Mike Thompson

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Ms. Sharon McGriff Payne whom I have named Woman of the Year in Solano County, California. Woman of the Year recognizes women who have made important contributions to California's 5th Congressional District in Arts and Culture, Professional Achievement, Entrepreneurship and Innovation or Community Service. Ms. McGriff Payne was born in Lake Wales, Florida and moved to Vallejo, California with her family when she was a young child. After graduating from Vallejo High School in 1967, she attended Solano Community College, San Jose State University and Sonoma State University where she earned a degree in Journalism and History. She worked as a journalist in New York, Florida and California until she retired in the late 1990s. In addition to being a journalist, Ms. McGriff Payne is a writer and historian who has researched the history of African Americans in Vallejo and the North Bay. Her work has uncovered long forgotten or previously unknown information about African Americans who made significant contributions to our community throughout history. She is the author of two books that chronicle the early African American presence in Vallejo and the North Bay. In the early 1990s she launched a bi-weekly newspaper, The North Bay Progress, to serve Vallejo's African American community. For the past year and a half, Ms. McGriff Payne has volunteered with Vallejo Together Support Services, an organization that works with Vallejo's homeless population. She has a desire to help others, especially those who are facing economic and social challenges in our community. Mr. Speaker, Sharon McGriff Payne has made an undeniable impact in Solano County through her research of North Bay African American History. Therefore, it is fitting and proper that we honor her here today.

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Christine Loeber and remember her life, which was tragically cut short on March 9, 2018. Ms. Loeber was born in Boston, Massachusetts and raised in Easton, Massachusetts. She graduated from Oliver Ames High School and earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from the University of New Hampshire. After working in sales, Ms. Loeber realized social work was her calling and obtained a Master of Arts in Social Work from Boston College, while also working for Boston Health Care for the Homeless. Over the last decade, Ms. Loeber dedicated her career to veterans and providing them with the care they needed. She first began working with veterans through the VA Boston Healthcare System in Brockton, Massachusetts, where she primarily worked with female veterans and focused on trauma and substance abuse. She earned yoga teaching credentials in order to integrate yoga into her care for veterans who were coping with trauma. After working at the VA Palo Alto Health Care System and the Santa Rosa VA Clinic, she was recruited as the Executive Director of The Pathway Home, where she continued to integrate yoga into the care she gave veterans. She was dedicated to connecting with and providing clinical, professional and educational support to the veterans as they continued their education after leaving the military. She loved her work and was proud that she was able to help others, especially veterans coping with post-traumatic stress as they continued their education. Ms. Loeber was outgoing, intelligent, and empathetic. She is remembered by friends and family for her ability to make people feel special and for her love of the outdoors and travel. Our community has lost a kind and caring soul. Mr. Speaker, Christine Loeber was a generous and empathetic person who was devoted to helping people in need. It is therefore fitting and proper that we honor her here today.

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Ms. Ginny Craven, whom I have named Woman of the Year in Lake County, California. Woman of the Year recognizes women who have made important contributions to California's 5th Congressional District in Arts and Culture, Professional Achievement, Entrepreneurship and Innovation or Community Service. Ms. Craven was born in Concord, California and moved to Lake County, California as a child, where she attended elementary school and graduated from Upper Lake High School. She earned a bachelor's degree from California State University, Chico. Ms. Craven has dedicated much of her life to helping veterans and their families. Ms. Craven is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Operation Tango Mike, Inc., an all-volunteer nonprofit organization that has shipped over 20,000 care packages to deployed military personnel. Ms. Craven has also been a personal liaison to local Gold Star families and is a member of multiple veterans' organizations, including United Veterans Council of Lake County, Military Funeral Honors Team of Lake County, Pearl Harbors Survivors Association, Patriot Guard Riders and Daughters of the American Revolution. Ms. Craven supports other important causes as well. She was co- captain of Quick Steppers, the Lake County Relay for Life team that raised more than $13,000. She has supported victims of the 2015, 2016, and 2017 fires in Lake County. She coordinated Operation Tango Mike Volunteers to assist survivors and worked with the U.S. Army to bring an Engineer Battalion to Lake County for flood prevention operations in 2015. Ms. Craven's service to our troops and community continues her family's long history of service. Mr. Speaker, Ginny Craven has worked tirelessly to better the lives of others. She is a selfless community member and our district is better for the work that she has done. Therefore, it is fitting and proper that we honor her here today.

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Ms. Tamara Jones, whom I have named Woman of the Year in Napa County, California. Woman of the Year recognizes women who have made important contributions to California's 5th Congressional District in Arts and Culture, Professional Achievement, Entrepreneurship and Innovation or Community Service. Ms. Jones was born in Kansas City, Missouri, and earned her Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication from California State University Hayward. After graduation, she moved to Napa, California and became the owner and lead planner of Tamara J Events, a boutique wedding and event design firm. During the October 2017 wildfires, Ms. Jones volunteered to assist evacuees at the Napa Valley College Shelter. Ms. Jones and her team, affectionately known as the Honey Pot Crew, used social media and an extensive network of community relationships to secure donations and other assistance for the evacuees. She also coordinated all of the donations and supplies for the whole shelter. Ms. Jones and the Honey Pot Crew received, organized and distributed the donations, both in the shelter and in parking lots. They also created an area for first responders that was always available for pick-ups, cleaned their showers and packed over 750 ``Go Boxes'' for first responders. As the fires began to subside, Ms. Jones ensured that any remaining donations were properly distributed to community organizations. For the past twelve years, Ms. Jones has served as the fundraising and event chair for the National Cemetery Support Committee for the National Cemetery in Dixon, CA. The committee provides beautification efforts, including placing the flags on the Avenue of Flags and for Veteran's Day. Ms. Jones' passion stems from her mother, who was the second person laid to rest in the cemetery. Mr. Speaker, Ms. Jones is a dedicated and active community member, who is always willing to lend a hand and go above and beyond. It is therefore fitting and proper that we honor Tamara Jones here today.

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Ms. Susan Moore, whom I have named the 2018 Woman of the Year in Sonoma County, California. Woman of the Year recognizes women who have made important contributions to California's 5th Congressional District in Arts and Culture, Professional Achievement, Entrepreneurship and Innovation or Community Service. Ms. Moore was born in Queens, New York and graduated from Indiana University with a Bachelor of Science and Teaching Credential. She also attended the University of California, Berkeley, where she studied English and received her California Teaching Credential. She received her master's degree from the Raskob Institute at Holy Names College. Ms. Moore has served as the President of the Brady Campaign in Sonoma County since 2008. Her chapter is one of the strongest, most hardworking, and ardent proponents for ending gun violence in our country. She has been a leading voice and tireless advocate in our community for gun violence prevention. Her effort and determination have cultivated a network of people that are determined to reduce gun violence. Ms. Moore also has a passion for California politics. She has volunteered extensively for candidates at the state and local level. Ms. Moore has been at the forefront of many innovative programs and organizations in Sonoma County, many of which advocate for women and girls in our community. She founded the No Name Women's Network, a group of women from all walks of life who meet monthly to advocate on a number of issues, including literacy, equal rights and wildfire recovery. She has been an active leader of the Girl by Girl Program, for which she was recognized as the volunteer of the year in 2003, and a founder of the Advisory Board for Roseland University Prep, which have opened educational opportunities to everyone in our community. Mr. Speaker, Susan Moore is an incredible member of our community whose tireless work throughout her career has benefited the women throughout Sonoma County and California. Therefore, it is fitting and proper that we honor her here today.

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Raymond Ralph Lochhead and remember his rich and full life. Mr. Lochhead was born in St. Louis, Missouri on April 28, 1923 and graduated from the California Institute of Technology. He founded the vanilla extraction and production company, R. R. Lochhead Manufacturing Co., in Paso Robles, California in 1963. Mr. Lochhead was not only a businessman and entrepreneur. He was also a chemist, engineer, salesman, single-engine plane pilot and traveler. Mr. Lochhead frequently worked with his hands--he flew planes, fixed cars and built the house he lived in. He enjoyed skiing, fly fishing, sailing, hiking, photography, painting, singing and playing the piano. The love of his life was Emilie, with whom he had five children--Guy, Louise, Carolyn, Josephine and Angus. Mr. Lochhead had eleven grandchildren--Raymond, Emilie, Louise, Angus, Rudy, Susannah, Jeanne, Jesse, Margaret, George and Henry and nine great-grandchildren. His family, including his brother James, were his life's driving force. Mr. Speaker, Raymond Ralph Lochhead loved life deeply and was devoted to his family and his strong Mormon faith. He is an example of how passionately we should strive to live life. 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 honor Dr. Jennifer Leslie Gray Golick and remember her life, which was tragically cut short on March 9, 2018. Ms. Golick was born in Houston, Texas and moved to Calistoga, California when she was young. She graduated from Calistoga High School in 1994. Ms. Golick earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of California at Davis, her Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology from Sonoma State University and her Ph.D. in Philosophy from Akami University. I have known Ms. Golick for many years. Her mother and my wife worked together for over twenty years. I had the privilege of witnessing her grow into the beautiful and caring young woman so many in our community came to love. Ms. Golick's mantra of service and dedication is inspiring. She believed strongly that people could be healed by being heard. She was a compassionate listener for the veterans she served at The Pathway Home. When she began working at The Pathway Home in September of 2017, people there were excited for her fresh perspective, professional insight and most of all, her big heart and endless empathy. She was also a champion for adolescent mental health and travelled the country speaking on the topic. Before she began working at The Pathway Home she worked at Muir Wood Adolescent and Family Services in Petaluma, California, where she was highly regarded. Ms. Golick was a mother to her young daughter, Makena, and a wife to her husband, Marc. They were a picture-perfect young family. She also had a love of running and competed in Crossfit and Tough Mudders. Mr. Speaker, Jennifer Leslie Gray Golick was a devoted wife and mother and dedicated psychologist and community member. It is therefore fitting and proper that we honor her here today.

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Dr. Jennifer Gonzalez and remember her life, which was tragically cut short on March 9, 2018. Ms. Gonzalez grew up in Mountain View, California where she was raised with her three brothers. She attended St. Martin of Tours School and graduated from Saint Francis High School. She continued her education at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles and earned her Doctor of Psychology from Palo Alto University. When she returned to the South Bay she helped establish the Veterans Resource Center at San Jose State University, which provided direct Veterans Affairs services for our transitioning men and women. Social work was Ms. Gonzalez's calling. She was committed to treating veterans with post-traumatic stress through her work at The Pathway Home and PsychArmor. Her father, Mike Gonzalez, said she had empathy and compassion for the veterans she worked with and ``wanted to be in the weeds with them.'' Local veterans described her as dedicated to her cause and warm and friendly to all she met. She was a giving person who was always trying to help other people. On March 18, 2017, Ms. Gonzalez married T.J. Shushereba in Sacramento. Mr. Shushereba said that five hours into their first date he was smitten. Ms. Gonzalez was six months pregnant and she and her husband were excited to meet their first child, whose gender was to be a surprise. Her father lovingly described her as ``the Halley's Comet of great daughters.'' She was a devoted granddaughter. She visited her grandmother every other week and would sing to her and care for her. Mr. Speaker, Jennifer Gonzalez was a compassionate and altruistic person who was dedicated to social justice and helping veterans build positive lives. It is therefore fitting and proper that we honor her here today.

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Reserve Police Officer, Detective Connie Van Putten, whom I have named Woman of the Year in Contra Costa County, California. Woman of the Year recognizes women who have made important contributions to California's 5th Congressional District in Arts and Culture, Professional Achievement, Entrepreneurship and Innovation or Community Service. Ms. Van Putten was born in San Diego, California. She graduated from the University of La Verne with a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice. In 1965 Ms. Van Putten began her career in law enforcement as a member of the San Diego Police Department, where she served for 23 years. She was the first woman in the San Diego Police Department to be promoted to the rank of Sergeant and Lieutenant. In 1985 Ms. Van Putten was selected to attend the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia. After completing the program, she served as a Captain in the Union City Police Department until her retirement in 2000. After retiring from full time service, Ms. Van Putten joined the Hercules Police Department Reserve Officer Program. As a Reserve Officer Ms. Van Putten has gone above and beyond the call of duty. She organized the Prescription Drug Turn In Program where over 800 pounds of prescription drugs have been turned in and destroyed and is the Department's Public Information Officer. She has donated over 1,200 hours of service to her community annually both as a uniformed patrol officer and a plain clothes detective. Ms. Van Putten has also remained active in our community in other ways. She has been involved with Prevent Blindness in California, which promotes and performs vision screening for preschool children. She also has spent 15 years with the Navy League as the liaison to the United States Coast Guard Vessel Tern. Ms. Van Putten has been married to her husband, Peter, for 42 years. Mr. Speaker, Ms. Van Putten is the kind of citizen we should all strive to be. She has seamlessly blended her personal and professional passions for the betterment of our community. It is therefore fitting and proper that we honor Connie Van Putten here today.

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, on March 19 and 20, I was absent due to my attendance at the Celebration of Life for the victims of the Yountville Pathway Home shooting and was unable to cast my vote for Roll Calls 115 through 119. Had I been present, I would have voted in the following manner: Roll Call No. 115 YES--To update the map of, and modify the maximum acreage available for inclusion in, the Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument; Roll Call No. 116 YES--Kennedy-King National Commemorative Site Act; Roll Call No. 117 NO--On Ordering the Previous Question; Roll Call No. 118 NO--Providing for consideration of H.R. 4566, the Alleviating Stress Test Burdens to Help Investors Act; Providing for consideration of H.R. 5247, the Trickett Wendler, Frank Mongiello, Jordan McLinn, and Matthew Bellina Right to Try Act of 2018; and for other purposes; and Roll Call No. 119 YES--Alleviating Stress Test Burdens to Help Investors Act.

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today along with my colleague, Representative Jared Huffman, to honor Fetzer Vineyards upon the occasion of its 50th anniversary in operation. Fetzer Vineyards was founded in 1968 by Barney and Kathleen Fetzer of Mendocino County, California. The couple produced wine under the company's flagship Fetzer label with the help of their eleven children. Though the family sold the business in 1992, Fetzer Vineyards has carried on its founders' legacy of social responsibility. It is now the world's largest winery certified as a B Corporation, meaning the company meets high standards for environmental and labor practices. For decades, Fetzer Vineyards has been a leader in organic farming and sustainability. In the 1980s, the winemaker converted all of its Mendocino County vineyards to organic methods. Of the 960 acres Fetzer Vineyards has in cultivation today, 700 are certified as organic and the other 260 are biodynamic, which means no chemicals are used in the grape-growing process. In 1999, Fetzer Vineyards became the first vineyard to operate on 100 percent green power. It reported and verified its greenhouse gas emissions to The Climate Registry, a non- profit, as early as 2005. By 2014, Fetzer Vineyards had become the first winery to achieve TRUE Zero Waste certification. These achievements and others are a shining example for the agricultural community. They prove that economic success and environmental conservation go hand in hand. Fetzer Vineyards knows that a business only thrives when workers do too. The company is enormously proud of its diverse management team, half of which is made up of women or people from underrepresented groups. All 300 of the vintner's employees earn above a living wage, receive health care benefits and are incentivized to volunteer in the community. In addition, Fetzer Vineyards encourages worker initiative. Many of the company's landmark environmental achievements were made possible by employee projects like internal waste audits. In this way, Fetzer Vineyards shows what can be accomplished when businesses do more than take care of the bottom line. Fetzer Vineyards' workforce investment pays for itself through the ingenuity of its employees. Mr. Speaker, Fetzer Vineyards is the type of socially responsible company that every American business should strive to be. It is therefore fitting and proper that we honor Fetzer Vineyards here today.

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with a very sad and heavy heart to ask that we stand for a moment of silence for three of my constituents who were murdered in another senseless act of gun violence, three women at the California Veterans Home in Napa Valley, California, Yountville--a veterans home, the largest in the country, serving the most veterans in the country. This was a particular program designed to help Iraq and Afghanistan veterans who were coming home with serious problems. These three women got up every morning, they put on their clothes, they kissed their families good-bye, they walked out the door to do one thing and one thing only, and that was to help troubled veterans. And on Friday, they were murdered. They were held hostage and gunned down in cold-blooded murder. One more senseless act of gun violence. Mr. Speaker, I would like this body to recognize a moment of silence for Christine Loeber, the executive director of The Pathway Home program at the California Veterans Home in Yountville; Dr. Jennifer Golick, the clinical director and staff psychologist; and Jennifer Gonzales, the clinical psychologist with the San Francisco Department of Veterans Affairs, who was on assignment at The Pathway Home and was also pregnant.

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Robin Lantz in celebration of her 50 years in service for the State of California. Ms. Lantz was born in Marion, Ohio. She grew up in a military family and spent her childhood in many places throughout the United States before settling in California. Robin graduated from Hayward High School and went on to earn an Associate of Arts degree from Stockton Junior College. She attended the University of the Pacific on an acapella scholarship and was a member of that institution's touring choir. Ms. Lantz began her career serving California at the Department of Motor Vehicles. In the 1980s, she worked for the San Joaquin Women's Auxiliary Police--Badge #275-typing booking sheets for the jail. As part of her training, she walked through tear gas and had mace placed under her eyes. To this day, Ms. Lantz loves the sound of a police scanner and listens to one all the time. Currently, Ms. Lantz is a Correctional Case Records Supervisor in Forensic Service at Napa State Hospital, a position she has held for the past 37 years. Through her many years of service, Ms. Lantz has developed an astounding familiarity with the California Penal Code. Her encyclopedic knowledge of California's criminal statutes is so great that Superior Court judges have been known to ask her sentencing questions. In addition, Ms. Lantz has honored our men and women in uniform with her volunteer work. She and her late husband, Dave Lantz, helped stage an annual encampment centered on service and military vehicles, complete with a parade. Ms. Lantz also volunteered to work at international airshows. Mr. Speaker, Robin Lantz is truly dedicated to serving our State and our country. It is therefore fitting and proper that we honor her here today.

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I along with Representative Huffman rise today to honor Chris Smith in celebration of his 40 years as a reporter and columnist for the Santa Rosa Press Democrat in Santa Rosa, Sonoma County, California. Mr. Smith grew up in Riverside, California where he attended Chemawa Junior High School and Ramona High School. He graduated from San Jose State University, where he earned a degree in reporting and editing. After graduation, he worked as a reporter for the Press-Enterprise in Riverside, California and the weekly Independent Coast Observer in Gualala and The Sea Ranch in Northern California. He first joined The Press Democrat as a correspondent in Fort Bragg and Mendocino, reporting on the pulse of Mendocino County. In 2002, he became a full-time columnist and since then has kept Sonoma County residents in tune with our region. Mr. Smith writes of the good people do for one another--the sculpture Patrick Amiot created for Carla Filgas, wife of the late Denny Martin; the delegation from Ichikikushikino, Japan who came to support their sister city of Santa Rosa after the fires; members of Threshold Choirs, who packed boxes of heirlooms and other items of personal significance for victims of the fires. Mr. Smith is also active in our veterans community. For the last several years he has hosted and emceed an annual event honoring Pearl Harbor veterans. When support beams from the Twin Towers were brought to Sonoma County as a permanent memorial to 9/11, he was instrumental in publicizing the associated events to honor the people who lost their lives. Mr. Smith is married to Diane Peterson, a fellow Press Democrat writer who covers food and music. According to Mr. Smith, he ``lives primarily to sustain and amuse Betty, an Australian shepherd.'' Mr. Speaker, two words come to mind when thinking of Chris Smith-- patriotic and compassionate. He is truly dedicated to serving our region with his strong, community-focused reporting. 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 honor Cathy Ivers upon the occasion of her retirement from the Shell Martinez Refinery. Ms. Ivers was born in Galesburg, Illinois and grew up in Anoka, Minnesota and Pleasant Hill, California. She graduated from Pleasant Hill High School and moved to Martinez. She attended classes in Environmental Studies and Geology at Diablo Valley College and California State University East Bay. Ms. Ivers began her association with Shell on their Community Advisory Panel, where she worked to ensure balance between the needs of the company and the values of her community. She later joined Shell as the Shell Community Liaison and was the epitome of ``bringing the outside in.'' During her tenure she played a valuable role in helping Shell better understand the community. Some of the programs she helped launch include Community Appreciation Days and neighborhood ice cream socials. One of the personal highlights of Ms. Ivers' career at Shell, and an important contribution to the community, was her work on the Save Mount Diablo Beacon Restoration Project in 2013, which restored the Beacon at the peak of Mount Diablo. Ms. Ivers also led Shell's efforts to refurbish historic buildings, developed many valuable environmental partnerships and was a key supporter in the development of two important programs--Shell's 5k Run for Education and the Shell essay contest. Through these efforts and many more, Ms. Ivers played an integral role in building an exceptional community and social performance program. Ms. Ivers has been committed to Martinez since she moved here over 30 years ago. She has served in multiple leadership roles at many organizations. She is currently a Board Member of the Martinez Historical Society, the Martinez Community Foundation and the John Muir Association. Additionally, she is the only Martinez Kiwanian to have served two consecutive terms as President. Mr. Speaker, Ms. Ivers is the kind of citizen we should all strive to be. She seamlessly blended her professional and personal passions, leaving a legacy of community collaboration. It is therefore fitting and proper that we honor Cathy Ivers here today.

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding, and I ask my good friend from Massachusetts, in the revision of his remarks, if he wouldn't just clear up one point. He had mentioned that this Congress has not done anything in regard to gun violence prevention, and while true, it is not completely accurate. The fact of the matter is, this Congress is controlled by the Republican Party. The Republican Party determines what bills go for a hearing, what bills come up for a vote. So the fact is, this is a Republican problem. They are the ones that are stopping commonsense gun violence prevention legislation from coming up for a vote to make the American people more safe. Mr. Speaker, there are many important bills that this House could be considering, but none more important than legislation that would save lives and prevent gun violence. There is no single bill, nor policy, that will end gun violence in America, but we do know that background checks work. Every day, background checks stop more than 170 felons, some 50 domestic abusers, and nearly 20 fugitives from buying a gun. Unfortunately, those folks who were blocked from buying a gun from a licensed dealer can go around the block, around the corner, or down the street to a gun show or to an online site and get a gun, oftentimes the same gun, without having to go through a background check. There is a reason that 97 percent of Americans want to expand and strengthen our background check system. Even the President has come out and said that he is in support of this. I can't think of many things that Americans agree on 90 percent of the time, but they do so on background checks. We have a bipartisan bill ready to go. H.R. 4240, both Democrats and Republicans coauthoring that bill, the Public Safety and Second Amendment Rights Protection Act, would help get more records into the NICS system and would expand background checks to all commercial sales. We shouldn't have to wait for another mass shooting, and we shouldn't have to wait for the 44th moment of silence. Let's act now. Oppose the previous question and give us a vote on H.R. 4240. How many more people have to die before Members of this body will muster the courage to bring background check legislation that will help to the floor of this House for a vote?

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I appeal the ruling of the Chair.

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I have a privileged resolution at the desk, which I have previously noticed.

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, yes, I do.

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, it is our duty as lawmakers and Representatives to pass laws that will make our communities safer. So far, Mr. Speaker, Congress has done nothing in regard to gun violence prevention, and that is shameful. Every Member here knows that something must be done about gun violence. We may not all agree on what that is, but everyone, from the President of the United States of America to the inspiring young leaders who are leading a movement today out of Florida, agrees we must expand background checks. That is why we need this resolution and why we must take up the bipartisan background bill immediately. You cannot table the 30 people a day who are killed by someone using a gun. Let us have this vote, Mr. Speaker. We have had too many moments of silence. We have got a bill that is ready to come to the floor. It is bipartisan, Democrats and Republicans supporting the bill, coauthoring the bill. Ninety-seven percent of the American people believe that we should take up and vote for a measure regarding background checks. This is a good bill. It should be brought to the floor. The Republicans should not be silencing the wishes of the American people. The Republican majority should not disallow hearings and votes on this bill. Mr. Speaker, it is past time.

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, pursuant to clause 2(a)(1) of rule IX, I rise to give notice of my intent to raise a question of the privileges of the House. The form of the resolution is as follows: Calling on the House of Representatives to immediately consider gun violence prevention legislation. Whereas, gun violence affects every community in our Nation; Whereas, 30 people are killed every day by someone using a gun; Whereas, more than 2,200 people have been killed this year by someone using a gun; Whereas, there have been at least 34 mass shootings this year; Whereas, while mass shootings often receive media attention, gun violence is present every day in every community; Whereas, since the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School, the House of Representatives has held 43 moments of silence to honor the memory of people killed by someone using guns; Whereas, most gun owners are responsible and law-abiding; Whereas, the Supreme Court, in its District of Columbia v. Heller decision, recognized the right to keep and to bear arms; Whereas, the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act was enacted on November 30, 1993; Whereas, background checks have been successful and every day stop more than 170 felons, some 50 domestic abusers, and nearly 20 fugitives from buying a gun; Whereas, over 2,000,000 gun sales were blocked since enactment of the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act; Whereas, 90 percent of all background checks are done instantly; Whereas, the States that require background checks, 47 percent fewer women are murdered by intimate partners; Whereas, in States that require background checks, there are 47 percent firearm suicides; Whereas, in States that require background checks, 53 percent fewer law enforcement officers are killed by someone using a gun; Whereas, 97 percent of Americans polled support background checks for all gun sales; Whereas, in many States, no background check is required to buy a gun online or at a gun show; and Whereas, the President has said, ``Whether we are Republican or Democrats must now focus on strengthening Background Checks!'' Now, therefore, be it resolved, that the House of Representatives should immediately consider H.R. 4240, the Public Safety and Second Amendment Rights Protection Act of 2017, and H.R. 3464, the Background Check Completion Act of 2017.

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Richard Kunde, who worked tirelessly to establish Sonoma County as a world-renowned wine community and food destination. Mr. Kunde was born on September 6, 1942 in Glen Ellen, California and grew up on the ranch that his German immigrant grandfather founded in 1904. He graduated from the University of California, Davis in 1964 with a bachelor's degree in viticulture and went on to earn a master's degree in horticulture in 1966. Mr. Kunde worked as a viticultural consultant and then Director of Grower Relations for the North Coast Grape Growers Association before purchasing Sonoma Grapevine Inc. in 1982. He transformed the Santa Rosa nursery into the largest grapevine nursery in the United States. At its height, the nursery produced as many as 14 million vines every year, which were planted at vineyards across California. Over his half-century career, Mr. Kunde promoted the California wine community in many ways. He co-founded the Sonoma County Grape Growers and was elected to serve as its first president in 1984. He also served as a Director and President of the Sonoma County Harvest Fair and held offices in the California Nurserymens Association and the California Association of Winegrape Growers. And, Mr. Kunde was the first to promote the concept of American Viticultural Areas within the region believing it was important to protect the quality and value of Sonoma County grapes. Mr. Kunde dedicated himself to the scientific development of California's wine community. He collaborated with the leading viticulturists, pathologists and entomologists at UC Davis to improve the quality and profitability of California wine grapes. Together, they grafted clonal budwood to produce superior grapes and created rootstock resistant to phylloxera, which strengthened the viability of our local and state wine communities, and beyond. To spread these new techniques, Mr. Kunde co-founded the Sonoma County Technical Group, which taught growers about the latest grape production research. Mr. Kunde was a celebrated philanthropist who, with his late wife Saralee McClelland Kunde, generously donated their time, money and energy to agricultural causes. The couple raised millions of dollars for agricultural education programs like 4-H, Future Farmers of America, and the Sonoma County Fair Foundation at an event space they built themselves, Richard's Grove and Saralee's Vineyard. In addition, the Kundes established a charitable trust to provide millions of dollars for agricultural education in years to come. Through the trust, the University of California, Davis received $1.5 million for an endowed chair in the Department of Viticulture and Enology. Another beneficiary, the Sonoma County Fair Foundation received $1 million to establish the Saralee and Richard Kunde Education Fund, which will provide young people interested in agricultural careers paid internships at local dairies, farms, vineyards and wool-growing operations. Finally, the Youth Ag and Leadership Foundation of Sonoma County received $500,000 to foster the next generation of farmers and community leaders. On July 26, 2016, a grateful community came together to dedicate Saralee and Richard's Barn, a 12,000 square-foot facility that now hosts agricultural mentoring, training and education programs year- round for at-risk and other youth. The barn, Saralee's dream project, was seeded with a $300,000 donation from Mr. Kunde. The Sonoma community came together to raise the rest of the $3 million construction cost. For all his efforts, Mr. Kunde received countless awards. He was named a Friend of Agriculture by the Sonoma County Harvest Fair, was inducted into the Sonoma County Farm Bureau Hall of Fame, won the Shining Star Award from the 4-H Foundation, and was recognized for Leadership in Agriculture by the Santa Rosa Chamber of Commerce. Of his many honors, Mr. Kunde was especially proud to have been named one of the 100 most influential Sonoma County people of the 20th Century by the Santa Rosa Press Democrat in 1999 and to have received the Award of Distinction from the University of California, Davis's College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences in 2008. Mr. Speaker, Richard Kunde is an icon in the national wine community, and I am proud to have called him my friend. It is therefore fitting and proper that we remember him here today.

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Can the Chair tell us when the House may muster the courage to take up the issue of gun violence?

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, parliamentary inquiry.