Nick Rahall

Mr. RAHALL

Mr. RAHALL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. This bill sponsored by my colleague, the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Murtha), that alone makes it worthy of consideration by this body. I commend the gentleman from Pennsylvania for his excellent effort on behalf of this important national historic site, and I urge passage. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. RAHALL

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

Mr. RAHALL. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from the District of Columbia (Ms. Norton).

Mr. RAHALL. Mr. Speaker, while the text of this legislation refers to a memorial intended to honor anyone who has ever been the victim of a terrorist attack on the United States, our hearings on this measure focused on the victims of the September 11 hijackings and attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. Those events are the catalysts for this legislation. While it has been said often, it cannot be said often enough: our thoughts and prayers continue to go out to those affected by the events of that awful day. While we as a nation have attempted to go on with our lives, the tragedy and loss of that day are never far from our hearts or minds. The scope and severity of that terrible tragedy make it difficult to know how best to memorialize those who were lost. Mr. Turner's bill is one approach and we will support it, but there may be others. It is our hope that, over time, we may all gain the wisdom and perspective to devise a memorial, or series of memorials, that will tell the story of these attacks, the people who were lost, their families and our resulting efforts to end the threat of terrorism, in such a way that future generations will never forget these events. Better yet, if we do it right, perhaps such a memorial could, in some small way, reduce the chance that a future generation will have to endure such a tragedy. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Turner), who is the author of this legislation, who has worked so hard; and I commend him for bringing this legislation to us today.

Mr. RAHALL

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

Mr. RAHALL. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos). (Mr. LANTOS asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. RAHALL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. The measure has already been explained by the majority, but I simply want to note that this important legislation is sponsored by our colleagues, the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Solis) and the gentleman from California (Mr. George Miller). Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Solis) for her comments and commend her for her excellent leadership on this legislation. (Ms. SOLIS asked and was given permission to revise and extend her remarks.)

Mr. RAHALL

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

Mr. RAHALL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, as amended, S. 1894 is a package of four pieces of unrelated legislation. The underlying vehicle, S. 1894, authorizes a special resource study to determine the national significance of the Miami Circle, as well as the feasibility of including the site in Biscayne National Park. In this body, the sponsor of this bill is our dear and departing colleague, the gentlewoman from Florida (Mrs. Meek). She has worked tirelessly, and I mean tirelessly, on behalf of the House companion to this legislation, and we are eager to see this study move forward as a small part of the huge legacy that will remain once the gentlewoman from Florida retires after this Congress. We shall miss the gentlewoman in this body, but we know we shall always have her friendship and wisdom as we continue to tackle the issues of this Nation. Also included in H.R. 1894 is the text of H.R. 3747, introduced by our colleague on the Committee on Resources, the gentleman from Washington (Mr. Inslee). This provision would provide for a special resource study of the Eagledale Ferry Dock located on Bainbridge Island in Washington State. This package also includes the text of H.R. 4622, legislation sponsored by our colleague, the gentleman from California (Mr. Radanovich). I remain unconvinced that H.R. 4622 is ready to be enacted. However, we support passage of S. 1894, as amended. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from Florida (Mrs. Meek).

Mr. RAHALL

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

Mr. RAHALL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, while I initially had some minor problems with H.R. 4919 when it was considered in committee, our colleague, the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Pastor), came and spoke to me. In no uncertain terms he made it clear he would like to see this legislation passed. Therefore, I decided it would be a good idea to move it forward. I would also note that the inclusion by our colleague, the gentleman from California (Mr. Thompson), of his legislation in this legislation is facilitating its consideration on the floor today. The gentleman from California is to be commended for his leadership, and is a very capable and effective representative of his constituents. I salute him for his work on this particular bill.

Mr. RAHALL

Mr. RAHALL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. We on the minority side have no problems with the legislation and we support it. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. RAHALL

Mr. RAHALL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. We support the measure on this side of the aisle. I would also like to note the work of our colleague, the gentleman from California (Mr. Sherman), who has been very supportive and worked hard for this legislation as well. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. RAHALL

Mr. RAHALL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, we have no objections to this measure, but it is our hope that an equally important water resource measure for Austin, Texas, will also be considered by the House in the near future. My colleagues on the Committee on Resources may recall that when we met on July 10 to consider Senator Wyden's bill for these river basins in Oregon, we also supported the bill of our colleague, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Doggett), H.R. 4739. He works hard for his constituents and is to be commended for his leadership on this issue as well. The Doggett bill would authorize Federal financial assistance for a water recycling project in the Austin, Texas, area. As I recall, the committee approved the Doggett bill without amendment and by unanimous consent. I have no doubt that S. 238 is meritorious. I hope my colleagues on the other side of the aisle might be able to now schedule this other equally important water legislation in the foreseeable future. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. RAHALL

Mr. RAHALL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. The minority has reviewed the legislation and agrees with the majority's explanation of it. We are glad to support the legislation by the gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Osborne). Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. RAHALL

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

Mr. RAHALL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I read an article in today's CQ Daily Monitor with the following headline: ``Dakota Water Project Marked by November Election Overtones.'' My purpose in supporting this legislation, however, is marked by the pressing need to keep our promise to Native Americans in South Dakota who need and deserve a safe and reliable water supply. That is my motive here, pure and simple. Native Americans deserve no less.

Mr. RAHALL

Mr. RAHALL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. The minority has reviewed this bill and we support the majority's explanation of it. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. RAHALL

Mr. RAHALL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I too rise in support of this concurrent resolution which recognizes the 100th anniversary of the establishment of the International Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies. It is cosponsored by two very distinguished Members of this body, on our side of the aisle the dean of the House, the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Dingell), and on the majority side the former chairman of the Committee on Resources and the current chairman of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, the gentleman from Alaska (Mr. Young). I commend these gentlemen for bringing this resolution before us, and I urge its support. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. RAHALL

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

Mr. RAHALL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. The majority has already explained this bill, which would address water management needs in four western States. It is important to mention that certain conditions must be met before local project sponsors take over any project facilities now owned by the United States. Prior to completing the project conveyances authorized in title I and II of this bill, the Secretary of the Interior is directed to comply with all applicable statutes. This includes the National Environmental Policy Act, the Endangered Species Act, the National Historic Preservation Act, and any other laws that apply to the transfer. The Congress recognizes that there may be ways to condition the transfers to mitigate any issues raised during the environmental reviews conducted prior to conveyance. But compliance with applicable laws prior to conveyance is not optional; it is required by the bill. I extend my compliments to the gentleman from New Mexico (Mr. Udall) for his hard work on title III of this bill, which will literally change the lives of the people who live in the affected area of the State of New Mexico. The gentleman from New Mexico is a very distinguished and hardworking representative for his people and deserves a great deal of praise for what has gone into this particular legislation. In addition, I would note that title IV of this bill includes legislation sponsored by the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Stenholm). His leadership in sponsoring this worthy legislation will assist farmers in his district as they cope with the continuing drought. I commend the gentleman from Texas for his suburb leadership. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the distinguished gentleman from New Mexico (Mr. Udall).

Mr. RAHALL

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

Mr. RAHALL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. The chairman has fully explained this bill. Make no mistake about it, we on this side of the aisle support George Washington as well, just like the Republicans.

Mr. RAHALL

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

Mr. RAHALL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. H.R. 5109 is a simple fair market value conveyance of a small parcel of land and facilities in Tupelo, Oklahoma. We have no objection to the bill. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.