John Salazar

Mr. SALAZAR

Mr. SALAZAR. Mr. Speaker, today, the House of Representatives will debate and vote on a proposal that supporters claim will solve the problem of increasingly unaffordable medical malpractice insurance premiums for our Nation's doctors. They argue that outrageous jury awards are to blame for rising healthcare costs. I am afraid this bill is not the end-all, save-all solution to our health care crisis; and, in fact, I fear it will do nothing to relieve the burden our doctors face. If we are serious about lowering the cost of medical malpractice insurance why aren't we addressing the issue of insurance reform or ways in which we can weed out bad doctors, or for that matter, trial lawyers who abuse the court system? This bill does little more than set a 1970's era cap on jury awards for medical malpractice cases, an action which will only hurt those who are already suffering--the patients and their loved ones. An analysis of State by State medical malpractice insurance premiums, obtained from the Medical Liability Monitor, compared with caps on damages reveals no conclusive evidence these caps work. In fact, according to one survey, insurance premiums in states with caps were on average $4170 higher than those in States without caps. This bill goes much further than simply addressing the medical malpractice insurance dilemma; it even sets caps on damages for nursing home neglect, unsafe prescription drugs, and a variety of other health- related industries. In 2004, Congress and others raised questions about the safety and effectiveness of several FDA-approved biomedical products on the market, including certain antidepressants, Merck's pain relief drug, Vioxx, Boston Scientific's cardiac stents, and other drugs and medical devices. Evidence has suggested that there were problems with these items during clinical trials. Does this Congress really want to protect companies who knowingly put dangerous products on the market? I know I don't. H.R. 5 does not go nearly far enough to address the climbing medical malpractice insurance rates or the healthcare crisis our constituents are trying to negotiate. I again pose the questions, why doesn't this bill address the insurance industry; why aren't we trying to weed out bad doctors; or punish trial lawyers who abuse the system? We need something more than caps on jury awards to lower the cost of health care in this country.

Mr. SALAZAR

Mr. SALAZAR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my strong support for the conference report on H.R. 2361, the Interior Appropriations bill. This important piece of legislation provides $1.5 billion to remedy the shortfall in veterans' health care for this year. Earlier this month, I stood here urging this body to step up to the plate when it comes to veterans. Our veterans must be our number one priority. By passing this measure, we take the first step in fulfilling our obligation to the men and women who have served our country with honor and dignity. Passage of this bill is a necessity--I will never turn my back to our Nation's veterans. However, I do want to take this opportunity to discuss my concerns with the larger measure and its failure to address the land and water conservation and management needs of our nation. The Land and Water Conservation Fund has been a valuable program for my district. This has been a fund to assist communities in helping preserve open space to protect and conserve unique landscapes. The cut in funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund is a cut in land conservation for Colorado. For those who know, the 3rd Congressional District is comprised of rural communities containing millions of acres of public lands. These public lands are managed by the U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service, and the Fish and Wildlife Service. These agencies and public lands provide many benefits for the local communities in my district. I am disappointed with the decrease in funding to these agencies in this year's Interior Appropriations Conference Report. These agencies have to maintain a difficult balance of managing our nation's public lands with budget constraints. By cutting funding to these agencies it makes it very difficult for them to maintain their current management practices and leaves our nation's public lands in jeopardy. With that being said, this report does have some positive aspects. The funding of $5.6 billion for Indian programs is beneficial for school and hospital construction, education grants, human services programs, and law enforcement needs. These programs are essential for the Native American reservations within my district. More often than not, in the West, the Federal Government is not just your neighbor, it is the entire neighborhood. Since most of my district cannot raise taxes, Payment in Lieu of Funding is vital. These counties with public lands within their boundaries need this funding for schools, roads, and other infrastructure needs. This program has never been fully funded, yet my counties are dependent upon this program. I hope to see this program fully funded next year. I also want to see continued funding for the National Fire Plan and the forest health initiatives. These programs need to see increased funding due to the continued drought periods in the West and the current pine beetle epidemic. If the beetle infestations are not addressed, we will continue to see our forests decimated. These insects will continue to cause fire hazards in our nation's forests if we do not get them under control. I urge Congress next year to fully fund these agency budgets. This is critical to the Western States and our existence. Finally, Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank Representatives Obey and Dicks for their assistance in securing $100,000 for Montrose's City Hall Renovation Project. The City Hall building of Montrose was built in 1926 and has been well preserved throughout the years. However, as the City and County continues to grow, so too must the building in order to accommodate the needs of the people. Preserving and expanding the City Hall building in Montrose will allow us to keep a part of history alive for future generations of Colorado. Mr. Speaker once again I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of this legislation. We need to sure up our VA budget so we can continue to provide critical health care services to our nation's veterans. In the future we need to restore the Land and Water Conservation funding and fully fund our agencies budgets.

Mr. SALAZAR

Mr. SALAZAR. Mr. Speaker, I came to Congress to defend the values of rural Colorado; our farming lifestyle, our ranching communities, our jobs. DR-CAFTA, the Dominican Republic-Central America Free Trade Agreement goes against those values, posing a threat to the very backbone of our economy and our lifestyle. Trade has always been a way for cultures to exchange not only goods, but also ideas and good will. I support trade with our neighbors; it is what we should be doing to help promote democracy and economic prosperity. But just because we have a trade agreement before us does not mean it is the right agreement. DR-CAFTA is an attempt to liberalize trade between the United States and six Latin American countries. The Administration negotiated with other foreign leaders in 2004 and today the House of Representatives will vote whether to approve the agreement. Due to Fast Track Authority, however, Congress will not have an opportunity to amend the agreement--it will merely have an up-or-down vote regardless of any concerns that may be voiced. DR-CAFTA has divided many agricultural groups among the states as well as other industries, business groups and human rights organizations. Over the last several months, I have met with a variety of groups from Colorado and around the nation about DR-CAFTA and I am sad to report there is no consensus about how this agreement will affect our nation's economy. The promise of new markets for agricultural exports has prompted many groups to throw their weight behind DR-CAFTA, but a deeper examination of the supposed benefits vs. the actual consequences of DR-CAFTA's enactment warrants hesitation. Our beef industry is strong and fiercely protected in our state. According to the proponents of the deal, DR-CAFTA will open up new markets and opportunities for the U.S. beef industry. But our local ranchers and beef producers will not benefit from the agreement--DR- CAFTA will only allow duty-free access for prime and choice cuts of U.S. beef, which makes little sense when 40 percent of the people in DR-CAFTA nations make $2 a day or less. Meanwhile, DR-CAFTA is silent on the issue of imports meeting our rigorous food safety and sanitary standards, creating a challenge to the safety of our food supply. The Colorado Farm Bureau has publicly expressed its opposition to this agreement because of the potential adverse effects it would have on agricultural sectors. In particular, the Colorado sugar industry could be devastated by increased imports of sugar from the Dominican Republic. According to estimates, the effect of lower sugar prices after increased imports could be nearly $180 million. This means the loss of nearly 150,000 sugar-industry jobs. A report prepared by the United States International Trade Commission estimates job loss in the sugar industry will be 38 times higher than the next most harmed sector. Not only would DR-CAFTA threaten the livelihoods of thousands of US. sugar farmers and workers, but it would cost taxpayers millions of dollars. Another government report reveals information condemning DR- CAFTA as a burden on taxpayers. According to the Congressional Budget Office, the influx of sugar from Central American countries would push prices down so low that our own sugar farmers would be forced to forfeit government loans on their crops. These forfeitures would cost taxpayers about $50 million annually through 2015. When added to a trade deficit that has ballooned to $617 billion, claims of economic gain are hard to believe. The trade commission study states DR-CAFTA will actually accelerate the pace at which jobs are outsourced overseas. The North America Free Trade Agreement certainly hasn't set a good precedent, with estimates of nearly 900,000 jobs lost. In the wake of NAFTA, Trade Adjustment Assistance programs were designed to assist those who lose their jobs as a result of companies moving out of the United States. More than a decade after NAFTA, the programs receive only one-quarter of the needed funding. Despite progress made in recent years to improve the Trade Adjustment Assistance program, budget cuts have left many workers who qualify for TAA benefits without access to this program when they need it most. Workers in Grand Junction were displaced this year when their jobs were outsourced overseas; I would hate to see other communities have to deal with this problem. How will the TAA programs keep up with DR-CAFTA's fast-paced outsourcing? And why spend millions of dollars to fix the effects of a flawed trade agreement, instead of renegotiating the entire agreement? Proponents of DR-CAFTA can't seem to defend the agreement on its own merits. Since the solid economic reasoning isn't there, curbing illegal immigration has become the new purpose of DR-CAFTA, another argument that doesn't have the backing of facts or figures. In the wake of NAFTA, 1.3 million farmers in small to medium-size operations were forced off their land because they were unable to compete with the multinational producers. For those concerned about ``broken borders,'' think of this: The employed farmers and agriculture workers of 10 years ago have become the undocumented immigrants of today. I fear DR-CAFTA will create a new wave of illegal immigration from Latin America. I will close as I began by reiterating my feelings about free trade. I support trade as part of a long-term strategy to grow our economy and support democracy. Economic ties with other nations help the American economy and national security. But trade agreements should provide real gains for U.S. workers and businesses. In any agreement, we must be vigilant about protecting our economic security. DR-CAFTA is a flawed agreement that needs to be renegotiated to address the concerns of our agricultural sector and the concerns of illegal immigration. Safeguards to protect American jobs and rural values must be strengthened before moving ahead with free trade in Latin America.

Mr. SALAZAR

Mr. SALAZAR. Mr. Chairman, I would like to thank the gentlewoman from Texas for yielding me this time to speak on this important bill. I rise today to express my strong support for the Water Resource Development Act of 2005. As a new Member of Congress, I am also proud to be on a part of the committee that works in such a bipartisan way. I would like to recognize the gentleman from Alaska (Chairman Young) and the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Oberstar) the ranking member as well as the gentleman from Tennessee (Chairman Duncan) and the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Eddie Bernice Johnson) for their strong leadership. Today, each Member will have an opportunity to vote for a bill that is about investing in America. It is about investing in our infrastructure. And to me, it is about addressing rural Colorado's water resources needs. WRDA will authorize new projects for the Corps of Engineers, including certain environmental restoration projects in our rivers and our lakes. I am pleased that WRDA contains two projects that are critical to water resources in my district out in Colorado. The first project is out in the eastern part of my district and provides for water transmission infrastructure in Pueblo and Otero Counties for safe drinking water. The second will help the water and wastewater related infrastructure for the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe in southeastern Colorado. Like many areas, the needs of the Third Congressional District and the county resources are stretched thin. But assistance from the Army Corps will go far. I thank the leadership for the support of these projects. Water is the lifeblood of rural Colorado. After 5 years of delay, Congress should move quickly and put WRDA on the President's desk for signature. I urge my colleagues to vote yes for WRDA.

Mr. SALAZAR

Mr. SALAZAR. Mr. Speaker, as a veteran, I have made a pledge to serve my country, and because of my desire to defend the ideals of democracy that I still cherish. As part of our commitment, the Army promised all veterans a variety of benefits. In the past several years, I have seen some of those promises turn from honored commitments to veterans and their families to empty words that seem to be worth nothing more than the paper they are written on. Mr. Speaker, 2 weeks ago, we were informed the Veterans Administration would fall short by more than a billion dollars of what is needed to provide critical services to veterans. I was angered and dismayed at this gross negligence and oversight and spoke before this very House in strong support of the emergency spending bill passed 2 weeks ago. We will soon be seeing another request from the President to complete the needed funding for the health care of our Nation's veterans. I will support this measure too because I support our veterans, but it is absurd and it is a crying shame that the health of veterans boils down to bitter partisan fights. As Democrats, we have repeatedly demanded full funding for our veterans' needs. It is our duty to fully fund the Veterans Administration and do it right the first time, not after three or four attempts.

Mr. SALAZAR

Mr. SALAZAR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay homage to the Medal of Honor recipients and the values that the Medal of Honor symbolizes. On this date in 1862, President Abraham Lincoln approved the legislation that created the Medal of Honor, our Nation's highest military medal. The Medal of Honor is awarded for acts of valor and gallantry above and beyond the call of duty. In its 140-plus-year history, only 3,441 individuals have been awarded this distinguished medal; 121 of those individuals are still alive today. Mr. Speaker, I wish to pay tribute to these brave individuals and to those men and women currently serving our Nation overseas. The Nation's highest award is facing a serious challenge to its meaning and symbol. I am outraged by the impostors who claim they have received this and other honors the military awards for deeds and actions of soldiers. These criminals not only dishonor themselves, but they dishonor the sacrifice that true recipients have made. That is why, Mr. Speaker, I plan to introduce the Stolen Valor Act of 2005 next week. This piece of legislation will make it easier for Federal law enforcement officials to prosecute phonies and impostors and restore the true meaning of these illustrious awards. I hope my colleagues can join me in this effort to reclaim the meaning of honor and bravery and sacrifice in these United States.

Mr. SALAZAR

Mr. SALAZAR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Mary West, the 2005 recipient of the Disney Teacher award. Ms. West is a special needs high school teacher in Montrose, Colorado. In this capacity, she teaches students what they need to know to function in their community. Working with students as old as 21, she is often times the last teacher these students will have before they enter the adult world. It is an honor and a privilege to have a teacher of Mary West's caliber in my district. Ms. West's dedication exemplifies the kind of steadfast determination and drive I grew up with in Colorado. As one of only 45 winners selected out of more than 50,000 nominees, Ms. West, and her school, will receive upwards of $15,000 from the Walt Disney Company for use in maintaining this high quality of education at Montrose High School. Education is about the future, about making our dreams for a better tomorrow a reality. Family values, a good education, these are the foundation on which that future ought to rest. What more could we possibly want for our children than the opportunity to see their dreams, large or small, come true. More than simply watching our children succeed though, this foundation allows us to take pride in knowing that their success is not due to luck, but rather to their own ability to make something of themselves. We therefore have a responsibility to ensure our children enter that future with the best education possible. Teachers, like Mary West, are putting these seemingly incredible dreams within reach. So, it is my hope that you will join with me in congratulating Ms. West on her accomplishments. With the help of Ms. West and other dedicated teachers throughout Colorado, I feel confident that today's youth will be prepared to accept the challenges and the possibilities of tomorrow.

Mr. SALAZAR

Mr. SALAZAR. Mr. Speaker, I echo the sentiments of the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Edwards), who has been a tireless advocate of veterans benefits. I am a veteran and a son of a veteran who has a son who just became a veteran, so I echo the gentleman's sentiments. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of our veterans, our troops, and H.R. 3130. Since I was elected, we have buried five soldiers in the Third Congressional District. As we drape our Nation's flag over their coffins, are we supposed to tell their families that our budget prevents them from getting promised benefits? As we celebrate July 4 and march in parades alongside the heroes of World War II, Vietnam, Korea, and the Persian Gulf, are we supposed to tell these veterans that last week's accounting error will prevent them from being seen by a doctor? And that not only will they have to travel 5 hours to see a doctor, but once they get there, they will be turned away? They did not turn away when we called upon them to serve our country. They did not turn away from putting their lives on the line for our freedoms. We cannot turn away from them now. It should not take an emergency or bad press coverage for this administration to care about the health of our Nation's veterans. In a time of war, bringing our troops home safely and taking care of our veterans is our number one priority. This administration has let our Nation's heroes suffer because of a mismanaged budget. This is absolutely shameful and unacceptable. No one should ever let the troops and veterans be an afterthought. We need to provide this money now. We need to guarantee all future funding for the Veterans Administration so our Nation's heroes never have to suffer from a mismanaged budget again.

Mr. SALAZAR

Mr. SALAZAR. Mr. Speaker, I stand here today to pay tribute and recognize Corporal Chad Maynard. Corporal Maynard was killed in the line of duty while serving his country in Iraq. Each day, men and women in the Armed Forces face danger in the hope of bringing peace and prosperity to those in need. We must not forget the individual stories of these soldiers who have served our country with courage and honor. Chad Maynard was from Montrose, CO. All his life he wanted to follow in his father's and brother's footsteps and serve in the Marines. He volunteered to serve in the Marines and was proud to wear our Nation's uniform. He was the pride of the ROTC and the local community. We should honor his dedication and courage and leadership. He was a good man, a strong and courageous man. He was everything a soldier should be. He was the kind of person that boosted our pride in being an American. On Wednesday, June 15, 2005, Corporal Chad Maynard was killed in Ramadi, Iraq. Chad Maynard made the ultimate sacrifice for his country. My heart goes out to Chad's parents Gene and Cindy, his brothers Jacob and Jeremiah and his sister Breanne. And to his wife Becky and their yet unborn child, I offer these words of condolence. Your courage in this time of hardship humbles all of us. We will not forget your sacrifice. Mr. Speaker, I submit this recognition to the United States House of Representatives in honor of their sacrifice so that Chad Maynard may live on in memory.

Mr. SALAZAR

Mr. SALAZAR. Mr. Speaker, I stand here today to pay tribute to and recognize Army Staff Sergeant Justin Lee Vasquez. Sgt. Vasquez was killed in the line of duty while serving his country in Iraq. Justin Vasquez was proud of his service in the Army and willingly wore his country's uniform. We should honor his dedication, courage and leadership. Each day men and women in the Armed Forces willingly face unknown dangers in the hope to bring peace and prosperity to those in need. We must not forget the individual stories of these soldiers who have served our country with courage and honor. Justin Vasquez was from Manzanola, Colorado. He played football in high school and loved to hunt and fish with his family. He was known throughout his squadron as being a dedicated leader who always wanted to help other people. Justin Vazquez was serving his second tour of duty. He was given the option not to return to Iraq. Instead, he returned, because he did not want to leave his men alone. On Sunday, June 5, 2005, Staff Sergeant Justin Lee Vasquez was killed when his military convoy was attacked. Justin Vasquez made the ultimate sacrifice by courageously and honorably serving his country. To him it was everything to be a soldier. My heart goes out to Justin's parents Vicki and Tino, his wife Riley, and his son Justin. The Vasquez family has demonstrated exceptional selflessness and courage in such trying times. Mr. Speaker, I submit this recognition to the United States House of Representatives in honor of their sacrifice, so that Justin Lee Vasquez may live on in memory.

Mr. SALAZAR

Mr. SALAZAR. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of the Velazquez amendment to the Science-State-Justice Appropriations bill. I thank the gentle1ady from New York for her leadership and the opportunity to speak in favor of the Section 7(a) Small Business Loan Program. The 3rd Congressional District of Colorado is a large rural district with many small businesses that have benefited from the SBA's lending programs. In 2004, the Section 7(a) provided 25.4 million dollars in loans to small businesses within my congressional district. As you know, this program helps provide capital to small business owners who are unable to access traditional financing alternatives. These small businesses provide critical jobs and are the economic engine that help drive the economy in my congressional district. Small businesses able to take advantage of this program have added new jobs to the economy. The Section 7(a) program has created approximately 742 jobs in my district alone. It is vital that these small businesses have the resources and capital necessary to operate, otherwise rural communities will continue to fall further behind the rest of the country in ecomomic growth. The Section 7(a) loan program is a proven success; it provides critical assistance to small busineses and I urge all of my colleagues to vote in favor of this amendment. I thank the gentlelady for the opportunity to speak on behalf of this important amendment.

Mr. SALAZAR

Mr. SALAZAR. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in recognition for the 100th anniversary of the creation of the San Juan National Forest in my Congressional District in Colorado. On June 3, 1905 the San Juan National Forest was created through presidential proclamation by Theodore Roosevelt. This year also marks the centennial of the creation of the U.S. Forest Service, the Federal agency which manages the San Juan National Forest and 155 other National Forests across the country. The San Juan National Forest encompasses over 1.8 million acres of southwestern Colorado, an area more than 120 miles wide and 60 miles long. This great forest has historically contributed to the comnunities of southwestern Colorado through the supply of timber, minerals, oil and gas, livestock grazing, recreation, clean water and air, and other resources. The above amenities are important to the quality of life and economic well being for southwestern Colorado. I ask all citizens to join in the Centennial Celebration of the San Juan National Forest through the many activities scheduled for June 1- 4, 2005 and ask my colleagues to join me in proclaiming June, 2005 as San Juan National Forest Centennial Month.

Mr. SALAZAR

Mr. SALAZAR. Mr. Speaker, on this coming Memorial Day, we pay tribute to the men and women in uniform who have risked life and limb in the name of Liberty and Freedom. I wish to give special attention to LTC Juan Cristobal Gomez III, an extraordinary man who devoted his life to God and Country. Those of us from the San Luis Valley and Northern New Mexico were privileged to know this man of exceptional character and profound faith. LTC Gomez always said ``When you honor one veteran, you honor all veterans.'' Through this tribute to Juan, I pay homage to all who have served and sacrificed for this great Nation. Juan Cristobal Gomez III was born in Durango, CO in 1946 and was raised on the Gomez Ranch in Frances. He enlisted in the Army June 2, 1969 at Ft. Polk, LA, and then graduated from Officer Candidate School in 1970. During his time in the Army and Army Reserves, Juan was stationed with Ft. Carson, CO, Evans Army Medical Center, CO, and William Beaumont Army Medical Center, Ft. Bliss, TX. He served on active duty with Evans Army Medical Center Unit during Operation Desert Storm, and also spent time with Medcom Unit #15281 in Korea in 1996 and again in 1998. Throughout his career he received many military awards arid attended several military schools. Juan retired from the United States Army Reserves as a Lieutenant Colonel in 1996. Juan touched the lives of everyone he came into contact with, always parting with ``I love you'' or ``God bless''. After he retired from the Army Reserves, he continued to serve his country through the work he did with veterans. He exemplified the notion that even when the uniform is placed in the closet, a soldier's duty is never complete to his Nation. In November of 2003, Gomez was honored with an award from the Congressional Medal of Honor Society for ``furthering the goals of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society by fostering and perpetuating patriotism in communities throughout the San Luis Valley and Northern New Mexico.'' Juan cherished his friendships with our Medal of Honor recipients and honored them in all he did because of who they are and the values they embody. Colorado and the Nation were at a great loss on July 10, 2004, when we lost LTC Juan Gomez. However, the life Juan led inspired us all; he challenged us to give a little of ourselves for the betterment of our Nation. We pay tribute this Memorial Day to thousands of veterans like LTC Juan Gomez, patriots who gave selflessly to protect this great Nation, and community leaders who inspire those around them by their service to a cause greater than themselves.

Mr. SALAZAR

Mr. SALAZAR. Mr. Speaker, I thank the distinguished gentlewoman from New York (Ms. Slaughter) for allowing me time to speak. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in opposition of Rule H.R. 1815. Last night the Rules Committee rejected an amendment that I offered to help our military families who have lost loved ones in the defense of our freedom. My amendment would eliminate the survivors benefit pension dependency and indemnity compensation offset. Under current law, survivors are prohibited from receiving payments from both programs at the same time. This is unfair and an unjust provision that hurts the families of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice to defend our freedom and democracy. If a soldier was enrolled in a survivor benefit plan when they died of service connected causes, the spouse's SBP benefit is reduced dollar for dollar by the amount of the DIC, a $933 a month deduction. The remaining SBP is barely enough for a spouse with a family to survive or pay the basic needs such as food, clothing, and rent. We should be taking care of these families, not abandoning them in this time of need. I am a proud cosponsor of H.R. 808, which would correct the gross injustice for the families of all military personnel and retirees who died of a service-connected cause. We must keep our promise that we made to the brave men and women who have given their lives for our freedom. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to defeat the previous question, so that we can have the opportunity to debate my amendment and to vote on this important issue. If this effort fails, I would ask that you vote ``no'' on the rule for H.R. 1815, and give our soldiers and their families the respect that they deserve.

Mr. SALAZAR

Mr. SALAZAR. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of H.R. 1815, the Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2006. I commend the Committee for their hard work in crafting this bill. I do wish to express my concern over a certain section of the bill that directly impacts a facility in my district. Since 1997, the Assembled Chemical Weapons Alternatives (ACWA) program has overseen the development of new technologies for the destruction of chemical weapons at the Pueblo Chemical Depot in my congressional district and the Blue Grass Army Depot in Lexington, Kentucky. The ACWA program has been highly successful and construction activities are now set to commence in the very near future. Congress intentionally gave oversight authority to the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics in an effort to develop alternative destruction techniques from the incineration process that existed at the time. This year's Defense Authorization gives that authority to the Secretary of the Army. In a letter dated May 2, 2005, my colleague Mr. Chandler of Kentucky, and I asked Under Secretary Mike Wynne to answer several questions about a change of authority of this nature. I still look forward to Under Secretary Wynne's response. The ACWA program's success has been due to the unique interaction between the Federal, State and local government representatives, regulators and the community; I encourage the Secretary of the Army to foster these relationships and ensure that a transparent and open decision making process remains intact. I also urge the Secretary of the Army to make this transition in a way that does not negatively affect the program timelines at either facility or increase the cost of completing this important work. Mr. Chairman, we are already at risk of not meeting our treaty obligations laid forth in the Chemical Weapons Convention. I fear that if an inefficient and closed organizational structure is established for the two ACWA facilities, the progress we have already made will be lost. This Congress must expect and ensure efficiency in the effort to destroy our chemical weapons stockpiles.

Mr. SALAZAR

Mr. SALAZAR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Caitlyn Darnell and all the other students who will represent Colorado in the National History Day competition from June 12-16, 2005. Caitlyn placed second in the Colorado History Day competition with her dramatic performance ``Anne Sullivan: Reaching Behind Closed Doors,'' which chronicles the life of the great teacher who taught Helen Keller to communicate. National History Day is a year-long education program for middle and high school students across the nation. Students produce documentaries, dramatic performances, exhibits, or research papers related to the annual theme. They then compete in a series of local and state competitions, with the very best traveling to the national competition. I would like to recognize Caitlyn and all the students representing the state of Colorado for their excellence and hard work. These extraordinary students represent educational excellence in America. I would also like to recognize the students' teachers, whose support and dedication have encouraged students like Caitlyn to strive for excellence.

Mr. SALAZAR

Mr. SALAZAR. Mr. Chairman, I rise today to express my support of the House version of the Energy and Water Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2006, and I urge my colleagues to vote in support of this important measure. I commend Chairman Hobson and Ranking Member Visclosky for their work on this bill. I believe it is a good start for addressing our nation's water infrastructure and energy research needs, especially given the budget constraints. As a farmer who works the land in Colorado's San Luis Valley, I know and understand water issues, and I can't emphasize how important it is to invest back into local water infrastructure. Without this investment, I fear we will continue to see a decline in the management of this irreplaceable resource--water is the lifeblood of our rural communities. The House Energy and Water Appropriations Bill would provide $29.7 billion for the Army Corps of Engineers, the Bureau of Reclamation and Department of Energy, a $329 million increase over last year's funding level. I am pleased the Committee included funding for three important projects which I had requested back in March for the 3rd District of Colorado. First and foremost, the Committee included $56 million in funding for construction of the Animas-La Plata Project. This funding level represents a $4 million increase over the President's budget request and comes on the heels of a Colorado delegation letter which I spearheaded back in March. I would also like to thank the Committee for the inclusion of language which directs a larger percentage of program funds towards construction, not administrative costs. Completion of the A-LP will provide a much-needed water supply in the southwest corner of our state for both Indian and non-Indian municipal and industrial purposes. It will also fulfill the intent of a carefully negotiated settlement agreement in the mid-1980s to ensure the legitimate claims of the two Colorado Ute Tribes could be met without harm to the existing uses of their non-tribal neighbors. Since 2002, the Bureau of Reclamation has made much progress, and work has been completed or initiated on many key project features. This increased funding will allow the Bureau to move forward in a way that will ensure timely completion of the A-LP and avoid costly delays. The FY2006 Energy and Water Appropriations bill also includes $315,000 for the Arkansas River Habitat Restoration Project. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in cooperation with the City of Pueblo, Colorado has completed 90 percent of the project including fish habitat structures along a 9-mile section of the river below Pueblo Dam through downtown Pueblo. This funding would be used to complete the project which is an important environmental restoration project for the project. Finally, the Committee also provided a $1.021 million appropriation for the Army Corps of Engineers to engage in operations and maintenance at Trinidad Lake, Colorado; this amount represents almost a $100,000 increase from the FY2005 funding level. Trinidad Lake is a multipurpose project for flood control, irrigation and recreation, and was authorized by the 1958 Flood Control Act. The lake is located in southern Colorado on the Purgatoire River, and bordered by the historic Santa Fe Trail. The dam itself is an earthfill structure 6,860 feet long and 200 feet high, and constructed with some 8 million cubic yards of earth and rock. Each project is an important part of improving water related infrastructure. As this bill proceeds through the appropriations process, I will continue the fight to preserve funding for the 3rd District of Colorado.

Mr. SALAZAR

Mr. SALAZAR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my support for the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act, H.R. 810. I would like to thank Representatives Castle and DeGette for their leadership on this important issue. Recent advancements in medical technology have created hope for the millions of people, and their families, who suffer from the effects of diseases like Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and diabetes. Stem cell research may hold the key to better treatment options, and even a cure, for diseases like these and others. Many of us will have lasting images of President Ronald Reagan and Christopher Reeves as their frail bodies deteriorated over the years. And I will never forget my own father's battle against Alzheimer's and how his slow deterioration and passing impacted our family. Their personal health battles took on a new meaning as the public debate heated up over the merits and ethics of embryonic stem cell research. As we look towards the future of medical research, we must always proceed with strict ethical caution. I believe the Castle/DeGette legislation meets this criteria by establishing strict requirements for which new embryonic stem cell lines would be eligible for federal funding. Federal funding of embryonic stem cell research would mean that research could advance at a faster pace while providing stringent requirements and oversight of the research. National and international involvement is needed to ensure research institutions and companies do not intentionally or unintentionally overreach their bounds.

Mr. SALAZAR

Mr. SALAZAR. Mr. Chairman, I rise today to speak in favor of the Cubin-Rahall-Cannon-Udall Amendment. In 1976, Congress passed the Payment in Lieu of Taxes Act in an effort to compensate counties for the loss of property tax revenue that comes with having large tracts of Federal lands within their jurisdiction. These important funds help local governments meet the needs for schools, road construction and other infrastructure projects for their residents. In my district alone, there are over 17 million acres of land eligible for PILT payments; accounting for $11 million in Fiscal Year 2004. In the recent past, Congress has failed to fund PILT to its authorized level, leaving local governments with the burden of answering painful budget decisions. We have seen a great discrepancy between authorized funding levels and the appropriated amounts. In FY 2004, PILT was funded to only 67 percent of its authorized level; falling over $100 million dollars short of what the Bureau of Land Management found to be the authorized level. Mr. Chairman, this amendment will get us closer to reaching the goal of 100 percent PILT appropriation. If adopted, this Congress will fund PILT to its highest level in a decade. The bipartisan PILT Amendment would add $12 million to PILT by redirecting funds from Interior Department overhead. This will help local governments by providing approximately 80 percent of the authorized level for PILT while still allowing the Interior Department to spend $10 million more for administrative costs than in fiscal year 2005. We will provide small rural counties with the resources necessary to provide basic services to their residents. This Congress owes it to Rural America to fully fund PILT. I ask my colleagues to support the Cubin-Rahall-Cannon-Udall Amendment to the Interior Appropriations bill.

Mr. SALAZAR

Mr. SALAZAR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor Army Private First Class Travis Anderson, who was killed in the line of duty while serving his country honorably in Iraq. He was extremely proud to wear his Nation's uniform, and we should all pay tribute to this brave and courageous young man. Each day our men and women willingly face unknown dangers as part of the effort to promote peace and democracy throughout the world. Their individual stories of honor and courage must not be forgotten. Travis Anderson was from the San Luis Valley in Colorado, and he loved hunting and fishing. He was an excellent marksman and was one of the best known coyote hunters around. Travis knew from an early age that he wanted to use his talent to serve his country. His passion for serving his country and marksmanship earned him a place in the elite Special Forces. On May 13, 2005, Pfc Travis Anderson was killed when a car bomb detonated near his convoy in Iraq. He made the ultimate sacrifice for his country. He was 28 years old. My heart goes out to Travis's family: his grandmother, Violet; his mother, Barbara; and his siblings, Toscha, Amanda, Bissy, and Buddy. They too have sacrificed for our Nation. I am humbled by their strength and perseverance in the face of such hardship. Pfc Anderson died performing the most noble of deeds serving and protecting his Nation and fellow countrymen. Travis and his family have exhibited a rare form of selflessness and courage. I submit this recognition to the United States House of Representatives in honor of their sacrifice so that Travis Anderson may live on in memory.

Mr. SALAZAR

Mr. SALAZAR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of National Police Week and the thousands of police officers who serve our communities. A life of public service is not always an easy path, and so I thank the officers and their families who sacrifice so much to keep us safe. Just the other day, James Billings, the Chief of Police for the City of Pueblo in my district, visited the office to discuss crime and drug issues, including recent developments involving the Community Oriented Policing Services, COPS, program. His visit underscored to me the importance of those who work in law enforcement and the difficulties they face each and every day. To that end, we should take the time to recognize and thank those who work so diligently to protect our families. It is not enough though to simply thank them; it is important that we continue to ensure funding and other necessary support is available for these brave men and women so they might do their jobs unimpaired. This is why I strongly support the COPS program and urge the congressional leadership to increase, not cut, its funding level. COPS is designed to help police departments hire the officers they need to keep our streets safe, to purchase the equipment so crucial to their work, and to help ensure these stations can pay the overtime and build the support systems they need to allow their officers to do the jobs they carry out so nobly. Funding cuts to the program are unacceptable-- a decrease in COPS funding means a decrease in the number of officers on the streets of our communities. For that very reason, I am also a co-sponsor of a resolution calling for the creation of a Peace Officer's Memorial Day, which would honor those officers killed or disabled in the line of duty. I believe one of our greatest duties is to keep our communities, and our families, safe. Giving police officers the support they need and the recognition they deserve is one of the best ways to serve those we represent.

Mr. SALAZAR

Mr. SALAZAR. Mr. Chairman, I rise today to express my support for H.R. 1544, The Faster and Smarter Funding for First Responders Act. My colleagues and I agree there is a need to reform the current system for funding first responders across our Nation. The Department of Homeland Security and this Congress should allocate Federal funds based on risk in order to protect critical infrastructure and high profile targets from attack. I do want to take this opportunity to express my concern that largely rural states such as Colorado will see a decrease in Homeland Security grant funds. As states prepare their risk assessment and the Department of Homeland Security evaluates them, I urge all parties to place high priority on protecting facilities such as dams, reservoirs and other potential targets outside of urban centers. I also urge the proper authorities to take advantage of the provisions in this bill that allow the formation of regional cooperatives to pursue Homeland Security funds. Mr. Chairman, as we witnessed yesterday, our Nation is better prepared for security threats, but much work remains to be done. It is my hope that the important reforms contained in this bill will speed the delivery of money to the appropriate agencies and funding will be directed to where it is needed the most.

Mr. SALAZAR

Mr. SALAZAR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the crew of the St. Mary's Hospital Careflight Unit in Grand Junction, Colorado. Pilot Richard Fowler, Nurse Mary Bagshaw and Bradley Brown have been nominated for the Hero of the Storm award, in recognition of their courageous actions when their medical airlift plane was downed in the Rocky Mountains during a winter storm. The crew defied the odds, survived in the freezing weather and saved the life of a 2-year-old patient already in poor condition. I am humbled by their strength and perseverance in the face of such hardship. We all salute the bravery of these three extraordinary people, who risked their lives to save others. These everyday citizens embody the values of courage and duty and we should all live by their example.

Mr. SALAZAR

Mr. SALAZAR. Mr. Speaker, the Latino community lost a great leader this week. I rise today to pay tribute to Corky Gonzales, a man of principle and passion. He was a man who spent a lifetime working for equal opportunity for all Americans. At the same time, he taught us to take pride in our heritage and to remember our roots as we worked to achieve equality in mainstream society. Corky was the youngest of 8 children. He was raised in the Denver barrio, where medical facilities were closed to Mexican migrant workers such as his parents, and opportunities were few and far between. As a child though, he grew up listening to his father's accounts of the Mexican revolution. Having learned from those lessons of fighting for your principles, Gonzales literally fought his way out of poverty. The tough, wily man made his way into the boxing ring, and he worked his way up to become a national champion boxer. He was the first Latino inducted into the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame. But Corky was also a lifelong poet, a man who understood the power of language. He taught us that words could inspire action and create real change. His epic poem, ``Yo Soy Joaquin'' was an inspiration to many. It captured the struggle of a community fighting for equality, fighting to break free of poverty, and fighting to create new opportunities without losing the heritage that helps shape our identity. I shed the tears of anguish as I see my children disappear behind the shroud of mediocrity, never to look back to remember me. I am Joaquin. I must fight and win this struggle for my sons, and they must know from me who I am. Corky's words called for Latinos to unite for social justice and end discrimination, to demand just treatment. It is because of his leadership in the last 30 years that today we all enjoy a more inclusive society. Corky will live on in more than memory--he lives on in our hearts, our identity, and the strength he gave us as a community.

Mr. SALAZAR

Mr. SALAZAR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my concern about the current state of our Nation's budget woes. I've been running the family ranch for several years and I know what it means to work within a budget. You may have to count your pennies, but you spend your money where it matters the most to you and your community. This Administration proposes to cut funding for agricultural programs in addition to denying promised benefits to veterans and military widows. These are the wrong priorities for our country. We cannot pass the burden of the debt onto the backs of our farmers and veterans. Agriculture is the backbone of this great nation. I have always said that there are only two things that can bring this country down--our dependence on other countries to produce our food and our dependence on foreign oil. Agriculture must become a real part of our renewable energy supply. Research and education are the only way we can grow and develop these new technologies. This is the worst time to cut agriculture research programs. Desperate times call for desperate measures, but turning our backs on our country's service personnel and veterans isn't desperate, it's crazy. We need to put our resources toward meeting the promises we have made to our veterans, servicemen, and their families--in rural Colorado, that means making sure that veterans don't have to drive five hours to get the health care they were promised. I will never support breaking the promise to the brave men and women who served our country in the name of freedom and democracy. blue dog 12 point plan I am a proud member of the Congressional Blue Dog Coalition, a group of Democrats that fights for fiscal responsibility. Fiscal responsibility means spending your money where it matters most. We can do that without increasing taxes. First off--our Nation's taxpayers deserve an honest budget that gives an account of all future spending. If this Administration wants to privatize Social Security, then the budget should have included the trillions of dollars it would take to change the system. Secondly--we need to reduce the deficit. As a farmer, I know this firsthand--you can't spend money you don't have. Congress is already facing a $589 billion dollar deficit--increasing the amount of our national debt to $1 trillion dollars. The Blue Dog Coalition created a 12 Point Reform Plan to cure the Nation's addiction to deficit spending. For starters, the Blue Dog Plan would require that any new spending would have to be paid for. This common-sense rule, ``pay-as- you-go'' is mandatory in Colorado. In the 1990's, ``pay-as-you-go'' brought the budget into surplus and is supported by Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan. Our plan also includes a provision for a ``rainy day fund'' in case there is a need for emergency spending. Neither the Administration's budget, nor the Democratic alternative, incorporate a single component of the Blue Dog 12 Point Plan. As Members of Congress, we must discuss a budget that has included input from both parties. It is for that reason, I voted ``No'' on both budget proposals. I will not vote for an increase in taxes. And I will not vote to cut the programs that matter to our communities. The Federal Government and this Congress need to take a lesson from small business owners and get back to creating a budget where all the numbers add up.