Raúl Grijalva

Mr. GRIJALVA

Mr. GRIJALVA. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. GRIJALVA

Mr. GRIJALVA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 3525, the Commission To Study the Potential Creation of a National Museum of Asian Pacific American History and Culture Act, introduced by my friend and colleague, Representative Grace Meng. This legislation would establish a commission to study and report on the potential creation of a national museum of Asian Pacific American history and culture in the District of Columbia and its surrounding areas. The establishment of this commission is a first step in acknowledging the long history, role, and contributions of Asian Americans in American culture. I thank Representative Meng for championing this piece of legislation. I urge my colleagues to support its adoption, and I reserve the balance of my time. House of Representatives, Committee on House Administration, Washington, DC, March 30, 2022. Hon. Raul M. Grijalva, Chairman, Committee on Natural Resources, Washington, DC. Dear Chairman Grijalva: I am writing to you concerning H.R. 3525. There are certain provisions in the legislation which fall within the Rule X jurisdiction of the Committee on House Administration. In the interest of permitting your committee to proceed expeditiously to floor consideration, the Committee on House Administration agrees to forego action on the bill. This is done with the understanding that the Committee on House Administration's jurisdictional interests over this and similar legislation are in no way diminished or altered. In addition, the Committee reserves its right to seek conferees on any provisions within its jurisdiction which are considered in a House-Senate conference and requests your support if such a request is made. I would appreciate your response confirming this understanding with respect to H.R. 3525 and ask that a copy of our exchange of letters on this matter be included in your committee report on the bill and in the Congressional Record during consideration of the bill on the House floor. Sincerely, Zoe Lofgren, Chairperson.

Mr. GRIJALVA. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from New York (Ms. Meng), the sponsor of the legislation.

Mr. GRIJALVA. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Kim).

Mr. GRIJALVA. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Cardenas).

Mr. GRIJALVA. Mr. Speaker, this legislation is important. It comes at the right time. It is an affirmation of the inclusiveness, diversity, and the equal status of all of us as Americans. I am very proud to support this. I urge its adoption, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. GRIJALVA

Mr. GRIJALVA. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 5973) to reauthorize the Great Lakes Fish and Wildlife Restoration Act of 1990, and for other purposes, as amended.

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 include extraneous material on the measure under consideration today.

Mr. GRIJALVA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. H.R. 5973, the Great Lakes Fish and Wildlife Reauthorization Act, is sponsored by the gentlewoman from Michigan (Mrs. Dingell), my friend and colleague from the Natural Resources Committee. This bill reauthorizes funding for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to combat pollution, invasive species, and habitat loss in the Great Lakes region. The Great Lakes Basin is the largest body of fresh water on the planet, holding 18 percent of the world's freshwater supply. Some 35 million people across 8 States and Canada depend on the basin for drinking water, jobs, and recreation. The Great Lakes are also a habitat to more than 500 migratory bird species, more than 140 species of fish, and many endangered and threatened species. However, agricultural and industrial waste pose a threat to the water quality in the basin. There are extensive populations of harmful invasive species. And wildlife species are at risk due to habitat loss. Fortunately, since 1990, the Fish and Wildlife Service has worked with local communities and NGOs to restore the Great Lakes Basin by tackling pollution, removing invasive species, and restoring essential habitats. Congress has reauthorized funding for this important program three times, and I urge them to do so again today so that the Fish and Wildlife Service can continue the excellent work that they are doing in protecting that extraordinary and necessary ecosystem. I commend my colleague, Representative Dingell, for her work on this important bipartisan bill. Mr. Speaker, I urge its adoption, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. GRIJALVA. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from Michigan (Mrs. Dingell).

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

Mr. GRIJALVA

Mr. GRIJALVA. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 6023) to require the United States Postal Service to continue selling the Multinational Species Conservation Funds Semipostal Stamp until all remaining stamps are sold, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. GRIJALVA. 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 measure under consideration.

Mr. GRIJALVA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 6023, the Multinational Species Conservation Funds Semipostal Stamp Reauthorization Act is led by my friend and colleague on the Committee on Natural Resources, Representative Jim Costa. The Multinational Species Conservation Fund Semipostal Stamps are a unique way for Americans to contribute to important conservation projects. Semipostal stamps are postage stamps sold at higher rates than standard stamps. When purchasing this type of stamp, Americans elect to contribute the extra charge to a specific fund or cause--in this case, the conservation of threatened species worldwide. African and Asian elephants, great apes, turtles, rhinos, and tigers are threatened from decades of habitat loss, poaching, pollution, and climate change. These stamps support efforts to tackle poaching, improve community engagement and outreach, restore habitat, and raise public awareness about wildlife trafficking. In fact, between 2011 and 2017, these stamps raised almost $4 million for conservation projects. However, the U.S. Postal Service has had to stop selling them when the program's authorization ran out. Approximately 49 million stamps remained. Annual appropriations bills have been directing the Postal Service to continue selling the stamps but in a piecemeal fashion. This bill would fix it once and for all. The bill directs the U.S. Postal Service to sell all the rest of these stamps. In doing so, we can continue to support the ongoing conservation efforts for endangered species around the world. Let me thank Representative Costa for his work on the legislation, urge support for it, and I reserve the balance of my time. House of Representatives, Committee on Oversight and Reform, Washington, DC, February 28, 2022. Hon. Raul M. Grijalva, Chairman, Committee on Natural Resources, Washington, DC. Dear Chairman Grijalva: I write concerning H.R. 6023, the Multinational Species Conservation Funds Semipostal Stamp Reauthorization Act. This bill contains provisions within the jurisdiction of the Committee on Oversight and Reform. As a result of your having consulted with me concerning the provisions of the bill that fall within our Rule X jurisdiction, I agree to forgo consideration of the bill, so the bill may proceed expeditiously to the House floor. The Committee takes this action with our mutual understanding that by foregoing consideration of H.R. 6023, we do not waive any jurisdiction over the subject matter contained in this or similar legislation, and we will be appropriately consulted and involved as the bill or similar legislation moves forward so we may address any remaining issues within our Rule X jurisdiction. Further, I request your support for the appointment of conferees from the Committee on Oversight and Reform during any House-Senate conference on this or related legislation. Finally, I would appreciate a response confirming this understanding and ask that a copy of our exchange of letters on this matter be included in the bill report filed by the Committee on Natural Resources as well as in the Congressional Record during floor consideration thereof. Sincerely, Carolyn B. Maloney, Chairwoman, Committee on Oversight and Reform.

Mr. GRIJALVA

Mr. GRIJALVA. Madam Speaker, I have the same response as the gentleman, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. GRIJALVA. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (S. 497) to establish the American Fisheries Advisory Committee to assist in the awarding of fisheries research and development grants, and for other purposes.

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

Mr. GRIJALVA

Mr. GRIJALVA. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 6201) to extend the authority for the establishment of a commemorative work to honor enslaved and free Black persons who served in the American Revolution, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. GRIJALVA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 6201, the National Liberty Memorial Preservation Act, introduced by my friend and colleague, Representative Bonnie Watson Coleman. This legislation would extend the authority for the establishment of a commemorative work to honor enslaved and free Black persons who served in the American Revolution. Extending this authorization would allow the congressionally authorized National Mall Liberty Fund D.C. to continue fundraising and construction of this memorial near the National Mall in Washington, D.C. Mr. Speaker, I thank Representative Watson Coleman for championing this bill. I urge my colleagues to support its adoption, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. GRIJALVA. Madam Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from New Jersey (Mrs. Watson Coleman), the sponsor of the legislation.

Mr. GRIJALVA. Madam Speaker, I urge support for the legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. GRIJALVA

Mr. GRIJALVA. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 6651) to establish an Alaska Salmon Research Task Force.

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

Mr. GRIJALVA. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, H.R. 6651, the Alaska Salmon Research Task Force Act, establishes a task force of fisheries scientists and Alaskan stakeholders to study, address, and prevent salmon fishery disasters in Alaska. Led by the late dean of the House, our colleague and friend, Representative Don Young, this bill is a perfect example of how he fought for what is best for Alaska. Salmon are a vital part of the Alaskan way of life. Their cultural, economic, nutritional, and recreational impact cannot be overstated. But, over the past decade, there have been several fishery disasters that have put those very salmon at risk. These financial, ecological, and cultural strains have created an increasingly dire situation for the Alaskan communities that rely on salmon, especially Native Alaskan communities. This bill creates the Alaska Salmon Research Task Force, a group of members from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the North Pacific Fishery Management Council, and Alaskan stakeholders, to ensure that Alaskans are at the forefront of the Alaskan salmon research efforts taking place in their backyards. I believe the bill is a fitting tribute to our departed friend. It elevates Alaskan voices, especially Native Alaskans, and it brings stakeholders together to build consensus and find a practical solution to this pressing issue in our 49th State. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation to safeguard Alaskan salmon fisheries for generations to come. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. GRIJALVA. Madam Speaker, I urge support of the legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.