Press Releases

Today, Congressman Mike Thompson (CA-01) and Congresswoman Doris Matsui (CA-05) announced that the University of California, Davis (UC Davis) was one of six awardees nationally, and the only one in California, to receive a $1 million federal award through the Economic Development Administration's (EDA) 2012 i6 Challenge Grant. This grant will be used to create an AgTech Innovation Center that will connect ranchers and farmers with valuable resources to develop their businesses.

Congressman Mike Thompson (CA-1), a senior member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, today released the following statement on the attack against the United States Consulate in Libya that killed four Americans:

“Last night, four Americans, including U.S. Ambassador to Libya Chris Stevens who grew up in my district, lost their lives in a senseless, coldblooded and violent attack on the American consulate in Benghazi. The families of those we lost are in our thoughts and prayers. And those responsible will be brought to justice.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, U.S. Army Vice Chief of Staff General J. Lloyd Austin, III and Reps. Mike Thompson (CA-1) and Gus Bilirakis, co-chairs of the Congressional Military Veterans Caucus today joined forces at a meeting hosted on Capitol Hill to discuss a collaborative, public-private effort to combat traumatic brain injury (TBI).

Congressman Mike Thompson (CA-1) today testified on HR 4969, the California Coastal National Monument Expansion Act of 2012 in front of the House Committee on Natural Resources, Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests & Public Lands. Thompson was joined by Merita Whatley from Mendocino County in testifying before the committee. Whatley is the manager of the Point Arena Lighthouse and a core member of the Point Arena Merchants Association.

Congressman Mike Thompson (CA-1) today introduced H.R. 6362, the Revitalizing the Economy of Fisheries (REFI) in the Pacific Act of 2012. The bipartisan legislation will help alleviate financial hardship that North Coast fishermen are facing due to loan repayments on the 2003 Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery buyback loan, and ultimately retain fishery jobs and those associated with the fishery including crew members, ship yards, boat mechanics, seafood processors, dock workers, small business owners and others who depend on the fishing industry.

Congressman Mike Thompson (CA-1) today announced two federal Department of Transportation (DOT) Airport Improvement Program (AIP) grants totaling $3,345,306 for Del Norte County Regional Airport, Jack McNamara Field in Crescent City.

“Jack McNamara Field Airport is an economic hub for Crescent City and the North Coast,” said Thompson. “These grants will help create jobs, improve our local economy and make the airport safer for passengers and planes.”

Congressman Mike Thompson (CA-1) today announced $750,000 in new Drug-Free Communities Support Program (DFC) grants to coalitions in California's First Congressional District.

Congressman Mike Thompson (CA-1) today announced an agreement between the United States Coast Guard (USCG) and the City of Ferndale to keep the Mendocino Lighthouse Lens in Ferndale. Later this month, the USCG is going to begin the process of dismantling and storing the lens. The city will then build an artifact exhibit at the Ferndale Museum. The city will also raise funds to reassemble, stabilize and partially restore the Fresnel lens. Once the funds are obtained and the exhibit is built, the city will obtain a 25-year loan, renewable upon mutual consent.