Celebrating the 50th anniversary of the opening of the Falcon International Dam, recognizing the dam's importance as a source of water and power and as a symbol of friendship and cooperation between the United States and the United Mexican States, and urging Mexico to honor all of its obligations under the 1944 Treaty Relating to the Utilization of Waters of the Colorado and Tijuana Rivers and of the Rio Grande.

Mr. Speaker, let me take this opportunity to thank the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Payne) personally for allowing me the opportunity to say a few words and for his hard work on this particular piece of legislation.

In addition, I would like to thank the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Ballenger) and the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Tancredo), as well as the gentleman from Illinois (Chairman Hyde) and the ranking member, the gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos), for their efforts.

I also want to take the opportunity to thank the Chairman of the Democratic Caucus, the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Menendez) and Jessica Lewis of his staff, who worked on this issue and helped make it happen.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 818, a resolution commemorating the 50th anniversary of the opening of the Falcon International Dam. Like all large scale dams, the

Falcon International Dam is an architectural wonder, a man-made barrier of cement and steel reining in the power of the most precious natural resources, our water.

What makes this particular dam special, though, is its location right on the Texas-Mexico border down in Zapata, Texas. Its construction was part of an international plan to improve not only flood control, but also water conservation, and provide hydroelectric power for the benefit of communities living on both sides of the border. It serves as a representation of the unique relationship that Mexico and the United States hold.

The particular dam provides electricity that helps the entire southern part of Texas, from Laredo in Webb County, to Hidalgo to Brownsville in all that area. While controversies surrounding the decision to build the dam existed, many families lost their land and five townships were submerged under the reservoir.

The Falcon International Dam is part of a vibrant history. On October 15, 1953, construction on the dam neared completion. President Dwight D. Eisenhower and President Adolfo Ruiz Cortines of Mexico met at the center to dedicate it to the well-being of the residents of both countries. The dam itself was completed on April 8, 1954, and the Falcon Power Plant generated power for commercial use for the first time on October 11, 1954.

For 50 years, Falcon International Dam has served as an important source of water and power for irrigation and household use in this region, and its beautiful 60-mile-long reservoir known as the Falcon Lake is known as one of the best fishing lakes in Texas and supports an emerging recreational tourism industry.

Yet maintaining and operating an international dam does not come without problems. As a shared resource governed by international treaty, events over the past decade have underscored the need for a better binational water management plan.

Persistent and severe drought conditions put strain on both Texas's and Mexico's water resources. For South Texas, the struggle has even been harder because of Mexico's decision to withhold water from the

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 818) celebrating the 50th anniversary of the opening of the Falcon International Dam, recognizing the dam's importance as a source of water and power and as a symbol of friendship and cooperation between the United States and the United Mexican States, and urging Mexico to honor all of its obligations under the 1944 Treaty Relating to the Utilization of Waters of the Colorado and Tijuana Rivers and of the Rio Grande.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H. Res. 818.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consider.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the resolution offered by the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Rodriguez). It is fitting we should recognize the importance of the Falcon International Dam. For 50 years this dam has benefited people on both sides of our shared border with Mexico.

This resolution notes that Mexico under President Fox has made its water payments to the United States under its 1944 Treaty Relating to the Utilization of Water of the Colorado and Tijuana Rivers and of the Rio Grande. I note the United States has never failed to make a water payment to Mexico, even in drought years, under the 1944 treaty. While we appreciate President Fox's efforts to meet these treaty obligations, Mexico still owes our States water from past years.

I want to thank the gentleman from Texas for working with our committee in preparing this resolution and urge my colleagues to join with me in support of it.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Res. 818 and yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the gentleman from Illinois (Chairman Hyde) and the ranking member, the gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos) of the Committee on International Relations for expediting consideration of this important resolution which recognizes once again the close relationship between our country and the United Mexican States.

I would also like to recognize my friend and colleague, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Rodriguez), the Chairman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, for the outstanding work that he does in general and for this particular resolution as he is the author of it.

Mr. Speaker, H. Res. 818 acknowledges the 50th anniversary of the opening of the Falcon International Dam and the importance of this public infrastructure to the people both of the United States and of the United Mexican States. It is no coincidence that water, a vital element of life, is the medium through which the bonds of our two countries are continually nourished.

I strongly encourage all of my Members to support this resolution.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 6 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Rodriguez), the author of the resolution.

Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.