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U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-5), chair of the House Gun Violence Prevention Task Force, spoke on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives today in commemoration of the six-month anniversary of the tragic shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, Connecticut. Thompson is the co-author of legislation that would expand background checks to cover all advertised firearm sales. Below are his remarks:

“Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-5) yesterday hosted a summit on economic revitalization of Mare Island. The meeting took place on Mare Island. Thompson was joined by representatives from the U.S. Navy, the Department of Defense Office of Economic Adjustment, the City of Vallejo and local business and elected leaders. The summit focused on the clean up, redevelopment, long-term economic opportunities available on Mare Island.

U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-5) today announced a $200,000 grant for Santa Rosa Junior College (SRJC). The National Science Foundation grant will fund a project at SRJC aimed at improving sustainable agriculture education and enhancing collaborative efforts between SRJC, local high schools and public universities in California.

U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-5) today announced that the Napa County Airport's glideslope receiver system is operational. Over a nine year period, Thompson has secured funding on three separate occasions, totaling nearly $1.5 million for the project. The glideslope allows approaching pilots to land during periods of low visibility due to adverse weather conditions.

U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-5) today announced a Targeted Brownfields Assessment award of up to $75,000 for the City of Vallejo to examine a series of dilapidated buildings on North Mare Island. These funds will be used to provide technical assistance to the City of Vallejo through the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) which supplements the Brownfields Grant Program by promoting the cleanup and development of Brownfields.

U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson announced today that the House of Representatives passed legislation with language called for by Thompson and other California Democrats that would hold the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) accountable for ending the backlog of claims at the Veterans Benefits Administration. The language was included with H.R. 2216, the Fiscal Year 2014 Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Bill.

U.S. Reps. Mike Thompson (D-CA-5) and Jeff Fortenberry (R-NE-1) today introduced H.R. 2260, The Crop Insurance Accountability Act of 2013. The bipartisan legislation enhances conservation by incentivizing responsible farming practices. Under this legislation, in order for farmers to qualify for taxpayer subsidies of crop insurance, they must meet basic conservation requirements that minimize the impact to some of our most sensitive areas such as highly erodible lands and wetlands.

U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-5) today announced a $521,500 Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Port Security Grant for the Mare Island Ship Yard (MISY). The funds will be used for emergency response equipment.

“This funding positions the Mare Island Ship Yard as the go-to emergency responder for marine vessels in the San Francisco Bay Area,” said Thompson. “The new equipment will improve response time, help our first responders save lives and enhance the overall safety of the San Francisco Bay region.”