Mike Thompson

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Harman), ranking member of the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence.

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself the balance of my time. I just want to reiterate my support for the Blue Dog budget, a budget that is balanced, it reduces the debt, and provides a reasonable level of services to our veterans and our seniors. Unlike the majority budget, it does it without robbing from Social Security, Medicare and the veterans programs. I urge everybody on both sides of the aisle to vote for the Blue Dog budget.

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I thank the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Spratt) for the time, and for his good work on this budget. It is a matter of economic security. Mr. Chairman, I believe that the easiest way that we can ensure economic security to this Nation is to pass a budget that actually balances. The other side will argue that theirs does, but we know that it does not, not unless we use the Social Security Trust Fund to pay down the debt, and that is not really balancing. It is breaking a promise to the American people and raiding a priority to pay for a select tax expenditure. In this time of sacrifice, we are debating the passage of a budget that increases the debt and takes money away from programs that help our most deserving, our seniors and our veterans. This budget cuts almost $107 billion from the Medicaid program and $62 billion from the Medicare program, and in this time of war, this budget cuts our veterans programs by $30 billion. I received a letter today from one of my constituents, Florence Newton from Humboldt County, California, a retired marine, who sent me an article that talks about the 7-month wait for veterans to get an appointment with the VA, and she asks is there not something we can do about this? She describes the situation with one word, unconscionable, and she is right. It is unconscionable that we are slashing these critical programs, and it is even more unconscionable that we are doing so to finance a $1.6 trillion tax expenditure. Today, the Blue Dogs will introduce an alternative that does balance the budget and does so without raiding Social Security. It adopts the spending level in the President's budget proposal, reserves money for the Medicare prescription drug program, provides immediate and targeted tax relief to all taxpayers, particularly those middle-class families, and it has $1.35 trillion less debt than the Republican budget, reducing the amount of money we spend on paying interest on the debt, which currently costs us $1 billion a day, reducing it by $250 billion. It acknowledges the fact that we are a Nation at war. It pays for the war, and it provides funding, $24 billion for our veterans programs. This means funding for discretionary veterans programs like the VA Health Care Program, the service-connected disabilities and burial benefits, all of which are cut drastically by the Republican proposal that is on the floor today. The Blue Dog budget responds to the concerns of constituents like Florence Newton, who are finding our financial affairs and the resulting shortage in services to be unconscionable. I am proud to stand behind the Blue Dog alternative which provides this Nation with the economic certainty it needs in these uncertain times and into the future. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Scott), a distinguished new Member of the House that spent 20 years on the appropriations committee in Georgia balancing their budget. (Mr. SCOTT of Georgia asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Chairman, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Boyd), an esteemed Blue Dog colleague and former first lieutenant with the 101st Airborne in Vietnam.

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the mayor of Yountville, California, Mary Lou Holt, whose outstanding leadership and commitment to community service has significantly benefited the people of Yountville. Prior to being elected as the mayor of Yountville in 1994, Mary Lou served as an elected member of the Yountville town council. As a member of the town council and as mayor, Mary Lou has been dedicated to improving the Yountville community. She founded the Christmas in April program, is a board member of the Hands Across the Valley program and chairs the Napa County Committee on Child Youth & Families. Impressively, Mary Lou's community outreach has extended past Yountville and beyond our nation's boarders. By actively supporting programs like ``Roots of Peace,'' a program that aids Afghan farmers by providing them with free grape seeds in exchange for the destruction of land mines on their farmland, she has impacted people both at home and abroad. Mr. Speaker, in Yountville, Mayor Holt is well known for her many accomplishments. While the community may know that she was honored as the Kiwanian of the year and that the Napa County Hispanic Network and many other service organizations have also honored her, it is most significant that the citizens of Yountville see and recognize that all accolades aside, their mayor is a person of character. Mr. Speaker, far too often, people doubt their politicians. Cynicism and division have often replaced idealism and unity as building blocks for building societies. Fortunately, in her community, Mayor Holt has shattered that stereotype through her leadership and commitment to those she represents. For nearly 10 years, Mary Lou Holt has been the matriarch of Yountville. And in that time, she has led and loved her fellow citizens. It was Mary Lou who helped create the ``If Given A Chance'' program that has awarded hundreds of scholarships to Yountville's underprivileged youth. It was Mary Lou who mourned with Yountville after the horrific events of September 11, 2001 and recounted her own experience of being in Washington D.C. and hearing the plane that crashed into the Pentagon fly over her head. And it has been Mary Lou, who has never been too busy being mayor to forget to be someone's friend. Mr. Speaker, because of the many contributions she has made to the town of Yountville and for the special way that as mayor and friend Mary Lou Holt has impacted the lives of her fellow citizens, it is proper for us to honor her today as she retires from the office of mayor.

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of strong, meaningful welfare reform. I was not a member of this body when welfare reform was first debated in 1996. But, the changes that came about as a result of that debate have brought significant and positive developments to my home state of California. Under TANF, California has tripled the number of welfare recipients working and their average monthly earnings have significantly increased. Cash aid has decreased by 45 percent and caseloads have declined more than 40 percent. These are the types of results that the 1996 reforms intended our states to achieve and we must build upon them in a way that will continue to bring people out of poverty and into meaningful employment. Unfortunately, the bill that we debate today places unrealistic expectations on both our states and our welfare recipients. Worse, it calls for the enactment of work requirements that cannot be met without enhancing childcare, job training and transportation benefits--but minimal funds are provided for these support services. Tough work requirements are a critical component of any welfare reform legislation and I strongly support strengthening our current provisions. But, I cannot support a plan that shifts a disproportionate financial responsibility onto our states simply because the federal government has squandered our surplus. The underlying legislation contains approximately $11 billion in unfunded mandates--costs that our states will have to bear alone in order to comply with these new provisions. These mandates will cost California almost $2.5 billion--a tremendous hit particularly at a time when the state is struggling with a budget shortfall of $35 billion. Mr. Chairman, as evidenced by the Cardin/Kind/Woolsey substitute, we can balance tougher work requirements with the financial resources necessary to truly move people from welfare to work. This substitute calls for tough, real work requirements that move welfare recipients into meaningful employment. This substitute gives states the flexibility to create programs that prioritize efficiency over the majority's ``one-size-fits-all'' model. Flexibility has enabled California to implement individual responsibility plans following job search and job preparation activities. We have been very successful in placing people into work first, rather than wasting both funds and time to develop plans for individuals who have already attained employment. These innovative approaches are supported by this substitute, which encourages states to implement sensible reforms and to tailor their programs to the needs of their beneficiaries--combining though work requirements with vocational training or ESL education. Finally, this substitute gives states the resources they need to enact these new, tougher mandates--providing the $11 billion in additional child care funding that CBO has indicated states will need in order for recipients to meet these new work requirements. By preventing unfunded mandates and promoting flexibility, this substitute ensures universal engagement and continued success in transitioning people from welfare into gainful employment. I urge all of my colleagues to support this substitute, which will build upon the accomplishments our states have already achieved.

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman from California for yielding the time, and for her great work on the effort to make this bill a better bill. Mr. Chairman, since the implementation of TANF, California has tripled the number of welfare recipients who are today working. Cash aid has decreased by 45 percent and caseloads have declined more than 40 percent. H.R. 4 will not help California or any other State continue to make such progress. The gentlewoman from California (Ms. Woolsey) and the others who have worked on this substitute are offering a good measure. The substitute calls for tough, real work requirements that move welfare recipients into meaningful employment. The substitute gives States flexibility to create programs that prioritize efficiency over the majority's one- size-fits-all model. The substitute gives States the resources needed to enact these new tougher mandates, unlike the majority's bill that provides $11 billion in unfunded mandates that no State can afford. It will cost California alone $2.5 billion over the next 5 years. The substitute balances tough work requirements with financial resources that are necessary to move people into working jobs. Mr. Chairman, I urge all my colleagues to support the Cardin-Woolsey- Kind substitute.

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Virginia Rue, who is retiring after working for 27 years in the field of education. During the past nine years, Mrs. Rue has served as the Assistant Superintendent of the Napa Valley Unified School District. Mrs. Rue has been dedicated to education throughout her life. Part of a new generation of women who refused to be denied a university education, she enrolled at Old Dominion University, VA where she earned her Bachelors degree in American History. Even after completing her undergraduate education, Mrs. Rue's educational goals were not fulfilled. She continued studying and eventually earned her Doctoral degree in Educational Administration. Mr. Speaker, it is most impressive that even with a doctorate in hand, Mrs. Rue felt that her educational goals could not be fulfilled without helping to educate others. As a high school teacher she motivated her History students to get involved in government and to appreciate our Nation's rich heritage. Later, as the Principal of Vintage High School in Napa, CA Mrs. Rue organized a dedicated staff, maintained a fiscally sound budget and spread an overall enthusiasm for education that was, quite simply, contagious. During her time as Assistant Superintendent, Mrs. Rue has supervised 21 elementary schools, 4 middle schools, 2 comprehensive high schools, a technology school, one adult school and a continuation school. As Assistant Superintendent, she has also expanded services to Limited English Proficient students, incorporated a senior citizen tutoring program, secured substance abuse grants and implemented new reading programs. The improvements Mrs. Rue has made in the Napa Valley Unified School District have been enormous. Mr. Speaker, Mrs. Rue is a shining example of dedication to education. The knowledge, concepts and programs that her students have benefited from during her tenure are a permanent reminder of how significant her educational contributions have been. For these reasons and countless others, it is most appropriate that we honor Mrs. Virginia Rue's educational career and extend our best wishes to her in her retirement.

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor the Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks, Napa Chapter, for providing 100 years of outstanding community service throughout the Napa Valley in my home state of California. Over the past century, every comer of our community has benefited from the contributions made from the distinguished membership of the Napa Elks Lodge #832. From its stage productions that entertained an entire community throughout the early 1900's to the charitable contributions it has provided families needing shelter, food and education, the Napa Elks Lodge has been a cornerstone of our community. When the youth of our area need help in funding school programs or financial assistance to attend college, the Napa's Elks Lodge is always there with a helping hand. The same holds true for assisting community organizations that help our most vulnerable neighbors. Last year alone, dedicated Elks members raised over $8,000 for the Napa Emergency Women's Services, Children or Parents Emergency Services, Youth Programs and Job Rehabilitation. Every year it awards over $20,000 in college scholarships to graduating high school seniors. Mr. Speaker, during this past century the Napa Elks Lodge has been more than a tremendous service organization. Its members have provided daily examples of personal and social responsibility as well as advocating the Elks principles of justice, fidelity, charity and the spirit of American patriotism. Kelly Lamm, who will become the next Exalted Ruler, exemplifies the progression of this outstanding organization. A past board member of the local women's bar association and long-time volunteer with the Big Brothers/Big Sisters Program, Ms. Lamm's commitment to service is a model of the true Elks character. She will soon be accepting the reigns from Exalted Leader Bret Meltzer who has provided outstanding leadership in guiding the Lodge to its recent successes. Mr. Speaker, the Elks represent a dedicated and meaningful fabric of our community. As they are the standard by which other service organizations should compare themselves, it is most appropriate that we honor them on their centennial celebration.

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Bruno Bartolucci, owner of Bartolucci Vineyards in Napa Valley California, for his outstanding contributions to America's wine industry and his community. Born in San Francisco, the son of an immigrant garbage man, Bruno Bartolucci learned early on that hard work was not something to shy away from. Mr. Bartolucci's father relocated the family to a farm in Napa Valley in the 1930's and, though he was young, Mr. Bartolucci was responsible for tending to the chickens, gathering eggs, picking fruit and doing extensive maintenance. When the Bartoluccis began growing grapes, his workload became so extensive that during harvest season he only attended high school every other day. Mr. Speaker, nearly 70 years have passed since Bruno Bartolucci first worked his father's vineyard. Since that time, Mr. Bartolucci's tremendous work ethic and personal commitment to excellence have made Bartolucci Vineyard famous for the quality of its grapes and renowned for its Cabernet Sauvignon. Recently, America's wine business has experienced tremendous expansion. While it is gratifying to see such a robust industry, an unintended side effect of this growth has been the detachment of vineyard owners from their fields. This, however, is not the case at Bartolucci Vineyards. Individuals visiting Mr. Bartolucci must walk into the fields to speak with him. It is there, amidst the perfectly aligned grape rows and surrounded by workers, that he can be found working in his classic green jumpsuit which sports the wears of his trade. At age 80, he still prunes grapes, supervises picking, fixes machines and maintains the beautiful garden. Mr. Bartolucci's dedication to work is only overshadowed by the size of his heart. When he is not at work, Mr. Bartolucci can be found doing a wide variety of community service. Whether donating to charitable organizations or cooking dinner for the Sons of Italy, Mr. Bartolucci never ceases finding ways to serve our community's needs. Mr. Speaker, Mr. Bartolucci is the standard to which all Americans should be compared. His commitment to farming and the community is rooted deeper than Napa Valley's famous vines. For these reasons and countless others, it is most appropriate that we honor Mr. Bruno Bartolucci today.

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Willard Hunter, M.D., Clinical Director of Open Door Community Health Centers, Humboldt County, California, honoring 25 years dedicated to family practice medicine in Northern California. Dr. Hunter received his BA with honors in Economics from Harvard University in 1970. In 1974 he graduated from the medical school of the University of California, Los Angeles and went on to complete his residency in Family Practice medicine at the University of California, Davis. He is Board Certified in Family Practice and Geriatric Medicine. In an outstanding career dedicated to patient care, Bill Hunter has served as Medical Director, Redwoods Rural Health Center; Chief of Staff, Southern Humboldt Community Hospital and Clinical Director, Open Door Community Health Centers. In addition, he conducted teaching preceptorships for students of the University of California at Davis, Santa Rosa Community Hospital and Stanford University Medical Center. Through his leadership and medical direction, Dr. Hunter plays a role in the care of one out of every four residents of the North Coast. During his career, he has personally provided more than 100,000 medical visits to 10,000 individuals. In addition to his medical skills, he is a fine athlete, a great fiddle player and a devoted father. Dr. Hunter is widely admired and respected by his colleagues, patients and co-workers for his professional knowledge and skill and his open and friendly manner. Mr. Speaker, it is appropriate at this time that we recognize Dr. Willard Hunter for his devotion to the practice of medicine and for his exceptional contributions and service to the people of California.

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize William ``Bill'' Burns, who is being honored on the occasion of his retirement as the District Representative of the Operating Engineers in Eureka, California. Bill Burns, who was born in Richmond, California, has dedicated his life to the labor movement in our country. He joined Operating Engineers, Local 3 in 1964 as a heavy-duty repair apprentice. After graduating from the apprenticeship program, he began his career as a mechanic and foreman, gaining experience and expertise on Northern California job sites. He was elected the conductor for Local 3 in 1982, a position he has been re-elected to in every election thereafter. Bill was named Business Representative in 1982 in Santa Rosa, California and in 1986 became District Representative in Eureka. As a recognized community leader, Bill Burns has served on the Board of Directors of United Way; Board Member, Private Industry Council; Member, Citizens for Port Development; Secretary-Treasurer, Central Labor Council; Executive Secretary-Treasurer, Humboldt-Del Norte Building and Construction Trades Council and as a member of the Eureka City Schools Closure Committee. He also coached youth soccer for 10 years. An active member of the Democratic Party, Bill serves as Vice-Chair and Executive Board member of the Humboldt County Democratic Central Committee. In 1992 he was a Clinton delegate to the Democratic Convention and serves as an Executive Board Member of the California Democratic Party. In 1998, Bill Burns was named Humboldt County Democrat of the Year. Bill Burns has lived his life with a conscientious and sincere commitment to working people and our democratic traditions. Raising the standard of living for those whose daily labor sustains our nation has been his life's work. Mr. Speaker, it is appropriate at this time that we recognize Bill Burns for his contributions and service to the people of our country.

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Don Tuttle, Deputy Public Works Director, County of Humboldt, on the occasion of his retirement after 31 years of public service. Don Tuttle received his bachelor's degree in civil engineering from Purdue University and a masters degree from the University of California. In addition, he received a bachelor's degree in Natural Resources from Humboldt State University. After serving with the public works department in Walnut Creek, CA, he began his career in Humboldt County as Natural Resources Analyst for the Public Works Department, and later became Environmental Services Manager. In 1999 he was promoted to Deputy Public Works Director. During his tenure, Mr. Tuttle was instrumental in protecting the environment, developing policy and guiding the permit process on in a broad array of county projects. He managed county parks, improved public access and protected fragile natural resources; he guided the effort to protect wetlands and enhance fish habitat; he detected the Western Snowy Plover, a federally threatened species, leading to the protection of its habitat; and was instrumental in getting more protections for fish affected by the diversion of the Upper Eel River. A singular accomplishment was his compilation of an environmental data bank comprised of 20,000 aerial photographs, both modem and historic, along with documents and maps pertaining to archaeological sites, geology, vegetation, wildlife, and roads. This material will guide land-use decisions in Humboldt County for many years to come. He has also been an active member of the Humboldt County Historical Society for over three decades. Don Tuttle is a dedicated, exceptionally able public servant that has made outstanding contributions to Humboldt County and to the State of California. Mr. Speaker, it is appropriate at this time that we recognize Don Tuttle for his extraordinary service to the people of California.

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mel Varrelman as he retires from the Napa County Board of Supervisors. Mel's tenure as a Napa County Supervisor is a model for all those who are in public office and for all those who value community service. During my service in Congress and the California State Senate, I have consistently turned to Mel for advice, assistance, and friendship. Since Mel was first elected to the St. Helena City Council in 1976 and then to the Board of Supervisors in 1982, he has represented his district, which includes my home in St. Helena, with sincerity, pragmatism and vision. Whether being on the winning side or the losing side of votes, Mel always cast his vote in the way he believed would improve the lives of his constituents. He has repeatedly demonstrated that true leadership often requires taking an unpopular position before time is eventually allowed to prove its benefits to all. Mel shares a passion for agriculture and open space, particularly in the Napa Valley. Mel's steadfast commitment to the preservation of open space and agricultural lands in Napa County has allowed our Valley to remain as both an economic engine for the region and as one of the most beautiful places in the country. During, his tenure, Mel helped enact measures including a landmark plan to require a vote of the people to rezone land, a hillside ordinance, a 160-acre minimum parcel requirement for agriculture, watershed and open space lands, a groundwater ordinance and a viewshed ordinance. As a private citizen, Mel has also contributed to the well being of those in our community. As an accountant and certified financial planner, he has helped individuals and small businesses navigate the tax code and the confusing world of finance. I often seek Mel's analysis of how national tax and fiscal policy will affect the lives of the hardworking people of the First Congressional District. In addition to serving on the Board of Supervisors, Mel also serves on the Napa County Emergency Medical Care Committee, the Upper Valley Waste Management Agency, the Napa County Transportation Planning Agency, the Local Agency Formation Commission and the Government Finance Committee of the California State Association of Counties. Mel lives in my hometown of St. Helena with his wife, Rose. They have two great children and are wonderful neighbors. Mr. Speaker, I am honored today to recognize Napa County Supervisor and my friend Mel Varrehman for his tremendous contributions to the Napa Valley and its residents. Even as Mel retires as the District 3 Supervisor, I am confident that he will continue to provide leadership in Napa County for many years to come.

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the significant achievements of Charles M. Price, a retiring political science professor at Chico State University in Chico, California. Dr. Price began his outstanding work at Chico State in 1965. During the 37 years that followed, he taught through some of our Nation's most turbulent times. The assassinations of President Kennedy, Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert Kennedy, the Vietnam War, the civil rights movement and 9/11. These events shook the world and drastically impacted our college-aged youth. However, rather than allow frustration and confusion to rob his students of their confidence in government, Dr. Price used his unique talents to uplift and inspire students. He taught his students hope for a better tomorrow through our government, not in spite of it. Dr. Price is a frequently sought-after commentator on direct democracy, California government and politics. His articles appear regularly in both local and national newspapers and the textbook he authored is the leading text on California government. He has received many accolades including several university merit awards. Yet as impressive as Dr. Price's resume is, his legacy lays in the civic involvement he has evoked from his students. For over 10 years, Dr. Price served as director of the California Assembly Fellows program where students were able to gain a deep and thorough understanding of California's state government. He created and directs the Chico State University Sacramento Internship program, which provides Chico State students the opportunity to secure political internships and often jobs in politics. Several of Dr. Price's students have moved on to hold public office. To have so many students become politically active is rare for many political science professors. For Dr. Price, it is the norm. I earned my undergraduate degree from Chico State University. There, I had the privilege of being one of Dr. Price's political science students. The encouragement and motivation I received was profound as Dr. Price taught my class that we could, and should, make a difference in government. Dr. Price has the ability to make you believe that you can reach out and touch government; he made me believe I could get involved. Mr. Speaker, for his invaluable contributions to Chico State University, his students Californian state government and our Nation, it is most appropriate that we honor Dr. Charles M. Price.

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Terry Farmer of Eureka, who is being honored for his twenty years of public service as the District Attorney of Humboldt County, California. Mr. Farmer has had a long and distinguished career as a public servant in our community. He has served on numerous community boards and organizations to help make the community a better place in which to live. Prior to being appointed a deputy district attorney, he was elected to the Trinidad City Council and as a member of his local school board. He was elected District Attorney of Humboldt County in 1982. As district attorney, Mr. Farmer strived to achieve an outstanding system of justice, defined by professionalism and integrity. He developed a culture of excellence that reinforced competence and ethical values within the office. During his tenure, the district attorney's office assumed a leadership role in the Child Abuse Services Team, a consortium of law enforcement, child protective workers, mental health professionals and victims working to improve investigations, convict molesters, and protect children. The program remains a model throughout the state of California. Mr. Farmer worked collaboratively to develop a program to crack down on the use of methamphetamine in our community, while working to increase public awareness and improve treatment services to deter people using the drug. Mr. Farmer graduated from the University of Minnesota in 1972. He concluded 6 years of service as a 2nd Lieutenant in the U.S. Army National Guard. He has ably served our nation, our state and our community. Mr. Speaker, it is appropriate at this time that we recognize Terry Farmer for his vision, leadership and commitment and for his extraordinary record of public service to the people of the North Coast of California.

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, we rise today to honor Cathleen Barnier of Sonoma County, California, upon her retirement from 30 years of leadership in the management of community-based non-profit organizations. For the last 10 years, Cathleen has been the President and CEO of Goodwill Industries of the Redwood Empire (GIRE), an agency providing employment and training programs, retails stores, business services, and recycling programs in six northern California counties. During her tenure, GIRE has been an active partner in community employment and education initiatives. Prior to her work at GIRE, Cathleen served as Executive Director of the Family Service Agency of Sonoma County and Service Director of the American Cancer Society of Northern California. She also worked at Sonoma State Hospital, Sonoma County Adoption Agency, and North Bay Regional Center. Cathleen's community involvement includes active roles with the Workforce Investment Board, Santa Rosa Chamber of Commerce, Business Education Round Table, Economic Vitality Project, Santa Rosa Rotary, and School to Career. She was also appointed by the Governor to the State Department of Rehabilitation Advisory Council. Mr. Speaker, Cathleen Barnier has provided exemplary service to the community for over 30 years, demonstrating that compassion and commitment combined with leadership and ability result in success. We are proud to honor Cathleen for her achievements and to wish her well in her future life traveling and spending time with family and friends.

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, we rise today to recognize Jim Piccinini, who is retiring as Sheriff-Coroner of Sonoma County, California after thirty-four years of service to his community. Sheriff Piccinini began his career in public safety with the Roseland Fire Protection District in 1968. He progressed through the ranks until he attained the position of Battalion Chief in 1976. While working for the Roseland Fire Department, he joined the reserve ranks of the Sonoma County Sheriff's Department. He resigned from the Fire Department in 1976 when he joined the active ranks of the Sheriff's Department. Sheriff Piccinini again advanced through the ranks, holding every position in the Department, and was appointed Assistant Sheriff and Acting Sheriff in 1997. Sheriff Piccinini stood for election in 1998 and took office as Sheriff in 1998. During his tenure, Sheriff Piccinini was responsible for creating the Administrative Fiscal Unit, the Volunteers in Policing Program, and the Peer Support Program. He was also instrumental in developing and implementing the Mentally Ill Offender Program, the countywide Narcotics Task Force, and the Sonoma County Law Enforcement Chaplaincy Program. He implemented the highly successful Citizen's Academy and oversaw all twelve classes, negotiated the purchase of property for the Sonoma Valley Substation and established the Department's firing range. Because of his outstanding career in law enforcement and his unparalleled level of leadership and achievement, he was awarded the Sonoma County Sheriffs Department Distinguished Service Award in 2002. Mr. Speaker, Sheriff Piccinini is a public servant of remarkable talent and commitment and it is therefore appropriate for us to honor him today and to wish him well in his retirement.

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a new program being implemented in California's Napa Valley. Operation Recognition grants high school diplomas to persons who were unable to complete high school due to World War II, the Korean War or Japanese American internment. Diplomas will be presented November 9, 2002 at the California Veteran's home in Yountville. From September 16, 1940 to December 31, 1946 and from June 25, 1950 to January 31, 1955 millions of high schoolers were not thinking about the prom or their upcoming graduations. Instead these high school students were sleeping in fox holes, being shot at on foreign battle fields and fighting to defend the freedoms of the United States of America. Mr. Speaker there is no doubt that our veterans are heroes. When our country called on them for protection and dedication during war they answered the call and gave us all they had. Too often this included sacrificing their lives. For most of the veterans who did return home reenrolling in high school was not a plausible option, rather they entered the job force and were forced to accept that their educational pursuits had come to a screeching halt. Mr. Speaker, Operation Recognition gives back to our veterans what they rightfully deserve--but never had the opportunity to attain--their high school diplomas. A diploma is more than a piece of paper it is a treasure, one no nation, military or individual can take away. More than anything, Mr. Speaker, Operation Recognition seeks to give back to our veterans a piece of their lives that was taken from them for a time. Thanks to this program, that time is over. Mr. Speaker, it is appropriate at a time when we are increasingly calling on our service men and women to protect America that we acknowledge Operation Recognition for the outstanding hope, joy and educational satisfaction it is bringing to our nation's beloved heroes by presenting them with the high school diplomas they so richly deserve.

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, we rise today to recognize the Mayor of the City of Vacaville, David A. Fleming, who is leaving office after 24 years of service to his community. Mr. Fleming was elected to the City Council in 1978 and has served as Mayor since 1990. During his tenure, Mr. Fleming has promoted the city's Growth Management Ordinance, the City of Vacaville Planned Growth Ordinance and the Vacaville/Dixon Greenbelt. He also led fundraising efforts for public art projects celebrating the community's historical milestones. Mr. Fleming has also served as the President of the League of California Cities, President of the League of California Cities North Bay Division Executive Committee, Chairman of the Solano County Mayors Conference and as a member of the Board of Directors of the Solano County Transportation Agency, the Solano County Water Agency, and the Yolo-Solano Air Quality Management District. Mayor Fleming has also been active in civic organizations, including the Air Force Association, the Retired Officers Association, the Napa- Solano United Way Executive Board, the North Bay YMCA Executive Board, the Vacaville Chamber of Commerce, the Vacaville Elks Club, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the Vietnam Veterans Association, among others. He was also a Charter Member of the Board of Directors of the Travis Air Force Base Museum and currently serves as President of the Travis Air Force Base Jimmy Doolittle Air and Space Museum Education Foundation. Mr. Fleming has been married for 47 years to his wife, Buff, and they have three sons. Mr. Fleming retired from the Air Force with the rank of Lt. Colonel. He is a Vietnam War combat veteran and earned three Distinguished Flying Crosses for his service to his country. Mr. Speaker, because of Mayor David Fleming's many contributions to the city, his community and his country, it is proper for us to honor him today.

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, the vote we are debating today will be the most significant vote that we cast during this Congress and perhaps during our entire careers. I say that for two reasons. First, this vote may very well send our American soldiers into what has been called on this floor ``harm's way.'' Make no mistake about it, it is important to note that is a very nice and sanitary way of saying that our soldiers will be going to war. They will face combat conditions that our forces have not seen during most of our lifetimes. According to the military experts and the generals I have heard from, the casualty rates may be high. If, as some expect, Saddam Hussein uses chemical and biological weapons to defend Baghdad, the results will be horrifying. Mr. Speaker, I have been in combat; and I am not willing to vote to send another soldier to war without clear and convincing evidence that America or our allies are in immediate danger and not without the backup and support of allied forces. The President delivered a good speech on Monday evening. I agree with him that Saddam Hussein is a ruthless dictator and that he is trying to build an arsenal of weapons of mass destruction. However, he showed us no link between Iraq and September 11, nor did he produce any evidence that even suggests that America or our allies are in immediate danger. This morning we learned from the CIA that Saddam Hussein is unlikely to use chemical or biological weapons if unprovoked by a U.S. military campaign. Most alarming about that news today is the report concludes by saying that, if we attack, the likelihood of him using weapons of mass destruction to respond would be ``pretty high.'' Second, this vote is a radical departure from the foreign policy doctrine that has served us honorably for the past 200 years. This radical departure to an unprovoked, preemptive first-strike policy creates what I believe will be a grave new world. This new foreign policy doctrine will set an international precedent that tells the world, if they think their neighbor is a threat, attack them. This, I believe, is precisely the wrong message for the greatest Nation, the only true superpower Nation and the most wonderful democracy our planet has known, to send to Russia and Chechnya, to India and Pakistan, to China and Taiwan, and to whomever else is listening. And one thing we know, everyone is listening. For these two reasons, I cannot support a resolution that does not first require that all diplomatic options be exhausted, that we work with the United Nations Security Council, and that we proceed to disarm Iraq with a broad base of our allies. I appreciate the President's new position that war is the last option and that he will lead a coalition in our effort in Iraq. But, unfortunately, that is not what this resolution says. This resolution is weak at best on exhausting the diplomatic options and relinquishes to the executive branch Congress' constitutional charge to declare war. I believe that is wrong. We must address the potential danger presented by Saddam Hussein. The first step should be the return of the U.N. weapons inspectors; and they must have unrestricted and unfettered access to every square inch of Iraq, including the many presidential palaces. We must then work with the Security Council to ensure the strictest standards, protocols, and modalities are in place to make certain that Hussein cannot weasel out of any of these inspections. Finally, we need to amass the allied support necessary to carry out the inspections in a manner that will guarantee Iraq is completely stripped of all weapons of mass destruction and left unable to pursue new weapons of this type. We had great success in building a coalition to fight terrorism, and we should do no less when it comes to disarming Saddam Hussein. We must respect international order and international law in our efforts to make this world a safer place. With our military might, we can easily gain superiority over anyone in the world. However, it takes more than military might to prevail in a way that provides hope and prosperity, two ingredients that make it less likely for terrorism to breed and impossible for repressive dictators to rule. Mr. Speaker, if it is the decision of this Congress to go to war, I will support our troops 1,000 percent. However, I saw Baghdad and I know fighting a war there will be ugly and casualties may be extremely high. Let us exhaust the diplomatic options, return the weapons inspectors, continue to build an international coalition so Saddam Hussein sees the world, not just the U.S. at the end of the gun. By doing this, we can avoid sending our soldiers into combat in Baghdad unless it is absolutely the last option.

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I was out of the country on congressional business from September 25 to October 1. Had I been present I would have voted in the following manner: ``No'' on rollcall vote Nos. 413, 414, 416, 417, 419, and 421. ``Yes'' on rollcall vote Nos. 415, 418, 420, 422, 423, 424, 425, and 426.

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Garen and Shari Staglin for their many contributions to the mental health community. As founders of Napa Valley's Music Festival for Mental Health, they have raised community and regional awareness about the importance of mental health services, as well as millions of dollars for mental health research and treatment programs. Approximately one in five Americans are affected by some form of mental illness. Under-funded research programs and professional shortages, however, mean that those who are suffering from mental diseases and disorders cannot always get the treatment they need. As long-standing supporters of the mental health community, Garen and Shari Staglin saw this unmet need and made a personal commitment to support programs that research and treat mental illness. Garen and Shari actively work as both fundraisers, and educators, increasing community and national knowledge of mental disease as well as generating the funding that allows substantial progress in research and treatment. Through the Music Festival for Mental Health, Garen, Shari, their family and their supporters have raised over $8.6 million since 1995. Funds have been donated to a variety of mental health research and treatment programs including those focusing on brain disorders, schizophrenia, depression and bipolar disorders. Garen and Shari have made a critical difference—but they have done so in the shadows. Not seeking any personal recognition for their efforts, they have advocated tirelessly on behalf of suffering people who may have never heard their name. They are not seeking fame or credit or even thanks; they would much prefer the spotlight to shine on the mental health community. Desired or not, recognition is sincerely deserved. Garen and Shari's efforts have funded treatment programs, as well as the research that generates the medicines upon which many of those treatments are based. They have improved the lives of countless individuals, and they have done so with a quiet compassion and a singular focus that has prompted the involvement of their family, their friends and their community in their efforts. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in honor of Garen and Shari Staglin. I congratulate them on the phenomenal success of the Music Festival for Mental Health and I join the mental health community in thanking them for their outstanding efforts on behalf of mental illness.

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize John and Ann Marie Woolley, two extraordinary citizens of Humboldt County, California who have dedicated their lives to public service. They are being honored for their life-long contribution to one of the nation's most precious rights--participation in the political system. Their contributions are worthy of appreciation and recognition. Ann Marie Woolley, a member of the faculty of College of the Redwoods, is Coordinator of the California Early Childhood Mentor Program. She has served as Head Start Coordinator and Regional Supervisor, North Coast Children's Services and is a full time instructor of Early Childhood Education at College of the Redwoods. She has been an advocate for services for young children for 25 years. In addition, she has coordinated and directed parenting workshops and consumer homemaking programs. Ann Marie Woolley was named College of the Redwoods Outstanding Associate Faculty Member of the Year, 2001- 2002. She is an accomplished musician, has edited an environmental newspaper and written music reviews and is a member of numerous environmental and social justice organizations. John Scott Woolley, Third District Supervisor, County of Humboldt, has been actively involved in community service projects throughout his career. At Humboldt State University, the Center for Community Development, John was responsible for the initial development of community programs that assisted seniors, women and children throughout the region. As the Community Economic Development Planner at the Northern California Indian Development Council, John coordinated statewide programs which included federal tribal recognition petitions, an American Indian health satellite clinic and labor and business training in natural resources improvement contracting. He is an outstanding county supervisor who works hard for his district and represents the county on the boards of the North Coast Emergency Medical services, North Coast Railroad Authority, Whole Child Interagency Council, and North Coast Unified Air Quality Management District. His civic and philanthropic contributions to our community are numerous. They share the happiness of family life with their two sons, James and Kevin. John and Ann Marie are being recognized for their outstanding contribution to the political process by the Humboldt County Democratic Central Committee as ``Democrats of the Year, 2002.'' Mr. Speaker, it is appropriate at this time that we recognize John and Ann Marie Woolley for their unwavering compassion and for their contribution to the ideals and traditions that have made America great.

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Jake Scheideman for his humanitarian work in Nicaragua and his dedication to both his local community and the world. As a resident of my hometown of St. Helena, California, Jake has inspired the people around him as well as the people of Nicaragua. He has been recognized as one of St. Helena's World Citizens of the Year. Jake Scheideman has spent the last decade traveling between the United States and Nicaragua on a mission to build a baseball field in the small town of Matagalpa, Nicaragua. He has raised over $50,000 for the project and has brought dozens American volunteers to Nicaragua to assist with the building of the dugouts and backstops. He has been helped by General Charles Wilhelm, General Carrion of the Nicaraguan Military, Ambassador Oliver Garza as well as many others. The involvement of so many distinguished people attest to Jake's ability to motivate and inspire. However, where Jake's mark is most visible is in the community where he worked. The residents of Matagalpa, Nicaragua and its surrounding areas have come to call the project the ``Field of Dreams.'' An American Flag flies beside the Nicaraguan Flag and is proudly raised at every game. Jake Scheideman received a Bachelors Degree in Business Management from Pacific Union College in 1991. After graduation Jake moved to St. Helena where he quickly became involved in the community. He was a Parks and Recreation Commissioner for six years, a member of the Napa Valley Conference and Visitors Bureau Board for four years and was President of the St. Helena Merchant Association. He has been active in the St. Helena Chamber of Commerce, serving as its President in 1999. He also founded important community events and organizations. Jake has been a Volunteer Firefighter and Emergency Medical Technician for the St. Helena Volunteer Fire Department for twelve years. Mr. Speaker, please join me in recognizing the achievements of Jake Scheideman. At a time when this country is feeling the repercussions of the inhumane acts of September 11th and needs positive inspiration, Jake Scheideman reminds us of the humanity and compassion that is still out there.