On the recordApril 15, 2010
I think we've reached a bipartisan accord. I support the gentlewoman from Maine and also the gentleman from Texas who have offered this amendment. I did not have an opportunity, Mr. Chairman, to speak during the general debate. I was delayed. After saying that our side does support this pending amendment, which, in the absence of the sponsors is being offered by the chair of the committee, I do want to take this opportunity to, first of all, thank Mr. Oberstar, our chair, and the ranking member, the gentleman from Arkansas, who has conceded time and is doing an incredible job in heading up our side of the aisle on a very important issue, which is water resources for the Nation. So, Mr. Boozman, thank you for your cooperation, and thank you to the chair of the subcommittee, Ms. Johnson from Texas. A lot of times when I go back home and people say, Well, Congress doesn't work well, and Congress does this and Congress does that or they are always fighting and bickering, it's good to be a part of the committee, of the largest committee in Congress, I might add-- Transportation and Infrastructure--which has six subcommittees and a very important one here, Water Resources. Water Resources controls all of the major water projects in the country--dams, levees. In this case, we are the stewards for the Nation and, really, for what the good Lord gave us, which is our estuaries.…





