Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Army SPC Randall Ray Charles Landstedt from Pollock Pines, California, who was killed April 6, 2010 while on leave in Crestview, Florida. Specialist Landstedt grew up in El Dorado County, attending local schools, including Pinewood, Sierra Ridge, El Dorado High, and Independence High. From an early age, Specialist Landstedt was determined to serve his country and after graduation enlisted in the U.S. Army. He was known by his friends and family as kind, generous, considerate and loyal. He is survived by his parents, Joanne and Daniel Landstedt; brother, James Copeland of Pollock Pines; and sister, Rickie Bronstein of San Diego.

I cannot begin to comprehend the pain of losing such a kind and courageous young man and I cannot ease that pain with my words. All I can do is say thank you for Randall's service. He exemplified the highest values of our country, embodying courage, valor and dedication in his service with the Army's 1st Battalion, 32nd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division. Specialist Landstedt was twice awarded the

Army Commendation Medal and also received the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Medal, an Army Service Ribbon, an Overseas Service Ribbon, and the NATO Medal with an International Security Assistance Force bar. We will remember SPC Randall Landstedt for his honor and dedication, and we must never forget the service and sacrifices of the sons and daughters of our great country.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the brave individuals who served in the Military Intelligence Service and the Army's 100th Battalion, 442nd Regimental Combat Team (RCT)--the most decorated unit for its size and length of service in the history of the U.S. military. These patriotic Americans, many of whom came from Placer County, California, served at a time when many of their families were interned in camps far from their homes.

I am proud that the people of Placer County have partnered with the Japanese American Citizens League to create a permanent memorial commemorating the Americans of Japanese ancestry who served in the U.S. military during World War II. The memorial includes a 36-foot compass laid in concrete to symbolize the journey of the 442nd RCT located on Go For Broke Road, which is named in honor of the unit's motto.

As our community moves into the second phase of this project, I congratulate everyone involved and thank them for their ongoing efforts to honor those individuals who risked and sacrificed so much in defense of our great Nation and the ideals for which we stand.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 150th anniversary of St. Mary's Academy in Grass Valley, California. Since its first day, St. Mary's has provided outstanding educational opportunities to the children of Nevada County.

The Academy was founded in 1859 by Father Thomas J. Dalton, Pastor of St. Patrick Parish in Grass Valley as a school for the growing Nevada County area. The Academy has served as an orphanage, a finishing school for girls, a high school, and a grade school. Today the school offers kindergarten through eighth grade education.

As our community gathers to celebrate this auspicious occasion, I am proud to recognize 150 years of service and excellence and thank those who have worked to keep the Academy open and thriving.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Army Specialist Randall Ray Charles Landstedt from Pollock Pines, California, who was killed April 6, 2010 while on leave in Crestview, Florida. Spc. Landstedt grew up in El Dorado County, attending local schools, including Pinewood, Sierra Ridge, El Dorado High and Independence High. From an early age, Spc. Landstedt was determined to serve his country and after graduation enlisted in the U.S. Army. He was known by his friends and family as kind, generous, considerate and loyal. He is survived by his parents, Joanne and Daniel Landstedt, brother, James Copeland of Pollock Pines; and sister, Rickie Bronstein of San Diego.

I cannot begin to comprehend the pain of losing such a kind and courageous young man and I cannot ease that pain with my words. All I can do is say thank you for Randall's service. He exemplified the highest values of our country, embodying courage, valor and dedication in his service with the Army's 1st Battalion, 32nd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division. Spc. Landstedt was twice awarded the Army Commendation Medal and also received the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Medal, an Army Service Ribbon, an Overseas Service Ribbon and the NATO Medal with an International Security Assistance Force bar. We will remember Specialist Randall Landstedt for his honor and dedication, and we must never forget the service and sacrifices of the sons and daughters of our great country.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Jeffrey Michael Ross of Roseville, California.

On July 12, 2009 Jeffrey witnessed a driver lose control of her vehicle and careen into the canal in Rancho Cordova. Running to the water's edge, Mr. Ross found the vehicle sinking quickly and the semiconscious driver trapped inside.

In a situation where some would feel helpless, Jeffrey took decisive action. He dove into the water and swam towards the car, forced open the window and started to pull the victim out. As water continued to rush inside the car, it slipped beneath the surface with the driver still inside. Ross continued to fight and freed the driver, bringing her safely to the surface.

Jeffrey's act of courage and kindness is an example of the highest values of citizenship, and a credit to himself, his family and our community. I am proud to rise today to honor Mr. Ross and recognize him for receiving the Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation's Citizen Service Above Self Honors award earlier today in a ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to this flawed health care bill.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to this flawed health care bill. Under the provisions of this bill, Americans will be required by federal law to purchase health insurance policies that include every mandate imposed by the new federal health czar and will face federal fines and even imprisonment if they refuse. And they will pay for them through a combination of higher taxes, higher premiums or lower wages.

The proposition that Congress has the power to order Americans to purchase insurance--or any other product--is contrary to the fundamental concept of individual liberty and antithetical to the takings clause of the Fifth Amendment. If this precedent were to be upheld, the federal government will have assumed authority over every aspect of individual choice in the care of ourselves and our families and can logically be extended to what foods we choose or to what physical activities we engage in. Nor is this brave new doctrine limited to health care. Once the precedent is established that government may usurp individual decisions in the marketplace, what limitation remains on its power to order any other of our decisions as consumers?

Fortunately, the Constitution still protects our freedom from such usurpations. It will fall to the Supreme Court to hold this act accountable to the Constitution and it will fall to ``We the People'' to hold those responsible for it accountable at the polls.

Mr. Speaker, in his introduction to the epic ``The Ten Commandments,'' Cecil B. DeMille asked the question, ``Are men the property of the state, or are they free souls under God?'' Congress will authoritatively address this question tomorrow. Will the Federal Government order Americans to purchase products that the government thinks that they should buy and fine or imprison them if they refuse? Will it empower a new health czar to make decisions over the most minute details of every American's health care? Will it set loose 16,000 new IRS agents to enforce its edicts?

This vote transcends any questions of health care. It introduces a proposition that will fundamentally alter the relationship between the Government and the people for all time. I pray that my democratic colleagues, drunk as they may be with power, will consider carefully the implications of the action they are about to take.

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

The majority has adequately described the bill. Based on the history of this legislative proposal, we're not opposing the measure; however, Members should note that today's bill has been changed from prior versions. The 10-year sunset has been removed.

We were also concerned that the Federal Government would have unfettered access to private property under this program and that the data collected on this private property could be used against the landowner. However, after meeting with the affected parties, we've concluded that the U.S. Geological Survey regulations require prior written landowner permission for entry and for release of any data collected on an individual's property.

I would like to include in the Record the appropriate permission form that is used for these purposes. It's our understanding that the program authorized in this bill would follow this longstanding practice.

[From the U.S. Geological Survey Manual]

Format for Letter Requesting Permission To Enter Private Property (To

Be Printed on Official Letterhead)

(Insert Date)

(Insert Name of Private Landowner)

(Insert Address of Private Landowner)

Dear (Insert Name of Private Landowner):

The U.S. Geological Survey requires employees to obtain

written permission from landowners in certain cases before

entering onto private property to conduct new surveys or

scientific sampling. Consequently, we are hereby requesting

your approval to enter your land for the purpose described

below. The data and/or samples collected will be used for

scientific purposes and will be provided to you upon request.

Specific information regarding this request is as follows:

1. (proposed date and time of entry and departure, or

period of time during which recurring visits will be

necessary).

2. (kind and number of vehicles to be used).

3. (number of persons in the party).

4. (name, office address, and contact information of chief

of party).

5. (purpose of the work).

6. (locations on the property where work is to be done).

7. (approximate frequency of aircraft flights along lines

of sight for temperature and pressure measurements, in

connection with geodimeter or similar work, if applicable).

We will make every effort to minimize disturbance or

disruption to your property. However, in the unlikely event

that property damage results, you are entitled to file a

claim to recover your damages (tort claim). Please contact

(insert name and telephone number of tort claims contact)

immediately if property damage should occur.

If you have any questions about this program of the U.S.

Geological Survey, you may contact (insert name of chief of

project) at the following telephone number: (insert number).

If you consent to this request, please sign below and (list

method of return, e.g., envelope provided, leave at a

designated location, etc.). Thank you for your cooperation.

Sincerely,

(Signature and Printed Name of Requestor).

With that, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself just enough time to wish a belated happy birthday to the gentleman from Wisconsin.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, this well-intentioned bill tries to force the administration into making ground water cleanup in the Rialto-Colton Basin of California a priority. Everyone acknowledges that this bill is a restatement of current law, and that new funding is not authorized in this bill, but we all understand what the gentleman from California is trying to accomplish and, in the spirit of bipartisanship, Republicans supported his efforts in the Natural Resources Committee.

But I need to point out that this bipartisan gesture continues to go unreciprocated. We've been trying in vain for months now to get the same kind of bipartisan cooperation to restore full water deliveries to the Central Valley of California. The valley's economy has been devastated by the diversion of 200 billion gallons of water in order to dump that water into the Pacific Ocean to serve the left's pet cause, the 3-inch Delta Smelt.

Apologists for this policy argue that, well, it's the drought. Well, they ignore the fact that the drought we've had is a relatively minor one by historical standards, it appears to be over, and that in far more severe droughts in the past, far more water has reached the Central Valley. But that's before the environmental left took over our water policy and diverted 200 billion gallons of that water into the Pacific Ocean.

It's unfortunate that the majority actually rewrote this bill specifically to keep us from offering amendments that would address the agony of the Central Valley.

Time and again, the majority, using parliamentary gimmicks, has prevented any attempt to restore normal water deliveries to the San Joaquin Valley.

By the Obama administration's own numbers, it spent about $1.5 billion as part of the so-called ``stimulus'' in the Central Valley's six Congressional districts to save or create 1,600 jobs.

Well, today Congress has the power to restore tens of thousands of jobs lost because of water diversions at no cost to taxpayers. This House is in possession of a bill to do just that, H.R. 3105, by my colleague, Congressman Nunes. But still it studiously avoids exercising that power because this administration and this majority in Congress have chosen fish over people.

Farmers in the San Joaquin Valley are now faced with making planning decisions. Despite near record precipitation in the northern Sierra watershed--NOAA this week reported that precipitation is now 129 percent of normal--the Department of the Interior has just announced Central Valley farmers will be guaranteed only 25 percent of their normal allocations. Let me repeat that so it sinks in. Precipitation is 129 percent of normal; guaranteed water delivery is 25 percent of normal.

Even Senator Feinstein tried to give the farmers a 40 percent water allocation, yet that effort has been opposed by the environmental left and its friends in Congress.

Perchlorate contamination in the Inland Empire is the indirect result of Federal policy, and the Federal government has a responsibility to assist the people of the Inland Empire with cleanup. But the agony of California's Central Valley is the direct result of policies that Congress could change in this very bill. It's disappointing to me that the majority chooses not to do so. I think it makes a mockery of any claims of bipartisanship, although we once again extend that offer of bipartisanship by supporting this bill, and invite the majority to join us.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield whatever time he may consume to my friend and colleague representing the Central Valley of California (Mr. Nunes).

Mr. Speaker, in closing, I will simply appeal again to the majority, water might be controversial, but it needn't be partisan. We have done everything we can in good faith to support this bill for clean drinking water for Rialto and Colton. We would ask the majority again to reconsider its opposition to restoring the full water entitlement to the Central Valley. Again, there is something desperately wrong with our public policy when we are at 129 percent of normal in our Sierra precipitation and yet only 25 percent of the water deliveries to the Central Valley.

With that final appeal for bipartisanship, I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 4003 has been adequately explained by the majority. I do want to point out, however, that the committee wisely adopted an amendment by Congressman Rob Bishop that requires the National Park Service to identify local activities that will be limited or eliminated if the study leads to a park designation. As Congress considers additions to the National Park System, the public is entitled to know which existing activities, such as hunting and fishing and boating and snowmobiling and energy production and transmission, will be restricted.

As we in the West painfully know, national park designation comes with an abundance of regulations and direct Federal management. It is important that people living in the affected area know ahead of time how much authority over their local affairs will be ceded to the Federal Government.

I reserve the balance of my time.

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

I appreciate sincerely the gentleman's sensitivity to the property rights of the individuals in the Hudson River Valley and the prerogatives of local government control; and for that reason, I should think that he would welcome the amendment that was placed in the bill that would give all of the people notice of what existing activities may be restricted if the study concludes that the area should be designated as a unit of the National Park System and if in fact it does become a unit.

I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Speaker, the gentlelady from Guam has adequately explained this bill. Of course, it wouldn't be fair to compare the Vermont Long Trail to the magnificent trails of the Northern Sierra, but I'm assured that the Vermont Long Trail is a very nice one for Vermont.

The resolution sponsor has wisely avoided any references to sports teams and is not involved in any ongoing feuds that I'm aware of.

I yield back the balance of my time.

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

I want to begin by thanking Congressman Calvert for introducing this

bill to designate a memorial in honor of the over 150,000 current and former members of the Armed Forces who have been awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.

When this bill is enacted, a memorial under construction at March Field Air Museum in Riverside, California, will be designated as the Distinguished Flying Cross National Memorial. This designation honors these patriots and does not require or permit any expenditure of any Federal funds.

Mr. Speaker, I would yield such time as he may consume to the bill's sponsor, my friend from California (Mr. Calvert).

Mr. Speaker, I would like to say the Distinguished Flying Cross was also awarded to William Pittman for his service in flying B-29s in the Pacific during World War II. His daughter, Lisa, sits next to me staffing this bill today.

I yield back the balance of our time.

Parliamentary inquiry, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I am just wondering, which Members did you count standing on the floor a moment ago?

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

Madam Speaker, in a moment, I'm going to yield time to Dave Reichert, the lead sponsor and proponent of this legislation, but before doing so, I want to recognize what a diligent and persuasive advocate Dave Reichert has been for this bill. He developed it by working closely with local leaders. He introduced it and has gained the support of Washington State's two Democratic Senators.

While the bill does not take the approach that I personally believe is best for protecting our Federal forests and public lands, this bill only affects lands in Washington State's Eighth Congressional District, which Dave Reichert has been elected to represent.

Due to the leadership and hard work of Mr. Reichert, this bill was advanced out of the Natural Resources Committee, and I fully expect it will pass the full House of Representatives today.

So to my friend and colleague from Washington State, I offer my congratulations on his success, and I yield him whatever time he may consume.

Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Lance).

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

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

The legislation allows the National Park Service to accept the donation of a small parcel of land that will allow it to better interpret the historic battle for which the park was created. It also authorizes the Park Service to purchase the historic train depot where Abraham Lincoln arrived and departed from his historic visit in 1863.

I am told that there was a time when that historic train depot served as a pizza parlor. Today, it serves a much more fitting role as a museum, and under this measure the Park Service will take over its operation.

I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman, Mr. Platts, the author of the measure.

Madam Speaker, if the gentlelady from Guam has no further speakers, I yield back the balance of my time.