[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 149 (Thursday, September 14, 2023)]
[House]
[Pages H4305-H4306]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    SNOOKS CANDIES AND CHOCOLATE FACTORY CELEBRATES 60TH ANNIVERSARY

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
California (Mr. Kiley) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. KILEY. Mr. Speaker, a local business in my district, Snooks 
Candies and Chocolate Factory, is celebrating their 60-year anniversary 
on Friday. Founded by John Snook in 1963, John and his wife, Jeannine, 
started their business at the Arden Fair Food Circus.
  The family opened up a store in Tahoe City in 1981 and later moved to 
historic Folsom in 1985, where the store remains today. Each one of 
John and Jeannine's 6 kids and some of their 11 grandchildren and 13 
great-grandchildren have spent time working in Snooks. To witness the 
bond of family in the business community and the successful operation 
of a thriving small business is truly inspiring.
  After retiring and entrusting the store to his son, Jim, and Jim's 
wife, Renee, in 1999, John continued to be a consistent presence in the 
store, talking to customers and helping with work when needed.
  Sadly, John Snook passed away earlier this year, but his legacy as a 
husband, father, and successful businessman continues to live on.
  Over the span of six decades, Snooks Candies has faced many 
challenges, from nationwide recessions to the recent COVID-19 pandemic. 
However, these challenges have only reinforced the status of Snooks 
Candies as a true pillar in Folsom and the surrounding communities.
  I applaud the commitment to their business and to producing iconic 
candies and treats for all to enjoy. Therefore, on behalf of the United 
States House of Representatives, I am proud to join Folsom and our 
surrounding communities in congratulating Snooks Candies and Chocolate 
Factory for reaching this momentous milestone.


                      Folsom Community Service Day

  Mr. KILEY. Mr. Speaker, today I recognize the 10-year anniversary of 
Folsom Community Service Day, an event which will be held this year on 
Saturday, September 16.
  Organized by the city of Folsom and partner organizations, Community 
Service Day mobilizes hundreds of volunteers to complete projects 
across the city to improve public resources and benefit the community.
  In its tenure, the Folsom Community Service Day event has made a 
considerable and positive impact on the area. Since its inception, over 
19,000 volunteers have participated. More than 900 projects have been 
completed, and 500 of them have been performed to serve senior 
citizens. There have been 537,000 pounds of food donated by the Twin 
Lakes Food Bank, and thousands of care packages to Active Duty military 
members have been sent. In addition, thousands of donated items have 
been collected for local nonprofits.
  Their efforts have truly made a remarkable and lasting impact. To 
witness the hard work of this community over the span of a decade to 
deliver necessary change, improve neighborhoods, and help those in need 
is truly inspiring.
  Therefore, on behalf of the United States House of Representatives, I 
am proud to recognize the city of Folsom and countless volunteers and 
partner organizations for providing 10 years of invaluable service and 
contributions to their communities.


                            Success Academy

  Mr. KILEY. Mr. Speaker, yesterday the Education and the Workforce 
Committee hosted a roundtable with Eva Moskowitz, the founder of 
Success Academy Charter Schools, which was first opened in 2006 and now 
has 47 schools.
  The network of schools is known for setting high expectations of 
academic excellence and achieving exemplary results. Black and Hispanic 
students, which make up most of Success Academy's students, achieve 
proficiency rates double to triple what their New York City district 
peers do.
  As AEI senior fellow Robert Pondiscio put it:

       If Success Academy were a stand-alone school district, it 
     would be by far the highest performing one in the State of 
     New York, including places like Scarsdale, and Jericho on 
     Long Island with multimillion dollar homes.

  This is an example of why charter schools have been such an important 
innovation in American education and are a vital part of the landscape 
for school choice and why they are widely supported by the public.

                              {time}  1045

  In 2022, the Harris Poll found in a national survey that 81 percent 
of parents support expanding the number of slots at existing public 
charter schools in their area and 78 percent want more public charter 
schools in their area.
  In California's Third District, we have many tremendous schools, both 
district schools and charter schools. Some of the popular charters 
include John Adams Academy, Placer County Pathways Charter, Newcastle 
Elementary Charter, Vantage Point Charter, and Plumas Charter.
  As a former high school teacher and a member of the Education and 
Workforce Committee, I am truly inspired by schools like Success 
Academy and will work to support charter schools and to scale up 
successful models throughout our public education system.


                       Suspend the State Gas Tax

  Mr. KILEY. Mr. Speaker, today, I am calling on the California 
Legislature to

[[Page H4306]]

suspend the State gas tax, as other States--including just recently 
Georgia--have done to provide consumers with relief from soaring 
prices. The legislature can provide a modest measure of relief by 
passing Assembly Bill 53 by Assemblyman Vince Fong, which would 
immediately suspend the State's gas tax and lower prices by 58 cents 
per gallon. The bill would also assure that no funding is lost for road 
projects throughout the State.
  At a time when Californians continue to struggle with the effects of 
inflation, this relief would make life a little easier for millions of 
people. It is a commonsense proposal that merits bipartisan support, 
and I urge the legislature to act on it immediately.

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