Floor Statements

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

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

General Francis Marion, also known as The Swamp Fox, was a pivotal figure in the American Revolutionary War and is deserving of commemoration here in our Nation's capital.

No Federal funds will be used for this memorial project; and the design, the construction, and the maintenance will proceed pursuant to the Commemorative Works Act. Furthermore, while this memorial will be authorized for placement at a site here in Washington, DC, it will not be on the National Mall.

We support passage of H.R. 5057. The bill was introduced by my good friend from South Carolina, Congressman Joe Wilson.

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

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, we on this side of the aisle have no objection to passage of S. 310. This simple and noncontroversial transfer of a small amount of real property has been adequately explained by the majority, and, in fact, this is the second time this measure has come before the House.

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

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, the fact that the Negro Leagues ever existed in this country is a painful reminder of the dark days of legalized racism through segregation. However, the success of those leagues, the innovations begun in those leagues and the stars who played in those leagues are sources of great pride and inspiration.

National recognition for the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas City, Missouri, is a fitting tribute to those who were involved in the Negro leagues and to the great work the museum is doing to preserve this important chapter in the story of America.

Furthermore, Mr. Speaker, Representative Emanuel Cleaver is to be commended as the sponsor of the House companion to this resolution. Representative Cleaver's tireless efforts on behalf of this legislation were crucial in bringing this measure before the House today.

We support passage of Senate Concurrent Resolution 60.

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

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, I support this legislation that would direct the Secretary of the Interior to initiate a pilot program to provide a convenient electronic option for waterfowl hunters to purchase their annual duck stamp, an icon in American conservation which since 1934 has generated over $700 million for waterfowl habitat acquisition and protection.

I applaud the sponsor of the House companion legislation, Congressman Ron Kind, for his leadership on this issue and for his commonsense recognition that we should take advantage of modern technology to increase the availability and ease in acquiring duck stamps.

I also commend Mr. Kind for the great sensitivity he has shown in making sure that the pilot program created under this legislation will not undermine the artistic value of the paper stamps. These stamps will still be issued for sale, and we expect that they will continue to be cherished by stamp collectors and conservationists for many years to come.

This legislation also contains some overdue technical amendments to the Duck Stamp Act itself, which should provide helpful clarifications important in maintaining and enhancing this very popular program.

I urge Members to support this noncontroversial bill.

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

Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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

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

Madam Speaker, the majority has already explained the purpose of S. 203, which passed the Senate in July of last year. Many of the measures included in S. 203 are ones that previously passed the House and affect a broad range of signal historical, cultural, scenic, and recreational resources.

Madam Speaker, we support S. 203 and urge its adoption by the House today.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the distinguished gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Holt), who has worked very hard to establish the Crossroads of the American Revolution, the National Heritage Area in New Jersey.

Madam Speaker, I wish to thank the gentleman from New Jersey, and I commend him and all of our colleagues who have worked diligently to advance this legislation.

Madam Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I yield back the balance of my time.

MR. WALDEN of Oregon. Madam Speaker, I have no other speakers on this side of the aisle. I encourage our Members to support this important legislation and yield back the balance of my time.

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

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

Madam Speaker, as the majority explained, H.R. 3817 withdraws the 101,794-acre Valle Vidal parcel in the Carson National Forest in New Mexico from location, entry, and patent under mining laws.

The Valle Vidal compromises some of the finest scenic wildlife and outdoor recreational resources in New Mexico. It is the home to the largest herd of elk in New Mexico and draws hunters from throughout the United States.

The Valle Vidal also contains important fish habitat for species such at the Rio Grande cutthroat trout. The Valle Vidal, furthermore, contains the headwaters of several watersheds and is an important source of fresh water in New Mexico.

H.R. 3817 is supported by a wide coalition of groups in New Mexico, including local elected officials, chambers of commerce, hunters, conservation groups, and businesses.

Madam Speaker, I would like to congratulate our colleague, Representative Tom Udall, who is the sponsor of H.R. 3817 and has worked tirelessly to craft and advance this legislation.

Madam Speaker, we support H.R. 3817.

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

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

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

Madam Speaker, we on this side of the aisle strongly support passage of H.R. 4301. I congratulate our colleague and member of the Resources Committee, Ms. Herseth, for her hard work on this legislation.

Ms. Herseth is in South Dakota this afternoon working with farmers who are dealing with a severe drought.

Officials representing the Bureau of Reclamation used a heavy hand in the late 1960s and the early 1970s as they acquired land for Blunt Reservoir and other features of the proposed Oahe irrigation project in South Dakota.

Farmers in the path of project canals and reservoirs were bullied into selling their lands at rock-bottom prices, only to find out a few years later that the water project would probably never ever be built.

H.R. 4301 will allow farmers to buy back their old lands at a significant savings from the currently appraised value. This is a fair and appropriate solution to a problem that has taken far too long to resolve.

I again offer congratulations and express our appreciation to Ms. Herseth, and I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 4301.

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

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

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

Madam Speaker, the majority has already explained the purpose of H.R. 3603, which was introduced by the gentleman from Idaho, Representative Mike Simpson.

Contrary to the impression that may have been given, H.R. 3603 is controversial legislation that is being rushed to the floor today without even the benefit of a committee report or a Congressional Budget Office cost estimate. The ranking Democrat on the resources committee, Representative Nick Rahall, opposes this bill and others share his concern with the legislation.

Madam Speaker, H.R. 3603 is a controversial and complex measure that should be carefully considered. And as such, we do not support passage of H.R. 3603 by the House today.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I yield 7 minutes to the gentlewoman from New York, Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney.

Madam Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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

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

Madam Speaker, the majority has already explained the purpose of H.R. 233, which was introduced by my colleague from California, Representative Mike Thompson. The gentleman is to be commended for his efforts to preserve the wild lands of his Northern California district. He has worked diligently with Federal, State, and local interests to preserve and enhance the wilderness experience.

Madam Speaker, overall, we support H.R. 233, and we recommend its adoption by the House today.

Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Northern California (Mr. Thompson), the sponsor of this legislation.

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

Again, I want to say that we support H.R. 233, and I want to at this time take the opportunity to thank my colleague from Oregon, Mr. Walden. It has been a pleasure to manage these bills today with him.

Madam Speaker, we have no further speakers, and I yield back my time.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H. Con. Res. 125,

which expresses support for the designation and goals of ``Hire a Veteran Week'' and encourages the President to issue a proclamation supporting those goals. Certain technical abilities, discipline, teamwork, and commitment to getting a job done right the first time are among the unique skills, experiences, and qualities that our veterans possess as a result of their military service.

Civilian employers recognize these attributes as valuable to their companies. It is essential that the benefits of hiring a veteran be promoted in order to ensure that veterans are fully considered for civilian jobs upon separating from the U.S. Armed Forces.

Unfortunately, many veterans experience difficulty finding employment following their service in the U.S. Armed Forces. H. Con. Res. 125 and ``Hire a Veteran Week'' represent a commitment to improving the civilian professional and economic opportunities for the dedicated men and women who have worn our country's uniform.

I urge support for H. Con. Res. 125.

General Leave

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 62nd anniversary of the liberation of Guam. On July 21, 1944, Marines of the 3rd Marine Division and soldiers of the 77th Army Infantry stormed the shores of Asan and Agat to liberate the Chamorros, the indigenous people of Guam, from enemy occupation. The Imperial Japanese attacked, invaded, and then controlled Guam, at the outset of the War in the Pacific. Guam was the only American territory with a civilian population that was occupied by the enemy during World War II--an experience that had not occurred since the War of 1812.

The enemy occupation was a difficult time for the Chamorros. The Chamorro people, loyal Americans, endured atrocities including executions, beatings, forced labor, forced march and internment. They lost their freedom but remained loyal to the United States and resolute in the face of a brutal occupying force. The Chamorros proved their resilience and their patriotism during this trying time.

Today, we recall those who sacrificed. Both the liberated and the liberator are remembered. Liberation Day, which will be commemorated tomorrow on Guam, is a time for us to celebrate our freedoms and to honor those who fought and endured for our future.

The lives of many service members were lost in the battle to liberate Guam. Although the Chamorro people enjoy the freedoms they have today because of this sacrifice, the scars of their past remain. The story of the occupation and liberation of Guam is a story of courage, sacrifice, and resilience. It is a story worthy of commemoration and worthy of recognition. Liberation Day is our way of sharing and preserving this story.

The theme of Liberation Day this year is ``Sustaining our Freedom, Honoring our Heroes.'' Last week, we honored our heroes here at our Nation's capital with a solemn Wreath Laying Ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknowns in Arlington National Cemetery. I was privileged to lay a wreath with General Peter Pace, USMC, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. This wreath laying served as the national commemoration and paid tribute to the Chamorros who suffered the occupation and the Marines, Soldiers, Sailors, Coast Guardsmen, Merchant Mariners, and Airmen who lost their lives in the battle to liberate Guam.

This month the people of Guam have commemorated this sacrifice with ceremonies on our island. The people of Guam have gathered at Fena, Tinta, Faha, and Manenggon, historical sites where atrocities occurred. These sites and the stories of the horrors that occurred there remind us of the price of freedom. Tomorrow, the people of Guam will witness the annual Liberation Day parade. The parade is the culmination of the annual commemoration activities. Liberation Day is the most widely celebrated public holiday on Guam. The Liberation is a defining moment in our island's history. It is our day to celebrate our freedom. This year we renew our commitment to the cause of freedom, we honor our manamko, and we salute our fallen veterans. Si Yu'os un benidisi Amerika yan Si Yu'os un benidisi Guahan.

Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of H.R. 9, the Voting Rights Act Reauthorization and Amendments Act of 2006. The right to vote is the very foundation of our democracy. Yet millions of minority voters face discrimination when exercising this crucial right. As the most effective civil rights statute ever enacted, it is our duty to support the Voting Rights Act. H.R. 9 will better safeguard the rights of minorities. Throughout our history, minority groups have struggled hard to achieve the right to vote. Key provisions of the Voting Rights Act will expire if this legislation is not passed. We need to ensure that these hard-won gains are not rolled back.

The fight against voter discrimination is far from over. H.R. 9 provides more accountability in the voting process so that the votes of American citizens who are not fluent in English will be properly counted. In addition, this will effectively combat discrimination against voting minority groups. As a representative of a territory where the native language of Chamorro is widely spoken, among other languages, I can personally attest to the importance of accommodating non-native English speakers.

H.R. 9 is a necessary reinforcement to the cornerstone of our democracy. Minorities have a much greater voice today than decades before thanks to the Voting Rights Act. I urge my colleagues to support this important legislation.

Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of the amendment to H.R. 5672, the Science, State, Justice, and Commerce Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2007, offered by the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Andrews) and the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Jones). This amendment would prevent expenditure of funds in Fiscal Year 2007 for the implementation of a key revision to OMB Circular A-76 that was made on May 29, 2003.

I join many of my colleagues in expressing deep concern over the A-76 process. Adoption of this amendment would encourage conferees for this bill to establish balance in the A-76 process. Federal employees subjected to the A-76 process should be afforded the ability to appeal to the Government Accountability Office a decision to contract-out their position. Private contractors are already afforded a similar- appeal right, under the current process. This is a clear cut issue of fairness.

The A-76 studies conducted and piloted on Guam by the Department of Defense during the late 1990s offer telling examples of the flaws inherent in A-76 implementation. The process on Guam was carried out in a manner which resulted in the depletion of important inherently governmental functions previously performed by federal employees. And in some instances these decisions are proving to have cost the Federal Government precious resources and human capital.

I support reforming the A-76 process to afford public and private parties comparable treatment under this process. This amendment would give federal employees working for agencies funded by this bill the same appeal right currently enjoyed by contractors for those agencies. This is just one piece of the effort to institute some more fairness in the A-76 process.

I urge my colleagues' support for this amendment.

Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of the Pallone Amendment. This amendment directs the Department of Commerce to provide $1 million for the National Academy of Sciences to conduct a study of U.S. coastal areas facing the greatest impacts from global warming. My district of Guam, as an island in the Western Pacific, is in its entirety a coastal community. Guam is one of the several American communities directly facing the challenges associated with global climate change.

The islands in Oceania, including Guam, are particularly vulnerable to climate change, climate variability and sea level rise. Increased scientific and public policy cooperation on this issue would stand to benefit our island and coastal communities. The off-shore territories should not be neglected in the national effort to identify and address the challenges associated with this phenomenon.

We can identify and mitigate the effects of climate change by studying its impacts on our islands and coastlines. This amendment proposes a quality initial investment towards achieving this end. Our country can save money in the future and work towards protecting our lands and natural resources with this $1 million investment.

I support the Pallone Amendment. Its provisions are critical to helping us understand what areas of our country are most at risk. The study that would be funded by this amendment would yield the information we need to make more informed public policy decisions for the preservation of our country's coastlines.

I thank the gentleman from New Jersey, Mr. Pallone, and our colleague from Washington, Mr. Inslee, for their leadership on this issue. I urge support for their amendment.

Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of the amendment to H.R. 5672, the Science, State, Justice, Commerce, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2007, offered by the gentlelady from New York (Ms. Velazquez) that would lower the fees associated with the U.S. Small Business Administration's 7(a) loan program and ensure that the program continues as a public-private partnership. The 7(a) program is an important financing mechanism relied upon by entrepreneurs to gain access to lifeblood capital they need to strengthen, diversify, and expand their businesses and to hire new employees.

Small businesses are particularly vulnerable to failure due to the difficulty in accessing capital, especially during a firm's formative stages. Most banks look upon making seed loans to small businesses as risky. Entrepreneurs, as a result, are left without the resources to afford to buy new equipment, hire new employees, and make other necessary operational investments in their businesses. These are the investments that are necessary to strengthen and grow businesses.

The 7(a) program was designed and has been implemented specifically to address this gap in access to capital for American entrepreneurs. The program provides funding to underwrite loans made by local banks to small businesses. Funds provided through the 7(a) program relieved banks of the risks associated with lending to start-up small firms. In turn, small business gained access to important capital markets.

Integral to the 7(a) program was the approximately $79 million provided annually to offset a large portion of the fees charged to small business borrowers associated with their loans. These fees are paid upfront during the loan process. These fees present small businesses, especially cash-strapped start-ups, with a potentially prohibitive cost to accessing capital. The Administration has zeroed out this aspect of the 7(a) program in its budget proposals for fiscal years 2005, 2006 and 2007. Entrepreneurs wishing to borrow under the 7(a) program now pay the full amount of the fees associated with their loans, raising the barrier to capital for at-need companies.

In fact, small businesses on Guam paid $17,862 more in fee costs on the 57 loans made to them during fiscal year 2005. This is nearly $18,000 above what they would have paid during fiscal year 2004 on the same 57 loans. This additional amount is the direct result of the Administration cutting this aspect of 7(a) program funding. That is almost $18,000 dollars that small businesses in my district were unable to invest in equipment, training, salaries and other necessary operating costs.

The amendment before us today would restore $40 million of the approximately $79 million previously needed to offset fees associated with loans made under the authorities of the 7(a) program. This amount would significantly reduce the amounts small business owners are paying to receive 7(a) program loans. This amendment would not, however, reduce fee amounts to fiscal year 2004 levels. The U.S. Small Business Administration budget has been reduced significantly under the current Administration. It is becoming increasingly difficult to find offsets within the lean U.S. Small Business Administration budget to pay for necessary amendments such as this one.

Congress has shown bipartisan support for similar amendments in previous years. I urge my colleagues' support again this year. By supporting this amendment you will help ease the financial burdens on American small businessmen and women, so that they can continue their hard work driving our country's economy, producing innovative goods and services, and creating good jobs for America's talented workers.

I urge my colleagues' support for the Velaquez amendment.