Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3721) to amend the Omnibus Parks and Public Lands Management Act of 1996 to allow certain commercial vehicles to continue to use Route 209 within Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area and to allow the National Park Service to continue to collect fees from those vehicles, and for other purposes, as amended.

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 bill under consideration.

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

H.R. 3721, introduced by the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Sherwood) and amended by the Resources Committee, would amend the Omnibus Parks and Public Lands Management Act of 1996 to continue to permit certain commercial vehicles to utilize Route 209 within the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area in Pennsylvania as well as allow the National Park Service to continue to collect fees from these vehicles.

Since 1996, this route has become an increasingly important north- south artery connecting the two northeast Pennsylvania towns of Milford and Stroudsburg. While an alternate routes does exist outside the Recreation Area, the fact is that the route transverses a much more mountainous region and thus takes more time and is more dangerous, especially during the winter months. I urge adoption of the bill.

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield as much time as he may consume to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Sherwood).

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

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3981) to authorize the Secretary of Agriculture to carry out certain land exchanges involving small parcels of National Forest System land in the Tahoe National Forest in the State of California, 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 bill under consideration.

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

H.R. 3981, authored by the gentleman from California (Mr. Doolittle), would facilitate the exchange of two small tracts of land under the Small Tracts Act in the Tahoe National Forest in California.

The first would exchange 3 acres of mineral rights from the Forest Service to the owner of the surface in exchange for 7 acres of land adjacent to a Forest Service campground. The second would provide for the exchange of less than 1 acre owned by the Forest Service and located in the backyard of the property owner with a parcel of less than 1 acre near a Forest Service trailhead. The Forest Service has indicated its interest and support for these exchanges in correspondence to the landowners.

I urge you to support this important measure.

Mr. Speaker, 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 Senate bill (S. 161) to provide for a land exchange in the State of Arizona between the Secretary of Agriculture and Yavapai Ranch Limited Partnership.

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 bill under consideration.

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

S. 161, introduced by Senator McCain, provides for a land exchange in the State of Arizona between the Secretary of Agriculture and the Yavapai Ranch Limit Partnership.

This bill would consolidate the largest remaining checkerboard ownership in Arizona. The Forest Service will receive 35,000 acres of land and the Yavapai Ranch Limited Partnership would receive approximately 21,000 acres of land.

This legislation also creates the Verde River Basin Partnership to help resolve water issues. The goal of this collaborative group is to develop a water resource management plan and submit this plan to the Secretary of the Interior and the Governor of Arizona.

Nothing in this section would undermine State and local water laws. In fact, this legislation's partnership is simply a forum for planning and working together on the Verde Basin's pressing water issues. As such, there is a very serious expectation that the partnership will reach out to everyone in the basin's communities as it creates its plan. Holding town meetings, meeting with all levels of local government, and releasing draft documents for the general public's comment are just three items that the partnership is expected to perform.

I am confident that the partnership will truly be accountable to the local community who lives in the backyard of the Verde River. These local citizens have asked for and deserve the very best in having their voices heard and this legislation will meet that need. I urge adoption of the bill.

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield as much time as he may consume to the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Hayworth).

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

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 318) to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to study the suitability and feasibility of designating Castle Nugent Farms located on St. Croix, Virgin Islands, as a unit of the National Park System, 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 bill under consideration.

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

H.R. 318, introduced by my Resources Committee colleague Donna Christensen of the U.S. Virgin Islands, would authorize the Secretary of the Interior to study the suitability and feasibility of designating the Castle Nugent Farms located on St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, as a unit of the National Park System. I understand that the owners of the farm, the largest parcel of privately held land in the United States Virgin Islands, are aware of this legislation and support the national park study.

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 318 is supported by the majority and minority of the Resources Committee and the administration. Additionally, identical legislation was passed by the House in the 108th Congress.

I urge adoption of the bill.

Mr. Speaker, 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. 323) to redesignate the Ellis Island Library on the third floor of the Ellis Island Immigration Museum, located on Ellis Island in New York Harbor, as the ``Bob Hope Memorial Library''.

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 bill under consideration.

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

H.R. 323, introduced by the gentleman from New York (Mr. Engel), designates the library on the third floor of the Ellis Island museum as the Bob Hope Memorial Library.

Bob Hope arrived as an immigrant to Ellis Island in 1908 at the age of 4. Later, he became one of the country's greatest entertainers and was sometimes referred to as ``America's most famous immigrant.''

H.R. 323 simply renames the library on the third floor of the immigration station museum. The Hope family is supportive of the effort to redesignate the library.

I urge adoption of the bill.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the

bill (H.R. 326) to amend the Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area Act of 2000 to adjust the boundary of the Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area and to extend the authority of the Secretary of the Interior to provide assistance under that Act, as amended.

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 bill under consideration.

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

H.R. 326, introduced by Congressman Raul Grijalva, reduces the boundary of the Yuma Crossing Heritage Area. When the Yuma Crossing Heritage Area was authorized in 2000, the public in Yuma County did not understand the scope of the project and were surprised by the size of the designation. Citizens originally believed that the heritage area would focus mainly around the historic district. Many private property owners were not aware that they were also included in the new designation. Concerns were raised by citizens about the size of the designation and the potential for additional Federal oversight.

Local officials testified that there is now broad public support for the designation with the new reduced boundary.

I urge adoption of the bill.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today with a very heavy heart and I wish to ask the members in this chamber to join me in honoring a fallen soldier from Evans, Colorado. Last week, Private Tyler MacKenzie was killed in action while serving our Nation, in Iraq. He was a patriot that believed strongly in the freedoms we enjoy here in America and joined the Army to help defend the rights of citizens in Iraq.

This is particularly poignant because today Private MacKenzie would have commemorated his life in another way, by celebrating his 21st birthday. However, because of his willingness to serve and place his life on the line for others, we honor him as a fallen soldier.

Private MacKenzie comes from a family with a long military tradition. Both of his grandfathers, Emmett MacKenzie and Ron Borland, served in the Navy. Tyler's father, David, served in the Army during the first Gulf War and his Uncle Chuck was an Engineer in the Army. As a young child, Tyler lived in places like Louisiana and Germany as his dad's stations changed.

For the most part, however, Tyler grew up in the small town of Evans. He attended Greeley West High School and played football. After he graduated in 2003, Tyler worked in the family-owned business, MacKenzie Manufacturing.

He postponed joining the Army in order to train physically and recognized that he wanted to further mature. He did this because he knew once he joined that he would strive for the top and train for the elite Army special forces.

Once he joined, Tyler MacKenzie entered into the renowned 101st Airborne Division of the U.S. Army. He was in the 1st Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, and was stationed in Fort Campbell, Kentucky.

Sadly, Private MacKenzie was in Iraq only a short time. On November 2, 2005, after nearly three weeks in Iraq, he died in combat when a roadside bomb exploded near his armored Humvee in the southern part of Baghdad.

His courage is admirable, and as the legislative body that votes to send our service members into battle, I want to stress this point: He knew what he needed to do, and that was to join our military for at least one tour of duty to help defend our Nation so the same freedoms we have in America could soon be enjoyed by individuals throughout Iraq.

I spoke with his family, and they are heartbroken about their loss, undoubtedly. However, they are to be admired for their courage and continued dedication to America's military forces who are fighting terrorists in the Middle East. They continue to support the President and ask that America's leaders not give up this fight.

See, last November was the first time Tyler MacKenzie could vote in Federal elections, and he voted to support President Bush because he knew the President was the one he wanted to be Commander in Chief.

As a mother of a sailor, my heart goes out to Tyler's parents David and Julie MacKenzie and his sister Nicole.

Mr. Speaker, we are so fortunate to live in this great country where freedom is something that we rarely have to think about and often take for granted. It is simply a way of life for us, and we are truly blessed to live in a country that honors citizens for their spirit, their ideas, their individuality, and their courage. We can maintain the blessings of our freedoms only because we have citizens like Tyler who are willing to fight to defend them for us.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate a truly outstanding component of this Nation's defense--the 137th Space Warning Squadron based in Greeley, Colorado. For the fourth time in five years that squadron has won the Distinguished Mission Support Plaque. This coveted award is sponsored by the National Guard Association of the United States and is presented by Lt. General Daniel James, Director of the Air National Guard. Only five units from the entire Air National Guard are selected to receive this prestigious award recognizing superlative performance in the defense of our nation.

In congratulating the unit for its outstanding performance, I would like to give special recognition to the former commander of the 137th Space Warning Squadron, Brigadier General Select William E. Hudson, Air National Guard. During his nearly 10 years of service, from 1996 to 2005, Colonel Hudson served as Director of Operations and then as Commander of the unit. He led the unit through numerous real world and exercise operational programs. On September 11, 2001 and afterwards, Colonel Hudson ensured that the 137th Space Warning Squadron would meet and exceed its mission responsibilities to Air Force Space Command. I would also like to recognize Brigadier General Mike Edwards of the 140th Wing at Buckley Air Force Base and Major General Mason Whitney, the Colorado Adjutant General, for their superlative support of the 137th Space Warning Squadron.

In 2003 the squadron was rated ``Excellent'' by USAF Space Command's Operational Readiness Inspection Team for exceptional performance and outstanding leadership. In addition, the unit has received ratings of Excellent to Outstanding at countless inspections since its stand-up in 1996. The National Guard Association's Distinguished Mission Support Plaque showcases the outstanding leadership, operational ability, and professional competence of Colorado Air National Guardsmen and women at the 137th Space Warning Squadron.

I am so proud that this unit constantly goes above and beyond in its defense of Colorado

and the United States of America. I invite my colleagues to join me in thanking the men and women of the 137th Space Warning Squadron for their unparalleled service to our community and our Nation.

Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 534 I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.''

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 177) to amend the Reclamation Wastewater and Groundwater Study and Facilities Act to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to participate in the Prado Basin Natural Treatment System Project, to authorize the Secretary to carry out a program to assist agencies in projects to construct regional brine lines in California, to authorize the Secretary to participate in the Lower Chino Dairy Area desalination demonstration and reclamation project, and for other purposes, as amended.

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

Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. H.R. 177, introduced by our colleague from California (Mr. Gary G. Miller) provides Federal assistance for three water projects aimed at drought-proofing Southern California.

The bill will help develop wetlands to naturally clean surface water in the Santa Ana watershed. The bill also authorizes Federal assistance for the design and construction of a regional wastewater pipeline and a desalting plant.

The Federal cost share of these projects will not exceed 25 percent. This legislation promotes the development of new water technologies that create reliable water supplies and help reduces Southern California's dependence on imported water.

I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from California (Mr. Gary G. Miller).

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

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the Senate bill (S. 55) to adjust the boundary of Rocky Mountain National Park in the State of Colorado.

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

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

Madam Speaker, S. 55 is identical to H.R. 774, which I introduced earlier this year. S. 55 would authorize the Secretary of the Interior to accept a conveyance of 5.9 acres and in return convey approximately 70 acres to the MacGregor Ranch Trust in order to consolidate trailheads and improve visitor access in Rocky Mountain National Park.

According to the National Park Service, Rocky Mountain National Park is the fifth most visited park in the system. With the popularity of Rocky Mountain National Park, the park officials must continuously find ways to improve visitor access and enjoyment.

For this reason, Senator Allard and I introduced the Rocky Mountain National Park Boundary Adjustment Act of 2005. This is a straightforward piece of legislation, and it is legislation that is needed to enhance enjoyment and ease of access to a popular trailhead.

S. 55 would convey three strategic pieces of land to the park system from the MacGregor ranch, a historic working cattle ranch that is located within the boundary of the park. The new parcels of land would be used to build a new parking lot and road to offer improved access for the public, while protecting the historic integrity of the ranch.

The MacGregor ranch would, in turn, receive much-needed grazing land. I believe this is a long-term solution for both the park and the MacGregor ranch.

Madam Speaker, S. 55 is supported by the majority and the minority, and I urge passage of the bill.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the Senate bill (S. 156) to designate the Ojito Wilderness Study Area as wilderness, to take certain land into trust for the Pueblo of Zia, and for other purposes.

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

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

Madam Speaker, S. 156, introduced by Senator Bingaman of New Mexico, and a companion to H.R. 362 sponsored by the gentleman from New Mexico (Mr. Udall) would designate approximately the 11,000-acre Ojito Wilderness Area in Sandoval County, New Mexico, as wilderness. This Federal land was determined by the Bureau of Land Management in 1991 as suitable for wilderness designation. This bill would also take certain land into trust for the Pueblo of Zia to protect its religious and cultural sites in Zia.

Madam Speaker, S. 156 is supported by the majority and the minority of the administration. I urge adoption of the bill.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from New Mexico (Mrs. Wilson).

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Mr. Jeff Christensen, a National Park Service Ranger who tragically lost his life July 29, 2005, while on a backcountry patrol in the Mummy Range area of the majestic Rocky Mountain National Park in Northern Colorado.

Throughout his four seasons of service as a ranger with the National Park Service, Jeff was undoubtedly at home in the midst of some our country's most scenic and significant park land. I am very grateful for the dedication and enthusiasm Jeff displayed while serving our Nation in this capacity. He will be profoundly missed by all those whose lives he touched.

Jeff once remarked to a friend, ``You know, if I ever die while at work in the mountains, do not cry for me because you will know that I died doing what I love.'' I pray that Jeff's family and friends will take solace in Jeff's passion for the job he so deeply loved.

I extend my sincere gratitude for the hundreds of concerned citizens who joined in an exhaustive 8 day search for Jeff. The heroic efforts exhibited by members of the National Park Service and countless volunteers have not gone unnoticed.

To Jeff's parents, Dale and Chris Christensen, and his many friends and family members, I express the heart-felt sympathies of a community that shares in their loss. May my colleagues join in celebrating the life and service of Mr. Jeff Christensen.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor two veterans I know personally from my hometown of Fort Morgan, Colorado. Bob ``Pete'' Hobbs and Dominick Cardoza. I admire these two gentlemen for their service in the Navy, and their devotion to their families and community.

For 2 years, from 1954 to 1956, Pete and Dominick served together in the U.S. Navy aboard the USS Badoeng Strait, CVE 116. Both were assigned to the Second Division. Pete was on the deck and Dominick was in the Captain's Gig. It was during this time their friendship was forged, spending time at sea and taking part in a variety of military exercises.

They were also assigned to a gun crew that carried the responsibility of frequent firing exercises on a 40 mm gun. Because of these drills Dominick and Pete both suffer from tinnitus.

The most noteworthy of drills took place in 1956 while the Badoeng Strait operated around the Marshall Islands in the South Pacific during Operation Redwing. During these operations, Pete and Dominick were part of the crew that remained on the ship's deck during ``Test Series of Atomic Weapons Devices.'' In the distance, H-bombs were exploded and this ship and the crew were subjected to the long range effects of the blasts, on numerous occasions.

The sailors were simply told not to look at the blast and to turn their backs. They were exposed to ionizing radiation. Afterwards the crew was checked for radiation and required to take a salt water bath. They were required to remove their clothes before entering the lower decks of the boat, and their garments were destroyed because of the radiation. The ship itself was scrubbed with Tide detergent.

They were told that the worst possible effect of the radiation was sterilization, nothing else!

In 1957, the Badoeng Strait was put out of commission in Bremerton, Washington. During the decommissioning process, Dominick and Pete were assigned to the lower deck for maintenance. They used air hammers to chip the paint from the decks and bulkheads. They were given no ear protection and, as a result, they both suffer from hearing loss. They were also exposed to asbestos, which covered much of the ship.

Afterwards, Dominick Cardoza was assigned to the USS Lexington, CVA 16, an aircraft carrier. Pete Hobbs was assigned to the USS Vega, AF 59, a supply ship.

I am touched by the story of Pete's and Dominick's service and sacrifice. As a direct result of the elements they were exposed to, both men are suffering from serious health complications. Pete has thyroid cancer and Dominick has other personal health problems.

Despite their enormous personal challenges, I find these men to be very uplifting and encouraging. They remain good friends today and live in Fort Morgan, Colorado. In addition, their wives Chris Hobbs and Sue Cardoza deserve respect and admiration for supporting their husbands.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor these two veterans who served our country with such distinctions. They are heroes that walk among us. I ask my colleagues in Congress to recognize their work and their sacrifices on behalf of our Nation, as well as the joy for life they have to this day.

May God bless all of our precious veterans and may he continue to bless this great Nation.

Mr. Speaker, as our Nation honors Gold Star Mothers, I rise today to honor a Gold Star mother from Colorado. Everyone knows that teachers have a heart for kids. Marian Lutters from Burlington, Colorado, devoted much of her life to elementary students.

Before he left for Iraq, Mrs. Lutters' students were privileged to have her son Derrick come to her second grade classroom. He explained that he was going to Iraq as a soldier. He explained what the conflict was all about and what he wanted to accomplish. The young students were attentive and some of them later wrote letters to Derrick while he was in Iraq.

Sadly, Derrick Lutters lost his life in battle on May 1, 2005, during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Derrick's death was a tragedy for his family and the entire community. Small towns are like that--they are like family and very close knit. Derrick's friends and former co-workers were devastated by the loss.

Marian Lutters expressed how proud the entire family was of her son, ``He said he wanted to protect people and help establish a better way of life, especially for children.'' Her words aptly honor her son's ultimate sacrifice.

Mrs. Lutters is supported by the entire community, and it is my desire that she also feels the continued respect, admiration, and heartfelt sympathy from the Members of Congress and Americans across the country.