Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1199) commending the Orange County Water District and its employees for their sound financial management and innovative groundwater management, water quality, water efficiency, and environmental programs, on its 75th anniversary.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the resolution under consideration.

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

House Resolution 1199 commends the Orange County, California Water District and its employees for their sound financial management and innovative groundwater management, water quality, water efficiency, and environmental programs upon the occasion of its 75th anniversary.

During its 75-year history, the Orange County Water District has been a model for implementing groundwater recharge projects. Starting in 1950, the Water District developed the region's first sustained artificial recharge replenishment system. Earlier this year, the District opened its groundwater replenishment system, the world's largest sewer water purification project. This project, Mr. Speaker, currently is providing a new supply of high-quality water to Orange County, while making the region less dependent on imported water from Bay Delta and the Colorado River.

I wish to commend my colleague from California, Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez, for sponsoring this very important resolution before us today, and I ask my colleagues to support its passage.

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlelady from California (Ms. Loretta Sanchez) such time as she may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I was listening intently to the previous speaker, and I'm wondering if he is suggesting that we drill in national parks and military bases--when you mentioned all the acreage that's available.

I will yield.

So the 2 billion acres that you're referring to does exclude national parks and all of the military bases?

Well, Mr. Speaker, I was just requesting that the gentleman clarify. I want to be sure that his numbers are accurate.

I reserve the balance of my time.

I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

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

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 5710) to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to provide financial assistance to the Eastern New Mexico Rural Water Authority for the planning, design, and construction of the Eastern New Mexico Rural Water System, and for other purposes.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the bill under consideration.

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

H.R. 5710, as introduced by our colleague, Congressman Tom Udall of New Mexico, would direct the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Bureau of Reclamation, to assist in the design and the construction of the Eastern New Mexico Rural Water System. The project would provide a sustainable water supply to nine communities and an Air Force base. This bill has received bipartisan support.

I ask my colleagues to support its passage.

I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 5511) to direct the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Bureau of Reclamation, to remedy problems caused by a collapsed drainage tunnel in Leadville, Colorado, and for other purposes, 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 include extraneous material on the bill under consideration.

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

H.R. 5511 was introduced by our colleague, Congressman Doug Lamborn of Colorado. The bill, as amended, would direct the Bureau of Reclamation to remedy problems caused by collapses in the Leadville Mine Drainage Tunnel. Due to structural deterioration, contaminated water has backed up in the tunnel posing a grave public health and environmental threat.

This bill has received bipartisan support. We have no objection to this noncontroversial bill. And I ask my colleagues to support its passage.

I reserve the balance of my time.

I have no other speakers.

Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I yield back.

Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not present.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor and recognize Ms. Marie O. McElligott, for her outstanding service to the community of Guam, and her countless contributions to its people. As an active member of our island community, Marie has been a great leader in both her volunteer and public service capacities.

Marie has served our country for 26 years as an officer in the U.S. Navy in various capacities including communications officer, administrative officer, commanding officer for personnel support and director of family service centers and at many different ports, in Long Beach, California; London, England; Pearl Harbor, Hawaii; and Naples, Italy. From 1981 through 1983, Marie led the coordination of a Navy logistics support and mobilization plan, which was used during Operation Desert Storm. During the latter part of her career serving as director of Navy Family Centers in Bangor, Washington and Guam, Marie was instrumental in developing a violence protection program for the submarine community, training programs for the prevention of sexual harassment, and an affirmative action plan. In the Guam Navy Family Center, Marie led military and civilian personnel in providing counseling and other family services for as many as 15,000 military personnel and their dependents. While on Guam Marie became an active member of the community off base, and served the community for many years in various government and private non-profit organizations. Marie was the Navy ex-officio member of the then Territorial Board of Education, the cochairman of the ``Just Say No Task Force,'' a member of the Mental Health Five-Year Planning Committee on Aging, a member of the Guam Chapter of the American Red Cross Board of Directors, and the executive director of the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society.

After retiring from the Navy in 1991, Marie returned to Guam as a civilian, and making our island her home. Since then, she has dedicated herself to the people of Guam in both government and community organizations. For 13 years she worked as the administrator of client services and family counseling for the Superior Court of Guam. Under her guidance, a law to create policies for diversion and family violence prevention was passed. She also chaired the committee that created guidelines for Guam's only family visitation center. Her efforts have been recognized through numerous awards and accolades, including an induction into the Ancient Order of the Chamorri--the highest honor bestowed upon non-native residents of Guam; resolutions of commendation from the Guam Territorial Board of Education; Legislative Resolutions from the Twentieth, Twenty-Sixth and Twenty- Eighth Guam Legislatures; and a Resolution of Commendation from the Judiciary of Guam.

For the last 3 years, Marie worked as the director of Guam's Lighthouse Recovery Center under the Salvation Army, managing a staff of 10 to provide food and shelter to the homeless and counseling and rehabilitation to those suffering from drug addiction on Guam. Her work has resulted in the implementation of a quarterly ``clean and sober'' event for Lighthouse Recovery Center residents, members of Alcoholics Anonymous, and supportive Aftercare clients. She has also been instrumental in growing the financial base for the Lighthouse Recovery Center with military chapels and non-profit organizations.

Marie's knowledge and expertise has been a significant contribution to the operations of Guam's community service organizations. Over the years she has served as president and vice chair of the Guam Women's Club, and has also been an active member and chairperson of the Guam American Cancer Society, Guam American Red Cross, and the Guam Humanities Council, amongst many others. To date, Marie has given over 10 years of her personal time and commitment to advancing the issues and objectives of local non-profit organizations.

Marie has been a part of our community for over 20 years and our island will be saddened by her departure, we will remain forever grateful for the service she has given to Guam. On behalf of the people of Guam, I extend our sincere appreciation to Marie O. McElligott for her service to our Nation and to our community. We wish her the best as she embarks on a new journey in life.

I thank the gentleman from Mississippi.

I rise in strong support of this en bloc amendment package and of the underlying bill. One of the amendments in this en bloc package enables the Maritime Administration to perform necessary improvements at the Port of Guam. A $13 billion investment is planned for military construction and civilian infrastructure on Guam.

The Port will be handling substantial amounts of cargo in a very condensed timeline. The Maritime Administration has a solid track record of assisting governments. They have done work in Alaska and Hawaii, and that is why we need them for the Port of Guam.

My amendment, which is included in this en bloc package, will enable the Maritime Administration and the government of Guam to execute a port improvement program under the terms of an MOU. Support for this amendment will help eliminate a potential chokepoint to the ultimate success of the build-up.

I want to thank Chairman Skelton and Chairman Ortiz for their support of Guam and the provisions in this bill that ensures congressional oversight and accountability of the military build-up. Provisions extend the Davis-Bacon Act to all military construction on Guam, establishes a procurement technical assistance center on Guam, establishes congressional guidance on improvements to the utility system, and encourages the development of an MOU between the Government of Guam and the Federal Government.

Mr. Chairman, I want to thank Chairman Skelton. As he said on a recent trip to my district, and I quote, ``What is good for Guam, is good for our Nation.''

I thank the Readiness Subcommittee staff, the full committee policy staff, Erin, Paul, and Andrew for their help. I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this en bloc package and ``yes'' on the final passage of H.R. 5658.

I requested an official leave of absence beginning at 6:30 p.m. today, Thursday, May 22, 2008, to enable me to return to my district, Guam, for official business. I was therefore absent from the chamber when rollcall votes 361 to 364 were taken. Had I been present for these votes taken in the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union on amendments to H.R. 5658, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2009, I would have voted as follows: ``aye'' on the amendment offered by Mr. Price of North Carolina (rollcall vote 361); ``aye'' on the amendment offered by Mr. Holt of New Jersey (rollcall vote 362); ``aye'' on the amendment offered by Mr. McGovern of Massachusetts (rollcall vote 363).

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 300) recognizing the necessity for the United States to maintain its significant leadership role in improving the health and promoting the resiliency of coral reef ecosystems, and for other purposes.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the resolution under consideration.

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

House Concurrent Resolution 300 recognizes the necessity for the United States to maintain its significant leadership role in improving the health and promoting resiliency of coral reef ecosystems.

Coral reef ecosystems are not only economically important to commercial fisheries and marine tourism of many places, including my own district of Guam, but they also act as natural protective coastal barriers during storm surges and high waves.

In 2008, the International Year of the Reef, the United States can help facilitate coordinated conservation efforts and maintain its leadership by working to strengthen awareness of the values of the coral reef ecosystems. This resolution, Mr. Speaker, encourages continued United States leadership in that regard, and I urge my colleagues to support it.

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

Mr. Speaker, I again urge Members to support the resolution, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the Senate joint resolution (S.J. Res. 17) directing the United States to initiate international discussions and take necessary steps with other Nations to negotiate an agreement for managing migratory and transboundary fish stocks in the Arctic Ocean.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the resolution under consideration.

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

Senate Joint Resolution 17 directs the United States to initiate international discussions and take necessary steps with other nations to negotiate an agreement to manage migratory and transboundary fish stocks in the Arctic Ocean.

It is important that any new or expanded fishing by the United States and other countries be conducted in a sustainable manner with science- based limits on catch as well as effective enforcement and monitoring systems. So to that end, it is important for the United States to begin the process to negotiate agreements with other Arctic nations to manage migratory, transboundary, and straddling fish stocks in the Arctic Ocean before any overfishing or overdevelopment of these fisheries can occur.

I urge the support of this resolution.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 325) celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Mackinac Island State Park Commission's Historical Preservation and Museum Program, which began on June 15, 1958, and for other purposes.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the resolution under consideration.

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

House Concurrent Resolution 325, introduced by our colleague, Representative Bart Stupak, celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Mackinac Island State Park Commission's Historical Preservation and Museum Program.

Mackinac Island was originally named our Nation's second national park in 1875. But it was turned over to the State of Michigan in 1895 when it became Michigan's first State park, and the Mackinac Island State Park Commission was created to care for and manage the park. Eighty percent of the island is still managed as a State park to preserve its geological wonders, wildlife, and wooded areas.

In 1958 Michigan granted authority to the commission to restore and interpret historical properties in the park. And so today we are celebrating the 50th anniversary of those efforts.

Our colleague Mr. Stupak is to be commended for his efforts on this measure.

Mr. Speaker, I support House Concurrent Resolution 325, and I urge its adoption today.

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

Mr. Speaker, I again urge Members to support this resolution, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1074) honoring the 60th anniversary of the commencement of the carving of the Crazy Horse Memorial.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the resolution under consideration.

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

(Ms. BORDALLO asked and was given permission to revise and extend her remarks.)

Mr. Speaker, Lakota leader Crazy Horse is remembered by his people as a fierce warrior and visionary leader who was committed to preserving the traditional Lakota way of life.

A young sculptor named Korczak Ziolkowski, who served as an assistant sculptor during the carving of Mount Rushmore, was approached by Chief Standing Bear and asked to create another mountain memorial, this time to honor a great American Indian leader.

Inspired by the life and legacy of Crazy Horse, the sculptor began a mountain memorial carving of Crazy Horse nearly 60 years ago in the Black Hills of South Dakota. The memorial upon completion will be the largest carving in the entire world, at 641 feet long by 563 feet high.

I would like to commend our colleague from South Dakota (Ms. Herseth Sandlin) for sponsoring the resolution that is before us today, and I ask my colleagues to support its passage.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1464) to assist in the conservation of rare felids and rare canids by supporting and providing financial resources for the conservation programs of nations within the range of rare felid and rare canid populations and projects of persons with demonstrated expertise in the conservation of rare felid and rare canid populations, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the bill under consideration.

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

H.R. 1464, the Great Cats and Rare Canids Act, was introduced by our colleague from New Mexico, Congressman Tom Udall. The overall purpose of H.R. 1464 is to assist in the conservation of 15 imperiled cat and canid species, such as the lion, the cheetah, the jaguar, and the African wild dog.

The bill would establish a new Great Cat and Rare Canid Conservation Fund to finance Federal matching grants for critical conservation projects to conserve these endangered wildlife species and their scarce and shrinking habitats. This legislation mirrors other highly popular and effective laws authorizing funding to help conserve and recover rhinoceroses, tigers, African and Asian elephants, great apes, and marine turtles.

Great cats and rare canids are no less deserving of greater conservation assistance than these other keystone wildlife species, and I ask Members on both sides to support passage of this noncontroversial bill.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I again urge Members to support the bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1771) to assist in the conservation of cranes by supporting and providing, through projects of persons and organizations with expertise in crane conservation, financial resources for the conservation programs of countries the activities of which directly or indirectly affect cranes and the ecosystems of cranes, as amended.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the bill under consideration.

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

H.R. 1771, the Crane Conservation Act, was introduced by our colleague from Wisconsin, Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin. The overall purpose of H.R. 1771 is to assist in the conservation of the world's 15 species of crane, such as the whooping crane and the sandhill crane in North America. The bill would establish a new Crane Conservation Fund to finance Federal matching grants supporting critical conservation projects for endangered birds and their scarce and shrinking habitats in Europe, Asia, South Asia, Africa, and North America.

Mr. Speaker, cranes play an important role in cultures around the world. These birds are viewed as symbols of good fortune, happiness, and peace, and I ask Members on both sides to support passage of this noncontroversial bill that will help conserve this iconic family of large endangered birds.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlelady from Wisconsin (Ms. Baldwin) such time as she may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I, again, urge Members to support this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3323) to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to convey a water distribution system to the Goleta Water District, and for other purposes, as amended.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the bill under consideration.

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

H.R. 3323, introduced by our colleague from California, Congresswoman Lois Capps, authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to convey all rights of the United States to the Goleta Water Distribution System to the Goleta Water District in Santa Barbara, California.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank Congresswoman Capps for her hard work on this important legislation, and I strongly urge my colleagues to support H.R. 3323, as amended.

I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2649) to make amendments to the Reclamation Projects Authorization and Adjustment Act of 1992, as amended.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 days to revise and extend their remarks and include

extraneous material on the bill under consideration.

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

H.R. 2649, as amended, authorizes the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Bureau of Reclamation, to participate in the Lake Hodges Surface Water Improvement and Reclamation Project. This project would pretreat 13,000 acre-feet of impaired Lake Hodges water currently unavailable for consumptive use.

We have no objection to this noncontroversial bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I again urge all Members to support the bill, and yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4841) to approve, ratify, and confirm the settlement agreement entered into to resolve claims by the Soboba Band of Luiseno Indians relating to alleged interferences with the water resources of the Tribe, to authorize and direct the Secretary of the Interior to execute and perform the Settlement Agreement and related waivers, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the bill under consideration.

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

H.R. 4841, as introduced by our colleague, Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack, would bring resolution to the water rights claims for the Soboba Band of Luiseno Indians and ratify a settlement agreement between many municipalities and the Tribe. This bill has received bipartisan support, including support from the administration, so we have no objection to this noncontroversial bill.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, I again urge all the Members to support this bill.

I wish at this time to thank my colleague, the gentleman from California (Mr. Issa), who has managed these bills on the floor with me today.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the achievements of the Guam Community College (GCC) and to congratulate the institution on the occasion of its 30th anniversary. The Guam Community College, established in November 1977 by Guam Public Law 14- 77, became our premier institution for vocational, skilled trade and technical education when it assumed the programs and missions of its predecessor, the Trade and Technical High School and the Vocational High School of the Guam Department of Education.

GCC's leadership at both secondary and post-secondary levels is realized through its offering of over 50 courses of study in vocational programs, adult and continuing education, community education, and short-term specialized training. Designed to target student populations within the Asia-Pacific Rim and the Micronesia region, GCC courses prepare students through job development and training based on community needs and trade demands.

The small communities within the region, and the distance from mainland learning institutions, are contributing factors to the GCC's mission. With a diverse offering in curriculum and training programs, the college caters to these communities by offering ease of access to higher education. The main college campus, located in Mangilao, Guam, accommodates a population of 2,000 students. Off-campus and satellite options allow for distance learning, and on-campus courses equip students with expert and on-the-job training through partnerships with Guam businesses, organizations, and government entities. Through internships and apprenticeships, GCC has been successful in nurturing local talent to contribute to our island's economy.

GCC maintains membership in the prestigious educational organizations of the American Association of Community and Junior Colleges, the Pacific Post-Secondary Educational Council, the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, and the League of Innovation for Community Colleges. Accreditation has been awarded by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges and by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges since 1979. Additionally, under the United States Vocational Education Act of 1946, 1963, and subsequent amendments, GCC has served as the State Board of Control for vocational education for Guam.

GCC has been a consistent leader in the region for education. True to its mission to provide students with training for life-long learning, GCC offers opportunities for specialized learning through programs such as English as a Second Language, Adult Basic Education, General Education Development (GED) preparation and testing, and an Adult High School Diploma.

During this 30th anniversary, I join the people of Guam in recognizing the foresight and vision of GCC's past presidents: Dr. Herominiano delos Santos, John T. Cruz. Jose Ramos, Peter Nelson, Dr. Stanley B. Malkin, and Dr. John C. Salas. We also recognize the current and past chairs of the Board of Trustees: Gina Y. Ramos, Juan Tenorio, Charles Spero, Dr. Antonio Yamashita, Dr. John C. Salas, Richard Tennessen, Jose Munoz, Atanacio T. Diaz, Greg Perez, and Adolpho Sgambelluri. The vision of these individuals has culminated today into the leadership of president Mary Ann Y. Okada, vice president of academic affairs John R. Rider, Ed.D., and vice president of administrative services John C. Camacho.

With the commitment, dedication, and leadership of Guam Community College's officers, board of trustees, faculty, and students, GCC has become a symbol of the possibilities that exist within our island and our region. The college blends the talent and expertise of our government agencies, businesses and industries, community groups, and technical training establishments on Guam. These valuable and strategic partnerships have increased trade and technical capabilities in the community leading to greater opportunities and success for its students and our islands.

On behalf of the people of Guam, I would like to recognize the 30 years of education and community service of the Guam Community College. I commend and congratulate them on this milestone anniversary.