May 20, 2019 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E627 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS HONORING NOAH WEBSTER development of regional economic develop- ticularly for small rural communities—is cost- STUDENT GOVERNMENT ment programs with area governments in our ing lives every year. Our bicameral legislation fast-growing region. would provide dedicated federal funding for HON. ANDY BIGGS Peter is often lauded throughout North evacuation routes that save lives in times of OF ARIZONA Texas for his efforts to build sustaining rela- crisis. tionships with partners in both the public and I hope that any infrastructure package IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES private sectors. His unique ability to work in passed this Congress will include our ‘‘ES- Monday, May 20, 2019 tandem with Allen’s citizens and City employ- CAPE Act.’’ I plan on making this a major pri- Mr. BIGGS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to ees to ensure that expectations are exceeded ority in my work as a senior member of the honor the accomplishments of five students has earned him the respect of his colleagues Committee on Transportation and Infrastruc- from the Noah Webster Charter School in and all those in the community. ture. Mesa, Arizona. Madisin Bauer, Brody Kelly, While the list of professional associations Madam Speaker, I urge all Members to join Lucus Martin, Kelly Conboy, and Logan Carter and accolades for Mr. Peter Vargas is impres- Congressman KEATING and me in cospon- were elected by their peers to lead the Wild- sive, perhaps his proudest achievement is soring this critical legislation. cat’s student government in the 2019–2020 serving as husband to Cheryl Dyer Vargas, f and the father to his daughter, Jenna. school year. To qualify for the election, each PERSONAL EXPLANATION student was recognized by their teachers for The Allen community and all those who outstanding leadership skills and exceptional have had the honor of working with Peter over moral character. the years have been witness to the tremen- HON. CLAY HIGGINS Over the next year, I have no doubt that dous growth and success of the region due in OF LOUISIANA these young leaders will excel in service to part to his vision. Today, I ask my colleagues IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES their school and one another. I look forward to in the United States House of Representatives Monday, May 20, 2019 hearing about their experiences as they plan to join me in recognizing Peter for his dedi- Mr. HIGGINS of Louisiana. Madam Speak- town hall-style meetings, run pep assemblies, cated and tireless efforts to make Allen a er, during these votes, I was with the Presi- and organize community projects. great place to live, work, and raise a family. dent in Louisiana. Had I been present, I would These students’ willingness to serve gives We wish Peter well as he begins this next have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 203; YEA on me hope for our future. Our country needs chapter in his life. Roll Call No. 204; NAY on Roll Call No. 205; people of all ages with hearts of servants to f NAY on Roll Call No. 206; NAY on Roll Call represent and lead Americans who need a ESCAPE ACT OF 2019 No. 207; NAY on Roll Call No. 208; and YEA voice. I am honored to have such talent and on Roll Call No. 209. leadership in my district. f f HON. JOHN GARAMENDI OF CALIFORNIA IN RECOGNITION OF THE HON- RECOGNIZING PETER VARGAS IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ORARY CONSULATE OF LATVIA IN MASSACHUSETTS HON. VAN TAYLOR Monday, May 20, 2019 OF TEXAS Mr. GARAMENDI. Madam Speaker, today I HON. WILLIAM R. KEATING reintroduce the ‘‘Enhancing the Strength and IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF MASSACHUSETTS Capacity of America’s Primary Evacuation IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Monday, May 20, 2019 routes (ESCAPE) Act,’’ with Congressman Mr. TAYLOR. Madam Speaker, I rise today WILLIAM R. KEATING (D–MA). I want to thank Monday, May 20, 2019 to recognize Mr. Peter Vargas for his twenty Congressman KEATING for his leadership as Mr. KEATING. Madam Speaker, I rise today years of dedicated service to the City of Allen, the sponsor last Congress and partnering with to recognize the official opening of the Hon- Texas. me this year. orary Consulate of Latvia in Norwell, Massa- Mr. Vargas earned a Bachelor of Arts De- This bicameral bill would establish a new chusetts. gree in History and Education from the Univer- U.S. Department of Transportation grant pro- The United States and the Republic of Lat- sity of North Colorado in 1972, and a master’s gram for roadway, bridges, and other transpor- via share an important bilateral relationship degree in Public Administration from the Uni- tation projects that strengthen and protect that has only grown stronger with time. The versity of Colorado, Denver, in 1978. Fol- routes essential for mass evacuations caused ties that our two nations have fostered over lowing his graduation, Paul began his career by natural disasters and other emergency the years remain meaningful, whether it be in municipal management in the City of Ar- events. With increasingly frequent and severe through security assistance and cooperation, vada where he swiftly rose from serving as an disasters across the country due to climate trade agreements, or our shared membership Administrative Assistant to Assistant to the change, Congress must provide dedicated in critical international organizations such as City Manager. He would later hold the position funding for resilient evacuation routes. the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, United of Assistant City Manager for the City of En- In 2017, nearly 200,000 Californians were Nations, and World Trade Organization. glewood, Colorado, and eventually be selected forced to evacuate when they learned that In today’s ever-changing international cli- as the City Manager in Laredo, Texas. Oroville Dam, the tallest dam in the nation, mate, it is crucial to applaud and encourage Mr. Vargas would later serve as the Execu- was on the verge of failing. Thousands of driv- new opportunities for cooperation, dialogue, tive Director of the City of Dallas’ Trinity River ers funneled onto a narrow two-lane highway, and friendship with treasured allies. The open- Corridor Project, prior to joining the City of spending hours in bumper-to-bumper traffic to ing of this new Honorary Consulate is such an Allen in 1999 as City Manager. As Allen’s reach safety along the Sacramento Valley’s opportunity, and I am thrilled that my district long-time City Manager, Peter has worked tire- major north-to-south evacuation route. can have a place in this progress. I would like lessly to improve the City’s financial stability, Last year, Paradise, California, just north of to extend particular commendation to Uldis K. raise the bond rating, and improve and in- my district was reduced to rubble by the dev- Sipols, Honorary Consul of the Republic of crease the City’s capital infrastructure pro- astating Camp Fire. As the flames engulfed Latvia in Massachusetts. As a longtime resi- gram. Such efforts to create a high-quality, the single-lane road that served as the city’s dent of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts sustainable community have led to Allen’s na- primary evacuation route, residents were and a seasoned professional in the business tional recognition as a ‘‘Community of the forced to abandon their vehicles and escape world, I know that he will bring much needed Year’’ and ‘‘20 Best Places to Live in Amer- on foot—some to their death. The lack of ade- enthusiasm and experience to his new diplo- ica.’’ Peter is also known for championing the quate evacuation routes in our nation—par- matic role, and I wish him the best. ∑ This ‘‘bullet’’ symbol identifies statements or insertions which are not spoken by a Member of the Senate on the floor. Matter set in this typeface indicates words inserted or appended, rather than spoken, by a Member of the House on the floor. VerDate Sep 11 2014 05:40 May 21, 2019 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\K20MY8.001 E20MYPT1 SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with REMARKS E628 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks May 20, 2019 Madam Speaker, it brings me great pleas- tor mandate as defined in the Unfunded Man- ‘‘the dignity, maturity and inner beauty of sen- ure to recognize the opening of this important dates Reform Act (UMRA). The cost of the ior Americans.’’ consular office and to call attention yet again mandates would be the forgone value of com- I ask the House of Representatives to join pensation and settlements associated with to the invaluable relationship between the me in remembering the life of Ellen Van such legal actions if they would have been United States and the Republic of Latvia. successful under current law. The Common- Edwards. f wealth of Massachusetts, the City of Taun- f ton, and the Town of Mashpee have each en- MASHPEE WAMPANOAG TRIBE tered into agreements with the tribe related IN RECOGNITION OF THE GRAND- RESERVATION REAFFIRMATION to the use of the land. In light of those VIEW BULLDOGS STATE CHAM- ACT agreements as well as the land’s reported PIONSHIP value, CBO expects that under current law it SPEECH OF is unlikely that any entity would bring an action resulting in compensation that would HON. EMANUEL CLEAVER HON. RAU´ L M. GRIJALVA exceed the annual thresholds established in OF MISSOURI IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF ARIZONA UMRA. In 2019 those thresholds totaled $82 million for intergovernmental mandates and Monday, May 20, 2019 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES $164 million for private-sector mandates, ad- Wednesday, May 15, 2019 justed annually for inflation.