Thelma Drake

Mrs. DRAKE

Mrs. DRAKE. Mr. Speaker, I thank you, Congressman Price, and I really do appreciate the effort you have made to make sure that the American people truly understand what is happening within our economy today. I know you and I share a lot of very similar beliefs. I just wanted to start today by reminding you and bringing to mind again a really wonderful quote by former President Ronald Reagan, when he said, ``There are no great limits to growth because there are no limits of human intelligence, imagination and wonder,'' and that is part of what you are seeing in this increase in job growth. We believe that the strength of our Nation lies with the individual and that each person's dignity, freedom and ability and responsibility must be honored. We believe that free enterprise and encouraging individual initiative have brought this Nation opportunity, economic growth and prosperity. But there is an alternative to what we believe, and that alternative belief is one that seeks a solution that consists more of invasive government. And not surprisingly, Ronald Reagan had something to say about that as well. I think we as Americans remember the quote very, very well, and it is that ``The government's view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases: If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidize it.'' In economic terms, we will all remember the 21st century began slowly. The telecom bubble burst. We were attacked in the heart of our financial sector. Certain industries lagged, and we had entered a recession. It is during these difficult periods that we require leadership more than ever. We needed to pursue positive economic policies that would put the American people back in the driver's seat. I know you and I share the belief that our tax policies should be one that supports our economy, that it increases our revenue, and so that is why I wanted to talk today about what changes have come about in the past 5 years, these changes that support our American families and support American businesses. You will remember in the 2001 tax cuts that the first objective was to put money back in the hands of individuals and families. In June of 2001, tax cuts were enacted through the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act. Some of the most important aspects of that act are that they lowered marginal income tax rates, reduced the marriage penalty and the death tax, and increased the child tax credit, all things that are very important to American families. This was comprehensive legislation that reduced the tax burden on all Americans. In the 2003 tax cuts, the objective was to create a more favorable climate for industry and small business to invest and to create job growth. In the years preceding the 2003 Jobs and Growth Act, business investment spending had steadily declined. We needed to pull businesses and entrepreneurs back into the market through investment-friendly tax policies, restoring economic competitiveness and employment opportunities. So Congress took decisive action. Despite the naysayers, the results speak for themselves, and the results are very clear. Growth in our economy is one of the least told stories. I believe, and I know that you believe that if we allow Americans to keep more of their hard-earned dollars, that they will save that money, they will invest that money, they will create new jobs with that money. And business investment has grown in every quarter. Today, small businesses, small businesses like mine, represent 99.7 percent of all employer firms. They employ nearly half of all private sector employees, and over the past decade, on average, have generated 60 to 80 percent of the net new jobs. Job creation, as you were showing the chart there right now, nearly 4.7 million jobs have been created since President Bush signed the 2003 Jobs and Growth Act, with 2.1 million of those created in the past year. Today's unemployment rate is at 4.7 percent and is lower than the decade averages of the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s. What an incredible statement. And they are good jobs. Real, after-tax income has risen at a rate higher than inflation since 2001, and personal income has grown above inflation in 49 of our 50 States. Most importantly, Federal revenues have been rising during this time. If we let people save their money or create new jobs, create new revenues, that creates additional tax revenue for the Federal Government. In May of 2003, receipts were under $1.8 trillion. In fiscal year 2005, they rose to an all-time high of $2.15 trillion. We realize that we cannot feed the Federal Treasury by starving American businesses, but thanks to these policies, more low- and middle-income Americans looking for a job will be able to find one simply because there are 2.1 million more jobs this year. But you and I realize there is more work to be done, that America agrees, and I think it is in everyone's minds that we do need complete tax reform, and I know that is something we will be working on. I really think that there are models across the world for us, and I think the most compelling story today is the story of Ireland. In the mid-1980s, Ireland's economy was faltering; we all know that. College graduates could not find a job and were leaving the country in droves. Confidence in the Irish economy was at an all-time low. Change was necessary, along with the leadership necessary to implement it. The corporate tax rate today in Ireland is 12.15 percent, far below the rest of Europe. This attracted foreign investment necessary to boost economic growth. Today, nine of ten of the world's top pharmaceutical companies and seven of the top ten software designers currently have operations in Ireland, and it is currently the second richest country in the European Union with a per capita GDP higher than that of Germany, France and Britain. Now we have to ask ourselves, do we continue to encourage American businesses by creating the climate necessary for success or do we allow them to go somewhere else? So I thank you for the opportunity, thank you for your work in making sure that we do tell the American people the good news story that we are in as a result of the tax cuts of 2001 and 2003. It is our responsibility to make sure that we maintain a solid policy, tax policy that grows our economy, grows our revenues and benefits each and every American. Thank you for what you are doing.

Mrs. DRAKE

Mrs. DRAKE. Thank you, Congressman Price. I want to thank you for this effort, because this is a big effort to bring people together to come and talk about America. I really chuckled when I heard Congresswoman Blackburn talk about Ronald Reagan's quote, that no program has eternal life like a Federal program. You will remember, in the President's budget last year, in our very first year as freshmen here, that he did propose cuts in programs, and he has proposed cuts in programs this year. The theory behind that is there is no way to end programs without making very, very hard choices. But I do admire that the President and this Congress are willing to look at does a program work, what are the results, and how could that money be used if it were used somewhere else. There are two things that I hear back home, and one is, when are you going to balance the budget, and when are you going to control spending? But then, of course, if a program is cut, the next thing I hear is, why was that program cut? Of course, you and I understand, when we say cut, now, with these programs, we are talking about cutting. But usually when someone says something was cut, they usually mean it is a reduction in the growth of spending. I think that is clear that we need to talk about that so the public does not believe that there has actually been a reduction. With my staff, I look at them and say, don't tell me percentages; give me the dollar amount for last year, the dollar amount for this year, and then we can stop talking about cuts. Medicaid. We have heard from constituents at home who say I want to talk to you about cuts in Medicaid. I say, do you mean the 7 percent growth as opposed to the 7.4 percent growth that was projected before? But last year as a freshman, when people would come to me, and they would say the President has cut my program, I would explain the President's philosophy, which was, let's look for programs that work, let's look for programs that don't. So I would say, maybe the President has made a mistake, and maybe his information is wrong. If you would like to come back to me with the good information, we will take it to the President. Not one person ever came back. I learned as a child in school that taxes are what we pay for civilization. We as Americans all believe in that. We know that we have a responsibility to Americans who are less fortunate. We have the grave responsibility of defending this Nation, of educating our children, that we have huge responsibilities on us. But one of the greatest responsibilities, I think, is to ensure that every dollar we spend of taxpayer money is spent wisely. But what I was really thinking about, when I came over here tonight, because I came over here tonight to talk about how great our Nation is, as I came to the floor, one of the things I thought was how quickly we as Americans have recovered since the very devastating attacks of 9/11. We gathered our strength and our resolve and, through the courage of our fighting men and women, have taken the battle to the terrorists who despise our love of freedom and our open society. We have risen as a beacon of hope to those who live in the Middle East and yearn for the freedoms that we have. Perhaps the most important thing about Americans and what we have been attacked for, and please believe me, the targets that they took were not chosen at random, when the terrorists attacked the Twin Towers on 9/11, they did that because they are important symbols to our commitment to capitalism and to free and open markets. They struck us at our core. What they intended to injure was our spirit. It was here that they failed, because they underestimated the strength of the American people. The American people know that while bricks and mortar can be torn down, that our resolve and commitment to the principles that define us cannot be harnessed. We have weathered a very difficult recession. We have weathered the attacks of 9/11. We have experienced the burst of the telecom bubble; and now we find ourselves, once again, in an economy that is exploding with growth and opportunity. Today our economy is experiencing significant growth. Since the second quarter of 2003, we have experienced an average of 3.8 percent quarterly gross domestic product growth. Nearly 4.7 million new jobs have been created since that time, and today's unemployment rate is at 4.7 percent. That is lower on average than the seventies, eighties and nineties. 2.1 million jobs have been created in the past year, and 193,000 were created in the past month alone. Congressman Price, I would say that tells a very important story about our Nation. Real after-tax income has grown by 7 percent since 2001. The average hourly wage is up 3.3 percent over the past 12 months, the largest 12-month increase in just under 3 years. Inflation remains low. Consumer confidence is at a 3-year high, and homeownership is at an all-time high. Tax revenues for fiscal year 2005 grew by 14.6 percent over fiscal year 2004. That has resulted in a $120 billion reduction in the deficit. This is a perfect example that there is such a thing as taxpayer behavior, that when you allow people to keep their own money, they create jobs, they save it, they invest it, they spend it, they grow our economy. I believe, and I know that you believe, that our tax policy must support our economy, and it must grow our revenues. Congress is currently in the process of renewing aspects of the legislation, the tax cuts, that have brought a lot of this economic growth about. But today is not a day to rest on our laurels. Leadership is about creating a vision of where we want to go and how we want to get there. It is not enough to create a favorable climate for economic growth. This majority has a clear vision of how we can help Americans succeed in this climate. You and I both serve on the House Education and Workforce Committee. We both know how hard our committee has worked to provide greater educational opportunities for Americans from all backgrounds, as well as to provide assistance for prospective employees to receive the skills and training they need to be competitive in today's workforce. You and I know the committee will continue to work hard this year. I also think it is important, as I close, to just talk about who in America pays taxes. One of the things that we have heard over and over again is that the tax cuts are for the top 1 percent of America. Americans do not realize that 50 percent of our people pay over 96 percent of the taxes. The top 50 percent pay 96.5 percent of our taxes. That means the bottom 50 percent wage earners pay 3.5 percent of our taxes. Forty-four million Americans are estimated to owe zero Federal taxes this year and will receive a dollar-for-dollar rebate for their withholding tax, thanks to the 10 percent bracket that was created. I think it is the least-told story of the year, how great our economy has done, the success of the tax policies. I think it is a story America needs to hear, and I thank you for giving us the opportunity to stand and talk about America, how great our Nation is, how wonderfully our economy is growing, and that we are committed to the policies that will continue that growth, continue to improve the lifestyles of all Americans.

Mrs. DRAKE

Mrs. DRAKE. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the gentlewoman from Tennessee for yielding to me. I am very proud to join her tonight on Valentine's Day to wish all our men and women of the service a happy Valentine's Day, but especially those and their families who are separated today and not celebrating Valentine's Day together because they have put duty and the defense of our Nation first. We live, as we know, in a completely different time; and we face a totally different threat. Our enemies do not wear a uniform. They do not represent a nation. They do not own tanks and aircraft. What they are is a global terrorist network that represents a violent extremist philosophy, one that places no value on life. What they seek to destroy is our way of life, the very fabric of our civilization. We realize that they have established goals. Their short-term goal is to take Iraq. Their mid-term goal is to take the Middle East. And their long-term goal is to take the world. They seek and they have vowed to use nuclear, biological, and chemical warfare. Our brave fighting men and women understand this threat. They have volunteered to defend this Nation. Recently, I met a member of our military, a young man. He looked at me and he made a very simple statement. He said, Think about this war on terror as if it were a football game. And the question that I want to ask you is would you rather play the game at home or away? Our goal is that we must fight this war, or play this game, as an away game. I met another young man on my trip to Iraq and had a brief conversation with him. He looked at me and he said, Ma'am, I understand the threat. I know why I am here, and if I have anything to do with it, we will never have another attack on our soil. With that he asked me not to worry about him but to pray for him, and in a moment he was gone. We as Americans do not fully understand this threat. Unless we have loved ones who are serving, our lives have not changed. We have not been asked to sacrifice for a war cause nor should we change our way of life because terrorists would like to do that for us. So it is hard to realize that we truly are a Nation at war. We question why we bother with a small country that is so far away from us when we perceive that they have lived in constant turmoil and they have constantly fought with other people. But America is committed to winning this war. We have watched liberty and democracy spring in the Middle East, and we know in our hearts that all people yearn for freedom to raise their children, to be able to live without fear, without torture, and without tyranny. I would like to share with America that this fall the House Armed Services Committee, under the chairmanship of Chairman Hunter, conducted a bipartisan comprehensive review to prepare our members on the committee for the QDR, that is, the Quadrennial Defense Review. This is a review that is done every 4 years by the Department of Defense to assess our national security posture. Very importantly, this is the very first review that has been done post- 9/11. This review is designed to ensure that the Department of Defense has a plan to transform itself to meet the threats we face in the 21st century. The QDR seeks to achieve the following objectives: Defeating the terrorist network; defending the homeland; shaping the choices of countries who are at a strategic crossroad; and preventing hostile states and non-state actors from acquiring or using weapons of mass destruction. Our goal is to develop a military that is more effective, more able to strike quickly. In the coming weeks, members of the House Armed Services Committee will be reviewing and assessing how to reshape our military to meet these present and emerging threats. Our military and the people of Iraq have accomplished great successes. In less than 3 years, they toppled Saddam, they created their government, and they passed their own constitution. I think that is quite a feat. It took us 13 years to develop our Constitution. We amended it 27 times. It took us 120 years to give women the right to vote. I think we should be very, very proud of their successes. So far, we have rehabbed over 2,800 schools; trained over 4,700 teachers; electricity, water and sewer are working in Iraq; as well as setting up independent TV stations, radio stations and newspapers. We have captured and killed many of their leaders, not all; we are shutting down as much of their money as we can; and our fighting men and women have engaged the enemy so that they do not have the time to wage war here on our soil and hopefully will continue to prevent an attack within our Nation. I believe the first function of government is to defend our Nation, and I think the greatest gift that we give to our children and our grandchildren is freedom. On Valentine's Day I am very happy to thank the men and women of our military who give us those gifts.

Mrs. DRAKE. That will be ongoing.

Mrs. DRAKE

Mrs. DRAKE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 331) honoring the sacrifice and courage of the 12 coal miners killed and the stamina and courage of the one who survived the mine disaster in Sago, West Virginia, and the sacrifice and courage of the two coal miners killed in the Aracoma Alma mine disaster, and recognizing the rescue crews for their outstanding efforts in the aftermath of the tragedies, as amended.

Mrs. DRAKE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H. Con. Res. 331.

Mrs. DRAKE. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from West Virginia (Mrs. Capito).

Mrs. DRAKE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. This year, 21 miners have lost their lives in mining accidents. Our thoughts and prayers are with their families. Today, we honor the 16 men who have died in West Virginia's coal mines and the lone survivor of the Sago mine accident. We also recognize members of the mine rescue teams who put their own lives on the line to try to save their fellow miners. On January 2, 2006, the Nation watched, waited, hoped and prayed that 13 men trapped in the Sago mine would return to the surface alive. Then the Nation was stunned when we learned that 12 men had died. Only one survivor, Randal McCloy, returned to the surface alive. Two more miners were lost at the Alma mine, despite the courageous efforts of the mine rescue teams. And just last week, two more miners died in Boone County. The first 6 weeks of 2006 have seen an unprecedented loss of life in West Virginia's recent mining history. Working with the State of West Virginia, the Mine Safety and Health Administration has begun investigations into these accidents. The agency also has announced an internal review to ensure that all the regulations and procedures under the Mine Safety and Health Act were followed. In response to concern about MSHA's Freedom of Information Act policy, Chairmen Boehner and Norwood and Representative Capito wrote to Secretary of Labor Chao to secure changes that would provide for greater disclosure of important information. Prior to this action, inspectors' notes and other information related to MSHA citations would not have been disclosed until a case exhausted all appeals. This important change will allow miners and their families better and quicker access to information regarding citations and inspectors' notes. Only a thorough investigation will pinpoint the cause of these tragic events. Congress must ensure the investigation proceeds as efficiently as possible, and then consider any proposed changes to our Federal mine safety laws and regulations that will help ensure that tragedies of this kind do not happen again in the future. Mr. Speaker, along with the rest of the Nation, we extend our condolences to the impacted families in West Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. DRAKE. Mr. Speaker, I yield as much time as he may consume to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Murphy).

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

Mrs. DRAKE

Mrs. DRAKE. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to share the following article written by a constituent, Rabbi Israel Zoberman. This is a time of critical crossroads. Israel's Prime Minister Sharon's serious health condition would have been a cause for concern, nationally and internationally, at any time. The current timing, however, is bound to offer a host of challenges. Having just recently formed a new centrist political party, Kadima (Forward), Sharon's popularity in the Israeli public has initially catapulted it in the polls to the top of the March 28 scheduled elections with 40 representatives in Israel's 120 seat Knesset (Parliament). It is doubtful now that presumably in Sharon's absence of active participation, Kadima will muster such commanding influence. This reality allows the Likkud party, created by Sharon back in 1973 and decimated by his defection due to its hard- line vis-a-vis the Palestinians and Sharon's changed posture, to reemerge as a potent power under Netanyahu's present leadership. The door has also been opened to potential gains by Labor with its head and rising star, Peretz, who defeated long-enduring Peres. An unsettled and unsettling Israeli scene is bound to have repercussions, at least temporarily, for the peace process which has finally gathered momentum given the disengagement from Gaza and the northern West Bank. A breakthrough move masterminded by Sharon's single-mindedness and quite smoothly facilitated with the aid of Israel's responsive democracy. The Palestinians and Arab rejectionists might be tempted to take advantage of the temporary vacuum left by Sharon though the government is fully functioning, and test the waters, inviting increased tension in a volatile context. Sharon's lasting legacy which can not be denied nor hopefully diminished but only enhanced, is his crowning and courageous transformation from a right winger vehemently opposed to Rabin's Oslo initiative to a responsible leader who upon becoming Prime Minister painfully appreciated the need for a peaceful Palestinian state next to a secure Israel. I recall being in Sharon's company years ago when as the architect of West Bank settlements, he zealously displayed dotted maps. Thus his radically revised course was met with disbelief and hostility by long time friends and supporters, turning him into possibly the most guarded man on earth, traveling by helicopter rather than car. I will cherish my memorable encounter with Sharon in December 2000 in Jerusalem, exactly two months before first elected Prime Minister. It was during a solidarity mission following the outbreak of the Second Intifiada, triggered by Sharon's explosive visit to the Temple Mount and his nemesis Arafat taking advantage of it, unleashing unremitting violence against Israeli citizens while denying former Prime Minister Barak's far-reaching negotiating concessions. I found Sharon approaching my row and seating next to me. He was chairman of the Likkud and I saw no bodyguards around him. After he addressed our delegation I had the gumption to ask him if he would had visited the Temple Mount had he known how the Palestinians would exploit it. He simply responded, ``They always have excuses.'' He did express sympathy for the Palestinians' plight. His searching eyes of down-to-earth humanity yet steeled determination will remain with me. Just like Rabin the General he too was transformed into both visionary and realist, struggling for that elusive yet essential peace. A war hero who was badly wounded in Israel's 1948 War of Independence and distinguished himself in the 1967 and 1973 wars, he was deeply disappointed when not appointed the military chief of staff. Sharon received a black eye from the official inquiry commission following the tragic events of the Sabra and Shatila refugee camps during the 1982 war in Lebanon. Consequently he was forced to resign from his Defense Minister post with a bleak public future. He also experienced family adversity, losing two wives and an eleven year old son killed in a gun accident. A colorful man of charisma and charm, conflict and controversy, Sharon nonetheless succeeded in gaining his nation's confidence as Prime Minister due in large measure to Palestinian terror and his tough aura though his response to Palestinian provocation of suicide bombings has been quite cautious, partly because, I believe, of his desire to rehabilitate his past tarnished image. His insistence on erecting the security-barrier in face of outside opposition substantially reduced terrorist attacks. Nicknamed the ``bulldozer'' who does not stop at a red light with negative and positive attributes, he proved to be ``the comeback kid'' exhibiting remarkable skills in Israel's political minefield. The last of Israel's grandfatherly figures inspiring awe, turning from politician into statesman, he enjoys a close working relationship with President Bush who highly values his Israeli partner in pursuit of common goals in a terrorism threatened world. However, the basic bond between the two intimately linked allied countries will persist with whoever is Israel's leader or America's. Even as we pray for Sharon's well-being we traumatically learned of the fateful impact one man with a crushing burden of duty can make, and of the human boundaries of even great historical personalities. In health and sickness, Sharon has come to symbolize an embattled Israel on the fronts of war and peace fighting to prevail.

Mrs. DRAKE

Mrs. DRAKE. Mr. Speaker, pursuant to clause 12 of rule XXII, I move that meetings of the conference between the House and the Senate on H.R. 1815 may be closed to the public at such times as classified national security information may be broached, provided that any sitting Member of Congress shall be entitled to attend any meeting of the conference.

Mrs. DRAKE

Mrs. DRAKE. Mr. Speaker, I rise to join in congratulating the Iraqi people for their bravery, courage and their belief in freedom. Just 3 years ago, none of us would have ever predicted or believed that Iraq would have a Constitution and a newly elected national council of 275 representatives based on province and population. Mr. Speaker, this is a remarkable transition. The Iraqi people have no prior experience in democracy, and they have lived under a brutal dictatorship for decades. Today, freedom, liberty, and democracy are within their grasp. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join in support of this resolution, in support of a free and democratic Iraq, and, as a result, a safer America and world. The road ahead will be long, hard and unpredictable, but the dream of freedom lights their way.

Mrs. DRAKE

Mrs. DRAKE. Mr. Speaker, today we are on the eve of Iraq's first election for a 4-year government based on their newly adopted constitution. We stand with the Iraqi people as they choose freedom and democracy over terrorism and oppression. In less than 3 years, they have gone from a brutal dictatorship to electing 275 representatives based on province and population, who will then select a prime minister, a presidency cabinet, and a cabinet of ministers. We congratulate the people of Iraq. We stand beside them, and we thank them for their courage, their bravery and their vision. However, we must acknowledge, as they do, that the path will not be easy, but they are truly a miracle in the journey they have undertaken. We are proud of their progress and hopeful for the future for Iraq, the Middle East and the defeat of terrorism around the world.

Mrs. DRAKE

Mrs. DRAKE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the joint resolution (H.J. Res. 38) recognizing Commodore John Barry as the first flag officer of the United States Navy.

Mrs. DRAKE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on H.J. Res. 38, the resolution under consideration.

Mrs. DRAKE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.J. Res. 38. This resolution recognizes Commodore John Barry as the first flag officer of the United States Navy. Born in 1745, John Barry came to America as a young seaman and became a great American patriot and warrior during the Revolutionary War. John Barry's contributions during the Revolutionary War were unparalleled. He was the first captain to capture a British vessel on the high seas; and while waiting for a warship to be built, he also fought on the land with a company of marines at the Battles of Trenton and Princeton. When he assumed command of his favorite ship, the frigate Alliance, he captured two British ships after being severely wounded during a ferocious sea battle. In all, he captured over 20 ships and fought the last sea battle of the war at the helm of the frigate Alliance in 1783. After the war, he was appointed the head of the United States Navy by President George Washington. He was so highly regarded that his contemporaries labeled him the Father of the American Navy. Today, with this resolution, we honor Commodore John Barry as the first Navy officer authorized to fly his own pennant. Mr. Speaker, I particularly want to thank my House colleague, the gentleman from New York (Mr. King), for introducing this resolution. I urge my colleagues to support it. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Mrs. DRAKE

Mrs. DRAKE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3443) to direct the Secretary of the Interior to convey certain water distribution facilities to the Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District, as amended.

Mrs. DRAKE

Mrs. DRAKE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 452) to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study to determine the suitability and feasibility of designating the Soldiers' Memorial Military Museum located in St. Louis, Missouri, as a unit of the National Park System.

Mrs. DRAKE

Mrs. DRAKE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the bill under consideration.

Mrs. DRAKE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 125) to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to construct facilities to provide water for irrigation, municipal, domestic, military and other uses from the Santa Margarita River, California, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mrs. DRAKE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. H.R. 125, introduced by the gentleman from California (Mr. Issa), authorizes the construction of a ground water recharge and pumping project in the lower Santa Margarita River Basin in Southern California. If constructed, the project could provide much-needed water to the local water utility district and to Camp Pendleton Marine Corps base for its military training needs. This project would augment the local water district's water supply, would relieve future additional demands for costly and limited imported water supplies, and would set aside and preserve valuable environmental habitat. This project is an excellent example of local and Federal agencies working together to secure safe and dependable water supplies for future generations. This bill is good for water consumers and good for our marines. I urge my colleagues to support this important bill. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Mrs. DRAKE

Mrs. DRAKE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 853) to remove certain restrictions on the Mammoth Community Water District's ability to use certain property acquired by that District from the United States.