Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate Eastern Michigan University in recognition of its 175th anniversary. An R2 Doctoral University for High Research Activity, Easton Michigan University has spent the last 175 years educating the future leaders of this nation and its contributions to society are worthy of commendation.

Established as Michigan State Normal School in 1849 as the first normal school outside of New England, the school opened its doors with 122 enrolled students on March 29th, 1853, and quickly established a reputation of training excellent educators. By 1899 the school had developed the first four-year curriculum for a normal school in the United States and Michigan State Normal School became Michigan State Normal College. The college continued its important mission in educating students through World War II, the Great Depression, and World War II, and later became Eastern Michigan University in 1959 after establishing its graduate school. Following the transition to university status, an international student exchange program was organized with Britain in the early 1970s to allow students to gain broader perspectives and experiences.

With the original seven colleges and schools in the arts and sciences, business, education, health and human services, engineering and technology, honors college, and the graduate school, Eastern Michigan University has produced numerous notable alumni over its storied history. The university's more than 145,000 living alumni encompass several state governors including Michigan's 31st Governor Fred W. Green, State Supreme Court Chief Justices including Marilyn Jean Kelly and Marvin B. Rosenberry, U.S. Senators Royal Copeland and Charles E. Potter, numerous U.S. Representatives, and former U.S. Secretary of Transportation Rodney E. Slater. The University Athletics Department has also produced several notable professional athletes in the National Football League, as well as National Basketball Association Hall of Fame player George Gervin.

Today, Eastern Michigan University's main campus sits in Ypsilanti, Michigan, with over 800 acres available to more than 13,000 students across the undergraduate and postgraduate programs. Since the 1970's, the university has offered courses in Jackson, Michigan, and has since expanded to seven satellite campuses as well as the recently added online course program. Additionally, several programs have been added to the university including the Centers for Corporate Training, the World College, and doctoral programs in educational leadership, technology, and psychology. Outside the classroom, the Eagles have found success in their three NCAA Division 2 national championships and 13 NAIA Division 1 national championships in baseball, men's cross country, men's swimming and diving, and men's indoor and outdoor track and field. The Eagles now compete at the NCAA Division 1 FBS level of collegiate sports and have twice been NCAA Division 1 national runner up and have made four appearances in the NCAA Division 1 men's basketball tournament.

It is inspiring to see everything that Eastern Michigan University has accomplished over the past 175 years and the university's incredible growth is a testament to the quality education and broad opportunities it continues to provide to students. I am eager to see all that the university accomplishes in the years to come.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong opposition to H.R. 1023, the so-called Cutting Green Corruption and Taxes Act.

Republicans have, yet again, brought another bill to the floor looking to deceive and mislead the American people and attempting to repeal the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund and the Methane Emissions Reduction Program.

The Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund was established by the Inflation Reduction Act, inspired by legislation I championed. The program leverages the expertise and existing models of community lenders across the Nation, including in my home State of Michigan. Revoking this program is misguided.

To my colleagues who want to dismantle this program, I will just say that when we did this in Michigan at the State level a number of years ago, everybody screamed and yelled, but it worked, and energy costs went down.

Investing in clean energy and the survival of our environment is something we all need to be working on together. We have a moral responsibility, and it is a great economic opportunity. Republicans continue to attack any investment like this, but we need to be investing in American families and manufacturers and working to address the climate crisis.

I myself am tired of once-every-100-year storms happening every year. We saw the Canadian fires in the Great Lakes region last year. People couldn't breathe and had asthma for weeks. Today, it is snowing in Michigan. It was 70 degrees in Michigan last week. Global climate is real, if my colleagues just open their eyes and watch what is happening.

We have to level the playing field because China is beating us. We are in a global marketplace. If we do not invest in this country, we are abandoning ourselves. I want our country to succeed.

The Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund will help clean-energy financing be more accessible to low-income and underserved communities that have for far too long carried the brunt of environmental pollution. It will help us attack the climate crisis head on. It will create jobs while lowering energy costs.

I am not going to cede our leadership in innovation and technology to anyone, anybody, anywhere, and we are going to outdo China. It is our responsibility as legislators to protect this

country. We have a responsibility to compete.

I have worked hard to ensure that the dollars from this fund support projects that would not be built otherwise and ensure that these investments are additive and do not duplicate other efforts. We have to make sure that these dollars are spent in the right way.

I know Republicans want to see the EPA and the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund fail. I beg my colleagues to work with us to make sure that this program is implemented effectively. I ask them not to bet against it. Give it a chance before trying to defund it, before any dollars have gone out the door.

Blocking EPA from doing its work is no way to lead, and that is why it is vital for my colleagues to oppose this bill.

I am going to give a couple other factoids since I have another minute.

Since 2021, in terms of private investments for electric vehicle and battery manufacturing, the U.S. went from lagging behind China to leading the world. That is where we need to be.

Since 2021, more than $160 billion of private capital has been committed to boost U.S. capacity to make electric vehicles and batteries, and more than 200,000 jobs have been announced.

Since 2021, 15 gigafactories have been commissioned to make batteries in the U.S. For just the chargers alone, 40 facilities are now being set up, enough to produce a million chargers per year here in the United States of America.

NADA, the National Automobile Dealers Association, estimates that electric vehicle drivers save an average of $5,000 on fuel over 5 years. It is no surprise that nearly 7 in 10 Americans now report being interested in buying or leasing an electric vehicle for their next car.

Data from Cox Automotive shows that electric sales are increasing four times faster than any other segment of the market, and available models now number over 114. They have nearly doubled.

If my colleagues want to keep this country competitive, we need to oppose this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I cede our leadership to no one.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Rotary Club of Plymouth, the oldest and largest service organization in Plymouth, Michigan. Rotary Club of Plymouth's 100-year commitment to serving the local community is admirable and worthy of recognition.

Founded in 1924 as a chapter of Rotary International, the club is a non-profit organization funded solely by fundraising events in the Plymouth area and charitable contributions from members of the club and those who support its mission of advancing local education, community, and worldwide efforts. The Plymouth chapter strives to help its members in their own journeys to advance community though understanding, goodwill, and peace through healthcare improvements, providing quality education, improving the environment, and alleviating poverty. In 1957, the Rotary Club of Plymouth established the Plymouth Rotary Foundation to invest its donations in service projects, and since its inception the foundation has invested more than $1.9 million in local education scholarships and community projects.

Today, Rotary Club of Plymouth continues to hold annual events including barbeques, golf outings, and art fairs to raise the funds it needs to positively impact the local community. They raise over $100,000 every year to support local park projects, scholarships, food bank fulfillment, clean drinking water programs, and COVID vaccination check-ins. Additionally, the group sponsors an annual bingo competition with local shops and restaurants to encourage residents to shop and dine at small businesses as a way of growing the local community Recent fundraising is expected to result in over $50,000 in educational scholarships to be distributed this Spring to local high schoolers who overcame significant challenges to graduate high school to help them pursue higher education Their commitment to public service only continues to grow by teaching students to become the next generation of community leaders.

Rotary Club of Plymouth's work to build the local community, help small businesses grow, and instill a commitment to public service over the past 100 years is inspiring. They are a true example of community over self and dedication to the common good. I know that more success is to come, and I cannot wait to see all that they accomplish in the future.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize George Moroz, the Director of External Relations and Special Assistant to the President at The Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Michigan, on the occasion of his retirement. His longstanding dedication to education and the preservation of history is worthy of commendation.

George got his start in public service with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, serving as Vice President for Development from 1989-1996. In that position, he was in charge of all fundraising activity and government relations for the organization. Armed with that experience, he then took up his position at The Henry Ford, where he has been a driving force in the growth and evolution of the museum over the last three decades.

George's passion for enriching the lives of Michiganders is exemplified by his 27 years of dedication to The Henry Ford and the broader museum community. Throughout his career George worked tirelessly to advocate for the importance of museums such as The Henry Ford and worked with museum advocates on local, state, and national levels. His years of advocacy resulted in the longstanding partnership between the Michigan Museum Association and the Tourism Industry Coalition of Michigan, strengthening the relationship between these critical cultural markers.

George worked tirelessly for 16 years with federal and state partners to bring the John Dingell Transit Station to its current location adjacent to The Henry Ford campus, creating opportunities for visitors from all over the country to access this national treasure. George further played a pivotal role in the restoration and creation of key community sites such as the Greenfield Village, Rouge Oxbow, and Central Farmer's Market Vegetable Shed that will provide enjoyment for generations to come.

Recognizing a greater need for community engagement, Mr. Moroz created and oversaw the Diversity and Inclusion Centered Equity (DICE) initiative, laying the groundwork for Henry Ford's DEAI programming that continues today. These programs have worked to ensure Henry Ford serves as an inclusive cultural hub and carry on George's beliefs in collaboration and community building.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me today in celebrating the many accomplishments of George Moroz over the last 30+ years. We thank him for his service, dedication, and leadership in advancing and preserving the cultural heritage of the State of Michigan, and wish him the best in retirement.

Mr. Speaker, I use today to recognize Huron Valley PACE on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of their founding. Their contributions over the past ten years to improving the lives of the elderly in Washtenaw County are worthy of commendation.

Huron Valley PACE was founded in 2014 in Ypsilanti, Michigan to provide medical and supportive services for the elderly in the greater Washtenaw County area. Their all-inclusive care, which is covered by Medicare and Medicaid, provides coverage for primary and specialty care, prescription drugs, medical transportation, hospital visits, dental care, medical equipment, home care, and physical, occupational, and speech therapy. Their extensive range of services have notably helped support hundreds of low-income adults with housing,

living, and medical expenses, and their dedication to serving their community is admirable.

Over the past decade, Huron Valley PACE has been a proactive member of the local community, setting up events such as Super Bowl watch parties, heart disease awareness drives, and Martin Luther King Jr. Day community service projects in partnership with other local organizations. In addition to caring for the elderly in Washtenaw County, Huron Valley PACE also works to instill a commitment to public service in local high school and university students by offering hands- on volunteer opportunities for students. Volunteers distribute hot meals to underserved communities, lead food drives, and raise awareness about senior care.

Part of Huron Valley PACE's proactive approach to providing exceptional care for the elderly includes advocating for expanding comprehensive senior care services like the PACE Expanded Act. At the state level, Huron Valley PACE works with the Michigan State Legislature to reduce the cost of medical care and to find innovative ways to help elderly people remain living in their homes. This advocacy is yet another example of how Huron Valley PACE continues to demonstrate their commitment to providing and advocating for quality and affordable elderly care.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me today in celebrating the founding of Huron Valley PACE on their 10th anniversary. They have had a tremendous impact on the Washtenaw County area and continue to find exciting ways to continue improving their services to their community, and I cannot wait to see what they accomplish over the next decade.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the life of Raul Perdomo, a longtime resident of Southeast Michigan and a veteran of the Vietnam War, and to grieve his passing. His service to our country, both in the military and afterward, is worthy of commendation.

Born on September 28, 1944, in Caracas, Venezuela, Raul moved to Dearborn, Michigan, at the age of 16. Following his graduation from Dearborn High, he became a naturalized citizen and answered our nation's highest calling when he joined the United States Navy to serve in the Vietnam War. This set the stage for a lifetime of service to his community and to his country. After his military service, Raul returned to Ann Arbor, Michigan, and enrolled at the University of Michigan where he studied anthropology before studying business at Eastern Michigan University.

As a graduate of the University of Michigan, Raul was one of the most enthusiastic supporters of the Wolverines. His hearty ``Go Blue!'' and love for the Maize and Blue was known by anyone who met him, whether through his 40 years of work for the University of Michigan Athletics Department, as President of the U-M Club of Tampa Bay, the Central Cafe and Beer Depot in Ann Arbor, or during his time helping run the Ann Arbor Community Recreation and Education Center. Public service remained at the forefront of Raul's life, and even after retiring from the military. he remained just as committed to serving his community, which included 20 years of research and tenure on the Institutional Review Board at the Ann Arbor VA Hospital, and as a patient advocate as the University of Michigan Frankel Cardiovascular Center.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me today in celebrating the life of Raul to our nation. A naturalized citizen answering his country's highest calling, he served his country with bravery and honor in the Vietnam War before continuing to serve his local communities after leaving the military, bringing joy, enthusiasm, and love to everyone he met along the way.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1136 in Wyandotte, Michigan on the 100th anniversary of their founding. The support and care that they have shown to our veterans and our community over the last century is worthy of commendation.

The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States dates back to September 29, 1899, when it was founded in Columbus, Ohio following the return of Americans from the campaign in the Spanish-American war. Founded by a small group of veterans, the Veterans of Foreign Wars was founded to build upon them a spirit of comradeship only known to those who faced the dangers of war fighting side-by-side.

Post 1136 has a long and notable history of service. Throughout World War II, the Post sent gifts and home newspapers to the men and women serving all over the United States and the world. They continued serving the veterans as they returned home, creating a special Ritual Team to escort the returning bodies of their fallen comrades and to conduct military funerals. Although the Ritual Team was disbanded, in the late fifties, the Service Officer Burial Detail was formed and became known as the ``Wyandotte Honor Guard.'' They still serve their fallen comrades even today. Post 1136 grew to over 1,000 members on March 25, 1970, at the height of the Vietnam War. Throughout war time, the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1136 has been steadfast in its commitment to supporting our troops at home and abroad. With financial struggles and lower membership following the Vietnam War, Post 1136 gained strength once again as the United States liberated Kuwait from Iraqi occupation. Renewed efforts by the post allowed for continued campaigns of support for our troops abroad, with Post 1136 donating food, toiletries, cigarettes, and other items in short supply to those on the battlefield.

Over the decades since its founding, Post 1136 in Wyandotte, Michigan has continued to give back to its community by hosting an annual 4th of July parade that it first started in 1939, memorial services for those lost in the September 11th attacks, charity fundraisers, and the construction of memorials for the brave heroes who lost their lives in the Vietnam War along the main boulevard that features inscriptions and poems written by community members. Committed to the cause of helping our service members, Post 1136 admirably helps veterans with health issues gain access to a variety of medical and social benefits and become comfortable at home following their return from combat.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me today in celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1136 in Wyandotte, Michigan. For the last century, their members have continued serving their community well after being out of uniform. We thank them for their service, both at home and abroad, and are excited to see what they can accomplish over the next 100 years.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Officer Bryan Szostak on the occasion of his retirement from the Canton Police Department after 25 years of service to the city of Canton, Michigan. His decades of service to our community is worthy of commendation.

Officer Szostak joined the Canton Police Department in 1999 and has served as a midnight shift officer ever since. For the past 24 years, he has been a member of the department's Honor Guard as one of the founding members and leader, with which he has participated in Posting of the Colors for ceremonies across the state and funeral services for fallen officers. Officer Szostak also served the community's youth as a veteran advisor for the Explorer Unit, a program for teenagers interested in law enforcement. In these roles, Officer Szostak has showed his emphatic commitment to the units he has been involved in.

Most notably, Officer Szostak has been a committed Canine Officer for the past 20 years. His loyalty and passion for this program has been exemplified in his love for his current canine partner Ragnar, who is retiring alongside Officer Szostak, as well as his two previous canine partners, Poncho and Hoss. In this role, Officer Szostak has set new standards for training and policing, which will not soon be forgotten. Over the course of his extensive career, Officer Szostak earned many department awards, in addition to citizen recognitions for his service and commitmment to improving the city.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Officer Bryan Szostak for his remarkable 25 years of service. His commitment to the canine program, Canton Police Department, and the City of Canton has been dedicated to the safety and improvement of the community. I join Officer Szostak's family, friends, and colleagues in extending my best wishes to him in retirement.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Robert Lambe on the occasion of his retirement from the Great Lakes Fishery Commission. His significant service to the Great Lakes and surrounding communities during his lengthy career is worthy of commendation.

Bob Lambe has been focused on serving and protecting our environment throughout his career. He holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of Western Ontario and is an Electronic Engineering Technology graduate from the Cabot Institute of Applied Arts and Technology. Bob had a 35-year career within the Public Service of Canada. For 6 years, Bob served as the Regional Director General for the Central and Arctic regions. Bob was also appointed as the first Executive Director for the Invasive Species Centre in Sault Ste. Marie, which focuses on research, mitigation and response planning, and rehabilitation efforts to combat invasive species that hurt Canada's ecosystems. In these roles, Bob has exhibited a wealth of knowledge and experience when it comes to natural resource management, and his true passion and dedication for protecting and conserving our aquatic ecosystems is clear.

Most notably, in 2013 Bob Lambe joined the Great Lakes Fishery Commission, a binational organization based in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Here he served as executive secretary for over a decade, as well as commissioner and chair of the Commission. Bob's work was invaluable, and focused on appropriations, infrastructure, and strengthening relationships with other organizations. Bob was also a board member for the North American Invasive Species Network, and the Canadian Aquatic Invasive Species Network. In all these positions, Bob worked tirelessly to serve the organizations and their ability to serve the Great Lakes. He emphasized the importance of protecting and sustaining fisheries in the Great

Lakes Basin and applying the wealth of knowledge he gained from his career to improve the commission. During his time with the commission, Bob received high accolades and praise, including a Distinguished Service Award from the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources at Michigan State University, for his dedication to conservation and facilitation of effective cooperative fisheries management.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Bob Lambe for his lifetime of public service. His commitment to the Great Lakes Fishery Commission has made a lasting change to the conservation efforts of this organization and will not soon be forgotten. Throughout his career, Bob has remained reliable and genuine in his work to protect our environment. I join Bob Lambe's family, friends, and colleagues in extending my best wishes to him in retirement.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 2882. This bill will reauthorize the Morris K. Udall and Stewart L. Udall Trust Fund.

The Udall Foundation was established as an independent Federal agency in 1992 by Congress in honor of Mo Udall's contributions to our Nation's public lands and natural resources and his support for Tribal self-determination. In 2009, Congress honored Stewart Udall in the name of the Foundation alongside his brother.

The Udall Foundation's impact is monumental in supporting the next generation of environmental and Tribal policy leaders. From the John S. McCain III National Center for Environmental Conflict Resolution to the Native Nations Institute for Leadership, Management, and Policy, the Foundation serves a critical role in shaping public policy.

In addition, the Foundation supports several educational programs, such as the Parks in Focus program, fellowships, scholarships, and congressional internships.

H.R. 2882 will ensure the Foundation remains an essential partner in Tribal and environmental education.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I am prepared to close.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1727, the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park Commission Extension Act, introduced by my colleague from Maryland, Representative Trone.

Once a transportation route from Maryland to Washington, D.C., the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park now serves as an area full of recreational opportunities, while maintaining the historical structures of the old transportation route.

The park is comprised of 184 miles along the Potomac River, hosting over 5 million visitors annually. The bill before us would reauthorize the park's advisory commission until 2031 to allow them to continue their leadership in working with their communities to enhance visitor experience and recreational opportunities.

The advisory commission is key to ensuring that local communities have a voice in the operation, maintenance, and restoration of the park.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on the bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Trone).

Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I am prepared to close.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 2997 would authorize the Bureau of Land Management, or BLM, to convey 31 acres of Federal land to Mesa County in Colorado.

This parcel of land was once used by the Bureau of Reclamation for irrigation under the Grand Valley Reclamation Project. It has since been designated suitable for disposal by BLM, with agencies having started the withdrawal revocation process.

Following the completion of this process, BLM will engage in a direct sale with Mesa County.

The CONVEY Act is designed to facilitate and expedite the ongoing parcel conveyance process. Following the conveyance, Mesa County will use the land for economic development and growth opportunities in and around Clifton, Colorado.

I thank the majority for working with us to ensure that, under this bill, Mesa County is responsible for paying for all the costs associated with the conveyance, as is typical in these types of transactions.

Mr. Speaker, I support this legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Speaker, this bill would authorize the Bureau of Reclamation to convey the title of the Pilot Butte Power Plant in Wyoming to the Midvale Irrigation District. The transfer would follow negotiation of a mutually beneficial transfer agreement that must ensure full compliance with environmental laws and other applicable laws.

Following a title transfer, the irrigation district will explore opportunities to rehabilitate the facility for improved power generation.

I am pleased to support the bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 4051, the SHARKED Act, would establish a new task force led by the National Marine Fisheries Service to identify shark conservation needs and depredation research.

Sharks are critical to healthy ocean ecosystems.

As the apex predators of the ocean, they help shape marine food webs and are a key indicator of ocean health.

Many shark species are, unfortunately, also threatened or endangered.

Oceanic sharks and rays have declined by 71 percent since 1970, and three-quarters of these wide-ranging species are threatened.

While some shark populations are recovering, scientists predict that nearly 100 million sharks are still killed each year, and current levels of fishing pressure will cause the majority of shark populations to continue declining.

According to the IUCN, half of the coastal sharks and rays are threatened with extinction, primarily due to overfishing.

A fundamental lack of understanding of shark biology and ecological importance, combined with fear, was partially responsible for dramatic increases in the recreational harvest of sharks in the United States in the 1970s and the 1980s.

Any effort to address shark depredation, therefore, needs to be considered in light of recovering shark populations and the threats that sharks face from heightened fishing pressure and climate change.

Through the committee process, we have been able to significantly improve this legislation. However, I recognize there are still some legitimate concerns about whether this legislation goes far enough to ensure good outcomes for shark populations and is not a slippery slope towards increasing shark harvests.

I am grateful that the majority worked with us to amend the original bill text, ensuring that the focus is placed on changing angler behavior and managing expectations, as well as building out the scientific understanding of shark ecology and the impacts of climate change on predators and prey in the ocean.

Recently, Australian researchers found that the use of non-lethal deterrents and simple changes in angler behavior are proven to reduce the probability of sharks taking fish by 65 percent.

NOAA has funded similar studies in the United States but admitted in the legislative hearing on this bill that depredation research is complex and requires sustained investment due to the high intelligence and adaptability of sharks.

Notably, this bill doesn't include funding. Without it, NOAA will be unable to fund much more than what they are currently doing to address shark conservation and depredation.

I hope my colleagues who support this bill will also work with us to ensure robust funding for shark conservation priorities, like increased shark stock assessments.

This bill should promote greater collaboration between the fishing community and shark researchers to reduce risks to sharks and humans from depredation events and build out our understanding of the importance of sharks and how to conserve them.

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

Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time. I am prepared to close, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, I am prepared to close, and 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 of H.R. 4385 introduced by my colleague from Colorado, Representative Neguse.

Over the past several years, we have seen higher temperatures--with 2023 having been the hottest year on record--and reduced precipitation, snowpack, and stream flow due to climate change.

As ongoing impacts of climate change intensify, it is imperative we advance policies that would enhance climate resilience, restoration, and conservation--particularly when it comes to the quality and quantity of our available water resources.

The Drought Preparedness Act helps to do just that by reauthorizing a key program to support the development of drought contingency plans and mitigate climate-related drought impacts, including emergency response for communities grappling with water shortages for human health and safety needs.

I urge the swift passage of this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Neguse)

Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I am prepared to close.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.