Raúl Grijalva

Mr. GRIJALVA

Mr. GRIJALVA. I yield the gentlewoman 1 additional minute.

Mr. GRIJALVA. Let me yield 3 minutes to the gentlelady from California (Mrs. Capps).

Mr. GRIJALVA. I yield the gentlelady 30 additional seconds.

Mr. GRIJALVA. I yield 3 minutes to the gentlelady from California, Ms. Barbara Lee.

Mr. GRIJALVA. I yield the gentlelady an additional 1 minute.

Mr. GRIJALVA. Madam Speaker, part of the process that we also see today, that we're going to experience today and have been experiencing for a while, is an effort on the part of my colleagues across the aisle to erase history and to assume that everything that we're doing today is somehow misconstrued to increase the deficit and that it is a government takeover, that it's not bipartisanship; and we're at this place to take corrective steps legislatively, including this legislation, because we are working on a history, a history of deficit spending, a history of no priorities, and a history that, although people want to erase it from memory, is there, and this is the reason that we're in the situation that we are right now. As in terms of conspiracies in terms of this legislation, the American Camp Association endorsed it. The National Trust for Historic Preservation endorsed it. The Boys and Girls Club endorsed it. Girl Scouts of Northern California endorsed it. The Wellness Coalition endorsed it. The Student Conservation Association endorsed it. The Hispanic Federation endorsed it. The Coalition of National Park Retirees endorsed it, and the National Trust for Public Lands endorsed it, and the Muddy Sneakers: The Joy of Learning Outside endorsed it. So I'm assuming that they must be also part of this vast and nefarious conspiracy that is going on. Somebody should advise them of that. With that, let me now yield to the gentlelady from the Virgin Islands, a member of our Committee on National Resources, Dr. Christensen, for 3 minutes.

Mr. GRIJALVA. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 1612, a bill I introduced last year to help repair and restore our Nation's public lands while employing and training thousands of young Americans and promoting the culture of public service. In 1993, when the Public Lands Corps was established through the good work of our late colleague Bruce Vento of Minnesota, there were huge backlogs of labor-intensive work on national park lands, forests, wildlife refuges, historic sites, and Indian lands. Unfortunately, we still face those challenges and more. Years of inadequate funding have put our Federal land management agencies further behind on vital maintenance work, while infrastructure continues to crumble. Despite the best efforts of these underfunded agencies, natural and cultural resources are being neglected, and in many places the effects of climate change are magnifying earlier problems such as fire risk, damage by insects and invasive species, coastal erosion, and fragmented habitat. The stimulus bill we passed in the first session has begun to attack the problem, but is only a start. Much remains to be done on the public lands. My bill, H.R. 1612, will expand and reinvigorate an existing program, the Public Lands Corps, by streamlining its management, modernizing its scope, and providing new tools to help the program accomplish its mission, putting young people to work repairing our most treasured resources. Young people participating in the Public Lands Service Corps will work side by side with professional land managers to collect biological data, preserve historic documents, rebuild roads and trails, attack invasive weeds, reduce fire risk and improve watershed health, paint visitor facilities, restore damaged wetlands, help build green buildings, and welcome visitors to our parks and public lands. These and a wide variety of other jobs will be available to Corps members for a period up to 2 years. Their term of service will include the training they need do these jobs. My bill also allows the agencies to provide housing for Corps participants, and even allows the Corps members to build housing that can be used by future Corps members. The training and experience Corps members receive while working to improve the condition of our natural and cultural resources will give them a huge advantage when they enter the working world in such professions as science, land management, the building trades, academic disciplines such as history and education. The legislation not only takes a decisive step forward in finishing desperately needed work on our national park lands, forests, wildlife refuges, historic sites and Indian lands, but also recognizes the importance of our coastal and marine systems and our national marine sanctuaries. This expanded public service initiative will introduce people from a greater diversity of social, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds to our Nation's parks, forests, and public lands not only as possible future employees, but also as lifelong advocates and enthusiasts. The legislation takes advantage of an opportunity to provide meaningful employment and training to young people who need it, while also improving the condition of our priceless natural and cultural resources. President Obama and Interior Secretary Salazar have made national service a priority and have graciously supported this legislation. I am also proud to have the support of preeminent conversation corps groups, as well as leading national parks advocacy groups. I ask my colleagues to support the passage of this measure. At a time when unemployment among our youth and particularly the urban areas is at an all time high, H.R. 1612 begins to address that crisis and also to address the unmet needs of our public lands. I reserve the balance of my time.

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 insert extraneous material on H.R. 1612.

Mr. GRIJALVA. Madam Speaker, pursuant to House Resolution 1192, I call up the bill (H.R. 1612) to amend the Public Lands Corps Act of 1993 to expand the authorization of the Secretaries of Agriculture, Commerce, and the Interior to provide service-learning opportunities on public lands, help restore the Nation's natural, cultural, historic, archaeological, recreational, and scenic resources, train a new generation of public land managers and enthusiasts, and promote the value of public service, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Mr. GRIJALVA

Mr. GRIJALVA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize a constituent from Tucson, Arizona. David Wayne Romick joined the U.S. Army on October 20, 1963, and was discharged on June 22, 1966. When discharged, he was awarded the Army's Good Conduct Medal (AGCM), but never received the award for his honorable service during the Vietnam War. After waiting 44 years, David contacted my Tucson District office in December of last year for help in getting this award. At my urging, the U.S. Army reviewed David's records and concluded that he was not presented with the AGCM as per his DD-214. The Army admitted its error and on Friday, March 12, 2010, I had the honor and privilege of presenting this long overdue honor to David Romick. Madam Speaker, I want to thank Mr. Romick for his service to our country and the U.S. Army for correcting this error.

Mr. GRIJALVA

Mr. GRIJALVA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Arizona Western College, a community college in southwestern Arizona that serves over 13,000 full-time and part-time students in Yuma and La Paz Counties. Arizona Western College, in collaboration with Arizona Public Service and Power Purchase Agreement Inc., will be establishing the largest array of solar energy panels of any college in the country. The total solar installation, which will be on the college's main campus in Yuma, Arizona, will be 5 megawatts, generating enough energy to cover 100% of the college's energy needs. The installation will also be a testing site for manufacturers around the world as well as the foundation for education and workforce development in renewable energy technology. Arizona Western College is in the process of developing curriculum in solar energy technology, ranging from occupational certificates to an associate's degree program while plans to partner with university programs for bachelor and master's degrees are also underway. The installation will not only provide a source of clean energy for the campus, but it will also help train the next generation of ``green collar'' professionals. While the solar array will most surely change the face of the local economy, it also has the potential to impact solar technology research and education on a national and global scale. By training individuals in these technologies and supporting technological advances in solar energy production, Arizona Western College is leading the way to a clean energy economy. Arizona Western College's decision to enter this partnership will help reduce our country's dependence on unsustainable fossil fuels, actions which I applaud. By investing in renewable energy technologies and research, Arizona Western College will help make these technologies more affordable and readily available across America. Our country has been at the forefront of past technological revolutions, and with Arizona Western College spearheading the effort, America will be the leading innovator in solar energy technology. This project takes us one step closer to establishing a sustainable energy future. As a member of the House Committee on Natural Resources, I not only admire but also wholeheartedly support Arizona Western College's initiative to help lead the country in developing technologies that will help harness the power of the sun.

Mr. GRIJALVA

Mr. GRIJALVA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to all the staff at the Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge. The Refuge consists of a beautiful 118,000 acres of mountains, riparian zones, and grasslands in the Southern Arizona desert and contains majestic areas such as Brown Canyon, Arivaca Cienega and the Baboquivari Mountains. The Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge is a sanctuary for many different types of wildlife including the Pima pineapple cactus, the pygmy-owl and the endangered masked bobwhite quail. Additionally, 325 bird species, 53 species of reptiles and amphibians, 58 mammal species, including mule deer, white-tailed deer, pronghorn, javelina, and mountain lions all call the Refuge home. Without the protection of the Refuge, many of these species would disappear and be lost to us forever. The Refuge is also a vital part of the community and offers guided tours, hiking, camping, horseback riding, mountain biking, excellent birding, and plenty of beautiful picnic areas. The Refuge even offers wonderful educational opportunities through volunteer projects and nature workshops. The men and women employed at the Refuge work tirelessly to preserve this beautiful area. Through their efforts, the Refuge has successfully reintroduced the endangered bobwhite quail and the pronghorn deer into the wild and ensures their continued protection. These people are truly the guardians of an environmental treasure and view their task as a privilege, not just a job. In addition to the wonderful staff at the Refuge, an exemplary group of volunteers known as the Friends of the Buenos Aires National Refuge dedicate their time to the community education conservation, and preservation of this wonderful land. This non-profit group gives selflessly to promote the goals of the Refuge and with the help of the Refuge staff; they recently held the 1st Annual Grasslands Fair to celebrate this beloved land. The Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge, its staff, and the volunteers who dedicate their time are all truly valued players in the protection of America's wild lands. Being a member of the House Committee on Natural Resources and having seen our community grow to over a million people, during my lifetime, I know the importance of protecting areas like the Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge. It gives me great joy to see such wonderful people giving of themselves to preserve and protect this spectacular region of Southern Arizona.

Mr. GRIJALVA

Mr. GRIJALVA. Madam Speaker, I rise today honor the employees of Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument. The staff of Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument has been recognized by the Intermountain Region's Wilderness Stewardship Awards Program with the top award for 2009 as true Wilderness Champions. Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument covers 330,689 acres and, of that acreage, 95 percent is designated wilderness. Founded in 1937, the employees of this National Monument have continuously monitored and evaluated the land use and local environment. President Franklin D. Roosevelt preserved this land for its scenic views but also for its ecological wonders. Having been occupied by American Indians, Mexicans and Europeans the diverse history of this land makes it valuable around the globe. In addition, in 1976 the United Nations bestowed the title of International Biosphere Reserve on Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument further confirming not only its local importance, but its value internationally. Twenty-six species of cactus flourish in the harsh conditions, as well as many species of birds, lizards, bats and rodents. They all delicately coexist in this wonderful ecosystem. Until the 1970s, this land was used for ranching and mining, making the jobs of the current staff challenging. Catching up with the damage done during these times has proven to be the stimulus for all the wonderful projects taken on by the employees at Organ Pipe. Most notable is the Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument Ecological Monitoring Program. This program has been diligently working since 1997 to monitor and evaluate critical aspects of the region. From reporting changes in the ecosystem, to documenting damage to the land by neighboring developers, this program has proven vital to the stability of the National Monument, as well as to the ecosystem of Southern Arizona. Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument is also a vital part of the community and offers guided tours, hiking, camping, excellent birding and plenty of beautiful picnic areas. Organ Pipe also offers wonderful educational opportunities through student field trips and its participation in the VIEWs program through the National Park Service. The men and women employed at Organ Pipe monitor this delicate ecosystem while still preserving this beautiful area. The staff take bi-annual photos in eight different areas to monitor land use and development along the Mexico border, annually monitor spring and summer lizards and their habits in the Sonoran Desert, and have set up an annual climate monitoring system for which the data are all reported into their ORPI Ecological Monitoring Report. Through the staff's efforts, the stability of this wonderful, natural resource is protected. The employees of Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument who have been honored with this award truly deserve it. They are vital players in the protection of America's wild lands. As a member of the House Committee on Natural Resources and, having seen our community grow to over a million people during my lifetime, I know the importance of protecting these delicate areas. It gives me great joy to see such wonderful people giving of themselves to preserve and protect this spectacular region of Southern Arizona.

Mr. GRIJALVA

Mr. GRIJALVA. Madam Speaker, it is my pleasure to rise today to honor Maurice Grossman, one of Tucson's true treasures, who passed away January 21st at the age of 82. Maurice was beloved by many who knew him, not just for his art but for his dedication to human rights and the Democratic Party. A retired art professor from the University of Arizona, Maurice Grossman spent his life as a ceramic artist, activist and a leader in the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender community. Maurice served in the Navy during World War II, before attending Wayne State University in Detroit. After attending and teaching at other universities, he traveled to Japan as a Fulbright scholar, then finally to Tucson to teach. The founder of the University of Arizona's ceramics program in 1955, Maurice received several prestigious awards during his career, including a National Endowment for the Arts grant in 1986 and the UA's Creative Teaching Award. Maurice's commitment to supporting other artists' was unflagging and genuine. He would invariably turn up at openings and contribute his works to galleries, both big and small. Always the activist, Maurice single-handedly took it upon himself to register people to vote. He felt that it was his duty to make sure that everyone, regardless of background, had a voice. When he retired in 1989, he became more involved in the effort to help fight discrimination against the LGBT community. Maurice was quoted in a 2004 article as saying, ``It's not just about equal rights for us. It's about equal rights for everyone. Do we want to take a step forward or a step back?'' Maurice never stepped back. He was an extraordinary man and a true individual. His role as an activist for equality and human rights will not soon be forgotten. I was privileged to know Maurice personally. Always enthusiastic, I could count on not only his support but his passion. His dedication to the community was never-ending. Madam Speaker, I rise to honor Maurice Grossman and thank him for being a role model for so many of us.

Mr. GRIJALVA

Mr. GRIJALVA. Madam Speaker, it is my pleasure to rise today to honor Maurice Grossman, one of Tucson's true treasures, who passed away January 21st at the age of 82. Maurice was beloved by many who knew him, not just for his art but for his dedication to human rights and the Democratic Party. A retired art professor from the University of Arizona, Maurice Grossman spent his life as a ceramic artist, activist and a leader in the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender community. Maurice served in the Navy during World War II, before attending Wayne State University in Detroit. After attending and teaching at other universities, he traveled to Japan as a Fulbright scholar, then finally to Tucson to teach. The founder of the University of Arizona's ceramics program in 1955, Maurice received several prestigious awards during his career, including a National Endowment for the Arts grant in 1986 and the UA's Creative Teaching Award. Maurice's commitment to supporting other artists was unflagging and genuine. He would invariably turn up at openings and contribute his works to galleries, both big and small. Always the activist, Maurice single-handedly took it upon himself to register people to vote. He felt that it was his duty to make sure that everyone, regardless of background, had a voice. When he retired in 1989, he became more involved in the effort to help fight discrimination against the LGBT community. Maurice was quoted in a 2004 article as saying, ``It's not just about equal rights for us. It's about equal rights for everyone. Do we want to take a step forward or a step back?'' Maurice never stepped back. He was an extraordinary man and a true individual. His role as an activist for equality and human rights will not soon be forgotten. I was privileged to know Maurice personally. Always enthusiastic, I could count on not only his support but his passion. His dedication to the community was never-ending. Madam Speaker, I rise to honor Maurice Grossman and thank him for being a role model for so many of us.

Mr. GRIJALVA

Mr. GRIJALVA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to all the staff at the Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge. The Refuge consists of a beautiful 118,000 acres of mountains, riparian zones, and grasslands in the Southern Arizona desert and contains majestic areas such as Brown Canyon, Arivaca Cienega and the Baboquivari Mountains. The Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge is a sanctuary for many different types of wildlife including the Pima pineapple cactus, the pygmy-owl and the endangered masked bobwhite quail.Additionally, 325 bird species, 53 species of reptiles and amphibians, 58 mammal species, including mule deer, white-tailed deer, pronghorn, javelina, and mountain lions all call the Refuge home. Without the protection of the Refuge, many of these species would disappear and be lost to us forever. The Refuge is also a vital part of the community and offers guided tours, hiking, camping, horseback riding, mountain biking, excellent birding, and plenty of beautiful picnic areas. The Refuge even offers wonderful educational opportunities through volunteer projects and nature workshops. The men and women employed at the Refuge work tirelessly to preserve this beautiful area. Through their efforts, the Refuge has successfully reintroduced the endangered bobwhite quail and the pronghorn deer into the wild and ensures their continued protection. These people are truly the guardians of an environmental treasure and view their task as a privilege, not just a job. In addition to the wonderful staff at the Refuge, an exemplary group of volunteers known as the Friends of the Buenos Aires National Refuge dedicate their time to the community education conservation, and preservation of this wonderful land. This nonprofit group gives selflessly to promote the goals of the Refuge and with the help of the Refuge staff; they recently held the 1st Annual Grasslands Fair to celebrate this beloved land. The Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge, its staff, and the volunteers who dedicate their time are all truly valued players in the protection of America's wild lands. Being a member of the House Committee on Natural Resources and having seen our community grow to over a million people, during my lifetime, I know the importance of protecting areas like the Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge. It gives me great joy to see such wonderful people giving of themselves to preserve and protect this spectacular region of southern Arizona.

Mr. GRIJALVA

Mr. GRIJALVA. Mr. Speaker, during the course of this debate, we interchanged ``wilderness'' for ``wild and scenic river'' designations throughout. But I think the point that Mr. Hastings made was an important one. And all of us were happy to work with Mr. Hastings to address the wilderness road issue that it raised. It was in his district. He wanted it. He wanted to get it fixed, and so it was done. This is Mr. Schrader's district, and he wants it so we should respect that as well. I want to also congratulate him on the fine work. This was a participatory process, stakeholders at the table. It was a process that everybody has an investment in, and the consequence of that process, and the fine work done by Mr. Schrader, is that we have buy-in, and we have tremendous support for it. Part of what we were talking about today as well were the claims. First, it was claims that this would stop logging. We pointed out that there was no logging on the land due to a management prerogative by the Bush administration. Then it was claimed, well, this might stop logging in the future. We pointed out that the wild and scenic rivers designation and the act does not stop logging in the future. So, then it was claimed, well, litigation might stop logging. Well, as the claims and the discussion changes, the argument keeps changing. I think this is a good piece of legislation. I urge all my colleagues to support it. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. GRIJALVA. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 2781, introduced by our friend and colleague, a new Member of this House, Representative Kurt Schrader of Oregon. H.R. 2781 would add just over 21 miles of the Molalla River in northwestern Oregon to the Wild and Scenic Rivers System. This beautiful mountain river rises in the Cascade Range east of Salem. It flows through old-growth forests and deep-rock canyons until it meets the Willamette River near the town of Canby, Oregon. More than 20,000 people in the towns of Canby and Molalla draw drinking water from the river. The Molalla is a short drive from Portland and is a popular destination for thousands of people who recreate along the river every year. Steelhead, salmon, and cutthroat trout rely on the river for crucial spawning and nursery habitat. The river corridor served as a trail for indigenous tribes long before European settlers reached its banks, and early pioneers found the river a vital source of drinking water for homesteading, as well as an important trade route. In more recent times, however, the river was the victim of neglect, with illegal dumping and other activities degrading the water quality. This degradation prompted creation of a broad-based coalition of more than 45 nonprofit, civic and conservation groups; local, regional, State, and Federal agencies; numerous waters users; and property owners dedicated to protecting and preserving the Molalla River. The alliance is a leading supporter of Representative Schrader's bill, as well as the city of Molalla and Clackamas County. They believe the designation will help keep the Molalla clean and free-flowing, while attracting more visitors to the river corridor. More visitors, more fishermen, more kayakers, more campers, and more hikers mean more meals at local restaurants, more stays at local hotels, more customers for outfitters and guides, and more economic development for the local communities. Mr. Speaker, the bill before us today designates two segments of the Molalla River: 15.1 miles on the main stem and 6.2 miles on the Table Rock Floor. These designations are consistent with recommendations from the Bureau of Land Management, and the administration supports this legislation. When Representative Schrader testified before the Natural Resources Committee on this bill, he asked the committee to consider whether this ``wild and scenic'' designation would have any impact on roughly 400 acres of timberland included in the corridor. As my colleagues are well aware, this is a significant issue in Oregon because the revenue generated by harvesting Federal timber is used to fund public education in the State. Since the hearing, both Representative Schrader and the committee have clarified two important points: the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act does not prohibit logging, and there are no logging contracts in place or planned for the river corridor anyway. We were pleased to be able to resolve the concerns of the bill's sponsor. Mr. Speaker, Congress created the Wild and Scenic Rivers System in 1968 to preserve rivers with outstanding natural, cultural and recreational values in their free-flowing state. The Molalla is a worthy addition to that system. I commend Congressman Schrader for his hard work in crafting the bill and helping the committee prepare the bill for consideration by the House today. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 2781. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. GRIJALVA. Mr. Speaker, in reference to the drip, drip, drip, the current BLM management plan for this area was begun by the Bush administration. And what's more, the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act does not prohibit logging. It says it must be done carefully. I yield to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Quigley) for his comments, sir.

Mr. GRIJALVA. I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and insert extraneous material on H.R. 2781.

Mr. GRIJALVA. Mr. Speaker, pursuant to House Resolution 908, I call up the bill (H.R. 2781) to amend the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to designate segments of the Molalla River in Oregon, as components of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System, and for other purposes, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Mr. GRIJALVA. Mr. Speaker, I will yield as much time as he may consume to the sponsor of the legislation, Congressman Schrader, who did a magnificent job and had a collaborative effort with communities and agencies in bringing this legislation forward.

Mr. GRIJALVA. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Oregon (Mr. Blumenauer).

Mr. GRIJALVA. Mr. Speaker, let me tell my friend from Oregon, Mr. Walden, that his comments are appreciated. I agree with you. There is a universal question about balance, restoration, and protection of our great forests, and I look forward to discussing those. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the sponsor of the legislation, Mr. Schrader.

Mr. GRIJALVA. Mr. Speaker, let me yield 3 minutes to my friend, Congressman Wu.