Devin Nunes

Mr. NUNES

Mr. NUNES. Madam Chairman, outlined in the Democrats' budget proposal is something called cap-and- trade. Not many people are familiar with what cap-and-trade means. But simply, it's an energy tax. It's a tax on everyone who drives a car, flips on a light switch, or consumes a manufactured item made in the United States. In fact, it's the largest tax increase in American history, amounting to almost $2 trillion, and it will impact everyone. This is why I refer to it as cap-and-tax. Even President Obama admitted to the San Francisco Chronicle that, under this cap-and-tax scheme, energy prices would skyrocket. Total costs of this tax are estimated at nearly $2,000 for each American household. So what does this mean to the American household? What would they have to give up to make up for this $2,000? You could quit eating. Or just don't buy any furniture or appliances for the year. Or maybe don't buy your children any shoes or clothes for the year. Or if you're real concerned about global warming, just stop using electricity and stop heating your home. Or, like some people do today in Washington, just stop paying your property tax. That would make up the $2,000. Under this scheme, the Democrats treat energy as a luxury. When energy becomes a luxury, all else becomes a luxury too because energy makes everything possible. Seldom do the experts agree on much, but on cap-and-tax, there's a clear consensus. It will destroy millions of jobs and devastate our economy. Republicans want to reduce carbon emissions. We believe it's a worthy goal. The Republican budget alternative that we will talk about tomorrow expands domestic oil exploration in Alaska, on the Outer Continental Shelf and other untapped natural resources. This will create new American jobs today, high-paying jobs, not phantom green jobs. At the same time, the Republican budget mandates that the revenues from this new oil and gas exploration, literally hundreds of billions of dollars, be directed to things like solar panels and wind farms. No Democrat plan has ever contemplated such a massive investment in solar and wind. And this, all at no cost to the taxpayers. The oil companies pay for it. Our budget also highlights the importance of investments into nuclear energy. Nuclear power produces zero carbon emissions. Let me repeat, zero carbon emissions. It provides us with clean, cheap and abundant electricity. Construction of 200 nuclear reactors would reduce carbon emissions more than any disastrous cap-and-tax scheme. An investment in nuclear power would also help America achieve energy independence, lower consumer prices and, in sharp contrast with the Democrats cap-and-tax scheme, nuclear power investments would actually create jobs. A choice is hereby laid before this body: A Democrat budget that taxes energy and creates the largest tax increase in American history, while having no impact on carbon emissions, or a Republican alternative that actually invests more in renewable energy than the Democrats, takes more carbon out of the air, and doesn't cost the taxpayers anything. A vote for the Democrat budget would represent much more than a lack of common sense. It would be a clear sign that the priorities of the Democrats rest, not with the American people, but with the special interests of the radical environmentalists. The Republican budget is about common sense. It uses American resources to create American jobs on behalf of the American people. I would urge my colleagues to reject the Democrat budget and, hopefully, we can get enough Blue Dogs to support the Republican alternative that we'll offer tomorrow.

Mr. NUNES

Mr. NUNES. Madam Speaker, around the world today, more than 1 billion people do not have access to water. Conflict rages among populations on every continent for the control of this vital resource. In the undeveloped world, violence and bloodshed often determine winners and losers. And, indeed, brutal dictators like Robert Mugabe have taken water from their own people as a means of control. Most Americans would never believe our government is capable of such an act, the intentional drying up of entire communities. That is what the San Joaquin River Settlement does to central California. Madam Speaker, the Democrat leadership in Congress clearly has no interest in the economic prosperity of the San Joaquin Valley and no compassion for those suffering due to manmade water shortages. This legislation will ensure higher unemployment in a region nearing 20 percent unemployment. The poverty you are creating is unprecedented. This body's cruelty in the face of suffering is beyond belief. If this Congress isn't capable of delivering water to people, perhaps we can ask the United Nations for help. Maybe they would be willing to deliver water, distribute humanitarian aid and rebuild the San Joaquin Valley you seem so committed to destroying. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``no'' on this rule and vote ``no'' on this bill.

Mr. NUNES

Mr. NUNES. Mr. Speaker, what we should really do here today is slow down. What I want to know is who's responsible for including this in the stimulus package, authorizing these bonuses? We need to know if it's Senator Dodd, if it's Secretary Geithner, or President Obama. Who knew and who knew when? So, to me, if we're looking at whom to blame for this, we ought to be looking at the folks that voted for the bailout, that voted for the stimulus bill. Every Republican opposed the stimulus bill. I believe this is a gimmick. I don't think this bill will become law. I don't even know if it's constitutional. This bill never even went through regular order. I think what we should do today is calm down, stop this process, and go meet in the Ways and Means Committee so that we can go through this bill and determine whether or not this is the right course of action. So today I ask my colleagues to just slow down. Let's read the legislation. Let's not vote on this today. And let's come up with a real solution and not just a gimmick.

Mr. NUNES

Mr. NUNES. Mr. Speaker, this bill contains a provision called the San Joaquin River Settlement. It's a poison pill that targets my constituents. If you vote for this bill today, you vote to end agriculture in the San Joaquin Valley. This bill simply dries up 300,000 acres of farm ground. We already have 16 percent unemployment in my district. This bill ensures 20 percent. I thought this Congress wanted to create jobs. Do radical environmentalists really possess the power to force Congress to choose dead fish over living communities? How could this possibly be in the best interest of our country during these economic times? Spending $21 million per fish to recover a Mystic Salmon run is completely irresponsible. Citizens Against Government Waste and the National Taxpayers Union have labeled this ``The Billion Dollar Fish Fry.'' Mr. Speaker, if you like tumbleweeds, dry dirt, bankrupt farmers, communities without water, and people without jobs, you're going to love this bill. If you believe that the most basic rule of government is to provide water to the people, you must vote ``no.'' It's hard to imagine a more flawed approach than the one this Congress has taken today. Greed, dishonesty, and the vain hope of relief from lawsuits seem to be the primary motivation for passage of this bill. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``no'' on this disastrous piece of legislation.

Mr. NUNES

Mr. NUNES. Madam Speaker, this legislation is not about creating jobs. If jobs were the priority of Democrats, leaders would have listened to my pleas to help California. I had asked Democrat leaders to include a provision that would not have cost one penny. It would have simply brought water to my constituents, and it would have saved 60,000 jobs. Folks may ask: Why didn't the Democrat leaders put this in? Well, it is because their friends in the radical environmental community have decided that 2-inch minnows are more important than the people in my district. Just listen to a California deputy attorney general who moonlights as a radical environmentalist. Here is what he said about my constituents: ``What parent raises their child to be a farm worker? These kids are the least educated people in America . . . They turn to lives of crime. They go on welfare. They get into drug trafficking, and they join gangs.'' This is pathetic. You are spending $1 trillion, and you will not put in one provision that would create or save 60,000 jobs. This is an insult to my constituents, an absolute insult. Vote ``no'' on this rule. Vote ``no'' on this bill.

Mr. NUNES

Mr. NUNES. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 71, the motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 139--Commemorating the life and legacy of President Abraham Lincoln on the bicentennial of his birth, had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.''

Mr. NUNES

Mr. NUNES. Mr. Chairman, the significance of what we face can only be described as a generational challenge. Many of my colleagues seem to believe that the only solution is to spend enormous amounts of taxpayer money. First we are told that we had to spend $700 billion to bail out Wall Street. Then we were told that, despite the bailout's failure, we needed another $350 billion. And now this Congress is told to approve nearly $1 trillion in a taxpayer-funded giveaway. Mr. Chairman, perhaps it is time to remind my colleagues that this Nation is already facing unsustainable levels of government spending. Responsible action today is not to spend more, but to reform the way we do business and spend less. The current economic crisis should serve as a warning, a powerful warning to this Congress: face your economic demons, or be crushed by your political cowardice. For years we have lived on borrowed time. We have continued to throw money at unsustainable and broken programs like Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid. These programs must be fixed. On a more blunt point, our Nation's energy policy is an absolute travesty. To put it simply, our policies are bizarre. We want abundant energy, but we enact policies that do nothing but march us in the opposite direction. It is time for this Congress to face reality. We should permit more oil development off Alaska and our coastlines. I know this is shocking to hear, but we must also match the leadership of France and produce 80 percent of our electricity from nuclear reactors. The bottom line is we need jobs. Energy development will create jobs. I can assure you that throwing more and more money at the problem isn't going to solve the crisis. Simply taking action to be seen as doing something is denying reality and is an injustice to the American people. Tough choices need to be made. While they will not always be popular, nor will they be easy, they are most certainly necessary.

Mr. NUNES

Mr. NUNES. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 6, I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.''

Mr. NUNES

Mr. NUNES. Madam Speaker, our economy has slowed to a crawl and American workers are worried about their jobs. These conditions are clear arguments for action by our government, and action should be taken. The question each of us needs to ask ourselves is whether or not the Paulson plan is the best course of action. In my view, it's not. I made no secret of my frustration and disapproval for the sense of panic instilled upon the public by Wall Street insiders and some of our Nation's elected leaders. Madam Speaker, this is not a time for panic; it's a time for leadership and it's a time for deliberation. Congress must not be confined to a timetable dictated by alarmists who see the government money as their only backstop again, irresponsible lending. Investors take risks, sometimes the risks they take are reckless. Taxpayers must not be liable for Wall Street risk-taking. Madam Speaker, the American people do not accept the allegation that we have only two alternatives before us: passage of this bill or another Great Depression. There are other options if congressional leaders had the courage to allow this democracy to function. We could debate these issues. We need to make certain that our Nation's lending institutions are the strongest in the world and that our constituents have confidence that they have a safe place to put their money. One way to accomplish this is to let the Fed purchase preferred shares with warrants. This would infuse capital into the market, freeing up banks to make loans and extend credit. The plan that I and others have proposed to this Congress is in sharp contrast to the Paulson plan and offers real protection to the taxpayer. Why do we need to give $700 billion to one man to play hedge fund god from the gilded offices of the United States Treasury? If the Secretary wants to run a hedge fund, he should go back to Wall Street. This Congress must not hand over such an enormous amount of money; it is simply wrong. It's irresponsible. Listen to all the pundits, all the financial wizards, the holier-than-thou capitalists from our Nation's leading institutions; they sound like they belong to the Soviet Politburo. When the markets are riding high, they want us to leave them alone. When the market crashed, they want to us nationalize their debt. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``no.'' However, if this bill passes, it is my hope that the administration will focus first on shoring up our Nation's lending institutions.

Mr. NUNES

Mr. NUNES. Madam Speaker, I rise today with great pride to recognize the 100th Anniversary of Allensworth--a small town in Tulare County, California, founded, financed and governed by African Americans. The town was created in 1908 by Col. Allen Allensworth, a visionary man with an extraordinary life. Allen Allensworth was born a slave in Louisville, Kentucky, in 1842. At the age of 12, he was sold for trying to learn to read and write. He was taken to New Orleans and bought by a slaveholder to become a jockey. When the Civil War started and Union forces neared Louisville, Allensworth seized the opportunity to gain his freedom by joining the Navy. Prior to being discharged, he had achieved the rank of first class petty officer. In 1871, he was ordained as a Baptist minister and entered the Baptist Theological Institute at Nashville. While serving at the Union Baptist Church in Cincinnati, he learned of the need for African American chaplains in the armed services and got an appointment as Chaplain of the 24th Infantry. At the time of the Civil War, Allensworth saw many African Americans move west to escape discrimination. With four other men with a similar vision, he decided to establish a place where African Americans could live and thrive without oppression. On June 30, 1908, they formed the California Colony Home Promoting Association. The town of Allensworth began with 20 acres in southwest Tulare County, and later grew to more than 80 acres. By 1914, the little town boasted 200 inhabitants. That same year Allensworth became its own voting precinct, as well as its own judicial district. Tragically, Col. Allensworth was killed on September 14, 1914, when he was hit by a motorcycle while getting off a streetcar in Monrovia. After a funeral at the Second Baptist Church in Los Angeles, he was buried with full military honors. Over the years, the population dwindled in the small town. In 1970, there was an effort to save the town as an historic monument and park dedicated to the memory of Col. Allensworth and the achievements and contributions of African Americans to the history of California. In 1974, California State Parks purchased land within the historical town site of Allensworth, and it became Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park. A collection of restored early 20th-century buildings-- including the Colonel's house, historic schoolhouse, Baptist church, and library--sit within the park. Today, I ask that my colleagues join me in celebrating the rich history of Allensworth and its lasting legacy as an inspirational art of the State of California.

Mr. NUNES

Mr. NUNES. Mr. Speaker, I would like to begin by taking us back 50 years ago, to the islands of the Azores, in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. At that time, the peaceful communities of these islands relied on each other to maintain their livelihood, and the mainly agrarian lifestyles of its peoples were sustained by this interconnectedness. Then, in 1957, a tragic and unexpected turn of events, brought about by a natural disaster, severely destabilized the lives of these proud and hardworking people. It was September 27, 1957, when the island of Faial experienced a series of volcanic eruptions that lasted for over a year and immediately shattered its economic infrastructure. In its aftermath, the Capelinhos volcano left behind overwhelming material, physical and psychological damage. The cohesive Portuguese communities already present in the United States at the time rallied behind the victims of this volcano, and unified into a great movement that called for special quotas to allow these victims into the United States. In 1958, in great part resulting from these efforts, Senator John Pastore from Rhode Island introduced S. 3942, the Azorean Refugee Act. This bill proposed the issuance of 1,500 non-quota visas to the Faial victims, providing relief in face of such devastating tragedy. Senator John Fitzgerald Kennedy cosponsored this bill, and along with Senator Pastore, became one of the leading proponents of this legislation. Their efforts finally materialized on August 18, 1958, when the Azorean Refugee Act was finally signed into law, becoming Public Law 85-892. By November of 1959, the 1,500 special quota visas allowed by the Azorean Refugee Act had already been issued, with more than 3,000 persons from Faial having already immigrated to United States. With the rippling effects of the Capelinhos volcano still being felt in the Azores, the number of visas was elevated to 2,000 in 1960, and then in 1961, a new law permitted the entrance for 2,500 additional Azorean refugees. In total, more then 5,000 visas were issued, effectively shifting the formerly restrictive immigration laws of our country. The Portuguese community's push to liberalize our immigration policies transformed this Act into one of the most important special laws in our history. In this sense, it was the most important contribution of the Portuguese-American community to the eventual reform of American immigration policy in 1965. As a direct result of the Azorean Refugee Act, the United States Government began to liberalize its immigration laws, and around 25,000 Portuguese citizens eventually immigrated to this country. This law revitalized the long history of Portuguese immigration to the United States, and once again, allowed our great Nation to benefit from the many qualities these people had to offer. The immigrants arriving from the Azores reached the shores of the United States as manual laborers, and without much proper education they relied solely on the fruits of their hard work to earn their living. Portuguese immigrants distinguished themselves in farming, fishing, and other trades, and built for this Nation a solid foundation of honesty and pride in their work. Subsequent generations have rested upon this heritage to succeed in our society, with a great many Portuguese-American communities producing professors, lawyers, physicians, judges, politicians and other leading figures of our society. Fifty years later, the admirable successes of Portuguese-American communities throughout California, New England, and elsewhere are a testament to their remarkable work ethic and integrity, which truly inspire us all. Their story is one of sweat, toils, and struggles before a new land, and in itself reflects the very spirit o$ this nation. For all of that, this resolution recognizes the great importance, of the Azorean Refugee Act, and the vast contributions made by these Azorean communities, who truly turned tragedy into triumph. Let us never forget that America's strength rests on the inclusion of people from all parts of the world and in the generosity that flows from our ideals of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

Mr. NUNES

Mr. NUNES. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the life and public service of Max Corbett, a veteran, a teacher, and a powerful steward of our Nation's rich agricultural heritage. Some people in this world become larger than life, not because of their physical size or presence, but because of the number of people they influence in their lifetime. Max Corbett, or Corbett as I called him, was both a father figure and big brother to many. His influence has been felt throughout the San Joaquin Valley and our country. Corbett was born and raised on a dairy farm. In 1968 he enlisted to fight for his country in Vietnam where he earned a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star. Upon returning home, he attended college at California State University, Fresno, graduating in 1975. Following college, Corbett moved to Tulare. It was here, in a rural San Joaquin Valley community, that he would touch the lives of several generations of farmers and help to transform agriculture education. For more than 31 years, Corbett taught the next generation of farmers at Tulare High Schools--where he became chairman of the school's Agriculture Department. For 25 years, he was dairy and farm manager. Always humble, Corbett praised the Tulare Future Farmers of America-- unwilling to take credit for his own enormous impact. However, it was under his leadership that the Tulare FFA became one of California's most active chapters. Corbett also led the Tulare dairy team to win the 1984 national title. Both as a coach, and community activist, Corbett fought every day to develop Ag leaders of the future. By 1989, he was recognized as one of 12 Teachers of Excellence for the entire State of California. Corbett's proudest accomplishment can be found in his loving family. He enjoyed a 36-year marriage with wife, Mary, and was the father of three children, Michele, Max and James. Max Corbett left his community of Tulare a far richer place than the one he found over 30 years ago, and for that we are blessed. He was a leader, a mentor, a patriot and above all else he was my friend.

Mr. NUNES

Mr. NUNES. Madam Speaker, today, September 18, 2008, I was unavoidably detained and was unable to cast a vote on a number of rollcall votes. Had I been present, I would have voted: rollcall 612, ``no''; rollcall 613, ``no''; rollcall 614, ``nay''; rollcall 615, ``aye.''

Mr. NUNES

Mr. NUNES. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Before I share with you the reason I wrote this legislation, I think it's important to remind everyone why sole survivors are afforded unique status in our military. Prior to 1942, it was not uncommon for family members to serve together in the military, even in the same unit. However, a World War II tragedy during the naval battle at Guadalcanal would cause the War Department to rethink its policy. That tragedy involved the death of all five Sullivan brothers, who were serving together aboard the USS Juneau when it was sunk in 1942. The death of the Sullivans prompted changes intended to protect families from the heartache of losing an entire generation to war. One key reform is the policy requiring sole survivors to be removed from combat. It is this rule, known as the Sole Survivor Policy, that Tom Hanks dramatized in his movie Saving Private Ryan. Since 9/11, there have been 51 sole survivors identified by the Department of Defense. Each of them has a unique story of service and sacrifice. The events that shaped why we are here today began in November 2004 when a roadside bomb in Iraq killed Marine Lance Corporal Jared Hubbard. It is hard for anyone, myself included, to understand the anguish of losing a son or a daughter to war. The Hubbards bore their grief with amazing strength, and with the help of family and friends, they buried their son. Jared's patriotism and sacrifice inspired everyone who knew him, and although his loss is very real, his presence was not lost. Both of his brothers, Nathan and Jason, soon joined the Army. When asked why they chose to serve, both men responded that they wanted to honor their brother and wanted to continue his service to our Nation. Late last year, Jason and Nathan were returning from a night scouting mission in separate Blackhawk helicopters when Nathan's helicopter crashed. Jason's Blackhawk landed with orders to secure the crash site. However, there were no survivors. Nathan had been killed in the crash. Nathan's death resulted in Jason Hubbard's designation as a sole survivor. He was removed from combat duty, and was assigned to the solemn duty of accompanying his brother's body home for a second funeral in 3 years. Unfortunately, the tragedy does not end here. When Jason voluntarily separated from the Army under the Sole Survivor Policy, he was asked to pay back his enlistment bonus. He was denied transitional health care, and was told that he could not receive GI Bill benefits, the reason: ``He did not fulfill the commitment outlined in his contract.'' This response was clearly not what Jason expected. And I don't think there is anyone in this Nation who would argue that the Hubbards had failed in their commitment to our Nation. Jason lost two brothers to war. He served honorably in the United States Army and discharged as a sole survivor only after being removed from combat under the Army's own rules. The challenges he faced were unjust. When Army Secretary Pete Geren learned of Jason's situation, he intervened to the extent he was able. However, we discovered statutory constraints that limited what the Secretary of the Army could do. The legislation before us today resolves those statutory issues, and for the first time recognizes sole survivors through an act of Congress. The Hubbard Act will provide benefits already offered to other soldiers who honorably separate from military service. This means that sole survivors will not be forced to repay their enlistment bonus, they will be able to participate in the current and new GI Bill educational program, they will receive separation pay, and they will continue to be afforded transitional health care coverage. As I conclude, I would like to thank my friends, Mr. Costa and Mr. Cardoza; both were instrumental in building support for this legislation. Furthermore, I would like to thank Senator Feinstein and Senator Chambliss for championing the Hubbard Act in the Senate, and of course Chairman Rangel and Ranking Member McCrery and, of course, Mr. Kind for their willingness to provide the offset for this bill. Their support, and the support of the 311 cosponsors, is very much appreciated. With that, Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. NUNES. Madam Speaker, I continue to reserve my time.

Mr. NUNES. Madam Speaker, I just want to thank Mr. Costa for his kind words. And really, this is a piece of legislation that we hope will move as quickly as possible to the Senate floor so that the President can sign this bill into law. As has been outlined by all the speakers tonight, this is a sad moment, but it's really a wrong that needs to be made right. And I'm proud tonight that we will pass this, hopefully unanimously, by this Congress. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. NUNES

Mr. NUNES. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleagues, Mr. Costa and Mr. Radanovich. Mr. Costa, of course, is a very proud alum of Fresno State so he's very excited for this day, and I want to thank them both for their help on passage of this important legislation. I rise today to congratulate my hometown baseball team, the Fresno State Bulldogs, who entered the College World Series as underdogs and against all odds succeeded in clinching the championship title. The Fresno State baseball program has had a successful history since its inception in 1922. Bulldog baseball boasts five titles, three WAC championships, 30 NCAA tournament appearances and four appearances in the College World Series. The program has produced excellent Major League Baseball players throughout their 86-year history and many other student athletes that excel both on and off the field. The story of the Fresno State Bulldogs in the College World Series is one of outstanding achievement. With sweat and guts, the Bulldogs won the WAC tournament merely to qualify for the College World Series Their performance at the national championship not only proved that they belonged in this elite tournament, but also left no doubt they were the best team in the Nation. Without regard for the doubters and the critics, Fresno State baseball exhibited an uncompromising commitment to success, which is truly characteristic of this university. Challenge after challenge, they pulled through in the face of adversity and achieved the greatest victory in the school's history. During their outstanding run at the 2008 College World Series, the Fresno State Bulldogs broke a series of records. They were the only team in College World Series history to score more than 17 runs in two separate games. The team also set records for the most home runs, most extra-base hits, most runs batted in, and most total bases in a championship game. Fresno State was the lowest seeded team to ever to win the College World Series, and this championship victory marks the highest achievement of the program in its entire history. While they excelled as a team, some were also recognized for their exceptional individual performances. Fresno State player Tommy Mendonca was chosen as the Most Valuable Player, Most Outstanding Player in the College World Series, and was selected for the U.S.A. Baseball National Team. Coach Mike Batesole received the Coach of the Year award for the second time in his career. Many other outstanding performances are highlighted in this resolution. The accomplishment of this team has filled the community with the utmost sense of pride. As underdogs, Fresno State overcame all the odds and achieved the much-deserved title of champions of the College World Series. Congratulations to the Fresno State Bulldogs for the tremendous achievement.

Mr. NUNES

Mr. NUNES. Madam Speaker, today, the price of gas is $5 a gallon, and we would like to see the plan today, Madam Speaker. I hope that this rule will unveil this plan, but unfortunately, the legislation that's before us today is a scam. It's a complete and total scam. The longer that we continue to blame the White House, the longer that we continue to blame the oil companies, the longer that we continue to blame everyone else but ourselves--we ourselves are to blame; we should look in the mirror. This Congress should take dramatic steps to open up supply that would bridge ourselves to the next generation of energy, Madam Speaker. That's what we should be doing here today. The American people aren't going to buy these arguments, but they are going to continue to be buying $5 gas until we decide, as a Congress, to do something about it. With that, I would like to thank the gentleman from Florida for yielding me the time.

Mr. NUNES. I thank the gentleman from Florida. Congratulating the Fresno State Bulldogs I'd like to rise in opposition to this rule, but before I do that, I'd like to take just a moment to recognize the accomplishments of the Diamond Dogs of Fresno State. The Central Valley's own Fresno State Bulldogs entered the College World Series and left as world champions. The Bulldogs, who barreled into the College World Series with nothing more than the burden of proof on their side, showed not only that they belonged in the series but that they were nothing less than the best team in the Nation. The Fresno State Bulldogs have triumphed in the face of adversity and have achieved the greatest victory in College World Series history. Their achievement has spoken louder than words and will become a testament to all those who seek to be better, to reach further, and to soar higher than ever before. I share this, not only because of the great sense of pride I feel from the Fresno State Bulldogs' outstanding accomplishment, but because I believe their story is truly an inspiration for all. Our Fresno State Bulldogs' story is not one of miracles. It is a testimony of the strength of the human spirit. It is a force that can overcome any obstacle, even when faced with seemingly insurmountable odds. Congratulations to the Fresno State Bulldogs. Now, Madam Speaker, I was sitting here, waiting to congratulate the Fresno State Bulldogs, and unfortunately, we ran out of time on that. But I had the opportunity to be able to listen to the other side of the aisle's arguments, and I can't help but think back to 2006, because there's a lot of hot air here in Washington, as we know, but in 2006 the Democrats said, if you put us in power, we're going to get our troops out of Iraq, we're going to surrender in Iraq, and we're going to just turn it over to the terrorists in Iraq. Two years later, we're still in Iraq, Madam Speaker, because the Republicans stood up to the Democrat majority and said we're going to try to win and achieve victory in Iraq. We're still trying to do that, and it's very difficult. The other thing that the Democrats also promised in 2006 is that they had a real plan to lower gas prices. Well, in 2 years, we have managed to double the price of gasoline, and in California, we're getting close to paying $5 a gallon. So I'm assuming that today's rule is the unveiling of this plan to lower gas prices. However, the plan that you have before us and all that we continue to hear is that we blame the Texas oil men in the White House. Give me a break. You must have better legislation than that today. If this is your plan, to blame the White House, to blame oil speculators, to blame oil companies, American oil companies don't control the world's oil supply. The world's oil supply is controlled by foreign governments that, for the most part, are hostile towards us. So if you have a plan to deal with these foreign governments, hopefully, we can see it today. If you have a plan that's going to somehow miraculously lower oil prices, maybe we're going to see that today because, right now, your plan is not working real well. Announcement By the Speaker Pro Tempore

Mr. NUNES

Mr. NUNES. As you can see, Mr. Costa is a very proud alumni, Mr. Speaker. Also, I would be mistaken not to mention my chief of staff, Johnny Amaral, is also a proud alumni of Fresno State. I know that he was really rooting for the team. This is going to be a very important victory for the San Joaquin Valley tonight. I know they are going to be welcomed home by probably thousands of fans in Fresno; and I know that Mr. Costa and I can't wait to hopefully greet the team here and invite them to our Nation's capital and possibly even get a White House visit. Does my colleague have anything else?

Mr. NUNES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with my good friend from California (Mr. Costa) to recognize something very important that happened in the San Joaquin Valley, for all the people of the San Joaquin Valley, and that is that yesterday the Fresno State Bulldogs won the college series. This is very special for all of us. At this time, I yield to my good friend, the distinguished gentleman from California, an alumnus of Fresno State, Mr. Costa.

Mr. NUNES. Thank you.

Mr. NUNES

Mr. NUNES. Madam Speaker, on the legislative day of Monday, June 23, 2008, I was unavoidably detained and was unable to cast a vote on a number of rollcall votes. Had I been present, I would have voted: rollcall 438--''aye''; rollcall 439--``aye''; and rollcall 440-- ``aye''.

Mr. NUNES

Mr. NUNES. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 431, I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.''

Mr. NUNES

Mr. NUNES. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I think it is appropriate that the Congress continues to do their work, Mr. Speaker. But one of the problems that the Republicans have on this side of the aisle is that consumers are now paying upwards of $5 per gallon for gas in California and we want to make sure that the Republicans take our time to come to the House floor to make sure that we convey to the American people that the Republicans do have a plan, and part of that plan deals with drilling on Federal lands. Although a lot of these bills that are coming to the floor deal with wilderness that may or may not have oil and gas exploration possibilities, like, for example, the bill that was just passed before the Congress that was in my district, there is no oil and gas in that area, this wilderness area I am not sure about. So I do have some concerns about this legislation, because I don't know this part of New Mexico, if there is oil and gas available. I am concerned, because as we put this into a wilderness area, this is another area of America that will then be off-limits for drilling for oil or gas, and, like I said, at a time when Americans are paying $5 per gallon in some parts of the country, this is a big problem for the Republicans. With that, I will reserve the balance of my time.