To amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to reauthorize a program relating to the Lake Pontchartrain Basin, and for other purposes.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 6121) to amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to reauthorize a program relating to the Lake Pontchartrain Basin, and for other purposes.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the bill under consideration.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume, and I rise in strong support of H.R. 6121, to reauthorize the Lake Pontchartrain Basin Restoration Program.

The Lake Pontchartrain Basin is a 5,000 square mile watershed encompassing 16 parishes in Louisiana and four Mississippi counties. The area comprises the largest estuary in the gulf coast region and one of the largest estuaries in these United States.

In 2000, Congress added section 121 to the Clean Water Act to establish a Lake Pontchartrain Basin Restoration Program within EPA. The program authorizes the Environmental Protection Agency to help people in Louisiana and Mississippi address pollution problems affecting Lake Pontchartrain. Now it is time to reauthorize the Lake Pontchartrain Basin Program.

H.R. 6121, introduced by Mr. Baker, would reauthorize the Lake Pontchartrain Basin Restoration Program for an additional 5 years. I would like to commend Representative Baker for his efforts to restore the ecological health of Lake Pontchartrain, and I urge all Members to support this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume, and I too rise in support of H.R. 6121, the reauthorization of the Lake Pontchartrain Basin Program. My good friend and colleague from Wisconsin gave a clear and convincing summary of what the bill is about, and I see no reason to actually prolong this. I agree with the sentiment, and I strongly support it

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

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of Calendar No. 663, H.R. 6121.

I ask unanimous consent that the bill be read the third time and passed, the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table, and any statements relating to the bill be printed in the Record.