Raúl Grijalva

Mr. GRIJALVA

Mr. GRIJALVA. Mr. Chairman, I yield an additional 30 seconds.

Mr. GRIJALVA

Mr. GRIJALVA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church on celebrating 50 years in Tucson, AZ. Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church was founded and organized by the Reverend Charlie Hunter, August 1958 in Tucson, Arizona, who served in this capacity until the 70s. Morning Star became a steadfast church in the midst of Tucson's Southside. Members of the Hunter Family and others stood with Reverend Hunter including, Everline Hunter, Leroy Hunter, Sr., Beulah Hunter, Charles W. Hunter, Lorece Hunter, L.B. Hunter, George Hunter, Rosie Hunter, Sister Brown, Linnie Burns, Reverend and Sister Barnes, Orvie Thomas and Florence Hill in establishing the church's foundation. In 1978, the church expanded its responsibility and established a Head Start center, helping to provide a strong foundation for the children in the community. Over the last 50 years, Morning Star has worked to help those in need of counseling, resources, support, or the needs of the families of the community. Morning Star has strived to be more than just a church, it has worked hard to make itself a community and home; a place where people can find help, love, and family in a time of need. I commend the congregation and leadership at Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church for their work to ensure the successes over the last 50 years. Morning Star is a testament to the very best in all of us.

Mr. GRIJALVA

Mr. GRIJALVA. Thank you, Chairman Miller, for your work on this very, very important piece of legislation, the first time in a decade Congress is going to pass a Higher Education Act. I'm happy to support this long past-due improvement to higher education. This legislation is about inclusion and not exclusion. The bill simplifies the means by which students and families can research colleges, apply for help, and gather information to aid in the important decisions we all must make. It expands access and support for poor students and students of color through changes to Pell Grants and improvements to TRIO and GEAR UP, additional support for students who have with disabilities, additional support for veterans and their families. This piece of legislation is a hallmark of the work of this Congress and this session. I'm proud to be on the committee and proud to serve in the development of this legislation. Mr. Speaker, today, for the first time in a decade, Congress will pass a higher education act, and I am happy to support the long past- due improvements to higher education that will be put into effect by the passage of this bill. This Higher Education Opportunity Act demonstrates a commitment by this Congress to inclusion. The bill simplifies the means by which students and families can research colleges, apply for student aid and gather information to aid in the important decision making process. It expands access and support for poor students and students of color through changes to Pell Grants and improvements to TRIO and GEAR UP, making college accessible to first-generation students and those who are most likely to be expensed out of college. It offers expanded support for veterans and their families to honor their continued sacrifice by creating new scholarships and by establishing education support centers and other services to aid in access to education. It establishes more opportunities for students with disabilities to gain equal access to college by offering national centers of support, aiding colleges in recruitment and retention of students with disabilities, and expands Pell Grant eligibility. Additionally, one of my priorities will create model demonstration programs to improve the access to quality materials for students with print disabilities. It will also create a commission to consider ways to better distribute these materials. The rising cost of a college education means that students now more than ever must be informed about their decisions as they relate to living expenses and borrowing for education. This bill will add a number of mechanisms to aid students in making these choices, including a provision I worked hard to add that will improve the way cohort default rates are calculated. These changes, though more modest than I had hoped, will encourage schools and lenders to provide better financial literacy to guide students with post-college debt. The Higher Education Opportunity Act marks a significant improvement in our national commitment to inclusive access to higher education and expresses our continued efforts to make college more affordable and accessible.

Mr. GRIJALVA

Mr. GRIJALVA. Mr. Speaker, let me just read an amendment that passed this House unanimously just previous to this discussion, the amendment to H.R. 415 offered by Mrs. Boyda of Kansas, ``section 3, domestically- reproduced energy resources. Nothing in this Act shall impact the supply of domestically-produced energy resources.'' The point being that this motion to recommit has nothing to do with the protection of domestic energy resources. It has to do with the ability by putting promptly in the motion to recommit to effectively kill this legislation. This legislation has the support, almost unanimous support, of communities, elected officials, the delegation of the State, the Governor, and has had 7 years of study in order to receive the recommendation for the designations that are before us in this legislation. I understand the need to talk about energy on any topic. This particular legislation has nothing to do with the high cost of gas. It has nothing to do with domestic energy supply. If we are looking for reasons, perhaps we could walk over the last 8 years of this administration and a Republican-controlled Congress and look at the failed efforts at really bringing an energy policy to the American people. That is the root cause of our problem. The root cause is not this designation today. Let me yield now to the sponsor of the legislation, the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Frank).

Mr. GRIJALVA. Mr. Chairman, notwithstanding the wonderful personal attributes of Mr. Frank, this bill, in and of itself, has tremendous merit, and that is why we brought it here for support by our colleagues. I should remind all our colleagues that this particular scenic river, the Taunton, was studied under the 1968 law, met the criteria for designation and, consequently, that is what the study recommended after 7 years of study. Another point I think is important, as I pointed it out in the opening statement, the lower portion of the Taunton River from Muddy Cove to the Route 195 bridge in Fall River is being designated a recreational river, rather than a wild and scenic designation. This designation is reserved for river stretches that are accessible by road or railroad, may have development, may have undergone some impoundment or diversion, but that offer outstanding opportunity for recreation. The lower Taunton fits that description perfectly. The National Park Service, as I mentioned, spent 7 years studying this river, working with local communities. And I mention that because if we are going to value opinions, as my colleague from Utah was speaking, then I think a very democratic response needs to be a supportive response as well to the near unanimity of support for this designation by local communities, the elected officials, and the delegation from the State. I think that merits a value, and that value should be to extend support and credibility to their desires to have this designation occur. I would also caution, on that note, caution my colleagues against substituting our own judgment when we do not represent the area, have not participated in or reviewed the study. This is an 80-page study that found this designation appropriate and recommended that designation. Further, we were talking about precedent. There are several examples of other rivers, the Lower Delaware in New Jersey, the Allegheny in Pennsylvania, the Sudbury, Assabet and Concord Rivers in Massachusetts, which have similar levels of nearby development and represent very successful designations under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. At least, I might mention, at least two of these rivers I just mentioned, by the way, passed the House under Republican rule on suspension. H.R. 415 is an important piece of legislation. It incorporates the designation, it incorporates the use by urban communities of the designation. It is fitting and it has been verified through study and through the cooperative work of all the communities and the delegation. I ask for its support and urge a ``yes'' vote.

Mr. GRIJALVA. I will reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. GRIJALVA. Mr. Chairman, we are prepared to close. Let me inquire of my colleague how many speakers he has.

Mr. GRIJALVA. Let me yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Frank).

Mr. GRIJALVA. Mr. Chairman, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Rhode Island (Mr. Kennedy).

Mr. GRIJALVA. Mr. Chairman, let me yield to the sponsor of the legislation, Mr. Frank, for such time as he may consume.

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

Mr. GRIJALVA. Let me state my opposition to the amendment offered by my colleague from Utah. As I stated before, the portion of the Taunton River which will be struck out by this amendment is deserving of this designation and has nothing to do with the decisions that have already stopped the Weaver's Cove LNG facility. As we pointed out, the lower portion of the Taunton River is being designated as a recreational river, rather than a wild or scenic designation. The designation is actually intended for river stretches that look like the Lower Taunton because they are accessible and may have some development and undergone some impoundment or diversion. The designation is similar, as I mentioned before, to other urbanized river segments in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Massachusetts. There has been 7 years of study. The National Park Service thinks this segment qualifies for this designation. The towns along the river think it qualifies, and the Members of Congress from the State think it qualifies. And I would urge my colleagues to oppose this amendment and preserve the integrity of the legislation that is before us.

Mr. GRIJALVA. Mr. Chairman, I rise to claim the time in opposition to the amendment.

Mr. GRIJALVA. The amendment offered by Mr. Bishop for Mr. Pearce is unnecessary because the designation of the Taunton River is not going to have any impact whatsoever on energy resources in the country. As a result, this amendment requires a report that will likely be only a sentence or two long. The energy debate is ongoing in this country and here in Congress, and I can assure you that no matter where you come down on the issues raised by the debate, the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act does not even make the top 100 list of the reasons we're paying so much for gas at the pump. Reports on the impact of the Bush-Cheney energy policies or the energy policies enacted by the former Republican majority would provide significantly more insight into the problems we now face than a report on one wild and scenic river designation. To go even further, we will debate, and I hope adopt, an amendment sponsored by Representative Boyda making it absolutely clear that H.R. 415 will have no impact on the supply of domestically produced energy. However, Mr. Chairman, as with most amendments that are completely unnecessary, this amendment does no harm to this legislation, so we will not oppose it. I yield back the balance of our time.

Mr. GRIJALVA. I rise to claim time in opposition to the motion to recommit.

Mr. GRIJALVA. I yield to the gentleman.

Mr. GRIJALVA. I yield an additional 1 minute to Mr. McGovern.

Mr. GRIJALVA. Mr. Chairman, how much time remains at this point?

Mr. GRIJALVA. Mr. Chairman, I think it is important to reaffirm that the United States Coast Guard has found that the Weaver's Cove LNG proposal was unsafe. The Department of Commerce came to that same conclusion. On appeal, it came to that same conclusion. As a result, the Weaver's Cove LNG proposal is already dead. Decisions have already been made on that subject, and have absolutely nothing to do with the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act or designation. Mr. Chairman, with that, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and also cosponsor of this legislation, Mr. McGovern.

Mr. GRIJALVA. Just one point of clarification before I recognize the sponsor of the legislation is the issue with the LIHEAP reference. LIHEAP doesn't address the ability to get energy. It creates a situation where people can afford to buy energy. With that, let me introduce the distinguished Congressman from the Commonwealth, Mr. Frank, the sponsor of the legislation, for as much time as he may consume.

Mr. GRIJALVA. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. H.R. 415 would add a 40-mile segment of the Taunton River in Massachusetts to the Wild and Scenic Rivers System. Back in 1999, local residents approached their congressman, our late colleague Representative Joe Moakley, about securing a wild and scenic designation for the Taunton. Representative Moakley supported the idea and introduced legislation in the 106th Congress to formally study the river. The study was released last year and found the following: All 40 miles of the main stem of the Taunton River have been found eligible for Wild and Scenic River designation based upon free-flowing condition and the presence of one or more outstanding remarkable natural or cultural resource values . . . Outstandingly remarkable values including fisheries, history and archeology, ecology and biodiversity, and scenery and recreation. Specifically, the study recommended 26 miles of the river for scenic designation and 14 miles, including the lower Taunton, for recreational designation. Between November of 2004 and July of 2005, all 10 communities abutting the river adopted resolutions supporting the Federal designation. The Taunton Wild and Scenic River Study Advisory Committee, representing the local communities and State and nongovernmental partners, also voted unanimously to support the designation. So based on years of study and nearly unanimous local support and collaboration, Representative Frank introduced H.R. 415 in January of last year. The legislation is cosponsored by the entire Commonwealth delegation in the House, and the companion bill, which passed out of committee in the other body by voice vote, is sponsored by both Commonwealth Senators. H.R. 415 was favorably reported by the Natural Resources Committee by voice vote. In short, Mr. Chairman, this proposal has cleared every single procedural hurdle placed in its path, and I believe it's high time we approve the legislation. Finally, Mr. Chairman, a word about the proposed Weaver's Cove LNG plant. If the need arises, we can provide more detail, but for now let me simply enter the following facts into the Record: The Coast Guard captain of the Port for Southeastern New England denied approval for the proposed plant based on safety concerns in December of last year. In May of this year, the First District Coast Guard commander, Rear Admiral Timothy Sullivan, upheld that decision on appeal with a thorough review that included more than 50 pages. In addition, the Commerce Department issued a decision last month finding that ``the national interest furthered by the project does not outweigh the project's adverse coastal effects. Of greatest concern are the effects on navigational safety resulting from LNG tanker traffic called for by the vessel transit plan for the project.'' These decisions by the Coast Guard and Commerce Department prohibit the Weaver's Cove proposal from moving forward for one simple reason: The proposal is unsafe. The bottom line is this, Mr. Chairman: The Taunton is deserving of this designation and this has nothing to do with the safety concerns that killed the proposed LNG facility in the area. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 415. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. GRIJALVA

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 regarding H.R. 415.

Mr. GRIJALVA

Mr. GRIJALVA. Madam Speaker, I would like to submit the following statement for the Record. The presentation was given by Colonel John Bullington, Commander with U.S. Army Yuma Proving Ground, in recognition of Monsignor Richard O'Keeffe's work in the community. Presentation to Msgr. O'Keeffe on June 13, 2008 (By Col. John Bullington, Commander, U.S. Army Yuma Proving Ground) I'd like to take a few moments to extend a very sincere tribute to a man who is a true treasure to those of us at YPG--Monsignor Richard O'Keeffe. Since June 1978, thirty years ago this month, the Monsignor, a man of great integrity, energy and sincerity, has faithfully served YPG as Catholic chaplain. He drove from town most Sundays to celebrate mass at the post chapel and is here at least one weekday each week to make visits, perform counseling, conduct baptisms, and perform other duties carried out by a chaplain. He was instrumental in expanding our religious education program and has been an inspiration to all with whom he's come in contact. I might also mention that Monsignor O'Keeffe is one of the most influential cheerleaders for YPG in the community. He maintains a network of contacts from both political parties, and his advice is always right on the mark. I personally value his input and welcome what he has to say. He represents a rare combination of judgment, fidelity to truth, intellectual force, and clarity of interpretation. For thirty years, Monsignor O'Keeffe has been there without fail for the people of YPG--of any faith. We could have asked for no better friend, for no better man. Ireland's loss was definitely our gain.

Mr. GRIJALVA

Mr. GRIJALVA. Madam Speaker, today, we rightly honor the hard work and achievements of this year's valedictorians, salutatorians and graduates all across the Nation. I wish to recognize their dedication and the contributions to their community. By completing a high school diploma, the future for these students has become considerably brighter. I also wish to take a moment to reflect on largo group of valedictorians, salutatorians and graduates who, despite high school success and graduation, will be shut out of many of the opportunities for a prosperous future that we promise to our children for their hard work. I am referring to the many valedictorians, salutatorians and graduates who have worked hard in the communities they have known their whole lives, played by the rules, excelled in school and, because of their undocumented status, will be systematically cut off from the opportunities that are afforded to successful students like them. Through no fault of their own, these bright, intelligent, model students will be caught in limbo--denied an opportunity to pursue success and, in so doing, to serve our country. These students are confronted with a lesson that high schools do not teach--that because of a status that was not of their choosing, their achievements are worth less than the achievements of their friends and classmates. This is a cruel lesson indeed; the lesson that they have grown up in a social caste; that despite America's promise of prosperity for hard work, that no matter what their educational success--they will be branded ``untouchables''.

Mr. GRIJALVA

Mr. GRIJALVA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 5781, Federal Employees Paid Parental Leave Act of 2008. Work and family are pillars of our society, and a sensible and humane government should seek to relieve the stresses one can place on the other. For this reason, I am glad to support this important piece of legislation, the Federal Employees Paid Parental Leave Act of 2008. This Act will grant guaranteed paid parental leave to federal workers who do not presently have it. This is especially important for younger workers who have not had time to accrue an adequate amount of paid leave. Paid leave is critical to new families so that new parents can worry about the care of their child and not their financial security. The possibility of a relatively relaxed immediate post-natal period is necessary for parent-child bonding, and ultimately for the well-being of the child and the family. This Act also makes the Federal Government a much more competitive employer. This law is not just humane, it is necessary as a practical matter for the Federal Government. According to a March 2008 report by the Joint Economic Committee Majority Staff, nearly all Fortune 100 firms offer working parents some paid time off when they have a new child. Bringing the Federal Government in line with the personnel practices of the most competitive employers will also pay further dividends by reducing costs related to worker turnover, replacement and retraining. H.R. 5781 is a necessary and welcome step in making the federal workplace more family-friendly, and, ultimately, strengthening families and building a just, prosperous, and healthy society. I am glad to vote for its passage and look forward to seeing it go into effect.