Mike Thompson

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding and I rise in strong support of my bill, H.R. 925, the North American Wetlands Conservation Extension Act. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleague, Congressman Wittman from Virginia, for coauthoring this measure with me and for his leadership on this issue; not just on this bill, but on this issue. He is a stalwart supporter and he works extremely hard on making sure our wetlands and environment are protected. As members of the Migratory Bird Conservation Commission, Congressman Wittman and I have the privilege of evaluating and approving NAWCA- funded projects in the United States, in Canada, and in Mexico. On that commission, we share a responsibility to ensure that everyone in America can use and can enjoy the natural resources that belong to all of us. Since 1989, North American Wetlands Conservation Act grants have funded close to 3,000 projects, carried out by more than 6,000 partners. Every year, restoration and conservation projects funded by NAWCA support 7,500 jobs across our country, from fisheries biologists and engineers, to construction teams and supply retailers. Federal NAWCA grants require a 10-to-1 nonFederal match, and over the past 30 years, $1.6 billion in Federal funding has been matched more than 3 to 1 with $4.7 billion contributed by nonFederal partners. The result so far has been 29.8 million acres, an area the size of the State of Pennsylvania, of rehabilitated and restored wetlands. These wetlands support ecological health and biodiversity while providing outstanding opportunities for Americans to hunt, to fish, to hike, to bird watch, to farm, and to ranch. The resulting economic activity exceeds $5 billion every year. Even those who don't use these lands directly benefit. Wetlands provide natural processes that allow us to have clean, plentiful water supplies. Wetlands protect the lands around them by absorbing flood water and storm surges. H.R. 925 reauthorizes NAWCA so we can continue the critical work on North America's wetlands that offer tremendous ecological and economic benefits to each and every one of us. Mr. Speaker, I ask Members to support NAWCA today to make sure that we continue to conserve our public land. Let's work together today on behalf of all Americans, now and for future generations.

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Madam Speaker, October 28th through October 30th I was absent due to activities in my District related to wildfires and was unable to cast my vote for Roll Calls 586 through 602. For the same reason, I was unable to cast my vote for Roll Calls 605 through 609. Had I been present I would have voted: Roll Call No. 585 YES--Full Utilization of the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund Act (H.R. 2440); Roll Call No. 586 YES--Public Disclosure of Drug Discounts and Real Time Beneficiary Drug Cost Act (H.R. 2115); Roll Call No. 587 YES--On Ordering the Previous Question (H. Res. 655); Roll Call No. 588 YES--Rule Providing Consideration for H. Res. 296 (H. Res. 655); Roll Call No. 589 YES--On Ordering the Previous Question (H. Res. 656); Roll Call No. 590 YES--Rule Providing Consideration for H.R. 823, H.R. 1373, and H.R. 2181 (H. Res. 656); Roll Call No. 591 YES--Affirming the United States Record on the Armenian Genocide (H. Res. 296); Roll Call No. 592 YES--Protect Against Conflict by Turkey Act; Roll Call No. 593 NO--Gosar Amendment No. 2 to H.R. 2181; Roll Call No. 594 NO--Gosar Amendment No. 3 to H.R. 2181; Roll Call No. 595 NO--Arrington Amendment to H.R. 2181; Roll Call No. 596 NO--Motion to Recommit on H.R. 2181; Roll Call No. 597 YES--Final Passage of H.R. 2181--Chaco Cultural Heritage Area Protection Act of 2019; Roll Call No. 598 NO--Gosar/Lesko Amendment to H.R. 1373; Roll Call No. 599 NO--Gosar Amendment No. 2 to H.R. 1373; Roll Call No. 600 NO--Gosar Amendment No. 3 to H.R. 1373; Roll Call No. 601 NO--Motion to Recommit on H.R. 1373; Roll Call No. 602 YES--Final Passage of H.R. 1373--Grand Canyon Centennial Protection; Roll Call No. 605 NO--Curtis Amendment No. 1 to H.R. 823; Roll Call No. 606 NO--Tipton Amendment No. 5 to H.R. 823; Roll Call No. 607 YES--Crow Amendment No. 6 to H.R. 823; Roll Call No. 608 NO--On the Motion to Recommit H.R. 823 and Roll Call No. 609 YES--Final Passage of H.R. 823--Colorado Outdoor Recreation and Economy Act.

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Jeremiah Kahmoson for his incredible commitment and support of education and youth in our community. Jeremiah Kahmoson was born and raised in Sonoma County and believes in giving back to the next generation of students. Mr. Kahmoson is a teacher at the North Bay Met Academy and serves as the Executive Director of the B-Rad Foundation, which works to empower individuals through environmental stewardship, health, and adventure programs. In August of 2014, he lost his best friend Bradley ``B-Rad'' Parker in a tragic climbing accident in Yosemite National Park. The B-Rad Foundation was founded in Brad's memory and based upon the three pillars of his life: Health, Stewardship, and Adventure. Today, the B- Rad Foundation seeks to create a universe where children live a life where every year features 365 days of awesome. For the past five years, the B-Rad Foundation has supported thousands of kids and their families with fun-filled programs and events. They have partnered with the King Ridge Foundation to lead extended back- country adventures for Sonoma County youth in Yosemite National Park. They were instrumental in the giveaway of over 500 bicycles for devastated children, who lost all their possessions in the 2017 wildfires. The B-Rad program also practices an important ``pay-it- forward'' philosophy, as they train students in bike maintenance and help them to use their newly acquired repair skills to fix donated broken bikes and re-gift them to local at-risk youth. Mr. Kahmoson's deep commitment to enriching the education of our youth through environmental stewardship has become a deeply appreciated part of our community. Madam Speaker, Jeremiah Kahmoson is a passionate adventurer and educator who has made great contributions to better the lives of others in our community. It is therefore fitting and proper that we honor him here today.

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 3589, my legislation to award American cyclist Greg LeMond with a Congressional Gold Medal. I thank Mr. Graves from Georgia, the coauthor and lead Republican on this bill. This is a bipartisan measure. It is clear by the number of coauthors that Greg LeMond has tremendous respect in this Chamber. It was pointed out that he was born in California, Madam Speaker, but he is your favorite son as well, having grown up in Nevada. Madam Speaker, Greg LeMond stands atop the list of the greatest American cyclists in our history. His accomplishments speak for themselves: the only American in history to officially win the Tour de France, a three-time Tour de France champion, the youngest American ever selected for the U.S. Olympic team, the first American in history to win a major cycling tournament in Europe, and the winner of 22 races overall. These achievements alone would place Greg firmly among the greatest of American athletes, but they don't tell the full story. Greg's career has embodied many of our most cherished and fundamental values: sportsmanship, sacrifice, and being a good teammate. Greg won the Tour de France three times, but he could have won even more. In 1984 and 1985, Greg LeMond was in a position to win the tour, in position to win another title for himself, but instead, both times, Greg LeMond chose to deputize himself to his teammates, sacrificing a chance at the title himself to ensure that one of his teammates would emerge victorious. Greg would continue to demonstrate that selflessness for the rest of his life. In addition, Greg personified the ideals of perseverance and commitment, never more so than during the 1989 Tour de France, because, in 1987, as you heard, while recovering from a broken wrist and collarbone, Greg LeMond was shot during a hunting accident. Doctors removed over 40 shotgun pellets from his abdomen. He was told that he would never ride a bike again. Eighteen months later, Greg LeMond mounted one of the greatest comebacks in American sports history, winning the 1989 Tour de France by 8 seconds, the closest margin of victory in the history of that event. That victory, on the heels of his gunshot wounds, an appendectomy, a broken wrist, and a fractured collarbone, was the last time an American won the Tour de France. In the years since, Greg LeMond has devoted himself to helping others. He and his wife, Kathy, are active in numerous community causes: helping victims of sexual abuse and supporting research into various childhood illnesses. Greg LeMond has worked to promote clean and healthy sporting habits and to encourage young people to live healthy, active, engaged lifestyles. More than any other cyclist in our history, Greg LeMond was the epitome of the ``Breaking Away'' culture: a young kid on a bike, trying to do things no American had ever done. Madam Speaker, Greg LeMond is one of our Nation's greatest athletes, a tremendous role model, and a force for good in his community. It is fitting and proper that we honor him with the Congressional Gold Medal. I encourage my colleagues to vote for this bill.

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I urge every Member of this body to keep our constituents and their children safe by passing this bipartisan, commonsense consumer safety bill. I thank the cosponsor, Mr. Joyce of Ohio, and, again, Chairwoman Schakowsky, for helping move this bill through her subcommittee. Mr. Speaker, I urge everyone to vote in favor of this bill.

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding the time, and for all of her effort and help in making sure this bill passes. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of my legislation that addresses a dangerous and deadly public safety issue by directing the Consumer Product Safety Commission to establish a standard for requiring flame mitigation devices to be used in portable fuel containers and to help educate our communities about the dangers of flame jetting. This issue is very personal to me. I met with local fire officials and Margrett Priest Lewis, a mother and constituent. Margrett's daughter, along with her twin sister and a few friends, were roasting marshmallows. Their portable fireplace used a common biofuel that, unfortunately, did not have a flame mitigation device. As Margrett's daughter went to refuel the outdoor fireplace, the fuel exploded from the bottle in a process called flame jetting, which you heard about earlier. Portable fuel containers are found in households across America and, yet, even when used correctly, like in the case of Margrett's family, present a risk for severe injury and, in some cases, death. This story of survival and Margrett's advocacy on behalf of burn survivors has inspired my legislation, and she has been the driving force behind this bill. Flammable or combustible liquids cause over 160,000 fires per year, $1.5 billion in property damage, and some 4,000 injuries and over 450 deaths every year. These accidents can happen in any community, and the results can be devastating. These accidents are caused when fuel vapors flash back and ignite the container contents, leading to flame to flame jetting or explosions. These accidents are easily preventable. Flame mitigation devices can prevent accidents caused by flammable vapors igniting within liquid containers. While workplace safety regulations govern the use of approved flame mitigation devices in flammable liquid containers for industrial use, there is no requirement for consumer containers used in homes, campsites, or schools across our country. This bipartisan solution is supported by a broad coalition, including the American Burn Association, the Congressional Fire Services Institute, the International Association of Fire Fighters, International Association of Fire Chiefs, National Volunteer Fire Council, National Fire Protection Association, the Consumer Federation of America, the Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors, the Portable Fuel Container Manufacturers Association, and the National Association of State Fire Marshals. Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record the National Association of State Fire Marshals' letter of support. National Association of State Fire Marshals, Maitland, FL, September 16, 2019. Hon. Mike Thompson, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Dear Congressman Thompson: The National Association of State Fire Marshals (NASFM) membership comprises the most senior state fire officials in the United States, with a primary mission of protecting human life, property and the environment from fire and related public safety issues. Therefore, NASFM strongly endorses H.R. 806, Portable Fuel Container Safety Act of 2019. Flammable or combustible liquids cause over 160,000 fires per year, causing $1.5 billion in property damage, almost 4,000 injuries and 454 deaths annually. These accidents can happen in any community, and the results can be devastating. Flame Mitigation Devices (FMD), such as flame arresters, can help prevent accidents caused by flammable vapors igniting within the liquid container, causing an explosion or flash fire. While workplace safety regulations govern the use of approved flame arresters in flammable liquid containers for industrial use, there is no requirement for consumer containers used in homes, camp sites, and schools across the country. H.R. 806, Portable Fuel Container Safety Act of 2019 would address this gap by directing the Consumer Product Safety Commission to establish a standard for requiring FMDs to be used in these containers and reduce the risk of catastrophic accidents. Thank you again for your leadership, NASFM looks forward to working with you to enact into law this important fire safety prevention legislation. Sincerely, Jim Narva, Executive Director, National Association of State Fire Marshals.

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Garen and Sharalyn Staglin for decades of mental health philanthropy and advocacy and to recognize their mental health research non-profit, One Mind, in its twenty-fifth year. Mr. and Ms. Staglin met at the University of California Los Angeles, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Engineering and she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in International Relations. Mr. Staglin then received an MBA with an emphasis in Finance and Systems Analysis from the Stanford University Graduate School of Business. In 1975, Ms. Staglin graduated from New York University with a Master of Public Administration and in 1985, she did graduate work at University of California Davis, where she focused on viticulture and enology. In 1985 Mr. and Ms. Staglin founded Staglin Family Vineyard. The entire Staglin family have dedicated themselves to mental health advocacy and philanthropy, which they view as an obligation to give back. In 1990 the Staglins' son Brandon was diagnosed with schizophrenia and twenty-five years ago, the family founded One Mind, a non-profit that focuses on cures for brain illnesses and injuries and promotes scientific collaborations. The goal of One Mind is to create a research paradigm that can be replicated for research of different brain diseases and injuries. They also began hosting the annual Music Festival for Brain Health twenty-five years ago. By parlaying their professional success and relationships, the Staglins have raised more than $400 million, which has been given to mental health research and charities. In 2017, Mr. Staglin began One Mind at Work, which offers a guide of best practices for improving workplace mental health. Brandon currently serves as the Director of Marketing Communications, overseeing web design, content, and development, at both One Mind and Staglin Family Vineyards. He has won national awards for his work in the mental health sphere. Mr. and Ms. Staglin have received numerous awards for their work. In May of 2018 they received the Ellis Island Honor Society Award, which recognizes people's accomplishments within their field. They also received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the United States Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, one of just a few of the awards ever given, in 2016. The American Institute for Public Service awarded Mr. and Ms. Staglin with the Jefferson Award in 2005. Most recently, they received the Yale Mental Health Research Advocacy Award for their efforts to advance mental health and brain research. Madam Speaker, Mr. and Ms. Staglin are committed to mental health advocacy and have dedicated much of their time and money to furthering research and ending stigma. It is therefore fitting and proper that we honor Garen and Sharalyn Staglin and the twenty-fifth year of One Mind here today

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Santa Rosa on the occasion of its 70th Anniversary. The Boys and Girls Club of Greater Santa Rosa opened its doors in 1949 with the generous support of local leaders who donated their time and resources to establish a safe place for children to go during the after-school hours. Since then, the club has provided boys and girls with a place to learn, play, develop academic skills, and engage in physical activity. They satisfy the age-old desire of young people to have a ``club'' of their own. Staffed by full-time and part-time Youth Development Professionals, and supplemented by passionate and caring volunteers, the club is open more than 250 days per year. One major tenet of the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Santa Rosa is diversity. They strive to reflect the makeup of our community and serve boys and girls of all races, religions, and cultures. The programs and activities are conducted in the warm, friendly atmosphere of facilities specifically designed for youth. The Club is open to all members at any time during hours of operation and offers varied and diversified programs that recognize and respond to the collective and individual needs of girls and boys. The Club is guidance-oriented and emphasizes values inherent in the relationships between young people, their peers, and adults. Madam Speaker, for seventy years, the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Santa Rosa has provided a safe, fun place for children to learn and play. It is therefore fitting and proper that we honor its 70th anniversary here today.

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Martinez Arts Association for its dedication to promoting the arts in our community and to celebrate its 50th annual Arts in the Park Festival, an event to support local art teachers and Martinez students who study art in college. The Martinez Arts Association is a 501(c)3 nonprofit that provides opportunities to local artists and fosters arts education in Martinez schools. Founded in 1968, the Martinez Arts Association has a long history of supporting local artists and creativity in our community. The organization is led by a volunteer board of directors who are dedicated to increasing accessibility to the arts. The Martinez Arts Association is backed financially by Association members and generous local sponsors who are invested in cultivating the arts in Martinez. The Arts in the Park festival draws a larger crowd with each passing year. This year there are over sixty vendors, live music, activities, and a silent auction to spark people's imaginations and enable them to give back to our community. The Martinez Arts Association puts on other incredible events including the SWAN (Support Women Artists Now) Day Celebration, participates in local parades, and contributes rotating art exhibits at the library. Every year, the Martinez Arts Association awards $3,000 grants to Martinez elementary and high school teachers to help offset budget cuts to arts education. In addition, the organization runs a scholarship program that awards over $3,000 each year to local high school seniors who intend to study visual arts in college. Madam Speaker, the Martinez Arts Association has been an ardent advocate of the arts in our community since 1968. It is therefore fitting and proper that we honor the Martinez Arts Association here today.

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Peter Nissen for his commitment to agriculture and our wine community and to honor him as the Napa County Farm Bureau's 2019 Agriculturalist of the Year. Mr. Nissen was born in Richmond, California and began his career in agriculture before he graduated high school. The summer before he began his junior year, he moved irrigation lines in Cucamonga and Alta Loma vineyards. Mr. Nissen attended the University of California at Santa Barbara and graduated from San Diego State University with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in 1973. After graduation, Mr. Nissen worked in the vineyard department of Charles Krug Vinery. Starting in the equipment shop, he worked in all areas of vineyard operations, working his way up from the equipment shop to assistant vineyard manager in 1976. In February of 1978, Mr. Nissen started Nissen Vineyard Services Inc., a vineyard management business that currently farms over 1100 acres, most of which are in Napa County. Additionally, his company supplies labor to other agricultural operations. Mr. Nissen's involvement in our community extends beyond his company as he volunteers his time for numerous agricultural organizations. He has been a Board Member of Napa County Farm Bureau (NCFB) since 1998, is a past President, and is the Board Member representing NCFB on the Napa Valley Vine Trail. Mr. Nissen currently sits on the Board of the California Farm Labor Contractors Association and previously served as President. He has served as coordinator since the NCFB and the Napa County Agriculture Commissioner's office began hosting the annual Ag Day program for students in second and third grades. Mr. Nissen volunteered to manage the vineyard at Carneros Elementary School from 1990 to 2014. He also volunteered to develop and manage the Napa County Resource Conservation District's Huichica Creek Sustainable Demonstration Vineyard. Madam Speaker, Peter Nissen has been a committed and active member of our agricultural community for many decades. It is therefore fitting and proper that we honor him as the Napa County Farm Bureau's 2019 Agriculturalist of the Year here today.

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Napa County Supervisor Alfredo Pedroza as Napa County Farm Bureau's 2019 Friend of Agriculture. Mr. Pedroza, a native of Napa County, is the son of a farmworker and currently serves as the Supervisor for District Four of Napa County. Mr. Pedroza attended Sonoma State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and a minor in Economics. Mr. Pedroza began his career working in the financial services industry. He worked with credit unions and community banks for over a decade, where he gained valuable financial expertise he has used to help our local business community improve, manage, and sustain their financial growth. In 2012, Mr. Pedroza was elected to the Napa City Council. He became both the first Latino member and the youngest city councilmember ever elected to the Napa City Council. Governor Jerry Brown appointed Mr. Pedroza to serve the Fourth District on the Napa County Board of Supervisors in December of 2014. Mr. Pedroza went on to win a full, four-year term on the Board of Supervisors in the 2016 primary election. Mr. Pedroza's deep ties to Napa County and commitment to public service drive him to serve our community, including the agricultural sector. He is dedicated to enacting sound agricultural policy. He has worked tirelessly on agricultural issues that have come before the Board of Supervisors. His passion for serving the community extends beyond his career, as Mr. Pedroza is active in a local service clubs and nonprofits. Through his work on the Board of Supervisors and with nonprofit organizations, Mr. Pedroza hopes to realize a Napa County that will allow future generations of Napa residents to start businesses, raise families, and live fulfilling lives. Madam Speaker, Alfredo Pedroza has an unrelenting dedication to our agricultural community and to serving the people of Napa County and is deserving of being named Napa County Farm Bureau's 2019 Friend of Agriculture. It is therefore fitting and proper that we honor the service of Alfredo Pedroza here today.

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today with Representative Jared Huffman to honor Hank Schreeder for his service as the Santa Rosa Chief of Police and thank him for his commitment to our community upon his retirement. Chief Schreeder earned a Bachelor of Science in Administration of Criminal Justice from California State University Long Beach and a Master of Criminal Justice Program from the American Military University. He is also a graduate of the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training, the Supervisory Leadership Institute, and the Command College. In addition, Chief Schreeder was a leader in the development of Sonoma County's Family Justice Center and served as a member of the Chop's Teen Club Board. During his time as Santa Rosa Chief of Police, Chief Schreeder increased transparency and worked to balance the needs of the community within budgetary limits. Chief Schreeder additionally bolstered community engagement by working with various community-based organizations to combat homelessness and develop long term solutions to the problem. Under Chief Schreeder's instrumental leadership, the Santa Rosa Police Department led a coordinated response to the October 2017 fires, drawing upon hundreds of officers from a mix of agencies to evacuate residents, find missing people, and patrol fire areas. Madam Speaker, Chief Schreeder is an important member of our community and a true public servant. It is therefore fitting and proper that we honor Chief Schreeder here today.

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today with the Honorable Jared Huffman to honor the Beretta Family as the recipient of the 2019 Sonoma County Farm Bureau Luther Burbank Conservation Award, which recognizes an individual, business, or family that is committed to environmental stewardship. The Beretta Family Dairy has become increasingly environmentally friendly over the last 70 years. The Beretta Family started focusing on their farm's impact on the environment in the 1950s. They stopped using chemical fertilizers, focused on pasture management, and committed to growing as much of their own feed as possible to reduce the amount of food that had to be trucked long distances. They currently produce 60 percent of the feed required for their 350 dairy cows, which not only helps the environment, but reduces the cost of feed as well. Starting in 1981, the Beretta family has used recycled water from the City of Santa Rosa to water the hay and silage on their 200 acres. By using recycled water, the family is conserving the groundwater in the aquifer underneath the Santa Rosa Plains. In 1992, the Beretta Family developed their fertigation system which combined the cows' manure with the recycled city water and kept the manure from contaminating waterways. After they started using this system, their crop yields increased by one ton per acre. The Beretta Family Dairy was one of the first farms to collaborate with the City of Santa Rosa and the Sonoma Resource Conservation District on a nutrient offset project. The Beretta Family has hosted students from the Sonoma Resource Conservation District's FARMS (Farming, Agriculture, and Resource Management for Sustainability) Leadership program. They have provided opportunities to students that otherwise may not get to experience a working dairy. The Beretta Family Ranch is currently operated by Doug and Sharon Beretta and their children Jennifer, Lisa, and Ryan. Lisa's son Brayden has shown an affinity for agriculture and may be the fifth generation of the Beretta Family to continue the family dairy business. In 2015, Doug Beretta, and the whole Beretta Family, were given the Water Quality Stewardship Award by the North Coast Water Quality Control Board in recognition of the family's management of water and resources on their dairy. Doug Beretta is the current Director and past President of the Sonoma County Farm Bureau and the Sonoma County Fair and is a member of the 4H Replacement Heifer Committee and the Youth AG and Leadership Foundation. Madam Speaker, the Beretta Family is dedicated to environmental stewardship and has worked to make their dairy environmentally friendly over the last 70 years. It is therefore fitting and proper that we honor them here today.

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today with the Honorable Jared Huffman to recognize Tito Sasaki on his induction to the Sonoma County Farm Bureau Hall of Fame. His induction to the Hall of Fame signifies his commitment to Sonoma County's agricultural community and efforts to protect our 500,000 acres of cherished farmland. Mr. Sasaki was born in 1938 in Tokyo, Japan. He has pursued his education in many different subjects and countries. He attended a seminary run by German Jesuits, studied mechanical engineering at a Japanese university, received a degree with honors in industrial design from the Royal College of Art in London, earned his Master of Science in Ekistics from Athens Technical Institute in Greece, completed postgraduate studies at the Institute of Traffic and Transpiration Engineering at UC Berkeley, and studied oceanography at the Scripps Institute at UC San Diego. Mr. Sasaki has worked tirelessly on water issues in Sonoma County for over twenty years. He has devoted much of his time to developing water solutions and strategies, namely a balance between the water needs of farmers, fish, and urban residents. His work with the County was integral for the implementation of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act. Mr. Sasaki joined the Sonoma County Farm Bureau in 1985 after he and his wife bought their ranch and began to revive a neglected vineyard on the property. He has sat on the Sonoma County Farm Bureau Board of Directors for over fifteen years and was President of the Board from 2013 to 2014. He is also a member and past Chairman of Sonoma County Farm Bureau's Water Committee and a member of the Natural Resources Committee. In addition to his service at the Sonoma County Farm Bureau, Mr. Sasaki was a member of the Board of the Sonoma Ecology Center and is a member of the California Farm Bureau Federation Water Committee. In addition to his contributions to Sonoma County Farm Bureau and our farming community, Mr. Sasaki is the President of Quantum Mechanics Corporation. Mr. Sasaki is known for his astute analytical skills, which he has employed in his work to help farmers and landowners. Madam Speaker, Tito Sasaki is an integral member of our farming community and is deserving of his induction to the Sonoma County Farm Bureau Hall of Fame. It is therefore fitting and proper that we honor him here today.

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today with the Honorable Jared Huffman, to recognize Western Farm Center as the recipient of the Sonoma County Farm Bureau's Friend of the Farm Bureau award. For 52 years Western Farm Center has been the premier feed stores that serves farms in the Santa Rosa area. Western Farm Center was founded by brothers Larry and Lou Bertolini in 1967. The store is currently owned and operated by Lou's daughter Maria Bertolini Frampton and her husband Trevor Frampton, who is the general manager of the store. Western Farm Center has been a staple in Sonoma County for decades. The store provides essential feed, seed, and supplies to the surrounding rural community, as well as exceptional customer service. For more than thirty years, Western Farm Center has worked alongside the Sonoma County Farm Bureau to bridge the rural and urban gap by bringing chicks and ducklings to the Farm Bureau's Ag Days, a celebration that introduces city children to the wonders of the farm community. Western Farm Center has provided straw and additional resources for other events held by the Sonoma County Farm Bureau. Western Farm Center is known for being run by people who are generous and involved in our community. They frequently provide food and other supplies to Pony Express, All Aboard Dog Rescue, Sonoma County Animal Services, and Dogwood Animal Rescue. Western Farm Center played a large role in the days and weeks following the October 2017 wildfires. Along with their vendors, the store provided pet food, hay, and grain for cats, dogs, and horses that had been left homeless by the fires. Madam Speaker, Western Farm Center is an important business in our community and has been aptly honored with the Sonoma County Farm Bureau's Friend of the Farm Bureau award. It is therefore fitting and proper that we honor the store and its owners here today.

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize The French Laundry for providing 25 years of exceptional service and world-class cuisine to residents and visitors of Napa Valley, California and to honor the restaurant for its commitment to excellence for every dish prepared and every guest served. Owner and Chef Thomas Keller began exploring his love of food cooking in restaurants in Florida and New York. He then honed his skills and talents at Michelin-starred restaurants in France. Chef Keller had dreamed of opening a destination restaurant specializing in French Cuisine in the Napa Valley and chose the historic two-story cottage in Yountville to open the French Laundry in 1994. The building dates from 1900 and is in the National Register of Historic Places, just one of the reasons the building is known locally and world-wide. Within several months of its opening, the restaurant's delectable cuisine and exquisite service was being recognized by publications such as the San Francisco Chronicle. The French Laundry has received numerous hard-earned and well- deserved honors over the past 25 years. It was named the ``Best Restaurant in the World'' by Restaurant Magazine in both 2003 and 2004, earned the prestigious ``Outstanding Restaurant Award'' from the James Beard Foundation in 2007, and has received three stars, the highest possible rating, from the Michelin Guide every year since 2007. The French Laundry has also earned the Wine Spectator's Grand Award every year since 2007 and was inducted into the Culinary Hall of Fame in 2012. The French Laundry has become a world-renowned culinary destination and its international accolades highlight Napa Valley's outstanding culinary community. Chef Keller is a revered internationally known chef and the only American born chef to earn multiple three-star ratings from the Michelin Guide. He has also received The Culinary Institute of America's ``Chef of the Year'' Award, the James Beard Foundation's ``Outstanding Chef'' and ``Outstanding Restaurateur'' Awards, and has been designated a Chevalier of The French Legion of Honor. For his menus he uses the finest fresh ingredients and wine from our community, bringing attention to the Napa Valley's agricultural heritage. Madam Speaker, The French Laundry is an important restaurant and institution in our community that is committed to providing the best food and service to their guests. It is therefore fitting and proper that we honor The French Laundry on its 25th anniversary.

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today to remember John Joseph Manfreda for his lifelong belief in and staunch commitment to exceptional public service. Born in Washington, DC, Mr. Manfreda received his undergraduate degree in business finance and economics from the University of Maryland. He earned his law degree from the American University School of Law in 1970 and earned a master's degree in tax law from Georgetown University Law Center in 1974. Mr. Manfreda began his almost 50-year career in public service at the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF) Counsel Office and its Internal Revenue Service predecessor. From 1999 to 2003, he served as Chief Counsel for ATF. Mr. Manfreda was integral to the founding of the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB). He served TTB as the Deputy Administrator before being appointed to the Administrator of the Bureau in 2005. Mr. Manfreda was widely respected for his knowledge, fairness, and honesty by his colleagues and those he worked with in the industry he regulated. He helped write many alcohol laws when he served as Counsel for ATF and retained the information about those laws. He was a fair man and was always willing to listen. Mr. Manfreda was an honorable man of character who valued honesty and demonstrated that value. Mr. Manfreda was recognized for his important work with the Meritorious and Distinguished Presidential Rank Awards and the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms. Madam Speaker, John Joseph Manfreda was a dedicated public servant who held the sincere belief in the good of public service. He inspired his coworkers and was a friend and mentor to all who knew him and a devoted family man to his wife, children, and grandchildren. It is therefore fitting and proper that we remember the life and honor the service of John Joseph Manfreda here today.

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that when the House adjourns today, it adjourn to meet at 10 a.m. tomorrow.

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mr. John Shackford for his contribution to our Napa Valley community as a local business owner and dedicated community member. Mr. Shackford was born in Los Angeles, California, and received a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Whittier College. He served in the Air Force from 1951 to 1958 as a distinguished fighter pilot and is a Korean War veteran. Mr. Shackford married the late Ms. Donna Shackford and in 1960 they moved to Napa County. For forty-three years, Mr. Shackford owned Shackford's Kitchen Store, the beloved culinary store located in downtown Napa. The store employed countless people from our community and served local businesses, home chefs, and culinary students. Prior to establishing Shackford's Kitchen Store, Mr. Shackford was the owner and chief head pilot at the Nut Tree in Vacaville from 1967 to 1974. Mr. Shackford has been active in our community through the programs he and Ms. Shackford sponsored over the last thirty years. He sponsored Babe Ruth baseball teams, girls softball teams, Slow Pitch teams, 4-H, and Derby cars for kids. Mr. Shackford is a family oriented man and he has shown with his generosity and involvement that he considers Napa to be part of his family. Madam Speaker, John Shackford is an important member of our Napa County community. He is a kind and giving person who has served the people of Napa for over forty-three years. It is therefore fitting and proper that we honor him here today.

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Gun Violence Awareness Month. All month members of the Gun Violence Prevention Task Force will be coming to the floor to remember those we have lost and to call upon the Senate to take up H.R. 8, the Bipartisan Background Checks Act. More than 100 days ago, Democrats and Republicans came together to pass legislation which is supported by more than 90 percent of the American people. Since the beginning of the year, more than 6,500 people have been killed and more than 12,500 have been injured by someone using a gun. Yet, the Senate refuses to allow a simple up or down vote. On Thursday, activists from around the country will be holding a day of action to call on the Senate leadership to take up universal background checks. No more thoughts. No more prayers. They want action, and they want a vote. The Senate should do the right thing. The Senate should pass H.R. 8.

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today to remember Lewis F. Brown for his years of exceptional public service to Solano County, California and to honor him for his commitment to our community. Born in Cleveland, Mississippi as the ninth of twelve children, Mr. Brown moved to California in the 1950s after he served in the Korean War. He attended Vallejo College and San Francisco State University where he graduated with a B.S. in Political Science. Mr. Brown was elected to the City Council of Vallejo in 1965. This victory made Mr. Brown the first African American individual to be elected to office in Solano County. He later served as Vice Mayor. In 1970, Mr. Brown was the first African American attorney in Solano County and the first African American attorney to integrate a law firm in the San Francisco Bay Area--Beeman, Bradley, Brown and Beeman. Mr. Brown was a lifelong advocate, representing marginalized people and those without a platform. He sued the State of California to eliminate the offensive legal title that was given to children whose parents were not married. Within Solano County he worked to develop local housing assistance programs. Mr. Brown also challenged the discriminatory policy that required beauticians of color take more curriculum than white beauticians. The equal policy he helped create has been in use by the California Cosmetology Board since the 1960s. Mr. Brown also helped the City of Vallejo receive matching funds to build its John F. Kennedy Public Library. Mr. Brown worked with Los Angeles city and county officials in the 1960s to replicate the community harmony that the City of Vallejo fostered. Mr. Brown was integral to Vallejo being named the most ``Multicultural City in America'' in the 2000 and 2010 censuses. Madam Speaker, Lewis F. Brown had an unrelenting commitment to serve the people of Solano County and the City of Vallejo throughout his life. It is therefore fitting and proper that we honor the service and remember the life of Lewis F. Brown here today.

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of the SECURE Act. I thank the chairman, Mr. Neal, and Speaker Pelosi for their leadership on this important bill. America is facing a retirement crisis. Nearly half of all the people in America do not have any money saved for retirement. The SECURE Act before us today helps fix that. I am glad we could reach this bipartisan solution to make it easier for workers, including home healthcare workers in California, to take advantage of important retirement savings tools. As a combat veteran and the father of two first responders, I understand how important it is that this bill also reverses the harmful tax hikes included in the Republican tax bill on survivor benefits. Hiking taxes on Gold Star families and families of first responders is unjust, and it insults how sacred these benefits are. It is just plain wrong. This bill reverses that harmful provision. Madam Speaker, I thank Congresswoman Luria for her leadership in this effort. Madam Speaker, I ask that all my colleagues join me in support of this very important bill.

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize today as Stop the Bleed Day. For four years, the American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma has been leading the way on training folks in our communities about how to safely stop traumatic bleeding. I was honored to host a Stop the Bleed training here on Capitol Hill where we trained almost 100 people on how to save the lives of others and themselves. Because of this training, these folks are equipped and empowered to assist someone before a trained medical professional can take over. Whether as a result of a gunshot, traffic accident, or other injury, traumatic bleeding can be life threatening. Like with CPR training, the hope is that the training will never be put into use. However, should a tragedy occur, those who have taken the Stop the Bleed training just might save a life. I hope all of my colleagues here today will join me in recognizing Stop the Bleed Day, commending the American College of Surgeons, and think about hosting training sessions in their communities.

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Dennis Pedisich for his involvement with Community Health Initiative and his leadership in providing health insurance to residents of Napa County. Mr. Pedisich has been active in our community since earning his Master in Business Administration from Santa Clara University. He sat on the Community Health Initiative Board of Directors for nine years. During his time on the Board, he held many positions, including that of Vice President. Mr. Pedisich has selflessly given many hours of his time to Community Health Initiative, which has provided over 18,000 uninsured individuals with health insurance and access to care. Mr. Pedisich has been active in our community in other positions as well. He has been the President of the Napa Valley College Foundation, the Justin-Siena High School Board of Trustees, and the Kiwanis Club of Napa Valley. He also sits on the Board of Trustees for the Queen of the Valley Medical Center. As the former President of Napa Community Bank and Vice President of Rabobank, Mr. Pedisich has shared his expertise of the finance community with the local non-profit sector and has helped many businesses thrive through his generosity with his time and knowledge. Madam Speaker, Mr. Pedisich is an active member of our community who uses his expertise to assist others and help important local institutions, such as the Community Health Initiative, thrive. Community Health Initiative has been able to reach such a large number of Napa residents in no small part because of Mr. Pedisich. It is therefore fitting and proper that we honor Dennis Pedisich here today.

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. Rick Jones and the E. Richard Jones Family Foundation for their contribution to our Napa Valley community, and Community Health Initiative. Mr. Jones received a Bachelor of Arts from Princeton University and a Master in Business Administration from the Stanford Graduate School of Business. For as long as he has resided in the Napa Valley, Mr. Jones has been deeply involved in and committed to our community. Mr. Jones has worked to better the health and well-being of Napa residents through his foundation, The E. Richard Jones Family Foundation. The Foundation has been critical to the success of Community Health Initiative. The Foundation provided seed funding to Community Health Initiative to become the first non-profit health insurance broker in California that is motivated by the need to assist vulnerable populations and provide access to health care services in the public and private markets. Additionally, The E. Richard Jones Family Foundation was instrumental in registering over 18,000 people for health insurance and providing them with access to care. Mr. Jones is active in our community in addition to his work with his foundation. He is a current Board Member and former Board President of the Napa Valley Vintners Association, the Board Chair of OLE Health and Raising a Reader, and a Board Member of NapaLearns, St. Helena Hospital, and the St. Helena Hospital Foundation. Through his work on these boards and through Community Health Initiative, Mr. Jones is admirably working to improve the health of the residents of Napa County. Madam Speaker, Rick Jones is a friend of mine, a kind and generous person and his organization, the E. Richard Jones Family Foundation, is essential to the continual improvement of our community. It is therefore fitting and proper that we honor them both here today.