Betty Sutton

Ms. SUTTON

Ms. SUTTON. Mr. Speaker, I am happy to be here on the floor this evening during Hispanic Heritage Month to honor the Hispanic community and pay tribute to the extraordinary contributions that Hispanics have made and continue to make to our great Nation. There are 45.5 million Hispanics in America whose hard work, strong faith and closely knit families have made America a better and stronger country. That is why, Mr. Speaker, I would like to honor some of the Hispanic leaders in my congressional district who selflessly serve our communities with diligence and passion. Leaders including Joel Arredondo, president of the Lorain City Council and president of the Coalition of Hispanic Issues in Progress. Joel is an active leader in our community, and as a result, last year the Lorain County Urban League honored him as the Community Leader of the Year. Pastor Gilbert Silva is the pastor at House of Praise in Lorain, Ohio. Pastor Silva has touched the lives of many people through his thoughtful sermons and one-on-one interaction with his parishioners. Celestino Rivera, chief of police for the City of Lorain. Chief Rivera serves in his position with professionalism and integrity in his mission to protect and serve our community. First Sergeant Sam Obechi teaches the Honor Guard at the Southview School Army Junior ROTC. Not only has Sergeant Obechi selflessly served our country, he serves our community and our Nation by teaching young men and women how to prepare for college and the Armed Services. Victor Leandry, director of El Centro Social Services, which is a regional affiliate for the National Council of La Raza. His commitment to the community is seen through his work in civil rights, social justice, community development, and education. Nellie Carraballo is a member of Steelworkers Local 1104. I had the honor of serving on a panel with Nellie recently to discuss the so- called U.S.-Colombia Free Trade Agreement. Nellie has helped educate many in my community by sharing the worker's rights violations that she witnessed while she was on a trip to Colombia. Laura Rios, director of a community grassroots organization in my district called Reclaim Lorain. Laura and her group have energized the community through their local initiatives, such as their campaign encouraging people to vote. Mr. Speaker, the individuals that I have mentioned are only a few of the very many Hispanic leaders in Ohio and across our country who are fighting to improve our community and our neighborhoods. The Hispanic community is a vital part of our Nation economically, culturally and politically, and the 110th Democratic Congress has been successful in enacting key initiatives to help revitalize our economy and renew the American Dream for millions of America's Hispanic families. We increased the minimum wage, benefiting 2.3 million Hispanics over the next several years, the first increase in a decade. We have twice passed legislation to provide health care coverage for 10 million children in need, including millions of Hispanic children. Now, unfortunately, President Bush vetoed these measures, preventing children from accessing the health care that they need. But in addition, this Congress has extended unemployment benefits at a time when the Hispanic unemployment rate stands at 8 percent. Finally, this Congress has passed landmark measures to improve the lives of America's veterans, including the 1.1 million veterans who are Hispanic. Mr. Speaker, it is imperative that Congress continue to focus on expanding economic opportunities for our Hispanic working families and communities. I will continue to fight to ensure that Hispanics in my district have a voice in Washington, D.C., and once again, I'm proud to recognize our Hispanic leaders in my district in Ohio and all across our great Nation. I ask my colleagues to join me in celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month and recognize all of the accomplishments of the Hispanic community.

Ms. SUTTON

Ms. SUTTON. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform be discharged from further consideration of the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 386) to recognize and celebrate the ``232nd Anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence,'' and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Ms. SUTTON

Ms. SUTTON. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform be discharged from further consideration of the bill (H.R. 6874) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 156 Taunton Avenue in Seekonk, Massachusetts, as the ``Lance Corporal Eric Paul Valdepenas Post Office Building,'' and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Ms. SUTTON

Ms. SUTTON. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform be discharged from further consideration of the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 351) honoring the 225th Anniversary of the Continental Congress meeting in Nassau Hall, Princeton, New Jersey, in 1783, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Ms. SUTTON

Ms. SUTTON. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform be discharged from further consideration of the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 223) honoring professional surveyors and recognizing their contributions to society, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Ms. SUTTON

Ms. SUTTON. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform be discharged from further consideration of the resolution (H. Res. 1000) to commemorate the 250th Anniversary of the Naming of Pittsburgh as the culmination of the Forbes Campaign across Pennsylvania and the significance this event played in the making of America, in the settlement of the Continent, and in spreading the ideals of freedom and democracy throughout the world, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Ms. SUTTON

Ms. SUTTON. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform be discharged from further consideration of the bill (H.R. 6198) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 1700 Cleveland Avenue in Kansas City, Missouri, as the ``Reverend Earl Abel Post Office Building,'' and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Ms. SUTTON

Ms. SUTTON. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform be discharged from further consideration of the resolution (H. Res. 1453) supporting the goals and ideals of sickle cell disease awareness month, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Ms. SUTTON

Ms. SUTTON. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform be discharged from further consideration of the resolution (H. Res. 1418) congratulating Michael Phelps, 2008 Beijing summer Olympic champion swimmer, on winning eight gold medals in the 2008 Beijing Olympics and becoming one of the most decorated athletes in Olympic history, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Ms. SUTTON

Ms. SUTTON. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform be discharged from further consideration of the bill (H.R. 6199) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 245 North Main Street in New City, New York, as the ``Kenneth Peter Zebrowski Post Office Building,'' and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Ms. SUTTON

Ms. SUTTON. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform be discharged from further consideration of the resolution (H. Res. 671) supporting the goals and ideals of National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Ms. SUTTON

Ms. SUTTON. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform be discharged from further consideration of the Senate bill (S. 3241) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 1717 Orange Avenue in Fort Pierce, Florida, as the ``CeeCee Ross Lyles Post Office Building,'' and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Ms. SUTTON

Ms. SUTTON. 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 measures just considered.

Ms. SUTTON

Ms. SUTTON. Mr. Speaker, I move that the House do now adjourn.

Ms. SUTTON

Ms. SUTTON. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform be discharged from further consideration of the bill (H.R. 3511) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 2150 East Hardtner Drive in Urania, Louisiana, as the ``Murphy A. Tannehill Post Office Building,'' and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Ms. SUTTON

Ms. SUTTON. Mr. Speaker, before I yield to the distinguished gentleman from Michigan, at this time I would like to insert into the Record correspondence between Representatives Peter Visclosky and David Hobson and Governor Jim Doyle, Chair of the Council of Great Lakes Governors. This correspondence clarifies the Council's intent and interpretation of section 4.11.2 of the Compact's decisionmaking standard relating to the scale and scope of impacts that would be deemed sufficiently significant such to preclude approval of a withdrawal proposal. I would like to thank Representatives Visclosky and Hobson for their dedicated efforts on this matter and their continued dedication to preserving our Great Lakes. Congress of the United States, House of Representatives, Washington, DC, August 25, 2008. Hon. Jim Doyle, Chairman, Council of Great Lakes Governors, East Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois. Dear Governor Doyle: We write regarding H.R. 6577, a measure to approve the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Basin Water Resources Compact. It has been brought to our attention that there are concerns regarding the scope and scale of impacts considered in the Decision-Making Standard under Section 4.11.2 of H.R. 6577. As the House proceeds forward with action to approve the Compact, we are writing to clarify and confirm the interpretation of this provision. As you are aware, as part of the criteria governing review and approval of proposals for water withdrawals, Section 4.11.2 of the Compact requires a demonstration that ``Withdrawal or Consumptive Use will be implemented so as to ensure that the Proposal will result in no significant individual or cumulative adverse impacts to the quantity and quality of the Waters and Water Dependant Natural Resources and the applicable Source Watershed.'' During the states' adoption of the Compact, a concern was raised in a number of jurisdictions regarding a potential ambiguity as to the scale of impacts that would preclude withdrawal approvals. This issue is of particular importance, because interpreted improperly, this provision could thwart economic development and threaten existing operations seeking to expand. Because of the ambiguity in terms of how the definition of ``Source Watershed'' and Section 4.11.2 work together, the question has been raised as to whether the significance of impacts is to be judged based on impacts upon the overall Source Watershed, which is defined as the drainage area of each Great Lake, or can measurable impacts on flow within just a few hundred feet of a stream, which occurs with many withdrawals, be enough to preclude a project. If Section 4.11.2 is misread, it could become a serious impediment to the states' undertaking and approving economic development projects, which we are sure is not the Governors' intent. On December 5, 2005, Sam Speck, Chair of the Working Group that drafted the Compact, indicated that the Working Group intended the term ``Waters and Water Dependant Natural Resources'' to refer to all waters of the Basin, and that the scope of impact consideration is to assure that ``there be no significant adverse impacts to the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Basin as a whole'' as well as no significant adverse impacts to the Source Watershed as a whole. Several state legislatures, including Indiana, Ohio, and Pennsylvania, reflected this position in their respective legislation adopting the Compact. Those states included in their legislation provisions expressing and clarifying the intent of the legislatures in adopting Section 4.11.2 (see Indiana Senate Enrolled Act No. 45 of 2008 at Section 10; Ohio House Bill 416 (as adopted) at Section 1522.07(B); and Pennsylvania Act 43 of 2008 at Section 5(3)). Consistent with Chairman Speck and the statements of legislative intent provided by the above states, we would respectfully request that you confirm that the following interpretation correctly expresses the understanding and view of the Council of Great Lakes Governors, as prime drafters and sponsors of the Compact, with respect to the scope of impact question: 1. Section 4.11.2 of the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Basin Water Resources Compact is intended to require that a withdrawal or consumptive use of Great Lakes water will be implemented so as to ensure that the withdrawal or consumptive use will result in no significant individual or cumulative adverse impacts to the quantity or quality of the waters and water dependent natural resources of either of the following: (a) The basin considered as a whole; (b) The applicable source watershed considered as a whole. 2. States may take into consideration, as part of the evaluation of reasonable use as provided in Section 4.11.5 of the Compact, those impacts of a withdrawal or consumptive use on the quantity or quality of waters and water dependent natural resources that have only localized impacts which are not of import to the basin or source watershed considered as a whole. 3. As provided in Section 4.12.1 of the Compact, the Compact's standard is a minimum standard and that states may, as a matter of state law, adopt by state statutes, regulations or other means relating to the assessment and consideration of impacts which are more stringent than the decision-making standard set forth in the Compact. We would appreciate your written response confirming the able interpretation, which we would intend be reflected in the legislative history of the Compact as the House proceeds. We look forward to working with you and the other Council members in continuing efforts to approve the Compact before the end of this session. Thank you for your consideration of this request. Do not hesitate to let us know if you have any questions or need additional information. Sincerely, Peter J. Visclosky, Member of Congress. David L. Hobson, Member of Congress.

Ms. SUTTON. I thank the gentleman for the point that he raises. I believe that the agreement and the committee report language effectively addresses that concern.

Ms. SUTTON. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the Senate joint resolution (S.J. Res. 45) expressing the consent and approval of Congress to an interstate compact regarding water resources in the Great Lakes--St. Lawrence River Basin.

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

Ms. SUTTON. I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, this legislation gives congressional consent to the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Basin Water Resources Compact. Before I continue, I would like to commend the distinguished chairman of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Mr. James Oberstar, who sponsored the House version of this legislation, as well as the senior Senator from Michigan, Carl Levin, for their hard work in spearheading this effort. I would also like to thank the distinguished chairman of the Judiciary Committee, Congressman John Conyers, for his support. Today, Congress considers this legislation pursuant to our duty in article I, section 10, clause 3 of the Constitution, the ``compacts clause,'' to review and approve agreements between States or between States and foreign governments to ensure that they are consistent with the broader national interests. In the case before us, there is no question that the compact designed and agreed to by eight States is in our national interest. The Great Lakes Compact will help to preserve and improve this important natural resource, our Great Lakes, for years to come. The Great Lakes are one of our greatest treasures, an important natural asset that we must never take for granted and that we must always protect. With one-fifth of the world's fresh water, the Great Lakes attracted the early settlers to the legion, and today nearly 33 million people live and work within the basin, spanning eight States: Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Pennsylvania, New York and my home State of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, the Great Lakes are not only a source of drinking water, but they are also essential for recreation, jobs and the overall health of our economy. Lake Erie alone supports 240,000 jobs and $5.8 billion in wages. The Great Lakes are also highways, moving goods, people and services throughout the region. In addition, the Great Lakes support a multi-billion dollar a year sport fishing and recreational boating industry, and also support travel and tourism throughout the region. However, the Great Lakes are vulnerable to depletion. Each year, rainfall and snowmelt replenish only about 1 percent of the water in the basin. Uncontrolled and careless diversions of water could thus be highly detrimental to the health of the Great Lakes. This compact will bring an end to destructive diversions of water from the basin. The purpose of this compact is to formalize cooperation among the Great Lakes States, to develop and implement regional goals and objectives for water conservation while preserving the States' flexibility regarding their water management programs. New or increased diversions of water from the basin will be banned and community rights will be respected as long as appropriately rigorous standards are met. In addition, every 5 years the regional goals and objectives for water conservation will be reviewed to deal with any new issues that arise. As is routinely the case, Mr. Speaker, Congress expressly reserves the right to alter, amend or repeal this resolution in the future and to strengthen the compact, if necessary. The people of the eight States have worked diligently to craft this compact to preserve this vital resource, and it is urgent that we approve it now to ensure that our Great Lakes are here for future generations. I urge all of my colleagues to support this important legislation. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. SUTTON

Ms. SUTTON. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 6853) to establish in the Federal Bureau of Investigation the Nationwide Mortgage Fraud Task Force to address mortgage fraud in the United States, and for other purposes, as amended.

Ms. SUTTON. I thank the distinguished gentleman from North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 6853 is an important bill that addresses a large problem that is facing our communities and families. I urge my colleagues to support this important legislation. I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. SUTTON

Ms. SUTTON. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 5352) to protect seniors in the United States from elder abuse by establishing specialized elder abuse prosecution and research programs and activities to aid victims of elder abuse, to provide training to prosecutors and other law enforcement related to elder abuse prevention and protection, and for other purposes, as amended.

Ms. SUTTON. 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 bill under consideration.

Ms. SUTTON. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 5352, the Elder Abuse Victims Act, is a good bill. Our seniors deserve to know that we are doing everything we can to protect them from abuse. I urge my colleagues to support the bill.