Bruce Westerman

Mr. WESTERMAN

Mr. WESTERMAN. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. WESTERMAN. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 197, the Lake Winnibigoshish Land Exchange Act of 2025, led by Representative Stauber. This commonsense legislation authorizes the U.S. Forest Service to enter into a land exchange with the Bowen Lodge, a family-operated resort on the shores of Lake Winnibigoshish in northern Minnesota. Exchanging parcels between the Chippewa National Forest and Bowen Lodge will create a win-win scenario. The lodge will gain permanent access to the lake, and the Forest Service will be able to reconfigure part of its unwieldy checkerboard pattern of land ownership. This change will provide excellent fishing and recreation opportunities for the local community and improve management efficiencies for the Federal Government. Representative Stauber has done an excellent job of leading this bill that would help this small business improve its operation for years to come. This bill would improve outdoor recreation opportunities for its constituents and for all who have the pleasure of visiting and recreating in northern Minnesota. He has long been a strong advocate for responsible public land management and access to outdoor recreation, and this legislation is an excellent reflection of that commitment. Last Congress, this bill passed the House unanimously by voice vote. I urge my colleagues to do the same today and support this important piece of legislation. Madam Speaker, I support the bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. WESTERMAN. Madam Speaker, the gentleman from Minnesota has invited me to Minnesota to fish before. It is a lovely time of year to fish in Minnesota if you like fishing through a little hole in the ice, but I am sure it would be great on Lake Winnie. Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Stauber), who is the lead sponsor of the bill.

Mr. WESTERMAN

Mr. WESTERMAN. Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Wittman), the lead sponsor of this bill.

Mr. WESTERMAN. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 207, sponsored by the Committee on Natural Resources vice chairman, Congressman Rob Wittman of Virginia. Concerns over shark depredation are increasingly common in the Florida Keys, the Gulf of Mexico, and North Carolina's Outer Banks. Shark interactions can be frustrating for anglers, resulting in loss of catch, damaged gear, and degraded fishing experiences. They also potentially impact the post-release survival of both target fish and bycatch. As the number of reports of shark depredation has increased, the underlying cause remains uncertain. It could be due to an increase in the number of sharks as stocks rebuild, a learned behavior by sharks as they recognize motors, fishing techniques, or shark feeding locations as a source of food. We simply don't have enough information to answer all the questions. To emphasize the scale of this issue, during the consideration of this legislation, we heard from Captain Jack Graham, who fishes out of the renowned Oregon Inlet in North Carolina. Captain Graham has been keeping records of tuna depredation impacting his small marina of about 25 boats. By his estimates, a staggering 250,000 pounds of tuna are depredated each month during tuna season just within his marina. To make matters worse, shark depredation involves many Federal and State jurisdictions, but because no single entity is responsible for addressing it, very little is being done. H.R. 207 would require the Secretary of Commerce to establish a task force to address shark depredation. The task force membership would include representatives from NOAA, the Regional Fishery Management Councils, marine fisheries commissions, State fish and wildlife agencies from the States within the Regional Fishery Management Councils, and non-Federal experts. In the 118th Congress, this legislation was passed unanimously through the Committee on Natural Resources, and it passed the House by voice vote. I am grateful that we are again considering this legislation that will help the Federal Government respond to the challenge. Madam Speaker, I applaud Representative Wittman for his work, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. WESTERMAN. Madam Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. Madam Speaker, I again thank my colleague, Mr. Wittman, for taking action to address the challenge that fishing communities across the United States currently face. I have had the opportunity to do some recreational fishing in the western and eastern Gulf. I have had the opportunity to go out on research vessels and even down in the Florida Keys and on the Atlantic Coast. There is one thing in common, and it is you can be certain somebody is going to be reeling in a fish and a shark is going to take everything but pretty much the lips off of the hook. People who fish more than I do and who are around this will tell you that it has gotten much more common over the years. Improving coordination between fisheries managers, State agencies, and other experts to solve the challenge of shark depredation is an approach that respects the bottom-up approach that has allowed the United States to be the gold standard in fisheries management. Madam Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to support the bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. WESTERMAN. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 207) to direct the Secretary of Commerce to establish a task force regarding shark depredation, and for other purposes.

Mr. WESTERMAN. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous material on H.R. 207, the bill now under consideration.

Mr. WESTERMAN

Mr. WESTERMAN. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, as we approach the 250th celebration of our Nation next year, there is perhaps no greater way to celebrate our history than passing H.R. 186, which honors the valor and sacrifice of some of our Nation's bravest heroes, Medal of Honor recipients. Madam Speaker, 162 years ago, President Abraham Lincoln awarded the first Medal of Honor in the midst of the Civil War. It remains our Nation's highest honor awarded to members of the Armed Forces and is bestowed sparingly to only those who have demonstrated the highest acts of valor. Less than 70 Medal of Honor recipients are alive today out of the more than 3,500 medals that have been awarded. As the highest and most prestigious military decoration in the United States, the Medal of Honor symbolizes extraordinary acts of bravery, selflessness, and sacrifice beyond the call of duty. Madam Speaker, by recognizing these remarkable individuals, the Medal of Honor inspires a sense of national pride, honors the memory of fallen heroes, and motivates future generations to embody the values of courage and honor. The Medal of Honor continues to instill a profound sense of respect and gratitude for the sacrifices made in the defense of freedom and justice. Congressman Moore's bipartisan bill, the Hershel ``Woody'' Williams National Medal of Honor Monument Location Act, will ensure that the monument honoring these brave heroes can be placed on what is known as the Reserve but is commonly referred to as ``The National Mall'' here in Washington, D.C. A monument honoring our most exceptional citizens should be placed in an equally exceptional location. According to National Park Service data, The National Mall receives upward of 25 million visitors each year. The monuments and memorials located on The National Mall are the centerpiece of this history, and it is appropriate to include a new monument honoring veterans who have displayed the most courageous acts of valor recognized by our country. In my home State of Arkansas, our State capital also has a memorial dedicated to Medal of Honor recipients. I hope the monument in D.C., like the one in Arkansas, can inspire reflection, patriotism, and gratitude for our Nation's military heroes. Last Congress, the Committee on Natural Resources had the privilege of hearing from one of the 61 living Medal of Honor recipients, Master Chief Special Warfare Operator Britt Slabinski. In his inspiring testimony, he reminded us the Medal of Honor represents those willing to go above and beyond in any circumstance, no matter how small. This monument will serve as an everlasting reminder of this country's greatness and the difference that one single person can make. The legislation before us today, H.R. 186, would authorize the location of the National Medal of Honor Memorial in a prominent location on The National Mall, with the intent to keep it near the Lincoln Memorial as President Lincoln was the first to give out this special award. I was proud to support the original legislation authorizing this memorial. I am proud to support this subsequent legislation today. Madam Speaker, I thank Congressman Moore for his leadership. I urge my colleague to support the bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. WESTERMAN. Madam 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 H.R. 186, the bill now under consideration.

Mr. WESTERMAN. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Moore), the lead sponsor of this bill.

Mr. WESTERMAN. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for his hard work on this legislation. I thank the gentleman from California and the minority for supporting it, as well. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. WESTERMAN

Mr. WESTERMAN. Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. WESTERMAN

Mr. WESTERMAN. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 204) to require that the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of the Interior submit accurate reports regarding hazardous fuels reduction activities, and for other purposes.

Mr. WESTERMAN

Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, this legislation would take approximately 173 acres of land into trust for the Jamul Indian Village for the benefit of the Tribe. I again thank Mr. Issa for his hard work on behalf of his constituents. I urge adoption of the bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, I am prepared to close, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of S. 3857, the Jamul Indian Village Land Transfer Act, which would place approximately 173 acres of land into trust by the United States for the benefit of the Jamul Indian Village. The Jamul Indian Village is located in San Diego County and is part of the Kumeyaay people of southern California, otherwise known as the Mission Indians. While the Tribe's history dates back 12,000 years, they only received Federal recognition in 1981. The Tribe's reservation consists of approximately 6.04 acres, but the Tribe has continued to work to restore its land base. This legislation would place certain parcels into trust for the Tribe's benefit. The legislation also would prohibit Class 2 or Class 3 gaming on the parcels placed into trust consistent with the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act. I thank the gentleman from California (Mr. Issa) for his work on the House companion to this legislation that passed the House earlier this year. Mr. Speaker, I encourage adoption of this legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members be given 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on S. 3857, the bill now under consideration.

Mr. WESTERMAN

Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 8946) to convey the reversionary interest of the United States in certain land in Sacramento, California.

Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous material on H.R. 8956, the bill now under consideration.

Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of Representative Matsui's bill, H.R. 8956, the Revisionary Interest Conveyance Act. This bill will resolve a stubborn property law issue that has long afflicted a small parcel of land in California. The private owners of an 8-acre property in Sacramento recently discovered a revisionary interest on their land, which was originally conveyed by a railroad company. The interest, which dates back to the days of the transcontinental railroad, technically requires the land to revert to the United States since it is no longer used for railroad purposes. With their land encumbered, the owners of this property are limited in their ability to develop or sell the land. The Bureau of Land Management, which would receive the property through the reversion, does not want to manage the land in question. Since the agency can't extinguish the revisionary interest unilaterally, the BLM has encouraged Congress to pursue a legislative solution. H.R. 8946 would resolve this conflict by requiring the Bureau of Land Management to convey the reversionary interest to the private landowners for fair market value. In so doing, this bill will free up the land for economic development and prevent further Federal interference. That is a good governance bill that supports a local community, encourages economic development, and reduces the burden on the Federal Government. I applaud Representative Matsui for advancing this solution on behalf of her constituents. Mr. Speaker, I support this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. WESTERMAN

Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 9516) to amend the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act to provide for lifetime National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Passes for family members of members of the Armed Forces who lost their lives while serving their country, as amended.

Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous material on H.R. 9516, the bill now under consideration.

Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 9516, the Military Families National Parks Access Enhancement Act. This bill, which is led by Representative Chavez-DeRemer, expands access to free, lifetime passes to our national parks and public lands to Gold Star next of kin and families of veterans who pass away due to a service-related illness or injury. Across the Nation, military families play a critical role in protecting our freedoms. They are the strongest base of support for the brave military servicemembers who risk their lives defending America. When these troops make the ultimate sacrifice for our country, the emotional impact on their families is devastating. While nothing can replace a lost loved one, outdoor recreation has a proven track record of providing at least some measure of relief in times of profound tragedy. In 2021, Congress permanently codified free lifetime passes to our national parks and public lands for Gold Star families in the Alexander Lofgren Veterans in Parks Act, a bill I proudly cosponsored and helped champion through the Natural Resources Committee. Unfortunately, the eligibility for these passes excluded families whose relatives were killed in incidents such as hazardous training accidents or due to a service-related illness. H.R. 9516, however, will expand access to free lifetime America the Beautiful passes to Gold Star next-of-kin family members and family members of fallen veterans. This legislation is a meaningful way to support additional families whose loved ones were lost in their selfless service to our Nation. I commend Representative Chavez-DeRemer for spearheading this noble effort. Throughout this Congress, Representative Chavez-DeRemer has demonstrated exemplary public service by working tirelessly with Members on both sides of the aisle to better serve her constituents. She introduced this bill after receiving outreach from a constituent family whose loved one passed away on Active Duty but was not eligible for these passes. Her advocacy on behalf of her constituents and our military families is commendable. Mr. Speaker, I reiterate my strong support for this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.