Jared Huffman

Mr. HUFFMAN

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

Mr. HUFFMAN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (S. 1069) to require the Secretary of Commerce, acting through the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, to establish a constituent-driven program to provide a digital information platform capable of efficiently integrating coastal data with decision-support tools, training, and best practices and to support collection of priority coastal geospatial data to inform and improve local, State, regional, and Federal capacities to manage the coastal region, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. HUFFMAN

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

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

Mr. HUFFMAN. Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record an email from the CBO. While we do not have an official CBO score, we do have this email today confirming that the bill will not affect direct spending or revenues. From: Jon Sperl Sent: Monday, November 16, 2020 12:06 PM To: Lim, Sarah Cc: Urbina, Luis Subject: RE: HR 1964 (Lumbee Recognition) Morning Sarah: My manager has informed me that she won't be able to get to the Lumbee bill today. For your purposes: HR 1964 would increase discretionary spending. The legislation would not affect direct spending or revenues. Cheers, Jon.

Mr. HUFFMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Butterfield).

Mr. HUFFMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. H.R. 1964, the Lumbee Recognition Act, introduced by our colleague from North Carolina, Mr. Butterfield, will finally extend recognition to the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina. The Lumbee Tribe resides primarily in Robeson, Hoke, Cumberland, and Scotland Counties of that State and has approximately 60,000 members. That means it is the largest Tribe in North Carolina, the largest Tribe east of the Mississippi River, and the ninth largest Tribe in America. In 1885, this Tribe was recognized by the State of North Carolina. It then sought Federal recognition from the United States in 1889, and they have been seeking that recognition ever since. Over the past 130 years, numerous bills have been introduced in Congress to federally recognize the Lumbee people, resulting in a record of hearing transcripts and committee reports. In addition, numerous academic studies have been undertaken on Lumbee ancestry, and reports have been requested and filed by the Department of the Interior on the Tribe's validity. All of these documents consistently conclude one thing: The Lumbee people are indeed a distinct, self-governing Indian community that has been continuously and undeniably present in the Robeson County area. In 1955, the Lumbee Tribe sought Federal recognition. Unfortunately, this was during the era known as the termination era, when the United States sought to terminate relationships with Tribal governments and force the assimilation of indigenous people into mainstream American society. To that end, the Department of the Interior recommended that Congress amend the legislation to deny eligibility for the benefits and services available to the Tribe recognized under the bill. Congress then enacted this amended legislation in 1956, giving it the dubious effect of simultaneously federally recognizing the Lumbee Tribe and then effectively terminating that recognition. In 1987, the Lumbee Tribe again attempted to restore their Federal recognition, this time through the newly created Federal acknowledgment process at Interior. However, the Department determined that the Tribe was ineligible to participate in that process because Congress, pursuant to that 1956 act, had terminated the relationship with the Tribe and, therefore, only Congress could restore the relationship. That is exactly what enactment of this bill will accomplish. Federal recognition is the formal establishment of a government-to- government relationship between the United States and a Tribal nation. Its importance to Tribes cannot be overstated. Federal recognition allows a Tribe to establish a homeland and to put land into trust to protect future generations. This, in turn, allows the Tribe to manage its own resources and gives them control over local jurisdiction and taxation issues. Recognition also entitles Tribal people to distinctive benefits, including eligibility to participate in many Federal programs, including healthcare and education. That is why enactment of this bill is so vital to the Lumbee people and why they have been seeking Federal recognition for so very long. Other Tribes that were terminated by congressional action have come before Congress, and they have had their relationship reestablished through legislation. It is finally time that we act on that prerogative and extend Federal recognition to the Lumbee Tribe. Mr. Speaker, I thank Representative Butterfield for being a champion of this bipartisan legislation, and I urge its quick adoption. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. HUFFMAN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days 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. 1964) to provide for the recognition of the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. HUFFMAN

Mr. HUFFMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I am grateful for the broad bipartisan support for this bill and its House companion bill, and I urge an ``aye'' vote. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

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

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

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

Mr. HUFFMAN

Mr. HUFFMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, the bill before us, H.R. 6237, is the PRC for Native Veterans Act, introduced by our colleague from Arizona, Representative Gallego. This bill will ensure that Native veterans can access high- quality healthcare regardless of the system where they choose to seek it. Providing for the healthcare of our veterans should be one of our top priorities, including the care of approximately 150,000 Native veterans who have served our country. By law, a Native veteran is eligible to receive services under both the VA and Indian Health Service. They can choose which one of those to use at any given time. In instances where a Native veteran is eligible for a particular healthcare service from both the VA and IHS, the VA is considered the primary payer. As such, the VA reimburses IHS and Tribal facilities for any direct care they provide. Here is the problem that sometimes arises: It is with the Purchased/ Referred Care Program, known as PRC. IHS and Tribal facilities are not always able to directly provide all of the necessary health services a Tribal member may need, and in order to bridge that gap, the PRC program was created. It authorizes the purchase of services from a network of private providers when care is not available at IHS or Tribal facilities. During the permanent reauthorization of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act, Congress amended section 405(c) of that law to require the VA to reimburse IHS and Tribes for health services provided under that PRC program. But the VA now claims that this language does not statutorily require them to reimburse specialty and referral services through IHS or Tribal facilities. The VA, instead, insists that the referral must come from them. That creates problems. It means that the Native veterans who arrive at IHS or Tribal facilities needing specialty care are often forced to travel extreme distances to the nearest VA just to get a redundant primary care visit and a referral. These extra steps cause significant hardship for many Native veterans and can delay critical care. The result is that many IHS and Tribal facilities are referring Native veterans out for specialty care and then just paying for it themselves with their already meager PRC fund so that the patient can be treated in a timely and competent manner. This bill clarifies that the VA is responsible for reimbursing IHS and Tribes for any specialty care provided through a referral by an IHS or Tribal facility. I think we can all agree our Native veterans should have timely access to the quality of care they need no matter where they choose to access it. I want to thank Representative Gallego for championing this bipartisan legislation on behalf of all Native veterans, and I urge its quick adoption. Mr. Speaker, I reserve 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 to include any extraneous material on the measure under consideration.

Mr. HUFFMAN

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

Mr. HUFFMAN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (S. 327) to amend the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act to provide for a lifetime National Recreational Pass for any veteran with a service-connected disability.

Mr. HUFFMAN

Mr. HUFFMAN. Madam Speaker, I rise today in memory of Gustava Wilson, a ``Rosie the Riveter'' who passed away on August 29, 2020 at the age of 97 after a lifetime of exemplary service to the United States of America and her community in Marin City. Gustava Wilson was born in Scotlandville parish, Baton Rouge, Louisiana on March 14, 1923, to McKinley and Olivia Hill. The second of nine children, she attended school until the ninth grade, at which point she took care of her younger siblings and began working at the Istrouma Laundry. Gustava traveled to California in 1942 at the age of 17 as part of the Second Great Migration, following her brother Isaac Hill and cousin Robert Valentine in search of better opportunities working in the shipyards during World War II. A determined and curious woman, she went to California to see for herself if rumors that the streets were paved with silver and gold were true. During the war, Gustava joined the roughly 44,000 civilian workers at Mare Island Naval Hospital in Vallejo, California, where she worked as a nurse and cook. The hospital and its staff achieved national and international acclaim during WWII for their orthopedic department, better known as the ``amputee shop'' or ``brace shop.'' The development and manufacture of plastic limbs and therapy that followed served tens of thousands of disabled military personnel. It is from her dedicated service in this role that Mrs. Wilson earned her place in history as a ``Rosie the Riveter.'' After the war Gustava returned to Louisiana, where she met and married Joe Wilson. Two years later, they settled and proceeded to raise a family in Marin City, California. They lived in the same home for 60 years and became embedded in the community. Gustava's community service included membership in the Mother's Guild, Senior Sunshine Club, and the Performing Stars' Guiding Stars Grandparents Group. She was affectionately known as ``Granny'' in the community. Gustava received many distinguished awards and accolades over the years, including YMCA Woman of the Year, Marin Women's Hall of Fame, and she was honored during Rotary Club of Sausalito's Marinship 75th Anniversary during the Marin City Veterans Day Ceremonies. In 2017, the Native Sons of the Golden West honored Gustava as a great woman of this state for her dedication and service that was instrumental in our country's victory and the Allied victory in World War II. Gustava was a dedicated mother who deeply treasured every moment with her family, especially her grandchildren. Vivacious and straightforward, she was a strong, determined, and fiercely independent woman. Gustava is survived by her brother, Wilbert Hill and his wife Inez, sister-in-law Mary Hill, two children Mona and Lena, stepchildren Allen Dell, David, Charles, Nellie Pearl, Josephine & Hollis; goddaughter, Edwina Figueras, godson, Reginald Tisdale; six grandchildren, Kameelah McNeely and husband Derek, Darrena, Robert, Jr., Nellie, Lamar Jr., David; five great grandchildren, Derek, Jr., Dawaiian, Yazmin, Kylea, Amya, and numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family. Madam Speaker, please join me in extending my appreciation for Gustava Wilson's many years of service and dedication to this country and her community, and in expressing my deepest condolences to her family and friends. She will be forever remembered as a shining example of American exceptionalism, and a true Rosie the Riveter.

Mr. HUFFMAN

Mr. HUFFMAN. Madam Speaker, I rise with my colleague Congressman Mike Thompson today in memory of Barry Sterling who passed away on July 26, 2020 at the age of 90 after a lifetime of exemplary service to his community and the California winemaking industry. Mr. Sterling was born in Los Angeles on October 25, 1929. He spent his formative years living in Southern California before moving to Northern California to attend Stanford University, where his law school classmates included future Supreme Court Justices William Rehnquist and Sandra Day O'Connor. Importantly, Mr. Sterling also met Audrey Shapiro at Stanford. The two were married in 1952, and this month would have marked their 68th wedding anniversary. Following law school, the Sterlings moved to Washington, D.C., where Mr. Sterling served in the Judge Advocate General Corps and they welcomed their daughter, Joy. Upon moving back to Los Angeles, Mr. Sterling opened his own corporate law firm and the Sterlings soon welcomed a son, Laurence. The family moved to France in 1967 where their dream of living on a vineyard was cultivated. Towards this end, they returned to California and founded Iron Horse Vineyard. Many were skeptical of this purchase given the colder climate and the prevailing theory that chardonnay and pinot noir grapes would not thrive in western Sonoma. Undaunted, the Sterlings opened their winery in 1979, with the first of their sparkling wines released in 1980. In 1983, the Sterlings helped to establish a federal designation for their distinctive wine area, known as the Green Valley American Viticultural Area. Only a few years later, Iron Horse was served during the Geneva summit meetings between President Ronald Reagan and Soviet General Mikhail Gorbachev, ending the Cold War. Since then, Iron Horse has been consistently served at White House dinners. Iron Horse also produces wines to support charitable causes including a cuvee for ocean conservation in partnership with National Geographic and a vintage Brut that benefited the Redwood Empire Food Bank, which is the largest hunger-relief organization serving the north coast of California. In addition to winemaking, Mr. and Mrs. Sterling were founding members of the Los Angeles Music Center and the Los Angeles Art Museum. Mr. Sterling was on the board of the San Francisco Symphony, a Lifetime Trustee of the Leakey foundation, and he was actively engaged in Democratic politics. In 2005, Mr. Sterling semi-retired from running the business of Iron Horse but he remained involved in its operations until he passed away. Mr. Sterling is survived by his wife, Audrey; children Joy, Laurence and his wife Terry; grandchildren Justine, Mike, Barrie, and Joseph; and great-grandson Calvin. Madam Speaker, please join Rep. Thompson and me in extending our appreciation for Mr. Sterling's many accomplishments and relaying our deep condolences to his family, friends, and colleagues. His was a life well lived, and while he will be missed by many, Mr. Sterling's legacy will live on through the indelible positive impact he had on his family, friends, and the extended winemaking industry.

Mr. HUFFMAN

Mr. HUFFMAN. Madam Speaker, I rise today in memory of Huey D. Johnson, who passed away on July 12, 2020, at the age of 87 after an extraordinary lifetime of public service to his community and the environment. Born in 1933 and raised in rural Michigan, Mr. Johnson graduated from Western Michigan University in 1957 with a degree in biology. Upon graduation, Mr. Johnson began working for Union Carbide where he traveled to many places including the San Francisco Bay Area. After leaving Union Carbide, he worked in Alaska and then obtained a master's degree from Utah State University. During this period, Mr. Johnson's passion for natural resources and public land was enhanced. Mr. Johnson became the first western regional director for the Nature Conservancy, a position he held from 1968 to 1972. Through this role he became a champion for sustainability and conservation and a leader in protecting land from development. In 1972 the Nature Conservancy was able to acquire 2,100 acres of land in the Marin Headlands to protect it from a large scale development that was to be called Marincello. The land was transferred to the National Park Service initiating the creation of what is now the Golden Gate National Recreation Area with 82,000 acres of protected public land. This achievement is renowned in the region and around the county and recorded in the 2012 documentary, ``Rebel with a Cause.'' In 1971 , Mr. Johnson helped co-found The Trust for Public Land to bring the legal and financial strategies of modern business to the cause of conservation. Today the Trust for Public Land is one of the largest environmental organizations of its kind in the country, with conservation projects spanning the country from urban communities to rural areas. In 1978, Mr. Johnson was selected by then-California Governor Jerry Brown to join his cabinet as Secretary of Resources, a position he held until Governor Brown left office. As Secretary of Resources, Mr. Johnson was the driving force behind California's 100-year sustainability plan, and he earned a reputation for living by example, riding his bike to work and limiting his impacts on the environment. In 1982, he established the Resource Renewal Institute, a non-profit organization based in Mill Valley that focuses on innovation related to sustainability. His work with the Resource Renewal Institute led to many accomplishments including his co-founding of the Grand Canyon Trust in 1985. In 1995, Mr. Johnson published a book titled ``Green Plans: Blueprint for a Sustainable Earth.'' Among his notable honors, the United Nations recognized him in 2001 for his many environmental achievements with the Sasakawa Environment Prize--one of the organization's highest honors. Throughout his life and until his passing, Mr. Johnson delivered on his mission to protect, preserve, and restore natural landscapes, mentored many generations of environmentalists, and completed his memoir of his lifetime of environmental activism. Mr. Johnson is survived by his wife of 58 years, Sue; his daughter Megan; son Tyler and his wife, Jill; grandsons Miles and Bay; and nephew, Zack. Madam Speaker, Huey Johnson felt like the last environmental Titan of his era, a living bridge to the bigger-than-life conservationists ofthe past century and beyond. I will always value my personal relationship with Mr. Johnson. I can attest to his intellectual firepower, his gravitas, and the passion he always brought to his work, as well as the fact that his environmentalism was not just some esoteric pursuit. His connection to nature was authentic and included hunting and fishing and appreciating the role of both wild places and working landscapes in our collective stewardship responsibilities. I am grateful for his legacy, and for the advice and friendship he provided over many years no matter our occasional differences. While he will be greatly missed by so many, Mr. Johnson's legacy will live on through the indelible positive impact he had on his community and beyond. Please join me in honoring a life well spent and in extending our respectful condolences to Mr. Johnson's many colleagues, family, and friends. Mr. Johnson has been an inspiration and mentor to me personally and to many environmentalists over the years. Madam Speaker, on behalf of those individuals and many more to come, I urge my colleagues to join us in expressing deep appreciation for Mr. Johnson's many achievements and enduring commitment to protecting the environments of Marin and Sonoma Counties.

Mr. HUFFMAN

Mr. HUFFMAN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Michelle Carmen Garcilazo for five years of exemplary service as an field representative for California's 2nd Congressional District. As a valued member of my staff, Michelle has been essential to my work in the congressional district, and of special note, has helped thousands of my constituents with complicated issues. Michelle grew up in Sacramento, California. She earned a BA in Spanish with a minor in Chicano Latino Studies from Sonoma State University. She later obtained a Master's Degree in Public Administration and a Certificate in Non Profits, also from Sonoma State University. Michelle proceeded to work in the non-profit sector first as a family advocate in Bay Area public schools, then with the San Francisco-Marin Food Bank as a Senior Program Coordinator. In 2015 Michelle joined my staff as a Marin County field representative and constituent caseworker. She excelled in this role, steadily developing her skill set. In 2017 her responsibilities expanded to include immigration casework services for the entire congressional district, with a population of more than 720,000. In this capacity Michelle has been able to leverage her college degrees and bilingual skills to help resolve complex problems for many individuals in need. Michelle is deeply principled, a hard worker, and an excellent team player. She consistently took on challenges to serve others using her intelligence, diplomacy, and empathy. Recently, Michelle served as the only staffer supporting a congressional fact-finding visit, when I traveled to the U.S.-Mexico border along with my colleague Congressman Colin Allred. Michelle's language skills, subject matter knowledge, and ability to build trust allowed us to communicate with individuals seeking asylum in the United States. This firsthand experience provided us with valuable insights on how the humanitarian crisis at the U.S.- Mexico border is impacting national security, and how the complexities and ambiguities of immigration law, as well as changes in the law's application, can affect families on both sides of the border. She has worked on high-profile cases for my constituents, including complicated immigration work for the Washington Post journalist Jason Rezaian and his family following his imprisonment in Iran. Over the years; Michelle has developed a keen understanding of how her casework informs my legislative agenda. She has worked with all levels of government, non-profits, community groups, and businesses to help address key local problems. She has become an integral member of my district staff, and she will be sorely missed as she leaves us to pursue law school. Madam Speaker, I hope you will join me and my staff in extending to Michelle our deep appreciation for her many good deeds and wishing her the best in all her future endeavors.

Mr. HUFFMAN

Mr. HUFFMAN. Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Amy Reisch who is retiring from the First 5 Marin Children and Families Commission (First 5 Marin) after 20 years as its visionary executive director, culminating a career spanning almost 50 years of exemplary public service. Born in 1949 in Omaha, Nebraska, to Harold and Celia Lewis, Ms. Reisch's passion for equity started at an early age when she and her sister Beth attended a progressive summer camp where many of the campers and staff were from different racial, religious, economic, and ethnic backgrounds. After graduating from high school in Philadelphia, Ms. Reisch obtained a degree in Sociology from the University of Pennsylvania, followed by a Master of Social Work from the City University of New York Hunter Graduate School of Social Work. She went on to apply her educational acumen through employment with several important organizations serving children and families including FOCUS on Women's Education and Advocacy at the University of Pennsylvania; Jewish Family and Children's Services of San Francisco, the Peninsula, Marin and Sonoma Counties; YWCA of San Francisco, Marin, and San Mateo; Northern California Coalition of Civil Rights; and as a board member of the United Way of the Bay Area. First 5 Marin was created by Proposition 10 in 1998 and authorized by the Mann County Board of Supervisors in 1999. The Act allows a levy on taxes from cigarettes and other tobacco products to be used for funding early childhood development programs. First 5 Marin used this revenue to enhance early learning programs and experiences for school age children, helping them to have more successful academic careers and equal opportunities in life. As Executive Director for First 5 Marin, Ms. Reisch was well known for her intelligent, passionate and innovative approach to delivering services to children and families in Marin. During her 20 years as Executive Director, her ability to seek out diverse board members with different expertise and backgrounds enabled her to build a Commission representing all children and families in Marin County, regardless of their background. Under her leadership, First 5 Mann funded programs including the CARES program to provide stipends to educators in early childhood classrooms for continuing professional development and training; the Children's Health Initiative to provide outreach and enrollment assistance for health insurance for individuals who are not eligible for public programs; the School Readiness Program that offers free Kindergarten preparation for children who need it, and the Children's Oral Health Project to provide free oral health screenings and dental cleanings to Marin's preschools and child care facilities. Among her many skills and talents, Ms. Reisch has a knack for bringing together community leaders from the nonprofit, public, and private sectors to build partnerships to improve services for children, youth and families. Her ability to create strong working partnerships including with the County of Mann and the Mann Community Foundation, and to bring together other influential thought leaders and funders most recently culminated with the formation of MarmKids, an advocacy group for children of all ages in Marin. This work started in 2009, with key leaders from around the county who developed an ambitious and comprehensive vision for all children in Marin. The organization's advocacy led to a community funding measure to establish a dedicated funding stream for children and youth in Marin County to improve children's health and well-being. Although that measure was narrowly defeated in November 2016, the work lives on thanks to her enduring leadership. In establishing Marin Communications Forum, First 5 Marin furthers public education and coalition-building at no cost through monthly gatherings with experts who share information and inspiration on ways to best serve children and families in Marin County. Ms. Reisch extended her reach and many skills and talents to First 5's Bay Area Regional Executive Director group and the First 5 Association of California's executive committee. Her work has been recognized by many groups and organizations over the years including by the Marin County Office of Education for her leadership in increasing access to high quality preschools in 2008, and by the Marin County Board of Supervisors who named Ms Reisch as their Children's Health Initiative Champion in 2009. Further, Ms. Reisch and First 5 Marin received a Certificate of Recognition from the California State Legislature for promoting programs that help children prepare to enter school with emotional and social development through inclusion and equity. Ms. Reisch's enduring commitment to outreach and advocacy to promote the structural changes needed to advance equity and develop tomorrow's healthy and well-educated public leaders is a gift that will keep on giving after she retires. Madam Speaker, please join me in expressing deep appreciation for Ms. Reisch's career, and in wishing her much fun and love with her daughters and grandchildren and the best of luck in all her future endeavors.

Mr. HUFFMAN

Mr. HUFFMAN. Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Martin (Marty) Griffin, Jr. who celebrates his 100th birthday on Thursday, July 23, 2020. Born in 1920 and raised in Utah, Mr. Griffin's passion for the environment started at an early age when he spent time as a Boy Scout in West Marin and the Bolinas Lagoon. His passion developed as he studied botany and zoology at the University of California at Berkeley from 1938-1942. He went on to study medicine at Stanford University before opening a medical practice in Marin County, where he was well known for prescribing his patients time outdoors in nature. In the 1950's, Mr. Griffin worked hard to successfully lead the effort to preserve Richardson Bay. And, as land acquisition chairman of the Marin Audubon Society for eleven years, he worked tirelessly to protect open space in Marin County and stop projects like a city on the east shore of Tomales Bay or a planned nuclear facility near Bodega Bay. In 1962, Mr. Griffin founded Audubon Canyon Ranch, an environmental non-profit known for its instrumental work to protect landscapes in Marin County including the Bolinas Lagoon, Richardson Bay, Tomales Bay, and parts of what is now the Point Reyes National Seashore. Audubon Canyon Ranch became a nonprofit educational center that has taught generations of people the importance of protecting and respecting our environment. Furthering his environmental stewardship footprint, in 1972 Mr. Griffin cofounded the Environmental Forum of Marin, which provides environmental training programs for environmental advocates and volunteers in Marin County. For 15 years starting in the 1980's, Mr. Griffin also served as the Sonoma Developmental Center's public health director where he led teams fighting against Hepatitis B and AIDS. In 1990, Mr. Griffin founded the Russian River Task Force, the Russian River Environmental Forum, and co-founded Friends of the Russian River, now known as the Russian RiverKeepers, all of which are instrumental in protecting the Russian River. In 1998, Mr. Griffin wrote a book, Saving the Marin-Sonoma Coast, which was later adapted into a 2012 documentary called Rebels with a Cause, a local favorite for many environmentalists to this day. In addition to his many personal and professional accolades, Mr. Griffin's work has been recognized by many environmental groups such as the Environmental Education Council of Marin, which awarded Mr. Griffin the Environmental Leader of Marin Award in 2007. He has also received the Bay Nature Award in 2011 for his lifetime achievement as a conservation leader, the inaugural John Muir Legacy Conservation Award from the John Muir Association in 2013, and the Marin Conservation league's Peter Behr Lifetime Achievement Award in 2020. Further, in 2018 Mr. Griffin was recognized by the University of California at Berkeley, School of Public Health as one of the 75 most influential living alumni. The school also honored him and his loving wife Joyce by creating the Martin and Joyce Griffin Terrace Garden at the school's new campus. Mr. Griffin has been an inspiration and mentor to me personally and to many environmentalists over the years. Madam Speaker, on behalf of those individuals and many more to come, I urge my colleagues to join us in expressing deep appreciation for Mr. Griffin's many achievements and enduring commitment to protecting the environments of Marin and Sonoma Counties, and in wishing him a very happy 100th birthday.

Mr. HUFFMAN

Mr. HUFFMAN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding. My friend across the aisle who is so concerned about not having environmental policy in the NDAA certainly showed no concern in prior years when bad environmental policy was made against protections for prairie chicken and sage-grouse in the NDAA. Today, we can make some good environmental policy. These bills are familiar to us because they passed with broad support; they are well-vetted; and they include my Northwest California Wilderness, Recreation, and Working Forests Act, which will protect 380,000 acres of new wilderness, designate 480 miles of wild scenic river, and includes an ambitious restoration plan to improve forest health, promote fire resiliency, and expand outdoor recreation. These are good bills. They deserve our support.

Mr. HUFFMAN

Mr. HUFFMAN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding. I am excited, Mr. Speaker, because the people's House is at work this month. I wish I had more than 1 minute to talk about it all. Police reform, equal justice, lowering healthcare costs, protecting renters and homeowners from eviction. That is just in the last few days. This morning I joined Speaker Pelosi and chair Kathy Castor and our select committee members to unveil a comprehensive climate action plan to save the planet and to build a more healthy, just, and resilient America. And now I have the honor of supporting Mr. DeFazio's H.R. 2. The Transportation and Infrastructure provisions in this bill are an historic investment in our Nation's infrastructure that will strengthen our economy, improve safety, and cut gridlock and pollution, but there is so much more in this bill. I am also proud of modernizing the postal service's clunky old fleet and electrifying it. I am proud of encouraging responsible broadband deployment on or near public lands and building more resilient western water infrastructure. Colleagues, after years of people in this body talking about infrastructure, we are finally doing it. I urge an ``aye'' vote.