A bill to take certain land in the State of California into trust for the benefit of the Pechanga Band of Indians, and for other purposes.

Mr. President, I rise today to introduce the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Coin Act. Firefighters across Maine and throughout the country courageously and selflessly put their lives on the line to serve their communities, responding to emergencies at all hours to protect the lives and property of others. Tragically, some firefighters make the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.

When a firefighter falls, the loss is felt not only by his or her family and colleagues but also by the entire community. The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation was established by Congress in 1992 to honor these heroes, to remember their service, and to provide vital support to the families they leave behind.

As our Nation approaches the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks, we are reminded once again of the extraordinary bravery and selflessness of America's first responders who answered the call without hesitation and rushed toward danger to rescue others. On that tragic day, 343 members of the Fire Department of the city of New York died in the line of duty. Since then, firefighters and other emergency responders involved in the response, rescue, and recovery operations have fallen sick because of their service at Ground Zero. Their courage continues to inspire and humble us.

Firefighters risk their lives with every assignment they take. Over the years, the NFFF has recognized the sacrifices of 41 Maine firefighters. This year, the annual event will memorialize one more Mainer, Chief Bobby Dorr of Ellsworth, whose cancer was related to his fire service.

In this spirit of remembrance and gratitude, I call on my colleagues to support the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Coin Act, which will recognize and honor our Nation's fallen firefighters with a commemorative coin program to support the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation.

The commemorative coin program has long been a bipartisan way for Congress to recognize those who have made enduring contributions to our Nation. Authorizing a coin program to honor fallen firefighters and raise funds for programs to help those they leave behind, particularly as we reflect on the legacy of 9/11, is a fitting tribute and a meaningful way for Americans to show their appreciation. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation and to join me in honoring the firefighters who gave their lives in service to others on September 11 and throughout our Nation's history.

Mr. President, I would like to thank my colleagues and fellow Congressional Fire Services Caucus cochairs, Senator Klobuchar, Senator Murkowski, and Senator Peters, for supporting this legislation. I urge the rest of our colleagues to join us in honoring America's bravest.

Mr. President, I rise today to introduce the Pechanga Band of Indians Land Transfer Act. This bill would transfer 860 acres of Federal land in Riverside County, CA, currently administered by the Bureau of Land Management and adjacent to Tribal land, to be held in trust for the Pechanga Band of Indians.

The Pechanga Band of Indians have worked to acquire isolated parcels of land nearby and adjacent to Tribal land in Temecula to better protect, preserve, and restore sites sacred to the Tribe, including by fighting against the development of an open-pit mine quarry that would have caused air pollution across the valley and destroyed the sacred Pu'eska Mountain.

The transfer of these 860 acres would unify the Tribe with the land near this mountain to be managed consistent with the Tribe's cultural traditions and land management practices.

This legislation will support the Tribe's restoration efforts, allow for greater protection of culturally significant sites, and improve environmental monitoring and natural resource management on land that has been significant to the Tribe for over 10,000 years.

I want to thank Senator Schiff for joining me in cosponsoring this legislation, and I thank Congressman Darrell Issa for introducing companion legislation in the House.

Mr. President, I rise today to introduce the Pechanga Band of Indians Land Transfer Act. This bill would transfer 860 acres of Federal land in Riverside County, CA, currently administered by the Bureau of Land Management and adjacent to Tribal land, to be held in trust for the Pechanga Band of Indians.

The Pechanga Band of Indians have worked to acquire isolated parcels of land nearby and adjacent to Tribal land in Temecula to better protect, preserve, and restore sites sacred to the Tribe, including by fighting against the development of an open-pit mine quarry that would have caused air pollution across the valley and destroyed the sacred Pu'eska Mountain.

The transfer of these 860 acres would unify the Tribe with the land near this mountain to be managed consistent with the Tribe's cultural traditions and land management practices.

This legislation will support the Tribe's restoration efforts, allow for greater protection of culturally significant sites, and improve environmental monitoring and natural resource management on land that has been significant to the Tribe for over 10,000 years.

I want to thank Senator Schiff for joining me in cosponsoring this legislation, and I thank Congressman Darrell Issa for introducing companion legislation in the House.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the Record.