Madeleine Bordallo

Ms. BORDALLO

Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1771) to reauthorize the Chesapeake Bay Office of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and for other purposes, as amended.

Ms. BORDALLO. 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.

Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, the Chesapeake Bay Office of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has taken bold steps to meet the bay's emerging challenges with ecosystem-based science, new coastal management techniques, and an effective environmental literacy program. However, these new priorities are not reflected in the office's existing authorizing statute. The pending measure, introduced by Mr. Sarbanes of Maryland, would realign the office and improve its ability to support ecosystem-based management, research science and education, all of which are very essential in our efforts to restore the Chesapeake Bay. I ask Members on both sides to support passage of this legislation. I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Sarbanes), the author of this legislation, such time as he may consume.

Ms. BORDALLO

Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I again urge Members to support this important bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. BORDALLO

Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3123) to direct the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Bureau of Reclamation, to remedy problems caused by a collapsed drainage tunnel in Leadville, Colorado, and for other purposes, as amended.

Ms. BORDALLO. 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.

Ms. BORDALLO

Ms. BORDALLO. I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. BORDALLO

Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to address concerns over the definition of ``coral reef' in H.R. 860, which were raised by the gentleman from Oklahoma, a co-chairman of the Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus, Congressman Dan Boren, during a Committee on Natural Resources mark-up on April 22, 2009. My colleague was concerned that the definition of ``coral reef' inappropriately included references to limestone structures that could have been interpreted to include sea floor habitat beyond what is commonly recognized as a coral reef. The bill, which was amended and adopted in the whole House by voice vote on Tuesday, September 22, 2009, includes revisions to this definition that better capture the physical structure and biological elements of coral reefs. The new definition also limits the geographic scope of coral reefs to those features that appear as reefs and shoals. In this regard, this new definition makes it clear that areas which are composed mainly of limestone bedrock, such as large areas of seabed on the continental shelf of the Gulf of Mexico, are not coral reefs for the purposes of this Act. This definition is supported by the Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation, the American Sportfishing Association, and the National Marine Manufacturers Association and I appreciate their collaboration in developing this compromise. I am confident that this new definition will provide clear guidance to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in their interpretation of this Act, and I thank my colleague, Congressman Boren for providing constructive clarification of this definition.

Ms. BORDALLO

Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I again urge Members to support this bill. I want to thank my colleague from Utah (Mr. Chaffetz) for managing the bills on the floor today with me. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. BORDALLO. 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 resolution under consideration.

Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, this year marks the 75th anniversary of the Hawk Mountain Sanctuary, a critical wildlife sanctuary, a research area, and environmental education center. Established in 1934 as the first refuge for birds of prey in the world, the sanctuary, which is located in eastern Pennsylvania, provides a rest area for over 12,000 raptors every year during their migrations. It also attracts scientists and students to explore new conservation strategies for birds of prey. The sanctuary's 2,600 acres also provides year-round public access to pristine woodland trails, overlooks, and education programs that give students an up close and personal view of these majestic birds. I commend Congressman Dent from Pennsylvania for introducing this resolution, and I urge its passage. With that, I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 670) congratulating and saluting the Hawk Mountain Sanctuary for celebrating its 75th anniversary, commending the Hawk Mountain Sanctuary for its contributions to the preservation of wildlife and the native ecology of the Appalachian Mountains and eastern Pennsylvania, and commending the Hawk Mountain Sanctuary for its dedication to educating the public and the international community about wildlife conservation.

Ms. BORDALLO

Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, H. Res. 688, introduced by the gentlewoman from Nevada, Representative Dina Titus, expresses support for the goals and the ideals of the first annual National Wild Horse and Burro Adoption Day, which takes place on September 26, 2009. In 1971, Congress passed the Wild Free Roaming Horse and Burro Act, which sought to prevent the disappearance of these horses and burros from the western range and created the Wild Horse and Burro Adoption Program. H. Res. 688 supports the first annual National Wild Horse and Burro Adoption Day. It recognizes that a successful adoption program is vital to managing these animals, and that more must be done to promote the program and educate the public. I would also note that in support of the goals of that 1971 act, I am proud to be a cosponsor of H.R. 1018, the Restore our American Mustangs, or ROAM Act, introduced by House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Rahall and passed by this House in July. Mr. Speaker, House Resolution 688 is important in drawing attention to the vital role of adoption in saving America's wild horses and burros. I commend Representative Titus for shining a light on this important event, and I ask my colleagues to support passage. I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to Representative Titus, the sponsor of this resolution.

Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I again urge Members to support this important bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. BORDALLO. 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 resolution that is now under consideration.

Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 688) expressing support for the goals and ideals of the first annual National Wild Horse and Burro Adoption Day taking place on September 26, 2009.

Ms. BORDALLO

Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I again urge Members to support this bill. I thank them for their support on the floor here. I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. BORDALLO

Ms. BORDALLO. 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.

Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1080) to strengthen enforcement mechanisms to stop illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing, and for other purposes, as amended.

Ms. BORDALLO

Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I again urge Members to support this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 599) honoring the Minute Man National Historical Park on the occasion of its 50th Anniversary.

Ms. BORDALLO

Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I again urge Members to support this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.