Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of two Navajo Indians and celebrate the American heroes who passed away last week. Stewart Clah and Charles Guy were members of the elite Navajo Code Talkers. They did not simply rely on their ancestral language to relay critical United States military communications. Rather, the innovative Navajo Code Talkers used their native language to build a succinct and unbreakable code for military communications during World War II.

We will never know exactly how many American lives were saved or how many American military operations were successful because of their ingenuity and sacrifice. But we do know Stewart Clah and Charles Guy and the rest of the Navajo Code Talkers will forever be remembered as critical to the Allied victory during one of the world's darkest hours.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to introduce the Airline Personnel Training Enhancement Act, an important piece of legislation that requires airlines to provide alcohol server training for flight attendants.

Late last year, another tragic drunk driving accident occurred in New Mexico resulting in the death of a mother, father, and three children, leaving only one surviving daughter. The family, on their way home from a soccer match, was struck by the drunk driver as he drove down the wrong side of the interstate. The driver also died in the accident.

As more was revealed about the events leading up to the accident, we learned that only a few hours earlier, the driver was already visibly intoxicated on a flight to New Mexico. While other passengers noticed that the man appeared to be intoxicated, the man was served more alcohol during the flight. Two hours after landing, the man, with a blood alcohol content level four times the legal limit, killed this family.

After this horrible tragedy occurred, I learned that while Federal regulations prohibit an intoxicated person to be served alcohol on board a flight, or to even board a flight, only some airlines actually provide the training necessary to help these attendants identify and cope with intoxicated passengers. Additional training to identify intoxicated passengers either boarding or already on the flight is critical to ensuring attendants make informed decisions when serving alcohol.

For this reason, I am introducing simple, straightforward legislation to ensure airline personnel receive this training. My bill requires air carriers to provide alcohol server training to gate and flight attendants. This training also will include ways to deal with disruptive passengers and identifying intoxicated passengers. This training, which would have to occur annually, would include situational training on how to handle intoxicated individuals who are belligerent. It is my hope that this will improve public safety both in the air and on the ground. This legislation cannot prevent every tragedy that comes from alcohol abuse, but it is one more valuable step we can take in the ongoing effort to stop drunk driving.

I ask for your support of this legislation.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to re-introduce The Northwestern New Mexico Rural Water Projects Act. This legislation, which was also introduced today in the Senate by my colleagues from New Mexico, Senators Bingaman and Domenici, will ratify the historic San Juan River Settlement Agreement. This agreement, signed by the Navajo Nation and the State of New Mexico, will provide for the development of a rural water system to address the water needs of numerous New Mexicans, many of them members of the Navajo Nation.

Once ratified, the settlement agreement will resolve the Navajo Nation's water rights. It will also provide a water supply for Gallup, New Mexico, and recognize authorized and existing uses of San Juan River basin water. In exchange for relinquishing some of their claims to water from the San Juan River basin, the Navajo Nation will benefit from water development projects which include the Navajo-Gallup project and the Navajo Nation Municipal pipeline. Incredibly, even now in 21st- century America, more than 70,000 Navajos must still haul water daily for residential use. These water projects will go a long way toward rectifying that grievous situation.

The Navajo Nation, the State of New Mexico and many other residents of northwestern New Mexico put a tremendous amount of effort into reaching an agreement that will provide a more secure future for many vulnerable communities. I am proud to be able to contribute today to their hard work and diligent commitment by introducing the legislation in the House. I look forward to working with my colleagues to pass this legislation and move these important water projects forward.

Madam Speaker, on March 26 and 27 I was in my district visiting an area severely damaged by tornadoes that struck over the weekend. Had I been present, I would have voted ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 187, ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 188, ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 189, ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 190, ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 191, ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 192, ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 193, ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 194, ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 195, ``nay'' on rollcall vote No. 196, ``nay'' on rollcall vote No. 197, ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 198, ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 199, ``nay'' on rollcall vote No. 200, and ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 201.

Mr. Speaker, Speaker Pelosi, Chairman Obey, and Chairman Murtha have put together a very solid piece of legislation. This bill puts us on a path to end this war. This legislation holds the Iraqi Government accountable, and it holds President Bush accountable. Let us not forget, this is an Iraqi Government that refuses to pursue national reconciliation.

This bill takes President Bush's benchmarks and puts them into law. This is a bill about accountability. Others have said we are handcuffing, micromanaging. No, this is a bill about setting a policy to extract us from a misguided war.

I ask my colleagues, vote for this bill because it tells the Iraqis it is time for you to step up and defend your country.

I rise today in support of this important legislation and would like to thank Chairman Obey and Chairman Murtha for their work in crafting this critically important bill. There are no easy choices to be made regarding Iraq, but the choices they have made are the right ones.

I believe there are two fundamental issues we must address concerning the on-going war in Iraq. First, we must provide the resources necessary for our troops on the ground so they can protect themselves and our allies. Second, we must redeploy them as soon as we can, and bring to an end American involvement in ill-conceived, poorly planned, and mismanaged war.

I believe this legislation achieves both of these goals. The bill provides more funding for the equipment and training of our troops than the President's request. It offers a new direction that promises to finally bring closure to our open-ended commitment in Iraq. And Mr. Speaker, this bill promises to give our returning troops the health care that they need, with the honor they deserve for honoring us with their service.

As the people's body, it is imperative that the House of Representatives listens to the will of the people. Equally important, it is imperative that the President listen to the will of the people.

After four years, $400 billion dollars, and the tragic loss of 3,200 service men and women, every survey of public opinion shows a clear majority of Americans disapprove of the President's handling of the Iraq War. And more Americans believe Congress, not the President, should be primarily responsible for setting policy in Iraq.

Mr. Speaker, with passage of this legislation, we are taking the first steps to end our involvement in a war that currently has no end in sight.

I urge my colleagues to support this important legislation and move us in a new direction in Iraq.

I thank the gentlelady from California for her leadership and hard work on this important issue, and also the ranking member.

Mr. Speaker, first of all, I would like to take a minute to thank the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Kildee) who is the lead cosponsor of this legislation, not only for his support, but for his work on this issue during the last Congress. This is only one of many critically important issues he has championed as cochair of the Congressional Native American Caucus. I am also honored to be a co-vice chair on the caucus, and I am honored to work with him on this legislation.

I would also like to thank my colleagues who supported this bill by joining me as cosponsors.

The important legislation before us today, H.R. 545, allows tribal governments to apply for three programs vital to the fight against methamphetamine: the COPS Meth Hot Spots program, the Drug-Endangered Children program, and the Pregnant and Parenting Women Offenders program. These programs were authorized last year as part of the Combat Methamphetamine Epidemic Act, which was included in the U.S. PATRIOT Act reauthorization. Unfortunately, tribal governments were unintentionally left out as possible applicants for the Hot Spots and Drug-Endangered Children programs. And while tribes are included as eligible applicants for the Pregnant and Parenting Women Offenders grant program, clarifying language was needed to ensure there is ample coordination with tribal service providers.

This legislation simply insures that consistent with tribal sovereignty, tribes can apply for the Hot Spots and Drug-Endangered Children grant programs. It also ensures greater coordination with tribal service providers in the Pregnant and Parenting Women Offenders grant program.

The manufacture and use of methamphetamine is one of the fastest

growing drug problems in the Nation. Thousands of labs continue to be found across the country. And while the number is slowing and slowly decreasing, drug traffickers have supplanted this decline with meth produced in other countries.

Unfortunately, the meth situation has been disproportionately much worse in Native American communities. The 2005 National Drug Survey on Drug Use and Health reported a past-year methamphetamine use rate of 1.7 percent for American Indians, and 2.2 percent for Native Hawaiians. These rates are dramatically higher than Anglos and other ethnic groups.

Mr. Speaker, this situation is absolutely unacceptable. The persistent use of methamphetamine on tribal lands and across America may come to an end. And I believe that passing H.R. 545 is an important step towards achieving this goal.

I urge my colleagues to support passage of this legislation.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to reintroduce the Great Cats & Rare Canids Act along with my original cosponsers and fellow cochairs of the International Conservation Caucus, Mr. Royce, Mr. Tanner and our newest cochair, Mr. Rogers of Kentucky.

Madam Speaker, on March 13th I was unavoidably detained and missed rollcall vote numbers 121 and 122. Rollcall vote 121 was final passage of House Resolution 98, honoring the life and achievements of the late Dr. John Garang de Mabior, and had I been present, I would have voted, ``aye.'' Rollcall vote 122 was final passage of House Resolution 149, supporting the goals of International Women's Day, and had I been present, I would have voted, ``aye.''

Mr. Speaker, it brings me great pleasure to rise today in support of H.R. 544, legislation I introduced to honor Judge Santiago Campos by naming after him the Federal courthouse in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Judge Campos was the first Hispanic appointed to the Federal bench in New Mexico, and naming this building after him is a long overdue tribute.

Judge Campos passed away on January 20, 2001 at the age of 75 years old. He was a lifelong New Mexican and graduated first in his law school class at the University of New Mexico. He was appointed to the Federal bench in 1978, serving until his death in 2001, including as chief judge from 1987 through 1989.

But Judge Campos' career of public service only culminated with his service as a United States District Court Judge. He also served in the United States Navy as a seaman first class. He served as the assistant and first assistant attorney general of New Mexico. And before being named to the Federal bench, he served as a district court judge in the first judicial district in the State of New Mexico.

Judge Campos served with distinction on the bench and displayed both firmness and

compassion with those who entered his courtroom. He was very active during cases, often exercising his right to question witnesses in the middle of cross-examinations. Many agree that he became more involved in a case than other judges, but still let a lawyer try his own case. One of his most memorable cases ordered the Gannett Co. to return The New Mexican, Santa Fe's daily newspaper, to its former owner, Robert McKinney, due to a breach of contract.

Naming the Federal courthouse after Judge Campos is all the more fitting because of his role in transforming the U.S. Courthouse into the beautiful active place it is today. Judge Campos had a grand vision for the Santa Fe courthouse that, through his hard work, was realized during his lifetime. He was remembered for being very hands-on during the remodeling process, often seen climbing through the rubble of the construction area with a hammer in hand, questioning the contractor, and pitching in with the construction workers. As Judge Campos' former secretary, Yolanda Salazar, put it, ``He was the moving force in reviving the Federal courthouse in Santa Fe and restoring it as a hallmark of justice with the respect it merits.''

There are many individuals throughout New Mexico who are eager to see this legislation passed and the courthouse named after Judge Campos. He was a mentor, a friend, and an inspiration to countless New Mexicans and his spirit lives on at the U.S. Courthouse in Santa Fe. To again quote Yolanda Salazar, she said, ``I will forever look upon this courthouse as `his courthouse.' '' Passing this legislation will ensure that those who look upon the courthouse will remember it as Judge Campos' courthouse as well.

Madam Speaker, on February 16th I missed rollcall vote No. 102, final passage of the Small Business Tax Relief Act. Had I voted, I would have voted ``aye.''

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of this important resolution and with great hope that this debate and vote will signal an important step towards the end of the Iraq war, a war so ill-conceived, so ill-planned for, and so ill-executed that it has cost our Nation almost $400 billion, ignited a civil war, and further destabilized an already fragile Mideast region. Most importantly, this war has

resulted in the deaths of over 3,000 of our bravest military men and women. These men and women enlist in the Armed Forces trusting that their Commander in Chief will send them into harm's way only as a last resort and only with a clear plan for victory.

Madam Speaker, on both of these counts, the President has failed our soldiers.

It is time for us to redeploy our troops and redeploy them now. We have an opportunity to send a loud and resolute message to the President that his misguided judgment must cease, this war must now be subject to intense scrutiny and accountability by this Congress; and that he must heed the will of the American people, the overwhelming majority of whom now strongly disapprove of his handling of this war. Sadly, however, this President is tone-deaf when it comes to the most pressing issue of the day.

For the past 4 years, the President repeatedly stated that troop strength in Iraq would come from recommendations by generals on the ground. Yet by moving forward with his escalation plan, the President is ignoring solid military advice. General Abizaid, CENTCOM commander, stated: ``I do not believe that more American troops right now is the solution to the problem. I believe that the troop levels need to stay where they are.'' Additionally, according to various reports, General Casey repeated to the NSA Director his warnings that to send more troops to Iraq would be counterproductive. He believed it might make the Iraqi Government less likely to defend itself.

That concern was shared by the Iraq Study Group. In one of their recommendations they stated that the Iraqi Government must make substantial progress on national reconciliation, security, and governance. Without progress, we should reduce our political, military, and economic support for the Iraqi Government.

Tragically, the Iraqi Government has shown no progress on any of these fronts. We must not be a security blanket for an ineffectual government. But the President's escalation plan is exactly that, asking little of Iraq's Government while putting the lives of our soldiers squarely in the crosshairs of Sunni extremists and Shiite militias.

Many in the military leadership have stated that the solution to the Iraqi quagmire at this point must be 80 percent political and 20 percent military. This escalation plan is 100 percent military with no significant political breakthroughs either having been reached or even on the horizon. Rather than implement a rigorous diplomatic strategy, the administration has instead begun escalating the rhetoric with Iran, causing many people throughout the Nation and the world to fear another misguided military action.

Our soldiers have done everything that has been asked of them, and more. They have served bravely and honorably. They have trained Iraqi forces to the best of their abilities. But they cannot be asked to calm the sectarian violence ripping Iraq apart without leadership from Iraqi politicians. Yet the President is asking exactly that.

Last year, after visiting Iraq, I called for a phased redeployment by the end of 2006. That time has come and gone. Today I call on the President to finally listen to the American people. Today I call on the President to finally listen to the Congress. It is time to move our troops out of the middle of this civil war.

I urge my colleagues to support this resolution and send a clear message to the President that the time for this war is over

Madam Speaker, I rise today to introduce a bill to amend title VI of the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 in order to establish a Federal renewable energy portfolio standard for certain retail electric utilities. I would like to thank Representatives Platts, Pallone, Udall of Colorado, Shays, DeGette and McNerney for their work on this issue and for joining me in introducing this legislation.

This bill will take a modest but important step towards developing our country's vast renewable energy resources by requiring retail sellers of electricity to use a minimum amount of electricity from renewable energy sources. That minimum increases gradually from only 1 percent in 2010 to a long-term target of 20 percent by 2020.

Developing our homegrown energy resources will create jobs, save consumers money, and bolster rural economies. In addition, diversifying our energy supply will increase our energy security and reduce the threat of global warming.

For example, a 2006 analysis by the Union of Concerned Scientists found that a standard requiring 20 percent of generation from renewable energy sources by the year 2020 would generate over 355,000 new high- paying jobs. In 2004, the Union of Concerned Scientists, using a modified version of the National Energy Modeling System, found that a 20 percent standard would have virtually no impact on consumer electric rates and would actually work to reduce natural gas prices.

Moreover, they calculated that a 20 percent standard would provide $72.6 billion in new capital investments, $15 billion in property tax revenues, and more than $17 billion in payments to farmers, ranchers, and rural landowners. Consumers would save over $12.6 billion. Commercial and industrial users would save $19.1 billion and $17.4 billion, respectively. And, all of those savings would actually be helping us reduce our reliance on foreign sources of energy and our impact on global warming.

The momentum for a national renewable portfolio standard, more simply known as an RPS, has been building. A Federal RPS mandate has already passed the Senate three times. Twenty-one States and the District of Columbia have already enacted renewable portfolio standards of their own because they recognize the economic benefits of an RPS. Nine States have even increased or accelerated existing standards. The RPS has proven itself effective, efficient and popular. It is time to bring those benefits to the rest of the Nation.

This bill provides for a gradual start, and it has many provisions both to help utilities meet the requirement and to reward those utilities that meet the requirements ahead of schedule. It allows States, many of whom have moved far ahead on this issue, to have standards that are more rigorous than the Federal standards, and it provides incentives for the distributed generation of renewable energy and for the development of renewable energy resources on tribal lands.

I urge my colleagues to join me in support of this legislation.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to talk about global warming and our energy future, the epic challenges of our time.

First, I want to applaud our leader, Speaker Nancy Pelosi, for recognizing the importance of this issue to our children and our grandchildren. And I think she is right to put a deadline for the House to act.

Energy independence and global warming are of paramount concern to the American people. Most polls show the American people, by 70 to 80 percent, think these are very serious problems.

Today, a significant development occurred on this front. In the Capitol this morning, the U.S. Climate Action Partnership issued its call for action. This group is composed of environmental groups, World Resources Institute, NRDC, Environmental Defense, the Pew Center on Global Climate Change; industrial giants like Alcoa, BP, Caterpillar, Duke Energy and Dupont; and many others, including our power company in New Mexico, PNM Resources.

Listen to what they say in their report: ``We know enough to act on climate change.''

``The challenge is significant, but the United States can grow and prosper in a greenhouse gas constrained world.''

``In our view, the climate change challenge will create more economic opportunities than risks for the U.S. economy.''

``We need a mandatory flexible climate program.''

This report is significant, because major U.S. companies have stepped up to the plate and called for action now. They are optimistic. They believe we can get this done. In the 109th Congress, the Udall-Petri legislation, H.R. 5042, had most of the components called for by this partnership. We will reintroduce it in the 110th and try and capture these up-to-date recommendations.

Udall-Petri stands for immediate action. Our bill is a mandatory cap- and-trade system that uses the marketplace. It puts a price on carbon dioxide emissions. Our bill has a safety valve which balances economic losses with emissions reduction achievements. And our bill provides the flexibility to unleash American business ingenuity.

I told the partnership their first agenda item should be to meet with President Bush. Their message needs to be heard in the White House. The President has called for a voluntary program. While his voluntary program has been in place, we have seen no reduction in carbon dioxide emissions. In fact, we have seen every year in the 6 years a 2 percent increase every year. President Bush should take note of these business leaders and let's join together to leave the planet a better place for our children and grandchildren.

Madam Speaker, this morning myself and several Senators and Representatives including the Senate Majority Leader Reid and House Majority Whip Hoyer had the honor of participating in an unprecedented meeting with the CEOs of DuPont, GE, Duke Energy, Lehman Brothers, PG&E, FPL Company, Caterpillar, Alcoa, BP America, and PNM Energy from my home state of New Mexico, and the heads of the Natural Resources Defense Council, the Pew Center on Global Climate Change, Environmental Defense, and the World Resources Institute. The United States Climate Action Partnership, as this organization of CEOs is named, has coalesced around the urgent need to enact a federal global warming policy, and to enact it now. I am humbled both by the commitment expressed by these leading global corporations and by the enormity and importance of the task we here in Congress have before us to craft policies to address perhaps the most pressing issue of our generation. I applaud them for their leadership and courage on this issue, and I look forward to working with them.

The time for debate about whether or not global warming is real and whether or not it is

attributable to human activity on this planet, has passed. America must lead the global effort with a national global warming policy. We can no longer sit and reap the benefits of fossil fuels without mitigating the negative effects they are having on our planet and our way of life. We cannot, we must not, leave this one up to our children.

It is now the moment in time when we must create a policy to address global warming. To that end, my good friend and colleague from Wisconsin, Mr. Tom Petri, who was also present at the meeting this morning, have developed a comprehensive greenhouse gas emissions control bill. We introduced the Keep America Competitive Global Warming Act during the 109th Congress and are currently making minor changes to the legislation for reintroduction in the coming weeks. Our legislation will put our country on the path to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, while not jeopardizing American competitiveness, American jobs, and the American economy.

The bill is an economy-wide, upstream, cap-and-trade policy that covers all greenhouse gas emissions. However, to provide some certainty to the economy, the bill provides for an unlimited number of additional ``safety valve'' allowances. This safety valve provision provides cost- certainty to industry and will help ensure that this policy will not result in economic harm. We believe it is better to have a policy that works slowly yet surely rather than one that might prove economically unworkable. Many companies, including some who were present at this morning's meeting, have expressed the need for a safety valve in any mandatory greenhouse emissions control legislation.

Some of the other key provisions of this legislation include the creation of an Advanced Research Projects Agency at the Department of Energy to explore the truly out-of-the-box, high-risk, high-payoff research that will be necessary if we are to get to a low or no carbon dioxide and greenhouse gas world. Technological advancement hold the key to the long-term solution of global warming. Our bill also includes resources for workers, entities and localities who may be negatively impacted by this policy. Also, Madam Speaker, to address concerns about American competitiveness, our legislation ensures that the United States will not be put at a competitive disadvantage relative to developing countries or countries not taking actions comparable to ours to stem greenhouse gas emissions.

Madam Speaker, the message we hear from scientists is clear, we must act immediately to stop global warming. We must do so, however, in a responsible manner that does not cost American competitiveness and American jobs. Mr. Petri will soon be reintroducing our reasonable, certain, and efficient global warming legislation. Please join us in combating one the most pressing issues facing our country today.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to introduce the Native American Methamphetamine Enforcement and Treatment Act of 2007.

Last year, Congress passed the Combat Methamphetamine Epidemic Act of 2005 as part of the reauthorization of the USA PATRIOT Act. Included in the bill were provisions that authorized funding for three important grant programs--the COPS Hot Spots Program, the Drug-Endangered Children Program, and the Pregnant and Parenting Women Offenders Program.

The Hot Spots Program specifically provides funding for a broad range of initiatives designed to assist State and local law enforcement in undertaking antimethamphetamine initiatives. The Drug-Endangered Children Grant Program provides comprehensive services to assist children who live in a home where meth has been used, manufactured, and sold. The Pregnant and Parenting Women Offenders Grant Program is designed to facilitate cooperation between the criminal justice, child welfare, and substance abuse systems in order to reduce the use of drugs by pregnant women and those with dependant children.

Unfortunately, tribal governments were unintentionally left out as possible applicants for the Hot Spots and Drug-Endangered Children Programs. The legislation I am introducing today seeks to rectify this by ensuring that, consistent with tribal sovereignty, tribes can apply for these grants, just as States can. Additionally, while tribes were included as eligible applicants for the Pregnant and Parenting Women Offenders Grant Program, clarifying language is needed to ensure there is ample coordination with tribal service providers. This legislation works to achieve this coordination.

In 2005, the Drug Enforcement Administration and State and local law enforcement officials counted 12,484 Clandestine Laboratory Incidents in 48 States. In New Mexico alone, the State Department of Public Safety Narcotics Section handled over 400 cases involving meth in 2004. While this is disturbing enough, the situation can be worse in Native American communities. In studies of ``past year methamphetamine use,'' Native communities have the highest use rates--more than double the use rate of other ethnicities. Additionally, when the Bureau of Indian Affairs surveyed tribes about law enforcement, more than 70 percent said that meth is the drug that poses the greatest threat to their reservation. It is evident that more needs to be done to stop the manufacturing and use of meth.

As a co-vice chair of the Congressional Native American Caucus and a member of the Congressional Caucus to Fight and Control Methamphetamine, I am uniquely aware of the substantial obstacles our criminal justice, child welfare, and substance abuse systems face in the fight against meth. As such, I am pleased to introduce this legislation today and wish to thank original cosponsor Representative Dale Kildee for his support. Mr. Kildee has worked diligently on this matter and continues to be a strong advocate for all Native American issues. I urge my colleagues to join us in helping to give Native American communities the resources they need to combat this epidemic, by cosponsoring this bill.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 4 and urge my colleagues to support the passage of this legislation that will, I believe, provide lower drug prices for millions of Medicare beneficiaries.

We all know that the costs of prescriptions are a huge burden on Americans throughout the country. That is why during past sessions of Congress I have cosponsored legislation to grant the HHS Secretary the authority to negotiate prescription drug prices. Never before, however, have we been this close to making the negotiating authority a reality. No one could be happier about this than the American people. In a recent poll 92 percent stated that they support the proposal to grant HHS negotiating authority.

Madam Speaker, there is good reason for this overwhelming support of negotiating authority. Pharmaceutical companies continue to rake in millions while consumers are forced to face the high prices of their product. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this important legislation and take an important step towards providing price relief for millions of Medicare beneficiaries.