Raúl Grijalva

Mr. GRIJALVA

Mr. GRIJALVA. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Cunningham), a sponsor of the legislation, companion legislation to the Senate bill.

Mr. GRIJALVA. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Levin), a valued member of the Natural Resources Committee

Mr. GRIJALVA. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Washington (Mr. Kilmer).

Mr. GRIJALVA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. Mr. Speaker, the process of this legislation reaching this point on the floor to be voted upon has, to those of us involved, been difficult. It has been frustrating. Yet, the possibility of it being done was always there, and that was the goal. I think the overwhelming support in the Senate for a clean bill to come to the House was bipartisan. I think today would have been--I didn't feel it was necessary to engage in the same arguments that we have been engaging about with the Land and Water Conservation Fund in particular and the backlog. This legislation is not about robbing Peter to pay Paul. It is not about taking money from the East to give to the West. It is not about denying coastal States their share. If we do transition, as we transition, which we need to urgently, to clean energy in the future, future Congresses, I think, will have the foresight to look at this legislation and deal with how we move forward with it and continue to fund it. When I went to visit Land and Water Conservation Fund sites, I went to a park in south Phoenix, the only green space and recreation area for close to 8,000 families who live in that general area, Land and Water Conservation Fund; and when I went to other locations in urban areas across this country, Land and Water Conservation Fund. That continues to be a priority for reasons of public health, equity, and access. Mr. Speaker, in a strange procedural trick of the House, we have spent this afternoon debating the Great American Outdoors Act, but the bill we refer to as H.R. 1957 began as something else. H.R. 1957 was originally a bill to protect taxpayers by ensuring fair treatment under the law. It was introduced back in March 2019 by our late friend and colleague, Representative John Lewis. Now, I can't personally speak to Representative Lewis' thoughts on conservation spending. But I do believe our late friend would be happy with the work that we have done here today and the vote that we are about to take. Representative Lewis truly believed in a government by and for the people, all the people. He challenged us to leave petty partisanship at the door and to consider the essential pursuit of justice and equity that we have long sought and failed to meet in this country. I am proud to have called Representative Lewis my friend. I am proud that we can honor his legacy with the passage of this bill. There is much work left to be done to ensure real equity and justice in the United States, and I look forward to working with all my colleagues across the aisle in continuing that work in the future. But when we come together as we have today, as the people's representatives working toward the common goal of protecting future generations, then perhaps there is hope we might see Representative Lewis' vision realized. I thank all of my colleagues who spoke on behalf of this legislation. I thank leadership for bringing it to the floor and all the members of the committee and Members not on the committee who worked very hard to bring this legislation forward. It is historic. It is important. It is necessary. And it is an essential step. I urge us to vote ``yes'' on H.R. 1957. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. GRIJALVA. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from New Mexico (Ms. Haaland), who is vice chair of the full Committee of Natural Resources and chair of the Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests, and Public Lands.

Mr. GRIJALVA. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Oregon (Ms. Bonamici).

Mr. GRIJALVA. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer), the distinguished leader.

Mr. GRIJALVA. Mr. Speaker, pursuant to House Resolution 1053, I move to take from the Speaker's table the bill (H.R. 1957) to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to modernize and improve the Internal Revenue Service, and for other purposes, with the Senate amendments thereto, and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. GRIJALVA. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from New Jersey (Ms. Sherrill).

Mr. GRIJALVA. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Michigan (Mrs. Dingell), an effective member and a leader on the Natural Resources Committee.

Mr. GRIJALVA. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Cox), a member of the Natural Resources Committee.

Mr. GRIJALVA. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Costa), the senior member of the Natural Resources Committee.

Mr. GRIJALVA. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Neguse), a member of the Natural Resources Committee.

Mr. GRIJALVA. Mr. Speaker, I am prepared to close when the gentleman from Utah is done with his speakers.

Mr. GRIJALVA

Mr. GRIJALVA. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding. I appreciate the time and consideration of amendment No. 8, a combination of the Grand Canyon Centennial Protection Act and my good friend Joe Neguse's Colorado Outdoor Recreation and Economy Act. These bills have already passed the House with bipartisan votes, and they deserve a place in this year's National Defense Authorization Act. We have worked hard as a committee, as you noticed from the bills that were presented today, to try to prioritize conservation and climate resiliency and protect some very special landscapes. In addition to supporting a multibillion-dollar recreation economy, conservation of public land is our first line of defense in responding to climate change and, in the question of the Grand Canyon, protecting the water supply for 40 million Americans, businesses, and industry. In the case of the Grand Canyon, too, ending the toxic legacy of uranium mining is truly a matter of life and death. Uranium mines across the Southwest pollute our water and endanger our communities and our health. Despite constant and empty assurances and promises, hundreds of these sites are still waiting to be cleaned up, particularly those mines that impact Tribal communities. Opponents of this amendment claim that the permanent protections in the Grand Canyon will impact our national security. This is a patent falsehood and distraction. The Grand Canyon region holds less than 1 percent of known U.S. uranium reserves, hardly an abundance and hardly an amount we cannot find elsewhere. The Department of Energy reported to Congress that they have enough uranium stockpiled to meet all critical uranium needs, including weapons, maintenance, Naval propulsion, and mutual defense obligations, through 2060. Unfortunately, despite there being no reason to mine the national treasure, the temporary protections put in place by the previous administration are under attack by this administration and his industry cronies. This is not about the bottom line of some foreign mining company. This is about American lives, and we should not sacrifice the Grand Canyon as expendable or a price of doing business. Mr. Speaker, I urge adoption of the amendment.

Mr. GRIJALVA

Mr. GRIJALVA. Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Pima County Supervisor Richard Elias for his dedication to our community. Richard sadly passed away suddenly and unexpectedly on March 28, 2020. Richard was a fifth-generation Tucson native, with an unmatched love for Southern Arizona; its people and its environment. His parents, Albert M. Elias, a strong supporter of labor and a community leader, and Viola Blaine, instilled a set of values that guided Richard in his professional and personal life. Those values included compassion and a dedication to serving others. Richard represented Pima County District Five since his appointment to the seat in 2002. Prior to that, he worked for Pima County, Chicanos por la Causa, and the City of South Tucson where he advocated for affordable housing and working families. He graduated from the University of Arizona with a degree in history. Richard always drew upon his heritage and storytelling to provide a more holistic perspective to issues. He was a proud steward of the Old Pueblo. During his public service career, Richard was never afraid to take a stand, even if it meant standing alone. Richard spoke his truth to power as a lifelong progressive Democrat. While he was principled in his beliefs, he never shied away from a difficult conversation. He earned the respect of his colleagues on both sides of the aisle. For over 18 years, Richard was a steady force on the Board of Supervisors where he left a large footprint. He continued the work to preserve one of our greatest assets, our environment, through his advocacy of the Sonoran Desert Conservation Plan and of protecting our precious desert waterways. He was a staunch and effective proponent of affordable housing development and reinvesting in established neighborhoods, of fighting for equitable access to healthcare, and of promoting the welfare of immigrants. He, like his Dad, was a union man at heart and he fought stridently for the rights and values of working families. Richard spent his last days working tirelessly to address the COVID- 19 pandemic in Pima County. May it serve as a reminder that for Richard the well-being and safety of his constituents was always his priority. Our community has lost a kind, generous soul and a fighter for social justice, the environment and working people. I submit this statement with great sorrow at the loss of a life-long friend and someone who understood the complexities of devoting a life to public service. My condolences are with his wife Emily and daughter Luz, the rest of his family, staff, friends, and extended community during this difficult time. May we all continue to be inspired by Richard's tireless work and take his creed as our own, ``Resist. Much Love.''

Mr. GRIJALVA

Mr. GRIJALVA. Madam Speaker, I would like to express my strong support for H.R. 6201, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act. It is imperative that we keep our communities safe from the coronavirus by protecting our health care workers and keeping our working families financially secure. This legislation signals to employers that they should urge their employees to stay home when sick--one of the most important things we can do to slow transmission. Making testing widely availability is vital to understanding the depth and course of the outbreak. The economic relief and safeguards for families, seniors, and children will help keep them healthy and allow appropriate social distancing. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 102.

Mr. GRIJALVA

Mr. GRIJALVA. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentlewoman from Colorado for the time and for her longstanding commitment to public land in her State and throughout the Nation. I also want to thank all of the sponsors from California to Washington who have done tremendous work on the individual titles that make up the package of bills before us today. I rise today in strong support of H.R. 2546, Protecting America's Wilderness Act. Congress passed the Wilderness Act in 1964 in response to concerns about population growth and increasing development. The reason for the act is more pressing now than ever. Since then, wilderness designations have served as a key tool for protecting pristine places in their natural state for the benefit of current and future generations of Americans. This package truly embodies the spirit of the Wilderness Act, something that is often dismissed by many of my colleagues across the aisle. Each title was developed through a multiyear collaborative process with diverse and locally driven coalitions that have demonstrated that these places are worthy of protection as wilderness. They provided abundant recreational opportunities to help support local economies, teach visitors about our Nation's diverse heritage, and allow people to find solitude and peace in nature. They protect some of the last and best refuges for wildlife in the face of a changing environment and play a vital role in safeguarding the natural systems that our communities rely on. As climate change increasingly impacts our natural world, designating pristine landscapes as wilderness is one of the most important actions Congress can take in response to the climate crisis. This bill prioritizes the long-term conservation of large, connected landscapes that provide clean air, clean water, critical wildlife habitat, and intact natural systems that enhance community resiliency to this climate crisis. It reflects the heart of the Wilderness Act, reminding us of our dependence on healthy, natural systems and our responsibility to ensure a sustainable environment for future generations. It is no surprise that the Trump administration would oppose these designations, given the single-use mission of the Trump administration, which is extraction and profit being the only option for our public lands, while this legislation before us today represents and recognizes that protection and conservation are public benefits for all Americans. I encourage my colleagues to support H.R. 2546 and the package of legislation before us, which will ensure that these wild places are protected for the benefit of current and future generations.

Mr. GRIJALVA

Mr. GRIJALVA. Madam Chair, let me thank Chair Lowey and the Speaker for responding with urgency in bringing this legislation that I support, H.R. 5687, to the floor to help the families of Puerto Rico who are enduring, once again, another natural disaster. Beginning on December 28, seismic activity began in Puerto Rico and continued to escalate, including a 6.4 earthquake. These quakes and ongoing quakes have destroyed homes, infrastructure, affected power generation, and triggered blackouts across the island. Close to 7,500 people have left their homes out of fear that they may collapse, seeking shelter wherever they can find it. Staff from the Natural Resources Committee investigated the damage caused by the earthquakes on the southern coast of Puerto Rico. In a committee report, we recommended high-priority actions, including emergency funding, which H.R. 5687 represents. The administration's recent statement opposing H.R. 5687 shows total disdain for the people of Puerto Rico. President Trump continues to lie to the American people about the amount of Federal funding spent to address natural disasters on the island. The President and his administration have a responsibility to ensure the people of Puerto Rico are treated as full Americans and not colonized subjects. I hope that, at the National Prayer Breakfast, there was some echo of understanding regarding the teachings of the Good Samaritan, the compassion that we must have for other people, and that those will motivate the House today to pass this bill and move it forward. The disaster recovery funds that have been appropriated for Puerto Rico need to be disbursed. The people of Puerto Rico deserve much more. Our fellow Americans on the island deserve to be treated as we have treated all Americans, from Katrina to Sandy, with the same concern, the same support. Madam Chair, I urge passage of the legislation.

Mr. GRIJALVA

Mr. GRIJALVA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Scott Jones, who last summer completed a quest to see all 419 units of our National Park System, an impressive feat. Apparently, this wasn't enough for Mr. Jones though, who added all the National Monuments and National Conservation Areas managed by the U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management just for good measure. On August 26, 2019, Mr Jones became the first person to visit all 478 of the federal protected lands he calls our nation's Treasured Places. The list includes some of our most iconic and inspiring landscapes (such as Grand Canyon and Yellowstone), and places that serve to interpret some of our most important historical lessons (Gettysburg and the Lincoln Memorial). Mr. Jones' travels took him to both the best of America, and to places that help us remember the turbulent and even unsavory history that is part of our shared national experience. Mr. Jones is quick to admit that each trip was an education and his experiences at many sites were rich opportunities to understand more about himself and about the United States. For instance, Mr. Jones spoke to local reporters about his moving experience at Topeka's Brown V. Board of Education National Historic Site in Topeka, Kansas, which chronicles the fight to end school segregation. He recalled walking down a hallway lined as video of people yelling racial epithets played around him--mimicking the experience of Linda Brown on her walk to school. From Topeka to 477 other sites, the Treasured Places quest took almost 15 years and involved a lot of travel. Mr Jones started out just like anyone would, visiting places close to his home in Phoenix, Arizona, but he had to venture a bit further than most, with trips to interior Alaska, the Northern woods, and even the War in the Pacific National Historical Park in Guam, his farthest trip at over 6,500 miles. Mr. Jones' quest was not just a personal whim, he used it as an opportunity to inspire others. Through his blog and social media, he invited anyone interested to follow his adventures. Each of his quests are designed to encourage others to ``just get out more'' at whatever ability and with whatever time each of us has, whether for just a day trip or an epic adventure. His three slogans: explore eagerly, travel cheaply, and adventure often. Many of his trips provide examples of how achievable and inexpensive it is to visit some of our nation's exceptional public lands. He completed this quest while working full-time for conservation nonprofits and made a point of not counting any visits that were made for his job toward completion of the total goal. But for Mr Jones, adventuring is a constant goal and his thirst for adventures is far from slaked. In 2016, to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the National Park Service, he took an epic trip to visit 100 parks in 100 days. He examined every ``World Largest Ball of Twine''--all three of them--while making his way to every state in the U.S. In the future, he plans to climb to the highest point in every county in Arizona and he plans to visit 50 different countries by the time he turns 50. A proud graduate of Arizona State University, Mr. Jones is a fanatic supporter of ASU Sun Devil football. Ever the explorer, even this interest has become another quest--Mr Jones has been to 8 of the 12 football stadiums of the PAC-12. Now that his personal Treasured Places quest is complete, Mr. Jones continues to encourage others to undertake their own quests to visit these places with the help of his website, treasuredplaces.us. Mr. Jones is an exemplary person, who transformed a personal interest in parks and special places into a quest that he has shared as an inspiring invitation. His efforts truly do encourage all of us to make the time and effort to ``get out there more'' and enjoy our country's many treasured places.

Mr. GRIJALVA

Mr. GRIJALVA. Madam Speaker, I will vote in favor of impeachment today. The facts are irrefutable, and the ongoing obstruction and coverup is shameful. My parents came here as immigrants, and I am proud to live in a nation that rewarded their hard work by providing a better future for my sisters and me. As a first generation American and now a Member of Congress, a story like mine is only made possible by a nation that upholds the rule of law and truly lives out the values enshrined in our Constitution. Mona and I are blessed with three wonderful daughters and five grandkids. Because of this living legacy and the legacy I intend to pass on to my grandchildren, my vote today is rooted in protecting their future. The underpinnings for impeachment are real and historic. Trump has perverted the rule of law, abused his power, and engaged in a coverup. No amount of misdirection, lies, disinformation, tantrums, and cries of victimization by Trump and others can undo the abuse of power and obstruction of Congress that remain clear and present. The President leaves us no choice but to vote to impeach, so that we can protect our democracy and correct the damage that is already done. I will vote in favor of the impeachment of Donald J. Trump, not as a partisan act but as a serious, urgent, and necessary one.

Mr. GRIJALVA

Mr. GRIJALVA. Madam Chair, last week, I was honored to attend the United Nations Climate Change Conference with Speaker Pelosi and my Democratic colleagues in Congress. That conference focused on the urgent need to prevent climate change from destroying our oceans. The consensus is clear: Oceans across the planet are already being damaged, and coastal communities everywhere are hurting. At the conference, we were asked how we plan to respond to the climate crisis. We could either plan now and build a sustainable future or delay and pay a very, very heavy price. To me, that was an easy choice. While we need to end our dependence on fossil fuels, we also need to plan for the impacts we already know are coming for millions of Americans. This package of bills does that. Forty percent of Americans live in coastal counties. From fishing to shipping to recreation and tourism, American jobs depend on healthy, resilient coasts. These communities need the tools to protect themselves. We need to support our coastal communities in their adaptation and resilience planning, especially indigenous and disadvantaged communities that are often most at risk. We need to support all these communities and fund adaptation and coastal planning that will protect these communities and their ways of life. This bipartisan package, led by Members from across the country and across the aisle, will help communities on the front lines of climate change prepare for and respond to the impacts of climate change that endanger livelihoods, communities, and ecosystems. I commend the many sponsors on this important work and urge my colleagues to support H.R. 729.

Mr. GRIJALVA

Mr. GRIJALVA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to urge my colleagues to support S. 256, the Esther Martinez Native American Languages Programs Reauthorization Act. The United States has a trust responsibility to support indigenous peoples in this country. The survival of indigenous peoples' languages is fundamental to the success of Native communities and the survival of traditional Native cultures. The history of the United States tells us about the deliberate efforts to eliminate indigenous peoples' languages and cultures through forced assimilation, boarding school forced attendance, treaties that have not been honored, and promises not kept. According to UNESCO, 74 Native languages stand to disappear within the next decade. Scholars project that only 20 Native languages will be spoken by the year 2050. The linguistic and cultural genocide is real and demands action. The Esther Martinez language program has been a tool that was created to address this stark reality. This language program is named in honor of a New Mexico Tewa teacher and storyteller, Esther Martinez, who is known and honored for her dedication and efforts in revitalizing her people's language. The Esther Martinez Initiative funds immersion programs that are successful in preserving and revitalizing Native languages, both to indigenous communities, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian students. Today, grants provided under Esther Martinez' program have empowered Native communities to establish language immersion programs that are successfully reviving Native languages and improving Native economies. This grant has been used to develop curriculums rooted in Native language based on traditional values and beliefs in subject areas that obviously include language, mathematics, science, and social studies. Esther Martinez grants also support children's books in Native languages, the development of language assessment tools, and the intergenerational programs to support regular use of Native language with children at home. Importantly, they also provide funding to train Native language teachers to use the language immersion curriculum developed by the Tribe and/or school. The powerful link between language and identity for Native people is essential in the development of successful students and communities. These language immersion programs have proven to be the best model for developing fluent speakers and successful students. S. 256 reauthorizes the Esther Martinez program for $13 million annually, increases the maximum duration of the grant, and reduces the number of program enrollees needed to qualify for a grant. The survival of Native languages is fundamental to the success of Native communities and the survival of traditional Native cultures. I would like to thank my colleagues Representative Lujan and Senator Udall for leading the effort, and for the support of Representative Haaland. I urge my colleagues to support S. 256, the Esther Martinez Native American Languages Programs Reauthorization Act. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. GRIJALVA. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and to insert extraneous material on the measure under consideration.

Mr. GRIJALVA. Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from New Mexico (Mr. Lujan), a leader in this effort on this legislation.