Raúl Grijalva

Mr. GRIJALVA

Mr. GRIJALVA. We reserve our time, Mr. Chairman.

Mr. GRIJALVA. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. GRIJALVA. May I inquire as to how much time remains.

Mr. GRIJALVA. Mr. Chairman, I move that the Committee do now rise.

Mr. GRIJALVA. Thank you very much. I am very well aware of the efforts made by you and the rest of the Oregon delegation to create one of the most unique pieces of Federal land management legislation in the Steens Act. You sought a balance of land protection, multiple historic uses, citizen involvement, and the creation of the first grazing-free wilderness in the country. I can clearly state to you that H.R. 2016 will not in any way supersede, undermine or be used as a reason to change any of the purposes established in section 1(b) or the objectives established in section 102(b) of the Steens Act, Public Law 106-399.

Mr. GRIJALVA. Mr. Chairman, these are not tired excuses. I think my attempt has been an exercise in trying to drill the facts of the legislation into those that don't want to hear it. The underlying bill makes no change to existing law regarding grazing. The amendment, in contrast, could be interpreted as expanding existing grazing into areas where it is not appropriate. We tried to work with the gentleman from New Mexico to draft his amendment more clearly, but because this amendment is unacceptably broad, it must be defeated. Mr. Chairman, I yield back my time.

Mr. GRIJALVA. Mr. Chairman, the amendment is straightforward, the amendment restates the obvious, and the question about taking initiative is an appropriate question. The initiative should be taken with a committee that has been formed to deal with the issues that are of great concern to some of my colleagues that have spoken. That committee is the Homeland Security Committee, to take legislation there that would deal with the issues they were concerned about. This is not the vehicle for that legislation. My amendment states the obvious, reiterates the obvious. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. GRIJALVA. Mr. Chairman, this amendment states in its entirety that nothing in this act shall impede any effort by the Department of Homeland Security to secure the borders and enforce the immigration laws of the United States. Let me be clear, the recent decision by DHS Secretary Chertoff to waive more than 30 bedrock environmental laws, including the Safe Drinking Water Act and the National Park Service Organic Act, in order to build a wall along our southern border was, in my opinion, an abuse of discretion granted to him by the previous Congress. I have introduced separate stand-alone legislation, H.R. 2593, the Borderlands Conservation and Security Act to, among other things, repeal this waiver authority because, in my view, there are better ways to secure our borders than requiring them to waive laws which protect the water we drink and the air we breathe. I have also joined with Members of Congress in filing a notice of our intent to file briefs before the United States Supreme Court because I believe the waiver provisions violate our Constitution. However, the bill currently before the House, H.R. 2016, is not an appropriate vehicle for addressing these concerns. This is simply an authorization bill for a conservation system. It is not intended to impact the management on any of these units, including management decisions regarding border security. The amendment I am offering here simply makes this as clear as possible. I oppose the law, and I am using every opportunity to make that opposition plain, but this is not the bill for those opportunities. I urge my colleagues to support my amendment, make sure the debate on border security takes place in the appropriate time in an appropriate manner under the appropriate legislation, and then we can move forward on this straightforward conservation bill. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Mr. GRIJALVA. Not necessarily.

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

Mr. GRIJALVA. Mr. Chairman, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from New Jersey, a sponsor of the legislation (Mr. Holt).

Mr. GRIJALVA. Thank you. Mr. Chairman, let me recognize Congressman Inslee, a member of the Resources Committee, a sponsor of the legislation, for as much time as he may consume.

Mr. GRIJALVA. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Murphy).

Mr. GRIJALVA. Mr. Chairman, I would like to yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Capps), an original cosponsor of H.R. 2016.

Mr. GRIJALVA

Mr. GRIJALVA. Mr. Speaker, as was indicated by the gentleman from Utah, the Altmire amendment, which was endorsed by the NRA and the NRA supported the bill with the inclusion of that amendment in its present form, dealt with this issue and dealt with it effectively by reaffirming the right of gun owners and hunters in those public lands. Also in the legislation is a savings clause which guarantees that management prerogatives that are on the land now will remain on the land. This to me is clearly a bait and switch. It's a gotcha move. These issues have been dealt with in the legislation. It is not a second amendment threat that we are talking about here. We're talking about, more importantly, the issue of public lands and their management. And it might be added that the use of the word ``promptly'' in the motion to recommit would effectively kill this legislation, a decent, well- crafted, bipartisan legislation supported by many Members in this House. Let me just read from the letter sent out by the NRA: ``Because of our longstanding support for our hunting heritage and sportsmen's rights, the National Rifle Association will consider the vote on this amendment,'' the Altmire amendment, ``in our future candidate ratings and endorsement. If the Altmire amendment is adopted, the NRA will withdraw our current opposition to H.R. 2016.'' I repeat again, this motion to recommit is not about protecting the second amendment. This motion to recommit is a ploy to effectively kill the bill. If you cannot win arguments, it appears, through facts and through rational discussion and debate, then you try to win votes by using scare tactics and ploys. This is a ploy to kill the bill. I urge a ``no'' vote on the motion to recommit. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. GRIJALVA. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to the motion to recommit.

Mr. GRIJALVA

Mr. GRIJALVA. Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and I rise with my colleagues today to remember a great American on his birthday. Cesar Chavez was born 83 years ago and would have been 83 years old yesterday. He devoted his entire life to the betterment of this Nation and to its people. He gave voice to the voiceless. In working with the farm workers, in organizing their union, in fighting for their dignity, respect and equal treatment on the job, he worked for farm workers who were not considered equals in any sense. He gave voice to the voiceless. And in these times when we see these disturbing trends going on in our Nation, where even on the floor of this great people's hall we hear disturbing trends where people are marginalized, demonized, dehumanized because of who they are and the circumstances of their life, these disturbing trends should remind us of Cesar's legacy. His legacy was not about creating a situation where people are treated less than but creating a society where people were treated as equals, with respect and with dignity. Cesar insisted on the best for us and on the best in us. He insisted on a sense of faith about the future and our families and our Nation. He insisted on tolerance, that we as human beings should understand and respect each other and with that respect comes understanding and with that respect comes a better nation. He insisted on equality, that all humans are created equal under our Constitution, all people are created equal under our Constitution, and he fought his entire life to make that value a reality for all of us. So when we celebrate his birthday and we celebrate his legacy, let us not forget that Cesar's legacy is a living legacy, a legacy that calls upon us day after day to continue his work, to forward his vision and to make this Nation the best it can be and to make ourselves the best we can be.

Mr. GRIJALVA

Mr. GRIJALVA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 47th anniversary of the Peace Corps. Since 1961, when the Peace Corps was created by President John Kennedy in Executive Order 10924 and subsequently authorized by the Congress, 139 host countries have invited 190,000 Peace Corps volunteers into their territories and homes to serve those in need and build mutual understanding, cooperation and respect. Peace Corps volunteers have contributed to improving health, education and basic essential services for an inestimable number of persons in dire need. I am proud to say that this year, nine Peace Corps Volunteers from the seventh district of Arizona have applied and been chosen to carry on this vital legacy, serving abroad over six continents on this ever- smaller planet. Of course, the Peace Corps is a uniquely precious legacy of our martyred President, John F. Kennedy. The idea of the Peace Corps is forever linked in American hearts to the spirit of those one-thousand days that were inaugurated with the words, ``my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you--ask what you can do for your country.'' This message still rings out strong and true in this new century. Love of country still has a powerful and appropriate role in motivating our young people to take up service, and the people of this Nation take proper pride in the noble mission carried out by these young women and men. I also choose to believe that in this new century, we can also take a broader view of the challenges facing the global community of nations, in the face of global warming and environmental degradation, global health pandemics, and denial to billions of the rights enumerated in the Universal Declaration Human Rights. I choose to believe that we have today a greater capacity to think deeply and act vigorously in response to a new call to service: Ask what you can do for your neighbor, and for your planet. I offer my deepest respect, gratitude and praise for those many courageous women and men who have answered this clarion call to service, and a special note of recognition to my colleagues, Mr. Farr and Mr. Honda and their service to this Nation and to humanity.

Mr. GRIJALVA

Mr. GRIJALVA. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is my pleasure to welcome Monsignor O'Keeffe as our guest chaplain today. Monsignor O'Keeffe has been tending to the spiritual and human needs of people in Arizona for over 40 years, of which the last 30 has been in Yuma, Arizona. It is fitting that he provides today's blessing, as we also memorialize the passing of Congressman Lantos, a great champion of human rights. Monsignor O'Keeffe is highly respected in Yuma and all of Arizona for the work he does on behalf of human rights, civil rights and advocating for the underrepresented in our community. He is an active member of the community, encouraging community leaders to take responsibility for social justice, recruiting young and old to engage in civic participation. His experience and passion has led him to be a founder of the Yuma Interfaith Organizing Committee. I am honored to work with him and receive spiritual and community guidance from him. He is a source of strength for all of us who interact with him. Mr. Speaker, I welcome my friend Monsignor O'Keeffe to the House of Representatives.

Mr. GRIJALVA

Mr. GRIJALVA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the Day of Remembrance. This marks the 66th anniversary of the executive order which authorized the incarceration of over 120,000 Americans, primarily of Japanese descent, but also Italian and German Americans. I stand today to remember those that were taken from their home and their communities, citizens and residents of our country that were victims of an unwarranted and unjust political paranoia. In 1988, Congress apologized for that internment and took steps not to allow this black mark in our history to happen again. Mr. Speaker, in rising today, it is also important to remind ourselves in these times where scapegoating and fear-mongering against a certain people is becoming more and more prevalent, this day reminds us not to allow this to happen again and to, above all, protect everybody's rights, protect everybody's inherent rights in this country, and not to allow this to happen again.

Mr. GRIJALVA

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

Mr. GRIJALVA

Mr. GRIJALVA. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for yielding time, and let me also thank Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren for the very important resolution, H. Res. 954, that she introduced. I rise in support of H. Res. 954 and to honor the life of senior Border Patrol Agent Luis A. Aguilar who lost his life in the line of duty near Yuma, Arizona, on January 19 of this year. He lost his life on a border filled with dangers for agents who confront organized drug and people smugglers on a daily basis, smugglers who are prepared to go to great and dangerous lengths to protect their profit and to protect the illegal activities they are conducting on the border. First, let me give my condolences to Mr. Aguilar's family who gave the ultimate sacrifice, his wife, son, and daughter, who have lost an American hero. I'm proud to say that Agent Aguilar lived in Somerton, Arizona. He was originally from El Paso, Texas, but was raising his family in the district that I have the privilege to represent in this Congress. His life was devoted to this country as he served in the U.S. Border Patrol for more than 5 years. He protected this country and enforced its laws. For his wife, children, and family, he provided them with a great foundation. He was a devoted family man, actively involved in the lives of his children and his family, making sure that his family was first. Community members could always count on him being there on a T-ball or soccer field cheering on his children and other children. Luis Aguilar will be remembered as a quiet, yet strong, man who always had a smile on his face for his friends and family. Mr. Speaker, we may disagree on the nature, the content and the future of an immigration policy for this Nation, but there is no disagreement on the bravery and value of the men and women who carry out this policy for us. In honoring Luis Aguilar and his family, we honor all of them and respect them all. I urge my colleagues to support H. Res. 954 in memory of Luis Aguilar and in gratitude for his service and the service of his colleagues in the Border Patrol.

Mr. GRIJALVA

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

Mr. GRIJALVA. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 2251 was introduced by my good friend from Maine, Representative Mike Michaud. The legislation addresses several housekeeping matters at the Acadia National Park. Acadia, located on Mount Desert Island on the coast of Maine, is one of our most popular and most visited national parks. This bill would authorize the park to participate in the construction of a new transit center. Currently, visitors can only catch the park bus at their hotels, meaning that day visitors have no access to the system. The bill would allow the park to participate in the establishment and operation of a planned intermodal center to be located just off the island. This center would provide visitor services, parking, and bus access to day visitors. A variety of Federal, State, and local agencies are involved in establishing the center. H.R. 2251 would also extend the authorization of the Acadia National Park Advisory Commission for another 20 years, continuing this important forum for the park and local communities to jointly consider issues of importance. Finally, H.R. 2251 would authorize an additional $10 million for the park's land acquisition budget to enable the park to keep pace with rising property values and providing for prompt payment to willing sellers who regularly offer their lands to the park. At the hearing in the last Congress, the National Park Service testified in support of similar legislation, and that measure also passed in the Senate. The measure before us today has been updated to address several concerns by the National Park Service, and to cap NPS contributions to the intermodal transportation center. Mr. Speaker, this bill will significantly improve the experience of visitors to one of our great national parks. Representative Michaud and Representative Allen are to be commended for their hard work on this legislation. I urge the House to support H.R. 2251. Mr. Speaker, at this time, I reserve the balance of my time.