Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to recognize John Rumsey for his lasting impact in the field of developmental disability advocacy and his exceptional service to those in need.

Early in his professional career, Mr. Rumsey turned his attention to helping those who were less fortunate than himself. In 1974, he joined the Contra Costa ARC, a non-profit, public benefit organization that is dedicated to helping adults with significant disabilities to realize their full potential and find meaningful employment.

In addition to his important work at Contra Costa ARC, Mr. Rumsey was an early active advocate for the accreditation of disability services agencies. As a statewide leader in the developmental disability field, John Rumsey held several key positions, such as President of California Disabilities Services Association. Today, the State of California requires the accreditation of such agencies to ensure quality service, due in large part to Mr. Rumsey's strong advocacy.

In 1984, Mr. Rumsey left Contra Costa ARC and devoted himself to assisting the developmentally disabled residents of Marin County. In 1990, Mr. Rumsey worked with other advocates to found Marin Ventures, where he served as the Executive Director for 21 years until his retirement in 2011.

Even in retirement, Mr. Rumsey continues to advocate for those in need and remains a strong voice for developmentally disabled adults. Please join me in expressing deep appreciation to John Rumsey for his long and singularly exceptional career, and for his outstanding record of service to the people of Marin County and beyond.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in memory of Sharon Mendoza Doughty, who passed away on November 19, 2014 following a long battle with cancer. A pioneering rancher, conservationist, teacher, winemaker and a natural leader, Ms. Doughty was a positive force within the local community.

Sharon Doughty grew up on her parents' historic B Ranch on the Point Reyes Peninsula. After the passing of her second husband, Bill Bianchini Jr., in the early 1980s, she took over the daily operations of their 800-acre dairy. Transitioning from a career as an accountant and teacher, Sharon Doughty became a full-time rancher with the help of her close family and friends.

Through her comprehensive knowledge of the dairy trade, Ms. Doughty became a natural leader within the North Bay dairy community and leaves behind a long legacy of positive impacts. The depth of her commitment to Marin County agriculture united fellow ranchers and helped to propel their products into national markets. A dedicated advocate for the preservation of local agricultural lands, Ms. Doughty served two terms as the president of the Marin Agricultural Land Trust and one term as a member of the California Coastal Commission. She selflessly devoted her time and expertise to the Marconi Conference Center in Marshall and 4- H. Among her many honors, in 2007, Ms. Doughty was named the ``Woman of the Year'' for California's 6th Assembly District for her exceptional community leadership.

Mr. Speaker, Sharon Doughty's life teaches us that one woman can make a substantial difference. Her efforts will not soon be forgotten as much of her legacy lives on all around us in Marin County and beyond. It is therefore appropriate that we pay tribute to her today and express our deepest condolences to her husband Steve; daughters Kathleen von Raesfeld and Karen Taylor; brothers Joseph Mendoza Jr. and James Mendoza; grandchildren Audrey and Nina von Raesfeld, Camilla, William Joseph, and Eva Taylor; and nephew Will Clark.

I thank the gentlewoman.

I also rise to join my colleagues in honoring two of the alltime greats of the United States Congress, George Miller and Henry Waxman.

As many of my colleagues have said, these two will go down in history as some of the most able policymakers, intellectual engines, and progressive champions in the history of the House of Representatives.

People around this country benefit every day from their work in this body from the clean air and clean water that we have because of their work; to human rights and workers' rights; to education to consumer safety; to public land protections; and safer, more affordable pharmaceuticals. The list goes on and on. Let's not forget the millions of people in this country today that have access for the first time to affordable, quality health care because of the very important and historic health care act that they helped bring into law.

This Special Order doesn't give us anywhere near enough time to do justice to these two legislative titans' accomplishments, so I will just mention two that have special meaning to me personally.

Henry, your work to expand the scope of the Clean Air Act and strengthen its enforcement has been tireless, and over the decades, it has meant huge improvements to the public health care of the American people.

Henry was one of the leading architects of the Clean Air Act amendments of 1990 that targeted environmental hazards like acid rain, smog, and the thinning ozone layer, and through this work, he helped lay the groundwork for President Obama's important efforts to combat climate change by improving fuel efficiency and cleaning up our power plants.

Henry has also led the Safe Climate Caucus, a bicameral effort that is attempting to create a climate policy in exile, if you will. Inevitably, the science of this issue will catch up to the minds of our colleagues across the aisle; as well, the duty to future generations will catch up to the hearts of our colleagues across the aisle.

In the meantime, Henry, the work that you have done in this House has helped keep a positive track on climate change alive, and the work that we accomplish in the years ahead will absolutely be standing on your shoulders.

George Miller is my neighbor to the east. Among many, many things, he worked for years to bring California water policy into the modern era, culminating in the Central Valley Project Improvement Act signed into law in 1992 by Republican President George H.W. Bush.

For the first time, under the CVPIA, the Federal Government was required to consider the impacts to California's fish and wildlife when managing the Central Valley Project, one of the world's largest water management systems, but also one that did enormous damage to fish and wildlife. It moved the pendulum too far in one direction, and it had to be reset, and that is what George Miller did.

The CVPIA encouraged more efficient water use, established conservation requirements, and water metering. It started to reform the antiquated water contracts that gave away public water for 40 years at a time at below-market rates.

The law that George Miller authored also helped pave the way for the restoration of the San Joaquin River which once supported one of the largest salmon runs on the Pacific Coast.

Although we will miss their daily leadership in our delegation and in Congress, I know that their body of work will continue to stand the test of time. The people of California have been very fortunate to have Congressman Miller and Congressman Waxman representing them for the past 40 years, and it has been a privilege and honor for me to serve with them for the past 2 years.

Mr. Speaker, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman.

Some of our colleagues from other States may be experiencing a sense of deja vu right now. Yes, this is the second time this year that the House has voted on a California water bill that would harm northern California fisheries, tribes, and communities; that would undermine State law; that would deprive water managers of the flexibility they need; and it would micromanage the complex water system of California.

To make sure we are all dealing with the same facts, I want to remind my colleagues that the State and Federal water export pumps in the delta right now are operating at more than 5,000 cubic feet per second.

The only reason they are not pumping even faster is not to protect fish and wildlife, not because of the Endangered Species Act, none of the other bogeymen that we hear as a justification for this bill. No, the reason those pumps are not going even faster is because of standards set by the State of California to protect water quality from municipal and industrial and agricultural and other uses in the system.

So the only way that this bill could deliver more water today--well, there is no way it could deliver more water today--and the only way it could deliver more water in other times of the year is by taking it away from other water users and other beneficial uses in our State.

With that inconvenient fact out of the way, let's talk about the process that brought us here today. H.R. 5781 has never been reviewed by the authorizing committee, let alone marked up in open session. Nor have we received the input of State or Federal agencies that have the responsibility over clean water and fisheries management. Nor have we received the input of affected local water agencies, of commercial and recreational fishing interests, of tribes--including ones that I represent--or other communities that will surely be impacted negatively if this were to become law.

The proponents of this bill say that it is the result of bipartisan collaboration. Really? Those of us who represent northern California's fishing industries, tribes, farmers, and communities have been systematically kept out of the room and even kept out of the conversation.

Last month, we learned that members of our State's Republican delegation refused to even brief Senator Barbara Boxer if northern California Democrats like me were even in the room.

This is no way to negotiate something this important. It is a terrible precedent for other States as well, and that is why I am glad that Senator Boxer has been so clear in stating her opposition to it, that it would ignite water wars in California, not solve problems, and I am glad that over the weekend we received a veto recommendation from the Obama administration.

Now, on Saturday, the Pacific Fishery Management Council sent me a letter about the bill. I asked them how they felt it would affect western fisheries in this country. Here is what they said:

H.R. 5781 would override Endangered Species Act protections

for salmon, steelhead, and other species in the Bay Delta in

order to allow increased pumping from the delta in excess of

scientifically justified levels.

In 2008 and 2009, $158 million in congressional aid was

provided to deal with the disaster of the closure of ocean

salmon fisheries off California and Oregon south of Cape

Falcon due to a collapse of the Sacramento River salmon

stocks. These fisheries are an important source of jobs for

coastal communities, which cannot be replaced simply through

disaster relief. Without adjustments to this bill, we fear

such a disaster could be repeated in the reasonably near

future.

Mr. Speaker, I will include this letter in the Record at this time.

Pacific Fishery

Management Council,

Portland, OR, December 6, 2014.

Hon. Jared Huffman,

House of Representatives,

Washington, DC.

Dear Mr. Huffman: Thank you for your letter of November 17

and follow-up on December 3 requesting Pacific Fishery

Management Council (Pacific Council) comment on legislation

related to operation of the State Water Project and Central

Valley Project in California (HR 5781) and its potential

impacts to fisheries. Although the timing of the bill did not

allow for full Council deliberation, we present the following

concerns, which are consistent with previous comments the

Council has made on similar legislation. Absent changes in

the legislation to address these concerns, the Pacific

Council does not support HR 5781 moving forward.

HR 5781 would override Endangered Species Act protections

for salmon, steelhead, and other species in the Bay-Delta in

order to allow increased pumping from the Delta in excess of

scientifically justified levels. These measures also protect

salmon stocks not currently listed under the ESA, which are a

primary source of healthy sport and commercial fisheries from

Central California to Northern Oregon. The bill introduces a

new standard for implementing the Endangered Species Act

concerning Central Valley salmon and Delta smelt, a keystone

species in the Bay-Delta ecosystem. (See Sec 101(3), and

102(b)(2)(a).) It is unclear how severe the negative effects

of this new standard might be, but it would certainly impact

current water management policy that protects ESA listed

salmon stocks from further decline and helps prevent

currently healthy stocks from becoming listed under the ESA.

The bill contains several provisions that override the

salmon and Delta smelt biological opinions (for example

Section 103(d)(2), Section 103(c), and others). Section 103

could result in dramatically higher pumping than is

authorized under the biological opinions, and would cause

significant harm to migrating salmon and steelhead and other

native species. The 1:1 inflow to export ratio for the San

Joaquin at Vernalis overrides the `reasonable and prudent

alternatives' to standard operations that were set out in the

2009 Central Valley biological opinion in order to protect

Sacramento River winter-run Chinook and other salmonid

species. Further degradation of salmon habitat is contrary to

the provisions of the Magnuson Stevens Act

(Sec. 305(b)(1)(D)) and something the Pacific Council

strongly opposes.

Section 103(f)(2) provides exemptions for mitigation of

negative effects on listed fish species, which alleviates the

project from compensating fisheries for negative effects of

its operations; it is unclear if there is an exemption for

mitigation of negative effect on non-listed salmon stocks.

Exempting mitigation responsibility for harm to salmon

populations provides the exact opposite incentive to the kind

of salmon protection and enhancement advocated by the

Council, and essentially amounts to redistributing the value

of salmon fisheries to agricultural or municipal interests,

as well as increasing the risk to ESA listed fish stocks

threatened with extinction. Additionally, the Pacific Council

is concerned about whether Central Valley projects are

achieving their current mitigation responsibility, and

providing these exemptions could preclude seeking remedy. If

this bill moves forward, it should provide direct mitigation

for the proposed actions and risks to which it would subject

fish populations and fishing communities, not avoiding this

appropriate responsibility.

In 2008 and 2009 $158 million in Congressional aid was

provided to deal with the disaster of the closure of ocean

salmon fisheries off California and Oregon south of Cape

Falcon due to a collapse of the Sacramento River salmon

stocks. These fisheries are an important source of jobs for

coastal communities, which cannot be replaced simply through

disaster relief. Without adjustments to this bill, we fear

such a disaster could be repeated in the reasonably near

future.

Thank you again for the opportunity to comment on this

legislation; please don't hesitate to contact me or Ms.

Jennifer Gilden of the Pacific Council office if you have any

further questions.

Sincerely,

D.O. McIsaac, Ph.D.,

Executive Director.

In addition, California's recreational and commercial fishing interests sent a letter on Friday with their concerns that this legislation would ``harm, potentially disastrously, the communities, families, and thousands of fishing jobs in California and Oregon that depend on the health of the Bay Delta and its salmon runs.''

Mr. Speaker, I will include their letter in the Record at this time as well.

Opposition to H.R. 5781

December 5, 2014.

Dear Representative: On behalf of the undersigned

organizations, we write to urge you to oppose H.R. 5781

(Valadao, R-CA), a bill that would dramatically weaken

protections for salmon and other fish and wildlife in

California's Bay-Delta estuary and its tributaries. This

legislation would harm, potentially disastrously, the

communities, families and thousands of fishing jobs in

California and Oregon that depend on the health of the Bay-

Delta and its salmon runs.

H.R. 5781 would undermine existing legal protections for

salmon, endangered species, and other species in the Bay-

Delta ecosystem, in order to pump more water out of the most

important salmon producing system south of the Columbia

River. For example, the bill would rewrite and override

protections required under the Endangered Species Act and

replace the best available science with political micro-

management. Those ESA protections also benefit fall run

Chinook salmon, the backbone of the salmon fishery. This

legislation would also undermine existing federal law, which

establishes fish and wildlife protection and salmon

restoration as a co-equal goal of the Central Valley Project.

It would attempt to redirect water dedicated by law to

restoring fisheries and ecosystem heath. By requiring a

massive new groundwater development project, this legislation

has the potential to divert tens of millions of dollars away

from ecosystem restoration, including salmon restoration

projects. Such groundwater development would likely also

reduce surface waters needed by salmon.

This damaging legislation has never been subject to a

single committee hearing or input from the State, hunting

organizations, sport and commercial fishermen, tribes, and

conservation groups. Frankly put, this last-minute

legislation is a cynical water grab. It doesn't address the

cause of the drought, nor does it offer solutions. Instead,

it is simply an effort to legislate the destruction of the

environment and the salmon industry.

The very real water shortages experienced in parts of

California this year are a result of three dry years, not

environmental protections. Real solutions to the impacts of

the drought include agricultural and urban water use

efficiency, water recycling and other tools that can meet our

needs and that don't sacrifice our environment and fisheries.

This legislation addresses none of those solutions.

This legislation could not come at a more damaging time.

2015 represents the first year that drought affected salmon

year classes will return as spawning adults. We anticipate a

significant, perhaps dramatic, reduction in returning salmon

during 2015-2017. The coming three years will be a critical

time for the salmon industry. This is not a theoretical

concern. In 2008-2009, three years after record diversions

from the Bay-Delta, low salmon populations led to the

complete closure of the salmon fishery. This legislation

could help lead to a repeat of that disastrous closure. The

standards protecting salmon today are too low already.

Further rollbacks could have a devastating impact on salmon

runs that have already been harmed by drought.

Our salmon industry is valued at $1.4 billion in economic

activity annually. The industry employs tens of thousands of

people from Santa Barbara to northern Oregon, including in

California's Central Valley. This industry consists of

commercial fishermen, recreational fishermen, fish

processors, marinas, coastal communities, equipment

manufacturers, tackle shops, the hotel and food industry,

tribes, and the salmon fishing industry at large. All of

these economic sectors and individuals could be harmed by

damaging federal legislation. We all respectfully request

your leadership to protect our future.

For these reasons, we respectfully urge you to oppose H.R.

5781 and any other last-minute attempts to undercut the

existing balance of rights and protections among the users of

the California Bay-Delta watershed. California's drought

requires real solutions, not a return to the imbalanced

policies of the 1940s and 1950s.

Thank you for your consideration.

John McManus,

Golden Gate Salmon Association.

Zeke Grader,

Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen's Associations.

Dick Pool,

Water4Fish.

Roger Thomas,

Golden Gate Fishermen's Association.

Mark Gorelnick,

Coastside Fishing Club.

Larry Collins,

San Francisco Crab Boat Association.

At the Rules Committee debate, I raised a series of important technical questions about flaws in this bill. Unfortunately, the House majority has decided that it cannot be amended through an open rule.

If we did have the benefit of a hearing or even just an opportunity to amend through an open rule, we may be able to address some of these, but so far, nobody has answered some of these key technical questions.

First, does the bill allow the State water board, basically, to do its job if we head into a fourth year of a critical drought, doing things like issuing curtailment orders and possibly rationing orders? These are tough calls that our State's water referee has to make. This bill does not appear to allow them the flexibility to do that.

Does the bill, which directs the Federal Government to ``provide the maximum quantity of water supplies possible'' next year, allow the Federal Government to do other things necessary to operate the system, like filling reservoirs, holding water for public health purposes, or-- when it might be needed--even for other water contractors?

Does the bill put additional pressure on the Trinity River, which I represent, and the tribes that have depended on it for their traditions and their subsistence on healthy salmon populations for millennia?

There are many other questions that are unanswered about this bill. It is not ready for prime time, it is not good policy, and I urge my colleagues to vote ``no.''

Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to recognize Ms. Isabel Allende, who was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Barack Obama on November 24. Ms. Allende joined eighteen other bold and inspiring Americans at the White House to receive our Nation's highest civilian honor.

Beginning in 1945, American presidents have honored individuals who make particularly important contributions to ``the security or national interests of the United States, to world peace, or to cultural endeavors.'' As an accomplished author and human rights advocate, Isabel Allende has promoted positive social change throughout the Nation and the world.

Since her first novel was published in 1982, Ms. Allende has reached extraordinary heights as an author. Her books have been translated into more than 35 languages and have sold more than 65 million copies worldwide. Ms. Allende has received numerous awards over the last 30 years, including the prestigious National Literary Award in Chile, her country of origin, and is a member of the American Academy of Arts and Letters.

Isabel Allende has established herself as a feminist force in Latin America's male-dominated literary world and as a strong advocate for social justice. In addition to writing, Ms. Allende devotes much of her time to human rights and the empowerment of women worldwide.

From activists who fight for social change, to artists who explore the furthest reaches of our imagination, Ms. Allende joins a distinct group of individuals who have pushed our Nation to reach new heights. Please join me in expressing deep appreciation to Isabel Allende for her singularly exceptional career, and for her outstanding record of service.

Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to acknowledge BioMarin Pharmaceuticals on the occasion of the company's recognition by Forbes Magazine as the 7th Most Innovative Company in the World for 2014. Selection as one of the world's ten most innovative companies is no small accomplishment and is a testament to BioMarin's ability to efficiently provide patients with new solutions to challenging chronic and degenerative genetic conditions.

Forbes' ranking relies on the ability of investors to identify which companies will continue to spur innovation now and in the future. Given BioMarin's past success in pioneering new medical treatments, the company's high ranking is well deserved.

Since 1997, BioMarin has developed and commercialized five medical treatments, a remarkable feat in the biopharmaceutical industry. The company has been recognized as one of the nation's fastest drug developers, bringing new treatments to market 12 months sooner than the industry median. For the patients with rare and often severe conditions, one year can make a lifetime of difference.

The innovative work of BioMarin staff, from the leadership team to research associates, has had a lasting impact on the North Bay community and beyond. Please join me in congratulating BioMarin Pharmaceuticals on this important recognition and wishing them many years of future success.

Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to recognize Marin Transit on the occasion of the organization's 50th Anniversary Celebration, held on October 20, 2014.

For the last five decades, Marin Transit has advanced its responsibility to serve the community by strengthening local public transportation and launching contracts with other bus and paratransit service providers, including Golden Gate Transit, Marin Airporter, MV Transportation, and Whistlestop Wheels.

Marin Transit has provided seniors and Americans with disabilities services to accommodate the mobility needs of an aging transportation network and a diversely growing population. It has demonstrated a powerful commitment to fostering a strong transit system and more engaged community by offering comprehensive operational programs including Local, West Marin Stagecoach, Novato dial-a-ride, and the award-winning seasonal Muir Woods Shuttle in cooperation with the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. The organization has kept pace with the growing demands for transit options; in particular the Muir Woods Shuttle is estimated to carry 95,000 passengers in 2014, a significant increase from 77,000 passengers in 2013. This service keeps vehicles off narrow mountain roads, relieves congestion, and improves the experience of visitors from across the United States and around the world.

Marin Transit has been a vital tool for the people of Marin County and beyond, and I am confident it will continue to serve as a valued transportation agency for future generations to come. Please join me in congratulating Marin Transit on their 50 year Anniversary celebration and wishing them many more years of success.

Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to recognize the B'nai Israel Jewish Center in Petaluma, California on the occasion of the organization's sesquicentennial on November 1, 2014.

Congregation Society B'nai Israel is one of the oldest Jewish communities in the State of California and is the oldest congregation between San Francisco and the Oregon border. For the past one hundred and fifty years, the B'nai Israel Jewish Center has provided a place where all who identify with the Jewish community may gather and participate in enriching spiritual, social, cultural, and educational experiences. The diverse programs and educational opportunities offered through Congregation Society B'nai Israel strengthen, celebrate and sustain Jewish culture in Petaluma, build cross-cultural understanding, and enrich the lives of those in the community at large.

The B'nai Israel Jewish Center is a treasure to the City of Petaluma, and countless residents of Sonoma County have benefitted from

the organization's longstanding commitment to the Jewish faith and strong community values. Please join me in congratulating the B'nai Israel community on this milestone one hundred and fifty year anniversary and wishing them many years of future success.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate Peter LaVallee, who was honored as the Humboldt Citizen of the Year on October 2, 2014, an award he richly deserves.

Peter LaVallee's long history of public service has been of tremendous benefit to the community. His work as an elected official, as an advocate for youth and vulnerable populations, and as a conservationist has made Peter LaVallee a vital member of my congressional district and the surrounding region.

After attending Wayne State University, Peter LaVallee completed his bachelor's degree in political science at Humboldt State University. He went on to graduate studies at Sacramento State University. Peter LaVallee served as director of youth services for Trinity County from 1980 to 1985. He then spent 26 years as director of Redwood Community Action Agency's Youth Services Division. California Gov. Pete Wilson appointed Peter LaVallee to the State Advisory Group on Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention in 1992 and he served until 2000 in that capacity.

Peter LaVallee was mayor of the City of Eureka from 2002 to 2006. During that time, he also was a member of the Eureka Rotary Club. From 2006 to 2011, Peter LaVallee served on the Humboldt County Housing and Homeless Coalition. Among his contributions are the development of services for runaway and homeless youth, including 24-hour crisis intervention, street outreach, school-based prevention and intervention services, short-term emergency shelter and long-term transitional housing and supportive services.

Mr. Speaker, Peter LaVallee's dedication to youth and community services in Humboldt County is commendable and worthy of recognition. I urge my colleagues to join me in extending our congratulations to him.

Mr. Speaker, we rise today in memory of Frank Alexander Grant III, who passed away on September 16, 2014 in his Altadena home following a battle with cancer. A natural leader and mentor to others both professionally and privately, Mr. Grant was a model of achievement and a positive force within the local community.

Frank Alexander Grant III was born in Eureka, CA on December 7, 1942, and grew up on the Yurok Indian Reservation, where he attended grammar school and high school. After graduating as high school valedictorian, Mr. Grant went on to receive a B.S. and M.S. in civil and sanitary engineering from Stanford University. On graduation day in 1966, he married Carole Susan Magnus. Mr. Grant served his country in the U.S. Army Medical Service Corps stateside for two years before earning a Ph.D. in engineering at University of California Berkeley in 1972.

Frank Grant worked for over 30 years at MWH Global, an international engineering firm, managing large projects throughout California and abroad. Following a very successful career at MWH Global, Mr. Grant retired as the company's Senior Vice President. He built his own cabin along the Klamath River and was an active member in the Yurok community. Mr. Grant provided economic development advice to the tribe in addition to his involvement in other community organizations and pursuits in both Northern California and the Pasadena area.

Mr. Speaker, Frank Alexander Grant III leaves behind a legacy of professional and personal achievement and community engagement that will not soon be forgotten. It is therefore appropriate that we pay tribute to him today and express our deepest condolences to his wife Carole; sons Frank IV and Philip; grandchildren Frank V, Andrew, Eva and Naomi; brothers Zane Grant Sr. and James Jackson Jr.; and step- mother Elinor Grant.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Connie Stewart, who was honored on November 5, 2014, with the Northern California Association of Nonprofits 2014 Nonprofit Leader Achievement Award, a recognition she richly deserves.

Connie's service to California and my congressional district has been exemplary. Her work on the Arcata City Council, as staff for the California Assembly, and as the executive director of the California Center for Rural Policy at Humboldt State University has improved the lives of many in the community. Connie Stewart has worked tirelessly to promote broadband deployment, economic development, food security, youth leadership, and improved healthcare for all.

Raised in New Jersey, Connie Stewart later attended Humboldt State University, where she graduated with a B.A. in speech communication. She went on to work at the Northcoast Environmental Center for 14 years before serving as senior field representative to Assemblywoman Patty Berg for seven years. Connie Stewart was elected to the Arcata City Council in 1996, was re-elected in 2000, and served as mayor for two years.

Connie Stewart became executive director at the California Center for Rural Policy in 2009. Within four years, she had expanded staff from three to 25 and cultivated relationships with private foundations and government agencies, bringing in millions of dollars for a wide variety of rural projects. During this time, she also served on the Aspen Institute Community Strategies Group Product Design Advisory Team for the Wealth Creation and Rural Livelihoods Initiative. Connie Stewart is well respected throughout the community as a civic leader and rural policy powerhouse.

Mr. Speaker, Connie Stewart's commitment to improving community services through her nonprofit work in Humboldt County is commendable and worthy of recognition. I urge my colleagues to join me in extending our congratulations to her.

Thank you, Mr. Grijalva and Mr. Young.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this bill, the Trinity County Land Exchange Act of 2014.

This bill is a very straightforward, bipartisan bill. It simply facilitates a land exchange between the Trinity Public Utility District, the United States Forest Service, and the Bureau of Land Management. I am grateful that my bill is cosponsored by my friend and district neighbor, Congressman Doug LaMalfa, who represented Trinity County when he was in the State legislature.

Trinity County, located in northern California, is one of the poorest counties in the entire State; and although it is very large, much of it is rugged and remote, and more than 75 percent of the total land base is held by the Federal Government, which leaves very little land suitable for economic development.

This legislation before us today will help stimulate Trinity County's economy. The bill grants Trinity County a much-needed 100-acre parcel from the Shasta-Trinity National Forest. It is accessible by the highway, uniquely suited for economic development; and in exchange, the county's public utility district will convey a 47-acre parcel west of Weaverville that will improve public access to the Trinity River, which is a Wild and Scenic River.

The bill guarantees a fair return for Federal taxpayers as the United States Forest Service will receive a cash equalization payment for the improvement, maintenance, reconstruction, or construction of a facility or an improvement for the National Forest System.

This is a win-win bill all the way around. Partnerships with land management agencies are really critical to Trinity County's economic development, and I am so glad that the county has been able to develop this win-win partnership with the Federal agencies that meets everybody's needs. This land swap is a great example of bipartisan legislation that furthers our shared priorities of economic development and environmental protection in our Nation's rural communities.

Again, I especially want to thank Chairman Hastings, Ranking Member DeFazio, Chairman Bishop, Ranking Member Grijalva, and my neighbor, Doug LaMalfa, for all of their assistance and collaboration and the many staff who have worked hard on this bill, especially my Sea Grant fellow, Zach Penney.

I thank the gentleman from Oregon.

Mr. Speaker, we are considering today yet another bill to force approval of the Keystone XL pipeline outside of the regular order required for all other international energy infrastructure projects.

This is a very early Christmas present from the United States Congress to one specific Canadian company. The vote effectively exempts TransCanada from the rigorous analysis and the permitting standards that all American companies are held to. Worse yet, TransCanada will be exempt from paying into the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund that all conventional crude companies are supposed to pay into. So merry Christmas, TransCanada.

And what gift can we expect in return? Well, carbon pollution and heavy crude shipped through our country to export terminals and higher gas prices. Let's remember: TransCanada is on record saying that the Keystone XL pipeline would increase the price of oil in the United States.

So instead of rigorous, deliberative process, the GOP majority is rushing to raise gas prices in this country. This Christmas present to TransCanada is actually like a lump of coal for U.S. consumers at the pump. It is certainly a lump of coal for communities who are sure to be impacted by this pipeline when something goes wrong. And it is absolutely a huge lump of coal for our global climate.

Congress should reject this massive corporate giveaway. We still have another 41 shopping days until Christmas. There is no need for us to play Santa for TransCanada today.

Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to recognize Bioneers on the occasion of the organization's 25th Anniversary Summit Conference, which will take place in October of 2014.

Since Kenny Asubel and Nina Simons founded Bioneers, the organization has become an important resource for innovators seeking to solve the world's most pressing environmental and social challenges. Through the annual conference and various educational programs, Bioneers connects diverse groups of people to share new, creative ideas and generate positive change at local, regional and international levels. Bioneers has provided one of the planet's primary incubators to help lay the foundation for sustainable and restorative alternatives to the environmentally destructive aspects of the modern global economy.

Bioneers has been a vital tool for the people of California's Second Congressional District and beyond, and I am confident that the organization will continue to serve as a leading-edge think tank for many years to come. Please join me in congratulating Bioneers on their 25th anniversary celebration and wish them many more successful years.