Jared Huffman

Mr. HUFFMAN

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

Mr. HUFFMAN. I thank the gentleman from Virginia. Mr. Chairman, I am glad that the gentleman brought up the dilemma that this amendment would pose for law enforcement. It would, shockingly, actually, impose individual penalties on law enforcement officers who are just trying to do their jobs but who might mistakenly detain someone in connection with his possession of a firearm if he were transporting it in a way that is protected under this amendment. This is going to have a chilling effect on law enforcement's ability to protect Americans from gun trafficking, to make us safer at a time when there are more guns in the hands of more people than ever before, when we have more accidents, when we are experiencing a tragic gun violence epidemic. I am also concerned that this amendment goes a little further than just being a narrow cleanup of the anecdotal stories we heard about travelers who were inconvenienced or detained. As I read the amendment, it not only would allow a person to walk down the street with an unloaded gun, as long as that gun had a trigger lock on it--regardless of State law, regardless of any local rules that may be in effect--it would allow one to take that gun onto trains, cable cars, and trollies even if local jurisdictions prohibited that. Again, so long as the gun had a trigger lock in place. Now, in my district we had a tragic incident a couple of years ago in which a young teenager had a toy AK-47, and law enforcement believed that it was an actual gun that was threatening members of that community. They fired shots that took that young man's life. Imagine the dilemma, whether intended or unintended, as a consequence of this bill, and people could suddenly go into parks or even onto public transportation with real AK-47s. What kind of dilemma would law enforcement face?

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

Mr. HUFFMAN. Mr. Chairman, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. HUFFMAN. Mr. Chairman, there are some iconic places in this country that define America. The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in northeastern Alaska is one of those places. It is a one-of-a-kind treasure. Today, for the first time, the full House of Representatives has an opportunity to cast a vote to permanently preserve and protect this special place. Now, the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Fitzpatrick), my Republican friend, has joined me in introducing the underlying bill that is incorporated in this amendment. Together, we are carrying the torch that prior generations of bipartisan leaders have carried. They have understood that America's Arctic is a uniquely wild place. It was Republican President Dwight Eisenhower who first established Federal protections for the coastal plain in 1960 and Democratic Chairman Mo Udall who expanded the refuge, doubling its size in 1980. I had the great privilege to visit the Arctic Refuge last summer. I camped in the wilderness and I came away with an increased sense of urgency to permanently protect the Arctic Refuge's coastal plain. Allowing drilling in the Arctic Refuge would irreparably disrupt a very important ecosystem. It would impact the way of life for the Gwich'in people and forever destroy one of our Nation's last great wild places. That is why I am offering this amendment to the SHARE Act, to ask that we protect this American wilderness once and for all. My amendment would designate the threatened biological heart of the refuge, the coastal plain, as wilderness, to finally recognize the intrinsic value of this land and what it holds to ensure that it remains pristine for generations to come. Congress has been debating whether to drill in this area for nearly three decades. As our public lands suffer from the effects of climate change, most significantly in Alaska, I believe time is of the essence. Now, the Arctic Refuge is wild, it is spectacular, and most importantly, it is owned by all Americans, not by the oil industry. That is why Congressman Fitzpatrick and I introduced our bipartisan legislation to permanently designate it as wilderness, following the bipartisan legacy that this legislation has enjoyed for decades. Arctic Refuge support has always been diverse and nationwide. During the recent public comment period for the draft conservation plan, the Fish and Wildlife Service received nearly 1 million comments in support of wilderness for the Arctic Refuge and in opposition to oil and gas exploration and development. Alaskans showed overwhelming support at public hearings and sent thousands of comments, including from 100 businesses across the State from Kaktovik to Juneau. This legislation has been introduced in every Congress for almost three decades and has never come to a full vote on the House floor. I am grateful that, in January of 2015, for the first time, the Department of the Interior released a conservation plan for the Arctic Refuge that recommended wilderness protection--a recommendation that was transmitted to Congress. Only Congress can act to designate the coastal plain as wilderness. Now is the time to seize that historic opportunity. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. HUFFMAN

Mr. HUFFMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize Carney Campion, who passed away in San Rafael, California, in December of last year. An executive with the Golden Gate Bridge Highway and Transportation District for over two decades, Mr. Campion was a devoted civil servant, a respected and accessible manager, and an ardent advocate for improving public transit. A lifelong Californian, Mr. Campion was born in Santa Rosa in 1928, and graduated from UC Berkeley in 1950 with a degree in Personnel and Public Administration. He held management roles with the Redwood Region Conservation Council and the Redwood Empire Association before joining the Golden Gate Bridge District. In 1998, at the age of 70, he retired from his general manager role, a position he held for 15 years. Following his retirement, he remained active throughout Marin County, including with the Marin County Cultural Services Commission and the Marin County Fair. Mr. Campion was a measured leader navigating an often chaotic environment. During his tenure, he oversaw expansion in ferry, bus and rail services, labor negotiations, a seismic retrofit of the Golden Gate Bridge, and other transportation modernization efforts. He is remembered by staff as a genuine, thoughtful leader dedicated to improving services for residents and visitors across the Bay Area. Mr. Campion's leadership has impacted countless lives throughout our region, with effects that can still be felt today, more than 15 years after his retirement. It is therefore appropriate that we pay tribute to Mr. Campion today and express our deepest condolences to his surviving wife, Kathryn, six children, 21 grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren.

Mr. HUFFMAN

Mr. HUFFMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Alan Dunham of Novato, California, for his exceptional commitment to public service and civic engagement. For nearly 40 years, Mr. Dunham has gone above and beyond in his dedication to effecting change in his community, serving in numerous leadership positions and volunteering countless hours of his time throughout the City of Novato and Marin County. The Rotary Club of Novato annually selects a ``Citizen of the Year,'' which distinguishes a resident who has given exceptional contributions to the city across a number of different areas. Their selection this year in Mr. Dunham could not be more fitting. Mr. Dunham moved to Novato in 1973, and quickly became involved in his new community. He joined the Rotary Club the following year, where, along with serving as president for a term, he led several trips and projects throughout the decades. For many years, he has been active with the Presbyterian Church of Novato, and he regularly volunteers with local children and youth. Additionally, his talents as an architect have beautified spaces throughout the city, including housing projects and gardens for seniors, group areas at the Marin county Fair, and the Stafford Lake Gate House, among others. Mr. Speaker, it is fitting that we honor and thank Alan Dunham for his many years of selfless volunteer work and leadership in the North Bay. On behalf of the many residents whose lives he's impacted, I am privileged to honor and appreciate Mr. Alan Dunham.

Mr. HUFFMAN

Mr. HUFFMAN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the ranking member and the chairman for the good work that has gone into this very important bill. As somebody who represents one-third of the California coast, obviously, this legislation is important to me. I want to especially thank the chairman and ranking member for one part of this legislation that has special significance to the people of Marin County, whom I am honored to represent. Finding affordable housing in Marin County is very difficult, and it has only gotten harder since the Great Recession and since the rebound in the real estate market. That has had an impact on the families I represent. It has had an impact on businesses and on folks in agriculture who can't find the full-time staff that they need because they can't afford to live in the community. Section 501 of this bill is going to help in a very significant way to address this housing crunch in West Marin. It is going to take some Coast Guard property that is excess property and sell it at fair market value to the County of Marin. This will be a win-win for the County of Marin and also for the Coast Guard. I look forward to seeing the county begin working with local partners on repurposing this property for the public benefit of affordable housing. We still have a long way to go to make sure that working families in places like Marin County and everyplace else have access to quality housing, but this bill is an important step for at least one community that I represent. I thank the tireless group of advocates who have worked on this, especially West Marin County Supervisor Steve Kinsey, Kim Thompson, and all of those at the Community Land Trust Association of West Marin, and others. Finally, I thank Ranking Member DeFazio and Chairman Shuster as well as the subcommittee members and staff. I thank very much the gentleman from California (Mr. Garamendi).

Mr. HUFFMAN

Mr. HUFFMAN. I want to thank my friend from Oregon for his leadership and advocacy and calling us together for this important discussion tonight. I want to thank him also for bringing up our great conservation hero, Teddy Roosevelt, a Republican President who I can't help but think is rolling in his grave over the fact that cornerstones of his legacy--the protection of public lands, the protection of wildlife--are under constant assault by too many of our friends across the aisle and, for the last 2 weeks, by some very wrong-headed individuals who are heavily armed at a wildlife refuge in southern Oregon. Many Americans who turned on their TVs last week I think were probably surprised to see that this heavily armed extremist group had taken over a national wildlife refuge and that they were threatening to kill anyone who stands in their way. They were led, of course, by Ammon Bundy, the son of the infamous Cliven Bundy, that great philosopher who romanticizes slavery, refuses to pay legally required grazing fees, and organized his own armed insurrection in Nevada a couple of years ago. Americans were surprised to see that this group, which was part of a larger protest against Federal authority, public land policy, and environmental land violations, was so violent and so heavily armed and so extreme in their demands. I think so many Americans are just surprised to find that people would be so violently opposed to our Federal Government's role in protecting public lands and wildlife that they would do this kind of thing. But as a member of the House Natural Resources Committee, I have to tell you I am disgusted by these reckless, dangerous, and criminal actions, but I am not totally surprised. I am not totally surprised. Because on any given week in the Natural Resources Committee, you can hear the intellectual underpinnings of these dangerous, violent actions. You hear the divisive, over-the-top antigovernment rhetoric that is spewed by too many of our colleagues across the aisle, Members of Congress who may now be criticizing ever so gently the tactics of the armed criminals in southern Oregon. But out of the other side of their mouth they justify their actions by arguing that their anger and frustration with the government is somehow justified and legitimate and that we should essentially sympathize with them rather than be outraged by their seditious, violent actions. I am amazed and grateful for the fact that our Federal land management and law enforcement authorities have been so patient and so passive and so deferential because of their determination to try to bring this to a peaceful resolution. I admire and respect that. I know where they are coming from. But let's be clear about this. There has to be accountability for the occupiers. This armed group of thugs occupying a refuge in the State to my north can't be allowed to do this without consequences. Because many people--you mentioned our colleague, Peter DeFazio-- believe--correctly, in my view--that this wouldn't have happened had there been some consequences to the Bundy ranch standoff 2 years ago. Unfortunately, despite a very similar action, despite all of the same heavily armed threats and violence and the near avoidance of a tragedy that could have cost untold numbers of lives, there really were no consequences. My understanding is that Cliven Bundy still owes well over $1 million in ranching fees to the Federal Government and that he is still grazing his cattle without permission. And because there has been no consequences, his son and the current gang that is occupying the refuge obviously took the lesson that they could do it again. And they will do it again and again, as long as we continue to give them a pass. So there has to be accountability. There has to be some type of consequences for people that do this. But there also should be accountability for politicians who tacitly fuel incidents like this with their inflammatory and hyperbolic rhetoric that always casts environmental protection as an assault on individual rights and that falsely describes our national public lands as some type of a threat to State and private property owners. It is not right. The truth is, in California and across the West, our public lands are a cornerstone of lots of local and State economies, including those in my district. I have huge tracts of Federal public lands in the Second Congressional District of California, from vast national parks and recreational areas to three different national forests, to numerous national monuments and lots and lots of BLM lands. For many of my constituents, Federal lands help them put dinner on the table. It helps them pay their bills. Ninety-one percent of western voters surveyed responded that they believe public lands are an essential part of their State's economy. We need to remember this. So I want to protect public lands, and I want to work cooperatively with the Federal agencies that manage them to iron out differences. Our Federal Government isn't perfect. They make mistakes. Sometimes they are not the best neighbors. Sometimes they aren't always as responsive and respectful to the communities and individuals that live nearby. Part of our job as Members of Congress who represent those communities is to try to make sure that the government, for its part, is doing the right thing: listening, being a good neighbor. I have seen it work time and time again. And the notion that the only way to resolve differences with Federal land management agencies is to take up arms and threaten a violent insurrection is just absolutely nonsense. So those are a few of my thoughts. I certainly could go on at length about some of the success stories I have seen in my district, where communities have come together and actually collaborated with the Federal Government, not just as a neighbor, but as a partner to do things, including things that brought jobs to those communities. I have seen it in Trinity County with a process called the Trinity County Collaboration, where, believe it or not, environmentalists are working together with folks in the forest products industry and with Federal agencies and with all sorts of other interests and they have agreed to cut thousands of acres of trees as part of a comprehensive stewardship plan. It can work. It is very unique, but it can actually work. And it can work in other places. It almost worked in the Klamath, which is another part of southern Oregon where we saw this historic coming together of farmers and fishermen and tribes and government agencies. The problem is that collaboration depended on an act of Congress to actually happen. Sadly, under current management, Congress is where collaboration goes to die. And so we were unable to do the right thing there. But it can be done. I again want to thank the gentleman for his leadership in trying to interpose a little bit of sanity into this debate.

Mr. HUFFMAN

Mr. HUFFMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize Jean Starkweather, who passed away in San Rafael, California, on November 23, four days shy of her 86th birthday. A lifelong advocate for the environment and a beloved leader in Marin County, Mrs. Starkweather will be remembered for her unyielding activism, her gentle spirit, and her steadfast sense of purpose related to protecting natural resources in Marin County. Mrs. Starkweather was born in Seattle in 1929 and moved to San Rafael with her husband soon after graduating from Carleton College. She began her environmental advocacy in the early 1970s as chair of a local homeowners group, when she fought against developments on a hillside near Terra Linda. From there, she joined a litany of groups working to preserve natural spaces, including the Citizens Advisory Committee for the San Rafael, Audubon Canyon Ranch, and the Marin County Parks and Open Space commission. Not only was Mrs. Starkweather involved with numerous conservation groups--she was a leader in practically every organization she joined. Throughout the decades, she helmed the San Francisco Bay Association, Marin Audubon Society, and Marin Conservation League (MCL), among others. Her involvement did not go unnoticed. She received the Marin Green Award and the Peter Behr Lifetime Achievement Award from the MCL, and was recognized by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for her contributions. One area she was especially passionate about was protecting the San Rafael shoreline. Along with serving on MCL's Bayfront Committee, she conducted monthly bird counts, organized work parties to remove invasive plants, and tested water salinity. In 2003, San Rafael recognized the efforts of her and her husband, John, who passed away in 2001, with the creation of the Jean and John Starkweather Shoreline Park. Mrs. Starkweather's persistent advocacy to preserve natural spaces, wildlife, and wetlands in the North Bay are worthy of our thanks and admiration. It is therefore appropriate that we pay tribute to her today and express our deepest condolences to her sons David, Stephen, and Tim.

Mr. HUFFMAN

Mr. HUFFMAN. Mr. Speaker, yesterday, the House passed bipartisan legislation to better protect our Nation by making our Visa Waiver Program more rigorous. That is because we recognized, on a bipartisan basis, that legal loopholes that make Americans less safe must be closed. Why can't we bring that same spirit to commonsense gun violence legislation? That is a rhetorical question because I think we all know that the gun manufacturing and sales industry and their puppet, the NRA, have a stranglehold on the Republican majority in this Congress that has kept Congress silent for years on this issue, but that silence will no longer be tolerated. More than 2,000 suspects on the FBI terrorist watch list have legally purchased guns in the United States in recent years. Thankfully, one brave Republican has dared to confront the gun lobby by introducing a bill to close this loophole. I demand a vote on that bill. Americans are tired of hearing thoughts and prayers in response to mass shootings. They are sick of our regularly scheduled moments of silence. Our silence has become the problem. Americans want action to address the gun violence epidemic in this country. There is no better way to start than the bipartisan bill prohibiting suspected terrorists on the terrorist watch list from stockpiling assault weapons. Let's have a vote on H.R. 1076. It is time to end Congress' shameful silence on this critical national security issue.

Mr. HUFFMAN

Mr. HUFFMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Harry Seraydarian, who is retiring this year from his position as the Executive Director of the North Bay Watershed Association (NBWA) in Corte Madera, California. Mr. Seraydarian has worked tirelessly throughout his long and productive career to protect watershed resources and natural spaces in our region, both with the NBWA and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). A lifelong advocate for the environment, Mr. Seraydarian spent most of his working years in government. In his decades of service with the EPA, Mr. Seraydarian distinguished himself as a Director of the Water Management Division, Director of Toxics & Waste Management, and an Associate Regional Administrator in the EPA's Region 9. In his final role, he served as an in-house ``neutral,'' using his extensive problem solving skills and technical knowledge to resolve disputes. If there's a challenge unsuited to Mr. Seraydarian, it may be retirement. Following a 33-year federal career, he retired in 2002, but quickly reentered the workforce in 2004 as the NBWA's Executive Director. Under his leadership, the NBWA has funded 36 projects the North Bay, totaling nearly one million dollars. The Association, a consortium of 16 regional and local public agencies in Marin, Sonoma, and Napa counties, has encouraged collaboration across different levels of government, and, in no small part to Mr. Seraydarian's efforts, has enhanced stewardship efforts in the North Bay watershed. Mr. Seraydarian's varied and significant talents, particularly in environmental mediation and conflict resolution, will not soon be forgotten. Our local environment is a better place today thanks to his technical abilities, managerial experience, and dedication to results- driven conservation. Mr. Speaker, Harry Seraydarian's enduring commitment to improving our watersheds and environment is admirable and worthy of our recognition. I urge my colleagues to join me in extending our congratulations to him on his retirement and our best wishes to him on his next adventure.

Mr. HUFFMAN

Mr. HUFFMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the life of John A. Busterud, World War II veteran, former Assemblymen, and advocate for the environment. Born on March 7, 1921, in Coos Bay, Oregon, Mr. Busterud went on to graduate from the University of Oregon. He then enlisted in the United States Army and served as an Infantry officer with the U.S. Army's distinguished 90th Infantry Division in the European Theater. During combat operations, his Battalion captured the vast German gold reserves and priceless art treasures deep in a salt mine in Merkers, Germany. He was awarded the Bronze Star and Combat Infantry Badge for his service and would eventually retire from the Army as a Lieutenant Colonel. After the war, Mr. Busterud graduated from Yale Law School and moved to San Francisco to start his legal career with the firm of Brobeck, Phleger and Harrison. A dedicated public servant, Mr. Busterud served three terms as a California Assemblyman, from 1956 to 1962, representing the 22nd District in San Francisco. He rose to the ranks of Assembly Minority Leader. After his tenure in the Assembly, Mr. Busterud returned to private practice, but continued to serve the public as President of the Commonwealth Club of California and President of the Committee to Save the Headlands. In this latter role, he was instrumental in the successful efforts to save the Marin Headlands and lay the groundwork for the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. In 1971, President Nixon appointed Mr. Busterud to be the first Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Environmental Quality. Subsequently, he served as a member and eventually Chairman of the President's Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) under President Ford. During his tenure at CEQ, he represented the United States as a delegate to the groundbreaking Law of the Sea Convention in Geneva, Switzerland. After his service in Washington, Mr. Busterud returned to California to found Resolve, an environmental mediation foundation. Mr. Busterud is now retired and, at age 94, he enjoys spending time with his beloved wife Anne and doting on his three children and seven grandchildren. He also authored ``Below the Salt,'' a historical account of the 90th Division in WW II and the discovery of the German gold at Merkers. Mr. Speaker, it is fitting to honor and thank John A. Busterud for his long and dedicated service to Country, State, and the environment, and express deep appreciation for his impressive and distinguished accomplishments.

Mr. HUFFMAN

Mr. HUFFMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Patricia ``Patty'' Garbarino, who was chosen by the San Rafael Chamber of Commerce as the Women of Industry Business Leader for 2015. As President of the Marin Sanitary Service (MSS), Ms. Garbarino's business acumen, institutional knowledge, and commitment to conservation have impacted tens of thousands of lives in Marin County. Ms. Garbarino has been a role model for women in our community, successfully running her family business in a traditionally male- dominated industry. Founded in 1948, MSS today employs three generations of Garbarinos, and serves more than 30,000 residential and commercial clients in San Rafael and surrounding areas. Along with their curbside service, the company accepts and processes hazardous and non-hazardous materials on-site, and has been an industry leader for recycling programs nationwide. Today, MSS recycles nearly three- quarters of the waste it collects, in large part due to Ms. Garbarino's oversight. Ms. Garbarino's savvy leadership and environmental stewardship have made a lasting impact in Marin County. Not only does she manage MSS with intelligence and integrity, but she continues to be an active and valued member of our community. Ms. Garbarino has served on the Marin County Planning Commission, Marin County Office of Education Board, and Marin Conservation League board, among others, and continues to exemplify citizenship and compassion with her dedication to our community. Mr. Speaker, Patty Garbarino's impressive accomplishments and leadership have left a lasting impact in San Rafael and beyond. I urge my colleagues to join me in extending our congratulations to her on this recognition.

Mr. HUFFMAN

Mr. HUFFMAN. Mr. Speaker, I have a motion at the desk.

Mr. HUFFMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Since 2009, this Congress has failed to make some hard choices. As a result, highway, transit, and safety programs have limped along with flat funding. States and transit authorities have been unable to plan major, long-term projects as they watch this Congress extend these programs for a few months at a time, often waiting until midnight of the next government shutdown, and then extend them again with short- term patches. The Federal gas tax, which pays for these highway and public transit investments, has not been raised in 22 years. Its purchasing power has fallen 40 percent. And for all the progress we made last week under Speaker Ryan in terms of allowing policy amendments to be offered to the bill, let us all recognize that the Republican leadership blocked every single proposed amendment regarding the funding inadequacies in this bill. Democrats and Republicans offered a wealth of options to fund the program: increasing the gas tax; using repatriated revenue to increase investment in the United States; creating a bipartisan, bicameral task force to address the shortfall in the highway trust fund; and simply indexing the gas tax to account for the cost of inflation. Regrettably, the Republican leadership, despite all the pledges of openness, would not let this House debate even a single proposal to address the shortfall in the highway trust fund. Mr. Speaker, we can do better. Today, I offer a motion to instruct conferees that recognizes that we are woefully underinvesting in our Nation's infrastructure. This motion instructs conferees to adopt the higher funding levels for highway, transit and highway safety programs that are contained in the bipartisan Senate DRIVE Act. The DRIVE Act provides $342 billion over 6 years. That is $17 billion more than the House bill. The DRIVE Act provides $12 billion more than the House bill over 6 years to reconstruct our highways and rebuild our crumbling bridges. This small increase only begins to deal with the 147,000 structurally deficient or functionally obsolete bridges in our country. That is, by the way, one out of every four bridges. This funding will only begin to address the two-thirds of the Nation's roads that are in less than good condition. The DRIVE Act provides $4.4 billion over 6 years for local transit agencies to help more people move safely to their jobs. This small increase will only begin to address the $86 billion state of good repair backlog that exists nationwide for our local transit agencies. In 2013, Americans took 10.7 billion public transit trips. Mr. Speaker, many of these were on systems that were built a century ago. Congestion is a ballooning problem around our country. It affects 42 percent of America's major roads and costs our economy $121 billion a year. The status quo funding in the House bill will only worsen the congestion in our cities and suburbs. This motion also instructs conferees to include section 1414(b) of the House bill in a final conference report. This section provides a mechanism to automatically adjust investment levels, should additional money come into the trust fund during the 6-year term of this bill. Additional receipts could come into the trust fund from a number of places. There could be higher-than-anticipated vehicle miles traveled. There could be a bigger infusion into the trust fund from a subsequent act of Congress. If actual receipts do come into the trust fund exceeding the estimated receipts for the most recently completed year, program levels would automatically be adjusted by the additional amount at the beginning of the next fiscal year. This ensures that any additional funds that Congress makes available can quickly flow to States to invest in badly needed infrastructure projects. The Secretary would distribute this additional funding proportionately to each of the highway transit and safety programs funded in the highway trust fund authorized in the final conference report. I urge my colleagues to support this motion. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. HUFFMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from the District of Columbia (Ms. Norton), who is our ranking member on the Subcommittee for Highways and Transit.

Mr. HUFFMAN. Mr. Speaker, I respectfully request an ``aye'' vote. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. HUFFMAN. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. HUFFMAN

Mr. HUFFMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the 20th anniversary of the Eureka Main Library in Humboldt, which is a community centerpiece for learning. In 1988, then California 2nd District State Senator Barry Keene sponsored the Construction and Renovation Bond Act, which approved $75 million for library construction in the state. Between 1988 and 1991, the Library Construction Committee and the Friends of the Redwood Libraries raised more than $1.5 million locally to match state funds. The Humboldt County Board of Supervisors pledged funds in 1989 toward funding of a new library. In 1991, Humboldt County's project was one of only 16 grant applications chosen by the state for approval. From the bond act, the county received 65 percent of the funds needed to construct the Eureka Main Library. In September 2013, groundbreaking ceremonies were held for the Eureka Main Library at 1313 Third Street in Eureka. The Library Construction Advisory Committee has demonstrated to all Californians its dedication, perseverance and commitment to the greater good of the community. I urge my colleagues to join me in acknowledging and celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Eureka Main Library's construction.

Mr. HUFFMAN

Mr. HUFFMAN. Mr. Speaker, Linda Atkins attended Berkeley High School, then earned a bachelor's degree in social science from California State University in Sacramento. From 1976 to 1998 she was a State of California Architectural Associate, heavy equipment mechanic, building maintenance worker and auto technician for the California Highway Patrol. Linda Atkins then spent three years working for Caltrans' material engineering division. During her work with the state, she integrated several employment classifications as a tradeswoman and was a Service Employees International Union Local 1000 representative. Linda Atkins has also been a strong advocate for gay and lesbian state employees. In 1998, Linda Atkins was elected to the Eureka City Council, where she is a councilwoman to this day. Linda Atkins has been a longtime member of the Humboldt County Democratic Central Committee and has served as its chair; she is also a member of the Eureka Progressive Democratic Club. She has helped bring a diverse viewpoint to the city council and has been a strong participant in local elections. Linda Atkins was recognized as Community Partner of the Year in 2014. Mr. Speaker, Linda Atkins' dedication to the state and the Humboldt County community is commendable and worthy of recognition. I urge my colleagues to join me in extending our congratulations to her.

Mr. HUFFMAN

Mr. HUFFMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Paul Gallegos, who was honored as Humboldt County Citizen of the Year on October 23, 2015, a well-deserved award. Paul Gallegos' history as an attorney and as the District Attorney for Humboldt County has been a benefit to the state and the community. Born in Arlington, Virginia, Paul Gallegos was one of 11 children. He graduated from Woodbridge Senior High School in Woodbridge, Virginia, then attended the University of Southern California, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics. Paul Gallegos went on to University of LaVerne School of Law, where he attained a Juris Doctorate degree. Paul Gallegos was district attorney for Humboldt County from 2003 to 2015. He was a partner with his wife Joan at Gallegos & Gallegos, Attorneys at Law in Eureka, and focused on state and federal civil and criminal litigation at the Law Office of Paul V. Gallegos in Claremont, CA. He is currently a partner at the Gallegos Law Firm. He has served with numerous legal associations, including: The California Public Defender's Association; the National Public Defender's Association; the California Trial Attorneys Association; the National District Attorneys Association, the California District Attorneys Association, and the National District Attorneys Association. He is part of the Federal Pro Bono Project and a current member of the Betty Kwan Chinn Foundation. Mr. Speaker, Paul Gallegos' dedication to law and the community of Humboldt County is commendable and worthy of recognition. I urge my colleagues to join me in extending our congratulations to him.

Mr. HUFFMAN

Mr. HUFFMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Hannah Freedom School's Resolution on Childhood Poverty, which seeks to end childhood poverty by 2030. Introduced by the Hannah Children's Defense Fund's Freedom School's 2015 Scholars--a group of 50 children ages 7-10 in Marin City, California--this resolution promotes equal access to opportunities for all children. In recognition of the scholars' commitment to combating poverty in our community and beyond, it is fitting that I submit the following resolution. Hannah Freedom School Resolution on Childhood Poverty As part of the Children's Defense Fund's Freedom School Family, we are taught that we can make a difference in ourselves, our families, our communities, the nation and the world. In order to be all that we can be, we have learned that all children everywhere deserve a Healthy Start, a Head Start, a Fair Start, a Safe Start and a Moral Start and the support of caring families and communities. But we also have learned that not all kids get what they deserve. Global poverty denies children these important opportunities. In as much as: In America, 14.7 million children live in poverty. That means that about one out of every five kids is poor. If you are black or brown, the number is closer to one in three-- even in families where parents are working. If you are poor as a child, you have a lesser chance of graduating from high school or going to college, but a greater chance of going to jail or being in a low paying job, which means you have a greater chance of becoming a poor adult, suffering from poor health, and becoming involved in the criminal justice system. Poverty has no face. It can be anybody. It can be anywhere. Not just homeless people. Not just kids in hoodies. Not just in urban areas. It is even in Marin. There are 21,000 poor families in Marin who live on less than $24,000 a year, while most families in our county earn more than $80,000 per year. Children living in poverty, almost 2,000 in Marin, often struggle in school to keep up with their classmates in math, science and language arts. Poverty is not safe. It is not healthy. It is not fair. It is wrong. It must be ended. We, the students of Hannah Freedom School commit to work toward ending childhood poverty in our lifetime, joining the global initiative to end poverty by 2030. Therefore, Be It Resolved that: Being poor is like being on punishment. It means that you have to go without. You have to go without good and nutritious food, decent housing, healthy neighborhoods, or schools that address your needs or celebrate your culture. It amounts to `cruel and unusual' punishment that must be abolished. Childhood poverty can be ended globally by 2030. We as children are using our voices, now it's time for the adults to use theirs. We call on our lawmakers to imagine ending child poverty in our county, in our state, in our nation now. Ending child poverty means that we will be able to stop the cradle to prison pipeline, we will be better educated, and we will be better prepared for a peaceful world. As Bryan Stevenson, founder and Executive Director of the Equal Justice Initiative, stated: ``The opposite of poverty is not wealth . . . the opposite of poverty is justice . . . and opportunity.''

Mr. HUFFMAN

Mr. HUFFMAN. Mr. Chairman, I rise to offer my amendment to H.R. 702. This is the only amendment that the majority would allow in order to help us understand the impacts of lifting the crude oil export ban on greenhouse gas emissions. Before the Rules Committee, Ranking Member Pallone and I offered two other amendments that would have more proactively studied the increase in greenhouse gas emissions caused by this bill. Instead, the majority only allowed this amendment, which requires that the Department of Energy do a report on the increasing greenhouse gas emissions caused by the lifting of the crude oil export ban, but still allows the ban to be lifted. This is what the legislative process has come to, unfortunately, in this Chamber. Instead of analyzing full impacts before voting, the majority has adopted a ``pollute first, ask questions later'' approach. Repeal the restrictions on fossil fuel extraction and production, and then we will figure out the environmental impact later. Now, lifting this 40-year-old ban on exports could increase oil production by as much as 500,000 barrels a day. That is a significant increase that risks expanding production into sensitive areas off our coasts and our public lands. According to the Center for American Progress, this surge in production would result in an additional 515 million metric tons of carbon pollution each year. That is the equivalent of an additional 108 million passenger cars on the road or 135 coal-fired power plants put online. That is what this bill could do. That is why over 40 environmental groups are opposing it. Now, my Republican colleagues might dispute this study. It is the Center for American Progress. And so, when we hear studies from any group that is not funded by the fossil fuel industry, we typically hear them accused of being biased, left-leaning sources, and certainly they are welcome to make that argument. But doesn't that support the need for an established, nonpartisan source of assessments on the impacts to our environment for bills that this Congress considers? That is why today, Mr. Chairman, I am also introducing the Carbon Pollution Transparency Act of 2015. This is a bill that would require the CBO to estimate and report on the projected carbon footprint of each bill Congress considers. That way, we know before we vote how a bill would impact our climate and our environment. Members of Congress already rely on the fiscal impact estimates produced by the nonpartisan CBO to help us make good decisions, make up our minds. But we need to also take into account the environmental consequences of our votes. The American public has the right to know whether their Representatives in Washington are voting to help harm the environment, to worsen climate change, or whatever the impact may be. That is why my bill ensures that we have a fair judge, the CBO, for each bill that we consider on its environmental impact. But today we at least have an opportunity to require such a study as part of H.R. 702. It is not enough, but it is a step forward to fully understand the impacts of lifting the crude oil export ban and, potentially, the harm that would result to our environment. So I urge a ``yes'' vote on my amendment and a ``no'' vote on the underlying legislation. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. HUFFMAN. I am opposed in its current form.