Floor Statements

Mr. Chairman, I offer an amendment.

Mr. Chairman, I respectfully request that the House adopt the Bordallo-Christensen-Faleomavaega amendment to the fiscal year 2005 Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services appropriations bill.

For years, Mr. Chairman, citizens of the United States territories have experienced numerous disparities with respect to health care access and quality. While many of the reasons for such disparities must be resolved at the local level, there are several Federal programs whose administration in the territories contribute to these observed disparities. The most notable and glaring deficiency are Medicaid funding ceilings to the U.S. territories as mandated by section 1108 of the Social Security Act.

In Guam, Medicaid and the SCHIP combined cover only about 25 percent of all estimated costs eligible for Medicaid-matching grants. Similar Federal funding shortages have been experienced in all U.S. territories as a result of section 1108 funding caps. U.S. territories were hit particularly hard by the previous recession where unemployment caused territorial governments to cover the spiraling uninsured health care costs despite shrinking revenues.

The amendment would provide a temporary boost in Medicaid funding to Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands in order to assist those governments in meeting critical shortages in public health funding. This amendment is offset by reducing by 8 million funding for the John E. Fogarty International Center.

Mr. Chairman, while I support the mission of the John E. Fogarty International Center, I feel that it is important to concentrate on providing adequate health care to citizens in the U.S. territories before investing further in international health care research. Funding for the John E. Fogarty International Center would be reduced to just under fiscal year 2003 levels, at which time the center had experienced consecutive years of double-digit percentage funding increases.

Mr. Chairman, this amendment has bipartisan support based on the hearing that we had chaired by the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Burton).

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, H.R. 4115 would allow binding arbitration clauses to be included in all contracts that affect the lands within the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Reservation.

The idea behind this legislation is to provide a comfort level to those wanting to enter into business agreements with this particular tribe. Should a conflict arise in any business contract, this legislation would allow both the tribe and the business partner to avoid the normal channel of the tribal court system.

Mr. Speaker, I support adoption of H.R. 4115 by the House today.

Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and 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, National Heritage Areas protect and interpret some of the best stories and places in American history. Heritage Areas have been enormously popular and successful partnerships between the local communities and the National Park Service.

This legislation makes important technical changes to several existing Heritage Areas and establishes several new ones.

We urge our colleagues to support this measure.

Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers, and 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 gentlewoman from California's (Mrs. Bono) bill, H.R. 3874, would transfer a parcel of BLM land in North Palm Springs, California, to a charitable organization.

As the administration testified before our committee, the Federal Government would normally require some amount of compensation for a land conveyance such as this one, a requirement this legislation waives. However, it appears that, in this instance, making this conveyance free of charge may be in the best interests of the entire community.

Father Joe's Village has a long history of working in the community to address the problems of unemployment, substance abuse and homelessness. It is our hope that this conveyance will enable this organization to continue its fine work and expand whatever projects that are currently ongoing.

Mr. Speaker, I have no additional speakers, and 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, as many of my colleagues know, the Colorado River Basin is now experiencing the worst drought in 500 years. H.R. 1156 authorizes a modest increase in Federal financial support to expand water recycling in southern California's Orange County water district.

There is a strong Federal interest in completing this project, as it will help reduce the amount of water that now must be imported from the Colorado River. I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Loretta Sanchez) for introducing this important legislation.

I urge support for H.R. 1156.

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

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, H.R. 2831 would provide for the transfer of the Bureau of Reclamation land in Nevada to the Truckee-Carson Irrigation District. My Republican colleagues have already explained the legislation, and we have no objection.

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

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, as introduced, the gateway community legislation sponsored by the gentleman from California (Mr. Radanovich) was controversial. However, over the last 2 years, committee staff, outside groups, and the agencies themselves have worked cooperatively to resolve many of the issues presented by this legislation. Recently, enough progress was made that the bill is before us today.

We agree with the National Parks Conservation Association, however, H.R. 1014 is not perfect. It is our hope as this legislation is considered by the other body, all of the interested parties might continue working cooperatively to resolve some of the remaining issues. Furthermore, Members should realize that H.R. 1014 represents yet another piece of legislation placing new duties upon our Federal land managers.

As we continue to work on the Interior appropriations legislation, I would call on all Members to work together to ensure that our Federal land management agencies receive funding sufficient to meet not only their current operations and maintenance needs, but also to cover any new responsibilities we are placing on them through legislation such as H.R. 1014. In many ways, an increase in funding will do as much to improve the communication and cooperation between Federal land management agencies and their neighbors as new authorizing legislation.

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

Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and 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 appreciate the adequate description of the legislation provided by the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Hayworth).

To briefly reiterate, H.R. 2619 would virtually double the size of the existing Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge on the Hawaiian island of Kauai.

The purpose of this 219-acre expansion would be to protect the scarce and threatened habitats for several endangered species of Hawaiian wildlife. This noncontroversial legislation is strongly supported by the State of Hawaii, the mayor of Kauai, the Kauai County Council, and the citizens of the Kilauea.

That this expansion will be executed entirely through willing seller purchases is testament to the tireless consensus-building which has been accomplished by the gentleman from Hawaii (Mr. Case). Both the Committee on Resources ranking member, the gentleman from West Virginia (Mr. Rahall), and I commend the gentleman from Hawaii for his efforts to protect special areas of the Hawaiian environment. I urge Members to support this legislation.

Mr. CASE, Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 2619, my Kilauea Point National Wildlife Expansion Act. This bill authorizes the addition of 234 invaluable acres to the Refuge, a national treasure, currently home to a variety of endangered and threatened seabirds as well as Hawai`i's endangered state bird, the nene (Hawaiian Goose).

This bill is a vital component of one of my principal goals in Congress: to ensure that federal and/or state or private protection is extended to as many of Hawai`i's threatened and irreplaceable areas as possible, both to ensure the survival and recovery of Hawai`i's unique endangered and threatened species and to preserve the dwindling unspoiled resources of our beautiful islands for future generations.

The Kilauea National Wildlife Refuge, located at the northernmost tip of Kaua`i, was established in 1985. The initial acreage of 31 acres was increased to 203 acres through additional acquisitions in 1993 and 1994. The refuge provides invaluable habitat for many native seabirds, including the Laysan Albatross, the Red-footed Booby, and the Wedge- tailed Shearwater, as well as for the endangered nene. Endangered native plants have also been reintroduced to the area. The Refuge and its historic lighthouse have become one of Hawai`i's world-class tourist destinations, visited by some 300,000 visitors each year. It is one of the most heavily visited refuges in the United States.

The proposed expansion area comprises five parcels of some 234 acres adjoining the boundary of the Refuge on both the east and west sides. The Kilauea River runs through a portion of the land, which also includes an extensive lo'i (irrigated terrace for traditional cultivation of taro, the staple crop of Native Hawaiians) which could be restored to support endangered Hawaiian water birds, including the Hawaiian duck (Koloa), Hawaiian coot (`Alae `ke`oke`o), Hawaiian stilt (Ae`o), and Hawaiian moorhen (`Alae `ula). There is also a high quality estuarine ecosystem at the lower reaches of the river, which includes habitat for endangered birds as well as native stream life, such as the hihiwai (an endemic snail), o`opu (native goby), the native sleeper fish, flagtail, mullet, prawn, shrimp, invertebrates and juveniles of several important recreational and commercial marine fish species. The proposed addition also provides excellent additional habitat for the nene, which was only recently saved from extinction. The beach is also sometimes used by endangered Hawaiian monk seals, and threatened and endangered sea turtles nest in the area.

The upper end of the proposed expansion area contains one of the largest waterfalls (Kilauea Falls) in the state of Hawai`i.

One of the parcels, 5 acres of valuable beachfront property, was donated after introduction of the bill by a private owner to the Kauai Public Land Trust for eventual transfer to the Fish & Wildlife Service. The owner of another 15-acre parcel has expressed his desire to donate it to the Refuge. The other parcels are on the market, although their owners are amenable to acquisition by the Refuge.

The Kilauea community strongly supports the Refuge. In fact, the Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge is a model for management of other federal refuges nationwide. The operations of the Refuge are supported by community volunteers, who give daily tours of the Refuge and help in the preservation and propagation of native plant species. The principal volunteer group, Kilauea Point Natural History Association, even has a small store in the Visitor Center, the proceeds of which support environmental education programs throughout Kaua`i.

H.R. 2619 is supported by Kaua`i's Mayor Bryan Baptiste, State Senator Gary L. Hooser, State Representatives Hermina M. Morita and Ezra Kanoho, the Kaua`i County Council, the State Department of Land and Natural Resources, the Kilauea Neighborhood Association, the Kaua`i Public Land Trust, the Kilauea Point Natural History Association, and the Hawai`i Chapter of the Sierra Club. I want to take a moment to thank some of the individuals in Kaua`i whose dedication and commitment to the Refuge and the endangered species it protects inspired development of this bill: Gary Smith, Gary and Beryl Blaich, Susan Boynton, Janis Lyon, and Katie Pickett.

I also want to take this opportunity to thank Resources Subcommittee on Fisheries Conservation, Oceans and Wildlife Chair Wayne Gilchrest and Ranking Member Frank Pallone for moving this bill through their subcommittee, as well as Committee Chair Richard Pombo and Ranking Nick Rahall for helping to bring the bill to the floor today. I would also like to recognize the work of Committee and Subcommittee staff, in particular Dave Jansen and Jim Zoia on the minority staff and Harry Burroughs, Dave Whaley, Mike Correia, and Steve Ding on the majority staff.

I respectfully ask my colleagues to support H.R. 2619 and invite you to come to the Island of Kaua`i to visit our Refuge. I know that if you did so, you would be as convinced as I am of the importance of protecting these previous lands.

Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and 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 drought in the Colorado River Basin is a serious crisis. H.R. 2991 would help support the construction of regional water recycling projects in southern California. These projects can help stabilize water supplies and reduce the need to use water from the Colorado River. Local communities have made substantial investments in the projects, and they deserve our support.

I urge my colleagues to support this legislation authored by my colleague from California (Mr. Dreier).

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

Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and 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, H.R. 3785, as amended, represents a cooperative effort among the bill's sponsor, the Committee on Resources, the National Park Service and other Federal and State agencies to help restore natural water flows that are very important to the health and well-being of the Everglades in Florida. This legislation presents a workable solution to the resource management needs in this area, and we support adoption of the bill by the House today.

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

Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and 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 significance of the Lewis and Clark Expedition in the history of the United States cannot be overstated. Once enacted, H.R. 3819 will ensure that the critical ``turnaround'' chapter of the Lewis and Clark story, which took place once they reached the west coast, can be fully explored and the relevant sites fully conserved and interpreted.

H.R. 3819, sponsored by the gentleman from Washington State (Mr. Baird), would implement the preferred alternative identified in the recently completed Lower Columbia Lewis and Clark Sites Boundary Study. The gentleman from Washington (Mr. Baird) is to be commended for his diligence in getting this measure to the floor and for his dedication as a steward of the Lewis and Clark story.

We urge our colleagues to support this measure.

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Washington (Mr. Baird), the author of this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and 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, H.R. 142 would support the construction of desalting and water recycling projects in Southern California. These projects can help stabilize water supplies and reduce the need to use water from the Colorado River. Local communities have made substantial investments in the project, and they do deserve our support.

I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and 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 majority has already explained the purpose of H.R. 3932. While it is unusual to have a hydroelectric facility in a national park, this is a nearly 100-year-old use that has been and will continue to be held to a very high standard to ensure that there is no degradation of park resources.

The National Park Service supports this legislation, as amended, and we appreciate the willingness of the majority to work with us to see that high standards for the use of national parks

are maintained and that the park is adequately compensated for this use of park resources.

We support this legislation.

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

Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and 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, as noted, H.R. 4158 is a noncontroversial piece of legislation to convey to the Government of Mexico at no cost to the U.S. taxpayer the decommissioned hydrographic survey vessel Whiting from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

I want to go on record to commend the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Ortiz) for recognizing the value of conveying the vessel to help strengthen the Mexican Government's civilian hydrographic survey capabilities in the Gulf of Mexico and to participate in joint hydrographic operations with the United States.

Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and 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 majority has already explained the purpose of H.R. 4170, which was introduced by the gentleman from California (Mr. Pombo), the chairman of the Committee on Resources, at the request of the administration. At this point, Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank publicly the chairman, the gentleman from California (Mr. Pombo), for attending the 60th anniversary of Guam's liberation this past weekend in Tracy, California.

On behalf of the Committee on Resources ranking member, the gentleman from West Virginia (Mr. Rahall), we appreciate the willingness of the chairman and his staff to make changes to the bill to address concerns about the use of volunteers in regulatory and legal offices within the Department of Interior.

Mr. Speaker, with those changes, we have no objection to the passage of H.R. 4170, as amended, by the House today.

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