[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 28 (Tuesday, March 5, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E272-E273]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                      WORKFORCE PARTNERSHIP AWARD

                                 ______


                       HON. GEORGE P. RADANOVICH

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, March 5, 1996

  Mr. RADANOVICH. Mr. Speaker, the National Association of Private 
Industry Councils [NAPIC] will be in Washington, DC, on March 3 to open 
an important conference on improving America's work force. At this 
conference, well-deserved recognition will be given to Ruiz Food 
Products, Inc. for their progressive leadership and tireless efforts in 
enhancing our Nation's goal of a better educated labor force. As the 
1996 recipient of NAPIC's Workforce Partnership Award, Ruiz Food 
Products located in California's Tulare County, has shown that its 
efforts to energize the area's commitment to develop job skills have 
not gone unnoticed. Ruiz Food Products, with the vision of individuals 
such as Fred Ruiz, has clearly forged the strategic partnerships with 
private industry councils necessary to lift up, in an era of 
downsizing, a sometimes discouraged work force. My hat's off to them 
since America is a better place for their efforts. Many of the unique 
and compassionate programs they have developed, such as on-site 
education and literacy enhancement centers, strike a ringing cord of 
commitment in a society increasingly silent on these matters. Mr. 
Speaker, I would like to extend the recognition of this Congress to 
Ruiz Food Products' recent job well done.

[[Page E273]]



 INTRODUCTION OF THE OWENS RIVER VALLEY ENVIRONMENTAL RESTORATION AND 
                   MANZANAR LAND TRANSFER ACT OF 1996

                                 ______


                            HON. JERRY LEWIS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, March 5, 1996

  Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, today I join my colleague, Bob 
Matsui, in introducing the Owens River Valley Environmental Restoration 
and Manzanar Land Transfer Act of 1996.
  This legislation releases outdated watershed withdrawals on lands 
managed by the Bureau of Land Management [BLM] in order to acquire land 
for the Manzanar Historic Site which is managed by the National Park 
Service [NPS]. Lifting these outdated withdrawals are necessary to 
facilitate land exchanges between the BLM and the Los Angeles 
Department of Water and Power [LADWP] and Inyo County, CA. The Manzanar 
site is currently owned by LADWP. This legislation also makes other 
lands in the area available for the long-term community expansion and 
other uses as identified in the BLM's Bishop Resources Management Plan.
  This legislation is necessary to carry out the intent of Public Law 
102-248 which established the Manzanar National Historic Site to 
provide for the protection and interpretation of the historic, 
cultural, and natural resources associated with the relocation of 
Japanese Americans during WW II.
  Further, this legislation will allow an innovative and unique 
environmental restoration project to move forward. The intent of this 
environmental restoration project is to revive 60 miles of the Owens 
River Valley in Inyo County, CA. This project will lead to increased 
wetlands, riparian areas and wildlife--including fish and waterfowl. 
This restoration project is another step in the ongoing and positive 
relationship which has developed between Inyo County and LADWP.
  The development of this legislation was a process which involved 
active participation from local citizens in Inyo County, the Inyo 
County Board of Supervisors, officials from the BLM and the Park 
Service, LADWP and Japanese-American community. Mr. Matsui and I look 
forward to swift consideration of this important measure by our 
colleagues on the House Resources Committee and expedited consideration 
by the full House.

                          ____________________