[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 149 (Thursday, September 14, 2023)]
[House]
[Pages H4305-H4306]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
SNOOKS CANDIES AND CHOCOLATE FACTORY CELEBRATES 60TH ANNIVERSARY
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from
California (Mr. Kiley) for 5 minutes.
Mr. KILEY. Mr. Speaker, a local business in my district, Snooks
Candies and Chocolate Factory, is celebrating their 60-year anniversary
on Friday. Founded by John Snook in 1963, John and his wife, Jeannine,
started their business at the Arden Fair Food Circus.
The family opened up a store in Tahoe City in 1981 and later moved to
historic Folsom in 1985, where the store remains today. Each one of
John and Jeannine's 6 kids and some of their 11 grandchildren and 13
great-grandchildren have spent time working in Snooks. To witness the
bond of family in the business community and the successful operation
of a thriving small business is truly inspiring.
After retiring and entrusting the store to his son, Jim, and Jim's
wife, Renee, in 1999, John continued to be a consistent presence in the
store, talking to customers and helping with work when needed.
Sadly, John Snook passed away earlier this year, but his legacy as a
husband, father, and successful businessman continues to live on.
Over the span of six decades, Snooks Candies has faced many
challenges, from nationwide recessions to the recent COVID-19 pandemic.
However, these challenges have only reinforced the status of Snooks
Candies as a true pillar in Folsom and the surrounding communities.
I applaud the commitment to their business and to producing iconic
candies and treats for all to enjoy. Therefore, on behalf of the United
States House of Representatives, I am proud to join Folsom and our
surrounding communities in congratulating Snooks Candies and Chocolate
Factory for reaching this momentous milestone.
Folsom Community Service Day
Mr. KILEY. Mr. Speaker, today I recognize the 10-year anniversary of
Folsom Community Service Day, an event which will be held this year on
Saturday, September 16.
Organized by the city of Folsom and partner organizations, Community
Service Day mobilizes hundreds of volunteers to complete projects
across the city to improve public resources and benefit the community.
In its tenure, the Folsom Community Service Day event has made a
considerable and positive impact on the area. Since its inception, over
19,000 volunteers have participated. More than 900 projects have been
completed, and 500 of them have been performed to serve senior
citizens. There have been 537,000 pounds of food donated by the Twin
Lakes Food Bank, and thousands of care packages to Active Duty military
members have been sent. In addition, thousands of donated items have
been collected for local nonprofits.
Their efforts have truly made a remarkable and lasting impact. To
witness the hard work of this community over the span of a decade to
deliver necessary change, improve neighborhoods, and help those in need
is truly inspiring.
Therefore, on behalf of the United States House of Representatives, I
am proud to recognize the city of Folsom and countless volunteers and
partner organizations for providing 10 years of invaluable service and
contributions to their communities.
Success Academy
Mr. KILEY. Mr. Speaker, yesterday the Education and the Workforce
Committee hosted a roundtable with Eva Moskowitz, the founder of
Success Academy Charter Schools, which was first opened in 2006 and now
has 47 schools.
The network of schools is known for setting high expectations of
academic excellence and achieving exemplary results. Black and Hispanic
students, which make up most of Success Academy's students, achieve
proficiency rates double to triple what their New York City district
peers do.
As AEI senior fellow Robert Pondiscio put it:
If Success Academy were a stand-alone school district, it
would be by far the highest performing one in the State of
New York, including places like Scarsdale, and Jericho on
Long Island with multimillion dollar homes.
This is an example of why charter schools have been such an important
innovation in American education and are a vital part of the landscape
for school choice and why they are widely supported by the public.
{time} 1045
In 2022, the Harris Poll found in a national survey that 81 percent
of parents support expanding the number of slots at existing public
charter schools in their area and 78 percent want more public charter
schools in their area.
In California's Third District, we have many tremendous schools, both
district schools and charter schools. Some of the popular charters
include John Adams Academy, Placer County Pathways Charter, Newcastle
Elementary Charter, Vantage Point Charter, and Plumas Charter.
As a former high school teacher and a member of the Education and
Workforce Committee, I am truly inspired by schools like Success
Academy and will work to support charter schools and to scale up
successful models throughout our public education system.
Suspend the State Gas Tax
Mr. KILEY. Mr. Speaker, today, I am calling on the California
Legislature to
[[Page H4306]]
suspend the State gas tax, as other States--including just recently
Georgia--have done to provide consumers with relief from soaring
prices. The legislature can provide a modest measure of relief by
passing Assembly Bill 53 by Assemblyman Vince Fong, which would
immediately suspend the State's gas tax and lower prices by 58 cents
per gallon. The bill would also assure that no funding is lost for road
projects throughout the State.
At a time when Californians continue to struggle with the effects of
inflation, this relief would make life a little easier for millions of
people. It is a commonsense proposal that merits bipartisan support,
and I urge the legislature to act on it immediately.
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