E1492 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks November 2, 2017 items like bars, boxes, and balance beams, office, helping to devise several complex and mont Health Department. In civilian life, CPL around Lake Petocka in Bondurant. After meaningful bills for the tribal members I rep- Aranda has served those around him with going through the approval process with the resent. boundless altruism. His commitment to his city and raising the $1,600 from friends and For six years I have had the benefit of community can be seen through his involve- local organizations, Cole led a team that in- Scott’s good work, and I am deeply appre- ment in and leadership of many organizations, stalled the equipment last October, and has ciative. Along with my family and my staff, I including the Greater Houston Red Cross, already seen people using them. He com- wish Scott the best of luck as he moves on Camp Allen, the Talking Book Program and pleted his Eagle Scout journey at the young the next phase of his career. the Texas Stream Team. CPL Aranda’s tire- age of 14, years younger than most Eagle f less efforts have touched the lives of many Scouts earn their ranking. The work ethic Cole and have helped make Central Texas a place has shown in his Eagle Scout Project and 2017 WOMAN OF THE YEAR AWARD people are proud to call home. throughout his scouting career speaks vol- WINNER—CHRISTINE PONCE A reflection of the best values of our nation, umes about his commitment to serving a CPL Aranda’s service to his community and cause greater than himself and assisting his HON. JOHN GARAMENDI country has made a resounding impact on community. OF CALIFORNIA those around him. I thank CPL Pete Aranda, Mr. Speaker, the example set by this young IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Jr., a leader with a servant’s heart, for his man and his supportive family and community Thursday, November 2, 2017 dedication and service. demonstrates the rewards of hard work, dedi- f cation, and perseverance. I am honored to Mr. GARAMENDI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today represent Cole and his family in the United to recognize Ms. Christine Ponce of Wood- TRIBUTE TO CARRIE SMITH States Congress. I ask that my colleagues in land, California, who has dedicated 27 years the United States House of Representatives to California’s agricultural industry. She has HON. DAVID YOUNG join me in congratulating him on obtaining the worked cultivating many crops, ultimately be- OF IOWA Eagle Scout ranking and in wishing him noth- coming California’s first female rice miller. In IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that role she managed many facets of rice ing but continued success in his future edu- Thursday, November 2, 2017 cation and career. production, ensuring that the plant operated at f full capacity. In her 27 year career she over- Mr. YOUNG of Iowa. Mr. Speaker, I rise came many challenges—from low wages to today to recognize and congratulate Carrie HONORING SCOTT RASMUSSEN serious injury—and inspired many women that Smith from Summerset Winery in Indianola, they too could pursue a career once consid- Iowa for being named the 2017 ‘‘Winemaker HON. JARED HUFFMAN ered only for men. of the year’’ by the Iowa Wine Growers Asso- OF CALIFORNIA A proud descendent of a Bracero, Ms. ciation. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Ponce has strong ties to the California agricul- Carrie has spent the last 10 years working tural community. In her time as a rice miller at Summerset Winery, serving as winemaker Thursday, November 2, 2017 she helped advocate for the rights of agricul- and vineyard manager. She is responsible for Mr. HUFFMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tural workers by serving the local chapter of making over 20 different wines every year. tribute to Scott Rasmussen, an important the International Longshore and Warehouse Carrie has been recognized at the local and member of my team for many years who will Union. In addition to working long, demanding national level for her winemaking prowess, be leaving my office after this week to travel hours, she took time to serve as a secretary winning the Dick Peterson award for best Iowa and pursue his varied interests. for the ILWU Local 150. Ms. Ponce’s long and wine twice, along with numerous gold medal Scott is a native Californian who graduated distinguished career has demonstrated her de- wines and other awards. from Brown University in 2010, then returned votion to California’s vibrant agricultural com- Mr. Speaker, I am proud to represent to the Bay Area where he worked in the areas munity. Carrie, and Iowans like her, in the United of law and technology. I was soon fortunate to f States Congress and it is with great pride that have him join my campaign team, where he I recognize her today. I ask that my col- demonstrated the confidence, intellectual curi- HONORING CORPORAL PETE leagues in the United States House of Rep- osity, diligence, and political instincts that have ARANDA, JR., U.S. ARMY resentatives join me in congratulating Carrie served him so well over the years I have for this outstanding recognition and in wishing known him—and which I am sure will continue HON. JOHN R. CARTER her nothing but continued success. to bring him success in the future. OF TEXAS f Scott helped to form the initial core of my IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES congressional staff in 2013, showing a willing- RECOGNIZING THE LIFE OF FALL- ness to pitch in and cover any topic that was Thursday, November 2, 2017 EN MISSISSIPPI SOLDIER ARMY thrown to him, from answering phones to tack- Mr. CARTER of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise 1LT ROBERT CHARLES ONETO-SI- ling policy questions. Over the ensuing years, today to honor Corporal Pete Aranda, Jr., U.S. KORSKI Scott has taken on new roles and regularly Army, a decorated soldier from Round Rock, delivered results for my constituents and the TX. In all aspects of life, CPL Aranda goes be- HON. TRENT KELLY planet. Notable successes include the pas- yond the call of duty. It is my honor to award OF MISSISSIPPI sage of the Point Reyes Coast Guard Housing him the Congressional Veteran Commenda- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Conveyance Act, which will allow a former tion. property in West Marin to be repurposed as CPL Aranda enlisted in the Army in 1988 Thursday, November 2, 2017 affordable housing and community space, and and served a short stint in the 3/64 Armor, 3rd Mr. KELLY of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, his work on our successful bipartisan effort to Infantry Division in Germany. He then de- today I rise in memory of fallen Mississippi strike a nearly half-century old congressional ployed in the spring of 1991 as a medic to soldier Army First Lieutenant (1LT) Robert earmark that cost taxpayers millions of dollars Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Kuwait. As testa- Charles Oneto-Sikorski who gave his life while each year to ship Pennsylvania coal 3,000 ment to the quality of his service, CPL Aranda in service to our great nation on October 31, miles to American bases in Germany. received numerous medals and commenda- 2005, during Operation Iraqi Freedom. 1LT With diligence and finesse, Scott has helped tions, including the Combat Field Medical Oneto-Sikorski was killed when an improvised to develop a number of key legislative initia- Badge, Expert Field Medical Badge, Army explosive device detonated near his dis- tives, and his intellect and maturity have al- Commendation Medal, National Defense mounted patrol in Iskandariyah, Iraq. 1LT lowed me to entrust him with sensitive foreign Medal, and two Southwest Asia Campaign Oneto-Sikorski was assigned to the 1st Bat- policy matters as well. Major projects have in- Medals. A true patriot, Corporal Aranda contin- talion, 155th Infantry, Mississippi Army Na- cluded my work to expand broadband access ued to honorably serve after his discharge tional Guard, Biloxi, Mississippi. to rural communities, and our ongoing efforts from active duty as a Respiratory Therapist at 1LT Oneto-Sikorski was born on September to make sure that homeowners are protected the 349th General Hospital, U.S. Army Re- I, 1972, in New Orleans, Louisiana, but called from an unexpected tax bill when they work to serve. Bay St. Louis his home. According to the As- reduce water use. Finally, he has worked on In 1995, CPL Aranda returned home to Port sociated Press, while 1LT Oneto-Sikorski was the tribal policy portfolio that is a priority in my Arthur, Texas where he worked for the Beau- serving in Iraq, his home was flooded from the VerDate Sep 11 2014 04:47 Nov 03, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A02NO8.010 E02NOPT1.