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“RECOGNITION OF MR. TRACY ``T-DOG'' RASCOE, AS CALIFORNIA 56TH ASSEMBLY DISTRICT'S 2019 VETERAN OF THE YEAR” mentioning the U.S. Dept of Labor was published in the Extensions of Remarks section on pages E151-E152 on Feb. 7, 2020.
The Department provides billions in unemployment insurance, which peaked around 2011 though spending had declined before the pandemic. Downsizing the Federal Government, a project aimed at lowering taxes and boosting federal efficiency, claimed the Department funds "ineffective and duplicative services" and overregulates the workplace.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
RECOGNITION OF MR. TRACY ``T-DOG'' RASCOE, AS CALIFORNIA 56TH ASSEMBLY
DISTRICT'S 2019 VETERAN OF THE YEAR
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HON. JUAN VARGAS
of california
in the house of representatives
Friday, February 7, 2020
Mr. VARGAS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mr. Tracy ``T-
Dog'' Rascoe, who was recently recognized by California State Assembly Member, Eduardo Garcia, as California 56th Assembly District Veteran of the Year for 2019.
Tracy served as a Surface Sonar Technician in the U.S. Navy for 10 years before joining the U.S. Navy Reserves. There, he served for two years before transferring to the U.S. Army Reserves. In the Army reserves, he served as a Human Resource and Training noncommissioned officer (NCO) with the 104th and 95th Infantry Training Division where he helped train drill sergeants.
After Tracy's U.S. Navy active duty service, he joined the renewable energy industry in wind power. There, he utilized his training and managerial background and became a Technical Trainer and Training Manager for major leading organizations within the industry. Recognizing the potential for the industry's future growth in the U.S. and the job opportunities it could provide veterans and others, Tracy became a director of wind energy technology for both a community college and a for-profit school. During his term as a director, he volunteered to lead the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) Education Work Group. Here he worked diligently for two years with middle and senior members of the industry, colleges, technical schools, the Department of Energy and the Department of Labor to create skill sets for Wind Energy Technicians in the U.S. The skill sets were approved in 2010 and have resulted in the creation of official U.S. job codes for Wind Technicians. Currently, he serves on the AWEA Veterans Employment Committee, which focuses on attracting additional veterans to the wind industry.
In 2012, Tracy left the Pattern Energy Operations Headquarters in Houston Texas, to become an Operations Manager of their wind farm in Ocotillo, CA. As a veteran, Tracy and his wife (Dawn), were determined to be of service to others alike and transferred their American Legion memberships to the Boyce Aten Post located in El Centro. There, they quickly identified the need to revitalize the Post for the good of its members and the local community.
While serving two consecutive years as the Post Commander, Tracy rose through the elected ranks in the 30th District (Imperial County) as 2nd Vice Commander, 1st Vice Commander and then Commander. As the 30th District Commander, his successful leadership and hands on approach helped revitalize the district posts. One of the posts under his leadership was severely struggling and on the verge of closure. As a result of his leadership, the post was not only able to remain open, but it successfully achieved 135 percent increase in membership and has remained stellar in various performances to date. His leadership helped the 30th District achieve 3rd place in membership in the entire state of 30 districts. As a result, the district received great respect and admiration within the American Legion Department of California 5th Area, which comprised of 107 American Legion Posts with over 25,000 members in Imperial, Orange, San Bernardino, San Diego and Riverside counties.
This past year, he was elected and served honorably as the American Legion Department of California (DOC) Vice Commander-Area 5. During his one-year term, he again earned great respect and admiration from leaders within the DOC.
As a mentor, Tracy continues to strive to improve. Last year he and Dawn completed the California American Legion College. They supported one another as she serves as an Auxiliary Unit 25 President and was recently elected as the Auxiliary 30th District President.
Tracy presently serves as Jr. Past Vice Commander-Area 5, 30th District Judge Advocate and as an Executive Board Member for the Boyce Aten American Legion Post 25 and Veteran of Foreign Wars (VFW) No. 9305, in El Centro, CA. In addition, he was selected to be one of only seven members of the newly formed American Legion Department of California Training Committee. There he drafted the approved Annual Training Budget and is leading the development of Post Finance Officer training to assist the 442 American Legion DOC Posts.
Tracy continues to demonstrate his dedication to our community, veterans and patriotism. This can be easily seen by his roles and active participations: Co-Founder and President of the Imperial Valley Patriotic Planning Committee, member of the 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb Committee, member of the Vietnam Moving Wall 2020 Ceremonies Committee, Advocate and active participant for the Imperial County Veterans Advisory Council and Veterans Employment Committee, member and Secretary of the Imperial County Continuum of Care Council and Point-
In-Time Count Committee.
Tracy is a Cold War and Gulf War Veteran. In the past year, he alone raised several hundreds of dollars to help support California Veterans through the American Legion's CALVAR Helmets for Heroes program. He has also provided multiple patriotic ceremonies to the community and served as the Master of Ceremony for the Boyce Aten Post 25's 100th Anniversary.
Tracy is known and highly respected by many of the elected leaders within my district and Imperial County. I thank Tracy for his service and congratulate him for being selected as California 56th Assembly District's 2019 Veteran of the Year.
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