Rick Larsen

Mr. LARSEN of Washington

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

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I ask the House to consider H.R. 1854 to amend the Water Resources Development Act of 1992 to modify the environmental infrastructure project for Big Bear Lake, California. This bill provides technical corrections to the Big Bear Lake project, originally authorized in the Water Resources Development Act of 2007. H.R. 1854 changes the authorized purpose of the Big Bear Lake project from wastewater treatment to water supply infrastructure. In addition, the authorized funding level is reduced by $6 million to a $9 million authorized funding level. We have no objections to this bill as introduced. With that, Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 1854.

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1854) to amend the Water Resources Development Act of 1992 to modify an environmental infrastructure project for Big Bear Lake, California.

Mr. LARSEN of Washington

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, in response to the gentleman from Texas, I do want to say I'm extremely sympathetic to his position, and I fully, in fact, agree with the request that we make section 214 permanent. And I, along with many others, have asked for that consideration within the context of the reauthorization of the Water Resources Development Act of 2010. I am hopeful we can work in a bipartisan approach to work with the committee's leadership to make Mr. Olson's, as well as many others who made the same request, to make that request a reality. With that, Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 4165. This bill would extend section 214 of the Water Resources Development Act of 2000 for another year through December 31, 2010. Section 214 is currently authorized through December 31, 2009. The section 214 program allows local governments to fund additional U.S. Army Corps of Engineers staff time to expedite the processing of permits for infrastructure and ecosystem restoration projects. Section 214 was enacted by Congress because the Corps of Engineers' permitting process had become cumbersome for both the Corps staff and applicants as the number of permit applications rose. By funding additional specific staff to work on specific, time- intensive permits, existing Corps staff are able to process significant current backlogs more quickly. Funding for additional Corps staff has resulted in a reduction of permanent wait times not only for the funding entity, but also for any individual or organization seeking a permit. As a result, local governments are able to move forward with infrastructure and ecosystem restoration projects. Section 214 is currently being used by over 41 public agencies in 20 separate Corps districts. The city of Seattle in my home State of Washington was the first public entity in the country to develop and use this facilitated permitting process. The city has used the section 214 program for 285 projects representing over $1.1 billion in capital investments. Seven years of using the program has resulted in an estimated cost savings of $10.6 million. The average review time per project has been reduced from over 808 days to an average of between 47-166 days. In a region where we must balance the most difficult environmental issues in the country with the second-highest commerce and trade demands of any region in the country, section 214 has become key to overcoming permitting delays and other challenges. The authority granted by section 214 by the WRDA 2000 has worked well in practice. This authority needs to be renewed so the additional staff can remain on the job without interruption. Therefore, I urge the House to pass H.R. 4165. With that, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 4165.

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4165) to extend through December 31, 2010, the authority of the Secretary of the Army to accept and expend funds contributed by non-Federal public entities to expedite the processing of permits.

Mr. LARSEN of Washington

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Speaker, we have no further speakers, and as a result, I yield back the balance of our time.

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I would now like to recognize for as much time as he may consume the gentleman from New York (Mr. Serrano), the sponsor of the resolution.

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 907, a resolution recognizing the Grand Concourse on its 100th anniversary as the preeminent thoroughfare in the borough of the Bronx and as an important nexus of commerce and culture for the city of New York. I commend the gentleman from New York (Mr. Serrano) for his work on this resolution to honor a historic roadway in advance of this milestone. First conceived of in 1890 as a means of connecting the borough of Manhattan to the northern Bronx, the Grand Concourse was designed by Louis Aloys Risse and opened to the public in 1909. The project was originally completed for a total cost of $14 million, the equivalent of $340 million today. Over the past 100 years, the Grand Concourse has served as the backdrop to many historic New York City landmarks, while the apartment buildings along the roadway have been home to the likes of Babe Ruth, Stanley Kubrick, Milton Berle, and other famous New Yorkers. Among the many landmarks along the Grand Concourse is the Loew's Paradise Theater, which was constructed in 1929 and was at one time the largest movie theater in New York City. The old Yankee Stadium opened near the Grand Concourse at 161st Street in 1923 and has served as an important centerpiece for the Bronx and the city of New York ever since. In the course of over 100 years, the Grand Concourse has played a long-standing role in defining the Bronx community, serving as the central north-south artery of the borough. Covering over 4 miles in length, it is lined with parks, fountains, and other pedestrian- friendly community assets that add aesthetic, cultural, and transportation value to the borough. Recently, $18 million was invested in the infrastructure of the Grand Concourse to make it more pedestrian friendly and restore the roadway's beauty that has made it vital to the cultural and economic development of the Bronx for 100 years. So, Mr. Speaker, in honor of this historic landmark and its contributions to both the city of New York and the borough of the Bronx over the past century, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting House Resolution 907. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous material on House Resolution 907.

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 907) recognizing the Grand Concourse on its 100th anniversary as the preeminent thoroughfare in the borough of the Bronx and an important nexus of commerce and culture for the City of New York.

Mr. LARSEN of Washington

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my support for the Northwest Straits Marine Conservation Initiative Reauthorization Act, H.R. 1672. Throughout the 1980s and early 1990s the marine waters of the Strait of Juan de Fuca, the San Juan Islands and northern Puget Sound, collectively known as the Northwest Straits, experienced substantial environmental decline. This was concerning because local communities rely on the resources of the Northwest Straits to create good-paying jobs and many iconic and endangered species, including orca whales and pacific salmon, rely on the Northwest Straits for food and habitat. In 1997, Senator Patty Murray and Congressman Jack Metcalf convened a blue-ribbon commission to examine ways to reverse this trend and restore the health of the Northwest Straits. In 1998, Congress adopted the Murray-Metcalf Commission's recommendations when it authorized the creation of the Northwest Straits Marine Conservation Commission, a grassroots organization which does not exercise regulatory authority but harnesses the energy of local communities to develop and implement conservation and restoration projects. For the last 11 years, the Northwest Straits Commission has done great work to restore the Northwest Straits. Their projects have helped create jobs and protect endangered and threatened species. The Northwest Straits Commission has demonstrated the ability to implement challenging recovery projects. The Commission used $4.5 million of funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to remove hundreds of acres of abandoned fishing gear from the seafloor. This project created jobs for out-of-work fisherman and saved the lives of endangered species. The legislation under consideration on the House floor today would extend the legislative authorization of the Northwest Straits Commission for an additional five years. It will increase tribal participation in the Commission and improve oversight of its activities. H.R. 1672 has earned the support of our local community--I have received letters of support for this legislation from elected officials, businesspeople and environmentalists in every county in which the Northwest Straits Commission operates. Similar legislation has been introduced in the United States Senate by my friend Senator Patty Murray. I hope that our joint effort will help to protect and restore the Northwest straits for the people, fish, and threatened wildlife which rely on it.

Mr. LARSEN of Washington

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my concern about the illegal subsidies that have been given to Airbus by the European governments. It's been widely reported that the World Trade Organization found the EU guilty of providing Airbus with billions of dollars in illegal and improper subsidies. These subsidies gave Airbus an unfair advantage for years, costing good-paying American jobs. At the same time we're fighting Europeans over their illegal subsidies, our Nation is considering buying $35 billion worth of Airbus aerial refueling tankers. Now who wins if we ignore these subsidies? European taxpayers will get a huge return on their illegal investment in subsidies for Airbus and European workers who are designing and building the Airbus airplanes. Who loses? U.S. workers, who will lose their jobs, and I think our men and women in uniform, who might get an illegally subsidized tanker instead of the best tanker for their mission. Airbus' history of subsidies should not be ignored in this tanker competition.

Mr. LARSEN of Washington

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my thanks for the service of the men and women of the 81st Brigade Combat Team and all of the Washington National Guard. In August of 2008, over 2,400 Washington State Guardsmen and women in the 81st BCT mobilized for deployment. After several weeks of training at Fort McCoy, the unit deployed for ten months of service in Iraq. The 81st BCT's primary missions in Iraq were providing security to convoys, protecting U.S. forces, and engaging in provincial reconstruction. They performed these missions admirably, and the unit returned home in August of 2009. Unfortunately, one soldier in the 81st BCT, Specialist Samuel Stone, was killed in Iraq earlier this year. I am deeply sorry for the loss that his friends and family must feel. We will not forget his sacrifice for our country. It is an honor to represent so many of the men and women who make up the 81st BCT, the Washington National Guard, and the Air National Guard as well as the families who support them. Over 11,000 members of the Washington National Guard have been mobilized since September 11, 2001, for service in Iraq and in response to domestic emergencies such as Hurricane Katrina. Their service helps keep our nation strong and free. I congratulate the 81st BCT on the occasion of their return from Iraq. I thank them and all our men and women in uniform for the sacrifices they make on behalf of our country.

Mr. LARSEN of Washington

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor the accomplishments and contributions of Commander Mark Meservey of the United States Coast Guard for his professional and credible service to the United States Congress. A native of Chatham, Massachusetts, Commander Meservey has served as Director of the Coast Guard's House of Representatives Liaison Office with distinction since July 2006. In this capacity, he worked directly with Member offices resolving hundreds of constituent issues as well as with the Coast Guard's appropriations and authorizing committees to ensure the Service received the necessary resources and legislative authorities to effectively execute its eleven congressionally-mandated missions. CDR Meservey's precise attention to detail, tested operational experience as a military aviator, and selfless dedication to the U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. House of Representatives made him an invaluable asset to both Members and Staff. I personally came to rely on his professionalism and responsiveness. Upon graduation from Chatham High School in Massachusetts, Commander Meservey attended Norwich University as an Army Reserve Officer Training Corps scholar, graduating magna cum laude and with a commission as an Army Aviation officer in 1985. He completed flight training at Fort Rucker, AL in 1986 and served as a Black Hawk helicopter pilot through the last days of the Cold War in Cyprus and Germany. Assignments included serving as a Flight Platoon Leader, aviation Company Executive Officer, and United States Embassy Liaison Officer to a classified State Department mission. While in Europe, he deployed to Ethiopia to participate in an internationally sensitive search and rescue operation for the late Congressman Mickey Leland and planned Return of Forces to Germany 1990 for an aviation battalion. For his efforts working with the U.S. Air Force in Ethiopia, he was personally decorated by the Army's Chief of Staff, General Carl Vuono. Upon his return to the United States, he graduated from the U.S. Army's Aviation Officer Advanced Course as an Honor Graduate. In 1990, Commander Meservey accepted a direct commission in the U.S. Coast Guard as a Lieutenant Junior Grade and initially served at Air Station Clearwater, FL as an HH-3F and HH-60J search and rescue pilot and flew in support of Operation Bahamas and Turks and Caicos, working closely with the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Department of Defense, and the Commonwealth of the Bahamas Drug Enforcement Unit to stem the flow of illegal drugs entering the United States through the Caribbean. In 1994, he transferred to Air Station Cape Cod and served as an HH- 60J Instructor Pilot and Flight Examiner. While serving as the unit's Public Affairs officer, he earned back-to-back CDR Jim Simpson awards for excellence in media relations. He participated in numerous hazardous weather search and rescue operations and planned and provided air security for Constitution Sail 200, the USS CONSTITUTION's first sail alone in over 116 years. In 1998, he attended Syracuse University's Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs as a full graduate scholar, earning a Master of Public Administration degree. Following graduate school, Commander Meservey completed a two-year assignment with the U.S. Department of Transportation in Washington, DC in the Office of the Secretary of Transportation as the lead budget analyst for the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) responsible for developing and justifying FTA's multi-billion dollar budgets to the President's Office of Management and Budget and the United States Congress. Commander Meservey returned to Coast Guard aviation in 2001, serving as Deputy Executive Officer and Gulfstream I fixed wing VIP and logistics pilot at Air Station Miami, one of the Coast Guard's largest aviation units. In 2004, he transferred to Air Station Washington where he served as Executive Officer flying the C-37A Gulfstream V executive jet across the globe for Department of Homeland Security Secretaries Ridge and Chertoff and Coast Guard Commandants Collins and Allen. In this assignment, he gained additional international experience working closely with the State Department and foreign militaries and governments ranging from Malaysia to the United Kingdom. He's recently completed the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's prestigious Seminar XXI, a year-long Washington, DC-based program in foreign politics and international relations. Commander Meservey has earned numerous military decorations thus far in his twenty-four years of active duty service, including Naval and Army Aviator Wings, the two Meritorious Service Medals, three Coast Guard Commendation Medals, two Army Commendation Medals, two Coast Guard Achievement Medals, the Army Achievement Medal, the Commandant's Letter of Commendation, and a variety of other personal, team and unit commendations. This week, Commander Meservey will leave his post on the Hill to assume a newly created position as liaison to the Federal Aviation Administration's Unmanned Aircraft Program Office where he will serve as the Coast Guard's voice on all matters relating to unmanned aerial systems in particular and aviation in general. I am honored to pay tribute to Commander Meservey in the United States Congress, and on behalf of the Representatives and staff who have been fortunate enough to work with him over the past three years. I wish him, his wife Kathleen, and his three children, Nicole, Maura and Seth, the best in their future endeavors.

Mr. LARSEN of Washington

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my support for H. Res. 519 and join with our neighbors to the North in celebration of Canada Day. On July 1st, 1867, the British North America Act went into effect, officially uniting the British North American colonies into one self- governing federation called Canada. Earlier this month, Canadians across North America celebrated the anniversary of their country's birth, their long tradition of democracy, and their national achievements. The United States shares in the celebration of this special day because we have strong economic, political and cultural ties with Canada. Washington State's 2nd Congressional District, which I represent, contains over 60 miles of our common border with Canada. As a member of the Northern Border Caucus, I view our partnership with Canada as one that is vital to both of our countries' national security and economic prosperity. With nearly $600 billion in goods and millions of people crossing the border each year, Canada is not only the United States' largest trading partner, but also a key international ally. In addition to sharing a common border that spans more than 5,500 miles, the United States and Canada share a deep commitment to democratic principles. It is because of this commitment that our governments have worked so closely to address the common challenges we face, such as narcotics and terrorism. And it is in defense of these same democratic principles that our servicemen and women have fought side by side in Afghanistan and throughout the world. I congratulate Canada on the occasion of the 142nd Canada Day and I look forward to celebrating with them for many years to come.

Mr. LARSEN of Washington

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Madam Speaker, I rise today to submit my view regarding Congress's intent to allow Direct Service Industries served by the Bonneville Power Administration to receive allowances under Section 782 of H.R. 2454. The definition of ``electricity local distribution company'' in Section 783 does not include federal power marketing administrations such as the Bonneville Power Administration. I believe that Congress intends that Direct Service Industries served by Bonneville on the date of enactment of this Act are part of eligible industrial sectors and may receive allowances under Sections 782(e) and 764 of this Act. Thank you for the opportunity to provide this clarification, and thank you to Representative Jay Inslee of Washington for his work in securing protections for energy-intensive, trade-exposed industries in energy reform legislation.

Mr. LARSEN of Washington

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Chair, I rise in opposition to the Flake amendment to cut potato research. Potatoes are an important part of our national diet and potato farming is an important part of our national economy. The $1 million included in this bill for Potato Research goes directly to developing potato varieties that provide profitable, sustainable production for the grower, and a healthy, inexpensive food supply for American consumers. In Skagit County in my district, over 13,000 acres are devoted to potatoes. However, late blight disease is a constant threat to my local farmers, and growers use the research provided them by this program to minimize their losses. Washington state is second only behind Idaho in potato production in the country producing over 9 billion pounds of potatoes every year. The economic value of the potato industry to Washington is approximately $3.5 billion supporting nearly 20,000 farming jobs. These jobs can be found across our state, and it is critical that we protect them. The potato breeding program in the Pacific Northwest, the target of this amendment, is a partnership among the USDA Agricultural Research Service, the University of Idaho, Oregon State University, Washington State University, and the potato commissions of the three states. For every dollar invested in the Northwest Tri-State Potato breeding program, a value of $39 results in improved quality and increased production. Mr. Speaker, this funding is important to my district, my state, and our country--and I urge a ``no'' vote on this amendment.

Mr. LARSEN of Washington

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Cutting these dollars from environmental cleanup continues to neglect that obligation that we have to communities all over the country to clean up America's ultimate toxic asset, the cold war legacy of nuclear waste in our communities. So I would ask my colleagues to oppose this amendment. Announcement by the Acting Chair

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. I thank the gentlelady from California for yielding, and I rise in opposition to the Franks amendment. The committee's bill does provide $9.3 billion for missile defense which fully funds the capabilities that the United States needs to protect our country. The threat to our Nation from ballistic missiles is real. Our adversaries have a multitude of short- and medium-range missiles and are developing more advanced missiles as well. This budget will help keep our Nation and our servicemembers safe from the threats that we face. For instance, the number of Aegis ships will grow from 21 to 27; the number of SM-3 interceptors from 131 to 329; and the number of THAAD interceptors from 96 to 287. These are urgently needed investments to protect our troops in the field. This budget also includes funding for the operation, testing and sustainment of Ground-based Midcourse Defense, and follows Secretary Gates and the Missile Defense Agency recommendations to have that number of interceptors at 30. Secretary Gates has also said at the level of capability that North Korea has now and is likely to have for some years to come, 30 interceptors, in fact, provide a strong defense against North Korea. But even more so, for the first time ever, combatant commanders were part of developing this budget, and the combatant commanders have said that this budget meets their needs as well. I also have to oppose this amendment because of where the offset is coming from: $1.2 billion from the DOE's environmental cleanup. We had this debate in committee in some respects, not over this amount, $1.2 billion, but over some amount. I think we need to understand that cleaning up the nuclear legacy, the Cold War legacy in this country is an obligation. Some people have called this an obsession. Is it an obsession to clean up nuclear waste that is in the groundwater around communities in this country? It is not an obsession; it is an absolute obligation. And if we cut these dollars, we are cutting away that obligation. Something more important as well. Even though the Recovery Act put up to $5 billion in this budget, it's because we've neglected this obligation in the past.

Mr. LARSEN of Washington

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Madam Speaker, after nearly 25 years of service on the Sedro-Woolley Housing Authority Board of Commissioners, Chair Stanley Sygitowicz will retire June 18 from the board. Throughout his tenure on the board, Mr. Sygitowicz had a particular passion for ensuring that SWHA housing was updated and improved to the best possible standards. Over the past decade alone, the housing authority invested more than $1.6 million in capital improvements to ensure that our low-income neighbors--be they families, seniors or people with disabilities--live in high quality affordable housing. At Hillsview, SWHA's 60-unit mid-rise for seniors and individuals with disabilities, Mr. Sygitowicz was regularly known to go above and beyond the duties of his board membership. He always made sure he knew each resident personally, and for many years, he organized an annual holiday party for the building. He exemplified and fostered a spirit of community. For his commitment to the vulnerable residents of Sedro-Woolley, I offer my sincere congratulations to Mr. Sygitowicz, whose cheerful, easy-going manner belied a quarter century of can-do leadership and dedicated community service. He leaves a legacy of caring and high standards that few can match.