Nick Rahall

Mr. RAHALL

Mr. RAHALL. Mr. Speaker, in a speech given in the fall of 1964, as the War in Vietnam intensified, President Lyndon Johnson quoted Scripture from the Book of Matthew which says that the floods came, but the house did not fall because it was founded upon rock. President Johnson then said the following, ``The house of America is founded upon our land, and if we keep that whole, then the storm can rage, but the house will stand forever. Once again we find ourselves as a Nation seeking shelter from the storm; the storm of two wars, the storm of economic collapse. But like President Johnson, we remain convinced that no matter what adversity we may be facing, if we are faithful stewards of our land, our house will stand forever. The legislation before us today, S. 22, the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009, will keep America's land whole. The bill contains more than 160 individual measures, including new wilderness designations, new wild and scenic rivers, new hiking trails, heritage areas, water projects, and historic preservation initiatives. Taken as a whole, this omnibus bill is the most important piece of conservation legislation we will consider this year and perhaps this Congress. Some have argued, and will argue today, no doubt, that the challenges we face mean that we should not spend time considering environmental legislation. They dismiss the package before us as ``feel good'' legislation. Well, I think the American people could use some feel good legislation right now. They could use legislation that protects our pristine public lands, the clear running streams and rivers, the wide open spaces, and the unique history that make this Nation great. When the headlines read that banks are failing and companies are folding, they could use some headlines announcing that our national parks are still beautiful, our national battlefields are still sacred, and our rivers are still wild and scenic. When the headlines read that America's status as an economic superpower is in doubt, they could use some headlines announcing that our status as a conservation superpower has never been stronger. The package before us is exactly what the American people want, and it is exactly what our public lands need. In my own case, I'm enormously proud of the fact that included in this package is the Wild Monongahela Act, which will designate more than 37 acres of wilderness in my home State of West Virginia. It should be noted that we are amending S. 22 today to insert language making it absolutely clear that this bill will not affect existing State authority to regulate hunting, fishing, and trapping on the lands in this package. The amendment also makes clear that nothing in S. 22 will affect these activities. My colleagues should know that this provision was negotiated with the National Rifle Association and has the NRA's full support. Opponents of this bill fail to grasp the deep and abiding love the American people have for their land. They fail to understand the power of our wide-open spaces and magnificent vistas, the power of those magnificent vistas to inspire our generation and renew our spirit. It's that kind of inspiration and that kind of renewal that are always valuable, but when times are tough, they are priceless. We should approve S. 22 today, not in spite of the challenges we face but because of them. These storms will pass and the house of America will be standing because we have kept our land whole. I urge passage of S. 22. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time. Parliamentary Inquiry

Mr. RAHALL. I am prepared to close.

Mr. RAHALL. How much time, Mr. Speaker?

Mr. RAHALL. Mr. Speaker, much has been said about the cost of this legislation. I think it's important to note that CBO estimates that enacting S. 22 would have no effect on revenues and no net effect on direct spending over the 2009 to 2018 period, which is the time period relevant to enforcing the pay-as-you-go rules under the current budget resolution. So, this legislation is PAYGO-compliant. PAYGO rules do apply here; something the Republicans never followed when they were in power. This is an authorization process and, as most Members know, there's a difference between authorization and appropriation. If Members oppose certain projects in this bill, then the case is to take this to the Appropriations Committee, where those concerns can be properly aired. The bill contains numerous provisions related to non-Federal matching funds in order to maximize public benefit while minimizing Federal expenditures, an important point that has not yet been made in the pending legislation. So, as I conclude, Mr. Speaker, let me say, as I said in the beginning, this bill is important, especially in today's troubled economic times. We find more and more families where both breadwinners have to find jobs in order to make ends meet. That means that quality time spent at home is rare, and the quantity of time in which families can spend together is even more rare today. Whenever there is time found together, it must be quality time, and that quality time can be found in our National Parks and our public lands and our heritage areas and our historically preserved areas, in our open spaces. And that's what this legislation is about. It's a family values issue. Providing hardworking American families today time to spend quality time and quantity time is rare; to spend quality time together in our open spaces, recognizing the vast heritage and important heritage and proud heritage of this great land that we call America. That is what this legislation is all about, and I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes.''

Mr. RAHALL. That is not the case. The answer is no.

Mr. RAHALL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Connecticut, Mr. Chris Murphy.

Mr. RAHALL. Not including me.

Mr. RAHALL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to a distinguished Member and a valued member of our Committee on Natural Resources, the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Holt).

Mr. RAHALL. Mr. Speaker, I submit for inclusion in the Record the following exchange of letters between the Judiciary and Natural Resources Committees regarding a certain jurisdictional aspect of S. 22. House of Representatives, Committee on the Judiciary, Washington, DC, February 5, 2009. Hon. Nick Rahall, Chairman, Committee on Natural Resources, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Dear Chairman Rahall: I am writing regarding S. 22, the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009, which has been received in the House after passing the Senate. Subtitle D of title VI of that bill is a measure based on H.R. 554 from the 110th Congress, the Paleontological Resources Preservation Act, containing significant provisions within the Rule X jurisdiction of the Judiciary Committee, including criminal penalties, judicial review and enforcement of administrative fines, use of civil and criminal fines, and forfeiture. The Judiciary Committee received an extended referral of H.R. 554 in the 110th Congress, and our two committees had extensive discussions about refining the bill in important respects. While I understand and support the decision, in light of the difficulty in passing S. 22 in the Senate, to attempt to pass it in the House without amendment to ensure it reaches the President, I regret that we will be unable to make appropriate refinements to the provisions in the Judiciary Committee's jurisdiction before the bill becomes law. I appreciate your willingness to work with me to make these refinements as soon as practicable in subsequent legislation. I would appreciate your including this letter in the Congressional Record during consideration of the bill on the House floor. Thank you for your attention to this matter, and for the cooperative relationship between our two committees. Sincerely, John Conyers, Jr., Chairman.

Mr. RAHALL. The question is not in order, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. RAHALL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Virginia, Mr. Tom Perriello.

Mr. RAHALL. How much time does the gentleman from Washington have, and what are his intentions to use it?

Mr. RAHALL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Washington, Mr. Brian Baird.

Mr. RAHALL. If the gentleman will yield, I have four speakers, and it is my intention to conclude the debate.

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

Mr. RAHALL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Altmire), who has been very instrumental in crafting additional language in this bill.

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

Mr. RAHALL. I am mindful and remain committed to progress in implementing and funding the December 19, 2000, Trinity River restoration record of decision. Restoring the fishery resources of the Trinity River is important for the Hoopa Valley Indian Tribe, commercial and recreational fishing families along the coasts of California and Oregon. I agree to work with the gentleman from California in this regard.

Mr. RAHALL. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the Senate bill (S. 22) to designate certain land as components of the National Wilderness Preservation System, to authorize certain programs and activities in the Department of the Interior and the Department of Agriculture, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. RAHALL. All right. Then I will yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Virginia, Mr. Gerald Connolly.

Mr. RAHALL

Mr. RAHALL. Madam Speaker, today I am introducing the Federal Land Assistance, Management and Enhancement Act, or the FLAME Act. Last year, our country experienced the devastating effects of catastrophic, emergency wildland fires in California. For the past several years, we have witnessed tragic fire seasons that have put American lives and our treasured public lands in harm's way. Fire seasons are getting longer and more intense due to climate change, drought, and other factors. As a result, federal fire suppression spending has increased substantially over the past 10 years and projections appear to indicate that this trend will continue into the foreseeable future. The dramatic rise in these costs is eroding other non-fire programs and impacting the core mission of the Federal land management agencies. In the case of the Forest Service, for example, wildland fire suppression activities now account for approximately 48 percent of its budget. This creates a sad trend: our Forest Service is turning into the Fire Service. Furthermore, both the Forest Service and the Department of the Interior have had to ``Rob Peter to Pay Paul'' by borrowing funds from other agency accounts to cover the escalating costs of wildland fire suppression. In 2007, for example, the Forest Service spent $741 million more than was budgeted for wildland fire suppression, and the Department of the Interior spent $249 million more than was budgeted for wildland fire suppression. And in the case of the Forest Service, the costs of catastrophic, emergency wildland fire suppression activities account for the vast majority of suppression expenditures, as two percent of fires account for 80 percent of costs. Madam Speaker, it is clear that something needs to be done to resolve this problem. That is why today I am reintroducing the FLAME Act. The FLAME Act establishes a federal FLAME fund for catastrophic, emergency wildland fire suppression activities. The Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of the Interior may declare catastrophic, emergency wildland fire suppression activities eligible for the FLAME fund by issuing a Suppression Emergency Declaration. The declaration will evaluate the size, severity, and threat of the individual wildland fire incident. The FLAME Act continues our stewardship of all lands by making funds available for catastrophic, emergency wildland fire suppression activities on State and private land consistent with existing agreements. Funds will also be available for catastrophic, emergency wildland fire suppression on Indian lands. The FLAME Act also requires that the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of the Interior submit a long-overdue report to Congress containing a cohesive wildland fire management strategy. This report will improve efforts to prevent fires on our public lands, by addressing critical fire prevention issues such as indentifying a system for assessing the level of fire risk to communities, and indentifying a system to ensure that the highest priority fuels reduction projects are being funded first. Last Congress, we worked to ensure House-passage of the FLAME Act. The bill drew support from the five former living Chiefs of the Forest Service, over 40 different organizations, 56 Members of Congress, and the Speaker of the House. However, the Senate did not act upon the measure. This Congress, I am pleased that Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Chairman Jeff Bingaman and Ranking Member Lisa Murkowski will be introducing the Senate companion measure to the FLAME Act. I look forward to working with our colleagues in the other body to ensure enactment of this important legislation in the 111th Congress. Madam Speaker, I am pleased that President Obama has indicated that he is supportive of working together on this issue. I thank him for his leadership on this issue by addressing it in his Fiscal Year 2010 budget. I also will be working with the esteemed Chairman of the Committee on the Budget, Chairman John Spratt, to include language in the Budget Resolution to support the FLAME Act. Madam Speaker, catastrophic, emergency wildland fires can cause tragic loss of life and property. I am proud to be joined in introducing the FLAME Act today by my colleagues Rep. Norm Dicks, Rep. Raul Grijalva, Rep. Mike Simpson, Rep. Greg Walden, and Senators Jeff Bingaman and Lisa Murkowski In the other body. I look forward to working together towards enactment this Congress to ensure that our country has the necessary tools to combat catastrophic, emergency wildland fires.

Mr. RAHALL

Mr. RAHALL. I rise today in recognition of Meadow Bridge High School in Meadow Bridge, West Virginia. With encouragement from their principal, Al Martine, 100% of the senior class has submitted voter registration forms to the County Clerk in Fayetteville, West Virginia. Meadow Bridge High School has an eight-year history of registering their entire senior class, and they are the only known school in West Virginia with such an accomplishment to call their own. Not only that, but Meadow Bridge High School was recently honored as a bronze level school in US News and World Report. They were singled out because every student, even the most disadvantaged, has standardized test scores that are above the state average. If that doesn't take hard work or doesn't deserve recognition here, I don't know what does. Were he still with us today, I am certain West Virginia Senator Jennings Randolph, who proposed the 26th Amendment to our Constitution to lower the voting age to 18 in 1971, would be very proud of each and every student at Meadow Bridge High School. As your elected representative to Washington, I am especially moved by the faculty's efforts to get young people involved in the political process at a young age. By registering to vote, they have achieved the highest office in our land, that of a citizen. West Virginians have a long, proud history of serving their country. It brings me great pleasure to be able to recognize the efforts of our youngest new voters as they continue in the grand tradition of their classmates, parents and neighbors who registered to vote before them. These students take great pride in doing their civic duty, and I look forward to having their voices heard at the polls come election season. Let us take this moment to recognize the truly spectacular achievement they have attained with this milestone.

Mr. RAHALL

Mr. RAHALL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to extend my deepest sympathy in the passing of my dear friend Rev. Dr. Andrew Durgan. Over 60 years ago, Rev. Durgan began his radio ministry over the airways of my family's radio station, WWNR, becoming the first African American to host a weekly program. I am proud that my father created an opportunity which Rev. Durgan used as a launching pad for his ministry. Joining together with my dear friend, the late Helen Dobson, made them both a powerhouse in the community. I was honored to be with Rev. Durgan as guest speaker for his 60th Anniversary of Broadcast Ministry and remember fondly the testimonies he shared concerning the goodness of the Lord. Rev. Durgan recounted the seven battles he had witnessed during his time in the service and although he never knew if he would make it out alive, he held fast to the words of the old hymn, ``The Lord will make a way Somehow.'' And though he may have had many storms in his life, he would say to his soul, Precious Lord, take my hand and lead me on, let me stand. Now, Rev. Durgan has another testimony, his living was not in vain, because he helped somebody as he traveled along this way, all because of God's Amazing Grace. Rev. Durgan's legacy will live on for years to come to inspire others to Hold On to God's Unchanging Hand. May God's blessing of peace be with you and may the memories of Rev. Durgan bring joy to your hearts.

Mr. RAHALL

Mr. RAHALL. Madam Speaker, in his Inaugural Address, President John F. Kennedy asked the people to ask not what their country could do for them but what they could do for their country. Last month, as I again stood witness to history, President Barack Obama spoke a similar message, asking the people he had been elected to serve to remember the legacy that came before and with which many of us are intimately familiar: hard work, faith, and understanding in the face of economic insecurity, international conflict and personal differences. No one understands this legacy better than African Americans, and it is with that in mind that we come together again this February to celebrate Black History Month. The theme of Black History Month this year is ``The Quest for Black Citizenship in the Americas.'' It is a theme we in West Virginia understand to our core. Making our homes in a state born out of the Civil War, we are intimately familiar with the struggle for equality. It is no surprise that we've seen significant moments in history celebrated right here in our hills and hollows. Carter G. Woodson, the ``father of Black History'' hailed from Huntington, a son of slaves who worked in the coal mines to earn money for an education at West Virginia State College and then Howard University in Washington, DC. Booker T. Washington, perhaps our most famous African American, walked from Virginia to Kanawha County, `free at last,' to have a better life for his family. He also worked hard to obtain the education he felt in his heart was his right to pursue, working in the coal mines until he was 16. He walked 200 miles on foot to study at the Hampton Institute in Virginia and then came right back to West Virginia to teach the children of Appalachia. Minnie Buckingham Harper of Keystone, the first African American woman to become a member of a legislative body in the United States, broke ground for countless women in 1928 when she was appointed to fill the term of her late husband. Leon Sullivan, born in Charleston, was brought up in a dirty alley in one of the city's most poverty-stricken sections, worked in a steel mill to pay his tuition at West Virginia State College, and rose from poverty to found the Opportunity Industrialization Center, a job- training organization with branches around the world. Helen Dobson was from Raleigh County, well-known throughout West Virginia for her beautiful voice, performed at the inauguration of two of West Virginia's governors and served as public school teacher for many years. Her spirit is still strong in southern West Virginia and it was with Ms. Dobson in mind that I signed on as a cosponsor of a bill that designates the African American spiritual as a national treasure. This bill passed the House of Representatives earlier this month. Countless men and women have worked long hours for less pay to provide for a better future for their children. They have fought, and continue to fight, for our liberties in the armed forces. Through their compassion and quiet strength, these men and women are role models by which we all can live. With change and the spirit of unity sweeping the Nation, we have come together again to celebrate Black History month. I can think of no more fitting honorees this month than the African American men and women of West Virginia who have done so much to serve our Nation. Today, southern West Virginians remain deeply indebted to our African American educators who work hard to make sure the children of the Mountain State are ready to take part in an ever more challenging and modern economy. Folks like Bluefield State President Albert Walker; Maurice Cooley, Director of African American Programs at Marshall University; Dr. Shari Williams-Clarke, Vice President for Marshall University Multicultural Affairs; Loretta Young, Vice President for Development at Concord University; and Roslyn Clark- Artis, Executive Vice President at Mountain State University, are an inspiration to us all. Too often, the history of black Americans is not fully taught or remembered. With the indomitable spirit of Dr. Carter G. Woodson and new leaders such as President Barack Obama, African Americans in southern West Virginia and across the country are making great progress. Let us take this Black History Month to celebrate the African American contributions to the greatness of West Virginia and to commend those carrying on this proud tradition of service today.

Mr. RAHALL

Mr. RAHALL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 48th Anniversary of the Peace Corps and in doing so, join many others around the nation in celebrating National Peace Corps Week. Their mission is to help the people of interested countries in meeting their need for trained men and women while helping to promote a better understanding of Americans on the part of the peoples served, as well as, a better understanding of other peoples on the part of Americans. Since the establishment of the Peace Corps by President John F. Kennedy in 1961, more than 195,000 U.S. citizens have served their country in the cause of peace by living and working in 139 countries throughout the world. As of September 30, 2008, 7,876 Peace Corps Volunteers are making significant and lasting contributions to improve the lives of individuals and communities in 76 countries. I am proud to say that three of those volunteers currently serving their country are from my district in West Virginia. Both Ashley M. Hess (Burkina Faso) and Garrett C. Prendergast (Mongolia) will finish up their two years' of service in August of 2010, while Stephanie D. Zorio will finish up her two years' of service in the Philippines in November of 2010. Peace Corps volunteers have made significant and lasting contributions around the world in agriculture, business development, information technology, education, health and HIV/AIDS, youth and the environment. The 195,000 citizens, who have volunteered to serve their country since 1961, came from all walks of life and represent the best of what the United States has to offer. The work they have done over the past 47 years has played an important role in developing nations and continues to provide opportunities for people of different backgrounds to come together to serve the cause of peace.