Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1006) to amend the provisions of law relating to the John H. Prescott Marine Mammal Rescue Assistance Grant Program, and for other purposes.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days 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.

I commend the ranking Republican on the Committee on Natural Resources, Congressman Don Young, for introducing H.R. 1006, the Marine Mammal Rescue Assistance Amendments of 2007. The bill would extend through fiscal year 2010 the authorization of appropriations for the John H. Prescott Marine Mammal Rescue Assistance Grant Fund and the Marine Mammal Unusual Mortality Event Fund.

H.R. 1006 would direct the relevant Secretary to collect and update procedures for rescuing and rehabilitating marine mammals entangled in fishing gear, rope, line, net or other material. The bill also authorizes the Secretary to enter into agreements for marine mammal stranding events requiring emergency assistance.

In the 109th Congress, the House passed a similar provision in H.R. 4075, by voice vote, on July 17, 2006. We support this bill and commend Congressman Don Young for his leadership on this issue.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 759) 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''.

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

Madam Speaker, H.R. 759, introduced by my colleague from New York (Mr. Engel) redesignates the Ellis Island Library on the third floor of the Ellis Island Immigration Museum as the Bob Hope Memorial Library.

Bob Hope immigrated to the United States with his family in 1907. Like millions of other immigrants, he entered the United States through Ellis Island in New York Harbor. Bob Hope went on to have an illustrious career as a comedic entertainer and is remembered by many for his work over nearly six decades traveling the globe to entertain American servicemen and women.

Madam Speaker, I would like to commend my colleague from New York, Representative Engel, for his work on this legislation. I would note that identical legislation passed the House in the 109th Congress. We support the passage of H.R. 759 and urge its adoption today.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, at this point I extend as much time as he may consume to my colleague from New York (Mr. Engel).

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

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

Madam Speaker, I rise today to extend my congratulations to a great resource in southern Arizona.

For 5 years, the Kinship and Adoption Resource and Education Family Center, KARE, has been providing support and resources for grandparents and other relatives raising children whose biological parents are unable to do so. Considering that Arizona is one of the fastest growing States in the country where children are having to be raised outside of their own birth-families, the center's work has become invaluable to the community members of my district. Through KARE, many families are able to keep more children out of foster homes. It is my pleasure to thank them on this landmark date.

Over the existence of the KARE Family Center, several thousand grandparents, relatives and adoptive parents have received many crucially important services. The center provides such benefits as case management services and mental/behavioral health services, completely free of charge. Without such services, many of the children in question would not be found under the care of their own family, which simply can not be equaled by state care. Grandparents, relatives, and adoptive parents, who are often suffering from declining health and financial burdens, are able to overcome these extraordinary circumstances through the help of the KARE center.

As the need for specialization in the area of adoption and kinship support services grows across the country, the KARE center has helped to develop and promote access to similar programs. In its 5 years, KARE has provided assistance to several thousand families, and with more programs like it in development, far fewer children are left to be raised in unfamiliar surroundings, or overburdened foster families. Their work has shown that kinship and non-nuclear biological families can provide permanent stable homes, an alternative to foster care and delinquency systems, while 100 percent of children in the program remain in school.

I wish continued success of the KARE Family Center. It is my honor to celebrate with them a history of community involvement and service.

Madam Chairman, I rise today in support of H.R. 800, the Employee Free Choice Act of 2007.

This bill should be recognized for what it is: a major advance for human rights, the right ff of a worker to associate freely and to bargain collectively. The freedom to form a union is a human right recognized in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the internationally recognized standard of the most basic and fundamental freedoms to which all human beings are entitled. Article 23 of this document states: ``Everyone has the right to form and to join trade unions for the protection of his interests.''

This Act restores and gives substance to the right to join a union. This right is a fundamental element of a healthy and vibrant economy. Further, reinforcing this right makes this prosperity accessible to working families and their communities.

Workers who belong to unions earn 30 percent more than nonunion workers. They are 62 percent more likely to have employer-provided health coverage and four times more likely to have pensions. A December 2006 research study conducted by Peter D. Hart Research Associates found that 60 million U.S. workers say they would join a union if they could. Workers know that a union job means respect on the job, and a better life for their families.

Fair wages. Good benefits. Secure retirement. These are core elements necessary to build the American Dream, and this legislation is a vital step toward renewing that promise to the workers of this Nation--the men and women on the ground, in whose labor and industry we rely to make this dream a reality.

The Employee Free Choice Act preserves the option for workers to choose to vote by secret ballot, and adds the option of choosing majority sign-up as their method of gaining recognition. This bill removes the de facto veto power employers currently exercise over the option of majority sign-up. The rights and prerogatives of workers will increase.

The right to form a union in America was born in struggle, and has been under attack ever since. This bill ensures participatory democracy in the workplace and returns workers their rights. The power to organize is the most powerful tool available to workers. It empowers workers to have their voice heard.

The working families of this Nation deserve recognition for the fruits of their labor. Through this legislation, today we empower American workers to raise their voice, to reclaim their rights, and introduce a vital measure of democracy to the American workplace.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 122) to amend the Reclamation Wastewater and Groundwater Study and Facilities Act to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to participate in the Inland Empire regional recycling project and in the Cucamonga Valley Water District recycling project, as amended.

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

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

The purpose of H.R. 122, as amended, introduced by our colleague, Congressman Dreier of California, is to amend the Reclamation Wastewater and Groundwater Study and Facilities Act to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to participate in the Inland Empire regional water recycling project and in the Cucamonga Valley Water District satellite recycling plant.

H.R. 122, as amended, would add approximately 100,000 acre-feet of new water annually to one of the largest recycled water distribution systems in the Santa Ana River Watershed. Some of the recycled water will be used to reclaim the groundwater basin and help drought-proof the service area. These water recycling plants will develop recycled water near where it will be used, offsetting the energy costs associated with pumping.

The Subcommittee on Water and Power held hearings on similar legislation in the 108th Congress. In the 109th Congress, similar legislation was passed by the House.

H.R. 122, as amended, will provide a very modest amount of Federal financial assistance to help in the construction of these worthy water recycling projects.

I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

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 move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 467) to authorize early repayment of obligations to the Bureau of Reclamation within the A&B Irrigation District in the State of Idaho, as amended.

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

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

The purpose of H.R. 467, as amended, introduced by our colleague Congressman Simpson, is to authorize early repayment of landowner obligations to the Bureau of Reclamation within the A&B Irrigation District in southeastern Idaho.

The A&B Irrigation District receives part of its irrigation water supply from the Bureau of Reclamation's Minidoka Project. H.R. 467, as amended, will provide administrative consistency between the landowners within the A&B Irrigation District and those within other districts served by the Minidoka Project.

Mr. Speaker, this legislation simply allows landowners to pay off their financial obligations related to the Bureau of Reclamation's Minidoka project. We believe this legislation is appropriate and, in fact, may provide a slight financial benefit to the United States.

In the 109th Congress, the Subcommittee on Water and Power held a hearing on similar legislation. This legislation was subsequently passed by the House. We have no objection to this noncontroversial bill.

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 move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 276) to designate the Piedras Blancas Light Station and the surrounding public land as an Outstanding Natural Area to be administered as a part of the National Landscape Conservation System, and for other purposes.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend and include extraneous material related to this bill under consideration.

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

The Piedras Blancas Light Station is one of only a handful of tall, seacoast lighthouses built on the West Coast. It is located in San Luis Obispo County in Southern California.

Completed in 1875, the lighthouse was manned by the Coast Guard until 1975, when it was automated. The Coast Guard transferred the lighthouse and the surrounding public land to the Bureau of Land Management in 2001. This area is not only historically significant, but it is also home to a population of gulls, cormorants and an elephant seal colony, numbering 10,000 animals.

H.R. 276, sponsored by my committee colleague Representative Lois Capps, would establish the Piedras Blancas Historic Light Station Outstanding Natural Area to be managed by the Bureau of Land Management as part of the existing National Landscape Conservation System. This area would be managed by the BLM to conserve the significant historical and natural resources found there.

Mr. Speaker, Representative Capps has worked tirelessly on behalf of this legislation, and we commend her for her efforts. Identical legislation was approved by the House in the last Congress, and we urge our colleagues to support this measure once again.

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

Mr. Speaker, Representative Capps is traveling back from her district in California and could not be here on the floor. She has submitted a statement which we will be submitting for the Record today.

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

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 903) to provide for a study of options for protecting the open space characteristics of certain lands in and adjacent to the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests in Colorado, and for other purposes.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 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.

Today I rise, Mr. Speaker, in strong support of H.R. 903, introduced by my colleague on the Natural Resources Committee, the gentleman from Colorado, Representative Mark Udall.

This legislation would require the Forest Service to review lands in or adjacent to the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests and report to Congress on the present ownership of the lands, and which undeveloped lands may be at risk of development, as well as apprising Congress of appropriate actions that could be taken to preserve the open and undeveloped character of these lands.

Rapid population growth in the northern Front Range area of Colorado is spreading west from Denver, pushing homes and shopping centers up the valleys and along the highways. This development then spreads out along the ridges and mountaintops that make up this backdrop. New homes and businesses in the wildland urban interface also create new liabilities for first responders and a more complicated management framework for forest managers.

The result of these changes is the potential loss of many of the very qualities that attract new residents and contribute to the quality of life of the region. H.R. 903 is designed to help provide a better understanding of what steps might be done to lessen the risk.

Mr. Speaker, I want to commend and congratulate my colleague, Mr. Udall, for his commitment and leadership on this matter. A hearing was held on a nearly identical measure last Congress, and the bill was approved by the Natural Resources Committee and passed the House by voice vote last September.

Mr. Speaker, we strongly support H.R. 903 and urge its adoption 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 move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 995) to amend Public Law 106-348 to extend the authorization for establishing a memorial in the District of Columbia or its environs to honor veterans who became disabled while serving in the Armed Forces of the United States.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 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.

The 106th Congress authorized the Disabled Veterans Life Memorial Foundation to establish a memorial in Washington, D.C., to honor disabled veterans. The law specified that the memorial is to be established pursuant to the Commemorative Works Act. A memorial site located near the Rayburn House Office Building was identified, but the project is yet to advance due to security and traffic concerns raised by the Architect of the Capitol and the U.S. Capitol Police.

The foundation is in the process of negotiating a solution to that problem. However, the Commemorative Works Act specifies that the legislative authority for any memorial expires 7 years after the date of enactment, October of this year for this proposal. H.R. 995, sponsored by our colleague from Illinois, Representative Phil Hare, amends the original authorization to extend authority to establish the memorial to October 24, 2015.

This extension will allow additional time to ensure an appropriate commemoration to our Nation's disabled veterans to whom we owe a tremendous obligation.

While Representative Hare is a new Member of this House, he is well acquainted with the sacrifices made by our Nation's veterans, both from his service in the Army Reserves and his more than 20 years as district director for our former colleague and advocate for veterans, Mr. Lane Evans. We congratulate Representative Hare for his work on behalf of this important legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I might add that, given the ongoing and recent scandal regarding the care and support of our current disabled veterans, this legislation, H.R. 995, is timely and appropriate to honor and remind us of the sacrifice of all veterans and those that are disabled as a consequence of their service to this country. This is an obligation that is owed to them. This memorial would be a fitting reminder that we have an ongoing obligation and responsibility to their care and comfort.

Mr. Speaker, we strongly support H.R. 995 and urge its adoption by the House today.

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Hare), the sponsor of this legislation.

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. 299) to adjust the boundary of Lowell National Historical Park, and for other purposes.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 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.

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 299, introduced by my colleague from Massachusetts (Mr. Meehan), provides for a minor boundary adjustment to the Lowell National Historic Park. Lowell National Historic Park was established in 1978 to commemorate the City of Lowell's prominent role in the American Industrial Revolution.

H.R. 299 would authorize the Secretary of the Interior to acquire five small tracts of land totaling less than 1 acre. These tracts are necessary to complete development of the canalway, a linear park and walkway along Lowell's 5.6-mile historic power canal system.

These parcels provide the access points needed for the development, maintenance, and surveillance necessary to complete the historic canalway. While the total boundary adjustment is less than 1 acre, it would allow public access to at least 2 miles of this historic canalway.

I want to commend my colleague from Massachusetts (Mr. Meehan) for his efforts on behalf of Lowell National Historic Park. He has worked diligently to advance many partnership efforts such as this one, which would bring together Federal, State, and local resources to preserve and interpret the park.

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 299 is supported by the administration, the City of Lowell, and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Identical legislation was approved by the House last Congress, and we urge our colleagues to support this measure today.

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. 247) to designate a Forest Service trail at Waldo Lake in the Willamette National Forest in the State of Oregon as a national recreation trail in honor

of Jim Weaver, a former Member of the House of Representatives.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 247 was introduced by my colleague on the Natural Resources Committee, the gentleman from Oregon, Representative Peter DeFazio. This legislation designates an existing Forest Service trail in the Willamette National Forest in Oregon as a national recreation trail in honor of Jim Weaver, a former Member of the House of Representatives. This trail will be designated as the Jim Weaver Loop Trail. It forms a 19.6-mile loop around Waldo Lake.

Congressman Weaver served in this body from the 94th Congress through the 99th Congress and was a former subcommittee chairman of the Committee on Natural Resources. He was a strong advocate of conservation and public lands. The establishment of this trail around one of Oregon's largest and most beautiful lakes is a fitting tribute to our former colleague. Under this bill, an interpretive sign will be installed at the trail head to indicate the name of the trail and provide information on the life and career of our former colleague, Congressman Weaver.

This bill before us today is identical to a measure that was reported favorably by the Natural Resources Committee last year.

Mr. Speaker, we strongly support H.R. 247 and urge its adoption by the House today.

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

Mr. Speaker, the gentleman from Oregon (Mr. DeFazio), the sponsor of H.R. 247, is at the moment traveling back to Washington, but he has a statement that will be submitted into the Record.

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

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1047) to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study to determine the suitability and feasibility of designating the Soldiers' Memorial Military Museum located in St. Louis, Missouri, as a unit of the National Park System.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 1047, introduced by my colleague from Missouri, Representative Clay, directs the Secretary of the Interior to carry out a study to determine the suitability and feasibility of designating the Soldiers' Memorial Military Museum located in St. Louis, Missouri, as a unit of the National Park System.

Construction of the memorial and military museum began in 1935. The site was dedicated by President Franklin Roosevelt in 1936. On Memorial Day, 1938, the building officially opened to the public. The Soldiers' Memorial Building is a stately structure which, in addition to serving as a memorial to those who lost their lives in the service of their country, also contains exhibit rooms that house a collection of military items. The building has been found eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places. It is operated by the City of St. Louis and made available to the public free of charge.

I want to commend my colleague from Missouri, Representative Clay, for his efforts to preserve this memorial and museum, which was built to honor those who gave their lives to this country.

Mr. Speaker, the House approved identical legislation in the 109th Congress. We strongly support H.R. 1047 and urge its adoption by the House today.

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

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

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

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 376) to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a special resource study to determine the suitability and feasibility of including the battlefields and related sites of the First and Second Battles of Newtonia, Missouri, during the Civil War as part of Wilson's Creek National Battlefield or designating the battlefields and related sites as a separate 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 such time as I may consume.

I rise in strong support of H.R. 376, introduced by the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Blunt). This legislation would direct the National Park Service to conduct a study to determine how best to protect the sites related to the First and Second Battles of Newtonia, Missouri.

Two Civil War battles were waged near Newtonia which lies in Newton County, Missouri. The first, on September 30, 1862, involved 4,000 Confederate troops and 6,500 Union soldiers, and it is believed to be the only Civil War battle in which full American Indian units fought on both sides of the conflict.

The Second Battle of Newtonia occurred on October 28, 1864, and involved 1,500 Union cavalry engaging a Confederate Army returning from the unsuccessful Missouri and Kansas Campaign of Confederate General Sterling Price.

Mr. Speaker, I want to commend and congratulate my colleague, Mr. Blunt, for this bill. A hearing was held on a nearly identical measure last Congress, and that bill eventually passed the House. We strongly support H.R. 376 and urge its adoption by the House today.

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. 807) to direct the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a special resource study to determine the feasibility and suitability of establishing a memorial to the Space Shuttle Columbia in the State of Texas and for its inclusion as a unit of the National Park Service.

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.

As we all remember, February 1, 2003, the Space Shuttle Columbia suffered a tragic failure during reentry into the Earth's atmosphere. As a result, seven crew members sadly lost their lives.

H.R. 807, introduced by Representative Gohmert, would authorize a study to determine how best to protect four parcels of land in east Texas where large portions of the wreckage were recovered. In addition to specific sites identified in the bill, the Secretary of the Interior would be authorized to recommend additional sites to Congress.

Mr. Speaker, the Nation continues to mourn the loss of the Columbia. We support the passage of H.R. 807, an important step toward ensuring that the sacrifices made by her crew and their families will always be remembered. We commend the Congressman for introducing this legislation.

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. 497) to authorize the Marion Park Project, a committee of the Palmetto Conservation Foundation, to establish a commemorative work on Federal land in the District of Columbia, and its environs to honor Brigadier General Francis Marion.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 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.

Mr. Speaker, Brigadier General Francis Marion commanded the Williamsburg Militia Revolutionary Force in South Carolina during the Revolutionary War.

He is distinguished for his innovative warfare techniques, his pivotal victory at Eutaw Springs in September 1781, and for his commanding the first racially integrated troop force. General Marion is perhaps even better known by the nickname given to him by an exasperated British commander, the Swamp Fox.

H.R. 497, introduced by Representative Joe Wilson, would authorize a private entity, the Marion Park Project, to establish a commemorative work in Washington, D.C., to honor General Marion. The memorial is to be established pursuant to the Commemorative Works Act and is to be privately funded.

Mr. Speaker, the House approved identical legislation in the last Congress, and we strongly support H.R. 497 today.

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

Mr. Speaker, I reserve my time.

Mr. Speaker, let me thank Congressman Wilson for this legislation, Mr. Brown as well, Mr. Clyburn, Mr. Spratt and Mr. Barrett from South Carolina for introducing the bill that we have just finished.

I also want to, before I yield back, thank the gentleman from Utah, the ranking member, for assisting in bringing the pieces of legislation we had today forward.

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