Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Arizona Western College, a community college in southwestern Arizona that serves over 13,000 full-time and part-time students in Yuma and La Paz Counties. Arizona Western College, in collaboration with Arizona Public Service and Power Purchase Agreement Inc., will be establishing the largest array of solar energy panels of any college in the country. The total solar installation, which will be on the college's main campus in Yuma, Arizona, will be 5 megawatts, generating enough energy to cover 100% of the college's energy needs.

The installation will also be a testing site for manufacturers around the world as well as the foundation for education and workforce development in renewable energy technology. Arizona Western College is in the process of developing curriculum in solar energy technology, ranging from occupational certificates to an associate's degree program while plans to partner with university programs for bachelor and master's degrees are also underway. The installation will not only provide a source of clean energy for the campus, but it will also help train the next generation of ``green collar'' professionals. While the solar array will most surely change the face of the local economy, it also has the potential to impact solar technology research and education on a national and global scale. By training individuals in these technologies and supporting technological advances in solar energy production, Arizona Western College is leading the way to a clean energy economy.

Arizona Western College's decision to enter this partnership will help reduce our country's dependence on unsustainable fossil fuels, actions which I applaud. By investing in renewable energy technologies and research, Arizona Western College will help make these technologies more affordable and readily available across America. Our country has been at the forefront of past technological revolutions, and with Arizona Western College spearheading the effort, America will be the leading innovator in solar energy technology.

This project takes us one step closer to establishing a sustainable energy future. As a member of the House Committee on Natural Resources, I not only admire but also wholeheartedly support Arizona Western College's initiative to help lead the country in developing technologies that will help harness the power of the sun.

Madam Speaker, I rise today honor the employees of Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument. The staff of Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument has been recognized by the Intermountain Region's Wilderness Stewardship Awards Program with the top award for 2009 as true Wilderness Champions.

Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument covers 330,689 acres and, of that acreage, 95 percent is designated wilderness. Founded in 1937, the employees of this National Monument have continuously monitored and evaluated the land use and local environment. President Franklin D. Roosevelt preserved this land for its scenic views but also for its ecological wonders. Having been occupied by American Indians, Mexicans and Europeans the diverse history of this land makes it valuable around the globe. In addition, in 1976 the United Nations bestowed the title of International Biosphere Reserve on Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument further confirming not only its local importance, but its value internationally. Twenty-six species of cactus flourish in the harsh conditions, as well as many species of birds, lizards, bats and rodents. They all delicately coexist in this wonderful ecosystem.

Until the 1970s, this land was used for ranching and mining, making the jobs of the current staff challenging. Catching up with the damage done during these times has proven to be the stimulus for all the wonderful projects taken on by the employees at Organ Pipe. Most notable is the Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument Ecological Monitoring Program. This program has been diligently working since 1997 to monitor and evaluate critical aspects of the region. From reporting changes in the ecosystem, to documenting damage to the land by neighboring developers, this program has proven vital to the stability of the National Monument, as well as to the ecosystem of Southern Arizona.

Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument is also a vital part of the community and offers guided tours, hiking, camping, excellent birding and plenty of beautiful picnic areas. Organ Pipe also offers wonderful educational opportunities through student field trips and its

participation in the VIEWs program through the National Park Service.

The men and women employed at Organ Pipe monitor this delicate ecosystem while still preserving this beautiful area. The staff take bi-annual photos in eight different areas to monitor land use and development along the Mexico border, annually monitor spring and summer lizards and their habits in the Sonoran Desert, and have set up an annual climate monitoring system for which the data are all reported into their ORPI Ecological Monitoring Report. Through the staff's efforts, the stability of this wonderful, natural resource is protected.

The employees of Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument who have been honored with this award truly deserve it. They are vital players in the protection of America's wild lands. As a member of the House Committee on Natural Resources and, having seen our community grow to over a million people during my lifetime, I know the importance of protecting these delicate areas. It gives me great joy to see such wonderful people giving of themselves to preserve and protect this spectacular region of Southern Arizona.

Madam Speaker, it is my pleasure to rise today to honor Maurice Grossman, one of Tucson's true treasures, who passed away January 21st at the age of 82.

Maurice was beloved by many who knew him, not just for his art but for his dedication to human rights and the Democratic Party.

A retired art professor from the University of Arizona, Maurice Grossman spent his life as a ceramic artist, activist and a leader in the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender community.

Maurice served in the Navy during World War II, before attending Wayne State University in Detroit. After attending and teaching at other universities, he traveled to Japan as a Fulbright scholar, then finally to Tucson to teach.

The founder of the University of Arizona's ceramics program in 1955, Maurice received several prestigious awards during his career, including a National Endowment for the Arts grant in 1986 and the UA's Creative Teaching Award. Maurice's commitment to supporting other artists' was unflagging and genuine. He would invariably turn up at openings and contribute his works to galleries, both big and small.

Always the activist, Maurice single-handedly took it upon himself to register people to vote. He felt that it was his duty to make sure that everyone, regardless of background, had a voice. When he retired in 1989, he became more involved in the effort to help fight discrimination against the LGBT community.

Maurice was quoted in a 2004 article as saying, ``It's not just about equal rights for us. It's about equal rights for everyone. Do we want to take a step forward or a step back?''

Maurice never stepped back. He was an extraordinary man and a true individual. His role as an activist for equality and human rights will not soon be forgotten.

I was privileged to know Maurice personally. Always enthusiastic, I could count on not only his support but his passion. His dedication to the community was never-ending.

Madam Speaker, I rise to honor Maurice Grossman and thank him for being a role model for so many of us.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to all the staff at the Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge. The Refuge consists of a beautiful 118,000 acres of mountains, riparian zones, and grasslands in the Southern Arizona desert and contains majestic areas such as Brown Canyon, Arivaca Cienega and the Baboquivari Mountains.

The Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge is a sanctuary for many different types of wildlife including the Pima pineapple cactus, the

pygmy-owl and the endangered masked bobwhite quail. Additionally, 325 bird species, 53 species of reptiles and amphibians, 58 mammal species, including mule deer, white-tailed deer, pronghorn, javelina, and mountain lions all call the Refuge home. Without the protection of the Refuge, many of these species would disappear and be lost to us forever. The Refuge is also a vital part of the community and offers guided tours, hiking, camping, horseback riding, mountain biking, excellent birding, and plenty of beautiful picnic areas. The Refuge even offers wonderful educational opportunities through volunteer projects and nature workshops.

The men and women employed at the Refuge work tirelessly to preserve this beautiful area. Through their efforts, the Refuge has successfully reintroduced the endangered bobwhite quail and the pronghorn deer into the wild and ensures their continued protection. These people are truly the guardians of an environmental treasure and view their task as a privilege, not just a job.

In addition to the wonderful staff at the Refuge, an exemplary group of volunteers known as the Friends of the Buenos Aires National Refuge dedicate their time to the community education conservation, and preservation of this wonderful land. This non-profit group gives selflessly to promote the goals of the Refuge and with the help of the Refuge staff; they recently held the 1st Annual Grasslands Fair to celebrate this beloved land.

The Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge, its staff, and the volunteers who dedicate their time are all truly valued players in the protection of America's wild lands. Being a member of the House Committee on Natural Resources and having seen our community grow to over a million people, during my lifetime, I know the importance of protecting areas like the Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge. It gives me great joy to see such wonderful people giving of themselves to preserve and protect this spectacular region of Southern Arizona.

Madam Speaker, it is my pleasure to rise today to honor Maurice Grossman, one of Tucson's true treasures, who passed away January 21st at the age of 82.

Maurice was beloved by many who knew him, not just for his art but for his dedication to human rights and the Democratic Party.

A retired art professor from the University of Arizona, Maurice Grossman spent his life as a ceramic artist, activist and a leader in the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender community.

Maurice served in the Navy during World War II, before attending Wayne State University in Detroit. After attending and teaching at other universities, he traveled to Japan as a Fulbright scholar, then finally to Tucson to teach.

The founder of the University of Arizona's ceramics program in 1955, Maurice received several prestigious awards during his career, including a National Endowment for the Arts grant in 1986 and the UA's Creative Teaching Award. Maurice's commitment to supporting other artists was unflagging and genuine. He would invariably turn up at openings and contribute his works to galleries, both big and small.

Always the activist, Maurice single-handedly took it upon himself to register people to vote. He felt that it was his duty to make sure that everyone, regardless of background, had a voice. When he retired in 1989, he became more involved in the effort to help fight discrimination against the LGBT community.

Maurice was quoted in a 2004 article as saying, ``It's not just about equal rights for us. It's about equal rights for everyone. Do we want to take a step forward or a step back?''

Maurice never stepped back. He was an extraordinary man and a true individual. His role as an activist for equality and human rights will not soon be forgotten.

I was privileged to know Maurice personally. Always enthusiastic, I could count on not only his support but his passion. His dedication to the community was never-ending.

Madam Speaker, I rise to honor Maurice Grossman and thank him for being a role model for so many of us.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to all the staff at the Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge. The Refuge consists of a beautiful 118,000 acres of mountains, riparian zones, and grasslands in the Southern Arizona desert and contains majestic areas such as Brown Canyon, Arivaca Cienega and the Baboquivari Mountains.

The Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge is a sanctuary for many different types of wildlife including the Pima pineapple cactus, the pygmy-owl and the endangered masked bobwhite quail.Additionally, 325 bird species, 53 species of reptiles and amphibians, 58 mammal species, including mule deer, white-tailed deer, pronghorn, javelina, and mountain lions all call the Refuge home. Without the protection of the Refuge, many of these species would disappear and be lost to us forever. The Refuge is also a vital part of the community and offers guided tours, hiking, camping, horseback riding, mountain biking, excellent birding, and plenty of beautiful picnic areas. The Refuge even offers wonderful educational opportunities through volunteer projects and nature workshops.

The men and women employed at the Refuge work tirelessly to preserve this beautiful area. Through their efforts, the Refuge has successfully reintroduced the endangered bobwhite quail and the pronghorn deer into the wild and ensures their continued protection. These people are truly the guardians of an environmental treasure and view their task as a privilege, not just a job.

In addition to the wonderful staff at the Refuge, an exemplary group of volunteers known as the Friends of the Buenos Aires National Refuge dedicate their time to the community education conservation, and preservation of this wonderful land. This nonprofit group gives selflessly to promote the goals of the Refuge and with the help of the Refuge staff; they recently held the 1st Annual Grasslands Fair to celebrate this beloved land.

The Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge, its staff, and the volunteers who dedicate their time are all truly valued players in the protection of America's wild lands. Being a member of the House Committee on Natural Resources and having seen our community grow to over a million people, during my lifetime, I know the importance of protecting areas like the Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge. It gives me great joy to see such wonderful people giving of themselves to preserve and protect this spectacular region of southern Arizona.

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to House Resolution 908, I call up the bill (H.R. 2781) to amend the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to designate segments of the Molalla River in Oregon, as components of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System, and for other purposes, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and insert extraneous material on H.R. 2781.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 2781, introduced by our friend and colleague, a new Member of this House, Representative Kurt Schrader of Oregon. H.R. 2781 would add just over 21 miles of the Molalla River in northwestern Oregon to the Wild and Scenic Rivers System. This beautiful mountain river rises in the Cascade Range east of Salem. It flows through old-growth forests and deep-rock canyons until it meets the Willamette River near the town of Canby, Oregon.

More than 20,000 people in the towns of Canby and Molalla draw drinking water from the river. The Molalla is a short drive from Portland and is a popular destination for thousands of people who recreate along the river every year. Steelhead, salmon, and cutthroat trout rely on the river for crucial spawning and nursery habitat.

The river corridor served as a trail for indigenous tribes long before European settlers reached its banks, and early pioneers found the river a vital source of drinking water for homesteading, as well as an important trade route.

In more recent times, however, the river was the victim of neglect, with illegal dumping and other activities degrading the water quality. This degradation prompted creation of a broad-based coalition of more than 45 nonprofit, civic and conservation groups; local, regional, State, and Federal agencies; numerous waters users; and property owners dedicated to protecting and preserving the Molalla River.

The alliance is a leading supporter of Representative Schrader's bill, as well as the city of Molalla and Clackamas County. They believe the designation will help keep the Molalla clean and free-flowing, while attracting more visitors to the river corridor. More visitors, more fishermen, more kayakers, more campers, and more hikers mean more meals at local restaurants, more stays at local hotels, more customers for outfitters and guides, and more economic development for the local communities.

Mr. Speaker, the bill before us today designates two segments of the Molalla River: 15.1 miles on the main stem and 6.2 miles on the Table Rock Floor. These designations are consistent with recommendations from the Bureau of Land Management, and the administration supports this legislation.

When Representative Schrader testified before the Natural Resources Committee on this bill, he asked the committee to consider whether this ``wild and scenic'' designation would have any impact on roughly 400 acres of timberland included in the corridor. As my colleagues are well aware, this is a significant issue in Oregon because the revenue generated by harvesting Federal timber is used to fund public education in the State.

Since the hearing, both Representative Schrader and the committee have clarified two important points: the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act does not prohibit logging, and there are no logging contracts in place or planned for the river corridor anyway. We were pleased to be able to resolve the concerns of the bill's sponsor.

Mr. Speaker, Congress created the Wild and Scenic Rivers System in 1968 to preserve rivers with outstanding natural, cultural and recreational values in their free-flowing state. The Molalla is a worthy addition to that system. I commend Congressman Schrader for his hard work in crafting the bill and helping the committee prepare the bill for consideration by the House today.

I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 2781.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I will yield as much time as he may consume to the sponsor of the legislation, Congressman Schrader, who did a magnificent job and had a collaborative effort with communities and agencies in bringing this legislation forward.

Mr. Speaker, in reference to the drip, drip, drip, the current BLM management plan for this area was begun by the Bush administration. And what's more, the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act does not prohibit logging. It says it must be done carefully.

I yield to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Quigley) for his comments, sir.

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Oregon (Mr. Blumenauer).

Mr. Speaker, let me tell my friend from Oregon, Mr. Walden, that his comments are appreciated.

I agree with you. There is a universal question about balance, restoration, and protection of our great forests, and I look forward to discussing those.

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the sponsor of the legislation, Mr. Schrader.

Mr. Speaker, let me yield 3 minutes to my friend, Congressman Wu.

There are no additional speakers.

Mr. Speaker, during the course of this debate, we interchanged ``wilderness'' for ``wild and scenic river'' designations throughout. But I think the point that Mr. Hastings made was an important one. And all of us were happy to work with Mr. Hastings to address the wilderness road issue that it raised. It was in his district. He wanted it. He wanted to get it fixed, and so it was done.

This is Mr. Schrader's district, and he wants it so we should respect that as well. I want to also congratulate him on the fine work. This was a participatory process, stakeholders at the table. It was a process that everybody has an investment in, and the consequence of that process, and the fine work done by Mr. Schrader, is that we have buy-in, and we have tremendous support for it.

Part of what we were talking about today as well were the claims. First, it was claims that this would stop logging. We pointed out that there was no logging on the land due to a management prerogative by the Bush administration. Then it was claimed, well, this might stop logging in the future. We pointed out that the wild and scenic rivers designation and the act does not stop logging in the future. So, then it was claimed, well, litigation might stop logging. Well, as the claims and the discussion changes, the argument keeps changing. I think this is a good piece of legislation. I urge all my colleagues to support it.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor an incredible public servant and community leader who has made an indelible mark on the Sonoran Desert region and on the community of Tucson, Arizona. Maeveen Marie Behan has changed the face of Pima County and will leave a legacy of successful community-based conservation planning and endangered species protection throughout the country by the work she has accomplished in Southern Arizona.

Maeveen Marie Behan, JD, PhD, was born July 13, 1961 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Maeveen lived in numerous states as a child and graduated from the University of Georgia with a BA in English. While in high school, Maeveen was the first woman in Georgia to break the six-minute mile. She continued her athletic prowess on the tennis court and has always loved to run races in any city where she vacationed. She is a rabid lifelong Alabama football and Chapel Hill basketball fan.

Maeveen met the love of her life, Harry Goldwasser, while they were students together at the University of Georgia. Harry and Maeveen married in 1986. Maeveen is devoted to her bloodhounds, ``Sweet Peas'' Charlie and Hermione, and has written a series of children's stories based on her dogs.

After Maeveen received her Juris Doctorate from the University of Alabama School of Law, and her husband Harry completed his residency at UNC Chapel Hill, they moved to Arizona, where they lived in Chinle while Maeveen worked for the Navajo Nation. They moved to Tucson in 1992 and Maeveen went to work for Pima County, where her career has encompassed numerous projects. In December 2006, Maeveen received her doctorate in Arid Lands Research Sciences researching the role of folklore in conservation; the title of her dissertation is Science and Lore in Animal Law. Reading up to four books a day, her interests are extremely diverse. She relishes mysteries, cartoons, myths, fables, and folklore throughout history.

Her extraordinary intelligence, integrity and high standards are reflected in everything she sets her hand to. Maeveen has accomplished the culmination of her life's work over the last decade as the principal author and guiding light of Pima County's national award winning Sonoran Desert Conservation Plan and as the first Director of the County's Office of Conservation Science and Environmental Policy. Maeveen is a prolific author, writing dozens of reports for the plan and directing over 200 others covering a wide variety of topics. Maeveen has been the leader in developing the County's efforts to preserve the key biological resources of the Sonoran Desert through a precedent setting Multi-species Habitat Conservation Plan. Maeveen has provided leadership for the community response to the listing of the cactus ferruginous pygmy-owl as a federally endangered species. The result has been hailed as a national model by local, regional and national media, planning and government agencies, and non-profit organizations for how to respond to the dilemma posed by urban growth and living with the environment. She recommended that the County broaden the scope of discussions to other important and vulnerable species as well as infrastructure, taxation, history, archeology, open space, housing, water, recreation and ranching. Instead of limiting the response to the boundaries of unincorporated Pima County, Maeveen suggested that the Board of Supervisors open the process to all affected entities, including ranchers, developers, environmental groups, tribal entities, interested citizens, and elected leaders of the incorporated entities.

Maeveen Behan's efforts have catalyzed support for open space acquisition, funding for repairing wildlife corridors, improved cooperation among jurisdictions, strengthening of Federal land commitments, and revisions of County policies and procedures.

Maeveen personally attended over 600 meetings with citizens and elected officials about the Sonoran Desert Conservation Plan and made herself available night and day for over 3 years. She also inspired the science community to participate in developing the Sonoran Desert Conservation Plan in a way that honored their integrity as scientists without intrusion of jurisdictional concerns or political pressure from interest groups. Maeveen also created the Sonoran Desert Kids program to educate and inspire generations of young citizens about the importance of the desert ecosystem.

In 2001 the Board adopted the Conservation Lands System as the long- term, locally adopted vision for balancing economic integrity and protecting natural resources and cultural heritage in Pima County. Pima County is completing the final draft of its Multi-Species Habitat Conservation Plan for submittal to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Her commitment to transparency in government and to an open public process involving scientists, conservationists, business interests, multiple jurisdictions, government agencies and other stakeholders has been a model for the nation. Her keen insight, sense of duty, and humor inspires us all. Maeveen's professional and life mantra has always been, ``Just do the right thing''.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 806) providing for the concurrence by the House in the Senate amendment to H.R. 1035, with an amendment.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent for 5 legislative days during which Members may revise and extend and insert extraneous material on H. Res. 806 into the Record.

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

I rise in support of this bill that enhances the Morris K. Udall Foundation and honors the life of Stewart Udall.

The Morris K. Udall Foundation is an independent Federal agency based in Tucson, Arizona, which operates exceptional educational programs focused on developing leadership on environmental issues and Native American issues. It also includes the U.S. Institute for Environmental Conflict Resolution, the only program within the Federal Government focused entirely on preventing, managing, and resolving Federal environmental conflicts.

The legislation today will enhance the foundation's programs and operations, and at the same time honor one of the greatest public servants and conservationists in history, Stewart L. Udall, by adding his name to the foundation of his late brother, Morris K. Udall.

The Udall Foundation was established by Congress in 1992. Initially, the foundation's mission was to provide educational opportunities for studies related to the environment and Native American tribal policy and health care.

In 1998, Congress amended the Udall Foundation's enabling legislation to add a new mission: resolving conflicts related to the environment, natural resources, and public lands through services including mediation, facilitation, and training. The work of the Udall Foundation has become even more important today as the Nation seeks long-term responses to climate change, sustainable energy supplies, and a sustainable economy for all Americans.

Through its education programs, the Udall Foundation identifies and educates tomorrow's leaders in fields that are critical to the energy, climate change, and economic issues that face our Nation. These programs include:

The premier college scholarship and doctoral fellowship for studies related to the environment and a scholarship for Native Americans studying tribal policy or health care.

The Native American Congressional Internship Program that has provided to many of our offices over 150 young Native American leaders that have been part of that internship program.

The Native Nations Institute for Leadership, Management, and Policy that provides both governance and economic development resources for tribal nations as they develop their own self-determination and fully develop the sovereignty that they have.

The Parks in Focus Program which connects underserved youth to nature through the art of photography and instilling them with a long-last understanding and appreciation for our national parks and other public lands.

I think it is very appropriate for Congress to provide solid support for the Udall Foundation and very important programs through this legislation, while at the same time recognizing the unsurpassed contributions of Stewart Udall by adding his name to the foundation's title. Stewart Udall served in the House of Representatives with distinction from 1955, representing an area that included what is now my district, until he was appointed Secretary of the Interior in 1961 by President John F. Kennedy.

As Secretary of the Interior, Stewart Udall had an unmatched record of environmental leadership, overseeing the creation of 4 national parks, 6 national monuments, 8 national sea shore and lake shores, 9 recreation areas, 20 historic sites, and 56 wildlife refuges. He continued to make substantial contributions to environmental and Native American policy as a lawyer and author following his tenure at the Interior.

For these reasons, I believe that the legislation deserves the support of the House.

At this point, Mr. Speaker, I yield the remainder of my time to the gentlelady from Florida (Ms. Castor) and ask unanimous consent that she manage the remainder of the bill.

Madam Speaker, on September 22, 2009, I was unavoidably detained and was unable to be present for the recorded votes. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall #720, ``yea'' on rollcall #721, and ``yea'' on rollcall #722.

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to House Resolution 760, I call up the bill (H.R. 324) to establish the Santa Cruz Valley National Heritage Area, and for other purposes, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and insert extraneous material on H.R. 324.

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

I rise today in strong support of H.R. 324, legislation I was proud to introduce earlier this year along with my friend and colleague Representative Giffords.

My own history began in the Santa Cruz Valley at the Canoa Ranch where my father worked. My earliest memories are of life in an extraordinary, scenic valley; and they comprise a very important part of who I am today.

H.R. 324 designates the Santa Cruz Valley region of Arizona as a national heritage area. This would allow the National Park Service to support existing and future State and local conservation efforts through Federal recognition, seed money, and technical assistance.

The Santa Cruz Valley is one of America's longest inhabited regions, with traces of human occupation extending back 12,000 years. The region was not only the center of centuries of Native American culture and history but also served as a corridor of Spanish exploration, colonization, and missionary activity; and a frontier of Mexican and early American mining, ranching, and agriculture. Today the valley is a leading center of desert ecology, climate research, astronomy, optics, and archeology.

The historic Spanish missions, presidio fortresses, and ranches are found throughout the valley. Streets lined with Sonoran-style adobe houses recall the period when the region was part of Mexico. Ghost towns, old mines, territorial-style ranch houses, remnants of the mining and cattle industries date to the 1850s when this area became part of the United States.

The valley sweeps across the Santa Cruz and eastern Pima County, encompassing cactus-covered slopes, open grasslands, rugged canyons, forested mountain ranges rising to more than 9,000 feet, and lush oases created by rare desert streams. That varied landscape provides many different habitats that are home to a diversity of plant and animal life, including tropical species, unique desert species, and mountaintop survivors from the Ice Age.

The heritage area designated by H.R. 324 includes two national parks, four State parks, six large county parks, four major lakes, two designated scenic highways, and several hundred miles of backcountry trails and urban bikeways.

The Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail, designated by Congress in 1990, runs along the Santa Cruz River for the length of the heritage area. The Butterfield Overland Dispatch Trail also crosses the valley. Also included are 32 museums, as well as 28 districts and 102 individual buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and dozens of prehistoric and historic archeological sites.

A July 2005 study by the Center for Desert Archaeology, on which the bill is based, examined the many resources of the region and found that the area meets the 10 criteria set forth by the National Park Service for proposed heritage areas.

H.R. 324 designates the area; sets out the duties of the management organization and the requirements for a management plan; requires the Secretary of the Interior to approve or disapprove of the plan within 180 days; provides criteria for judging that plan; allows the Secretary to provide technical assistance and grants; and authorizes $15 million over 15 years, with no more than $1 million to be appropriated in any fiscal year. All Federal funds must be matched by contributions from non-Federal sources. The bill includes extensive protections for private property owners and prohibits the use of Federal lands received under the act for land acquisition.

H.R. 324 is strongly supported throughout the Santa Cruz Valley. All incorporated local governments have supported it and have given this proposal their formal support. Other supporters include two Native American tribes, chambers of commerce and other civic organizations, the Arizona Office of Tourism and other tourism councils, the Southern Arizona Home Builders Association, conservation groups and developers, and many other businesses and individuals.

Mr. Speaker, at this point I would like to say a few words about the heritage areas in general. This is a well-established, well-tested program that has been operating for 25 years. There are 49 heritage areas running in 29 States. Well over 50 million people live, work, and recreate inside the national heritage area.

Mr. Speaker, the National Park Service and the Alliance of National Heritage Areas commissioned Michigan

State University to study the economic impacts of the national heritage area. The study found that just one national heritage area resulted in $780,000 in wages and salaries; $1.2 million in value added, mostly from dining and lodging; and created 51 jobs. If you extend this to all the heritage areas, we are talking about hundreds of millions of dollars in economic benefit to local communities and roughly 2,500 jobs.

In closing, Mr. Speaker, let me once again urge my colleagues to support H.R. 324, my bill to help preserve a fascinating area full of history and culture and the wonders of nature.

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

I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from Arizona (Ms. Giffords).

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the chairman of the full Resources Committee, the gentleman from West Virginia (Mr. Rahall).

Mr. Speaker, I would just extend congratulations to my colleague that just finished speaking. He caught us. This is a grant- funded program. Heritage areas have been grant-funded programs for 25 years, and I am glad that he was able to find that and point that out.

Those of us that represent the border understand how painful, how divisive, and in some areas how devastating what is going on on the border is. Not only with unauthorized entries, but with the drug cartels coming one way, the gun runners going the other way sending guns to Mexico, we understand it is very painful, and the inactivity of this Congress to deal with that immigration issue has made that pain even more severe. But I think it is wrong to try to deal with an immigration issue that people are either afraid to deal with or exploit for political purposes and try to layer that on to a heritage area in the Santa Cruz Valley.

I say that for far too long when we talk about the border region, it is always in a negative context. Always. And for too long, the people that live there, the people that raise their families there, the people that work there, the culture, the natural heritage that that area has is ignored, underfunded, and never really dealt with.

This is an opportunity to do something along a border region that is not going to promote illegal crossings, that is not going to impede any law enforcement, including Border Patrol, from carrying out their duty and the application of the law; to do something for an area, a part of the United States of America, to do something for that area and say this is special, this is unique, we want to work with this area and show that uniqueness to the rest of the country.

I think it is an opportunity to do more than just scapegoat and fear monger about border issues and do something positive, something necessary, and something that will tell the people that live there, like many of us do, you are worthy, you are in this country, you are United States citizens, and we acknowledge that because of the special unique heritage that you bring to this country.

I think this is part of this discussion today, and we shouldn't let fear- mongering and we shouldn't let scapegoating dominate the decision that needs to be made on this legislation, which is to approve it.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I continue to reserve my time.

No.

Mr. Speaker, in summary, I think H.R. 324 is a good piece of legislation. When the heritage areas were formed 25 years ago, I don't believe Members of Congress, Republicans and Democrats, knew how successful they were going to be, how popular they were going to be, how much private money that these initiatives would leverage in communities, and, because of that, it continues to be popular with Members of both sides of the aisle.

The other issue is, as we go through this legislation and debate what is in there or not, I don't believe that there is a level of appeasement that we can put into this legislation that would garner the support from my colleagues on the other side of the aisle.

It is a good piece of legislation. I consider this not only good for the region that I represent, but beginning the process of on-the-border lands dealing with issues comprehensively. One of those issues is to recognize the richness, the diversity and the history of the region.

The other area that I want to talk about briefly is the issue of border enforcement. The problems along the border with enforcement are not due to the creation of heritage areas. They are not the reason that we have unauthorized crossings. They are not the reason that we have drug cartels. They are not the reason that we have organized gun runners from the United States. Those are not the reasons. Heritage areas are not to blame for that horrible situation. And the inability of Homeland Security over the last 5 years to effectively put their technology to work, to effectively do the kind of border security initiatives that they needed, environmental issues are not the cause of that.

I would say ineptitude, inefficiencies and waste of money were the reasons that that didn't get done. This bill solves a problem. It solves a problem of a region badly needing a shot in the arm, an acknowledgement that it is and continues to be a valued part of this great Nation of ours.

I yield back the remainder of my time and ask that the legislation be supported.

I object, Mr. Speaker.

I rise to claim time in opposition to the motion to recommit.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I have come to accept the fact that redundancy is part of the process here that we go through. So in accepting that reality, let me just state one more time, nowhere in this legislation is there an infringement, a taking of private property rights. Nowhere.

The motion asks that close to a quarter of a million property owners, if not more, be notified and asked to either be part of or not be part of this heritage area. That process would create a Swiss cheese designation for that area; and in the previous 49, there is not one incident where a private property owner has been forced, coerced into being part of or permitting their private property to be used as a designation. That is already in the legislation.

With regard to the issue of border enforcement, again, I asked the Rules Committee to insert that so there would be clarification that the activities of Homeland Security, plus all other local enforcement--the sheriffs, local police, tribal police, et cetera--that their ability to carry out their mission and enforce the law was part and parcel and that the heritage area in no way would impinge, infringe or restrict that ability. That is already in the legislation.

So why the motion to recommit? I think it's just part of a very cynical exploitation of a very, very divisive issue in this country, the issue of immigration and the issue of unauthorized people in this country. The heritage area is not responsible for that situation. It has been the inability of this Congress to come to grips with the situation that has aggravated and made it worse. And as a person who represents the border and has to deal with constituents that are affected by this decision every day, the lack of attention, serious, rational, mature attention to this issue, rather than exploitation of this issue, is what they're asking this Congress to do. The heritage area has nothing to do with how we're going to resolve this issue. The heritage area, for once, is an acknowledgement of a part of this country that for too long and, most recently, in a very cynical way has been exploited both as a region and the people who live there. We are saying, this heritage area is your acknowledgement that you're part and parcel of this country.

I ask that the motion to recommit be defeated.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to the instructions of the House in the motion to recommit, I report the bill, H.R. 324, back to the House with an amendment.

Mr. Speaker, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to House Resolution 726, I call up the bill (H.R. 965) to amend the Chesapeake Bay Initiative Act of 1998 to provide for the continuing authorization of the Chesapeake Bay Gateways and Watertrails Network, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and insert extraneous material on H.R. 965.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 965, introduced by our friend and colleague, Representative John Sarbanes. H.R. 965 is a simple, straightforward bill that would permanently authorize the highly successful Chesapeake Bay Gateways and Watertrails Network.

Over 10 million people each year visit one of the 166 gateway sites supported by this program. They come to kayak or canoe, hike or bike, picnic, hunt or fish, or to watch wildlife. Others come to visit the Chesapeake's many maritime museums or to renew their acquaintance with the turning points in our Nation's history, such as the sites at Fort McHenry and Yorktown battlefield.

Each of these visitors comes away with a strengthened awareness of the crucial role the Chesapeake Bay plays in our national story and as the ecological and economic heart of the mid-Atlantic. And that is the goal of the gateway network, to renew our connection with that great Bay. The program

is so successful that the National Park Service has heaped praise upon it, and the White House in 2005 declared it to be a ``cooperative conservation success story.''

Congress originally authorized this program for 5 years and renewed that short-term authorization in 2002. In 2004, a National Park Service special resource study concluded that a permanent commitment to the program would ensure its long-term viability and enhance the Chesapeake's status among America's national treasures.

Anyone who reads The Washington Post knows that the Bay's oyster population is in trouble. That situation is both a symptom and one of the causes of the precarious health of the Bay. Keeping people connected and concerned about the Bay is vital to each step in restoring that great estuary, from its headwaters to its oyster beds. The Gateways Network does just that. This program is a proven success and should be permanently authorized.

I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 965.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, at this point, let me yield as much time as he may consume to the sponsor of the legislation, Mr. Sarbanes.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to our majority leader, the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer).

Mr. Speaker, I flew back 4 hours to deal with this very important piece of legislation, but also to listen to our President last night, which I thought was worth the trip.

I now yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Kratovil), a cosponsor of the legislation.

If I may inquire of Mr. Hastings if he has any additional speakers.

No, Mr. Speaker.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise to claim the time in opposition to the amendment offered by my friend, Representative Bishop.

Mr. Speaker, the National Park Service has found that this is a very, very successful program in large part because the Federal commitment leverages funding and support from State, local and nonprofit partners who care deeply about the health of the Chesapeake Bay. There is a broad agreement that making the Federal commitment to this program permanent will send a strong signal to the program's partners and make the program even more effective in the long run.

I would point out that both the Save America's Treasures and Preserve America programs have permanent authorizations. Conversely, amending the bill to make the authorization time-limited would cause funding partners to question the level of Federal commitment and could cause private contributions to drop off.

The purpose of granting this program a permanent authorization is to avoid having to return to Congress every 5 years to get new legislation for what is, by all measures, a successful program. I should add that, despite my friend's arguments about a permanent authorization, this program will continue to receive annual oversight through the appropriations process.

Regarding the existing cap on annual funding for the program, such a cap may have been appropriate when the program was first authorized in 1998. However, as more and more people become aware of the importance of the bay, the challenges it faces, Congress should provide more funding for the grant program. Proponents would like to be able to seek increased funding through the appropriations process and not have to get new authorization legislation each time they seek more funding.

This is an important and successful program. It deserves a permanent authorization. I urge Members to vote against the Bishop amendment and for H.R. 965 to permanently authorize this very excellent program.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, in an effort to reintroduce germaneness to the debate on the amendment, let me recognize Mr. Sarbanes for 3 minutes.

Mr. Speaker, in closing, the NPS, the National Park Service, gave the subcommittee testimony, and they said, through technical and financial assistance, the National Park Service has assisted Gateways to develop hundreds of partnerships across the watershed to help people understand and appreciate the Chesapeake Bay.

It has been mentioned, nevertheless, that the Bush administration testified that it opposed this financial assistance or the grants program. When I asked the Park Service witness at that 2007 hearing about that contradiction, he said that the Park Service would love to continue the grants program, but it was a financial decision made by OMB, by the Bush administration.

This is a good program. It is all linked together. A permanent authorization would secure this program for the future. It is a vital environmental link to the Mid-Atlantic which must be saved. With that, I urge a ``no'' vote on the amendment.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to the motion to recommit.

Mr. Speaker, the motion doesn't tell us who would have the certification power or how we would meet the standard that the motion to recommit attempts to make. It's like saying we on the Republican side ran up a huge deficit. Now we want to penalize this one little program until you clean up the mess.

Why this program? Why not a program that was done this morning during the Natural Resources Committee meeting where the sponsor of the motion to recommit, the gentleman from Washington, had legislation that passed for a road which runs through his district? Should we put the same standard on that legislation?

This is arbitrary, this motion to recommit. While it attempts to score political points, it also, if passed, jeopardizes a very valuable resource that, if not restored and protected through the legislation, will cause disastrous economic, environmental, cultural, and health consequences--bad consequences for the Mid-Atlantic and for the Nation as a whole. The motion to recommit, while an attempt to score points, has no merit. It is arbitrary and I urge its defeat.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1043) to provide for a land exchange involving certain National Forest System lands in the Mendocino National Forest in the State of California, 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 to include extraneous materials on the bill under consideration.

I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 1043 provides for a land exchange between the Forest Service and Solano County, California. Solano County currently has a special use permit from the Forest Service to operate the Fouts Springs Youth Correctional Facility on 82 acres of land in the Mendocino National Forest. The county has been working diligently for years to acquire wilderness-quality forest lands to exchange with the Forest Service in order to acquire the lands occupied by the youth correctional facility. The lands the Forest Service would acquire are wilderness-quality lands bordering the Snow Mountain Wilderness Area, and have been identified as priority areas for acquisition dating as far back as 1992. The land exchange would be for equal value.

Mr. Speaker, the chairman of the Committee on Education and Labor, Chairman George Miller, is to be commended for his efforts on behalf of Solano County and this youth facility. An earlier version of this legislation passed the House last year by voice vote. I ask my colleagues to, once again, support the passage of this measure.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I would yield as much time as he may consume to the chairman of the Education and Labor Committee, Mr. George Miller, for his comments on his legislation, H.R. 1043.

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

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1287) to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to enter into a partnership with the Porter County Convention, Recreation and Visitor Commission regarding the use of the Dorothy Buell Memorial Visitor Center as a visitor center for the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, 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 to include extraneous material on the bill under consideration.

I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 1287 will allow the National Park Service to share visitor center facilities for the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore with the local county's Convention, Recreation and Visitor Commission. The bill also allows the National Park Service to construct exhibits at the visitor center, and authorizes NPS employees to work there since the visitor center lies outside the established boundaries of the park.

Finally, Mr. Speaker, H.R. 1287 would clarify the definition of ``contiguous lands'' in the park's original legislation so that NPS could accept donations of contiguous land even if that land is separated by a right-of-way, such as a road, a railway line or a utility corridor.

Mr. Speaker, Congressman Visclosky has been working hard on this bill for a long time and is to be commended for his diligence and persistence. The legislation passed the House last Congress by an overwhelming vote. I ask my colleagues, once again, to support this measure.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I would yield as much time as he may consume to the sponsor of H.R. 1287, Mr. Visclosky.

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

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 324) to establish the Santa Cruz Valley National Heritage Area, 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, H.R. 324 would create the Santa Cruz Valley National Heritage Area. I introduced this legislation on January 8 and am proud that my neighbor in the valley, the gentlelady from Arizona (Ms. Giffords), is an original cosponsor.

My own history began in the Santa Cruz Valley, at Canoa Ranch where my father worked. My earliest memories are of a life in that extraordinary scenic valley and they comprise an important part of who I am today.

Sharing a border with Mexico, the Santa Cruz Valley encompasses a multitude of cultures, a rich and diverse history, as well as a host of nationally recognized national treasures that are situated within its borders.

The amount of support for this proposal, both in my district and in Ms. Giffords', is astounding. Every county, municipality, tribe, Federal and State park and land management agency within the proposed heritage area, plus a long list of chambers of commerce, tourism organizations, conservation and historic preservation groups, ranchers, farmers and businesses, all support H.R. 324.

The House has already approved this legislation as part of a heritage area package in the last Congress. Mr. Speaker, this bill is important to many of us and to me, to my district, and to Ms. Giffords and to her constituents. I ask my colleagues to support the passage.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, every time we bring up a national heritage proposal, we hear concerns expressed about private property protections. We should be clear that during the 20-plus years of this program's existence, opponents have not been able to identify a single instance in which someone has been deprived of the use of their property as a result of this designation.

Tens of millions of Americans in States across the country have lived, worked and recreated and made their living within a heritage area. Despite the best efforts of opponents of these designations, they have never found a case where property rights were violated.

The Government Accountability Office even investigated potential property rights violations and found none. Nevertheless, this bill contains extensive private property provisions. These private property protections are the same language approved by Congress in earlier bills and signed into law by both the Obama and Bush administrations. If the problem existed, the bill has the language necessary to take care of it.

The other issue, in terms of law enforcement, this designation in no way restricts local, county, State or national law enforcement from carrying out its enforcement mission and its responsibility to uphold the law. There is no restriction, no impediment, and no redesignation of their mission. The mission continues. The heritage area in no way hinders or prohibits that mission from going on.

I reserve the balance of my time.

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