John Curtis

Mr. CURTIS

Mr. CURTIS. Mr. Speaker, this Thursday, the Federal Communications Commission is set to vote on their Restoring Internet Freedom proposal, to revisit the FCC's previous open internet order of 2015. Over the past few weeks, I have received thousands of calls and emails from my constituents expressing their support for net neutrality and for an open and free internet. I have personally read every single one of these emails, conducted townhall meetings, and listened to the phone calls. Today, I would like to share my views on this critical issue. Many in this Chamber may not know that Utah is currently experiencing somewhat of a technical startup phenomenon. My district is known as one of the best places in the United States to start a business. I recognize that the great success that we have been able to achieve in Utah and throughout the U.S. is largely due to the progress and advance of the internet. This is the most important technological advancement of our time, and the internet has become the backbone of our economy. I believe the internet is successful despite government, not because of government. Because the internet has been open and free, we have seen exciting innovation and progress that was previously unimaginable. Like so many of my constituents and colleagues in Congress, I support the principles of net neutrality and am opposed to any blocking, throttling, or paid prioritization of the internet. Because I do not favor a burdensome government regulatory framework over the internet, I feel a great burden to assure those in my district that the internet will remain open and free. The way to do this is for Congress to act. It is more than time that Congress step up and modernize the statutes that control how the internet is regulated. A vast number of my constituents and small businesses are concerned about the future of the internet. They worry that large corporations will win out and deprive them of their ability to be competitive. As a Congress, we can give them the protection that they need. It has been more than 20 years since Congress last reformed our national telecommunications laws. It is my sincere hope that we will come together in a bipartisan way to update this outdated regulatory framework and to ensure that the internet continues to be fair, open, and free so that it continues to benefit customers and advance and innovate, unhindered by burdensome government regulations.I66F

Mr. CURTIS

Mr. CURTIS. Mr. Speaker, most of us know how important water is in our States and the impact it plays in growth. It is directly tied to economic development and the health and beauty of the places we live. Today, in accordance with commitments I have made to build improved quality of life in the rural areas of my district, I am introducing bipartisan legislation that will reauthorize the Bureau of Reclamation to provide cost sharing for the endangered fish recovery implementation programs in the Upper Colorado and San Juan River basins. This bill is important because the successful recovery of these endangered species paves the way for critical projects in these waterways, projects that will facilitate water for agriculture, economic development, and other important uses not just in the rural areas of Utah's Third Congressional District, but in Colorado, Wyoming, Arizona, and New Mexico as well. This bill reauthorizes a program that has become a national model for addressing the demands for water development to support growing Western communities. It has been run with accountability and solid results since 2012. Constituents will be pleased that the revenue for this project comes not from tax dollars but, rather, from fees collected by the projects from water users within the area. The bill also strikes an important balance between conservation, recreation, and ensuring that we have access to public lands and natural resources. The programs support millions of people who depend on the river's water to grow food, generate electricity, and serve the needs of cities and towns. To quote Utah's Governor, Gary Herbert: ``The success of the . . . program is vital for . . . our State's continued progress and providing for the needs of the citizens of Utah.'' I would like to express my appreciation to Congressman Rob Bishop and the members of the Natural Resources Committee, who have done the heavy lifting on this bill. Mr. Speaker, I hope my colleagues in the House and the Senate will support this very important bill.

Mr. CURTIS

Mr. CURTIS. Mr. Speaker, as a Member of Congress, I would like the very first part of my service to be to introduce my wife of 35 years, Sue Curtis. Sue has some political blood in her. You may be interested to know that her great-grandmother was the first woman legislator in the State of Utah. It gets better. She won that office by defeating her husband. Sue and I are pleased to have six beautiful children, who are all here with us this evening. We are grateful for our six children and their spouses. Three of our 5\1/2\ grandchildren are here. My siblings and many good friends are here. I thank them for being here tonight with me. The second thing I would like to do is pause and thank the residents of Utah's Third Congressional District for trusting me and sending me here to be with you. I am honored and humbled. Like your constituents, these good people love America. They have very high expectations of me and of us. I want to repledge my willingness and desire to serve them with all of my heart. I am excited to get to know each and every one of you, and I am looking forward to working with you. My brief introductions to some of you have been so positive. Everyone has been so extremely helpful. Thank you, and I look forward to working with each and every one of you.