George Radanovich

Mr. RADANOVICH

Mr. RADANOVICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate and honor the nation of Armenia and all people of Armenian descent. Today marks the 15th anniversary of Armenia's independence, and is a proud day for the people of a country that has struggled for so long and succeeded so greatly. The mass killing of 1.5 million Armenians by the Ottoman Empire was the first genocide of the 20th century. I am proud that the United States stood by as an ally to Armenia at that time and has continued to do so throughout the last century. During the cold war, the United States championed the rights of the Armenian people to be independent, and was one of the first countries to recognize that independence in 1991. As one of the first countries in post Soviet Union Europe to embrace the ideals of freedom and democracy, Armenia has taken great strides down the path of democratic change and development. All of this has been done in the shadow of the great adversity that these proud people have endured. Over the last fifteen years the Armenians have proven their commitment to democratic values and a secure and stable Caspian region. My district in California is home to thousands of Armenians who I am grateful to have worked with and become friends with during my time in Congress. They, and all Armenian people, deserve our most heartfelt congratulations on this momentous anniversary.

Mr. RADANOVICH

Mr. RADANOVICH. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 631 directs the Secretary of the Interior to acquire through the process of eminent domain, and only with the consent of the State of Arizona, the subsurface mineral estate beneath the lands of the Pascua Yaqui Tribe of Arizona. This will consolidate ownership of the subsurface and surface estates to complete the tribe's application to take land into trust currently pending at the State Department of Interior. The Department has objected to the tribe's application because the State of Arizona still owns the subsurface mineral estate beneath the tribe's newly acquired land. For the tribe to acquire the relevant mineral estate, the United States Government is required to acquire the subsurface estate because the State of Arizona cannot sell land under State law. The tribe will then purchase the subsurface estate from the United States. Once the subsurface estate is owned by the tribe, the Interior Department may move forward with the tribe's fee-to-trust application for the relevant surface lands. The acquisition in this act may be done only by the consent of the State of Arizona. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. RADANOVICH. Mr. Speaker, I have no other speakers at this time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Mr. RADANOVICH. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 631) to provide for acquisition of subsurface mineral rights to land owned by the Pascua Yaqui Tribe and land held in trust for the Tribe, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. RADANOVICH

Mr. RADANOVICH. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the Senate bill (S. 1773) to resolve certain Native American claims in New Mexico, and for other purposes.

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 have no additional speakers, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. RADANOVICH. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may consume. The purpose of S. 1773 is to ratify the settlement of several land- related claims between the Pueblo de San Ildefonso and the United States. The Pueblo is a federally recognized Indian tribe in the upper Rio Grande Valley of New Mexico. In 1951, the tribe filed a land claim before the Indian Claims Commission seeking damages for losses of land that were not compensated for by the United States. The commission held that the tribe used and occupied a larger area than in the past than its current land holdings, and that portions of those lands were later taken from the tribe by the United States. It also held that the U.S. was liable to the tribe for most of its claims. After several years, the United States and the tribe reached a mutually acceptable settlement that, when approved by Congress, will convey approximately 7,100 acres of Forest Service land to the tribe and will extinguish all land claims the tribe has against the United States. S. 1773 has the full support of the New Mexico State congressional delegation, and I look forward to the support of this body. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. RADANOVICH

Mr. RADANOVICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a friend and a great leader in my community back home. Dr. Peter G. Mehas is retiring after 44 years in education as Superintendent of the Fresno County Schools. Dr. Mehas dedicated his life to ensuring our children thrive both in and out of the classroom. As an educator, administrator, public servant, community leader, father, husband, and grandfather, Dr. Mehas gives nothing less than his absolute best. A small glimpse into the long list of Dr. Mehas's achievements reveals his unwavering dedication to education. Not often enough are educators recognized for their unselfish devotion to bettering the future of California's children. These teachers and administrators put in countless hours at school, at home and on their weekends. They deserve our greatest respect and gratitude for their efforts. Throughout his distinguished career Dr. Mehas served as an instructor at Roosevelt High School and taught at Edison High School before moving to Clovis Unified School District. He worked his way up from assistant principal at Clovis High to principal, then assistant superintendent and finally associate superintendent. From 1984 to 1987, Mehas established and served as the legislative advocate in Sacramento and Washington, DC, for the State Center Community College District, Fresno County and Modoc County Offices of Education and a consortium of 36 school districts throughout Central California. In 1987, Mehas was appointed by Governor Deukmejian as his Chief Advisor on public education in the state, as well as all private and independent schools and universities. Dr. Mehas was elected Fresno County Superintendent of Schools in 1990 and subsequently served three more terms. Being a superintendent is never an easy job, but to do the job for 16 years, and do the job as well as Dr. Mehas has done, is remarkable. We will miss his invaluable contributions. In September 1991, President George Bush appointed Dr. Mehas to a 17- member advisory commission to implement his executive order on Latino education, a task Dr. Mehas was thrilled to have been given and excelled at. Later, Dr. Mehas was appointed by Governor Pete Wilson to the California Community College Board of Governors. Most recently, Dr. Mehas was appointed, in 2005, by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, to serve on the Governor's Advisory Committee on Education Excellence. As you can see, Dr. Mehas has committed the majority of his adult life to advancing education. Thanks in large part to Dr. Mehas, the children of the San Joaquin Valley are better prepared to face the challenges of the future. Throughout the years, I have also had the privilege of working with Dr. Mehas on a variety of issues. Pete, we wish you well, as you embark on a new phase of your life. You may be retiring, but your contributions to education will endure.

Mr. RADANOVICH

Mr. RADANOVICH. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I am pleased to support this legislation proposed by Congressmen Paul Kanjorski, Charles Dent, Jim Gerlach, and Tim Holden, that will direct the Fish and Wildlife Service to evaluate the potential for creating a new Cherry Valley National Wildlife Refuge in Northeast Pennsylvania. What this measure proposes is a unique approach. While the National Park Service has been following this ``study first'' model for many years, this may be the first time Congress has ever studied the possibility of creating a new national wildlife refuge. This is a sound conservation approach. Cherry Valley is a beautiful region, and it provides critical habitat for at least six federally listed species and 80 species of national and regional concern. In addition, it is a prime bird migration corridor for bald and golden eagles and broad-winged hawks. The idea of a Cherry Valley National Wildlife Refuge has been endorsed by a number of locally effective bodies, citizen groups, and conservation organizations. Under the terms of the bill, the Secretary of the Interior is authorized to conduct a 12-month study to evaluate the fish and wildlife habitat and aquatic and terrestrial communities to determine whether their value merits the establishment of a national wildlife refuge. This report will identify priority lands, assess their conservation value, determine the Federal acquisition costs and create a potential acquisition boundary. I urge an ``aye'' vote on H.R. 5232. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. RADANOVICH. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. RADANOVICH. Madam 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. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 5232) to direct the Secretary of the Interior to initiate and complete an evaluation of lands and waters located in Northeastern Pennsylvania for their potential acquisition and inclusion in a future Cherry Valley National Wildlife Refuge, and for other purposes.

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

Mr. RADANOVICH

Mr. RADANOVICH. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I am pleased to support H.R. 5061, introduced by our colleagues, Congressmen Rick Boucher and Virgil Goode, to convey the Paint Bank and Wytheville National Fish Hatcheries to the State of Virginia. This action is appropriate and timely since the State has been superbly operating these facilities for the past 23 years. During this time nearly 1 million brook, brown, and rainbow trout have been produced each year. In fact, this represents over 40 percent of the total amount of trout that have been stocked for public fishing in Virginia. These fish provide recreational opportunities for thousands of people. This is not an example of the Federal Government's simply ridding itself of unwanted assets. These two hatcheries are not considered components of the National Fish Hatchery System, and the State of Virginia has demonstrated its commitment to manage these facilities effectively. In fact, the State has spent nearly $400,000 in State resources to improve these hatcheries. However, to undertake additional renovations that may cost as much as $4.5 million, it is necessary that ownership is transferred from the Federal Government. This is a position that is supported by all interested parties. I urge an ``aye'' vote on this legislation. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Mr. RADANOVICH. Madam 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. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 5061) to direct the Secretary of the Interior to convey Paint Bank National Fish Hatchery and Wytheville National Fish Hatchery to the State of Virginia.

Mr. RADANOVICH

Mr. RADANOVICH. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, H.R. 3462, introduced by Congressman Rob Bishop, instructs the Secretary of the Interior to convey to Park City, Utah, approximately 110 acres of Bureau of Land Management lands. These lands are located within the corporate limits of Park City, Utah. Park City currently holds a 25-year Recreation and Public Purposes Act lease on these parcels, and once the land is transferred to the city, it will continue to be limited to recreation and open space uses. The City would also be required to satisfy all claims on the property. Consistent with its long-term management plan for sensitive lands, Park City has begun purchasing large blocks of open space and has placed those lands in conservation status. Park City recently approved a $20 million bond for the purchase of such lands. H.R. 3462 also directs the Bureau of Land Management to sell a parcel of land that has already been identified for disposal by its agency. This bill is supported by the community of Park City, Summit County, and several environmental and conservation organizations. I urge its passage. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. RADANOVICH. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3462) to provide for the conveyance of the Bureau of Land Management parcels known as the White Acre and Gambel Oak properties and related real property to Park City, Utah, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. RADANOVICH

Mr. RADANOVICH. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2563) to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to conduct feasibility studies to address certain water shortages within the Snake, Boise, and Payette River systems in Idaho, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. RADANOVICH. Madam 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. RADANOVICH. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3897) to authorize the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Bureau of Reclamation to enter into a cooperative agreement with the Madera Irrigation District for purposes of supporting the Madera Water Supply and Groundwater Enhancement Project, as amended.

Mr. RADANOVICH

Mr. RADANOVICH. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, H.R. 122, introduced by Congressman Darrell Issa, authorizes the Bureau of Reclamation to participate in a water recycling project with the Eastern Municipal Water District in Southern California. The project will allow the district to be less reliant on imported water. As water demands grow and supply becomes more scarce in Southern California, this bill will help drought-proof this arid region. The infrastructure investment in this legislation will help the district as its customers transition from agriculture to urban uses. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.