Grace Napolitano

Mrs. NAPOLITANO

Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 3209 would make a minor change by requiring the North Loup Division of the Pick-Sloan Missouri Basin Program to deliver water to ``approximately'' 53,000 acres. Existing law, as was explained by my colleague, requires the project to deliver to exactly 53,000 acres. Yet, the project does not annually deliver water to precisely 53,000 acres. The bill is not controversial. I urge Members to support this legislation. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Mrs. NAPOLITANO

Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Mr. Speaker, S. 1066 is a noncontroversial piece of legislation that is identical to companion legislation, H.R. 154, passed and reported by the Committee on Resources earlier this year as was just addressed by my colleague. By all evidence this technical correction appears to be genuine and needed to fix a legitimate error in the maps depicting the Matagorda subdivision in Unit T-07. For this reason and because this legislation would not undermine the policies of the Coastal Barrier Resources Act, Members should not oppose this legislation, and I recommend they vote for it.

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

Mrs. NAPOLITANO

Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 1648 simply authorizes the transfer of certain features of the Bureau of Reclamation's Cachuma Project near Santa Barbara, California, to the local water districts. Allowing the local districts to take over parts of the project will help simplify the operation and maintenance of the districts' water distribution systems. I would like very much to commend the gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Capps), my Democratic colleague and sponsor of this bill, who is unable to be on the floor at this moment, for her efforts to get this very important bill passed. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 1648 is not controversial, and I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

Mrs. NAPOLITANO

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

Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I am very happy to hear the remarks of my colleagues. Water reuse, water recycling has been a very, very critical project and favorite subject of mine. Having been born and raised in Brownsville, Texas, I understand a lot of the Texas issues with the drought along the border that is creating havoc with farming and the economy thereof. I hope that we can continue to address and include funding to be able to expand not only to those areas that are in critical need but also those areas that can be used. We have no new water in this world. It is all the same water that Mother Earth is recycling for us and we are helping recycle. We just trust that we can convince the administration of its need and begin doing it before we face very critical needs. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Edwards), the coauthor of this bill.

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

Mrs. NAPOLITANO

Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Mr. Speaker, it is with tremendous pride that I rise today to honor Major General Paul D. Monroe, Jr., the Adjutant General of the California National Guard for his 46 years of military service. He is a credit to his country and the National Guard. General Monroe's leadership and vision have brought the Guard into the 21st century and made the 22,000 soldiers and airmen under his command better prepared than ever before. Since September 11, General Monroe has mobilized nearly 10,000 soldiers and airmen to fight in the war on terrorism, both at home and abroad. He has deployed soldiers and airmen to serve in Operation Enduring Freedom as well as in missions to secure our borders, bridges and airports. General Monroe has also helped the Guard reconnect with the communities in California. During his tenure, the Guard has partnered with numerous agencies and organizations to provide successful anti- drug programs and youth education initiatives. The General truly understands the need to give back to the community, and he, along with the extraordinary men and women who serve under him, have made invaluable contributions to cities and towns throughout California. Recognizing the hard work and dedication of his soldiers and airmen, General Monroe had made ``member care'' a top priority, working tirelessly to provide high quality services for his troops. He has also established the California National Guard as an exemplary model for diversity and equal opportunity for guard members. General Monroe began his military career as an enlisted soldier in the U.S. Army in 1957 and joined the California Army National Guard in 1961. He has served in Infantry, Signal, and Military Police Commands, and every level of command from platoon through brigade. He has been honored with over one dozen awards for his service with our Armed Forces. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring a true American hero, Major General Paul D. Monroe, Jr. I extend my best wishes to the General, his wife Laura, their two children and their three grandchildren.

Mrs. NAPOLITANO

Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Mr. Speaker, it is with tremendous pride that I rise today to honor one of my constituents from Santa Fe Springs, California, Laura Berg, who has recently been named to the U.S. Olympic Women's Softball Team. Laura has been a member of this team in the 1996 and 2000 Olympic games, winning gold medals both times. She is one of four two-time Olympic champions on the current team which will compete in the 2004 Olympic games in Athens, Greece. Berg started as a centerfielder in all 10 games in the 2000 Olympics and will play outfield for the team in 2004. Berg has been a part of the USA Softball national system since 1994 when she was member of the USA Team that captured gold at the ISF Women's World Championship in St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada. In addition to her Olympic glory, Laura has won numerous accolades for her softball skills at the high school, college, national and international levels, including two gold medals at the Pan American Games and three World Championship gold medals. A graduate of Santa Fe High School and Fresno State University, she is of three players at Fresno State to ever boast 300 or more career hits and post a 160-game defensive errorless streak. She also spent 4 years as an assistant coach for the Fresno State Bulldogs team. Laura firmly believes in setting challenging goals for herself and working hard to achieve them, whether she is practicing softball and studying in school. Her commitment to her sport, positive attitude, and strong work ethic have led to her extraordinary success and make her a role model for other young women. Laura began playing softball as a child, tagging along to a program in which her parents had enrolled her twin sister, Randi. She continues to be inspired by the challenges of the game and has become a veteran leader for her teammates. Laura is married to Rob Peterson, the Assistant Athletic Director at the University of South Dakota. The two met when Peterson was Director of Facilities at Fresno State. For the next 11 months, Laura and her teammates will be working hard in preparation of defending their Olympic title. I ask all of my colleagues to join me in congratulating Laura and the other outstanding women who make up the team and in wishing them great success.

Mrs. NAPOLITANO

Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 1521, sponsored by our colleague, the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Murtha), would expand the boundaries of the Johnstown Flood National Memorial. There are several private property owners interested in selling their land for inclusion within the memorial, and this legislation is needed to facilitate these acquisitions. On the afternoon of May 31, 1889, after several days of torrential rains, the South Fork Dam on Lake Conemaugh in southwest Pennsylvania failed, sending 20 million tons of water into Johnstown, Pennsylvania. The resulting flood killed more than 2,200 people, making it one of the worst natural disasters in American history. The Johnstown Flood Memorial is a powerful tribute to the lives lost during this tragedy, and the parcels which would be added under H.R. 1521 would be important additions to the memorial. I expressly want to thank the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Murtha) for his diligence in moving this legislation through the House, and I urge all our House colleagues to support H.R. 1521. I also want to thank the chairman of the Committee on Resources, the gentleman from California (Mr. Pombo), for his assistance in this.

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

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

Mrs. NAPOLITANO

Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 1092 would direct the Secretary of Agriculture to auction six Federal parcels in Carson City and Douglas County, Nevada. Proceeds would be used for the general education fund in Nevada and other purposes, including the development and maintenance of parks and trails in Carson City and Douglas and Washoe Counties. The majority has explained the bill, and we have no objection. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Mrs. NAPOLITANO

Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from the District of Columbia (Ms. Norton).

Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from California (Mr. Cardoza).

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

Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Mr. Speaker, any potential changes to the Vietnam Memorial or any of these magnificent memorials on our National Mall must be considered very carefully. The Wall is an incredibly powerful tool for reconciliation and healing as we have heard, and, as I have heard from many of my constituents, it is also a permanent record of sacrifice and loss. Millions of Americans feel a deep and personal connection to The Wall, and we in Congress are its stewards. In this instance a visitor center would allow the National Park Service and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund to provide visitors to this wall a context that might further their understanding of the war. For many visitors, the list of over 50,000 names inscribed on black granite is certainly moving, but their personal understanding of, and connection to, the events surrounding the conflict is very limited. A small underground visitor center would become an a powerful tool in expanding visitors' connection with the Memorial and its subject matter. Certainly, there is more work to be done even after this legislation is enacted. How best to design and construct the center so that it will not intrude upon The Wall itself or any other memorial on the Mall, as well as how best to fund staff and maintain the center must all be explored. However, development of this legislation has become a cooperative process, as we have heard, and the bill contains certain provisions that will provide guidance on each of these issues as the process of establishing the center moves forward. Once completed, the Vietnam Memorial Visitor Center will be a welcome and informative addition to our National Mall. The gentleman from California (Mr. Pombo), the gentleman from West Virginia (Mr. Rahall), and all the cosponsors of H.R. 1442 are to be commended for their efforts on this important legislation. In addition, the contributions of the administration and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund were vital during this process. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 1442, as amended. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from American Samoa (Mr. Faleomavaega).

Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I just wanted to thank my speakers for coming in and supporting this important piece of legislation, and I am only sorry I did not get on the gentleman from California's (Mr. Pombo) bill early enough because it would have been something that would be tremendously important. My brother served in Vietnam. I urge my colleagues to support and endorse this bill. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. NAPOLITANO

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

Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1598. Communities throughout the Nation are finding technologically advanced and innovative ways to solve their water supply and water quality problems. H.R. 1598 is an excellent example of how we can help those communities. With only a small amount of financial assistance from the Federal Government, we can save water by building water recycling and desalting projects, and may I add, also recycling projects, that are important to southern California. Not too long ago, Congress would have rushed to support an expensive dam and reservoir project. We now have the option to help our cities who understand that the future to securing a reliable water supply is through the promotion of water recycling, conservation and desalination. Mr. Speaker, I hope the administration can understand how important these projects are, especially water recycling, and how they can help communities solve their water problems that are so urgently needed, even now, especially in the area where there is tremendous drought. I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of H.R. 1598. Mr. Speaker, I have no speakers, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. NAPOLITANO

Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce my resolution regarding the report by the President's New Freedom Commission on Mental Health. I urge my colleagues to support this resolution and adopt the goals and recommendations of the Commission's report. As we commemorate Mental Illness Awareness Week, we must take steps to implement these goals and ensure affordable, accessible, and high quality mental health care for all Americans. I commend the Commission for their insightful and informative report. Almost one quarter of all Americans currently suffer from a diagnosable mental disorder, but a only small fraction of them actually receive the treatment they need. This is unacceptable. The Commission's report provides us with six key goals and corresponding recommendations that will help ensure that all Americans who need mental health services receive them in an effective manner. The goals of the Commission are as follows: (1) To help all Americans understand that mental health is essential to overall health; (2) To make mental health care consumer and family driven; (3) To eliminate disparities in mental health services; (4) To make early mental illness screening, assessment, and referral to services common practice; (5) To ensure delivery of excellent mental health care and acceleration of mental illness research; and (6) To use technology to access mental health care and information. It would be a tragedy to ignore the Commission's report and its sensible recommendations. Every year we lose approximately 30,000 lives in the U.S. to suicide. Every year we lose millions of dollars in lost productivity due to mental illness. Many of these lives and dollars could be saved if high quality mental health services were accessible to all. I call upon all of my colleagues in Congress and my friends in the Administration and in the mental health advocacy community to work together and take the necessary steps to implement the Commission's goals and dramatically improve mental health care in this Nation.

Mrs. NAPOLITANO

Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 522, had I been present, I would have voted ``yes.''