Gregorio Sablan

Mr. SABLAN

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

Mr. SABLAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 306. H.R. 306, as amended, directs the Secretary of the Interior to enter into an agreement with the Corolla Wild Horse Fund, as well as local and State authorities, to provide for the management of the free-roaming wild horses in and around Currituck National Wildlife Refuge. The agreement will increase the cap on the herd size in and around the refuge to 130 horses and specifies that the privately funded Corolla Wild Horse Fund will cover the costs of managing the herd. Catching a glimpse of these horses on the beach is an integral part of what draws thousands of visitors to the North Carolina coast each year. However, the Currituck refuge was established in 1984 to preserve and protect the native coastal barrier island ecosystem. The refuge provides essential habitat for migrating waterfowl and endangered species, such as piping plover and sea turtles, which also draws visitors to these beaches. It is unusual to protect a nonnative species in a wildlife refuge. Extra effort and resources are needed to ensure that the wild herd does not impair the ecosystem for the native animals and plants. The Fish and Wildlife Service needs additional funds to accomplish the conservation purposes of the Currituck National Wildlife Refuge. Additional resources would support staff salaries, since no staff is currently stationed at Currituck National Wildlife Refuge; corrals to keep the horses from trampling critical habitat; and research to study the potential impacts of these horses on the island's habitat. As we move forward to consider the Fish and Wildlife Service budget later this month, we should examine the operations and maintenance backlog of the National Wildlife Refuge System, which has been chronically underfunded. We must provide the Fish and Wildlife Service adequate funding to preserve all the species in the home of these horses. I thank Mr. Jones for his work in support of the Currituck National Wildlife Refuge and urge adoption of H.R. 306. I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Mr. SABLAN

Mr. SABLAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may consume. This legislation appears to be a good solution to a challenging problem. H.R. 2606 will allow for the delivery of natural gas into an underserved area while also providing a revenue stream that will allow the National Park Service to rehabilitate important historic structures at Gateway National Recreation Area. Representatives Grimm and Meeks, who represent Gateway, are to be commended for their hard work on this compromise bill. In the past, some have raised concerns regarding whether it is appropriate for Congress to direct funding to specific projects such as this one. We are pleased to see that when a meritorious project such as this one is proposed, a project which will provide energy resources while also improving historic resources, it is allowed to proceed. We support the passage of H.R. 2606, as amended, and I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Mr. SABLAN

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

Mr. SABLAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Washington (Mr. Dicks), the esteemed ranking member of the Appropriations Committee. (Mr. DICKS asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

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

Mr. SABLAN

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

Mr. SABLAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. H.R. 1022 would direct the Secretary of the Interior to study ways the National Park Service could commemorate the role of Buffalo Soldiers. Buffalo Soldiers were African American troops who served in the first national parks, including Yosemite and Sequoia National Park, prior to the establishment of the National Park Service. The legislation, sponsored by Congresswoman Speier of California, was considered by the Committee on Natural Resources in May. I commend my colleague, Congresswoman Speier, for introducing this legislation and for her leadership on this issue. We strongly support this legislation. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SABLAN. Mr. Speaker, at this time, I yield such time that she may consume to the Congresswoman from California (Ms. Speier), the sponsor of this legislation.

Mr. SABLAN

Mr. SABLAN. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 290 is a bill that would allow religious symbols to be included as part of memorials commemorating the service of the United States armed services. The legislation, sponsored by my good friend Congressman Hunter of California, was considered by the Committee on Natural Resources in July. I commend my colleague, Mr. Hunter, for moving this legislation forward. We have no objections to the bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SABLAN. Mr. Speaker, some Members may be aware of specific situations regarding religious symbols located on public land in California. In fact, the committee report for H.R. 290 mentions one of these ongoing controversies. It is important to note that the committee report also makes clear ``this legislation does not specifically address the Mt. Soledad situation.'' Further, the report includes analysis of the legislation by the Congressional Budget Office, which found, ``under current law, religious symbols are not barred from being used in any military memorials; thus, H.R. 290 would codify current practice. According to the Department of Defense, the National Park Service, and the American Battle Monuments Commission, implementing H.R. 290 would not require any new memorials to be built or current memorials to be changed.'' H.R. 290 is not necessary and does not appear to change current law. As a result, we do not oppose it. At this time, I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Mr. SABLAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I my consume. (Mr. SABLAN asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. SABLAN

Mr. SABLAN. No, I don't, Mr. Speaker. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. SABLAN. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 2070 would direct the Secretary of the Interior to install at the World War II Memorial a plaque or inscription with the text of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt's prayer on June 6, 1944--D-day. The committee considered this legislation in November. We have no objections. I yield to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Kucinich) as much time as he may consume.

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

Mr. SABLAN

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

Mr. SABLAN. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 3117, which would allow the Secretary of the Interior to continue sale of electronic duck stamps and expands the program to include all 50 States. The Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp, commonly called the ``duck stamp,'' must be purchased and carried by all waterfowl hunters 16 years and older when hunting migratory waterfowl on both public and private land. Ninety-eight cents of every dollar generated by the sales of the duck stamp goes to purchase or lease wetland habitat for the National Wildlife Refuge System, which benefits migratory waterfowl. In some rural areas, purchasing duck stamps can be difficult, with hunters having to wait a significant amount of time to receive their official duck stamp. Electronic stamps come with a unique identifying number that serves as a proof of purchase and allows hunters to hunt for 45 days until the actual stamp arrives via the postal service. In October, at the hearing on H.R. 3117, the Fish and Wildlife Service supported the bill's intent to continue the electronic duck stamp program. I commend my colleagues, Congressman Wittman and Congressman Ron Kind, for introducing this bill and for their leadership on this issue. I have no additional speakers, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. SABLAN

Mr. SABLAN. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1141, the Rota Cultural and Natural Resources Study Act. The bill authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to determine whether it is suitable and feasible to add certain cultural, archeological, historical, and natural resources of the island of Rota in the Northern Marianas to the National Park System. This same measure was approved by the House in 2010 without dissent, and I hope my colleagues will approve its passage again today. I want to thank Chairman Hastings and Ranking Member Markey of the Natural Resources Committee for their support of H.R. 1141. I also want to thank Chairman Bishop and Ranking Member Grijalva of the Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands for their help in bringing this measure to the floor. We all understand that resources are limited and that we must not add to the debt our children and grandchildren will be responsible for tomorrow. At the same time, we owe a debt to our descendants to preserve and protect those resources that we hold in trust for them today. Therefore, when considering adding a unit to the National Park System, we have to balance these two requirements. And we have a well established process for doing so. The National Park Service began this process on the island of Rota in 2004. A study team assessed the ancient Mochon Latte Stone Village and other sites of the Chamorro people, who first inhabited the Marianas some 3,500 years ago. The team explored the Chugai Cave, containing over 90 pictographs of prehistoric origin. They inventoried the rare species of plants and animals endemic to the limestone forests that still blanket parts of Rota, home to the critically endangered aga, or Marianas crow, and the endangered nosa Luta, or Rota bridled white-eye. Having completed this field reconnaissance in September of 2005, the Park Service issued a report that concluded there are cultural and natural resources on the island of Rota that are of national significance. The Park Service recommended the next step in designation of a new unit of the Park System: A suitability and feasibility study. And H.R. 1141 authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to take that next step and conduct the necessary study. I would like to note that the people of Rota look forward to the possibility of having areas of their island added to the National Park System. It was then-Senator Diego M. Songao of Rota who first encouraged the Park Service to conduct a reconnaissance of the archeological sites on his home island and to determine their importance as part of America's legacy. Rota Representative Teresita A. Santos testified before the Natural Resources Committee enthusiastically supporting a national park on Rota. Rota Mayor Melchor A. Mendiola of Rota has added his support to the record, as has Northern Mariana Islands Senate President Paul A. Manglona, who also hails from Rota. Of course, during the study authorized by H.R. 1141, the people of Rota will continue to have ample opportunity to consider along with the Park Service the suitability and feasibility of including any particular areas of their island in park status. The people of Rota understand the importance of their culture and of the natural resources and want to pass this on to their children and grandchildren. They also understand that preserving the remains of ancient Chamorro culture and the plants and animals of the limestone forests of Rota has value today because visitors from elsewhere in the world want to see that which is unique and experience what only Rota has to offer. Last week, President Obama announced new initiatives to create jobs and spur economic growth in America by improving our visa system and by providing national parks, wildlife refuges, and historic sites to international travelers. Being the closest part of America to the emerging economies of Asia, the Northern Marianas is eager to see new countries added to our visa waiver program. We want to have the unique cultural and natural resources of our islands added to the national treasures the President intends to promote. We know that having areas on Rota designated as part of the National Park System will help create jobs in ecotourism, transportation, hotels and restaurants for the people of today. We understand that protecting and preserving these nationally significant resources on Rota will also help ensure jobs for our children and grandchildren in the future. I urge my colleagues to support passage of H.R. 1141. I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Mr. SABLAN

Mr. SABLAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 443. This bill would provide the Maniilaq Association with clear title to land previously conveyed to it by the United States. Elimination of this restriction would enable the association to obtain loans for improvements to the property without Federal involvement. I urge my colleagues to support the passage of this legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SABLAN

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

Mr. SABLAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Since 1967 the Forest Service has issued two special use permits to the Sugar Loaf Fire Protection District to own and operate two fire stations on National Forest System land. The District would like to own the parcels of land on which the fire stations sit in order to build an area for firefighter training and bathroom facilities. The land exchange authorized in this legislation will assist the Fire District in its mission and is in the public interest. I support passage of this measure. Mr. Speaker, the gentleman from Colorado, Congressman Polis, sponsored the House companion to this legislation, H.R. 643. I commend Congressman Polis for his work on this bill and wish to yield him such time as he may consume.