[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 12]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 17129-17130]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




DEPARTING MEMBERS OF THE CALIFORNIA DEMOCRATIC CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. ZOE LOFGREN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, December 13, 2012

  Ms. ZOE LOFGREN of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize 
the departing Democratic Members from California who have faithfully 
served their constituents as representatives in the U.S. Congress. I 
would like to commend my colleagues Reps. Pete Stark, Howard Berman, 
Bob Filner, Lynn Woolsey, Joe Baca, and Laura Richardson for their 
years of service. Their achievements have not only helped their 
constituents, they have helped create a better America.
  Mr. Speaker, Golden State Members have never known Congress without 
Pete Stark in it. Elected in 1972, Pete Stark is the longest serving 
Member from California and serves as our delegation's Dean. His list of 
accomplishments is long and impressive. As one of the highest ranking 
Democrats on the Ways and Means Committee, and Ranking Member and 
former Chair of the Subcommittee on Health, Pete has been a vocal 
leader and advocate for ensuring that all Americans have access to 
affordable health care. From creating COBRA, creating electronic and 
easily transferrable medical records, or in helping to draft the 
historic health care reform bill, Pete has fought tirelessly for better 
patient care at lower cost. As his long-serving Chief of Staff said 
recently in Roll Call, ``. . . no one can question Pete Stark's 
commitment to those who don't have a voice and his firm belief that 
government is here to improve people's lives. He has never wavered in 
his willingness to challenge special interests and take on powerful 
groups in order to pursue the right public policy.'' Pete's compassion 
and determination will be missed.
  Our next longest-serving Member, Howard Berman, has been an 
extraordinary Member since 1983. As the Ranking Member and former 
Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, he has worked to strengthen 
U.S. relations with foreign governments abroad and keep Americans safe. 
Widely-regarded as a brilliant and effective legislator in the House, 
some of his biggest accomplishments include programs critical to the 
global fight against HIV/AIDS and improving U.S. foreign aid programs. 
And as a colleague and senior Member on the Judiciary Committee, he has 
valiantly fought on behalf of immigrants. His role in drafting 
immigration law is unique and important. When we disagree on copyright 
and patent issues, I still consider Howard a friend. I will deeply miss 
his bipartisanship and legislative prowess.
  Bob Filner was elected in 1992 to Congress and is widely known for 
his commitment to our servicemen and women. As the Ranking Member and 
previous Chairman on the Veterans' Affairs Committee, Bob Filner worked 
to ensure that our veterans receive increased healthcare services, low 
interest-rates for home loans, and helped pass the GI Bill for veterans 
of the Iraq and Afghanistan Wars. Bob also had a long history as a 
civil rights

[[Page 17130]]

activist and professor. Fortunately, we'll continue to work with him as 
he was elected--and is now serving--as the Mayor of San Diego.
  As a senior Member on the Education and Labor Committee, and Ranking 
Member and former Chair of the Subcommittee on Workforce Protections, 
Lynn Woolsey has been a tireless fighter to protect working Americans 
by improving working conditions and legislating equal pay. As a 
colleague of mine on the Science, Space and Technology Committee, she 
has supported clean energy initiatives and the preservation of our 
fragile ecosystem, including protecting the California coastline. First 
elected in 1992, in the year of the woman, Lynn Woolsey certainly 
helped put a few more cracks in that glass ceiling, and she now leaves 
Congress in a year that saw a record number of women elected to the 
House and Senate.
  As a senior member on the Agriculture Committee, Joe Baca has worked 
to preserve and ensure that our most needy families have access to 
nutritious food. First elected to Congress in 1999, Joe also served as 
Chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus during the 110th Congress 
and is a member of the House Financial Services Committee.
  Laura Richardson was elected to Congress in 2007, and has served on 
the Transportation and Infrastructure and Homeland Security Committees, 
serving as a key advocate for Long Beach's port and California's 
development of high speed rail.
  Mr. Speaker, the aforementioned Members have served a combined 128 
years in the House of Representatives. As the Chair of the California 
Democratic Congressional Delegation, I want to thank them for their 
commitment to our country, to California, and to their constituents who 
elected them. Together we've worked to ensure that America is a 
prosperous and safe society where everyone has equal opportunity. I've 
enjoyed being with them on this journey and wish them all of the best 
in the years ahead.

                          ____________________