Paul Gosar

Mr. GOSAR

Mr. GOSAR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a brave Arizonan. Robert Davies, from Golden Valley, Arizona, truly met the definition of ``hero'' by coming to the aid of his elderly neighbor. Mr. Davies and his fellow neighbor, Paul Bissonette, responded to a neighbor whose home was on fire, saving the 92-year-old woman stuck inside. Mr. Davies risked his own safety by jumping through a broken window into the smoke and pulling the woman into position near the window where she could breathe. Receiving help from an off-duty fireman who arrived on the scene, Mr. Davies was able to lift the woman through the window to safety seconds before the building was taken by the flames. Mr. Davies says this was something that anybody else would have done. But he actually did it. While I appreciate his humility, I thank him for his display of bravery and courage in the face of danger. I am pleased to recognize Mr. Robert Davies today, before this great body, for his act of heroism.

Mr. GOSAR

Mr. GOSAR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a distinguished leader who has earned the respect of everyone who knows him, Mr. Tom Price. Tom has lived in the Kingman area for almost 30 years and is married to Ada Calderon Mora. Together, they have six children and four grandsons. Tom is a successful attorney who is happy to advise anyone on one's legal situation. He is a critical thinker--the kind of man who is able to take a complex situation, simplify it and put it into a context that is usable, workable, and solvable. Tom has that gift. He serves on several boards in the community, but, today, I honor him for his service to the Kingman Chamber of Commerce. He has served in each of the executive officer positions within the Kingman Chamber of Commerce, and is serving in his last year as immediate past chairman. He is the chairman of the Business and Government Committee, which concentrates on educating the community on political issues and candidates. Tom, thank you for your work and for your dedication to our community. I truly believe that the entire Kingman area is a better place to live in because of you. For a life that has included more than 30 years of service, I am pleased to recognize Tom Price, in this great body, as a true American and a leader for the businessmen and -women of Kingman, Arizona.

Mr. GOSAR

Mr. GOSAR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor the community service of Mr. Tony Campbell. Tony moved to Kingman, Arizona, in 2001 to become general manager of Route 66 Motorsports, also known as Mother Road Harley-Davidson. He also joined the Kingman Area Chamber of Commerce and began leading his community, constantly finding ways to lift others up as he strived to better the lives of those around him. He organized what would become one of the chamber's signature fundraisers, the Harley raffle dinner. He is an avid outdoorsman; and, of course, he loves his motorcycles. In 2009 after 8 years of service with the Kingman Area Chamber of Commerce, he was asked to join the board of directors and serve on the business and government committee. With his larger-than-life personality, he had an amazing ability to bring others together, both business and government, using the strengths of each to complement each other. He showed again his leadership, one the chamber could depend on. For the last year, Tony has served as chairman of the board for the Kingman Area Chamber of Commerce. As his time in this role comes to an end, it is with honor and appreciation that I stand here and recognize Mr. Campbell for his service. I am pleased to recognize him today before this great body as a true American and a leader of businessmen and businesswomen of Kingman, Arizona.

Mr. GOSAR

Mr. GOSAR. Madam Speaker, joining me off the House floor today is Jeb Harmon, a dedicated staffer of mine for almost 2 years. Jeb embodies the spirit, work ethic, and patriotism we need from young adults who will one day lead our Nation. He has worked tirelessly first as an intern and then as a valued member of my communications team, helping to keep my constituents updated on my actions in D.C. and at home. Jeb isn't a future leader. Jeb is a leader today. In just a few weeks, Jeb will leave my office to go to law school. Though he will be missed, I am incredibly proud of him. For Jeb and for all students reaching their own American Dream, we must keep the burden of student loan debt from being cost prohibitive.

Mr. GOSAR

Mr. GOSAR. Mr. Chairman, on March 16, 2012, the Secretary of Energy issued a ``Memorandum for Power Marketing Administrators.'' This memo, commonly referred to as the ``Chu memorandum,'' has created a great deal of concern among our constituents who rely on Power Marketing Administrations, or PMAs, for affordable and reliable energy. As many of you know, the PMAs are four regional Power Marketing Administrations which have been delivering reliable, clean energy to consumers for over 75 years. The PMAs have been successful models of regional collaboration with local stakeholders and a guided principle of ``beneficiary pays,'' meaning that whoever benefits from the specific investments in the PMAs' infrastructure ultimately bears the cost. The former Secretary's memo directs the PMAs to act in areas involving transmission expansion, renewable energy, energy efficiency, and cybersecurity--all laudable goals--goals that, on the surface, I support. In fact, I have strongly advocated for the expansion of transmission here in Congress. However, I believe the Department of Energy's means of these goals, the ``Chu memo,'' would implement a top- down approach that could certainly impose greater costs and risks that outweigh benefits and could undermine the collaborative and low-cost, emissions-free nature of the Federal power program. This issue has undergone significant scrutiny here in Congress over the past year. Last year, I and Congressman Jim Matheson, from Utah, led a letter expressing concern over the Chu memo. That letter was signed by over 160 U.S. Senators and Representatives, almost evenly split between Republicans and Democrats. Additionally, the House Appropriations Committee approved similar language to what I am putting forth today, by voice vote, to the 2013 Energy and Water Appropriations bill barring the Secretary from implementing the Chu directives. There are few issues that Congress has had such consensus on in the past. Additionally, the House Natural Resources Committee has held multiple hearings on the memo, and it was a major topic of conversation at our recent PMA FY 2014 budget hearing. Members from both sides of the aisle have expressed concern about how the DOE might move forward with the Chu memo. It is best if we stop this train wreck from moving forward before it is even implemented. My amendment would simply prohibit the power marketing agencies from utilizing their budgets to implement any new program, project or activity proposed under the guise of this memo. It is not intended to disrupt any previously existing activities of the PMAs, including the Bonneville Power Administration, that have been conducted in coordination and with the support of the customers. It is many of our beliefs that the recommendations of the memo fall far from the DOE's authority under the existing law. If the DOE would like to move forward, this amendment ensures the administration will have to come forward in a transparent manner and request legal authority. I hope my colleagues will support this commonsense amendment that will preserve the existing Federal power program and will ensure our constituents' electricity costs stay low. I urge the support of my amendment. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. GOSAR. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. GOSAR

Mr. GOSAR. Mr. Chairman, we, the Arizona delegation, rise today in the wake of the tragic Yarnell Hill Fire that has left our hearts, the hearts of Arizonans and the hearts of Americans across the country overwhelmed with disbelief and sadness. This was the largest loss of life of first responders since 9/11. The town of Yarnell and the people of Arizona will never forget and will forever honor the 19 heroes of the elite Granite Mountain Hotshot fire crew who lost their lives in an act of self-sacrificing bravery. Out of my deepest respect for these fallen heroes, their families and the communities of Prescott, Peeples Valley and Yarnell, I ask you to keep them in your prayers. I now ask you to join me and my colleagues for a moment of silence to honor the Yarnell 19's ultimate act of courage and sacrifice. Amendment Offered by Mr. Heck of Nevada

Mr. GOSAR

Mr. GOSAR. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleague for the time and her teamwork on this public lands initiative. But I am very frustrated that it even is necessary for us to re- introduce this legislation. It shouldn't take years and an act of Congress to right a wrong. Last year, the House overwhelmingly passed this bill by a vote count of 421-1. Unfortunately, it was the victim of partisan gridlock in the United States Senate and was not sent to the President before the end of the 112th Congress. I see this initiative as unfinished business from the last Congress; and I hope, together, we can get this across the finish line very quickly this year. H.R. 862 is a commonsense solution to an incomprehensible Federal land situation in northern Arizona. In 1960, the Federal Government conducted a survey in which several acres of the United States Forest Service land were misidentified as private property. It was not until 2007, when the Federal Government contracted another private survey, that the mistakes were realized, and the residents of the Mountainaire neighborhood were informed of these errors. Until the 2007 survey, many of these residents have maintained these parcels and developed them as their own for years and, in some cases, decades. In essence, the Federal Government seized lands the residents had maintained, developed, and paid taxes on for years. Questions associated with the land ownership have plummeted property values in the neighborhood and prevented a number of owners from selling their homes. On some of those parcels, the revised boundary goes practically through portions of the residents' homes or backyards. To fix the untenable situation, we reintroduced H.R. 862. The bill simply authorizes the Forest Service to convey all rights, titles, and interests to approximately 2.67 acres of the Coconino National Forest to the homeowners for a small fee, using an estimation process Congress utilized in another land exchange in the same northern Arizona county from the 109th Congress, Public Law No. 109-110. The Forest Service does not want to own these people's living rooms, and the property owners certainly do not want to share their homes or their yards with the Forest Service. This bill is a no-brainer, reported out of the Natural Resources Committee by unanimous consent. I encourage my colleagues to vote in favor of this legislation and relieve some northern Arizonans of this financially burdensome situation.

Mr. GOSAR

Mr. GOSAR. Madam Chairwoman, I rise today to engage in a colloquy with the subcommittee chairman, Congressman Carter, regarding Operation Stonegarden, which is a facet of our Homeland Security operations and which is provided for in the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act for fiscal year 2014. By way of background, Operation Stonegarden is a Department of Homeland Security grant program that is intended to provide a great deal of cooperation and coordination among Federal, State, local, municipal and tribal law enforcement agencies in a joint mission to secure the United States borders, including travel corridors in States that border Canada and Mexico, as well as States and territories with international water borders. The grants are made available to local units of government. They're made based on risk analysis and feasibility of the proposed investments demonstrated by the applicants. I speak on behalf of local law enforcement entities in Arizona when I say that this program actually works. It serves to bolster resources available to law enforcement and border States as they do their best to tackle overwhelming problems of illegal immigration, in addition to illegal trafficking of drugs, persons, weapons and money. I hear nothing but praise for the program, and I know that the people of Arizona and other border States reap the benefits of this program whether they know the program by name or not. When people are involved in the process, you see certain programs and initiatives take off because everyone's input is respected, considered and valued. In fact, the program works so well and is needed so badly that in 2009, Secretary Napolitano decided to extend an additional $30 million to be divided amongst the States which needed the resources most. Though I may not agree with Arizona's former Governor on many issues, this is a decision I applauded. The problem of illegal immigration is one that I think will remain for sometime, which is why we are debating immigration reform in Congress today. As I have said before, trust is a series of promises kept. Current and previous administrations held by both parties have failed to keep that promise, and so we are here today. Border security and interior enforcement are of utmost concern when considering immigration and the protection of our homeland, and this program is a prime example of the teamwork that is needed to deliver on the promises made to the people of this great Republic. This investment in our Nation's homeland security is one that pays off over and over again, and it is my hope that future legislation will continue to provide robust resources for this program. It is our collective duty as a deliberative body to ensure that we both support the Federal programs and initiatives that actually work, while simultaneously reducing or sunsetting those that do not. I am pleased that the House has begun such a process in the past two Congresses, and I am proud to be part of it. The people of Arizona and I thank the chairman for increasing the resources available to Operation Stonegarden relative to previous appropriations. And with that, I yield to the chairman of the Appropriations Committee.

Mr. GOSAR. Madam Chairwoman, I move to strike the last word.

Mr. GOSAR. I thank the gentleman, and I yield back the balance of my time. Amendment Offered by Mr. Engel

Mr. GOSAR

Mr. GOSAR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of legislation to give the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the Department of Transportation (DOT) the flexibility to use unobligated funds to ensure the safety of our nation's air transportation system. I specifically want to affirm the intent of this legislation that grants the Secretary of Transportation the ability to use unobligated balances of the Airport Improvement Program account to prevent the closure of 149 contract air traffic control towers and halt the furloughs of air traffic controllers. The needless proposed closure of four Arizona air traffic control towers, including the tower located at the Laughlin-Bullhead International Airport located in my district, would have a profound impact on our rural economies. Our nation's air transportation system is a comprehensive network of intertwined departments. Maintaining service at all contract air traffic control towers is essential to ensure a safe and efficient air transportation system--the basis of this legislation. The inaction of the Department of Transportation to request sequester reprogramming authority and maintain some level of service at all contract towers has necessitated this legislation. The safety and efficiency of our skies have been put at risk and it has become incumbent upon the Congress to direct this authority to the Secretary of Transportation.

Mr. GOSAR

Mr. GOSAR. Mr. Speaker, today, I want to congratulate the Toyota Arizona Proving Ground (TAPG) as it celebrates its 20th anniversary. I have had the opportunity to visit and learn about their operations and am proud to represent the Toyota team members working at this fine facility. The 12,000 acre facility's most dramatic feature is the 10 mile, high speed, oval track. But in addition, it is home to many more miles of unique test tracks and a state-of-the-art engineering facility. TAPG, which is part of Toyota Motor Engineering and Manufacturing, Inc., is responsible for evaluating the performance and endurance of Toyota vehicles on the test tracks in Wittmann, Arizona. TAPG employs about 50 team members and welcomes hundreds of contractors and visiting engineers each year--all contributing to Arizona's economy and to the development of Toyota's American made vehicles. As their representative to Congress, I want to reiterate my commitment to supporting policies and a federal regulatory environment that encourages companies, like Toyota, to continue to invest in research and development in Arizona and across the United States.

Mr. GOSAR

Mr. GOSAR. Mr. Speaker, today, I join my colleagues to express my disgust and anger at the barbaric actions of Dr. Kermit Gosnell. The facts of this case are gut-wrenching. As a father, a Catholic, and a health care provider, I believe in protecting the unborn. This case isn't only about upholding the sanctity of life, but it is also about patient care and safety. Further, it shows many in the mainstream media will turn a blind eye to the murder of infants if it suits their political agenda. Regardless of one's abortion position, no one can defend Gosnell's practices, yet his criminal case proceeds without the national outcry for justice that we have heard on other murder cases. Do we value the lives of infants or the health care of mothers who endured such horrific medical care? The lack of oversight allowing Dr. Gosnell to operate under horrific conditions, perform late-term abortions and murder babies should be scrutinized in the same manner as other serial killers. My hope is our actions today shed light on this case and start a conversation to be sure that this never happens again.

Mr. GOSAR

Mr. GOSAR. Thank you, Chairman Hastings. Madam Chairman, I rise in support of H.R. 678, the Bureau of Reclamation and Small Conduit Hydropower Development and Rural Jobs Act of 2013. This legislation was one of Representative Tipton's and my top priorities in the Natural Resources Committee last Congress, so I am pleased to join him again as an original cosponsor and appreciate that the House is taking up the legislation so quickly in the 113th Congress. Our country is failing to fully tap its hydroelectric power generation potential. The Federal Government owns over 47,000 miles of canals, laterals, drains, pipeline and tunnels throughout the West that are perfectly suitable for hydropower production, but hardworking irrigators and power providers in our districts, already operating and maintaining this infrastructure on behalf of the Federal Government, cannot install hydropower generators because government regulations and bureaucratic confusion are making it cost prohibitive. H.R. 678 will clear away these bureaucratic obstacles that stand between our Nation and thousands of megawatts of clean, cheap, abundant, and reliable hydroelectricity. The resulting development will create jobs in rural communities hit hardest by the recession, increase our country's renewable energy portfolio, and even generate revenue for the Federal Treasury. The Members of this body opposing this legislation claim it could cause harm to the environment. To be clear, this bill only allows for development on existing irrigation canals and ditch systems, not free- flowing rivers and streams. These conduits have been in place for years, do not contain any endangered wildlife or fish, and were subject to environmental analysis at the time of construction or rehabilitation. On the poster to my left is a clear example of what we are talking about. Folks, it's concrete. It's been sitting here with running water. I don't see the need and I hope you don't see the need for a NEPA environmental assessment. This canal is in the western part of my congressional district. We have miles of this type of infrastructure throughout the State, including the Central Arizona Project. It provides my constituents with the water necessary to live in the desert and even grow a good portion of this Nation's produce. The experts on the ground say we are sitting on a hydropower gold mine waiting for the needed clarifications and streamlining that will cut costs and make this program more attractive. There are over 26 locations just like this one in my State alone--mostly in Yuma, Pinal, and western Maricopa Counties--that are suitable for this development. The Agri-Business Council of Arizona believes its members could produce enough low-cost clean energy to power nearly 5,000 homes simply by installing these small hydropower generators. That is a huge economic impact for the small rural communities these irrigators serve. They would provide a real economic boost and lower energy costs. There are many solutions to our Nation's energy crisis, but hydropower is clearly part of our all-of-the-above plan. It already accounts for about 75 percent of this country's total renewable electricity generation, and we haven't even begun yet. Early this Congress, the House unanimously passed the Hydropower Regulatory Efficiency Act, which promotes development on privately owned infrastructure. We should do the same today on Congressman Tipton's and my legislation that does the same for publicly owned infrastructure. Congress would be doing the American people an injustice if we didn't move swiftly on this bill. Hydropower must be an integral component of the long-term all-of-the-above energy strategy in Arizona and for our Nation, and this bill will allow rural western communities to play a major role in that future. I will continue to work with Congressman Tipton to ensure that this bill not only passes the House this year but gets through the Senate and is sent to the President's desk for his signature. Folks, it is that simple: commonsense utilization of infrastructure we already have.

Mr. GOSAR

Mr. GOSAR. ``He shall have power, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, to make treaties, provided two-thirds of the Senators present concur; and he shall nominate, and by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, shall appoint ambassadors, other public ministers and consuls, judges of the Supreme Court, and all other officers of the United States, whose appointments are not herein otherwise provided for, and which shall be established by law. ``But the Congress may by law vest the appointment of such inferior officers, as they think proper, in the President alone, in the courts of law, or in the heads of departments.''

Mr. GOSAR

Mr. GOSAR. Today, I'm here to remember the sacrifice of an American hero and the bravery of those who served with him. Two years ago this Saturday, our Nation lost one of our own who was serving to protect our country by securing the Arizona-Mexico border. On December 14, Border Agents Brian Terry, William Castano, Gabriel Fragoza, and Timothy Keller began patrolling an area west of the town of Rio Rico, Arizona, tasked with interdicting violent criminals sneaking into the United States. At 11 p.m. on the following day, December 15, the team was alerted to five suspects in their interdiction zone. After identifying themselves, they were fired upon and Agent Terry was struck and killed. The men who fought beside him that night were heroic in their efforts to provide aid and to protect Agent Brian Terry. After the dust settled, that horrific night's details were brought to light about our government's role in supplying weapons found at the scene of the crime. Through Operation Fast and Furious--a fundamentally flawed gunrunning operation ran by the U.S. Department of Justice-- weapons like those found at the scene nearly 2 years ago were allowed to be purchased by middlemen and passed along to some of the most dangerous cartels in Mexico without proper law enforcement interdiction and justice. Subsequently, numerous hearings have been held to demand answers as to how this program came to be, who authorized it, and who knew about it. My goals are simple: justice and accountability, not just for Brian Terry, who lost his life, and the brave men serving him that night, but also justice for the hundreds of Mexicans who also lost their lives from the weapons from the Fast and Furious scheme. As I close, please join me in a moment of silence for those lives who have been lost and the loved ones that they leave behind. For my part, I will continue to demand answers from the Department of Justice. I will continue to stress the need for bipartisan support for getting those answers. I look to leadership not to relent. I also look to the Hispanic Caucus to break their silence and to take up this issue affecting everyone in Mexico. Finally, I will not rest until we are certain that justice is served and that this atrocity can never happen again. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. GOSAR

Mr. GOSAR. Last week, the ninth circuit court heard a case regarding Tombstone, Arizona's right to access its water supply. Last year, a devastating combination of wildfires and monsoons struck Tombstone, leaving only 3 of its 25 springs in operation. Tombstone has been engaged in a yearlong standoff with the Federal Government over the repairs that will restore the town's water supply because those springs are in wilderness areas and they are prohibited from using mechanized equipment to make the necessary repairs. This situation is not unique. A similar disaster occurred in northern Arizona after the 2010 Schultz Pass fire. The Inner Basin pipeline, infrastructure that delivers water to Flagstaff, was severed during catastrophic floods that followed the fire. In our case, a lawsuit wasn't necessary, but it took my team and the city over a year to persuade multiple agencies to allow for repairs. Last month, I took the first sip of water out of the repaired infrastructure with Mayor Jerry Nabours. Our communities shouldn't need their Congressman or a lawsuit to make basic repairs to infrastructure. The Federal Government should work with us, not against us, to preserve western water supplies.

Mr. GOSAR

Mr. GOSAR. I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 2338, introduced by the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Posey), would designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 600 Florida Avenue in Cocoa, Florida, as the Harry T. and Harriette Moore Post Office. The bill is cosponsored by the entire Florida State delegation and was favorably reported by the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform on June 27. Mr. Speaker, it is altogether fitting and proper that we name this post office in Cocoa, Florida, for Harry and Harriette Moore, leaders of the civil rights movement in Florida. Harry Moore established the first branch of the NAACP in Brevard County, Florida, and is considered the first martyr of the civil rights movement. Sadly, on Christmas night in 1951, the Moores were killed by a bomb planted beneath their home. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in strong support of this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Mr. GOSAR

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

Mr. GOSAR. Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members to support the passage of H.R. 5788. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. GOSAR. I now yield such time as he may consume to my distinguished colleague from the State of Washington, the sponsor of this legislation, Mr. Reichert.

Mr. GOSAR

Mr. GOSAR. Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members to support the passage of H.R. 5954, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. GOSAR

Mr. GOSAR. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may consume. General Leave