John Sarbanes

Mr. SARBANES

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

Mr. SARBANES. Mr. Speaker, I just want to assure my colleague again that the bill as drafted and as proposed today is one that is very clear in terms of the protections that he seeks, and we were very careful over the course of this bill's evolution to make sure of that. I would at this time, Mr. Speaker, wish to yield such time as he may consume to the sponsor of this legislation, the gentleman from Connecticut and a colleague of my class (Mr. Courtney).

Mr. SARBANES

Mr. SARBANES. Mr. Speaker, at this time I yield such time as she may consume to the sponsor of this legislation, my colleague from the National Resources Committee, Representative Hilda Solis.

Mr. SARBANES. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 359 authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a special resource study of the sites associated with the life of Cesar Estrada Chavez and the farm labor movement. Representative Hilda Solis, my colleague on the Natural Resources Committee, has worked tirelessly for the last 6 years to move this important legislation forward. I am proud to join Representative Solis and 68 other Representatives as a cosponsor of this bill, and I want to thank Ms. Solis for her efforts and leadership in getting this important study authorized. In 1962, Cesar Chavez founded the National Farm Workers Association, which later became the United Farm Workers of America, working to protect farm workers' rights. Chavez led the United Farm Workers for 31 years and gained increases in wages and better working conditions for farm laborers. Through his work, Chavez became a national leader on civil rights and social justice and an inspiration to millions of Americans and people around the world. H.R. 359 directs the Secretary of the Interior to consider sites in Arizona, California, and other States that are significant to the life of Cesar Chavez and the farm labor movement in the western United States. The bill requires the Secretary to determine the appropriate methods for preserving and interpreting the sites and to determine whether any of them meet the criteria for being listed on the National Register of Historic Places or possible designation as national historic landmarks. The Secretary has 3 years from the date on which funds are made available to submit a report describing the findings of the study as well as the Secretary's recommendations. The Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests, and Public Lands held a hearing on this bill in March of this year where we heard testimony from the administration in support of this bill. Later, at both a subcommittee markup and a full committee markup, this legislation advanced with bipartisan support. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 359 is a bill whose time has come. Similar legislation has passed the Senate once before in 2003, and I am pleased this bill is finally making it to the House floor. We need to move forward with this congressionally authorized study so that we can learn about and evaluate options to protect the resources associated with Cesar Chavez and the farm labor movement. The longer we wait, the more likely it is that these resources may be lost to development or the ravages of time. I urge my colleagues to support this bill. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Mr. SARBANES. Mr. Speaker, I congratulate Ms. Solis again on her persistence, and congratulate her on having this brought to the floor today. I do want to say that while Cesar Chavez certainly cast a long shadow in the western United States, I worked with an organization in Maryland that did work on the Eastern Shore of Maryland on behalf of farm workers, and he was a national hero to them. So congratulations again.

Mr. SARBANES

Mr. SARBANES. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time. I do understand that Representative Kind has been delayed, as well, by the storm; and he wanted to be here. Mr. Speaker, I yield back my time.

Mr. SARBANES. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 2381 directs the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the United States Geological Survey, to establish a nutrient and sediment monitoring network for the Upper Mississippi River Basin. We strongly support H.R. 2381, championed by our colleague on the Natural Resources Committee, Congressman Ron Kind. This bill would put into place a coordinated public-private approach to sediment and nutrient monitoring in the Upper Mississippi River Basin as part of an effort to improve water quality. The Upper Mississippi River is extremely important not only to the communities and States along the route it flows, but also to the Nation as a whole. Twenty-one years ago, Congress designated this river segment as both a nationally significant ecosystem and a nationally significant navigation system. It is the only inland river in the United States to have such a designation. Our colleague, Ron Kind, has worked hard to secure enactment of this legislation. I commend him for his diligent effort on this important bill. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 2381. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Mr. SARBANES. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2381) to promote Department of the Interior efforts to provide a scientific basis for the management of sediment and nutrient loss in the Upper Mississippi River Basin, and for other purposes.

Mr. SARBANES

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

Mr. SARBANES. Mr. Speaker, House Resolution 483 was introduced by our colleague from Texas, Representative Ciro Rodriguez. And I know that Representative Rodriguez wanted to be here today in the Chamber as we speak to this legislation but has been caught in the storms outside. H. Res. 483 recognizes the 63rd anniversary of Big Bend National Park in west Texas and honors the National Park Service for their service to the Big Bend region and Big Bend National Park. I want to commend Representative Rodriguez for his efforts to bring congressional recognition to this special place and to the agency and hardworking employees who care for it. Big Bend National Park is a spectacular 800,000-acre scenic treasure on the Rio Grande in west Texas. The park protects the largest representative example of the Chihuahuan Desert ecosystem within the United States. The park's river, desert and mountain environments support an extraordinary richness of biologic diversity, including unique plants and animals that exist nowhere else in the world. The park provides outstanding recreation opportunities to over 300,000 visitors a year. Big Bend is not only nationally significant but also internationally significant. Big Bend National Park manages nearly one-quarter of the approximately 1,000-mile stretch of the Rio Grande River that also serves as the boundary between the United States and Mexico. Together with two Mexican protected areas, Big Bend is now part of the largest transboundary protected areas in North America, serving as a model for international cooperation. Mr. Speaker, House Resolution 483 recognizes the importance of Big Bend National Park to the ecology, history and economy of west Texas. It also recognizes the hard work of the National Park Service and its employees and honors their service to the region and the country as a whole. I urge my colleagues to support this resolution. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Mr. SARBANES. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 483) recognizing the 63rd Anniversary of Big Bend National Park, established on June 12, 1944.

Mr. SARBANES

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

Mr. SARBANES. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. The purpose of H.R. 1904, as introduced by our colleague from New Mexico (Mrs. Wilson), is to provide assistance to the State of New Mexico for the development of comprehensive State water plans. The bill directs the Secretary of the Interior to provide New Mexico with technical assistance and grants for the development of a comprehensive State water plan. This includes a survey and mapping of water resources in New Mexico, a study of groundwater quality and quantity, and a study on the relationships between groundwater and surface water in the State. A key understanding of our most precious resource is required if we are to meet the water supply needs of our growing communities and our environment. H.R. 1904 seeks just such an understanding from New Mexico. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 1904. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Mr. SARBANES. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1904) to provide assistance to the State of New Mexico for the development of comprehensive State water plans, and for other purposes.

Mr. SARBANES

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

Mr. SARBANES. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. The purpose of H.R. 1725, as introduced by our colleague from California (Mrs. Bono), is to amend the Reclamation Wastewater and Groundwater Study and Facilities Act to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to participate in an important water supply project for Southern Riverside County in California. H.R. 1725 authorizes the Secretary of the Interior, in cooperation with the Rancho California Water District, to participate in the design, planning and construction of permanent facilities for water recycling, demineralization, desalination and distribution of non- potable water supplies in Southern Riverside County. When completed, the project will significantly enhance scarce water resources in Rancho California by quadrupling recycled water supplies. H.R. 1725 seeks to help communities in Southern Riverside County as they try to drought-proof their water supplies. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 1725. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Mr. SARBANES. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1725) to amend the Reclamation Wastewater and Groundwater Study and Facilities Act to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to participate in the Rancho California Water District Southern Riverside County Recycled/Non-Potable Distribution Facilities and Demineralization/Desalination Recycled Water Treatment and Reclamation Facility Project.

Mr. SARBANES

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

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

Mr. SARBANES. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, the purpose of H.R. 1337, introduced by our colleague, Congressman Tom Cole of Oklahoma, is to direct the Commissioner of the Bureau of Reclamation to conduct a feasibility study on alternatives to augment the water supplies of the Central Oklahoma Master Conservancy District and cities served by the district. The Norman Project was constructed by the Bureau of Reclamation for municipal and industrial water supply, flood control, recreation, and fish and wildlife purposes in central Oklahoma. Population growth in the area is increasing pressure on already constrained water supplies, and the demand for water is expected to surpass the supply that the Norman Project in its present form can provide. A preliminary report on alternative measures to augment water supplies at Lake Thunderbird has already been completed. The report concluded that a need exists to improve municipal and industrial water supplies from the Norman Project and that a number of alternatives are available to meet that need. A feasibility study is required to fully evaluate all the alternatives. H.R. 1337 directs the Bureau of Reclamation to conduct such a study. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.