Debbie Dingell

Mrs. DINGELL

Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the achievements of James B. Angell Elementary School. For over eight decades, Angell Elementary school has benefited our community through its dedication to the education and development of Ann Arbor's youth. The U.S. Department of Education recognized this commitment by naming the school a 2015 National Blue Ribbon Award recipient Founded in 1923, Angell Elementary is one of Ann Arbor's oldest elementary schools. The school's prominence in core curriculum classes such as Mathematics, English, and Science led students to perform in the top fifteen percent of all Michigan students on state administered assessments. This earned the school the title of ``Exemplary High Performing School'', and led the Michigan Department of Education to nominate the school for the National Blue Ribbon Award. The school's mission is, ``To provide an uncommon education to the common man.'' Although Angell Elementary's core curriculum classes are exceptional, it is the enrichment programs offered by the school that allow it to thrive. The programs provide students with the unique opportunity to engage in their community. The school partners with the University of Michigan and takes students through the University's various history museums and scientific laboratories. The school takes great efforts to promote the arts as well, providing students with trips to art museums in Toledo and Detroit, as well locally in Ann Arbor. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me today to honor the teachers, students and parents of James B. Angell Elementary school for their commitment to maintaining a standard of excellence that best prepares the leaders of our future.

Mrs. DINGELL

Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Ms. Kay Vartanian for her distinguished military career and service to the City of Dearborn. Born on January 15th, 1914, Ms. Vartanian has been a lifelong resident of Dearborn. At the peak of World War II, she enlisted in the United States Army to actively support the war effort. She was stationed at Fort Ogelthorpe, Georgia until her honorable discharge on January 11, 1946. For her sacrifice and hard work for our country, Ms. Vartanian was awarded the Victory Medal, the American Theater WAAC Service Ribbon, and the Good Conduct Medal. After serving her country, she returned to Dearborn. As Ms. Vartanian reaches the age of 101, she has become the oldest female veteran in our area. Throughout her life, especially through her faith community, Ms. Vartanian has dedicated her life to the service of others. Kay has been an important member of her church and is loved by all of her friends and neighbors. To many, she is considered part of their family. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me today to honor Ms. Kay Vartanian on her distinguished military service and to celebrate her extraordinary work for the Dearborn community and the nation.

Mrs. DINGELL

Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Michigan Advocacy Program on their 50th anniversary. Since 1965, the Michigan Advocacy Program has worked to make legal representation and aid accessible to low income individuals across Michigan. Every single day they are fighting to keep people in their homes, pushing back against unfair workforce practices, and working to ensure the safety for women and children across the state of Michigan. Each year they provide free representation for over ten thousand low income individuals that would not otherwise have been able to afford a lawyer and could have been denied access to the courts. Through their focus and dedication, the Michigan Advocacy Program has given a voice to low income families by providing free civil legal representation. Over the past 50 years, we have had the pleasure of watching the Michigan Advocacy Program grow from the Legal Services of South Central Michigan into a flourishing organization that works to support families across the state of Michigan. Equal access to our system of justice and the judicial system is a key tenet of our democracy. Courts and the legal system should not be reserved only for those who have the most resources. The Michigan Advocacy Program has helped promote fairness and equality in our society by increasing access to legal aid and representation to low income individuals across Michigan. They have an incredibly successful track record and years of hard work is certainly worthy of our praise. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me today to honor the Michigan Advocacy Program on their 50th Anniversary and wish them many more years of success.

Mrs. DINGELL

Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Chairman, I want to quickly respond to some of the points made by my friends on the other side of the aisle. I do recognize the importance of those metals in auto production. It is important to me. But this bill isn't going to impact them. To be frank, I think this bill is a solution in search of a problem. NEPA is often a scapegoat for permitting delays, but this does not hold up when you closely examine the facts. In fact, since 2008, the approval time for hardrock mines has decreased. Last year the average time it took to approve a plan of operations for a hardrock mine was 17 months--17 months--not 10 years. I want jobs as much as my colleagues do on the other side of the aisle, but I want to protect people. Project complexity, local opposition, and the lack of funding are almost always the culprits for a project being delayed, but everybody wants to blame NEPA unfairly. Hardrock mines could pose significant threats to public health, water, and the environment. We must ensure that every mining application is properly reviewed under NEPA, as my amendment proposes. I urge my colleagues to support this amendment. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Chairman, I demand a recorded vote.

Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself as much time as I may consume. There are several troubling positions in this legislation, many of which my other colleagues have already addressed this afternoon. But I am particularly concerned with how H.R. 1937 treats the National Environmental Policy Act, or NEPA, as it has become known. If this bill were to become law, public comment would be severely limited and, in some instances, a proper environmental review may not be conducted at all. The underlying bill employs a functional equivalence standard, which would permit the lead agency to circumvent a NEPA review if other agencies have performed reviews that are determined to be equivalent. There are several problems with this approach. First, it is not clear that the six factors listed in the bill compromise all that a NEPA document would explore. So if functional equivalence was applied, the public may not have the complete story about the environmental impacts of a specific project. Second, case law demonstrates that functional equivalence has historically not been extended to other agencies beyond the EPA because they are simply not equipped to do that kind of work. That is why the committee heard testimony earlier this year that this provision ignores Congress' choices in NEPA, as well as the judiciary's struggle with functional equivalence. My amendment strikes the functional equivalence provisions and replaces it with the language that makes it clear that all mine explorations or mine permits are major Federal actions and would require an environmental impact statement under NEPA. It is well known that hardrock mining can have adverse health impacts, and these projects deserve a formal environmental review. NEPA has a simple premise: Look before you leap. This landmark law gives the public an opportunity to review and comment on actions proposed by the government, adding to the evaluation process unique perspectives that highly specialized, mission-driven agencies might otherwise ignore. We should be preserving and protecting this important tool for public participation rather than undermining it. I urge my colleagues to support the Dingell amendment. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. DINGELL

Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate Lana and Henry Pollack for receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Michigan League of Conservation Voters. The Pollacks both have long, distinguished careers in public service and environmental advocacy. If you live in Michigan and care about conservation or environmental protection you have likely crossed paths with the Pollacks because they are both tireless workers and experts in the field. Michigan and the nation owe both Lana and Henry a tremendous debt of gratitude for all of their efforts and accomplishments over the years. A founding member of the Michigan League of Conservation Voters, Lana Pollack has a distinguished record of public service and is one of the most consistent and powerful environmental advocates in the country. First elected to the Michigan State Senate in 1983 where she served for 11 years, Lana quickly made her mark on environmental policy in the state by authoring the landmark ``Polluter Pays'' statute that required polluters to pay the cleanup costs of their contamination. This ultimately saved Michigan taxpayers over $100 million while improving our environment at the same time. Her legacy as an environmental champion continued as president of the Michigan Environmental Council where she served from 1996-2008. In 2010, President Obama appointed her as the U.S. Chair of the International Joint Commission, where she continues to work to protect the Great Lakes in partnership with Canadian officials. Henry Pollack is one of our nation's preeminent experts on climate change, a field that he has studied for a majority of his life. He is currently a professor of geophysics at the University of Michigan where he has served for over 40 years. Henry's contributions to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) were numerous and he was one of the scientific leaders of the group. The capstone of his career was when the IPCC was awarded the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize along with Vice President Al Gore for their incredible work. Henry's work on climate change research and policy continues as an adviser to Vice President Gore's Climate Project. What stands out the most to me about Lana and Henry is their unique appreciation of the urgent need to protect our natural resources that is paired with unmatched expertise in the field. This rare combination of talent has made Michigan a better place to live, work and raise a family. There is no couple more deserving of this tremendous honor than Lana and Henry Pollack. You continue to inspire all of us with your unparalleled work, and we know there are still more chapters to be written in your already incredible story. Congratulations once again for receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Michigan League of Conservation Voters--a fitting tribute to a lifetime of service.

Mrs. DINGELL

Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 200th Border Survey Anniversary of Pittsfield Township, Michigan. This day commemorates the survey which established the borders of this significant municipality. Pittsfield Township is a vibrant community with a rich history. The area now known as Pittsfield Township was a common crossroads for Native Americans to travel across the country for more than 10,000 years. The land was surveyed on a cold day in 1815 by Alexander Holmes. His work continues to mark the municipality's border with Lodi, Scio, and Ann Arbor Townships. In 1824, Geo. W. Noyes made the purchase of federal land for the township. Originally established as the ``Township of Pitt'' by the Sixth Legislative Council in 1834, it was named in honor of British statesmen William Pitt the Elder who was a passionate advocate for American interests in Parliament prior to the War of Independence. Settlers of European and African heritage settled this area, cleared the land, erected the first school house in Washtenaw County, and created the foundation of this community. Although the present territory of this township might be unrecognizable to figures of the past, it continues to grow because of engaged citizens and steady leadership. Pittsfield has strategically built a municipality which successfully balances economic growth, recreational activities, agricultural viability, and preserving green spaces. This township has grown into the third largest municipality in Washtenaw County because of policies that encourage talented residents to foster economic growth. Residents of their community are proud of it and continually make meaningful contributions to their community and the surrounding area. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me today to celebrate Pittsfield Township's 200th Border Survey Anniversary. Its history is an important piece of Michigan's heritage and the anniversary provides an occasion to celebrate and remember it.

Mrs. DINGELL

Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the City of Flat Rock, Michigan on its 50th anniversary of incorporation. The City of Flat Rock embodies so much of what makes Michigan and the 12th Congressional District great; it is a privilege to represent the city and its people. Flat Rock began as a Wyandot Native American settlement, and later was designated as a reservation for the Wyandot, functioning in that way until 1830. In 1818, Solomon Sibley purchased 330 acres of land in the area, and in 1824 the Vreeland family purchased nearly 800 acres, including the 330 acres belonging to Mr. Sibley. The land was plotted as the villages of Vreelandt and Smooth Rock. In 1838, the village of Flat Rock was platted and recorded by the Gibraltar and Flat Rock Land Company, who purchased a large portion of the land. At that time, the company was attempting to build a canal to connect Lake Erie with Lake Michigan. While that effort did not succeed, it was a larger indication of the fact that many people from the east coast, and especially New York state, were traveling to the fertile farmlands in what is now Southeast Michigan. The area was officially incorporated as a village in 1923 and later as a city in 1965, the occasion which we celebrate today. In the 20th century, the village and city of Flat Rock has enjoyed tremendous growth through thoughtful and capable leadership, including the work of the current Mayor, City Council, and staff. The City's booming growth in the past ten years has significantly increased property values and population, a trend that is expected to continue for the foreseeable future. Henry Ford recognized the special nature of Flat Rock and established the Ford Motor Company Lamp Factory on the banks of the Huron River in 1925. This relationship with Ford Motor Company has been a successful one, and today, Flat Rock is the proud home of the Flat Rock Assembly Plant which produces the iconic Ford Mustang and the Ford Fusion. The City of Flat Rock has captured the best aspects of industry and production, while at the same time, maintaining a unique identity with a small town feel. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me today in recognizing the 50th anniversary of the City of Flat Rock and to wish the city many more years of success.

Mrs. DINGELL

Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize The Information Center on their 40th anniversary. The accomplishments of this long- standing non-profit agency exemplify the importance and strength of public-private partnerships in our communities. Founded in 1975 in Taylor, Michigan, The Information Center was created to inform citizens of the over 10,000 resources available to them, including both private sector assistance and public services offered by their local, state, and federal governments. Since becoming the first organization in Michigan to be certified by the national Alliance for Information and Referral Services, the Information Center has become an indispensible tool for connecting people with the human service resources that fit their individual needs. Learning from their experience in our communities, The Information Center has expanded over the years and has initiated programs that address unemployment, health and wellness, housing, transportation, veterans services, financial and legal assistance, disability advocacy and other human services. In addition, The Information Center emphasizes support for our seniors by providing options for home care and caregiver training that respects the dignity and encourages the independence of older Americans. For 40 years, The Information Center has held itself to the highest standards to ensure that our residents always have somewhere to turn. The most recent report from the Michigan Department of Community Health ranked The Information Center as best in the county and second best in the state for quality assurance in their work with seniors. Their tireless efforts have helped the citizens of Southeast Michigan with comprehensive, community-based programs that help control the cost of care for our elders and provide peace of mind to our families. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me today in gratitude to honor The Information Center on their 40th anniversary and wish them many more years of success.

Mrs. DINGELL

Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mrs. Marsha Bianconi for her distinguished service as the Executive Director of the Conference of Western Wayne. Marsha's commitment to our community has enriched the lives of so many and helped guide the leaders of our region towards collective and coordinated success. The Conference of Western Wayne is a consortium of eighteen western Wayne County communities who meet monthly to discuss issues including; legislation, transportation, public safety, substance abuse, economic development, and the environment. For over thirty five years, the Conference of Western Wayne has moved forward with its mission to support the bi-partisan, mutual interest of its member communities. For twenty seven of those years, Marsha has shaped the mission, vision, and programming of the organization and taken it far beyond what anyone would have imagined when it started. As we reflect on her service and accomplishments, it is important to recognize that Marsha has been a wonderful mother of two children, Steven and Melissa, and a loving wife to her husband Bob. After all, we are all working to build stronger, safer communities not just for ourselves, but for our families and friends. While she is looking forward to retirement, I know that we will not lose her insight and leadership in our region because she will continue to stay involved in so many of our community organizations. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me today to honor Mrs. Marsha Bianconi for her twenty seven years of service to our communities and for her dedication to regional cooperation. I thank her for her leadership and wish her many years of joy in her retirement.

Mrs. DINGELL

Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. The National Environmental Policy Act, or NEPA as we frequently shorthand it, is one of our bedrock conservation laws, and it has a simple premise: look before you leap. Its timelines are designed to provide transparency and public participation in government. H.R. 348 would move us in the opposite direction. My amendment would not fix all of the problems with this bill, but it would allow hunters, anglers, and wildlife enthusiasts to continue to enjoy the benefits that NEPA provides. Several recent stories help explain the benefits of NEPA, including the following: Recently, a plan to improve U.S. 23 in my home State of Michigan was modified to avoid the largest loss of wetlands in our State's history. Not only will this help improve the biodiversity of the region, but it will also preserve that habitat for migratory waterfowl prized by hunters. This land could have been lost and hunters would have had their access reduced if not for the robust comment process that NEPA provides. There are similar stories across the country. In 2013, changes to the Army Corps of Engineers' plan to increase storage capacity at the John Redmond Reservoir in Kansas were needed to protect prime deer and turkey hunting areas, as well as avoid the destruction of a local boat ramp providing fishermen access to the lake. In 2004, sportsmen's groups from across the country banded together during the NEPA review process and caused BLM to withdraw a proposal to allow oil and gas drilling along the Rocky Mountain Front in Montana. The list goes on and on, but the point is that none of these positive outcomes would have been achieved without a strong NEPA process that encourages public participation instead of limiting it. Furthermore, the habitats utilized by game and sports fishermen are the same as those utilized by endangered fish, wildlife, and plants. Destroying one destroys the other, which is why NEPA must allow for a thorough review of potential impacts to listed species. My amendment would ensure these protections will be preserved so hunters, fishermen, and American wildlife will continue to benefit from them. There is absolutely no legitimate reason to limit public oversight of taxpayer-funded projects. NEPA shines a light on proposed government actions and helps local citizens provide new information and ideas, improve projects, and ensure sustainable decisionmaking. It helps Federal authorities consider a range of alternatives, often resulting in lower costs to the public, something I am sure everyone here supports. NEPA is a quintessentially American, quintessentially small- government law. It reinforces the rights of people to hold their government accountable. A host of environmental groups have endorsed my amendment, but I am particularly pleased to have the support of Trout Unlimited, because my amendment would help protect the rights of anglers. If you hunt, you fish or have constituents who do, you should support a strong NEPA and vote for my amendment. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Chairman, I want to quickly respond to the comments made by my colleague on the other side of the aisle. We often hear that NEPA is a scapegoat for projects being delayed, but as the GAO and others have found, outside issues, including the complexity of the project, local opposition and, most importantly, funding issues are almost always the cause of delays. If we adequately funded highway and infrastructure projects, we wouldn't be seeing so many delays the majority is so concerned with. NEPA is a convenient excuse, but the facts simply don't support the claim that it is the root cause of projects being delayed. We should not be limiting the public's ability to comment on government decisions; but, instead, we should be enhancing them. This bill does the opposite. I urge my colleagues to support my amendment and oppose the underlying bill. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Chairman, I demand a recorded vote.

Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Chairman, I demand a recorded vote.

Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to the Gosar amendment because it would weaken a critical part of the National Environmental Policy Act. The Council on Environmental Quality recently issued draft guidance under NEPA detailing how Federal agencies should consider the effects of greenhouse gas emissions. This NEPA guidance is a commonsense and perfectly legal step toward reducing the Federal Government's contribution and vulnerability to global warming. It is smart planning that accounts for risk and will save taxpayers money, something I am sure that everyone here can support. Furthermore, the guidance will only increase NEPA's effectiveness as a tool for environmental justice, helping communities that cannot afford expensive lobbyists to protect their homes and values. Climate change is hitting low-income communities and communities of color the hardest. Instead of blocking progress, we should congratulate President Obama and CEQ on issuing this incredibly important and long overdue draft guidance to Federal agencies and urge them to issue a final version as soon as possible. And, for the record, my understanding is CEQ did have a witness at the hearing that was just referred to. This guidance makes clear that Federal agencies must factor greenhouse gas emissions and climate change into their decisions and will produce better, more informed and more efficient outcomes. Efforts to convince the American people we have nothing to do with climate change--or, as Pope Francis said in words the American people understood yesterday: air pollution--will not slow the pace of actual climate change, and it will harm our economy, public health, and national security. That is why this is a bad amendment. We urge you to vote against it. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. DINGELL. I yield myself the balance of my time. Mr. Chairman, I would like to read an excerpt from Pope Francis' address to us yesterday that really stood out to me: ``I call for a courageous and responsible effort to redirect our steps, and to avert the most serious effects of the environmental deterioration caused by human activity. I am convinced that we can make a difference, and I have no doubt that the United States--and this Congress--have an important role to play.'' I take that call by our Pope very seriously. There are even reports today that China is going to announce a cap-and-trade program. By considering this bill and this amendment, Congress is not playing a constructive role. I urge all of my colleagues to vote ``no'' on the Gosar amendment. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Chairman, I claim the time in opposition.

Mrs. DINGELL

Mrs. DINGELL. I thank my friend from Michigan for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I also want to thank my friends Congressman Benishek, Congresswoman Sinema, and Congresswoman Bustos for their leadership and for hosting this Special Order this evening on an issue that we all care very deeply about: the high rate of suicide among our veteran population. September is Suicide Prevention Month, and it is important that we draw attention to this critical issue. The facts are stark. My other colleagues have already mentioned them. A veteran commits suicide every 65 minutes. That means that 22 veterans a day are dying. Today we honor those that we have lost already and the families who have suffered so much and are left behind. These veterans were true American heroes who served their country and came home tormented. We can never forget the sacrifices that they have made. It is great, on this evening, to see my colleagues from both sides of the aisle here to talk about this issue, because it is my sincere hope that we can come together and rededicate ourselves to doing what is right for our veterans and making sure that we are dedicating sufficient resources to veterans' care. On Sunday night, in Michigan, I will gather with the family and friends of those veterans who have committed suicide in Michigan. They have built a cross for each of those lives to try to raise awareness in our community. In addition, at a meeting that I hold with my mayors, where normally we are talking about infrastructure or roads, two-thirds of that meeting was spent talking about veterans and the emotional issues we are dealing with in our communities as we see these veterans struggling. The mayors and I have started a task force to address these issues. We have started a veterans' court that has been following the model of other places, trying to raise awareness so that in the community, we see when someone is struggling and are able to put out a helping hand. My next-door neighbor's young son, when tormented, needed help; and when he called, he couldn't get it. We all have got to come together. These brave young men and women have served our country. When they came home from World War II and Korea, we celebrated them. We thanked them for their service. We formed a community around them. These young men and women are fighting for us. They are fighting for freedom. They are fighting for world security. We have an obligation to help them when they come home, to help get them the resources that they need. They have memories that haunt them. They have memories that torment them. This Suicide Prevention Month, we have to take the stigma away from mental illness. We have to recognize that young people need help sometimes, and we have to be there for them. Tonight I thank my colleagues for organizing this Special Order so that we remind people that those who have served us sometimes need that helping hand. If we can prevent it, we must, any young person from taking their life because of the service that they gave this country.

Mrs. DINGELL

Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the grand opening of the new academic building at the University of Michigan School of Nursing. The University of Michigan School of Nursing is a premier institution that is committed to teaching and training the next generation of nurses. Consistently recognized as one of the best nursing schools in the country, they have trained many individuals who have gone on to excel in the field of nursing and give back to their communities. In fact, just this year they were recognized for having six subspecialties ranked in the Top 10 of the U.S. News and World Report's annual rankings. This includes the Nursing Administration program, which is ranked second, and the Family Nurse Practitioner and the Gerontology Primary Care program, which were both ranked third. This strong praise affirms the University's commitment to training the ``leaders and the best.'' Our nation needs more well-trained nurses who are committed to giving back to their community. It is great to have a national leader in the field in Ann Arbor, Michigan. This new academic building will further enhance their ability to train the next generation of nurses who will be on the front lines of providing much needed care to those who need it most. It is especially exciting that the modern tools within this facility will teach students to work in contemporary and collaborative environments, which will help them prepare to excel at their jobs. Through this 75,000 square-foot new structure, new nurses will continue to expand upon the University of Michigan's reputation of excellence and high achievement. My friend, Dr. Kathleen Potempa, the Dean of the School of Nursing, deserves our praise for her leadership in spearheading the opening of this new facility and for her dedication to teaching. It is my hope that this grand opening will be the start of a new and continued era of excellence at the University of Michigan School of Nursing. I ask all of my colleagues to join me in honoring the opening of the new School of Nursing Academic Building at the University of Michigan. I wish each and every new student the best of luck and much success in their future endeavors.

Mrs. DINGELL

Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members to join us in supporting this bill. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. DINGELL

Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. H.R. 487 will allow the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma to effectively manage their nontrust lands by providing relief from the Indian Nonintercourse Act. The Indian Nonintercourse Act was intended to protect Indian tribes by preventing the loss of their lands, except by treaty. Historically, the act has generally not interfered with the tribe's ability to buy, sell, or lease land that it owns in fee simple. But uncertainties raised by the act can be a hindrance when securing purchase agreements from outside parties. Therefore, relief from the act is at times necessary for a tribe to successfully manage their lands and to sell fee parcels that are determined to be in excess of the tribe's needs or were purchased for investment purposes. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 487 would simply allow the Miami Tribe to convey all the land that the tribe holds in fee simple without further Federal approval to facilitate those future transactions. I agree with the goals of this legislation, and I ask my colleagues to support it. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank Mr. Mullin for his leadership. Mr. Speaker, in closing, I urge all Members to support H.R. 487, and I yield back the balance of my time.