Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (S. 1448) to amend the Act of August 9, 1955, to authorize the Coquille Indian Tribe, the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians, the Confederated Tribes of the Coos, Lower Umpqua, and Siuslaw, the Klamath Tribes, and the Burns Paiute Tribe to obtain 99- year lease authority for trust land.

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, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Under what is known as the Long Term Leasing Act, lands held in trust for Indian tribes may be leased for a variety of purposes for a term of no greater than 25 years, with an option for an additional 25 years if approved by the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

Often, tribes find that in order to operate more efficiently and to sustain economic development activities, they need to be able to lease trust lands for longer periods. In fact, through various acts of Congress, approximately 50 tribes have been granted the ability to issue leases not to exceed 99 years.

The pending legislation would afford this extended leasing authority to several tribes in the State of Oregon.

I want to commend our colleagues, Mr. DeFazio and Mr. Schrader from Oregon, for their work in getting this bill to the floor. I ask Members to support it.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, again I want to urge our colleagues to support S. 1448, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak in favor of S. 1609, the Longline Catcher Processor Subsector Single Fishery Cooperative Act. This bill, introduced by Senator Cantwell of Washington, is a Senate companion to H.R. 3910, legislation I introduced in the House, along with Representative Don Young of Alaska. This is a bipartisan effort. It has the support of Representatives Doc Hastings, Dave Reichert and Jay Inslee of Washington State as well.

This bill will further efforts by the North Pacific Fishery Management Council to rationalize the Pacific cod fishery and end the ``race for fish'' in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands. This legislation represents an important step in achieving the goals of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act by enabling

safer, more environmentally sound fishing practices, while also providing much-needed economic stability.

The freezer longline sector of the Pacific cod industry currently operates as a derby-style fishery. Providing the opportunity for participants to transition from this style of fishing to a cooperative model is essential to meeting conservation goals and, most importantly, will significantly improve the safety of life at sea.

In addition, fishery cooperatives provide more economic stability and predictability. They help prevent the types of severe price swings that this fishery experienced last year when the price for Pacific cod was cut in half. This type of instability not only impacts the market and consumers, but threatens the ability for these mostly family-owned businesses to continue fishing. The economic stabilization of the fleet will also allow for new investments in both vessels and equipment and much-needed jobs for shipyards throughout the Puget Sound region.

S. 1609 has broad support within the freezer longline sector, the commercial fishing industry, the State of Alaska, the State of Washington, and the environmental community. So I urge the House to pass this bipartisan bill, S. 1609.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to condemn North Korea's unprovoked artillery attack against the Republic of Korea. We stand with our treaty ally during this challenging time.

The artillery attack against Yeonpyeong is part of a recent pattern of aggressive and violent behavior by the North. Earlier this year, a North Korean submarine attacked the South Korean ship Cheonan, killing 46 sailors.

I commend the Administration for standing side by side with South Korea. South Korea is a strong trading partner and ally in the Asia- Pacific region. South Korea, and all countries around the world, must know that the U.S. stands with its friends.

Our nation has been steadfast in our support of our Korean allies for over 60 years. We will not waver now.

It is time for all nations interested in a stable and denuclearized Korean peninsula to denounce the recent aggression by North Korea and work for continued peace and prosperity in the region.

I want to thank the chair of the Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee for helping to bring this bill to the floor, and of course I thank both sides of the aisle on the full committee for bringing this bill to the floor.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 6184. This bill extends section 214 authority of the Water Resources Development Act of 2000 through 2016. It is currently authorized through December 31 of this year.

As my good friend and colleague from Florida just noted, many Members of Congress want to make this a permanent program. I am one of those Members. However, we were able to get to a point where we could move it from the annual reauthorizations that we were doing, which is why it has been reauthorized six or seven times, to a 5-year reauthorization at this point. I certainly look forward to working with Mr. Olson in the next session of Congress to see what we can do about its permanent authorization.

This program allows local governments to fund additional U.S. Army Corps of Engineers staff time to expedite the processing of permits for infrastructure and ecosystem restoration

projects. Section 214 was enacted by Congress because the Corps of Engineers' permitting process had become cumbersome for both Corps staff and for applicants as the number of permit applications rose.

By funding additional staff to work on specific, time-intensive permits, existing Corps staff is now able to process significant permit backlogs more quickly. Funding for additional Corps staff has resulted in a reduction of permit wait times, not only for the funding entity, but for any individual organization seeking a permit. As a result, local governments are now able to move forward with infrastructure and ecosystem restoration projects in a much more timely manner.

To give you an idea as to what this has meant in Washington State, section 214 is currently being used by over 41 public agencies in 20 Corps districts. In Washington State, the city of Seattle was the first public entity in the country to develop and use this facilitated permitting process. The city has used the section 214 program for 285 projects, representing over $1.1 billion in capital investments. Seven years of using this program has resulted in an estimated cost savings of $10.6 million. The average review time per project has been reduced from over 808 days to an average now of 47 to 166 days.

In a region where we have to balance some of the most difficult environmental issues in the country and where we have the second highest commerce and trade area of any region in the country, section 214 is key to overcoming some permitting delays and other challenges.

So the authority granted by 214 has worked well in practice. This authority does need to be reviewed so additional staff can remain on the job without interruption. It makes several important improvements, as the subcommittee chair has noted--improvements that were suggested by the GAO--and these changes will enhance the oversight of the program.

I also want to note that this bill has the support of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the American Association of Port Authorities, the American Public Works Association, and the National Association of Flood & Stormwater Management Agencies.

Finally, I want to note as well that the father of this particular section of the Water Resources Development Act is our colleague Brian Baird, who has retired and is finishing out his last term in Congress. We certainly owe a debt of gratitude to our colleague Mr. Baird for bringing this issue up in the first place back in '98, '99 and 2000 and getting it in WRDA of 2000.

We now need to reauthorize it for 5 years and move this bill forward. I ask my colleagues to support it.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Western Washington University Vehicle Research Institute for their outstanding achievements in the X Prize Automotive competition.

The X Prize Competition challenged our best scientists and engineers to develop a new car that could achieve fuel efficiency of over 100 miles per gallon in real world driving. To win, the car had to be safe, affordable and potentially desirable to consumers.

Western Washington's team, comprised entirely of undergraduate students, developed and entered a 2-seat car, the Viking 45, in the ``alternative'' class. Their car successfully navigated several rounds of testing, becoming the only American university team to reach the finals of the competition.

The success of the Viking 45 continues the long tradition of excellence at the Vehicle Research Institute. I commend them for their success in the X Prize competition and their continuing outstanding work to develop the next generation of passenger vehicles.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of our nation's small manufacturers. Earlier this year, I introduced H.R. 5797, the Small Manufacturers Export Initiative. I am pleased to see that the provisions of the Small Manufacturers Export Initiative have been included in this Small Business bill that we are voting on today. This legislation, and this Rule, will help small and medium sized manufacturers export their products--not their jobs--overseas. I want to see the label ``Made in America'' again, continuing our drive to create American jobs, and expand America's manufacturing sector--and this bill is an important step in that direction. When we make it in America, we lead the world economy, we promote competitiveness, and we create jobs. The provisions are simple; they provide resources to the Department of Commerce to help small and medium sized businesses and manufacturers export their products overseas and create jobs here at home. The global market presents a fast and ever growing market for U.S. exports. Nationwide, nearly 3.7 million manufacturing jobs are supported by exports--27 percent of all jobs in the manufacturing sector. In my district alone there are over 170 aerospace manufacturing companies, and in Washington state there are over 100 boat manufacturers--with many of these small businesses exporting their products. We must do all we can to support these manufacturing companies sell their products both here in the United States--and in other countries. The small business export promotion provisions included in this bill will build the infrastructure necessary to connect American Small and Medium Sized manufacturers with export opportunities around the world and help them increase their productivity and expand their businesses. Let's work together to ensure ``make it in America'' is a reality for today's economy--and the future. I urge support for this legislation and this Rule.

Mr. Chair, I rise today to speak in support of H.R. 3534, the Consolidated Land, Energy, and Aquatic Resources (CLEAR) Act.

The Deepwater Horizon oil spill is the worst environmental catastrophe that our nation has ever faced. Unfortunately, this human and environmental catastrophe revealed many shortcomings in our current oil spill pollution and response laws.

Today's vote on the CLEAR Act is an important step towards strengthening our nation's oil spill response and prevention laws. The CLEAR Act contains three critical provisions for which I have advocated.

First, this legislation ensures that oil companies will be responsible for 100% of the cost of cleaning up their mess, and every penny of the damages they cause to Americans. The current liability cap of $75 million has proven to be grossly inadequate to cover the damage caused by a major offshore oil spill.

Second, immediately following the spill, President Obama and Secretary Salazar took immediate steps to reform the troubled Minerals Management Service (MMS). This legislation codifies those changes to prevent conflicts of interest.

Third, the bill puts in place safety regulations to reduce the risk of catastrophic spills. It requires new regulations on well designs, including blowout preventers, and requires a third party to certify safety plans.

I have concerns, however, regarding the bill's ``Requirement of Certification for Responsible Stewardship,'' which makes the issuance of new Outer Continental Shelf leases contingent on a company avoiding citations from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). I strongly support efforts to protect worker safety in our nation's oil and gas industry and have cosponsored the Protect America's Workers Act to give OSHA the tools it needs to enforce rigorous worker safety laws. I believe that strengthening OSHA and EPA authorities is a more effective way to improve worker safety than threatening oil companies with the loss of revenue from OCS drilling, and I am committed to working with my colleagues in the House to strengthen worker safety in the oil and gas industry.

As a representative from the Puget Sound, I understand how devastating an oil spill would be to a coastal region. I want to do everything possible to prevent an oil spill from occurring in Puget Sound and other areas of the country.

I am committed to continuing to investigate the impacts of this massive environmental disaster and examining the best ways to ensure any future offshore drilling will live up to oil companies' claims of safety and reliability.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to thank Representative Owens for his work on drafting this bill.

I rise in support of H.R. 4748, the Northern Border Counternarcotics Strategy of 2010. This legislation fulfills a critical need by mandating that the Administration provide a comprehensive strategy to stem the flow of narcotics between the United States and Canada.

Our northern border with Canada is the longest open border in the world. While the Administration has developed a strategy for addressing the flow of drugs across the southwest border, our northern border must not be forgotten.

As a cosponsor of this legislation and as the representative of a district with nearly 60 miles of international border, I understand the critical need to keep our communities safe from the influence of drug trafficking.

It is essential that law enforcement agencies have the tools to minimize the influence of narcotics trafficking. In Washington state, Drug Trafficking Organizations (DTOs) have consistently used the I-5 corridor to distribute meth, cocaine, ecstasy, and marijuana from Canada into our local communities.

It is vital that the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) work with the Secretary of Homeland Security to develop a comprehensive northern border counternarcotics strategy to ensure our local communities have the necessary resources to combat this illicit activity.

I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, today I not only stand in support of extending unemployment benefits to over 18,000 Washington State residents; I stand today in support of small manufacturers in my State of Washington.

Earlier this week, I introduced H.R. 5797, the Small Manufacturers Export Initiative. This legislation will help small- and medium-sized manufacturers export their products, not their jobs, overseas. I want to see the label ``Made in America'' again, and this bill is an important step in that direction.

The global market presents a fast and ever-growing market for U.S. exports. Nationwide, nearly 3.7 million manufacturing jobs are supported by exports. In my district alone, there are 182 aerospace production suppliers and other vendors. In Washington State, there are over 100 boat manufacturers, with many of these small businesses not only supplying the domestic market but also exporting their products.

We must do all we can to support these manufacturing companies to sell their products both here in the U.S. and overseas. The Small Manufacturers Export Initiative will build the infrastructure necessary to connect these small- and medium-sized manufacturers with export opportunities around the world and help them increase their productivity and expand their businesses.

I urge support for this legislation.

Madam Speaker, nearly one year ago Joshua Fueston, a 19-year-old Army soldier from Bellingham, Washington, committed suicide in Washington, DC. Joshua was at Walter Reed Army Medical Center receiving treatment for physical wounds suffered in Iraq, but he was also suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder,

Madam Speaker, nearly one year ago Joshua Fueston, a 19-year-old Army soldier from Bellingham, Washington, committed suicide in Washington DC. Joshua was at Walter Reed Army Medical Center receiving treatment for physical wounds suffered in Iraq, but he was also suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

In honor of his life and service, I request that the following poem, penned by Bert Caswell, be placed in the Congressional Record.

The Scars Of War

As when our fines sons and daughters go off to war. . . .

Much heartache, and such great burdens bore!

As some come home all encased in wood, all but for the

greater good!

While, others come home without arms and legs. . . . as do

they!

Ones without eyes, and faces . . . with burns upon their

bodies as placed this . . .

Touching all hearts, in so many ways . . . as it's for them

we now so pray . . .

But, some scars are not so easily seen . . .

But found deep down inside most heroic hearts, convened!

Are but found Those Scars of War, not so easily seen!

The kind that, in the middle of the dark night make them so

awake . . .

All in cold sweats, as upon all of their fine souls such

heartache is placed . . .

All in their most sleepless sleeps, now carried in their

souls so very deep . . .

As each day these scenes from hell they pray not repeat, as

its for them we weep!

For War is Hell, and Hell is War!

For their battles do not end, when they reach their home

shores again!

As from the outside, they look so strong and secure . . .

While, deep down inside . . . in all of them, the battle

builds all the more . . .

Destroying even the bravest, and the strongest of all hearts

for sure!

As upon their fine hearts and souls, but lie these most

dreadful scars of war!

As P.T.S.D., is but the silent killer . . . that we all

should so look for!

Because, while some die on battlefields of honor bright . . .

And then others, come home all in anguish . . . to fight this

fight!

And sadly, without help . . . many will but live their last

and final nights!

As they must fight their own private wars, never ending both

day and night . . .

As this darkness upon them so lies, as they so try and try!

With tears in eyes!

As another Hero died this day!

Take a look around you, I say . . .

A Hero stands beside you, with tears of heartache upon their

souls which lay!

All in their quiet suffering, we must somehow so hear their

pain!

For some things are not so clearly seen!

But, lie so deep down so inside this pain . . .

Remember, under the surface but lie all of their most

dreadful dreams . . .

Such things that Heroes dare not repeat!

Now, carried all in their fine hearts, so very deep!

For ever vigilant, as we must keep!

For all of our Sons and Daughters, who deep down inside their

fine hearts!

The Scars of War, they so keep!

P.T.S.D. a silent enemy . . .

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my support for the conference report on H.R. 2194, the Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability, and Divestment Act of 2010.

Iran is a threat to regional security and stability. It has flouted international law and supplied weapons to terrorist groups throughout the Middle East.

Upon taking office in 2009, President Barack Obama attempted to engage with Iran, including offering a deal which would have allowed Iran to receive nuclear fuel for peaceful purposes. However, Iran has spurned these good-faith efforts at engagement, and the time has come to put in place comprehensive sanctions.

The international community supports our efforts to isolate Iran through sanctions. President Obama secured a landmark sanctions agreement at the United Nations Security Council several weeks ago. The European Union took further action earlier this month when it agreed to impose stringent sanctions on Iran.

This bill goes even further than the UN and the EU--it is a comprehensive and stringent package of sanctions. Among many important provisions, it will prohibit investment in Iran's oil refining industry and create a legal framework for companies and investment managers who wish to divest from companies doing business with Iran. It will force many companies to answer a question--do I work with the U.S., or do I work with Iran?

I urge my colleagues to join with me in passing H.R. 2194 and sending a clear message to Iran that their provocative actions and reckless pursuit of a nuclear weapon will not be tolerated.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to express my support for H. Res. 1382, a resolution expressing sympathy to the families of those killed by North Korea

in the sinking of the South Korean ship Cheonan, and solidarity with South Korea in the aftermath of this tragic incident.

On March 26, the South Korean ship Cheonan sank in the Yellow Sea following an explosion, killing 46 sailors. I offer my condolences to the families, friends, and loved ones of those killed in this tragic incident.

In the two months following the sinking of the Cheonan, the South Korean government has undertaken extensive forensic work with a team of impartial international investigators to determine the cause of the explosion. Their work leaves no doubt that the sinking of the Cheonan and the death of 46 sailors was the direct result of a torpedo fired by North Korea.

The United States stands with President Lee Myung-bak and fully supports the measures he has taken to respond to the sinking of the Cheonan. President Lee's decision to close sea lanes and cut off trade with North Korea sends a strong message that South Korea will not tolerate unprovoked aggression.

South Korea is a strong ally of the United States, and as the President has made clear, our commitment to supporting their defense is unequivocal.

I urge the international community to join with South Korea and the United States to condemn North Korea's unacceptable, belligerent behavior.

And I urge my colleagues to support H. Res. 1382 and send a strong message that the United States Congress stands with South Korea during this difficult time.

Madam Speaker, today I rise to recognize the Snohomish

County World War II Veteran's Project participants and organizers.

I would like to begin by thanking all veterans for their service to our country. From the beaches of Normandy to the mountains of Afghanistan, our men and women in uniform have overcome and continue to overcome tremendous adversity to fulfill their missions.

Our nation's veterans have helped keep us safe, and helped keep us free.

It is important that our community remembers and honors the sacrifices made by the men and women who have served in our military, as well as their families and supporters.

Although future generations may never meet a veteran of World War II, the book assembled by Janell Wood and Christina Moore, ``War and Sacrifice,'' will help all of us understand how our neighbors in and around Snohomish County contributed to this nation's largest war effort at home and abroad.

I thank Janell and Christina for their work recording the individual histories of this diverse group that came together to defeat the Axis Powers. I also recognize the following individuals whose experiences during World War II comprise this book, and honor them for their service:

Lois Auchterlonie, Elwood Barker, William Brayton, Donald Brown, Lawrence ``Maggie'' Bryant, Jospeh Burkard, Dan Burris, H.B. ``Chris'' Christie, Paul Cormier, Herbert Courtney, William Dean, Ted Dufour, Roy Eastman, Fred Ensslin, Earl Horn, William Huested, Frank Hutchins, Leo Hymas, Stanley Innes, Edwin Kirchgessner, Grace Kortbein, Arthur Langdon, Marcelle ``Honey'' Langdon, Arthur Larson, Eleanor Leight, Leonard Martin, Harold McMahon, Truman Merritt, William Miller, William Moore, Robert Otto, David Pesznecker, Wallace Pesznecker, Art Poier, Paul Schaus, Ervin Schmidt, Allen Stewart, Jack Terhar, George Thorleifson, William Tygret, Louise Vandervanter, Maurice Vincent, Mick Wagelie, Jack Walter, Maynard Wege, Theodore West, Lonnie Williams, and Robert Willingham.

Our nation's triumph in World War II could not have occurred without the hard work and sacrifice of these men and women and millions of others who gave up ordinary jobs as teachers, factory workers, and businessmen to fight enemies of freedom around the world.

Upon returning to the United States and civilian life, these brave men and women helped America achieve an era of unprecedented economic prosperity.

To the veterans of World War II, and those that supported them, thank you for service to our country, and your involvement in our community.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of this legislation to extend the important programs of the Small Business Administration.

Small businesses are the backbone of our economy, having created 65 percent of all new jobs in the last decade. However, over the course of the last 18 months, small business owners have had trouble accessing the capital they need to grow their business and to create jobs. The SBA's lending programs are a critical piece of helping small businesses access this credit and create jobs, and I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

Now, according to the Northwest Business Development Agency in Washington State, for every $1 lent under the SBA 504 program, $94 is generated in tax revenue for our communities. Congress has made important steps to encourage increased lending for small businesses, including allowing SBA 504 loans to be used for debt relief, reducing fees in the SBA's 7(a) and 504 loan guaranty programs, and increasing the maximum percentage of the loan guaranty for 7(a) loans to 90 percent.

And credit is starting to move. In my district alone, between October 2009 and the end of February 2010, 58 SBA 7(a) loans worth nearly $18 million and 15 504 loans worth nearly $6 million were provided to small businesses in the Second Congressional District of Washington State, allowing them to expand and to modernize. However, at the end of this month, authorization for these important SBA programs will expire.

As Congress stays laser-focused on creating jobs, extending these important programs and ensuring small businesses can access credit is critical. So I strongly urge a ``yes'' vote on this bill.