Ed Pastor

Mr. PASTOR

Mr. PASTOR. Mr. Speaker, this morning, again, I extend my condolences and my most heartfelt sympathies to the loved ones and families of the people that were victims in this tragic event. My prayers go out to the families that are looking with hope to find their loved ones. My gratitude continues to the men and women who are endangering their lives looking for victims. And my hope is that those that were injured will recover quickly. It is a time of anger, a time of fear, but we need to ensure that our Constitution does not become a victim. We need to protect and ensure that we protect our civil rights. We also need to ensure that our democracy does not become a victim. We need to ensure that we protect the separation of powers. We need to ensure that the executive branch works with the Senate and the House in concert, in order that we bring about a resolution. Our American spirit will help us overcome this great tragedy, and may God continue to bless America.

Mr. PASTOR

Mr. PASTOR. Mr. Speaker, I would like to express my condolences to the victims and my support for all of the people who are rescuing, and I join my President in resolving to join him in finding those people who perpetrated this crime. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with a heavy heart and a deep resolve. I rise in support of this Resolution. Like all other Americans, and many from other countries around the world, I am saddened by the events of yesterday. Our hearts weep for the victims and families of this horrendous attack. Our hearts weep for our nation. And our hearts weep for our civilization. But, just as Americans of past generations have stared down the grisly realities of malicious and wanton aggressions upon our freedom, our livelihood, and our way of life, so we will rise up to denounce, withstand, and battle this atrocity. Let no one throughout the world misunderstand America's resolve to end the senseless carnage that we observed yesterday. Let no one throughout the world misunderstand America's spirit to defend democracy and freedom. Let no one throughout the world misunderstand America's will to prevail. It is a time of sadness and a time of challenge in our nation. We will continue to remember and revere those who perished. But we will also meet this challenge with the conviction and the courage that has made our nation the shining symbol of freedom throughout the world.

Mr. PASTOR

Mr. PASTOR. Mr. Chairman, first of all, I would like to congratulate the gentleman from Alabama (Mr. Callahan), the Chairman of the Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development, and the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Visclosky), the ranking member on the subcommittee, for the fine work they have done in bringing this bipartisan bill forward. I also would like to thank both of the gentleman for the projects which are funded in this bill. The Rio Salado project has been funded for the construction of the Rio Salado, and those of us who live in Mericopa County are very appreciative of it. We also want to thank the subcommittee for funding the various flood control studies and habitat restoration of the various tributaries of the Salt River. Also, those of us who represent Tucson are very thankful, because, in this bill, we fund many projects that deal with habitat restoration and flood control in southern Arizona. Mr. Chairman, I look forward to working with the gentleman from Alabama (Mr. Callahan) and the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Visclosky), the ranking member, to deal with the issue of the Nogales Wash and to see how we can fund that flood control project; but I would urge my colleagues to support this bill, it is bipartisan. Mr. Chairman, I would also like to thank the staff who have worked very hard on this bill.

Mr. PASTOR

Mr. PASTOR. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Andrews).

Mr. PASTOR. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from New York (Mr. Serrano), a member of the subcommittee.

Mr. PASTOR. Mr. Chairman, first of all I would like to congratulate our chairman, the gentleman from Kentucky (Mr. Rogers), and ranking member, the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Sabo), for the fine work they have done in bringing this bill before us. It is a reasonable bill, it is a fair bill, and I congratulate them and also thank them. I would like to thank the subcommittee for the work that they did on the issue of the borders in this bill. We have monies dedicated to building facilities that will inspect the trucks, as we have the international flow of trucks, and also we have additional personnel on the borders. This bill contains additional money for personnel on the borders that will inspect the trucks. I would also like to congratulate the subcommittee for the work they have done in dealing with airport congestion. As the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Rothman) talked about hubs, this subcommittee has taken on the responsibility of dealing with the congestion that we have, and I look forward to working with them to resolve that. I would like to thank the staff for the fine work they have done. This is a good bill, and we support it.

Mr. PASTOR. Mr. Chairman, will the gentleman yield?

Mr. PASTOR. Mr. Chairman, I understand that the subcommittee's decision was without prejudice to the merits of the Jersey City project.

Mr. PASTOR. Mr. Chairman, I yield 3 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Menendez).

Mr. PASTOR. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from New York (Mr. Hinchey).

Mr. PASTOR

Mr. PASTOR. Mr. Speaker, I rise before you today to bring my colleagues' attention to an exciting event that is occurring in my district for the first time ever. On June 20-23, 1,500 members of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists will gather in the Valley of the Sun for the group's 19th Annual Convention: Our Time is Now, Imagenes Y Voces de Nuestro Tiempo. I'm proud that my district will be the site where hundreds of Hispanic journalists and media professionals will converge to continue to promote the mission of this organization dedicated to the recognition and professional advancement of Hispanics in the news industry. NAHJ endeavors to increase the number of Hispanic journalists in print, broadcast and new media industries. The organization works to improve coverage of Hispanic communities so they are accurately portrayed in the news. The annual convention gives members the opportunity to be revitalized by workshop issues on industry trends and ideas that affect careers and the way news is covered. It also gives members the chance to network, train and encourage journalists of the future. Some of you may be aware that NAHJ has been a leader in improving the quality of journalism as it is now practiced in the United States. Organizations such as NAHJ have been instrumental in assuring that the media accurately reflect the communities they serve, not only through the hiring of diverse personnel, but through their news coverage. Therefore, NAHJ has been a significant force in assuring that media are practicing good and better quality journalism. Established in April 1984, NAHJ created a national voice and unified vision for all Hispanic journalists. NAHJ is governed by a 16-member board of directors that consists of executive officers and regional directors who represent geographic areas of the United States and the Caribbean. The national office is located in the National Press Building in Washington, D.C. NAHJ has approximately 1,500 members, including working journalists, journalism students, other media-related professionals and academic scholars. In addition to employment and career development, NAHJ works to organize and provide mutual support for Hispanic journalists in English, Spanish and bilingual media; encourage the study and practice of journalism and mass communication by Hispanics; promote fair treatment of Hispanics by the news media; and foster greater understanding of the culture, interests and concerns of Hispanic journalists. Besides the national convention and career expo, the organization has dozens of exciting projects and programs, which include mid-career and professional development programs, an online job bank, journalism awards, internship and fellowship listings, student journalism workshops, a newsletter and scholarships. As you can see, the National Association of Hispanic Journalists is a strong professional organization that has provided genuine leadership and continues to advocate for Hispanics in the news industry. I congratulate NAHJ on the occasion of its 19th Annual Conference, and I ask my colleagues to please join me in wishing them a successful event and best wishes for the future.

Mr. PASTOR

Mr. PASTOR. Mr. Speaker, I am opposing the passage of H.R. 1836. This legislation is fiscally irresponsible and, contrary to its official title, will not result in economic growth, but could have a significant negative impact on our economy. I support a tax cut. I have supported a tax cut since this process began in February. But this is the wrong tax cut at the wrong time. The House of Representatives and the President started this process all wrong. The President submitted this massive ten year tax cut of $1,600,000,000,000 before he had even submitted a budget for Fiscal Year 2002. And the House proceeded to pass this huge tax cut, without having passed a budget. This is completely irresponsible. It is the equivalent of a family taking money out of circulation for the next ten years before they have sat down and decided how much they need this year for health care costs, how much they need to educate their children, how much they need to protect their home, how much they need for transportation, or how much they need for food, shelter, and clothing. Again, Mr. Speaker, I had no problem with cutting taxes, I just wanted it done in a responsible manner and after a budget had been passed. Once the House had passed a budget, the leadership continued on its blind path of irresponsibility by insisting on the President's $1.6 trillion cut. I supported a much more realistic plan, which would have divided the on budget surplus, the surplus after contributions to the Social Security and Medicare Trust Funds are deducted, into thirds. Under this plan, the $2.7 trillion surplus could have been divided into $900 billion for a tax cut, $900 billion to further pay down the National debt, and $900 billion to help fund National priorities such as education, veterans' health care initiatives, a prescription drug plan for our elderly, transportation infrastructure needs, disaster relief, and National defense. But now, many of these programs will go lacking because H.R. 1836 cuts $1.35 trillion, almost half a trillion dollars more than the plan I supported. This is only the broad perspective of this legislation, however. We must also look at it from the immediate effects it will have on the individual taxpayer. In reality, the impact on middle income Americans is virtually zero. I support elimination of the Marriage Penalty. But, adjustments to the Marriage Penalty do not even begin until 2005. This priority of almost every Member of the House and Senate is not dealt with for four years, and not completely eliminated for eight years. The adjustment to the Estate Tax is so minuscule until its elimination in 2010 that it will have virtually no impact But finally, Mr. Speaker, the real changes to our tax code, the changes that have the most effect and impact, are for those individuals and families with adjusted gross incomes of more than $136,000 a year. The people making these large salaries will experience virtually all the tax cuts in this misguided legislation. The majority of my constituents, hard working taxpayers who fall into the 15% tax bracket, receive virtually nothing. Nothing! In fact, the 15% bracket does not change, except for the marginal $300 savings they will see from the creation of the 10% bracket on their first $6,000. Accordingly, the people in my district who need tax relief the most, receive none. The small business owner and small farmer do not get any Estate Tax relief, the married couples of the Second Congressional District of Arizona don't receive any relief from the penalty for four years, and those families making less than $45,200, those in the 15% tax bracket, get virtually nothing, while the top one percent of taxpayers in our Nation, those making more than $373,000 a year, get 45% of the tax relief This is an unfair tax bill which I am not able to support.

Mr. PASTOR

Mr. PASTOR. Mr. Chairman, I support H.R. 1, the No Child Left Behind Act, but I must point out some sections that I believe place students with Limited English Proficiency (LEP) at a disadvantage. I have been contacted by several organizations with an extreme interest in these provisions of the legislation, and I would like to point out some of the concerns we share. Hopefully, when Members of the House of Representatives and the Senate meet in Conference, these provisions of this historic legislation can be addressed to ensure complete fairness to all of America's children. I oppose the requirement in Title I and Title III for parental consent for English Language Instruction. I would like to point out that current law already includes a requirement that schools notify parents about their child's participation in bilingual and English as a Second Language (ESL) programs. The provision in H.R. 1 goes further and requires every local educational agency (OEA) to obtain written parental consent before LEAs could serve limited English proficient children with appropriate bilingual instruction. In contract, LEAs using English only instruction would not have to seek such consent. In reality, this parental consent requirement would create a disincentive for schools to serve LEP students. Title III of the No Child Left Behind Act also proposes to consolidate the current Bilingual Education Act (BEA), the Emergency Immigrant Education Program (EIEP), and the Foreign Language Assistance Program (FLAP) into one formula driven State grant. Addressing the unique needs of limited English proficiency students has reached critical levels. The approach taken in H.R. 1, consolidating these three programs, is counterproductive and does nothing to assist LEAs in providing adequate services for LEP and newly arrived immigrant students. I oppose the consolidation of these programs and urge the Conferees to maintain each as a separate and distinct entity. Finally, Mr. Chairman, Title III also requires every LEA to design programs that assess LEP students in English who have attended school in the United States for three or more consecutive school years in reading or language arts, and if these students have not reached proficiency in English, the LEA will face economic penalties. Of course, Mr. Speaker, this will lead to LEAs proclaiming proficiency and removing these students from these programs whether they have learned English or not. This imposition of an arbitrary three year instructional time limit is ill advised and intrudes on the LEAs ability to help LEP students succeed. As we all realize, all students, including LEP students, come to school with diverse needs, and at different In closing, I again want to point out my support for this legislation. However, if we truly do hope to ``leave no child behind,'' we must look seriously at the provisions dealing with limited English proficiency students. I am hoping and trusting that the Conferees will make the right decisions on these important provisions of H.R. 1.

Mr. PASTOR

Mr. PASTOR. Mr. Speaker, I rise before you today to bring attention to the achievements of a great woman who was recently presented with the Arizona State University (ASU) Young Alumni Achievement Award. This award is bestowed upon an alum who has excelled early in his or her profession and has served the community with distinction. She is a native Arizonan, devoted wife, loving mother of two, and I am proud to know her as my friend. Mr. Speaker, I speak of Ms. Gema Duarte Luna of Phoenix, Arizona. Raised in the small town of Superior, Arizona, Gema graduated from ASU in 1984 with a Bachelor of Science degree and was the first in her family to receive a college degree. She has had many triumphs in the fields of business, management, and local politics including appointments to many civic committees, such as the Mayor's Fiscal Capacity Committee and the City of Phoenix Transit Tax Citizen's Committee, due to her extensive involvement in issues affecting the community. She also serves as a board member for KAET Channel 8 (a public television station), Xicanindio Artes, an organization that provides youth programs and promotes Chicano and Native American artists, the National Conference for Community and Justice, a diversity program for high school students, and serves as a member of the ASU Cesar Chavez Institute, a youth leadership program. Gema served as chairwoman of the Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and is the current chair of the chamber's annual spring black and white ball which is the largest banquet and fund-raising activity of the Hispanic business community. While working as the Affinity Marketing Manager for Bank of America she received the prestigious ``LEND'' award for her commitment to improve the efforts that target low and moderate families and neighborhoods. Currently, she serves as the market segment manager for the Arizona Republic and through her ongoing development and supportive measures, she has been instrumental in the funding of the ASU foundation, a non-profit organization that acts as the principal agent through which gifts are made to benefit the university. As my colleagues can see, she is a role model to all Arizonans and young Latinas throughout the nation. Her involvement in the community is truly an inspiration and a testament to her dedication and commitment. Her strong presence and proven leadership skills have earned her the respect of her peers and she continues to be a well respected voice in the Valley's Hispanic community. Therefore, please join me today in honoring my friend, Ms. Gema Duarte Luna.

Mr. PASTOR

Mr. PASTOR. Mr. Speaker, I stand before you today to pay tribute to a great woman who has been an influential force in assisting Arizonans in need. The woman of whom I speak is Ms. Terri Cruz, a woman whose accomplishments in life are reflected in the success of her community and its members. Ms. Cruz has touched the lives of many citizens of Arizona through her active community involvement. In 1985 she was appointed by former Governor Bruce Babbitt to the Nursing Care Institution Administrators Board, while concurrently serving as the National Chairman of the Hispanic Senior Citizen Foundation Board. Other boards Ms. Cruz has served on are the YWCA, Maricopa County and Phoenix Human Resource Commissions and the Mayor's Commission for the Aging. In addition, she served as President of the West Phoenix LULAC (League of United Latin American Citizens) Council. Ms. Cruz's work as a Job Developer for Operation S.E.R. provided training for high school students in clerical skills, general office procedures, and other areas, giving young people who may not otherwise have had the opportunity to gain these valuable skills become productive members of their communities. Currently Ms. Cruz is the Social Services Counselor for Chicanos Por La Causa, Inc., based in Phoenix. Her primary responsibility is providing social services to clients. She helps solve problems they may be having with Social Security, food stamps, health agencies, and landlord/tenant problems. Many of these problems may have gone unchecked if it were not for caring individuals such as Ms. Cruz. As a tribute, Chicanos Por La Causa named one of their buildings after Ms. Cruz for all her work in helping individuals gain job skills and obtain employment. Because of her lifelong dedication to helping others, Ms. Cruz recently was honored with a Jewell Award. This is an award that annually recognizes ``a woman who has given generously and selflessly for the betterment of our community,'' in metropolitan Phoenix. Her extensive background in job training and development, her commitment to working within business, industry, social and community organizations and government to help others truly has made her deserving of this award. Therefore, Mr. Speaker, I ask that you and my colleagues join me today in honoring this giving and caring individual, my friend, Ms. Terri Cruz.

Mr. PASTOR

Mr. PASTOR. Mr. Speaker, today I rise before you to pay tribute to not one person, but an entire family in my district which has established itself as a beacon of accomplishment. The family I speak of is the Torrez Family, owners of the great Azteca Plaza in Phoenix. The Torrezes have been a benevolent part of our community for over 56 years. Adolfo Torrez and the late Kay Anne Torrez set a standard not only with their commitment to their business and customers, but also with the values and ethics that they installed in their children Raoul, Royna, and Gregory. Azteca Cafe was first started by Adolfo and Kay Torrez in 1946. Soon they added a small bar which they named Azteca Bar. These two businesses flourished at the corner of Third and Washington streets. Over the next few years, the Torrez family would expand their property and their businesses to include a flower shop, furniture store, bridal store, formal clothing retailer, and even a dry cleaning company. The three Torrez children would work side by side with their parents learning from their versatility and passion for hard work. Today Gregory, Raoul, and Royna, continue in their parents footsteps, managing Azteca Plaza and are proving to their community that they are as ethical and driven as their parents, and as compassionate and caring for their community. The Torrez family recently received the 2001 Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Entrepreneurs of the Year Award for their work not only as business people, but for their contributions to society. Mr. Speaker and all my colleagues, please join me today in paying respect to this incredible family, my friends, the Torrezes of Phoenix.

Mr. PASTOR

Mr. PASTOR. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 126, due to weather my plane was delayed. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.''

Mr. PASTOR

Mr. PASTOR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Portable Practical Educational Preparation, Inc. (PPEP), and its founder, Dr. John David Arnold, for bridging the digital divide in two ways: 1) by bringing information technologies into under-served rural farmworker and Hispanic communities, and 2) by providing the educational opportunity for at- risk and farmworker students to obtain technology-based skills through PPEP's 13 charter high schools strategically placed in rural areas and inner cities. Through these efforts, PPEP is not only removing barriers of educational and economic inequity by successfully bringing the super information highway infrastructure to rural communities, but also encouraging the use of that highway through education and training. I applaud PPEP for its dedication to bringing information technologies to rural and small schools in Arizona with the creation of Arizona Educational Network (AzEdNet). This secure network provides an economical link between public and charter school sites and the Arizona Department of Education for the state- required transfer of student data. The unique design of this network saves the taxpayers of Arizona substantial funds while providing fast and secure bandwidth to remote rural areas. This network provides online access to students while protecting them from online predators and unwholesome sites by providing ``best efforts'' filtering software. PPEP's educational opportunities are made available through a school system of 13 charter schools. To ensure academic excellence, PPEP has taken a leadership role in creating the Arizona Performance Based Accreditation Program for charter schools. The Arizona Performance Based Accreditation Program has been recognized by the State School Board Association, the Arizona Board of Regents, and the National Office for Charter Schools. With its peer-review system for school accountability, is now a national model for charter school accreditation. In 1998 PPEP was also instrumental in creating the Arizona Regional Resource Center which provides technical support and online consultation for charter schools. These developments have strengthened charter schools as an educational delivery system and have improved the credibility of charter schools. Subsequently, the United States Department of Education selected PPEP to operate the High School Equivalency Program (HEP) for farmworkers through a charter high school. This is the first HEP in the nation funded through a charter school. Furthermore, PPEP has taken learning beyond the traditional classroom by using emerging technologies to create the migrant farmworker Lap Top Project, ``a virtual high school'' with self-paced curriculums that have provided the opportunity for some 6,000 rural, at-risk students to obtain technology-based skills since 1996. I salute this vision to carry rural people forward into the technical diversity of the 21st Century.

Mr. PASTOR

Mr. PASTOR. Mr. Speaker, first of all, I want to extend my heartfelt condolences to Henry B.'s family, and I would also like to thank them for allowing us to share Henry B. Gonzalez. Mr. Speaker, Henry B. Gonzalez was a voice and will continue to be a voice for the common person, and one of my highlights being in Congress was having the honor of serving with Henry B. Gonzalez. I hope as he looks down upon us, it will give us the courage to fight for the common man and make sure that all people have the equality that they greatly deserve.

Mr. PASTOR

Mr. PASTOR. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to be a sponsor of the Arizona Water Settlements Act of 2000, H.R. 5529. This legislation, which was introduced yesterday with the support of the entire Arizona House Delegation, will resolve several long-standing issues pertaining to the repayment obligations and water allocation related to the Central Arizona Project. Although outstanding issues remain, significant progress has been made. It is my hope that the introduction of this bill will encourage all parties involved to quickly finalize the few remaining issues of the agreement, as well as show the Delegation's strong commitment to seeing this process through. Among the issues yet to be firmly resolved is that of the procedures though which Tribes may bring land acquired after the settlement date into ``trust.'' It is my understanding that although the Tribes have been working closely with the State parties, and that a tremendous amount of work has already been accomplished, the final details have yet to be agreed upon. Settling this issue will require a delicate balance of interests, and the outcome will impact not only the parties to this settlement, but other tribes as well, including the Pascua Yaqui and Tohono O'Odham in the district I represent. In fact, all of Indian Country will be looking to this provision because it could very well affect all future Native American water and land dispute settlements. Therefore, this matter must be finalized in a manner that sets an acceptable precedent if the final agreement is to maintain the broad support enjoyed by this preliminary legislation. There are other important and difficult issues yet to be resolved, including the utilization of settlement funds. Nevertheless, I am extremely encouraged that all the parties are so close to an agreement and focused on cooperation. I commend all the parties involved for their determination to make this happen and their commitment to negotiate their differences for the benefit of all Arizonans. This agreement is a cornerstone of the foundation on which Arizona will thrive in the future. I am proud to support the new Act, and I look forward to enacting final legislation on this issue early in the 107th Congress.

Mr. PASTOR

Mr. PASTOR. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall votes numbered 525 and 526, I was unable to vote. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on both.

Mr. PASTOR

Mr. PASTOR. Mr. Chairman, I rise to support this legislation, which I have cosponsored and is of tremendous importance to Arizona maintenance. I appreciate the efforts of the chairman of the Committee on Resources, the gentleman from Alaska (Mr. Young); and the ranking member, the gentleman from California (Mr. George Miller); as well as the subcommittee chairman, the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Hansen); and my dear friend, the gentleman from West Virginia (Mr. Rahall), for moving this legislation. As my colleagues know, this legislation will designate approximately 206,000 acres of land within Pima, Cochise, and Santa Cruz Counties as a National Conservation Area. I represent the area of the designation within Santa Cruz County. I believe, as do many others within Arizona, that it is important for this area to be designated a National Conservation Area. This designation would allow for the local people to continue their involvement in the use and preservation of this area by having a say in the important management plan to be developed by the Secretary of Interior. In 1988, the Empire-Cienegas Resources Conservation Area was established by the Bureau of Land Management. In 1995, in order to address and work on land issues within the Conservation Area, a diverse and caring group of citizens formed the Sonoita Valley Planning Partnership. Virtually every group with an interest in the use and conservation of the area was included in the Partnership. Conservation organizations have continued to have a say in how this land should be used and protected. Hiking clubs address the needs of the area both in the recreational activities and preservation. Off- highway vehicle clubs and mountain biking clubs have explored ways to use this land while protecting its pristine value and not spoiling it for wildlife and for plant species. Ranchers have joined the Partnership to best explain how the land can be used for grazing without having a detrimental impact on the environment. Mining companies continue to work within the Partnership in hopes of ensuring an area will be preserved for recreation, wildlife, and beauty. Finally, State, Federal, and local governments have been included to address the needs of their constituents which are not part of other groups. Mr. Chairman, I commend the Sonoita Valley Planning Partnership for having developed a management plan for these lands. By Congress designating Las Cienegas as a National Conservation Area, we will give a permanence to the bold and innovative plan that the Partnership has developed. In fact, the management plan is the core of this National Conservation Area designation. In simple terms, it is a plan by local people for local lands. Mr. Chairman, while there are many details to this legislation, it is important to point out that this bill would preserve a significant amount of land from Tucson to Mexico. It would create a biological corridor that is necessary for the long-term survival of several species that move within the designated area, not to mention protecting a diverse cross-section of plants. It would also sustain a long-term riparian area along two southern Arizona perennial streams. In closing, Mr. Chairman, we all know there are several options for protecting this land. After looking at all the alternatives, I support the approach of the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Kolbe) of the Sonoita Valley Planning Partnership as the best alternative to maintaining and preserving this area. By designating this area as a National Conservation Area, we are taking a practical and meaningful approach toward preserving our environment in southeastern Arizona. I urge my colleagues to support this important legislation.

Mr. PASTOR

Mr. PASTOR. Madam Speaker, I have a parliamentary inquiry.

Mr. PASTOR. Madam Speaker, I want to thank Madam Speaker for her comments. Hopefully, maybe in the morning before we start, the Chair might remind us what the rule is on buttons that communicate a message.

Mr. PASTOR

Mr. PASTOR. Mr. Speaker, first of all, I would like to congratulate the gentleman from California (Chairman Packard) and the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Visclosky), the ranking member, for bringing to the floor a good bill. I know that we have worked on it. We worked on it very hard, and we are able to have a good conference. I will support the bill and ask other Members to support it. I would like to thank the staff. I would like to thank the gentleman from Indiana for working with all of us, as well as the gentleman from Florida. People of Arizona in Maricopa County and in Pima County want to thank the committee for the fine work they have allowed to be funded in terms of habitat restoration and the studies that will rehabilitate the environment. I would like to take a moment to thank the gentleman from Florida (Chairman Packard). He has been very fair and willing to work things out with all of us. I want to thank him for the way he treated this Member. I wish him the best. Sorry to see him go, but I wish him the best in his retirement.