Mike Thompson

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Napa Open Space District which is celebrating its 10th Anniversary. This special District has played a vital role in conversation and recreation in our community for the past decade and will continue to protect open spaces for future generations. Napa County residents voted to establish the Napa County Regional Park and Open Space District in November 2006 with the goal to preserve wildlife habitat and nature areas. The District does so by conserving open space and creating recreation opportunities including a system of public parks, trails, outdoor recreational facilities for Napa County residents. The District has had incredible success during its first decade of operation. It has preserved over 5000 acres of open space and parks and maintains over 100 miles of multiuse trails in our community. Community education programs are a major priority for the District, and it runs outdoor science and conservation education programs to reach people of all ages. The District has also facilitated and funded outdoor field trips for thousands of Napa County children, allowing them the opportunity to experience and learn about their local environment. The parks and recreation opportunities provided by the Napa Open Space District have been tremendously successful and popular. The District's work enhances current Napans' quality of life and also ensures that future generations have the ability to experience the outdoors. Through its work, the District fosters a greater sense of community and pride within our Napa Valley. Mr. Speaker, the Napa Open Space District conserves our natural resources and provides residents with magnificent open spaces and an enhanced quality of life. Therefore, it is fitting and proper that we honor Napa Open Space District here today.

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to H.J. Res. 40. This resolution undermines our NICS background check system. I am a gun owner and a strong supporter of the Second Amendment, but this isn't about denying people the right to own a gun. It is about upholding the law, and the law is very clear on who should be reported to the NICS system. The law was passed more than a decade ago to keep guns out of the hands of people who can't responsibly own them. These are not people just having a bad day. These are not people simply suffering from depression or anxiety or agoraphobics. These are people with a severe mental illness who can't hold any kind of job or make any decisions about their affairs. So the law says very clearly that they shouldn't have a firearm. The Supreme Court in the Heller decision recognized that the Second Amendment grants Americans the right to own firearms, but they also stated that reasonable restrictions to that right can apply, such as when a person is diagnosed with a severe mental illness. The Social Security Administration is simply obeying the law. So what exactly is the objection here? Passage of this resolution puts Americans at risk. It would prevent the Social Security Administration from reporting the names of those who should not have a gun and prohibit that indefinitely. If there are concerns about the rules, let's revise it. But the CRA process is not a revision. It would ban Social Security from even amending their rule. This is a dangerous overstep, and I urge Members to consider the safety of our districts. No one wants another Virginia Tech. No one wants another Newtown.

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Dr. Richard Bernini, whom the Napa and Solano County Medical Societies have awarded the honor of Professor Emeritus. Dr. Bernini served as an emergency room physician at Queen of the Valley Medical Center for 38 years until his retirement in 2015. The Napa and Solano County Medical Societies award this distinction to medical professionals who have a demonstrated commitment to service and teaching. Dr. Bernini exemplifies these attributes and is very deserving of this award and recognition. Dr. Bernini graduated from Thomas Jefferson University's Jefferson Medical College in 1970, and was certified by the American Board of Emergency Medicine in 1976. He is active in supporting and mentoring the medical students at his alma mater. During his time at Queen of the Valley Medical Center, Dr. Bernini served in many leadership positions. He helped design the Napa Valley Emergency Medical Group, which provides high quality emergency medical care to our community. Dr. Bernini created an advanced Quality of Assurance Program to ensure proper medical care for patients. He is known in our community for his willingness to mentor and befriend the next generation of medical health professionals. Mr. Speaker, Dr. Bernini has demonstrated an incredible commitment to his students and the medical profession in our community. It is therefore fitting and proper that we honor him here today and congratulate him on this well-deserved award.

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Dr. Aaron Thornton, whom the Napa and Solano County Medical Societies have nominated for its Physician of the Year Award. Dr. Thornton has worked in our community for over 25 years. He previously worked in the Vallejo Medical Center as a hospitalist, and now works as a general internist in the Permanente Medical Group. The Napa County Medical Society has named Dr. Thornton as the Napa County Physician of the Year based on his tireless dedication to patients and the advancement of the medical profession. Dr. Thornton exemplifies these attributes and is very deserving of this award and recognition. In addition to his service to our community as a medical health professional, Dr. Thornton is a prolific volunteer in our community. Every year, he can be found assisting runners in the Napa Marathon medical area. He has served as a local scout master and instructor with the Boy Scouts of America. Dr. Thornton works with Napa County's Managing Pain Safely Project, which ensures that clinicians prescribe opioids safely and appropriately. Dr. Thornton also regularly volunteers abroad. For the past 15 years, he has partnered with missions in Haiti to care for hundreds of people who live in cities without access to hospital services. Dr. Thornton even enlists volunteers to accompany him on these trips and collects supplies needed to provide important medical services to Haitians. Recently, Dr. Thornton also traveled to Kenya to provide medical training to local students. Mr. Speaker, Dr. Thornton has dedicated his time and knowledge to the medical field and some of the most vulnerable people in our community and across the world. It is therefore fitting and proper that we honor him here today and congratulate him on this well-deserved award.

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Dr. Edward Martin, whom the Napa and Solano County Medical Societies have awarded the honor of Professor Emeritus for his years of work as a pediatrician and an educator. Dr. Martin has worked with the Permanente Medical Group for 16 years. He has served as both Chair of Pediatrics for Napa and Solano and Chair of the Chiefs of Pediatrics for the Northern California region. The Napa and Solano County Medical Societies award this distinction to medical professionals who have a demonstrated commitment to service and teaching. Dr. Martin exemplifies these attributes and is very deserving of this award and recognition. Dr. Ed Martin graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles School of Medicine in 1980. He completed a residency in Pediatrics in 1983 and has been certified by the American Board of Pediatrics since 1986. He served as an Adjunct Clinical Professor of Pediatrics for Touro University, where both his students and colleagues recognize him as an excellent teacher and leader within their institution. Mr. Speaker, Dr. Martin has demonstrated an incredible commitment to his students and the medical profession in our community. It is therefore fitting and proper that we honor him here today and congratulate him on this well- deserved award.

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor New Technology High School, which is celebrating its 20th Anniversary of providing innovative educational and career opportunities to students in Napa, California. New Technology High was established in 1996 by local business people and community educational leaders as a place where students would learn the skills necessary to compete in the changing technological and global economy. This vision has been achieved and expanded over the past 20 years, resulting in an innovative, award-winning educational community. New Technology High School is recognized as a California Distinguished School, a California Gold Ribbon School and a New Tech Network National Demonstration Site. The school offers a curriculum using innovative administrative and educational models including project and problem-based learning, easy access to technology resources and a focus on student-centered culture and outcomes. Students regularly work in teams to prepare for real life collaborative projects in the technology sector. New Technology High is providing students the important skill set that they will use to tackle the cyber, climate, business and global challenges we face. In addition to providing exceptional educational opportunities to their own student body, New Technology High offers programs serving 13 schools in the Napa Valley Unified School District. This outreach has led to the creation of the New Tech Network, which helps 180 schools across the country implement innovative models. Mr. Speaker, for the past 20 years, New Technology High School has been a leader in education reform in the Napa Valley, Northern California, the United States, and globally. It is therefore fitting and proper that we honor the school here today.

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I, along with Representative Huffman, rise today to honor Ms. Elizabeth Basile and her extraordinary life devoted to education and activism. Her family and friends are gathered with her today in Santa Rosa, California to honor her years of dedicated service to our community. Ms. Basile is a native of Stockton, California, and spent much of her early childhood in Brooklyn, New York. At sixteen, her family returned to California, and she spent the rest of her adolescence in Los Angeles. After marrying and starting a family of her own, Ms. Basile enrolled in college at the age of thirty and earned her Bachelor's Degree in English and History and her Master's Degree in Reading Specialization at California State University, Los Angeles. Ms. Basile began teaching in East Los Angeles at El Sereno Junior High School. After her family moved to Sonoma County, she continued her teaching career at Casa Grande High School until she retired in 1992. The California Teachers Association recruited Ms. Basile during her first year of teaching, and she rose through the ranks to become Chapter President of the Association of Petaluma Teachers. In addition to Ms. Basile's dedication to education, she displayed an exceptional commitment to the Girl Scouts youth organization in our community. She served as her daughter's troop leader for a decade, and worked as a Camp Counselor for Kamp Konocti, a Girl Scout Council's established camp, and volunteered at the Girl Scouts Day Camp in the Whittier area. She proudly maintains her lifetime Girl Scouts membership to this day. President John F. Kennedy inspired Ms. Basile to engage in politics. She became a Precinct Captain during his 1960 presidential campaign, and she coordinated with several leaders across California to organize canvasses and phone banks. Ms. Basile has since been involved in every presidential election to register Democrats and get voters to the polls, and she is one of the best known figures in our Sonoma County political community. Mr. Speaker, Ms. Basile has dedicated her life to local activism and the betterment of children through education and volunteer work in our community. 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 Osby Davis, the Mayor of Vallejo, California, upon his retirement from an impressive career as a public servant. Mr. Davis has been a resident of our Vallejo community for 58 years. He graduated from Vallejo High School in 1963, completed his A.A. at Vallejo Junior College and his B.S. in Mechanical Engineering at Fresno State College. He then earned his J.D. from the University of California at Berkley Boalt Hall School of Law in 1973. Mr. Davis served on the Solano County Board of Supervisors from 1979 to 1993, the first person of color to do so. As Supervisor, he established the ``I CAN BE'' program for elementary school students in 1988. With this program, Mr. Davis mentored 5th and 6th grade students to encourage them to work to their full potential and cultivate positive self-esteem. He has also served as a mentor and legal counsel for the Continental of Omega Boys and Girls Club for over 25 years. His service and leadership set an excellent example for young people in our community. As Supervisor, Mr. Davis initiated monthly breakfast meetings with the African-American business community and formed the Black Chamber of Commerce in Vallejo. When Mr. Davis was first elected Mayor of Vallejo in 2007, and re- elected in 2011 by three votes, he became the city's first African- American mayor. Mr. Davis was instrumental in leading the city through bankruptcy and developing a plan for economic recovery. He established the Mayor's Cup Golf Tournament, and served on numerous regional boards and commissions that addressed issues relevant to Vallejo and its citizens. He will also be remembered as the ``best dressed'' man in any meeting room. Mr. Davis and his wife Terrye practice law as Davis & Davis, and they are both engaged business leaders in our community. Mr. Davis has previously served as a director for the Vallejo Chamber of Commerce and chaired the Chamber's Educational Roundtable. He and his wife are also active at Lighthouse Covenant Church, where they perform pre-marital counseling and teach Sunday school. Mr. Speaker, by attempting the impossible, Mayor Davis has made our Vallejo community stronger as both a public servant and business leader. He is a true friend of Vallejo and a good friend of mine. Therefore, it is fitting and proper that we honor him here today and extend our best wishes for an enjoyable retirement.

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I, along with my colleague Rep. Mark DeSaulnier, rise today to honor Edward Diokno upon his retirement after 12 years of service with Contra Costa County. Mr. Diokno currently serves as Deputy Chief of Staff to Supervisor Federal Glover and has been a thoughtful policymaker and committed voice for Filipino Americans in the County. Mr. Diokno is a lifelong East County resident with a passion for serving our community. He served our country in the U.S. Army as a 2nd Lieutenant and later joined the Army Reserves. Mr. Diokno then worked as a journalist for 28 years with the Philippine News, Oakland Tribune, and Contra Costa Times where he reported on politics and policy-making. Upon joining the County, Mr. Diokno served as a Senior Field Representative and then a Policy Analyst before stepping into his current position with Supervisor Glover. In his various roles, Mr. Diokno facilitated the County's first recognition of the contributions of Filipino Americans, developed small business initiatives, and worked with committees and advisory bodies developing health policy at the county level. He also served as the principal liaison to Bay Point, the County's largest unincorporated community. Mr. Speaker, Mr. Diokno has served our country and our county and his legacy sets a high standard to which other public servants should aspire. Therefore, it is fitting and proper that we honor him here today and extend our best wishes for an enjoyable retirement.

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Chair, I rise in opposition to repeal of the Affordable Care Act. For 7 years, all we have heard from the Republicans regarding health care is repeal and replace. After 7 years and more than 60 votes, they still have not come up with the replace. This isn't just a talking point. This is literally a matter of life and death for people. Raymond, from Napa in my district, was diagnosed with stage III renal cancer in 1996. His premiums rose year after year until we passed the ACA. Before the ACA, Raymond worried about losing his insurance because of his preexisting condition. In fact, his cancer returned in 2014, but, thanks to the ACA, he got the treatment he needed. What are Republicans going to do for Raymond if they repeal the ACA and his premiums go up, or his insurance drops him because he had cancer over 20 years ago, or he hits his lifetime cap on coverage? Republicans need to ask themselves if they are willing to return Americans like Raymond to a time when the care they needed was always beyond their grasp. I am not saying that it is perfect, but we need to keep it. It also kills 3 million jobs.

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I, along with Congressman Huffman, rise today to honor Richard Thomas, the recipient of the 2017 Nick Frey Community Contribution Award. This award was established by the Sonoma County Winegrape Commission in 2013 to recognize members of our community who have made important contributions to grape growing. A Sonoma County native, Mr. Thomas graduated from Santa Rosa High School, where he was an award-winning member of the Future Farmers of America. He studied agriculture at the University of California, Davis, before going on to work as a vocational agriculture instructor at Healdsburg High School and livestock manager of the Sonoma County Fair. Mr. Thomas saw Sonoma County's potential for viticulture and became an instructor at Santa Rosa Junior College, where he taught thousands of vineyard owners and workers throughout his 28 year career. He enjoys sharing that ``God put Sonoma County on earth for one reason: to produce great wines.'' His past students are now at the helm of many of the great viticulture operations in our Sonoma County wine community today. Mr. Thomas is a life-long learner and educator. After taking a sabbatical to study wine trellising in New Zealand and Australia, he brought the skills he acquired back to winegrowers in California, helping to shape the look of Sonoma County Vineyards. He has lectured in the United States and around the world, sharing his mastery of grape growing. He is the founder of the Sonoma County Grape Growers Association and the Sonoma County Vineyard Technical Group, which support our community by discussing and implementing the best practices in grape production. Mr. Speaker, Richard Thomas has been a leader in the transformation of Sonoma County into some of the best of Wine Country. He is respected as a world-class educator and our Sonoma community considers him the Dean of Sonoma County grape production. Therefore, it is fitting and proper that we honor him here today and congratulate him on this well- deserved award.

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Chief Michael Randolph upon his retirement as Fire Chief for the City of Napa Fire Department. Chief Randolph is retiring after an impressive 27 year firefighting career, including serving as Chief for four years. Chief Randolph completed his B.A. Degree in Information and Communication Studies and then began his career with the City of Napa Fire Department as a firefighter in 1989. He was promoted to a firefighter paramedic five years after that. He was subsequently promoted to Captain, Battalion Chief and Division Chief before becoming Chief in 2012. Chief Randolph has distinguished himself in his department as an excellent mentor, coach, co-worker and friend. Chief Randolph is dedicated to our community and has provided leadership to many of our service and community organizations. He serves as Board Member and President of the California Fire Chiefs Operations Section, on the Paramedic Advisory Board for Napa Valley College, as the Chair of the Napa County Emergency Medical Care Committee and as a member of Life Healthy Napa Valley. Mr. Speaker, Chief Randolph has had a dedicated firefighting career and is known for his strong, focused and determined leadership. Therefore, it is fitting and proper that we honor him here today and extend our best wishes for an enjoyable retirement with his wife, Wendy, and his children, Andrew and Hanna.

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor my colleagues and good friends Reps. Sam Farr, Lois Capps, Loretta Sanchez, Mike Honda and Janice Hahn upon their retirement from the House of Representatives. These Members of Congress have been true fighters for California and have been instrumental in achieving progress on a number of issues important to our state and our country. With their help, California Democrats have led the fight to ensure access to affordable healthcare, to address the legal needs of our immigrant community and to give every family a fair shot at a good living. Their work here certainly hasn't been easy, and they have made many personal sacrifices through the years. Nonetheless, they've been tough fighters for some of the most vulnerable people in our country. I'm proud to be able to count them among my friends, and I want to express my sincere thanks to Sam, Lois, Loretta, Mike and Janice for all the work we've been able to accomplish together. They have all set a high bar for the rest of us in Congress. Mr. Speaker, Sam, Lois, Loretta, Mike and Janice have been great friends to Californians and good friends of mine. It is fitting and proper that we honor them here today for their dedicated public service.

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Officer Greg Sanchez, whom I have named a 2016 Public Safety Hero of the Year for Contra Costa County in California's 5th Congressional District. This award is given to exceptional members of our community who perform beyond their duty as a public servant. Officer Sanchez joined the Hercules Police Department in 2008 and currently works as a patrol officer. He previously worked as a School Resource Officer at the Hercules Middle and High Schools where he made sure our students had a safe learning environment and acted as a mentor to countless students. As a leader on school safety, Officer Sanchez trained faculty and staff at all Hercules Schools on how to respond in the event of an active shooter on campus. His greatest accomplishments have addressed the relations between law enforcement officers and the people of Hercules. Despite budget cuts, Officer Sanchez has helped organize many community engagement programs, including the Back to School Backpack program that provides school supplies for low income students. He also coordinates with Neighbor Watch groups and leads the Citizen Police Academy, where residents can learn about law enforcement and disaster preparedness. Mr. Speaker, I thank Officer Sanchez for his dedication to our community's safety. For this reason, it is fitting and proper that I honor him here today.

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor CalFire Battalion Chief Michael Wink, whom I have named a 2016 Public Safety Hero of the Year for Lake County in California's 5th Congressional District. This award is given to exceptional members of our community who perform beyond their duty as a public servant. A native of our Napa Valley, Battalion Chief Wink attended the Santa Rosa Junior College Firefighter Academy and served as Academy Class Leader. He then attended the CalFire Academy and began working on assignments across the state. In addition, Battalion Chief Wink is a certified Emergency Medical Technician and has earned numerous technological and incident management certifications. Battalion Chief Wink currently serves as a CalFire Battalion Chief for Lake County. Our community knows firsthand the value of Battalion Chief Wink's leadership. During the Clayton and Valley Fires, Battalion Chief Wink led a large team and acted quickly to help protect our community. His leadership undoubtedly limited the damage sustained by our Lake County community during those devastating fires. Mr. Speaker, I thank Battalion Chief Wink for his dedication to our community's safety. For this reason, it is fitting and proper that I honor him here today.

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Captain Melisse Leitzke, whom I have named a 2016 Public Safety Hero of the Year for Solano County in California's 5th Congressional District. This award is given to exceptional members of our community who perform beyond their duty as a public servant. Captain Leitzke is known for her leadership, knowledge and mentorship at the Vallejo Fire Department. Her dedication to excellence shows through the results of her hard work and study to achieve the rank of Captain after placing first in her recent Captain examination. In addition to her work as an emergency responder, Captain Leitzke is an active member of our community. She serves as a mentor in the Department's Robin Mackbee Youth Academy providing life guidance and career exploration for youth who are at-risk socially, academically and economically. Captain Leitzke's presence in the academy provides a positive role model for the young men and women. Mr. Speaker, I thank Captain Leitzke for her dedication to our community's safety. For this reason, it is fitting and proper that I honor her here today.

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Christina Gossner, whom I have named a 2016 Public Safety Hero of the Year for Sonoma County in California's 5th Congressional District. This award is given to exceptional members of our community who perform beyond their duty as a public servant. A paramedic with American Medical Response (AMR) Sonoma, Ms. Gossner started her Emergency Medical Services (EMS) career with training at the Santa Rosa Junior College Fire Academy in 1992 and Paramedic Academy in 1994. For more than two decades, Ms. Gossner has been an enthusiastic and generous emergency responder. To help others further their EMS careers, Ms. Gossner became an Adjunct Faculty for the Santa Rosa Public Training Center. During her career, Ms. Gossner has also worked as a volunteer firefighter with the Windsor Fire Protection District and as a rescue operation flight paramedic with the Sonoma County Sheriff's Helicopter. Her commitment and diverse experience exemplify the dedication and character of our community's best public servants. Mr. Speaker, I thank Ms. Gossner for her dedication to our community's safety. For this reason, it is fitting and proper that I honor her here today.

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Officer Cecile Focha, whom I have named a 2016 Public Safety Hero of the Year for Sonoma County in California's 5th Congressional District. This award is given to exceptional members of our community who perform beyond their duty as a public servant. A native of Oakland, California, Officer Focha received her B.A. in Integral Liberal Arts at St. Mary's College and her K-12 Teaching Credential at California State University, Hayward. Prior to her work in law enforcement, Officer Focha was an elementary school teacher. Officer Focha joined the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office in 1998. Over the past 18 years, she has served as the first female Detective Sergeant in the history of the Office, the supervisor of the Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault Detective Unit, and the first Press Information Officer for the agency. Officer Focha was instrumental in the establishment of the Sonoma County Family Justice Center and is the President of the Board of Directors for Verity, Sonoma County's only rape crisis center. In recognition of her tremendous service, the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office awarded Officer Focha with the Bronze Medal of Merit, and the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors awarded her a Certificate of Commendation for her work with Alive at 25, a model teen driving program she helped establish. Mr. Speaker, I thank Officer Focha for her dedication to our community's safety. For this reason, it is fitting and proper that I honor her here today.

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Sheriff Brian Martin, whom I have named a 2016 Public Safety Hero of the Year for Lake County in California's 5th Congressional District. This award is given to exceptional members of our community who perform beyond their duty as a public servant. A native of Lakeport, California, Sheriff Martin enlisted in the United States Army Military Police in 1992. While in the Army, Sheriff Martin was a paratrooper and was assigned to the Fort Bragg Military Police Special Reaction Team as a team leader and sniper. Sheriff Martin then attended Modesto Junior College Police Academy in 1997 and joined the Pismo Beach Police Department where he was recognized by Mothers Against Drunk Driving and as an Officer of the Year. Sheriff Martin has since served as Deputy Sheriff, Sergeant and Lieutenant in the Lake County Sheriff's Office. Sheriff Martin has served as Sheriff for Lake County and provided valuable leadership during times of crisis. During the devastating fire season of 2015, Sheriff Martin led the evacuation of 20,000 people in response to the historic Valley Fire, which burned over 70,000 acres and destroyed nearly 2,000 structures. His actions saved countless lives in Lake County. Mr. Speaker, I thank Sheriff Martin for his dedication to our community's safety. For this reason, it is fitting and proper that I honor him here today.

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Marcus Faumui, whom I have named a 2016 Public Safety Hero of the Year for Contra Costa County in California's 5th Congressional District. This award is given to exceptional members of our community who perform beyond their duty as a public servant. A native of Richmond, California, Mr. Faumui attended Contra Costa College and Los Medanos College, where he earned his A.S. in Fire Technology. He then graduated from the top of his academy class and joined the Rodeo-Hercules Fire Department, where he has made a tremendous impact in a short time. Mr. Faumui is one of the youngest firefighters at the department, but has quickly gained the respect of his peers and community with his positive attitude and willingness to contribute in any way possible. At the department, Mr. Faumui serves as the incident photographer and collects evidence used in the peer review process. He also shares his experience as a volunteer trainer at the Los Medanos College Fire Academy and oversees the school education programs for Rodeo and Hercules students. Mr. Speaker, I thank Mr. Faumui for his dedication to our community's safety. For this reason, it is fitting and proper that I honor him here today.

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Sergeant Brenton Garrick, whom I have named a 2016 Public Safety Hero of the Year for Solano County in California's 5th Congressional District. This award is given to exceptional members of our community who perform beyond their duty as a public servant. Sergeant Garrick is a 25 year Veteran of the Vallejo Police Department, and was appointed to be the community engagement officer last year. His work is instrumental to the Vallejo Police Department's successful community policing efforts, demonstrating extreme care and decisive leadership when appropriate. As a community engagement officer, Sergeant Garrick has made communication with the residents of Vallejo a top priority for the department. He regularly meets with students and parents at schools, staffs events such as Late Night Basketball, and hosts Coffee with the Cops and the annual Department open house. His work helps Vallejo Police officers connect with the people they work for and builds trust between law enforcement and citizens in our community. Mr. Speaker, I thank Sergeant Garrick for his dedication to our community's safety. For this reason, it is fitting and proper that I honor him here today.

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, if this bill did what the previous speaker just said, I would be here to speak in favor of it. Unfortunately, this legislation is a giant leap in the wrong direction with the potential to undo all that our State has worked for. It sends operations mandates from Washington to water managers who have carefully balanced water allocation across users for the past 5 years of this terrible drought. It pits regions against each other. It reignites the water wars, which our State has struggled with for generations. Though the authors have provided authorization for critical water infrastructure, they have prioritized huge water storage projects without enough congressional oversight. The bill also leaves the door open for the Federal funding for our State's delta tunnels proposal, which is highly controversial in California; and funding for this measure, if it happens at all, would be left to the mercy of the Republican-controlled spending committees. Funding is not guaranteed for these projects. Most fundamentally, this provision violates the bedrock environmental laws that protect ecosystems not just in California, but nationwide. When lawmakers overrule biological opinions--the determination of scientists about what is best for a species--the science-based management ecosystems everywhere are undermined. The consequences could be catastrophic. We have seen it before. In 2002, we ignored science and diverted water out of the Klamath River, killing nearly 80,000 spawning salmon. Communities were devastated and livelihoods were lost. We can't afford to set a precedent. This is a bad provision of an otherwise good bill, and I urge a ``no'' vote.

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Cesar Lopez, whom I have named a 2016 Public Safety Hero of the Year for Napa County in California's 5th Congressional District. This award is given to exceptional members of our community who perform beyond their duty as a public servant. A firefighter, paramedic and apparatus specialist with the City of Napa Fire Department, Mr. Lopez was born in Mexico and became a citizen of the United States in 1988. A graduate of Vintage High School, Mr. Lopez continued his education at Napa and Sonoma Colleges to receive his Firefighter 1 and 2 certification and Emergency Medical Technician 1A certification. Mr. Lopez then received his Paramedic training at the University of California, Davis. In his job with the City of Napa, Mr. Lopez is known for his personal sacrifice, generosity and kindness. In addition to his service as a first responder, Mr. Lopez is active in his community as an athletic coach, mentor and First Aid and CPR instructor. His willingness to put himself in danger for the safety of others and his contagious humor make Mr. Lopez a valued team member at the City of Napa Fire Department. Mr. Speaker, I thank Mr. Lopez for his dedication to our community's safety. For this reason, it is fitting and proper that I honor him here today.

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Officer Luis Paniagua, whom I have named a 2016 Public Safety Hero of the Year for Napa County in California's 5th Congressional District. This award is given to exceptional members of our community who perform beyond their duty as a public servant. A native of Santa Rosa, California, Officer Paniagua graduated from Santa Rosa Junior College with an Associate's Degree in Administrative Justice before joining the Calistoga Police Department. Additionally, Officer Paniagua works with third grade students through the Read Aloud Partners program. Officer Paniagua showed outstanding leadership and bravery during a robbery incident this year. Despite his relatively short tenure, Officer Paniagua reacted quickly and bravely to stop two armed suspects from fleeing the robbery of an armored car. He even managed to arrest one of the men without drawing his weapon, and the other suspect was apprehended shortly thereafter. Officer Paniagua's quick thinking under pressure helped the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office arrest the two suspects, and his example of bravery and decisiveness should inspire all of our public servants. Mr. Speaker, I thank Officer Paniagua for his dedication to our community's safety. For this reason, it is fitting and proper that I honor him here today.

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I, along with Congressman Mark DeSaulnier, rise today to honor the John Muir Land Trust, which earned Land Trust Accreditation status from the Land Trust Alliance in August 2016. The John Muir Land Trust is one of only 350 land trusts nationwide to receive this prestigious commendation. The John Muir Land Trust began in 1989 as the Martinez Regional Land Trust in Contra Costa County, California. The Trust initially protected 150 acres of land in the Alhambra Valley, but its success soon attracted more supporters. Over the succeeding years, the renamed John Muir Land Trust grew to incorporate 13 properties throughout Contra Costa County and now protects 2,500 acres of multi-use land. To demonstrate its ongoing commitment to future conservation, the John Muir Land Trust applied for formal accreditation from the Land Trust Alliance. For a decade, the Land Trust Alliance has provided accreditation to land trusts that demonstrate success in supporting the public interest and that meet high conservation standards. The John Muir Land Trust's recent accreditation is a testament to its tremendous accomplishments and importance within our Contra Costa community. The Trust's work ensures that people throughout our community have access to trails for walking, hiking and cycling while also preserving agricultural lands. The John Muir Land Trust protects air and water quality and preserves habitats for endangered animal and plant species. Recently, the Trust expanded its community engagement by creating the POINTing to Success program to support STEM education for middle and high school students, enhancing students' education through exposure to natural resources. Mr. Speaker, the John Muir Land Trust conserves vital parts of our community's natural resources and provides residents with magnificent open spaces and an enhanced quality of life. Therefore, it is fitting and proper that we honor the John Muir Land Trust here today.