Mike Thompson

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Chairman, I believe that my colleague was recognized to speak on the point of order, not the merits of the amendment.

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Dr. Olive Jack's tremendous commitment to the health and well being of the citizens of the Napa community. Dr. Jack has served admirably in many health care roles and has been a tremendous success in every one. We can all look to Dr. Jack as a true role model for serving the public selflessly and tirelessly. Currently, Dr. Jack is serving on the Napa County Commission on Aging, the Napa-Solano Area Agency on Aging, and is membership chair of the Napa Association of Retarded Citizens Board. She is also a member of the Board and Executive Committee of ALDEA, an agency that operates residential treatment programs for disturbed teenagers. Dr. Jack began her long career in public service in the Napa area when she started as the School Physician for Napa County Superintendent of Schools and as a consultant to Napa County Health Department, in charge of Child Health Conferences. Following her success working with the school district, Dr. Jack served five years as Director of Health Services for the County of Napa. Previous to her career in public service, Dr. Jack served her internship and residency at the Children's Hospital in San Francisco. Following this, she practiced pediatric medicine privately in Napa as a Licentiate of the American Board of Pediatrics. The California Medical Association, the Napa County Medical Society, and the Northern California chapter of Academy of Pediatrics are all privileged to have Dr. Jack a professional member. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree from University of Nebraska, Lincoln, a Master of Public Health from University of California, Berkeley, and has her M.D. from Temple University School of Medicine. Mr. Speaker, it is a pleasure to honor Dr. Olive Jack on the occasion of the Napa-Solano Area Agency on Aging's tribute to her outstanding career of public service. Please join me in recognizing Dr. Jack's unparalleled work towards improving the health care of the citizens of Napa.

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to request that the testimony given by David Hoffman, President of Internews in Arcata, CA, be submitted into the Congressional Record. Mr. Hoffman's valuable testimony before the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Foreign Operations is as follows: Testimony to the Subcommittee on Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and Related Programs by David Hoffman, President, Internews Electronic media are the most powerful force for social change in the world today. As Americans, we live and breathe in the information age. Media are central to our economy, our culture, our political system and our everyday lives. But in many countries around the world, free media can by no means be taken for granted. In Russia, President Putin has prosecuted Victor Gusinsky, whose influential television network has been critical of the government. In Ukraine, Prime Minister Kuchma has been accused of ordering the murder of a dissident journalist. In China, the government selectively censors Internet web sites that challenge the official version of events. In Iran, dozens of newspapers have been banned and their editors thrown in jail. In Zimbabwe, journalists have been beaten and jailed. In Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan, independent television stations have been suppressed. And of course, former President Milosevic used state media as a propaganda weapon to foment hatred and violence in the Balkans. But with US government funds, Internews and other NGOs were able to provide critical support to independent broadcasters in Serbia that formed the nucleus of opposition to the Milosevic regime. In Serbia and many countries around the world, independent media have been on the front lines in the fight for freedom and democracy. With significant funding from USAID, Internews helped developed 1500 independent, non-governmental broadcasters in 23 countries. During the past ten years, we have also trained 16,000 media professionals.

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman for yielding me time. I would like to also thank the gentleman from Idaho (Mr. Simpson) for his help on this bill; the chairman of the committee, the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Hansen); the ranking member, the gentleman from West Virginia (Mr. Rahall); and the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Gilchrest) and the gentleman from Guam (Mr. Underwood) from the subcommittee that helped make this bill possible to be heard on the floor today. I would also like to thank all the staff that worked diligently to make sure this good bill was here. Mr. Chairman, in California virtually every salmon spawning habitat has been altered by human activities, such as water diversions, dam building, overfishing and urban development. In many streams and rivers, the alterations have been so severe that fish can no longer return to their historical spawning areas. As a result, almost 80 percent of the salmon caught commercially in the Pacific Northwest and in northern California today come from hatcheries. My bill will authorize $40 million per year for 5 years for California, Washington, Oregon, Alaska, and Idaho. The money will be distributed to the State agencies after an MOU has been approved by the Secretary of Commerce. It is designed to prioritize salmon recovery, provide a criteria for measuring success, and promote projects that are scientifically based and cost effective. The States and the local governments will receive funds on a 50-50 cost-share basis for these restoration projects. This will double the amount of money spent and the amount of work that can be done to enhance this important purpose. Salmon species are very much a part of the culture of the Pacific Northwest. Many of the port towns in my district on the north coast, such as Point Arena, Fort Bragg, Eureka, and Crescent City, were founded around the commercial fishing industry. Many of these towns have been devastated by the collapse of salmon populations. Over the last 30 years, the salmon fishery closures in these areas have contributed to the loss of nearly 75,000 jobs. Private landowners, conservation groups, and industry have already committed a significant amount of resources to aid in the reversal of this decline. But the efforts are not sufficient. In fact, species are still declining. Recovery efforts must be stepped up, and they must be stepped up now. By restoring our salmon populations, we can lessen the burden on industry and private landowners. By bringing back the salmon, the fishing industry economy will rise; and eventually the ESA regulations can be lifted. More importantly, if we restore salmon populations, future generations, like their ancestors, can enjoy and prosper from a great national treasure. The Pacific Coast Salmon Recovery Act of 2001 not only enjoys bipartisan support in Congress, but also the support of a diverse organizational structure, such as the American Homebuilders, the California Farm Bureau, American Rivers, Trout Unlimited, and the Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen. I urge my colleagues to support this important measure and pass the Pacific Coast Salmon Recovery Act today.

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Timothy Lawson, a young man who lived a life of honor, patriotism, and had a keen sense of service to our nation. I was deeply saddened when I heard of Timothy's passing. However, we can take comfort in this trying time by knowing that he served our country courageously. Timothy embodied a truly dignified manner during his service to our country. While enlisted in the Navy during the Persian Gulf War, he received a Navy Achievement Medal for saving two people out of a liquid oxygen fire. After returning to California from the Persian Gulf, he studied criminal justice together with his brother, Gary, at California State University, Sacramento. Before enlisting in the Marines, Timothy held a position in the United States Secret Service while attending California State University, Sacramento. Not only did Timothy emanate dignity in his professional life, but he also strove to lead a life modeled on the lessons he learned from his family. His parents instilled this sense of service during his childhood in Northern California and Clinton, Iowa. During a training mission Timothy's plane went down in the desert in California's San Joaquin Valley. He and Navy Lt. Timothy Gilbreth were flying a T-34C Turbo Mentor about three miles north of the El Centro Naval Air Station. During my time in the United States Army I witnessed the passing of many of my fellow soldiers. Whether during peacetime or in times of conflict, when a member of our Armed Services passes away in the line of duty, we should not fail to recognize the sacrifices they made. Mr. Speaker, please join me in recognizing the service and patriotism Timothy Lawson. It is appropriate, during a week in which we are remembering Americans who lost their lives in the Armed Services, that we all acknowledge and appreciate the sacrifices that Timothy made for our country.

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today to ask the House to approve House Concurrent Resolution 149 to allow us to use the rotunda on June 7 to honor Charles Schulz, Sparky Schulz, who not only is an institution in this country and all the other countries where his comic strip was printed daily in all of the different newspapers, but also a very good personal friend and a constituent. Scott Adams, who is the creator of the Dilbert cartoon, once remarked about Sparky's passing, ``It's the end of an era, and it's hard to imagine that cartooning will ever be the same. In basketball, you can say that Michael Jordan was the greatest ever. In cartooning, Charles Schulz was the greatest ever and probably the greatest there will ever be.'' I think it is most fitting that this Congress chose to bestow on Mr. Schulz the Congressional Gold Medal, and I think it speaks more to, than just to his cartooning. He was a great American, a great citizen. For 50 years, every day he drew his own Snoopy cartoon. He was also there, it was mentioned, in World War II entertaining the troops. It is also important to note that this great American was there on D-Day on the front lines. Charles Schulz is most deserving of this recognition; and it is appropriate, I believe, that we allow the rotunda to be used for this purpose. I would ask all of my colleagues to support this effort.

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Richard Thomas, who is retiring after 28 years as the viticulture instructor at Santa Rosa Junior College in Sonoma County, California Mr. Thomas is the country's leading authority on wine grape production and has introduced growing techniques that have improved the crop quality and made Sonoma County one of the premier wine grape growing regions in the world. During a yearlong sabbatical in New Zealand and Australia in the late 1980's, Mr. Thomas studied vine trellising techniques that revolutionized wine grape growing in California. By managing the grapevine's leaf canopy and lifting the vines to expose the grapes to air and sunshine, the fruit is more flavorful and is less susceptible to disease. By utilizing the technique taught by Mr. Thomas, growers are able to produce the highest quality of grapes. Sonoma County is now considered the world leader in canopy management. Mr. Thomas has educated and trained the majority of people who own or manage vineyards on California's North Coast. According to his own estimates, 70% of Sonoma County's vineyards are either owned or managed by one of his former students. In addition to his teaching duties, Mr. Thomas founded the Sonoma County Grape Growers Association and the Sonoma County Vineyard Technical Group. He has coordinated the wine judging at the Sonoma County Harvest Fair, the West Coast Wine Judging in Reno, Nevada and the Central Coast Wine Judging in Santa Maria, California. Mr. Thomas lectures throughout the country on wine grape growing and also writes a monthly column for Vineyard & Winery Management Magazine. Mr. Speaker, because of Mr. Thomas' innumerable contributions to wine grape growing and specifically to the industry in Sonoma County, it is fitting to honor him today and to congratulate him for his many accomplishments.

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the achievements of Denis Gene Nickel, a man who led a life that we can all admire and emulate. Denis devoted his life to improving the world we live in, and he realized incredible success in his efforts to save our nation's natural resources for future generations. He has left us with a legacy that demonstrates the power of partnerships and stewardship of our natural resources. Denis gave thirty-four years of dedicated service to the Natural Resource Conservation Service. As an Area Conservationist in Santa Rosa, Denis worked extensively in the North Coast counties that I represent. His leadership in forming a coalition of local, private, state and federal agencies to manage the Mendocino County Tomki Watershed was invaluable in garnering support for such an incredibly important project in the 1st District of California. In addition, Denis provided tremendous assistance and guidance to those involved in the viticulture industry in Napa and Sonoma counties. He was a pioneer in promoting local stewardship in the development of hillside erosion control methods--these methods are the bedrock of the methods currently used by viticulturists around the nation. The personal integrity that Denis showed in his daily work facilitated building a durable consensus of stakeholders in our nation's natural resources. Denis was the consummate family man who enjoyed spending his time with a large extended family. He was married to his high school sweetheart, Sandi, for thirty-five years, and he was immensely proud of his three children, Wendy, Warren, and Amy. His smile and good-natured sense of humor that his family and friends knew so well helped him to establish trusted relationships while working towards the admirable goal of sustaining America's vital resources. Denis worked not only for the benefit of the people of my district, but he has also been recognized across the country for his tremendous contributions, including his term as State Conservationist for the Natural Resources Conservation Service in Rhode Island. Mr. Speaker, thank you for the opportunity to honor the many invaluable contributions Denis Nickel made to my district and the entire nation. We would be fortunate to have more people of Denis's integrity working towards sustaining our natural resources for future generations.

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, we rise today to recognize Judy James, who is retiring after twelve years of service as the Executive Director of the Sonoma County Farm Bureau. In the past twelve years, agriculture in Sonoma County has undergone profound changes. New pests and diseases have threatened production, farmers and ranchers have had to resist urban encroachment and development pressures, and environmental regulations have restricted some agricultural practices. The Farm Bureau, under the leadership of Ms. James, has successfully guided its members by adapting to these changing times. Ms. James has always been a creative and dedicated advocate for Sonoma County agriculture. She developed the Government Executive Institute program to educate local policy makers about the challenges faced by Sonoma County farmers and ranchers. The Sonoma County Farm Bureau received the first of its three national awards from the American Farm Bureau Federation for this program. Ms. James also created the Ag-Education Contribution Fund that is supported by Farm Bureau members. Funds raised through this program are used to promote Sonoma County agriculture in the local schools. Under her direction, the Bureau's annual Crab Feed grew from serving 100 people to serving more than 600 people, thereby generating more than $15,000 annually for Farm Bureau activities. Although Ms. James is retiring from a leadership role in the Farm Bureau, she will continue to be an active member. She will help her husband run the family vineyard, assist her children on their 4-H livestock projects, and teach agriculture classes at Santa Rosa Junior College. Mr. Speaker, because of Judy James' many contributions to the Sonoma County Farm Bureau and to her community, it is fitting and proper to honor her today.

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Carole Kent for her continuing work in improving the lives of the children in our community. Carole has been invaluable to the people of the Napa Valley by directly working with our community's children and by teaching her unique skills to her colleagues in child development. Currently, Carole is a professor of Child and Family Studies at Napa Valley Community College. She has taught at Napa Valley College for over 23 years, and under her stewardship the number of students in the College's child development program has grown tenfold to a total of 1500 students in 32 classes today. Carole's influence goes beyond the classroom--she is a founding member of both the Napa County Self Esteem Task Force and Napa County Community Resources for Children. Moreover, she has been actively involved in national and international child development issues. In addition to her research into the Reggio Emilia method in Italy and her role as an exchange professor to Napa Valley College's sister school in Tasmania, Carole has been described by her peers as ``a role model for child advocacy throughout the nation.'' Carole is being honored this week by the Napa County Child Development Consortia during its ``Caring for Those who Care for Children Conference'' at Napa Valley College. The Napa Valley is truly fortunate to have someone of Carole's caliber who works so tirelessly to improve the condition of the children of our community. Mr. Speaker, at a time when our society is facing a growing demand for child development services, leaders like Carole Kent are essential to enriching the lives of our children. Please join me in honoring Carol Kent, a talented individual who is an inspiration to us all.

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Dave Curtin as he retires from the St. Helena Police Department. Dave, a true friend of mine, has spent the last twenty-four 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 Dave proves on a daily basis. It is not solely in law enforcement that Dave has made a positive impact on; his involvement in numerous aspects of community life is invaluable to St. Helena. Dave is a fellow U.S. Army veteran, and he is also a colleague of mine in the American Legion, St. Helena Post 199. He has served as Post Commander five times in St. Helena. I am impressed with his unfailing commitment to our community. Dave's dynamic experience includes stints as the Police Reserve Coordinator, Check Fraud Officer, Juvenile Officer, and acting Field Supervisor. In the greater community, he has served on the Napa College Criminal Justice Advisory Board, the St. Helena High School Attendance Review Board, and served on the negotiating team as president of the St. Helena Police Officers Association. Dave is also involved internationally in law enforcement. As a member of the International Police Association he has been a host to numerous European and South African police officers visiting the Napa Valley. A native of Northern California, Dave originally hails from Oakland, and he received his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Public Administration from California State University, Sacramento. He also holds a lifetime teaching credential from University of California, Davis. Dave and his wife, Susan, have been married for over twenty-nine years. Their daughter Shayna, recently graduated form San Jose State University, and their son, Calen, is finishing his senior year at Justin Siena High School in Napa. Mr. Speaker, it is appropriate at this time that we recognize Dave Curtin 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 Dave Curtin for his valued service.

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, my colleague, Mr. George Miller of California and I, rise today to recognize the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local Union 180 as this organization celebrates its 100th anniversary. One hundred years ago on May 6, 1901, Local 180 was chartered by the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. Since its inception, Local 180 has been integrally connected to shipbuilding at the Mare Island Naval Shipyard in Vallejo. Electrical workers helped build the 513 ships, that were launched at Mare Island between 1859 and 1970, from the Saginaw, a wooden hulled steamer, to the Drum, a nuclear powered submarine. When war was declared with Germany on April 6, 1917, union workers helped turn Mare Island and Vallejo into a commercial hub that could support the war effort. In the years following World War I, no ships were launched at Mare Island and the workers turned to use their skills to help build the Carquinez Bridge. In the 1930s, shipbuilding began again at Mare Island. The union shop was reestablished and wages and benefits that had been lost during the previous decade were renegotiated. During World War II, shipbuilding and union activity at Mare Island escalated. Union members are proud that 95% of all electrical work that directly supported the war effort nationally was performed by the IBEW under union shop conditions. In the second half of the 20th Century, Local 180 members helped construct Monticello Dam, the second Carquinez Bridge, the Exxon Refinery, the Benecia Industrial Park, and the Anheuser Busch Brewery as well as the country's nuclear submarine fleet at Mare Island. Mr. Speaker, in honor of its rich history and traditions, it is appropriate that we acknowledge and honor today this pioneering union local and its members who have made an immeasurable difference in the lives of working families and the community in Napa and Solano Counties.

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 2.7 million registered nurses in the United States. I encourage our nation to join me in celebrating their dedication and commitment to the health care needs of America during National Nurses Week. This year it begins on May 6 and ends on May 12, which is Florence Nightingale's birthday. Professional nurses are an indispensable component in the safety and quality of care of hospitalized patients. The depth and breadth of the nursing profession consistently meet the different and emerging health care needs of the American population in a wide range of settings. These settings include hospitals, home care, clinics, offices, extended care centers, schools, military service, corporations, and hospice among others. Indeed, our nurses touch all of our lives in a positive way. National Nurses Week was first celebrated in 1954 on the 100th anniversary of Florence Nightingale's mission to Crimea. Nurses have continually been recognized for their outstanding contributions to the American health care system ever since. Nurses today represent women and men from all walks of life, and reflect the people who live in the communities that they serve. Employment among nurses will grow faster than the average for all occupations through 2006, and nurses will become increasingly important as the demographics of our country change dramatically in coming years. The theme of this year's week is ``Nurses are the True Spirit of Caring.'' The theme could not be more appropriate. These individuals blend a scientific mind, technological know-how, compassionate heart, and helping hands in their day-to-day caring of patients. Mr. Speaker, it is appropriate at this time that we recognize and celebrate National Nurses Week with America's 2.7 million nurses. These special individuals truly do embody the spirit of caring.

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize North American Safe Boating Week which will be celebrated throughout the United States on May 19th through May 25th, 2001. In particular, I would like to recognize one organization that has continually promoted safe boating in California. This organization is the Lake County Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 38 which is in the First Congressional District. The all-volunteer Flotilla was charted on May 3, 1969. By patrolling Lake County with up to six vessels at once, this volunteer group operates at its own expense to provide a valuable service to the community. The organization, which is part of the Lake County Disaster Preparedness Committee, also teaches numerous public education classes on boating including Advanced Coastal Navigation. In 1995, during the high water situation in Lake County, the Flotilla cleared 150 tons of floating debris. Since 1974, they have provided invaluable service by patrolling the annual Fourth of July boat parade and fireworks. The Flotilla has won the prestigious Flotilla Meritorious Achievement Award three times. This award recognizes that the Flotilla is the most outstanding Flotilla in a two and a half state region. In addition, the Flotilla has received numerous other distinctions over its thirty plus years of service. Mr. Speaker, it is appropriate at this time that we recognize the Lake County Flotilla for its unwavering commitment to making our waterways safe for boating, and further encouraging all boat owners and operators to follow safe boating practices at all times.

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the 100th anniversary of the Elks Lodge of Eureka in Humboldt County, California. Formed in 1901, the Eureka Lodge of Elks joined the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of the United States which was established in 1868, and since its inception has grown to more than one million members nationwide. The Elks is one of the largest and most active fraternal organizations in the world. Through scholarship programs and charitable aid, members give generously of their time to support the youth of the region, providing countless hours of service for the betterment of the community. Local members sponsor Girl Scout and Boy Scout groups, youth soccer programs, and services for veterans. They also help to fund medical aid to disabled children in rural areas through mobile units staffed with trained therapists. Eureka members assisted in the establishment of the Humboldt-Del Norte Blood Bank, a vital asset to the North Coast of California. In May of this year, the Eureka Lodge will dedicate a memorial to all veterans of our armed forces. Mr. Speaker, it is appropriate at this time that we honor the members of the Eureka Lodge of Elks by acknowledging their dedication and recognizing the value of their efforts for our country.

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize renowned filmmaker and noted philanthropist David L. Wolper. His contributions have made the Napa community a better place for California's youth. His invaluable aid was instrumental in the construction of the Napa Boys and Girls Club's new facility in the city of Napa. This important endeavor simply could not have been completed without his vital leadership. The new facility at 1515 Pueblo Avenue will be a great asset to the Napa community for many years to come. Mr. Wolper is a member of the National Board of Directors of the Boys and Girls Club of America and is a member of the Boys and Girls Clubs of America Hall of Fame. In addition, David Wolper is a member of the Foundation Board of the Queen of the Valley Hospital in Napa and a member of the Board of the American Center for Wine, Food, and the Arts. He is an asset in so many ways to the community of Napa and the entire country. Mr. Wolper, in his fifty years in show business, has made over 700 films, which have won more than 150 awards, including 3 Oscars, 50 Emmys, 7 Golden Globes, and 5 Peabodys. He has been specially recognized at the world's great film festivals for his lifetime achievements, and he has received the entertainment industry's two highest honors--the prestigious Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Oscar Award and was inducted into the Television Hall of Fame. In addition to his many hours of professional and civic activity, he has remained a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. Mr. Wolper and his wife Gloria have three children--Mark, Michael, and Leslie Ann--and six grandchildren. Mr. Speaker, it is appropriate at this time that we recognize David L. Wolper for his commitment to building a brighter future for the youth of America.

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the St. Helena Rotary Club and its members as they celebrate the 75th Anniversary of this honorable organization. Throughout its 75-year history, the St. Helena Rotary Club has served our community with distinction. Over the last decade, the Club has raised over one million dollars for philanthropic purposes in the Napa Valley. As a native of St. Helena, I have seen first-hand the positive contributions the Club has made, especially to the youth of our community. Their annual Winter Ball has always been a fabulous event that is indispensable in benefiting local organizations like the St. Helena Boys and Girls Club and the St. Helena Public Schools' Foundation. Along with 29,000 clubs in 161 countries, the St. Helena Rotary Club and its members have honored the Rotary promise to develop the opportunity for service, maintain high ethical standards, apply stewardship in personal, business and community life, and to advance understanding, goodwill and peace through fellowship and the ideal of service. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to recognize the 75 years of immeasurable contributions the St. Helena Rotary Club has made to our community.

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the International Year of Volunteers. The United Nations General Assembly has designated the year 2001 to encourage and advance the concept of volunteer service. In Humboldt County, California, the North Coast Regional Network for Service and Volunteerism was founded to facilitate and improve effective volunteer efforts. The North Coast Regional Network joins other volunteer groups throughout the nation in working to promote and strengthen volunteerism. Hundreds of California's North Coast residents enthusiastically volunteer their time to enhance the quality of life in our community. They work in a wide variety of non-profit organizations, educational institutions, senior and youth programs, the arts and health services. Mr. Speaker, the International Year of Volunteers recognizes and honors the voluntary commitment of individuals and groups who contribute their time and resources and share their skills to build better communities. For that reason, Mr. Speaker, it is appropriate at this time that we honor the efforts of the North Coast Regional Network, and all volunteers, for their dedication to community service.

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize my good friend and a true Sonoma County legend, Gaye LeBaron. Ms. LeBaron is stepping down as a daily columnist with the Press Democrat newspaper in Santa Rosa after nearly 46 years with the paper. She began her career in journalism in 1951 as a correspondent with the Sonoma Index Tribune. She joined the Press Democrat as a student intern in 1955 and graduated to cub reporter in 1957. Over the years she has performed almost every job in the newsroom. She began writing her Press Democrat column in 1959 and it has since become a daily staple in the lives of thousands of Sonoma County readers. Gaye LeBaron embodies the county's collective memory. She has written on both events she has witnessed and experienced and on the county's colorful and more distant past. She co-authored a two-volume history of Santa Rosa and Sonoma County and edited a third volume on Sonoma County in the 19th Century. Her class on the History of Sonoma County at Santa Rosa Junior College is one of the most popular offerings each semester. To her colleagues at the paper, she was the newsroom's ``go-to-guy'' who could tell them when a highway opened, or how a local landmark got its name or whether an obituary should run on page one. To her readers she was an artist who painted broad word pictures of how the county once was and made us all feel part of the continuum of history. But there was another side to Gaye LeBaron. Many of her columns reflected her keen observations of the contemporary political and social landscape, often seen through the eyes of her acerbic informant, ``Sam the Shark.'' Whether a literary device or Sonoma County's own ``Deep Throat,'' Sam asked the questions that more dignified people perhaps would not and together Sam and Gaye stirred the debate and moved us forward. Mr. Speaker, Gaye LeBaron has received a multitude of awards and acknowledgments. She is revered in her community and is a giant in her profession. It is therefore fitting and proper that we honor her today for her long and distinguished career and for her many accomplishments.

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, Americans deserve a tax cut, but they also deserve a Congress that carefully considers and balances all of our budget priorities, including Social Security, Medicare and debt reduction. Tomorrow we will vote on the first part of the President's tax cut proposal. This vote will be premature. The administration is not submitting the details of the budget until spring. Congress has yet to debate and adopt a budget resolution. Without a budget framework, we are forging into the great unknown. It is bad public policy and it is political hocus-pocus to pass any bill costing this much without first having a budget. Some are urging quick action in order to give the economy a boost. However, the economic prosperity of recent years has been due in part to fiscally conservative policies that, coupled with the hard work of the American people, turned deficits into surpluses and reduced our debt. I agree that taxpayers should benefit from the budget surplus, and I will support a tax cut but one that is fair and one that we can afford. We need to be fiscally responsible and we need a bipartisan budget before we can consider any specific spending measures or cuts. The American people deserve no less.

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, we rise today to recognize the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America, Local Union 751 as this organization celebrates its 100th anniversary. One hundred years ago, on March 13, 1901, the Local was chartered by the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America. In the early part of the 20th century, the Local helped to establish the four-dollar workday. Union members also helped to rebuild Santa Rosa following the famous 1906 San Francisco earthquake. In later years, the Local signed the first labor agreements with building contractors in the region, established an apprenticeship program to ensure the continuation of craftsmanship from one generation to the next, and established a health benefits and pension program for its members. Union members also built a union hall that houses all of the building trade unions in Sonoma County. Although the headquarters of Local 751 is in Sonoma County, its jurisdiction includes Napa, Sonoma, Lake, Mendocino, Humboldt and Del Norte Counties. Local 751 also united with neighboring locals to form first the North Coast District Council and later the Northern California Regional Council. The union is committed to ensuring that women and minorities among its 1,600 members have equal opportunities and an equal voice in the workplace. Mr. Speaker, it is appropriate that we acknowledge and honor today this pioneering union local and its members who have made an immeasurable difference in the lives of working families on California's North Coast.

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I wish to rise today in recognition of the 100th anniversary of the Eureka Women's Club of Humboldt County, California. Formed in 1901 as the Monday Club Federation of Eureka, the club quickly allied with the California Federation of Women's Clubs, and finally became known as the Eureka Women's Club. The club membership has provided countless hours of service for the betterment of the community. Through cultural and educational events, as well as charitable interests, the Eureka Women's Club has encouraged a high moral standard and abiding interest in the historical traditions of Eureka and the region. Their legacy includes advocacy for the preservation of the acclaimed California Federated Women's Club Grove along the Eel River in Humboldt Redwoods State Park, as well as their classic Craftsman styled 1917 clubhouse, located at 1531 J Street, in the Victorian Seaport town of Eureka, California. Mr. Speaker, it is appropriate at this time that we honor the members of the Eureka Women's Club and acknowledge their dedication and commitment to the many worthwhile projects over the past century that have enhanced the broader community.

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I wish today to recognize an outstanding member of our Napa community, Rabbi David White, for his 25 years of service as a rabbi and for achieving a Doctor of Divinity degree. Rabbi White was raised in San Francisco, the only son of Rabbi Saul E. White, who served as Rabbi of Congregation Beth Sholom for 48 years. After his Bar Mitzvah at Beth Sholom, Rabbi David White began his journey by attending Camp Tel Yehuda in New York at the age of 17. The camp was a Young Judaea academic summer program providing leadership in Israel, Zionism and youth programming. Entering the Jewish Theological Seminary in 1970, David was ordained a Conservative Rabbi five years later. In 1977, Rabbi White obtained his first pulpit, Congregation Kol Shofar in Tiburon consisting of 45 families. Rabbi White left in 1991 after the Congregation had grown to 200 families. After 14 dedicated years of service to the synagogue, Rabbi White entered the business world, creating Relationship Resources Unlimited, establishing awareness of partnership and collaboration. Since 1993, he has been working at both Congregation Beth Sholom as a rabbi and at Relationship Resources Unlimited. Rabbi White was recently elected to the Board of Directors of the Community Foundation of the Napa Valley, a program of philanthropy dedicated to meeting the needs of many worthy groups and causes. In addition, Rabbi White is the Executive Director of the Wine Spirit, exploring the relationship between the wine industry and spirituality, and an active member of the Napa Interfaith Council. On March 14, 2001, Rabbi White will be honored by the Jewish Theological Seminary in New York with an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree. Mr. Speaker, I congratulate Rabbi David White for his enthusiastic participation in and generous contributions to the Nap community, his 25 years of dedicated service to the Rabbinate and for the monumental goal of attaining the Doctor of Divinity degree.

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I wish today to recognize and congratulate Mr. Joseph Peatman for his exceptional 41 years of service to the legal field and his outstanding commitment and generosity to the Napa Valley community. Joe Peatman was born in Los Angeles in 1934 and was admitted to the bar in 1959 after completing his education at Stanford University. His extensive experience within the community can be traced back over 40 years. From the early-60s through the mid-70s, he was a member of the Napa County Board of Supervisors and served as a Trustee and President of the Napa Valley Unified School District. He has also served, Mr. Speaker, as a Member of the Board of Directors to the Napa National Bank and as a Member of the Board of Visitors of Stanford Law School from 1978-1980. He is a member of the Napa County Bar Association and served as its President from 1963-1964. A managing partner in the professional law corporation of Dickenson, Peatman & Fogarty, established in 1965, he has specialized in land use, zoning, and real estate law for the past 41 years. On December 31, 2000, Joe Peatman officially retired from his successful legal practice. In addition to his numerous legal accomplishments, Joe Peatman continues to be an active member of the Napa community. His contributions to the Queen of the Valley Hospital Foundation ensure that quality health care is available to the northern California community. He serves as the Executive Director of the Gasser Foundation and a Member of the Board of Trustees of the American Center for Wine, Food and the Arts. The Gasser Foundation is Napa Valley's largest philanthropic organization and its two main beneficiaries are Queen of the Valley Hospital and Justin-Siena High School. The American Center for Wine, Food and the Arts is posed to provide an array of public programs, including films, classes, demonstrations, tastings, and workshops for those individuals who enjoy food and drink as expressions of American culture. Joe Peatman and his wonderful wife of 43 years, Angela, reside in Napa. They have three children and seven grandchildren. Mr. Speaker, it is my privilege to recognize, congratulate and thank my friend Joe Peatman for his 41 years of extraordinary service to the legal profession and to the community of Napa Valley. I wish him the best of luck in future endeavors.

Mr. THOMPSON of California

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I wish today to recognize Humboldt County attorney and World War II hero John Reynolds Stokes, who died Friday, January 5, 2001 in Arcata, California at the age of 83. His life was dedicated to the defense of democracy in war and in peace. John Stokes grew up in Southern California and received his undergraduate education at Santa Barbara State College. In 1942 he was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the Army Air Corps and was trained to fly the Martin B-26 Marauder. Stationed in England, he flew many missions over France. His 29th mission was the D-Day bombing of the Normandy Coast. After the liberation of Paris, Group Commander Stokes, based in France, made his last combat flight on March 13, 1945. He served with valor and distinction and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross with ten Oak Leaf Clusters. Throughout his life, he stayed in touch with survivors of the 344th Bomb Group with whom he had shared the perils of war. He returned often to France to visit with French comrades. John Stokes returned to California and entered Boalt Hall School of Law at the University of California at Berkeley. After graduation in 1948, he moved to Arcata, California with his wife Edith where he practiced law for more than fifty years. He served that community as City Attorney from 1950 to 1983. He was a member of the State Bar Board of Governors from 1979 to 1982 and was Chairman of the Committee of Bar Examiners from 1985 to 1986. Many young lawyers, new to the practice of law, were grateful for his guidance and counsel. A life-long Democrat, he took particular pleasure in helping young people who sought careers in public service. Many successful candidates valued his advice and support. He served as Chairman of the Humboldt County Democratic Central Committee for ten years. Courageous in war, honorable and valiant in the pursuit of justice, John Stokes devoted his life to safeguarding the liberties we all enjoy as American citizens. He has left a distinguished legacy to his five children, Katherine, John, Mary, Lucy and Emily, as well as his grandchildren, Sam, Catherine and Anna. Mr. Speaker, it is appropriate at this time that we recognize John Reynolds Stokes for his unwavering commitment to the ideals and values that sustain our great country.