George Radanovich

Mr. RADANOVICH

Mr. RADANOVICH. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Mr. Fred R. Ruiz upon being honored with the 2007 Community Salute Award, a tribute given to remarkable individuals who have devoted service to California agriculture, the food service industry and their community. Mr. Ruiz will be receiving this honor from the Ag One Foundation at California State University-Fresno on June 29, 2007. Mr. Ruiz is co-founder, chairman, and CEO of Ruiz Foods, Inc, the largest manufacturer and marketer of frozen Mexican foods in the Nation. It was in 1964 when the Ruiz family first began with only a mixer, a small freezer, and a willingness to work hard. Today, Ruiz Foods has risen to become one of the Nation's top Hispanic-owned manufacturing firms. Ruiz Foods manufactures and markets the El Monterey brand of frozen Mexican food. As one of the largest manufacturers of its kind, Ruiz Foods contributes greatly to the consumption of California's beef, wheat, cheese, tomatoes, eggs and many other products. The positive effect on California agriculture and the surrounding community is extraordinary. Fred Ruiz has demonstrated his dedication to the advocacy of education through his establishment of the Ag One--Fred Ruiz Scholarship Endowment Fund to benefit students pursuing a degree in the College of Agricultural Sciences and Technology. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. Fred R. Ruiz upon receiving the 2007 Community Salute Honor. I invite my colleagues to join me in wishing Mr. Ruiz many years of continued success.

Mr. RADANOVICH

Mr. RADANOVICH. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Larry Shehadey of Fresno, CA, the patriarch of Producers Dairy Foods and a generous supporter of California State University, Fresno, and its endeavors, on the occasion of his 100th birthday on July 2, 2007. Larry was born July 2, 1907, in Pleasant Valley, near Yosemite National Park in California. In 1932, he married Nelly Elayne Maascant in San Francisco. He worked for Parr Soap Company and Ready Whip before buying interest in a company called Producers Dairy in Fresno, California. He moved to Fresno in 1950 to protect his interest in the company, and then purchased the company. His wife Elayne worked by his side, making collections and helping to get the company on its feet. Since Larry took ownership of Producers, the company has been very successful, outlasting some 50 competitors. It has grown to include northern, central, and southern California. Its products include milk, flavored milk, cheese, butter, cottage cheese, buttermilk, orange juice, juice drinks, eggnog, ice cream, and many other products. Lastly, Larry has donated to numerous local charities in the Central Valley, including Valley Children's Hospital, Saint Agnes Hospital, and California State University, Fresno. Larry made a major $3 million donation to the Save Mart Center in Fresno, and the Tower at the Center has been named Larry A. Shehadey Tower. Over the years, Larry also has supported numerous youth programs, including the Boy Scouts and Big Brothers and Big Sisters. His support of Fresno City College has helped hundreds of students through various scholarships. Larry and Elayne have two children: John and Richard. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Larry Shehadey. I invite my colleagues to join me in thanking Mr. Shehadey for his support of the Fresno community and wishing him many more years of happiness.

Mr. RADANOVICH

Mr. RADANOVICH. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in support of Senate bill 1801, a bill to rename the U.S. courthouse in Fresno, California, as the Robert E. Coyle United States Courthouse. In previous Congresses, I have introduced identical legislation, and I am pleased to see that this is finally happening. A local man, Judge Coyle was born in Fresno, California, and earned his B.A. from California State University Fresno. After completing his undergraduate work, Judge Coyle didn't have to travel far to earn his J.D. at Hastings College of Law in San Francisco. Nominated for appointment in 1980 by President Ronald Reagan, Judge Coyle was subsequently elevated to chief judge in 1990 and served in that capacity until 1996, where he took senior status. Judge Coyle has dedicated himself to a lifetime of service in the central valley. He has proven himself a strong community leader, and was instrumental in the construction of the new courthouse downtown. It's only fitting that the building bears his name. This should be a proud day for Judge Coyle and his family. I wish him the best in the years to come and thank him for his tireless devotion to public service.

Mr. RADANOVICH

Mr. RADANOVICH. Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize Bette Peterson of Fresno, CA for her tireless service to her community and selfless giving to philanthropic causes throughout California's San Joaquin Valley. In recognition of her devoted service, the City of Fresno proclaimed May 1st, 2007 as ``Bette Peterson Day.'' Bette Peterson was born on October 30th, 1922 to Jean and Freda Johnson. Throughout her life, Ms. Peterson embarked on many adventures but not until 1975 did an adventurous life being to flourish rapidly beginning with her marriage to Dr. Robert Billings, and shortly thereafter, the creation of the Poppy Lane Publishing Company. After establishing her publishing company, she authored Beginning Reading at Home, a book designed to help young children develop and explore reading. In addition, Poppy Lane Publishing Company has published numerous books by local authors since 1976, opening up eyes to the wealth of literary talent in the San Joaquin Valley. Founded in 1988 by Bette and her husband Dr. Robert Billings, the Billings Independent and Responsible Foundation continues to assist many charitable causes. Most recently, Habitat for Humanity was presented with a one-hundred thousand dollar contribution to help many achieve the dream of homeownership. Madam Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I rise to honor Bette Peterson for her tireless service to her community. I invite my colleagues to join me in recognizing her tremendous example.

Mr. RADANOVICH

Mr. RADANOVICH. Madam Speaker, today I am introducing the Madera Water Supply Enhancement Act, which authorizes the Bureau of Reclamation to participate in the design and construction of the Madera Water Supply and Enhancement Project. This important water bank project will help improve water supply in California's San Joaquin Valley. The Bureau has completed its final appraisal study and has concluded that the Madera water bank will increase water supply, provide groundwater resource protection, mitigate the water supply impacts of the San Joaquin River restoration project, contribute to habitat conservation and have other positive impacts on the severe water supply and reliability problem in the area. The Project will be located on the over 13,000-acre Madera Ranch, where the soils on and underneath the land are ideal for percolating water from the surface to the aquifer for storage. The land is also a valuable habitat for numerous species and contains large sections of the region's native grasslands. In the 109th Congress, the Resources Committee held hearings on this legislation and the House unanimously passed H.R. 3897, the predecessor legislation. There are two changes in this legislation from the bill that passed in the last Congress. First, we are immediately authorizing construction of the Project without further study. Second, the legislation caps the total cost of the Project, limiting the Federal government's contribution to 25 percent of total cost, which cannot exceed $90 million. We have made these changes for the following reasons. First, the water supply and reliability problems in the area are, as the Bureau has acknowledged, severe. The Bureau's Friant Division is falling almost 1 million acre-feet of water per year short in meeting its contractual commitments, and groundwater pumping is exceeding groundwater recharge by approximately 100,000 acre-feet per year, causing severe groundwater level declines. The proposed San Joaquin River restoration could reduce Madera's water allocation, already insufficient, by an additional 10-20 percent or more. The water bank, by storing excess water in wet years, will provide a much needed source of water in dry years, facilitate the restoration of groundwater levels over time and mitigate the adverse impact on water supply as a result of the San Joaquin River restoration project. The Madera Irrigation District has already invested over $40 million to acquire the land and plan this Project. The region's economic well- being depends on having a secure, sufficient and reliable water supply. We simply cannot continue to delay making the Madera water bank a reality. Second, the Madera water bank represents a very unique situation. As the Bureau stated in the Final Appraisal Report, ``[t]he Madera Ranch Groundwater Bank is a project that has been investigated for approximately 10 years for its potential to improve water supply reliability and reduce groundwater overdraft conditions.'' Over a decade ago, the Bureau of Reclamation tried to buy the Madera Ranch and build its own water bank. As part of this effort, the Bureau conducted extensive studies regarding the feasibility of this Project and concluded that the Project was feasible. After the Bureau decided not to go forward with the Project because of local opposition, private entities conducted further studies with the same positive results. Most recently, the Madera Irrigation District has undertaken additional costs studies conducted by the same engineering firm that worked for the Bureau, further technical studies regarding the Project's feasibility and a completed and certified environmental impact study. To date, over $8 million has been spent on studies related to the Project, not counting the Bureau's own substantial efforts to study the feasibility of a water bank at the site. All of this work, including four successful pilot tests, has verified that the Project is not only feasible, but with a certified Environmental Impact Report in place, ready to move immediately to the construction phase, most especially in light of the area's water supply problems. The legislation lists no fewer than 18 studies and reports regarding this Project that have been undertaken over the past 10 years, many of which done by the Bureau or with the Bureau's knowledge and involvement. Clearly, no further study is required given the urgent need and unique history of the Project. Third, we recognize that when committing to support a project, the Federal government requires assurances regarding the extent of its financial commitment. The Madera Irrigation District has already evidenced its commitment to the Project by investing to date over $40 million. The legislation establishes a ceiling of $90 million for the total cost of the Project. With the prevailing 25 percent federal cost share for such projects, the Federal government's financial commitment is limited to $22.5 million or 25 percent of total cost, whichever is less. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation to expand water supply opportunities in California's San Joaquin Valley.

Mr. RADANOVICH

Mr. RADANOVICH. Madam Speaker, with one of the most misleading names ever put to a piece of legislation, the House of Representatives voted last week on a bill entitled ``The Employee Free Choice Act.'' (H.R. 800). If made law, the Act would result in the most important changes in federal labor law since the enactment of the Wagner Act in 1935 and, contrary to its title, would deprive employees of free choice in the two most important issues involving unions by denying employees the right to a secret ballot election to determine whether or not they want to be represented by a union and by denying employees the right to approve or disapprove the first labor contract with their employer. Under present law, the most common way to determine whether employees want to be represented by a union is through a secret ballot election conducted by a federal agency, the NLRB. The United States Supreme Court has emphasized that other methods of deciding about unionization are inferior. Under the new bill, a union would be able to gain the right to represent employees through a ``card check'' in which a union simply would have to collect the signatures of a majority of employees on union authorization cards in order to represent them. The result would be that employees' signatures on union cards, which now are used to call for an election, would be used to preclude them from having an election. Moreover, once unionized through a card check, employees would not be able to change their mind by the same mechanism. Nothing could be more undemocratic, as is evidenced by the AFL-CIO's own study showing that when unions get from 60 to 75 percent of employees to sign union authorization cards, they win less than 50 percent of elections. It seems painfully obvious that, as Congressman Howard Berman (one of the Act's co-sponsors), said when he was in the California Assembly, secret ballot elections are essential to ``the self determination of the workers'' that federal labor law seeks to promote. As Yale's Robert Dahl concluded: ``In the late nineteenth century, the secret ballot began to replace a show of hands. . . [S]ecrecy [in voting] has become the general standard, a country in which it is widely violated would be judged as lacking free and fair elections.'' Federal law now requires that in elections for federal office, the citizens must be able to vote ``in a private and independent manner'' and that ``the privacy of the voter and the confidentiality of the ballot'' must be protected. 42 U.S.C. Sec. 15481(a)(1). The lack of privacy under H.R. 800 would subject employees to overwhelming pressure from union organizers and other workers to sign union cards, putting them back in the 19th century. Card checks not only violate the workers' right to privacy but deprive workers of the right to hear the arguments against as well as for unionization. Again, as Professor Dahl observed, ``voters must have access . . . to alternative sources of information that are not . . . dominated by any . . . groups or point of view.'' Unions usually solicit cards with no notice to the employer, so that H.R. 800 would deprive employees of the ``alternate sources of information'' necessary to make an informed, and hence free, decision. H.R. 800 compounds these inherent defects in the card check process by providing no remedy if a union uses improper pressure or deception in getting employees to sign cards. Present law establishes a detailed and comprehensive procedure for dealing with election misconduct by both employers and union. H.R. 800 contains no such protections. H.R. 800's card check provisions also violate the parity of the processes for employees to bring in a union and rejecting an existing union representative. Under present law and under the proposed new law, once employees bring in a union, it is not easy for them to change their mind and get rid of the union. In most cases, a secret ballot election is necessary both to bring in a union and jettison one. Under the proposed law, it would be easy for unions to get in through a card check, but difficult for employees to get free of union representation because the formalities of a secret ballot election would be required. There is no rational basis for establishing different procedures for choosing to be represented by a union and choosing not to. H.R. 800 would deprive employees of their other basic free choice: the right to use their collective economic power to negotiate the best agreement they think they can get and the right to approve or reject any contract negotiated by their union. Presently, employees are free to strike if they do not approve of a proposed labor contract, but H.R. 800 makes the contract fixed by a panel of government-appointed arbitrators binding for two years and now most employees covered by a proposed labor contract have the right to vote whether or not to accept it. H.R. 800 would strip this right away from them for the first (and most important) contract with their employer. If their employer and union did not reach agreement on a first contract after 90 days, the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (``FMCS'') would appoint a board of private arbitrators to determine the terms of the contract, which would be binding on the employees, the union, and the employer. There is no limit on the arbitrators' authority. They could raise wages by 100 percent or lower them. They could require employees to pay union dues or lose their jobs. This part of the law is clearly unconstitutional because it establishes no standards or procedures for the arbitrators to follow and does not provide for any review of the private arbitrators' decisions, either administrative or judicial. In 1925, the Supreme Court declared unconstitutional under the Fourteenth Amendment a state law requiring certain private sector employers and workers to submit to binding interest arbitration by a panel of judges if the parties could not agree on a contract. Accordingly, H.R. 800 can be upheld only if it provides procedural due process. It does not. Conspicuously absent from the statute are the procedural safeguards customarily considered necessary to ensure a fair hearing (e.g., the right to notice, to know what standards will be applied, to present evidence, to some kind of review, administrative or judicial). Of course, it is possible that the NLRB will utilize their rulemaking authority to provide for such procedures. Even so, neither agency is authorized to review an arbitration board's decision on the basis of non-compliance with such procedures. Similarly, an arbitration board's non-compliance with procedural safeguards is not a basis for judicial review. Moreover, in most arbitrations, the parties' agreement to a particular procedure is the best guarantee of fairness. Under H.R. 800, the parties have no voice in determining procedure. In addition to due process infirmities, H.R. 800 effectuates an impermissible delegation of legislative authority to private actors, violating principals of separation of powers. Pursuant to H.R. 800, private arbitrators are vested with the ability to bind nonconsenting parties. Most importantly, employees are not parties to the mediation and have no right to participate in the arbitration proceeding or challenge the arbitrators' decision. While a majority of the affected employees will have signed union authorization cards (as defective as they are) supporting the union, the contract imposed by the arbitrators will bind all bargaining unit employees, including those who did not support union representation. Aside from constitutional defects, H.R. 800 would eviscerate large portions of the over 70 years of case law developed carefully under the National Labor Relations Act. The resulting uncertainty would be a major force in destabilizing labor relations and causing labor strife the NLRA was intended to resolve. For example, over 97 percent of private sector labor contracts contain provisions for the binding arbitration of disputes under those contracts. Such arbitration provisions are enforceable only if they are consensual. The underlying problem with the mandatory arbitration portion of H.R. 800 is that in addition to depriving employees of the right to disapprove of the arbitrators' ``agreement'', it would destroy collective bargaining by eliminating the role of economic power and injecting procedural requirements for a fair adjudication or rulemaking proceeding that are inconsistent with collective bargaining. A labor negotiation is a contest of economic power, fundamentally different than an adjudication or rulemaking. Any attempt to graft direct government determination of the terms and conditions of employment onto a law promoting private decision-making through collective bargaining is bound to fail. The two cannot be reconciled. I stand firm behind my vote against H.R. 800 and fully support a Presidential veto of the bill.

Mr. RADANOVICH

Mr. RADANOVICH. Madam Speaker, I thank you for the time to debate the very important issue of the war in Iraq. The resolution we are debating today is technically non-binding--however, we must not discount the influence of the words of this body. I am here today to reiterate to the American people that the war in Iraq, as a part of the larger Global War on Terror, is absolutely vital to the security of our great nation as well as the rest of the free world. It is true, we were led into this war with poor intelligence; yet intelligence that every major fact-finding and data-gathering agency in the world believed to be true. Nevertheless, spreading freedom to the Muslim world is our best long-term strategy in the Global War on Terror. Four years after the invasion of Iraq, our brave military men and women are still actively engaged in combat, and their actions have not gone without great achievement--the Iraqi people participated in their first true democratic election, they have established a representative government, elected a parliament and written an Iraqi constitution. These great accomplishments should not be brushed off as mere side notes, because to do so would diminish the achievements of the Iraqi people and the tremendous courage of our soldiers; some of whom have bravely given their lives for the chance an Iraqi citizen would be able to vote and live free from fear. The establishment of a democracy in the Middle East is fundamental to winning the Global War on Terror. The United States is in our 231st year of a democratic government, and as I am sure many of my colleagues will agree--we haven't exactly perfected it yet. The Iraqi people are barely in their second year of a democratic government. The Iraqi government needs time to grow their citizens' confidence in the institution of democracy and become a stabilizing force in the region. We must help them achieve this. We are fighting an enemy who does not believe in democracy, freedom, or the inherent value of human life. These radical Islamic terrorists see a democratic Iraqi government as a direct threat to the mayhem and havoc they seek to impose on the free world. To retreat from Iraq--to wave a white flag in submission to these terrorists, would only worsen the instability we now see in the region, and embolden terrorists around the world. When the United Sates ridded Iraq of Saddam Hussein, we committed ourselves to assisting the new Iraqi government become self- sustainable. The President has consulted his commanders in Iraq, who have heard from the soldiers on the ground. The result of these hours of consultation has led the President to ask for an increase in troops so we may finish the job we set out to do. I ask my colleagues to trust the military commanders, and allow our courageous military do their job. I ask my colleagues to not support this resolution.

Mr. RADANOVICH

Mr. RADANOVICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise with a heavy heart today to remember a friend, and colleague--Representative Charlie Norwood of Georgia, who passed away yesterday, at his home in Augusta, Georgia. Charlie and I came into Congress as part of the ``Republican Revolution'' in 1994. We shared a common vision with the rest of our classmates of what the Federal Government should be and how it should act. Charlie worked diligently to attain this vision while serving his constituents. During this sorrowful time my thoughts and prayers go out to his family, friends, staff and loved ones. It was an honor serving with Charlie, and he will be sorely missed.

Mr. RADANOVICH

Mr. RADANOVICH. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Honorable Curt Andre for his many years of service and leadership to the City of Turlock and greater Central Valley. Mayor Andre has served as the Mayor of Turlock for an unprecedented seventeen years and as the Chairman of Turlock's Planning Commission for the previous eight years. Mayor Andre was born and raised in Turlock and--after earning a degree in optometry from the University of California at Berkeley--he returned to Turlock to start his profession. Mayor Andre has since served as the President of Statesmen of Stanislaus, the President of Turlock's Active 20-30 Club, a member of the United States Conference of Mayors, and a member of the California State University Advisory Board. In addition to these roles, Mayor Andre has served as the Chairman of the Turlock Planning Commission and Mayor of Turlock for a total of twenty-nine. Overseeing the growth of a town from roughly 30,000 to over 70,000, Mayor Andre has been a much needed element of consistency in Turlock's time of transition. For his commitment to a better quality of life in Turlock, Mayor Andre has received the Paul Harris Award, the Distinguished Public Service Award from Rotary District 5220, the 2004 Citizen of the Year Award from the Turlock Chamber of Commerce, and the 2006 Outstanding Community Leader from the California State University at Stanislaus. Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize Mayor Andre for his many years of service and dedication to the residents of Turlock. I urge my colleagues to join me in wishing him many years of continued happiness and success.

Mr. RADANOVICH

Mr. RADANOVICH. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mrs. Mickey Peabody for her many years of service and leadership to the City of Oakdale and the community of Stanislaus County. On January 19th, friends and colleagues will hold an event to express sincere gratitude and to congratulate Mickey as she receives the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Oakdale Chamber of Commerce. In addition to her history of great community involvement, Mickey will be thanked for her years of devotion to the Stanislaus County Commission for Women, Childcare Planning Council, Mental Health Board, Commission on Aging, Citizens Against Substance Abuse, Oakdale Fights Back, and the California Senior Legislature--along with many other agencies and commissions. In addition to this Lifetime Achievement Award, Mickey has received awards that include Outstanding Woman of the Year, Outstanding Senior Citizen, and Woman of Distinction. Additionally, Mickey has earned a leadership award from the California Public Health Consortium and the National Center for Small Communities. Mickey has a past filled with great instances of charity and compassion, and she will undoubtedly continue this same community devotion in the years to come. Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize Mrs. Mickey Peabody for her many years of service and philanthropy. I urge my colleagues to join me in wishing her many years of continued happiness and success.

Mr. RADANOVICH

Mr. RADANOVICH. Madam Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge and honor a fellow Californian who has had a long and distinguished career as a political consultant while setting extremely high standards of quality and integrity. For more than 35 years, Richard S. Woodward has guided his political consulting firm to a stunning 98 percent winning record while taking on some of the toughest, seemingly impossible ballot measure campaigns. Two of America's great institutions helped prepare Mr. Woodward for the future. The United States Marine Corps demanded toughness and a steadfast approach. Graduating from Stanford University required a sharp, agile and inquisitive mind that could apply varied pieces of information to solving problems. Mr. Woodward raced up the political ladder from legislative staffer to political director. In 1971 he teamed with the dean of the California state capitol press corps, the late Jack McDowell, to form a new consulting firm. It wasn't long before Woodward & McDowell focused solely on that most Californian of election efforts: the ballot measure campaign. Mr. Woodward basically wrote the book on proposition campaigns: Known for his strategic mind, Mr. Woodward has often led his team to victory when early polls showed the other side started with the sentiment of two-thirds or more of the voters. Even with the demands of campaign after campaign, Mr. Woodward and his wife, Mary, have raised two fine sons, Brendan and Ryan. On February 20, the American Association of Political Consultants will meet in Miami. One order of business will be to honor the former president and chairman of the bipartisan organization, Richard S. Woodward, with the lifetime achievement award. Madam Speaker, please join me in commending Mr. Woodward for a job well done and wishing him the best of luck and health as he continues setting the standard.

Mr. RADANOVICH

Mr. RADANOVICH. Mr. Speaker, today, I submit to the House bipartisan legislation, the ``San Joaquin River Restoration Settlement Act,'' which implements an historic water settlement to resolve an 18-year lawsuit to restore a salmon fishery on the San Joaquin River. The settlement legislation achieves two coequal goals: it restores the San Joaquin River and secures water management objectives to mitigate water losses to farmers in the restoration process. These two elements are crucial to the success the Act, and they are to be implemented in tandem. The main reason I became involved in this issue last year was to ensure a stable water supply for Valley farmers. With that premise, the provisions in this measure were designed to make certain that water supply levels will remain manageable for farmers as the river is restored. It was also important to me that impacts to third parties, if any, be minimal and voluntary and the negotiators worked hard to create such language. The landmark bill introduced today gives the people of our Valley a say in how the river is restored, as opposed to waiting for an uncertain outcome from the Federal court. This solution is science- based and included involvement from individuals throughout the Valley, the State and Federal agencies. The significance of this bill cannot be understated. Over the past year and a half, countless hours have been spent in developing this measure, and I commend all those involved in this balanced resolution. I especially want to express my appreciation to the Friant Water Users Authority, Natural Resources Defense Council, Department of Interior, Department of Justice, the Department of Commerce and numerous third parties who were involved in the development of this bill. I also thank Senator Feinstein, who has introduced an identical bill in the Senate, for her steadfast commitment to this measure along with the members of the Valley delegation. I'm dedicated to the passage of this measure in Congress and will work toward that end until it is signed into law.

Mr. RADANOVICH

Mr. RADANOVICH. Mr. Speaker, charitable giving makes a real difference in the lives of people in need, and I have continually sought ways to encourage all Americans to give more. More than a government program or grant or stipend--nothing reflects better the spirit of man caring for his fellow man than the act of freely, benevolently giving out of his own pocket. I truly believe that by increasing charitable giving, we can make a real difference in the world. The Red Cross is the symbol that best represents charitable giving to most Americans. That is why I became involved in this effort to make the American Red Cross a more effective organization, capable of carrying out its mission of meeting critical disaster and emergency needs around the globe. We need to better enable the Red Cross to meet the needs of victims from natural disasters like Katrina, the tsunamis, and the California wildfires. Yesterday, I introduced the ``American National Red Cross Governance Modernization Act of 2006.'' This bill is in large part the result of a report done by the Red Cross, entitled American Red Cross Governance for the 21st Century, and the hard work and dedication of Senator Charles Grassley and his staff. Earlier this year the American Red Cross undertook its first significant review of internal governance since 1947, in an effort to modernize and strengthen its governance structure and practice. In February of this year, the Red Cross challenged its Governance Committee to conduct a comprehensive review and analysis of the Board of Governors, the role of management, the relationship with local chapters, and the transparency and accountability of the Red Cross. To conduct this review, the Committee brought together an independent panel of the country's preeminent governance experts and with this panel produced recommendations that were unanimously approved by the Board of Governors in October. The most important aspects of effectively operating a large corporation are governance, oversight, and accountability. This carefully crafted legislation will modernize the Red Cross governance structure by decreasing the size of the Board of Governors and clarifying their role as being responsible for governance, not day-to- day operations. The bill subjects the Red Cross to enhanced oversight by creating an Office of the Ombudsman that reports annually to Congress, and ensuring that oversight is a primary responsibility of the Board. Through the legislation, the Comptroller General is authorized to review Red Cross involvement in any Federal program or activity, and the bill includes findings that Congress expects the Red Cross to maintain open communications with State regulators of charitable organizations and cooperate with them as necessary. These provisions will help the Red Cross achieve greater transparency and accountability. Governance, oversight, and accountability are the hallmarks of an efficient corporation that meets the needs of its consumers. In the case of the Red Cross, those needs are great and, unfortunately, continue to grow. But the changes made by the American National Red Cross Governance Modernization Act of 2006 will better equip the Red Cross to achieve its mission worldwide. We need to pass this bill as soon as possible to enable the Red Cross to begin making these changes. This will allow the Red Cross to continue to be a major conduit for charitable givers and better utilize the generosity of all Americans. That is why, Mr. Speaker, I have introduced the American National Red Cross Governance Modernization Act and strongly encourage my colleagues to cosponsor and pass this important legislation.

Mr. RADANOVICH

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

Mr. RADANOVICH. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. H.R. 5110, sponsored by our colleague from Colorado, Mark Udall, authorizes the Department of the Interior to fund projects for the potential use of extracted water for irrigation and other purposes. It will not surprise anybody that water is scarce in the West, but it may surprise some that a potential source of good quality water is just beneath the land surface and is being wasted every day. During the process of energy development, about 22 million barrels of water are extracted each year, with most of that water pumped back underground. This legislation will facilitate the use of this abundant water for irrigation and other beneficial purposes. It could potentially help us find new water from what is now a virtually untapped water resource. I thank the gentleman from Colorado for introducing this legislation, and I urge my colleagues to support this bill. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. RADANOVICH

Mr. RADANOVICH. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 395, introduced by Mr. Meehan of Massachusetts and supported by the administration, would authorize the Secretary of the Interior to acquire five small tracts of land totaling less than 1 acre to complete development of the Canal Way, a linear park and walkway along Lowell's 5.6 mile historic power canal system. The acquisition of these tracts will provide the access points necessary for development, maintenance and surveillance necessary to complete the Canal Way. I urge the adoption of the bill. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. RADANOVICH

Mr. RADANOVICH. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and concur in the Senate amendments to the bill (H.R. 1492) to provide for the preservation of the historic confinement sites where Japanese Americans were detained during World War II, and for other purposes.

Mr. RADANOVICH

Mr. RADANOVICH. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 5466) to amend the National Trails System Act to designate the Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail, as amended.

Mr. RADANOVICH. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 5466 introduced by the gentlewoman from Virginia (Mrs. Jo Ann Davis) would amend the National Trails System Act to designate the Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail within the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries. This bill would designate a series of water routes along 3,000 miles of the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries as a natural historic water trail. The trail would include routes in the States of Virginia, Maryland and Delaware and the District of Columbia and would be administered by the Secretary of the Interior, with coordination from the Chesapeake Bay Gateways and Water Trails Network, the Chesapeake Bay program and Federal, State, tribal, regional and local agencies. The goal of the bill is to educate the public about the 1607 and 1608 voyage of Captain John Smith to chart the waterways of the Chesapeake Bay. Designating the trail would provide new opportunities for education, recreation and historic tourism in the region. As we approach the 400th anniversary of the Jamestown settlement and the beginning of Captain Smith's exploration in 2007, the enactment of this bill is most timely. I urge the adoption of the bill. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. RADANOVICH

Mr. RADANOVICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Pat Kuhn for her exceptional service on the Oakdale City Council from 1992 to 1994 and as Mayor of Oakdale from 1994 to 2006. During her tenure as Mayor, Miss Kuhn set an example for surrounding communities with her emphasis on public safety, education, and anti- graffiti laws. In 1996, Mayor Kuhn was appointed by then Governor Pete Wilson to the California Commission of Teacher Credentialing, a position that required Senate Confirmation, and was responsible for accrediting state colleges and setting education criteria for the teaching professionals for the State of California. Mayor Kuhn has been honored for her contributions by the State of California and her community through her designation as ``Woman of the Year'' by the California Assembly and by receiving the Rotary Paul Harris Fellow in 2005. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize Mayor Pat Kuhn for her many years of commitment and dedication. I urge my colleagues to join me in wishing her years of continued happiness and success.

Mr. RADANOVICH

Mr. RADANOVICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Hutton House, a State-licensed youth shelter, for providing 30 years of steadfast commitment to troubled teens and their families in Central California. Hutton House began in 1976 with the goal of providing a safe, temporary shelter for runaway, homeless. and youth in crisis. In addition to providing the shelter, it is also a goal of Hutton House to provide resources aimed at keeping these youth off the streets, out of the criminal justice system and to aid in mending relationships with their families. For the past 30 years, Hutton House has made great strides to meet and expand its original goals. The center has been remodeled to accommodate up to eight youth, and some of the services they now offer are: individual, group and family counseling; meals and snacks for both residential and non-residential clients; bus passes and transportation to medical appointments; coordination of medical, dental and counseling services; youth development activities; reunification planning so that youth can return home or to another permanent housing situation; substance abuse intervention; and parent education. Hutton House is currently the only facility helping youth from Stockton to Fresno and from the foothills to the Bay area. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize Hutton House for 30 years of dedication and philanthropy to troubled youth and their families. I urge my colleagues to join me in wishing Hutton House years of continued beneficence and success.

Mr. RADANOVICH

Mr. RADANOVICH. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 5666) to authorize early repayment of obligations to the Bureau of Reclamation within the A & B Irrigation District in the State of Idaho, as amended.

Mr. RADANOVICH. 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. RADANOVICH. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 5666, sponsored by our colleague, Mike Simpson, allows for the early repayment of capital costs associated with a Federal water project in Idaho. Under existing law, landowners who benefit from this water project cannot prepay the capital costs they owe to the Federal Government. This bill gives the Bureau of Reclamation the ability to accept prepayment from these landowners. This legislation benefits the American taxpayer because it allows early revenue to flow to the U.S. Treasury, and it helps local landowners by reducing their debt. I urge my colleagues to support this bill because it is a commonsense bill. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance my time.

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