Dale Kildee

Mr. KILDEE

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Bishop).

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time. I thank Mr. Keller for his fine work working with us on this extension and look forward to continuing to work with him.

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from New York (Mrs. McCarthy).

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume, and I rise today in support of the Higher Education Extension Act. First, I would like to recognize that there are items in here that we all agree are important and that will help students, including changes to the Hispanic-serving institutions program and loan forgiveness for 9/11 survivors and their families. These changes will ensure that Hispanic-serving institutions can continue to serve their important role in educating minority students and that families who fell victim to the terrible attacks of September 11 will have welcome financial relief. Unfortunately, however, this extension is a reminder that we have failed to reauthorize the Higher Education Act, and H.R. 609, passed earlier this year, was only another missed opportunity to help students and families. H.R. 609 failed to restore the $12 billion raid on student aid that was included in the Budget Reconciliation Act. These cuts come at a time when college costs are on the rise. At 4- year public colleges and universities, tuition has skyrocketed by 40 percent between 2001 and 2005. Additionally, this is really the first time that we have asked an entire generation to go deeply into debt in order to get a higher education. The typical student leaves college today with $17,500 in Federal loan debt. Democrats would also boost the Pell Grant scholarships for students most in need. The value of Pell Grant scholarships are now worth nearly $1,000 less in inflation-adjusted terms than they were 30 years ago. My friends on the other side of the aisle may say that they have increased Pell Grants, but the only reason there is more appropriated for Pell Grants is because there are more and more students that qualify for those grants. The only way to ensure that students receive meaningful aid through the Pell Grant program is to restore the purchasing power of the Pell Grant and significantly increase the maximum award. Mr. Speaker, oftentimes I believe we have lost sight of what the Federal role is for higher education. It is to provide access to any and all qualified students to ensure they can get into higher education if they want to. I urge that we work together to provide real relief to students and families and reverse the raid on student aid. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Wasserman Schultz).

Mr. KILDEE

Mr. KILDEE. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding. Madam Speaker, I strongly support S. 2430, the Great Lakes Fish and Wildlife Restoration Act, companion legislation to the House bill introduced by myself and Congressman Mark Kirk. The changes made by the Senate in S. 2430 are very positive, and I strongly urge my colleagues to support passage of the bill. Madam Speaker, the Great Lakes are at a tipping point. These lakes, which comprise 20 percent of the earth's fresh water and 95 percent of North America's fresh water, are nothing less than in peril. It is vital this Congress do everything we can to ensure their protection and restoration. There are thousands of different species of fish and wildlife and 130 globally endangered or rare plants and animal species that have been identified within the Great Lakes ecosystem. S. 2430 will reauthorize and improve research and conservation programs aimed at protecting and restoring this fragile ecosystem. Our bill is the product of a long and collaborative process, and this bipartisan legislation is supported by a wide range of groups and organizations working to protect and restore the Great Lakes ecosystem. Our bill increases the authorization level for fish and wildlife restoration projects and makes legislative changes that improve upon the Act. Madam Speaker, while I certainly support passage of S. 2430, I believe this should only be the beginning of our efforts on behalf of the Great Lakes. This Congress must fulfill its commitment by increasing appropriations for Great Lakes' restoration and other important activities. If funding were increased for projects under the Great Lakes Fish and Wildlife Restoration Act, our local communities and their partners could really make a difference in reversing the downward spiral of the Great Lakes. With just a small amount of money through this program, we were able to restore the walleye population in Saginaw Bay in my congressional district. This project was a success story, and we could have many more with increased dollars from this Congress and administration. Madam Speaker, the Great Lakes are our national treasure, and we must treat them as such. This bipartisan effort that has brought S. 2430 to the floor today shows us that many Members of Congress care about what happens to our Great Lakes. I have enjoyed working with Representatives Mark Kirk, Sherrod Brown, Vern Ehlers, Marcy Kaptur, David Hobson, Rahm Emanuel, Steve LaTourette, and Ron Kind, just to name a few. Let us pass S. 2430 so we can move forward in our efforts to protect and restore the Great Lakes, and I thank the gentleman for yielding.

Mr. KILDEE

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from North Dakota (Mr. Pomeroy).

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 4766, the Esther Martinez Native American Languages Preservation Act of 2006, introduced by my colleague from New Mexico, Mrs. Heather Wilson. Language scholars estimate that there were approximately 300 languages spoken in North America prior to the arrival of Columbus. Some project that without intervention, only 20 indigenous languages will remain viable by the year 2050. This bill will help save Native languages, whose very survival depends upon our intervention. Native languages are one of the treasures of this country's heritage, history, and diversity. The names of many States, cities, towns, streets, rivers and other geographical names in our country are derived from Native words. It would be a dishonor to continue to lose the languages to which we owe their origin. Native languages have played a vital role in protecting our country in times of war, Mr. Speaker. In World War I and World War II, many brave Native Americans performed the role of ``code talkers'' to help protect this great country. We owe much of this language preservation assistance to the legacy of our heroic code talkers. The key to stemming the loss of our Native American languages is by significantly increasing support for Native American language immersion programs. In addition to developing fluent speakers, language immersion programs have other remarkable benefits. Studies are showing that native language immersion programs decrease native dropout rates and increase educational attainment compared to their counterparts without such opportunities. Mr. Speaker, these programs are valuable in fostering self-awareness, self-esteem, social growth, and problem-solving skills which are crucial in developing confident individuals who can tackle life's challenges in developing the next generation of Native American leaders. H.R. 4766 allows the commissioner of the Administration for Native Americans Department of Health and Human Services to award grants to support and strengthen Native American language immersion programs, including language and language restoration programs. H.R. 4766 takes an important step forward in recognizing that vital importance of the Federal Government proactively working to save an important part of our heritage. I would be remiss if I did not point out that the allowance for this grant program is just a promise, and this promise cannot be realized without a real increase in funding from the Administration for Native Americans which has been level funded at $44 million for the last 3 years. I pledge today that if this bill should become law, I shall send a letter to the Appropriations Committee supporting the increased funding necessary to support this program. I invite Chairman McKeon to join me in this effort. And I know that Mrs. Wilson is also concerned with this. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 4766. And if this bill should become law, I invite all Members to join me in supporting appropriations necessary to fulfill our promise made today. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from New Mexico (Mr. Udall). (Mr. UDALL of New Mexico asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. KILDEE

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from Nevada (Ms. Berkley).

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I support H.R. 4957, an omnibus package of fish, wildlife and conservation legislation. I thank Chairman Pombo and Ranking Member Nick Rahall of the Committee on Resources for bringing this legislation to the House floor. Title I of H.R. 4957 is noncontroversial legislation sponsored by Representative John Peterson. It will direct the Secretary of the Interior to convey the Tylersville National Fish Hatchery to the State of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, also included in the omnibus legislation before us today are a number of other important conservation measures, all of which have previously passed either the House or the Senate. Title II contains the text of H.R. 1428, legislation sponsored by Chairman Pombo. It will reauthorize the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation which has been a valuable resource in fostering private- public conservation partnerships. Title III includes H.R. 158, legislation sponsored by Congressman Ron Kind, that would reauthorize and enhance the Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act. Since 2000, $17.2 million of Federal funding under this act has supported 186 conservation projects in 42 U.S. States and 30 Latin American and Caribbean countries. This investment has leveraged an additional $89.1 million in total partner contributions to conserve some 3.2 million acres of bird habitat. I applaud Congressman Kind for his dedication and leadership on this critical conservation issue. Title IV includes H.R. 4345, legislation sponsored by our colleague from Nevada, Representative Shelley Berkley, which would transfer abandoned Federal property to the city of Las Vegas to enhance popular park and recreational programs. Both Representative Berkley and Senator Harry Reid of Nevada deserve credit for this initiative. Title V includes H.R. 4947, a bill sponsored by Representative Bachus which would expand the Cahaba National Wildlife Refuge in Alabama. Title VI includes H.R. 5232, a bill sponsored by Representative Kanjorski, which directs the Fish and Wildlife Service to complete its study for a new refuge in the Cherry Valley region of northeast Pennsylvania. Representative Kanjorski has worked throughout the process to address the concerns of all stakeholders, and this study would be the catalyst towards achieving the long-term protection of this area. Mr. Speaker, last but certainly not least, Title VII contains S. 1250, legislation sponsored by Senator Jeffords, that would reauthorize funding for the Great Ape Conservation Act. I commend the sponsor of the House companion bill, H.R. 2693, and the author of the original act, Representative George Miller of California, for his continued leadership in international wildlife conservation, for raising awareness of the dire plight of great apes in Africa. In closing, the fish and wildlife and conservation titles in this legislation are all worthy of our support. I urge adoption of H.R. 4957. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. KILDEE

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, we support this legislation that will provide a statutory authorization for the Partners for Fish and Wildlife program. This popular program facilitates cooperation between the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and non-Federal organizations to voluntarily protect, conserve and restore habitat important to fish and wildlife. It is our understanding that this legislation ratifies the existing administrative program, and that the service will implement the act under its existing regulations. I urge Members to support S. 260. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. KILDEE

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 2334, legislation sponsored by the gentlewoman from California, Lois Capps. With almost no assistance from the Federal Government, the city of Oxnard is making significant improvements to its municipal water system. A key part of their project, called the GREAT project, is to stretch local water supplies with new projects for desalting and water recycling. Especially in our western States, projects like this can help cities protect themselves from drought and reduce the need to import water from distant reservoirs. H.R. 2334 will make a very modest amount of Federal financial help available to help construct this project. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 2334. Mr. Speaker, at this time, I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from California, Lois Capps. (Mrs. CAPPS asked and was given permission to revise and extend her remarks.)

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. KILDEE

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, Mr. Jones has explained very well this bill. We have no objection to passage of S. 1025. The Committee on Resources approved similar legislation in the 108th Congress. The Federal cost-share for this project is not excessive, and the project itself will have a beneficial effect on local groundwater supplies. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. KILDEE

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Meta Jackson for continuously serving the Juniata Township Election Board for the past 50 years. Meta will be honored at a ceremony on November 7 for her service to the community. Meta started as an election inspector in 1956 during the Dwight Eisenhower-Adlai Stevenson Presidential race. At the time the paper election ballots were counted by hand and the counting often extended into the next day. She has told her current fellow poll workers that in the 1950s they would be up 24 hours straight working to get every ballot counted. Meta has served as the chair of the Election Board for several decades and has witnessed many changes over the years. Today the township uses opti-scan machines and automark loading terminals for the disabled that count the ballots as they run through the system. In addition to serving as an election official for the past 50 years, Meta is active in the Veterans of Foreign Wars Ladies Auxiliary, Ladies of the Moose, and the Caro Eagles. She has lived in Juniata Township since the age of 5 and graduated from Caro High School. She married the late Walter Jackson in 1953 and moved to the family dairy farm. Meta and Walter have four children and nine grandchildren. Meta continues to help out on the family farm by doing the recordkeeping and running errands. Mr. Speaker, I ask the House of Representatives to join me in congratulating Meta Jackson for 50 years as an election official and wish her the best as she continues her service to the community.

Mr. KILDEE

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the service of E. Malcolm Field, M.D. who has served the people of Michigan and our Nation for over 45 years as a neurosurgeon, neuroscience visionary and medical leader. Dr. Field has dedicated his life to healing, personally seeing more than 250,000 patients and performing more than 50,000 neurosurgeries through his practice based in Saginaw, Michigan. Dr. Field is the founder of Saginaw Valley Neurosurgery, P.C., and a Diplomat of the American Board of Neurological Surgeons. He is a Fellow of both the American College of Neurological Surgeons and the International College of Surgeons. He is also the founder and Medical Director of FNI, the Field Neurosciences Institute. FNI's mission is ``the prevention, early diagnosis, care, and cure of neurological diseases, disorders and injuries.'' Dr. Field's commitment to his patients is to provide compassionate care, technological superiority and a full continuum of neurological services. Under Dr. Field's leadership extensive prevention, research and educational programs are continued. The Field Neurosciences Institute operates in 10 different clinical neurospecialties and has established satellite clinics in 18 communities throughout lower northeastern Michigan. On September 21, 2006, the Malcolm Field Theatre for the Performing Arts on the campus of Saginaw Valley State University will be dedicated. In addition Dr. Field will be giving the annual James E. O'Neill Jr. Memorial lecture titled ``Quest for a Cure''. Mr. Speaker, please join me in congratulating Dr. E. Malcolm Field for the honor Saginaw Valley State University is bestowing on him and for his life long service to the residents of Michigan and the people of our Nation.

Mr. KILDEE

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from West Virginia (Mr. Rahall).

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Again, I would hope that we would not suspend the rules today and I look forward to continuing to work with Mr. Pombo, my chairman. From the very beginning I told him he was taking on a very important task, but I think we do have a poison pill, not put in with ill-will but a poison pill in this bill. I would be most happy to continue to work with him to try to find a solution to the possible proliferation of casinos Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Rhode Island (Mr. Kennedy).

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Oregon (Mr. Wu). (Mr. WU asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from Wisconsin (Ms. Baldwin).

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to H.R. 4893, a bill that would amend section 20 of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act to impose on the poorest tribes new onerous requirements before those tribes could obtain trust land for gaming. The provision that is most troublesome represents a drastic change in Federal law and policy because it undermines tribal sovereignty by requiring certain tribes to enter into a memorandum of understanding with counties and if the memorandum of understanding is not signed in 1 year would subject those tribes and counties to binding arbitration. I do not believe by adding this provision to his bill Chairman Pombo acted with ill intent. I think we are all concerned about the possible proliferation of off-reservation gaming, but this bill goes far beyond that issue because it subverts tribal sovereignty by requiring tribes to negotiate with counties which are not sovereign governments at all but are creatures of the State. Under current law, tribes must negotiate casino-style gaming compacts with State governments. As creatures of the State, the counties' interests should be protected by their State, as is the case in Michigan and other States. Never before has a Federal law equated sovereign tribes with counties. We can address the issue of off-reservation gaming without equating those sovereign tribes with counties. But suspension of the rules forbids any amendments. I oppose setting a bad precedent in Federal law that undermines our long-standing policy of protecting tribal sovereignty. In addition, there are a number of Members' concerns that remain unaddressed by this bill. During committee markup of this bill, several Members were told that their issues would be resolved before the bill was scheduled for consideration on the floor. Their concerns remain unaddressed, and consideration of this bill under suspension of the rules does not allow for modification or amendment. Mr. Speaker, there was wide opposition to this bill. I and other Members of Congress have received letters from the National Congress of American Indians which represents 250 tribes throughout the Nation, the National Indian Gaming Association, the National Indian Business Association, California Nations Indian Gaming Association, Arizona Indian Gaming Association, Washington State Indian Gaming Association, New Mexico Indian Gaming Association, tribes from North Dakota, Montana, Oregon, Maine, Oklahoma, Wisconsin and my own State of Michigan. Tribes and Indian organizations from all across the Nation overwhelmingly oppose this bill because it erodes tribal sovereignty. Therefore, in the interest of protecting tribal sovereignty and honoring our government-to-government relationship with tribes, I urge my colleagues to oppose this bill. Mr. Speaker, when we all took our oath of office, we pledged and took an oath to uphold the Constitution of the United States. That Constitution reads, ``The Congress shall have the power to regulate commerce with foreign nations and among the several States and with the Indian tribes.'' That Constitution lists the three sovereignties recognized by this Constitution. I think we should be most careful when we diminish the sovereignty of one of those three by equating them with creatures of the State when those counties can have their interests protected by their own State government Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.