To provide for certain lands to be held in trust for the Utu Utu Gwaitu Paiute Tribe.

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

(Ms. BORDALLO asked and was given permission to revise and extend her remarks.)

Mr. Speaker, the majority has adequately explained this legislation, H.R. 854, and we have no objections to it.

MR. McKEON. Mr. Speaker, I rIse today in strong support of H.R. 854 and urge my colleagues to join me in supporting its adoption. I introduced H.R. 854 on February 16, 2005, to transfer 240 acres of excess Bureau of Land Management, BLM, lands into trust for the Utu Utu Gwaitu Paiute Tribe of the Benton Paiute Reservation, Tribe.

The Benton Paiute Reservation is located in Mono County, approximately 40 miles northeast of Bishop, CA, in one of the most remote and isolated areas of my congressional district. The 240 acres proposed for transfer under H.R. 854 are immediately adjacent to the existing 160-acre Benton Paiute reservation and have been classified by the BLM as ``suitable for disposal'' for more than a decade.

In fact, legislation facilitating this transfer goes as far back as the 104th Congress. We have come a long way to get to this day and I'd like to thank Chairman Pombo for his help in making it possible. I would also like to praise the committee staff, particularly Tom Brierton, Chris Fluhr and Jim Hall.

Mr. Speaker, the lands taken into trust under H.R. 854 are of vital importance to the Utu Utu Gwaitu Paiute Tribe in its quest for self- sufficiency and to enhance its potential for economic development. The land in question will be put to good use, including the construction of much needed tribal housing units, a health station, wellness center, fire station, police station and an industrial park for manufacturing businesses.

Additionally, because of the Utu Utu Gwaitu's strong commitment to a solid economic future based on growth and hard work, the tribe has passed a tribal government resolution to prohibit gaming on the 240- acre parcel. This makes it clear that the tribe will not carry out gaming activities on the lands proposed for transfer. To reflect this, H.R. 854 includes a specific prohibition on gaming.

Because of this, I am pleased to say that H.R. 854 has strong support in my district, with backing from the Mono County government and local community, as well as from numerous California Indian tribal governments and organizations.

Finally, I am pleased to be able to say that no Federal funds will be necessary to accomplish the proposed land transfer in this legislation. In short, Mr. Speaker, this bill is an example of that bird we see too rarely around here these days: A ``win-win'' proposition.

In closing, Mr. Speaker, I'd like to commend the efforts of all the members of the Utu Utu Gwaitu Paiute Tribe, and in particular, I'd like to praise Chairman Joseph Saulque.

Chairman Saulque has been an advocate for Indian people for more than three decades and is one of the most long-serving tribal leaders in California. His outstanding work, particularly in the fields of Indian health and education, has made a tremendous difference in improving the lives of generations of California Indians.

It has been my pleasure to work with Chairman Saulque and the Utu Utu Gwaitu Paiute Tribe over the last 4 years and I want to thank them for their part in helping to make this bill possible.

With that, Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 854.

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

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 854) to provide for certain lands to be held in trust for the Utu Utu Gwaitu Paiute Tribe, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days 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.

H.R. 854 is a bill to provide for certain lands to be held in trust for the Benton Paiute Reservation in Northern California, home of Utu Utu Gwaitu Indian Tribe.

H.R. 854 would transfer 240 acres of land from the Bureau of Land Management and place that land into trust for the benefit of the tribe. The 240 acres are contiguous to the existing reservation and have been classified as suitable for disposal through the BLM land use planning process.

This acreage is of vital importance to the tribe in its quest for self-sufficiency and to enhance its potential for economic development. Additionally, because of the tribe's strong commitment to a solid economic future based on growth and hard work, the tribal council passed a resolution to prohibit gaming on the 240-acre parcel.

This resolution makes it clear that the tribe will not carry out gaming activities on the land proposed for transfer. I commend the efforts of Congressman McKeon of California, the sponsor of H.R. 854, who has worked diligently since the 104th Congress to see this legislation enacted into law.

I look forward to the support of this House on H.R. 854.

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time and urge passage of the legislation.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of Calendar No. 622, H.R. 854.

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