Mike Thompson

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I just want to point out that small businesses and the startups are disadvantaged if this bill passes. They can't take advantage of this real-world experience and business-world experience. I am here to tell you, as a small-business person, if you don't pay your bills, you go out of business. The leader had mentioned that this bill is going to cost $181 billion, but, Mr. Speaker and Members, if you add that $181 billion to everything else that the majority has passed in regard to unpaid-for tax cuts, that number jumps to $586.3 billion of unpaid-for tax policy. Now it is my pleasure to yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Danny K. Davis), a distinguished member of our Committee on Ways and Means.

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Pelosi), the Democratic leader.

Mr. THOMPSON of California. I yield the gentleman an additional 30 seconds.

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Oregon (Mr. Blumenauer), a distinguished member of our Ways and Means Committee, from a district filled with innovators, all of whom would benefit from doing this policy the right way.

Mr. THOMPSON of California. I yield the gentleman an additional 1 minute.

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I just want to point out that the President is standing with those of us who support the R&D credit, but he wants it done responsibly. He wants it paid for, and he wants it part of tax reform. Just like all of us, we support the R&D credit. We want it paid for, and we want it part of tax reform. To suggest that voting against this is standing with China, I find somewhat an ironic statement made by my friend from Texas, given the fact that China already holds so much of the U.S. debt. All this does is empower them more, give them more of our debt. I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Doggett).

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Rangel), former chair of the committee and a strong proponent of responsible tax policy.

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I just want to start by clarifying one thing. My friend from Wisconsin talked about what it means when you say ``paid for.'' What it means when you say ``paid for'' is you pay for the bill. There is a certain cost associated with any legislation that we do, and if we don't pay for it, then it is added on to our deficits. So when we raise concerns about whether or not this tax bill or any other bill that comes to the floor for debate is paid for, the concerns that we are raising are in direct correlation to the fact that it needs to be paid for, not it needs to be added to the deficit or it needs to be added to our national debt. There is no debate on the issue of the merits of the R&D credit. A majority of my Democratic colleagues and I, too, believe in and support the R&D credit. It has proven to facilitate advancements in new technologies, sparked new innovations, and creates good-paying jobs for hard-working Americans, and it benefits hard-working American families. And it is critical to helping U.S. companies innovate and compete in a global marketplace. However, what we do object to is the approach by which this is being done. As I said, it is unpaid for, and it is outside of tax reform. Last year, the previous chairman of the Ways and Means Committee, Chairman Camp, unveiled a tax reform proposal that made the R&D credit permanent; but the cost of the provision was paid for. He did it responsibly. It was responsibly offset. This bill, like all the other individual tax bills we have considered thus far this year, does not pay for any of them; it does just the opposite. It continues a helter- skelter approach toward tax extenders without any regard for paying the hundreds of billions of dollars it costs to make them permanent. Moreover, it poisons the bipartisan process that is going to be critical if we are, in fact, going to get tax reform done. This political exercise that we are doing today shows the misplaced priorities of my colleagues on the other side of the aisle. Not only did they recently vote to raise taxes and cut programs for millions of hardworking American families in their budget resolution, they are also leaving behind important provisions to help them, like the expansion of the earned income tax credit, the child tax credit, and the American opportunity tax credit. When it comes to corporations and the wealthy, cost doesn't seem to be a problem. Yet programs vital to the well-being of hard-working families and communities are significantly cut or done away with. What is particularly glaring is that we can't even pass a long-term transportation bill, which is, by far, more important to our national security, our economic growth, and our competitiveness. The reason we can't pass it is because the majority is unable to find a way to pay for it. Yet here we are taking up a bill that costs $181 billion. Add that to the other unpaid-for tax cut bills that this body has already passed this year, and we will have added $586 billion to the deficit. That is almost half a trillion dollars. That is over half a trillion dollars. And what do we have to show for it? The President has already said that he is going to veto this bill, so what is the point? Why are we wasting the time and expense of debating this? It is going to be vetoed anyway. What we should be doing is working together to pass legislation that is vital to every congressional district's long-term transportation bill and comprehensive tax reform. Mr. Speaker, we stand ready to work with the majority on these important things. Today's bill just takes us further away from that goal. Therefore, I ask that we vote ``no'' on this bill and make sure we vote for America. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor the Bi-National Health Alliance of Napa County's dedication to improving the health and well-being of our underserved Latino community. Bi-National Health Alliance of Napa County strives to improve the quality of life, promote positive physical and mental health, provide opportunities to access resources in a culturally sensitive environment, and encourage empowerment and growth. Ten years ago, Catalina Chavez-Tapia and Queen of the Valley Medical Center founded the Napa County Bi-National Health Week Task Force, which transitioned into a year-round effort: the Bi-National Health Alliance of Napa County. By increasing awareness of risk factors affecting health and providing information on available health services and resources, the Bi-National Health Alliance of Napa County brings together existing community resources to empower local Latinos to live healthier lifestyles. The Bi-National Health Alliance of Napa County also organizes a number of events to encourage the Latino community to become more engaged locally. This includes the Napa Valley Latina Women's Conference, which is held to empower Latina women to engage in their community through cultural, mental health, and educational workshops along with free health screenings, educational information, and follow- up care. Since the conference's inception, over 1,120 professional and newly immigrated, low-income, and disenfranchised Latina women have attended and been provided a forum to identify and address the cultural barriers to the advancement of Latina women locally. Mr. Speaker, it is fitting and proper that we recognize the Bi- National Health Alliance of Napa County's dedication to the best ideals of public service as they host their 11th Annual Napa Valley Latina Women's Conference on May 14th, 2015. On behalf of a grateful community, we honor and thank the Bi-National Health Alliance of Napa County for their many years of service, and hope for many more.

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Miljenko ``Mike'' Grgich and Grgich Hills Estate Winery as they celebrate the thirty-fifth anniversary of the ``Great Chicago Chardonnay Showdown.'' At a tasting of more than 200 wines thirty-five years ago this month, Grgich Hills Chardonnay was recognized as the best chardonnay in the world. In the spring of 1980, Craig Goldwyn, the wine columnist for the Chicago Tribune, organized a tasting that went on to be known as the Great Chicago Chardonnay Showdown. Chardonnays from across the world, from France to California, and even Bulgaria were collected for an historic first, the largest blind tasting of one single varietal. Grgich Hills Estate's very first vintage was announced the winner, just a few short years after Mike Grgich won the Judgement of Paris wine competition with his Chateau Montelena chardonnay. The Chicago tasting is credited for helping to make chardonnay the most popular varietal in the United States. In his native Croatia, winemaking was a family passion, and Mr. Grgich continued the tradition through his studies at Zagreb University. Inspired by the stories of a better life abroad, he made his way across the Atlantic, and in a true demonstration of the American dream, went on to found his own winery. According to Grgich, ``There is no scientific formula for making great wines. You make wines with your heart. You pour your love into them and nurture them like children, and transmit to them the richness of your spirit.'' Currently, Grgich Hills produces 70,000 cases of wine each year using exclusively their own organically-grown grapes, and much of the winery is run by solar power. Methods that have become standard practice in the wine industry can trace their roots to Grgich. His influence has even spread back to his native Croatia where he opened a winery and introduced these modern techniques to the industry. Mr. Speaker, it is appropriate at this time that we honor Mike Grgich for his lifetime of success and influence in the wine industry, both at home and abroad.

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Sandra Leveque upon her retirement as Principal and Director of the Napa County Office of Education Juvenile Court and Community Schools. Sandra has served as Principal and Director for 23 years, and this June she will end a forty year career as an educator and school administrator throughout our district. This month, Ms. Leveque's career and retirement will be honored by the Juvenile Court, Community and Alternative School Administrators of California at their Annual Conference in Napa. Over the past forty years, Ms. Leveque has been a dedicated educator and advocate for special needs students, working in classrooms for the deaf, autistic, and profoundly mentally handicapped. Her devotion to helping those with special needs extends beyond the classroom and includes work as a member and Chair of the Kiwanis Club of Napa's Special Olympics and as an interpreter for the deaf at Hillside Christian Center. She has also served as treasurer for the local Organization for School Administrators. Upon her retirement, Ms. Leveque's colleagues recall her as a tireless advocate for her students who worked nonstop, was always available to help others, and who treated her students like her own children. In fact, Sandra has three children of her own--Jeremy, Jessica, and Jonathan--and four grandchildren, Emmy, Peyton, Liam, and Will. Mr. Speaker, it is fitting and proper that we honor Sandra Leveque at this time. Her commitment to serving students, and particularly those with special needs, has made our schools and community stronger and her level of dedication will not be easily replaced.

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor Mike Wolf upon being named the Napa Valley 2015 Grower of the Year. For more than 35 years, Mr. Wolf has been involved with developing and managing California vineyards. Michael Wolf Vineyard Services was founded in 1997, and oversees all phases of the vineyard development process for many of Napa Valley's leading independent growers, and premium and ultra-premium wineries. Mr. Wolf currently farms over 800 acres across Napa County. Throughout his career, Mr. Wolf has been committed to innovation and the advancement of viticultural best practices in the Napa Valley. Never afraid of new ideas, he has researched and applied new technologies to continually improve the quality of the grapes that he grows. Also widely respected for his humble leadership, Mr. Wolf has graciously contributed his approach to farming and extensive experience in viticulture to the mentorship of the next generation of Napa Valley's grape-growers. Mr. Wolf has been a consistent and committed benefactor to his community through his patronage and support of innumerable causes and events in Napa County from the annual NVG Pruning Contest, Harvest STOMP, and the Napa Valley Farmworker Foundation to his ongoing sponsorship for the County Crop Report. As part of his contributions to the Napa Valley grape-growing community, he has served in a number of posts including Board Trustee of the California Grower Foundation since 1987, a member of the Napa Valley Viticultural Technical Group's Executive Committee, and as a professional member of the American Society of Enology and Viticulture. Mr. Speaker, it is appropriate at this time that we honor Mike Wolf for his professional and philanthropic contributions to Napa Valley. He is an invaluable asset to our district and the grape-growing community of California.

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Richard Arrowood for 50 years of exceptional winemaking, exclusively in Sonoma County. Mr. Arrowood has been, and continues to be, a tireless advocate and fierce supporter of grape growing and wine making in Sonoma County. We therefore recognize and thank Mr. Arrowood today for his unwavering support and relentless efforts to preserve and promote the Sonoma County wine industry. Born and educated locally, Mr. Arrowood began his wine-making career in 1965. He got his start at Korbel Champagne Cellars and soon moved on to work with the legendary Rodney Strong. His education and experience helped his first vintage receive critical acclaim, and each subsequent vintage after that cemented his status as one of the most respected vintners in the area. A pioneer in the field of viticulture, Mr. Arrowood worked with a wide array of unique varietals, a concept that was ahead of its time. His efforts changed the perception of wine from Sonoma County, and the total number of vineyard acres in the county has increased fivefold over the time he has been in business. He was one of the first to emphasize vineyard designations on his wines, a trend that has since spread across the world. This success and influence on the industry led to an offer from Robert Mondavi to buy Arrowood Winery, which Mr. Arrowood accepted so he could return to focusing on the art of fine winemaking. Amapola Creek Vineyards is his latest project, which is quite simply Richard's quest to make his greatest wines ever, and is a perfect example of the phrase ``saving the best for last.'' Its main focus is using the special fruit grown on Moon Mountain and its unique terrior. Devoting himself entirely to the new Sonoma vineyard, Richard bought the adjacent land and built a home for his family. The vineyard uses exclusively organic methods to produce just 3,000 hand-crafted cases annually in its state-of-the-art facilities. Here, he continues to showcase Sonoma County in the groundbreaking way he did many years ago when he started his journey. Mr. Speaker, it is appropriate at this time that we recognize Richard Arrowood for his role as an outspoken supporter of the production of high quality wines in Sonoma County. His impact on the growth of Sonoma wine cannot be overstated and for this it is only right that he be honored here today.

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mark Diel as he departs the Children's Health Initiative in Napa County. As the founding Executive Director of this vital organization, Mr. Diel shepherded its growth and greatly increased access to healthcare among the less fortunate in our community. During his time as the head of the initiative, Mr. Diel enrolled 16,000 children and their families in Napa in comprehensive affordable health insurance and put into place systems which ensured that over ninety-nine percent of its clients received all the healthcare services they needed. Eighty-seven percent of the Initiative's clients also retain their coverage each year, a rate that is far higher than the state average. Mr. Diel's dedication to ensuring children and low-income communities have the quality healthcare has been a lifelong passion. In addition to heading the Children's Health Initiative, he has served as a WIC manager in Yolo County and as Director at QueensCare. While at QueensCare, he built relationships with inner-city schools and families that led to valuable mobile medical, dental, and optometric clinics throughout their geographic region, serving more than 60,000 Los Angeles children and factory workers annually. He also founded Promotores Comunitarios, a leadership training program that fosters leadership through training and deploying of community health promoters. Mark was born and lives in Davis, CA, with his wife, Tara, and their two children. Throughout his career, Mark has always been a bold advocate for vulnerable groups, a professional risk taker, and an outstanding community leader. Mr. Speaker, it is fitting and proper that we honor Mark Diel at this time. He has worked tirelessly to connect underserved communities, children, and others to quality healthcare services, and as a leader in Napa County his work has made our community stronger and healthier.

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Puertas Abiertas Community Resource Center as it celebrates its 10th Anniversary of offering educational programs and advocacy services to support personal growth and family stability in the Latino community throughout Napa County. Ten years ago, the Center opened its doors on Napa Street as an independent non-profit organization dedicated to helping provide culturally sensitive intake and referral services in order to bridge the gap between community service providers and the Latino community. In fact, the Center's services are available to anyone in the community--regardless of ethnicity, race, or language. In achieving these goals, the Center partners with numerous other organizations in the area and its programs range from Case Mentoring and ESL training to Free Tax Preparation and Zumba. The Puertas Abiertas Center serves over 500 families a year. The Center's focus on helping connect residents and services through a culturally sensitive intake and referral process helps make Napa County's diverse population stronger and better prepared to take advantage of our community's resources. Mr. Speaker, it is important that we recognize the Puertas Abiertas Community Resource Center for all they do to increase access to vital community services. On behalf of a grateful community, we honor and thank the Puertas Abiertas Community Resource Center today.

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of estate tax reform and in strong opposition to this wrongfully and inaccurately titled Death Tax Repeal Act. Whenever you hear people say ``death tax,'' know right away that they are not talking about public policy and that they are not talking about tax reform--they are talking about politics. There is no such thing as a death tax. You won't find those words anywhere at all in the Tax Code. It is partisan jargon. After you die, you don't have to pay taxes. You don't have to take out the garbage. You don't get called for jury duty anymore. When you are dead, you are dead. So there is no such thing as a death tax. Today, my Republican colleagues are pursuing a full repeal of the estate tax under the guise of helping family farms and small businesses. I wish this were the case, but the rhetoric is simply disingenuous when you look at the policy. I agree that the estate tax is a real issue for family farmers and for ranchers. The first bill I introduced when I came to Congress was a bill to reform the estate tax. Folks in my district, where farmland values have reached as high as $300,000 an acre, are often land rich and cash poor. There are middle class people who work their land every day and pay taxes on the income they earn from that work. They are not people who the majority's bill is designed to help. Their full repeal is not the answer. It costs too much money. It is not paid for--$269 billion not paid for--and it helps people who don't need the government's help. A more commonsense and targeted approach would be to pass the bill that I referenced earlier. My bill exempts farmlands and related assets from estate tax as long as the family that inherits the farm continues to farm the land. If they stop farming the land, then the tax kicks back in. This is a fair and equitable response to the issues many farmers are facing today: a shortage of young farmers because the barriers to entry are too high and the high volume of farmland we are losing. More than an acre of farmland is lost every minute of every day. It is important that we help farmers preserve farmland for future generations, which will benefit our food supply and our environment, but it needs to be done the right way. So once this political exercise is over, I hope we can get down to business and work together on a proposal that is actually aimed at protecting our family farms and our family-owned small businesses.

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Maureen Toms as one of the Fifth District of California's Women of the Year as we celebrate Women's History Month. I regularly have the privilege to work with extraordinary women across our district, and I am proud to recognize Maureen as one of them. Ms. Toms has been a strong supporter of the Special Olympics; as a parent of a child with Down Syndrome, she has been a tireless advocate for children with disabilities. She has also donated hundreds of hours as a volunteer on numerous planning committees that have led to improving the quality of life for the families and residents in the City of Pinole and West Contra Costa County. Ms. Toms grew up in a family that believed in serving their community, and that philosophy became a lifelong passion. From helping children with intellectual disabilities overcome barriers through sports and shatter stereotypes with the Special Olympics to helping beautify her local neighborhood by obtaining grants to plant trees in a local park, she has been a tireless advocate for the people and places that make our community special. Mr. Speaker, it is appropriate at this time that we honor and thank Ms. Toms not only for her commitment to improving the lives of children with disabilities, but also for her commitment to our community. Ms. Toms' unyielding dedication to the people that make our region unique is greatly appreciated by our entire community and we wish her continued success.

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Pamela Phillips as one of the Fifth District of California's Women of the Year as we celebrate Women's History Month. I regularly have the privilege to work with extraordinary women across our district, and I am proud to recognize Pamela as one of them. Over her exemplary five decade career as a public servant, Ms. Phillips worked her way up from receptionist to Field Manager of the Lakeport Social Security Office. I've worked with Ms. Phillips for the past sixteen years and her work ethic and dedication to our mutual constituents was outstanding. She always did her upmost to alleviate the immediate personal need in every dire situation and to see that every question was answered and every beneficiary was well-served. Employees such as Ms. Phillips are often underappreciated, overworked and their important work sometimes goes unrecognized, but she has always been patient, compassionate and understanding. Mr. Speaker, it is appropriate at this time that we honor and thank Ms. Phillips not only for her commitment to public service, but also for her commitment to our community. Ms. Phillips' unyielding dedication to every recipient of Social Security benefits in Lake County is greatly appreciated by our entire community and we wish her a most enjoyable retirement.

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Karen Taylor as one of the Fifth District of California's Women of the Year as we celebrate Women's History Month. I regularly have the privilege to work with extraordinary women across our district and I am proud to recognize Karen as one of them. Ms. Taylor is a considerate woman with a loving and giving heart, and is always seeking to help the less fortunate in our community, especially youth, homeless, and elders. From block parties that she put on as a teenager to field trips to take kids to Lake Tahoe to see snow for the first time, she has been a fixture in her neighborhood and the Vallejo community. Forming activity groups, such as Karen's Tiny Tots and Karen's Girls Clubs for kids and teenagers, she has helped young people in Vallejo experience and see the best in themselves. Ms. Taylor has strived to improve our community for more than thirty years. She has worked with kids to perform plays, has hosted meetings on pregnancy prevention for teenage girls, and has devoted countless hours of work to the Solano AIDS Coalition. Mr. Speaker, it is appropriate at this time that we honor and thank Ms. Taylor not only for her commitment to bettering the lives of the less fortunate around her, but also for her commitment to our community. Ms. Taylor's unyielding dedication to the people that make region unique is greatly appreciated by our entire community and we wish her continued success.

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Ms. Cynthia Ortiz Guzman as one of the Fifth District of California's Women of the Year as we celebrate Women's History Month. I regularly have the privilege to work with extraordinary women across our district, and I am proud to recognize Cynthia as one of them. When meeting Ms. Guzman for the first time, you are immediately taken in by her personal warmth, keen sense of humor, friendly smile and her enthusiasm for life. In 2011, Ms. Guzman was diagnosed on her 63rd birthday with younger-onset Alzheimer's disease. Not one to accept her challenges without a fight, Ms. Guzman moved to Napa to be closer to her family, and began raising awareness and advocating for increased research funding for this terrible disease. She has been an active member of the Alzheimer's Association and has been spreading her personal story throughout the region. Ms. Guzman's story has been published in multiple books, magazine, and newspapers. She has come to my office in Washington, D.C. as a part of the Alzheimer's Association Advocacy Forum and I'm proud to have participated multiple times in her Walk to End Alzheimer's. Mr. Speaker, it is appropriate at this time that we honor and thank Ms. Guzman not only for her commitment to fighting this terrible disease, but also for her commitment to our community. Ms. Guzman's unyielding dedication to raising funds and awareness and guiding our policymakers in Napa County is greatly appreciated by our entire community and we wish her continued success.

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Gaye LeBaron as one of the Fifth District of California's Women of the Year as we celebrate Women's History Month. I regularly have the privilege to work with extraordinary women across our district, and I am proud to recognize Gaye as one of them. Ms. LeBaron is a renowned columnist for the Press Democrat newspaper, the best known historian of Sonoma County, and has been prolifically telling the story of our county, with over eight thousand articles published. Ms. LeBaron posses a rare gift: a genuine interest in people and their stories. In even the smallest stories, she saw the larger truth. Her influence and acclaim have grown over the years because of this focus and the level of trust she has built with the general public through her constancy. As one of Ms. LeBaron's colleagues at the Press Democrat put it: ``Readers trust her to tell them the truth about what is going on in their community. The depth of her commitment is palpable and readers respond to that.'' Mr. Speaker, it is appropriate at this time that we honor and thank Ms. LeBaron not only for her commitment to telling the story of Sonoma County, but also for her commitment to our community. Ms. LeBaron's unyielding dedication to the people and places that make our region unique is greatly appreciated by our entire community and we wish her continued success.

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Doris Gentry and the Human Trafficking Steering Committee for the planning and implementation of the first Napa Conference on Human Trafficking. Ms. Gentry saw the need to bring awareness on this important issue, created and led a steering committee made up of the honorable law enforcement officers of Napa County, and has been working hard to bring this conference to fruition. Human trafficking affects as many as twenty-seven million people worldwide, and as many as eighty percent of the victims of human trafficking are former foster youth, but it is both a global and a local problem. The effort by individuals, businesses, organizations, and governing bodies to promote the observance of Human Trafficking Awareness on March 13th of 2015 represents one of the many examples of the ongoing commitment to raise awareness of and to actively oppose human trafficking. For Ms. Gentry, philanthropy and volunteerism has been a life-long activity. She has led numerous boards and organizations dedicated to making our community a better place to live, work, and raise a family, and this conference is yet another demonstration of her devotion. Ms. Gentry is also a foster mom to one hundred teen boys, and has four children and six grand children of her own. I am proud to represent a district with principled, community-minded and globally conscious people such as Doris Gentry. Mr. Speaker, Ms. Gentry and the Human Trafficking Steering Committee deserve to be recognized and honored here today.

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Anthony ``Tony'' Neal Hunley, who passed away on January 25, 2015, after sixty remarkable years. Tony devoted his life to public service, including an exemplary thirty-five year career in local law enforcement. His commitment and devotion for the betterment of his community touched countless people. Born in Sacramento, Tony felt a deep connection to his local region. Tony began his service as a teenager, working in the Civil Air Patrol and the Fairfield High ROTC, as a member of the class of 1972. After graduating from the police academy, he went on to serve his community for a combined thirty-five years, first in the Fairfield Police Department as a police dispatcher, and then as a police officer. He transferred to the Concord Police Department in 1986, a job and a community he was proud to serve until his medical retirement in 2008, and where he was awarded Policeman of the Year. Tony had a great sense of adventure and enjoyed flying single engine airplanes, riding motorcycles and auto racing. He also found great pleasure in woodworking and golf, and was an avid reader. Most important of all was his family, whom he loved beyond measure. Tony was a compassionate officer with a great sense of humor, and his upbeat attitude was contagious. Mr. Speaker, it is appropriate at this time that we honor and thank Anthony ``Tony'' Neal Hunley for his life of service to a grateful community.

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, the gentleman is correct. That is how the legislative process works. You don't just punt something over to the other Chamber and then say, ``We have done our job''; because you haven't done your job until the President, in the case of Congress, signs his name on the line making that bill or that job come to fruition, making it the law. You are right. In the State capitol, we did that. We knew we had to work together because the same piece of legislation had to pass both houses and had to meet there for the Governor's signature in order to become law. The same thing happens here. I know it can be done. One of the things that I did in some of my earlier years here, Mr. Speaker, is I was successful in getting a wilderness bill passed, a wilderness bill that protected into perpetuity 350,000 acres in my district in California. Wilderness bills have passed before, so that, in itself, was not the biggest thing that has ever happened here. But I am particularly proud because I was in the minority then. The chair of Natural Resources was Richard Pombo from California, someone whom I consider a friend, although not a political ally. He was not someone who was favorable to approving wilderness legislation. But I worked with him and his committee. He had the bill up in for a markup. We had it on the floor. We passed it. I compromised; he compromised. That bill went through the House. The companion bill went through the Senate, as Mr. Costa was explaining has to be done, and it went to then-President George W. Bush, who signed it into law. So it is incongruent with the way we work today. Today you would just start by saying: An unfriendly chairman, an unfriendly President, we can't get anything done. That is just absolutely not true. If we come together and if we work together, we can find solutions to the problems that we face. There are any number of issues that need to come together and need to be put on this floor for a vote. You can look at immigration reform, tax reform, gun violence prevention, and certainly one that everyone can agree with is an infrastructure bill. There is not a person that any one of us represents who doesn't know that we need to invest in America's infrastructure--in our roads, in our highways, in our broadband, in our overpasses, in our bridges. And now with the new Panama Canal coming on line and the bigger ships coming into this country, we have huge investments that need to be made in our ports and our harbors. These are investments that not only put Americans to work generating more revenue, but put better jobs and make our economy stronger than it has ever been before. I submit, Members, that these are things that we can do. As has been said before, the things that bring us together, the things that bring us together as Americans, are far greater than the things that divide us. I will plead, let's get together, let's roll up our sleeves, let's work together on addressing the major issues that face America. I thank you, Mr. Costa, for bringing us here today.

Mr. THOMPSON of California. I yield to the gentleman from California.