On the recordFebruary 15, 2013
I'm honored to represent the Second District of California, which spans from the Golden Gate Bridge to the Oregon border. Mine is a district with hundreds of miles of pristine coastline, with numerous rivers, and coldwater fisheries, with ancient forests and redwood trees, with cities located right up against San Francisco Bay. It's a district where unique climatic factors have combined to create some of the world's greatest wine appellations. And we know, in the Second District of California, that we cannot wait to address the threat of climate change. On the State level, I have fought to defend and successfully implement California's world-leading greenhouse gas reduction law for the past 6 years, but that is not enough. We need leadership here at the Federal level. If we fail to act, Mr. Speaker, the livelihoods of fishermen, crabbers, foresters, farmers and others in my district are going to suffer great harm. The cost of Congress continuing to bury its head on the issue of climate change is simply too great. And so I am proud to be joining other colleagues, with Chairman Waxman, in the Safe Climate Caucus, and to take this cause to the national level. ____________________
