Jared Huffman

Mr. HUFFMAN

Mr. HUFFMAN. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of S. 4439 the Katimiin and Ameekyaaraam Sacred Lands Act. I was proud to partner with Sen. Padilla and introduce the House companion, H.R. 6032. This bill will place 1,031 acres federal lands located in Humboldt and Siskiyou counties into trust for the Karuk Tribe. Natural resource stewardship of land, wildlife, plants, and water is at the core of the Karuk people's culture and identity. Yet 95 percent of their aboriginal territory is currently under federal management, undermining the tribe's ability to exercise traditional practices that have been passed down since time immemorial. These lands, known as Katimiin and Ameekyaaraam, are ceremonial areas and village sites located at the Karuk Tribe's ``center of the world.'' These areas are where the final series of the Tribes' annual Pik-ya- yish World Renewal ceremonies take place. Ameekyaaraam is located downriver from Katimiin and serves as the site of the Jump Dance and First Salmon ceremonies and is the historical location of pre-contact intertribal fish harvesting. While arrangements with the Forest Service have allowed the Karuk Tribe to use these areas for their ceremonies, their access is not always guaranteed, and privacy from the public remains an issue. This legislation returns this sacred ground to the Karuk Tribe, correcting a historic injustice. I've had the immense privilege and honor of visiting this area--these lands are not only majestic, they are central to Karuk history, religion, culture, and identity. Placing them in trust ensures that the Karuk way of life can endure for future generations. Under this bill, only Forest Service lands will transfer to the tribe; all private lands, allotments and existing rights associated with those will be excluded. The language includes Class I, II, and III gaming prohibitions, and confirms the U.S. Forest Service's authority over managing the Wild and Scenic Rivers located on this parcel of land. We've received widespread support from the local government, private landowners and businesses, neighboring tribes, and environmental organizations. To date, there has been no opposition to this legislation. Senators Padilla and Feinstein have been wonderful partners in advancing this bill in the Senate, and the Karuk Tribe has worked with our offices tirelessly. It is my honor to advance this legislation that gives land back to the Karuk Tribe, and I urge my colleagues to vote Yea and get this bill to the President's desk.

Mr. HUFFMAN

Mr. HUFFMAN. Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Damon Connolly upon his retirement from the Marin County Board of Supervisors as District One's dedicated Supervisor for 8 years. A Bay Area native and 25-year resident of San Rafael, Damon is a champion for important community issues from environmental conservation and renewable energy to affordable housing and public infrastructure. A founding board member of Marin Clean Energy, one of the state's first community green-energy providers, Damon has worked with firm commitment to reduce Marin County's environmental footprint, attain 100 percent renewable energy independence, and improve public infrastructure for cyclists and pedestrians. With an ear always turned to the thoughts and concerns of San Rafael residents, Damon developed a reputation for his open-door policy and yearly commitment to personally going car-free to test the efficacy of the transit system. Drawing on his prior tenures on the Dixie School Board of Education and San Rafael City Council, Damon was willing to confront controversial issues and manage conflicting priorities, including spearheading the preservation of open space, such as Silveira Ranch, while advocating for more affordable housing. Damon served as President of the Board of Supervisors in 2018 and more recently, on the board of directors for the Marin County Flood Control and Water Conservation District, Marin County Housing Authority, Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit (SMART), and Marin County Open Space District. He is also the former President of the Workforce Alliance of the Noah Bay, Chair of Marin Transit, and Marin's representative on the Metropolitan Transpollation Commission. Madam Speaker, Damon Connolly's commitment to the community has been, and will continue to be, productive and enduring. I respectfully ask that you join me and the Board of Supervisors in extending to Damon gratitude for his two terms on the Marin County Board of Supervisors, and best wishes as he continues to represent Marin as a California State Assemblymember.

Mr. HUFFMAN

Mr. HUFFMAN. Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Judy Arnold upon her retirement from the Marin County Board of Supervisors as District Five's intrepid Supervisor for sixteen years and to congratulate her on a productive career of extraordinary public service. Judy was raised in Kansas City, Kansas. She attended Goucher College in Baltimore, Maryland for 2 years and then graduated from the University of Kansas with a degree in International Relations. Following college, Judy launched her career in civic and nonprofit work with 3 years in the Peace Corps. She later assumed the position of Communication and Fund Development for Goodwill Industries of the Redwood Empire and has since served a plethora of government offices, including as Marin County's First Supervisorial Aide to Gary Giacomini, District Coordinator for President pro tempore John Burton, and District Chief of Staff for California State Senator Carole Migden. In 2003, she was elected to the Novato City Council and served for 2 years until she was elected to the Marin County Board of Supervisors, a position she has held for 4 terms. As Supervisor, Judy made an enduring and positive impact on the quality of life for Marin County's residents. From housing and transportation infrastructure to education and the environment, she delivered for District Five and the extended community. Known as a strong voice for businesses and jobs, one of Judy's numerous accomplishments is the establishment of the Marin Economic Forum, a county-wide public-private partnership focusing on building an equitable and sustainable local economy. Unafraid to break from the majority, Judy has time and again proven that she is willing to listen to conflicting arguments and change her mind to best reflect the views of her constituents. As a board member of the Golden Gate Bridge District, the Transportation Authority of Marin, Marin Transit, and Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit (SMART), Judy spearheaded successful initiatives to improve county infrastructure and decrease traffic congestion. She is recognized for her leadership in launching the SMART passenger service, which has increased ridership steadily over the years. Building on her work as Vice President of the League of Women Voters, Judy remains a staunch advocate for equitable housing and education. A legacy for which she is deservedly proud includes adding Education as one of the Board of Supervisors' key priorities. Furthermore, her management of local projects, including preserving the 64-acre Vince Mulroy Memorial Woodland and Wildlife Preserve as County Open Space, building the Stafford Lake Bike Park, and opening the South Novato Library Branch, has made Novato a healthier and more enjoyable place to live for children and families. Madam Speaker, Judy Arnold is a force of energy and conviction. Her Twitter handle @JudyGetsItDone says it all. She leaves an indelible legacy as she retires, and I respectfully ask that you join me in expressing immense gratitude to Judy Arnold for her outspoken advocacy, unwavering commitment, and innumerable contributions to improving the quality of life for the Marin County community and extending to her best wishes on her next endeavors.

Mr. HUFFMAN

Mr. HUFFMAN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the extraordinary life of Robert Scott Thomas, who passed away on October 23, 2022. Descending from a storied line of Marin pioneers and California cowboys, Robert spent his childhood learning about the value of hard work and business ethic. This was evident from the age of 12, when he managed the ranch and family business while his adult family members were away fighting in the Second World War. Following their legacy of service, he would go on to join the United States Army in 1951, serving at Fort Ord, California. Robert returned to Marin County after serving in the military and went on to play an instrumental role at John Oglesby Engineering, designing Marinwood, Sausalito, Tiburon, Mill Valley, and other subdivisions across Marin County. Robert would eventually become President of McNear Block Company, the historic firm that was crucial in rebuilding San Francisco following the 1906 earthquake. Throughout his life, Robert carried on the legacy of a family steeped in California history. In 1868, his great-great-grandfather, Captain John August McNear, purchased 2,500 acres of land at Point San Pedro in San Rafael, where he ran successful dairy and brick manufacturing operations. After seeing the poor treatment of Chinese workers in San Francisco, Captain McNear offered the Chinese community employment and safe refuge on his land. Robert upheld these family values in his professional career, notably as Senior Advisor for Roots of Peace, a humanitarian organization dedicated to removing landmines and reviving sustainable agriculture in war-torn regions. Robert exemplified humility, positivity, resilience, and love for family. He met the love of his life, Barbara, while at San Rafael High School; they would go on to spend over half a century together until she passed in 2006. He leaves behind his daughter Heidi, son Robert, Jr., 10 grandchildren, and 14 great-grandchildren. While he will be greatly missed, Robert's legacy will live on through the positive impact he had on his family, Marin County, and beyond. Madam Speaker, there is no doubt that Robert Scott Thomas was a community figure who will be missed and whose many contributions to the region and nation are worthy of commendation. Therefore, it is fitting and proper that we honor his many contributions and express our deep condolences to his family and friends.

Mr. HUFFMAN

Mr. HUFFMAN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Dorothy (Dot) Louise Leonard of Stevensville, Maryland, on the occasion of her 90th birthday. Ms. Leonard has contributed enormous energy and talent over the years to the protection of our Nation's coastal resources, particularly our shellfish and the industry they support. Not surprisingly--for Dot--she is still immersed in shellfish restoration work as we speak. A public policy graduate of New York's Syracuse University, Dot Leonard's local government land use planning work soon drew her into coastal conservation matters following Congress' adoption of the 1972 Coastal Zone Management Act. Dot took on the monumental task of creating an atlas of shellfish production areas around the Nation's entire coastline for the purpose of protecting those areas. She proceeded to develop Best Management Practices for Shellfish Restoration, now used by State and local governments to set sanitary control standards for our Nation's shellfish waters and industry. Dot was recruited by the State of Maryland to lead its Department of Fisheries where she worked with all her might to help her Chesapeake Bay `watermen' protect and restore their oyster grounds and other fishery resources. She worked with the State of Washington, as executive director of the non-profit Willapa Alliance, to improve shellfish culture in the southwest corner of that State. Dot has been a `mover and shaker' in the international shellfish restoration scene, helping to pull together the initial gathering of what has become the International Shellfish Restoration Conference, now in its 20th year. Some of her favorite international shellfish restoration gatherings are those that have taken place in Ireland, from where her grandparents immigrated to America more than a century ago. As Chair of the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water, Oceans, and Wildlife, I know Dot's contributions to shellfish restoration and coastal conservation are far-reaching. Madam Speaker, it is appropriate to recognize Dot Leonard for her extraordinary commitment to coastal conservation and shellfish restoration as she celebrates her 90th birthday in Ireland surrounded by many of the friends that she has won over the years from the U.S., Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, Scotland and beyond. Please join me in expressing deep appreciation for her service and in wishing her `La breithe shona duit'--Happy Birthday, Dot.

Mr. HUFFMAN

Mr. HUFFMAN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Phyllis Metcalfe in celebration of her extraordinary life and commitment to serving her community. Phyllis Metcalfe was born and grew up in New York State. She obtained a degree in architectural design at the Pratt Institute in New York City. In 1967, Phyllis moved to Marin County and began her decades of service and political activism in her local community while raising her three children, Keith, Ryan, and Kathy. In addition to her work as a political consultant, Phyllis also served as an elected official on the College of Marin Board of Trustees from 1979 to 2003 and was a member of the Corte Madera Planning Commission from 2012 until the time of her death. Always an active political advocate, Phyllis was deeply involved in local and state elections and grassroots efforts to promote democracy and election campaign reform. She was also involved in a number of local organizations that aimed to improve the welfare of women and local communities including the Marin Coalition, Marin Forum, National Women's Political Caucus, Marin Center for Independent Living, Exodus Residential Treatment for Autism, Marin County Chamber of Commerce, American Red Cross, United Way of the Bay Area and the Golden Gate Theological Seminary. Madam Speaker, there is no doubt that Phyllis Metcalfe is truly an exemplary civil servant, and her years of service are a legacy worthy of commendation. Therefore, it is fitting and proper that we honor her many contributions and express our deep condolences to her family and friends.

Mr. HUFFMAN

Mr. HUFFMAN. Madam Speaker, I rise today in celebration of David Keller as he retires from the Friends of the Eel River (FOER) Board of Directors after 21 years of service. Mr. Keller has long been committed to environmental stewardship and public service. During his tenure on the FOER board, he played a key role as an advocate for critical community projects and restoration initiatives, and as an expert on watershed and coastal programs. Mr. Keller graduated from the City College of New York in 1967 cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, with a BA in Psychology and Sociology, and completed his graduate degree in Social Psychology at the University of Michigan in 1969. His passion for woodworking brought him to Northern California, and since 1976, he has been the manufacturer of his own specialized woodworking tools, the Keller Dovetail System. Mr. Keller's public service precedes his time on the FOER board. He served on the Petaluma City Council from 1996 to 2000. In this role, he helped pioneer the first U.S. adoption of form-based building codes for downtown redevelopment and led the defeat of the first full privatization of a municipal wastewater treatment plant in the U.S., which resulted in a city-owned wetland-based treatment facility. He also was a strong advocate for utility ratepayer protections in community choice aggregation programs. In addition to his service on the city council, Mr. Keller also served as an elected member of the Bolinas Fire Protection District Board of Directors, the Sonoma County Conservation Action Board of Directors, and is the founder and former Director of the Petaluma River Council. He also served on the Bolinas Lagoon Technical Advisory Committee where he led the campaign to reconstruct the Bolinas beach and groin after a 1982 storm disaster. Mr. Keller's vast and successful service to the community was invaluable during his tenure on the FOER Board. After two years as a general board member, Mr. Keller took on the role of FOER Bay Area Director in 2003. He's worked tirelessly for dam removal on the Russian River, salmonid fisheries and watershed restoration, resolving inter- basin water transfer conflicts. and to help transform the defunct North Coast Railroad's line to the Great Redwood Trail. Mr. Keller also played a role on the Potter Valley Project Ad Hoc Committee where he represented Eel River interests to ensure the protection of salmon and steelhead populations. Madam Speaker, David Keller exemplifies what it means to be a community-minded public servant and environmental steward. His dedicated service both in the City of Petaluma and to the Friends of the Eel River has played a significant role in community action and environmental stewardship in the North Bay. Therefore, please join us in congratulating him for decades of inspiring work and in wishing him a fulfilling and relaxing retirement.

Mr. HUFFMAN

Mr. HUFFMAN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 7025) to prohibit the Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service from funding entities that commit, fund, or support gross violations of internationally recognized human rights, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. HUFFMAN. Mr. Speaker, I urge a ``yes'' vote on this legislation and yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. HUFFMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 7025 is a bipartisan bill led by the chair and the ranking member of the Natural Resources Committee. It will significantly improve the management and oversight of international conservation programs at the Department of the Interior. Over the past couple of years, our committee conducted a bipartisan investigation into the role of the Worldwide Wildlife Fund, or WWF, and the Department of the Interior, DOI, regarding allegations of human rights abuses at conservation parks around the world. The reports are deeply upsetting, describing decades of abuse toward indigenous and local people in the name of conservation. The committee's oversight hearing in October revealed numerous shortcomings in how WWF carries out its work and how DOI oversees grant funding in challenging locations. These allegations aren't unique. Leading voices at the U.N. and elsewhere have, for years, warned of grave abuses in the name of conservation, in large part due to the colonial-based ``fortress conservation model'' that kicked indigenous and local people off their lands to set up protected areas. International conservation efforts are critical to the success of our national security, international development, climate, and biodiversity goals. However, when investing in these goals, we must ensure commonsense safeguards are in place that protect human rights. This bill does that. First, it expands human rights vetting to international Fish and Wildlife Service-funded conservation projects. It prohibits Fish and Wildlife Service funds from going to armed groups that commit gross violations of human rights. Second, the bill establishes a thorough, fair, and transparent process for investigating credible allegations of human rights abuses. Third, this legislation weaves the highest human rights standards into grant contracts. This bill is common sense, it is good government, and it will make international conservation more successful, benefiting local and indigenous community members and the planet. I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this legislation and reserve the balance of my time.

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

Mr. HUFFMAN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from New Mexico for mentioning Professor Knox. He was an outstanding witness in our hearings on this subject. The truth is, the product of 3 years of work that is before us today was a really good exercise in bipartisan leadership, so I appreciate that. I have no further requests for time and am prepared to close, so I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. HUFFMAN

Mr. HUFFMAN. Mr. Speaker, I urge a ``yes'' vote, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. HUFFMAN

Mr. HUFFMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 7002, the Gateway Solidarity Act, to illuminate the St. Louis Gateway Arch in the colors of the Ukrainian flag. As we know, Russian president Vladimir Putin launched an unprovoked invasion of Ukraine, and since then, the country and its people have experienced the largest armed conflict in Europe since World War II--a conflict consisting of Russian attacks that have leveled Ukrainian cities, caused civilian casualties, and sparked an enormous refugee crisis. Introduced by my colleague across the aisle, Representative Ann Wagner, this bill would require the Secretary of the Interior to illuminate the Gateway Arch in the colors of the Ukrainian flag to show that we, in the United States, are behind Ukraine, sending a message to our friends and allies in Europe and across the globe that the American people are supportive of a sovereign Ukrainian nation. I ask my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on H.R. 7002 and reserve the balance of my time.

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

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

Mr. HUFFMAN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 7002) to authorize the Gateway Arch in St. Louis, Missouri, to be illuminated by blue and yellow lights in support of Ukraine, as amended.

Mr. HUFFMAN

Mr. HUFFMAN. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this legislation and yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. HUFFMAN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 6337) to require the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture to develop long-distance bike trails on Federal land, and for other purposes, as amended.

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 yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise in strong support of H.R. 6337, the Biking on Long-Distance Trails Act. This bill would expand outdoor recreational opportunities by developing and completing long-distance bike trails and expanding mapping resources for long-distance biking on Federal land. The legislation would expand outdoor recreation opportunities throughout the country and boost local economies that rely on tourism and the outdoor industry. Additionally, ensuring Americans have access to public lands is critical to the development of multiple-use management, which includes outdoor recreation, resource development, and grazing. This bill identifies long-distance bike trails on Federal lands, making them easier for the public to explore and use for personal enjoyment. I thank my colleague, Representative Neguse, for introducing this important legislation and championing it on behalf of his constituents. I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes,'' and I reserve the balance of my time. House of Representatives, Committee on Natural Resources, Washington, DC, July 15, 2022. Hon. David Scott, Chair, Committee on Agriculture, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Dear Chair Scott: I write to you concerning H.R. 6337 the ``Biking on Long-Distance Trails Act.'' 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 Agriculture. I acknowledge that your Committee will not formally consider H.R. 6337 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. Additionally, the Committee on Natural Resources confirms our mutual understanding that the Committee on Agriculture will be appropriately consulted and involved as the bill or similar legislation moves forward so that you may address any remaining issues within your jurisdiction. I am pleased to support the appointment of members of the Committee on Agriculture to any conference committee to consider such provisions. 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 move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4404) to amend the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to designate segments of the Kissimmee River in the State of Florida as a component of the Wild and Scenic Rivers System, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. HUFFMAN. Mr. Speaker, I too, urge a ``yes'' vote on this legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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 yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 4404, the Kissimmee River Wild and Scenic River Act to direct the Secretary of the Interior to amend the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act and designate segments of the Kissimmee River as a component of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. After efforts in the 1940s to control the Kissimmee River's flow led to issues that destroyed habitats, Congress directed the Army Corps of Engineers to restore the river back to its original path in the 1990s. The completion of this project has already contributed to the return of many wildlife species and a healthier ecosystem. This bill will ensure that the restored segments of the river are preserved for future generations to enjoy, by adding them to the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. Congress created the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System in 1968 to preserve certain rivers with outstanding natural, cultural, and recreational values in a free-flowing condition for the enjoyment of present and future generations. I thank my colleague, Representative Soto, for introducing this important legislation and championing it on behalf of his constituents. I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes,'' and I reserve the balance of my time.