Honoring the Texas Water Development Board on its selection as a 2007 recipient of the Environmental Protection Agency's Performance and Innovation in the SRF Creating Environmental Success Award.

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

Mr. Speaker, the resolution before us, House Resolution 832, recognizes the Texas Water Development Board on its selection as the 2007 recipient of the Environmental Protection Agency's Performance and Innovation in the State Revolving Fund Creating Environmental Success Award. This award is given to one State in each of the 10 different EPA regions and highlights successfully designed projects that further the goal of clean water.

The Texas Water Development Board was created in 1957 to provide leadership, planning, financial assistance, information and education for the conservation and responsible development of water for Texas. Its mission is a vital part of Texas' overall vision, mission, and goals related to maintaining the State's natural resources, health, and its economic development.

To accomplish its goals for the State's water resources and for providing the portable water and wastewater services, the Texas Water Development Board provides water planning, data collection and dissemination, financial assistance, and technical assistance services to the citizens of the State of Texas.

The tremendous population growth that the State has had and will continue to experience and the continual threat of severe drought only intensify the need for the Texas Water Development Board to accomplish its goals in an effective and efficient manner.

The Clean Water Act State Revolving Loan Fund in Texas has awarded communities more than $4 billion in low-interest loans to finance 472 water infrastructure projects across the State of Texas. These projects serve approximately one-half of the population of that State, treat about 2 billion gallons per day of wastewater, and provide direct environmental and public health benefits to Texans at large.

In Texas, the Northwest Water Reuse Initiative consists of a $10.7 million project in El Paso County to deliver treated wastewater for reuse to agricultural, commercial, industrial and residential users from El Paso's Northwest Water Treatment Plant.

Texas also financed a wastewater reclamation initiative to deliver reclaimed water from the city of Austin's Walnut Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant, the first step in the city's development of a transmission and distribution service, serving customers with reclaimed water.

This resolution recognizes the importance of Federal-State partnerships in addressing water resources needs in the United States, and specifically the effective and efficient manner in which the State of Texas is managing its State Revolving Loan Fund program.

I encourage all Members to support this project.

Mr. Speaker, H. Res. 832 recognizes the Texas Water Development Board on its selection as a 2007 recipient of the Environmental Protection Agency's Performance and Innovation in the State Revolving Fund Creating Environmental Success Award. (PISCES)

This award is given to one State in each of the ten different EPA regions and highlights successfully designed projects that further the goal of clean water.

The Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) was created in 1957 to provide leadership, planning, financial assistance, information, and education for the conservation and responsible development of water for Texas. Its mission is a vital part of Texas' overall vision, mission, and goals related to maintaining the State's natural resources, health and economic development.

To accomplish its goals for the State's water resources and for providing affordable water and wastewater services, the Texas Water Development Board provides water planning, data collection and dissemination, financial assistance and technical assistance services to the citizens of Texas.

The tremendous population growth that the State of Texas has and will continue to experience, and the continual threat of severe drought, only intensify the need for the Texas Water Development Board to accomplish its goals in an effective and efficient manner.

The Clean Water Act State Revolving Loan Fund in Texas has awarded communities more than $4 billion in low-interest loans to finance 472 water infrastructure projects across the State of Texas.

These projects serve approximately one-half of the population of Texas, treat about 2 billion gallons per day of wastewater, and provide direct environmental and public health benefits to Texans at large.

In Texas, the Northwest Water Reuse Initiative consisted of a $10.7 million project in El Paso County to deliver treated wastewater for reuse to agricultural, commercial, industrial, and residential users from El Paso's Northwest Wastewater Treatment Plant.

Texas also financed a wastewater reclamation initiative to deliver reclaimed water from the City of Austin's Walnut Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant, the first step in the city's development of a transmission and distribution system serving customers with reclaimed water.

This resolution recognizes the importance of Federal-State partnerships in addressing water resources needs in the United States and specifically the effective and efficient manner in which the State of Texas is managing its State Revolving Loan Fund Program.

I encourage all Members to support the legislation.

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

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 832) honoring the Texas Water Development Board on its selection as a recipient of the Environmental Protection Agency's 2007 Clean Water State Revolving Fund Performance and Innovation Award, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous materials on H. Res. 832.

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

The Texas Water Development Board was created in 1957 with the mission ``to provide leadership, planning, financial assistance, information and education for the conservation and responsible development of water for Texas.'' Additionally, the Texas Water Development Board provides water planning, data collection and dissemination, financial assistance, and technical assistance services to the citizens of the State.

The Texas Water Development Board was selected this past November as a recipient of the Environmental Protection Agency's 2007 Performance and Innovation in the Clean Water State Revolving Fund Creating Environmental Success Award at the Council of Infrastructure Financing Authorities annual conference in Denver, Colorado.

Mr. Speaker, this is extraordinary for Texas because normally we get on the other end of things of this sort. But the Texas Water Development Board provides loans and grants to local governments and entities for various projects.

The financial assistance programs are funded through State-backed bonds, a combination of State bond proceeds and Federal grant funds, or limited appropriated funds.

To date, the Texas Water Development Board has successfully awarded communities approximately $4.3 billion in low-interest loans to finance 472 water infrastructure projects across the State of Texas.

The State of Texas currently administers the second largest Clean Water State Revolving Fund in the Nation, second only to New York. In 2007 alone, the Texas Water Development Board made 32 loan commitments through the Clean Water State Revolving Fund, for a total of $692 million.

Of the 32 total commitments made out of the Clean Water State Revolving Fund in 2007, approximately 8 percent of the funds were committed to disadvantaged communities, and 10 percent were committed to small communities with populations consisting of less than 10,000 residents.

The Texas Water Development Board is working with the EPA to strengthen the program, including the ability to offer extended term financing up to 30 years to help communities that may need more time to repay the loan. Additionally, the Clean Water State Revolving Fund program is being proactively marketed to ensure that all Texas communities are aware of the benefits offered by this program. And, Mr. Speaker, I am delighted to be able to honor such a vital organization in the State of Texas. It's sometimes a rare occasion.

The Texas Water Development Board is recognized as a leader in the State water planning and water-related infrastructure financing. I would like to thank my colleagues from the Texas delegation for joining me in this resolution.

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

Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I simply want to ask everyone to support the resolution.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 832, honoring the Texas Water Development Board on its selection as a 2007 recipient of the Environmental Protection Agency's Performance and Innovation in the State Revolving Fund (``SRF'') Creating Environmental Success Award. This resolution was introduced by my colleague from Texas (Ms. Johnson), who is Chairwoman of the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.

In 2005, to recognize outstanding successes of the States' Clean Water State Revolving Fund programs, the Performance and Innovation in the SRF Creating Environmental Success Awards, or the ``PISCES'' awards, were created. The Awards recognize successfully designed projects or organizations that utilize exceptional planning, management, and financing to further the goals of clean and safe water for our citizens.

The PISCES award, which is biennially bestowed on one State entity per region, is an attempt to reward innovation and stewardship in meeting the Clean Water and wastewater needs of the Nation.

In 2007, the Region 6 recipient of this award was the Texas Water Development Board.

However, I would be remiss if I failed to also recognize the Region 5 award winner--Minnesota's Agricultural Best Management Practices Loan Program, operated by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture through funds and assistance obtained through the Minnesota Public Finance Authority.

The Texas Water Development Board has managed its funds exceptionally, awarding communities more than $4 billion in loans to finance more than 450 water infrastructure projects across the state. These projects help Texas treat more than two billion gallons of wastewater per day, resulting in significant environmental and health benefits.

The Board has also been an active partner with the Committee and Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment--twice testifying before the Committee on issues ranging from the enormous nationwide need for wastewater infrastructure investment to the long-term stewardship of water resource measures through thoughtful, statewide watershed planning.

I support this resolution honoring Texas' water and environmental management, and urge my colleagues to agree to the resolution.

Madam Speaker, today I stand supporting the passage of H. Res 832. This legislation recognizes the Texas Water Development Board for receiving the Environmental Protection Agency's 2007 Clean Water State Revolving Fund Performance and Innovation Award. The award recognizes states that have been the most innovative and effective in advancing EPA's goals of performance and protection through the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) program. The award is given to one State in each of the ten EPA regions.

The ten State programs were nominated by the regional offices based upon the following criteria: pace level greater than 80 percent, audit with no serious programmatic or financial problems, outstanding performance in at least two of the following areas: better management practices, full-cost pricing, efficient water use, watershed approach, creative use of technologies, leveraging practices, innovative partnerships, innovative lending practices, and effective outreach.

The Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) was region six award winner because of its support of water efficiency through water reuse and conservation. One of its major accomplishment in 2007 was a $10.7 million Northwest Water Reuse Initiative consisting of a five-phase project in El Paso County to deliver treated wastewater for reuse to irrigators, industries, and homeowners from El Paso's Northwest Wastewater Treatment Plant.

I would like to thank TWDB for their work with the Uvalde County Underground Water Conservation District to institute well metering on wells of a number of irrigators using groundwater from formations other than the Edwards Aquifer. The District will use the TWDB grant and local funds to purchase and install 80-90 meters.

The TWDB continues is goals of assisting with regional planning, and preparing the state Water Plan for the development of the state's water resources, and administering cost-effective financial programs for the construction of water supply, wastewater treatment, flood control and agricultural water conservation projects. For being the recipient of the Clean Water State Revolving Fund Performance and Innovation Award, I recognize Texas Water Development Board on this day.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H. Res. 832, Honoring the Texas Water Development Board on its selection as a recipient of the Environmental Protection Agency's 2007 Clean Water State Revolving Fund Performance and Innovation Award, introduced by my distinguished colleague from Texas, Representative Eddie Bernice Johnson. This important legislation recognizes the exceptional work done by the Texas Water Development Board in its efforts to be an environmental innovator and for its vast contributions to the great State of Texas.

On November 5, 2007 the Texas Water Development Board was honored at the Council of Infrastructure Financing Authorities annual conference in Denver, Colorado. Subsequently, this mark of distinction produced a major environmental victory. The Texas Water Development Board agency is distinguished for its exceptional regional water planning activities, finest administration practices in nonpoint source pollution endowment, the instream flow program, and funding of water reuse projects amongst other notable achievements.

The Clean Water State Revolving Fund in Texas has lucratively granted communities nearly $4,300,000,000 in low-interest loans to finance 472 water infrastructure projects across the State of Texas. This initiative serves about one-half of the population of Texas and provides direct environmental and public health benefits.

Mr. Speaker, it is with great honor that I urge that Congress recognize the magnitude of the Texas Water Development Board's satisfactory investment and management of water resources in sustainable development, including environmental integrity, human health, and overall quality of life in the United States.

I strongly urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this important legislation.