Jackie Speier

Ms. SPEIER

Ms. SPEIER. Mr. Chairman, I demand a recorded vote.

Ms. SPEIER. Mr. Chairman, the majority earlier said that this measure is just common sense. So I have a question: Is it common sense not to consider the interests of State and local governments in allowing FERC to have this permitting process? My amendment is quite simple. The concerns of State and local communities must be considered in any natural gas pipeline permitting process and should not be disadvantaged by a permit approval process that weighs heavily in favor of the pipeline industry and could deem approved a permit that tramples the concerns of communities that are affected. This issue I know all too well. Three years ago, a pipeline exploded in my district. I don't want that to happen to any of you. Let me tell you what happened in my district. First of all, when it exploded, no one knew that there was a pipeline running in the middle of a densely populated area. The fire department didn't know, the police department didn't know, the city manager didn't know, and the city council didn't know. It took over an hour and a half for the local gas operator to go to another destination, pick up a key, come back to the community, and open the gate so they could turn off the valve. Meanwhile, what happened? There were 8 lives lost; 38 homes totally destroyed, with just a concrete pad left; and 45 other homes badly damaged. Three people were considered missing for more than 2 weeks because there was so little DNA left from the intense fire to positively identify them. There are people in that community today 3 years later who are still shell shocked, and the city's fathers and mothers are very concerned about making sure that pipeline safety includes notifying local communities. One of the truly frightening lessons of the San Bruno tragedy was that the many pipeline operators don't even fully know the conditions of their own pipelines. I can tell you that my communities are much more aware and engaged in natural gas pipeline safety and location decisions. The concerns and objections of State and local officials must be adequately considered and taken into account in the decisionmaking process on where to place potentially dangerous natural gas transmission lines. The consequences of these decisions to local communities cannot be overstated. They have a fundamental stake in these decisions on whether to permit a new pipeline project in their communities. I ask you to support my amendment, which would ensure that, at the very least, FERC considers and responds to local and State concerns or objections submitted as part of the FERC permit process before a natural gas pipeline permit is approved or potentially deemed approved. I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. SPEIER. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Ms. SPEIER

Ms. SPEIER. Mr. Speaker, recently, a courageous 21-year-old female Naval Academy student was bold enough to report that three men on the Navy football team raped her while she was drunk. Little did she know that when she came forward, she would be put on trial, forced to testify, and be cross-examined for more than 30 hours. She was harangued by the defense team and asked humiliating and abusive questions for hours, with the clear objective to intimidate her and destroy the case. What is so unbelievable is that her case hadn't even made it to trial. This was only the equivalent of a preliminary hearing, called an Article 32 hearing under the Uniform Code of Military Justice. It is supposed to be used to determine if a case should go forward to trial. The truth is that Article 32s have mutated and now serve to put the victim on trial, not the accused. Her experience of not only being sexually assaulted but revictimized by the judicial system is all too common in the military. In Article 32 proceedings, it is standard operating procedure for the defense team to subject the victim to every irrelevant, indecent, and outright degrading question you can imagine. In the Naval Academy case, the victim was asked by one of the defense attorneys, ``How wide do you open your mouth for oral sex?'' Another question was asked of her, ``Did you feel like a 'ho' the next morning?'' These questions would simply never, ever be permitted in a civilian criminal trial, let alone in a preliminary hearing. None of this is in pursuit of the truth, of course. It is all an effort to make victims think twice about even coming forward or pursuing a case. At one point in the Naval Academy proceedings, the victim asked for a recess because of fatigue. Lawyers for the alleged rapists scoffed, ``What is so stressful about this?'' In the civilian world, a preliminary hearing is used to determine if there is probable cause and if a case should go to trial. Oftentimes, the victim is never even called, and the victim is certainly not berated for hours about their previous sexual history. These proceedings are very brief, and the scope of the hearing is limited to the question of probable cause. The 5-day, 30-hour proceeding is such a glaring example of the difference between what justice looks like in the civilian courts and what it looks like in the military justice system. Simply put, Article 32 hearings are rigged in favor of the accused. The scales are so tilted in favor of the accused, the system is upended. The proceedings also have a significant chilling effect on sexual assault reporting. Although the numbers have climbed, only 10 percent of the estimated 26,000 annual assaults are actually reported. Now, think about this: 26,000 assaults every year in the military of both men and women--and mostly men, I might add--with only 3,000 reported. Are we at all surprised that the numbers of reports are so small? Less than 1 percent of the offenders are ever convicted. This is called military justice? After Air Force Lieutenant General Richard Harding testified that 30 percent of the victims drop out during the investigative process, it is time for us to do something meaningful about Article 32 hearings. That is why I am introducing the Article 32 Reform Act along with my cosponsor, the gentleman from Pennsylvania, Congressman Pat Meehan, which will align these proceedings with what happens in a civilian preliminary hearing and will give victims the option of whether or not to testify at all. Ironically, civilian victims are currently afforded this right in military courts but not servicemembers. That is right. We allow civilian victims not to testify in Article 32s but force the brave servicemembers who are victims to be subjected to this abusive process. This bill has bipartisan support in both the House and the Senate and will finally put an end to these open-ended, abusive hearings that revictimize those who come forward and prevent others from reporting for fear of being savaged by defense attorneys who have only one goal: to shut up the victim and sully their reputations. The proposed reform will put prosecutors in charge. It will shift the focus to probable cause, and the threshold will be what it should be: whether there is sufficient evidence to go to trial. It is time that we give the same rights to brave servicemembers who come forward to report a crime, the rights that the rest of us have in civilian society. If we are serious about addressing the epidemic of sexual assault, we must stop treating the victim as the criminal and stop protecting the sexual predators. It is time for us to clean up the military justice system.

Ms. SPEIER

Ms. SPEIER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to extend my condolences to the thousands of families both in the Philippines and here in the United States who have lost loved ones due to Super Typhoon Haiyan, the deadliest natural disaster in the history of this region. I proudly represent the largest population of Filipino Americans in the continental United States, and many of them are in anguish right now wanting to know whether or not their loved ones are still alive. The question that some may ask is, Well, why should we help? Well, there are the obvious humanitarian reasons, but more importantly, we must never forget that in World War II, President Roosevelt sought to have Filipinos take arms and fight for us--some 250,000 of them--during World War II. We must help. We have sent the USS George Washington, which has arrived today. Seven other ships are on their way. There are C-130s and Ospreys that have also been put in operation. The gentleman from California, Congressman Honda, and I have introduced a resolution, and I hope the House will take it up swiftly, seeking support for the Filipino people and providing the aid they need.

Ms. SPEIER

Ms. SPEIER. Madam Speaker, I move that the House do now adjourn.

Ms. SPEIER

Ms. SPEIER. Madam Speaker, everyone has heard about ``The Price is Right,'' but on C-SPAN tonight, we are going to play ``The Price is Wrong.'' Before doing so, I want to put this in perspective. A number of years ago, we were all aghast as taxpayers--even here as Members of Congress--when we found out that in the Department of Defense we were spending $436 on a hammer, that we spent $7,600 on a coffee urn, and that--oh, yes--we spent $640 on a toilet seat. Talk about flushing money down a toilet--we were doing it--but that fleecing that we thought had ended has actually continued. Since 2010, the inspector general of the Department of Defense has found that we are spending more than $430 million over what we should be paying for spare parts--thousands of spare parts. So we are paying much more than the fair or reasonable price for these parts. What the military should do when it needs parts is go to what is called the Defense Logistics Agency, DLA--it is sort of like the defense hardware store--but sometimes they think it is cheaper and, maybe, faster if they go to a defense contractor and ask for those parts. These audits also showed that the certain parts we have in such volume will last us 100 years. That is like having spare parts like, let's say, horseshoes dating back to World War I, and they are sitting around the defense hardware store today--more than 100 years' worth of certain spare parts. You might think maybe this is a little complicated, but it is really not complicated. The auditors go to the Department of Defense databases, and they can tell immediately, with just a click, whether or not these spare parts are in stock and how much they will be charged for those spare parts. So let's play our very first game of ``The Price is Wrong.'' This is a ramp gate roller assembly. It is about the size of a quarter. This particular assembly sells for $7.71 in the defense hardware store. The auditors suggested--maybe because this is, in fact, for a Chinook helicopter--that it could be even a little bit more. What did the personnel within the Department of Defense pay for this little assembly? It wasn't $7.71. Was it perhaps $77.10? No, it wasn't $77.10. Was it $771? No, it wasn't $771. We paid for this $7.71 part $1,678.61. The price is wrong, and the Department of Defense has got to clean up its act. Let's move on to yet another game that we can play. It is called ``That's Too Much.'' I am going to show you another part. This is a bearing sleeve, and you are going to tell me whether or not you think the price is too much. At the local hardware store, this would sell for $6. Again, this is for a Chinook helicopter. The inspector general says maybe, for this sophisticated helicopter, it would cost $10 for this part. So, what did we pay for this part? Did we pay $86? No, we didn't pay $86. Did we pay $286? No, we didn't pay $286. We paid $2,286 for this little part. Now, we didn't just buy one part. We bought 573 of these parts, of this little bearing sleeve, and it cost us $1.3 million. All right. If you haven't enjoyed playing this game so far, we have one more game to play tonight. This game is the finale. It is called the ``Showcase Showdown.'' This is when we compare two packages and see which one costs more. Our first items here are two simple ramp gate roller assemblies. Now, which is more expensive--these two ramp gate roller assemblies or a trip to Paris, France, for two, including airfare and hotel for four nights? Which is more expensive? If you guessed the trip to Paris, France, you would be wrong because a trip to Paris, France, if you go on one of the local Web sites, would cost $2,681, and we paid--or, I should say, the Army paid--$3,357 for these two ramp gate roller assemblies. The Pentagon is playing games with taxpayer dollars, and let me tell you that this is just the tip of the iceberg. The worst part of this game is that it is rigged. The contractors always win, and the taxpayers always lose. The inspector general found that the Army overpaid one defense contractor $13 million but that the Pentagon only recovered $2.6 million. Now get this: it is discovered that one defense contractor overcharged us $13 million for a number of parts, and then after it was exposed, they didn't even refund us what they should have. They only paid us back $2.6 million. It included paying twice the fair and reasonable price for kits and overpaying by $16,000 for a structural support that should have cost only $1,300. Now, this bearing sleeve that I just showed you that was over $2,200, let's put it in kind of simple terms. If we went into a local cafe and ordered the blue light special and the menu said it was $2,200, we would walk right out, and they would be laughed out of our community--but no, that doesn't happen in the military. As for that defense contractor who overcharged us and then didn't even pay us back what they had overcharged us--get this--the Air Force has just signed on the dotted line a contract with this defense contractor to do the following: to manage the supply chain. It is almost laughable that the defense contractor who ripped us off now has another contract to manage the supply chain. Those are all of the games we have for tonight. Thank you for playing. We will see you next time on ``The Price is Wrong.'' Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. SPEIER

Ms. SPEIER. Mr. Speaker, we are now 16 days into a government shutdown and standing on the precipice of defaulting on our debt. Families around the country are worrying if they will be able to pay their water bills, but the Members' gym has stayed open during the government shutdown so my colleagues can live rent free in their offices and use the gym to shower and shave. One of my colleagues who is using his office as a Holiday Inn has nearly 43,000 households on SNAP in his district. These people don't have the option of curling up in a government building or getting dinner at a congressional reception to cut costs, but my colleague does. The only inconvenience for him is that his office doesn't have a kitchen, so he stocks his office annex with a crock pot, an electric griddle, a microwave, a toaster, and a refrigerator. He told CBS News: You can put some frozen chicken in with some bouillon, some vegetables. Let it simmer all day, and you are ready to rock and roll. Mr. Speaker, the U.S. economy is not ready to rock and roll as long as Congress refuses to pay the government's bills. American small businesses are not ready to rock and roll when the markets worry that we will default and not pay the bills that we have already incurred. The American people are not ready to rock and roll when they don't know when the government will reopen to provide them with the services that they have already paid for but are not receiving. The House of Representatives is not a campsite. It is embarrassing that Americans have been kicked out of Yosemite and national parks across the country; yet Members sleep in their offices that taxpayers foot the bill for. As bad as this government shutdown is, however, the debate over the debt ceiling is taking this dysfunction nuclear. A default would bring on an economic catastrophe that would cost Americans who have been prudent with their money, paying their debts and investing in their 401(k)s, billions of dollars in lost value in their investments, in their homes, in their jobs, and in increased lending rates. Every American in this country knows that every Member of the House of Representatives makes four times the amount of money than they do. We are paid to come up with solutions for the American people, not to sabotage their 401(k)s. This is what Warren Buffett said last week about trying to use the debt ceiling as a political ploy: It should be like nuclear bombs, basically too horrible to use. In military terms, it is known as MAD, mutually assured destruction. Some on the other side of the aisle seem intent on pushing the button and sending our economy into a nuclear winter. Debt ceiling deniers have now emerged, espousing the belief that the debt ceiling is a figment of our imagination, that it is a part of a liberal agenda to get them to the negotiating table: We are not going to default, there is no default. Or: We shouldn't accept this as the date beyond which we can't go without what they call default. We can go a long time. We can go indefinitely without hitting default, says another. Mr. Speaker, a reckless faction of your party is not only holding your caucus hostage; it is holding the American people and the global economy hostage. Calling the dealings with this faction as ``negotiating'' is absurd. The reality is there is no negotiating with this reckless faction, which seems bent on the destruction of the American economy and the full faith and credit of the United States. Mr. Speaker, these Members who are sleeping in their offices should be thinking of all of the Americans who will be sleeping in the streets if this reckless Republican faction gets its way.

Ms. SPEIER

Ms. SPEIER. I thank the gentleman for yielding me this time. Mr. Speaker, it is kind of uncomfortable being on this side of the aisle, but it is also, I guess, a recognition that this is truly a bipartisan effort, and I am really thrilled to be joining in it. Imagine that when the farm bill was debated here, every single commodity program in the farm bill was amended, was reformed, with the exception of sugar. Now, why would that happen? Well, maybe it is because of some sweet-talking sugar lobbyists that made that happen. But nonetheless, let's be clear about what this resolution doesn't do. It does not undermine the sugar program in this country. The sugar program that exists in terms of price support remains, the domestic marketing allotment for sugar remains, and it does not eliminate sugar import quotas. What does it do? It basically says that the Secretary of Agriculture can make sure during the entire year, and not just 6 months, that the market supply is appropriate. What do we know about research that has been done on the cost to consumers? It is said to cost consumers $3.5 billion. Now, this figure doesn't come from the candy manufacturers; this figure comes from a number of studies by the Government Accountability Office, by OECD, by the President's Council of Economic Advisers. Now, what has happened since July? Since July, the taxpayers of this country have spent $250 million because they are guaranteed as sugar producers to 17 cents per pound. When they couldn't get 17 cents per pound, the U.S. had to buy the sugar and then try to sell it to ethanol producers. Mr. Speaker, the time has come for us to reform the system.

Ms. SPEIER

Ms. SPEIER. Mr. Speaker, I have a very simple message: let your people go. The American people are very frustrated by what we are doing here. They want us to end this shutdown. In fact, some 70 percent of them do not like the way you or the Republican majority is handling this crisis. So, Mr. Speaker, if you will just let your people go and allow us to bring a clean continuing resolution to the floor, we can end this. Despite your claims to the contrary, it is clear to everyone that we have at least 17 votes required from your side of the aisle to pass the continuing resolution. So, Mr. Speaker, why don't you just let your people go? I have a simple question for you: If you think to the contrary that their votes are not there, then why not put your cards on the table and allow a vote? The American people cannot afford more rounds of betting their economic futures on politicians' betting on a pair and thinking they have a full house. The American people think it's time to call your bluff. Mr. Speaker, let your people go. We can reopen the World War II Memorial and the VA today. We can ensure that all military families receive death benefits and can travel to Dover Air Force Base to receive their loved ones' remains. We can end what Senators on the other side of the aisle have declared ``shameful and embarrassing.'' We can end this today, Mr. Speaker, if you let your people go. Holding back on a vote prevents the opening of lifesaving clinical trials at the NIH. It prevents the opening of national parks and museums for use by families everywhere. The shutdown is costing taxpayers $12.5 million each and every hour you refuse to vote, and it is costing the American people already $2.5 billion. Don't listen to me. Listen to your own caucus Members: Enough is enough, said one Republican in the House. Let's get on with the business we were sent to do. Another Republican agreed with him: The politics should be over, he said. It's time to legislate. Another said: I'd vote for a clean CR because I don't think this strategy is working. Many more echo these sentiments, Mr. Speaker: let your people go. Instead, you seem to be listening to a small faction in your caucus that says they want to ``win at any cost.'' They say they won't be disrespected and that they need to get something out of this, but they don't know what it is. Mr. Speaker, I hope you will see what is clear to everyone around the world who is watching this spectacle: there are no winners. Mr. Speaker, let your people go. It's blackmail to shut down the government because you don't like the Affordable Care Act. Mr. Speaker, listen to those blunt assessments from your own caucus who call the followers of this strategy ``lemmings with suicide vests.'' Traditional allies of the GOP, like the Chamber of Commerce, have said this is ``not in the best interest of the U.S. business community.'' The Wall Street Journal has called it a kamikaze mission, and in fact, in their editorial headline, they said: Are the Republicans nuts? Another Republican Senator said: This strategy isn't good for America. This last comment really says it best, that this is not good for America. Mr. Speaker, let your people go, and bring a clean CR to a vote.

Ms. SPEIER

Ms. SPEIER. Mr. Speaker, the word of the day is squander, defined broadly as the majority party having the votes to pass solutions that fit what America needs and wants, but instead moves forward with an approach to appease an angry faction of their party, and in doing so advances nothing but its own political shortsightedness while making a mockery out of public policy. Squander. In the House, we have had political theater of a piecemeal approach, where parks and cures for life-threatening diseases are used as rhetorical props. But this approach has done nothing to address the real danger to our national security and how this shutdown hinders our ability to keep Americans safe from terrorists. The government shutdown has furloughed 70 percent of the intelligence community, 70 percent of the civilians in the intelligence community. The Director of National Intelligence called the government shutdown a, quote, ``dreamland,'' unquote, for enemies that want to steal our Nation's secrets, and said it ``seriously damages our ability to protect the security and safety of this Nation and its citizens.'' And with each passing day, he thinks the damage becomes more insidious. Well, here we are talking about parks, talking about our venerable veterans. We haven't said a word, really, about our intelligence community. We have basically, and I say this to my colleagues on the other side of the aisle, you have put out the welcome mat for every terrorist around this world to know that right now we are vulnerable. Maybe it was a clever concept behind closed doors several weeks ago. Delay the individual mandate of the Affordable Health Care Act for 1 year in trade for the House GOP approval of a government funding bill. Ignore the fact that the Affordable Care Act is law, and that attempts to repeal it over 50 times have failed. Ignore the fact that the U.S. Supreme Court has already ruled it is constitutional. Ignore the fact that 72 percent of the American people do not want to have the government shut down over the Affordable Care Act. Ignore John McCain, who said ObamaCare will not be repealed, and it is irrational to think so. Ignore the fact that on the same day that my friends on the other side of the aisle were patting themselves on the back for shutting down the government, the health care marketplaces around this country were overloaded. More than 10 million people were on that Web site and calling that telephone number because they want health insurance. My friends, to ignore is to be ignorant in this case. But take note: the real pain has started with the shuttering of many government services, the furloughing of 800,000 workers, and the real threat that people who depend on partial government assistance will get nothing. My colleagues, we are squandering this moment to lead. Those on the other side of the aisle that are the majority are squandering their majority and replacing their principled views of government with fruitless extremist objectives. Mr. Speaker, the last time I looked, Senator Cruz was not a Member of the House of Representatives. But somehow it appears that he is running the show over here. The shutdown is keeping people from seeing their families. In San Francisco, Dave Donohue planned to take his wife and his 11-day-old child to meet the grandmother in Mexico. Baby Milo doesn't have a passport. And the passport office is closed. So they are going to have to forego that trip. Danny Aiello, a retired beat cop from Philadelphia, brought to Washington, D.C., by his daughter and son-in-law because he had just lost his wife to cancer, was here to see the Washington monuments, except now he is seeing them all from the outside. Never going to go in to see the Air and Space Museum. What do we tell Victoria Thomas, 26, who has a 4-year-old daughter, who cannot find child care now because there have been nine Head Start programs that have been closed? ``I can't afford child care with my limited resources,'' she said, as a single mom who is studying for a master's degree in business, and she worries that her daughter will fall behind. ``She is learning so much,'' she says. ``The program is preparing her for kindergarten next year.'' Mr. Speaker, the word is squander, and it's time for us to reopen the government.

Ms. SPEIER

Ms. SPEIER. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that Mr. Bachus and Ms. Jackson Lee be removed as cosponsors of H.R. 2914.

Ms. SPEIER

Ms. SPEIER. Mr. Speaker, in my district, California 14, we have about 4,000 families who are on food stamps. But some of my colleagues have thousands and thousands more; yet they somehow feel like crusaders and heroes when they vote to cut food stamps. Some of these same Members travel to foreign countries under the guise of official business. They dine at lavish restaurants, eating steak, vodka, and even caviar. They receive money to do this. That's right. They don't pay out of pocket for these meals. Let me give you a few examples. One Member was given $127.41 a day for food on his trip to Argentina. He probably had a fair amount of steak. Another Member was given $3,588 for food and lodging during a 6-day trip to Russia. He probably drank a fair amount of vodka and probably even had some caviar. That particular Member has 21,000 food stamp recipients in his district. One of those people who is on food stamps could live a year on what this Congressman spent on food and lodging for 6 days. Another 20 Members made a trip to Dublin, Ireland. They got $166 a day for food. These Members didn't pay a dime. They received $50, $100, almost $200 for a single meal only for themselves. Yet for them, the idea of helping fellow Americans spend less than $5 a day makes their skin crawl. The faces of families of veterans, of farmers, of the disabled, of the working poor are not visible to them, not even when they are their own constituents. Last week, a man named Ron Shaich wrote in an article on his LinkedIn page about food stamps. Ron is the founder, chairman and CEO of Panera Bread. In his article, Ron admitted that, despite wanting to fight poverty and hunger in America, he really didn't know what it was like to be truly hungry. So this week, Ron is taking the SNAP Challenge. The millionaire food mogul is living on $4.50 a day. I've taken the SNAP Challenge in the past, and I can tell you it is a horrible experience. You think about food constantly. You are always hungry. But those on food stamps live on $4.50 every day, not for one week, for long into their future. That is soul crushing. Historically, food stamps have been part of the farm bill. It's that same bill that 26 corporate farmers--who remain nameless--get $1 million each in subsidies meant for real farmers. The taxpayers are giving $7 billion per year to large agribusiness; yet Republicans feel SNAP programs cost us too much money. They want to cut it. Mr. Speaker, I can stand here and say that my point is about saving food stamps from cuts--that's true. But my larger point is about us as a country, as a society, as neighbors. I'm a Member of the least productive Congress in the history of this country; I'm ashamed of that. To be honest, if the Federal Government shut down for a couple of weeks, as we keep hearing, would Americans even notice? When a government of the people or for the people becomes a government in spite of the people, then who are we really serving? If we refuse to take care of those who are the most vulnerable at a tiny fraction of the cost of, say, our defense budget, don't we cease to be true public servants? Ron Shaich is putting himself in the worn-out shoes of 48 million fellow Americans. I'm ready to do the same again. I wonder how many of my Republican colleagues would want to cut food stamps if they had taken the SNAP Challenge. After all, that means no more steak, no more caviar or vodka. Based on these Members' eating habits, I wonder if they could survive.

Ms. SPEIER

Ms. SPEIER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor Willy ``Clipper'' Cahill who is being honored today with a USA Judo Lifetime Achievement Award. I can't think of a more deserving person to receive this exceptional honor. Willy has empowered thousands of children and adults through an ancient art form that builds confidence and enhances independence. I was one of those lucky children. Willy was my judo teacher from third through sixth grade. He was a fantastic role model, the embodiment of discipline, humility and grace. His teachings have served me well throughout my life. A few years ago, Stephen Colbert of Comedy Central's Colbert Report came to Capitol Hill to interview me. He was, of course, not interested in ordinary footage, instead he made me get on a skateboard and cruise through the halls of Congress. He goaded me about my judo experience and dared me to throw him onto the marble floor in the Capitol. Colbert ended up on the floor and so did the footage--on the cutting room floor. Without my early lessons and Willy's guidance who knows what would have happened? Willy was born in 1935 in Honolulu, Hawaii. He started his martial arts education under his father, Professor John Cahill, Sr. who had studied under Professor Okazaki's Kodenkan System of Jujitsu in Hawaii. When Willy was 12 years old, he was treated and cured of Polio. He walked out of the hospital--a miracle for which he credits Professor Okazaki. After graduating from South San Francisco High School, Willy attended San Mateo Junior College. His father founded Cahill's Judo Academy in Daly City in 1948. Professor Cahill's dream was to get one of his students to the Olympics. That dream was cut short by his tragic and premature death at age 50. Willy had big shoes to fill, but he lived up to the challenge and beyond. In honor of his dad, Willy opened a new Cahill's Judo Academy Dojo in San Bruno in 1963. Setting the highest standards and goals for himself and his students, Willy has surpassed his father's dream. His coaching and mentorship has produced 1,200 national and international medal winners. He accepted the position of U.S. Olympic Judo Coach in 1988 and of U.S. Paralympic Judo Coach in 1999. In the 2000 Paralympic Games in Sidney, his team made world history and brought home two gold medals, one silver medal and one bronze medal. Four years later at the games in Athens, his team won two silver and one bronze medals. It is important to point out that since judo was introduced as an Olympic discipline in 1964, no team--sighted or not sighted--had ever won gold. Coach Cahill's students have won 75% of all medals in judo on the Olympics and Paralympics level. Willy has been successful in making judo accessible to people of all ages and abilities. In 2003, he cofounded the Blind Judo Foundation. The non-profit provides blind and visually impaired athletes the chance to train and compete in judo. To advance to the Paralympic Games these athletes often have to compete with sighted competitors. In judo, the same rules apply to the Olympics and the Paralympics. In addition, Willy has trained U.S. Army Green Berets, Navy Seals, US Secret Service, and Homeland Security. He is the judo coach at Stanford and San Francisco State Universities and of the Junior Pan American Championships and Goodwill Games. Willy has always led by example. He is a 10th Degree Black Belt in Jujitsu, the highest rank, and an 8th Degree Black Belt in Judo. He has been inducted into the Black Belt Hall of Fame and the Black Belt Coaches Hall of Fame. He was recognized by three presidents at the White House. He received the U.S. Jujitsu President's Leadership Award and earned the title of Professor Willy Cahill from the U.S. Jujitsu Federation. None of these prestigious awards and accomplishments has tainted his humility. He will not let others call him Professor or Sensei, he simply wants to be called Coach. His 10th Degree Black Belt entitles him to a red belt, but Coach always competes in a black belt. The tenets of judo define Willy's life. He has practiced for 65 years and at age 77 still does so five to six days a week. He has been married to his wife Ellie for 24 years. He is the proud father of two children from his first marriage, Carin Lockwood and Curtis Cahill, who have given him four grandchildren. Mr. Speaker, I ask the House of Representatives to rise with me to honor Coach Willy Cahill, an extraordinary teacher and human being whose physical and spiritual embrace has enlightened thousands. Because of Willy, the world is a better place.

Ms. SPEIER

Ms. SPEIER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the 150th anniversary of St. Matthew Catholic Church in San Mateo, California. Since its founding in 1863 the buildings, parishioners and pastors have changed, but the church has always been a place for comfort, solace, community and friendship for everyone. A century and a half ago, Archbishop Alemany sent Father Denis Dempsey to San Mateo to establish the first parish in the county. A small wooden-steeple church was built on the corner of Third Avenue and A Street--today Ellsworth Avenue--on a piece of land donated by Charles B. Polhemus, an investor in the San Francisco--San Jose Railroad. Father Dempsey was the pastor for 18 years and earned the admiration and love of his parishioners. It is said that his funeral mass was attended by local officials and dignitaries from throughout the state. Sadly, the next pastor, Father William Bowman, only had a tenure of seven months before he passed away. He was followed by Father Peter Birmingham who presided for three years until he was transferred to San Francisco. Longevity was the signature of the fourth pastor, Father Timothy Callaghan. He served St. Matthew Church for 53 years. During his tenure, a parish cemetery was established and a new church was built. The congregation was growing and the threat of a fire destroying the old wooden church led to a fire resistant brick church on Ellsworth between Second and Third Avenues. The dedicating mass was held in September of 1900. Father Callaghan was elevated to Right Reverend and witnessed continual growth of the parish. Father Henry J. Lyne became the fifth pastor and established a parish school in 1931. Seven Sisters of the Holy Cross taught 140 students in the first year. He is credited with starting Catholic formal education in the Archdiocese of San Francisco on the peninsula. In 1947, Pope Pius XII appointed him a Domestic Prelate with the title Monsignor. Father Edward J. Meagher, the sixth pastor, saw unprecedented growth of the Catholic population after World War II. In 1952, total enrollment from Kindergarten to the 8th grade had grown to 861. Father Meagher raised funds to build an independent parish in Shoreview which was named St. Timothy as a tribute to Monsignor Timothy Callaghan. Soon after that, the Western portion of St. Matthew parish was detached with the establishment of Bartholomew parish. Father Meagher's successor, Father Bernard C. Cronin, oversaw the building of a new St. Matthew Church and Rectory at Ninth Avenue and El Camino Real which opened in May 1966. The downtown church also remained open. Father Cronin was elevated to Right Reverend Monsignor in 1972. In 1979, Father James Ward, a graduate of St. Matthew School, class of 1937, became its eighth pastor. Father James Ward was devoted to the school and the students. During his tenure, the downtown church was demolished after suffering seismic damage. He and the archdiocese fought hard, yet unsuccessfully, for the vacated property that was eventually leased to Walgreen Drug. Father Ward died from a leg infection in 1995. Monsignor James McKay succeeded him and oversaw fundamental renovations of the newer church at El Camino Real and Ninth Avenue that are still in place today. In 2004, the tenth and current pastor replaced Monsignor McKay. Father Anthony McGuire now oversees the St. Matthew parish of 2,500 and is credited with growing the diverse parish and attracting an ever increasing number of Hispanic and Asian families. Mr. Speaker, I ask the House of Representatives to rise with me to honor the rich history of St. Matthew Church in San Mateo which has been a place of spiritual and social growth for thousands of families for 150 years.

Ms. SPEIER

Ms. SPEIER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor Sepi Richardson who is retiring after 15 years of service on the Brisbane City Council, including two terms as mayor. Sepi may be leaving the council, but her spirit and impact on our city and community will be felt for many years to come. As mayor, Sepi was very involved in all aspects of planning and policy-level decisions while always looking after the financial health and welfare of the city. She oversaw the remodeling of the community center, the community park and playground, Brisbane's marina, the skate park, the teen center and the Mission Blue Performing Art Center. She also dedicated much of her time and energy to preserving open space and to creating recreational and public spaces that benefit everyone in the community, such as the community garden, the swimming pool, school fields, Bayshore bike lane, the community meeting room in City Hall and the farmer's market. Sepi has been a tireless advocate for seniors and children. Under her leadership, Brisbane built the Senior Sunrise Room and senior housing. Sepi is a familiar face to most Brisbane residents having served on about 20 county boards and commissions. She was a board member on the Airport Community Roundtable and the Association of Governments (C/CAG) and a chair or vice chair on four committees within those associations. In those capacities she was a leader on issues such as revenue and taxation, employee compensation, benefit administration, transportation, energy efficiency, sustainability, emergency preparedness and education. In addition to her county and region-wide accomplishments, Sepi has left her mark on the city of Brisbane. She served on the Finance/Labor Negotiations, Public Information/Technology, Planning, Parks and Recreation, Open Space and Ecology committees, was a liaison to the Chamber of Commerce and worked on education and arts funding and recognition. To understand how one person can be involved and effective in so many aspects of public service, you must know Sepi. Her energy, enthusiasm and dedication are endless. She loves her community and never hesitates to serve others. Sepi was born as the first of six siblings in Tehran, Iran. She came to the United States in 1972. From 1975 to 1979 she went to Germany where she earned her BA in Business Management from the University of Maryland on its Germany campus. She received her Master's Degree in Educational Counseling and Psychology from California State University San Bernardino. Mr. Speaker, I ask the House of Representatives to rise with me to honor an outstanding public servant and friend. Sepi Richardson will be missed and appreciated for all the lasting contributions she has made to the residents of Brisbane and beyond.

Ms. SPEIER

Ms. SPEIER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor Rita Williams, an exceptional journalist whose image and voice have been beamed into Bay Area living rooms for four decades. She is retiring from KTVU after 35 years at the station. Rita is a top-notch reporter and superb storyteller. I know from first-hand experience that she is fair, professional and that she won't give any elected official a pass. Rita has earned the adoration and admiration from her colleagues, her interviewees and her viewers. But don't just take my word for it; this is what other people are saying: Greg Suhr, the San Francisco Police Chief says, ``If there was a ``how to'' book on how to be the most gracious fair objective ``cool under fire'' reporter in the world, Rita Williams' picture would be on the cover.'' Ed Chapuis, her news director for over 10 years says, ``Her stories were always the hardest for her editors to edit, because each word was placed with such purpose and precision.'' Bill Drummond, journalist and husband of the late Faith Fancher, Rita's long-time friend and colleague, says, ``With Rita the reporting came first, and because of that commitment, her stories transcended the usual limitations of the television news medium.'' Rita grew up in Lubbock, Texas. She was the first in her family to earn a college degree. After she graduated from Texas Tech University with a B.A. in journalism, she worked as the press secretary for the late Texas Congressman George Mahon, chairman of the House Appropriations Committee. She then earned her Master's degree in political science/international affairs from George Washington University. Rita worked as a news reporter at KSAT-TV in Texas from 1975-1978 and then moved to California. She was a reporter for KQED-TV before she joined KTVU in 1980. From 1985-86, she was also a Knight Fellow and taught broadcast news writing at Stanford. When Rita entered the broadcast world, it was dominated by men. Surviving and even thriving in this testosterone-driven environment was no small accomplishment, but Rita did it with grace and tenacity. She calls herself the ``first broadcast broad.'' She opened KTVU's San Francisco bureau in the Hall of Justice. Rita has reported thousands of social, economic and political stories, treating each one as the most important story at the time. Her work has earned her several Emmies, Tellies, a PASS award from the National Council on Crime and Delinquency, a public service award from the Society of Professional Journalists and many other awards. She was one of the lead investigative reporters in the Oakland BART shooting stories that contributed to a prestigious Peabody award and Edward R. Murrow award to KTVU. While Rita takes utmost pride in her profession and work, she views her family as her biggest accomplishment. Rita and her husband of 37 years, Lindsey, are the proud parents of Brad who is now a law student in San Francisco. Brad and my children grew up around the same time, so Rita and I often compared notes and shared school referral options. Mr. Speaker, I ask the House of Representatives to rise with me to honor one of the finest journalists and human beings I know. On her last day on the air at KTVU, Rita humbly thanked her viewers and said, ``You have entrusted me with one of the biggest responsibilities anybody could ever have, to be a reporter and to be your eyes and ears. I hope that I have used that trust well and that you have learned something in return.'' The answer to that hope is a resounding yes!

Ms. SPEIER

Ms. SPEIER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor Rita Gleason, the Principal of Notre Dame High School in Belmont California, upon her retirement after 22 years of service to the school and to our community. During her tenure, Ms. Gleason has been an inspiration to 3,500 girls who have been educated at Notre Dame. I am a graduate of a Catholic girl's high school and I deeply believe that these institutions build character, leadership abilities and self- esteem. Ms. Gleason shares those values and works tirelessly to ensure that every young woman who goes to Notre Dame achieves her fullest potential. Students are encouraged to become deeply involved in community service and Ms. Gleason models that commitment through her work with immigrants and the economically challenged. The young women of Notre Dame benefit from a rigorous curriculum sustained in part by the generosity of its alumni. These graduates give because Ms. Gleason is a continuing force in their own lives many years after they leave the campus. Rita Gleason is known as a person who listens closely to students. The young women of Notre Dame know that they have a confidante in Ms. Gleason, and a supporter who will work with them if they want to work through their difficult problems. At a recent conference that I helped to convene on the subject of gun violence within communities, experts noted how important it is for students to have an adult in whom they can confide. At Notre Dame High School, the go-to adult is Rita Gleason. Every parent can have confidence that she will offer wisdom, compassion, and a steady set of values that will empower students through their difficult moments. Great leaders have great staff and Ms. Gleason is no exception. Teachers want to teach at Notre Dame because they know that they will be supported by a professionally-trained educator. Ms. Gleason has a credential in K-12 and adult education, a community college credential, and a credential in History, English and the Humanities. She graduated with a BA from the College of Notre Dame and with two Master's degrees--one in Educational Administration and the other in Counseling. Her resume reads like a famous musician's--every box indicating genius was checked during Ms. Gleason's passionate pursuit of knowledge. Befitting the Principal of a private high school, Ms. Gleason has long been involved in the credentialing organization for private schools, governing councils for the schools of the Archdiocese of San Francisco, and has served in administrative and guidance positions at several Catholic schools in five states and the District of Columbia. In our community from 1992 to the present, she has received no less than seven honors or awards for community service, including the Jefferson Award for Outstanding Public Service, an award given only to those who go well above and beyond ordinary public service. Mr. Speaker, Notre Dame High School will soon be without the sight of Ms. Gleason's Navy Blue VW Bug in the parking lot, but what she stood for--Christian values, social justice, women's leadership--will live on in all the young women who were educated at NDHS during her tenure. There are some who warm a seat and call themselves a leader, but there are others who lead by never being in their seat. Rita Gleason is the leader who never sits and the listener who never hesitates to open her heart. Notre Dame High School will long remember Rita Gleason, Principal for 22 years and a leader for all time.

Ms. SPEIER

Ms. SPEIER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor Fire Chief Philip D. White on the occasion of his retirement after more than 30 years of excellent service at the South San Francisco Fire Department, ten of them as chief. Chief White has saved many lives--human and animal--and brought safety and peace of mind to all residents. He came to the South San Francisco Fire Department as a paramedic and firefighter in 1983. In 1992 he was promoted to Fire Captain and in 1999 he advanced to Provisional Battalion Chief and Battalion Chief. In 2002 he was promoted to Deputy Chief and then finally to Fire Chief in 2003. During his distinguished career, Chief White has served with contagious enthusiasm and earned a long list of awards and acknowledgements. For example, he was named 1992 Firefighter of the Year by the South San Francisco Post of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. He received a commendation from FEMA for urban search and rescue deployments during Hurricane Iniki, the Northridge earthquake, the World Trade Center and Hurricane Katrina. He received a service award from the Peninsula Council of Lions Clubs in 2001 and was named the 2003 City of South San Francisco Employee of the Year. Also in 2003, he received a special commendation from the United States Marine Corps for the ``Yellow Ribbon'' resolution passed in support of military families. In 2011 he was honored with the California Commendation Medal for meritorious service and support of soldiers and airmen of the California Army and Air National Guard. This long list of honors demonstrates Chief White's tireless energy and commitment to others. He has made South San Francisco a better place to live by introducing ordinances and programs that will serve residents for decades to come. Chief White was instrumental in developing technical rescue, maritime and emergency response programs. He helped make new buildings safer by requiring sprinkler systems. His colleagues can also thank him for a state-of-the-art live fire training tower complex, multipurpose classrooms and an emergency operating center. Chief White also obtained regional training center status for trench rescue, confined space rescue, rescue systems 1 & 2, authored the San Francisco Bay Area Maritime Fire, Rescue and EMS Automatic Aid Agreement, and he promoted the department's participation in Urban Shield. Chief White applied his ``can do'' attitude to his volunteer and community service as well. He served on several county committees reviewing pre-hospital care issues at the advanced life support level. Chief White also coordinated CPR training for citizens and he promoted outreach programs such as Day In The Park, Fire Prevention Week, Junior Fire Academy, Christmas Toy Drives, Jazz by the Bay and USO Bay Area. His hard work and optimism have earned him the utmost respect and gratitude at the South San Francisco Fire Department. His fellow fire fighters credit him with the prevention of layoffs and fire station closures, top-notch training facilities and outstanding moral. I was told they even promised Chief White that his fire station will be number 1 in Urban Shield next year. In his well-deserved retirement, Chief White is looking forward to spending more time with his wife of 32 years, Donna, their four children, three grandchildren and his beloved Labrador retriever Bella. He will also enjoy more trips to our national parks. Mr. Speaker, I ask the House of Representatives to rise with me to honor Chief Philip D. White for his generous contributions and deep commitment to South San Francisco residents. He will be missed but never forgotten.

Ms. SPEIER

Ms. SPEIER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the late Olive G. Mayer, a dear friend and a pioneer in the environmental community of California. She was one of the passionate driving forces in protecting open spaces in San Mateo County. Sadly, Ollie missed the completion of one of her biggest achievements. She passed away five days before the opening ceremony of the Devil's Slide Tunnel on the San Mateo coast, a project she and her fellow tunnelistas had been advocating for decades. The engineering marvel that most people said couldn't be done is now reality thanks in huge part to Ollie's passion and persistence. An engineer by training and Sierra Club member, she got her hands on the original construction plans for the massive seven mile long, six- lane wide highway bypass that Caltrans had proposed to build across Montara Mountain--plans Caltrans never released to the public. Ollie shared them with other environmentalists who formed a grassroots movement determined to stop the bypass and urban sprawl along the scenic coastal hills. The idea for a tunnel was born in the early 70s when a USGS geologist responded to a Montara resident inquiring about solutions for Devil's Slide. He outlined several options, including boring a tunnel. Ollie presented the idea to Caltrans engineers in 1973, but they dismissed it. The tunnel idea continued its lengthy legal and rocky path. In 1995, Devil's Slide lived up to its name and slid down five feet. The road stayed closed for five months making life miserable for coastal residents and forcing local businesses to close. The tunnelistas jumped into high gear, collected 34,000 signatures and put the issue on the county ballot. San Mateo County was blanketed in yellow and black ``Think Tunnel'' bumper stickers. In 1996, Measure T passed with 74% of the vote. Seventeen years and countless hurdles later, the tunnel is finally reality. David beat Goliath. Ollie's good friend and tunnelista Zoe Kersteen-Tucker put it perfectly at the opening ceremony: ``It took an uprising of the people to think tunnel, vote tunnel, build tunnel and today, at last, to open tunnel.'' Devil's Slide was but one of many battles Ollie took on. She was a lifelong activist, visionary and intellectual. Born Olive Graham Hendricks in New Jersey in 1918, she was the only woman in her class at Swarthmore College in Pennsylvania to earn her BS in engineer. She later received her Master's degree from the University of Michigan. Ollie was an ardent fighter for equal treatment of women and freedom of speech. During the McCarthy era, she provided support for victims of blacklisting and was under surveillance and investigated by the FBI. She was among the early peace activists opposing the war in Vietnam. She fought for racial and civil equality in the 50s and 60s. In short, she was fearless and determined to make the world a better place for everyone to enjoy. Ollie loved the outdoors and science. She met her late husband, Dr. Henry Mayer, while hiking in Colorado. They married in 1941 and after World War II moved to Woodside, California. Ollie opened a machine shop in San Carlos and founded a business that made and distributed model science projects, such as dams and power plants, for middle and high school students. Ollie was a tireless supporter of the Peninsula Open Space Trust and played a significant role in keeping areas on the Peninsula undeveloped and accessible to the public. She was the president of the Loma Prieta Chapter of the Sierra Club and was honored with the John Muir Award for her lifetime work for conservation. She was also named a ``Legend'' by the Club, and she was appointed to the San Mateo County Women's Hall of Fame, among a long list of other awards. Ollie is survived by her daughter Judith O'Brien; son Robert Mayer; and four grandchildren: Connor and Lauren O'Brien and Reid and Drew Mayer. Mr. Speaker, I ask the House of Representatives to rise with me to honor one of the most extraordinary and giving environmentalists and human beings--a woman who found her true north.

Ms. SPEIER

Ms. SPEIER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor Larry Buckmaster who is retiring as the President and CEO of the Redwood City-San Mateo County Chamber of Commerce after 30 years of outstanding service to our community. Larry is the type of person who creates a community through performing multiple acts of stewardship each and every day--he has done so for decades. Let me give you just a few examples. When Larry Buckmaster took over the Redwood City-San Mateo County Chamber of Commerce it had a deficit and membership lagged. He almost immediately turned it around and led the board to boost both membership and participation by members in various chamber events. Second, America needs leaders. It's tough to find them. Leadership means putting your neck on the line and exposing yourself to criticism. Larry Buckmaster knew that Redwood City and the San Francisco Peninsula needed a new generation of leadership. He founded the Leadership Redwood City/San Carlos/Belmont program so that business and government professionals would learn from each other and hear from current leaders about issues that are shaping the community. Most importantly, Larry Buckmaster wanted students to be inspired to step up and become community leaders in their own right. The proof of Larry's wisdom and his success is around us each day. Over 800 students have heard from state legislators, members of Congress, city council members, as well as the staff of local and state governments. Many members of city councils, commissions, the Board of Supervisors and the State Legislature were first inspired to public service by the leadership class created by Larry Buckmaster. Leadership by example is Larry Buckmaster's creed. Kainos is a non- profit dedicated to helping those with developmental disabilities, and Larry's leadership is exemplified by the $750,000 raised over the years through a golfing tournament held annually to benefit Kainos. Larry, an avid golfer with a hole in one to his credit, brought his love of people and his skill as a golfer together to create this community benefit event. The Progress Seminar is an annual event at which community leaders spend a weekend together thinking and talking about the major issues impacting our region. Larry Buckmaster has grown this seminar into a sold-out event for many years, and ideas that sprout from the seminar often become solutions via city council and other activities, both public and private. Mr. Speaker and members, Larry Buckmaster has his quirks. He loves reading his emails and rarely responds. His filing system is a mess yet he can find everything. He is an avid reader who consumes one book per week, often military histories. Unfortunately, Larry roots for the Chicago Bears. We in the San Francisco Bay Area adore Larry so much that we will forgive his choice of football teams. It's only explicable when you realize that Larry was raised in Illinois and thus never really understood our wonderful 49ers until it was too late in life to surgically correct his unfortunate allegiance to a different team. Thankfully, Larry has shown great judgment in other matters, eschewing party politics, petty politics and self-aggrandizement. In fact, Larry Buckmaster always points to the accomplishments of his staff rather than to his own, demonstrating that he really is a great leader even if he is a poor judge of quality football teams. Larry Buckmaster is a natural athlete and has coached over 500 children in softball and soccer. He is proud when one of the former players says that Larry saw something great in them as a child and that this turned around the life of the child. Larry and Joan, his wife of 48 years, have three children and six grandchildren. It is said that his grandchildren turn him to mush, not too surprising given his love of children. Mr. Speaker and Members, I know that we often recognize Americans who have left their mark upon their communities and it is appropriate to do so. It is also appropriate to recognize that some persons provide decades of exemplary service to this nation not merely because they are paid to do their job but because they are in love with their work and receive payment many times over by watching the fruits of their efforts flower for future generations. Larry Buckmaster loves his job and has now chosen to retire. I find it hard to believe that we are going to let him leave. Let us honor a wonderful American, a great father and husband, and a civic treasure. Larry Buckmaster will be remembered for the lives that he improved, the leaders he inspired and the smiles that he brought to our faces. Let's wish him well on the golf course. He deserves a second hole in one.

Ms. SPEIER

Ms. SPEIER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor a remarkable leader in San Mateo County, Kitty Lopez, as she leaves Samaritan House, the linchpin of nonprofit social services in central and southern San Mateo County. For 12 years Kitty Lopez has guided Samaritan House placing it on solid footing and expanding its efforts to help those who are struggling. Under her leadership over 12,000 residents receive assistance with food, medical services, clothing, and counseling annually. Kitty shepherded the expansion of a dental clinic, and she has been equally adept at expanding the number of appointments available through the medical clinic at Samaritan House. This expansion took pressure off of the emergency room of our county hospital and delivered quality examinations to thousands. Kitty's spirit never seems to wane. She can always be found smiling and trying to figure out a way to stretch a penny, even when it's someone else's penny. For example, Kitty forged a partnership between Samaritan House and the United Way of the Bay Area to provide tax preparation services to low income residents of our county through volunteer tax preparers. She helped residents stretch their pennies when she allowed Samaritan House to organize an online listing of apartments and shared homes. Through the leadership team at Samaritan House, these online listings are gradually becoming the go-to place for residents who struggle to find a place for themselves and their families. Of course, each day the food pantry of Samaritan House helps residents feed themselves and their children. Many who use the food pantry are elderly, and during the recession many newcomers made their way to the door's of Kitty's facility, having heard that food and dignity were offered for free within its walls. One of the most significant undertakings of Samaritan House is the operation of our county's homeless shelter located in South San Francisco. A 90 beds facility is available nightly for persons who wish to make progress towards self-sufficiency. Kitty's dedication to sheltering the homeless is made concrete in the way in which her team runs the shelter. This homeless shelter has rules and it is safe and orderly. All services of Samaritan House are provided free of charge to clients. Kitty insists upon accountability, and her staff tracks the outcomes of efforts to help residents find jobs, housing and to become self-sufficient. The $9 million annual budget she has responsibility over performs the work of an $18 million budget in any other organization, and her team of 41 full-time staff and 31 part-time, seasonal employees make every client feel welcomed. Kitty has consistently shown vision and accountability in operating this magnificent program. Mr. Speaker, I ask the House of Representatives to rise with me to honor Kitty Lopez, the Executive Director of Samaritan House who leaves the helm after 12 years of energetic and creative leadership. We wish Kitty continued inspiring success as she moves on to lead First 5 San Mateo County. Her imprint on the community will only grow larger. Her legacy is therefore enduring, and this is perhaps her greatest contribution of all to the community.

Ms. SPEIER

Ms. SPEIER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor Helen Hausman who has dedicated her life to education and served on the San Mateo County Community College District Board of Trustees for 23 years and before that on the Sequoia Union High School Board for 13 years. Helen represents the best that San Mateo County has to offer in education leadership. Helen is the current board president and was a past president for four terms. During her many years at the community college district, she has always made it her priority to provide students with high- quality classroom instruction and an environment that nurtures learning. Helen was instrumental in getting bond measures passed to update the aging facilities and to create three state-of-the-art campuses. She firmly believes that education and opportunities should be accessible to everyone. Helen has also served during some of the most tumultuous times in the history of California's higher educational systems, making difficult choices on funding due to state funding cuts. Helen and her colleagues successfully navigated these challenges, retaining the core purpose of the district to prepare students for four-year colleges and universities. San Mateo County has a stellar community college district because of Helen Hausman's dedication to educational quality and inclusiveness. Helen, a native of New York, earned her BA in Education from George Washington University where she was the only woman in her class. After graduation, she taught at a grammar school in Maryland. While in Washington DC in 1945, Helen met Arthur Hausman who was in the Navy and who would soon become her husband. The two of them moved to California in 1960 because Arthur received what he calls ``an offer he couldn't refuse.'' Helen became heavily involved with PTAs and held several leadership positions. Because of her outstanding reputation she was invited to fill a vacancy on the Sequoia Union High School Board and held that position for 13 years. She also has served on committees of the Association of Community College Trustees, Community College League of California and the San Mateo County School Boards Association. She is currently a member of American Association of University Women. Helen is listed in Who's Who of American Women, was inducted into the San Mateo County Women's Hall of Fame, and was elected to Pi Lambda Theta, a national honor society for educators. Helen is a longtime member of the San Mateo County American Red Cross Council and serves as chair on the Bay Area Red Cross International Committee to help trace and reunite families separated as a result of armed conflict or disasters. Her passion for this work started with the tracing project which reunited family members of Holocaust survivors. In her retirement, Helen is looking forward to spending more time with her husband Arthur, son and daughter-in-law Ken and Hilary, daughter Catherine and grandchildren Sam and Sarah. Mr. Speaker, I ask the House of Representatives to rise with me to honor Helen Hausman, a woman I have known and admired for decades, for her common sense and no nonsense leadership. She has shaped education in the Bay Area for a generation and helped thousands of students build a foundation for successful careers. Her retirement is well deserved, and her impact upon our lives will be enduring.

Ms. SPEIER

Ms. SPEIER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor Dr. Gregory Lukaszewicz for his service as president of the San Mateo County Medical Association, which represents and educates physicians and promotes quality medical care for the people of San Mateo County. Throughout his career, Dr. Lukaszewicz has been a staunch advocate for preventative care and patients' access to care. Gregory Lukaszewicz grew up near Buffalo, New York. He earned his BA at Dartmouth College and his medical degree at Harvard Medical School. After completing his General Surgery Residency at the Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, he was awarded a Fellowship in Vascular Surgery at UCSF. Dr. Lukaszewicz then joined Kaiser Permanente in South San Francisco where he is a vascular and general surgeon. He is also the smoking cessation champion at the hospital. Three years ago he became a part- time specialist in venous and lymphatic disorders, a change he calls transformative. He says his experience has shown him just how complex these diseases are and how much the medical knowledge lags behind patients' needs. Determined to close this gap, he launched a pilot program to detect Peripheral Arterial Disease in its earliest stages. It was Dr. Lukaszewicz's strong interest in public policy that got him involved in the San Mateo County and California Medical Associations. He works closely with county and state health care leaders to find remedies to public health issues that affect patients beyond his individual clinical practice. For example, he is committed to the Association's active role in eradicating Hepatitis B in the Asian and Pacific Islander communities by providing regular screenings and vaccinations. Dr. Lukaszewicz is married to Nicole Moayeri, a neurosurgeon at Kaiser's Redwood City facility. They have two children, Leila, 12, and Gabriel, 10. As a devoted family man, he works part-time so that he can remain involved in his children's scholastic and athletic activities. To stay physically and mentally healthy, he enjoys hiking, cycling, sailing, kayaking, gardening, cooking and reading. Mr. Speaker, I ask the House of Representatives to rise with me to honor an exceptional physician and human being. Dr. Lukaszewicz's work continues to benefit thousands of people in San Mateo County and beyond and sets an admirable example of innovative, patient-centered care.

Ms. SPEIER

Ms. SPEIER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the 30th anniversary of the City of East Palo Alto. I am proud to represent the 28,000 residents of this city in the 14th Congressional District of California. The small community, which has a land area of only 2.5 square miles, was incorporated on July 1, 1983 and became the 20th city of San Mateo County. Voters elected the first city council of Barbara Mouton--the first mayor--Gertrude Wilks, Frank Omowale Satterwhite, Ruben Abrica--the current mayor--and James Blakely, Jr. I remember the days when the creation of the city was quite uncertain. I was on the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors at the time and supported incorporation. We had events in East Palo Alto to educate the public in advance of the vote. We had rallies and voter registration drives. The election's outcome is testament to the work of hundreds who went into their neighborhoods to explain why creating a city would help the residents of East Palo Alto to improve their lives. East Palo Alto has made great progress in the three decades since its residents choose to create their own path to a better future. The town has many wonderful institutions such as its improving schools, social service agencies, churches, and an outstanding public medical clinic, the Ravenswood Family Health Center. Residents are very engaged in street improvement, school safety and beautification projects. The wisdom of residents, local officials, and law enforcement helped the city overcome a spike in crime in the 1980s and 90s. What has not changed in the past 30 years is the fact that people are attracted to the area because of its centralized location, its proximity to San Francisco Bay, its desirable weather and its family- centered churches and schools. For centuries, the original inhabitants were Ohlone Native Americans who lived along the coast from San Francisco to Monterey Bay. In 1849, when the town was founded as Ravenswood, Isaiah Woods tried to make it a major shipping town. In 1868 he sold his operation to Lester Cooley who built a brick factory. After the brick factory, the city became a farming community, largely based upon growing flowers. A large Japanese population dominated the flower growing market until the shameful World War II decision that forced 120,000 Japanese-Americans into internment camps. After the war, many African-Americans moved to East Palo Alto and made it the largest African American community on the peninsula. In fact, during the civil rights movement in 1968, the city was almost renamed Nairobi. Today, the city has a multi-ethnic population that is over 60% Hispanic, about 15% African American, 7% Asian, 7% Caucasian and 11% Pacific Islander. Since the late 1990s, East Palo Alto has experienced significant economic development. A quarter of the city's buildings have been replaced with new housing and retail space. This development is what the founders of the city hoped for--a chance to create jobs for residents within the community. In 2008, another step was taken as residents and local businesses established the East Palo Alto Community Farmers Market. The market is allied with the health center, providing wholesome food for residents at affordable prices. In 2009, the first full service supermarket opened in the Ravenswood 101 shopping center. Once again, the residents of East Palo Alto demonstrated that theirs is a community that knows how to get things done. Mr. Speaker, I ask the House of Representatives to rise with me to honor the 30th anniversary of East Palo Alto as the city is celebrating this occasion with a parade, community festival and fireworks. This diverse Bay Area community welcomes all residents and neighbors with warmth and optimism--today and every day.