March 14, 2000 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS 2791 Beginning in the Eightieth Congress, Speak- adequate financial means but also many that the tenth busiest airport in the nation with er Albert spent the next thirty years rep- do not need financial help. This lack of tar- connections to over 50 other cities. Delays in resenting the citizens of the Third Congres- geting federal dollars is often a waste of Las Vegas will mean delays in other cities as well. sional District of Oklahoma in the U.S. Con- scarce resources. This legislation creates a fi- The FAA Reauthorization package agreed gress and helped create a new era of Amer- nancing option to install individual wells where to by the conferees this week provides air- ican opportunity. He supported civil rights and they make the most economic sense. ports with much of the funding they require antipoverty legislation. Speaker Albert pro- This bill also provides assistance to the to meet tomorrow’s needs. In order for this vided invaluable leadership to the House of drinking water delivery option many rural important work to be done, airports such as Representatives as majority leader during the Americans prefer. In a recent national survey, Las Vegas must be able to overcome the en- Eighty-seventh through Ninety-first Con- more than 80% of well owners prefer their in- vironmental opposition to their expansion gresses. As leader of this legislative body dur- dividual household water well systems to other projects. Existing airports all across the na- tion are facing congestion in terminals and ing the Ninety-second through Ninety-fourth drinking water delivery options. Only 8.3% on runways. New airport capacity is needed Congresses, Speaker Albert fostered a lasting said they would rather have their drinking today. legacy. water from a water utility company. This legis- We urge you to support H.R. 1695. Speaker Albert successfully steered the na- lation gives consumers the ability to pay for Sincerely, tion through difficult times and ensured a fair new or refurbished individual household water JEFFREY GOODELL, forum for democratic discussion on issues well systems with convenient monthly pay- Vice President, Government Affairs. ranging from the impeachment of President ments, like other utility bills. Richard Nixon to the war in Vietnam. He pro- It is my understanding, Mr. Speaker, that or- AMERICAN ASSOCIATION vided the nation with stability and security ganizations like the National Ground Water OF AIRPORT EXECUTIVES, while he was first in line to succeed the Presi- Association, a group that has a long and dis- Alexandria, VA, March 3, 2000. dent of the United States, in 1973 and again tinguished record preserving and protecting Hon. JAMES GIBBONS, in 1974. America’s precious ground water resources, U.S. Representative, Cannon House Office Building, Washington, DC. Speaker Albert personified great American strongly endorses this legislation. It is my DEAR REPRESENTATIVE GIBBONS: The U.S. values throughout his life. He rose from child- hope that other organizations and commu- House of Representatives will shortly be con- hood poverty to become a Rhodes Scholar, nities that support common sense, innovative sidering H.R. 1695, which would permit Clark winner of the Bronze Star, and a distinguished approaches to providing affordable, safe water County, Nevada to purchase 6,500 acres of U.S. Congressman. to rural Americans will also endorse the Af- federal land in the Ivanpah Valley for a fu- During a time when we sometimes let par- fordable Drinking Water Act of 2000. ture commercial airport site. Your support, tisanship get the better of us, we should look I urge my colleagues to support this legisla- and that of your colleagues, is critical to en- at Carl Albert as a symbol of the most es- suring the continued economic vitality of tion that provides a cost-effective alternative to Southern Nevada well into the 21st Century. teemed values of the U.S. Congress. I join the meeting the drinking water needs of rural Passenger traffic at McCarran Inter- nation in paying tribute to an exemplary cit- America. national Airport has been increasing for the izen, who was during his lifetime and con- f past 16 consecutive months. During that pe- tinues to be an inspiration in the greatest tradi- riod, passenger enplanements have risen by tions of domestic representation. IVANPAH VALLEY AIRPORT over 11 percent. Continued growth, at even a moderate rate, will bring the Airport to its f PUBLIC LANDS TRANSFER ACT effective capacity by 2012. The Clark County THE AFFORDABLE DRINKING SPEECH OF Department of Aviation estimates it will WATER ACT OF 2000 take at least seven years to plan, design and HON. JIM GIBBONS construct the new airport. I think you will OF NEVADA agree that prompt congressional action is HON. JOHN A. BOEHNER critical. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF OHIO The Ivanpah Valley is the best location for IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Thursday, March 9, 2000 a future second airport to serve the Las Vegas metropolitan area. The proposed loca- Tuesday, March 14, 2000 The House in Committee of the Whole tion is 35 miles from the heart of the Las House on the State of the Union had under Vegas valley, between Jean and Prim, Ne- Mr. BOEHNER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to consideration the bill (H.R. 1695) to provide introduce the Affordable Drinking Water Act of vada. Also, it is bounded by Interstate High- for the conveyance of certain Federal public way 15 and main line of the Union Pacific 2000. This legislation provides a new and cre- lands in the Ivanpah Valley, Nevada, to Railroad, giving the new airport excellent ative way to bring safe drinking water in a Clark County, Nevada, for the development and essential multimodal/intermodal surface cost-effective manner to those rural Americans of an airport facility, and for other purposes: access opportunities. who will struggle to meet this most basic Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Chairman, I include the Thank you again for your support and as- need. following letters of support for H.R. 1695, the sistance. If further information is desired, Under the bill, the government, working in Ivanpah Valley Airport Public Lands Transfer please do not hesitate to contact Randall H. Walker, Director of Aviation at (702) 261–5150. partnership with nonprofit entities, would assist Act. low to moderate-income individuals secure fi- Sincerely yours, AIRPORTS COUNCIL TODD HAUPTLI, nancing for the installation or refurbishing of INTERNATIONAL, Senior Vice President for individual household water well systems. The Washington, DC, March 7, 2000. Policy and Government Affairs. legislation authorizes a public/private partner- DEAR MEMBER OF CONGRESS: Airports ship that allows homeowners of modest Council International-North America urges your strong support of H.R. 1695, the Ivanpah LAS VEGAS means to bring old household water well sys- CHAMBER OF COMMERCE tems up to current standards, replace systems Valley Airport Public Lands Transfer Act. This legislation would enable the Clark RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF IVANPAH AIRPORT that have met their expected life, or provide County, Nevada Department of Aviation to LAND SALE homeowners without a drinking water source buy 6,500 of federal land for a new airport to Whereas, visitors from outside the state di- with a new individual household water well serve Las Vegas. rectly and indirectly account for more than system. The number of air passengers traveling in half the state’s economic activity thereby The Affordable Drinking Water Act is a tar- the United States in expected to increase constituting the economic lifeblood of Ne- geted approach. Only low to moderate income from less than 700 million to over a billion in vada; and Americans who request assistance with their just a few short years. We need to add air- Whereas, airline passengers constitute drinking water needs are eligible. The tradi- port capacity across the nation to accommo- nearly 50% of the visitors to the Las Vegas date this growth. tional federally subsidized long-pipe water sys- Valley and this percentage is likely to in- Air traffic at Las Vegas McCarran Inter- crease as Las Vegas adds to its presence as a tems run water lines across the countryside in national airport grew 11 percent last year gateway for international travelers; and front of homes that are experiencing drinking alone, creating the prospect of significant fu- Whereas, McCarran International Airport water problems, but also homes that are not. ture delays if new runway and terminal fa- has a capacity to handle 55 million pas- The current system serves customers without cilities are not built. Las Vegas is currently sengers annually. In 1999, over 33.6 million

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passengers used McCarran and growth pro- sidering HR 1695 which would permit Clark THE CITY OF HENDERSON, jections indicated the Airport could reach its County, Nevada to purchase 6,500 acres of Henderson, NV, August 5, 1998. capacity by the end of this decade; and federal land in the Ivanpah Valley for a fu- Re S. 1964 and H.R. 3705. Whereas, having explored numerous op- ture commercial airport site. Your support, Hon. JIM GIBBONS, tions, the Clark County Department of Avia- and that of your colleagues, is critical to en- Longworth House Office Building, tion believes the Ivanpah Valley offers the suring the continued economic vitality of Washington, DC. only feasible location for a second airport to Southern Nevada well into the 21st Century. DEAR CONGRESSMAN GIBBONS: I would like Passenger traffic at McCarran Inter- service commercial air cargo and passenger to let you know that I am in full support of national Airport has been increasing for the traffic; and the above referenced legislation. As you past 16 consecutive months. During that pe- Whereas, the County has committed to pay know Henderson’s Sky Harbor Airport cur- riod, passenger enplanements have risen by the Bureau of Land Management fair market rently is a reliever airport of small aircraft value for the property, conduct an airspace over 11%. Continued growth, at even a mod- erate rate, will bring the Airport to its effec- from the McCarran air space and air traffic. analysis to minimize overflights of the Mo- As this region continues to grow, our modes jave National Preserve, and draft a thorough tive capacity by 2012. The Clark County De- partment of Aviation estimates it will take of effective and efficient transportation be- Environmental Impact Statement prior to come an increasingly important part of initiating construction of the Ivanpah Valley at least seven years to plan, design and con- struct the new airport. I think you will agree maintaining and improving our economic Airport; now, therefore, be it strength. Resolved, the Las Vegas Chamber of Com- that prompt congressional action is critical. The Clark County Department of Aviation merce endorses and supports the Department The Ivanpah Valley is the best location for staff has identified the Ivanpah Valley Air- of Aviation’s efforts to acquire Ivanpah Val- a future second airport to serve the Las port as the prime location for future air ley land for an airport; and be it further Vegas metropolitan area. The proposed loca- transportation into this region. This new Resolved, that the Las Vegas Chamber of tion is 35 miles from the heart of the Las airport is absolutely critical for the Depart- Commerce as the representative of more Vegas valley, between Jean and Primm, and ment of Aviation to fulfill its mission of than 6,000 member businesses in Southern is bounded by Interstate Highway 15 and never allowing the lack of airport infrastruc- Nevada, encourages the House of Representa- main line of the Union Pacific Railroad, giv- ture to be an impediment to people coming tives to pass H.R. 1695, providing the Bureau ing the new airport excellent and essential to visit Las Vegas, the Grand Canyon or of Land Management with the authority to multimodal/intermodal surface access oppor- other destinations in this region. I would sell the identified land in the Ivanpah Valley tunities. Thank you again for your support and as- like to thank you for your efforts to date re- to Clark County; and be it further sistance. If further information is desired, Resolved, that copies of this Resolution be garding this legislation and would encourage please do not hesitate to contact Randall H. transmitted to Nevada’s Congressional dele- you to continue to make every effort to seek Walker, Director of Aviation at (702) 261–5150. gation. passage this session. Sincerely yours, Legislation of this type is visionary and DONALD L. ‘‘PAT’’ SHALMY, WILLIAM J. HORNBUCKLE, President General Manager. will help ensure a bright future for Southern President and Nevada. Chief Operating Officer. Sincerely, MIRAGE RESORTS, JAMES B. GIBSON, Las Vegas, NV, March 1, 2000. DEL WEBB CORPORATION, Mayor. Hon. JAMES GIBBONS, Henderson, NV, March 1, 2000. U.S. Representative, Cannon House Office Hon. JAMES GIBBONS, Building, Washington, DC. HOTEL EMPLOYEES & RESTAURANT U.S. Representative, 100 Cannon House Office DEAR CONGRESSMAN GIBBONS: The U.S. EMPLOYEES INTERNATIONAL UNION, House of Representatives will shortly be con- Building, Washington, DC. Washington, DC, March 7, 2000. DEAR CONGRESSMAN JIM GIBBONS: As you sidering HR 1695 which would permit Clark Hon. SHELLEY BERKLEY, are well aware, the House of Representatives Longworth House Office Building, County, Nevada to purchase 6,500 acres of will shortly consider H.R. 1695, which will federal land in the Ivanpah Valley for a fu- Washington, DC. permit Clark County, Nevada to purchase DEAR CONGRESSWOMAN BERKLEY: On behalf ture commercial airport site. Your support, 6,500 acres of federal land in the Ivanpah Val- and that of your colleagues, is critical to en- of the Hotel Employees and Restaurant Em- ley for a future commercial airport site. ployees International Union I want to con- suring the continued economic vitality of I’m writing to encourage your support, and vey support for enactment of H.R. 1965, the Southern Nevada well into the 21st Century. that of your colleagues, for this important Ivanpah Valley Airport Public Lands Trans- Passenger traffic at McCarran Inter- piece of legislation. It is our belief that this fer Act. This bill will facilitate the purchase national Aiport has been increasing for the bill is critical in order to ensure the contin- past 16 consecutive months. During that pe- ued economic vitality of Southern Nevada of federal land approximately 35 miles south riod, passenger enplanements have risen by for decades to come. In just the last 16 of Las Vegas for the construction of an addi- over 11%. Continued growth, at even a mod- months McCarran International Airport has tional airport to serve southern Nevada. The erate rate, will bring the Airport to its effec- seen an 11% increase in passenger traffic and phenomenal growth of the Las Vegas econ- tive capacity by 2012. The Clark County De- will reach its effective capacity by the year omy has in turn triggered double digit partment of Aviation estimates it will take 2012. Given the time constraints and require- growth at McCarran International Airport. at least seven years to plan, design and con- ments to plan, design and construct such a It is vitally important that the transpor- struct the new airport. I think you will agree complex structure, the ability to acquire the tation infrastructure be able to keep pace that prompt congressional action is critical. site through immediate passage is crucial. with growth in the hotel industry. This bill The Ivanpah Valley is the best location for As a company that develops large tracts of is important if the tourist based economy of a future second airport to serve the Las land into master-planned communities, Las Vegas is expected to continue to provide Vegas metropolitan area. The proposed loca- we’re well acquainted with the limited land good paying employment opportunities. I tion is 35 miles from the heart of the Las availability in the Las Vegas area and we be- urge you and your colleagues in the Congress Vegas valley, between Jean and Prim, Ne- lieve the Ivanpah Valley is the best location to enact H.R. 1965 without amendment to vada. Also, it is bounded by Interstate High- for a future second airport. Also, immediate pave the way for a second airport for south- way 15 and main line of the Union Pacific freeway access makes it an ideal location. ern Nevada. Railroad, giving the new airport excellent Additionally, we support the Clark County Thank you. and essential multimodal/intermodal surface Department of Aviation’s attempt to pur- Sincerely, access opportunities. chase these needed lands from the BLM. It is JOHN W. WILHELM, Thank you again for your support and as- our understanding that they will pay for General President. sistance. If further information is desired, these lands at an agreed upon value based please do not hesitate to contact Randall H. upon appraisals acceptable to both the BLM NEVADA SERVICE Walker, Director Aviation at (702) 261–5150. and the airport. EMPLOYEES UNION, Sincerely yours, Therefore, we join with other community business leaders and agencies in encouraging Las Vegas, NV, March 3, 2000. PUTNAM MATHUR. your active support of this legislation. We Hon. JAMES GIBBONS, are prepared to assist in moving this legisla- U.S. Representative, Cannon House Office MGM GRAND, tion forward. Building, Washington, DC. Las Vegas, NV, March 1, 2000. I look forward to seeing you again in the DEAR CONGRESSMAN GIBBONS: On behalf of Hon. JAMES GIBBONS, near future. Nevada Service Employees Union, SEIU, U.S. Representative, Cannon House Office Sincerely, Local 1107, we are writing to communicate Building, Washington, DC. SCOTT HIGGINSON, our support for the enactment of H.R. 1965, DEAR CONGRESSMAN GIBBONS: The U.S. Vice President, the Ivanpah Valley Airport Public Lands House of Representatives will shortly be con- Government Affairs. Transfer Act.

VerDate May 21 2004 10:30 Aug 11, 2004 Jkt 029102 PO 00000 Frm 00011 Fmt 0689 Sfmt 0634 E:\BR00\E14MR0.000 E14MR0 March 14, 2000 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS 2793 This bill is of extreme importance to the Conservation, Wildlife and Oceans Sub- search and management activities, most nota- community and is strongly supported by the committee, Mr. SAXTON, to introduce bipartisan bly, the mapping of all coral reef resources in membership of NSEU, SEIU, Local 1107. legislation to authorize a coral reef conserva- the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). The It is our belief that the Ivanpah Valley is tion program. the best location for a second airport to bill would provide to the Task Force, through serve the Las Vegas metropolitan area. For many people, coral reefs are distant a National Program coordinated by the De- It is our further belief that the construc- marine environments that they might never partment of Commerce, up to $5 million per tion of this additional facility is critical come in contact with unless they are fortunate year for 4 years to initiate this and other base- with respect to ensuring the continued eco- enough to go on a tropical vacation. For too line activities, especially the development of nomic growth of Southern Nevada in that long now, as a Nation we have enjoyed the bi- comprehensive coral reef monitoring and as- the additional airport will be able to accom- ological wealth provided by coral reefs, but sessment programs. It is expected that sci- modate the needs of Southern Nevada’s vital failed in our obligations to devote the re- entists and resource managers will gain from industries. sources necessary to protect these vital treas- this previously unavailable information new in- Accordingly, we urge your colleagues to ures. While these precious ecosystems ap- enact H.R. 1965. sights regarding how human activities and Thank you in advance for your attention peared to be in balance until not long ago, other environmental factors are contributing to in this matter. today human activities have significantly al- the degradation of coral reef ecosystems, and Sincerely, tered that balance—much to the detriment of optimistically, how this degradation might be VICKY HEDDERMAN, the corals, and much to the demise of people reversed. To ensure the continued comment President. who depend on coral reefs to sustain their from a broad range of interests involved in the THOMAS M. BEATTY, communities and economies. management of coral reefs, it is anticipated Executive Director. Unlike many other members of Congress, I that those Regional Fishery Management come from a place where the coral reefs are Councils established under the Magnuson-Ste- SOUTHERN NEVADA BUILDING & essential to the very fabric of everyday life. vens Fishery Conservation and Management CONSTRUCTION TRADES COUNCIL, Until recently, those of us from the Pacific is- Act which have corals within their jurisdiction, Las Vegas, NV, March 2, 2000. lands have literally lived off our reefs and the would be involved. Hon. JAMES GIBBONS, surrounding local lands. We have recognized U.S. Representative, Cannon House Office Of equal significance, this legislation would for generations that coral reefs form the funda- also authorize a coral reef conservation grant Building, Washington, DC. mental building block of an intricate marine DEAR CONGRESSMAN GIBBONS: The U.S. program to assist States and local commu- House of Representatives will shortly be con- food chain, providing nutrients, food and habi- nities in the protection, conservation and sus- tats for a tremendous diversity of fish and sidering HR1695 which would permit Clark tainable use of their coral reef resources. The other marine animals. And intuitively, we have County, Nevada to purchase 6,500 acres of bill would provide up to $10 million per year all come to appreciate that without healthy federal land in the Ivanpah Valley for a fu- for 4 years for coral reef conservation grants ture commercial airport site. Your support, coral reefs, our abundance of marine re- and it is expected that these grants will help and that of your colleagues, is critical to en- sources might soon come to a sudden end. suring the continued economic vitality of Unfortunately, the sad reality is that we improve local capabilities, raise local public Southern Nevada well into the 21st Century. have discovered that the coral reefs we de- awareness, and promote the long-term con- This bill is very important to the construc- pend on are under numerous threats. These servation and restoration of coral reef eco- tion industry and is strongly supported by threats come from many sources, including systems. I am also pleased that this legislation the Southern Nevada Building and Construc- would ensure the equitable distribution of tion Trades. polluted run off, increased siltation, mining, and destructive fishing practices, notably the grant funds to applicants in the Pacific and At- Passenger traffic at McCarran Inter- lantic Oceans, the Gulf of Mexico and the national Airport has been increasing for the use of dynamite and cyanide, to name only a past 16 consecutive months. During that pe- few. We have even come to appreciate that Carribean Sea. riod, passenger traffic has risen by over 11%. the decline in coral health could be linked to Allow me to close by simply saying that Continued growth, at even a moderate rate, global climate change, and events such as El while this bill is not perfect, it is a fair and hon- will bring the Airport to its effective capac- Nino. orable compromise. The bill would establish a ity by 2012. The Clark County Department of But with recognition of the problem, and targeted, focused and locally-driven coral reef Aviation estimates it will take at least seven with increased resources to address it, we can conservation program; importantly, a program years to plan, design and construct the new begin to reverse the degradation of our coral grounded in science and built upon the airport. I think you will agree that prompt ground-breaking and successful work of the congressional action is critical. reefs and achieve a sustainable balance to- The Ivanpah Valley is the best location for wards the long-term conservation of these im- Coral Reef Task Force. I commend Chairman a future second airport to serve the Las portant marine ecosystems. Several recent ac- SAXTON for his leadership and commitment to Vegas metropolitan area. The proposed loca- tivities, including the initiation of the Inter- coral reef protection, and I thank my Demo- tion is 35 miles from the heart of the Las national Coral Reef Initiative, the development cratic colleagues on the Fisheries Sub- Vegas valley, between Jean and Primm, Ne- of U.S. Coral Reef Initiative and the Inter- committee who have worked with me through- vada. Also, it is bounded by Interstate High- national Year of the Coral Reef, were all good out these negotiations. way 15 and the main line of the Union Pa- beginnings. And just last week, the U.S. Coral f cific Railroad, giving the new airport excel- Reef Task Force published a national action lent and essential multimodal/intermodal A TRIBUTE—GARFIELD COUNTY plan to conserve coral reefs. It is vital that we surface access opportunities. 1999 EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR Thank you again for your support and as- continue this positive momentum. sistance. If further information is desired, As the Senior Democrat on the Sub- please do not hesitate to contact Randall H. committee on Fishery Conservation, Wildlife HON. SCOTT McINNIS Walker, Director Aviation at (702) 261–5150. and Oceans, I have enjoyed working collabo- OF COLORADO Sincerely yours, ratively with Chairman SAXTON and his able IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES JACK JEFFREY. staff to address my concerns and issues Tuesday, March 14, 2000 f raised by other Democrats in order to develop this consensus legislation. Mr. MCINNIS. Mr. Speaker, I wanted to take INTRODUCTION OF CORAL REEF The legislation we introduce today address- this moment to recognize the career of one of CONSERVATION LEGISLATION es many of the priorities I consider essential to Garfield County’s community leaders, and re- any comprehensive coral reef conservation cipient of the Garfield County 1999 Employee HON. ENI F.H. FALEOMAVAEGA bill. Perhaps most significant, the legislation of the Year Award, Judy Blakeslee. In doing OF AMERICAN SAMOA would codify the Coral Reef Task Force estab- so, I would like to honor this individual who, IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES lished under Executive Order 13089 to give for many years, has exhibited dedication and this panel the authority it needs to address the experience to the Sheriff’s Department of Gar- Tuesday, March 14, 2000 myriad of problems confronting coral reefs field County. Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I am today. As a Civil Deputy for the last 18 years, Judy pleased to rise today with my good friend from Importantly, this legislation would require the handles restraining orders, evictions, garnish- New Jersey, the Chairman of the Fisheries Task Force to initiate fundamental baseline re- ment of wages and custody orders in the

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