Ron Kind

Mr. KIND

Mr. KIND. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 6, which will begin to right our country's course on energy policy, steering us away from costly subsidies for the oil and gas industries that are both unnecessary and unwanted. Instead, this bill will allow our government to invest in its own industries, which produce clean, efficient energy that will improve our environment, produce jobs, and increase our national security. Madam Speaker, I cannot say why, during a time of record profits by oil and gas companies, this industry was targeted for tax relief in 2004 and 2005. I honestly cannot say why the majority of this congress thought it was a good idea to give away billions of taxpayer dollars in this way. What I do know, is that I am not alone in wondering why. Our own President, whose personal ties to the oil industry are well known, has said numerous times that industry does not need these subsidies. Just last year, he was quoted in the Washington Post saying: Record oil prices and large cash flows also mean that Congress has got to understand that these energy companies don't need unnecessary tax breaks like the write-offs of certain geological and geophysical expenditures, or the use of taxpayers' money to subsidize energy companies' research into deep water drilling. I'm looking forward to Congress to take about $2 billion of these tax breaks out of the budget over a 10-year period of time. Cash flows are up. Taxpayers don't need to be paying for certain of these expenses on behalf of the energy companies. President Bush was saying these things even before we passed the energy bill. In 2005 he said, ``With oil at more than $50 a barrel, by the way, energy companies do not need taxpayer funded incentives to explore for oil and gas.'' Even the President, from the oil State of Texas, understands that our country needs to move in a new direction on energy policy. In his State of the Union address last year, he said, ``America is addicted to oil, which is often imported from unstable parts of the world. The best way to break this addiction is through technology.'' Madam Speaker, H.R. 6 will repeal the unnecessary giveaways to the energy industry by reducing the tax deductions for exploration that were included in the 2005 energy bill, and eliminating a tax break the industry never should have had. This is expected to raise $6.6 billion over 10 years, which will be set aside in a new strategic energy efficiency and renewables reserve to go toward research and development of newer, cleaner alternatives. It is time for us to invest in the midwest, not the Middle East. I urge all of my colleagues to vote for this bill.

Mr. KIND

Mr. KIND. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my good friend from Michigan for his leadership on this issue. I am proud as a 10-year member of the House Education and Labor Committee to stand here in support of H.R. 5. With all due respect to my colleague from North Carolina, the previous speaker, facts can be a stubborn thing. The fact of the matter is, if we implement this law, if we get the President to support this cut in interest rate burden in half, over 750,000 undergraduates in my home State of Wisconsin will realize cost savings, over half of them in my home congressional district alone. They are looking at, on average, about a $14,000 debt burden by the time they finish school; and with this bill, they will realize close to $4,400 in savings with this interest rate reduction, which almost covers a full year of tuition at a public university in my home State of Wisconsin. So, yes, facts can be a stubborn thing. What we are doing here is real. But let us also recall why we are today, because we are following in the wake of the largest raid on student aid in our Nation's history when the Republican Congress last year, in their budget reconciliation, cut over $12 billion from the student aid program, that the President went along with. The irony is that budget reconciliations are supposed to reduce the deficit. What they did in delivering huge tax breaks to the most wealthy was doing that cut in student aid while also increasing the deficit, which is another thing that we need to emphasize here today, that we fully pay for this bill because of the pay-as-you-go budgeting rule we implemented this year. Can we do more on accountability? Should there be more transparency in why there are rising costs? Should we be doing more with direct grant programs? Of course. This isn't the final step of a long journey, but merely the beginning. I hope that by the rhetoric that we are hearing today that we will be able to produce a bipartisan higher education bill later this year that we can all be proud about, that will focus on access and affordability issues. I may propose one way to find some cost savings. The Congressional Budget Office indicates that if we expand access to the STAR program, the direct loan program, we could realize over $17 billion worth of savings over the next 10 years, and that is based on a very conservative utilization estimate from 25 to 44 percent. That is a very conservative increase in utilization. In fact, if every school participated in a direct loan program, we could realize savings of over $60 billion these next 10 years. Imagine what we can do for student-need-based programs and direct grant programs like the Pell Grant program with an additional $60 billion freed up for this higher education bill. So it is one proposal that I throw out there that maybe we can have a discussion about as we move forward with reauthorization of the higher education bill. But I suspect we are going to get bipartisan support with H.R. 5. We should with this bill today. Not only does it bring real savings to real students making college more affordable, but we do it in a fiscally responsible manner by paying for it all and not adding to the deficit. I encourage my colleagues to support H.R. 5.

Mr. KIND

Mr. KIND. Mr. Speaker, I thank my good friend and colleague for yielding to me and commend him on his leadership on this issue. Mr. Speaker, let us be clear on what we are trying to do here today. We are trying to help you. We are trying to help find some cost savings on what was the largest expansion of entitlement spending in the last 40 years that was passed under your rule, with no ability to pay for it, all deficit financing, no cost-containment measures. All we are saying here today with H.R. 4 is let us give the Secretary of Health and Human Services the ability to go out and negotiate a better deal for the American taxpayer. And I, for the life of me, don't understand why any Secretary, with all due respect to Secretary Leavitt's article in the papers yesterday, would not want to have this negotiating authority in their arsenal. In fact, the last outgoing Secretary of Health and Human Services, Tommy Thompson, during a moment of unguarded candor, said after his resignation that the one thing that he regretted while serving as Secretary of Health and Human Services was ``I would have liked to have had the opportunity to negotiate.'' And he based that on his success in negotiating better prices for Cipro and FluMist. The VA system is already negotiating better prices. It is working well. No one in this Congress is proposing any change or repeal with the VA system. And except for the administration's penchant for no-bid contracts, there is no other product or service in this country where we specifically prohibit the Federal Government from going out and negotiating a better price for the American taxpayer. We can change that today with passage of H.R. 4. Let's give it a shot. Let us give the Secretary of Health and Human Services the discretion to negotiate better prices for our consumers. In Wisconsin, there currently exist several programs that allow the state to negotiate with pharmaceutical companies for lower drug costs. For instance, Badger Rx Gold is a public-private sector partnership between the State and Navitus Health Solution that on average saves participants 23 percent on prescriptions. SeniorCare is another program that has successfully negotiated lower drug costs for seniors in Wisconsin. Since enrollment in Medicare Part D began in May of 2006, there has been an increase in the number of participants in SeniorCare from 85,000 to over 110,000. According to an analysis by AARP Wisconsin, more than 94 percent of SeniorCare participants are better off under SeniorCare than they would be under Medicare Part D because the co-payments are lower and the coverage is more comprehensive. Therefore, it is critical that the Secretary of Health and Human Services also have the authority to negotiate for lower drug costs so all seniors in our country can benefit. Mr. Speaker, having clearly seen the success of negotiating lower drug costs at both the state and federal level, I enthusiastically support the legislation before us today, and I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 4.

Mr. KIND

Mr. KIND. Mr. Speaker, I want to commend my colleague from Colorado (Ms. DeGette) as well as Mr. Castle, for the bipartisanship that they have shown in bringing forward this important piece of legislation. I do rise in support, because my State is home to one the premier research institutions in the entire world for stem cell research, the University of Wisconsin at Madison. But the point is this: This research is going to go forward. The question is where and under what ethical guidelines it does so. If we want to remain the most creative and innovative country in the world, at the forefront of medical and scientific discovery, we need to allow this research to occur here and not abroad. We are currently experiencing a serious brain drain in the medical research community of some of our best and brightest going overseas so they can conduct this research in this promising field of study. I would rather see us, through our watchful guidance and oversight, see this being done here under very strict ethical guidelines, which are laid out in this legislation, as given to us by the National Institutes of Health, guidelines that prohibit human cloning, that prohibit the creation of embryos for the sole purpose of medical research. This should be here, and I hope today we receive bipartisan support in passing this important legislation. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 3, the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2007. This bill would expand the current Federal policy on embryonic stem cell research by allowing federally funded research on stem cell lines derived after August 9, 2001, while implementing strong ethical guidelines to ensure Federal oversight of the research. I am pleased the 110th Congress has taken immediate steps to address this important issue, and it is my hope that members will once again unite in support of this bill. Most of the scientific community believes for the full potential of embryonic stem cell research to be reached, the number of cell lines readily available to scientists must increase. A number of NIH Directors have testified before the Senate Appropriations Committee that the current policy is restrictive and hinders scientific progress. We are already at risk of losing our scientific and technological edge because of increasing competition around the world. As a nation of opportunity and innovation, we have a responsibility to embrace policies that create breakthroughs in both medicine and technology for the benefit of our citizens. Important advances in the science of embryonic stem cell research have been made since the August 2001 policy was set. Recently, researchers at the University of Wisconsin in Madison developed a method to grow human embryonic stem cells without using mouse feeder cells. This is exciting news since mouse feeder cells are thought to be a source of contamination if the cells are ever to be used therapeutically in humans. From its earliest days, Wisconsin has been at the forefront of embryonic stem cell research. The University of Wisconsin--Madison is one of the leading facilities for stem cell research, and I believe with continued study, the possible medical benefits of stem cell research are limitless; lives affected by diseases, damaged tissue, and faulty organs would be greatly improved. Additionally, this legislation would ensure the important work of our scientists is not unnecessarily sidetracked by politics. The significance of this legislation extends beyond the potential for advances in science and technology. More importantly, embryonic stem cell research could lead to new treatments and cures for the over 100 million Americans afflicted with life-threatening and debilitating diseases. Scientists believe these cells could be used to treat many diseases, including Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, diabetes, and spinal cord injuries. However, the promise of this research may not be reached if the Federal policy is not expanded. Mr. Speaker, it has become increasingly clear that the American public supports expanding the Federal stem cell policy. Thus, I strongly urge my colleagues to respond to the interests and needs of our Nation's citizens. Please join me in supporting this important legislation that will reinvigorate embryonic stem cell research in this country and allow science to move forward unimpeded, revolutionize the practice of medicine, and offer hope to the millions of Americans suffering from debilitating diseases.

Mr. KIND

Mr. KIND. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to stand before you today in support of H.R. 2, the Fair Minimum Wage Act of 2007. It is essential that we ensure that all Americans are able to maintain a decent standard of living, guaranteed in part by real living wages that reflect today's economic realities. With rising health care, energy, and education costs, America's hardworking families are being forced to do more with less. While Congress has failed to raise the minimum wage over the past 10 years, it hasn't failed to raise its own pay. Since 1997, congressional pay has increased $31,600. This is simply unjustifiable. America is the most prosperous nation in the world. It is unconscionable that someone can work full-time and still live in poverty. Working full-time, a minimum wage earner will only bring home $10,712 this year. This is $6,000 below the poverty level for a family of three. More than 125,000 Wisconsin workers would directly benefit from this legislation. While it is vital that we help the most vulnerable in our society, we must also ensure the livelihood of main street America's small businesses. These small businesses form the cornerstone of our economy and are essential to the well-being of our communities. That is why it is important that any increase in the minimum wage be implemented gradually. I believe H.R. 2 accomplishes that by raising the minimum wage in a manner that will help the least fortunate while simultaneously protecting small business owners from sharp payroll increases. Sixty days after this legislation is enacted, the minimum wage would increase to $5.85 per hour. One year later, it would rise to $6.55 per hour and reach $7.25 a year after that. The American public supports raising the minimum wage. In November, six States passed minimum wage ballot measures. Currently, 28 States, including Wisconsin, have minimum wages above the Federal level. The time has come for Congress to listen to the States and the public and pass this important and overdue legislation. I thank you Mr. Speaker, and urge all of my colleagues to do the right thing and give America's minimum wage earners a well-deserved raise.

Mr. KIND

Mr. KIND. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of the measures before the House today that will restore civility and fiscal responsibility to our work. These changes to the existing House rules are essential if we are to carry out the American people's wish that we govern wisely, effectively, and in a bipartisan way. With the votes before us today, Democrats who now find ourselves in the majority are reaching out to the other side of the aisle to assure them that we will not treat you as we were treated while we were in the minority. Through these changes we will make sure that 15-minute votes are not held open for three hours while votes are bought through arm twisting and legislative favors; that conference committees will be open to Republicans as well as Democrats; and that conference agreements cannot be circumvented through the addition of new language after they have been signed. Today we vote for the honesty and openness demanded of us by our constituents and expected in a civil, democratic society. Today we also vote for fiscal responsibility. For five long years now, this Congress has approved, and the President has signed, budget, spending, and tax bills that have turned an enormous surplus into staggering deficit, adding tremendous burden to our children and grandchildren. As a member of the budget committee for the last two congresses, I joined my Democratic colleagues in calling for a return to the days of paygo legislation so that all new spending is offset by corresponding reductions or new revenue. It is fitting that in our new majority we take this up as our second order of business. May hardworking families across this Nation understand that from this point forward, Congress will spend your money wisely, using the same budget discipline that you employ each and every day in your spending decisions. The days of deficit spending are coming to an end. I thank Speaker Pelosi, Majority Leader Hoyer, and our entire leadership team for bringing these issues to the floor and moving the 110th Congress in a new direction. I look forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to solve the challenges facing this country. The rules changes before us today will help us do that, and I urge everyone here today to vote in favor of titles 2 and 3 of H. Res. 6.

Mr. KIND

Mr. KIND. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1, legislation to fully implement the remaining recommendations of the 9/11 Commission. I am pleased the new House leadership has made this one of the first major pieces of legislation debated in the 110th Congress. In the 5 years since the appalling acts of September 11, our country has been fighting terrorism to protect America and our friends and allies. On July 22, 2004, the independent and bipartisan 9/11 Commission provided to Congress and the American public 41 recommendations to improve homeland security. At the end of the 108th Congress, legislation was passed and signed into law that implemented some of the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission. I was disappointed that the bill did not implement all of the Commission's recommendations. That is why I am pleased to support the bill before us today which includes all of the remaining recommendations. One of the most important subjects the bill addresses is how the U.S. Government interacts with the Arab and Muslim world. The United States must extend our preemptive strategy to include winning the hearts and minds in the developing world; I believe this can be achieved through education reform. H.R. 1 would significantly enhance the International Arab and Muslim Youth Opportunity Fund, which is designed to improve educational opportunities for these youth, by calling for greater funding and outlining specific purposes for the fund. Education reform in the Arab and Muslim world is of great importance to me. In fact during the 109th Congress I introduced the Universal Education Act to reform education in the developing world. Despite strong evidence that education can make nations more prosperous, healthy, stable, and democratic, the total amount spent each year on foreign aid directed at education could not even build 20 American high schools. If one of our strategic goals is to defeat terrorism around the world, we need to drastically increase our foreign aid spending, and to help developing nations improve their education systems. Additionally, the bill before us improves the capabilities of the Human Smuggling and Trafficking Center by authorizing additional funding and hiring intelligence analysts experienced in the fields of human trafficking and terrorist travel. Cutting off the ability for terrorist to leave their country of origin is a first good step to stopping another attack on U.S. soil. Further, the legislation strengthens several Federal non- proliferation initiatives so that weapons of mass destruction, WMD, do not fall into the hands of terrorists. Moreover, H.R. 1 would enact the Nuclear Black Market Counter-Terrorism Act. This bill requires the President to impose sanctions on any foreign person who trades nuclear enrichment technology to a non-nuclear weapons state or provides items that contribute to the development of a nuclear weapon by a non-nuclear weapons state or any foreign person. This action sends a clear message to would be terrorists that if they do attempt to arm themselves there will be serious consequences. I praise the Commission for its excellent work, leadership, patriotism, and service to our country. We owe it to the families of the victims of 9/11 and to the citizens of our country to use the report's recommendations to make certain such attacks never happen again. Again, I would like to congratulate and thank the House leadership for making one of the first tasks of the 110th Congress implementing the wise reforms suggested by the 9/11 Commission. I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on H.R. 1.

Mr. KIND

Mr. KIND. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to stand before you today to speak in support of the rules changes proposed by our new Speaker, Ms. Pelosi, that will bring enhanced ethics, transparency, and accountability to the House of Representatives. These measures are long overdue, and I applaud our leadership team for making this the first order of business in the 110th Congress. It has become clear to all Americans that the ethical safeguards here in our Nation's Capital are broken. Rogue lobbyists such as Jack Abramoff were allowed to run amok for years, leaving behind a vast web of corruption in their wake. Wayward Members of Congress were swayed by the offers of expensive gifts, travel, and campaign contibutions that came their way. The maintenance of power became more important than responsible government, as we now see in the spiraling budget deficits, tax breaks for specific companies and industries, and legislation inserted into bills in the dark of night. With our vote here today, we in the people's house say enough is enough. Today we begin to set our ship right and rebuild the trust of the American people. Today we will prevent lobbyists from buying access and favor from lawmakers. While they will retain their constitutional right to petition government and share valuable information, they will no longer be allowed to buy meals, give gifts, or provide lavish trips. Corporate officials will no longer be able to buy exclusive access by offering the service of their private corporate jets. The powerful Washington elite will now be placed back on a more equal footing with other citizens who cannot afford such luxuries. Additionally, all House employees will be required to attend annual ethics training to ensure that all members and staff know the rules and agree to follow them. These changes, along with additional reporting requirements that will be enacted through subsequent legislation and more vigorous oversight by the Ethics Committee, will assure the American public that their elected officials are working for them and not for the special interests. While some degree of corruption inevitably will always accompany power, these first steps are both valuable and necessary. I sincerely believe in the integrity of this great institution and its ability to live up to the highest expectations of its founding fathers. Those of us in this chamber have been given a tremendous opportunity to do good, and with that comes great responsibility. It is my great hope that we all may move beyond the transgressions of the past with our sense of duty and our determination restored, and that the American people will once again believe in us. As a nation defined by its democracy, we must accept nothing less.

Mr. KIND

Mr. KIND. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the Felix Family of Viroqua, Wisconsin. On December 16, 2006, after 100 years and three generations, Felix's Men's and Women's Clothing will be closing. This store has been a pillar of Viroqua's downtown business district and an integral part of the community. Thanks to Felix's and other small businesses, Viroqua continues to have a vibrant downtown. Steve Felix has owned and operated Ted Felix's since the early 1970s. Steve is a good friend who is not shy in imparting his advice on me during my frequent visits to Felix's. Steve told me once that back when Senator Proxmire served the people of Wisconsin, he would often stop at Felix's and shake Steve's hand. On one of these occasions, Steve scolded the Senator and told him that he needed to start dressing better in order to look like a United States Senator. Senator Proxmire bought a suit from Steve that very day, and during every occasion when he saw Steve he would ask Steve how he looked to ensure his dress was appropriate. As my wife Tawni can attest, Steve has continued this tradition by selling me suits so I am more appropriately dressed. Small businesses like Felix's are vital to the well-being of rural America because of the unique spirit, personal service, and character they impart on small towns. They are what make shopping on our main streets an enjoyable and personal experience. Steve's leadership and dedication, along with his wife Betty and their two children Randy and Erica, has made Viroqua and Vernon County a better place to live, work, and raise a family. I commend Steve, the Felix family, and all of the other small businesses that continue to serve America and drive our economy. I wish them well and Godspeed in their future ventures.

Mr. KIND

Mr. KIND. Mr. Speaker, as a member of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, I am committed to ensuring that all children, regardless of socioeconomic background, receive an education that gives them the skills to achieve. Head Start, as developed in 1965, aims to address the educational, emotional, psychological, health, social, and nutritional needs of preschool-aged children from lower income families. Knowing how critical and beneficial this program is for so many families and their kids in western Wisconsin, I have consistently supported it. Our local Head Start centers and leaders in western Wisconsin have served these students extremely well. One of the key components of the Head Start program is the quality of teaching it offers to its students. Without these teachers, the program could not succeed. Helen Dehnke of Mondovi, Wisconsin, embodies the devotion of many Head Start teachers. Helen has devoted 36 years of her life to Western Dairyland Head Start children and families. Helen began her career as a Head Start parent volunteer in 1969 when her twins were in the program. The following year, her hard work earned her the position of teaching assistant in collaboration with Mondovi Day Care, Western Dairyland Head Start, and the Mondovi School District. Understanding how important teacher quality is, Helen participated in professional development sessions and she earned her Child Development Credential in order to serve her students to the best of her abilities. Helen's hard work has not gone without recognition. Both her students and their families are extremely grateful for her 36 years of dedication, as am I. Helen is a loving and nurturing teacher, who has learned to know her student's exact needs. She has dedicated her life to ensure that young children are able to learn in a healthy, supportive environment. I congratulate Helen on her retirement and thank her for her life's dedication to Wisconsin children and families. It is because of her work, and the work of her colleagues, that 13,000 Wisconsin preschool- aged children are enrolled in Head Start. As a result, these children will gain an excellent education and acquire the skills necessary to succeed in life. I wish Helen all the luck and well-being in the future, and it is my hope that her work will inspire others to continue to advance teacher qualifications and skills and strengthen the cognitive development and literacy of Head Start students.

Mr. KIND

Mr. KIND. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. (Mr. KIND asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. KIND. Madam Speaker, the chairman of the subcommittee has adequately explained the purpose of the legislation. I would just note, however, that the lands involved do lie within the Congressional district represented by my good friend and colleague, Jim Matheson from Utah. I commend his leadership and involvement in the passage of this legislation. I would encourage its adoption this evening. Madam Speaker, the majority has already explained the purpose of H.R. 2069. I would note that the lands involved lie within the Congressional District represented by my colleague, Jim Matheson. The gentleman from Utah is to be commended for his advocacy of a land exchange that, as amended, is a win-win for all the involved parties. Madam Speaker, we appreciate the cooperation shown by the majority, the State of Utah, the BLM, and others in addressing issues that originally existed with the legislation. We support H.R. 2069, as amended, and have no objection to the adoption of the legislation by the House today.

Mr. KIND. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of our time.

Mr. KIND

Mr. KIND. Madam Speaker, I would like to yield at this time such time as he may consume to the chief sponsor of this legislation, the gentleman from California (Mr. Becerra).

Mr. KIND

Mr. KIND. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. (Mr. KIND asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. KIND. Mr. Speaker, I want to again commend my good friend from New York (Mr. Israel) for his leadership that he has shown on this piece of legislation. It has been many years that they have been working on this. But I also want to take a moment to commend my good friend and colleague, the gentleman from New York, Tim Bishop, for the leadership and the work that he has put into this legislation; along with the gentlewoman from Connecticut, Rosa DeLauro, who has also been very involved; as well as 15 original cosponsors, Democratic cosponsors, from the New York delegation. I urge an ``aye'' vote on this important bill to restore and preserve the Long Island Sound and encourage its adoption this evening. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. KIND

Mr. KIND. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I just want to take a moment to again commend my colleague from New Mexico (Mr. Udall) for his determination in getting this legislation before us today. Some of the more difficult and contentious issues that we deal with in this place are often issues involving property lines, jurisdictions of towns, private landowners, and Indian tribes. Mr. Udall has never shied away from such matters, especially when they affect the Indian tribes in New Mexico, and I commend him for his leadership on this issue and encourage adoption of this legislation. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. KIND. Madam Speaker, I would like to yield at this time such time as he may consume to the chief sponsor of this legislation, my good friend from the State of New Mexico, Mr. Tom Udall. (Mr. UDALL of New Mexico asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. KIND

Mr. KIND. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such the time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I appreciate the majority's support for this legislation and commend my good friend from the upper peninsula of Michigan, Bart Stupak, for introducing this legislation, and I encourage its adoption.

Mr. KIND. Madam Speaker, I yield back the remainder of my time.

Mr. KIND

Mr. KIND. Madam Speaker, I yield such myself such time as may consume. (Mr. KIND asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. KIND

Mr. KIND. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I, too, want to commend my colleague from the First Congressional District of California, Mr. Thompson, for the hard work and leadership that he has shown on this important piece of legislation. We, too, support it and encourage its adoption. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. KIND

Mr. KIND. Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he might consume to the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Kildee), one of the real champions and leaders in the reauthorization of this Great Lakes Fish and Wildlife Restoration Act, my good friend.

Mr. KIND

Mr. KIND. Madam Speaker, we too support passage of this legislation, encourage its adoption and yield back the balance of our time.

Mr. KIND

Mr. KIND. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, we have no objection in regards to this legislation. I will encourage its adoption this evening. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of our time.