Jared Huffman

Mr. HUFFMAN

Mr. HUFFMAN. Mr. Speaker, if this is a question that requires us to listen to the experts and the scientists about how to end the global shark fin trade, then it is not much of a debate, because over 150 scientists are on record supporting this bill. The same consensus exists among leaders at aquariums, academic institutions, and other places. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from Oregon (Mr. Blumenauer).

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

Mr. HUFFMAN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 737) to prohibit the sale of shark fins, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. HUFFMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, this bill would make it legal to possess, buy, or sell shark fins in the United States. Now, everyone knows sharks are in trouble. Around the globe, one- quarter of sharks and their relatives are threatened with extinction. They are being caught and killed on average 30 percent faster than they can reproduce, in large part due to the demand for their fins to fuel the global shark fin trade. The fins from as many as 73 million sharks enter the shark fin trade every single year. As top predators in the oceans, they play a critical role in ecosystems impacting our fisheries, coral reefs, and tourism economies. The concern for declining shark populations and the impact of their loss and the impact that loss has on ecosystems and tourism alike has led to increased efforts to conserve sharks globally, including no-take marine reserves, species-specific fishing bans, and shark fin trade bans. While the United States has banned the practice of shark finning, we have not banned the buying and selling of shark fins, which means that we are still a part of the problem. States and the private sector are catching on. Already 12 States, three territories, 40 airlines, and 20 major international shipping companies and other corporations such as Amazon, Disney, Hilton, and Grubhub have all refused to partake in this trade that devastates shark populations around the world. And just this year Canada passed a similar bill, in large part thanks to our efforts here. That is the intention of this bill. When the United States steps up to lead, others will follow. H.R. 737 would build on the leadership of these States, territories, and companies by eliminating shark fin sales and possession in the United States. In addition to its 287 bipartisan cosponsors, this bill enjoys the support of recreational fishing interests, aquariums, over 150 scientists, 150 chefs, over 300 dive businesses and over 130 nonprofits. With this overwhelming support and at a time when so many shark populations are depleted, it is of utmost importance that we pass this legislation. Mr. Speaker, I want to commend Congressman Sablan for his leadership and also Congressman McCaul for his leadership on this bill, and I urge my colleagues to support it. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. HUFFMAN. Mr. Speaker, I would just note, that in California, where I authored a very similar ban on the possession, sale, and trade of shark fins, the sky has not fallen, the world has not ended. All of the calamities that my friend just predicted have not taken place, and guess what, there continues to be a sustainable shark fishery for the meat without contributing to the global shark fin trade that is driving the decimation of shark populations around the world. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from The Northern Mariana Islands (Mr. Sablan), the author of this bill.

Mr. HUFFMAN

Mr. HUFFMAN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1487) to direct the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a special resource study of portions of the Los Angeles coastal area in the State of California to evaluate alternatives for protecting the resources of the coastal area, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. HUFFMAN

Mr. HUFFMAN. Mr. Speaker, I will close by commending Representative Suozzi for his bipartisan initiative to honor the legacy of Congressman Lester Wolff. I urge a ``yes'' vote on this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. HUFFMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Suozzi), who is the sponsor of this bill.

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

Mr. HUFFMAN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 263) to rename the Oyster Bay National Wildlife Refuge as the Congressman Lester Wolff Oyster Bay National Wildlife Refuge.

Mr. HUFFMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, this bill would rename the Oyster Bay National Wildlife Refuge in New York as the Congressman Lester Wolff Oyster Bay National Wildlife Refuge. A long-time Congressman from Long Island, Congressman Wolff was instrumental in creating this refuge and protecting it from unnecessary development. Thanks to his hard work and vision, the Oyster Bay refuge is an important stopover for wintering waterfowl, and it is also a popular destination for outdoor recreation enthusiasts. At 100 years old, Congressman Wolff is the oldest living Member of Congress. This bill is a fitting tribute to him for his years of conservation leadership, and I urge its adoption. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. HUFFMAN

Mr. HUFFMAN. Mr. Speaker, I am prepared to close, so I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. HUFFMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, this bill introduced by Representative Marshall would honor the heroism of the soldiers of the U.S. Army's 1st Infantry Division by authorizing the installation of additional plaques at the First Infantry Division Monument located in the National Park Services' President's Park just south of the White House. These additions would include the names of over 600 1st Infantry Division soldiers who paid the ultimate sacrifice in service to our Nation during Operation Desert Storm, Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and Operation New Dawn, ensuring that these fallen soldiers are not forgotten. For over 100 years now, soldiers of the U.S. Army's 1st Infantry Division have embodied their motto: ``No mission too difficult, no sacrifice too great. Duty first.'' I am proud to rise in strong support of this bill and the brave soldiers of the 1st Infantry Division and I want to thank Representative Marshall for championing this important legislation. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support it, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. HUFFMAN

Mr. HUFFMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1446. It is a bill that would require the U.S. Postal Service to continue selling the Multinational Species Conservation Funds Semipostal Stamp. It would require those continued sales until such time as the remaining stamps are sold. Now, since 2010, these stamps have been sold by the U.S. Postal Service to support international conservation efforts, but the authorization for these sales has expired, leaving 49 million stamps unsold--printed, but unsold. Americans care deeply about wildlife, and by purchasing these stamps, they can support the Multinational Species Conservation Fund, which includes five grant programs that support the conservation of African and Asian elephants, great apes, marine turtles, rhinos and tigers. Between 2011 and 2017, the stamp sales from this program generated $3.9 million, and that money went to conservation projects related to antipoaching, capacity building, community engagement and outreach, habitat restoration, and raising public awareness of wildlife trafficking. Mr. Speaker, 49 million stamps have already been printed. They are sitting and waiting to be sold. This bill doesn't authorize the printing of any new stamps, but it does direct the U.S. Postal Service to continue selling the stamps it has printed until they are exhausted. At a time when so many species are threatened with extinction due to climate change, habitat loss, and exploitation, we must do more to protect wildlife. Mr. Speaker, I do not have another speaker at this point, and I reserve the balance of my time. House of Representatives, Committee on Natural Resources, Washington, DC, September 30, 2019. Hon. Elijah E. Cummings, Chair, Committee on Oversight and Reform, House of Representatives, Washington DC. Dear Chair Cummings: I write to you concerning H.R. 1446 the, ``Multinational Species Conservation Funds Semipostal Stamp Reauthorization Act of 2019.'' I appreciate your willingness to work cooperatively on this legislation. I recognize that the bill contains provisions that fall within the jurisdiction of the Committee on Oversight and Reform. I acknowledge that your Committee will not formally consider H.R. 1446 and agree that the inaction of your Committee with respect to the bill does not waive any future jurisdictional claim over the matters contained in the bill that fall within your Committee's Rule X jurisdiction. I will ensure that our exchange of letters is included in the Congressional Record during floor consideration of the bill. I appreciate your cooperation regarding this legislation and look forward to continuing to work with you as this measure moves through the legislative process. Sincerely, Raul M. Grijalva, Chair, House Natural Resources Committee.

Mr. HUFFMAN

Mr. HUFFMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I want to associate myself with the other comments about how much we are going to miss Colonel Cook. We respect him. We admire him. We are amused by him. Let the record show he just called the Sierra Club great. I want that to be noted. And although he has found a way, through this bill, to create an equal value exchange, something tells me that in the exchange of Colonel Cook, because we are losing him, the County of San Bernardino is making out a lot better than this institution. So I wish him well and urge a ``yes'' vote on his good bill. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Mr. HUFFMAN. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. H.R. 255, introduced by Representative Cook, would authorize an equal value exchange between the U.S. Forest Service and San Bernardino County. This exchange would enable the county to build a resource conservation and recovery facility. This will increase efficiency and safety of timber processing and recycling in that area. In return, the Forest Service would receive an undeveloped inholding in the San Bernardino National Forest. The bill is a perfect example of how, through a collaborative process, we can meet the needs of local stakeholders while continuing to protect our environment and public lands. Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate and thank my colleague, Representative Cook, for introducing this legislation, and I urge my colleagues to support the bill. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. HUFFMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from southern California (Mr. Aguilar).

Mr. HUFFMAN

Mr. HUFFMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 1472, introduced by my friend Representative Smith from Nebraska, would rename the Homestead National Monument of America near Beatrice, Nebraska, to the Homestead National Historical Park. In 1862, President Lincoln signed the Homestead Act, and this enabled citizens to own a portion of the vast public lands across the Western United States. To commemorate the first claim under the Homestead Act, Congress established the Homestead National Monument of America in 1936; serving as a lasting memorial to the over 1.6 million claims that built the American West. Today, the Homestead National Monument of America consists of the first site successfully claimed under the Homestead Act, the Freeman School, a heritage museum, hiking trails, and 100 acres of restored tall grass prairie. Redesignating this important monument as a national historical park would provide a more accurate and appropriate description of the scope and complexity of the site's resources and would conform the park's designation to Park Service standards. Mr. Speaker, again, I thank my colleague Representative Smith for introducing this bill, and I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 1472. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. HUFFMAN. Mr. Speaker, this is a good bill. The community of Beatrice--I just had to say it one more time because I like that pronunciation--is fortunate to be home to what will hopefully soon be America's newest historical park, the Homestead National Historical Park, and is also fortunate to have been represented over the years by these two fine gentlemen from Nebraska. Mr. Speaker, I urge an ``aye'' vote on this bipartisan bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. HUFFMAN. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. HUFFMAN

Mr. HUFFMAN. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 182) to extend the authorization for the Cape Cod National Seashore Advisory Commission.

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

Mr. HUFFMAN. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. H.R. 182, introduced by Representative Bill Keating from Massachusetts, would reauthorize the Cape Cod National Seashore Advisory Commission, which expired under current law in September 2018. This bill would reauthorize and extend it until 2028. Since the national seashore was originally created in 1961, it was actually the first national seashore. It is the second most beautiful national seashore, but it was the first national seashore created. The advisory commission has served as a main forum for consultation and coordination between local communities and the National Park Service. Comprised of representatives from the six towns within the park, Barnstable County, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and the Secretary of the Interior, this advisory commission gives surrounding communities a voice in the management of the seashore. I thank Representative Keating for his leadership in introducing this important legislation, and I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 182. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. HUFFMAN. Madam Speaker, I yield as much time as he may consume to the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Keating), who is honored to represent the second most beautiful national seashore in America.