Jim Costa: “We just heard a few moments ago a colleague of ours, Congressman Charlie Dent, who has served with great distinction and…”

“We just heard a few moments ago a colleague of ours, Congressman Charlie Dent, who has served with great distinction and honor, a classmate of mine. I simply want to say that he is a role model for all of us in terms of how to legislate in a thoughtful and deliberative fashion, and to reach across the aisle in a way that I think is conducive to getting things done. He certainly is a great example of how we should all reflect in terms of our work here every day. We will miss him, and we wish him the best of luck in his next endeavors. Mr. Speaker, I also want to talk about the challenges that we face in California as it relates to our water needs. The San Joaquin Valley, that I have the honor and privilege to represent, is one of the largest agriculture regions in the entire country, and, therefore, the world. We grow half of the Nation's fruits and vegetables, 70 percent of the world's almonds, 50 percent of the world's pistachios, the number one dairy State in the Nation, and the number one citrus State in the Nation. The list goes on and on and on, over 300 commodities that we have the ability to grow because of an incredible Mediterranean climate, and water, which is the crucible, because we like to say in the Valley that: Where water flows, food grows.…”