Mike Thompson

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Norman and Linda Manzer for being named St. Helena World Citizens of the Year 2002. As residents of St. Helena for over 30 years, they have continued to make positive contortions to my hometown. Norm and Linda Manzer have dedicated their lives to making their city, their country and the world better through community service. Norm and Linda have made thirteen trips to Russia in the past decade for humanitarian work with Rotary International, which is an organization of business and professional leaders united worldwide who provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations and help build goodwill and peace in the world. Norm and Linda have been instrumental in Rotary International's Children of Russia Project. Norm and Linda's tireless work to improve the lives of the Russian people has been invaluable. Norm has worked as a General Insurance Agent for 29 years. His insurance office has grown along with the St. Helena community to provide for over 1200 families. He has volunteered his time to a number of organizations. He served as President of the Silverado Chapter of the American Red Cross, President of the St. Helena Chamber of Commerce. He is a member of the Napa County Farm Bureau and the co- founder of Friends of Napa Valley. He has lectured at Pacific Union College and St. Helena High School. Linda has dedicated her life to her family and community. In addition to her community service work, she and Norm raised two wonderfully successful children. Mr. Speaker, please join me in recognizing the achievements of Norm and Linda Manzer. The town of St. Helena, the entire Napa Valley, and our nation should aspire to achieve the success of these two great Americans.

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize David C. Darling as he retires from the St. Helena Police Department. Officer Darling has spent the last thirty-one years of his career serving the people of St. Helena, California. As a native of St. Helena, I can attest to the strong embodiment of law enforcement, that David provides on a daily basis. His dynamic experience also includes stints as a Campus Police Officer at Napa College and a Police Reserve Officer for the City of Calistoga. As an officer for the St. Helena Police Department, he was recognized as St. Helena's Police Officer of the Year in 1987. David has served as the President of the St. Helena Police Officers Association for more than ten years and also served as the President of the Napa County Peace Officers Association. In addition to these many accomplishments, Officer David Darling has built a reputation as being reliable and truly dedicated to his work. He often served as acting sergeant and shift supervisor. Officer Darling could be called on for any assignment. He made a name for himself in his relentless and noble campaign against drunk driving. For many years Officer David Darling was the uncontested champion of removing drunk drivers from our streets and securing their convictions. He was dedicated to the cause well before it was taken up as a public campaign. Mr. Speaker, it is appropriate at this time that we recognize David C. Darling for his tremendous work for the people of the Napa Valley. He is a true asset to our community, and I speak on behalf of the people of St. Helena when I thank Officer David C. Darling for his service.

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the 150th anniversary of the founding of the Victorian Village of Ferndale, Humboldt County, California. In 1852, brothers Seth and Stephen Shaw and their companion Willard Allen, traveled through the Eel River plain exploring a wilderness of ferns and redwood trees. Desiring to farm the fertile land, they constructed cabins which eventually became the village of Ferndale. Situated near the Pacific Ocean, surrounded by dairy farms, Ferndale has preserved its architectural heritage, attracting thousands of tourists who cross the historic Fernbridge over the Eel River and step back into another era. Named one of America's ``Dozen Distinctive Destinations,'' the National Trust for Historic Preservation added Ferndale to its 2002 list of the best-preserved and unique communities in the nation. The Trust cited well-managed growth, a commitment to historic preservation and interesting and attractive architecture as influential in its choice of The Cream City for the designation. Seeking historically accurate locations, filmmakers have discovered that Ferndale is an ideal place to make motion pictures. The citizens of Ferndale have enthusiastically supported the use of their city as a film site and fill the scenes as ``extras.'' Ferndale will welcome visitors with an old-fashioned birthday party in celebration of this historic anniversary on August 23rd and 24th, 2002. The art galleries, parks and beautiful houses that grace the city make Ferndale a delightful place to live and to visit. Mr. Speaker, it is appropriate at this time that we recognize the City of Ferndale, California on the occasion of its 150th anniversary.

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, August 18th will mark the kick-off of National Community Health Center (CHC) Week--a time to raise awareness about and pay tribute to the vital services that our community health centers provide to our communities. Community health centers are local, non-profit health care providers that serve our poorest and our medically underserved rural and urban communities. Often they are the sole source of care for these Americans. Last year, our community health centers served almost 12 million people in over 3,000 communities nationwide. Almost 5 million were uninsured; 650,000 were migrant and seasonal farmworkers; 5.4 million lived in rural areas; and almost 8 million were people of color. California's community health centers provided service to 15 percent of that population--almost 1.8 million people. In California's First District, over 100,000 people sought the services of our 18 community health centers on over 300,000 separate occasions. These CHCs play an especially vital role in the rural areas of my district, given the financial and geographic constraints of these populations. Approximately 20 percent of the people served by our CHCs are farmworkers and over 80 percent are either uninsured or on Medicaid. Over 65 percent earn less than the federal poverty level each year. Were it not for the critical services our CHCs provide, many Northern Californians would have gone to the emergency room or they would have gone without any care altogether. In this way, CHCs are a cost-saver for our health care system--by providing a significantly cheaper alternative to emergency room care for basic treatment--and they improve overall community health. They deliver care to those that would otherwise go without and they target that delivery to their service population. This means that patients receive care when they need it, where they need it and in a way that makes them comfortable and that they understand. To accommodate different schedules, centers offer daytime, weekend and after-hours care. To accommodate language barriers--in some areas of my district Latino patient loads are as high as 62 percent--most centers offer services in both Spanish and English. And, to accommodate those who cannot travel to receive services, many centers operate mobile units. These ``clinics-on-wheels'' travel to our schools, migrant camps, community centers and homeless centers. CHCs provide a truly comprehensive range of care, with basic services including adult and pediatric primary care, obstetrical and gynecological care, immunizations, medical case management, nutrition and dietary instruction and mental health counseling. In addition, some clinics are also able to offer dental care, tobacco cessation programs and HIV care. Outreach and education campaigns are an integral component of their service delivery and all community health centers help those who are eligible to enroll in California's Medicaid and CHIP programs. I thank the community health centers of Del Norte, Humboldt, Mendocino, Lake, Napa, Sonoma and Solano counties for their dedication to the health and welfare of the residents of the First District of California. As we move towards National Community Health Center week, I urge my colleagues to help raise awareness of the important services that their local CHCs provide. Undoubtedly, many more Americans would lack access to care were it not for the commitment of our nation's community health centers to the service of the poor and medically needy.

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Blue Cross of California State Sponsored Programs (BCC SSP) for their dedicated service to the citizens of California. The BCC SSP has had a tremendous impact on over one million low-income Californians who would otherwise be without health insurance. BCC SSP is the largest commercial health plan provider involved in California's Medi-Cal Managed Care and Healthy Families Programs, and is the only health plan that serves every county in the state. One of the primary challenges that the BCC SSP has faced is the vastly different ethnic and regional characteristics of California. To meet the challenge of serving this diverse population, the BCC SSP has created Community Resource Centers in eleven counties. These centers are staffed by local professionals who have a deep understanding and commitment to the community. Using this regional approach ensures that every community gets the most appropriate and helpful health care services it needs. The BCC SSP has received awards from the California Department of Health Services for quality improvement and clinical quality of care standard assessment studies. In 2001 the American Association of Health Plans recognized five of BCC SSP's innovative member service programs as Best Practices, including: the Asthma Management Program, the Prenatal Program, its AIDS Program, the Fire Safety Program and the statewide Telemedicine Program. The BCC SSP has received numerous awards for its innovation in health care. Mr. Speaker, it is appropriate at this time that we recognize the Blue Cross of California State Sponsored Programs for the tremendous services that they provide for the people of California. The programs are true assets to the State of California and its communities and I speak on behalf of the people of California when I thank the BCC SSP for its services.

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, we rise today to congratulate Matthew J. Hogan on his appointment by Department of Interior Secretary Gale Norton to be the Deputy Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Since 1998 Matt has served as the Director of Conservation Policy for the Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation and will be leaving on July 26th to assume his new position with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. During his four years at the Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation Matt was the liaison between the hunting, fishing and conservation community and the Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus, on which we serve as co-chairs. Matt has played an important role in increasing the value of the Caucus to the hunting and fishing community and furthering the Foundation's role as a conduit between the two. Before his tenure at the Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation Matt served as the Government Affairs Manager for Safari Club International where he was the liaison to Congress on hunting and conservation issues. Prior to that, Matt was a Legislative Assistant, and later Legislative Director for the Honorable Pete Geren (D-TX). Mr. Speaker, it is appropriate that at this time to recognize Matthew J. Hogan for his outstanding service to the sportsmen, wildlife conservation organizations and the Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus. We believe his dedicated service will continue with his appointment as Deputy Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Please join us in congratulating him and wishing him the best of luck.

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, we rise today to recognize Pam Muick who is leaving as Executive Director of the Solano Land Trust after six years of dedicated service to her community. During her tenure, thousands of acres of farmland and open space have been preserved in Solano County to be enjoyed by people for generations to come. Some of the acquisitions she brokered include: The 1,500 acre Jepson Prairie Preserve, which has a world-wide reputation as an oasis for native California plants, spring wildflowers, rare and endangered species and vernal pools; The 1,500 acre Lynch Canyon Preserve, which is a working cattle ranch with hiking trails and panoramic views of Mount St. Helena, the Napa Valley, Mount Tamalpais, San Francisco Bay, Mount Diablo, Suisun Bay and the Sacramento River Delta; The 1,000 acre King-Sweet Ranch located between the cities of Fairfield, Benicia and Vallejo that will eventually become the cornerstone of a regional park system in Solano County; and The 4,000 acre McCormack and Perry-Anderson Conservation Easement in the Montezuma Hills. In addition to these contributions, Dr. Muick has distinguished herself through her contributions to the development of a countywide Agricultural Easement Plan and countywide Open Space Plan for Solano County. She has also provided invaluable assistance in expanding the docent program at Rush Ranch, which each year gives more than 1,500 school children the opportunity to learn about the customs and lives of the Native Americans who were the original inhabitants of this land. Mr. Speaker, it is appropriate that we recognize Ms. Muick today for her innumerable contributions to her community and that we wish her well in her new position as Executive Director of the California Native Plant Society.

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Chairman, I would like to thank the gentleman from Oregon for yielding time to me and for his work on this very important matter. Mr. Chairman, this amendment is good for agriculture, it is good for waterfowl, it is good for the fishing industry, and it is good for the families in the Klamath Basin, the north coast of California, and the coast of Oregon. In 1908, President Theodore Roosevelt established our country's first waterfowl refuge in the Klamath and Tule Lake National Wildlife Refuge. These are among the most important refuges in our country and they are the most important refuges in California. It is the largest staging area for waterfowl in the entire Pacific flyway. It also has the greatest concentration of wintering bald eagles in the United States. As was pointed out earlier, these are the only refuges in the country that allow commercial lease land farming. They farm over 20,000 acres of farmland. Many of the crops are water-consumptive and chemically intensive. The area is an area of very little waterfall. The average is less than that of some parts of Arizona where they have next to nothing. There are about 100,000 acre-feet of water that are overallocated in the basin; and this, Mr. Chairman, coupled with a multiyear drought, has hurt farmers, it hurts fish, and it hurts waterfall. The area of the headwaters of the Klamath River, which was the number one salmon river in the Lower 48 States. Today's water shortages and intensive chemicals have greatly diminished the fish and the economy of the coastal communities of Northern California and some parts of Oregon. In 1988, sports and commercial fishing in the Pacific region generated over $1.2 billion to our regional economy. Today's salmon fishing between Fort Bragg, California and my district and Coos Bay, Oregon has been all but shut down for the last 10 years. Klamath River salmon are 1 percent of their historical population, and the coast families in California and Oregon have lost over 72,000 family wage jobs. We must address the water problems of the Klamath Basin. We have got to do it soon. This amendment, I believe, is a very important first step in doing that. The amendment will limit the crops grown on about 2,000 acres of the refuge that is leased to farming. That is 17 leases and, remember, they farm 2,000 acres of lease farming there. The crops that will be grown on those 17 leases, on those 2,000 acres, will be less water- consumptive. They will rely less on chemicals and they will provide some very needed food to waterfowl. We are talking about going from row crops and alfalfa to potatoes to cereal grain to crops that are beneficial to the important wildlife that fly through the entire Pacific flyway. And most important and against what some of the critics of this amendment will say is that it still allows families in the area to farm. These areas will not go out of farming production. They will continue to be farmed. There are just going to be restrictions on what can be farmed in this area, restrictions that will be good for the coastal communities, good for the farming communities, good for the Native American community, good for fish, good for wildlife and good for waterfowl. This is an important solution to the Klamath Basin water problem and it will help immensely with the downturn in the economy for the aforementioned reasons, and I would urge all of my colleagues to vote in favor of this initiative, and do so knowing this can be good for fish, good for waterfowl and good for people. I thank the gentleman from Oregon again.

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the importance of North Bay Stand Down 2002 as a vehicle for providing homeless and at-risk veterans in Napa, Solano and Yolo Counties with access to existing and planned programs. Many of these veterans have never applied for the benefits they have earned through their service to our country. Through the user-friendly ``veterans helping veterans'' atmosphere of North Bay Stand Down 2002 they will be encouraged to transform the despair and immobility of homelessness into the momentum necessary to get in to recovery, to resolve legal issues, to seek employment, to access health services and benefits, to reconnect with the community and to get off the street. It is estimated that veterans comprise nearly 30 percent of our homeless population nationwide. For them, life on the streets can be both dangerous and debilitating and often leads to feelings of hopelessness. North Bay Stand Down 2002 will help veterans free themselves from this self-defeating cycle of despair and begin to repair their lives by breaking down the barriers that contribute to their isolation. North Bay Stand Down 2002 has the support of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the California State Department of Veterans Affairs, the State Employment Development Department, local governments and veterans' and trade organizations and members of the community. Mr. Speaker, it is appropriate that we acknowledge and honor today the men and women who organized North Bay Stand Down 2002 for their commitment to our veterans and to our country.

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Town of Windsor in Sonoma County California as this community celebrates the tenth anniversary of its incorporation. Windsor has been a prosperous rural community for more than 150 years. The first Post Office was established in 1855 and by the 1870s it was a regular stop on the railroad line. The town's first housing development was completed in the 1950s and by the 1970s, community leaders spearheaded an unsuccessful attempt to incorporate. In 1992 the community was successful and Windsor officially became Sonoma County's ninth city on July 1, 1992. Since its incorporation, Windsor has invested city funds to improve roadways, utilities and public facilities. The Senior Center and Community Center were dedicated in 1995. The Town's first library opened in 1996. A year later, the Town dedicated Pleasant Oak Park and began its first teen program. The Teen Center opened in 1999 and the Town Green was dedicated in 2001. The Town has drafted future plans for a new train station for commuter and excursion rail. Since incorporation, the Town has been guided by dedicated public servants elected to the Town Council. Original council members were Julie Adamson, Maureen McDaniel, Allan Rawland, Joseph Rodota, and Barbara Siegler. The Council is currently served by Mayor Sam Salmon and members Steven Allen, Debora Fudge, Lynn Morehouse, and Steve Scott. Mr. Speaker, it is appropriate that we acknowledge and honor the Town of Windsor today as this pioneering community celebrates its tenth anniversary.

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, we rise today to recognize Stan Roger Arterberry who is resigning as Superintendent-President of Solano Community College after eight years of distinguished service to the community. Mr. Arterberry began his career with the California Community Colleges in 1974 as an Assistant Professor of Sociology and History at Riverside City College. He moved into college administration in 1980 as the Assistant Dean of Student Affairs at Riverside. In 1983 he transferred to West Hills Community College as Dean of Community Based Education. Three years later he was named Vice President for Academic/Student Services. He eventually became Superintendent/President of the district and served in that capacity until 1993 when he was named President of Merritt College. He became President/Superintendent of the Solano Community College District in 1994. During Mr. Arterberry's tenure, the college initiated the future development of programs with Sacramento State University and Sonoma State University to provide students the ability to achieve a four-year degree in Solano County. Among Mr. Arterberry's innovations were the Weekend College, courses at Travis Air Force Base and online courses. He also encouraged the increased use of technology for services and programs for students and employees. The Biotechnology Program, one of the cornerstones of Solano Community College, continued to grow and develop under Mr. Arterberry's leadership. In addition to his professional responsibilities, Mr. Arterberry served as President of the Solano County American Red Cross and the Solano County Business Education Alliance. He was also an active member of the Vallejo Omega Boys and Girls Club, the Solano County Workforce Investment Board, The Vacaville Chamber of Commerce Education Committee, the Solano Economic Development Corporation, the Vallejo Chamber of Commerce and the Vacaville Select Committee on City and School Relations. Mr. Speaker, Superintendent-President Stan Roger Arterben-y has served his college and his community well and it is therefore appropriate that we honor him today for his many contributions and wish him well in his new position as Chancellor of West Valley Mission College.

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, we rise today to recognize Vacaville, California City Attorney Charles O. Lamoree, a dedicated public servant who is retiring June 30, 2002 after twenty-five years of tremendous service to his community. Mr. Lamoree has been the City Attorney in Vacaville since 1989. During his tenure, he wrote the city's Planned Growth Ordinance managing development within the city, represented the city in federal litigation concerning the Fair Labor Standards Act, negotiated and wrote development agreements for major city projects, negotiated acquisition agreements for new city water supplies, re-wrote the city's development impact fee ordinance, reduced dependence on outside counsel in tort litigation to less than 5% of all claims and created and implemented a long range computerization plan. In addition to his duties with the municipality, he has served as President of the Solano County Bar Association, President of the County Counsels' Association of California, Committee Member of the County Counsels' Benchbook, Member of the League of California Cities Legal Advocacy Committee, Member of the League of California Cities Municipal Law Handbook Editorial Board and Delegate to the State Bar Association Conference Delegates. Mr. Lamoree received special recognition when he was named the 1993- 94 ``Boss of the Year'' by the Solano County Legal Secretaries Association. Prior to becoming the City Attorney in Vacaville, he served for seven-and-a-half years as Solano County Counsel, as Assistant City Attorney in Vallejo and Deputy County Counsel in both Solano and Fresno Counties. Mr. Lamoree completed his undergraduate work at Sonoma State University and received his law degree from the University of California, Davis. He was admitted to the State Bar of California in 1972 and is also admitted to practice before the U.S. District Court of Appeal and the U.S. District Courts for the Eastern and Northern Districts of California. Mr. Speaker, Charles Lamoree has had a long and distinguished career and has had a lasting impact on his community. It is therefore fitting that we honor him today for his many accomplishments and contributions.

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for his good work on this substitute. Mr. Speaker, I come down this afternoon to the floor to speak in favor of meaningful welfare reform, to speak in support of the substitute measure. The first goal of welfare reform should be poverty reduction, and this bill does reduce poverty by equipping people with the tools they need to find meaningful employment and then be able to keep that job once they get it. Many States have already found what works in their State, what is successful welfare reform, and that is because they have the flexibility to provide specific needs to the people in their State. My State of California is a prime example of that. We have figured out how to make welfare reform work. We have crafted a plan that puts people to work and works for the people in our State. Under our welfare reform, because of that flexibility, California has tripled the number of welfare recipients who have moved into employment, and their average monthly earnings has significantly increased. We have reduced our caseloads by over 40 percent in California. Unlike the underlying bill, the substitute continues to allow that flexibility to work. With 45 States experiencing budget problems right now, the unfunded State mandates in the majority's bill are unaffordable to all States. I ask Members to support the substitute bill.

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Herrmann Spetzler, Executive Director of Open Door Community Health Centers in Arcata, California, and honor him for his 25 years of service to the health care needs of the people of Humboldt and Del Norte Counties. Herrmann Spetzler has provided extraordinary leadership in directing the growth of Open Door Community Health Centers. The clinic has grown from a part time clinic staffed by volunteers to a system of eight licensed facilities and medical mobile programs serving more than 35,000 individuals throughout the two counties and specifically in the communities of Crescent City, Smith River, McKinleyville, Arcata and Eureka. Mr. Spetzler also has provided vision and leadership in the development of collaborations that support the health of rural communities at the local, state and national levels, including the California State Rural Health Association, Community Health Alliance, California Primary Care Association and North Coast Clinics Network. Mr. Spetzler has earned distinction as President of the Humboldt Child Care Council and founder of the Northern California Rural Round Table for Health Care Providers. He is highly esteemed for his successful efforts to develop high quality facilities to meet community health care needs with a focus on health education, access to care and prevention Mr. Spetzler has also served the people of California as Statewide Chair of the Expanded Access to Primary Care Committee. He is a member of the Statewide Primary Care Advisory Group to the State Health Director and a member of the Rural Health Care Forum Advisory Group to the Office of Statewide Health Planning. He is a member of the Advisory Task Force for State Facilities Financing Authority and a Board Member of the California Human Service Organization. Mr. Spetzler is esteemed by his colleagues as a leader and innovator in the field of health care. Mr. Speaker, it is appropriate at this time that we recognize Herrmann Spetzler for his vision, leadership and commitment to healthier communities 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, I rise today in recognition of Senior Sergeant Kerry Porterfield as he retires from a thirty-one year career of exemplary service as an officer of the St. Helena Police Department. As a native of St. Helena, I know first hand the impact that Kerry has had on our community while both on and off duty. As a police officer, his dedication to the pursuit of justice is admirable. With over 2,000 hours of law enforcement classes and 60,000 hours of experience under his belt, Kerry has a wealth of experience and know- how that will be sorely missed. A self-taught computer guru and driving force behind the adoption of new law enforcement technologies, he has helped make the St. Helena Police Department the modern and effective institution it is today. This year, with crime at a five-year low, Kerry has been honored as ``Officer of the Year.'' A devoted family man, Kerry and his wife, Dianne, have two daughters, Jennifer and Kareese. Once named ``Father of the Year'' by his daughter Kareese's pre-school, Kerry loves to spend time with his daughters, and was very involved in their school age activities. After attending Napa High School, Kerry went to Napa Valley Junior College where he discovered a fascination with law enforcement. Upon graduating with an associate's degree in Criminal Justice, Kerry became a patrolman with the St. Helena Police Department on December 1, 1970. As the son of Virginia and Cliff Porterfield, both Navy veterans, Kerry is a devoted fan of the Blue Angels, and often travels to see them. Mr. Speaker, Sergeant Kerry Porterfield has served the people of the St. Helena, California with both enthusiasm for his work and steadfast professionalism. He is an invaluable asset to our community and I speak on behalf of the people of St. Helena when I thank Kerry Porterfield for his outstanding service and wish him luck in his future endeavors.

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the 100th Anniversary of the Historic Washington School in Eureka, California, which was placed on the National Register of Historic Places on April 12, 2002. This designation acknowledges the significance of the school in Humboldt County education and history. Washington School, first opened in 1903, was one of six square two- story grammar schools built in the county at the beginning of the 20th century. Of those six, Washington School alone remains as the last representative of that era. In the 1940s Washington School served as an Army barracks and later became a school district warehouse. In 1983, Washington School was remodeled into a community senior center. The school has been restored to its original beauty by the Humboldt Senior Resource Center. The facade and basic structure reflect the original architectural design. The building is a very important element in the historic Victorian Seaport of Eureka. Many seniors who are involved at the Center today are former students of the grammar school. A celebration of the listing on the National Register will take place on May 17, 2002 with the unveiling of a bronze plaque made by art students at Humboldt State University. Mr. Speaker, it is appropriate at this time that we honor this historic building that links us to our past and preserves it for a new century.

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I am compelled to vote ``present'' on H. Res. 392 because I believe that consideration of this resolution is premature. Secretary of State Colin Powell is in the midst of delicate negotiations to bring about a cease-fire and return all parties to the negotiating table. I strongly support this mission to bring a lasting peace to the Middle East. I also firmly believe Israel's right to defend itself against terrorism and denounce the brutal Passover suicide bombing, which killed 28 people and injured nearly 150. However, the Administration's peace initiative must be given time to work. At this point, Congress should support the Secretary's peace mission and not pass a resolution that could undermine these efforts. As Americans, we all must work together to end the acrimonious relationship between the Israelis and the Palestinians.

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the outstanding achievements of the Free Kitchen Project. Ten years ago four distinguished organizations in Lakeport, California, a town of about 5000 people, began the Free Kitchen Project. The Free Kitchen Project serves people who are needy, lonely, transient, or families with an ill or handicapped person, each week, by providing a warm meal and environment. The United Christian Parish, St. John's Episcopal Church, Lakeport Lions Club, and St. Mary's Parish organize over 200 Free Kitchen Project volunteers. These dedicated volunteers provide those less fortunate with a hot meal and warm environment every week. In 1992, three people attended their first dinner. Now in the tenth year of operation, these devoted volunteers typically serve 50-100 people a week. Since its inception, the Free Kitchen Project has served over 30,000 meals. This incredible growth is testament to the value they create for the Lake County Community. The Board of Directors of the Free Kitchen Project, comprised of members of participating churches and organizations, governs the project and oversees health department regulations which include disability issues and safe food handling practices. Mr. Speaker, after ten years of serving people in need, I would like to recognize the American spirit within the Free Kitchen Project and the town of Lakeport, California. The Free Kitchen Project has dedicated, selfless people performing a service to those in need. I am honored to recognize this immense act of volunteerism in one town on the occasion of their tenth anniversary. They truly deserve our recognition.

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to the previous question and urge the defeat of this measure. I am one who believes that nonsunsetting tax cuts are, in fact, appropriate. I do not think they should sunset; I think they should be made permanent. But I think they need to be made permanent at a level that we can afford. The sunset provision of existing law, I think, is flawed. It disallows Americans from planning, both for personal reasons and for business reasons. But the truth is, the existing tax policy should have been made at a level we can afford, a level that does not jeopardize Social Security, Medicare, homeland security, and the other priorities that are important to our Nation. Unfortunately, we have seen the cost of this tax cut is increasing our debt and puts programs such as Social Security and Medicare in trouble. We pay $1 billion per day just on the interest on our national debt, and if we remove this sunset, it is just going to exacerbate the problem. It is time that we have honest debate on tax policy, debt reduction, and fiscal policy. That is what we should be doing now, not engaging in political debate, and I would urge defeat of this measure.

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the life and legacy of one of our Nation's leading sportsmen and environmentalists. Milton Lee Fischer, of Nehalem, Oregon, recently passed away in a traffic accident near his home in Nehalem. Milton, who was a California native, was one of the top fly-fishing guides in the world. He was also a fierce advocate for maintaining and improving the health of the streams he fished. Despite the large number of trout and steelhead that he caught, Milton nearly always released the fish, including hatchery fish. Milton's fly-fishing guests would be treated to lessons in conservation and biology, at the same time learning from his expert fly-fishing technique. Milton used a slack-line fly-fishing technique developed in California for catching small stream trout that very few people are able to master. When most anglers would hang up their fly rods for the winter steelhead season, Milton would still be leading trips along the small streams of Oregon's northern coast. The Oregonian newspaper quoted him as saying, ``You give me equal conditions and I think I have as good or better chance of hooking a winter steelhead as anyone with bait. In fact, I'll follow you downriver and still find the fish.'' Milton's confidence came from his long hours spent perfecting his casting, as well as his broad knowledge of the biology and ecology of the rivers he fished. His business, River House and Pleasure Outfitters, was a favorite among fishermen and sportsmen across the country, including Oregon Governor John Kitzhaber. Mr. Speaker, very few people rise to the top of their profession. The consensus among both amateur and professional anglers is that Milton Fischer was among a handful of the most elite fly-fishermen in the world. Please join me in honoring the memory of this outstanding American.

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the official opening of the Northern California Consulate of the Slovak Republic in Walnut Creek, CA. The Slovak Republic became a free and independent Republic in January 1993, and in June 2001, opened their new embassy in Washington, DC. The Slovak people are determined in their quest for liberty, dignity, and cultural and economic independence. The United States continues to be the beneficiary of the work, sacrifice, and patriotism of citizens of Slovak heritage, who have earned recognition and respect throughout our land, including the agricultural fields and the technological and academic centers in California. Barbara Pivnicka, Honorary Consul of the Slovak Republic in northern California, was appointed in June 2001 by Eduard Kukan, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Slovak Republic, with approval by the U.S. State Department, to establish a Consulate of the Slovak Republic in California. I am pleased that the Honorable Martin Butora, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Slovak Republic to the United States, and his wife, Dr. Zora Butorova, are visiting the San Francisco Bay Area this month for the purpose of officially opening the Consulate of the Slovak Republic in San Francisco. A number of activities and celebratory events are taking place in recognition of the opening of the Consulate and the visit by the Slovak Ambassador, including a reception at the Fairmont Hotel on the day of the official opening. It is an honor for me to welcome Ambassador Butora and Dr. Butorova to northern California, and to congratulate and welcome the Consulate of the Slovak Republic to northern California. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to recognize the efforts of the many Slovak and American citizens in making this opening possible. This Consulate will be a tremendous asset to people of the Slovak Republic and the United States.

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Alistair W. McCrone, President, Humboldt State University, Arcata, California, who, on April 11, 2002, is being honored by the Humboldt State University Alumni Association with the Distinguished Service Award on the occasion of his retirement. Dr. Alistair McCrone, a native of Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada, received his B.A. in geology from the University of Saskatchewan, his Master of Science degree from the University of Nebraska and his Ph.D. from the University of Kansas. He began his career as a petroleum geologist in western and sub-arctic Canada. For eleven years he taught geology at New York University. From 1970 to 1974 he served as academic vice president at the University of the Pacific. Dr. McCrone became the fifth President of Humboldt State University in 1974. Under his leadership, the university earned a notable reputation for academic excellence and innovative programs in higher education. During his distinguished tenure, Humboldt State University received national recognition for its participation in the Peace Corps, its programs in environmental studies and its high rate of graduates who later earn doctoral degrees, particularly in the sciences and engineering. Dr. McCrone and his wife, Judith Saari McCrone, are highly esteemed on the North Coast of California for their dedication and service to the community. In their honor, Humboldt State University established the Alistair and Judith McCrone Graduate Fellowship Fund in October 2001. Dr. McCrone has emphasized the importance of graduate studies and has had the support of his colleagues in his wish to see the University become a leader in the field of graduate education. Alistair McCrone has earned many distinguished honors and awards for his accomplishments. He received the Erasmus Haworth Distinguished Alumnus Award from the University of Kansas in 2000. He is a Fellow of the Geological Society of America, the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and the California Academy of Sciences. He is a member of the board of directors of the American Association of University Administrators. In addition, he is a member of the Board of Directors of the California State Automobile Association and a Trustee of the California State Parks Foundation. Mr. Speaker, it is appropriate that on the occasion of his retirement we recognize Dr. Alistair W. McCrone for his vision and leadership and for his contributions and service to the people of our country.

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman from California (Mr. Schiff) for his leadership tonight in this effort to bring awareness to what I believe is a very, very important issue for all of the American people. Madam Speaker, we have come to a very critical point in our congressional work. We can create a long-term physical plan that will benefit this and future generations or we can send our government down the road of excessive borrowing and send the bill to the next generation of Americans. I believe this would be the wrong approach. As we have heard many times tonight, just a year ago the administration predicted Congress would be able to operate under the Federal debt limit for the next 7 years. Now we are being asked for a $750 billion increase in the Federal debt limit. The Treasury Department predicts this increase will cover government needs until 2005. So we went from being able to stay under the Federal debt limit in 9 years to being forced to raise the limit by $750 billion just so government can continue to operate for another 3 years. We are in danger of opening the flood gates of fiscal irresponsibility by increasing the Federal debt limit without having a plan in place to balance the budget and to pay our bills. Funding our national priorities such as homeland security and our efforts against terrorism must be done. However, to increase the Federal debt limit without having any mechanism of fiscal restraint will likely lead us down the path of deficits resulting from additional spending or additional tax cuts. In the span of 1 year, the Office of Management and Budget has reduced its 10-year budget surplus projections by $5 trillion. When investors around the world look to Washington to see the creation of huge budget deficits, they will inevitably push interest rates higher. When interest rates go up, the American consumer suffers. A homeowner in our country who holds $100,000 mortgage debt would save a total of $50,000 over the life of a 30-year mortgage if the mortgage rate was just 2 percentage points lower. American consumers hold about $6.5 trillion in mortgage debt, so each percentage point of increase in their mortgage rate means an extra $250 billion in mortgage costs to Americans. In addition, local schools and local hospitals will be forced to pay higher interest costs as they issue bonds to raise the necessary funds they need to continue to educate our kids and care for sick Americans and injured Americans. Throughout the 1990's, the Federal Government maintained fiscal discipline; and the pay off to the American consumer was remarkable. Let us not throw these gains away. Instead, let us do what may be tough but obviously what is right. Let us put in place a mechanism for fiscal responsibility and fiscal constraint. Let us not allow this budget or this credit limit to increase and put future American generations in fiscal jeopardy. Madam Speaker, we should fund our war on terrorism and our efforts on homeland security, and we must save Social Security and Medicare from insolvency by adopting a more fiscally-responsible approach to budget priorities. Now is the time to make the tough choices to ensure future generations are not saddled with trillions of dollars of debt and stuck with a bankrupt retirement program. I thank the Blue Dogs for their effort in this regard.

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, last September 14th I spoke on this floor and said that my dream as a Member of Congress was to never have to vote to send our American men and women into combat. At that time, our nation had just been victim to a horrific attack, and I joined my colleagues in Congress in voting to authorize our government to use military force to prevent the terrorists from striking again. I return to the floor today, saddened but proud, to honor a brave young man from my district who gave his life to protecting our nation. Dwight Morgan, a Sergeant in the U.S. Marine Corps, died in a helicopter crash near Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan. Dwight was only 24 years old, and was a native of Napa and Willits, California. He was a proud, hard-working Marine. His life-long gift for mechanics led him to be a specialist in helicopter hydraulics and electronics. All those who knew Sergeant Morgan praised his work ethic, his sincerity, and his dedication to his family. School principals, football coaches, and teachers who had the opportunity to have Dwight under their guidance are unanimous in their respect for the way he conducted himself as a student, an athlete, and a young man. Before Dwight died aboard a CH-53E ``Super Stallion'' helicopter, the Marine Corps had nominated him for a promotion to Staff Sergeant, which will now be awarded posthumously. His promotion is testament to his dedication to the Marine Corps. Since high school, his dream was to be a United States Marine. He served for over 5 years, and was most recently a member of the Flying Tigers, a helicopter squadron based at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar. Dwight was highly regarded by those who knew him because of his commitment to his family. Soon after high school, Dwight married Teresa Morgan, who is pregnant with their second child. One of Dwight's greatest joys was being a father to their son, Alex. Mr. Speaker, please join me in honoring Sergeant Dwight Morgan for sacrificing his life to protect the citizens of the United States. At a time when all citizens are being asked to be vigilant in a war that has struck our homeland, we should have a high regard for the courage and dedication of Dwight Morgan.

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Dr. Theodore W. Loring of Humboldt County, California, who is being honored with the Distinguished Citizen Award by the Redwood Empire Council of the Boy Scouts of America. Dr. Loring served his country in the U.S. Army from 1943 to 1948, attaining the rank of Captain. In 1951, he began his obstetrics practice in Eureka, California, and since that time he has delivered over 5,000 babies in the community. He and his wife Ruth have raised four fine sons of their own and enjoy five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Dr. Loring has consistently gone beyond the call of duty to serve his profession. He is the founder and past President of the Humboldt Del Norte Foundation for Medical Care. He has held a variety of offices with the California Medical Society, including Secretary, Councilor, Member of the House of Delegates, Program Planner and Moderator and Chairman of the OB-GYN section. He has served with distinction on the American Medical Association and the Pacific Coast OB-GYN Society. Additionally, Dr. Loring is Chairman and Director Emeritus of the Union Labor Hospital Association Board, and he has served on the Board of Directors of Blue Shield of California and as a Director and Secretary of the Norcal Mutual Insurance Company. The unparalleled work Dr. Loring accomplished in his professional career is matched by his dedication to service within the community. He has been an active member of numerous organizations including the Rotary Club of Eureka, the Boy Scouts of America, Christ Episcopal Church, KEET Public Television and the Salvation Army. His vision, enthusiasm, and commitment are admired throughout Humboldt County. Mr. Speaker, it is appropriate at this time that we recognize Theodore W. Loring, M.D. for his leadership and commitment to the well being of the citizens and community of Humboldt County, California.