Transcripts For CSPAN House Session 20141208

You have bound us together with noble ideals of liberty, justice, equality and yet we struggle to be one people, a unified nation. We pray for all the members of this house asking you to bless them with wisdom and discernment, to lead our people to rebling silliation, to rebuild our nations confidence in justice, to restore our sense of equality, free them from the divisive distractions of any lesser ideals, that they the ore powerfully serve house. Keep the unity of people through the bond of peace. Bless, also, our soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines deployed overseas as they continue to bring peace to this troubled world. We pray in your holy name. Amen. The speaker pro tempore the chair has examined the journal of the last days proceedings and announces to the house his approval thereof. Pursuant to clause 1 of rule 1 the journal stands approved. The pledge of allegiance will be led by the gentlewoman from california, mrs. Napolitano. Mrs. Napolitano i pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of america and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under god, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. The speaker pro tempore the chair will entertain requests for oneminute speeches. For what purpose does the gentlelady from North Carolina seek recognition . Ms. Foxx mr. Speaker, i ask unanimous consent to address the house for one minute. The speaker pro tempore the gentlelady is recognized for one minute. Ms. Foxx thank you, mr. Speaker. On november 20, president obama significantly overstepped the bounds of his constitutionally granted executive authority when he took steps to grant amnesty to millions of immigrants who are in the United States illegally. Prior to his unilateral actions, the president himself acknowledged repeatedly that this is not how our democracy functions and the way to reform this nations broken immigration system is legislatively. As they say in North Carolina, the president has gone to midland. Its absolutely critical that we go on record against his unparallel power grab and Congress Must do everything it can to stop his destructive actions. As the granddaughter of italian immigrants, im thankful america has always opened her arms to people looking to build a better way for themselves and their families legally. However, breaking the law to enter the United States should not be rewarded. It is wrong to shortcircuit the American Immigration process in this manner when there are so many individuals who have waited years for the opportunity to come to this country the right way, the legal way. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleladys time has expired. For what purpose does the gentlelady from florida seek recognition . Ms. Roslehtinen i ask unanimous consent to address the house for one minute and to revise and extend my remarks. The speaker pro tempore the gentlelady is recognized 1. Is recognized for one minute. Ms. Roslehtinen i recognize the career of steve who is retiring this month from Florida International university. As Vice President of Government Relations for miamis Public Research university and my alma mater, steve has always aimed for a more Beautiful Day in south florida. Early in his career as the house staffer, steve helped craft the Refugee Education assistance act of 1980, opening the doors of opportunity to thousands of cubans fleeing the oppression of fidel castro. After moving to miami, steve was instrumental in creating the International Hurricane research center, following hurricane andrew, helping advance research to make south florida and the nation more resilient to hurricanes. Congratulations, steve, on fulfilling on a fulfilling career and a wellredembd retirement, and please do enjoy rur own fair share of Beautiful Days in south florida. Thank you, mr. Speaker. The speaker pro tempore the gentleladys time has expired. For what purpose does the gentleman from colorado seek recognition . I ask unanimous consent to address the house for one minute and to revise and extend my remarks. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized for one inute. Mr. Speaker, i rise today to honor the Pueblo East High School Football Team and their coach David Ramirez who won their class 3a football title. They had an impressive 12win season, showed sportsmanship and determination resulting in a victory for the eagles. Over the years, coach ramirez and his team instilled confidence for them to work hard. With grit and a long tradition of eagle pride, a stellar season was realized and the culmination in the culmination of a state football title. Mr. Tipton each coach and player and staff of this eagle Football Team will stand tall among the great athletic champions in pueblo sports history. Mr. Speaker, with coach ramirezs leadership and the teams hard work, pueblo east captured their first championship in School History while establishing a legacy of dedication and commitment to the game. Theres no doubt the future eagle teams will be inspired to do the same. Were very proud of them and with that i yield back, mr. Speaker. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back. Are there further requests for oneminute speeches . Hearing none, for what purpose does the gentleman from washington seek recognition . Mr. Hastings mr. Speaker, i ask unanimous consent that in the engrossment of the house amendment to the Senate Amendment to h. R. 3979 pursuant to House Resolution 770 the clerk be instructed to make correction. The speaker pro tempore the clerk will report the correction. The clerk in section 350 of the house amendments, strike 2013 and insert 2014. The speaker pro tempore without objection, so ordered. For what purpose does the gentleman from washington, mr. Hastings, seek recognition . Mr. Hastings mr. Speaker, prount to House Resolution 770, i call up h. R. 5781, the california emergency drought relief act of 2014, and ask for its immediate consideration. The speaker pro tempore the clerk will report the title of the bill. H. R. 5781, a bill to provide shortterm Water Supplies to droughtstricken california. The speaker pro tempore pursuant to House Resolution 770, the amendment printed in part c of house report 113646 is adopted and the bill, as amended, is considered as read. The gentleman from washington, mr. Hastings, and the gentlewoman from california, mrs. Napolitano, each will control 30 minutes. The chair recognizes the gentleman from washington, mr. Hastings. Mr. Hastings mr. Speaker, i ask unanimous consent that all members may have five legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on h. R. 5781. The speaker pro tempore without objection. Mr. Hastings mr. Speaker, i yield myself such time as i may consume. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized. Mr. Hastings mr. Speaker, i rise in strong support of h. R. 5781, the california emergency ought relief act of 2014, as introduced by our colleague from california, mr. Valadao. Today the house meets once again to provide a solution to the ongoing water crisis in california. The house has been on record twice to provide solutions, and here we are and we must act again. Although this bill is different from the two prior attempts and reflects significant bipartisan progress towards enacting a solution, we must provide relief, even if its shortterm relief, before this congress adjourns. It is unacceptable for us to give up when californians are starving and their communities are literally drying up. Like california, my Central Washington district is heavily dependent on irgaited water to support our local economy and our agriculture industry. I understand the importance of having a stable, reliable water source, and i also understand the economic devastation that is caused when the water supply is shut off. Particularly when the shutoff is avoidable. California is in an emergency situation. For years, San Joaquin Valley farmers have been fighting against federal regulations and environmental lawsuits that have diverted Water Supplies in order to help a threeinch fish. In 2009, there was a deliberate diversion of over 300 billion mr. Speaker, thats b with a b, gallons of water away from farmers. And mr. Speaker, let me equate that. 300 billion gallons of water is nearly a million acrefeet of water. Whats an acrefeet . An acrefoot is an acrefoot of water for one year, thats 12 inches of water for a year that was diverted from these farmers. As a result, thousands of farm workers lost their jobs, unemployment reached 40 in some communities and thousands of acres of fertile farmland dried up. The same thing is happening today. As chairman of the house Natural Resources committee, ive traveled to fresno, california, twice and seen the effects of natural and manmade drought firsthand. We held multiple hearings and heard the pleas of communities that simply want the water turned back on and their livelihoods restored. Weve seen farmers who normally to feed the nation be sent wait in line at the food barnings and in some cases, mr. Speaker, being served carrots imported from china. I want to stress this crisis does not impact california but has a rimming effect across the entire nation. Californias San Joaquin Valley is the salad bowl of the nation. Food grows where water flows. When there is no water, our Food Supplies suffers resulting in higher food prices across the country, higher unemployment and increased reliance on foreign food sources. Unlike the last time this body acted on this issue, the senate did pass its version of a bill in june of this year. I commend senator feinstein for her efforts to pass this shortterm bill. However, since the bills were so different in their scope, those interested in a productive conversation to bridge the differences have negotiated in good faith for the last six months. And we got very close to a resolution, but more time was necessary on agreeing to a longterm bill. In the interim, the measure before us today reflects much of what the Senate Passed earlier this year and agreed to in our negotiations to bring some shortterm water supply relief to many of those communities in need. This bill simply allows us to capture some water from storms in this and the next water year and improve data quality when it comes to the existing biological opinions on smelt and salmon. It also protects those communities in the north who are from heavily who are from relatively abundant water areas. The entire bill, mr. Speaker, sun sets in september, 2016, to allow more time to negotiate a longer Term Solution that would not only help california but other states in the west as well. Now, this bill is not perfect, but its a shortterm bridge based on productive negotiations between those who want sensible solutions to the California Water crisis. This bill, while very limited in scope, helps protect the jobs and economic livelihood of farm families and workers in communities that are in dire need of water. The people of the San Joaquin Valley cannot wait any longer for congress to act. As the title of this bill suggests, it is truly an emergency for many and time is running out. Those communities facing massive unemployment deserve nothing less. Now, mr. Speaker, i commend my colleagues for the last two congresses for working together to get this solution get us an answer to this solution. This is the latest iteration of that and i want to commend them. With that i reserve the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman reserves. The gentlelady from california is recognized. Mrs. Napolitano thank you, mr. Speaker. I yield myself such time as i may consume. The speaker pro tempore the gentlelady is recognized. Mrs. Napolitano mr. Speaker, congressman valadaos h. R. 5781, the california emergency drought relief act of 2014, is Northern California c. B. P. Drought relief that isnt a california death relief act. It was introduced last week without hearings, without markups, without consultation with the House Democrats and without any consultation or input from local water agencies, state agencies, cities and or tribes. This bill is being rushed to the floor without input of critical california leaders throughout the state. It focuses primarily on providing more bay delta water to central Valley Farmers at the expense of other users. This bill would require mandatory increases in pumping to Central Valley agriculture, which could forge water managers throughout the state to cut water deliveries to Southern California to other urban water users and, of course, to fisheries which this could also lead to less fresh water in the delta, higher levels of salt and contamination in the water being pumped down to Southern California. The white house states, the president will veto this bill because, and i quote, it fails to equitablely address critical elements of californias complex water challenges. And the bill appears to include a number of potentially conflicting mandates which can cause confusion and undermine environmental laws, also making it right for future litigation. Senator boxer opposes the bill because it could ignite the water wires by overriding critical state and federal protections of all of california. Some er, i have the of the opposition, one of them is Sacramento Bee has come out opposing the bill because, and i quote, any legislation affecting California Water policy deserves a full hearing with input from the varied interests in Northern California and the Central Valley and the south. We must, mr. Speaker, work on a bipartisan manner to address this drought crisis for the whole state and certainly not in secret and behind closed doors. I have introduced h. R. 5363, the water in 21st century act, and representative huffman has introduced h. R. 4239, which could provide drought relief to all california with this Water Conservation program, the water recycling projects, its groundwater improvement operations and stormwater capture solutions, including desalination, title 16. House democrat proposals have been excluded from this bill, h. R. 5781. All past attempt there have been past attempts in past congresses to pass certainly some of the pro legislation being posed today and its failed but, mr. Speaker, i would like to insert for the record statements of opposition to this bill from the white house, from senator boxer, the soorkt bee, american rivers, the league of conservation voters, Natural Resources defense council, the sierra club, the nature concertain sembansy, golden gate salmon association, golden gate fisherman association, just to name a few and, mr. Chairman, i urge us not to pass this. I would like to reserve the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from washington is recognized. Mr. Hastings im pleased to yield to the author of the previous bill, mr. Valadao from california, for four minutes. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from california is recognized for four minutes. Mr. Valadao thank you, chairman hastings. I appreciate the opportunity to speak on behalf of my legislation. Since taking office, ensuring the Central Valley has reliable access to clean, high quality water has been my number one priority. My constituents are suffering through a drought and theyve suffered more these last few years because of the laws that are in place today. Weve got regulations that require that we basically send water that should be going to communities, to homes, to farms that create jobs and grow food, that waters being diverted out into the ocean, all in the name of a fish. Weve got so many different People Living in this valley, from farm workers to farmers to business owners, all different types of folks that represent this and thises that affected every single one of this has affected every single one of them. Its affected everybody down to their regular daily lives. When you think about how simple it is for someone to turn on the faucet and be able to take water and put it in their coffee pot in the morning, thats what were talking about today. Weve had wells go dry, weve got communities in my district today that are literally watching in the process of looking to drill four, five, sometimes six wells just to get enough water into the household. Its something thats very frustrating. What this piece of legislation is is a very simple patch. Its a shortterm bill. Like the chairman mentioned, the bill expires at the end of september next year or when the governor decides the drought declaration is over. The bill is simple. Its very specific that it does keep in place all protections of the endangered species act, the biological opinions and others that have been put in place to protect the environment but this gives a little bit more flexibility to those agencies to allow some pumping to help these poor communities. Weve got people in food lines today. Weve got people who are trying to feed their families. Trying to earn an honest days wage and this is hurting those people. The people my friends across the aisle always claim to want to help the most. This is a simple, very small piece of legislation. The majority was introduced by a democrat in the senate. With just a few provisions that were changed. This isnt a surprise. Legislation that we passed out of the house, a lot more complicated, a lot more comprehensive and covers shoot, and it creates a longTerm Solution. But this is a shortTerm Solution that helps provide some security. And the bill helps all of californians, especially those south of the delta, including those in Southern California, because theres about 20 million californians that rely on water from Northern California. So across the board this is a piece of legislation that helps all people in california be successful, feed their families and take care of their daily lives. Its something that i feel is very reasonable. We work across the aisle as much as we can. Weve worked on this issue for six months now but its a complicated issue and we have a lot of outside interests that want to see this prevented. It is all again over a few bad laws that need to be changed and all were asking today is for a shortterm fix, give us enough time to give these people a little bit of breathing room, a little bit of freshwater for their houses and something that can really, truly make a difference in their lives and theyre trying to stop it and it truly is sad. Were here at the last possible minute. The most important aspect of this bill, and the reason why its so important that we pass it today, is if we dont get something done this week we have to wait for the next congress. The next Congress Starts in january. From there weve got to wait a few more weeks before bill gets introduced, passed and goes through the process again and we start all over. In that time we will miss out on all the rain that could possibly we are in a drought but we did have some rain last week. We could have some more rain in the next two weeks, maybe a month. Thats an opportunity we will be wasting if we dont take care of this legislation today and get this passed. So i thank you for the opportunity and i yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. The gentlelady from california is recognized. Mrs. Napolitano thank you, mr. Speaker. Id like to yield five minutes to my colleague from Northern California, mr. Miller. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from california is recognized. Mrs. Napolitano and may i add that im very thankful for his many years of service to this house and the nation, especially the state of california, on water issues. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from california is recognized for five minutes. Mr. Miller i thank the gentlewoman for her remarks and i thank the gentlewoman for yielding me this time. Once again we find ourselves in a situation where a group of people in the Central Valley, a small number of farmers in the Central Valley, have decided that they cant have it their way, theyre just going to roll over the process. So now were confronted with a piece of legislation that was in fact, much of it was withdrawn by a senator from california because it became apparent to all of the interests in the state, there were no public hearings, there was no public participation, it was a very narrow group of people sitting in the back room of the capitol of the United States, drafting legislation, where essentially everybody except the people in that room take a hit. The people in the room get a benefit. But how do they get the benefit . Because they extract more water than you can currently extract and still keep the state hole whole. They extract more water from a vibrant commercial fishing industry. Thats why the senators in oregon, thats why the pacific fishries association is against this legislation. This is a fishing industry thats worth hundreds of millions of dollars and theyre at risk if you operate under this legislation. Because this legislation overrides what the state agencies, what the governor, what the federal agencies, what the secretary of interior did this last time. When we got two surprise storms in march of this year, we went back to the drawing table and we figured out how we could get more water out of this system, to help these farmers in the Central Valley. That was a goodfaith effort. That was done within the law. Now what they want to do is eviscerate that law, take away those safeguards, and say, were going to take any additional water out of this system. And when they take that additional water out of the system, they take that additional water out of the Water Quality of hundreds of thousands of people who drink the water from the delta and rely on the freshwater supply. Were quite aware of what happens in these dry years and if you keep turning the punches on, those people are going to pumps on, those people are going to start suffering, those districts are going to take saltwater out of the delta. They take it at the expense of the delta farmers who pumped water into the delta. That water will become saltier and saltier and they wont be able to plant their crops. Everybody in this state is paying a price for this drought. But now in the 11thth hour of this congress, this 11th hour of this congress, these group of farmers have decided theyre going to do it this way. Weve seen this before. Weve worked year after year to get agreement and when they cant get their way, they go off to a private meeting, they draft legislation and that collapses all those talks and then we start over again. This is about the third or fourth time weve been here, because its their way or the highway. And they absolutely expect that they can take water. These are people who have a contract, right . They have a contract that is variable because they have the lowest water rights in the state. And so what theyre trying to do is to say, we get to get in line in front of everybody else in the state in exercising their water rights. The fact of the matter is, the fact of the matter is, we understand exactly what this is going to do. Said why the newspapers this bill deserves to die. This bill deserves to die. And i want to praise senator boxer for alerting the members. They talked about working across the aisle. They worked across the aisle. But not with members of the house delegation who represent this impacted area, who stand to lose these jobs, who stand to lose millions of dollars of economic activity. This isnt a suggestion. Im suggesting things are right for the people in the Central Valley or right for the people in the city. Our whole state is suffering from a drought. But now this is an 11th hour attempt to say, we dont like the way youre coming together to do this, were going to take ours first. This is contrary to what the state legislature did on a bipartisan basis and with the participation of legislators from the Central Valley, from Southern California, from the imperial valley, from Northern California. This is contrary to what the state and federal agencies did to try and work out and to get additional water, as we did in march. This is contrary, this is contrary to what the state Legislature Said about these being coequal values. You have to protect the northern delta region, the origins of this water, and you have to try to have a Sustainable Water delivery to Southern California. The legislature again on a bipartisan basis agreed to that. Then on the other issue, overwhelmingly state legislators voted to put a bond to try to deal with the drought. A rather remarkable issue, with the support of the governor. Legislators in Southern California, from the Central Valley, and from Northern California voted to put it on the ballot. And the public across the state, democrats and republicans and independents, from every region of the state voted overwhelmingly to support the bond issue. And now in the 11th hour this small group of people think that they can come and turn those expressions of state legislative intent, of state law, of federal law, of state Environmental Quality laws mrs. Napolitano i yield the gentleman five more minutes. Mr. Miller we cannot let this happen. This is a suggestion that somehow theres free water floating around out in that system and somebodys denying it. All of the water in this current system, especially in this drought, is for purposes. To try to maintain a Great Pacific coast salmon run that is tens and tens and hundreds of millions of dollars in economic activity. From the mouth of San Francisco bay almost to Santa Barbara and from the mouth of San Francisco bay almost to the washingtonoregon border. So this impacts across state lines and the economy that that generates. The economy that generates and the hospitality industry, the tourism industry, the economy it generates in the delta. Yes, theres been cutbacks. Weve all had cutbacks. All of us. But now you just dont get to go take your neighbors water. You dont get to go do that. So as we try and try again and with these storms, i assume theres going to be a renewal of the effort that was successful, it was successful for the Central Valley, it was successful for the biological pains, it was successful for the delta farmer and yet we moved additional water that we hasnt anticipated and now with these storms, hopefully well be able to do the same things. But to write into the wall that all of that water must always be moved, as long as this law is in place, is absolutely contrary to the interest of the rest of the state of california. Whether in Northern California or the Central Valley or Southern California. Thats how we tried to move this policy forward. Its a much better policy today than it has been in the past. But we have got to have this open hearing, weve got to let us discuss this morning all of the members of the california delegation, among all of those who represent the taxpayers of this nation. The idea that you can just go into a room in the 11th hour because you know the sessions end sessions ending and say, we have greater merit than anybody else, were going to change this law, thats not the democratic process. Thats not the proper representation of the people we represent in the state of california. And its absolutely contrary to what the State Government has done and accomplished, what theyve done and accomplished together with the federal agencies, to try and make this work, recognizing the incredible hardship that every region in our state is under. The state is investing billions of dollars, the private sector is investing billions of dollars to try to make us more water efficient, to try to capture more water. To anticipate building dams. All of these things are being done. But the idea that you can just come in and say, well, you know what, were tired with the process, were imparent, impatient, even though we just voted for the bond issue, were going to take our water now. And you do the best you can. You do the best you can if thats your drinking water. You do the best you can if thats the water you farm with. You just do the best you can. If its too salty and raises health concerns, if its too salty and you cant grow your crops, thats tough. Because were coming in line first. Were going to step in front of everyone else. And i think that thats what youre going to ignite here with the pass and of this bill is youre going to take us all back in time, as senator boxer pointed out, this just reignites the California Water wars. And its something we tried and tried to move away from and weve made progress. I appreciate that those who were impatient, that those who think somehow theyre given a greater right than in fact they are to water, that they believe now they can just take it from their neighbor, they can just take it from their neighbor, thats an unacceptable process. Thats why senator feinstein withdrew these negotiations, said she would come back next year and go through regular order and have the hearings that the people in california are entitled to, that the state of california is entitled to, and those of us who represent very desperate parts of the state will be able to participate and have that kind of hearing and understand how california together, california together cannot only solve the current problem in terms of impacts, but also prepare the state for what most people tell us will be a series of droughts by changing the manner in which we manage water. And everybody has to put into that pot. This is Somebody Just reaching into the pot and saying, im taking mine first and you do whatever you want because weve changed the laws of the state, weve changed the laws of this nation, weve overridden the biological opinions from the courts, weve overridden the basic environmental laws of the state and the nation. So were going to get ours first and you do the best you can after that. Those ramifications ripple across billions of dollars in our economy. Just as this drought has rippled across billions of dollars in our economy because of the hardships in agriculture, some of the hardships, the shortens of seasons in fishing. I would urge my colleagues not support this legislation and demand that we have an open process and we dont cave in to the same group of people who have been trying to do this for 50 years. Thank you very much. The speaker pro tempore for what purpose does the gentleman from washington seek recognition . Mr. Hastings mr. Speaker, im proud to yield two minutes to the gentleman from california, mr. Mcclintock. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized for two minutes. Mr. Mcclintock mr. Speaker, californias regulatory drought was causing Enormous Economic damage and human hardship long before the historic natural drought thats now stricken the state and through all of those years, the house has passed legislation repeatedly to address it. Finally, after years of inaction, the senate produced a modest measure to provide very limited flexibility for water managers to deal with it. This bill largely reflects those provisions. Its a temporary stopgap measure that suspends no environmental laws and no regulations. It simply tasks federal water managers to conserve our water for beneficial human use to the maximum extent possible once allstate and federal environmental and water all state and federal environmental and water laws and the bill explicitly requires all environmental laws and regulations to be adhered to. All the house added to the senate bill is provisions to strengthen water rights for areas of origin by adding federal protection over these rights. During the worst drought in californias history, we continue to release billions of gallons of water from our dams just to adjust river temperatures for the fish. Sadly, this bill doesnt even affect this wasteful practice. But during the next year and a half, it does give limited flexibility to water managers within these laws, and thats important because were getting some rainfall this season and once all of the environmental laws have been fulfilled we desperately need to store what surplus remains for what could be another very dry year. To take that surplus, above and beyond whats needed to meet all of our environmental mandates and dump it into the pacific ocean, as my colleagues on the left suggests we should do, is nothing short of lunacy. The fact that this very modest bill has evoked such aper plexy from the left shows just how extreme and out of touch theyve become. I wish this bill did much more but its a start. The speaker pro tempore the gentlelady from california is recognized. Mrs. Napolitano thank you, mr. Speaker. Id like to yield three minutes to the gentleman from california, mr. Costa. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from california is recognized for three minutes. Mr. Costa good afternoon, mr. Chairman. Id like to thank the Ranking Member for allowing me to speak. H. R. 5781. Lk about mr. Speaker, well be here again until Congress Acts for increased Operational Flexibility for californias Water Projects. The American Geophysical union released a report last week, according to some of the measures they are taking that the 20122014 drought affecting california is the worst in 1,200 years. Thats 1,200 years. The 2014 drought is responsible for part of the greatest absolute reduction to water availability to agriculture that we have ever seen. But we can operate the projects differently for different outcomes. The water modeling experts in the area i represent have indicated to me that without Additional Authority to move water and unless california receives 150 of its normal average rainfall this year, which is unlikely, the water allocation in both the east side and west side of the San Joaquin Valley will be zero, zero. Last year it was zero. Next year it will be zero. But urban waters in the bay area and Southern California, they will get water. The fish, they will get water. But the folks on the east and west side of the San Joaquin Valley will get a zero water allocation unless we exceed 150 of normal. Id like the house to think about that. Were talking about two years without surface water that forms the basis of the economy of the region. The results is Immediate Impact to farm workers and their families, to farmers and to the farm communities. This isnt some discussion about precedent. This is about peoples lives and their livelihoods which are at stake. Economists at ucdavis estimated that the economy lost . 2 billion in economic out 2. Billion in economic output because of this. The loss of surface Water Supplies for the valley means that farmers are forced to turned to groundwater and theyre overdrafting that groundwater in substantial manner. This is a crisis. The situation this year has been devastating, and if we do nothing next year it will become catastrophic. H. R. 5781s not perfect, nor is it a bill that will solve all of californias problems. Water problems. We still need to fix a broken water system. However, its a bill that will provide for 18 months the flexibility for the movement of water which is now not being moved. And it does so responsibly by preserving the secretarys discretion to reduce pumping, to prevent additional harm to endangered species. It does not amend the endangered species act. It does not change the biological opinions and it does nothing to move water rights in front of someone else, as the previous speaker said. It has a sunset on it. There will be debate about our ways to assist in drought recovery. I urge for my colleagues to support this legislation. It will help the San Joaquin Valley. It will help all of california get by during the devastating affects that this drought is having. Its not a panacea, and, yes, we need to Work Together. Igniting water wars, gee, i dont think they ever subsided. There still are differences. The historic difference in water is mr. Hastings i yield the gentleman an additional minute. Mr. Costa thank you, mr. Chairman. The fault lines on water in california, everybody on this floor knows they are deep and they are historic and they have existed for decades. Its because we have this broken water system. We have a water system designed for 20 Million People. We now have 38 Million People. Provide water for the people, for the environment and to maintain the agriculture of which we are the largest agriculture state, we need to work. We need to Work Together. There was some comments about the secret meetings. Gee, if this has been a secret, as weve been working together for eight months now, its one of the worst kept secrets in washington this year, i think. The fact is this provides us a modicum of relief. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation, but we need to do much more. I yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back. The gentleman from washington is recognized. Mr. Hastings mr. Speaker, im very pleased to yield one minute to the distinguished majority leader for the from the state of california and particularly bakersfield, one minute. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from california is recognized for one minute. Mr. Mccarthy thank you, mr. Speaker. I want to thank the distinguished chairman for his service to this house and to this country. Youll be greatly missed. Mr. Speaker, i also want to thank those that have worked so diligently on this bill, congressman david valadao. He understands the need, and were not here today because we havent thought we might have this problem. I have sat and stood in this well before with congressman devin nunes looking ahead, trying to be prepared so we can have water throughout california. Looking for government creating a drought when we still have rain and snow pact. Do you realize four years ago we had 170 of snowpack but only 80 of the water was allocated to come down through the valley . The valley. Not just feeds california, not just feeds the nation but feeds the world. When the valley does not get water, the prices of food goes up to all. But you know whats even more important . Those that go out of work. I watched many elected officials come to this well and talk about unemployment. Unemployments below 6 . Let me tell you what unemployment is throughout the valley today. There are some cities that have unemployment. Number one factor, water. So what is the world look like today even though not just this congress, the congress before it moved legislation to deal with this issue . We are now at a 1,200year drought. 1,200. Much longer than the entire life of this nation. So if were at this time, why do we bring this bill before us . I think we should have honesty in this bill. This is not the bill i would write. This is not the bill i would bring forward. This is a bipartisan bill where people on both sides of the aisle sat down, and we said we need a temporary bill that lives within these means. So do we change endangered species . No, we do not. What does this bill do . It says in the rainy season, when the floodwaters are high, can we not move water down through the valley . Thats what this bill does. It also gives the safeguard that the fish are harmed to stop. Does this bill go on forever . No. It goes on the length to september or to the length of what the governor has declared within the drought. Now, i know government cannot make it rain, but government can stop the Government Policies that pick fish over people. Government can prepare ahead of time that if were going to have a rainy season coming that we allow the water to have the best use of where it goes, that it protects the fish while at the time allocates water to the valley so everyone wins in the process. Thats why it was bipartisan. Thats why we sat together. Thats why its temporary. Thats why this bill is brought before us today. Id like to thank everybody on both sides of the aisle that worked for it, but whats unfortunate, some people will say things that its not. The most important thing we should do in this house is make sure fairness is provided. I think the greatest fairness that should be provided is being prepared for when water comes. But whats more even important, looking at the faces of the 30 unemployed, looking at the faces throughout that valley and saying it does not have to be that way. Government can make a difference if both sides would Work Together as we craft this bill and i yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back. The gentlelady from california is recognized. Mrs. Napolitano mr. Speaker, how much time do i have or both sides have . Noip the speaker pro tempore the gentlelady from california has 13 1 2 minutes and the gentleman from washington has 17 1 2 minutes. Mrs. Napolitano thank you, mr. Speaker. Id like to yield to the gentleman from oregon, the Ranking Member of the Natural Resources committee, mr. Defazio, three minutes. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized for three minutes. Mr. Defazio i thank the gentlelady. Now, why would an oregonian insert himself into the perpetual water wars in california . Well, first off, this bill has had no leargs. As you can see from the debate has had no hearings. As you can see from the debate on the floor here, disagreement over the potential impact of this legislation. And that is not just critical to californians, its critical to oregonians. I have a letter here from the pacific fishery Management Council. They believe that this could have a hugely detrimental impact on some species which compose about 80 of the california fishery and about 50 of the fishery in oregon. We went through this before, about a decade ago where there were inadequate outflows, there were problems with the forage fish, the smell, and the returning salmon and we had a season that was closed for two years. Put, you know, many, many oregonians out of work and an impact beyond the commercial fishery and those coastal communities was on the recreational fishery. Cost us hundreds of millions of dollars. We got a couple Million Dollars in federal relief, and the experts, the Pacific Fisheries Management Council and their lawyers have read this bill, believe it does change the management of the water in ways that are detrimental and would void the biological opinion and would probably put us back into another couple of no fishing years a few years down the road given the cycle of salmon. Particularly section 103d2 and section 103c. Now, i heard on the floor, despite no hearing has been held, the bill just burbled up recently, that on one side theyre saying, no, dont worry. It will not have a detrimental Environmental Impact and if it does, well, well stop doing it. But i just looked at that section of the bill and it doesnt quite say that definitively. In fact, it changes the standards and it says, well, additional negative if additional negative impacts might have, then the secretary could suspend some of the provisions of this bill. Not exactly certainty. And we need some certainty here for our fisheries. Weve been hurting for years. Last year we had a good year thankfully. Were still dealing with buybacks because of reducing the size of fleets from past problems. Year in, year out. I just got the terms of that adjusted in the ndaa. They had a payday loan from the federal government. Now we got a reasonable loan from the federal government. The government didnt pay for their buyback. Heck, in the northeast they had pay for a couple of buybacks. Now well jeopardize the fleet one, two, three years out because we wont have the return. So this is a bad idea to do in the waning days of a congress, to bring forward a bill which is controversial, over which theres disagreement over the actual language in the provisions of the bill and which my experts, the Pacific Fisheries Management Council, said would be detrimental and would cause those problems. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from washington is recognized. Mr. Hastings mr. Speaker, im very pleased to yield two minutes to the gentleman from california, mr. Nunes, author of the original bill that passed distribute longterm bill that passed in the congress. Two minutes for mr. Nunes. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from california is recognized for two minutes. Mr. Nunnelee thank you, mr. Speaker mr. Nunes thank you, mr. Speaker. Listening to the rhetoric from the other side, im reminded about the old saying from the soviet union. If you tell a lie long enough, eventually people will believe you. Theres hardly anything coming from the other side of the aisle thats even remotely close to the truth. I dont have enough time to go through it all, but let me just hit the high points. Number one, lets start with the facts on the table. Most of the population in california lives in the greater San Francisco bay area or los angeles. Where most of the democrats represent. Which is the home of the 1 in california. The poor people that they continue to make more poor are my constituents because theyve taken their water and dumped our water out into the ocean. Meanwhile, lets take the example of San Francisco in the greater bay area. They get their water not only from the delta but also because the United States Congress Passed legislation in the early part of the last century that allows water to be piped over from Yosemite National park directly over to the bay area. This is our water. This water should be going to the valley. Theyve given up none of that. You have a member whos been here for 40some years who made the claim that some people are reaching in and taking their water. Well, no. Its the opposite. Once again, if you tell a lie long enough, i guess you think eventually people will agree with you or believe you. This is about San Francisco and los angeles getting all of their water, never giving up one drop and theyve taken the water from our communities. As the majority leader said, we have communities that continue to suffer, 20 , 30 , 40 unemployment, while the 1 on the coast say nothing, do nothing, they complain about, they get big subsidies to their salmon fishery buddieses and the Environmental Buddies and the environmental community. We have other people on the side of the aisle who made their whole careers making millions of dollars bringing lawsuits against the farms. That remain disclosed in the dark today. To, mr. Speaker, we need to get the truth out on the table here. Can i have one additional minute . Mr. Hastings i yield the gentleman one additional minute. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized for an additional minute. Mr. Nunes so, what we are here for now is, weve been working diligently with senator feinstein and senator boxer, but you have one of the senators deciding that she didnt want to come up with a solution. We got the bill from being permanent down to just an 18month temporary bill. We have flood waters today that are not being pumped, that historically were pumped. We have communities that are completely out of water. 100 out of water. Yet the 1 , they dont care. Ive heard a lot about the 1 around this place. The rhetoric from the other side, that rhetoric represents the 1 . We represent the people that are unemployed. Because of their 1 policies. So, mr. Speaker, i hope that we can get back to the truth, if we can get this bill passed it gives the senate an opportunity to amend the bill, send it back in the waning days of this congress. If they cannot, then we have to start back in january with new legislation. But in the meantime, people are out of work, cities are out of water, towns are out of water, rural homents homes are out of water, schools are out of water, churches are out of water because the folks on the other side of the aisle spent 40 years taking water away and keeping it for themselves. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentlemans time has expired. The gentlelady from california is recognized. Mrs. Napolitano thank you, mr. Speaker. Ive heard an impassioned speech but its not our water, its californias water. I now yield three minutes to the gentleman from california, the Ranking Member of the agriculture appropriationses subcommittee, mr. Farr. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from california is recognized for three minutes. Mr. Farr thank you very much for yielding. This is always a difficult issue. Its a california issue. I want to point out that the california delegations not evenly split on this. Its unevenly split. And the reason is, the gentleman just talked about what he called facts. His points of what he was making are not true. As the Ranking Member indicated, the chair, she indicated that this is public water. Public water that is transported in the state by publicly financed canals, both by the federal government and by the State Government. This is water that is supposed to balance for all californians. Its all publicly owned and distributed, mostly to the private sectser sector. We have a drought. Everybody knows this. Its a disaster. The president declared it that. And what we ought to be doing in congress is paying for that disaster like we pay for every other disaster thats here. This bill doesnt do it. I was a coauthor of the original bill. But im not cosponsoring this one and im not supporting this one because what this does is not deal with the problem of getting money to california to build the infrastructure that we need for offstream storage and stuff like that. What it does is just corrupt a balanced system. We have been through droughts and there have been flexible releases this year. We solved it. But to put it in law i think is very harmful. Its going to cause more lawsuits, more dissention and were back to, as senator boxer indicated, were back to square one and not being able to find resolution. You argue that were the leading ag state. Im the leading ag county. 4. Billion worth of agriculture. We dont get a drop of this water. We find our own water in our own county. And frankly were reducing the amount of use in agriculture tremendously by drip irrigation and other forms of agricultural use. O i think that the danger here is in the last minute of this congress were taking a bill that is extremely controversial and trying to pass it in the last minute, when we really need to resolve this thing so its a balance for all of california, not just a few. And i think this is very harmful for our state and i hope that those who are not from california will oppose the bill. Thank you very much. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from washington is recognized. Mr. Hastings thank you, mr. Speaker. Im very pleased to yield one minute to the gentleman from illinois, mr. Davis, one minute. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from illinois is recognized for one minute. Mr. Davis thank you, mr. Speaker. Thank you, chairman hastings, and a special thanks to my friend and colleague, mr. Valadao, for introducing this legislation. Why is somebody from illinois standing on the floor of the house to talk about a bill that affects california . This chart says it all. California crops, 99 of the elements, 99 of the figs go down this chart and you can see how it impacts every Single Family that i represent in central illinois. 800,000 people in my Congressional District. Go buy these products in our stores. And the cost of not doing something to affect this historic drought is costing them and their families more to eat these products. Healthy products that come from the Central Valley of california. When you have over 800,000 acre feet of water being released, freshwater being released into the ocean, that is enough water for 800,000 families to use for a year. Were simply asking for flexibility that has a direct impact on every Single Family in this country. It has an impact on my families that i represent and that is why i am so proud to stand here and support this legislation and i yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentlemans time has expired. The gentlelady from california is recognized. Mrs. Napolitano thank you, mr. Speaker. May i inquire the amount of time left on both sides . The speaker pro tempore the gentlelady from california has eight minutes. The gentleman from washington has 13 1 2 minutes. Mrs. Napolitano thank you, mr. Speaker. I would now yield four minutes to the gentleman from california, mr. Huffman. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from california is recognized for four minutes. Mr. Huffman i thank the gentlelady. Mr. Speaker, some of our colleagues from other states may be experiencing a sense of deja vu right now. Yes, this is the second time this year that the house has voted on a California Water bill that would harm Northern California fisheries, tribes and communities, that would undermine state law, that would deprive water managers of the flexibility they need and that would micromanage the complex water system of california. And to make sure were all dealing with the same facts, i want to remind my colleagues that the state and federal water export pumps in the delta right now are operating at more than 5,000 cubic feet per second. The only reason theyre not pumping even faster is not to protect fish and wildlife, not because of the endangered species act, none of the other boogeymen that we hear as a justification for this bill. No, the reason those pumps are not going even faster is because of standards set by the state of california to protect Water Quality from municipal and zrill and agricultural and other uses in the system. So the only way that this bill could deliver more water today, well, there is no way it could deliver more water today. And the only way it could deliver more water in other times of the year is by taking it away from other water users and other beneficial uses in our state. With that inconvenient fact out of the way, lets talk about the process that brought us here today. H. R. 5781 has never been reviewed by the authorizing committee, let alone marked up in open session. Nor have we received the input of state or federal agencies who have the responsibility over clean water and finish riss management. Nor fisheries management. Nor have we received the input of affected local water agencies, of commercial and Recreational Fishing industries, of tribes, including ones that i represent, or other communities that will surely be impacted negatively if this were to become law. The proponents of this bill say that its the result of bipartisan collaboration. Really . Those of us who represent Northern Californias Fishing Industries, tribes, farmers and communities have been systemically kept out of the room and even kept out of the conversation. Last month we learned that members of our states republic delegation refused to even brief senator Barbara Boxer if democrats like me were even in the room. This is no way to negotiate something this important. Its a terrible precedent for other states as well. And thats why im glad that senator boxer has been so clear in stating her opposition to it. That it would ignite water wars in california, not solve problems. And im glad that over the weekend we received a veto recommendation from the obama administration. Now, on saturday the pacific fishery Management Council sent me a letter about the bill. I asked them how they felt it would affect western fisheries in this country and heres what they said. H. R. 5781 would override endangered species act protections for salmon, steelhead and other species in the bay delta. 2008 and 2009, 158 million in congressional aid was provided to deal with the disaster of the closure of ocean salmon fisheries off california and oregon due to a collapse of this very same fishery. These finish riss are an important fisheries are an important sort of source of jobs for coastal communities which cant be replaced through disaster relief. Without adjustments to this bill, we feel another disaster could be repeated in the near future. I ask unanimous consent to include this letter in the record at this time. The speaker pro tempore without objection. Mr. Huffman in addition, californias recreational and commercial Fishing Industries sent a letter on friday. With their concerns that this legislation would, quote, harm potential potentially disastrously jobs in california and oregon that depend on the health of the bay delta and its salmon runs. Mr. Speaker, i ask unanimous consent to include their letter in the record at this time as well. The speaker pro tempore without objection. Mr. Huffman at the rules committee debate, i raised a series of important technical questions about flaws in this bill. Unfortunately the House Majority has decided that it cannot be amended through an open rule. Mrs. Napolitano i yield an additional one minute. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized for an additional minute. Mr. Huffman if we did have the benefit of a hearing or even just an opportunity to amend through an open rule, we may be able to address some of these. But so far nobody has answered some of these key technical questions. First, does the bill allow the state water board basically to do its job if we head into the fourth year of a critical drought . Doing things like issuing curtailment orders, possibly rationing offereds, these are tough call orders, these are tough calls that our states water referee has to make. This bill does not appear to allow them the flexibility to do that. Does the bill, which directs federal government the federal government to provide maximum quantity of Water Supplies possible next year, allow the federal government to do other things necessary to operate the system like filling reservoirs, Holding Water for Public Health purposes, or when it might be needed even for other water contractors . Does the bill put additional pressure on the trinity river, which i represent, and the tribes that have depended for their traditions on healthy salmon populations for millennia . There are many questions that run answered about this bill. It is not ready for primetime. Its not good policy and i urge my colleagues to vote know no. The speaker pro tempore the gentlemans time has expired. The gentleman from washington is recognize. Mr. Hastings mr. Speaker, im very pleased to yield three minutes to the gentleman from california, a member of the Resources Committee, mr. Lamalfa. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from california is recognized for three minutes. Mr. Lamalfa thank you, mr. Speaker, thank you, mr. Chairman for working on this important topic. Im a former farm for the Northern California, and to hear talk of the water wars being reignited, its been a war, but the people in the valley havent had the weapons to be in a water war. Hundreds of thousands of acrefeet of water have been diverted for other uses other than whats going on in the valley. You see these folks here. Powerful, small people, was how legislators looked at us in the valley. These folks standing here in the unemployment line look powerful to you . Do the farmers who have been fighting against this year after year look powerful to you . This measure here today would help everybody in california, the state Water Project or Central Valley project. 20 Million People in california would see additional benefit. And heres the concept here, folks. Excess water during high flows that now would be just flowing out to the pacific. Were not taking water during the middle of the season any more than what would already be established. This is excess water in flood periods or high flows that do happen, when you have rain flow, the san joaquin river, those high flows. Were taking that excess water and reprogramming it to benefit more people. Doesnt take away anything from the fisheries regime or any of that type of concern. So to hear stuff from other side of the aisle that will continue, whether its been for 40 years or recently, to distort what were trying to do here, to make more water for california which is in its third year of a huge drought, as mr. Mccarthy said, looks like a 1200 year record for droughts and to stop this temporary measure that would help to cause a little bit of excess water to be retained, to help the people like this to have jobs. We hear we need jobs in california. We need jobs, we talk about immigration bills. Help people have jobs to live the dream. What about the people already here . What about the people in that line that have conditions that look like this, with the crops in our state being left fallow. These trees and vines willing stumped and completely pushed out because we cant have a vision because we have the typical rhetoric. Ive been listening to as a farmer when i was outside of this place, now today on this floor and probably many more time that says we cant build storage because of this we cant establish, its a new regime with respect to already established protocols this doesnt take away the power from the state water board or other boards in place. This bill if you read the bill, you would see in it, those pr visions to be kept in place. By the governor, the water boards, those who have authority over it can step in and say we think this will affect the fish and water regime or any others. I urge that we support this measure today and i ask that we listen to whats in the bill and not listen to the rhetoric and the lies. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentlemans time has expired. The gentlelady from california is recognized. Thank you, i reserve the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized. Mr. Hastings i have no more requests for time so i am prepared to close if the gentlelady is prepared to close. Mrs. Lowey i am. The speaker pro tempore the gentlelady is recognized. Mrs. Lowey im Ranking Member of the committee on water and power, i read this in the newspaper, nobody contacted me, i had no idea this was going on, the formulation of this particular bill. When we talk about the unemployment, and its nice to trot out pictures and show what the effect is but i see nothing in this bill that will help the farm workers themselves. Nothing that is going to provide more water, create water whether its recycling, desalination, all the things california has been doing. Lest not forget that 80 of the water used in california is for agriculture. 20 is for industrial, commercial, and residential. So there is a little bit of disparity there, my friends. Mrs. Napolitano we dont want to argue, we want to make resolutions by working together. Thats not happening. Maybe its something that ive said. Im not sure, mr. Speaker. But im more than willing to sit down. And certainly between now and next year, when we have this bill come to the light of day, if this is reintroduced, we can have an honest discussion about the effects it has. Also when we talk about californias 35 million residents, only 12 million reside in l. A. County, part of the county i represent. Thats not including san bernardino, riverside or san diego. We talk about the voters being in Southern California who get the shaft for not getting the water and paying more for the water. So when we are looking at water distribution, i suggest that we sit and actually work openly, transparently. We oppose the secretly written, central scral lee focused legislation. We hope that we are going to continue the dialogue because, yes, california is a donor state and we need to be able to continue providing that for the rest of the nation so we can have better economy and the growth in our agricultural area. Mr. Speaker, i ask my colleagues to oppose h. R. 5781, the socalled california emergency drought relief act of 2014, which should be called the c. B. P. California emergency drought relief act of 2014. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentlelady yields back. The gentleman from washington is recognized. Mr. Hastings can i inquire how much time i have remaining . The speaker pro tempore the gentleman has 10 1 2 minutes. Mr. Hastings i yield myself the balance of the time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized. Mr. Hastings let me make a couple of points here before i yield back my time. This has been a very interesting debate. As i mentioned in my opening remarks, i tended attended two hearings in fresno, california, particularly on this issue and saw firsthand the impact of what this drought, the natural drought the manmade drought, has done to the San Joaquin Valley. My friends on the other side of the aisle stated a number of newspapers that editorialized against this mr. Speaker, i ask unanimous consent that a frezz edtorial resno bee of november 6 that says the valadao bill should be passed irk ask that it be made part of the record. The speaker pro tempore without objection. Mr. Hastings and let me address another issue. We heard a number of times from speakers on the other side of the aisle that theres been no hearing on this bill, it came out of the blue, blah, blah, blah. But what all of them failed to mention, and maybe its because when my friends on the other side of the aisle were in majority they didnt follow regular order. So just let me say this, maybe as slowly or as plainly as i can. In the last congress, congressman nunes introduced a longterm bill. We had a number of hearings in the Resource Committee and we marked up the bill in the Resources Committee and we had it on the floor where there were amendments that were offered to that bill, and finally in the last congress, it passed with bipartisan support. That was in the last congress, mr. Nunes bill. In this congress, mr. Valadao took that bill, dusted it off, made two minor changes, and we brought it to the floor and once again, it passed with bipartisan support. So mr. Speaker, that is pretty good example of what regular order is. All we said by the way is, ok, this is our position. This is the houses position. Its if the senate has a different position, pass the bill. Nothing complex about that. And to the credit of senator feinstein primarily, there was a bill that passed with unanimous consent. I might add, however, mr. Speaker, that there were no hearings held on the senate bill in the senate. There were no hearings held on the senate bill. However, because of the drought in california, many western senators, primarily republican western senators, when asked, presumably by senator feinstein, if this bill could go by unanimous consent, they said yes. But there are some conditions that we ought to look at before it finally becomes law. And their principle concern was in the principal concern was in the area of the endangered species act. In the 20 years ive been here, ive been a vocal critic of how the endangered species act has been implemented and i hope that we have made some movement on that with the passage of three bills that we did later on. But my point is this, mr. Speaker. The senate then passed their bill. Now the normal process under regular order is when the house has a position and the senate has a position, then you get together and negotiate the differences. There are a lot of differences between these two bills and they, for the last six months, there has been good faith efforts to try to negotiate the difference. Well, a week ago, senator feinstein said we cant get it done at this point system of at that point, my colleagues here in the house, mr. Valadao, principally, but the other colleagues that spoke said, i think what we ought to do is put into bill form what we had principally agreed to in this conference, although it wasnt a formal conference, it was an informal conference, and put it in bill form. So mr. Speaker, i just want to y, what we have before us is legislation that has been largely agreed to in the informal conference thats been going on for some time with the California Water issue. So this isnt something that came out of the dark. As a matter of fact, in the four years that my colleagues controlled this house, there was no California Water legislation whatsoever. So to come up here and talk that to say that there there are other things and they should be involved. Of course they should be involved. Theyre involved with the Senate Action on the senate bill. Mr. Speaker, i want to say, this is good legislation. It represents a broad consensus that in the informal conference couldnt be done. So i urge my colleagues to pass this legislation, hopefully, hopefully the senate can take it up before we adjourn. The consequences, we dont is we have to start all over again in the next conference. In the next congress. Theres been so much work that has been done in the informal conference, let that go and not have some positive action on it, i think, would be wrong for us to do. With that, i urge my colleagues to vote yes on this legislation. With that, i yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back. All time for debate has expired. Pursuant to House Resolution 770, the previous question is ordered on the bill as amended. The question is on engrossment and third reading of the bill. Those in favor say aye. Those opposed, no. The ayes have it. Third reading. The clerk a bill to provide shortterm Water Supplies to drought stricken california. The speaker pro tempore pursuant to clause 1c of rule 19, further consideration of. R. 5781 is postponed. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule 20, the chair will postpone further proceedings today on motions to suspend the rules on which recorded votes or the yeas and nays are ordered or on which the vote incurs objection under clause 6 of rule 20. Record votes on postponed questions will be taken later. For what purpose does the gentleman from North Carolina seek recognition . Mr. Speaker, i move the house suspend the rules and pass h. R. 5385. The speaker pro tempore the clerk will report the title of the bill. The clerk h. R. 5385, a bill to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service service located at 55 grasso plaza in st. Louis, missouri, as the Sergeant Amanda n. Pinson post office. The speaker pro tempore pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from North Carolina, mr. Meadows, and the gentleman from vermont, mr. Welch, each will control 20 minutes. The chair recognizes the gentleman from North Carolina. Mr. Meadows i yield myself such time as i may consume. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized. Mr. Meadows i ask that all members have five legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the legislation. The speaker pro tempore without objection. Mr. Meadows i rise in support of h. R. 5385, sponsored by representative ann wagner of missouri, to designate the facility of the United States post Office Located at 55 grasso plaza in st. Louis, missouri, as the Sergeant Amanda n. Pinson post office. Sernlt pinson died on march 15, 2006, while serving in operate iraqi freedom. She, along with a fellow soldiering were killed when a mortar round detonated. She was only 21 years old. Sergeant pinson enlisted in the army after graduating from high school and was known as a model soldier, a, quote, breath of fresh air, and wanted to attend college after military to become a c. I. A. Or f. B. I. Agent. Mr. Speaker, this courageous young woman served her country with honor and gave her life in defense of our country. It is my honor and privilege to stand before this body and pay tribute to sernlt pinsons memory and to sergeant pinsons memory and sacrifice. I ask my colleagues to vote in favor of h. R. 5385 and i reserve the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman reserves the balance of his time. The gentleman from vermont is recognized. Mr. Welch thank you, mr. Speaker. We support this. And i cant add to the excellent words of my colleague from North Carolina. You know, its an amazing thing when we are naming post offices, to hear about the brave lives, in this case of a very young woman with a Bright Future who gave her life for her country. So were delighted to join in representative wagners legislation, to make this name permanent, so we can all remember and revere the memory of this brave soldier. I yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. The gentleman from california North Carolina is recognized. Mr. Meadows thank you, mr. Speaker. I thank the gentleman from vermont for his support and i would yield as much time as she may consume to my distinguished colleague from the state of missouri, mrs. Wagner. The speaker pro tempore the gentlelady from missouri is recognized. Mrs. Wagner i appreciate my friend and colleague from North Carolina for yielding me this time. And the gentleman from vermont also for his tremendous support and commitment to honoring our fallen heroes. Mr. Speaker, today i rise in honor of a Great American hero. On march 16, 2006, missouris Second District lost a brave young woman when United States army Sergeant Amanda n. Pinson was killed in a mortar attack while serving during Operation Iraqi freedom. Mr. Speaker, id like to take a to reflect on the life of this young patriot. Army Sergeant Amanda pinson was a signals Intelligence Analyst assigned to the 101st military detachment based in fort campbell, kentucky. On a personal note, i have to say that the screaming eagles are very personal to me, as my oldest son is presently serving as an army officer in the 101st. Amanda is survived by her mother, chris, her father, tony, and her younger brother, ryan. Growing up in missouri, amanda enlisted in the army after graduating from Hancock Place high school where she won several scholarships and was on the basketball and the softball teams. Amanda was always concerned with helping others. High school, she started her own group called help. The hancock environmental leadership program. She enlisted all of her friends to join and amanda and the help group planted trees at local parks and volunteered with local seniors. The group also planted and maintained flowers at the entrance of Jefferson Barracks park. The park where she used to plant flowers is adjoined to Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery where amanda is laid to rest. Amanda also had the respect and admiration of her fellow soldiers. She was described indeed as a model soldier and a breath of fresh air by Lieutenant Colonel lew sinda lane who spoke lucinda lane who spoke at her service. Upon her death, sergeant pinsons was awarded a bronze star, a good conduct medal, a global war on terrorism medal and a purple heart. Her impact on the people privileged to know her during her life is evidenced by the many memorials honoring amanda. In 2006, the u. S. Army honored amanda by dedicating the building where she worked in iraq, naming it pinson hall. A pink willow tree was planted in her honor at her alma mater, hancock high school, in 2006. And now, the amanda n. Pinson post office will join these memorials as a testament to the bravery, valor and the kindness of this American Hero who gave the ultimate sacrifice for her country. It is my honor to sponsor h. R. 385, a bill that names the Grasso Plaza Post Office after such a courageous young woman, immortalizing a hero who gave up her life in service to the nation she loved. May it bring comfort to her family and friends and give witness to sergeant pinsons bravery and her sacrifice. To quote the phrase that adorns so many of the tributes and memorials to amanda, and i quote, if love could have saved you, you would have lived forever. So today, on behalf of a greatful nation, i say thank you, amanda, and you are grateful nation, say thank you, amanda, you are indeed loved. Mr. Speaker, i yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentlelady yields back the balance of her time. The gentleman from North Carolina is recognized. Mr. Meadows thank you, mr. Speaker. I thank the gentlewoman from missouri for her words and i would say that it represents her heart, whether its here in washington, d. C. , or anywhere else. Shes always looking to really recognize those who served their country and certainly in this honor today i would urge all of our must bes members to join me in support of this bill and i yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. The question is, will the house suspend the rules and pass the bill, h. R. 578 5385. Those in favor say aye. Those opposed, no. In the opinion of the chair, 2 3 of those voting having responded in the affirmative, the motion to reconsider is laid on the table. For what purpose does the gentleman from North Carolina seek recognition . Mr. Meadows i move the house suspend the rules and pass h. R. 5794. The speaker pro tempore the clerk will report the title of the bill. The clerk h. R. 5794, a bill to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 16105 Swingley Ridge road in chesterfield, missouri, as the sergeant zachary m. Fisher post office. The speaker pro tempore pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from North Carolina, mr. Meadows, and the gentleman from vermont, mr. Welch, will each control 20 minutes. The chair recognizes the gentleman from North Carolina. Mr. Meadows thank you, mr. Speaker. I yield myself such time as i may consume. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized. Mr. Meadows i ask unanimous consent that all members may have five legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous materials on the bill under consideration. The speaker pro tempore without objection. Mr. Meadows thank you, mr. Speaker. I rise in support of h. R. 5794, introduced by representative wagner of missouri. To designate the post Office Located at 16105 Swingley Ridge road in chesterfield, missouri, as the sergeant zachary m. Fisher post office. Army sergeant Zachary Fisher, a native of baldwin, missouri, as killed on july 14, 2010, at Forward Operating base lagmen in afghanistan. He died of wounds sustained when insurgents attacked his vehicle and detonated an improvised explosive device. Sergeant fisher was only 24 years old. Mr. Speaker, Sergeant Fisher was a brave young man. He decided to join the army reserve and then courageously volunteered to become a member of the active duty military. Sergeant fisher chose to put himself in harms way in order to protect the freedoms that we as americans enjoy every day. We owe him a great debt of gratitude for making the ultimate sacrifice on our behalf. I ask my colleagues to honor and memorialize zachary m. Fishers service by supporting h. R. 5794 and i reserve the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman reserves the balance of his time. The gentleman from vermont is recognized. Mr. Welch thank you, mr. Speaker. Again, its a combination of humility and pride when we hear about the lives of these brave young americans. This is the second wonderful person from missouri. But all of us in our states have people that have served america this way. What strikes me here is mr. Fisher, officer fisher, went from iraq to afghanistan. He didnt have to do that. But he had a need to serve. And the inspiring story about his selfless commitment to serving this country when he had behind a loving family and a wife, and he sacrificed all. If he were here and asked the question, was it worth it, you know he would say it was because he loved his family, he loved his country and he was willing and did give his life for his country. As a person here standing on the floor, as an american hearing about the bravery of this young man, i want to thank representative wagner for bringing this to the collective attention of the house of representatives and we fully support this legislation. Its a small honor for a large sacrifice. And i yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. The gentleman from North Carolina is recognized. Mr. Meadows thank you, mr. Speaker. I yield as much time as she may consume to my distinguished colleague from the state of missouri, mrs. Wagner. The speaker pro tempore the gentlelady from missouri is recognized. Mrs. Wagner thank you, mr. Speaker. I thank the gentleman from North Carolina for yielding the time. And the gentleman from vermont for his always kind and compassionate words about our fallen heroes. And these great opportunities that we have to represent them and give living testament to their bravery and their sacrifice. Mr. Speaker, today i rise to honor a Great American hero, sergeant zachary m. Fisher, of my hometown of baldwin, missouri. On july 14, 2010, missouris Second District lost a brave young man when United States Army Sergeant Zachary Fisher was killed by an i. E. D. While serving during Operation Enduring freedom. Sergeant fisher was assigned to the 27th engineer battalion of the 20th engineer brigade based out of fort bragg, North Carolina. He was indeed 24 years old when he died at Forward Operating base in afghanistan. Zach was again from my hometown and he graduated in 2004 from mar the question high school where Marquette High School where his history teacher remembered him as a patriotic student with an interest in how the United States developed as a country. Zach met his beautiful and loving wife, jessica, just before his earlier deployment in iraq. At the time of his death, they had been married for just two years. Zach is survived by his parents, sue and jim jacobs, and bob and alicia fisher, and three brothers, andrew, clayton and alexander. And two sisters, emily and zoe. Zach initially enlisted in the u. S. Army reserves. When he told his parents that he wanted to report for active duty, they asked him to give two good reasons why he would choose to put himself in harms way for the service of his country. He replied his reply said a lot about the character of the man, zach fisher. First, he wanted to join the army because he wanted the discipline it would provide. And more importantly he wanted to be a part of something bigger than himself. Although the United States of america can never fully repay the priceless debt we owe to Sergeant Fisher, we can do our part to ensure that his memory lives on. Therefore it is my honor to sponsor h. R. 5794, a bill that names the Chesterfield Main Post Office after such a courageous young man, immortalizing a hero who gave up his life in service to the nation that he loved. All of zacharys friends would say that zach was their best friend. He was a dedicated warrior whose commitment to family, friends and to country will be long remembered. I am proud that this legislation will serve as a testament to the dedication and sacrifice of sergeant Zachary Fisher. Standing as a physical reminder of the bravery of one american from missouris second Congressional District who chose to serve a cause greater than ones self. I thank you, mr. Speaker, and i yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentlelady yields back the balance of her time. The gentleman from North Carolina is recognized. Mr. Meadows thank you, mr. Speaker. I urge all members to support the passage of h. R. 5794 and i yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. The question is, will the house suspend the rules and pass the bill, h. R. 5794. Those in favor say aye. Those opposed, no. In the opinion of the chair, 2 3 of those voting having responded in the affirmative, the rules are suspended, the bill is passed and, without objection, the motion to reconsider is laid on the table. For what purpose does the gentleman from North Carolina seek recognition in recognition . Mr. Meadows mr. Speaker, i move that the house suspend the rules and pass h. R. 4030. The speaker pro tempore the clerk will report the title of the bill. The clerk h. R. 4030, a bill to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 18640 northwest Second Avenue in miami, florida, as the father richard marquessbarry post office building. The speaker pro tempore pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from North Carolina, mr. Meadows, and the gentleman from vermont, mr. Welch, will each control 20 minutes. The chair recognizes the gentleman from North Carolina. Mr. Meadows thank you, mr. Speaker. I yield myself such time as i may consume. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized. Mr. Meadows thank you, mr. Speaker. I ask unanimous consent that all members may have five legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous materials on the bill under consideration. The speaker pro tempore without objection. Mr. Meadows thank you, mr. Speaker. I rise today in support of h. R. 4030, introduced by Frederica Wilson of florida, to designate the post Office Located at 18640 northwest 2nd avenue in miami, florida, as the father richard marquessbarry post office building. The reverend cannon Richard Livingston marquessbarry led a remarkable life, one of service and strong faith. Father marquessbarry has been ordained priest for 49 years. He serves as a pastor in miami, florida, and in this capacity father marquessbarry has contributed to bettering the lives of those in his congregation and community. And he has earned a wellrespected reputation for bridging the divide between people of different races and religions and uplifting the down ready toen and underprivileged downtrodden and underprivileged. He spear headed an Affordable Housing project for low and moderate income families. Mr. Speaker, i ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the dedication and selflessness that father marquessbarry has shown throughout his life and i urge the support for this bill and i reserve the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman reserves. The gentleman from vermont is recognized. Mr. Welch thank you, mr. Speaker. We fully support this legislation. At this time, i would like to yield to representative wilson of florida for such time as she may consume and thank her for sponsoring this legislation. The speaker pro tempore the gentlelady is recognized. Mrs. Wilson mr. Speaker, i thank congressman welch for yielding me time as well as chairman issa and Ranking Member cummings for their support in bringing this bill to the floor. I rise today in strong support of h. R. 4030, a bill to designate the post Office Located at 18640 northwest Second Avenue in miami gardens, floe, as the father richard mar kessbarry post office building. The reverend Canon Richard livingsston mar kessbarry barry was born in miami, florida, to bahamian immigrants. He attended the Miamidade County Public School system and worked as a garbage collector before school and dishwasher after school. He earned his bachelor of arts in 1962, that same year he, married his college sweetheart. The couple is married for 52 years and has one daughter and two grandsons. Reverend barrys lifelong devotion to the church began in 1965 when he became the only person of color enrolled at the virginia theological seminary. Three years later, he earned a mast for the beginity and in 1989, he was the youngest person to earn a doctor of divinity degree in the 200 year history of the virginia theological seminary. Hes been a visiting fellow at the university of munich in germany germany as well as oxford university. In 1987 he took a pay cut to lead the largest and oldest episcopal congregation for people of color in south florida. Not only did he transform st. Agnes and leave it with an endowment upon his retirement he, worked tirelessly to improve the community where st. Agnes is located. As a young priest, he served his community religiously and dedicated himself to furthering civil rights, despite numerous assassination attempts. He led the effort to integrate the st. Lucie Public School system and pressured the city of fort pierce in st. Lucie county to adopt fair hiring and promotion practices within the police and Fire Departments and other government agencies. He has also been a champion for improving Housing Options for underprivileged people in our community. Among his many awards, reverend barry is currently the holder of two keys to Miamidade County and one key to the city of miami for his years of devotion and advocacy to the south florida community. Hes been recognized for his work by phi beta cigna fraternity, the Florida State senate and president obama. Mr. Speaker, i would like to thank reverend barry for his decades of service to our community and i ask all of my colleagues to join me in supporting this bill to dez igthate the Miami Post Office the father richard mar kessbarry post office building. I yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentlelady yields back. The gentleman from North Carolina is recognized. I yield back the balance of my im the speaker pro tempore the gentleman from vermont is recognized. Mr. Welch i yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back. The question is on the passage of h. R. 4030. Those in favor say aye. Those opposed, no. 2 3 being in the affirmative, the bill is passed and without objection the motion to reconsider is laid on the table. For what purpose does the gentleman from North Carolina seek recognition . Mr. Me toes i move that the house suspend the rules and pass h. R. 5562. The speaker pro tempore the clerk will report the title of the bill. The clerk h. R. 5562 a bill to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 801 west ocean avenue in lompoc, california, as the federal correctional officer skth j. Williams Memorial Post Office building. The speaker pro tempore pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from North Carolina, mr. Meadows and the gentleman from vermont, mr. Welch, each will control 20 minutes. The gentleman from North Carolina is recognized. Mr. Meadows i ask unanimous consent that all members have five legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the bill under consideration. The speaker pro tempore without objection. Mr. Meadows i rise in support of h. R. 5552, sponsored by representative lois capps, to designate the post Office Located at 801 west ocean avenue in lompoc, california, as the federal corrections officer scott j. Williams Memorial Post Office building. Senior officer specialist scompletjth scott j. Williams was killed in the line of duty on april 3, 1997, while performing routine supervision duties at the u. S. Penitentiary an inmate california, senselessly and brutally attacked officer williams, taking his life. He was a marine veteran a former marine of the year, who served in operation desert storm. He is survived by his wife and two daughters. I ask my colleagues to support h. R. 5562 and ensure that this fallen hero is never forgotten. I yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back. The gentleman from vermont is recognized. Mr. Welch spb thank you, mr. Speaker. At mr. Welch thank you, mr. Speaker. Were in full support of this postal naming, id like to yield such time as she may consume to the representative from california, the sponsor of this legislation, representative capps. The speaker pro tempore the gentlelady from california is recognized. Mrs. Capps i thank my colleague from vermont for yielding time. Mr. Speaker, i rise in strong support of h. R. 5562, which would designate the United States Postal Service facility in lompoc, california, as the federal correctional officer scott j. Williams Memorial Post Office building. This is an important bill, not only for the community of lompoc, which resides in my Congressional District on the Central Coast of california, but for the memory of a Public Servant we lost way too soon. Naming the Lompoc Post Office in honor of scomplet James Williams is a very fitting tribute. He was a veteran, a civil servant, and a beloved family man who dedicated his life to Public Service. As a youth he, attended Lompoc High School and Allen Hancock college both in the 24th Congressional District of california. His tradition of Service Began in the persian gulf war with a distinction and valor, rising to the rank of corporal in the United States marine corps. During his military career, scott was widely respected by his colleagues and creditted with saving many lives during combat. In fact, his outstanding work as a decorated veteran has been recognized through multiple awards, including being honored as marine of the year in 1989. Upon returning home to lompoc, scott continued his services to our nation and began a career in Law Enforcement as a correctional officer. After four years of service at the United States bureau of prison, he was tragically killed in the line of duty in 1997. We are still saddened by the loss of this local hero and this family man. He is sincerely missed by the people of los alamos, california, and the entire lompoc, california, community. After years of Selfless Service to our nation and the local community, the naming of the Lompoc Post Office after officer Scott Williams is a fitting tribute. This recognition would complement the Memorial Park and state highway in his name. And it would continue to honor a man who self whose selfless career was dedicated to keeping our nation as well as his own community safe. Scott is survived by his wife, christy, and their two daughters, caitlin and holly. This bill also honors them because they sacrificed as well and showed great perseverance in the face of terrible tragedy. So i thank you for the privilege of speaking on his behalf. The familys behalf. Mr. Speaker, im honored hoff offered this bill and see it here on the floor today. I urge my colleagues to support this important legislation and i yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentlelady yields back. The gentleman from vermont is recognized. Mr. Welch i yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from vermont yield back. The question is, will the house suspend the rules and pass bill h. R. 5562. Those in favor say aye. Those opposed, no. In the opinion of the chair, 2 3 being in the affirmtive, the rules are suspended, the bill is passed and without objection the motion to reconsider is laid on the table. For what purpose does the gentleman from North Carolina eek recognition . Mr. Meadows i ask that the house suspend the rules and pass h. R. 5687. The speaker pro tempore the clerk will report the title. The clerk a bill to designate the fasthoifl United States Postal Service located at 101 east Market Street in long beach, california, as the juanita millendermcdonald post office. The speaker pro tempore the chair recognizes the gentleman from North Carolina. Mr. Meadows i yield myself such time as i may consume. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized. Many meadows i ask unanimous con mr. Meadows i ask unanimous consent that ail members have five legislate i have days to revise and extend remarks and include extraneous information on the bill under consideration. The speaker pro tempore without objection. Mr. Meadows i rise in support of h. R. 5687 introduced by representative hahn of california. To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 101 east Market Street in long beach, california, as the juanita millendermcdonald post office. Juanita millendermcdonald represented californias 37th district in the house of representatives for over a deck a decade, serving from 1996 until her untimely death. During her time in congress she was known for her commitment to protecting the International Human rights. She worked to aid victims of genocide and Human Trafficking. Representative millendermcdonald was also the first africanamerican woman to chair the house Administrative Administration committee. Sadly, she passed away on april 22, 2007, due to color sanser cancer at age 68. Mr. Speaker, i ask my colleagues to join me in memorializing juanita millendermcdonalds Public Service by supporting this bill and i yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from vermont is recognized. Mr. Welch we support this legislation. At this time id like to yield such time as she may consume to the sponsor of this legislation, representative hahn of alifornia. Ms. Hahn thank you. Mr. Speaker, im proud to speak today about a friend and predecessor who served some of the same communities that i now represent. Today were voting on a piece of legislation that will recognize the life and legacy of the late congresswoman juanita millendermcdonald. By designating the United States Postal Service facility low cat located at 101east 101 east Market Street in long beach, california thearks juanita millendermcdonald post office. Many of my colleagues had the opportunity to serve alongside representative millendermcdonald and remember her forceful personality and her unyielding advocacy on behalf of her constituents. However, juanita, he left us so suddenly and too early, was a remarkable woman who broke barriers and had many impressive achievements even before entering congress. By age 26, she was a mother of five. She was already in her 40s when, after raising her children, valerie, angela, sheryl, michael, and keith she went back to school and earned both her bachelors and masters degrees with the support of her loving husband, james. She became a teacher in Los Angeles Unified School district and later the manuscript editor for images, a textbook aimed at promoting the selfesteem of young women and the director of gender equality programs for the school district. She broke down barriers for women and minorities and made history by becoming the first africanamerican woman elected to the Carson City Council and in 2007, became the first africanamerican woman to chair a congressional committee. The house administrative committee. While serving for more than a decade in the house of representatives, she also served on the transportation and Infrastructure Committee and the Small Business committee. The committees on which i now currently serve. And she was an active member of the congressional black caucus. From her days in the California Assembly to serving here in the house, juanita millendermcdonald dedicated her career to advocating for the los angeles Public School system, job training, womens equality, and Womens Health and combating the drug epidemic that was tearing apart her community. Her advocacy on behalf of the victims of genocide and Human Trafficking served as lasting testament to her dedication to creating a better world. Congresswoman millendermcdonald worked tirelessly for her constituents, taking only a week of leave before she succumbed to cancer. By designating a postal facility in my district as the juanita millendermcdonald post office, we honor an exemplary woman with an incredible Public Service record. It is my hope that honoring her now will allow her life and accomplishments to inspire further residents, not only of long beach but americans across the land. Mr. Speaker, i yield back my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentlelady yields back the balance of her time. The gentleman from vermont. Mr. Welch thank you, mr. Speaker. I yield such time as he may consume to the representative from alabama, my good friend, the Ranking Member of the Homeland Security committee, mr. Thompson. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from mississippi is recognized. Mr. Welch mississippi. Mr. Thompson thats close, mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, i rise in support of legislation him thatting naming this facility after ms. Juanita millendermcdonald. Wonderful lady. She served this institution well. Up until her final moments. Most of us were not aware of the terminal illness she had. So she served with grace, our ty and honor and respect and she will be missed. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. The gentleman from vermont. Mr. Welch i yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. Mr. Meadows we yield back the balance of our time. The speaker pro tempore the question is, will the house suspend the rules and pass the bill, h. R. 5687. Those in favor say aye. Those opposed, no. In the opinion of the chair, 2 3 of those voting having responded in the affirmative, the rules are suspended, the bill is passed and, without objection, the motion to reconsider is laid on the table. For what purpose does the gentleman from wisconsin seek recognition . Mr. Speaker, i move to suspend the rules and pass h. R. 579. The speaker pro tempore the clerk will report the title of the bill. The clerk house calendar number 58. H. R. 579, a bill to designate the United States courthouse located at 051 east court street in jackson, mississippi, as the r. Gentlemens brown United States courthouse. The speaker pro tempore pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from wisconsin, mr. Petri, and the gentleman from minnesota, mr. Nolan, each will control 20 minutes. The chair recognizes the gentleman from wisconsin. Mr. Petri mr. Speaker, i ask unanimous consent all members may have five legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on h. R. 579. The speaker pro tempore without objection. Mr. Petri thank you, mr. Speaker. I yield myself such time as i may consume. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized. Mr. Petri h. R. 579 designates the United States courthouse located at 501 east court street in jackson, mississippi, as the r. Gentlemens brown United States courthouse. Mr. Brown was a civil rights lawyer who worked against Racial Discrimination and was credited in the 1950s with filing the first civil rights suit in the state of mississippi. Native of oklahoma, mr. Brown attended Illinois State university, Indiana University and the Texas Southern University Law school. In the 1960s he was one of only four africanamerican lawyers in the state of mississippi and one of three who took civil rights cases. And in 1962 he worked on behalf of James Meredith whos successful lawsuit allowed him to be the first africanamerican student to enroll at ole miss. Later, mr. Brown worked to fight against discrimination and transportation in transportation and other public accusations. Given his dedication to the law and his work in civil right, its appropriate to name this courthouse after him. Thank you, mr. Speaker, and i reserve the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman reserves the balance of his time. The gentleman from minnesota is recognized. Mr. Nolan mr. Speaker, i yield myself such time as i may consume. And id like to begin by recognizing the distinguished gentleman from mississippi. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from mississippi is recognized. Thank you very much, mr. Speaker. I appreciate the opportunity to speak. Mr. Cleaver this bill, h. R. 579, a bill to designate the United States courthouse in jackson, mississippi, as the r. Jess brown United States courthouse. Mr. Speaker, Richard Jess Brown was born on september 12, 1912, in kansas. Mr. Thompson his parents were jazz musicians and performed in and managed the local theater. R. Jess brown received a bachelors of science and Industrial Arts from the Illinois State normal university and a masters of science in Industrial Education from Indiana University in bloomington, indiana. After teaching, r. Jess brown moved to jackson, mississippi. Where he taught Industrial Arts at linear high school. The only black high school in the city at that time. While teaching at linear, r. Jess brown intervened plaintiff in a lawsuit that sought equal pay for black teachers in jackson. After teaching in jackson, jess attended Texas Southern University Law school. Jess left law school before receiving his jewish docket rate, but was able to docker to alate but was able doctorate but was able to return to mississippi and get that later. R. Jess brown confined his practice to cases involving divorces, deeds, land titles and other practices that did not agitate white members of the bar. However, after the brown vs. Board of education of topeka ruling in 1954, jess felt compelled to defebbed the civil rights defend the civil rights of africanamericans. In the fall of 1955, the conditions and hardships endured by black lawyers in a a court led mr. Brown and seven other black attorneys to establish the magnolia bar association. Mr. Speaker, r. Jess brown is credited with filing the first civil suit on behalf of africanamericans in the state of mississippi. That lawsuit on behalf of the Jefferson County minister challenged laws that prevented blacks from voting. Mr. Speaker, jess brown has an extensive record of civil rights lawyering. His clients include Clyde Kinnard who was charged with and convicted of a fictitious crime while attempting to desegregate the university of southern mississippi. James h. Meredith who litigated whose litigation ultimately led to the integration of the university of mississippi. Dr. Gilbert mayson who led the effort to end racial segregation on the beaches of biloxi, mississippi. Megawiley ights icon evers. Mr. Brown was admitted to practice law before all Mississippi Court systems. The United States District Court of the Northern District of mississippi, the United States District Court for the Southern District of mississippi, the United States court of appeals for the fifth Circuit Court and the United States supreme court. Mr. Brown also served on executive board of the National Bar Association for approximately 15 years. Mr. Speaker, on december 3, 1989, r. Jess brown died of cancer in jackson, mississippi, at the age of 77. Mr. Speaker, r. Jess brown is well deserving of this honor and i urge my colleagues to join me in supporting h. R. 579. I yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. The gentleman from minnesota. Mr. Nolan mr. Speaker, i too rise in support of h. R. 579, to designate the u. S. Courthouse in jackson, mississippi, as the r. Jess brown United States courthouse. R. Jess brown was a towering figure in the history of the civil rights movement. In the south and especially in the state of mississippi. He was a native son of kansas, born in coffeyville, kansas, raised in oklahoma. He attended law school in Texas Southern university and practiced law in mississippi, starting in 1953 and continuing through the latter civil rights era. As associate down sill counsel for the National Association of naacp Legal Defense and education fund, mr. Brown filed the first civil rights suit in mississippi in the 1950s. The suit filed in Jefferson Davis county sought the enforcement of the right of black citizens to become registered voters. In 1961 brown represented James Meredith in his suit to be allowed to be entered to the university of mississippi. His victory in this case opened the doors of that university to all the mississippis citizens. While working with the naacp Legal Defense fund, brown played a major role in fighting discrimination in the areas of transportation and other public accommodations. During his lifetime, he received numerous awards and honors including the naacps lawyer of the year award, the National Bar Association, c. Francis straffered award which is the Bars Association highest award. And the Mississippi Teachers Association award for Extraordinary Service to education in mississippi. R. Jess brown will be remembered as more than a brilliant attorney and civil rights leader. He will also be remembered as a Great American. As such, it is fitting that the United States courthouse in jackson, mississippi, be designated the r. Jess brown United States courthouse. I support this legislation and urge all my colleagues to join me in passing h. R. 579. Thank you, mr. Speaker. I reserve the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman reserves the balance of his time. The gentleman from wisconsin. Mr. Petri no further requests for speakers and reserve the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman reserves the balance of his time. The gentleman from minnesota is recognized. Mr. Nolan mr. Speaker, i relinquish the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back. Mr. Petri i yield back, mr. Speaker. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back. The question is, will the house suspend the rules and pass the bill, h. R. 579. Those in favor say aye. Those opposed, no. In the opinion of the chair, 2 3 of those voting having responded in the affirmative, the rules are suspended, and the bill is passed and without objection the motion to reconsider is laid on the table. For what purpose does the gentleman from wisconsin rise . Mr. Petri mr. Speaker, i move to suspend the rules and pass amended h. R. 5926 as 4926, as amended. The speaker pro tempore the clerk will report the title of the bill. The clerk house calendar number 143, h. R. 4926, a bill to designate the james l. Oberstar memorial highway as the james l. Oberstar National Scenic byway in the state of minnesota. The speaker pro tempore pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from wisconsin, mr. Petri, and the gentleman from minnesota, mr. Nolan, each will control 20 minutes. The chair recognizes the gentleman from wisconsin. Mr. Petri mr. Speaker, i ask unanimous consent that all members may have five legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the bill before us, h. R. 4926. The speaker pro tempore without objection. Mr. Petri mr. Speaker, i yield myself such time as i might consume. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized. Mr. Petri thank you, mr. Speaker. I rise in support of h. R. 4926. This bill designates the segment of interstate route 35 between my outpost mile post 133 at forest lake, minnesota, and mile post 259 at duluth, minnesota, as the james l. Oberstar memorial highway. This is a small but welldeserved and fitting tribute to a former former colleague, leader for many years, first on the staff of the Transportation Committee of the house of representatives where he was an aide to, and then later succeeded, his predsessor in the house of representatives, lotnik, who e john b represented the area for many years and who also, i think, has a bridge and some other important locations named after him. And then, of course, he served on the Transportation Committee as an active member, chairman of many of the subcommittees and ultimately chairman of the committee for many, many years. I got to know jim oberstar personally and we were competitors on a lot of issues but we were also very much friends. He had Strong Family values a great sense of obligation to the working people of the iron range in northern minnesota, his father had worked on the mines, one of many who came over from whats now yugoslavia to work in northern minnesota, creating enormous wealth for our country, helping to build the Steel Industry and arm our nation and also build the railroad, with the materials and all the rest who shared in that but only modestly compared with many others. But he had he was a very interesting man with many, many sterling qualities, natural linguist, ive been at meetings jim oberstar and they would say, where did you learn french . You must have lived in france. It was at the university of minnesota that he learned rench. He had an ample facility for languages. Jim also had a great interest in transportation policy and in history and i think as someone said at his memorial service, he tells everyone that he talked with, shared the great love he had for all the details in history and facts of different situations but he was wrong. And but if you were interested, it was fascinating to spend time with jim oberstar. He loved the outdoors. He fought to make sure that the lakes and rivers of northern minnesota and the Boundary Waters and so on were, to the extent possible, properly managed for the environment but also available for the working people of that area for their recreation and all the rest, rather than just a few. He was an example of for many of us who served in this house of dedication and putting country and citizens before self and he liked to have fun. I had many opportunities to share his love for the outdoors on bicycle trips and other occasions. He was kind enough to come to my district on a number of occasions to help encourage support for different facilities in our area and he was always a real gentleman so far as i was concerned in dealing with him and an example of people who served in this house from varying backgrounds who have definite and strong feeling but also who try to make sure that at the end of the day, they work with people with whom they disagree in order to accomplish something good for our country. And so jim is sorely missed. This is a small but fitting memorial for him. And im sure that he and his wife, jean, approach aappreciate the fact that the congress is taking this action today and i reserve the plans of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from minnesota. Mr. Nolan i yield myself such time as i may consume. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized. Mr. Nolan i thank the gentleman from wisconsin for his kind words not just on behalf of the oberstar family but all the citizens of minnesota. Very kindly, very appropriate and greatly appreciated. Mr. Speaker, i would like to yield to begin with, with the Senior Member of the minnesota congressional delegation, our distinguished colleague, representative collin peterson. Mr. Peterson mr. Speaker, i rise in strong support of this legislation and also want to thank the gentleman from wisconsin for his kind words on behalf of the family and the people of the state. Jim oberstar passed away this year, as we all know. We lost a great advocate for transportation and infrastructure. He and i served together for many years in this congress and we worked closely together as representatives of rural districts in minnesota. One thing that i really admired about congressman oberstar, he wasnt afraid to take tough positions and do what he thought was right. As chairman of the transportation and Infrastructure Committee, he supported an increase in the gas tax so we could ensure longterm, sustainable funding for our nations transportation needs. Thats one thing that he and i both agreed on and i know he met strong resistance for expressing these views. Beyond his work on the committee, congressman oberstar was passionate about his district and the people he represented. He was a tireless advocate and he made sure that the eighth district had a voice, through his leadership and in the caucus. The legacy of jim oberstar will live on in minnesota and across the country for decades to come. I know he would be proud to have this highway and National Scenic boyway named in his honor and has been indicated, we will all miss his tremendous expertise and advocacy for transportation in this country. Mr. Speaker, i urbling my colleagues to join me in supporting this legislation and yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back. The gentleman from minnesota. Reserve. I mr. Know lan i reserve mr. Nolan i reserve my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from wisconsin. Mr. Petri i think its probably not fully appropriate to tell all the stories we could about jim oberstar but just to say that he was a self made person, had great intellectual abilities, he used them well on behalf of his constituents, his state, and our country. Had the act to work very well with people with whom he would sagree on some issues but he he was a man of faith and believed that at the end of the day we were all sippers and we shouldnt expect perfection and theres going to be a certain disagreement there but at the other hand theres some redeeming qualities in us human beings too. And lets look for those and work with others. So i again thank my colleagues for bringing this legislation forward. I have no further requests for time and i reserve the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman reserves. The gentleman from mp. Mr. Nolan at this time i would like to recognize representative Eleanor Holmes norton. The speaker pro tempore the gentlelady is recognized. Ms. Norton thank you, mr. Speaker. I thank my good friend for yielding and i thank my good friend, mr. Petri, whom i deeply regret seeing leave the congress as well because he has contribute sod very much to this congress, particularly in the field of which we speak today. Few members of few members can it be said that they grew up in the congress. One could almost say that about as berstar, who came here an aide to the public works committee, then became chief of staff and then decided he could do the whole thing and become a member of congress from the eighth district of minnesota system of by the time jim came to the congress, he had such an early start that he already knew probably all anyone would expect a member to know. But this early start led to what an only be called breathtaking knowledge and ultimately achievements in the transportation and infrastructure field. He became not only my mentor but literally the personal mentor of every member on each side of the aisle. And of ultimately a member of any member of congress who wanted to know anything about the nations transportation and infrastructure. At bottom, mr. Speaker, transportation and infrastructure is a very technical and specialized field. It takes hard work and brilliance to become a master of the roads and bridges and infrastructure and bike and running trails of this country, et alone the complexities of intermodalism. It was a marvel to see jim go at intermodalism. I had the opportunity to see him do it here with Union Station in washington, d. C. And around the country. Offered Visionary Leadership on intermodalism. He came to subcommittee hearings almost all the time. And participated in these hearings with the same depth as the chair of the subcommittee. He never let his knowledge, his enpsych lo peedic knowledge encycolpedi knowledge wither. Ive been in the Congress Since 1991 and i think i can say without any compunction that if you were around jim, no matter where you sit or sat in the committee room, you could not avoid his kindness and his warmth and his depth. Sometimes jim may told you more than you wanted to know about transportation and infrastructure, but at the end of the day, you were glad that you listened because you heard him speak sometimes playfully in french, he always understood you had to keep using what you once had, but also offering the benefits of his knowledge, using his great intellectual and personal gifts to bring us all into the field where he was. He served, no wonder minnesota had him serve so long that he became the longest serving member from the state. As we struggle yet for highway bill, i hope we will not forget this man who began as an iron worker, worked himself through congress as an iron worker organized unions. Understood always the roots from which he came. Yet came to this congress and made himself a friend of anyone who would listen. Im pleased to be associated with this bill. Thank you very much. The speaker pro tempore the gentlelady yields back. The gentleman from minnesota. Mr. Petri mr. Speaker, its nolan its truly an honor to mr. Nolan its truely an honor to submit this bill. I do this in the spirit of the bipartisanship jim ebit miesed, on behalf of the entire minnesota delegation, all of whom have sponsored this legislation. Ill never forget the moment in january, 2013, when jim entered this chamber for the first time as a former member of the congress. He walked quietly through the side door here and one by one, his colleagues here in this chamber, democrats and republicans alike, noticed him and began to spontaneously applaud jim oberstar in welcoming him back to the congress. Quite frankly i had never seen anything quite like it. And this gesture of appreciation for the way jim oberstar brought us together through his bipartisan leadership and example was one of the more heartwarming and important experiences that i had seen take place here in this chamber. Jim was an idea guy and as tom mentioned, it didnt matter to him if an idea came from a republican or a democrat. The only thing that mattered to him was whether or not it was a good idea. And if you had a good idea, if you had an idea, jim wanted to hear it. And he was ready to work with you to make it happen. If he thought it was a good idea. So but that was particularly true with respect to building and rebuilding and expanding our interstate highway system that he had worked on, as was pointed out, as a staff member to that Committee Earlier in his life. For the sole purpose of connecting every corner of this great nation together, from border to border and from sea to sea. Through recessions, through budget deficits, through gas shortages and challenges of every kind, jim oberstar never wavered in his support for the interstate highway system, because he understood how vital it is to our ability to create good jobs, literally drive our economy forward and create the atmosphere for successful business and job creation. With that in mind, mr. Speaker, i ask my colleagues to honor jim oberstar by naming the stretch of i35 that serves as the gateway to the district he so ably represented for 36 years, designate it as the james l. Oberstar memorial highway. Thank you, mr. Speaker. I reserve the balance of my time and unless the gentleman has any speakers, im prepared to close. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from wisconsin. Does the gentleman yield back . Mr. Nolan i yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back. Mr. Petri i encourage all members to support this bill and yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. The question is, will the house suspend the rules and pass the bill h. R. 4926. Those as amended. Those in favor say aye. Those opposed, no. In the opinion of the chair, 2 3 being in the affirmative, the rules are suspended, the bill is passed and without objection, the motion to reconsider is laid on the table. Without objection, the title is amended. For what purpose does the gentleman from wisconsin wish to be recognized. Mr. Petri i move to suspend the rules and pass 4r5146. The clerk h. R. 5146, a bill to designate the United States courthouse located at 700 grant street in pittsburgh, pennsylvania as the joseph weis junior United States courthouse. The speaker pro tempore pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from wisconsin, mr. Petri and the gentleman from minnesota each will control 20 minutes. Yield myself such time as i may consume. H. R. 5146 designates the United States courthouse loathed at 700 grant street in pittsburgh, pennsylvania, the joseph weis junior United States courthouse. He served as a federal judge on the United States court of appeals for the Third Circuit from 1973 until assuming senior status in 1998 and served in that capacity until his death earlier this year in 2014. Prior to his appointment to the u. S. Court of appeals he was appointed to the United States District Court for the Western District of pennsylvania. Prior to his apointment to the federal bench he served on the court of common please of algainy county and was in the private practice of law. He served as a captain in the rld war i and is interned at arlington. Fitting to name this courthouse after him. And i reserve the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman reserves the balance of his time. The gentleman from minnesota. Mr. Nolan mr. Speaker, at this time i wish to recognize the gentleman from pennsylvania, mr. Doyle. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized. Mr. Doyle thank you, mr. Speaker, and i thank the gentleman for yielding me time and support of his legislation. I want to thank every member of the pennsylvania delegation who cosponsored this bill along with me. Mr. Speaker, i rise today in support of h. R. 5146, legislation which would officially designate the Federal Court House in pittsburgh, pennsylvania, my home district, as the joseph weis junior United States courthouse. This would be a fitting recognition for an individual who served his country so well first as a soldier and then as an outstanding injuryist. Throughout his 91 years of life, he served our country with humility, integrity and unfailing sense of duty. As a young man, he enlisted in the army shortly after pearl harbor. Reflecting on that decision later in life, he said it was the thing to do, the country was at war and i felt i should be out there. He was awarded the bronze star d purple heart with oak leaf cluster. Upon returning back home. He pursued a legal career, joining his fathers practice after graduating from the university of Pittsburgh Law School in 1950. After becoming a respected trial lawyer, he was legitimated to the court of common pleas in 1968 as the first choice on both the democratic and republican ballots. As a judge, he quickly developed a reputation for patience and hard work. He always strove to improve our judicial system, advocating for innovative courtroom technologies and enforcement of judicial ethic. He was appointed to the federal bench and in 1973, he was appointed to the u. S. Circuit court of appeals Third Circuit. He served on that court for 40 years, retiring just last year when he was 90 years old. He was recognized for his Outstanding Service on the bench, the highest honor given to federal judges. Amidst this remarkable list of accomplishments, he was known for the strength of his character. He is an unassuming individual said the university of pittsburgh chancellor at his awards ceremony. He was beloved by his colleagues and his law clerks who still eis themselves the w ep guys. And naming this Federal Court House in his honor is a fitting way to recognize his long, faithful and extremely capable service to our country, to inspire trust in the federal Justice System which he served for so long and with great integrity and provide future generations with an outstanding example of a great Public Servant. I urge my colleagues to join me to name the Federal Court House in pittsburgh in his honor. With that, i yield become. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. The gentleman from minnesota is recognized. Mr. Nolan i yield to the gentleman from wisconsin if not, mr. Speaker thank you, mr. Doyle for that fitting tribute to judge weis. Because of his dedicated service to the legal community, it is fitting to name the courthouse in his honor. Mr. Speaker, i support this legislation and urge my colleagues to join me in passing h. R. 5146. I have no further speakers and im ready to close. I yield back my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from wisconsin. Mr. Petri i urge all my colleagues to support the legislation before us and yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. The question is, will the house suspend the rules and pass the bill h. R. 5146. Hose in favor say aye. Until the opinion of the chair, 2 3 being in the affirmative, the rules are suspended, the bill is passed and without objection, the motion to reconsider is laid on the table. For what purpose does the gentleman from texas rise . I ask unanimous consent that the committee on Foreign Affairs be discharged from further nsideration of h. R. 2901 and ask for its immediate consideration in the house. The speaker pro tempore the clerk will report the title of the bill. The clerk h. R. 2901 a bill to strengthen the poor act of 2005 by improving the capacity of United States government to implement leverage and monitor and evaluate programs to provide first time or improved access to safe drinking water, sanitation and hygiene to the worlds poorest on an equitable and sustainable basis and for other purposes. The speaker pro tempore is there objection to consideration of the bill . The clerk will report the committee amendment. The gentleman from texas seek recognition . Mr. Poe i have an amendment at the desk. The speaker pro tempore the clerk will report. The clerk amendment in the nature of a substitute strike after the enacting clause and insert the following, section 1, short title the speaker pro tempore for what purpose does the gentleman from texas seek recognition . Mr. Poe i ask unanimous consent to dispense with the reading the speaker pro tempore the amendment is agreed to and engrossed, passed and the motion to reconsider is laid on the table. Without objection, the title is amended. For what purpose does the gentleman from tennessee seek recognition . I move to suspend the rules and pass s. 1434. The clerk senate 1434 to designate the junchings city communitybased Outpatient Clinic located at 715 southwind drive, Junction City kansas as the Lieutenant General rich ard seitz communitybased Outpatient Clinic. The chair recognizes the gentleman from tennessee. Mr. Roe i ask unanimous consent that all members have five legislative days to revise and extend their remarks on senate bill 1434 the speaker pro tempore without objection. Mr. Roe i yield myself such time as i may consume. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized. Mr. Roe i rise in support of s. 1434 which would name the Junction City communitybased Outpatient Clinic inJunction City, kansas as Lieutenant General richard j. Seitz communitybased Outpatient Clinic. After completion of ro tmp c program, he served with distinction until world war ii. He participated in the invasion of italy and the battle of the bulge as one of the youngest italian commanders of the war at the age of 25. After the victory in europe, Lieutenant General seitz remaped in the Army Commanding at many levels. During his service, he earned the silver star, two bronze stars, the purple heart, the distinguished service medal, legion of merit and the legion of honor. After lieutenant germ seitz retired, he settled inJunction City. He would great deploying units from iraq and afghanistan at all times of the day and mentoring. Beyond his service, he volunteered his time with the boy scouts of america, rotary international and association of the United States army. In recognition of Lieutenant General seitz service, naming center is an ty appropriate honor. Im grateful for the leadership and support of chairman miller, Ranking Member michaud, senator moran and the entire kansas delegation. Join me in supporting senate bill 1434. Thank you, mr. Speaker, and i resevere. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman reserves the balance of his time. The chair recognizes the gentlewoman from illinois. Mrs. Bustos i rise today in support of s. 1434 which designates the communebased Outpatient Clinic as Lieutenant General richard j. Sites communitybased Outpatient Clinic. He served in the army for 37 years. Among the medals, silver star, two bronze stars and the purple heart. Was awarded and given frances highest distinction, legion of honor. In world war ii, general seitz was in command of a batallion of paratroopers who won two attacks during the battle of the bulge. He was only 28 years old at the time. He served after world war ii, earning his first general star in 1963. Second star in 1967 and finished his career in 1978 as a threestar general. Following his retirement, general seitz stayed dedicated to those who served. And frequently visited fort riley to greet returning and deploying units. As a native of kansas, general seitz returned to kansas in 1978 nd settled in junchings Junction City, this would be a fitting way to honor general seitz and his duty to commitment and valor. I reserve. I have no further speakers. I yield back my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman is recognized. I urge urge my colleagues to support this bill and yield back my time. The speaker pro tempore the question is will the house suspend the rules and pass s. 1434. Those in favor say aye. Those opposed, no. In the opinion of the chair, 2 3 being in the affirmative, the rules are suspended, the bill is passed and without objection the motion to reconsider is laid on the table. For what purpose does the gentleman from tennessee seek recognition . Mr. Cohen i move to suspend the rules and pass senate bill 229. The speaker pro tempore the clerk will report the title of the bill. The clerk senate 229, an act to designate the Medical Center of the department of Veterans Affairs located at 3900 woodland avenue in philadelphia, pennsylvania, as the Corporal Crescenz department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center. The speaker pro tempore pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from tennessee, mr. Roe and the gentlewoman, ms. Bustos, each will control 20 minutes. Mr. Roe i ask that all members have five legislative days to revise and extend on s. 229. The speaker pro tempore without objection. Mr. Roe i yield myself such time as i may consume. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized. Mr. Roe i rise in support of senate bill 229 which would name the v. A. Medical Center Located at 3900 woodland avenue in philadelphia, pennsylvania, as crescenzral michael j. Department of veteran affairs Medical Center. Corporal crescenz was the only philadelphia native to earn the medal of honor in the vietnam war. Reading from Corporal Crescenz medal of honor citation, quotes, in the morning his unit engaged in large, wellentrenched force of the north Vietnamese Army whose initial burst of fire pinned down the lead squad and killed two point men halting the advance of company a. Immediately corporate crescenz left the relative safety of his own position, seized a nearby machine gun, and with complete disregard for his own safety charged 100 meters up a slope toward the enemys bunkers which he effectively slinalsed, killing two occupants in each. Undaunted by the withering machine gunfire around him, rporal crescenz courageously moved forward to a third bunker, killing two more enemy and momentarily clearing the route of advance for his comrades. As a direct result of his actions, his company was able to move freely and complete its mission, defeating the enemy. Corporal crescenz bravely bravery and extraordinary heroism at the cost of his life reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States army. Naming the philadelphia v. A. Medical center after this American Hero is a tribute to his legacy and to all residents who served with our nation during the vietnam war. It is my pleasure to support senate bill 219 and im greatful for the leadership and support of chairman miller, Ranking Member michaud, senator too many mi and the entire pennsylvania senator toomey and the entire pennsylvania delegation. I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring this hero by supporting this bill. Thank you and i reserve the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman reserves. The gentlelady from illinois is recognized. Ms. Bustos i yield myself such time as i may consume. The speaker pro tempore the gentlelady is recognized. Ms. Bustos i would like to yield five minutes to the gentleman, mr. Fattah. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized. Mr. Fattah i thank the gentlelady and thank the house. We have come to the floor any number of occasions honoring people, but i think this may be the noblest moment i have rizz on this floor. Its not a name a stamp after wilt chamberlain, or the train station after kangman congressman gray but this is to acknowledge a young man who graduated from high school in 1966 and within a year or so joined, enlisted, and went off to war on behalf of his country in a faraway place. He finished at cardinal dockery, he played baseball there played basketball in a Summer League at simons recreation, grew up in West Oak Lane in my district, but the corporal who we honor today is someone who, even though he was only in country for just a mere few months, when this attack took place, he grabbed a machine gun and he went toward the fire. It has been recounted when president nixon awarded him the medal of honor he, took out one machine gun nest he, took out another he, then took out a third. When an a cam artillery post opened up, he charged at it and thats where he took this mortal round. But this is a young man who, i think, represents everything that is important about american ideals. Because he lived a life of service on behalf of his country. A took it on himself to face challenge in a faraway place. He nonhor honored honors us even in his death, which is a long, long time ago, by giving us the honor to be able to rise and to acknowledge his courage. Now our city lost a lot of people in the vietnam war. This is the only soldier to earn the medal of honor. And i want to thank councilman david oh, a member of the Republican Party on our city council, and its hard to be a republican and get elected in philadelphia, but who helped to raise this issue locally and i want to thank all the pennsylvania members. We introduced a bill, h. R. 454, every Single Member of the pennsylvania delegation supported this. I have visited the philadelphia v. A. Ive talked to veterans there who are getting care. All of whom are proud to have served our country. And i think that they will be proud that the name of the Medical Center will be named after this young corporal who didnt make it in the headlines, but today, he is at the very forefront of the work of the United States congress as we honor his service and we honor his family by this naming bill. I yield back the remainder of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back. The gentlelady from illinois is recognized. Ms. Bustos i have no further speakers at this time. The veterans of philadelphia have for some time been trying to gain recognition for their brother in arms and i thank the pennsylvania delegation for their work in bringing this bill to the floor. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting s. 229 and i yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentlelady yields back. The gentleman is recognized. Mr. Roe id like to yield three minutes to representative meehan of pennsylvania. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized. Mr. Meehan i thank the speaker and i thank my fellow representative from philadelphia and i rise in support of s. 229, the Corporal Michael j. Crescenz act of 2013. It would rename the woodland after Veterans Affairs Medical Center after Corporal Crescenz. As has been ident fid, hes philadelphias only medal of honor recipient from the vietnam dockery high inal school, which gave a lot of young men. I have visited, as have my colleagues numerous times, the veterans medal center, making sure that it gives the veterans the care they deserve but i think one of the things thats important about this kind of recognition is not only that its been earned with valor but the veterans who walk in and out of there each day, many of them vote yam Vietnam Veterans thems, will want to hear the story of Corporal Crescenz. His name will be enshrined, people will know about it and his heroism will live, continue to live, in infa my. Im happy to yield. I missed the opportunity and should acknowledge the strong contribution of congressman grady in this effort along with yourself and congressman fitzpatrick and i neglected in my earlier remarks to do so. Mr. Fattah this would not have happened without congressman bradys support. I thank the gentleman. Mr. Meehan i thank the gentleman. While we from time to time have strong disagreements we have many more we are able to Work Together on. This is one im proud to support. So i will conclude by saying that this was undoubtedly an act in which he not only acted selflessly, but saved his fellow war fighters from harm. Id like to commend those who have worked tirelessly on renaming this facility and i hope my colleagues will support this measure. Mr. Speaker, i yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back. The gentleman from tennessee is recognized. Mr. Roe i would like to yield two minutes to my friend, michael fitzpatrick, also to speak on this issue. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from pennsylvania is recognized for two minutes. Mr. Fitzpatrick i thank the gentleman. I also am pleased to join with my colleagues in both oh the house and senate in advancing legislation this will which will, we hope, appear on the president s desk to honor the service and sacrifice, the very significant sacrifice, of Corporal Michael crescenz, who we have heard many times was philadelphias sole medal of honor winner in the vietnam war. I would to also thank my friend mr. Fattah for his work if getting the bill to the floor here today. Corporal crescenz received the medal of honors for his actions on november 20, 1968, in vietnam he citation states, i know it was quoted here today but i think it bears repeting, at least in part, that Corporal Crescenz gave his life, and this is a quote from the citation, left the relative safety of his own position, seized a nearby machine gun and with complete disregard for his safety, charged 100 meters up a slope toward the enemy bunkers, which he effectively silenced. As a direct result of his heroic action, his company was able to maneuver freely with minimal danger and complete its mission, defeating the enemy. By moving to rename the philadelphia Veterans Affairs Medical Center the Corporal Michael j. Crescenz department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, we immortalize his legacy and remember his sacrifice in defense of our freedom. Mr. Speaker, the philadelphia region has a long and proud tradition of selfless sacrifice to our nation dating back to the revolution. Generations of military members have called our area home and continue to serve today. We must continue to recognize those who sacrifice and those who gave their life at the altar of freedom. Corporal crescenz continues to have many friends, led by those at the welcome home veterans Radio Program who have never forkten him and fought tirelessly for this legislation. Mr. Fattahs Corporal Michael j. Crescenz department of Veterans Affairs legislation reminds us all the contributions of our nations veterans should never be forgotten. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back. The gentleman from tennessee is recognized. Mr. Roe i thank the gentleman for yielding back. I will close, having no further speakers, by saying i cant think of anything more appropriate than naming this v. A. Medical center after this medal of honor winner. Im a vietnam era veteran, lost a lot of friends in the war in vietnam. Its difficult for me to even talk about it. I cant think of anything more appropriate than naming this great Medical Center after this hero from philadelphia, pennsylvania. Once again, mr. Speaker, i encourage all members to support s. 229 and with that, i yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back. The question is, will the house suspend the rules and pass senate bill 229. Those in favor say aye. Those opposed, no. In the opinion of the chair, 2 3 being in the affirmative, the rules are suspended, the bill is passed and without objection, the motion to reconsider is laid n the table. The speaker pro tempore for what purpose does the gentleman from tennessee seek recognition . Mr. Roe i move to suspend the rules and pass senate bill 2921. The clerk senate 2921, an act to designate the communitybased Outpatient Clinic of the department of Veterans Affairs loathed at 310 home boulevard in galesburg, illinois as the lane a. Evans v. A. Communitybased Outpatient Clinic. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from tennessee and the gentlewoman from illinois each will control 20 minutes. Mr. Roe i ask unanimous consent that members have five legislative days to revise a extend their remarks. The speaker pro tempore without objection. Mr. Roe i yield myself such time as i may consume. I rise in support of s. 2921, which would name the department of Veterans Affairs communitybased Outpatient Clinic in galesburg, illinois as the lane a. Evans v. A. Communitybased Outpatient Clinic. We honor the life and service of the late congressman evans by naming the clinic in illinois after him. He represented illinois 17th Congressional District for more than 20 years. Champion of Veterans Issues and served as a Ranking Member of the Veterans Affairs committee for a decade. Congressman evans passed away this year at the age of 63 following a long battle with parkinsons disease. This is to recognize his legacy of service to veterans and the community. It is in that thought that we believe naming this facility after him is a fitting tribute. It is my pleasure to support senate bill 2921 and grateful to the support of chairman miller, Ranking Member michaud and the entire illinois delegation. I ask my colleagues to honor this Public Servant by supporting this bill. I reserve the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman reserves the balance of his time. For what purpose does the gentlelady from illinois seek recognition . Mrs. Bustos i yield myself such time as i may consume. This is to name the galesburg communitybased Outpatient Clinic in favor pf lane evans. He served the 17th Congressional District. He served it with honor, humility and hard work. He was a steadfast champion for our men and women in uniform. A veteran of the vietnam war, he served on the Veterans Affairs committee to the committees Ranking Member for 10 years. His record on behalf of veterans earned him the prays and respect from his colleagues on both sides of the aisle. I urge my colleagues to honor naminge of lane evans by this clinic as the lane a. Evans communitybased Outpatient Clinic. I knew him when i was a newspaper reporter. He was always warm, accessible and friendly. I interviewed him many times about a number of different topic. While he was young with his trademark boyish hair cut, his courage and drive seemed much older. And with those who worked with him and those who he touched through his service, i learned a lot about the man and what he stood for. A proud native of rock island d he truly represented everything that is right about Public Service. He will be missed by all those he touched and the legacy of service that he provided will never be forgotten. The dedication of a veterans facility is a fitting tribute and acknowledgement of his careerlong fight to ensure that veterans get the care and benefits. I would like to thank the illinois delegation and many members who served with lane for supporting this effort. In particularly, i would like to thank chairman miller and Ranking Member michaud and their counterparts in the senate, chairman sanders and Ranking Member burr for bringing this forward. I would like to thank senators kirk and durbin for getting this bill through the senate. By renaming the v. A. Clinic we can make sure his strong legacy of service lives on in the facility that severs them today. Thank you. And i urge my colleagues to join with me in supporting this Bipartisan Legislation in honor of the memory of lane evans. I reserve the remapeder of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from tennessee is recognized. Mr. Roe i would like to recognize chris smith from new jersey for as much time as he may consume. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized. Mr. Smith thank you for yielding and thank you for helping to bring this legislation to the floor. I rise today in strong support of s. 2921 which would designate the clinic in galesburg, illinois as the lane a. Evans communitybased Outpatient Clinic. I appreciate the work that both the house and senate v. A. Committees have done and the leadership of both chambers to bring this bill to the floor and i would like to thank senator durbin for offering this important legislation. For 24 years, lane evans served as distinction as the representative from 17th Congressional District. We mourn his tragic passing last month at the age of 63. Even as he suffered from parkinsons disease, lane evans r hoicically fought for veterans. When congressman evans retired, the Vietnam Veterans of america said and i quote, his compassion for his fellow veterans and commitment to do right by them has come right from the heart. As Ranking Member of the house Veterans Affairs during my tenure as chairman of the committee, i saw firsthand how he turned his knowledge, his compassion, his expertise, his heart into effective advocacy and how he worked to make a difference in the lives of veterans and their families around the country. Mr. Speaker, during our tenure as chair and Ranking Member, we were able to craft into law numerous laws that expanded care and service for our nations veterans and expansion of the g. I. Bill and assistance to homeless veterans. Lanes commitment to ensuring that men and women who wore the uniform had timely access to worldclass medical treatment that they earned, which was in a word extraordinary. Of particular interest to lane, a vietnam veteran was health care for veterans exposed to agent orange. There was an honor to work with him and others like tom dash ell in an effort to convince a Veterans Administration and pentagon that agent orange injured many who served in vietnam. He introduced the veterans compensation amendments of 1991, which became part of the agent orange act to provide serviceconnected disability assistance to veterans with diseases linked to agent orange. He helped ensure that veterans receive the care and the compensation they deserved while not being saddled with the burden of proof with injuries. It is highly fitting to name a communitybased Outpatient Clinic after a lawmaker who fought for veterans, health care and compensation during his time in congress. I urge my colleagues to join me and all the leadership thats here on the floor in supporting s. 2921 to honor the legacy of congressman evans as a remarkable veterans advocate. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from tennessee. Mr. Roe i reserve. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman reserves the balance of his time. The gentlelady from illinois. Mrs. Bustos i urge my colleagues to join me in supporting s. 2921 . Honoring the life and legacy of lane evans. And i yield back. Mr. Roe i encourage all members to support senate bill 2921 and with that, i yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. The question is will the house suspend the rules and pass senate bill 2921. Those in favor say aye. Those opposed, no. In the opinion of the chair, 2 3 for the affirmative what purpose does the gentleman from tennessee seek recognition . Does the gentleman from tennessee demand the yeas and nays . Mr. Roe no, mr. Speaker, i do not. Mr. Roe yeas and nays are not requested. The speaker pro tempore the rules are then suspended, the bill is passed and without objection, the motion to reconsider is laid on the table. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from idaho, mr. Simpson is recognized for 60 minutes as the designee of the majority leader. Mr. Simpson i appreciate the opportunity to present this special order. I ask unanimous consent that all members may have five legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the subject of my special order. The speaker pro tempore without objection. Mr. Simpson we are here today under a special order because this time of year at the end of a session, we have members that are retiring, members that deserve recognition and members that other members of the house would like to talk about for a few minutes and today we have one of the best that unfortunately is retiring at the end of this year. A gentleman i have known since i came to congress and become good friends with and have had many entertaining times. Im sorry to say that the people in washington are going to miss the most is mr. Latham and is orbison duets. We had fun with those at various events. Before i say anything, i would like to recognize the gentleman om iowa, for his recognition of mr. Latham. Its an honor to speak about tom latham. When i got legitimated in 2006, tom had been here for some time. And i knew about tom. Mr. Lobiondo i was one of those folks mr. Loebsack i came to congress and i didnt know that many folks in this body before i got elected. And when i got elected, one of the things i did was try to find out what i could and work with him on a number of issues because i knew he had a reputation for working across the aisle. I knew he was very good friends with mr. Boehner who subsequently became speaker of the house. It was in my interest to get to know him if i wanted to get things done for iowa even though Speaker Pelosi took over when i came. My job has been to work with both sides of the aisle and tom latham is a model for doing exactly that. When i first came, we had a lot of tough issues to deal with here in the u. S. Congress. And one of the things that happened very early on