Jerry Lewis

Mr. LEWIS of California

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Upton), the cochairman of the bipartisan Auto Caucus.

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Hensarling).

Mr. LEWIS of California. I yield, Mr. Speaker, 2 minutes to the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Hoekstra).

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I would like to say to the gentlelady who authored this bill, she has more influence with the Appropriations chairman than most people around here. He just picked that up for her and moved it along, expedited the process. I am proud to yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Campbell).

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Flake).

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, may I inquire of the time remaining on both sides?

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Broun).

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I will be the last speaker on our side, so I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I continue to reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I continue to reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, it should be noted that the Speaker, when she was presenting her views to the membership, indicated that, one way or another, she'd find a way to get this money back into the bill somewhere down the line. Between now and then, it's pretty obvious that this bill could not have been on the floor today if it had not been for an emergency designation that would allow us to exercise ourselves in this fashion. I would remind ourselves one more time of the quote received from a car dealer in New York. Speaking of us, about how this bill was handled, he said, If they can't administer a program like this, I'd be a little concerned about my health insurance. With that, I join the gentleman one more time in saying, ``Amen.'' I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. LEWIS of California. Would the gentleman yield?

Mr. LEWIS of California. I just want to say, Mr. Chairman, that, for some reason or another, the gentleman who is our Speaker pro tempore has drawn the short end of the stick this week. He has been doing wonderful work in moving the process along, and I think the body should recognize his work.

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. LEWIS of California

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, if there was ever a time when the American public needed to pay close attention to the spending decisions being made in Congress, it is now. It's ironic that in the week following the adoption of so-called ``Pay-Go Rules,'' the House would be debating a measure to set aside more than $14 billion--without offsets--to pay for two so-called trust funds that have run dry. ``Pay as we Go'' has been replaced with ``Spend as we Borrow.'' Today, the House will vote to borrow another $7 billion--that's $7 billion--out of the general fund to replenish the Highway Trust Fund which has become insolvent as a result of high gas prices and the sluggish economy. By this time next month, without a congressional bailout, the so-called Highway Trust Fund will be unable to reimburse states for their highway investments. It was only last year that Congress set aside $8 billion from the general fund to keep the highway fund solvent. Clearly, this band-aid approach to fixing this re-occurring problem is not working. One more time, the House is voting to bail out another sector of the economy with money it does not have. This is on the heels of the bank bailout. It's on the heels of the so-called ``Recovery Act'' which has succeeded in spending billions but has thus far failed to create jobs. It's on the heels of the bailout of automakers in Detroit. And it follows another year of astronomical spending increases for every major government program run out of Washington, DC. It was only last month that our former colleague, and the present Secretary of Transportation, Ray LaHood, testified before the House Transportation Appropriations Committee. ``I want to assure you that we will soon have a plan to address the potential Trust Fund shortfall this summer,'' he said. ``We believe very strongly that any Trust fund fix must be paid for.'' An effort was made by the THUD-Appropriations Ranking Member, Tom Latham of Iowa, to pay for a solution to the Highway Trust Fund shortfall. But, because my friend Mr. Latham is a Republican, his amendment was rejected on a party-line vote in the full Appropriations Committee. In a sign of just how desperate the majority party in the House has become, Mr. Latham wasn't even allowed to offer his amendment during consideration of the transportation funding bill last week. If the bailout of the Highway Trust Fund wasn't enough, Congress is also being called upon to replenish both the Unemployment Trust Fund and increase the limits for two mortgage lending programs under HUD. In the case of the unemployment trust fund, states have been hit with a double whammy of a halting economy and job losses causing more and more people to line up for unemployment benefits. Over $400 million was appropriated through the so-called Recovery Act to address this shortfall but those funds have now been depleted. And, to this point, the authorizing committees have failed to take any action to help those presently receiving benefits or newly unemployed. Mr. Speaker, with each passing day it's becoming increasingly clear that the public is growing ever more wary about the reliance of this Congress on government spending as a solution to every problem facing our country. As the Congress spends trillions on bailouts and borrowing--and our record national deficit increases by the day--the President's response thus far has been almost laughable. Yesterday, with much fan fare, the White House proposed saving taxpayers money by double-sided copying of government documents and eliminating unused government e-mail accounts and phone lines. These examples hardly qualify as profiles in courage. The President and this majority leadership have promised fiscal discipline and a return to economic prosperity. And yet, the record thus far shows nothing but one bailout after another and rising levels of government spending as far as the eye can see.

Mr. LEWIS of California

Mr. LEWIS of California. Madam Chair, I rise simply to express the House's deep appreciation for the work that Mr. Murtha and Mr. Young do together on behalf of our troops. It's a fabulous display of the way the place should work, and I want you to know that I extend my congratulations. I have similar reservations, Chairman Murtha, that have been expressed by my colleague Mr. Young about the F-22. You know of the history when I chaired the committee and when we examined that program very, very carefully. My difficulty is I just can't project out there what the challenges are going to be. If China, for example, should join with Russia and come on line with tactical aircraft, we've got to think ahead, and I'm worried that we may not be doing that.

Mr. LEWIS of California

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, excellent health care begins with a great personal relationship between a physician and his or her patient. Government should not attempt to get between them. America has a health care delivery system second to none. Problems such as portability and covering preexisting conditions can be underwritten actuarially without throwing out a system that works for the vast percentage of Americans. Every American family knows excellent care does involve some costs. While we pay our doctors fairly for their service, government should not get in the way.

Mr. LEWIS of California

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Chairman, as we begin the 11th of 12 appropriations bills, let me congratulate David Obey, as well as Mr. Tiahrt, for their very fine work together. They're agreeing to disagree on many of the key issues here but, nonetheless, work very positively at the subcommittee level. Mr. Chairman, the Labor-HHS spending bill we will consider today is an appropriations bill that involves a very significant level of funding. By now we all know how important it is to Chairman Obey to complete each of the spending bills by the end of July. It's almost a badge of courage for him to go into the August recess saying, ``I did my job; the House Appropriations Committee has completed its work.'' To some extent, I know how he feels. On June 30, 2005, Mr. Obey and I celebrated the passage of all of the fiscal year 2006 spending bills with our bipartisan staff just across the hall from the House Chamber. And for the record, each of those spending bills was considered on this floor under an open rule with unlimited opportunity for Members of both parties to offer and debate amendments. Today, the House is under different management and, clearly, we're on a different path. In 2005, there were 27 amendments offered on the House floor during consideration of the Labor-HHS bill. And it took a total of 14 hours over 2 days to complete our work. Today, only five amendments have been made in order, and we will conveniently complete our work in time for a late lunch. Until today, every single floor amendment allowed by the majority on every spending bill considered thus far, they have been limited to 10 minutes of debate time. That is until now. Members on both sides of the aisle may be interested to know that the Rules Committee has generously allotted 20 minutes for the consideration of amendments today, an amendment to be offered by Chairman Obey himself. Sadly, as other Members are shut out of the process time and time again, Chairman Obey is an exception to the rule. By this time next week the House will have passed each of its annual spending bills. Every Member of this body knows that the majority leadership has only been able to achieve its goal by pursuing a distorted road map, stifling any and all meaningful debate throughout the process. To me, it's a legislative sleight of hand that obliterates the rights of every American and undermines the very institution we all love. A few years ago, a very talented baseball player, Barry Bonds, took a shortcut to break the home run record. This was a ball player with tremendous natural talent and great skills that, on its own, could have achieved greatness. But because he took the easy way out, he undermined his own credibility as well as the magnitude of that record-breaking performance. Barry Bonds felt then, as the majority leadership seems to feel today, that the end justify the means. In the mind's eye of the public, Barry Bonds' achievement was illegitimate, and as an asterisk was placed next to his performance in the history books and even on the record-breaking home run ball. Barry Bonds never recovered and, I fear, neither will this committee or this Congress. As this majority leadership continues to add to the mountain of debt on a daily basis, it's important that we remind the American people that each of the spending bills are being completed this year in much the same manner as Barry Bonds setting the home run record. The majority leadership is taking shortcuts to pass these bills, an achievement they apparently could not attain within the rules. As a result, the Rules Committee has become to Chairman Obey what steroids became to Barry Bonds, not a ticket to the Hall of Fame, but merely the means to an end. I do not hold all of my friends of the majority party responsible, for many of them feel as strongly as I do about an open process. I believe most of my friends would prefer to return to the time-honored practices and traditions of our committee. I know many of them have grown weary of the arm-twisting and of the overly partisan instructions to oppose every Republican amendment offered in our full committee. I don't know if or when our committee will ever return to the old days, but I do know that, when the history of the fiscal year 2010 budget process is written, it will be noted with a Barry Bonds asterisk that these spending bills were completed under an entirely illegitimate process. The lesson learned is this: To this majority leadership, the end is more important than the means, and sadly, it will take any shortcut necessary to win.

Mr. LEWIS of California

Mr. LEWIS of California. Madam Speaker, pursuant to Republican earmark guidance, I am submitting the following in regards to the Department of Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010: Requesting Member: Congressman Jerry Lewis Bill Number: Department of Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010 Project Name: Ranchero Road Corridor Project Account: FHWA-Interstate Maintenance Discretionary Legal Name of Requesting Entity: City of Hesperia, CA Address of Requesting Entity: 9700 Seventh Ave., Hesperia, CA 92345. Description of Request: Funding will help construct an interchange at Ranchero Road and I-15. The project will improve motorist circulation, reduce traffic congestion, and promote commerce. This project is eligible for Interstate Maintenance (IM) funding as the IM program provides funding for resurfacing, restoration, rehabilitation and reconstruction work, including adding lanes to increase capacity, on most existing Interstate System routes. IM program requires 10% local match. Amount: $1 million Requesting Member: Congressman Jerry Lewis Bill Number: Department of Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010 Project Name: Yucca Loma Bridge/Interstate 15 Congestion Relief Project Account: FHWA--Surface Transportation Priorities Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Town of Apple Valley Address of Requesting Entity: 14955 Dale Evans Parkway, Apple Valley, CA 92307 Description of Request: This project, to design, engineer, and construct an east-west transportation corridor across the Mojave River, would serve the urban/commercial core of Apple Valley and Victorville. The interchange portion of the project will serve as a conduit across the I-15 freeway and help disperse traffic from existing interchanges. The project will improve motorist circulation, reduce traffic congestion, and promote commerce. This project is Surface Transportation Program (STP) eligible as those program funds may be used to carry out projects involving construction, reconstruction, rehabilitation, resurfacing, restoration, and operational improvements for highways. STP program requires 20% local match. Amount: $750,000 Requesting Member: Congressman Jerry Lewis Bill Number: Department of Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010 Project Name: Potrero Boulevard/SR 60 Interchange Account: FHWA-Surface Transportation Priorities Legal Name of Requesting Entity: City of Beaumont, CA Address of Requesting Entity: 550 East 6th St., Beaumont, CA 92223 Description of Request: The project, to engineer and construct the Potrero Boulevard/SR 60 interchange, will relieve congestion and improve safety at the Interstate 10 and SR 60 interchange. This project is Surface Transportation Program (STP) eligible as those program funds may be used to carry out projects involving construction, reconstruction, rehabilitation, resurfacing, restoration, and operational improvements for highways. STP program requires 20% local match. Amount: $750,000 Requesting Member: Congressman Jerry Lewis Bill Number: Department of Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010 Project Name: I-215 and University Parkway Account: FHWA-Interstate Maintenance Discretionary Legal Name of Requesting Entity: City of San Bernardino, CA Address of Requesting Entity: 300 N. D St., San Bernardino, CA 92346 Description of Request: This project would construct a direct connector ramp from westbound University Parkway to southbound I-215. Constructing an additional southbound entrance ramp will provide the necessary relief for traffic on both sides on the interchange. The benefits include additional growth for Cal State San Bernardino, continued development of upper scale residential units in the vicinity of the university and continued commercial and industrial development on the west side of I-215. This project is eligible for IM funding as the IM program provides funding for resurfacing, restoration, rehabilitation and reconstruction work, including adding lanes to increase capacity, on most existing Interstate System routes. IM program requires 10% local match. Amount: $750,000 Requesting Member: Congressman Jerry Lewis Bill Number: Department of Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010 Project Name: Needles Highway Account: FHWA-Public Lands Highway Program Legal Name of Requesting Entity: San Bernardino Associated Governments Address of Requesting Entity: 1170 W. 3rd St. 2nd Floor, San Bernardino, CA 92410-1715 Description of Request: The realignment and widening of the Needles Highway will facilitate motorist safety, economic development, and future capacity needs due to increased freight movement from the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. Improvements to the highway are necessary for improved motorist safety as well as to reduce road flooding and wash-outs. Additionally, improvements are necessary as Needles Highway provides access to and from a number of Indian reservations in the area. This project is Public Lands Highway Program (PLHP) eligible as the PLHP program provides for transportation planning, research, engineering, and construction of highways, roads, and parkways and transit facilities within public lands, national parks, and Indian reservations. PLHP requires no local match. Amount: $1 million Requesting Member: Congressman Jerry Lewis Bill Number: Department of Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010 Project Name: Verdemont Community Center Account: Economic Development Initiative Legal Name of Requesting Entity: City of San Bernardino Address of Requesting Entity: 300 North D Street, San Bernardino, CA 92418 Description of Request: Complete phase one of the Verdemont Community Center as part of the City of San Bernardino's Capital Improvement Program. The San Bernardino region, suffering from high unemployment and increasing crime, would benefit from the multipurpose facility with gym, meeting rooms, library and amphitheater for low to moderate income families. Amount: $500,000 Requesting Member: Congressman Jerry Lewis Project Name: Inland Empire Economic Recovery Corporation Bill Number: Department of Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010 Account: Neighborhood Initiative Legal Name of Requesting Entity: County of San Bernardino, Riverside County Address of Requesting Entity: County of San Bernardino, 385 N. Arrowhead Ave, 5th Floor, San Bernardino, CA 92415 Riverside County, 4080 Lemon Street, Riverside, CA 92501 Description of Request: This funding will be used to further an Inland Empire regional collaboration between San Bernardino County, Riverside County and the not-for-profit Inland Empire Economic Recovery Corporation. This collaboration uses innovate ways to address the region's foreclosure and unemployment crisis. By purchasing, rehabilitating and selling low to moderate income single family homes at a market rate, the collaboration will stabilize home prices, create job opportunities and revitalize neighborhoods. Because the region ranks 6th nationally in foreclosures, surpassed 12% unemployment, and faces continued decreases in median home values of over 50% since 2006, the collaboration will serve as a model for how other increasingly distressed regions across the country address foreclosures, neighborhood blight and joblessness. Amount: $1,000,000

Mr. LEWIS of California

Mr. LEWIS of California. Madam Speaker, pursuant to Republican earmark guidance, I am submitting the following in regards to the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010. Requesting Member: Congressman Jerry Lewis Project Name: University of California, Riverside School of Medicine Account: HRSA Health Facilities and Services Legal Name of Requesting Entity: University of California, Riverside Address of Requesting Entity: 900 University Avenue Riverside, CA Amount: $3.4 million Description of Request: The funds will be used for renovation of an anatomy lab and a biomedical sciences building that will become part of the planned School of Medicine at the University of California, Riverside. The new School of Medicine will address the severe physician shortage in Inland Southern California, one of the most rapidly growing regions in the country. With the regional physician shortfall is forecast to be high as 53 percent by 2015, the Inland Empire faces a health care challenge of crisis proportions. The regional focus of the medical school's research and clinical enterprises will help mitigate that crisis and will improve health care for the many low- and moderate-income residents of Riverside and San Bernardino counties. The results will be a model that can be applied in areas throughout the nation. Requesting Member: Congressman Jerry Lewis Project Name: Salvation Army of San Bernardino Family Services Program Account: Administration for Children and Families--Social Services Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Salvation Army of San Bernardino Address of Requesting Entity: 746 W. 5th Street San Bernardino, CA Amount: $160,000 Description of Request: The funds will help the Salvation Army Family Services program provide a full spectrum of community services designed to assist families that struggle with difficult challenges. The funds will also support emergency shelter services to families in crisis. The program serves families throughout the Inland Empire, which has one of the highest foreclosure and unemployment rates in the nation. The economic situation is causing increased demand for these services, at the same time that donations and State funding have declined creating a dire situation for providing services. Requesting Member: Congressman Jerry Lewis Project Name: San Gorgonio Hospital Computed Radiography Account: HRSA--Health Facilities and Services Legal Name of Requesting Entity: San Gorgonio Memorial Hospital Address of Requesting Entity: 600 N Highland Springs Ave, Banning, CA Amount: $340,000 Description of Request: The funds would help purchase a Computed Radiography system to replace x-ray film and create a digital image. San Gorgonio Memorial Hospital is a not-for-profit community hospital that is serving a rapidly growing area of Riverside County. As Riverside County struggles with high unemployment and foreclosure rates, the hospital is providing more unreimbursed medical care, making it difficult to meet payroll and impossible to purchase any new equipment. Computed Radiography is the standard of care in diagnostic imaging and has been show to greatly increase patient safety. Requesting Member: Congressman Jerry Lewis Project Name: Redlands Community Hospital PET/CT Scanner Account: HRSA--Health Facilities and Services Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Redlands Community Hospital Address of Requesting Entity: 350 Terracina Boulevard, Redlands, CA Amount: $500,000 Description of Request: The requested funds would help support the purchase of combination Positron Emission Tomography, PET, ``64 slice'' scanner/Computed Tomography, CT, machine. Currently RCH rents a PET scanner 3 days a week to accommodate patient demand. Redlands Community Hospital is one of a handful of remaining independent nonprofit hospitals in Southern California, and provides annually over $8 million in charity care to the community. The equipment will help insure access to diagnostic services in the face of rapidly increasing levels of demand. Requesting Member: Congressman Jerry Lewis Project Name: St. Bernardine Medical Center Endovascular Suite Account: HRSA--Health Facilities and Services Legal Name of Requesting Entity: St. Bernardine Medical Center Address of Requesting Entity: 2101 North Waterman Ave San Bernardino, CA Amount: $500,000 Description of Request: The funds requested will help the hospital renovate space and equip an Endovascular Surgical Suite, which is a specialized surgical room capable of advanced imaging to view smaller, obscure vessels, which leads to minimally invasive surgical procedures. In 2008, the Medical Center performed over 800 vascular procedures and is ranked as one of the top ten by volume in heart diagnostic and interventional procedures within the state of California . St. Bernardine serves one of the fastest growing areas in the state and nation and is located in one of the most densely impoverished areas in Southern California. Current health care capacity and equipment cannot keep pace with the growing demand. Requesting Member: Congressman Jerry Lewis Account: FIE Project Name: We Care San Jacinto Legal Name of Requesting Entity: We Care San Jacinto Address of Requesting Entity: 300 West First Street, San Jacinto, CA 92583 Amount: $100,000 Description of Request: Funds for this project will go toward continuing a program that provides tutoring, homework assistance and after-school classes for low income families at no cost. In the City of San Jacinto, low-income elementary and high school students are faced with gang-related and drug activity in the local community every day. The We Care tutoring program has influenced those who might very well be inclined to drop out of school or not seek secondary education, and is an important education program for our community. Requesting Member: Congressman Jerry Lewis Account: IMLS Project Name: Cabot's Pueblo Museum Legal Name of Requesting Entity: City of Desert Hot Springs Address of Requesting Entity: 65950 Pierson Boulevard, Desert Hot Springs, CA 92240 Amount: $100,000 Description of Request: Funds will be used for preserving artifacts and modern museum collection care at the Cabot's Pueblo museum. Cabot's Pueblo is a unique Hopi-inspired structure handmade by local resident Cabot Yerxa over 24 years. It includes 35 rooms, 150 windows and 65 doors, all crafted from found materials. The museum houses Cabot's collection of Native American pottery, early 20th century photographs and artifacts from his Alaskan adventures. The museum grounds, including a picnic area, are landscaped with native plants and home to many rustic period items--early 1900's tools, machinery and household goods. Project goals also include development of diverse learning programs that provide a greater opportunity for appreciation of regional and natural heritage. Requesting Member: Congressman Jerry Lewis Account: IMLS Project Name: Yucaipa Library Legal Name of Requesting Entity: City of Yucaipa Address of Requesting Entity: 34272 Yucaipa Boulevard, Yucaipa, CA 92399-9950 Amount: $100,000 Description of Request: In a time when residents are relying more on the city's public services, growth in the library usage calls for enhancement of materials and technology. Funds will be used to expand library collections and upgrade technology.

Mr. LEWIS of California

Mr. LEWIS of California. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise today to express the deepest concern for the fact that unemployment rates have risen to 13.7 percent in the Inland Empire. There are those who believe that the solution to almost every problem facing America involves more government spending here in Washington. I am committed to the fact that just the opposite is the case. We must do everything that we possibly can to create a taxing system that encourages private sector growth. The sooner we get back to the point of creating job opportunities in the private sector and recognizing that growth of government for the sake of government is not the answer, the sooner we will solve this problem. The jobs for San Bernardino and Riverside County lie in the private sector. So let's create an environment of opportunity and hope for those who are looking for jobs for the future.

Mr. LEWIS of California

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Chair, I rise in opposition to this amendment. The item under consideration would meet the goals set by this Congress as part of our efforts to deal with the ongoing economic crisis. This measure is directly targeted to improving infrastructure and creating new jobs. In an effort to keep the United States competitive in an increasingly high-tech world, Congress is committed to expanding technology-based job training and cutting-edge communications connectivity. Such efforts are evidenced in the broadband funding provided in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and funding for technology research and development in the Enhancing Small Business Research and Innovation Act of 2009. The benefits of such investment are evident in this project, known as the Connected Communities Program in the City of Loma Linda and the City of Grand Terrace. California communities are facing some of the worst problems in the nation of public infrastructure funding and an economic crisis. The devastating effects of the mortgage crisis continue driving unemployment. In the last year, unemployment in my district has almost doubled from 6.7% to 12.9%, far surpassing the national average. The technology sector is one of the few bright spots--in my District, the number of jobs in technology and health care are projected to double in the next five years. In an effort to capitalize on growth in the technology and health sectors, the Cities of Loma Linda and Grand Terrace began a comprehensive effort to connect homes, business and teaching institutions to a community-based advanced fiber-optic network. This program complements the national effort to upgrade connectivity infrastructure and promote creation of highly skilled jobs. From employing and training skilled network technicians to attracting cutting-edge small business, the network has successfully approached the national and local economic development goals. The program has stalled, however, and the communities are hard-pressed to find the funds to complete it. Credit markets and investment dollars have dried up because of the drastic economic downturn in Southern California. Small cities like Loma Linda and Grand Terrace have been especially impacted, and are faced with being unable to finance the very infrastructure that can help lead to economic recovery. This request will complete the program and provide fiber-optic connectivity to 95% of the community. It is my belief that this proven program will play an integral role in the economic recovery of my District and southern California. I ask my colleagues to support the Connected Communities project and defeat this amendment.

Mr. LEWIS of California

Mr. LEWIS of California. Madam Speaker, I submit the following: Requesting Member: Congressman Jerry Lewis Bill Number: H.R. 3170 Project Name: Loma Linda and Grand Terrace Connected Communities Infrastructure Account: Small Business Administration Legal Name of Requesting Entity: City of Loma Linda; City of Grand Terrace Address of Requesting Entity: City of Loma Linda, 25541 Barton Road, Loma Linda, CA 92354; City of Grand Terrace, 22795 Barton Road, Grand Terrace, CA 92313 Description of Request: Establish a fiber optic infrastructure expansion pilot program between the City of Loma Linda and the City of Grand Terrace's new business park. The pilot will demonstrate how updated and expanded internet access can promote small business, create jobs, enhance local competitiveness and provide green alternatives. The pilot supports innovative solutions to the devastatingly high regional unemployment rate of 12.8%. Because private loans are unavailable as a result of the credit crunch, the region will benefit from this use of federal dollars as the initial investment for future expansions. The success of this pilot will attract both stimulus funding and private investment. Such a program can serve as a model for further economic development in other similarly distressed areas across the country. Amount: $900,000

Mr. LEWIS of California

Mr. LEWIS of California. Madam Speaker, I would like to pay tribute to an extraordinary individual, M. Pope Barrow, Jr., who is leaving the House after 40 extraordinary years of public service. It is the rare individual who commits himself to such selfless work and Pope has done so with great distinction. Pope Barrow was appointed to the Office of Legislative Counsel of the House in 1968 and has served under eight successive Speakers. During this time, he has served as the Legislative Counsel for 12 years and Deputy Legislative Counsel for 4 years. Over the years, he has been involved in drafting practically every major piece of energy and environmental legislation passed by the House of Representatives. As a result, he has been instrumental in the creation of the Clean Air Act, the Safe Drinking Water Act, the Solid Waste Disposal Act, and omnibus energy bills too numerous to mention. Pope has worked extensively on legislation addressing public land law, mining law, as well as measures focused on parks, trails, and wild and scenic rivers. He also played a major role in writing the National Parks and Recreation Act of 1978, which was sheperded through the House by Phil Burton and the Alaska Lands Act working with Mo Udall and John Seiberling. Pope also played a major role in drafting the California Desert Protection Act, which created the Death Valley National Park, Joshua Tree National Park, and the East Mojave Preserve in my own congressional district. It's worth noting that at a time of increased partisanship in the House, Pope Barrow has provided a consistently steady hand in maintaining the professional, non-partisan nature of the Office of the Legislative Counsel. It is also my understanding that he has literally transformed the Office of the Legislative Counsel through personnel additions and technological innovations to meet the incredible increased demands placed upon the office. Beyond his professional legislative work, Pope is an avid outdoorsman who has literally kayaked and sailed the world. I am told that he has kayaked rivers in Chile, Canada, Alaska, California, Washington, Idaho, West Virginia, New York, Maine, Tennessee, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and many other locations, including hundreds of times running Great Falls in Virginia. He has also sailed the entire East Coast up to Nova Scotia and down to Key West, the San Juan Islands, San Francisco Bay, the Bahamas and Virgin Islands, the Windward Islands, the Leeward Islands, from St. Martin to Bermuda, off the coast of Croatia and Italy, and across the Atlantic Ocean from Martinique to Portugal. It is reported that these sailing adventures were not entirely without incident. During one such adventure in the 1970s Pope and his dad lost one boat at sea off the coast of Florida and floated to shore in a bad storm. He has apparently been paying more attention to marine weather forecasts since that time. Most importantly, Madam Speaker, Pope Barrow is a gentleman who dearly loves his three children and genuinely cares about the people with whom he works and the institution of Congress that he has called home over the last 40 years. Over the years, he has been a mentor to many and an inspiration to all of us who have had the pleasure of working with him. I ask that you join me and our colleagues in recognizing Pope for his commitment to meeting the needs of Members and staff and for his tireless service to the House. We all wish him calm seas and a steady breeze at his back as he begins the next chapter in his life.

Mr. LEWIS of California

Mr. LEWIS of California. Madam Speaker, pursuant to Republican earmark guidance, I am submitting the following: in regards to Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010. Requesting Member: Congressman Jerry Lewis. Project Name: Desert Hot Springs Account: Army Corps of Engineers, General Investigations Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Mission Springs Water District Address of Requesting Entity: 66575 2nd Street, Desert Hot Springs, California 92240 Description of Request: This project will construct a municipal wastewater collection and treatment system that will eliminate individual wastewater disposal systems that overlie the Mission Creek and Desert Hot Springs aquifers. To accomplish this, the district needs to replace roughly 4000 individual sewage disposal systems that lie in a very concentrated area over the primary inflow of the groundwater that supplies nearly 400,000 people. Amount: $100,000 Requesting Member: Congressman Jerry Lewis. Project Name: Hi-Desert Wastewater Collection and Reuse Account: Bureau of Reclamation, Water and Related Resources Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Hi-Desert Water District Address of Requesting Entity: 55439 29 Palms Hwy, Yucca Valley, CA 92284 Description of Request: The mission of Bureau of Reclamation is to manage, develop, and protect water and related resources in an environmentally and economically sound manner. The Hi-Desert Wastewater Collection and Reuse Facility will protect the groundwater quality in the area and provide reclaimed water to be used directly for irrigation and commercial purposes that are normally supplied by potable water. Using reclaimed water to meet non-potable demand will off set the demands for potable water. Amount: $100,000 Requesting Member: Congressman Jerry Lewis. Project Name: Seven Oaks Water Conservation Study Account: Army Corps of Engineers, General Investigations Legal Name of Requesting Entity: San Bernardino Valley Municipal Water District Address of Requesting Entity: 300 East Vanderbilt Way, San Bernardino, California 92408 Description of Request: The rains of the winter of 2005 demonstrated beyond question that water conservation at Seven Oaks Dam can provide a major supplemental source of water for an increasingly water starved region. Unfortunately, by holding water behind the dam the water is degraded so far as to be unusable. Work is being done to determine the appropriate method to improve water quality while continuing to conserve behind the dam. Amount: $800,000 Requesting Member: Congressman Jerry Lewis. Project Name: Transfer Authority: Seven Oaks Water Conservation Study Account: Army Corps of Engineers, General Provisions Legal Name of Requesting Entity: San Bernardino Valley Municipal Water District Address of Requesting Entity: 300 East Vanderbilt Way, San Bernardino, California 92408 Description of Request: The rains of the winter of 2005 demonstrated beyond question that water conservation at Seven Oaks Dam can provide a major supplemental source of water for an increasingly water starved region. Unfortunately, by holding water behind the dam the water is degraded so far as to be unusable. Work is being done to determine the appropriate method to improve water quality while continuing to conserve behind the dam. Amount: $1,500,000 Requesting Member: Congressman Jerry Lewis. Project Name: Santa Ana River and Tributaries Ecosystem Restoration Account: Army Corps of Engineers, General Investigations Legal Name of Requesting Entity: City of Yucaipa Address of Requesting Entity: 34272 Yucaipa Boulevard, Yucaipa, California 92399 Description of Request: This project will study a flood control and environmental restoration project in Yucaipa, California. This community is located just north of Interstate-10, a major transportation hub that is threatened by 100-year level flooding. The study will look at the viability of detention basins, flood channels, and habitat to reduce the threat downstream. Amount: $1,000,000 Requesting Member: Congressman Jerry Lewis. Project Name: Santa Ana River and Tributaries, Big Bear Lake, CA Account: Army Corps of Engineers, General Investigations Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Big Bear Municipal Water District Address of Requesting Entity: 40524 Lakeview Drive, Big Bear Lake, CA 92315 Description of Request: This project will implemental aquatic habitat restoration in Big Bear Lake. The removal of nutrient laden sediment that has accumulated since the Lake was constructed in 1884 is critical to improving the Lake's water quality, controlling nuisance aquatic plant growth, enhancing the wildlife habitat and maintaining boating and fishing access. The Lake is on the State of California's 303d list of impaired water bodies with listings for mercury, nutrients, and aquatic plants. Amount: $800,000 Requesting Member: Congressman Jerry Lewis. Project Name: Upper Mojave River Well Field Account: Bureau of Reclamation, Water and Related Resources Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Mojave Water Agency Address of Requesting Entity: 22450 Headquarters Drive, Apple Valley, CA 92307 Description of Request: The project is one component of a comprehensive effort to ensure a balance water supply in the Mojave region for decades to come. It will balance supply and demand, address basin overdraft, enhance the maintenance of riparian ecosystems and address subarea interaction issues. Amount: $100,000 Requesting Member: Congressman Jerry Lewis. Project Name: San Bernardino MWD, CA Account: Bureau of Reclamation, Water and Related Resources Legal Name of Requesting Entity: San Bernardino Municipal Water Department Address of Requesting Entity: 300 North D Street, San Bernardino, CA 92418 Description of Request: The funding requested here will go toward a clean water factory to recycle water for groundwater recharge. It will increase water supply reliability and serves the State's goal to maximize recycled water facilities and its regional water quality plans. Amount: $1,000,000 Requesting Member: Congressman Jerry Lewis. Project Name: Southern California Investigations Program (Lake Arrowhead) Account: Bureau of Reclamation, Water and Related Resources Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Lake Arrowhead Community Services District Address of Requesting Entity: 28200 State Highway 189, Building 03, Suite 160, Lake Arrowhead, CA 92352 Description of Request: Lake Arrowhead Community Services District has been working closely with the Bureau of Reclamation to develop an Integrated Water Resources Program (IWRP), which includes, among other alternatives, the development of a surface and groundwater monitoring and management plan. The district is proceeding with implementing the strategies in the IWRP to increase local water supplies with the development of projects, such as groundwater wells, conservation, and recycled water. Amount: $1,000,000 Requesting Member: Congressman Jerry Lewis. Project Name: City of Redlands Facilities Upgrades to Improve Energy Efficiency Account: Department of Energy, EERE Legal Name of Requesting Entity: City of Redlands Address of Requesting Entity: 35 Cajon Street, Redlands, CA 92373 Description of Request: The funding will be used to conduct an assessment and to upgrade the heating, ventilation, and cooling systems in the City facilities. Upgrades will enable significant energy savings in energy consumptions and operational expenses. Mandates from federal, state, and local utilities have made it necessary for the City to assess energy consumption. Amount: $900,000 Requesting Member: Congressman Jerry Lewis. Project Name: Running'Springs Retreat Center Solar Upgrade Account: Department of Energy, EERE Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Chabad of Running Springs Address of Requesting Entity: 3500 Seymour Road, Running Springs, CA 92382 Description of Request: In order to reduce energy consumption, the Running Springs Retreat Center will construct solar electric power capabilities on its major service building. The project will save 624,000 kwh of energy from being drawn off the California grid annually. Amount: $1,000,000 Requesting Member: Congressman Jerry Lewis. Project Name: Solar Energy Parking Canopy Demonstration Project Account: Department of Energy, EERE Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Bear Valley Electric Service Address of Requesting Entity: 42020 Garstin Road, Big Bear Lake, CA 92315 Description of Request: The Project entails construction of three parking structures with solar photovoltaic roof panels in the mountain community of Big Bear Lake. It will be a pilot program, jointly sponsored by Bear Valley Electric Service, the City of Big Bear Lake, and the Bear Valley Unified School District. The goal of the project is to measure the viability of using photovoltaic technology in a mountain community environment for city and commercial purposes. Amount: $3,000,000