Richard Pombo

Mr. POMBO

Mr. POMBO. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the bills H.R. 1442, H.R. 1092, H.R. 1598, and H.R. 1521.

Mr. POMBO

Mr. POMBO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 1442, which I introduced and that was amended by the Committee on Resources, authorizes the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund to establish an underground visitor center at or near the Vietnam Veterans Memorial to better inform and educate the public about the Memorial and the Vietnam War. My colleagues may not remember, but back in 1979 Congress authorized the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund to raise the necessary funds to build the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, known more commonly as The Wall. The Fund met its goal, raising over $8 million. And on November 13, 1982, The Wall was opened to the public. I have no doubt that the Fund will meet its goal for the visitor center. The Fund has been integrally involved with the Memorial since 1982, and I expect that it will also be integrally involved with the visitor center. While the center will be operated by the Park Service, the National Park Rangers will work side by side with volunteers and educators from the Memorial Fund and other veterans' organizations in assisting visitors as they seek a better understanding of the Memorial and our involvement in the war. Today over 4.4 million people annually visit the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, the most visited Memorial in our Nation's capital. Some come to ``The Wall That Heals'' to sketch the name of their fallen mother or father, brother or sister on a piece of paper, while others come for a solemn moment with a fallen comrade. It has become the quietest place in our Nation's capital. No Federal funds will go toward the design and construction of the visitor center. Once completed, the maintenance costs will be shared by the Fund and the National Park Service. Once built, the visitor center and The Wall will work in synergy to provide a profound educational experience unlike any other monument or memorial. While the exhibits for the visitor center will be determined once it is built, I expect that some of the 60,000 personal articles that have been left by family members over the years at the Memorial will find a permanent home. A visitor center for the Vietnam Veterans Memorial is the right thing to do. It is our moral responsibility to provide a place where the thousands of stories of profiles in courage can be told and shared with fellow Americans. Too many visitors to The Wall walk away not truly knowing the impact the Vietnam War had on our country, the men and women who fought in Vietnam and the lives of those families who lost their mothers and fathers, sons and daughters. While there are the names of 58,235 men and women on The Wall who made the ultimate sacrifice for democracy and security, I do not know how the draft affected their families, who they were, where they came from, or how they felt about the war. A visitor center could begin to answer some of these questions. The Vietnam Veterans Memorial will offer the visitor a more comprehensive understanding as to the evolution of the Memorial and why America got involved in Vietnam in the early 1950s, committed itself until 1973, making it our Nation's longest military conflict, spanning six Presidential administrations and sacrificing the lives of over 52,000 Americans. I know my colleagues who unselfishly served this country during the Vietnam War with honor and duty, such as two of the original cosponsors of the bill, the gentleman from Nevada (Mr. Gibbons), and the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Murtha), agree with me that the visitor center is needed. This bill represents a true bipartisan effort. I would like to thank the Committee on Resources ranking member, the gentleman from West Virginia (Mr. Rahall), the Committee on Resources vice chairman, the gentleman from Nevada (Mr. Gibbons), and our colleague, the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Murtha), for their support and efforts in moving this legislation forward. I would also like to thank Jan Scruggs of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund and a number of his colleagues from veterans organizations across the country, Don Murphy, Deputy Director of the National Park Service and his staff, and David Watkins, of the minority staff, for all of the hours that they put in working with the majority staff in moving this bill forward. Finally, I would like to thank my constituents, Leo Burke of Stockton, California, a veteran of World War II, and Retired Air Force Colonel Robert Frank of Pleasanton, California, a veteran of the Vietnam War. Both have been instrumental in raising the awareness of H.R. 1442 and support for the visitor center. I would also like to thank the members of the Karl Ross Post Number 16 American Legion in Stockton, California, and the Vietnam War veterans from the tri-valley area in my district for their support of this legislation. H.R. 1442, as amended, is supported by the majority, minority of the Committee on Resources and the administration. It has been an honor for me to serve in helping to move this much-delayed legislation forward. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 1442 as amended. I look forward to this important legislation becoming law. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. POMBO. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Nevada (Mr. Gibbons), vice chairman of the Committee on Resources and an original cosponsor of the bill. (Mr. GIBBONS asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. POMBO. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1442) to authorize the design and construction of a visitor center for the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, as amended.

Mr. POMBO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I want to thank the gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Napolitano) and the gentleman from California (Mr. Cardoza), two of my California colleagues who have worked so hard on this legislation and others over the past several months to make this a reality, and I think that their support is well-known amongst the veteran community, and I thank them for their work. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 1442, as amended. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. POMBO. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Ginny Brown-Waite).

Mr. POMBO. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. POMBO

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

Mr. POMBO. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 1092, sponsored by the gentleman from Nevada (Mr. Gibbons), would authorize the Secretary of Agriculture to sell certain parcels of Federal land in Carson City and Douglas County, Nevada. This legislation would dispose of Federal land interspersed with or adjacent to private land in Carson City and Douglas County. The parcels identified have been difficult and expensive for the Forest Service to manage, and the land has lost its National Forest character. I urge support for the legislation. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. POMBO. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1092) to authorize the Secretary of Agriculture to sell certain parcels of Federal land in Carson City and Douglas County, Nevada, as amended.

Mr. POMBO. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. POMBO. Mr. Speaker, I yield as much time as he may consume to the gentleman from Nevada (Mr. Gibbons). (Mr. GIBBONS asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. POMBO

Mr. POMBO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. H.R. 1598, sponsored by the gentleman from California (Mr. Cox), authorizes Federal assistance for the design and construction of a de- salter and a regional brine line to treat brackish groundwater. The bill also provides for strategic placement of wetlands to naturally clean surface water in the San Diego Creek Watershed. All Federal assistance would be limited to 25 percent of the overall project's cost. This bill is yet another step towards ``drought proofing'' southern California and will decrease the region's overdependence on imported Colorado River water. I urge my colleagues to support this important bill. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. POMBO. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from California (Mr. Cox).

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

Mr. POMBO. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1598) to amend the Reclamation Wastewater and Groundwater Study and Facilities Act to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to participate in projects within the San Diego Creek Watershed, California, and for other purposes.

Mr. POMBO

Mr. POMBO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 1521, introduced by the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Murtha) and amended by the Committee on Resources, would revise the boundaries of the Johnstown Flood National Memorial. The Secretary of the Interior would be authorized to acquire approximately 15 acres of land from willing sellers to be included within the boundary of the Johnstown Flood National Memorial. Acquisition of these additional lands would provide permanent protection for resources that are integral to the historic flood of 1889. Both property owners, Tom and Ann Furlong and the South Fork Fishing and Hunting Club Preservation Society, are supportive of the bill and the acquisition of their properties. One parcel of land originally in the proposal has been removed, as the owner is no longer a willing seller. Therefore, there are no private property conflicts with this legislation. The Johnstown Flood Memorial comprises nearly 165 acres in western Pennsylvania and tells the story of the events leading up to the 1889 Johnstown flood, of the flood itself, and its effects on Johnstown and the Nation. My colleagues may be interested to know it was during the Johnstown flood that Clara Barton successfully led the Red Cross in its first disaster relief effort. H.R. 1521, as amended, is supported by the majority and minority of the subcommittee and the administration. I urge my colleagues to support the legislation. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. POMBO. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1521) to provide for additional lands to be included within the boundary of the Johnstown Flood National Memorial in the State of Pennsylvania, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. POMBO

Mr. POMBO. Mr. Speaker, I rise tonight to honor the 50th wedding anniversary of my friends, W. Ronald Coale, and his wife Mary Ellen Fiske. It is not often that two people so perfectly compatible find each other. Fifty years of happy marriage is a remarkable achievement, and for this I congratulate them. It was 50 years ago today that Ron wed Mary, his girl from, appropriately, Angel's Camp. These last 50 years have witnessed many happy times in their lives, including the births of their two sons, W. Ronald Jr. and Michael, and their five grandchildren. Ron and Mary have been dedicated and distinguished members of the Stockton, California community. Ron has served as a commissioner with the Port of Stockton since 1991. Before that he served on the City Council and as Vice Mayor. Both Ron and Mary have long been active in the California Republican Party. It gives me great pleasure to commemorate these two fine Americans on this special day.

Mr. POMBO

Mr. POMBO. Mr. Speaker, I request that the attached cost estimate for H.J. Res. 63, the Compact of Free Association Amendments Act of 2003, be submitted for the Record under General Leave. U.S. Congress, Congressional Budget Office, Washington, DC, September 15, 2003. Hon. Richard W. Pombo, Chairman, Committee on Resources, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Dear Mr. Chairman: The Congressional Budget Office has prepared the enclosed estimate for H.J. Res. 63, the Compact of Free Association Amendments Act of 2003. If you wish further details on this estimate, we will be pleased to provide them. The CBO staff contact is Matthew Pickford, who can be reached at 226-2860. Sincerely, Robert A. Sunshine (For Douglas Holtz-Eakin, Director. Enclosure H.J. Res. 63--Compact of Free Association Amendments Act of 2003 Summary: H.J. Res. 63 would amend the Compact of Free Association Act of 1988 and subsidiary agreements between the United States and the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) and the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM). The compacts with RMI and FSM, together with the subsidiary agreements, govern the political, economic, and military relationship between the United States and these two freely associated states. Although the compact does not expire, certain provisions that authorized federal funding for RMI and FSM expired in 2001. The compact provides that expired provisions be extended until 2003 if negotiations to renew the compact had not concluded by 2001. H.J. Res. 63 would provide financial assistance for RMI and FSM for the next 20 years. The legislation would make several changes to the compact to increase monitoring of financial assistance, create a joint oversight committee, and establish trust funds to provide funds to RMI and FSM beyond 2023. H.J. Des. 63 also would provide $30 million a year for costs related to the migration of RMI and FSM nationals to other jurisdictions and about $31 million annually for additional education grants for RMI and FSM. Consistent with the baseline construction rules in the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act, CBO's baseline assumes that direct spending; for grants to RMI and FSM will continue over the 2004-2013 period-beyond the scheduled expiration date-at an average annual cost of $157 million a year. We estimate that enacting this legislation would increase direct spending by around $680 million above the amounts assumed in our baseline projections over the 2004-2013 period. In addition, the legislation would extend the authority to appropriate funds for certain federal services for RMI and FSM for the next 20 years, for grants to pay for costs related to the migration of RMI and FSM nationals to other jurisdictions, and for costs associated with medical debt referral claims. Assuming the appropriation of the necessary amounts, CBO estimates that implementing these provisions of H.J. Res. 63 would cost $850 million over the 2004-2013 period. H.J. Res. 63 contains an intergovernmental mandate as defined in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (UMRA), but relative to current law, that mandate would impose no costs on state, local, or tribal governments. The resolution contains no private-sector mandates as defined in UMRA. Estimated cost to the Federal Government: The estimated budgetary impact of H.J. Res. 63 is shown in the following table. The costs of this legislation fall within budget function 800 (general government). -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- By fiscal year, in millions of dollars--

Mr. POMBO

Mr. POMBO. I yield to the gentleman from Michigan. Request to Add Member as Cosponsor

Mr. POMBO. Mr. Speaker, reclaiming my time, I would just urge my colleagues for an aye vote on the legislation.

Mr. POMBO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, in closing, I would like to thank the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Turner) for his perseverance in moving this bill through the process. This has been a long time in coming. It is a bill that has passed the House previously. I look forward to this bill being enacted and being signed into law. And I urge my colleagues to support the bill.

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

Mr. POMBO. Mr. Speaker, pursuant to the order of the House of September 10, 2003, I call up the bill (H.R. 911) to authorize the establishment of a memorial to victims who died as a result of terrorist acts against the United States or its people, at home or abroad, and ask for its immediate consideration.