Jim Gibbons

Mr. GIBBONS

Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4389) 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.

Mr. GIBBONS. 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.R. 4389, the bill now under consideration.

Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 4389, introduced by our colleague, the gentleman from California (Mr. Issa), authorizes the construction of a groundwater 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 the Camp Pendleton Marine Base for its military needs. Supporters believe this project, in conjunction with ongoing water conservation measures, will augment the local water district's water supply, will relieve additional demands on the future for costly and limited imported water supplies, and sets aside and preserves valuable environmental habitats. This project is an excellent example of a local agency working to secure safe and dependable water supplies for future generations, and I urge the adoption of the bill. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from California (Mr. Issa), Congressman to the 49th District of California and a valued member of the Committee on Energy and Commerce.

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

Mr. GIBBONS

Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3982) to direct the Secretary of the Interior to convey certain land held in trust for the Paiute Indian Tribe of Utah to the City of Richfield, Utah, and for other purposes.

Mr. GIBBONS. 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.R. 3982, the bill now under consideration.

Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 3982 is sponsored by the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Cannon). The legislation authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to take a 3-acre parcel of land owned by the Paiute Indian Tribe out of trust so the tribe can sell it to the City of Richfield, Utah. The land would be sold only on a willing-seller basis for fair market value and would be used by the city to expand its municipal airport. H.R. 3982 also authorizes the Secretary to transfer three parcels of trust land to two of the Tribe's constituent bands. The parcels, each of which is one acre or less, will remain in trust for the benefit of the individual bands. Finally, H.R. 3982 changes the name of the Cedar City Band of Paiute Indians of Utah to the Cedar Band of Paiute Indians of Utah. The tribe and all local entities support this bill, and I urge its adoption. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Mr. GIBBONS

Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the Senate bill (S. 1421) to authorize the subdivision and dedication of restricted land owned by Alaska Natives.

Mr. GIBBONS. 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 now under consideration.

Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Senate 1421 is legislation sponsored by the gentlewoman from Alaska (Senator Murkowski) that will yield tremendous benefits to Alaska native owners of lands they obtained under the Native Allotment Act of 1906. The bill resolves a problem that is confounding the State of Alaska, Alaska municipalities and the owners of native allotments. In the past few years, government attorneys have questioned whether current law authorizes the subdivision of Alaska native allotments or the placement of certain easements across them. Some allotments have already been subdivided, and the validity of these subdivisions is now in question. This bill fixes the problem. It allows Alaska natives to subdivide their allotments and dedicate rights-of-way on them, according to State law, without losing the protections in the restricted status of such lands. The law does not force Alaska natives to do anything with their lands. Rather, it gives them more freedom to utilize their property in an economically beneficial manner. This is an excellent, noncontroversial bill worked out cooperatively by all affected parties. I urge the adoption of this bill. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, I urge the adoption of this measure. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. GIBBONS

Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the Senate bill (S. 144) to require the Secretary of the Interior to establish a program to provide assistance through States to eligible weed management entities to control or eradicate harmful, nonnative weeds on public and private land, as amended.

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

Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Senate 144, introduced by Senator Larry Craig of Idaho and passed by the Senate on March 4, 2003, would establish a program providing assistance through States to eligible weed management entities for the control of noxious weeds on public and private land. In simple terms, S. 144 would amend the Plant Protection Act authorizing the Secretary of Agriculture to fund specific weed control or eradication projects on a competitive basis. The bill also serves to bolster the presence of weed management entities, which exist today in most western States but lack the funding for meaningful control of noxious weeds. Weed management entities are comprised of community members and local landowners affected by this problem, as well as representatives of the State or Federal Government. Where established, they have proven to be vital in controlling noxious weeds. Senate 144 aims to deal with the growing threat of noxious weeds in an inclusive manner, across government agencies, and on private lands. It is important to note that due to cost concerns, the authorization of appropriations has been reduced to $15 million per year rather than $100 million per year. Additionally, administrative costs of Federal agencies are limited to 5 percent, ensuring the money gets to the ground where it is needed. The bill, as amended, is supported by the majority and minority of the Committee on Resources as well as the Committee on Agriculture. I would like to thank Chairman Goodlatte and the Agriculture Committee staff for their willingness to work on and approve this important piece of legislation. I urge the adoption of the bill. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, I urge the adoption of the bill. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. GIBBONS

Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the Senate bill (S. 1814) to transfer Federal lands between the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of the Interior.

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

Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, Senate 1814, introduced by Senator Kit Bond of Missouri, would transfer the management of the Mingo Job Corps Civilian Conservation Center from the Department of the Interior to the Department of Agriculture. This bill was overwhelmingly adopted by the other body, and it is identical to H.R. 3433 as proposed by our distinguished colleague from Missouri (Mrs. Emerson). This center is located within the boundaries of the Mingo National Wildlife Refuge and it provides basic training and educational skills to hundreds of at-risk students between the ages of 16 and 24. These students can learn a variety of trades including automotive repair, bricklaying, carpentry, welding and culinary arts. In addition, they obtain critical experience, socialization skills and the confidence they will need to be successful in the workplace. The U.S. Forest Service operates 18 Job Corps Centers throughout the United States, and they have signed a memorandum of understanding with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service which transfers to them responsibility for the operation of this center. This legislation is necessary because the National Wildlife Refuge Administration Act stipulates that the transfer cannot occur administratively. Both agencies strongly support this realignment. This is a good bill. The Job Corps Center is important to the economy of southeast Missouri, and it will ensure a bright future for hundreds of young men and women. I compliment the sponsors of this measure and urge an ``aye'' vote on Senate 1814. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, I urge the adoption of the measure. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Mr. GIBBONS

Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, our founding fathers knew that the vitality of our democracy was contingent on an informed and enlightened citizenry. That is why we must promote quality instruction and teacher preparation in the field of civic education. On September 20-22 of last year the first annual Congressional Conference on Civic Education was launched. During the conference, state delegations were created to enact specific local policies designed to restore the civic mission of our schools. I would like to recognize Judith Simpson, the facilitator of the Nevada delegation for her leadership in working to design an action plan to improve civic education in our State. Nevada was one of six States that were awarded the $150,000 Campaign for the Civic Mission of Schools Grand from the Carnegie and Knight Foundations. Civic education is on the move in Nevada. I look forward to the success of the Nevada civic education delegation and its participation at the second annual Congressional Conference on Civic Education on December 4-6 of this year.

Mr. GIBBONS

Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 4442, the Guardians of Freedom Memorial Post Office Building Designation Act. It is my great honor and privilege to bring before you this bill, which attempts to honor Nevada's military personnel who have made the ultimate sacrifice during the Global War on Terror, and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Nevada's families have lost precious loved ones during these conflicts, and many members of Nevada's communities have come to me requesting some form of recognition for these noble men and women. This bill helps provide such recognition by establishing the Guardians of Freedom Memorial Post Office Building, in Reno, NV--a consecration of ground forever preserving the memories of these valiant individuals. To my knowledge, no other post office in the United States serves with the distinction of being the single location for recognizing and honoring all those of a community who have fallen in defense of our Nation's liberty. Upon passage of this bill into law, a plaque will be placed at this site. The plaque will bear the names of those Nevadans who have given the ultimate sacrifice in fighting terrorism; the names of those who have died defending America's liberty. The names, Mr. Speaker, of those Nevadans who have fallen while liberating their brothers and sisters in humanity from the barbarism of a different age. The names of these Nevadans will be permanently etched into this plaque and will serve as an enduring reminder to future generations that freedom is never free, and those who defend liberty will never be forgotten. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting my fellow Nevadans who have lost loved ones, by voting in favor of this special bill, H.R. 4442.

Mr. GIBBONS

Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my profound dismay over the allegedly criminal activities of former National Security Adviser Sandy Berger and his apparent theft of classified terrorism- related documents from the National Archives. As a former Air Force officer and current subcommittee chairman on the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, I am used to dealing with and protecting highly classified materials. I would have presumed that Mr. Berger was also. Yet, it appears that Mr. Berger smuggled his stolen documents out of a secure area in his socks and down his pants. That is correct, in his socks and down his pants, Mr. Speaker. If it was not so serious, it would be comical. Are we expected to believe that this was all some sort of innocent mistake? The Wall Street Journal likened such a pitiful excuse to the old ``the dog ate my homework'' routine. Mr. Speaker, there are two critical concerns here. First is the apparent premeditated theft of highly classified material, presumably to be withheld from the 9/11 Commission and; second, what was in these stolen documents that would cause a former National Security Adviser to risk his reputation and potential jail time to cover up. I want to know the answers to these questions, and I want Mr. Berger to be held accountable for his actions. I suspect the American people do as well.