Andy Biggs

Mr. BIGGS

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

Mr. BIGGS

Mr. BIGGS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Chandler Mayor Kevin Hartke, who took his oath of office earlier this month. Mayor Hartke previously served on the Chandler City Council, where he was, most recently, the vice mayor. Mayor Hartke and his family are longtime Chandler residents, and they are extremely active in their community. He and his wife, Lynne, have been married for 37 years, and have four children and four grandchildren. He served on one of my advisory councils in the last Congress, offering a distinct perspective on how my staff and I could engage the faith-based community. Madam Speaker, individuals like Mayor Hartke provide stability and vital leadership to our cities and towns. Chandler was recently rated as the number ten city in the country for job seekers. Under Mayor Hartke's direction, I have every confidence that he will continue to help Chandler's economy prosper. I have enjoyed working with Kevin thus far, and I look forward to our efforts to serve our constituents in the East Valley.

Mr. BIGGS

Mr. BIGGS. Mr. Speaker, yes. I would tell the gentleman that when I talked about, literally, nearly 1,000 or more square miles that seven agents are covering, if the camera is there, they have seen these people. By the time they get there--it takes 2, 2\1/2\ hours because it is rugged terrain--nobody is there anymore; because the sensors, the cameras are there, and nobody is there anymore, and they are moving on. That is because they are trying to get to their destination, which may be Tucson, it may be Phoenix, and from there, all points throughout the country for these drugs to be distributed. But, yes, indeed, this happens over and over and over on a daily basis.

Mr. BIGGS. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate everyone who went to the border with us. We will be doing it again. I will invite my Democratic colleagues to come with us as well. It is eye-opening.

Mr. BIGGS. Mr. Speaker, yes. It was one of the Angel Moms, Mary Ann Mendoza, who said it well. She said: A wall won't stop everyone, but no wall will stop no one. They wanted a wall. There was not one person that I met, and that we met, that didn't advocate for a wall. But they also understood that you need to have the infrastructure, that is to say, roads. You need to have cameras and sensors. You need to actually have more boots on the ground: better vehicles that can get there, and, where necessary, horses. Don't forget that they were using dogs, for instance, to sniff out currency. We have a shortage of dogs at the ports of entry and in the interior between the ports of entry. They need lighter weight. We talked to one agent who said that when he is out there wearing his full bulletproof vest and the whole harness, if it is 110 degrees ambient temperature--which, by the way, most of our summer is going to be well above 100--he said that quickly rises and you are at 145 to 160 degrees as a Border Patrol agent. So, yes, we need a lot. But the one thing that is foundational to all of this, to try to get the border under control, is fencing.

Mr. BIGGS. Mr. Speaker, it is a pleasure to be here and to speak and report to the American people about what we saw and learned on the Arizona-Mexico border over the weekend. We spent Sunday and Monday putting a lot of miles on cars, traveling within 30 miles of the border all the way from the New Mexico line through about two-thirds of the State of Arizona. It becomes kind of interesting because, quite frankly, there are so many people who do not appreciate the breadth and the wide open space of that country. Let me just take a few minutes and tell you that we had nine Members of Congress there. We met with Border Patrol agents, Customs agents, Border Patrol management. We met with ranchers, residents along the border. We met with numerous people, all who have an interest in the immediate impacts of illegal border crossings. One ranch that we happened to visit in Arizona, right on the border, you could look out and you could see the vastness of what our Border Patrol agents are dealing with. You could literally see many miles into Mexico. The Sierra Madres are coming down from their height, leveling down, and then you have two other additional mountain ranges that come on the Arizona side, right through it, kind of tapering into the Chiracahua Mountains, beautiful mountains. You can see the vastness of this open space, and it is many hundreds of miles, and even thousands of miles square. We have two or three Border Patrol agents there and no fence, really, to speak of. So we talked with some of the ranchers who live along there and their experience. We walked through some of the hills and on the paths that illegal aliens and drug traffickers pass through and walk. We talked with some of them. One gentleman explained to us that he has had four home invasions-- four home invasions--more than 15 burglaries, and, every day, trespassers on his property. Imagine that as your lifestyle, knowing that you will have home invasions, knowing that you are going to have people trespassing on your property consistently. We moved over to the wall in Douglas, Arizona. It sits on the border with Agua Prieta. We took pictures. We talked with Border Patrol agents. And then we could see where that border wall, how long that goes. It is bollard fencing, which is slatted steel fencing that goes anywhere from 10 to 15, 18 feet high. But it was so ineffective in some places that they have started putting concertina razor wire to keep people down. In a minute, I will tell you how that doesn't really work. And then they put up a third or second barrier there in some parts of Douglas, but not enough money. It just kind of runs out. And you can see how far that border wall goes in Douglas, and it is the bollard fencing. We then kept moving in Cochise County in Arizona, and we ended up, we were able to talk to some local law enforcement and some of the Angel Parents. But I want to talk about something that I thought was most intriguing and interesting. As we were sitting there in that restaurant with some of our staff, our Members of Congress, some local law enforcement, some of the Angel Families, we had a resident just come up out of the blue, and she thanked the local law enforcement for the efforts being made to protect the citizens of that county. She said: You know, I have had a home invasion. I have had repeated burglaries. I have had trespassing on my property, on my ranch. We get people come in, they turn on water, they want a drink of water, and they just let the water run. They never turn it off. They trash my property. She was telling me this. I asked her to address our group. She did. Impromptu, she told of her experience, out of the blue. She didn't know who we were. I thought that was remarkable. It was completely unstaged. We had the Angel Parents, Mary Ann Mendoza talk about her son, Brandon, who was a Mesa police officer. Brandon was killed by a driver who had previously been arrested and deported. He was driving along the wrong way on the freeway and runs into Brandon and kills him. Steve Ronnebeck spoke. Steve had a son, Grant, early twenties, very outgoing, gregarious young man, working at the QT, which is a convenience store. One night, Mr. Altamirano, who had been convicted and deported previously--in fact, he was convicted for burglary. That was a plea deal down from the two counts of kidnapping and rape of a woman who was victimized by Mr. Altamirano. He had been deported. He comes back, goes in to buy a pack of cigarettes. Grant is counting out the change. Mr. Altamirano does not like how slow it seems to be taking, pulls a gun out, and pointblank shoots him in the face, killing Grant Ronnebeck. What a tragedy that is. So they are not alone. I have talked with Angel Families from throughout the country. You say: Well, okay. You are in a border State. That might happen in a border State. This goes throughout the country. These types of tragedies have happened throughout the country. It is unfortunate and it is sad, but it is preventable in large measure. We got a briefing at a Border Patrol station in southern Arizona. They are not too far below their full complement. They are about 80, maybe 75 percent of their full complement of agents. This is a big area, though, and they run three shifts. By the time you take care of time off, vacation days, sick days, by the time you take everything into account, you have seven people watching and monitoring the cameras that do not cover even all of the area for which this station is responsible. You have seven Border Patrol agents trying to interdict, literally, over hundreds of miles, hundreds of miles largely fenced with a four- strand barbed wire fence. It isn't like you have even have T poles as your fencing poles or even a more rigid pole. It is basically branches of trees. That is what you have along that particular section of the border. It doesn't take much to get across. So we went to Sasabe, which is a very small port of entry, and they have 1\1/2\ miles of bollard fencing either side of that. Then this is something that is really hard to explain, but they have, again, the four-strand barbed wire fence that rolls on out until, I know, where it goes into single-strand barbed wire fencing. I have been there, I have seen it. But on this trip, we just watched the four-strand barbed wire fence. When you get there, how does it tie in to the bollard fencing: with a piece of rope that is tied to a slipknot. And you think fences don't work? Of course they work. The bollard fence works. You can stand there right at the end of the bollard fence and look out into Mexico, and the several paths that you see moving north toward their border all come up to where that rope and that slipknot that is holding the four-strand barbed wire fence comes into the bollard fence, and they all come right to there. Why? Because you lift up the rope, pull it down. You can actually put it back on and then continue on up the hill. But there is a convenience store in that little town near that Border Patrol stocked with MREs. And guess who needs MREs: cartel scouts who are in the hills and mountains of southern Arizona and near that little town. They sell bullets, not in the box. When I have ever bought bullets, ammunition for my guns, they are in little boxes--not here. You can get them in little baggies, you know, little plastic bags you buy to put your sandwich in. This is what you have. So is it any wonder that in the Tucson sector, 40 percent of the drugs that have been seized in the last couple years are in that sector? You have a drug problem. We have tens of thousands of people killed each year because of opioid abuse. The vast majority of that is coming across the southern border. And of that that is interdicted, you have a significant plurality that is coming right through that Tucson sector. So we then had a chance to meet with some Border Patrol agents, talk to them about what is going on. It was marvelous. They gave us some ideas. I want to talk a little bit about something that we really don't focus on. Mr. Speaker, I am going to save that, though, because I see the gentleman from Arizona.

Mr. BIGGS. Mr. Speaker and the gentleman, I would tell you, it looked to me like it was about a quarter-inch rope. It was not much more than what you would call about a clothesline width, but it was about a quarter to a half inch.

Mr. BIGGS. Mr. Speaker, that is correct.

Mr. BIGGS. Mr. Speaker, yes, that was my impression. You also can't tell how many people are coming through. It may be one or two. It may be 20 or 40.

Mr. BIGGS. Mr. Speaker, that is exactly right. In fact, that road kind of ended where the bollard fence ended. And then you had the Normandy fence that was sitting there, but then right next to it, you had that track for people to come walking through that barbed wire fence.

Mr. BIGGS

Mr. BIGGS. Mr. Speaker, I rise tonight to commend Chandler Police Chief Sean Duggan for recently being named the 2019 Chief of the Year by the Arizona Association of Chiefs of Police. Chief Duggan has served Arizonan communities in law enforcement for more than 30 years, following in the footsteps of his father who was a New York City police officer. He joined the police force in 1986 when he started with the Scottsdale Police Department and also served as a member of the Arizona Department of Public Safety's gang and illegal immigration task force. In an interview 5 years ago, after being selected as Chandler's top cop, Chief Duggan said: ``Was I a kid who wanted to be chief? No. It's the greatest honor that can be bestowed on me professionally.'' Mr. Speaker, I say to Chief Duggan: Your service to Chandler has been honorable. The citizens of Chandler thank you for your leadership. Throughout your career, you have dedicated yourself to protecting our liberties and ensuring that criminals are removed from the streets. The east valley is privileged to count you as a neighbor, influencer, and leader. Congratulations on your award. You have earned it.

Mr. BIGGS

Mr. BIGGS. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding me time to speak on this important issue. Madam Speaker, I oppose this rule. I think we are talking past each other, as the previous gentleman from Maine just indicated. We want the government to reopen, but we want something called border security. I am told that this bill has $1 billion in it for border security, but we are not going to build a wall. Now, here is the thing that happens. Down in Arizona, where we live-- we don't live 2,000 miles away from that southern border where the immigration problem is that the illegal border crossings are monumental--we actually see the humanitarian crisis. That crisis exists when people, who are coming to America, they don't go through the ports of entry, they are going between the ports of entry, in some of the most rugged land and terrain in the world, coming down from the Sierra Madres in northern Mexico in the summertime, blazing heat of 120 degrees or more; in the winter time, the evenings cool down to the 20s. I saw people, just yesterday, being shown on the news, who are getting ready to try to make this trek. They are carrying plastic grocery bags with their supplies. They are dressed casually. They have no comprehension of the danger that they are bringing to themselves when they are coming across. It is a humanitarian crisis. Do you know what a border wall would do? It would provide a deterrent. In the San Diego-San Ysidro port of entry, when that border wall was created, crossings declined almost 90 percent. It forced people to a different place. They began crossing away from the ports of entry at San Diego over to Arizona and Texas. So we built a wall around the Yuma port of entry. Do you know what happened? Those crossings decreased 75 to 80 percent. They moved on to more dangerous places in the desert, down towards Nogales, between Nogales and South Bisbee, between Naco and the Douglas port of entry. More than 100 individual's bodies were found last year trying to enter. It is a humanitarian crisis. The opioids that come across the southern border: 141 tons of heroin seized coming across the southern border last year; 140 tons of cocaine seized coming across the southern border. When I hear people say border security, they start talking about drones and unmanned aerial vehicles and sensors and cameras. Guess what? That does not deter anyone. We get to watch the videos of people coming across. But do you know what a wall does? It channelizes people. It forces them to go to places where we can interdict them. We provide hundreds of millions of dollars of humanitarian aid to people who are risking their lives trying to enter this country. If it wasn't so serious, I would find it laughable to hear folks say, ``We are putting $1 billion into this as border security,'' because they don't want a political victory for President Trump. It is not about political victories. It is about national security, it is about humanitarian concern, and you are not going to get a better bang for your buck than to build a border wall.

Mr. BIGGS

Mr. BIGGS. Madam Speaker, early next week, America marks the dark anniversary of the United States Supreme Court's decision of Roe v. Wade. Since that date, over 60 million babies have been aborted. Those babies had no voice to defend themselves. The tide is turning, though. Thanks to President Trump and a pro-life Congress the last 2 years, we have continued to take a stand for life in legislation, through executive action, and in the courts. There is much to do to make sure that every baby is protected under our law yet. I am especially grateful that Arizona was recently recognized as the most protective of life in the United States. Thank you to all the officials and advocates who work tirelessly to make this happen.

Mr. BIGGS

Mr. BIGGS. Madam Speaker, I thank Representative Mitchell. I am grateful for this opportunity to highlight National School Choice Week, which will be next week, January 20 through 26. Like many in Congress, I believe the path to success for our Nation's youth is through quality education. The best way to provide quality is to create competition in the education marketplace. For decades, students and families had few options when they went to choose education for their children. Today, there is a flourishing education marketplace. Some States have erased school district lines, directly creating choice within their traditional public school systems. Many others have embraced charter schools and duel-enrollment programs, and still others have provided educational savings accounts for parents and allowed voucher programs to assist families with offsetting the cost of private school tuition. Educational options should meet the variety of unique needs of students. I am glad to see leaders across the country understand those needs and promote policies that provide an abundance of options. Nearly 30 years ago, my wife and I studied the options available to us as parents as we went to educate our children in Arizona. At that time, there were very few options. I took the required general certification test that allowed us to home educate our oldest children. As our family and children grew, so did educational choice in Arizona. Our children are each unique individuals with varying talents, abilities, and interests. Homeschooling worked for some of our children, charter schools for others, and, even within the charter schools, different charter schools worked for different children. But each of our children received a quality education that allowed them to flourish and which prepared them for life. Four of our children have graduated from college, the fifth has attended college, and our youngest is in her freshman year of college. My wife and I are pleased with their successes and are deeply appreciative of Arizona's liberal school choice policies that allow every child an opportunity to thrive and grow in a school that is the best fit for them. Today, in Arizona, there are more than 550 charter schools, with 186,000 students enrolled in the 2016-2017 school year. That is an increase of 6,000 students, or almost 6 percent over the previous school year, and makes up about 17 percent of all of Arizona's public school students. But school choice doesn't stop with charter schools in Arizona. We also offer scholarships funded by State tax credits to help make private schools more affordable, as well as education savings accounts that help more than 5,400 students and their families choose the educational option that is best for them. I firmly believe parents and students should be in the driver's seat when determining which educational path best fits their needs. They can only do this if local, State, and Federal leaders continue to reduce involvement in education decisionmaking. Again, I thank Representative Mitchell and the leaders here today and those who are working for school choice across this country, those who are fighting for policies that benefit students and their families. Today's youth will be our future leaders in this great Nation, and even in the world. It is, thusly, imperative that we provide them with the highest quality education to ensure they have the foundation necessary to become the leaders we need.

Mr. BIGGS

Mr. BIGGS. Madam Speaker, today, I rise to congratulate all the Members of the Arizona Legislature who took their oaths of office to begin a new term this week. The start of each legislative session is exciting: an opportunity to keep promises made to constituents and make Arizona a better place to work and raise a family. As ever, legislators will face challenges that will impact millions of Arizonans. I look forward to working with my former colleagues, especially those in the east valley, for the benefit of our constituents. I recognize and give special congratulations to incoming Senate President Karen Fann and House Speaker Rusty Bowers. I wish everyone in the Arizona Legislature, including staff, a productive legislative session in the months to come.

Mr. BIGGS

Mr. BIGGS. Madam Speaker, I thank my friend from Pennsylvania for organizing this. To be honest with you, I really can't believe we still have to have this conversation. The idea that the United States of America should turn a blind eye to protecting its national borders violates one of the few responsibilities enumerated to the Federal Government in the Constitution, the one we just swore an oath to just a couple weeks ago, to ensure the security of our Nation and provide for its defense. How can anyone argue that we are safer as a nation by not having any idea who is entering our country today? Unlike many Members of Congress, I was born and raised in southern Arizona, mere miles to the Mexican border, not too far away, an hour or so drive. I have met with Border Patrol agents and ranchers who live in the region several times alone recently. There is no other way to put this: The situation on the American side of the border is dire and equally as grave on the other side. For 8 years under the Obama administration, the Federal Government effectively told Americans that their safety and their sovereignty were not important. They told Border Patrol and ICE agents that the jobs they were doing were essentially pointless, because the Obama administration was going to find as many ways as possible to prevent further border security and circumvent the immigration laws passed by Congress, including reducing the pay of Border Patrol agents. If the House Democrats have their way, they will continue down this suboptimum, irresponsible path until it is simply too late. I visited the 75-mile stretch of the border that crosses through one of Arizona's Indian reservations. Along the way, the Border Patrol agent who was guiding us pointed out drug shacks and lookouts that the cartels use to alert smugglers of the Border Patrol's presence. It is astounding, quite frankly. Some will argue that there is fencing along many of those miles and try to convince you that the area is secure and no fencing is necessary. But let me tell you something, that is not true. The fencing consists of a single strand of barbed wire. There might be some Normandy barriers, those cross barriers, now and then, and there is some pole fencing, all of which easily can be walked over or stepped through. No one who has been there can argue with a straight face that the ability to walk across the border with little effort can be called secure. On that same trip, I met with cattle ranchers near Nogales. Each of those families has encountered multiple illegal aliens on their property--in fact, on a regular basis. It is so grave that they set up cameras so they could capture footage of the illegal traffic. I have seen that footage; I have seen the videos. It is not groups of sweet mothers and children coming across. It is groups of armed, young men, with drugs strapped to their backs, 50-pound packages. They are wearing carpet shoes to disguise their footprints in the dirt. I recently spoke with a rancher along the border. He has told me that he has been victimized by three home invasions and more than a dozen burglaries, not counting the near constant trespasses that victimize his family. I am curious to know what the open border advocates think about that kind of traffic. Should known drug smugglers have the freedom to traipse across private property and come into America? These Americans own their land, but the House Democrats see no reason to protect them from this invasion. To any Member of the Chamber who disagrees with border security, or doesn't know how to describe it, including with a wall, how would you feel about constant trespassing and vandalizing of your own property? Don't you think the government should do something about it, or should we just turn a blind eye? During a more recent trip, I had lunch with about 15 rank-and-file Border Patrol agents working in southern Arizona. These are the men and women defending our borders every day. They are putting their lives on the line, chasing after armed drug smugglers and being assaulted by illegal aliens they encounter. By the way, just a couple of weeks ago, there was one attacked who had his face broken open by a rock after he was bitten and punched and attacked. Let me tell you, it leads to low morale in the agency. They are the only DHS law enforcement agency that received a pay cut under the previous administration, and we can't fund them back yet. I don't understand that. When they hear Members of Congress condemn the work they are doing and advocating instead for lawlessness and open borders, these agents have little incentive or motivation to continue fighting for our Nation's security. This morning, I stood, like others have mentioned, with Angel Families who have lost loved ones. Two of them are in my district, the families of Brandon Mendoza and Grant Ronnebeck. They have suffered unjust harms. They have lost their children. When I hear the gentleman from California say, oh, we can't get to the Smithsonian museum, well, for these people, their children will never get to the Smithsonian museum. They will mourn, and they do grieve. I am thankful for them standing up. I will just tell you, ladies and gentlemen, there is a crisis on the border. We must deal with this with courage. I call on my colleagues on the other side of the aisle to quit being obstructionists. We have to fund a border wall and the border security asked for.

Mr. BIGGS

Mr. BIGGS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend the just completed chairmanship of Maricopa County Supervisor Steve Chucri and to congratulate the incoming chairman, Supervisor Bill Gates. Maricopa County is the Nation's fastest growing county, and Steve Chucri has had a lot to do with our success. He has led efforts on the board of supervisors to create a healthier urban environment, foster more job connections, fight homelessness, and sustain good governance. We are thankful for his service as chairman of the board of supervisors. Incoming chairman is Supervisor Bill Gates, and I congratulate him on his new post. I know he will continue to lead Maricopa County well throughout this next year. I am grateful for individuals like Steve Chucri and Bill Gates who help to make Maricopa County an attractive destination to millions of men, women, and children.

Mr. BIGGS

Mr. BIGGS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to highlight the distinguished career of Jay Tibshraeny, who has served the community of Chandler, Arizona, for more than 30 years. He has just completed his seventh term as mayor after being elected as a judge in the Maricopa County Justice Court. The city of Chandler experienced tremendous growth under Mayor Tibshraeny's leadership. Mayor Tibshraeny has not only served in office for decades, he has faithfully served his community his entire life. Chandler would not be the same without his presence and his tireless efforts to leave his city better than when he found it. Madam Speaker, Chandler will miss his leadership. It was my honor and privilege to work with him for the benefit of our constituents. I wish him and his family the best in their next chapter of life.

Mr. BIGGS

Mr. BIGGS. Mr. Speaker, I am grateful that my colleagues are here standing up for the crisis, to solve the crisis on the border. Securing the United States and the American people, this border, is a fundamental, constitutional responsibility of the Federal Government. We have Members of the House and Senate who are still unwilling to ensure we have control over our borders, unwilling to ensure we know who enters the United States, and unwilling to enforce our immigration laws. Some of the opposition has forgotten their previous support for border walls back then, before they didn't fundamentally disagree with border security or the border wall. But now they simply don't want President Trump or elected Republicans to get a win. What they want is open borders. In 2006, some of the Democrats still in the Senate today, including Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, voted in favor of the Secure Fence Act to build a southern border wall. For now, Republicans still control Congress. Rumor is that our leaders are negotiating a deal to avert a shutdown and fund the government through February 8. Once again, we are kicking the fight for border security down the road. When are we going to stand up and fight, if not now? Our coalition of Members here have drafted an amendment that would allow us to deliver on our promise to make the necessary policy changes to end catch and release, increase the number of immigration judges, and provide $5 billion in border wall funding. In all of the debate about borders and illegal immigration, many of the headlines focus on those who have come here illegally, but I urge you to remember people on the American side of the border. Remember the ranchers and residents living along the border who are impacted by smuggling and trafficking that goes on because of our lack of will in this body. Remember our Border Patrol agents who risk their lives every day trying to keep us secure. I urge my colleagues in the House and our leadership to think about what is best for America. Is it the status quo, or is it standing up to fight for the security and sovereignty of our Nation? Clearly, we must stand up and fight now. I urge my fellow Members to support funding for the border wall before January 3 comes; and if we have to, I am willing to stay here to make sure that happens.

Mr. BIGGS

Mr. BIGGS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the special work of Marc Community Resources of Mesa, Arizona. Marc is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing education, rehabilitation, and other social services to children and adults with physical disabilities and developmental health challenges. Since 1957, Marc has been committed to helping those with disabilities live, learn, work, and play. Each year, Marc helps more than 4,000 people overcome the limitations of their disabilities to reach their full potential. The challenges that the disabled face in day-to-day life are often underappreciated, and their achievements in overcoming those challenges are frequently overlooked. I am sure the employees of Marc would say that it is their patients who are the real heroes; and while they courageously battle severe challenges, today I rise to commend the heroic efforts of Marc Community Resources--its owners, managers, and employees--in the work they do. I am grateful for their service to Mesa and the entire east valley.

Mr. BIGGS

Mr. BIGGS. Mr. Speaker, today, I honor the life of my constituent Mr. James Nelson. Mr. Nelson dedicated his life to public service, his community, and first and foremost, his family. He will be greatly missed by everyone that was lucky enough to know him in the East Valley. James grew up in Tempe, Arizona where he played football and basketball for Marcos De Niza High School. His competitive nature and out-going personality led to future success in leadership positions in his 25-plus-year career serving others. He began his fire service career in the East Valley and was a founding member of the Gilbert Fire Department in 1993. For most of his professional life he served as Captain, later promoted to Battalion Chief. James was a consummate professional and mentor to many other fire fighters. It is hard to imagine how many lives have been improved because of James' guidance and advice. He was a pillar of strength for his family, friends, and the fire service. I express my sincere condolences to his wife Kerry, his three daughters, Sydney, Shelby, and Shealy, his parents Ken and Nancy Nelson, his brother Paul Nelson, his sisters Sherri Nelson and Tricia Nelson and his other surviving family members.

Mr. BIGGS

Mr. BIGGS. Mr. Speaker, today, I rise today to honor Christopher Evans, a teacher at Basha High School in my district. Mr. Evans was one of 52 Americans who received the James Madison Fellowship, which is awarded to one distinguished educator from each State. This award recognizes exceptional teachers of American history and social studies seeking ``to strengthen their knowledge of the origins and development of American constitutional government, and to expose our future leaders to the knowledge of the Nation's constitutional heritage.'' I congratulate Mr. Evans on this achievement, and I know he has a bright future in my home State of Arizona.

Mr. BIGGS

Mr. BIGGS. Madam Chair, we have a problem when we can't even agree on prioritizing $1.5 million additional money to maintain national parks. Washington, D.C., on the Mall alone, has $1 billion in maintenance backlog. And Arizona, for instance, has one-half billion dollars in maintenance. California has over $2 billion in maintenance backlog, and I could go on and on. But that is not necessary because we all know that we need to re-fund the maintenance backlog, and I am only asking for $1.4 million of an additional $18 million that is going to the land acquisition fund. Madam Chair, I urge my colleagues to support this amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. BIGGS. Madam Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. BIGGS. Madam Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from California (Mr. Calvert).