Mike Thompson

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, for yielding. I am pleased that this legislation supports critical U.S. intelligence capabilities at a level higher than we ever have in past years. This bill improves the intelligence community's ability to understand hard targets, those countries that pose the greatest strategic threat to U.S. interests. But it also increases funds for intelligence collections that will support U.S. policy decisions in other important regions such as Africa, Latin America, and Asia. We must continue to focus our resources on our priority targets, but we can't neglect emerging threats. This bill does both. The bill also includes an amendment that I introduced in committee in conjunction with our colleague, David Price of North Carolina, to improve the effectiveness of interrogations and prevent a return to past abuses. It calls on the Director of National Intelligence to evaluate scientific research on interrogations and assess how to improve our U.S. interrogators' training. It also requires the DNI to assess the ethics training provided to interrogators so they understand the boundaries within which they can operate. Finally, the bill contains a provision that I sponsored that requires the newly created Inspector General of the intelligence community to study the intelligence community's electronic waste disposal procedures. This provision was designed to protect not just our environment, but also our security. The Inspector General must assess both the environmental impact of these practices and the steps taken to ensure that discarded devices do not contain sensitive information that our adversaries would be able to exploit. Madam Chair, this legislation will strengthen the capabilities of our intelligence communities and makes our Nation safer. I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Susanne Scholz on the occasion of her retirement as executive director of the Lake County Land Trust. Susanne is a tireless advocate for the environmental protection of Lake County who will be missed by everyone in the conservation community. Mrs. Scholz grew up in Alberta, Canada and received her B.A. with honors in liberal arts from Sonoma State University. She was a founding member of the Lake County Land Trust in 1993 and became executive director in 2000. Mrs. Scholz is an accomplished writer as well; she is a popular local nature columnist who also authored an anthology of poems and short stories. Suzanne is an avid birder and a knowledgeable naturalist whose keen skills of observation have enhanced her connection to the land and ability to serve in her position. Mrs. Scholz has not only dedicated her professional skills to the conservation movement but her personal time as well. She serves as the membership chair for Redbud Audubon Society and is a member of the Lake County Grading Ordinance Committee, Lake County Resource Advisory Committee for the Secure Rural Schools Program, and she is a former board member of the Anderson Marsh Interpretative Association. Madam Speaker and colleagues, it is appropriate at this time that we thank Susanne Scholz for her years of dedication and service on behalf of Lake County. She has been an exceedingly intelligent, reliable and professional executive director of the Land Trust who oversaw a vast expansion of conservation in Lake County. I join her husband Jim in thanking Susanne and wishing her a lifetime of fulfillment.

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today with my colleague, Representative Lynn Woolsey, to honor the 100th anniversary of the Sonoma Valley Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber has long served as a spirited defender of the Valley's interests, by encouraging new industry, organizing beautification projects and managing flood control efforts. The Chamber began the evening of April 10, 1909, when 32 businessmen convened over dinner to discuss how they could stimulate commerce for the benefit of local merchants and professionals. Membership quickly grew to 100 and the Chamber began their first initiatives, like publishing marketing material and establishing committees to begin tackling an ambitious agenda. In the early years, the Chamber called for transportation improvements and successfully lobbied Congress to protect a local federal facility from closure. During the Great Depression, the Sonoma Valley Chamber of Commerce was instrumental in addressing needs of a paralyzed business community. To generate renewed interest in the organization, the Chamber hosted an event benefiting street and driveway improvements. In the subsequent years, the Chamber pioneered many efforts, including the creation of a commuter bus service to San Francisco, the endorsement of a municipal water system, support for State Parks and advocacy for underground utility and telephone lines. Notably, the Chamber raised local matching funds for a job stimulus program that was part of President Roosevelt's New Deal. Following the attack on Pearl Harbor, the Chamber was designated as a farm labor office tasked with steering workers to local farmers. In the years following the war, the Chamber focused on supporting an adequate sewage system, the introduction of local hospital and the adoption of a zoning plan. By mid-century, the Chamber hosted an industrial conference, boldly escalating efforts to bring new industry to the Valley. Today the Chamber has expanded its membership to more than 700 leaders who continue to help ensure a thriving economy through advocacy, promotion, networking, education and services. Operating under the mantra that ``Strong businesses make strong communities,'' the Chamber hosts events, publishes a business magazine and offers comprehensive business, community and visitor resources. The Chamber also leads recognition efforts, honoring the business of the year and green businesses. Madam Speaker, it is appropriate at this time that we acknowledge the 100th anniversary of the Sonoma Valley Chamber of Commerce. In years to come, this organization will remain an integral and powerful force that continues to enrich the business community for the benefit of all Sonoma Valley residents.

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Madam Speaker, on December 14, 2009, I was unavoidably unable to cast my votes for rollcall No. 969 and rollcall No. 970. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.''

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today with my colleague Rep. Mike Thompson to honor the memory of Donna Cook Freeman of Bodega Bay in my district, an energetic community activist whose petite frame exuded a feisty kind of determination combined with warmth and humor that earned friends, political power and a long list of accomplishments. Donna came to Bodega Bay a half century ago as a young, poor and pregnant fisherman's wife with two small children in tow. She left Bodega Bay and this earthly plain on October 30, 2009 after two weeks of farewell visits from at least 150 friends. She was 72. Donna Cook Freeman became involved in local politics in the early 60s in one of the earliest environmental battles of the modern era, the fight over the planned construction of a nuclear power plant at Bodega Head. Donna and several other ``ordinary'' townspeople and their friends took on the giant utility, and ultimately won after they exposed the danger of building the plant directly on the San Andreas Fault. Remaining active in coastal issues, she served on the California Coastal Commission's advisory board for the county's coastal plan. She campaigned for a local assessment to provide paramedics for the Bodega Bay Fire Protection District. Later she served three terms as a director of the Fire District. She was also a founder of the Bodega Bay Fishermen's Festival, and served as president and a director of the Bodega Bay Chamber of Commerce, and for a decade she served on the board of the Sonoma County Fair. She successfully fought for new port facilities for commercial and recreational fishermen that became Spud Point Marina. She also created a special place in a scrub filled ravine at the foot of Bodega Head. She filled it with cool ferns, waving trees, rippling ponds, narrow foot bridges and a gazebo she salvaged from the set of Alfred Hitchcock's Bodega Bay-based classic film, ``The Birds.'' She called this sheltered refuge ``Compass Rose Garden,'' named both for the center of a compass and her mother. She raised her family in a cottage in the garden, and turned its verdant grounds into a place for weddings, family events, community celebrations and political fund raisers that both advertised and expanded her political influence. She served on the Democratic State Central Committee, and her endorsement was gold to numerous political candidates courting west Sonoma County votes. She served a vital role in ushering in progressive politics to the county when she successfully managed the campaign of former Sonoma County Supervisor Ernie Carpenter. Last month she was diagnosed with advanced liver cancer and as her life ebbed away, she made plans for a final celebration at Compass Rose Garden. It was not to be. Yet she leaves a legacy of progress, a legion of friends and a loving family that includes her husband, Clarence Freeman, her two daughters Melinda McLees and Melissa Freeman; three sons, Scott Freeman, Kevin Freeman and Steve Freeman; and their families which include seven grandchildren; as well as her brother James Cook and a sister Dorothy Cook Hewett, and their families. Madam Speaker, Donna Cook Freeman brought creativity, vibrancy and determination to every endeavor she took on. She led by her powers of persuasion and her personal magnetism. She was born in the Depression, but was guided through her life by her joyous sense of possibility. When the boats are blessed at the next Bodega Bay Fishermen's Festival, we will think of her and recall a spirit that could rise above the waves.

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Cheyenne Spetzler, Chief Operations Officer of Open Door Community Health Centers, of Humboldt County, California. Ms. Spetzler has dedicated 30 years to providing quality health care for the people of Humboldt and Del Norte Counties. Beginning as a volunteer, Cheyenne has worked at all levels of Open Door Community Health Centers, ultimately becoming responsible for daily operations of the clinic system. Under her leadership, the original part-time clinic staffed by volunteers developed into a comprehensive network of nine licensed facilities and mobile medical programs throughout the two counties. Ms. Spetzler led the team responsible for the addition of the Del Norte Community Health Center in 1990, the Eureka Community Health Center in 1991 and the Burre Dental Center in Eureka in 2003. Today, the Open Door Community Health Centers provide medical, dental and mental health care to more than 40,000 individuals annually and employ a staff of more than 350. The Open Door network provides health care to approximately one-third of the total population from this large rural area the size of Connecticut, and is the largest safety-net provider in Northwestern California. Ms. Spetzler has served the people of California as a long time board member of the statewide Reproductive Health Association and as a member of numerous state and local associations and committees. She also continues to promote healthy living through her passion for sports, including the development of women's soccer at Humboldt State University, first as a club team and later as a fully intercollegiate women's soccer team. Cheyenne Spetzler is also a respected Mayan scholar who has taught Mayan Hieroglyphic Decipherment at the University of Texas at Austin and Humboldt State University in Arcata. She served as primary researcher for the NOVA television special ``Cracking the Maya Code'' released in 2008. Ms. Spetzler is a respected member of the community, highly regarded for her successful efforts to develop health care facilities, which meet community health care needs through their focus on health education, access to care and prevention. Madam Speaker, it is appropriate at this time that we recognize Cheyenne Spetzler for her unwavering leadership and dedication to improving the health of California's North Coast communities.

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Shannon Boaz, wife, mother, sister, daughter, friend and inspiration to all who came in contact with her, who passed away November 21, 2009, after a long battle with leukemia. Shannon was an extraordinary woman who did not let her terminal diagnosis dampen her fighting spirit. She was first diagnosed with leukemia in June 2008, but by December of that year, the disease had remarkably gone into remission. She immediately began working with the committee in her hometown of Healdsburg, California to organize the annual anti-cancer ``Relay for Life,'' which was held in June 2009 and was named the Relay's Survivor Honoree. Fate intervened on the last day of the Relay when her doctors determined that her cancer had returned. During the last four months of her life, much of it spent in the hospital, she continued to work with and comfort other leukemia and cancer patients. To family and friends, Shannon would often state that she had the perfect life with her husband, Healdsburg Fire Captain Jason Boaz, and their two young sons, Jackson and Austin. Shannon was born in Los Angeles on November 22, 1970, and moved to Sonoma County when she was five years old. She graduated from Geyserville High School in 1988 and received a degree in Business Administration from California Polytechnic State University in 1993. Following college, she worked as a flight attendant for United Airlines and was in the air on 9/11, flying from Boise, Idaho to San Francisco. Shannon took a furlough following 9/11 to raise her family and manage the construction of the family home in Healdsburg. She worked as a realtor at Full Spectrum Properties in Healdsburg for the last few years of her life. Madam Speaker, Shannon Boaz was a respected and well loved member of the Healdsburg community who will be missed by her family and friends. It is therefore appropriate that we remember and honor her today.

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 3961, the Medicare Physician Payment Reform Act. We've all heard from our constituents how important their relationship is with their doctor. We have a system that works--over 45 million people across the country depend on Medicare for that doctor- patient relationship. Yet every year this doctor-patient relationship is threatened by excessive cuts to Medicare reimbursement rates. Every year we wait until the last minute to address it in Congress. Meanwhile, patients worry that they will lose access to their doctors. And doctors worry about how they will be able to continue to serve their patients. This bill will permanently fix this problem--so that we don't have to put patients and their doctors through this yearly ritual, and Medicare recipients will have continuous access to their doctors. I urge my colleagues to vote yes on this legislation.

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Norton Buffalo, a man of enormous musical talent, who passed away October 30, 2009, after a short battle with lung cancer. Although he is no longer with us, his music and his virtuosity as a harmonica player are gifts that will live on for generations to come. Born 58 years ago in Oakland, California and raised in the blue collar streets of Richmond, California, Norton developed an appreciation for music from his father, a harmonica player in his own right, his mother, a nightclub singer, and his great-uncle, an Academy Award winning composer. He won his first talent contest in 1963 while in the 6th grade and he never looked back. For decades he called Sonoma County home. His first solo album and tribute to his adopted home, ``Lovin' in the Valley of the Moon,'' was released in 1977. In addition to his own albums, he played on more than 180 albums by other artists and was a member of the Steve Miller Band for 30 years. He was a master of all genres, from jazz to rock to blues to honky tonk. He toured with such notables as the Doobie Brothers, Kenny Loggins, Olivia Newton John, Commander Cody, Mickey Hart, Jerry Garcia and slide guitar player Roy Rogers, as well as his own bands. I was honored and privileged to know Norton as a friend, long after I was a fan. I grew up on his music and sought out his performances at small clubs and venues throughout Northern California. When we became friends many years later, I was touched by his compassion and his dedication to making the world a better place. He was a man with a heart to match his talent. Norton was a performer to the end. He was on tour with the Steve Miller Band in August when he received his diagnosis and was writing songs just days before his death. He is survived by his wife, Lisa Flores, his children, Aisah and Elias, his stepchildren, Sierra Ruelas, and Bo Winterburn, his father, Ken Jackson, and five brothers and sisters. Madam Speaker, Norton Buffalo touched millions of people with his music and his talent. It is therefore appropriate that we remember and honor him today.

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize my dear friend Mel Aust, General Manager of the Hidden Valley Lake Community Services District in Lake County, California. Mel is being honored this evening on the occasion of his 20th anniversary with the district. Mel's contributions to the people of Lake County and California over the years are immeasurable. Mel was the driving force behind the water reclamation treatment plant and wastewater treatment plant to sustain build-out of the Hidden Valley Lake community. In 2001, his Community Services District helped build a ballpark at Coyote Valley Elementary School. He also secured $250,000 in labor grants to clean up Coyote Creek, Gallagher Creek and drainage ditches throughout the Hidden Valley Lake subdivision. He played a key role in crafting a letter that secured essential federal funding for the training and technical assistance HVLCSD offers to water and wastewater systems all over California. The list of boards and commissions on which Mel has served is equally impressive. Locally, he serves on the Lake County Business Outreach Team, the Board of Directors of the South Lake County Fire District and the Board of Directors of the Toys for Kids program. Statewide, he served on the Association of California Water Agencies Federal Affairs committee and the California Department of Water Resources Drought Preparedness Committee. Mel also serves as California's representative at the National Rural Water Association and is on NRWA's Asset Development, Legislative and Conference Committees. Mel is known across the state for his immense knowledge of complex water issues and his public speaking ability. He frequently lobbies in Sacramento and on Capitol Hill for the Association of California Water Agencies, American Water Works Association, California Rural Water Association and National Rural Water Association. He is the go-to speaker for these organizations when needed, often speaking to audiences of thousands with ease. Madam Speaker, it is my distinct privilege to recognize Mel Aust for his many years of service to the people of California and to thank him for his many contributions on behalf of our country and our community. I am proud to call him a friend. I join his wife, Connie, and all of our colleagues in congratulating him on this milestone.

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Sutter Lakeside Hospital of Lake County, California. On November 19th, 2009, Sutter Lakeside will be hosting a ribbon cutting ceremony for their new Mobile Health Services Unit. The Mobile Health Services Unit project began over 2 years ago. Twenty percent of Lake County's residents and 31 percent of its children are living below the poverty line. This fact, combined with the county's rural nature, means an unacceptably high number of residents have no access to basic health care services. The Mobile Health Services Unit will ensure that these underserved populations receive the care they need, where they need it. The entire Mobile Health Services Unit team at Sutter Lakeside deserves our thanks for their efforts in making this project a reality. In particular, a debt of gratitude is owed to Charlie Melo, owner of American Custom Coach, who provided the expertise and leadership that made this all possible. He was also so kind as to donate the unit's solar panels. Madam Speaker, it is appropriate at this time that we honor Sutter Lakeside Hospital and thank them for their contributions to the citizens of Lake County. The new Mobile Health Services Unit is an invaluable addition to the community and all involved in making this happen are to be commended for their efforts.

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, for yielding. Mr. Speaker and Members, for far too long too many Americans have not had access to quality, affordable health care. Because of this legislation, the millions of Americans who don't have health care or who are struggling to pay their health care bills will be able to get the care they need when they need it. Families, small businesses, and individuals will save money. There will be no copays or deductibles for preventive care services. If you change jobs, you can take your coverage with you. You will not be denied coverage for preexisting conditions and families won't be bankrupted by high medical bills. The bill will also help inject competition into the marketplace to help bring down the rising costs of health care insurance. The Medicare doughnut hole will be closed and the bill reduces the deficit by at least $30 billion over the next 10 years. There is still a lot more work to be done, and we are going to fix the doctor reimbursement to ensure the best access for our seniors in regard to getting health care. Today is a historic day for all Americans. It moves us one step closer to quality, affordable health care for all Americans.

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today with my colleague, Representative Lynn Woolsey, to honor Lin Lipetz, the Sonoma Treasure Artist of the Year. Selected by the city's Cultural and Fine Arts Commission, Ms. Lipetz was chosen for her talents as a teacher and an artist as well as for her contributions to the community. With an MFA from the University of Washington in ceramics, painting and textiles, a bachelor's degree in art from the University of Washington, and a bachelor's degree from San Jose State University in interior architecture, Lipetz has the academic credentials to back up her long experience as an artist. With drawings and beautifully colorful and joyous paintings ranging from abstract to landscape, she has exhibited frequently, both as a solo artist and with groups. Her work is in numerous collections, and she has also won honors and grants including Friends of the Crafts in Seattle, Washington; National Endowments for the Arts High School Art Instruction in Missoula, Montana; and the Art Across the Valley Tour through the Sonoma Valley Museum of Art. Her contributions to the City of Sonoma enrich the lives of its residents and add to the vibrancy of its arts community. She teaches painting and intuitive drawing at the Sonoma Community Center, is active with the Sonoma Valley Museum of Art and served as a commissioner on the Cultural Fine and Arts Commission. Madam Speaker, it is a pleasure to celebrate Lin Lipetz's selection as Sonoma Treasure Artist of the year. We join the Sonoma community in our appreciation of her talents and her contributions.

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Robert ``Bob'' Barnum, who is being honored as the 2009 Lumberman of the Year by the Ingomar Club of Eureka. For over six decades, Mr. Barnum has presided over the family timber holdings and been a leader in the timber industry of northern California. A Humboldt County native and fourth generation Eurekan, Bob was born to Charles R. Barnum Sr. and Helen Wells Barnum in 1927. Bob began working in the forests in the summer of 1944, where he learned to cruise timber, survey boundaries and mark cutting lines. He enrolled at the University of California, Berkeley in 1945 and graduated in 1949. He attended the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, New York. He married Patricia Boyle of New Jersey in 1949. Bob and Pat have five children, Patricia, Charles, Bill, Cathleen and Jane, as well as eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Bob assumed management of the family timber business in 1953. He added to the family's timber properties and formed Barnum Timber Company in 1985. He was a founding director of Forest Landowners of California, an officer and director of many industry associations, including the Redwood Region Conservation Council and the California Forestry Association. He was appointed to the California State Board of Forestry in 1972, helping to oversee the implantation of California's landmark forest practices legislation. A lifelong Republican, Bob has proudly represented the region at the Republican National Convention in 1976, 1980 and 1984. His commitment to the preservation of our political liberty is worthy of appreciation and recognition. Madam Speaker, it is appropriate at this time that we recognize the contributions of Robert ``Bob'' Barnum to the community and to the industry which he loves, and for being honored as the 2009 Lumberman of the Year.

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise to commemorate the 101st anniversary of the Point Arena Light Station on the magnificent Mendocino Coast in northern California. A beacon to mariners since the original Point Arena Lighthouse was constructed in 1870, the Point Arena Light Station was rebuilt following its destruction by the devastating 1906 earthquake along the San Andreas Fault. The old brick and mortar construction was replaced with a new design featuring steel reinforcement rods encased in concrete to withstand future earthquakes. Point Arena Light Station was the first lighthouse to be built in this manner. The new Lighthouse stands 115 feet tall and began operation in 1908, nearly 18 months after the quake. The Light Station is home to a First Order Fresnel Lens built in France and one of very few left in the United States. It is six feet in diameter and weighs more than six tons. The lens is made up of 666 hand-ground glass prisms all focused toward three sets of double bull's eyes. It gave the Point Arena Lighthouse its unique ``light signature'' of two flashes every six seconds. This incredible optic, that holds an appraised value of over $3.5 million, is set in solid brass framework. Prior to the introduction of electricity, the lens was rotated by a clockwork mechanism. The Keepers, or ``wickies'' as they were called, had to hand crank a 160-pound weight up the center shaft of the lighthouse every 75 minutes to keep the lens turning. Later, two 1,000 watt electric lamps were installed to replace the oil lamp, and an electric motor was installed to replace the clockworks. In 1977, an automated aircraft-type beacon on the balcony tower, and the historic First Order Fresnel Lens was discontinued. The 400-pound aircraft beacon was recently replaced by a modern rotating light that incorporates the Fresnel principles for the efficient projection of light. In addition, a radio beacon, with a 50-mile signal that originates from the station, also assists mariners. The original oil lamp was visible for approximately 18 miles, the 1st Order Fresnel Lens for 20 miles and the current modern rotating light can be seen for 16 miles. In 1978, the fog signal at the station was silenced, and a bell buoy was placed nearby. In 1984, The Coast Guard and the U.S. Department of Transportation transferred the Point Arena Light Station to the Point Arena Lighthouse Keepers, a nonprofit organization as part of a 25-year land lease. In 2000, the PALK became the official owners of the property due to their diligent historic preservation and educational efforts. Daily visitation, gift store sales, memberships and the rental of the historic Keeper's homes on the property as vacation houses, provide income for ongoing preservation, facility upgrades and educational endeavors. Madam Speaker and colleagues, please join me in recognizing the ongoing contribution and historic significance of one of America's treasures, the 101-year-old Point Arena Light Station.

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize the Mendocino Presbyterian Church on the occasion of the congregation's 150th anniversary. The Mendocino Presbyterian Church in the village of Mendocino on California's north coast is the oldest active Presbyterian Church in California. Eight local residents including six women chartered it in 1859. The Mendocino Presbyterian Church is California Historic Landmark Number 714 and is listed on the Federal Register of Historic Places. Its spire and English gothic design are iconic symbols exemplifying Mendocino's history and much photographed architecture. The Church sanctuary is entirely built from local redwood. It was designed by San Francisco architects S.C. Bugbee and Son, who previously designed the Crocker and Stanford mansions, which were destroyed by the 1906 earthquake. Donations by local citizens and businesspeople such as pioneering residents Jeremy Ford and Henry Meiggs made the building possible. The first pastor in 1861 was Reverend David McClure and the first written record of the sermon was on October 19, 1861. A thousand pound cast iron bell was shipped from one of the most prestigious foundries in the New World, the Meneeley Foundry in West Troy, New York, around the Horn and installed in 1870. It has rung to signal Sunday services ever since. In addition to ringing for weddings and memorial services, since 2006 the bell has also tolled on Friday evenings in honor of our service men and women and Iraqi and Afghan civilians who died the previous week. Inside the bell tower is covered with chalk signatures, including every pastor, and others who have climbed the stepladder to the top. The bell rope, which extends to the reception area of the sanctuary, includes one knot for each ordained pastor who served. Symbolic sections join the knots as a historical record related to events around the nation and the world. A framed document interprets the bell rope significance. While the original chandeliers and wall sconces have been electrified and gilded, most of the interior of the Sanctuary remains the same as when it was constructed. The cork floor between the pews is a scuffed record of the many shoes from high heels to logging boots worn by those who have attended services. The Mendocino Presbyterian Church has been home to Rainbow pre-school welcoming children of all denominations since 1978. The Church sponsors the Mendocino Christian Camp, Bible Study and schools in Nicaragua as part of its mission and outreach. In addition, the adjacent Preston Hall is a popular community center for events such as art auctions, book sales, the Christmas bazaar, and receptions and meals. The Church is a popular wedding location and was featured in a Kodak commercial in the 1970s. In 1947, Warner Brothers filmed a scene for the movie Johnny Belinda inside the sanctuary with the Church choir performing. Madam Speaker and colleagues, please join me in honoring 150 years of invaluable religious, civic and community service by the Mendocino Presbyterian Church.

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Madam Speaker, on November 2, 2009, I was unavoidably unable to cast my votes for rollcall 832, rollcall 833 and rollcall 834. My flight to Washington was delayed due to mechanical difficulties. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.''

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today along with my colleague, Congresswoman Lynn Woolsey, to honor the woman known to hundreds of Sonoma County veterans as simply ``Dudley.'' Dudley recently retired as a county Veterans Service Officer after more than 37 years and is taking with her the respect and admiration of a grateful nation. Dudley is herself a veteran, joining the Army directly out of high school in 1962. She describes this period of her life as ``the best thing that ever happened to her.'' It was during this time that she developed her lifelong appreciation for and dedication to the men and women who serve our country in uniform. A six-and-a-half year stint as a flight attendant for several airlines that declared bankruptcy left her stranded and unemployed in Sonoma County. To the good fortune of every veteran in the area, she soon found work as a clerk typist in the Veterans Service Office in 1972. Four short years later, she was promoted to a Veterans Claim Worker and from that point forward, became the champion of every veteran with whom she worked. She was one of the first to recognize that Post Traumatic Stress Disorder was severely affecting the ability of many of our veterans to fully function after returning from combat. She worked relentlessly with the Department of Veterans Affairs and within the county veteran's service organizations to have PTSD recognized as a disability and was eventually successful. Throughout her 37-year career, she has given specialized training presentations at the state and national level on procedures for filing claims with the VA for specific disabilities. She has been honored and recognized for her work by the Vietnam Veterans of America, receiving the organization's highest honor, the Commendation Medal, in 1999. The California State Council of Vietnam Veterans of America presented her with its Member of the Year award in 2000. Dudley also served the veterans community by organizing the United Veterans Parade Committee to participate with floats and veterans groups in Santa Rosa's largest civic parade and by organizing the United Veterans Council POW/MIA ceremony to honor former prisoners of war and those missing in action from Sonoma County. Madam Speaker, Dudley is a living example that one person can make a difference. There is no greater champion of veterans in our two Congressional Districts and it is therefore appropriate that we honor and express our gratitude to her today and wish her well in her retirement.

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Madam Speaker, on October 26, 2009, I was unavoidably unable to cast my votes for rollcall 814 and rollcall 815. Had I been present, I would have voted ``aye.''

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the Napa Valley Horsemen's Association on the occasion of their 70th anniversary. NVHA was organized by a dedicated group of horse lovers to promote horses as a form of recreation in the Napa Valley. On October 17th, 2009, the Association is celebrating this milestone at their clubhouse in Southwest Napa. The Horsemen's Association has a long and storied history. NVHA held its first meeting on October 11, 1939, at the Napa Fairgrounds in the Home Economics Building. From there the club grew to 82 charter members by January 1940. On November 19, 1939, the club held its first event, consisting of races, roping, horsemanship classes and jumping. NVHA purchased the 32 acres at its present location on Foster Road in Napa in 1948. The site was a working dairy, and upon purchase the club members refurbished the milking barn to operate as a clubhouse and spent the next few years holding fundraisers to build the arenas and horse barns. NVHA has been involved in supporting local equestrian events throughout its history and continues to do so today. The club boasts members who participate in all disciplines of riding, along with many members who simply enjoy horses. In addition to offering numerous shows, cattle events and speed events, NVHA also hosts educational clinics aimed at improving training, feeding and the keeping of local horses. In recent years, NVHA has partnered with the Bureau of Land Management to host adoption events for mustangs and burros. The club boasts an active youth group and also gives out annual scholarships to four local high school students who are studying equestrian or agricultural topics. Madam Speaker, it is appropriate at this time that we honor the Napa Valley Horsemen's Association's illustrious history and numerous contributions to equestrianism in the Napa Valley. The Association continues to improve and thrive today, and I commend past and current board members for their commitment to this cause.

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Speaker and Members, this bill is about freeing up 2.5 million gallons of water per day through recycling, water that would be able to be used throughout the affected areas in California. This reduces water demand for our State, again, 2.5 million gallons a day. I want to speak to something that was said earlier, and that was that the salmon fishermen in California, the salmon fishing families, were not hurt, and that the claims that they were were bogus. Mr. Speaker and Members, the salmon fishermen and their families in my district on the north coast of California have been out of work for 3 of the past 4 years, mostly because of illegal biological opinions issued by the past administration. At the same time, the farmers south of the delta have been receiving disaster funds for their water shortages, $95 million over the course of the last 2 years. The biological opinions, the illegal biological opinions that I mentioned, helped kill some 80,000 spawning salmon on the Klamath River and decimated the salmon fishery along the Sacramento River. Those fisheries in the Sacramento River saw their salmon populations go from 800,000 to 66,000 in 3 short years. Mr. Speaker and Members, fishing families have been put out of work in my district and up through and into Oregon. They have lost their homes, they have lost their savings, and they have lost their livelihoods. It's not bogus, and it's shameful to suggest that it is. The heart of the issue that's here today, the opponents of this bill feel very comfortable choosing one business as more superior to another. The opponents' debate isn't about solutions but rather----

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Cloverdale Historical Society as it dedicates and opens the new Cloverdale History Center. The new 4,000 square foot, temperature controlled History Center will house and preserve a wide variety of artifacts and documents and provide accommodations for historical, genealogical and cultural research. It will be the centerpiece of a cultural renaissance in what has become Sonoma County's fastest growing city. The Society is staffed 100 percent by volunteers who take great pride in the area's heritage and its diversity. It was founded in 1968 by local residents dedicated to preserving the local history of this vibrant community. One of its more unique projects is its on-going work to completely restore Cloverdale's oldest residential structure. The Gould-Shaw house and its gardens face the town's main boulevard and lend a 19th century charm through its Gothic Revival architectural style. The Historical Society has also hosted the annual ``Old Time Fiddle Festival'' for the past 35 years. The event helps preserve the historic fiddling culture and has fostered appreciation for this distinctively American music among the thousands of visitors who have participated in this event throughout the years. Madam Speaker, the City of Cloverdale is rightfully proud of the Historical Society and its new History Center. It is therefore appropriate that we acknowledge and honor the Cloverdale Historical Society and the countless volunteers who have made this dream a reality.

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today along with my colleague, Lynn Woolsey, to recognize and honor Mary's Pizza Shack, which has been selected as the Business of the Year by the Sonoma Valley Chamber of Commerce. Not only is Mary's Pizza Shack being honored by the Chamber, but the restaurant chain is celebrating its 50th year anniversary as a mainstay in Sonoma Valley. Family matriarch, Mary Fazio, started the business in Boyes Hot Springs with a $700 investment and pots and pans from her own kitchen. Her dream was to have a warm, family-friendly place where people could enjoy hearty portions of her family's favorite foods at reasonable prices. It was clearly a recipe for success. Today there are 18 ``Shacks'' in seven counties in Northern California and this third generation-run family business is branching out this year with a new fast/casual restaurant concept to compliment to original Mary's Pizza Shacks. But Mary's is much more than a successful business model; it is an integral part of the fabric of the community. For generations, it is been the after-game destination for every sports team in the valley, young or old. Countless victories have been celebrated there and losses have been made a little more bearable with a pepperoni pizza or two. Since its inception, Mary's has given back to the community through its financial support of 50 community organizations each year, through its popular ``Dine and Donate'' nights, and its commitment to the valley's youth. As an employer, Mary's makes it a point to hire people with disabilities. Madam Speaker, local businesses in the small communities throughout our two Congressional districts are much more than employers. They are the backbone of a support system for projects, non-profit organizations, and our youth and civic events that would not be successful without their involvement. Like many of the businesses selected by the Sonoma Valley Chamber of Commerce as its Business of the Year, Mary's Pizza Shack exemplifies this commitment. It is therefore appropriate for us to honor Mary's Pizza Shack, the Fazio family and all of their employees, both past and present, for 50 years of dedicated service to the Sonoma Valley.

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today along with my colleague, Representative Lynn Woolsey, to honor the life of Gene Tunney who served as Sonoma County District Attorney for 20 years. Mr. Tunney passed away August 9, 2009, with his family at his side. Born in New York City in 1931, Mr. Tunney was the son of the famous heavyweight boxing champion James Joseph ``Gene'' Tunney and brother of California Congressman and Senator John Tunney. After serving in the Army, he moved to the Bay Area where he enrolled in law school in San Francisco. In 1971, he began his first job in Sonoma County as a Deputy Public Defender. A few years later he ran for District Attorney, narrowly winning the race. He served in that office for five more terms, from 1974 to 1994. Mr. Tunney is credited with modernizing and professionalizing the District Attorney's office, guiding its transition in an era of increasingly urban types of crime. He placed restrictions on plea bargains and reviewed all felony cases while becoming an advocate for victims of crime. He was highly regarded for his sense of justice and for bringing changes to offices around the state after co-founding the California District Attorney's Association. Married 49 years ago, Mr. Tunney enjoyed spending time with his wife Ann and their family. After retirement, the couple lived in Hawaii for a decade where they pursued their mutual hobby, flying small planes, as well as traveling, swimming, and reading. They later moved to Tiburon in Marin County, California. Mr. Tunney is survived by his children Alexandra Kelly, Megan Tunney, Erin MacLeon, and Gene Tunney as well as seven grandchildren and brothers John and Jay. Madam Speaker, we are proud to honor Gene Tunney 's contributions to our community and know that, with many of his Deputy District Attorneys serving on the bench, his legacy of high standards and fairness to victims will continue in Sonoma County.

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Madam Speaker, I rise with my colleague Representative Lynn Woolsey, to honor a local public broadcaster, KRCB in Sonoma County, California. KRCB is celebrating 25 years of service to our local communities. Nancy Dobbs, President and CEO, has been the guiding force behind KRCB from the beginning. She notes that it is a rare opportunity to build such a public institution. ``When we started in January, 1981,'' she says, ``we had to argue for the license before the FCC, find land on which to build our offices and studios, raise money for a station that did not yet exist, and convince the community about the importance of our own public broadcasting service.'' Fortunately for all of us, the effort was successful. Today, we cannot imagine what Sonoma County would be like without KRCB, which provides PBS television, NPR radio, and local programming. It is the only PBS service available to more than a quarter of a million residents. Working with nonprofits, businesses, and government agencies, KRCB has led community dialogues on health care, the environment, and disability awareness, to name just a few. The station has been awarded three Emmys for its national environmental series National Heroes, has been honored by the California Teachers' Association for its North Bay Report, and has received honors for local election coverage, provided consistently for the past 17 years. KRCB also provides air time to celebrate local cultural events, such as the full season of the acclaimed Santa Rosa Symphony, which would otherwise be unavailable. According to Dobbs, ``It was clear from the beginning that KRCB's mission was to utilize the public airwaves of which we are stewards to strengthen the communities we serve. Public broadcasting is a critically important tool with which to stimulate community dialogue and engagement, central elements of a healthy democracy.'' Madam Speaker, we congratulate KRCB Television and Radio on its 25 years of service. It is indeed a treasure of Northern California.