Steve Pearce

Mr. PEARCE

Mr. PEARCE. The gentleman from New York is right. It was and continues to be the intent of Congress that the National Park Service open contracts to competition upon their termination.

Mr. PEARCE. Will the gentleman from New York yield?

Mr. PEARCE. Mr. Chairman, I find the arguments amazing. The Lincoln National Forest is in the Second District of New Mexico. One of the retired foresters grabbed me one day and said, You know, I used to run this 1 million acres by myself and one part-timer. Then he said, Myself and the part-timer did all the timber sales, all of the conservation projects, all of the business opportunity projects by ourselves. Now the Lincoln National Forest has 142 people. If the gentlemen were really interested in the operation, in the use of the operation of the Forest Service and the use of Federal funds, they would go in and de-fund every timber sales department that has not sold a tree in decades, because we are still funding timber sales departments that don't fund it. I find your arrogance tremendously offensive, that you come into another man's district and begin to take away his jobs. In the Second District of New Mexico, there used to be 22 mills that processed these forest products, and we are down to two. The Lincoln National Forest is in a position to offer them the product that would keep them in business. They grow 50 million board feet a year of new timber in Lincoln. They will not even commit 12 million. There is a policy and culture in our Forest Service that says we will not cut trees, we will not keep our forests healthy. We will watch them burn down before we cut a tree. That is what I find offensive about the debate from our friends on the other side of the issue.

Mr. PEARCE. If the gentleman will yield.

Mr. PEARCE. Mr. Chairman, we have heard a lot of talk here. I have heard about a corrupt political system. I would point out that I went to Russia, the Soviet Union, in about 1991. They are awash in petroleum. They are awash in enough petroleum to change the price of the world price of petroleum significantly. But they have a corrupt political system, and they can't even produce. To claim that the American oil companies are somehow gaming the system simply just doesn't wash. Oil is traded as a commodity. No company is large enough to affect the price of oil. It is set worldwide. The price of oil is set. When I look at a demand curve from China, I see that the price of oil is exactly mirroring China's increased demand through the last few years. India is sitting out there requiring a lot of oil too. For us to begin to talk about punishing people who are bringing a product to the market when people desperately need it, and another system, the Soviet system, cannot even get into the market at $70, in which anyone should be able to get oil to the market at that price, seems ludicrous; and it seems like we are not even talking in the United States of America. This is a free market economy. The price is set because of supply and demand. We have arbitrarily limited the supply through our failure to drill in ANWR. We are limiting the supply by not issuing BLM leases throughout the Nation. This BLM today is issuing one-third fewer leases than 5 to 10 years ago. Those are the reasons that we have a price that is going up rather than down. It is a matter of supply and demand.

Mr. PEARCE

Mr. PEARCE. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the last words for purposes of entering into a colloquy with the chairman of the Interior Appropriations Subcommittee. Mr. Chairman, as chairman of the House Resources Subcommittee on National Parks, I am deeply concerned with the fate of our national parks along our southern border, Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, Coronado National Monument, Big Bend National Park, Amistad National Recreation Area, Padre Island, National Seashore and others. Both staff and I have seen firsthand the wanton destruction and detrimental effects that illegal immigration and drug-running has had on some of our most fragile desert environments in our country. It has become so bad at Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument that up to one-third of the park is now closed to the public because the area is occupied by armed drug traffickers, and park employees cannot work throughout the park without an armed escort. We are not talking about potential impacts or future problems. These damages are occurring as we speak. I believe the National Park Service has blatantly ignored the congressional mandate to conserve these resources, including a number of listed species, unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations. While the U.S. Border Patrol is doing what it can to slow the flow of illegal activities through our parks, resource protection is not their priority. The National Park Service must be given the manpower to protect the visiting public and the national resources.

Mr. PEARCE. I thank the gentleman for yielding and I appreciate the concerns of the gentleman from New York. As the National Parks Subcommittee chairman, I would say that this issue has not been brought to us and that we would gladly hold a hearing on it. On my own last year, Mr. Chairman, last year in October I did go to the Statue of Liberty to ask similar questions. The island is open. The statue is open to the base. Originally, the stairs all the way to the crown were installed for maintenance. They are extremely narrow, and the problem with evacuations, I forget the exact time, but the time to evacuate the statue is very high. Again, the gentleman talks about securing the statue, and that is a plus and a minus question. The idea of securing the World Trade Center would have 5 years ago or 6 years ago been just, yes, it is possible. I don't think we can anticipate all of the factors that could come in. Like I said, I would be more than happy to look into the issue. I would be happy to have public hearings, but I would like that request submitted to the Parks Subcommittee. I would oppose the gentleman's amendment, with all due respect. I understand what he is trying to do, and I understand the frustration. I am not always on the side of the park's management team, but in this case I have been; and I have taken a look at it myself and see the problems they are wrestling with. No amount of money can change the size and scope of the stairways. It is limited by the inside diameter of the statue itself. I recognize what your concern is. Our attempt in going to see so many parks is to see how we can increase visitation, how we can increase the enjoyment. So you and I are approaching this from a very similar fashion. But, myself, I struggle. The Park Service did have a significant study, a multiple-page study; I have copies of that and would be happy to share them with the Members of the Chamber. But, Mr. Chairman, I would oppose the amendment.

Mr. PEARCE. I would like to thank the chairman for his recognition of a serious problem and take seriously his commitment to meet with both Director Mainella and incoming OMB Director Portman to discuss what we can do. I think if we address this serious growing problem, then your willingness to work with us will cause the situation to become much better for the public to be better served and for the Park Service to be better served. I thank the chairman for his indulgence.

Mr. PEARCE

Mr. PEARCE. Mr. Chairman, I make the point of order that the language contained in section 502 of the bill violates clause 2(b) of rule XXI and constitutes legislation on an appropriations bill.

Mr. PEARCE. Mr. Chairman, I rise to make a point of order.

Mr. PEARCE. Mr. Chairman, I make the point of order that the language contained in section 501 of the bill violates clause 2(b) of rule XXI and constitutes legislation on an appropriations bill.

Mr. PEARCE. Mr. Chairman, I rise to make a point of order.

Mr. PEARCE

Mr. PEARCE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to thank the Gentlewoman from Connecticut for bringing this resolution forward today. In my district, almost 70,000 Medicare beneficiaries have obtained prescription drug coverage, which constitutes 72 percent of the number of Medicare beneficiaries who live there. My staff and I are proud to have contributed to this achievement. We have held numerous town hall meetings across Southern New Mexico to help seniors sign up for this critical new benefit. We have also trained others to provide this assistance--creating a multiplier effect regarding the amount of help that is available to our seniors. And we continue to urge seniors to contact our offices if they need help as the May 15 deadline approaches. Every senior should immediately check their enrollment status in order to ensure they are enrolled in the Medicare Part D benefit. I also encourage everyone who has a parent or grandparent who is eligible for Medicare to call them and check their status. Seniors must sign up before May 15 to receive the best benefits at the lowest cost. The phone numbers and addresses for my district offices are listed on my website at www.pearce.house.gov. Several additional resources also exist that can assist New Mexicans in choosing and enrolling in a plan. Medicare beneficiaries and their family members with questions about Medicare drug coverage can call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) or visit www.medicare.gov. They can also obtain help from local community organizations, pharmacists, senior centers, area agencies on aging and groups like AARP. No senior should go another day without this coverage and we in Congress have a responsibility to stand with them and help them get that coverage today.

Mr. PEARCE

Mr. PEARCE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Hobbs High School, in Hobbs New Mexico, which recently earned the 2006 College Board Inspiration Award. The College Board's Inspiration Award annually honors three schools nationwide that have demonstrated extraordinary achievements in expanding access to college, particularly in financially disadvantaged areas. Hobbs High School is a model of educational success and its receipt of this award is an accolade to their hard work and dedication to improving the opportunities available to their students. Hobbs is a community that receives less funding per pupil than any other district in New Mexico and has twice as many people in terms of percentage living at or below the poverty level compared to the national average. However, in spite of these setbacks Hobbs High School has made extraordinary advances in expanding access to college for their students. Approximately 55 percent of all secondary students at Hobbs High School now participate in Advanced Placement and Pre-Advanced Placement courses and they currently have the largest Advanced Placement program in the State of New Mexico. Demonstrated success has already been seen with last year's 97 percent graduation rates and the increase in the number of those individuals who went on to college upon graduation. Hobbs High School is a wonderful example of what can be achieved when teachers, students, and community leaders come together to ensure that plentiful opportunities exist for their students. I ask my colleagues in the U.S. House of Representatives to join me in congratulating Hobbs High School for this wonderful academic achievement.

Mr. PEARCE

Mr. PEARCE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3418) to amend the Reclamation Wastewater and Groundwater Study and Facilities Act to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to participate in the Central Texas Water Recycling and Reuse Project, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. PEARCE

Mr. PEARCE. Mr. Speaker, again I express my appreciation to Mr. Udall from New Mexico for his hard work and support of this bill. Mr. Speaker, I have no additional speakers, and I yield back the balance of my time, requesting all Members to support H.R. 2720.

Mr. PEARCE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2720) to further the purposes of the Reclamation Projects Authorization and Adjustment Act of 1992 by directing the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Commissioner of Reclamation, to carry out an assessment and demonstration program to control salt cedar and Russian olive, and for other purposes.

Mr. PEARCE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as may consume. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 2720 would further the purposes of the Reclamation Projects Authorization and Adjustment Act of 1992 by directing the Secretary of the Interior to carry out assessment and demonstration programs to control salt cedar and Russian olive. Salt cedar and Russian olive are small, deciduous harmful trees widely distributed along riparian areas in the Western United States, particularly along the Colorado, Rio Grande, Pecos and Gila Rivers. They are known both for their phenomenal reproductive output and their ability to deplete scarce water resources. According to experts, one salt cedar tree can absorb 300 gallons a day. In fact, studies have shown that salt cedar dries up 800 billion gallons more water per year than the native cottonwood tree that it is replacing. Given these facts, most can agree that controlling salt cedar and Russian olive is important for water salvage, riparian restoration, salinity control, wildfire control and habitat restoration. H.R. 2720 will begin to address these problems by providing sound science and in turn developing and expanding on innovative approaches to control these harmful weeds. I urge adoption of the bill. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. PEARCE. I thank the gentleman for his support for the bill and his hard work on the bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. PEARCE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the bill under consideration.

Mr. PEARCE

Mr. PEARCE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and concur in the Senate amendment to the bill (H.R. 3351) to make technical corrections to laws relating to Native Americans, and for other purposes.

Mr. PEARCE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and insert extraneous material in the Congressional Record on the bill under consideration.

Mr. PEARCE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 3351 addresses a number of minor, non-controversial tribal issues in one legislative package. H.R. 3351 contains 10 provisions to assist tribes with matters that are relatively small in nature but very important to Native Americans across our country. Specifically, this legislation will make technical corrections to laws relating to Native Americans and Alaska Natives by reauthorizing certain Native American programs, clarifying statutes relating to particular Indian tribes and approving 99-year land leases for certain tribal lands. The Senate amendment adds four provisions to the previous House- passed bill. The substitute adjusts the interest formula for the Fallon Paiute Shoshone tribal water settlement trust fund, increases the funding formula for the National Indian Gaming Commission, certifies rental proceeds for Indian-leased land and makes technical corrections to clarify provisions and amendments in the American Indian Probate Reform Act of 2004. Each year, Congress passes a bill like this relating to technical corrections, and thankfully we have been able to utilize the consultation of many tribal leaders in examining this legislation. I would like to thank Senator McCain, chairman of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee, for working with our committee to craft a bipartisan and effective piece of legislation that will make a world of difference to the Native American community. I ask support for the measure. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. PEARCE. Mr. Speaker, I have no additional speakers, and I yield back the balance of my time and urge Members to support the resolution.

Mr. PEARCE

Mr. PEARCE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3929) to amend the Water Desalination Act of 1996 to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to assist in research and development, environmental and feasibility studies, and preliminary engineering for the Municipal Water District of Orange County, California, Dana Point Desalination Project located at Dana Point, California, as amended.