Jared Polis

Mr. POLIS

Mr. POLIS. I have no additional speakers.

Mr. POLIS. Madam Speaker, I have here a letter which I will quote, in part, and then submit from a number of environmental groups under the auspices of the Campaign for Environmental Literacy, a group that I have also had the opportunity to work with on education legislation. What I would like to read is a paragraph that describes ELG and B-WET's contributions to our country. ``The ELG program enables NOAA, as the Nation's leading expert on weather, climate, and ocean information, to partner with the Nation's top nonprofit organizations and educators to put this information to good use.'' ELG funds will allow ``the American Association for the Advancement of Science to update climate education standards that are used to guide science education in classrooms and across the country to reflect state-of-the-art science.'' ``The B-WET grants programs support environmental education which promotes locally relevant, experiential learning in the K-12 environment.'' I submit the entirety of the letter for inclusion in the Record. Campaign for Environmental Literacy, Mar. 18, 2010. Hon. Lois Capps, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Dear Representative Capps: We write to you to indicate our strong support for passage of the Ocean, Coastal, and Watershed Education Act (H.R. 3644). This bill authorizes and strengthens the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's existing Bay-Watershed Education and Training (B-WET) and Environmental Literacy Grants (ELG) programs. Over the past seven years, these two NOAA education programs have been essential to advancing ocean, atmospheric, and environmental literacy in the United States, a major goal of the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy Report and the U.S. Ocean Action Plan. They have been well received by the ocean and environmental literacy communities, and in fact, ELG requests for proposals have been oversubscribed by a factor of 10. The ELG program enables NOAA, as the nation's leading expert on weather, climate and ocean information, to partner with the nation's top non-profit organizations and educators to put this information to good use. For example, these grants have enabled more than 20 million people to gain access to compelling up-to-date weather, climate and ocean information through the Science on a Sphere and Ocean Today Kiosk from Alaska to Hawaii to California to Massachusetts. ELG funds have also allowed the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) to update climate education standards that are used to guide science education in classrooms around the country to reflect state-of-the-art climate science. In addition, ELG grants to the National Science Teachers Association have given thousands of teachers access to the most accurate scientific information on climate, corals and hurricanes. The B-WET grants programs support environmental education which promotes locally relevant, experiential learning in the K-12 environment. A fundamental goal of the programs are to demonstrate how the quality of the watershed affects the lives of the people who live in it. B-WET programs have now expanded to include the Chesapeake Bay, California, Hawaii, Pacific Northwest, Gulf of Mexico and New England, and this bill will add five new regions as well. B-WET awards to state and local education organizations have provided opportunities to over 125,000 students and 6,200 teachers in 2008 alone. It is important to now establish these programs in law, consistent with the education mandates provided to NOAA in both the America COMPETES Act (PL 110-69, Sec. 4002) and the Omnibus Public Land Management Act (PL 111-11, Sec. 12304). They are vital to NOAA's ability to execute the educational function of its mission. They have demonstrated their effectiveness, as well as their value to stakeholder communities. And as our nation begins to grapple with the complexities and challenges of a changing climate (and ocean and landscape), they are timely and highly relevant. Thank you for your consideration of this request. For questions about this letter, please contact James Elder, Campaign for Environmental Literacy (978-526-7768, elder@FundEE.org). Sincerely, National Organizations American Fisheries Society (Gus Rassam, Executive Director); American Fly Fishing Trade Association (Gary Berlin, President); American Forest Foundation (Tom Martin, President); American Hiking Society (Gregory A. Miller, President); American Sportfishing Association (Mike Nussman, President & CEO); Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (Paul Rowland, Executive Director); Association of Zoos and Aquariums (Steve Olson, Vice President); Biodiversity Project (Jennifer Browning, Executive Director); Camp Fire USA (Pamela Wilcox, National Interim CEO); Challenger Center for Space Science Education (Daniel Barstow, President); Climate Literacy Network (Tamara Shapiro Ledley, Coordinator); Coastal States Organization (Kristen M. Fletcher, Executive Director); Consortium for Ocean Leadership (Bob Gagosian, President and CEO); Council of Environmental Deans and Directors (Stephanie Pfirman, President); Council on Environmental Education (Josetta Hawthorne, Executive Director); Earth Day Network (Kathleen Rogers, President); EarthEcho International (Philippe Cousteau, CEO); Earth Force (Lisa Bardwell, President); Ecological Society of America (Katherine S. McCarter, Executive Director); Federation of Fly Fishers (Leah Elwell, Conservation Coordinator); National Association for Interpretation (Tim Merriman, Executive Director); National Audubon Society (Judy Braus, Vice President for Education); National Council for Science and the Environment (Peter Saundry, Executive Director); National Estuarine Research Reserve Association (Matt Menashes, Executive Director); National Marine Educators Association (J. Adam Frederick, President); National Marine Sanctuary Foundation (Jason Patlis, President and CEO); National Project for Excellence in Environmental Education (Bora Simmons, Director); National Science Teachers Association (Jodi Peterson, Assistant Executive Director); National Service-Learning Partnership (Nelda Brown, Executive Director); National Wildlife Federation (Kevin Coyle, Vice President for Education); North American Association for Environmental Education (Brian Day, Executive Director); Ocean Alliance (Roger Payne, President); Ocean Conservancy (Vikki Spruill, President and CEO); Ocean Conservation Research (Michael Stocker, Director); Ocean River Institute (Rob Moir, President); Project WET Foundation (Dennis Nelson, President and CEO); SandyHook SeaLife Foundation (Mary M. Hamilton, Executive Director); Second Nature (Anthony Cortese, President); ServeNext (Zach Maurin, Co-Director and Co-Founder); Sierra Club (Jacqueline Ostfeld, National Youth Representative); Student Conservation Association (Dale Penny, President &

Mr. POLIS. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. POLIS. I will yield some of my time to Mr. Lungren in just a moment.

Mr. POLIS. I'll yield for a question.

Mr. POLIS. Again, I would like to emphasize that the gentleman from California's criticisms are not about this rule or any rule that we have before us. Tomorrow the Rules Committee will be meeting to decide under what rule we will consider health care. The gentleman has made some remarks with regard to a common practice that is within House resolutions referred by the Rules Committee that involves self-executing language. In 1996, the Republican-controlled House adopted a resolution to consider as adopted the conference report on line-item veto. I would also like read a quote from Thomas Mann who is quoted by USA Today. He is a scholar at the Brookings Institute, who said that the ``deem and pass'' move is not very unusual, has been used 36 times in 2005 and 2006 by the Republican Congress, 49 times in 2007 and 2008 by the Democratic Congress. I think what's important for people to know is that the Rules Committee doesn't have any special ability to do these rules unilaterally. They only exist by the good graces of a majority of the House. If a majority of the House wants to pass the Senate health care bill as part of a rule, they can. There will be a debate and a discussion over that Senate health care bill, and the Senate bill will be presented to the President and signed, if it passes, before the reconciliation bill reaches the Senate floor. The House, under the Constitution, is given a great ability to do what it wants to do and to conduct its own affairs as it wants to conduct its affairs. Just as today we have a House resolution, 1192, and that House resolution provides for the consideration of two bills, those bills will only be considered by the House if this rule, this House resolution, passes the full House with a majority of the votes. It will be the same with any rule that is referred out of the Rules Committee tomorrow with regard to the consideration of health care. That rule will only have any force, any effect, if a majority of the House passed that rule and whatever is in that rule, just as they would consider any bill under the House of Representatives. This rule is a very fair rule. These two bills, I believe, have bipartisan support, a strong consensus to help create jobs, prepare kids for our future, educate kids about the environment, and preserve our great natural resources. I urge a ``yes'' vote on the previous question and on the rule. I yield back the balance of my time and move the previous question on the resolution. The previous question was ordered.

Mr. POLIS. Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. POLIS. Madam Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 1192 and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. POLIS. Madam Speaker, for the purpose of debate only, I yield the customary 30 minutes to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Lincoln Diaz- Balart ). All time yielded during consideration of the rule is for debate only. General Leave

Mr. POLIS. I yield myself such time as I may consume. House Resolution 1192 provides a structured rule for consideration of H.R. 3644, the Ocean, Coastal and Watershed Education Act, with 1 hour of debate in the House equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking minority member of the Committee on Natural Resources. The rule makes in order the amendment in the nature of a substitute that is printed in part A of the report of the Committee on Rules, if offered by Representative Capps of California or her designee, which shall be separately debatable for 20 minutes. The rule also makes in order the amendment to the amendment in the nature of a substitute printed in part B of the report of the Committee on Rules, if offered by Representative Flake or his designee, which shall be separately debatable for 10 minutes. The rule also provides for consideration of another bill, H.R. 1612, the Public Lands Service Corps Act of 2009, under a structured rule. The rule provides 1 hour of general debate equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking minority member of the Committee on Natural Resources. The rule makes in order the further amendments printed in part C of the report of the Committee on Rules, each of which may be offered only by a Member designated in the report and shall be separately debatable for 10 minutes. Finally, the rule provides one motion to recommit for both H.R. 3644 and H.R. 1612. I think this is a very fair rule. The rule provides for consideration of two bills under a structured rule. For H.R. 3644, two of the three amendments that were submitted to the House Rules Committee are made in order, including one Republican amendment and one Democratic amendment. For H.R. 1612, two of the six amendments submitted were made in order, both of which are Republican amendments. So for both of the bills combined, three out of the four amendments that are made in order under this rule are sponsored by Republicans. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of the rule and the underlying bills, the Ocean, Coastal and Watershed Education Act and the Public Land Service Corps Act. The programs within both of these bills benefit districts all across our Nation, from Florida to Alaska, Texas to Minnesota and Colorado. So it is no surprise that my colleagues on both sides of the aisle across the country support these programs. I would like to thank Chairman Rahall for his leadership on this important issue and my colleagues, Representatives Capps and Grijalva, for their hard work on these bills. Madam Speaker, we have before us two excellent pieces of legislation, one which would expand and reinvigorate an existing program, the Public Land Corps, by streamlining its management, modernizing its scope and providing new tools to help the program accomplish its mission, and another bill which would expand two National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration grant programs that are aimed at enhancing environmental education related to water resources upon which economic development and human health depend. H.R. 1612 will help repair and restore our Nation's public lands while employing and training thousands of young Americans and promoting a culture of public service. This legislation will help provide real employment and training to young people who need it, particularly in a recession, while improving the condition of our priceless natural and cultural resources. We live in a time when environmental science education is just as critical for a healthy environment as land conservation or wildlife protection. Our citizens are empowered by being informed and educated enough to make important decisions in their own daily lives about environmental issues based on sometimes complicated scientific evidence. We need to supply our children and the next generation across our country with enough scientific knowledge to tackle the environmental challenges that they will face in the coming years and to make educated choices as consumers. This bill also takes a decisive step forward in finishing desperately needed work on our national park lands, forests, wildlife refuges and historic sites. As I have said previously, protecting and maintaining our public lands is one of the most important duties that we have as citizens. I was lucky enough to grow up in Boulder, Colorado, hiking in Mount Sanitas, as I did just last weekend when I was back, the Flat Irons and Flagstaff Mountain. If we don't defend America's truly great public lands, we run the risk of being the last generation to enjoy them. America and Colorado are really defined by our natural character. America is beautiful and needs our help to remain so. We must not let our ``spacious skies,'' our ``amber waves of grain'' and our ``purple mountains majesty'' become nothing more than forgotten lines in a song. The bill recognizes the importance, as well, of our coastal and marine systems and our national marine sanctuaries. Those previously have not been eligible for Public Land Corps projects but are just as worthy and just as important a part of our national heritage for those who reside on the coast. While Members of this body as well as the American public review the historic health care reform bill we will be taking up in the next few days, we have the opportunity to consider this vital program that has bipartisan support providing our youth the education and experience they will need to find meaningful employment while gaining civic pride, scientific education and personal responsibility while maintaining and improving our public lands and National Park System. This program will invest in our young people, reduce youth unemployment, and prepare young people for a lifetime of work experiences. At the same time youth will be repairing and restoring our National Park System and preserving it for the next generation, we also are able to whittle away at the massive backlog of work that has doubled over the last decade to levels around the $10 billion mark of backlog work that needs to be done. The National Park System has been called America's best idea, and it is past time we give our best attention and respect to the National Park System that it deserves. Preparing our park system for future generations and preparing young people to face the scientific and environmental challenges that are only beginning to come to fruition is an undertaking of great national importance. H.R. 3644, the Ocean, Coastal and Watershed Education Act, formally codifies and authorizes two existing programs that have already made great strides in expanding ocean, atmospheric, and environmental literacy in the United States. These programs, the Bay-Watershed Education and Training, which we call B-WET, and the Environmental Literacy Grant, ELG, program deserve Federal recognition and funding for their good work providing educational opportunities from kindergarten all the way through 12th grade. This legislation gives us an opportunity to consider these vital programs, programs which provide our youth the education and experience that they will need to find meaningful employment in advancing our Nation's progress in science, technology, engineering and math to help keep America globally competitive. H.R. 3644 codifies two existing environmental education grant programs that were established through the annual appropriations process and are administered by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Over the past 7 years, these two NOAA education programs have been essential towards advancing ocean and environmental education in the United States. Both programs are very popular in the education community, and in fact, requests for environmental literacy grants are 10 times greater than the appropriated funding levels can support. Since 2002 and 2005, respectively, the B-WET and ELG programs have connected school children from kindergarten all the way through high school with their ocean and coastal environments. These programs help school children learn about the effects that everyday actions they take have on the environment. Let's make no mistake about it. Our society is faced with a fundamental lack of scientific understanding, where special interests on all sides frequently undermine the vast scientific consensus on key issues simply by flashy public relations campaigns. We need to make sure that our country is the world leader in innovation and science in order to ensure that our country can overcome new challenges and protect its public health and natural wonders. In addition to my time growing up in Colorado, I also spent a lot of time in San Diego growing up where the community is as physically, emotionally and economically tied to the ocean and coast as Colorado is to its mountains. Regardless of where someone lives in our great and vast country, whether it's the plains, the mountains, the forests, the coasts or the tundra, our Nation's public spaces, wildlife and environmental health are truly our greatest national treasures, an important part of our national character and who we are. And these pieces of legislation go a long way in our effort to protect them. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. POLIS

Mr. POLIS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that I may hereafter be considered to be the first sponsor of H.R. 2536, a bill originally introduced by Representative Wexler of Florida, for the purposes of adding cosponsors and requesting reprintings pursuant to clause 7 of rule XII.

Mr. POLIS

Mr. POLIS. In listening to this debate back and forth, I can't help but be struck by the fact that many of the arguments from the other side of the aisle are simply not arguments against this health care bill. I have heard people rail against a government takeover of health care. Well, this bill actually helps reduce the number of people that depend on government programs for their health care. This bill will help end reliance on government for health care. I have heard people say that this is somehow a rush to get to a bill. Well, we have been working on this for well over a year. When we first started over a year ago, I had calls to my office saying, ``Why are you going so quickly? Why don't you slow down and get it right?'' Now I am getting a lot of calls to my office saying, ``Pass health care already. It's all you've been talking about.'' It is time to pass this bill because what is in it is popular with the American people: letting kids and young people stay on their parents' policy until they are 26, ending pricing discrimination based upon preexisting conditions, helping make insurance more affordable for people who are self-employed and in small businesses. That is what is in this bill, and that is what the American people support.

Mr. POLIS

Mr. POLIS. I thank my colleague from Massachusetts. Mr. Speaker, this Nation does face a very real and immediate terrorist threat. The terrorist threat stems from al Qaeda, which is a stateless menace, a menace that is not rooted in any one location or has any dominion in any one particular area. In fact, the two countries that our Nation continues to occupy, namely Iraq and Afghanistan, are not significant bases of operations for al Qaeda. It's been recently reported that there are, in fact, only around 50 al Qaeda operatives in the entire nation of Afghanistan, and there could very well be 10 times that number in nations like Yemen and Pakistan. Yes, there is a very real threat, but the answer is not to continue to indefinitely occupy countries where we only breed more sympathy with those who would do us harm. The correct and more important way to leverage American military might to combat this menace is to have targeted and aggressive intelligence-gathering and targeted special operations against the terrorists no matter where they are. Some have expressed concerns that if we leave Afghanistan precipitously, al Qaeda could reassert itself there. The answer to that is to go after al Qaeda in a targeted way in Afghanistan if the need arises again. It is not to engage in an indefinite occupation of one or two particular countries. How many more countries would we need to occupy? If they're in Yemen, do we occupy Yemen? If they're in Pakistan, do we occupy Pakistan? If we weren't already in and occupying Afghanistan, would we choose to go in there today? I would submit that the answer is no. We need to continue our effort to battle terrorists wherever they are and focus on this stateless menace through intelligence-gathering, targeted special operations and a refocused emphasis on homeland security, all of which a very costly and expensive effort in Afghanistan continues to reduce our ability to do by soaking up our national time and resources as well as costing the lives of American soldiers.

Mr. POLIS

Mr. POLIS. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of the National Peace Corps Week that is celebrated from March 1 through March 7, 2010. The Peace Corps traces its roots and mission to the early 1960s, when then Senator John F. Kennedy inspired Americans to serve their country in the cause of peace by living and working in developing countries. The Peace Corps celebrated its 49th anniversary on March 1st. As of September 30, 2009, 7,671 Peace Corps Volunteers are making significant and lasting contributions to improve the lives of individuals and communities in 76 countries. Since 1961, nearly 200,000 Volunteers have served in 139 countries around the world and in their local communities in the United States when they return home. The Peace Corps has become an enduring symbol of our nation's commitment to encourage progress, create opportunity, and expand development at the grass-roots level in the developing world. That is why I strongly support federal funding to ensure a strong and vibrant Peace Corps program. Throughout its history, the Peace Corps has adapted and responded to the issues of the times. In an ever-changing world, Peace Corps Volunteers have met new challenges with innovation, creativity, determination, and compassion. Peace Corps Volunteers work in Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Central and South America, Europe, the Pacific Islands, and the Middle East. Volunteers have made contributions around the world in agriculture, business development, information technology, education, health and HIV/AIDS, youth, and the environment. Peace Corps Volunteers will arrive in Indonesia in spring 2010 and will work as English teachers in high schools and at teacher training institutions. In mid-2010, Peace Corps Volunteers will return to Sierra Leone after a 16-year absence. Volunteers will focus on secondary education and work with their host communities on grassroots initiatives and community development projects. Peace Corps Volunteers have strengthened the ties of friendship and understanding between the people of the United States and those of other countries. Their work around the globe represents a legacy of service that has become a significant part of America's history and positive image abroad. Their desire to make a difference has improved the lives of millions of people around the world as well as here in the United States. Peace Corps Volunteers provide hope and meaningful assistance to people affected by HIV/AIDS. The tireless efforts and dedication of Volunteers have made the Peace Corps a key partner in the global response to the HIV/AIDS pandemic. Peace Corps Volunteers are uniquely suited to work in HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention because they are trained in the local language, live and work in the communities where they serve, and know how to share information in a culturally appropriate way. Peace Corps Response provides returned Peace Corps Volunteers the opportunity to serve again in rewarding, high-impact, short-term assignments. Since its inception in 1996, this program has sent more than 1,000 returned Volunteers into the field in over 40 countries. Peace Corps Response Volunteers are deployed to crisis situations such as disaster relief following natural catastrophes, as well as to nonemergency interventions such as HIV/AIDS awareness. Through Peace Corps service, Volunteers worldwide learn more than 250 languages and dialects, and they receive extensive cross-cultural training that enables them to function effectively at a professional level in different cultural settings. Returned Peace Corps Volunteers are leaders in all sectors of our society. My home state of Colorado is a very service-oriented state and its first lady, Ms. Jeannie Ritter, wife of Colorado Governor Bill Ritter, was a Peace Corps volunteer who served in Tunisia in a center for the disabled. My district, the Second Congressional District of Colorado, has a strong tradition of volunteerism and I would also like to take this opportunity to recognize in particular the great work of 38 constituents who are currently serving as Peace Corps Volunteers in countries like Togo, Costa Rica, Peru, Zambia, Honduras, Malawi and the Dominican Republic, among others. Thank you very much for your contributions to the people and communities of these nations and for serving as ambassadors of peace, hope and opportunity. In addition, I am very proud that the University of Colorado at Boulder--our state's flagship higher education institution--ranks second in the nation among colleges and universities for the most alumni joining Peace Corps in 2009 with 95 active volunteers and continues its great tradition of national and international service. Historically, the University of Colorado at Boulder ranks 5th for most alumni Volunteers in America, with 2,206 alumni having served as Peace Corps Volunteers since 1961. It is indeed fitting to recognize the achievements of the Peace Corps and honor its Volunteers, past and present, and reaffirm our country's commitment to helping people help themselves throughout the world. I urge my colleagues to join me in celebrating the National Peace Corps Week and the 49th anniversary of this wonderful program.

Mr. POLIS

Mr. POLIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to praise President Obama for taking on the very difficult and challenging issue of entitlement reform and dealing with the tens of trillions of dollars of unfunded liabilities that are structured within the current system. The traditional ways of dealing with unfunded liabilities and entitlements include cutting spending and increasing revenues, and I applaud President Obama for proposing a budget freeze on the nondefense portions of the budget. I urge my colleagues to consider supporting that as well as supporting a freeze extending across the defense component of the budget. I would like to propose, however, a third area in addition to spending cuts and revenues that we can use to address this entitlement crisis, and that is comprehensive immigration reform. By adding 10 or 20 million new taxpayers, we can have a major impact on the unfunded liabilities facing our country. By encouraging engineers and physicists who graduate from American universities to stay here rather than move to other countries to practice their trades, we cannot only make America more competitive and create jobs, but we can also address the looming entitlement crisis by creating more taxpayers here at home. I encourage my colleagues to support comprehensive immigration reform.

Mr. POLIS

Mr. POLIS. I yield back the balance of my time, and I move the previous question on the resolution. The previous question was ordered.

Mr. POLIS. Madam Speaker, for more than 200 years, Congress, the executive branch, and the Supreme Court have recognized certain legal rights and protections for America's indigenous people. It's the moral and legal responsibility of Congress to reaffirm a political relationship with the native peoples of Hawaii, and H.R. 2314 will achieve this purpose. Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to pass this very fair rule that includes both Republican amendments that were filed and to allow for the further consideration of this bill on the floor of the House of Representatives.

Mr. POLIS. Madam Speaker, again, I would like to establish that there were exactly two amendments proposed to this piece of legislation, both by members of the Republican Party, and both will be allowed for floor consideration under this rule. With that, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from Hawaii (Ms. Hirono).

Mr. POLIS. Madam Speaker, House Resolution 1083 provides for consideration of H.R. 2314, the Native Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act of 2009, under a structured rule. The rule provides for 1 hour of debate in the House, controlled by the Committee on Natural Resources. The rule waives all points of order against consideration of the bill, except for clauses 9 and 10 of rule XXI. The rule makes in order an amendment in the nature of a substitute by Representative Abercrombie, which is debatable for 30 minutes. The rule also makes in order two second-degree amendments to the substitute. The amendments are to be offered by Representative Hastings of Washington and by Representative Flake of Arizona. The amendments are each debatable for 10 minutes. Finally, the rule provides one motion to recommit, with or without instructions. Madam Speaker, I want to thank Chairman Rahall and the hardworking staff of the Natural Resources Committee for their dedication to the health and welfare of the many native peoples of this country and particularly for their work on this important legislation. I also want to thank my colleagues from Hawaii, Congressman Abercrombie and Congresswoman Hirono, for bringing this legislation forward in the House, as well as the bill's original author, Senator Akaka, for his tireless work on behalf of the people of Hawaii in the Senate. Our diversity is not only what makes us great but also what makes us American. My home State of Colorado is a beautiful land with awe- inspiring mountains and rugged landscapes, but the people are who make it truly beautiful. Colorado's rich history and diverse culture is interwoven with the Apache, Arapaho, Cheyenne, Pueblo, Shoshone, and Ute peoples, who helped found our State and who continue to play such an important role in our vibrant diversity today. While Hawaiians celebrate the sun and while Coloradans treasure the snow, the same connection between land and people can be found in the unique beauty of Hawaii. As we have seen in Colorado, with the Southern Ute and Ute Mountain Ute and across the country, the U.S. has a longstanding policy of providing its indigenous people--those who exercised sovereignty until the United States expanded its borders into their homeland--with an opportunity to organize, to protect and to perpetuate their cultures and traditions and to look out for their interests. It is only right that all indigenous people should have a right to determine how they should interact with our government. This bill merely brings about parity in the U.S. treatment of its indigenous people--American Indians, Alaska natives and Native Hawaiians. H.R. 2314 would establish a Native Hawaiian interim governing council to develop elements of the organic governing documents and other criteria for the Native Hawaiian governing entity. These documents would detail the powers and authorities of the governing entity, but they would also include membership criteria as well as requirements for the election of government officials. The Secretary of the Interior would be required to certify that the organic documents meet specified criteria and are consistent with applicable Federal law and our Constitution. After this certification, the government-to-government relationship with the Native Hawaiians should be reaffirmed. It is also worth mentioning that these were the conditions set forward by the United States and that Hawaii agreed to in Statehood. These conditions of Statehood were set forth in the Admissions Act, signed August 21, 1959, which posed that the State of Hawaii would assume administration of the congressionally established Hawaiian Homes Commission Act trust, as well as ensure that former Hawaiian Government public lands held in trust would be utilized for one of five purposes, including the betterment of the conditions of Native Hawaiians. Like American Indians, Native Hawaiians have no other homeland to keep their culture alive. Like American Indians, disenfranchisement has left Native Hawaiians at the bottom of national health, education and economic rankings. Through all of this, however, Native Hawaiians continue to maintain their cultural identity and dignity as a distinct native community. This bill would reaffirm the Federal delegation of authority to the State of Hawaii, found in the State's Admissions Act, and would provide Native Hawaiians with the tools and status needed to preserve their vibrant culture and unique heritage for future generations. Last year, Madam Speaker, Hawaii celebrated the 50th anniversary of its Statehood. It is long past time that Congress grants the same opportunity for self-determination to Native Hawaiians. In 2000, the Hawaii Congressional Delegation offered the first Native Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act. Since then, Congress has held six joint hearings of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs and of the House Natural Resources Committee, five of which were in Hawaii, with a total of 12 congressional hearings within the last 9 years on the issue. The House has passed this legislation twice, in the 106th and 110th Congresses. While the bill has evolved over the years and has received input from many stakeholders, it has maintained true to its intent to extend the Federal policy of self-governance and self-determination to Native Hawaiians for the purposes of a federally recognized government-to- government relationship. This has received broad support from organizations and people across the ideological spectrum and the State of Hawaii. As a Representative of Native Americans who live in Colorado's Second Congressional District, I urge my colleagues in Congress to join me in passing this rule to honor and respect, not just this generation, but future generations of Native Hawaiians and to promote the diversity of cultures everywhere that make our country so great. I ask you to end half a century of neglect and to provide the Native Hawaiians with the same representation provided to other native peoples across the country. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. POLIS. I also ask unanimous consent that all Members be given 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks on House Resolution 1083.

Mr. POLIS. For the purpose of debate only, I yield the customary 30 minutes to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Diaz-Balart). All time yielded during consideration of the rule is for debate only. I yield myself such time as I may consume. General Leave

Mr. POLIS. Madam Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 1083 and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. POLIS. Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. POLIS

Mr. POLIS. Madam Chair, I rise today to offer an amendment to H.R. 4061, the Cybersecurity Act of 2009. I would like to thank Chairman Gordon, his staff, and Representative Lipinski for their leadership on a critical, bipartisan bill that will train the experts we need to tackle tomorrow's challenges and enable the United States to stay competitive in the realm of cybersecurity. In a world of blogs and widgets, smart phones and e-mail, we are a global community growing ever closer and interconnected. The average citizen cannot help but be a part of an extended electronic family. Technological progress has enhanced our personal and work lives, regardless of our job or position. As someone who has founded and run several small businesses, I can speak to the advantages of working in this age of e-commerce and how it has improved my ability to represent Colorado's Second Congressional District. My amendment expands the proposed internship opportunities available to participants in the Federal Cyber Scholarship for Service Program to include placements in the private sector. I believe it will serve tomorrow's cybersecurity professionals and our national security interests to open up this program to a diversity of experience. For the future recipients of these scholarships, it will provide the occasion to serve not only in the Federal technology workforce, but also at the abundance of small, medium, and large businesses that help to make up our nation's economy. My district provides a clear illustration of where institutions of higher education, small businesses, and the Federal Government can cooperate to benefit each other and the rest of the nation. We have a thriving community of startups, lower than average unemployment, and a history of growing small businesses. With the collaboration of budding cybersecurity professionals from the University of Colorado, in Boulder, these companies can benefit from their education and, in turn, impart the practical knowledge that will build each student's portfolio of experiences. Having gained and grown from these experiences, I am positive that their education in the private sector will help to provide unique solutions to daunting tasks during their time in the Federal Government. What originally seemed like a strategy only applicable to a small high-tech company in Boulder, can now serve as a useful tool when confronted with the task of fending off cyber attacks. The state of cybersecurity is fast becoming one of the great challenges of the 21st century. It is apparent that despite increased spending on research and development, our technological infrastructure is still vulnerable. China's recent intrusion into Google's operations should serve as a call to preparedness for both the private sector and the Federal Government. This past May, President Obama's ``Cyberspace Policy Review'' highlighted the importance of developing partnerships between the Federal Government and the private sector. We must heed his call to broaden the scope of our experience. The limits of cyber growth are constantly expanding and, consequently, so must our plans to address the plethora of issues that crop up. As Secretary Clinton put it recently, ``the Internet, though a blessing, can be a threat to those who would fall prey to cyber terrorism.'' It is our job as inventors and stewards of the Internet to ensure unhindered access to information and technology that enriches the lives of everyone. By boosting our training capabilities we are ensuring a safe and free Internet experience, informed by the latest discoveries and implemented by practiced professionals. This amendment helps to guarantee that we are addressing the long- term challenges inherent to cyber security. It will create ties with the private sector and cultivate a workforce with a skill set that will serve in a variety of scenarios. Madam Chair, this amendment and this bill are critical to protecting our nation's sensitive information, ensuring a competent cybersecurity workforce and boosting our economic competitiveness. I urge passage of this amendment and the underlying bill.

Mr. POLIS

Mr. POLIS. Thank you, Chairman Gordon. Madam Chair, I rise today in support of the Polis amendment to H.R. 4061, the Cybersecurity Enhancement Act of 2009. We enjoyed working very closely with Chairman Gordon, his staff, Representative Lipinski; and I appreciate their leadership on this critical and bipartisan bill that will train the experts who we need to tackle tomorrow's challenges and enable the United States and the world to stay competitive in cybersecurity. In a world of blogs and widgets, smartphones and email, we are truly a global community, growing ever-closer and ever-more interconnected. The average citizen cannot help but feel part of an extended electronic family. Technological progress has enhanced our personal and work lives regardless of our job or position. As someone who has founded and run several small technology-related businesses, I can speak to the advantages of working in the technology age and how it's improved my ability now on the political side to represent the people of Colorado's Second Congressional District. My amendment expands the proposed internship opportunities available to participants in the Federal Cyber Scholarship for Service program to include placements in the private sector. I believe it will serve tomorrow's cybersecurity professionals and our national security interests to open up this program to a diversity of experience from the public and private sector. For the future recipients of these scholarships, it will provide the occasion to serve not only in the Federal technology workforce but also at the abundance of small, medium and large businesses that help make up our Nation's economy. My district is a great example of where institutions of higher education, small business and the Federal Government cooperate to benefit one another and the rest of the Nation. We have a thriving community of startups, lower than average unemployment and a history of growing successful small businesses. With the collaboration of budding cybersecurity professionals from the University of Colorado in Boulder, these companies can benefit from their education and, in turn, impart the practical knowledge that will build each student's portfolio of experience. Having gained and grown from these experiences, I am positive that their education in the private sector will help promote unique solutions to daunting tasks during their time in the Federal Government. What originally seemed like a strategy only applicable to small high-tech companies in Boulder can now serve as a useful tool when confronted with the task of fending off cyberattacks from nation- states or rogue individuals. The state of cybersecurity is fast becoming one of the greatest challenges of the 21st century. It's apparent that despite increased spending on research and development, our technological infrastructure is still vulnerable. China's recent intrusion into Google's operations should serve as a call for preparedness to both the private sector and the Federal Government. This past May, President Obama's cyberspace policy review highlighted the importance of developing partnerships between the Federal Government and the private sector. The limits of cybergrowth are constantly expanding and so too must our plans to address the plethora of issues that crop up. As Secretary Clinton put it recently: ``The Internet, though a blessing, can be a threat to those who would fall prey to cyberterrorism.'' It is our job, as inventors and stewards of the Internet, to ensure unhindered, free and secure access to enrich the lives of everyone. By boosting our training capabilities, we are helping to ensure a safe and free Internet experience. This amendment helps to guarantee that we are addressing the long-term challenges inherent in cybersecurity. It will create ties to the private sector and cultivate a workforce for the future. Madam Chairman, this amendment and this bill are critical to protecting our Nation's sensitive information and ensuring our cybersecurity. I appreciate the Committee of the Whole for accepting this amendment and Mr. Gordon for offering it.