crow upon his retirement from the State Center Community College District. I invite my colleagues to join me in wishing Dr. Crow many years of continued success.

Mr. RADANOVICH

Mr. RADANOVICH. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Mabel ``Gay'' Rowney for her dedication to her family and community. Mrs. Rowney passed away on April 23, 2010 at the age of 92. Mrs. Mabel Rowney was born on August 20, 1917 in Elk River, Idaho. At a young age she met and married Harold Rowney, and together they had eight children. She filled the role of mother and organizer of the family very well. She was a talented musician and taught generations of Mariposa children to play the piano. For over 30 years, Mrs. Rowney served as the organist of Saint Joseph's Church. She sang in various community choirs, performed for many years in the Mariposa Chamber Group and was the pianist for a number of Lion's Follies. Mrs. Rowney was especially well known for her baked goods. The children that went to her house for piano lessons always looked forward to warm, fresh cookies and the smell of homemade bread. Mrs. Rowney was preceded in death by her husband, Harold. She is survived by her children Beejee Allan, Veronica Gross, Christopher Rowney, Jill Rowney, Teresa Dulberg, Roscoe Rowney, Mark Rowney and Lisa Rowney; sixteen grandchildren and eight great grandchildren. Madam Speaker, I rise today to posthumously honor Mabel Rowney. I invite my colleagues to join me in honoring her life and wishing the best for her family.

Mr. RADANOVICH

Mr. RADANOVICH. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate David Ashleigh upon the dedication of the Modesto Junior College Swimming Center to be named in his honor. The dedication and naming ceremony will be held on Saturday, May 22, 2010, at the Dave Ashleigh Aquatic Center. Mr. David Ashleigh attended Whittier High School in southern California, where he participated in water polo from 1957 through 1961. During his high school water polo career the team won the California Interscholastic Federation, CIF, championship in 1957, 1958 and 1959. In 1960, he was selected for the Helm's Hall of Fame second team (equivalent to the High School All-American teams today). During his senior year, Whittier High School took second place in CIF. He served as the team captain, was the leading scorer, named Most Valuable Player and was selected for the Helm's Hall of Fame first team. Upon graduating from high school, Mr. Ashleigh attended Cerritos Junior College. While attending Cerritos Junior College, Mr. Ashleigh participated on both the water polo and swim teams. He was named team captain of the water polo team and the swim team both years he participated. He was the leading scorer and was awarded Most Valuable Player of the water polo team both years. Mr. Ashleigh was named the Junior College All- American Player of the Year in 1962 and 1963. On the swim team he participated in the 100 and 200 breaststroke as well as the 200 and 400 individual medleys. He set school records in all four events and set junior college national records in the 200 breaststroke and the 400 individual medley. In 1963 Mr. Ashleigh was voted the Cerritos College Athlete of the Year. In 1963 Mr. Ashleigh played water polo and participated on the swim team while attending the University of California, Los Angeles, UCLA. During his first season he was the leading scorer, named Most Valuable Player and was selected as a first team All-American. Mr. Ashleigh red- shifted the 1964 season so that he was able to be a member of the USA Olympic water polo team in Tokyo, Japan. For the U.S. team he played the defensive hole guard and played every minute of every game from the preliminary through the final games. The team placed ninth. Returning to the UCLA team in 1965, Mr. Ashleigh was named team captain and led the team to be the first undefeated sports team in UCLA history. He was named Most Valuable Player and was selected as a first team All-American. Mr. Ashleigh also swam in 1964 and 1965 for UCLA, where he became the first All-American at UCLA in swimming and was the first swimmer in the National Collegiate Athletic Association, NCAA, history to flip-turn all turns in the 1650 meter freestyle. Mr. Ashleigh set UCLA school records in the 1650 and 500 freestyle, the 200 breaststroke and the 400 individual medley. Mr. Ashleigh was a member of the 1964 through 1968 U.S. National Water Polo team and was the 1968 U.S. Olympic water polo team co- captain. In 1967 he was the team captain of the Pan-American Team, which was the first U.S. team to win gold in International Competition outside of the United States. For his amazing accomplishments, Mr. Ashleigh was awarded the James Lee Award for the Most Outstanding Player at U.S. Nationals in 1965 and from 1963 through 1968 was named All-American in U.S. water polo, AAU. In 1968 Mr. Ashleigh began coaching water polo and swimming at Modesto Swim and Racquet Club in Modesto, California. During the 3 years that he coached there, he had an overall record of 235 wins and only 43 losses. He coached the boys 14 and under 1971 Junior Olympics National Champion water polo team. Later he coached the boys 12 and under and boys 14 and under swim teams that set national records in the 200 freestyle relay and the 200 medley relay. Mr. Ashleigh began coaching swimming and water polo at Modesto Junior College in 1971. In his 27-year career at the college he compiled an overall record of 827 wins and 272 losses. He had 51 winning seasons out of 54 total seasons and has 27 Conference Championships, between the two sports. Under his direction, the water polo team has an overall record of 487-178. Eighteen of his water polo teams made it to the California State Championship Tournament, 81 athletes were selected as All-Americans, 13 conference championships and 5 NorCal championships. From 1984 to 1990 his swim team was 73-0 in dual meets; from 1977 to 1992 the team was 158-11-1 in dual meets. He coached 78 All-American swimmers. The swim team won 14 conference championships and 4 state championships. In 1991, Mr. Ashleigh began participating in Masters water polo. He played on various teams and won three world championships and placed second three times. While playing Masters, he had the opportunity to play water polo in Australia, Germany, New Zealand, Great Britain, Croatia, Hungary, Italy and India. He was inducted into the California Community College Athletic Hall of Fame in two divisions (coach and player) and was named the 2008 S.O.S. Athlete of the Year. In 1978, Mr. Ashleigh was elected into the U.S. Water Polo Hall of Fame and will be inducted into the UCLA Athletic Hall of Fame in 2010. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend and congratulate David Ashleigh upon his many achievements being honored at the new Dave Ashleigh Aquatic Center. I invite my colleagues to join me in wishing Mr. Ashleigh congratulations on his many accomplishments and many years of continued success.

Mr. RADANOVICH

Mr. RADANOVICH. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Bob Reyes upon his retirement as the Principal of Fresno High School. After almost 40 years in education, Mr. Reyes will retire in June 2010. Mr. Reyes spent the first 26 years of his career with the Kerman Unified School District. He served as a classroom teacher for 13 years and then moved into the administration office as an assistant principal at Kerman High School. After 8 years he was promoted to principal and spent 5 years leading Kerman High School. Mr. Reyes was hired as the principal of Fresno High School in 1997. Over the past 13 years, Mr. Reyes has provided tremendous leadership to the school. The school's academic performance index scores have grown 149 points since 1999, and there has been a significant improvement in the test scores for the California Standardized Test in more recent years. In 2002 Mr. Reyes implemented the International Baccalaureate, IB, Program at Fresno High School, a program that prepares students to be independent learners with a focus on higher education. The program is accredited and graduates are looked upon highly by colleges and universities around the world. The IB Program has grown from the original ``Great 8'' in 2002 to a current enrollment of over 500 students. Mr. Reyes recently started the Parent Institute for Quality Education to encourage more parental involvement. Over 200 parents have graduated from the program this year, which is the highest number in the San Joaquin Valley. Beyond the school, Mr. Reyes is active within the community, working to improve community relations by closely working with the Historic Fresno High Neighborhood Association. Through his years of dedicated service, Mr. Reyes has received many awards from numerous organizations, including the ``Heart of the City'' by the Fresno First Baptist Church three times, ``Diversity in Education Award'' by the Association of California School Administrators, ``Community Service Recognition Award'' by the Fresno County Board of Supervisors, and was named ``Administrator of the Year'' by the Association of Mexican American Educators. Mr. Reyes has also served as a board member for the Community Food Bank in Fresno. The Fresno County Board of Supervisors honored Mr. Reyes in January when they named January 26, 2010 as ``Principal Bob Reyes Day'' in Fresno County. After his years of commitment and service to the students, staff and surrounding community, an anonymous donor to Fresno High School honored Mr. Reyes by establishing an annual award given to a student at the school in his honor called ``The Bob Reyes Leadership Award.'' Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend and congratulate Principal Bob Reyes upon his retirement from Fresno High School. I invite my colleagues to join me in wishing Mr. Reyes many years of continued success.

Mr. RADANOVICH

Mr. RADANOVICH. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Patricia Daugherty for her dedication to her family and community. Mrs. Daugherty passed away in March 2010 at the age of 83. Mrs. Patricia Daugherty was born on October 5, 1926, in Santa Monica, California. Upon graduating from high school, she attended the University of California, Berkley for 2 years, and then completed her elementary education major at the University of California, Santa Barbara. In 1949, she married James Harsh and had two children, Betsy and Jim. Mrs. Daugherty's teaching career began in Ventura, California and continued in Manhattan Beach, California. Mrs. Daugherty moved to Mariposa, California, where she continued her teaching career. She began at the elementary school teaching the fourth grade and later transferred to Mariposa County High School teaching language arts. She also advised the journalism, yearbook, newspaper, competitive speech, Shakespeare, composition and creative writing classes. During her tenure at the high school, Mrs. Daugherty was also involved with drama, as well as the junior and senior plays. She was the first pep club advisor and later served as the senior class advisor. In 1974, Mrs. Daugherty retired. She and her second husband, Sid Daugherty, moved to Joseph, Oregon. In 1976 they built a house on San Juan Island, where they lived until 1980, when Mr. Daugherty's business took them to Port Townsend, Washington. In 1982, they moved to Santa Barbara, where they remained for the next 10 years. In 1992, Mr. and Mrs. Daugherty returned to San Juan Island for a few years, until Mr. Daugherty's health declined and they moved to Yuba City, California. Mr. Daugherty passed away on October 1, 1999. Mrs. Daugherty returned to Mariposa in June 2001. She enjoyed visiting with her former students and colleagues and spending time with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Mrs. Daugherty is survived by her son Jim, his wife Jan and grandsons Jeff and Dillon; her daughter Betsy and her husband John Montoya; her granddaughter Shannon and her husband Joe Marcus; great granddaughters Sydney, Jordan and Delany; her sisters Trudy Allison and Phyllis Coolures; her stepchildren Jeanette Daugherty, Pat Perez, Sam Daugherty and their children and grandchildren, as well as her many nieces and nephews. Madam Speaker, I rise today to posthumously honor Patricia Daugherty. I invite my colleagues to join me in honoring her life and wishing the best for her family.

Mr. RADANOVICH

Mr. RADANOVICH. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend and congratulate Robin Rogers-Dale upon being named as a 2010 Common Threads honoree. Mrs. Rogers-Dale will be honored by California State University, Fresno at the 2010 Common Threads Award luncheon to be held on Friday, April 16, 2010. Growing up as the fifth generation on the family farm, Mrs. Rogers- Dale learned about agriculture, work ethic, family values, family traditions and how to drive a tractor. Her love of the land and outdoors was instilled by her father and her passion for volunteer service came from her mother. Mrs. Rogers-Dale graduated from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. Upon completing her degree, she moved to Sanger, California, to volunteer with the local chapter of the California Women for Agriculture. She assisted the group by hanging Medfly traps during a Medfly outbreak in the region. Her volunteer work led to a full-time job with the Fresno County Department of Agriculture. Mrs. Rogers-Dale has been working for the county for twenty-seven years. Today, she is an Ag Standards Specialist, and works with producers and packing houses to ensure compliance with agriculture chemical application regulations and certifications. Mrs. Rogers-Dale has been an active member of the Fresno-Kings Counties CattleWomen for the past twenty years, where she has served in various leadership positions over the years, including scholarship chair, President, 1998-2000, Board of Directors and Secretary, 1985- present. She was instrumental in developing a scholarship fundraiser program with that organization. Mrs. Rogers-Dale has been involved with California CattleWomen since 1994 and has served as the central director and state nominating chair. She is a volunteer judge at the Big Fresno Fair and is a regular participant in the Fresno County Farm and Nutrition Day and Kings County Farm Day. Mrs. Rogers-Dale also assists with the Westside Ag Tourney, Ducks Unlimited and the Clovis Rodeo Blood Drive. Mrs. Rogers-Dale is a generous member of the First Baptist Church of Reedley, the California Rangeland Trust, Sanger 4-H, Hanford Future Farmers of America, Sanger Community Church and Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. For her volunteerism and generosity Mrs. Rogers-Dale was named ``Cowbelle of the Year'' in 1998. She and her husband, Ken, live in Reedley, California with their eight-year-old son. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend and congratulate Robin Rogers- Dale upon her achievements. I invite my colleagues to join me in wishing Mrs. Rogers-Dale many years of continued success.

Mr. RADANOVICH

Mr. RADANOVICH. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend and congratulate Barbara Bigelow upon being named as a 2010 Common Threads honoree. Mrs. Bigelow will be honored by California State University, Fresno at the 2010 Common Threads Award luncheon to be held on Friday, April 16, 2010. Mrs. Barbara Bigelow was born and raised in southern California and attended the University of Southern California. She had little interest in agriculture until she met and married Frank, who is a life long resident of Madera County and part of a longtime agriculture family. Mrs. Bigelow assisted in the family business by helping raise, exhibit and sell champion Shorthorn Cattle for beef and breeding. Mr. and Mrs. Bigelow also raise and exhibit champion Columbia Sheep. Off of the farm, Mrs. Bigelow is very active in the community. In 1985 she was elected to the then-Spring Valley School District Board of Trustees, and continues to serve on the now-Chawanakee Unified School District as a trustee. Her service on the board was instrumental in the building of Minarets High School in O'Neals. Mrs. Bigelow also served as the board President. Outside of the school district, Mrs. Bigelow is active in the local 4-H program and numerous agriculture related groups. Mrs. Bigelow became involved with Spring Valley school while her children attended there. She was a member of the parent club, school site council and was involved with the community-centered centennial event. Mrs. Bigelow helped establish the Spring Valley Ag Boosters in 1994, after becoming involved with the Spring Valley 4-H club as a community leader and a sheep leader. Since 1994, Mrs. Bigelow and a committee of local supporters have sponsored a fundraiser at the ``Silkwood-Mattes-Bigelow Big Blue Barn'' to raise money for the Spring Valley Ag Boosters. Mrs. Bigelow is also very active and supportive of the Sierra High School Future Farmers of America program. She has served on the Ag Advisory Committee and served as the Site Selection Committee Chair for Minarets High School. Between 1992 and 1994, Mrs. Bigelow was the director of the Madera County 4-H Summer Camp Program at Jack Ass Rock Campground. She is also a twenty year member, and past Chairwoman, of the Madera County Republican Central Committee. Mrs. Bigelow is a supporter of Children's Hospital of Central California, California State University, Fresno's Red Wave, Cal Poly's Western Bonanza, the California State Fair, Sierra Winter Classic and California Junior Livestock Association. For her community involvement, Mrs. Bigelow was named the State of California ``Woman of the Year'' in 2005 by Assemblyman Dave Cogdill and received the ``Golden Apple Award'' for 1999-2000 by the Association of California School Administrators. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend and congratulate Barbara Bigelow upon her achievements. I invite my colleagues to join me in wishing Mrs. Bigelow many years of continued success.

Mr. RADANOVICH

Mr. RADANOVICH. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend and congratulate Jean Okuye upon being named as a 2010 Common Threads honoree. Mrs. Okuye will be honored by California State University, Fresno at the 2010 Common Threads Award luncheon to be held on Friday, April 16, 2010. Mrs. Jean Okuye grew up in Kelseyville, a small town in northern California, where she learned to love the outdoors and the natural world. She attended the University of California Santa Barbara and upon graduating, she traveled in Europe and Iran. As a young woman she married her husband Paul. In 1980, Mr. and Mrs. Okuye and their two children moved to Livingston, California to take over the family farm. After fifteen years of struggling to pay off the estate tax and other finances, they were able to make vast improvements to the farm and created a successful farming business. When Mr. Okuye passed away Mrs. Okuye took over the farming operation. Today, their daughter and her family have moved from France to live and work on the family farm. Mrs. Okuye's grandchildren are the fifth generation to be on their family farm. Mrs. Okuye has held several leadership roles in Merced County, she has been involved with the Board of the Livingston Farmers Association, Valley Land Alliance, Merced County Farm Bureau, Merced County Farmlands and Open Space Trust Council, California Women for Agriculture and an Ag Tourism organization for Merced County. She was also appointed to serve on the Merced County General Plan Update Committee. Mrs. Okuye plays the piano for United Methodist Church and chairs the Trustee Committee for the church. She participates on the boards of Stanislaus Memorial Society, Livingston Medical Group, Merced County Academic Decathlon and the Citizens Advisory Committee for Livingston City. For her efforts, Mrs. Okuye was named the 2007 ``Outstanding Individual'' in the Trees and Vines category from the Merced County Agri-Business Committee. Mrs. Okuye has a Bachelors Degree in organizational behavior and holds two teaching credentials, which she received at the age of fifty. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend and congratulate Jean Okuye upon her achievements. I invite my colleagues to join me in wishing Mrs. Okuye many years of continued success.

Mr. RADANOVICH

Mr. RADANOVICH. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend and congratulate Judy Walt Jameson upon being named as a 2010 Common Threads honoree. Dr. Jameson will be honored by California State University, Fresno at the 2010 Common Threads Award luncheon to be held on Friday, April 16, 2010. Dr. Jameson is a small animal veterinarian in Tulare County. She and her husband, Connor, who is a dairy industry veterinarian, work very closely with fellow veterinarians in advancing educational experiences. For many years, Dr. Jameson has opened their family home for veterinarian students from the University of California, Davis to train and learn the most advanced techniques and dairy management tools. She also opens her home every year to veterinarians from around the world to attend, or work at, the annual World Age Expo in Tulare, California. For twenty years Dr. Jameson has served on the Sundale Elementary School Board of Trustees. She is a strong supporter of Sundale's outstanding Ag-Science program that continues to grow every year. She has been a member of the Tulare-Kings Veterinarian Medical Association since 1974, and has been involved with the development of a veterinarian technician program at the College of the Sequoias. Dr. Jameson is a member of First Christian Church in Visalia, where she has served as Youth Development Chair, Women's Bible Study leader, Mission Ministry Chair and member of the Building Committee. She is a member of the Tulare Kings Veterinarian Medical Association and the Visalia Christian Club. She has served on the Board of Directors and as Board President of Visalia Senior Housing. For her dedicated service, Dr. Jameson received the Sundale School Foundation Award. She and her husband have two adult sons. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend and congratulate Judy Walt Jameson upon her achievements. I invite my colleagues to join me in wishing Dr. Jameson many years of continued success.

Mr. RADANOVICH

Mr. RADANOVICH. Madam Speaker, I rise today to posthumously commend and congratulate Robert Selby upon being awarded with the ``Lifetime Achievement Award'' by the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 9896. Mr. Selby was honored on Saturday, January 30, 2010 in Chowchilla, California. Mr. Robert Selby was born in June 1936 in Sparta, Tennessee. In 1961, Mr. Selby enlisted in the United States Air Force. He was sent to Lackland Air Force Base, Texas for his basic training. He then completed training as a Jet Mechanic and Flight Engineer. While fighting in Vietnam, Mr. Selby served with special Air Force units flying out of Nha Trang, Vietnam on covert missions into Laos and North Vietnam. His tour consisted of flying on many secret missions deep into enemy territory, inserting agents and hampering North Vietnamese communications in advance of U.S. bombing raids. During one particularly challenging mission on an HC-130, the aircraft was forced to fly low through heavy weather and mountainous terrain to drop supplies to combat forces. For his performance during this particular mission, Mr. Selby was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. Upon returning to the United States after the war ended, Mr. Selby completed the Non-Commissioned Officers' Academy. Later, he completed the Command Staff Non-Commissioned Officers' Academy and Air Force Special Operations. Throughout his military career Mr. Selby completed many advanced training courses including, cross-training with the United States Army infantry units and the M-24 Tank, Advanced Flying Course in Turbo Propulsion, the Combat Talon, the Air Force Supervisor's Management Course, and the United States Air Force Trainer-Supervisor Course. He served on many aircraft, including the B- 66 and the C-130, units and bases. He served with the 60th Military Air Wing, 8th Special Operations Service, 778th TAS, 42nd TRS and 10th TRW. In October 1968, while serving with a C-130 squadron in Bermuda providing search and rescue missions, Mr. Selby was involved with the successful NASA Apollo 7 mission. Apollo 7 was launched and was the first manned mission. For eleven days, while the spacecraft orbited earth, Mr. Selby and squadron mates were available to assist if necessary. Master Sergeant Selby retired from the Air Force in June 1981. For his service, Mr. Selby was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal with four oak leaf clusters, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Air Force Commendation Medal, the Good Conduct Medal with four oak leaf clusters, Non-commissioned Officer Professional Military Education Ribbon, the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal with three bronze stars, the Republic of Vietnam Unit Cross of Gallantry with palm and device and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal. Upon retirement, Mr. Selby worked for the Chowchilla Water District, and later, as a hydro-power operator. He was a Life Member of the Chowchilla Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9896, American Legion Post 248, the Disabled American Veterans, a member of the Chowchilla Masonic Lodge and the Civil Air Patrol. He served several terms as commander of the Chowchilla American Legion and VFW. He was an advocate of veterans' affairs and volunteered his time to take veterans to appointments in Fresno and Madera. Mr. Selby passed away in the beginning of 2010. He is survived by his wife of fifty years, Shirley, two sons and three grandchildren. Madam Speaker, I rise today to posthumously honor the life of Robert Selby and congratulate him upon being named as a ``Distinguished Life Member'' by the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 9896.

Mr. RADANOVICH

Mr. RADANOVICH. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend and congratulate John Lawson upon being awarded with the ``Lifetime Achievement Award'' by the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 9896. Mr. Lawson was honored on Saturday, January 30, 2010 in Chowchilla, California. Mr. John Lawson was born and raised in Los Angeles, California where he graduated from Bell High School. After high school, Mr. Lawson enlisted in the United States Army in 1967 and was sent to Fort Campbell, Kentucky for basic training. Upon completion of basic training, he was assigned a military occupational specialty in the Army Signal Corps. In November 1967, Mr. Lawson was ordered to Vietnam and was assigned to the 459th Signal Battalion; the same unit that served in Europe at Normandy, North France and Central Europe. Upon returning from Europe after World War II, the battalion was deactivated at Camp Pinedale, near Fresno, California. The 459th Signal Battalion was reactivated in 1962 and made part of the Sixth Army. In 1966, the battalion landed in Vietnam as part of the 21st Signal Group, First Signal Brigade. While with the 459th Signal Battalion, Mr. Lawson encountered the TET Offensive that the North Vietnamese unleashed. During this time, he performed duties as a troubleshooter, repairing radio equipment for combat and supporting units in various provinces of Vietnam. The North Vietnamese successfully attacked U.S. forces and bases throughout South Vietnam, disrupting communications. Mr. Lawson and his fellow soldiers worked tirelessly to keep critical communications intact for the front-line combat units. During convoy between Nha Trang to Tue Hoa and Da Nag to Tue Hoa, Mr. Lawson found himself under mortar attack and rocket fire. For the outstanding achievement and performance of the 459th, the Secretary of the Army awarded the 459th and its soldiers the Army Meritorious Unit Commendation. Mr. Lawson completed his combat tour in Vietnam shortly after he was promoted to Specialist-4. He returned to the United States and was honorably discharged. For his service, he was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Medal with device, the Good Conduct Medal, the Army Meritorious Unit Commendation Ribbon and the Republic of Vietnam Unit Cross of Gallantry with palm and frame. During his civilian life, Mr. Lawson worked as a truck driver until his retirement. Mr. Lawson is a Life Member of the Chowchilla Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9896. He has two children and two grandchildren. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend and congratulate John Lawson upon being named a ``Distinguished Life Member'' by the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 9896. I invite my colleagues to join me in wishing Mr. Lawson many years of continued success.

Mr. RADANOVICH

Mr. RADANOVICH. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend and congratulate Kenneth Lasiter upon being awarded with the ``Lifetime Achievement Award'' by the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 9896. Mr. Lasiter was honored on Saturday, January 30, 2010 in Chowchilla, California. Mr. Kenneth Lasiter was born in Merced, California in 1946. He graduated from Chowchilla High School, where he played on two championship football teams. Mr. Lasiter attended Fresno City College for 1 year and in 1966 he enlisted in the United States Army. He completed basic training at Fort Ord, California, where he fired ``expert'' with the M-14 rifle. Mr. Lasiter went to Fort Rucker, Alabama for Aircraft Maintenance School; he completed training with a specialty in helicopter maintenance and repair. He also completed courses in the Code of Conduct and Military Justice. After completing stateside training, Mr. Lasiter was ordered to Vietnam in March 1967. He joined the 655th Transportation Detachment, 12th Combat Aviation Brigade. The 12th Brigade had deployed to Vietnam in 1965 and consisted of 11,000 personnel and 34 aviation units. The Brigade was based at Long Binh in the III Military Region in Vietnam and was the largest unit of its type to serve in combat. Mr. Lasiter spent 12 months in Vietnam. During that time he flew combat missions as a door gunner on HU-1B and UH-1D ``Huey'' Helicopters. He was promoted to crew chief and was later selected to act as crew chief for the group commander. During this time there was increased hostility as regular North Vietnamese forces made their way down the Ho Chi Minh Trail through.Laos and Cambodia into South Vietnam. Mr. Lasiter's units flew assault, medical and supply missions to fire bases and in support of ground forces. Mr. Lasiter was part of the cadre that assisted the 1st Air Cavalry when it deployed from the states to Bien Hoa, Vietnam. Upon completing his 12-month tour in Vietnam, Mr. Lasiter returned to the United States. While on leave he married Carolyn. The newlyweds flew to Germany, where Mr. Lasiter assumed duties at the Wirtheim Army Airfield and was the acting crew chief with CH-23 units. Specialist 5 Lasiter was released from active duty in September 1969. For his service, Mr. Lasiter was awarded the Army Commendation Medal, the Air Medal with seven oak leaf clusters, the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Medal with device, the Aircraft Crewman Badge and Expert Rifle and Sharpshooter Badges. Upon returning to civilian life, Mr. and Mrs. Lasiter made their home in Chowchilla, California. Mr. Lasiter attended Merced College. He then started a lifelong career in farming. Mr. Lasiter is a Life Member of Chowchilla Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9896 and is a member of the Cornerstone Community Church. Mr. and Mrs. Lasiter continue to live in Chowchilla. They have two children and three grandchildren. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend and congratulate Kenneth Lasiter upon being named as a ``Distinguished Life Member'' by the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 9896. I invite my colleagues to join me in wishing Mr. Lasiter many years of continued success.

Mr. RADANOVICH

Mr. RADANOVICH. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend and congratulate Judge John De Groot upon being awarded with the ``Lifetime Achievement Award'' by the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 9896. Judge De Groot was honored on Saturday, January 30, 2010 in Chowchilla, California. Judge John De Groot was born and raised in Monterey, California. He graduated from Monterey High School in 1965 and enlisted in the United States Naval Reserve. He graduated from Navy boot camp at the San Diego Recruit Training Center. Judge De Groot was designated a Military Occupational Specialty as a Personnelman. While in the Reserve, he attended Monterey Peninsula College, earning an Associate in Arts degree in 1967 and a Bachelor of Arts degree from San Francisco State in 1969. Upon graduating from San Francisco State, Judge De Groot was called to active duty and assigned to the Naval Air Station in Adak, Alaska. The Navy had taken over the former World War II Army Airfield at Adak and was using the facility as a deployment base for P-3 Orion maritime patrol aircraft. The mission of NAS Adak and its aircraft was the conduct of antisubmarine warfare operations against submarines and surveillance of naval vessels of the Soviet Union. After serving twelve months in Adak, his next duty station was aboard the USS Hancock, positioned in the waters off of Vietnam. The USS Hancock was the first carrier in the fleet with steam catapults capable of launching high performance jets. The carrier was deployed in 1965 to join the Seventh Fleet as hostilities increased in Vietnam. While aboard the USS Hancock, Judge De Groot worked in the administrative center of the carrier; he prepared official documents for transmission to higher echelons, kept records, interviewed and counseled sailors, and maintained official officer and enlisted records. One of his most important abilities was his skill with working and dealing with a wide range of personalities of men involved in combat and the ongoing operations of an aircraft carrier in a war zone. In 1971, Judge De Groot was released from active duty. For his service he was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Medal with device and the Naval Reserve Meritorious Service Medal. In May 1974, Judge De Groot graduated from Hastings College of Law in San Francisco with a Juris Doctor degree. Later that year, he was admitted to the California Bar and to the U.S. District Court, Northern District of California. He was employed as a police officer in San Mateo, California from 1975 until 1977 when he left the Bay Area to accept a position as Deputy District Attorney in Madera County. In July 1982, he became Judge, Justice Court, of the Chowchilla Judicial District. Eight years later, Judge De Groot was elected to Judge of the Superior Court, Madera County and served in that position until his retirement in December, 2008. Judge De Groot is a Life Member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9896 and is currently serving as the Treasurer of the Chowchilla District Historical Society. He and his wife, Jeannie, live in Madera. They have three children and nine grandchildren. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend and congratulate Judge John De Groot upon being named as a ``Distinguished Life Member'' by the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 9896. I invite my colleagues to join me in wishing Judge De Groot many years of continued success.

Mr. RADANOVICH

Mr. RADANOVICH. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend and congratulate Charles Key upon being awarded with the ``Lifetime Achievement Award'' by the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 9896. Mr. Key was honored on Saturday, January 30, 2010, in Chowchilla, California. Mr. Charles Key was raised in Henryetta, Oklahoma. At seventeen years old he enlisted in the United States Navy. Mr. Key completed Navy Boot Camp at the Navy Recruit Training Center at San Diego, California. After boot camp he was designated and trained as a Machinist Mate and was assigned to the USS Boxer CV-21, a twenty-seven thousand ton Essex class aircraft carrier. While on the Boxer, Mr. Key completed two deployments to the Western Pacific from 1950 to 1951. The USS Boxer was returning from the Far East in 1950 when North Korea invaded South Korea. The carrier made a rapid turn-around as it was carrying needed Air Force and Navy planes, as well as personnel, and headed to the war zone in the Pacific. During the following months, Mr. Key and his shipmates worked diligently to keep aircraft in the air by providing air support for the United Nations' fighting forces ashore. Between 1951 and 1952, while aboard the USS Boxer, Mr. Key made three additional Korean War cruises. The planes from the USS Boxer hit transportation and infrastructure targets in North Korea and gave close air support to troops on the front lines. On August 5, 1952, while engaged in combat operations, a fire broke out on the hanger deck. The fire resulted in nine deaths, several aircraft were lost and there was significant damage to the hanger deck. Mr. Key and his shipmates worked non-stop, and within two weeks the USS Boxer returned to combat duties off the Korean coast. Upon returning to the United States, Machinist Mate 3rd Class Key was honorably discharged from the Navy at the Naval District in San Francisco. For his service, Mr. Key was awarded the China Service Medal, the Navy Occupation Award, the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal and the Good Conduct Medal. During his civilian career, Mr. Key was a California licensed electrical and air conditioning contractor. Mr. Key is a Life Member of the Chowchilla Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9896 and a member of the First Christian Church of Madera. Mr. Key and his wife, Christine, had two sons, three grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend and congratulate Charles Key upon being named as a ``Distinguished Life Member'' by the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 9896. I invite my colleagues to join me in wishing Mr. Key many years of continued success.

Mr. RADANOVICH

Mr. RADANOVICH. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend and congratulate William Chandler upon being awarded with the ``Lifetime Achievement Award'' by the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 9896. Mr. Chandler was honored on Saturday, January 30, 2010, in Chowchilla, California. Mr. William ``Bill'' Chandler was born in Waurika, Oklahoma. During his youth he moved to a small town near Bakersfield, California where he graduated from Arvin High School in 1962. Mr. Chandler attended Bakersfield College for two years, majoring in agriculture. In 1965 he enlisted in the United States Air Force. He completed basic training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas, and was selected for specialized training as a photographic repairman. After additional training, Mr. Chandler was selected for specialized duties and received top secret security clearance. He was sent to the Far East where he was assigned to the Tan Son Nhut Air Base near Saigon to work on classified photographic equipment used by reconnaissance aircraft to gather intelligence on Viet Cong and North Vietnamese forces. His tour in the Far East continued with an assignment to Japan at the Yokota Air Base, where he was assigned to the 67th Reconnaissance Technical Squadron in support of the SR-71 ``Blackbird.'' He and his unit worked day and night to keep the equipment in good condition as the SR-71 flew missions over North Vietnam, Laos, and mainland China. Upon completing his tour in Southeast Asia, Mr. Chandler was assigned to Beale Air Force Base in Marysville, California. He continued to work on the photographic equipment for the SR-71. In June, 1969, Sergeant Chandler received an honorable discharge from the United States Air Force and was transferred to the Air Force Reserve. For his service, Sergeant Chandler was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Medal with device, the Good Conduct Medal, and the Republic of Vietnam Unit Cross of Gallantry with palm and frame. Upon leaving active duty, Mr. Chandler was employed by the Extek Microsystems Microfilm Corporation from 1969 until 1973. In 1972, he married his wife, Nancy. Later he was employed by the First National Bank of Arizona for microfiche banking records. In 1975, Mr. Chandler began working for the Jet Propulsion Laboratory on the MARS/Viking Project. Mr. Chandler and his family moved to the Chowchilla area in 1977 where he continues to live and remains active in farming operations. From 2004 until 2009, Mr. Chandler worked for the Chowchilla Water District. He is a Life Member of the Chowchilla Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9896, a member of the Chowchilla Masonic Lodge and the American Legion Post 148. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend and congratulate William Chandler upon being named as a ``Distinguished Life Member'' by the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 9896. I invite my colleagues to join me in wishing Mr. Chandler many years of continued success.

Mr. RADANOVICH

Mr. RADANOVICH. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend and congratulate Dr. Ronald Moore upon being awarded the ``Lifetime Achievement Award'' by the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 9896. Dr. Moore was honored on Saturday, January 30, 2010 in Chowchilla, California. Dr. Ronald Moore was born in Madera, California and raised in a rural part of the county where his parents were farm workers. At the age of ten, the family moved to Chowchilla. He worked in the fields during the summer months and after school while he was growing up. He played sports at Chowchilla High School and was a member of the 1955 Valley Championship football team. He received a football scholarship to the University of Nevada; due to a minor injury he did not play for the school. He did play football at Fresno Junior College. Upon graduating, Dr. Moore enlisted in the United States Marine Corps Reserve. Dr. Moore attended Marine summer training, where he was awarded the Leatherneck Magazine Award for firing expert with the M-1 rifle. He attained the rank of sergeant in the reserves while attending California State University, Fresno. He also worked part-time at the Boys' Club of Fresno, the Clovis Library, the Catholic Youth Organization and taught and coached in Fresno Catholic elementary schools. He married his childhood sweetheart, Shirley, in June 1961. In the same year, Dr. Moore began teaching and coaching, full-time, at San Joaquin Memorial High School. Two years later, he became the head football coach and athletic director at Memorial. In 1966 the war in Vietnam was escalating and Dr. Moore entered active duty. He was selected for Officer Candidate School and upon completion, he was commissioned as a second lieutenant. Dr. Moore attended specialized infantry officer training at Quantico, Virginia. In late 1966 he commanded a replacement company at Camp Pendleton, California before shipping out to Vietnam. Dr. Moore served with the First Marine Division, initially as an infantry platoon commander defending Da Nang Air Base. He was temporarily assigned additional duty with reconnaissance units and participated in patrols in the northwest sector of Vietnam and Laos. Dr. Moore served in one insertion by parachute with a South Vietnamese Ranger. He was responsible for directing artillery fire against heavy Viet Cong forces in the Que Sanh Valley. Dr. Moore was promoted to first lieutenant and later served with a rifle company as executive officer and commanding officer. After fourteen months of serving in Vietnam, Dr. Moore received orders to return to the United States. In March 1968, Dr. Moore joined the Fifth Marine Division at Camp Pendleton as executive officer of Company L, 3rd Battalion, 28th Marine Regiment. Two months later he became the company commander. Dr. Moore was later promoted to captain and served as commanding officer of the 550-man Headquarters and Service Company of the battalion. He completed courses and training in Military Justice, Corrections, Investigations, Narcotics Investigations, Landing Force Planning and Fort Benning's Advanced Infantry Battalion Course. During an amphibious landing operation, Dr. Moore suffered a debilitating injury, requiring him to undergo spinal surgery. During his hospitalization and rehabilitation, Dr. Moore took graduate level courses at San Diego area colleges. He returned to limited duty as an Assistant Operations Officer with the 3rd Marine Regiment. Shortly after, Dr. Moore was placed on the disabled retired list and he returned to Chowchilla. For his military service, Dr. Moore was awarded the Navy Commendation Medal with ``V'', the Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with bronze star, Combat Action Ribbon, Presidential Unit Citation, Navy Unit Commendation, Republic of Vietnam Unit Cross of Gallantry with palm and frame, RVN Honor Medal First Class, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with three bronze stars, Vietnam Campaign Medal with device, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, RVN Civic Action Medal, a commendation from the Department of the Army, the RVN parachutist badge and four awards of the Expert Rifleman and Expert Pistol Badge. After his career as a Marine, Dr. Moore returned to teaching. After six years of serving in various positions within the continuation school in Chowchilla, he was appointed as superintendent of the Chowchilla Union High School District. Dr. Moore completed graduate work at the University of California, Irvine, San Diego State, the University of South Carolina, the University of Arizona, University of San Francisco, California State University, Fresno and California Western University. He earned a master's and doctorate degree, as well as California teaching, counseling and administrative credentials. Dr. Moore served as superintendent for twenty-three years before retiring in 1999. Upon his retirement, Dr. Moore was honored by the State administrators' association, the California State Senate and the City of Chowchilla. Dr. Moore is a Life Member of the Chowchilla Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9896, American Legion Post 148, the Disabled American Veterans, and the First Marine and Third Marine Division Associations. He is a past President of Chowchilla Rotary and has served as chairman of numerous education-related committees. He is a member of local civic and regional committees and commissions including the Central California Criminal Justice Planning Committee, Chowchilla Parks and Recreation, Heritage Preservation Commission and the Utilities Committee. Dr. Moore is a member of St. Columba Church. Dr. and Mrs. Moore continue to live in Chowchilla. They have two children and six grandchildren. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend and congratulate Dr. Ronald Moore upon being named a ``Distinguished Life Member'' by the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 9896. I invite my colleagues to join me in wishing Dr. Moore many years of continued success.

Mr. RADANOVICH

Mr. RADANOVICH. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend and congratulate Carlos Bedolla upon being awarded with the ``Lifetime Achievement Award'' by the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 9896. Mr. Bedolla was honored on Saturday, January 30, 2010, in Chowchilla, California. Mr. Carlos Bedolla was born in Gilroy, California, and graduated from Gilroy High School. In 1965, shortly after graduation, Mr. Bedolla was enlisted into the United States Army. He completed basic training at Fort Hood, Texas, and was sent to Virginia for advanced training. Mr. Bedolla was designated as an infantryman and was assigned to the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment at Fort Meade, Maryland. For several months the regiment took part in advanced unit training and in 1966 he boarded a ship in Oakland, California, for a 23-day voyage to Southeast Asia. Upon arriving in Vietnam, Mr. Bedolla was assigned to the 2nd Squadron of the 11th Cavalry Regiment, the ``Blackhorse Regiment.'' The regiment's mission was to conduct ``search and destroy'' operations on all Viet Cong and North Vietnam regular forces in their area of operation. They provided reconnaissance and security for the 101st and 173rd Airborne and supported several other units. Mr. Bedolla participated in two major operations: Iron Triangle and Junction City. Both operations focused on eliminating enemy strongholds and jungle clearing. It was during these operations that tunnel complexes were found containing tons of rice and supplies for enemy troops. Mr. Bedolla served as an infantry squad leader and an armored personnel carrier track commander during operations. He directly provided reconnaissance for his unit and employed tactics to ensure the safety of his men. Upon completing his tour in Vietnam, Sergeant Bedolla returned to the United States and was honorably discharged in April of 1967. For his service he was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Medal with device, the Republic of Vietnam Unit Gallantry Cross with frame and palm, the Combat Infantryman's Badge, and the Army Sharpshooter Badge. After his discharge, Mr. Bedolla returned to Gilroy, where he met and married his wife, Jessica. He was employed in the retail grocery industry as a store director for 34 years. Mr. and Mrs. Bedolla have 2 sons, 1 daughter, 11 grandchildren and 1 great-grandchild. Mr. Bedolla is a Life Member of Chowchilla Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9896, the St. Columba Catholic Church and the Young Men's Institute. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend and congratulate Carlos Bedolla upon being named as a ``Distinguished Life Member'' by the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 9896. I invite my colleagues to join me in wishing Mr. Bedolla many years of continued success.