Lynn Woolsey

Ms. WOOLSEY

Ms. WOOLSEY. Congressman, the one beacon of light in the system is the public financing of Presidential campaigns. I have to remind everybody, that's voluntary. People volunteer $1 a year out of their tax return to support the public financing of the Presidential races. They have to opt to do that. They don't have to. It's served our country well, and it's a very limited expense. It needs updating. It doesn't need dismantling. We need more public financing of our Federal election, not less. Actually, if I had my way, we would have public financing, we would have a much shorter campaign season, and we would also publicly finance advertising as well as set spending limits and not turn campaigns--it's an industry in this country now that certainly employs thousands and thousands of people. But it spends a lot of our time and individual money in order to get people elected.

Ms. WOOLSEY. Right. I have been so fortunate because I represent a district that I fit. You know I'm retiring, but I have represented this district for 20 years, and I have fit so well that I have not had to raise millions of dollars. I have watched my colleagues who are in these districts that could go either way and where now Citizens United has brought this super-PAC money in against them, and I don't know how they do it. I mean, what a way to ruin our democracy, to have the people you elect to represent you spend much of their time raising money instead of raising consciousness, instead of raising issues, instead of fighting for what we know needs to be done in this country. This corrupt campaign finance system we have, with the special interest money, is going to actually corrode our democracy. If we don't step up to it on both sides of the aisle, everybody is going to be affected by it, not just Democrats.

Ms. WOOLSEY. Right. If everybody has a certain amount of time on air, they can spend it putting down their opponent, or they can spend that time letting their constituents know who they are. If they want to be negative, they can do it the way they want to, but they will probably find out it's much more wholesome and people will like them a lot better when they know them for who they are and not as put-down artists. When you say there's folks from the other side of the aisle, and I'm sure there are, I think that it's our job now to pull together a core here in the Congress who are willing to limit the influence of contributors and who are willing to curb the power of political action committees and impose spending limits and not let corporate America have a bigger voice than the average voter. Somehow or another, I think it's going to be possible, but it's going to take leaders like yourself, Hank, to make that happen, so I'll be cheering for you.

Ms. WOOLSEY. Well, if we eliminate special interest money, if we have the Declaration for Democracy and have a constitutional change, the United States Constitution regarding this Citizens United action of the Supreme Court, I think we can help turn that around.

Ms. WOOLSEY. I signed the little card. I haven't signed that one, but I'm looking why aren't I on there. I mean, that's how much I support it. Actually, Leader Pelosi has signed the declaration. It's very well received in the Congress.

Ms. WOOLSEY

Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, yesterday Americans filed their tax returns, sending the Federal Treasury funds for the government to perform vital functions. Unfortunately, much of that money, way too much of that money, continues to be wasted on a policy that has failed miserably. I'm talking about a policy that has lost the confidence of the American people whose taxes support it, a policy that has cost nearly 2,000 American lives, a policy that has done more to undermine our national security goals than is done to make our Nation safer. Of course, I'm talking about the war in Afghanistan. This past weekend brought yet more evidence that our continued military presence in Afghanistan, carrying a price tag of roughly $10 billion a month, is stirring up unrest and emboldening insurgents rather than providing security and stability. Beginning this last Sunday, the Taliban launched a series of bold, coordinated, and simultaneous attacks throughout Afghanistan, hitting the parliament building and diplomatic sites throughout the country. Thankfully, there were limited casualties. By many accounts, the Afghan security forces handled themselves with skill in response to the violence, which is very good news, because as the Afghans are better able to police and protect themselves, that's all the more reason to hasten our military withdrawal from Afghanistan. Every day that we continue our military occupation, Mr. Speaker, is another day that we breed resentment, that we inflame tensions and create more impassioned enemies. Mr. Speaker, the American people are writing the check for this war. In fact, they just sent in their annual check this week. They deserve a better return on that investment. They deserve a set of policies that are more humane, more consistent with our best values as a Nation, and more likely to advance our national security objectives. They deserve the kind of SMART Security approach I have been talking about for many years now. Instead of invasions and warfare, we need diplomacy, we need multilateral cooperation. Instead of military surges, we need civilian surges. Instead of troops with guns, we need to send humanitarian experts, experts that can help Afghanistan and other developing countries fight poverty, rebuild their infrastructure, educate their people and so much more. Listen to this quote, Mr. Speaker: In today's ever-complex world, we must use all the tools of national security to achieve our objectives, including a strong State Department and other civilian-led agencies. Development and diplomacy keep us safe by addressing threats in the most dangerous corners of the world and by preventing conflicts before they occur. That's an excellent explanation of SMART Security, but that's not Lynn Woolsey, and it's not the Out of Afghanistan Caucus talking. It's from a letter to Congress signed by 80 retired military leaders making the case not to cut USAID and arguing for a strong, international affairs budget. The time is now, not in 2014, Mr. Speaker. The time is now to bring our brave troops home to implement the compassionate and cost-effective SMART Security agenda that can keep our Nation safe, and it can keep peace in the world.

Ms. WOOLSEY

Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Dr. Robert A. Corrigan and recognize his contribution to higher education, civic engagement and the application of university expertise to community issues. Dr. Corrigan is retiring as the President of San Francisco State University. One of our nation's leading public urban universities, under Dr. Corrigan's leadership, San Francisco State University has become acclaimed for its diversity and is known as a ``college with a conscience.'' With nationally recognized programs in a range of fields, the more than 212,000 graduates have contributed to the economic, cultural and civic fabric of San Francisco and beyond. Dr. Corrigan has been a dedicated supporter of the partnership between San Francisco State and the Romberg Tiburon Center for Environmental Studies, located in my district. Through research, education and outreach, and with a focus on San Francisco Bay, the Romberg Center works to advance the understanding of the world's complex marine environments. A graduate of Brown University in Rhode Island, Dr. Corrigan earned his master's and doctoral degrees in American Civilization from the University of Pennsylvania. During a 54-year career in academia, Dr. Corrigan has held faculty positions at the University of Iowa, Bryn Mawr College, the University of Pennsylvania, and the University of Gothenburg in Sweden. He was a provost at the University of Maryland and Dean at the University of Missouri, before becoming chancellor of the University of Massachusetts at Boston. Starting at San Francisco State University in 1988, during a period of transition, Dr. Corrigan restructured the management of the university to build a better rapport between administration and faculty. A leader with considerable collaborative skills, he has worked hard to keep the campus competitive through careful management of funds during difficult budget cuts. A well-respected colleague and administrator, Dr. Corrigan presided over a major overhaul of the campus, funded with a $120 million facilities bond measure, student fees and private fundraising. Recently, the university opened its newly renovated library and there are plans to build a new performing arts center as well as a student wellness center. A champion of diversity in higher education, Dr. Corrigan is credited with building a model multi-cultural campus focused on social justice and equity. Where people of color constitute 70% of the student body and 41% of the faculty, Dr. Corrigan nurtured a culture of tolerance where differences are respected and debated peacefully on campus. He is the recipient of many awards and recognitions, including the 2009 Distinguished Service Award from the Association of Public and Land- grant Universities, the 2009 San Francisco Business Times ``Most Admired CEO'' award and the Distinguished Community Service Award from the Anti-Defamation League. A keen advocate of civic engagement, Dr. Corrigan has served on the boards of a variety of organizations, such as the Mayor's Children, Youth, and Families Policy Council, two terms as chair of the Board of Directors of the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce, the San Francisco Economic Development Corporation, and the California Historical Society Board of Directors. Among several active memberships, he is currently serving on the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Anchor Institutions Task Force. Mr. Speaker, Dr. Corrigan is a man of remarkable talent and considerable commitment, he will be missed in the community and at the university, but we honor him today and wish him well in his next endeavor. Congratulations, Robert Corrigan, and thank you.

Ms. WOOLSEY

Ms. WOOLSEY. I thank the Congresswoman from Connecticut for this Special Order and for those kind words. Thank you very much. So let me see, do I have this right? Am I getting it? My colleagues on the other side of the aisle think it's just fine for the wealthiest Americans to avoid their fair share of the tax burden, that it's fine for a millionaire to pay a lower Federal tax rate than his secretary. So, tell me who they believe should make do with less in order to close the budget deficit. Just who do they want to sacrifice? Oh, of course, those Americans who are barely getting by, who can't afford life's basic necessities without support from the Federal Government. Mr. Speaker, to convert SNAP into a block grant program and cut nutrition assistance would cut a giant hole in the social safety net. Actually, the SNAP program is a smart investment in Americans who need help the most. It stimulates the economy, it increases worker productivity, it's good for our children's development and academic performance. At this very moment, when a harsh economy is threatening the security of so many families, we should be increasing these investments. We shouldn't be standing here talking about scaling them back. You know, Mr. Speaker--you probably don't know--I know what it's like to be working and still not earn enough to put food on the table. I was a single mother, it was 45 years ago. I had three small children, they were 1, 3, and 5 years old. Their dad was ill, he abandoned us. I went back to work to support my family. In fact, I had to lie about my marital status and about my childcare arrangements just to get a job-- remember, that was 40 years ago. My salary was not enough to provide for the four of us, so to help my paycheck cover the basic needs of my family I went on public assistance--kept on working--and that was how I could make ends meet. But without food stamps, we never could have made ends meet. As I said, my children were 1, 3, and 5 years old. They had needs. Eventually, we got through the rough patch and my children grew up to be healthy, successful adults--they're amazing, by the way--but I don't know what we would have done or how we would have survived without that help. In fact, isn't that what America is about? When our fellow citizens fall on hard times, don't we pitch in to help them? Well, that's not what the Republican philosophy is. It's quite different than that. I believe that they believe every man and woman is on their own and should be fending for themselves. Millionaires and billionaires deserve the special breaks that they don't need. And more hardship for Americans who are suffering enough already is just what they have to do when they happen not to be very wealthy, or in need. It's appalling, and it's shameful. Mr. Speaker, you don't need to have my personal experience; nobody needs to. I didn't have to do the food stamp test for 5 days--I know what it's like to live on food stamps. But we, as Americans, as Members of Congress, have to fight with everything that we have to protect the nutrition programs that we have in this country because families in America depend on it.

Ms. WOOLSEY

Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise proudly today to honor the Environmental Technology Center, ETC, on the occasion of its tenth anniversary. Located at Sonoma State University in Rohnert Park, CA, ETC was one of the first `green' buildings on a university campus. Before the concept of a green building was a familiar part of our national culture, Rocky Rohwedder, Professor and Chair of the Environmental Studies and Planning, ENSP, department, realized that an environmental center could provide a valuable teaching tool. He and Professor Jean Merriman Falbo (now retired) sought grants to realize this vision. I was proud to assist their effort with funds from the National Science Foundation, NSF. With further support from the California Energy Commission, the majority of the funding was in place. Partnering with experts at Sonoma State University and in the community, ETC was carefully designed and opened its doors in the fall of 2001. The Center represented an exciting new advance in both building and education. Functioning as a teaching tool, demonstration project, and resource hub, it is used as a classroom for the Environmental Studies and Planning Department and several sustainable certificate programs as well as a center for service learning, technical assistance, and community-based research. Considered a Zero Energy Building because it actually generates more energy than it consumes, its sustainable technologies include roof integrated photovoltaics, advanced window systems, extensive use of daylighting, recycled materials, and thermal mass as well as energy and water-efficient landscaping. In February, 2002, shortly after ETC opened, the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology held a Congressional field hearing in the Center on the theme of ``A Renewable Roadmap to Energy Independence.'' As the Ranking Member of the Science Energy Subcommittee, I was able to bring nationally known experts whose testimony delivered a clear message: that we could become energy independent with sustainable technologies using the techniques exemplified in the building. In addition, faculty at the Center, such as Dr. Sascha von Meier, testified in Washington, DC, before the Committee and later helped me in writing alternative energy legislation. Mr. Speaker, please join me in congratulating all those who made the Environmental Technology Center possible and who continue to make it a focus of research and application for sustainable building ten years later. I applaud their commitment and foresight in creating ``The Building That Teaches.''

Ms. WOOLSEY

Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the 50th wedding anniversary of Ute and Patrick Goggins, longtime friends and constituents in Mill Valley, California. Ute and Patrick have been dedicated and conscientious members of our community since the late 1960s, and their joint passion for social justice and community service has made their active presence in the San Francisco Bay Area a true blessing. Ute and Patrick were married March 27, 1962, in a lunchtime civil ceremony at San Francisco City Hall. The setting was appropriate for a couple who have always had a natural partnership. In the years since, Ute and Patrick have become important voices in the peace movement not only in the Bay Area, but worldwide. The Gogginses were at the forefront of opposition to the war in Vietnam, and eventually they were joined by their children in more recent demonstrations against war in Iraq. Ute and Patrick have also contributed to a richer cultural environment, and to the idea that a stronger sense of community is a precursor to peace and justice. Patrick has spearheaded a number of local Irish cultural and historical associations, including the Irish- Mexican Association and the Irish Forum. Ute has long been a recognized local artist, and taught art at San Domenico School for over three decades. Mr. Speaker, I ask you to join me in recognizing the 50th anniversary of Ute and Patrick Goggins. We wish them many more years of happiness, collaboration, and companionship.

Ms. WOOLSEY

Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mann County dairy rancher Anthony (Tony) Silveira who passed away March 9, 2012, at the age of 90. Mr. Silveira spent most of his life working on the family ranches and was known for his proud defense of the family's property rights as the County became increasingly urbanized. Mr. Silveira's father, like many of Mann County's early dairy ranchers, emigrated from the Azores. He founded the ranching business in 1900, and in 1920 helped found Mann-Dell Dairy (sold in 1954). Born in 1921 on the Miller Ranch (now Marinwood), Tony Silveira was committed to the family business; after his father died when he was only 15, he and his siblings helped his mother Mary run two ranches. With Marinwood ranch and the Burdell Ranch north of Novato along Highway 101, drivers could enjoy the sight of some of the family's 1500 cows grazing on prime Mann County grasslands. After graduating from local schools, Mr. Silveira attended UC Davis before returning to Mann ranching. The ``Home'' ranch in Marinwood, where his father had acquired land around St. Vincent's School for Boys, is centrally located and soon became the focus for possible housing growth. Others argued that the land should be preserved as buffer zone, with minimum development. Mr. Silveira fought passionately for the right not to have the property down-zoned, speaking out often at meetings and in press. Mr. Silveira was involved in agricultural organizations such as the Mann County Farm Bureau and the Western United Dairymen as well as the University of California Alumni Association, Native Sons of the Golden West, and the IDESST Portuguese Hall in Sausalito. He is survived by Lorraine, his wife of 65 years; daughter, Renee; siblings George and Jean; and three grandchildren. His son, Ronald Anthony Silveira, predeceased him in 2000. Mr. Speaker, Anthony Silveira's proud ranching background is an important part of the fabric of Mann County history and his battles for property rights reflect the pressures and conflicts that are an ongoing dialogue of life in the County. I am honored to salute his long life and career.

Ms. WOOLSEY

Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, women are just over 50 percent of the U.S. population, but we bear much more than half of the Nation's health care costs. In so many ways, the American health care system has been geared toward men, men's bodies and men's needs. As women we've had to fight and struggle for parity, and finally the Affordable Care Act has given us that level playing field. So naturally, my friends in the majority want to scrap this law that has helped so many women obtain life-saving preventive care services. They couldn't repeal it through the democratic process, so now they're trying to get the Supreme Court to do it. We must say no. No, we will not tolerate discrimination in the health care system. No, being woman is not a pre-existing condition.

Ms. WOOLSEY

Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, the situation in Afghanistan is as bleak as I can remember at any point in the last 10\1/2\ years that we've been at war. In recent months, we've seen the burning of the Koran by American troops, a video of soldiers urinating on bodies of dead Afghans, spontaneous riots in the Afghan streets protesting the continued U.S. occupation, as well as deadly attacks by Afghan soldiers on the U.S. and NATO forces that are there to help and to train them. And now, in the most grotesque tragedy imaginable, 2 weeks ago a U.S. staff sergeant left his base, walked more than a mile to an Afghan village outside Kandahar, going door-to-door and systematically gunning down 17 civilians. The New York Times reported that one Afghan farmer was visiting a nearby town for the day and returned home to find that his wife, four sons, and four daughters had all been murdered in the attack. And here's the irony: According to the Times' account, because the Taliban still lingered in the area, the farmer had been concerned about moving his family back to this part of southern Afghanistan last year, but he was reassured by the very fact that he would be near an American military base. With these latest atrocities, how can we expect President Karzai, a reluctant ally under the best of circumstances, to continue to cooperate? How do we expect to convince the Taliban to come to the negotiating table for a peace and reconciliation settlement? And most importantly, after this incident, how do we convince the people of Afghanistan that we are their friends, that our presence in their country is a force for good? Staff Sergeant Robert Bales will be tried for these unspeakable crimes, but I also think any responsibility analysis would conclude that he is also a victim of the war. He was on his fourth deployment. He clearly suffered from posttraumatic stress disorder, or even worse, mental health affliction. He clearly had no business being on active duty. Mr. Speaker, more than a decade of war is weakening and wreaking havoc with the bodies and minds of our servicemembers. Staff Sergeant Bales will be held to account. But what about the cruel and unforgiving war machine that absolutely has to bear some responsibility? When are we going to finally set warfare aside and embrace a SMART Security approach? Yesterday, 80 retired top military leaders took out an ad in Politico calling for robust investment in development, diplomacy, and other civilian efforts that will do a lot more than military force to keep America safe. And yet the Republican budget we'll debate later today cuts that very foreign aid in humanitarian programs. When will we learn, Mr. Speaker? How bad does it have to get? Our Afghanistan policy is an absolute shambles, and the American people know it. The latest polling shows more than two-thirds, 69 percent, believe we shouldn't be waging this war. This is the moment we must realize that this mission has no hope of succeeding, that the only humane and responsible course is to end the war at once. This is the moment, finally, after all the tragedy and mayhem, to bring our troops home.

Ms. WOOLSEY

Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Chairman, the Budget for All rearranges our national security spending priorities in a way that keeps America safe instead of keeping America bogged down in expensive, immoral wars. By bringing our troops home from Afghanistan, we save over $1 trillion over 10 years. We reinvest that money in the American people, their education, their health care, their infrastructure, their retirement security, and their hopes and their dreams. There's money left over to beef up SMART Security priorities-- development, diplomacy, foreign and humanitarian aid--the tools that will truly combat terrorism and protect our Nation in the 21st century. We get rid of ancient, obsolete Cold War weapons systems that are doing nothing to address today's security threats as well. We also take care of our veterans, and we dramatically reduce our nuclear arsenal. I urge all Members, read this budget and embrace it, because it truly reflects the values and priorities of the American people--the Congressional Progressive Caucus' Budget for All.

Ms. WOOLSEY

Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor my friend James Kimo Campbell, who passed away on February 16, 2012. Kimo, as he was known locally, has been recognized for decades as a principled leader on environmental issues, education, and social justice. I admired the values he stood for and appreciated the opportunity to work with him over the years. He was a man of conscience, and his work has benefitted not only Marin County, but the entire Pacific coast. Campbell was born in 1947 in Los Angeles. He was raised in Ewa Beach, Oahu by his grandmother, Alice Kamokila Campbell, part of a prominent Irish-Hawaiian landowning family. After studying at the venerable Punahou School in Honolulu, Campbell came to northern California in 1966 for a journalism program at College of Marin. It was at College of Marin that Campbell first earned recognition for his intelligence and insight, winning journalism awards and becoming editor of the college student newspaper by 1968. It was also at College of Marin that Campbell became involved in the earliest activities of the antiwar and environmental movements of the late 1960s. Campbell was an active reporter and demonstrator in Vietnam war events across the San Francisco Bay area, and he served as a public voice for peace and civil liberties on the national stage. As his work progressed, Campbell was especially effective in translating advocacy and protest into political power and substantive change. He ran four times for a seat on the College of Marin Board of Trustees before finally winning his first, narrow election at the age of 27. From then on, he worked tirelessly to defend the interests of the students, staff, and institution he represented, and to effectively manage College of Marin through a period of modernization. Campbell brought the same focus to a range of environmental priorities. He served on the Boards of the California League of Conservation Voters, Earthjustice, the Trust for Public Land, and other organizations. He also had a particular interest in projects supporting Hawaiian culture, including the Pohaku Fund and his home-based publishing operation, Pueo Press. Campbell is survived by his wife, Kerry Tepperman Campbell, and his two children, Mahealani and Kawika Campbell. Mr. Speaker, I ask you to join me in recognizing a man whose leadership has set an example for all of us--a man whose tireless advocacy and positive spirit teach us all a lesson in the value of `ohana.

Ms. WOOLSEY

Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, on March 19, 2012, I was unavoidably detained and was unable to record my vote for rollcall No. 111. Had I been present I would have voted: rollcall No. 111: ``yes''--To allow otherwise eligible Israeli nationals to receive E 2 nonimmigrant visas if similarly situated United States nationals are eligible for similar nonimmigrant status in Israel.

Ms. WOOLSEY

Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Chairman, it's inconceivable to me that with all the challenges we have that are facing our Nation, this body is taking up legislation today having to do with a 32-acre parcel of land in Virginia. Is this really the best we can do at a moment when our economy is still underperforming? At a moment when we're still sending brave Americans to die in an immoral war that's gone on for nearly as long as my grandson Teddy has been alive? We still have more than 8 percent unemployment in this country. We still have families and entire communities wondering what happened to the American Dream. We have people losing their home through no fault of their own. We have people wondering how they're going to pay next month's bills, never mind the daunting cost of sending their child to college. We have families wondering why the very health care reforms they needed are about to go on trial at the U.S. Supreme Court. We also have people who, more than ever, are depending on safety-net programs like Medicare and Medicaid, which have a big fat target on their backs put on by the Republican budget plan that was just unveiled today. A good start would be to pass the Senate transportation bill to rebuild our infrastructure and put our people back to work. And then, how about getting down to the business of ending the war in Afghanistan, which is killing our people, undermining our national security, and diverting the money that we need to meet human needs right here at home. I can't believe that the American people want us to debate a bill about 32 acres of land in Virginia--not when we still have thousands of troops in harm's way, fighting a war that is doing nothing to keep America safe and nothing to protect our vital interests. We have important issues to debate, Mr. Chairman, big problems to tackle, Americans who need our help, and an overseas conflict that must end. This is a moment of great urgency. Why isn't the majority acting like it?

Ms. WOOLSEY

Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to praise Stanley Kosta, a veteran of World War II who was recently honored by the Republic of France with its highest military decoration, the French Legion of Honor. He was named ``Chevalier'', or Knight, in the National Order of the Legion of Honor and presented with the medal at the French Consulate in San Francisco on January 23, 2012. The Republic of France is awarding this prestigious honor to United States veterans who helped in the liberation of France in WWII during one of four major campaigns: Normandy, Southern France, Northern France, and the Ardennes (Battle of the Bulge). Born on May 5, 1917 in San Francisco, California, Mr. Kosta was 26 years old when he was drafted into the United States Army in July 1943. Serving in the 9th Infantry Division, 47th Infantry Regiment, he landed in Normandy in July 1944 about a month after D-Day. For the next nine months he advanced through France, Belgium, and Germany serving as a radio operator on and near the front lines. He fought courageously in the battle of Saint-Lo and to strategic victory in another key-town in Normandy, Falaise. From there his division crossed the Marne River, just east of Paris for the Ardennes Counteroffensive, also known as the Battle of the Bulge, which was one of the largest and bloodiest of WWII. On January 30, 1944, his unit crossed the Rhine River to enter Germany. Shortly thereafter, he became ill during combat and was sent to a hospital in England. After the war, Mr. Kosta settled in the West End neighborhood of San Rafael, California. After 35 years of marriage his first wife passed away. Eventually, he found happiness again and remarried. He has two amazing sons, one a former police captain from San Rafael, and the other an artist in Denmark. Few people discover a lifelong passion at an early age and find time to enjoy it daily, but Stanley was introduced to the accordion by the age of 9 and to this day he plays regularly. Unable to read sheet music, he can still play over 300 songs. From a young age, he always knew he wanted a job doing physical labor. He was not one cut out for an office. Growing up during the Great Depression, he dropped out of high school during the 11th grade to find a job. He took several odds jobs including selling papers, passing out theater fliers, and constructing mannequins. After the war, he worked for several breweries in San Francisco, California, including Acme, Burgermeister, and Rainier. In 2004, sixty years after the liberation of France, the Republic of France started recognizing the service of United States Veterans of WWII for their part in the liberation. Mr. Kosta is joined by several other WWII veterans from Marin and Sonoma Counties who have received the French Legion of Honor and they are: Mr. Reginald Alexander of Kenwood, CA (deceased); Mr. Marion Grohoski of Santa Rosa, CA; Mr. Earl Shanken of San Rafael, CA; Mr. John Thomson of Santa Rosa (recently deceased); and Mr. Gerard Cormier of Corte Madera. Many veterans have applications pending, but even more did not live to see this day. Mr. Speaker, it is with great respect and awe that I extend my gratitude to Mr. Kosta and his comrades for their service to the United States of America during WWII.

Ms. WOOLSEY

Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Dorothy Bertucci, a leading citizen of Petaluma, CA, who passed away February 23, 2012. She died peacefully at home at the age of 93 after a lifetime in her hometown where she was best known for her promotion of libraries and her kind spirit. Dorothy was born in Petaluma, at home. Her parents, the prominent Mattei family, owned a men's clothing store downtown, not far from the house. She attended St. Vincent de Paul High school and graduated from UC Berkeley (Cal) in 1941. With a degree in library science and history, she then worked in the libraries at both Cal and UCLA. Later at Cal, she also met her husband Andy Bertucci. In 1949, the two went to a Cal game on a blind date, married in 1950, and enjoyed a 49-year marriage. Andy worked in the family clothing store, and the couple raised their four children in Petaluma. After Andy's retirement in 1977, the two traveled together frequently and enjoyed many games of golf till Andy's death in 1999. Dorothy was active in the City, including its political campaigns, but libraries were her true mission. She knew libraries represented the heart of the community, a place where everyone had access to information and a gateway into the magic of reading. She was a librarian and a member of the Library Board of Trustees in Petaluma as well as serving on the Sonoma County Library Commission and the California Association of Library Trustees and Commissioners (including a stint as President). Straightforward, dedicated, and optimistic, she was the ideal person to help in the campaign for a bond measure for a new library in Petaluma. It passed in 1976 on the fourth try, with Dorothy championing the effort all the way. In 1974, she was honored as Petaluma's Citizen of the Year for her involvement. Dorothy is survived by her four children John, Paul, Tom, and Ann and their partners as well as three grandchildren. Mr. Speaker, citizens like Dorothy Bertucci remind us what caring people can accomplish for their communities. Please join me in honoring her life and accomplishments.

Ms. WOOLSEY

Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Maxine Kortum Durney, who passed away on January 24, 2012, at her home in Petaluma, California. Durney was a lifelong naturalist, a leader in the Sonoma County conservation movement, and a tireless advocate for the unique natural environment that makes our region such a special place to live. Durney was born in Santa Cruz in 1921 and raised in Petaluma, a community to which she returned regularly even after her family and career took her elsewhere across Northern California. After studying at Santa Rosa Junior College and UC Berkeley, Durney became a librarian at Petaluma Public Library. She later worked in libraries in Red Bluff, Fremont, and Santa Rosa, where she developed her passion for local history, and public service, and the preservation of our natural heritage. In 1972, Durney was recruited by her brother, Dr. Bill Kortum, into an active role in the campaign for California's Proposition 20. The successful Proposition led to the establishment of the California Coastal Commission and a landmark change in our approach to conservation and development in threatened public spaces. Durney's work was vital in the hard-fought victory, and in ushering in a new era for environmentalism in California. Durney brought the same attention to her work locally, where she was instrumental in cleaning up creeks and watersheds, and in engaging the public to better appreciate and care for our shared resources. In her role on the board of the Southern Sonoma County Resource Conservation District, Durney also demonstrated a collaborative approach to environmental stewardship. She understood that everyone has a stake in sustainable water and land management, and she made a particular effort to share that message with Sonoma County youth. Mr. Speaker, I ask you to join me in recognizing a woman who has made immense contributions to our environment. Maxine Kortum Durney's legacy lives on in the revitalized watersheds and wild California coastline that will be treasured by generations to come.

Ms. WOOLSEY

Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, on March 7, 2012, I was unavoidably detained and was unable to record my vote for rollcall #103 106. Had I been present I would have voted: Rollcall #103: Yes--Himes of Connecticut Amendment No. 3 Rollcall #104: Yes--Ellison of Minnesota Amendment No. 5 Rollcall #105: Yes--Waters of California Amendment No. 6 Rollcall #106: Yes--Connolly of Virginia Amendment No. 9

Ms. WOOLSEY

Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, today marks exactly 125 months to the day that we've been at war with Afghanistan. That's 125 months that we have been sending brave young men and women to be maimed and killed in a conflict that is not advancing our values but actually degrading them. I've never believed more fervently that this war is a national security disaster, as well as a national tragedy and a moral catastrophe. What we need, Mr. Speaker, is a greater commitment to peace and security. What we need is a more generous humanitarian spirit. What we need is diplomacy and international dialogue, cooperation, and conflict resolution. What we need is to cherish human life and human dignity here in the United States and on every corner of the globe. Yesterday, we lost one of this body's fierce champions for these values, our colleague, Donald Payne. He was a peacemaker, a man of conscience, an ambassador of decency and compassion. He would not tolerate genocide and despair. He didn't turn a blind eye to human suffering, and he didn't care if it was happening in Newark or Nigeria. He went to some of the most dangerous places on Earth to make lives and conditions better. He was a voice for the otherwise voiceless. He used his power to advocate for people who were otherwise powerless. In the mid-nineties, I observed Representative Payne at a hearing with the Bush State Department. He was arguing, he was pleading with the State Department to designate the Darfur genocide. He actually had tears in his eyes and tears in his voice, and this is a man known for being very mild mannered. His compelling arguments and his compassion and passion actually made it possible to convince the world to condemn the Sudan/Darfur government's role in planning and executing the militia's campaign to kill. His leadership had an indelible impact on African nations. Congressman Payne shared my belief that the wars we've been fighting for the last decade are dreadful mistakes. He was one of those who stood with us in 2005, when the war in Iraq was still popular, to say no, this is wrong, we have to bring our troops home. But he also understood that it wasn't just about ending war, Mr. Speaker. It was about also leaving something else behind: hope, opportunity, democracy, and human rights. He knew that the key to ending violence, terrorism, and instability was to build up human capital, to fight hunger and disease, to defend and advance women's rights, to build strong schools, and provide decent health care worldwide. We've lost Donald Payne. But in his honor, let's not lose sight of the ideals he made his life's work. Let's not lose sight of the goals he fought for so tenaciously. Because of Donald Payne's example, I will fight forever for peace and for stability worldwide, and believe me, the beginning of this effort will be to bring our troops home from Afghanistan.

Ms. WOOLSEY

Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, on March 5, 2012, I was unavoidably detained and was unable to record my vote for rollcall No. 95. Had I been present I would have voted: Rollcall No. 95: ``Yes''--Roy Schallern Rood Post Office Building.

Ms. WOOLSEY

Ms. WOOLSEY. Madam Speaker, there was good news on the national security front last week. North Korea, one of the most dangerous rogue nations on the Earth, far more dangerous than Iraq was when we invaded 9 years ago, has agreed to suspend nuclear weapons activity. Through careful diplomacy, the Obama administration has secured this concession by offering badly needed nutritional assistance to North Koreans. The North Korean regime has also consented to stop uranium enrichment, impose an important moratorium on long-range missile testing, and allow international weapons inspectors into the country for the first time in 3 years. Of course, we must remain cautious, and we must remain vigilant in our dealings with North Korea. But it's clear that peaceful negotiations and diplomacy, as opposed to saber rattling that we've seen much too often in the recent past, is advancing our national security interests and moving us closer to a future of peace and security. The President and Secretary Clinton deserve credit for this breakthrough. They have made nonproliferation and the securing of loose nuclear material top priorities. The New START Treaty represented a critical step in finally putting the Cold War behind us and increasing security cooperation between Russia and the United States. It's my hope now that we will be bolder and more ambitious because it's time for the United States to exercise global leadership and true statesmanship, and move toward complete dismantling of our nuclear arsenal. That's exactly the long-term goal we committed to as a Nation when we signed the NPT 40 years ago. To that end, Madam Speaker, I've introduced a resolution called NO NUKES, which stands for Nonproliferation Options for Nuclear Understanding to Keep Everyone Safe. NO NUKES. NO NUKES moves us aggressively in that direction. It makes no sense at all that we have thousands of nuclear warheads when just one of them has the power to end life on Earth as we know it. And if that's not good enough, eliminating nuclear weapons isn't just a matter of human rights and moral urgency, it's also a big budget item at a time when we must be exercising fiscal restraint. We currently spend over $50 billion a year on maintenance of our existing nuclear arsenal. How about we invest that money on programs that save lives instead of weapons designed to destroy life? For nearly a decade now, we've defended our country and its interests by sending thousands of troops to die in a foreign war that isn't making America safer but is costing Americans billions of dollars every month. Madam Speaker, there has to be a different way. My SMART Security Platform advances the idea that we make the world safer, not through acts of war and arms escalation, but through cooperation and conflict resolution. For nearly my entire life, the world has lived under a shadow of nuclear confrontation. My oldest child turned 50 over the weekend. He was an infant in my arms during the terrifying days of the Cuban Missile Crisis. We can't make another generation go through that. Actually, my 7-year-old grandson, Jake Eddie, is joining me in Washington this week, and I believe it is our responsibility to make a promise to him and to his classmates and his peers. Our legacy to them must be a world free of nuclear weapons. Our legacy to them must be a peaceful future. And one step in the right direction, in the memory of Donald Payne, is to bring our troops home from Afghanistan.

Ms. WOOLSEY

Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to a man I loved, a man I respected, a friend for life, and a mentor. When I came to Congress, I couldn't have picked a better mentor: a public school teacher from New Jersey, someone kind and smart, dedicated, actually burning in his belly about issues of value and conscience. I served on Congressman Payne's Africa Subcommittee. He served on my Workforce Protection Subcommittee. On both panels, I benefited from his wisdom, advice, and his expertise. On the Africa Subcommittee, I was always amazed at how much and who he knew. This is a man who knew what public service was all about. He was, as he described himself, a mild-mannered man; but he was also tenacious, dedicated, and stubborn. No one has worked harder to bring peace, democracy, and human rights to Africa. He almost gave his life for the cause a few years ago when his plane was shot by rebels as he prepared to come home after a Somalia mission that actually the State Department had warned him against. As change continues and as change continues to come--particularly to Africa in the coming years--we'll all remember the role that Donald Payne played in laying the groundwork in helping make that change happen. A true statesman and a humanitarian, Donald's death this morning already leaves an indescribable void. Donald Payne had a huge heart and a keen mind. And believe me, I will miss them both.