George Radanovich

Mr. RADANOVICH

Mr. RADANOVICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor MESA for receiving the prestigious 2001 Innovations in American Government Award. MESA has been successful in assisting educationally disadvantaged students excel in math, engineering and science. MESA has touched over 30,800 students' lives, via the outreach programs in 440 schools, 35 community colleges, and 23 universities across the nation. Through participation in MESA 85 percent of graduating high school seniors advance to college. MESA promotes its participants by establishing an atmosphere of diverse partnerships among students who support each other's academic success. MESA is one out of five programs in the nation to receive the award, and the only program from California to be honored with the award this year. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate MESA for receiving the 2001 Innovation in American Government Award. I invite my colleagues to join me in thanking MESA for its outstanding service to the community and wishing MESA many more years of continued success.

Mr. RADANOVICH

Mr. RADANOVICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Holly Johnsen for being recognized by the Prudential Spirit of Community Awards as a Distinguished Finalist for her impressive community service activities. The award is presented by Prudential Financial, with the National Association of Secondary School Principals, and seeks to honor students who show exceptional achievement in the areas of community service. Holly Johnsen, a sixteen-year old student at Bullard High School, has been recognized for initiating a ``Lunch Buddy'' program. The 30 Junior Ladies Auxiliary for Retarded Citizens (LARC) Club members that are involved in this program introduce special-education students to other groups, accompany them on field trips, and organize parties at school. Holly has shown top-quality leadership and organizing skills. The club operates at their school with a shared presidency between Holly and Molly Hopkins. Holly believes the club will make at impact through peer contribution. She encourages students to play a part in the program by taking special-education students to classes, club meetings, and lunch with them. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Holly Johnsen for being honored by Prudential Spirit of Community Awards. I invite my colleagues to join me in thanking Holly for her outstanding ingenuity and service to the community and wishing her continued success in all future endeavors.

Mr. RADANOVICH

Mr. RADANOVICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the late Sal Salazar on the occasion of the California Restaurant Association commemorating his life with the Lifetime Achievement Award. Mr. Salazar began his remarkable career in the restaurant in 1942 and his family continues the business holding fast to Sal's values and traditional recipes. This award is the Association's highest honor and marks the 60th anniversary of Sal's Mexican Restaurant and pays tribute to a successful entrepreneur, respected community leader, and beloved husband and father. Mr. Salazar was born in Herez, Zacatecas, Mexico, and came with his parents to Selma, California, in the late 1920's. Sal worked as a farm laborer until he followed an impulse and on August 22, 1942 opened his own taco restaurant. The restaurant grew to include a full Mexican menu and earned regional acclaim. A great Mexican restaurant was not the only thing that Mr. Salazar gave his community. Sal worked for the Selma Justice Court, Fresno County Superior Court, and California Supreme Court in Sacramento as an interpreter. He also sponsored 14 Mexican families who relocated to California, provided leadership in the formation of a West Selma improvement district that led to its incorporation into the city, and helped his siblings with their education. Sal also served on the Selma Chamber of Commerce, Selma Planning Commission, Selma High School Boosters Club, and Fresno County Grand Jury. In 1945, he served as an alternate on the interpreter staff at the first meeting of the United Nations in San Francisco. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of Sal Salazar as his family accepts the California Restaurant Association's Lifetime Achievement Award on his behalf. I invite my colleagues to join me in remembering Mr. Salazar for his community service and entrepreneurial spirit and wishing his family and restaurants many more years of continued success.

Mr. RADANOVICH

Mr. RADANOVICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Tony Monroe for his commitment to his community through service to disadvantaged youth and gang members in the Fresno area. Mr. Monroe rides a horse in some of the roughest neighborhoods and encourages those he encounters to find a better way of life. Mr. Monroe has made numerous personal sacrifices to continue his service. Previously, he was a Fresno reserve police officer and a Santa Cruz County deputy sheriff. Now, he offers the children and youth a chance to feed his horse and talk about God, gangs, and life in general. A young Fresnan met Tony six years ago when he was an angry and violent street fighter. This young man credits Mr. Monroe with helping him get his life turned around. The community has also responded by helping Tony with supplies and assistance. Jensen's Armstrong Stables houses two of Mr. Monroe's horses in exchange for maintenance work. All three of his horses, Max, Gumby, and Impact, were donated when his first horse died. This generosity shows how warmly received and appreciated Mr. Monroe is in the community. Mr. Speaker, I rise to commend Tony Monroe for his community service and dedication to helping those in need. I encourage my colleagues to join me in wishing Mr. Monroe many more years of continued success.

Mr. RADANOVICH

Mr. RADANOVICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Tom Shultz on the occasion of his being honored as the 2002 Farm Advisor recipient of the Award for Outstanding Achievement. Other finalists were Marsha Campbell-Mathews, Pam Geisel, Brent Holtz, Maxwell Norton, Steve Sibbett, and Bill Weir. I also extend my congratulations to Beth Grafton-Cardwell as she is honored as the 2002 Extension Specialist recipient of the Award for Outstanding Achievement. Other finalists in that category were Rob Atwill, Joe DiTomaso, John Maas, and James Oltjen. Tom Shultz is a Tulare County Farm Advisor with 22 years of extension work supporting the dairy community with particular emphasis on his development and implementation of guidelines for site selection, animal density and manure management to help dairymen meet regulatory requirements in an economically viable manner. Marsha Campbell-Mathews is a Stanislaus County Agronomy Farm Advisor with a program dealing with lagoon water management as a nutrient source for crops. Pam Geisel, a Fresno County Environmental Horticulture Farm Advisor, developed an education program for urban neighborhoods called Garden of the Sun. Brent Holtz is a Madera County Pomology Farm Advisor. He researched and developed cultural controls for Brown Rot without heavy reliance on fungicidal spray programs. Merced County Farm Advisor Maxwell Norton assisted and educated small farmers new to this country while conducting significant research experiments with strawberries. Steve Sibbett, a Tulare County Farm Advisor, contributed extensively and valuably to the cultural development of walnuts. Bill Weir is a Merced County Farm Advisor with continuing achievements in the growing of ultranarrow row cotton. Beth Grafton-Cardwell is a Riverside Extension Entomologist with numerous research and extension efforts to help citrus growers reduce their need for broad spectrum pesticides to combat pest problems while maintaining fruit quality and acceptable economic return. Rob Atwill, a Davis Veterinary Extension Specialist, identified and articulated cost-effective strategies to minimize surface water contamination by livestock. Joe DiTomaso is a Davis Weed Science Extension Specialist and has expanded effective control strategies for the resilient and economically devastated Yellow Starthistle. Davis Veterinary Extension Specialist John Maas delivered thorough information to livestock producers through the Feedlot Certification and Cow-Calf Quality Assurance programs. James Oltjen, a Davis Animal Science Extension Specialist, worked on the development and delivery of the California Feedlot Certification and Cow-Calf Quality Assurance programs. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize these men and women as they receive recognition by the Friends of Agricultural Extension for the 2002 Award for Outstanding Achievement. I invite my colleagues to join me in congratulating these honorees for their contributions to agriculture and their community and wishing them many more years of continued success.

Mr. RADANOVICH

Mr. RADANOVICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Don Olsen on the occasion of the completion of his term as President of the Eastern Madera County Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Olsen provided valuable leadership during his tenure and has an exemplary record of career and civic leadership. He served as the Chamber's President from January 1, 2001, until December 31, 2001. Mr. Olsen has been a member of the Eastern Madera County Chamber of Commerce for five years. As President, he coordinated the effort of the organization's many officers, directors, and committee chairpersons to create an effective mechanism to organize and sponsor many successful projects that benefited the local community, the business community, and local civic organizations. In addition to his responsibilities with the Eastern Madera County Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Olsen has been a member of the Oakhurst Sierra Sunrise Rotary for seven years, Director for the Boys and Girls Club of Oakhurst, and Senior Coach of Sierra Little League for three years. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Don Olsen for his service as President to the Eastern Madera County Chamber of Commerce. I invite my colleagues to join me in thanking him for his community service and wishing him many more years of continued success.

Mr. RADANOVICH

Mr. RADANOVICH. Mr. Chairman, this bill will provide a major boost to the U.S. economy, particularly to the telecommunications and high-tech sectors. This is a bill that promises to create more than a million new jobs, and hundreds of billions of dollars in economic activity if it does become law, and our Nation needs this legislation. As a Member from rural America, I have a particular interest in this bill because Tauzin-Dingell will ensure that the high-speed access reaches underserved areas by requiring local phone companies to provide access throughout the country. This will guarantee that small towns and rural areas, all but ignored today, have access to true information-age opportunities. And as a business owner, I know that competition empowers consumers by forcing companies to provide better products and better services at cheaper rates. By removing the unfair regulatory barriers that discourage phone companies from investing in broadband, this bill will ensure real competition in the marketplace. At present, we have no competition in the high-speed data market. What is worse, we have no coherent national policy to encourage the deployment of high-speed Internet services. Instead, we have a regulatory regime that applies a massive set of bureaucratic rules designed for old telephone voice service to the brave new world of the Internet. These rules discourage investment by the very companies most able to lead the way in bringing high-speed Internet service to every American in this country. H.R. 1542 replaces these anticompetitive rules with a sound regulatory framework that encourages investment and enables competition in the marketplace. And it is for those reasons that I urge a ``yes'' vote on H.R. 1542.

Mr. RADANOVICH

Mr. RADANOVICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of Dr. A.B. Falcone on the occasion of the one year anniversary of his passing, February 20, 2001. Dr. Falcone's resume is full of academic, professional and community service accolades which reveal his dedication to bettering the society in which he lived. Dr. Falcone's memory and work are alive and continue his legacy of service. In December of 1953, as a medical researcher in biochemistry, Dr. Falcone co-discovered the phosphate exchange reactions of the mitochondrial ATP Synthetase of Oxidative Phosphorylation. He has been widely published, recognized by the International Who's Who of Intellectuals and Who's Who in the World and invited to participate in numerous seminars and scientific meetings. Dr. Falcone had a number of professional memberships including the American Medical Association, the American Diabetes Association and the American Federation for Clinical Research. His community organization memberships included the Archeological Society of America, the Association for Academic Excellence, the Marines Memorial Association and the California Association for the Gifted. The Falcone Foundation has established an endowment for undergraduate research in chemistry at the College of Chemistry at the University of California, Berkeley. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Dr. Falcone for his unending support of and contributions to academia, his community, our nation and the entire world. I invite my colleagues to join me in commemorating his life and wishing his family well.

Mr. RADANOVICH

Mr. RADANOVICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Sharon Clauss, Patricia Hillman, Roxie Moradian, Agnes Pelous, and Alice Peters on the occasion of their being awarded the 2002 Common Threads Award. Common Threads is a joint venture of the Agricultural Education Foundation, California State University, Fresno's College of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, and AG ONE Foundation. The award is given to women in agriculture who have invested in their communities through community service and philanthropy. Honorees must live in Fresno, Kings, Madera, Merced, or Tulare County. Sharon Clauss has been involved in dairy farming all her life. She and her husband, Richard, operate Clauss Dairy in Hilmar, California. Her support for agriculture and her community include active participation and financial contribution to numerous organizations including California Women for Agriculture, Agricultural Leadership Foundation, 4-H, Hilmar Covenant Church, and the American Jersey Cattle Association. Pat (Heiskell) Hillman works with her family's farming businesses, Heiskell Family Farms and J.D. Heiskell & Co., in Tulare, California. She also volunteers with the World Ag Expo. Her involvement in her community spans six decades from co-founding of the Tulare County Symphony League in 1956 to being a founding docent of the Heritage Complex in 2000. Pat has also contributed to the Tulare Historical Museum and Society, First Congregational Church of Tulare, and Pro- Youth Tulare and Pro-Youth Visalia. Roxie Moradian is a former owner of Penny-Newman Grain Company and has been involved in agriculture all her life. Her community service includes not only the Ag One Foundation at California State University, Fresno, with the founding of the Frank Moradian Foundation for Agriculture Scholarship for students, but also the Fresno County Library, Fresno Philharmonic Association, Saint Agnes and Valley Children's Hospitals, Salvation Army-Fresno, and many others. Agnes Pelous began her ag life in Los Angeles County as the daughter of immigrant farmers from Italy. Agnes continued with farming when she married Alex Pelous and they relocated to Tulare County. She has been an active member in both the Orange County and Tulare County Farm Bureaus. Her other community involvement includes the Lindsay Hospital Guild, Las Madrinas Guild for Valley Children's Hospital, Parent Teacher Association, Tulare County Cotton Women, Tulare County 4-H, California Women for Agriculture, among many others. Alice Peters and her husband, Leon, owned and farmed orchards in the Fowler, California, area for many years and owned Valley Foundry which was connected to agriculture throughout the world. Alice has been active in many community service organizations including the Fresno Philharmonic, Valley Public Radio, Fresno Metropolitan Museum, and Fresno City and County Historical Societies. The School of Business at California State University, Fresno named their auditorium in her honor. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Sharon Clauss, Pat Hillman, Roxie Moradian, Agnes Pelous, and Alice Peters for receiving the 2002 Common Threads Award. I invite my colleagues to join me in commending these outstanding women for their commitment to community service and agriculture and wishing them many more years of continued success.

Mr. RADANOVICH

Mr. RADANOVICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Detective Ray Kern on the occasion of his retirement from the Madera County Sheriff's Department. Detective Kern retired January 2, 2002, after 32\1/2\ years in law enforcement, 28 of those years with the Madera County Sheriff's Department. Detective Ray Kern started his career in law enforcement with the Chowchilla Police Department in June of 1969. In December of 1973 he began working for the Madera County Sheriff's Department. After working in the jail for eighteen months, Ray Kern was transferred to the mountain division working patrol. In 1982, he was assigned to work in the Detective's Unit. The last several years of his career he also worked with the Sheriff's Department Search and Rescue. Mr. Speaker, I rise to commend Detective Ray Kern for an exemplary career of service in law enforcement. I encourage my colleagues to join me in congratulating Detective Kern on his retirement and wishing him many more years of continued success.

Mr. RADANOVICH

Mr. RADANOVICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Staff Sergeant Brandon R. Pearce on the occasion of him being named the United States Air Force's Airman of the Year. Mr. Pearce is an Aircraft Hydraulic Systems Journeyman assigned to the 146th Maintenance Squadron, 146th Logistics Group, 146th Airlift Wing, Channel Islands Air National Guard Station, California. In order to achieve this high honor, Mr. Pearce competed against more than 6,000 airmen in California with the national competition including members from throughout the United States and territories. Staff Sergeant Pearce graduated from Mariposa High School in 1988 and enlisted in the Air Force. While on active duty, Staff Sergeant Pearce received several Crew Chief of the Month awards and was assigned to his own C-141 aircraft. He participated in Operation Just Cause in Panama, the Persian Gulf war as well as many other operational missions. Staff Sergeant Pearce has also received other military awards, such as the Air Force Longevity Service Award Ribbon and the Air Force Training Ribbon. Upon completion of his 4-year enlistment, he became a full time student which earned him an Associate of Arts degree in History in 1993, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1995. In addition to his two degrees, he also obtained a Teaching Credential and devoted 3 years helping to educate and mentor the youth of Ventura and Mariposa Counties. After completing his education, in 1998, Staff Sergeant Pearce rejoined the Air Force in the California Air National Guard as an Aircraft Hydraulic Systems Technician with the 146th Airlift Wing. Some of his responsibilities include maintenance of all hydraulic components of the wing's 12 C-130Es, including flight controls, brakes, and landing gear. In addition to his busy schedule at the California Air National Guard, he and his wife, Jackie, still find time to take active roles in their church's community outreach program assisting families in need and the homeless. Mr. Speaker, I congratulate Staff Sergeant Brandon Pearce on his achievement of being named the United States Air Force's Airman of the Year. Not only is he a fine example in the service to his country, but also to his community. His success reflects credit upon himself, the Air Force and our Nation. I urge my colleagues to join me in honoring Staff Sergeant Brandon Pearce being named Airman of the Year and wish him many more years of continued success.

Mr. RADANOVICH

Mr. RADANOVICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize NBC affiliate KSEE 24 and its Portraits of Success program celebrating African- American History Month. Currently in its eighth year, this program combines public service announcements, a five-part news series, and an awards luncheon to recognize the contributions of distinguished local leaders. This year's honorees are Reuben Phillips, Britt King, Bessie Miller, Walter Pierce, and Dr. Mae Rogers. Reuben Phillips has worked in and served Fresno since he opened his auto part sales store in 1946. Phillips became the first African- American to serve in Fresno's Finance Department in 1977. He has also volunteered at 25 disaster sites with the Fresno-Madera Chapter of the American Red Cross. Britt King was named the women's basketball head coach at California State University, Fresno in 1998. Since then she has been building a winning program and bringing talent to the team from all over the Nation. King's impressive resume includes being named Providence College Athlete of the Year in 1986 and Black Coaches' Sports Magazine's Coach of the Year in 1995. Bessie Miller encourages young people to achieve their dreams through her work as Senior Advisor with Leadership West Fresno. Miller is a Site Manager for the State of California Employment Development Department. She has developed a great rapport with the youth and helps them find the motivation they need to succeed. Walter Pierce began his work at Fresno State as the university's first affirmative action director. He works through the Office of Advising Services to help students reach their academic goals. Pierce also serves the Athletic Department as an advisor to athletes and a mentor to coaches. Dr. Mae Rogers began an after-school multi-level learning program during her work with the Affordable Housing Development Corp. Rogers now works with community school students ordered by the court to find an alternative school program. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend KSEE 24 for their Portraits of Success program and honor Reuben Phillips, Britt King, Bessie Miller, Waler Pierce, and Dr. Mae Rogers for the work they have done in the community. I invite my colleagues to join me in wishing these honorees many more years of continued success.

Mr. RADANOVICH

Mr. RADANOVICH. Mr. Speaker, methamphetamine use continues to be a chronic problem in the United States and especially in the Central Valley of California. This product, better known as ``Meth,'' is produced by a very intricate cooking process that uses a number of chemicals like red phosphorus, acetone and pseudoephedrine. All of the chemicals that are used in the cooking process are easily obtained over-the-counter at almost any store in the United States. While most of the chemicals in the cooking process can be substituted with similar products, pseudoephedrine is the one chemical that is required to make Meth. Over the last couple of years, the federal government working in cooperation with narcotics agents and the private sector have tightened the control of pseudoephedrine in the United States. Today, pseudoephedrine can only be purchased in small quantity bottles or blister packs. However, last year, investigators in the Central Valley found several very large 23,000 pill-count bottles of pseudoephedrine tablets at Meth labs. Unfortunately, these bottles were found with English and French words on the labels. Because of this, as well as statements from confidential sources, investigators believe much of the bulk pseudoephedrine comes from French-speaking areas of Canada. And, it is now known that criminal organizations are using tractor-trailers to haul pseudoephedrine pills from Canada to the United States. Currently, Canada lacks a comprehensive legislative framework for addressing the pseudoephedrine trafficking problem. Without cooperation from Canadian authorities, the illicit diversion of pseudoephedrine tablets will continue unabated and the pills will continue to find their way to ready meth-producing markets in the Central Valley. Today I introduced a bill that will specifically address this problem. This legislation will urge President Bush to open a dialogue with the Canadian Government to discuss the large influx of pseudoephedrine from Canada.

Mr. RADANOVICH

Mr. RADANOVICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor His Eminence Mar Enoch on the occasion of the 5th anniversary of his Episcopacy. Mar Enoch serves the Fresno area and the entire Central Valley in his position as Metropolitan Mar Enoch of the Mar Thoma Orthodox Church. The Mar Thoma Orthodox Church is associated with the Diocese of Thoziyur, India, and the Indian Orthodox Church. Mar Enoch has devoted his life to his faith and the pastoral service of those in the Orthodox Church. However, Mar Enoch's service extends beyond members of his own faith, to his community and the entire nation. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate His Eminence Mar Enoch on this anniversary of his Episcopal elevation. I invite my colleagues to join me in thanking Mar Enoch for his community service and wishing him many more years of continued success.

Mr. RADANOVICH

Mr. RADANOVICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Jeffrey Gwartney on the occasion of the end of his term as President of the Chowchilla Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Gwartney has served on the Chowchilla Chamber since 1998. Prior to taking office as President in 2001, Mr. Gwartney first served as the Vice President in 2000. Mr. Gwartney demonstrated his commitment to his community by returning to where he was raised to serve as a professional photographer. He participated in and studied photography and journalism during his years at Chowchilla Union High School and California State University, Fresno, and on into the business world. While his management positions in the photo labs of Wal-Mart took him to Southern California for a time, Mr. Gwartney moved back to Chowchilla at the earliest opportunity. Mr. Gwartney opened his own photography studio in Chowchilla in 1998. He continues to be actively involved in his community. His service on the Chowchilla Chamber of Commerce is a testament to his professionalism and commitment to the community. Jeffrey Gwartney and his wife, Jennifer, are the proud parents of three sons, Jonathan, Jordan, and Joshua. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Jeffrey Gwartney, for his contribution to Chowchilla and the San Joaquin Valley. I invite my colleagues to join me in wishing him many more years of continued success.

Mr. RADANOVICH

Mr. RADANOVICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Lorna Bonyhadi on the occasion of her retirement as Nurse Executive for the Department of Veterans Affairs. Ms. Bonyhadi has served veterans for the past 38 years and has been an advocate for both patients and nurses. Ms. Bonyhadi completed her bachelor's degree at Ohio State University in Columbus and graduated Summa Cum Laude. She received her master's degree from California State University in Fresno with distinction. Ms. Bonyhadi's career working in VA hospitals has taken her all across the country. The majority of her career however, has been spent in Fresno. From 1967-1973 she served in the VA Medical Center in 1990 as the Associate Chief of Nursing Service for the Ambulatory and Critical Care units. Since 1997, Ms. Bonyhadi has been the Nurse Executive of the VA Central California Health Care System. Outside Fresno, Ms. Bonyhadi served as Head Nurse, Clinical Coordinator, Clinical Specialist, Educational Coordinator, and other positions in a variety of VA Medical centers in Ohio, San Francisco, Minnesota, Georgia, and Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Ms. Bonyhadi on her retirement and thank her for her tireless service to our nation's veterans. I urge my colleagues to join me in honoring Ms. Bonyhadi for a job well done and wishing her many more years of continued success.

Mr. RADANOVICH

Mr. RADANOVICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend Jessica Ann Owens on her completion of the Aviation Machinist Mate school program with the U.S. Navy. Miss Owens is the first female to ``ace'' the entire course since its inception in 1947. She was also awarded the Military Excellence Award at Boot Camp out of over 600 sailors. A local news station interviewed Miss Owens while she was home for Christmas. She will be stationed on the NAS Oceana in Virginia Beach. Her parents, Randy and Gini, are very proud of Jessica and know that she will do well wherever she goes. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Miss Owens' efforts and commend her for a job well done. I urge my colleagues to join me in recognizing Jessica's service to our country and wishing her all the best for future success.

Mr. RADANOVICH

Mr. RADANOVICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise to ask this Congress to recognize Mr. Lenord Craft, the Agricultural Commissioner from our nation's second largest agricultural producing county, Tulare. Located in the nation's largest agricultural producing state, California, Mr. Craft's leadership is being recognized later this month. On January 25, 2002 Mr. Craft will serve his last day in office after a distinguished 38- year career. The most recent figures indicate that Tulare County farmers produce commodities in excess of $3 billion on 354,000 acres. This county's agricultural output exceeds the majority of states in this great nation. Mr. Craft's illustrious career started in 1963 as a simple AG inspector. He performed admirably in a variety of positions eventually receiving his first appointment as an agriculture commissioner in 1974 for two small counties in California. Local governments throughout the state soon recognized his talents. He was hired by several for positions, each with greater responsibility, until the position that he always wanted became available. In 1990 he returned to Tulare County to assume the position of Agriculture Commissioner. Tulare leads the nation in the production of commodities such as dairy, navel oranges, fresh table grapes and many others. Consumers across America and around the world, from over 80 countries, enjoy the products gown in Tulare County. Lenord's role as Agriculture Commissioner encompasses food safety operations, pesticide use monitoring, weights, measures, pest detection, exclusion and eradication efforts. Throughout his career Lenord Craft has become recognized as a protector of the environment, an enforcement arm for the consumer and an advocate for the producer. He is respected for his even handed approach from all quarters of society. California agriculture, Tulare County producers, consumers across America and around the world have all benefited from the intense love of his job and his strength in fulfilling the mandates of his position. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Lenord Craft for his many successes and years of service to Tulare County and the state of California. I urge my colleagues to join me in wishing Lenord congratulations for a job well done and best wishes for an enjoyable retirement.

Mr. RADANOVICH

Mr. RADANOVICH. Mr. Speaker, it is with great sadness I rise today to commemorate the passing of a very dear friend yesterday, California resident and Oklahoma native, Carol Lynn Creel McDonnold. Carol Lynn was a devoted wife, daughter, sister, aunt and friend to many and her early death is a great loss. The world is a little darker today and she will be greatly missed. We send our heartfelt condolences to her husband Steve and her entire family. Steve, Carol Lynn's dearest love, was a tremendous source of strength during difficult times and he brought her comfort unlike no other. We pray with the knowledge that Carol Lynn will not be forgotten and that the beauty, joy and grace she brought to this world will be long remembered.

Mr. RADANOVICH

Mr. RADANOVICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Fresno Bee reporter, John Ellis. Mr. Ellis was recently presented the Unsung Heroes Award given by the Youth Law Center. The following is the story printed in today's Fresno Bee celebrating John's award: Fresno Bee political reporter John Ellis received a national award Wednesday night that honors individuals for their work regarding child welfare and juvenile justice systems. The Youth Law Center's annual Unsung Heroes Awards were presented to seven people. Ellis was the only journalist among the honorees, who included bureaucrats, attorneys, a teacher and a Seattle Police Department deputy assistant chief. Six of the honorees are from California. His Jan. 14 story, ``Fresno County may house foster children illegally,'' told how Fresno County had been housing some of its most difficult foster children in two area motels, a practice that some legal advocates say violates state law. The California Department of Social Services, which found out about the situation through inquires by The Bee, notified Salvador Montana, then director of Fresno County's Department of Children and Family Services, that housing the children in motels was not allowed. The county quit the practice after the state stepped in; the children were moved to foster-care group homes. The sponsoring Youth Law Center is a national nonprofit organization that focuses on the problems and needs of children who are placed out of home in foster care or juvenile justice systems. Mr. Speaker, I congratulate John Ellis both for his dedication to journalism and child welfare. I urge my colleagues to join me in wishing John the very best.

Mr. RADANOVICH

Mr. RADANOVICH. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. RADANOVICH. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Kentucky (Mr. Rogers), who is the sponsor of the legislation.

Mr. RADANOVICH. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 2238 was introduced by the gentleman from Kentucky (Mr. Rogers) and would authorize the Secretary of the Interior to acquire Fern Lake and its surrounding watershed in Tennessee and Kentucky from willing sellers for addition to the Cumberland Gap National Historical Park. The boundary expansion would enhance the visitors' recreational experience and allow the National Park Service to preserve the 4,500 acre Fern Lake watershed and the water supply for the city of Middlesboro, Kentucky. Since the early 1900s, Fern Lake has been the sole source of drinking water for the city of Middlesboro, Kentucky. Cumberland Gap, located where the borders of Tennessee, Kentucky and Virginia meet, forms a major break in the Appalachian Mountain chain. The park commemorates the story of the first gateway to the West, first used by the Native Americans and then by pioneers. Mr. Speaker, during the subcommittee hearing on H.R. 2238, concerns were raised by the National Park Service on how it is to manage the water system once it acquires Fern Lake. At the Committee on Resources markup, I offered an amendment to address the water issue. The amendment was adopted and supported by both the majority and minority of the committee. However, since that time, the National Park Service has continued to express concern with the water management section of the bill. Mr. Speaker, late yesterday afternoon the administration, the majority and the minority of the committee and the gentleman from Kentucky (Mr. Rogers) agreed to the amendment before us. I believe the amendment further clarifies for the Service its responsibility protecting the resources in the park, while assuring the city of Middlesboro, Kentucky, that their continued water needs will be met. H.R. 2238 is a unique and complex bill. The gentleman from Kentucky (Mr. Rogers) has worked hard to accommodate the concerns raised by the administration, while remaining focused on his priority of ensuring long-term protection for Fern Lake and a continued supply of water for his constituents. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 2238, as amended. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. RADANOVICH. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2238) to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to acquire Fern Lake and the surrounding watershed in the States of Kentucky and Tennessee for addition to Cumberland Gap National Historical Park, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. RADANOVICH

Mr. RADANOVICH. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks on the three bills just considered, H.R. 3322, H.R. 2238, and H.R. 2115.