Donna Christensen

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. (Mrs. CHRISTENSEN asked and was given permission to revise and extend her remarks.)

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. (Mrs. CHRISTENSEN asked and was given permission to revise and extend her remarks.)

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, it would be difficult to overstate the historical significance of the Louisiana Purchase. Looking back, it is difficult to imagine a single land purchase which doubled the size of this Nation, and it is equally hard to imagine what America might look like today had that purchase not been made. We support the findings and sentiments expressed in this concurrent resolution and support its adoption. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Kildee), a senior member of the Committee on Resources.

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 1409, which would provide for a land exchange for a school for the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Tribe which everyone would otherwise support, however, is in the middle of the most visited National Park and cannot be, by any stretch of the imagination, considered a noncontroversial bill. It, therefore, does not belong on the suspension calendar. In addition to this, its appearance on the floor is premature, given that the National Park Service has not completed its environmental impact statement and that a further study on alternative sites is also not finished. I do support the need for a school for the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Tribe, but with so many unanswered questions and the importance of the site in question, as well as the bad precedent that I think it sets, I regrettably must ask my colleagues to vote no on this measure on suspension today. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Pallone).

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I might consume. Mr. Speaker, native people, both Native Americans as well as people of different ethnicities, have been displaced during the settlement of most of the U.S. This is a sad, but true, chapter in our history. I would say, though, that if we are serious about returning lands to native people, and we should be, then let us look at developing a nationwide, consistent policy. We cannot start carving up our national parks piece by piece, case by case. This does a disservice to the parks, the tribes, and the American people. Mr. Speaker, it has been said that environmental groups support the exchange. In fact, most, if not all, are against this exchange but are willing to work with the tribe on a suitable alternative site. We recognize that the condition of the school is poor and should be unacceptable; but as I recall from the hearing, there was $8 million there for years that had never been used to repair the schools in all of this time. Those of us who object do not object on the basis of need. The tribe's children and all of this country's children need, deserve, and should have good, safe, well-equipped and well-staffed schools. We want the Eastern Band of Cherokees to have the educational complex that they should have. The question that remains is where is that facility best placed. Even, Mr. Speaker, the Subcommittee on Interior and Related Agencies of the Committee on Appropriations of this body, chaired by the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Taylor), just 2 months ago called for a study before this exchange should be decided on because of the yet-unanswered questions. We should honor this and do the land exchange in the right way. Therefore, I join the gentleman from West Virginia (Mr. Rahall), the ranking member, in opposition to the passage of this bill on the suspension calendar. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Oklahoma (Mr. Carson). (Mr. CARSON of Oklahoma asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. (Mrs. CHRISTENSEN asked and was given permission to revise and extend her remarks.)

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as may I consume. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 1113, which authorizes a land exchange at Fort Frederica National Monument in Georgia, raises a number of issues that were discussed at the hearing on this measure in April before the Committee on Resources. Evidently, appraisals and archeological surveys of the lands proposed to be exchanged have not been completed. So the value and historical significance of the proposed lands have not been established. Furthermore, the National Park Service testified that the noncontiguous parcel that the National Park Service would acquire through the exchange will likely increase the administrative and operational costs of the national monument. The National Park Service testimony on H.R. 1113 elaborated on these concerns and, while generally supportive of the exchange, provided little guidance on how they should be addressed. We need to be careful about altering the boundaries of national park system units. Former Resources Committee Chairman Hansen spoke many times about the National Park Service acquiring a historic site that did not contain the historic resources that were claimed. We should not make the same mistake here. In that regard I would note that H.R. 1113 authorizes, but does not require, a land exchange at Fort Frederica National Monument. Before any exchange should occur, the National Park Service would be required to complete appraisals and historical surveys as well as comply with the requirements of NEPA. As such, there are a number of administrative procedures in place to ensure that the exchange, if it goes forward, is in the public interest. Mr. Speaker, that being the case, we will not object to the consideration of H.R. 1113 by the House today. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 2059 is the companion measure to the Senate bill, S. 214, introduced by Senator Bingaman, which passed the Senate on March 4, 2003, and has been referred to the Committee on Resources. The legislation provides for the establishment of the Fort Bayard National Historical Landmark in the State of New Mexico. The legislation also authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to provide technical and financial assistance to the site. The fort has a long history of use as a military post and medical facility. The site is currently listed on the National Register of Historic Places. While no hearings have been held on this bill, the Committee on Resources ordered it reported to the House in July. We will not object to the consideration of H.R. 2059 by the House today, but I would note for the record that taking up the House bill, when the companion Senate bill has been pending in the House since March, only serves to needlessly complicate the process of enactment. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. (Mrs. CHRISTENSEN asked and was given permission to revise and extend her remarks.)

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, S. 278 would remove from the wilderness designation 31 acres of land in one section and would add 31 acres to another portion of the Mount Naomi Wilderness Act. Last Congress, the House passed identical legislation. S. 278 passed the Senate earlier this year. We support this legislation. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers on this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. H.R. 1209, introduced by the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Watson), our colleague who we will hear from in a short time, is a simple piece of legislation that extends for 3 years the authority for the construction of a memorial to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., here in the District of Columbia. In 1996, Public Law 104-333 authorized the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, through the Martin Luther King Memorial Project Foundation, to establish a memorial here in our Nation's capital to America's foremost civil rights leader. Since that time, the sponsors have worked diligently to secure a memorial site and design approvals. In addition, there is a significant fund-raising campaign underway to secure the necessary funds to build and maintain the memorial. However, not all of the necessary funds have been secured, and ground cannot be broken until the funds are in place. That is the reason we are asking for the extension. Mr. Speaker, it was only a few short weeks ago that a ceremony was held on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial to dedicate a plaque marking the spot where Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., delivered his famous ``I have a dream'' speech 40 years ago. The proposed memorial will complement both this site and the Martin Luther King, Jr., National Historic Site in Atlanta in providing for present and future generations a greater understanding of the accomplishments of Dr. King in the cause for civil rights. Mr. Speaker, I strongly support H.R. 1209 and urge its adoption by the House today; and at this time I would like to thank the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Watson), who introduced this bill, for her leadership in shepherding this bill through the committee process and to the floor. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she might consume to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Watson).

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson-Lee).

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume and take this opportunity to once again commend my colleague, the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Watson), for introducing this legislation giving the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity an opportunity to make this dream a reality. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, S. 111 authorizes a special resource study to determine the national significance of the Miami Circle as well as the feasibility of including the site in the Biscayne National Park. Miami Circle is an archeological site discovered in 1998, located in Miami- Dade County, Florida. The most important features of the site are 24 large basin-holes carved into the limestone bedrock forming a circle approximately 38 feet in diameter. The circle is thought to be the footprint of a structure built by Native Americans and may date back 2,000 years. Our former colleague, Representative Carrie Meek, worked tirelessly on this legislation, and now her successor in this office, the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Meek) has taken up the banner for this important project. We are eager to see this study move forward as a small part of the huge legacy that has remained after Ms. Meek's retirement, and because the historical and culture resources present at this site are potentially invaluable. Mr. Speaker, this measure passed the Senate by unanimous consent and passed the House during the previous Congress, and so we urge our colleagues to support S. 111 at this time. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Meek).

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Renzi) and the Republican members of the committee for their strong support for this bill, which has been a bipartisan effort, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, S. 233 is a Senate companion legislation to a bill, H.R. 437, introduced by the gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Larson), which would authorize a study of the Coltsville historic district in Connecticut. This district is located in the city of Hartford. The site, which is associated with the historically significant Colt Manufacturing Company, contains a notable number of historic resources that provide an important glimpse into the history of American industry and precision manufacturing. At the April 8 subcommittee hearing on the House bill, the National Park Service and public witnesses testified in favor of the study. The legislation also has the support of the entire Connecticut delegation. Mr. Speaker, I want to commend the work of the House sponsor, the gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Larson), on this measure. He has been a strong and effective advocate of the Coltsville community and the city of Hartford. It is our hope and intention that the study will provide Congress and the community with information on how to appropriately preserve and interpret the historic resources of the Coltsville community. Mr. Speaker, I support the legislation and urge its adoption. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Larson), the sponsor of this legislation.

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of the amendment offered by my colleague, the gentlewoman from the District of Columbia and in opposition to the imposition of vouchers on the people of the District of Columbia. The facts are my colleagues, according to the National Coalition for Public Education, that vouchers are neither needed nor wanted in the District of Columbia. The majority of D.C. elected officials has written to Congress opposing vouchers. It is only that three officials abruptly changed their anti-voucher position without any public debate and now supports vouchers but they clearly don't speak for the majority of District citizens on the issue. Vouchers as a means of improving public education in fact does the opposite. They send public funds to private schools while doing nothing to improve public schools, where the majority of DC students are enrolled. Additionally, programs to improve student achievement in the District have been implemented and are working and should be expanded. Meanwhile, the academic achievement of African American students who used privately funded vouchers to attend private schools in the District was no different than that of students who remained in public school, according to the GAO. The amendment of the gentlelady from the District of Columbia would remove the $10 million in funding for D.C. vouchers that would be sought to be to authorized via a separate amendment. I urge my colleagues to support the gentlelady's amendment.

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, do we not value all of this country's children and families? This body has shortchanged our children too often this year, and it is adding up to a heavy burden on their families, all to make the wealthiest in this country richer. Underfunding for Leave No Child Behind, block grants to States with unmeetable requirements for Head Start teachers, and although it is a demonstration program, this is meant to be the first nail in the coffin of Head Start. We barely lost the vote last night, but Democrats will continue to fight for this country's children, all of them, but certainly those from lower-income families. Today I am here with my colleague, the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Solis) and other Democratic colleagues to call on this House to instruct the conferees first to act; and, second, to provide what the President promised, tax relief to the 6.5 million families and over 12 million children. These families work hard, but in this economy this President has created, they still need help, and especially for the military families of soldiers who today are fighting for this country and fighting for us. Democrats meant it when we said we will leave no child behind. Today we call on the leadership of this conference, and specifically the conferees, to expand the child tax credit and put our money where our mouth is and where our heart and our values should be.