Ben Luján

Mr. LUJAN

Mr. LUJAN. Mr. Chairman, my Republican colleagues come down here to say they are supporting and protecting tribal sovereignty with this amendment. Let's take a hard look at their track record on these issues. They seem to only want to support tribal sovereignty when it's convenient, as Mr. Gosar's amendment clearly demonstrates. Before offering this amendment, did the gentleman from Arizona even consult with the Navajo Nation on this amendment? What we should be doing is encouraging government-to-government consultation between the tribe and EPA to solve this issue, not by forcing an amendment.

Mr. LUJAN. Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to the amendment. This amendment is being offered under the guise of protecting tribal sovereignty when we have seen the complete opposite from the majority during this Congress. We have seen time and time again the majority's willingness to ignore tribal issues that are important to Indian country. A case in point is a bill the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Gosar) sponsored, H.R. 1904, entitled the Southeast Arizona Land Exchange. This was a giveaway of a sacred site of the San Carlos Apache Tribe in Arizona to a copper mining company. When the bill was considered, we heard desperate pleas from tribes across the country asking us to stop a foreign-owned mining company from bulldozing their sacred sites in the name of profit. I offered an amendment to protect the sacred sites. It was straightforward and still would have allowed the mining to take place, but it would have protected those sacred sites. The Republican majority defeated the amendment. Another example is a refusal by some Members who are on the floor today to cosponsor the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act. My bill would address years of suffering by those negatively impacted by uranium mining on the Navajo Nation. To this day, members of the Navajo Nation are sick and suffering from the legacy of uranium mining: cancer, kidney disease, and, in severe cases, even death. When I visited with Navajo elders and talking with people impacted by exposure, they asked me, Are people in Congress waiting for us to die for the problem to go away? Maybe someone should answer that question.

Mr. LUJAN

Mr. LUJAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate a proud milestone in the history of the great State of New Mexico. This year marks the centennial anniversary of the ``Land of Enchantment.'' Filmmakers have spent years documenting the history and beauty of New Mexico, sharing the importance of our acequias, stories of history and tradition in ``Canes of Power,'' stories and tales told by Rudolfo Anaya, and art and landscapes captured by Georgia O'Keefe. New Mexico has a long and rich heritage that is rooted in the shared history of a diverse population, a history that respects diversity and language, a land whose State constitution was drafted and adopted in both English and Spanish. And while Santa Fe, the City of Faith, holds the distinction as the oldest capital city in the country, celebrating 400 years last year, statehood came later in 1912, when a territory known for its beautiful scenery, natural wonders, and pristine landscapes was admitted into the Union as the 47th State. New Mexico is blessed with rich cultural landmarks: Chaco Canyon, Bandelier, the Taos Gorge and Blue Lake, and the Plaza in Santa Fe. Thousands of visitors each year travel to learn of the unique traditions and spirit that make New Mexico such a special place with blue skies, sunsets and sunrises and starry nights you won't find anywhere else in the world. The Land of Enchantment is home to a diverse population that can trace its roots back to Spanish, Mexican, and Native American cultures, amongst others. As home to one of the richest indigenous tribal populations in the United States, New Mexico is proud of the influences and contributions of the 19 Pueblo Nations, two Apache Nations, and the Navajo Nation. These diverse cultures coming together to share a common bond of calling New Mexico home has served as a source of strength for our State, as the influence of art, agriculture, and architecture can be felt to this very day. During the past 100 years, New Mexico has had a proud tradition of service to our country. In World War II, Navajo Code Talkers contributed to victory for the Allied Forces, while many native sons of New Mexico sacrificed in the Battle of Bataan. In the Korean Cold War, Hiroshi Miyamura of Gallup was awarded the Medal of Honor for his distinguished service. Most recently, Santa Fe native Sergeant Leroy Petry earned the Medal of Honor for his courageous actions in the face of great danger in Afghanistan. And in every war in between, New Mexicans have proudly defended our Nation and answered the call of duty when they were needed most. New Mexico has also served our Nation as a center for scientific innovation and research. Los Alamos and Sandia National Laboratories have been home to a number of scientific endeavors that have been important priorities for our Nation. Mr. Speaker, as New Mexico celebrates 100 years of statehood, we're reminded of how special this beautiful land we call home is. As a native New Mexican, it is with great pride in our past and hope for our future that I come to this floor to recognize the enduring contributions of New Mexicans during the course of our State's history. A special love for our land and water helps shape our lives. A land of faith and family, culture and tradition--and, Mr. Speaker, the best chili found anywhere in the world--ours is a special story, an American story, one passed from one generation to the next, with our most precious lessons coming from our elders: our parents and our grandparents. In the words of my parents, Ben and Carmen, when they send me off on any journey when I depart from home: Y que Dios les bendigan--may God bless you.

Mr. LUJAN

Mr. LUJAN. Mr. Speaker, for more than two decades, Congressman Jerry Costello of Illinois has served the people of his district and his state with distinction. Congressman Costello represents the type of individual we need here in this body to advance the important business of our country. As a thoughtful, fair, and dedicated representative, he is held in high esteem by colleagues on both sides of the aisle. I am pleased to have had the opportunity to serve with him on the Science, Space, and Technology Committee and see firsthand the knowledge and passion that he brings to his role as a leader on the Committee. His Committee colleagues and I have the greatest respect for him, always valuing his opinion on the important issues before us. While Jerry will be truly missed in the halls of Congress, I thank him for his service and wish him well on his next endeavor. I know that his wife Georgia, his children, and grandchildren will be glad to have more time to spend with him.

Mr. LUJAN

Mr. LUJAN. Mr. Speaker, due to an operational issue with the voting machine on the House floor, my vote did not register on the passage of H.R. 3803 (Rollcall vote No. 539). Had this issue not arisen, I would have voted ``no'' on this vote.

Mr. LUJAN

Mr. LUJAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Jon Tibbetts, who died last week in a car accident. This tragic accident cut short the life of a man who had devoted his career to helping others as a first responder. Jon Tibbetts served as fire chief of the Sandoval County Fire Department for the past 8 years. Earlier in his career, he was a paramedic in San Juan County. I had the pleasure of working with Chief Tibbetts during my time on the Public Regulatory Commission, and I saw first hand his commitment to the firefighters he commanded, as well as to the people of New Mexico that he helped protect. Thanks to his hard work and determination, Chief Tibbetts improved the way that emergency medical services and firefighters responded to better serve the community. Because of his dedication, there is no doubt that more people in New Mexico are safer. My thoughts and prayers are with the Tibbetts' family during this difficult time, especially his wife Connie and his daughters Natasha and Amy. We'll miss you Chief Tibbetts.

Mr. LUJAN

Mr. LUJAN. This amendment is straightforward. It's about protecting hunting and fishing. That's how simple this is. Sadly, a similar amendment was rejected by the Rules Committee, who had a similar debate over oil and gas leasing. But I rise in strong support of the Grijalva amendment, and I urge my Republican colleagues to take a step back and consider the true impacts their policies are having on public lands. Public lands are just that: lands for the public to enjoy and use for the great benefits that they provide. Generations of New Mexicans have used our State lands for hunting, fishing, recreation, and grazing. Mineral development is important, but let's do it where it makes sense. We have seen bill after bill on this floor that are giveaways to Big Oil companies, mining companies, and corporate interests that don't consider the long-term detrimental impacts to wildlife habitat and public use for recreational use. Today's bill would require the Federal Government to maximize the development of mining on public lands and limit access to land for hunting, fishing, and recreational shooting. All the Grijalva amendment says is let's protect that little area. This is a bad bill to hunters, anglers, and ranchers, and I urge support of the Grijalva amendment to H.R. 4402 to protect our access to public lands.

Mr. LUJAN

Mr. LUJAN. Mr. Speaker, this Republican majority's effort to repeal the Affordable Care Act is bad legislation that would undermine significant advancements of the delivery of health care services to all Americans. But let me be clear: this bill would repeal the single-most important Federal law that governs the delivery of health care to our first Americans, Native Americans. It's an assault on our Federal responsibility to tribal communities who, without the Indian health care system, would not have meaningful access to health care services. Our Republican majority swept the rug out from Native American women and took them out of the act to protect them from domestic violence. This act that Republicans have put before us would hurt people in a very serious way. The act makes possible long-awaited improvements to the Indian health care delivery system by providing authority to provide cancer screenings, dialysis, as well as all hospice and elder care, recruit more qualified health professionals, modernize dated health facilities, and establish comprehensive behavioral health initiatives. Mr. Speaker, we need to reject this health plan, and we need to reject this effort by Republicans which is causing harm to Native Americans across America.

Mr. LUJAN

Mr. LUJAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 4027 clarifies existing law regarding the Federal Government's authority to permit land exchanges within the boundaries of the Ute Indian Reservation in northeastern Utah and resolves the tribe's split estate problem caused by Federal error over 50 years ago. This legislation returns the subsurface mineral estate to the Ute Tribe in a portion of its reservation that the tribe considers culturally and environmentally significant and thus preserves the area's pristine wilderness from development. The bill also benefits the State of Utah by opening up Federal minerals for development in an area of the tribe's reservation already being developed by the tribe's energy company. Legislation that corrects a Federal error and satisfies both tribal and State interests, without cost to the Federal Government, does not come along very often. Mr. Matheson is to be commended for his dedication in seeing this bill pass out of the House and for crafting a workable solution to a difficult problem. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 4027, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LUJAN. Mr. Speaker, we thank the gentleman from Utah for his hard work, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. LUJAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Matheson).

Mr. LUJAN

Mr. LUJAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank Chairman Hastings, Chairman Young, Ranking Member Markey, and Ranking Member Boren for working with me in the Natural Resources Committee to help address the many issues impacting Indian Country and the tribes I represent in New Mexico. I also want to recognize the hard work of the superintendent of Santa Fe Indian School and former governor of Kewa Pueblo, Everett Chavez, and former AIPC president and former NCAI president Joe Garcia on this bill. They worked with the pueblos and the All Indian Pueblo Council to support this legislation, which will help Santa Fe Indian School and New Mexico's 19 pueblos achieve educational sovereignty for Native American students across New Mexico. Santa Fe Indian School and the 19 pueblos approached my office early last year seeking the introduction of a technical change to the Omnibus Indian Advancement Act to allow certain lands designated to the school to be used to generate income to provide funding for academic and cultural programs at the Indian school. Knowing the importance of what Santa Fe Indian School provides to Native American students in New Mexico, I was very interested in their approach to move toward true financial independence and educational sovereignty for Santa Fe Indian School and its students. I want to point out the importance of sovereignty and what it means for our tribal brothers and sisters to be able to provide a quality education for their own children. Education is truly empowering, especially when Native American students are able to get an education that embraces their cultural and traditional identities--and that is the type of education Santa Fe Indian School provides. I worked with Superintendent Chavez and Santa Fe Indian School to draft a bill that would make a technical amendment to allow the school to explore economic opportunities so that students at the Indian school can attain the best possible education and to be able to support their mission. Santa Fe Indian School provides a challenging, stimulating, and nurturing learning environment that shares educational responsibility with Native communities, parents, and students to develop the students' true potential to meet obligations to themselves and their tribal communities. In this time of financial uncertainty and the limitations of the Federal Government to assist in Federal education programs, it is so important to give Santa Fe Indian School the tools they need to help their students receive a quality education regardless of the climate in Washington. H.R. 1556 would achieve that goal. I'm proud to be able to assist the Santa Fe Indian School in amending the Omnibus Indian Advancement Act to allow the school to achieve new heights in educating Native American students. This technical amendment will help make the school more self-sufficient and create greater opportunities for students attending the Indian School by ensuring the financial capability to maintain and expand the level of academic and cultural education for Native American students. This is a commonsense bill that will help Native American students in New Mexico, and I urge the support of my colleagues. I thank the chairman for his support as well. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. LUJAN

Mr. LUJAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Markey).

Mr. LUJAN. Mr. Speaker, yes, I do.

Mr. LUJAN. I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Grijalva).

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

Mr. LUJAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 10 minutes to the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Grijalva).

Mr. LUJAN. I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. McClintock).

Mr. LUJAN

Mr. LUJAN. If my friend doesn't have any other speakers, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. LUJAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the author of the legislation, the ranking member of the Agriculture Committee, the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Peterson).

Mr. LUJAN

Mr. LUJAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, S. 997 was introduced by Senator Jon Tester in May of last year and passed the Senate in November 2011. As my colleague mentioned, S. 997 would extend the East Bench Irrigation District's water contract for 4 years pending a judicial ruling. The administration has testified in support of S. 997 because it would allow for water service to the district to continue and allows for contract renewal while the court confirmation process is given time to be completed. We thank Senator Jon Tester for his leadership, and we have no objections to this legislation. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. LUJAN

Mr. LUJAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, S. 684, sponsored by Senator Mike Lee of Utah, provides for the conveyance of no more than 2 acres of land from the Wasatch- Cache National Forest to the town of Alta, Utah. The town of Alta has built two facilities for public use on this government property under a special use permit. The town will be paying for all survey costs. We have no objections to this legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. LUJAN

Mr. LUJAN. Mr. Speaker, we have no other speakers, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. LUJAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, S. 404 requires the Secretary of the Interior to modify a land grant patent in Chippewa County, Michigan. The patent, issued to the Michigan Audubon Society and the Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society, will be amended to allow for use and modification of the property to allow for new use plans. We have no objection to this legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LUJAN

Mr. LUJAN. Mr. Chairman, I demand a recorded vote.