Nick Rahall

Mr. RAHALL

Mr. RAHALL. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to call up this legislation which is comprised of 61 separate measures that were already considered by this body, packaged by the Senate, and sent back to us for further and final consideration. This is a bipartisan package, almost evenly split between bills sponsored by Democrats and Republicans. Further, I would note that 57 of the measures included in this package originated in the Committee on Natural Resources. In this regard, I salute the committee's Chairs who worked so hard on this legislation: Raul Grijalva, chairman of the Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands; Grace Napolitano, chairwoman of the Subcommittee on Water and Power, and Donna Christensen, chairwoman of the Subcommittee on Insular Affairs. In this body, these three Members did all of the heavy lifting, the hearings, the managing of the individual bills on the floor, the listening from other Members of this body that helped to make the package we are considering today possible. The pending measures include new protections for wilderness, national parks, historic sites and trails, and precious water resources from sea to shining sea. I will not speak to each and every provision of this legislation today but would like to highlight two in particular. This bill will finally designate the long-awaited Wild Sky Wilderness in Washington State, championed by our colleague, Rick Larsen. As I noted last week when the House considered wilderness legislation for my home State of West Virginia, to be in a wilderness area is truly a humbling experience. To be part of designating the wilderness is even more humbling because wilderness is an effort to retain the landscape as God created it. And as with God's good graces, we are working toward designating new wilderness areas in West Virginia today. Let this be the next-to-last action, other than the President's signature, on establishing the Wild Sky Wilderness in the State of Washington. The other measure I would like to highlight would finally bring badly needed immigration, national security and labor protections for the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. Further, this legislation would also grant a nonvoting delegate to the U.S. House of Representatives to the Northern Mariana Islands. For too long, abuses took place in the CNMI, and for too long remedial legislation was held hostage in this body. Let this legislation bring forth a new dawn, the start of a new era with a delegate to this body, that the people of the CNMI's voices be heard. Again, I want to thank the gentlelady from the Virgin Islands, the chairman of the Subcommittee on Insular Affairs, Dr. Donna Christensen, for her great work on this matter. There are other issues of note in this bill. It would expand parks in Maine, Massachusetts, North Carolina, Washington and Idaho. It would improve visitor transportation options at Denali National Park and Acadia National Park. And it would expand and increase the authorization for the National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom. Three new national heritage areas and nine existing areas will receive Federal assistance under this measure. Seven other areas will be examined as possible new park units. This bill would also authorize Federal participation in new and expanded water recycling projects around the west, projects which will provide an estimated 52,600 acre-feet of water annually in an area experiencing severe drought. It's a good bill, Mr. Speaker. I urge all Members to vote for this package. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. RAHALL. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the Senate bill (S. 2739) to authorize certain programs and activities in the Department of the Interior, the Forest Service, and the Department of Energy, to implement further the Act approving the Covenant to Establish a Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands in Political Union with the United States of America, to amend the Compact of Free Association Amendments Act of 2003, and for other purposes.

Mr. RAHALL

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 resolution under consideration.

Mr. RAHALL. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3522) to ratify a conveyance of a portion of the Jicarilla Apache Reservation to Rio Arriba County, State of New Mexico, pursuant to the settlement of litigation between the Jicarilla Apache Nation and Rio Arriba County, State of New Mexico, to authorize issuance of a patent for said lands, and to change the exterior boundary of the Jicarilla Apache Reservation accordingly, and for other purposes.

Mr. RAHALL. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. RAHALL

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

Mr. RAHALL. Existing Federal law allows tribal corporations to lease tribal land for a term of 25 years. However, there are instances where the Congress has provided the authority for a tribal corporation to engage in even longer terms. The pending measure would give the Mashantucket Pequot Tribe of Connecticut the ability to lease its lands for not more than two additional terms of up to 25 years each, for a total of 75 years, in an effort to assist this tribe, expand its economy and assist its members. Furthermore, it prohibits any entity from conducting gaming activity on any land that is leased with an option to renew under this act. I would note that this measure passed the other body by unanimous consent. And I would commend our colleague from Connecticut (Mr. Larson) for his leadership and championing this measure in the House. I urge its passage and I reserve the balance of my time, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. RAHALL. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the Senate bill (S. 2457) to provide for extensions of leases of certain land by Mashantucket Pequot (Western) Tribe.

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 materials on the resolution under consideration.

Mr. RAHALL. I yield myself such time as I may consume. (Mr. RAHALL asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. RAHALL

Mr. RAHALL. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time. I am prepared to yield back.

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

Mr. RAHALL. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1043) honoring the life and legacy of Chief Standing Bear, a pioneer in civil rights for Native Americans, on the 100th anniversary of Chief Standing Bear's death.

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 resolution under consideration.

Mr. RAHALL. Chief Standing Bear, a member of the Ponca Tribe of Nebraska, stood against the grains of injustice in the name of his people. His valuable and historic contributions as a Native American leader would be further honored on the 100th anniversary of his death through this resolution. I would like to commend our colleague from Nebraska (Mr. Fortenberry) for sponsoring this resolution that is before us today. I urge my colleagues to support its passage. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. RAHALL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. (Mr. RAHALL asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. RAHALL

Mr. RAHALL. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3490) to transfer administrative jurisdiction of certain Federal lands from the Bureau of Land Management to the Bureau of Indian Affairs, to take such lands into trust for Tuolumne Band of Me- Wuk Indians of the Tuolumne Rancheria, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. RAHALL. I yield back my time.

Mr. RAHALL

Mr. RAHALL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 60th Anniversary of the founding of the State of Israel. On May 14, 1948, the people of Israel proclaimed the establishment of the sovereign and independent State of Israel. Over the last 60 years. Israel has built a nation, forged a new and democratic society, and created thriving economic. political, cultural and intellectual life. For six decades now, the United States and Israel have maintained a special relationship and the U.S. continues to regard Israel as a strong and trusted ally and an important strategic partner. On the House floor this week, H. Res. 322, reaffirmed Congress's support for Israel and the bonds of friendship and cooperation which have existed between the United States and Israel and commits to strengthening those bonds. I too support Israel, its continued stability, democratic principles and its important role in the Middle East by extending the warmest congratulations and best wishes to the State of Israel and the Israeli people for a peaceful, prosperous, and successful future.

Mr. RAHALL

Mr. RAHALL. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. RAHALL

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 resolution under consideration.

Mr. RAHALL. Today, it is my privilege to bring to the floor of the House of Representatives the ``Wild Monongahela Act: A National Legacy for West Virginia's Special Places.'' This legislation is supported by the entire West Virginia delegation: In this body, my colleagues Representatives Alan Mollohan and Shelley Moore Capito, and in the other body, our Senators, Robert C. Byrd and Jay Rockefeller. The pending measure would designate 37,771 acres of Federal land as wilderness within the Monongahela National Forest. Included in this legislation is the expansion of three existing wilderness areas: Cranberry, Dolly Sods and Otter Creek. Additionally, three new wilderness areas would be established: The Big Draft, the Roaring Plains West, and Spice Run. The issue of wilderness has captivated many Americans since the passage of the Wilderness Act in 1964. According to this landmark statute, these are places ``where the Earth and its community of life are untrammeled by man, where man himself is a visitor who does not remain.'' To be in a wilderness area is, to me, truly a humbling experience. To be part of designating wilderness is even more humbling because wilderness is an effort to retain the landscape as God has created it. As the Reverend Dennis Sparks, Executive Director of the West Virginia Council of Churches wrote to me, and I quote, ``We believe that carefully protecting this wonderful national forest and its wilderness-quality lands not only has a sound biblical basis, but is also the best and most practical course of action for safeguarding the world which we will pass along to our children.'' A great many people have worked to make this legislation possible: Matt Keller, Dave Saville, Mary Wimmer, Beth Little, Mayor John Manchester of Lewisburg, West Virginia, Bob Bittner, Jr., Mike Price, as well as the Reverend Sparks. And there are many others with whom I've hiked and with who I've worked on this legislation for which time will not allow me to name them all. I would also like to express my appreciation to the Monongahela National Forest Supervisor, Clyde Thompson, as well as to Sammie Lammie, for his excellent map making. And finally, to the Governor of West Virginia, Joe Manchin, and to the Division of our Natural Resources Director, Frank Jezioro. We have and will continue to work to ensure that appropriate wildlife management activities can take place in the areas designated by this bill. Mr. Speaker, I submit the following exchange of letters for the Record. House of Representatives, Committee on Agriculture, Washington, DC, April 17, 2008. Hon. Nick J. Rahall II, Chairman, Committee on Natural Resources, Longworth House Office Building, Washington, DC. Dear Mr. Chairman: On April 2, 2008 the Committee on Natural Resources favorably reported an amended version of H.R. 5151, the ``Wild Monongahela Act: A National Legacy for West Virginia's Special Places.'' As you are aware, the bill was primarily referred to Committee of Natural Resources, while the Agriculture Committee received an additional referral. H.R. 5151 seeks, among other policy objectives, to designate as ``wilderness'' certain Federal Lands within the Monongahela National Forest in the State of West Virginia. Clause 1(a) of Rule X confers upon the Agriculture Committee jurisdiction over bills relating to forestry in general and forests other than those created from the public domain. In the past, the Committee on Agriculture has worked cooperatively with the Committee on Natural Resources regarding matters that generally concern forestry. It is my understanding that the Committee on Natural Resources wishes to have the House of Representatives consider the bill next week. Given the need to expedite this legislation, I will agree to discharge H.R. 5151 from further consideration by the Committee on Agriculture. I do so with the understanding that this action in no way waives the Committee on Agriculture's jurisdictional interests in the subject matter of the legislation or serves as a precedent for future referrals. Furthermore, in the event a House- Senate conference is requested on this matter, the Committee on Agriculture reserves the right to seek the appointment of conferees. I ask that you insert a copy of our exchange letters into the Congressional Record during consideration of this measure on the House floor. Thank: you very much for your courtesy in this matter and I look forward to continued cooperation between the Committee on Natural Resources and the Committee on Agriculture as we deal with forestry issues in the future. Sincerely, Collin C. Peterson, Chairman.

Mr. RAHALL

Mr. RAHALL. Mr. Speaker, the pending measure was introduced by the ranking member of the Natural Resources Committee, the gentleman from Alaska (Mr. Young). The bill would direct the U.S. Forest Service to convey a 12-acre administrative site in the middle of Coffman Cove, Alaska to that city. The land under discussion is in the center of the town near a new ferry terminal. This conveyance will help the city's efforts to diversify its economic base. Additionally, the location of the site has been difficult for the Forest Service to manage. I support passage of H.R. 831. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. RAHALL

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 resolution under consideration.

Mr. RAHALL

Mr. RAHALL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 60th anniversary of the founding of the State of Israel. On May 14th, 1948, the people of Israel proclaimed the establishment of the sovereign and independent State of Israel. Over the last 60 years, Israel has built a nation, forged a new and democratic society, and created thriving economic, political, cultural and intellectual life. For six decades now, the United States and Israel have maintained a special relationship and the U.S. continues to regard Israel as a strong and trusted ally and an important strategic partner. On the House floor today, H. Res. 322, reaffirms Congress's support for Israel and reaffirms the bonds of friendship and cooperation which have existed between the United States and Israel and commits to strengthening those bonds. I too support Israel, its continued stability, democratic principles and its important role in the Middle East by extending the warmest congratulations and best wishes to the State of Israel and the Israeli people for a peaceful, prosperous, and successful future.