To designate the United States courthouse located at 225 Cadman Plaza East, Brooklyn, New York, as the "Hugh L. Carey United States Courthouse".

Mr. Speaker, today is, an important day for the citizens of Lake County and all residents of Colorado. They deserve to see what the federal government will do to correct problems associated with the Leadville Mine Drainage Tunnel.

The Leadville Mine Drainage Tunnel was originally constructed by the federal Bureau of Mines in the 1940's and 1950's to facilitate the extraction of lead and zinc ore for the World War II and the Korean War efforts. The Bureau of Reclamation acquired the Tunnel in 1959 hoping to use the tunnel as a source of water for the Frying pan-Arkansas Project. Although the tunnel was never used for the Fryingpan-Arkansas Project, water that flows out of the tunnel is considered part of the natural flow of the Arkansas River.

With the passage and subsequent signing into law of H.R. 429 during the 102nd Congress (1992), the Bureau of Reclamation constructed and continues to operate a water treatment plant at the mouth of the Tunnel.

Groundwater levels at the tunnel have fluctuated in recent years. In addition, a collapse in the tunnel has increased the tunnel's mine pool significantly, leading to new seeps and springs in the area. Estimates suggest that up to 1 billion gallons of water may have built up within the mine pool.

In November 2007, the Environmental Protection Agency sent a letter to the Bureau of Reclamation expressing concerns over a catastrophic blowout, and in February 2008, the Lake County Commissioners declared a state of emergency.

We know that the Bureau of Reclamation is completing a risk assessment in the area, and we look forward to reviewing that report. Additionally, some emergency measures are currently being undertaken by the Environmental Protection Agency and the Bureau of Reclamation to relieve water pressure in the vicinity.

But many of the problems reported at this site are not new. Legislation addressing this matter and authorizing the Secretary of the Interior to rehabilitate this tunnel dates back to at least 1976.

In response to the request for action from the local community, I worked together with Congressman Mark Udall from Colorado and introduced H.R. 5511. This bill would direct the Bureau of Reclamation to relieve water pressure behind certain blockages in the tunnel, permanently manage the mine pool behind any blockage to prevent releases of contaminated water, and manage the tunnel in such a way to prevent failure of the structure.

I look forward to seeing this situation remedied so that concerns about human safety and environmental integrity may be appropriately and responsibly addressed. I encourage all members to support passage of this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I submit the following letters for inclusion in the Record on the consideration of H.R. 5511, the Leadville Mine Drainage Tunnel Act of 2008.

House of Representatives, Committee on Transportation and

Infrastructure,

Washington, DC, June 12, 2008.

Hon. Nick Rahall,

Chairman, Committee on Natural Resources, House of

Representatives, Washington, DC.

Dear Chairman Rahall: I write to you regarding H.R. 5511, a

bill to direct the Secretary of the Interior to remedy

problems caused by a collapsed drainage tunnel in Leadville,

Colorado.

H.R. 5511 contains provisions that fall within the

jurisdiction of the Committee on Transportation and

Infrastructure. I recognize and appreciate your desire to

bring this legislation before the House in an expeditious

manner and, accordingly, I will not seek a sequential

referral of the bill. However, I agree to waive consideration

of this bill with the mutual understanding that my decision

to forego a sequential referral of the bill does not waive,

reduce, or otherwise affect the jurisdiction of the Committee

on Transportation and Infrastructure over H.R. 5511.

Further, the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure

reserves the right to seek the appointment of conferees

during any House-Senate conference convened on this

legislation on provisions of the bill that are within the

Committee's jurisdiction. I ask for your commitment to

support any request by the Committee on Transportation and

Infrastructure for the appointment of conferees on H.R. 5511

or similar legislation.

Please place a copy of this letter and your response

acknowledging the Committee on Transportation and

Infrastructure's jurisdictional interest in the Committee

Report on H.R. 5511 and in the Congressional Record during

consideration of the measure on the House Floor.

I look forward to working with you as we prepare to pass

this important legislation.

Sincerely,

James L. Oberstar, M.C.,

Chairman.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 429, a bill to designate the newly-constructed courthouse located at 225 Cadman Plaza in Brooklyn, New York, as the ``Hugh L. Carey United States Courthouse''.

Hugh Carey was born in 1919, in Brooklyn, where he attended local schools. He graduated from St. John's University and, in 1951, graduated from St. John's Law School. During World War II, he fought in Europe with the 104th Division. For his valor, he received the Bronze Star, Croix de Guerre, and Combat Infantry Award.

Hugh Carey served the people of New York for almost three decades, first as a Congressman representing Brooklyn and then as Governor of the State. Congressman Carey served seven terms in the U.S. House of Representatives, from 1960 until 1974. In 1974, he was elected as Governor of New York in a landslide victory. He served two full terms as Governor until being succeeded by his Lieutenant Governor, Mario Cuomo.

Carey's public career is highlighted by his handling of the city's economic crisis in the late 1970s. As part of this effort he spearheaded the construction of the Jacob Javits Center, Battery Park City, and South Street Seaport. He was a fierce opponent of the death penalty and, as Governor, prevented the reinstatement of the death penalty in the State of New York.

Carey was a master at forming coalitions between business and labor. This ability helped save the city from fiscal crisis in the late 1970s. During that time, he worked diligently to attract businesses to the State mainly by reducing State taxes.

Governor Carey, who will be 88 in April, still practices law in New York. This designation will honor the truly outstanding, civic career of one of New York's finest public servants.

I support H.R. 429 and urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 429) to designate the United States courthouse located at 225 Cadman Plaza East, Brooklyn, New York, as the ``Hugh L. Carey United States Courthouse''.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous material on H.R. 429.

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

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 429 is a bill to designate the new courthouse in Brooklyn at Cadman Plaza in honor of former Member and New York Governor Hugh Carey.

Hugh Carey began his distinguished public career in 1960 when he was elected to the House of Representatives. He served on the former Education and Labor Committee, the Interior Committee, and the Ways and Means Committee. During his seven terms, he became the deputy whip and helped pass several pieces of landmark legislation on education and the rights of the disabled.

As Governor, Carey signed the historic Willowbrook consent decree, which committed New York to sweeping reforms in the care of the developmentally disabled. He also dealt with Love Canal and pollution of the Hudson River. Along with Senator Kennedy and former Speaker Tip O'Neill, he worked to end violence in Northern Ireland.

He is truly a son of New York, a great civic leader and esteemed public servant. For these and other reasons, it is both fitting and proper to honor Hugh Carey with this designation.

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

Mr. Speaker, I thank Mr. Graves for those kind words and appreciate his support and work on this very appropriate naming.

I urge the acceptance of H.R. 429.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support for the bill that was introduced by our committee colleague, Doug Lamborn of Colorado. The Leadville Mine Tunnel was supposed to be used for a nearby Federal water project but has ended up becoming a public danger. It has been on the verge of bursting and sending what is presumed to be chemical-laden water toward local homes. The Bureau of Reclamation owns the tunnel and must be responsible for resolving the situation. And that is what this bipartisan bill accomplishes.

The Leadville Mine, addressed in this bill, was used during World War II and the Korean War to supply critical metals to help our Nation. Years ago, our Nation smartly invested in mining our natural resources. Yet today, the mining industry is under attack by some and by many. And the net effect, of course, has been to outsource U.S. jobs to countries that have commonsense environmental regulations and an increase in consumer prices to those here at home. It would be nice if Congress would promote our own mining industry and not destroy it by 1,000 cuts. America does deserve better.

This bill, though, solves a particular problem that is faced in Colorado. It is a bipartisan bill. And I urge its adoption.

Once again, I have no other speakers on this particular bill. Does the gentlelady have any other speakers?

I will yield back the balance of my time.