Bruce Westerman

Mr. WESTERMAN

Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Oklahoma (Mr. Brecheen).

Mr. WESTERMAN

Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the life of renowned Arkansas Democrat-Gazette sports reporter Bob Holt, who passed away December 4 after collapsing following the Arkansas football game against the Missouri Tigers, his alma mater. Since 1981, Bob covered the Razorbacks and sports across Arkansas, bringing every game to life in a unique way that only Bob Holt could. He was a titan of the media industry, revered for his ability to get an answer to any question, all while maintaining the utmost respect from coaches, players, and his fellow reporters. Bob leaves a resounding legacy in his wake, and his mark in the Arkansas sports community will go down in history. Not only was Bob an unparalleled reporter, he was a faithful and loyal friend. Matt Jones, a friend and colleague of Bob's for many years, said that if the world was full of Bob Holts, it would be a lot better world, a lot kinder world, a lot more peaceful world. It would be a world that laughs a lot more, and it would be a much, much better place. My prayers go out to his family, friends, and all Arkansans mourning our loss.

Mr. WESTERMAN

Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Smith), the bill sponsor.

Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 8413 provides a solution to a dispute between Frontier and Hitchcock Counties and the Bureau of Reclamation. These reservoirs, among other benefits, provide valuable recreational access to over 57,000 acres available for public hunting and fishing. I thank Representative Smith and all of Nebraska's congressional delegation members for their leadership on this issue. I encourage all Members to support this commonsense, bipartisan legislation. Mr. Speaker, I yield back 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 Representative Smith's legislation, which would initiate a transfer of Federal lands under the jurisdiction of the Bureau of Reclamation to the Counties of Frontier and Hitchcock in southern Nebraska. This legislation was introduced at the counties' request with the hopes of gaining local control after disagreements arose between local stakeholders and the Bureau of Reclamation. The disagreement stemmed from the Bureau of Reclamation's decision to require the removal of mobile homes surrounding the reservoirs, an action that would significantly impact the local economy. The cost of this transfer has not yet been determined. However, an appraisal will be conducted, and the counties will be responsible for providing fair market value compensation for these lands. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. WESTERMAN. 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 H.R. 8413, the bill now under consideration.

Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 8413) to provide for the conveyance of certain Federal land at Swanson Reservoir and Hugh Butler Reservoir in the State of Nebraska, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. WESTERMAN

Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of Representative Stefanik's bill, the Maurice D. Hinchey Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area Enhancement Act. Established in 1996, the Maurice D. Hinchey Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area was among the earliest national heritage areas designated by Congress. It follows the Hudson River for roughly 150 miles through New York State covering 10 counties, 250 communities, and 107 distinct heritage sites. These sites reflect the Hudson River Valley's natural, historic, and cultural contributions to the Nation. Many of these sites, for example, have important ties to the Revolutionary and Civil Wars, and the Underground Railroad. Recognizing this region's importance to American history, this legislation will direct the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study assessing the suitability and feasibility of expanding the boundaries of the Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area to include all of Saratoga and Washington Counties. This change would bring the Federal boundaries of the national heritage area in line with the State's boundaries. Such an expansion could increase opportunities for Saratoga and Washington Counties to attract more tourism and support local economic development without adding to the Federal estate. I praise Representative Stefanik for her leadership on this issue and for her work this Congress advocating on behalf of her constituents. The Committee on Natural Resources has passed three pieces of her legislation this year by unanimous consent, no small feat, and each of these bills directly benefit her constituents. We will all certainly miss Representative Stefanik next year, but in the meantime, I look forward to working with her to advance this bill in Congress. I support the bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 390) to amend the Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area Act of 1996 (Public Law 104-333; 54 U.S.C. 320101 note) to include all of Saratoga and Washington Counties in the boundaries of the Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area, as amended.

Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, this is a simple, bipartisan bill that will assess promising opportunities to empower local voices, bolster economic development, and protect cultural resources in a very important region. Once again, Representative Stefanik has worked hard to deliver sound policies for her constituents. I urge adoption of this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. WESTERMAN. 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 H.R. 390, the bill now under consideration.

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

Mr. WESTERMAN

Mr. WESTERMAN. 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 H.R. 7872, the bill now under consideration.

Mr. WESTERMAN

Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, this straightforward bill will help strengthen the economic development, resource protection, and cultural heritage of a unique part of the country, while keeping Federal involvement to a minimum. I thank the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Scalise) for leading this important effort and for his tireless work on behalf his constituents. Mr. Speaker, I urge the adoption of this legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise to support Leader Scalise's bill, H.R. 6843, which will modestly expand an existing national heritage area located in his district. Currently encompassing 14 parishes in southern Louisiana's Atchafalaya Basin, this national heritage area promotes the region's unique traditions, language, culture, and landscape. The Atchafalaya is the Nation's largest river swamp, boasting abundant natural resources such as ancient live oaks, towering cypress, sugarcane, and cotton. The region is also home to residents of European, African, Caribbean, and Native-American descent who all contribute to the area's famous Cajun culture. By promoting heritage development and tourism, the Atchafalaya National Heritage Area protects the region's very cultural and physical resources, while contributing to the local economy. H.R. 6843 will build on that success by expanding the boundaries of the national heritage area to include nearby Lafourche Parish. This humble expansion will help create jobs and safeguard the region's natural and cultural resources. I want to commend Leader Scalise for leading this effort to help promote local natural and cultural resources without Federal management or ownership and empower local approaches and do not hinder economic development. Mr. Speaker, I support the bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 6843), to expand the boundaries of the Atchafalaya National Heritage Area to include Lafourche Parish, Louisiana.

Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Scalise), the lead sponsor of this bill and the majority leader,

Mr. WESTERMAN

Mr. WESTERMAN. In closing, Mr. Speaker, this commonsense bill will benefit Utah State Parks and alleviate some clear land management inefficiencies on the Federal side. At its core, H.R. 7332 is an example of effective collaboration between Federal agencies, local stakeholders, and Congress. I commend Representative Maloy for her efforts to bring these stakeholders together, and I thank her for introducing this meaningful legislation. Mr. Speaker, I urge the adoption of this legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentlewoman from Utah (Ms. Maloy), who is the sponsor of the bill.

Mr. WESTERMAN

Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of S. 3791, the America's Conservation Enhancement Reauthorization Act, or the ACE Act. This bill seeks to improve and codify a series of collaborative conservation efforts between the Federal Government, States, and wildlife and sportsmen organizations that have resulted in positive results for numerous species. S. 3791 would first reauthorize a series of successful conservation programs, such as the North American Wetlands Conservation Act, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, and the Chesapeake Bay Program. The North American Wetlands Conservation Act, or NAWCA, is particularly important to my home State of Arkansas. As the only Federal grant program solely dedicated to wetlands conservation, NAWCA has conserved over 31 million acres of wetland habitat for waterfowl. This is critical for my State, as over 100,000 people each year visit Arkansas for the best waterfowl hunting in the country and to hunt in the pristine flooded timber and rice fields of the Natural State. Title II of the bill makes important technical changes to the National Fish Habitat Partnership program. These changes include ensuring that Tribes, regional fishery management councils, and marine fisheries commissions are represented on the National Fish Habitat Board and can contribute to reviewing project proposals and allocating grant dollars. I also commend the work of the sponsor of the House companion of this bill, Congressman Rob Wittman of Virginia, who is a true champion of our country's wildlife and sportsmen. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. WESTERMAN

Mr. WESTERMAN. 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 H.R. 6826, the bill now under consideration.

Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, this is a straightforward bill that would honor the work and legacy of a devoted public servant. I urge the adoption of this legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 6826) to designate the visitor and education center at Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine as the Paul S. Sarbanes Visitor and Education Center.

Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of Representative Mfume's bill, H.R. 6826. This legislation will name the visitor and education center at Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine in Baltimore, Maryland, as the Paul S. Sarbanes Visitor and Education Center. Fort McHenry is famously the site of an 1814 attack by British troops against 1,000 American soldiers, which inspired Francis Scott Key to write ``The Star-Spangled Banner.'' Paul Sarbanes honorably served the State of Maryland for 6 years in the House of Representatives and three decades in the U.S. Senate. During his tenure, Senator Sarbanes helped secure funding to construct the new visitor center at Fort McHenry, which increased its capacity and improved visitor access. After a long life of distinguished public service, Senator Sarbanes sadly passed away in 2020. I commend Representative Mfume for leading this effort. Naming the visitor and education center at Fort McHenry after Senator Sarbanes would honor his long history of service to Maryland and his special connection with Fort McHenry's site. Fittingly, this legislation has drawn bipartisan support and is cosponsored by Maryland's entire congressional delegation. Mr. Speaker, I support the bill and reserve the balance of my time.