Scott Tipton

Mr. TIPTON

Mr. TIPTON. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the gentleman from Texas for this time. I think it's important for us to understand the importance of this legislation and the opportunity that this literally presents for the protection of our wives and our daughters across this Nation. I visited with Jayann Sepich. Her daughter Katie literally had to fight for her life. And the only evidence after her body was discovered, raped and burned in a garbage dump, was the DNA collected under those fingernails. While we now have the empirical evidence, had Katie's law been in place at that time, we could have saved an additional 13 lives: 12 women who were raped and murdered and another who was pregnant with child. That is the importance, and the timeliness, as well, of moving forward with this legislation. In the State of Colorado, we've taken perpetrators off the streets. In fact, one of the challenges that we often don't discuss is not just future events that could potentially happen, but bringing resolution to families who have lost a loved one: solving cold cases. In the State of Colorado, we've now had 398 people identified for past crimes, those unsolved murders that haunt families. This is a piece of legislation that's revenue neutral for Americans, a piece of legislation that's going to provide that opportunity for other States to do what Colorado has been able to accomplish, to be able to pass legislation that is going to stand up and protect our daughters and our wives from violent predators who are impacting families across this country. The time is now. It is of essence. We are approaching the 10th anniversary of the death of Katie Sepich. I would see no greater tribute to her, her mother and father, and all families across this country, than to put forward this legislation, allow it to pass, to move forward, and to be able to do the right thing. This legislation is designed so well that when we look at those identifiers, it is the 21st century fingerprint. We cannot tell the color of skin, and we cannot tell the color of hair. It is just an identifier for who the person is. It's well thought out, and it's important. I believe our daughters, our wives, and our mothers count on this type of practical legislation. I urge its adoption.

Mr. TIPTON

Mr. TIPTON. I thank the gentlelady from Tennessee for this time and for her leadership on this important issue for every American. I'm glad to hear my colleagues continue to talk about the real issue that we face in this country. We did not tax our way to a $16.3 trillion debt in this Nation. The Federal Government spent its way into that debt. The responsibility that we need to have that comes from the Show-Me State of Missouri in terms of commonsense proposals is something that needs to be heard in Washington, D.C. This President has been focused on raising taxes. He is implying that Washington, D.C., needs the money more than our people at home. Well, if you come into my district, the Third Congressional District of Colorado, we go to Pueblo, and the real unemployment rate is now at better than 20 percent. My second largest community, Grand Junction, Colorado, the real unemployment level is at 19.5 percent. My folks aren't looking for an unemployment check. They're looking for a paycheck. They're looking for responsibility out of Washington. And when we are looking at this fiscal challenge that we face, this fiscal abyss, a fiscal black hole which is engulfing the economy of the United States, we need that responsibility out of Washington. But how are our dollars being spent? Are they being spent wisely or does Washington continue to waste the efforts and the hard-earned capital of the American people? Let me give you a few examples. We had $700,000 that came out of the pockets of hardworking Americans to be able to conduct a study on methane gas from dairy cows. Now, the gentlelady from Tennessee, you've got a few dairy operations in your State. I think we could have saved $700,000. It comes naturally. We need common sense when it comes to handling the American taxpayers' dollars. We had another $137,530 of American taxpayer dollars that was used to be able to create a video game called ``Layoff.'' That's what the policies of this administration have literally yielded. We are not growing the economy, putting people back to work. As we approach this Christmas season, we have families across the country right now that are hoping to be able to provide for their children. We can create that certainty by addressing an unwieldy regulatory process that's inhibiting our ability to be able to create jobs. And if Washington needs revenues--and we know that government needs revenue to carry out specific functions--let's get the American people back to work, those folks in Pueblo and Grand Junction, Colorado, who actually want to be able to have a job. But we need to be very concerned, once again, about where's that waste of the Federal dollars going. The gentlelady from Tennessee noted that $1.5 trillion of the debt of this country is owed to China. So what did the United States do? We sent 17.8 million American dollars for China to be able to study environmental programs and social programs in China. So effectively, what we did, we borrowed money from China to be able to send it back to China to be able to study problems there. Let's get Americans back to work. We took another $2.6 million to be able to train Chinese prostitutes not to drink too heavily. I think we have a better use for American dollars. Right now, America is facing a fiscal challenge, a fiscal abyss. The problem resides not with Americans being taxed too little but government spending too much. We have a caucus that's dedicated to getting Americans back to work, to bring fiscal sanity into the process, and to never, ever forget it is not Washington, D.C.'s money. It's the American people's money. Let's stand up for them first rather than for more and bigger government.

Mr. TIPTON

Mr. TIPTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Howard Greagor. Mr. Greagor is a treasured local historian and has published six books on the Western way of life in southwestern Colorado. Mr. Greagor was born in Colorado in 1924 and has lived here all his life. As a former cattle rancher, newspaper contributor, and published author, Mr. Greagor commands a deep understanding of the issues and lifestyle defining southwestern Colorado. In 1965, Mr. Greagor began writing short stories which were later compiled into his first book, In the Company of Cowboys, published in 1990. Since then, Mr. Greagor has put his extensive knowledge of Western life to good use in a collection of books that informs all who are interested in the origin of community traditions like Pioneer Day. When he is not busy writing, researching, and marketing his books, Mr. Greagor enjoys time with his large family including his wife Betty with whom he has been happily married for more than 60 years, and his many children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Mr. Speaker, it is a privilege to recognize Howard Greagor. I rise today in honor of his contributions to the preservation of southwestern Colorado history and his accomplishments as a Western author.

Mr. TIPTON

Mr. TIPTON. I thank Chairman Bishop for yielding. Chairman Bishop, I would also like to thank you for your leadership in leading the efforts on this important piece of legislation. The Upper Colorado and San Juan River Basins provide key water and power resources in the Third Congressional District of Colorado and other districts in Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, Arizona, and New Mexico. These rivers are also home to four native fish species at risk of a ``jeopardy'' finding under the Endangered Species Act. Such a finding would impose on western constituents dramatic losses in water availability and hydropower reduction, resulting in lost jobs and increased power rates at a time when we can least afford it. The Endangered Fish Recovery Act of 2012 extending the authorization for the Upper Colorado and San Juan Fish Recovery Implementation programs will continue necessary efforts to recover four endangered fish species and provide compliance for Federal, tribal, and non- Federal water projects. These programs are supported by a broad swath of stakeholders, from local towns and counties to environmental groups and private industry, and are excellent examples of local solutions in lieu of onerous Federal management and overregulation. I'm also pleased to see the cost reforms in this extended authorization. H.R. 6060 limits overhead to 3 percent and prohibits Federal employees from traveling to Washington, D.C., to lobby for their programs--activities well beyond the bounds of their purview. These cost savings and their measures will allow for greater allocation of resources to species recovery. I'm optimistic that these programs can reach their goals in the coming year, recover the species in jeopardy, and safeguard the economic well-being of our communities, jobs, and everything connected with these efforts.

Mr. TIPTON

Mr. TIPTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Captain John Altee Barger of Pueblo, Colorado. Capt. Barger was a thirty-two year veteran of the Pueblo Police Department and an avid pilot. Capt. Barger was tragically killed in the line of duty, while conducting a narcotics investigation over the San Isabel Forest. Born in Goodland, Kansas on April 17, 1948, Captain Barger served as a Patrol Officer in the Pueblo Police Department, and achieved much success there as a Commander in the SWAT team. A detective at heart, Capt. Barger also served in the Investigations Division for eleven years, where his instincts for solving crimes were put to great use. Additionally, Captain Barger, with the help of his fellow SWAT officers, won the Soldier of Fortune shooting competition in Nevada--an award he cherished. Capt. Barger leaves behind a son and numerous other family and friends, including the officers with whom he served. Mr. Speaker, it is an honor to recognize Capt. John Altee Barger. I rise today on behalf of the citizens of Colorado's 3rd Congressional District, who are proud to call such a courageous man one of their own.

Mr. TIPTON

Mr. TIPTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Captain Leide William DeFusco of Pueblo, Colorado. Capt. DeFusco served as a police officer, SWAT team member and field training officer for over twenty years. Capt. DeFusco was tragically killed in the line of duty, while conducting a narcotics investigation over the San Isabel Forest. Born in Pueblo on September 15, 1968, Capt. DeFusco attended Trinidad State Junior College, where he was elected Student Body President and graduated with a degree in criminal justice. Capt. DeFusco then accepted a position at the Pueblo County Sheriff's Office, and excelled as a dedicated officer, trainer and detective. Later, Capt. DeFusco achieved the rank of Commander in the SWAT team and succeeded as a lead instructor. Capt. DeFusco leaves behind his wife, Wendy, four beloved children and a host of family and friends, including those fellow officers with whom he was proud to serve. Mr. Speaker, it is an honor to recognize Capt. Leide William DeFusco. I rise today on behalf of the citizens of Colorado's 3rd Congressional District, who are proud to call such a courageous man one of their own.

Mr. TIPTON

Mr. TIPTON. I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I think that we all struggle to be able to find words to be able to address a flash point in time in the city of Aurora to where we saw the absolute worst of humanity in the senseless slaughter of innocent people. But we also saw the best of humanity as people rose to be able to protect their loved ones, as we saw emergency service personnel rush to the scene to be able to operate in the hospitals where doctors and nurses fought valiantly to be able to preserve life. As we look back on that day, we can't help but be reminded that too many lives were cut short, and chapters that were yet to be written needlessly and mindlessly were cut off. The hearts of all Coloradans and, in fact, what we've seen demonstrated on this floor I think speaks to the heart of this country, as people rose as one to be able to express their empathy and their concern. We saw neighbors and strangers reaching out and helping hands all praying for that opportunity and ability to be able to find the right words, if there could ever be such words, to offer some modicum of comfort to those who suffered such a tragic loss. This is a date that certainly our State and the people of Aurora will never forget. It has touched each and every one of our hearts, and you can not help but condemn, obviously, the act. But each one of us, I think, this day and for days, weeks, months, and years to come, will continue to offer up prayers for those who lost their lives, for the families that were affected, and our thanks, our thanks for those who showed such love and concern, and for all the emergency service personnel who were there to defend people who just were out for a good evening. Mr. Speaker, I applaud this resolution and this Colorado delegation's standing together today to be able to express this and thank this House for the support that they've shown, as well, for the people of Colorado.

Mr. TIPTON

Mr. TIPTON. Mr. Speaker, the ability to provide oversight of the Federal Reserve's dealings is hindered by current law that prohibits the Government Accountability Office from auditing aspects of the Bank's activities including monetary policy matters and transactions with foreign entities. H.R. 459 would remove these and other restrictions on GAO audits of the Federal Reserve, increasing transparency. It defies common sense that there is currently no full oversight over the Federal Reserve, which sets the monetary policy that impacts every American citizen and holds a balance sheet of $3 trillion. H.R. 459 will increase transparency of the Federal Reserve by allowing a full audit of all aspects of the bank's dealings including the decision- making behind its monetary policy. The ability to fully audit the Federal Reserve is long overdue, and this bill is a victory for all who strive for a more transparent government.

Mr. TIPTON

Mr. TIPTON. My pleasure, and I thank the gentleman from Colorado for yielding. Mr. Speaker, we have a great challenge in this Nation: to be able to get our people back to work. Right now we are paying, as a country, $1.75 trillion per year in regulatory costs. As was noted earlier, small businesses are incurring better than $10,000 per employee. That is a burden that they cannot sustain, hoping to be able to create jobs and to be able to get this economy moving. I'd like to be able to just give you a couple of real, personal examples of regulations that are impacting real lives. A gentleman in Pueblo, Colorado--they just had their new unemployment figures come out: 11.1 percent, and those are just the official numbers. The real numbers are even much higher. Jim Bartness, much to his dismay, contributed to that, simply because he tried to play by the rules that the government had issued. A small construction company, Mr. Bartness had had a few good years. In fact, under the President's proposals now, a couple of years ago he would be deemed as wealthy. What did he do with his wealth as a small business man, an LLC, a sole proprietorship? He reinvested those dollars right back into his business--to be able to create jobs, to be able to provide for his family. He paid down his line of credit to zero, kept a little bit of cushion to be able to get them through the tough times. In construction, if you're familiar with that, you often bid jobs but you don't get them. So he needed to re-up that line of credit to be able to keep his business going, to keep his employees going. When he went down to the local community bank, he was told they wanted to re-up that line of credit, but regulatorily, they could not. He could not get that line of credit. The one option he had was to shut down his business, line up that equipment, and auction it off. As I talked to Mr. Bartness, you could see tears welling in his eyes as he related that story of calling in those 23 employees to tell them it was going to be their last day. That was a regulatory killing-- literally--of a business. I think we all do concur. We know there need to be some regulations. You know, at the beginning of the 1900s in this country, when we first started building cars, there were only two automobiles in New York City. They ran into each other. A stoplight isn't a bad idea. But we have seen such overreach out of government. When we're talking about the agricultural community, as I traveled through the San Luis Valley, where I was this last weekend, held a town hall meeting and met with potato farmers, fully willing to take on the issues that we deal with often in Colorado, dealing with water, they didn't want to talk about water. They wanted to talk about the EPA. The overreach of government in the regulatory process is literally killing business. We had a message that they wanted to be able to have delivered. They heard the President's comments that they didn't build that business; they owed it to government. They want the President to know that when they open up that business early in the morning and put in those 12-, 14-hour days, sometimes 7 days a week, and they are the ones that lock that door at night, it isn't Washington, D.C., but it is this President's policies which are inhibiting job growth in America. We've got to be able to get America back to work, and the Red Tape Reduction and Small Business Job Creation Act is something that will help achieve that, and I'm proud to be able to stand with you and speak to this this evening.

Mr. TIPTON. I would like to be able to comment really in regards to Congresswoman Foxx, that this is an exciting piece of legislation. The fact is that if you sit down and you talk to small businesses, they're excited about this legislation because they're the ones that are literally feeling this impact. We passed the REINS Act to be able to pull back those massive regulations which were impacting jobs in this country. We are standing up for the small businesses that create 7 out of 10 jobs in this country to be able to get our people back to work. Just recently when we were talking about committee hearings, we just had a hearing in a Small Business Subcommittee that I chair over at Energy, Ag, and Trade, and we saw that the Department of Labor was going to start regulating children working on the family farm. You couldn't work on a haystack higher than 6 feet; you couldn't take your animal down to the county fair to be able to show. In farming and ranching, you learn by doing. They pulled that rule now for the balance of the year. What's frightening to the farm and ranch community is the words ``for the balance of the year.'' They will be back. The regulators will be back. This is a commonsense piece of legislation that's speaking to the heart of the people that drive this country, the small businessmen and -women who are willing to wake up those mornings and put in that hard labor just for the hope of being able to live the American Dream. This is the right thing to do at the right time for American business, to be able to stimulate jobs and get this economy moving.

Mr. TIPTON. I applaud that comment. Let's make American jobs the key priority. Putting Americans back to work; that must be a priority. And we call on the President to join us in this action. We are putting forward the idea. But we need some partners that are willing to be able to work with us.

Mr. TIPTON. You know, in Colorado, we just call that common sense. And I bet we do in every other State in the Union as well. Here is what is fundamentally the problem: We will recall that Minority Leader Pelosi, with the passage of the President's health care mandate, said that once it is passed, we'll find out what's in it. It is a little comical to be able to hear that. But the fact is, it was actually true because they continued to fill in the blanks with regulations. We continue to see that with Dodd-Frank. And the Congress is not having the opportunity to truly be able to be engaged. I know in each of our committees, we have challenged bureaucracies, departments as they have come in to be able to bring those rules back to the authoritative committees, to be able to bring them back to Congress to actually be able to play a role because here is fundamentally the problem: Once they go final with a rule, it takes that proverbial act of Congress to be able to pull back that rule that a Member of Congress, a Member of the Senate never asked for. We have got to be able to have these opportunities, to reengage the people who are actually elected to be able to represent the American people rather than having nameless, faceless bureaucrats writing regulations that are hurting American business, hurting our economic prospects, and preventing us from being able to get this economy moving.

Mr. TIPTON. That's correct.

Mr. TIPTON. It is. And I think it's incredibly important to note, they're continuing to grow. The moving bar that our businesses face in terms of regulatory compliance is costing American jobs

Mr. TIPTON

Mr. TIPTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Mr. Steve Ebner. Since 2006, Mr. Ebner has served as Fire Chief at the Fort Lewis Mesa Fire Department and on August 1, he will step down from this position. Beginning his career as a volunteer in Maryland, Mr. Ebner worked for nearly 42 years in the fire service industry. His experience gained him teaching positions at both the University of Maryland and San Juan College Fire Science Programs. In 2006, after many distinguished years of service, the Fort Lewis Fire Department appointed Mr. Ebner to the fire chief position. During his time at Fort Lewis Mesa, Mr. Ebner was essential to the development and expansion of the fire department. With improved training sessions and enhanced services, Mr. Ebner advanced the department's ability to perform. His leadership and commitment to the community were also recognized this past spring when eight department members shaved their heads in support of Mr. Ebner's battle with chemotherapy. Mr. Speaker, it is an honor to recognize Chief Steve Ebner. I rise today to thank him for his work on behalf of the state of Colorado, and I wish him the best in his fight against cancer.

Mr. TIPTON

Mr. TIPTON. I thank the gentleman for yielding. The ranking member just listed off many of the challenges the businesses face, and we agree. But let me add one more. A company in Pueblo, Colorado, PDI, employing better than 200 handicapped individuals, that company is threatening to be able to see their business shut down because of ObamaCare. They simply cannot afford it. That is the challenge that small businesses across this Nation are truly facing, a $2 trillion tax, a $2 trillion tax when we need to be investing in things like competition. Let's create those opportunities, positive opportunities, through health care, allowing the marketplaces to work, ensuring that people have those opportunities to have preexisting conditions covered. Let's let our children who are 26 years old stay on those policies, but let's bring competition to the market and have things like tort reform as well. PDI and those handicapped individuals in Pueblo, Colorado, are counting on common sense, not politics as usual out of Washington, D.C., where one-size-fits-all, and Washington has all the answers. Let's not get between that patient/doctor relationship. The people are counting on positive action.

Mr. TIPTON. I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, the common ground that we have is seeking affordability and accessibility. ObamaCare fails on both counts. We've heard comments from our colleagues saying more is yet to come. That's exactly what the American people--workers, senior citizens, American families--are worried about: more to come. We cannot find doctors. We're seeing our costs increase. We hear the comments that are coming. It is the Affordable Care Act. The problem is, there's nothing affordable about it. It is a $2 trillion tax increase on the backs of struggling Americans. If we're going to stand up for true health care, we need to make sure that we repeal this bill, repeal it now, and replace it with common sense.

Mr. TIPTON

Mr. TIPTON. Thank you, Chairman Hastings, for yielding me time. America has always had a competitive advantage as a Nation. It's been the entrepreneurship, the hard work, the innovation of the American people. But we've also always had a different advantage as well-- affordable energy in this country. We see that now imperiled. In 1979, Jimmy Carter challenged this Nation to move to energy self- sufficiency. Decade after decade it has not been addressed. This piece of legislation is to move America fully into the 21st century, to be able to secure for us and for our children this land of liberty, opportunity, and growth. It comes with American energy. The ranking member from Massachusetts, I have good news for you. When you read the actual legislation that is put forward, it states in my portion of the bill, the Planning for American Energy Act of 2012, page 16, line 16, calling on the Secretary of the Interior to develop a plan for American energy. What does it say? Creating the best estimate, based upon commercial and scientific data of the expected increase in megawatts for electricity production from each of the following sources: wind, solar, biomass, hydropower, and geothermal energy produced on Federal lands. The very thing you asked for is in the bill. We have an opportunity to be able to create an American energy future in this Nation, to be able to secure for our children that birthright that many of us grew up believing was an American birthright--the right to be able to live that American Dream--to be able to put Americans back to work. The Planning for American Energy Act of 2012, my portion of this bill, speaks to that commonsense, all-of-the-above proposal that we all seek: wind, solar, geothermal, hydroelectric, using the minerals, the resources, the natural gas, the oil that we find on American soil. When we see what is happening right now in the Middle East, when we see at the gas pump our prices doubled from just 3 short years ago, when we talk to senior citizens on fixed incomes who are finding out when they turn on that light switch that their bill has increased, is it time, is it appropriate for us to seek an American energy solution? The time has come. The day has arrived.

Mr. TIPTON. Rather than encouraging energy development off of our shores, as the President has done with his $2 billion loan guarantee to Brazil to develop their energy sources, if we're going to make those kind of investments, if we're going to look to that type of future, would it not be better for us to develop American energy on American soil to put Americans back to work and create American energy certainty? That day has come. The time is now. This is a good piece of legislation for American security and American jobs.

Mr. TIPTON

Mr. TIPTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Sgt. Warren Watts of Pueblo, Colorado. Sgt. Watts was a highly respected and distinguished 18-year veteran of the Pueblo County Sheriff's Department, who tragically passed away last Saturday at the age of 53, after falling ill during his routine morning jog. One of Pueblo County's finest, Sgt. Watts spent much of his career in patrol and investigations. He was also the commander of the SWAT unit, and served for two years with the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Joint Terrorism Task Force. After years of outstanding service he was appointed to the position of Inspector of Internal Affairs. Sgt. Watts was recognized for his professionalism and commitment to the people of Pueblo County when he received the Medal of Valor in 2004. Sgt. Warren Watt's was a devoted husband to his wife of 32 years, Lori, and father to his daughters, Nicole and Brittany. Mr. Speaker, it is an honor to recognize Sgt. Warren Watts for his great service to the people of Pueblo County. His loss is mourned by many and he will be sadly missed.

Mr. TIPTON

Mr. TIPTON. Mr. Chairman, I rise today to offer an amendment aimed at ending an egregious practice of wasting taxpayer dollars in this time of mounting Federal debt. This amendment specifically aims to eliminate the Federal Government's recent practice of sending out cash to encourage survey responses favorable to agency goals. I wholeheartedly agree with the general need for public input in our government, but the practice of sending out American taxpayer dollars to encourage public participation, or worse, to buy public support where it might otherwise be lacking, is a symbol of the lack of accountability and how out of touch our Federal Government has become. For generations, the Bureau of Reclamation has served the Western United States well. Its dams, reservoirs, canals, and hydro-powered turbines have formed the backbone of our communities and provided abundant water and emission-free energy. This was all based on ratepayers paying for almost every cent of these projects at no expense to the taxpayers. Yet that mission is changing, and this couldn't be a better example of just how out of touch the agency has become under this administration. At issue here is the so-called survey aimed at soliciting local, regional, and national input on the societal need to remove four privately owned dams on the Klamath River. The survey was mailed to 1,000 households in California, Oregon, and selected households in the rest of the Nation. Each of these households received a postcard telling them that the survey was coming. Then a large packet with the survey arrived. In each packet a cover letter, a postage paid return envelope, a survey, and a $2 bill was included to entice the people to respond. That's $22,000 of American taxpayers' money being spent. To those who did not respond but kept the $2 bill anyway, a Federal Express or priority mail package was sent out. This was sent to 1,245 people, out of which 286 responded. Each of these 286 respondents was then given $20, which means that $5,720 of additional taxpayer dollars was spent, not including the cost of the FedEx or Priority Mail. Only the Federal Government would further reward people for not responding the first time. Let's take a look at some of the responses that the Bureau of Reclamation published in a report earlier this year: ``Another waste of taxpayer money,'' one said. ``No wonder the U.S. is having money problems if the government has extra $2 bills to mail out randomly,'' said another. ``Wow, what a waste of time. I have neither the time or interest in something I have not a clue about happening clear across the country. Sorry. P.S. Thanks for the 2 bucks,'' yet another wrote. In all fairness, there were some positive responses. But, I think this comment says it best: ``Send me no more. Thank you.'' And that's what this amendment does, Mr. Chairman. It simply prohibits the Bureau of Reclamation and other agencies covered under the legislation from funding a survey in which money is included or provided for the benefit of the responder. It doesn't say that the Federal Government can't have public input or send out surveys, which is necessary to the process. It simply says no more giving away taxpayer dollars. The above amounts may not seem a lot in this day of trillion-dollar budgets, but it is symbolic of the waste and abuse going on here. To make matters worse, the Bureau of Reclamation has yet to fully answer and comply with a request made months ago by Natural Resources Chairman Doc Hastings and the Water and Power Subcommittee Chairman Tom McClintock that is aimed at answering the rationale about the survey, the overall cost of this survey, and why taxpayer dollars were included. The American people deserve answers. They deserve transparency that apparently this administration will not give. In the interim, however, they deserve to know that their government will not be sending out their hard-earned tax dollars on a dam removal survey by an organization that was once dedicated to building dams. I urge my colleagues to end this blatant waste of taxpayer fraud and abuse by supporting this amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. TIPTON. I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. TIPTON. Mr. Chairman, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. TIPTON

Mr. TIPTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Salvatore Ingraldi of Colorado Springs, Colorado. Mr. Ingraldi is a proud American, who served in the Air Force for 24\1/2\ years. He joined the Air Force as a Security Policeman, and after a distinguished career retired as a Chief Master Sergeant. Following his retirement, Mr. Ingraldi's enthusiasm and belief that it is our duty to honor WWII Veterans inspired him to found an Honor Flight Hub, in Southern Colorado, and he was subsequently voted President of the organization. It is through Mr. Ingraldi's passion and leadership that the Honor Flight Hub will be sponsoring its first trip to Washington, DC. Because of Mr. Ingraldi's efforts, four WWII Veterans who without the help of the Honor Flight Hub would not have been able to come to our nations capital, will now be able to pay respects to their fallen comrades at the national WWII Memorial. Mr. Speaker, it is an honor to recognize Mr. Ingraldi for his great service to our country and its veterans. Through Mr. Ingraldi's hard work the Honor Flight Hub, in Southern Colorado, will continue to give WWII Veterans the opportunity to visit and reflect at their memorial.

Mr. TIPTON

Mr. TIPTON. I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, this past weekend I had the opportunity to be in a truly remarkable part of the United States in southwestern Colorado, an area called Chimney Rock, which is an area renowned for its cultural heritage and its important archeological traits. Chimney Rock is considered by the historic preservation community and the archeological community to be one of the most significant archeological sites in the western United States. Centuries ago, hundreds of early Native Americans called the area home. Archeologists have uncovered ancient farming areas, homes, and other structures, indicating that this was a major cultural center for these early Americans. The ancestors of modern Pueblo Indians made a journey to this northernmost outpost of the Chacoan civilization to witness a rare lunar occurrence that they held to be sacred. Chimney Rock is only one of three sites like this in the entire world. Despite the scarcity of this gem, the Chimney Rock site of the San Juan National Forest has yet to receive a designation worthy of its historical and cultural significance. The area is currently under the management of the U.S. Forest Service and is covered under the USFS Organic Act, which has no provision to be able to address preservation and the management of such a historic and culturally significant area as Chimney Rock. H.R. 2621, the Chimney Rock National Monument Establishment Act, requires no additional Federal funds, and therefore no increase in spending. It ensures continued access to the area so that local ranchers will be able to utilize the lands that they depend on for grazing, for outdoorsmen to be able to continue to take advantage of the game opportunities in the area, and for members of the Indian tribes to be able to continue the use of Chimney Rock for traditional ceremonies. The bill also allows for continued archeological research and exploration in the area. In addition to preserving and protecting the site's historical and cultural treasures, the national monument designation will give Chimney Rock the prestige and protection it deserves and elevate it to a status that will increase its exposure to the region and enable it to generate tourism, creating a potential economic boost for the surrounding communities and generating jobs. Without any new spending, making Chimney Rock a national monument will create a win-win situation for this remarkable place, for the local communities, the State of Colorado, Native Indian tribes, and future generations of American. Mr. Speaker, it's my pleasure to able to sponsor H.R. 2621.