[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 170 (Friday, November 21, 2003)]
[House]
[Pages H12121-H12125]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY WATER COMMISSION ACT OF 2003
Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
bill (H.R. 135) to establish the ``Twenty-First Century Water
Commission'' to study and develop recommendations for a comprehensive
water strategy to address future water needs, as amended.
The Clerk read as follows:
H.R. 135
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Twenty-First Century Water
Commission Act of 2003''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress finds that--
(1) the Nation's water resources will be under increasing
stress and pressure in the coming decades;
(2) a thorough assessment of technological and economic
advances that can be employed to increase water supplies or
otherwise meet water needs in every region of the country is
important and long overdue; and
(3) a comprehensive strategy to increase water availability
and ensure safe, adequate, reliable, and sustainable water
supplies is vital to the economic and environmental future of
the Nation.
SEC. 3. ESTABLISHMENT.
There is established a commission to be known as the
``Twenty-First Century Water Commission'' (in this Act
referred to as the ``Commission'').
SEC. 4. DUTIES.
The duties of the Commission shall be to--
(1) use existing water assessments and conduct such
additional assessments as may be necessary to project future
water supply and demand;
(2) study current water management programs of Federal,
Interstate, State, and local agencies, and private sector
entities directed at increasing water supplies and improving
the availability, reliability, and quality of freshwater
resources; and
(3) consult with representatives of such agencies and
entities to develop recommendations consistent with laws,
treaties, decrees, and interstate compacts for a
comprehensive water strategy which--
(A) respects the primary role of States in adjudicating,
administering, and regulating water rights and water uses;
(B) identifies incentives intended to ensure an adequate
and dependable supply of water to meet the needs of the
United States for the next 50 years;
(C) suggests strategies that avoid increased mandates on
State and local governments;
(D) eliminates duplication and conflict among Federal
governmental programs;
(E) considers all available technologies and other methods
to optimize water supply reliability, availability, and
quality, while safeguarding the environment;
(F) recommends means of capturing excess water and flood
water for conservation and use in the event of a drought;
(G) suggests financing options for comprehensive water
management projects and for appropriate public works
projects;
(H) suggests strategies to conserve existing water
supplies, including recommendations for repairing aging
infrastructure; and
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(I) includes other objectives related to the effective
management of the water supply to ensure reliability,
availability, and quality, which the Commission shall
consider appropriate.
SEC. 5. MEMBERSHIP.
(a) Number and Appointment.--The Commission shall be
composed of 9 members who shall be appointed not later than
90 days after the date of enactment of this Act. Member shall
be appointed as follows:
(1) 5 members appointed by the President;
(2) 2 members appointed by the Speaker of the House of
Representatives, in consultation with the Minority Leader of
the House of Representatives; and
(3) 2 members appointed by the Majority Leader of the
Senate, in consultation with the Minority Leader of the
Senate.
(b) Qualifications.--Members shall be appointed to the
Commission from among individuals who--
(1) are of recognized standing and distinction in water
policy issues; and
(2) while serving on the Commission, do not hold any other
position as an officer or employee of the United States,
except as a retired officer or retired civilian employee of
the United States.
(c) Other Considerations.--In appointing members of the
Commission, every effort shall be made to ensure that the
members represent a broad cross section of regional and
geographical perspectives in the United States.
(d) Chairperson.--The Chairperson of the Commission shall
be designated by the President.
(e) Terms.--Members of the Commission shall be appointed
not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this
Act and shall serve for the life of the Commission.
(f) Vacancies.--A vacancy on the Commission shall not
affect its operation, and shall be filled in the same manner
as the original appointment provided under subsection (a).
(g) Compensation and Travel Expenses.--Members of the
Commission shall serve without compensation, except members
shall receive travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of
subsistence, in accordance with applicable provisions under
subchapter I of chapter 57, United States Code.
SEC. 6. MEETINGS AND QUORUM.
(a) Meetings.--The Commission shall hold its first meeting
not later than 60 days after the date on which all members
have been appointed under section 5, and shall hold
additional meetings at the call of the Chairperson or a
majority of its members.
(b) Quorum.--A majority of the members of the Commission
shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.
SEC. 7. DIRECTOR AND STAFF.
A Director shall be appointed by the Speaker of the House
of Representatives and the Majority Leader of the Senate, in
consultation with the Minority Leader and chairmen of the
Resources and Transportation and Infrustructure Committees of
the House of Representatives, and the Minority Leader and
chairmen of the Energy and Natural Resources and Environment
and Public Works Committees of the Senate. The Director and
any staff reporting to the Director shall be paid a rate of
pay not to exceed the maximum rate of basic pay for GS-15 of
the General Schedule.
SEC. 8. POWERS AND PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMMISSION.
(a) Hearings.--The Commission shall hold no fewer than 10
hearings during the life of the Commission. Hearings may be
held in conjunction with meetings of the Commission. The
Commission may take such testimony and receive such evidence
as the Commission considers appropriate to carry out this
Act. At least 1 hearing shall be held in Washington, D.C.,
for the purpose of taking testimony of representatives of
Federal agencies, national organizations, and Members of
Congress. Other hearings shall be scheduled in distinct
geographical regions of the United States and should seek to
ensure testimony from individuals with a diversity of
experiences, including those who work on water issues at all
levels of government and in the private sector.
(b) Information and Support From Federal Agencies.--Upon
request of the Commission, any Federal agency shall--
(1) provide to the Commission, within 30 days of its
request, such information as the Commission considers
necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act; and
(2) detail to temporary duty with the Commission on a
reimbursable basis such personnel as the Commission considers
necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act, in
accordance with section 5(b)(5), Appendix, title 5, United
States Code.
SEC. 9. REPORTS.
(a) Interim Reports.--Not later than 6 months after the
date of the first meeting of the Commission, and every 6
months thereafter, the Commission shall transmit an interim
report containing a detailed summary of its progress,
including meetings and hearings conducted in the interim
period, to--
(1) the President;
(2) the Committee on Resources and the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of
Representatives; and
(3) the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources and the
Committee on the Environment and Public Works of the Senate.
(b) Final Report.--As soon as practicable, but not later
than 3 years after the date of the first meeting of the
Commission, the Commission shall transmit a final report
containing a detailed statement of the findings and
conclusions of the Commission, and recommendations for
legislation and other policies to implement such findings and
conclusions, to--
(1) the President;
(2) the Committee on Resources and the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of
Representatives; and
(3) the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources and the
Committee on the Environment and Public Works of the Senate.
SEC. 10. TERMINATION.
The Commission shall terminate not later than 30 days
after the date on which the Commission transmits a final
report under section 7(b).
SEC. 11. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
There are authorized to be appropriated $9,000,000 to
carry out this Act.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
California (Mr. Calvert) and the gentlewoman from the Virgin Islands
(Mrs. Christensen) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California (Mr. Calvert).
General Leave
Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members
may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their
remarks and include extraneous material on the bill under
consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from California?
There was no objection.
Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
H.R. 135, introduced by the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Linder), and
cosponsored by a wide range of Members from both parties, creates a
national commission to develop increased water supplies. The gentleman
from Georgia (Mr. Linder) and his colleagues have properly recognized
that drought is a national problem, not just a Western issue.
This bill creates a process while adhering to States' rights to
address this problem. I urge my colleagues to support this bill.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
{time} 1100
Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
(Mrs. CHRISTENSEN asked and was given permission to revise and extend
her remarks.)
Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 135. This
legislation would establish the 21st Century Water Policy Commission to
study Federal, State, local, and private water management programs in
an effort to develop recommendations for a comprehensive national water
strategy.
Mr. Speaker, the objectives of H.R. 135 are worthwhile, and I
appreciate the cooperation we have received from the sponsor of this
bill. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.
Mr. Speaker, I yield 10 minutes to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr.
Costello) and ask unanimous consent that he be allowed to control said
time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Simpson). Is there objection to the
request of the gentlewoman from the Virgin Islands?
There was no objection.
Mr. CALVERT. Madam Speaker, I yield 10 minutes to the gentleman from
Tennessee (Mr. Duncan) and ask unanimous consent that he be allowed to
control that time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mrs. Biggert). Is there objection to the
request of the gentleman from California?
There was no objection.
Mr. DUNCAN. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Madam Speaker, first of all, I want to commend my colleague, the
gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Linder), and I rise in strong support of
H.R. 135, the 21st Century Water Commission Act of 2003.
Madam Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr.
Linder).
Mr. LINDER. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me
time.
Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 135, the 21st Century Water
Commission Act of 2003. H.R. 135 is designed to bring together our
Nation's premier water experts to recommend strategies for meeting our
water challenges in the next century.
I would like to first thank the gentleman from California (Chairman
Calvert) and his staff and the gentleman from Tennessee (Chairman
Duncan) and his staff for being so helpful in
[[Page H12123]]
bringing this bill to the floor and having hearings.
Ensuring fresh water for U.S. citizens will be a critical challenge
facing the United States as we enter the 21st Century. Water related
issues have been of interest to me for many years. In fact, I wrote an
article in 1978 that predicted that one of the 12 major challenges for
our country in the next century would be providing enough fresh water
for our booming population.
Since that time, about 25 years ago, America still does not have an
integrated or comprehensive water policy, even with hundreds of
thousands of Federal, State, local and private sector employees working
to solve water problems. If we wait another 10 or 20 years to get
serious about meeting our demand for clean water, it will be too late.
According to the October 27, 2003, edition of U.S. News and World
Report, ``Our population has more than doubled since World War II, and
at this rate, we could be on our way to 1 billion people living in the
United States by the end of this century.'' The population growth will
clearly put a strain on our already-burdened water supply.
As my colleagues are aware, many States across the Nation are
currently facing a water crisis. Once thought to be a problem only in
the arid West, severe droughts last summer caused water shortages up
and down the east coast. States once accustomed to an unlimited access
to water realized that they are not immune to the problems which the
West has experienced for decades.
In addition, numerous news articles over the past few years have
increased our attention to other water problems that we currently face.
To name just a few, aquifers are being challenged by salt water
intrusion, rivers and wells are drying up all over the country, crops
are being threatened, and our aging water pipes leak billions of
gallons of fresh water in our cities all over the country. For example,
New York City loses 36 million gallons per day and Philadelphia loses
85 million per day just through leaks in infrastructure.
Let me be clear about one thing: my bill does not give the Federal
Government more direct authority or control over water. This commission
is designed to make recommendations about how we can coordinate water
management efforts on all levels, so that localities, States, and the
Federal Government can work together.
Some highlights of the bill are as follows:
The commission will look for ways to ensure fresh water for citizens
for the next 50 years.
The commission will be composed of nine members, appointed by the
President and key leaders in the House and Senate.
The commission will look for ways to eliminate duplication and
conflict among Federal Government agencies.
The commission will consider all available technologies and other
methods to optimize water supply reliability.
The commission will hold hearings in distinct geographical regions of
the United States and in Washington, D.C., to seek a diversity of
views, comments, and input.
Not later than 6 months after the date of the first meeting of the
commission, and every 6 months thereafter, the commission will transmit
a report to the Congress. A final report will be due within 3 years of
the commission's inception.
In John Steinbeck's novel, ``East of Eden,'' the narrator observes,
``It never failed that during the dry years that people forgot about
the rich years, and during the wet years they lost all memory of the
dry years. It was always that way.''
The United States cannot afford to reevaluate its water policies
every time a crisis hits. Now is the time to get ahead of this issue,
and I believe the 21st Century Water Commission can serve as the
channel for doing so.
Mr. COSTELLO. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
(Mr. COSTELLO asked and was given permission to revise and extend his
remarks, and include extraneous material.)
Mr. COSTELLO. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 135, the
21st Century Water Commission Act of 2003. This bill is a step towards
addressing the availability of clean and safe water resources to meet
the Nation's needs.
Madam Speaker, clean, safe and available sources of water are
essential to the physical and economic well-being of this country.
Commercial fishing, agriculture, real estate, manufacturing, and
recreation and tourism are just a few of the economic sectors that rely
on clean water to operate and ensure productivity. Every day, the U.S.
economy relies on the availability of clean water to grow, process, or
deliver products and services.
However, at the same time, there is an emerging concern about the
availability of adequate safe supplies of water to meet the growing
list of often competing needs.
Throughout the first three-quarters of the 20th century, demand for
water in the United States dramatically increased.
However, this Nation made progress in reducing the overall
consumption of water resources in the past 20 years. Water withdrawals
in the United States are now 10 percent below their peak. In addition,
industrial water use dropped nearly 40 percent from its height as
industrial water-use efficiency improved and as the mix of U.S.
industries changed. At the same time, industrial productivity continues
to rise, demonstrating that improvements in water-use efficiency are
possible without negatively impacting economic growth.
In the past few years, considerable media attention has focused on
the availability of adequate water supplies to meet current and future
demands. In the last 2 years, regions of the country that have not
traditionally experienced water resource concerns, including the
Midwest and the Northeast, often found themselves with a greater demand
for water resources than were available--and were forced, in some
communities to ration water use.
While this debate has long existed in the more arid regions of the
West, these experiences in the eastern half of the country have served
as a wake-up call to the fact that water supply problems can occur in
almost every region of the country. The question is now being asked,
``What can be done to ensure adequate water to meet current and future
needs?''
This legislation would create a Federal commission of experts on
water policy to study this issue, and to recommend strategies and
changes to current law that may be necessary to ensure the availability
of adequate water resources for future generations.
Madam Speaker, it is important for this Nation to have a dialogue on
what can be done to ensure that sufficient water resources are
available to meet current and future needs. I do have some concerns
with this legislation, and with the broader topic of planning for water
resource needs. We need to fully discuss what the Federal role in water
resource planning should be, and how Federal financial resources are to
be expended to address this growing concern.
In addition, I believe that the scope of any national water resource
planning study must include all affected parties, and must look to both
structural and non-structural approaches to reduce consumption and
ensure adequate, safe, and reliable sources of water for generations to
come.
If this Congress truly wants to enter the debate on a national water
resource policy, we must make sure that the record is complete, and
that all alternatives are examined to determine the appropriate means
to resolve this important question.
I hope that we can continue to work together on this legislation as
it continues through the legislative process.
Mr. DUNCAN. Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the
gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Shuster).
Mr. SHUSTER. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me
time.
Madam Speaker, this legislation deals with an issue which I have
considered a priority for some time, our water resources and the
ability of the Federal Government to provide our communities with
effective solutions to their problems.
Our economy depends on our Nation's water resources. In fact, the
United States economy base has grown both geographically and
economically through its efficient and effective water system. We must
realize that water is a precious resource, and we take steps to ensure
its proper use.
This legislation establishes a 21st Century Water Commission to study
and develop recommendations for a comprehensive water strategy to
address future waters needs. This commission would assess our current
and future water supply needs and consider
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all available technologies for increasing water supply efficiently
while safeguarding the environment. Additionally, this commission will
suggest financing options and strategies to preserve existing water
supplies.
Most importantly, the commission will pursue strategies that avoid
increasing mandates on State and local governments. We understand that
unfunded mandates take away from local decisionmaking. When the first
withdrawal from a municipality's finances must go for an unfunded
mandate, that community then has less discretion in paying for vital
services and programs expected by its citizens. It is critical to the
health of our local communities not to burden them with these types of
mandates.
I would like to thank the gentleman from Tennessee (Chairman Duncan)
and the ranking member, the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Costello), and
the entire Committee on Resources for all their hard work.
I support H.R. 135 wholeheartedly and ask that my colleagues do the
same.
Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. DUNCAN. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Madam Speaker, I have the privilege of chairing the Subcommittee on
Water Resources and Environment. We held a hearing on this legislation,
and the then chairman, the gentleman from Alaska (Mr. Young), and I and
the ranking member, the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Oberstar), and
the ranking member of my subcommittee, the gentleman from Illinois (Mr.
Costello), all approved bringing this legislation to the floor at this
time.
As I said a few moments ago, I rise in strong support of H.R. 135,
the 21st Century Water Commission Act of 2003. I want to commend the
gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Linder) for his foresight and his hard work
in bringing this legislation to this point.
A couple of years ago, the New York Times had a series of articles in
which they called water the oil of the 21st century. There is probably
nothing that people take more for granted than a clean, safe, adequate
water supply.
This bill begins the hard work of tackling one of the most important
and difficult environmental and economic issues facing our Nation, and
that is ensuring that we have an adequate water supply. We need water
for our homes, farms, and factories. Water also supports navigation,
generates power, and sustains our environment. Communities cannot grow
or even exist without adequate water.
As we enter the 21st century, demands for water are growing and are
outstripping supplies in many areas, both in the West and the East,
leading to disputes over water supply and allocation. In response, many
municipalities, businesses and land developers are trying to secure
more water rights so they will have adequate water supplies now and in
the future.
Last year's drought in the East made it clear that while water may be
abundant in many areas, it is not limitless, and even our Nation's most
water-rich regions can run dry. Even though the East has been wet this
year, much of the West remains very, very dry. Policymakers no longer
can ignore this issue. We need to start planning for the future.
H.R. 135, the 21st Century Water Commission Act of 2003, will help
start that planning process by looking at our Nation's available water
supply and the projected demand for water and making recommendations on
how to meet that demand.
Because of the importance of water to our Nation's economy and well-
being, I held a series of hearings this past spring on water scarcity
problems, ways businesses and communities are responding, and how H.R.
135 can help States and communities address their water problems. The
witnesses strongly supported greater planning for future water needs,
involving all levels of government, and supported H.R. 135 as a means
to help start that process.
H.R. 135 respects the primary role that States play in addressing
water supply issues, but the Federal Government can provide expertise
and technical assistance. Numerous parties strongly support this
legislation, including the U.S. Conference of Mayors, Urban Water
Council, the American Farm Bureau Federation, the National Water
Resources Association, the National Association of Homebuilders, the
Association of California Water Agencies, and many others.
I urge all of my colleagues to support this very important bill and
once again commend our colleague, the gentleman from Georgia (Mr.
Linder), for leading this effort.
Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. CALVERT. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Madam Speaker, once again I want to commend the gentleman from
Georgia (Mr. Linder) for his leadership on this bill. As the chairman
of the Subcommittee on Water and Power, I have witnessed firsthand
throughout this country water problems that tend to grow, not shrink,
as our country faces the problem of less water and water quality issues
throughout our country.
Vision is an important thing that we do around here that sometimes we
forget. The gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Linder) certainly is showing
vision to make sure that we have adequate water in the future.
The 21st Century Water Commission, I refer to it as the Linder Water
Commission, will recommend a strategy that recognizes and respects the
primary role of States and water rights laws while eliminating
duplication and conflict among governmental agencies. This is an
incredibly important strategy. We need dependable water supplies that
are safe and secure for our future generations.
Again, I commend the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Linder) for his
leadership.
Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. COSTELLO. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Madam Speaker, I support this legislation strongly. I commend our
colleague, the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Linder), who came before our
committee for a hearing, and to urge the adoption of this legislation.
Mr. OBERSTAR. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 135, a
bill to establish a commission to examine the issue of clean, safe, and
reliable water supplies for this generation and for generations to
come.
Madam Speaker, water may well be the most precious resource the earth
provides to humankind. The existence of water set the stage for the
evolution of life and is an essential ingredient of all life today.
Recognizing the importance of this vital resource, the United Nations
designated 2003 as the ``International Year of Freshwater.'' Throughout
the year, the United Nations has been conducting a series of
international meetings to raise awareness on the importance of
available sources of clean and safe fresh water. According to the U.N.,
throughout the world roughly one person in six lives without regular
access to safe drinking water, and over twice that number--or 2.4
billion--lack access to adequate sanitation. In addition, water-related
diseases kill a child every eight seconds.
In the United States, we have avoided many of these concerns through
careful planning and decades of investment in our water infrastructure.
Nationally, a combination of Federal, State, and local funds have built
16,024 wastewater treatment facilities that provide service to 190
million people, or 73 percent of the total population.
In addition, 268 million people in the United States--or 92 percent
of the total population--are currently served by public drinking water
systems, which provide a safe and reliable source of drinking water for
much of the Nation.
As I noted earlier, clean, safe, and reliable sources of water are
critical to this Nation's health and livelihood. However, in the past
few decades, a series of natural and potentially human induced events
have demonstrated that our Nation remains vulnerable to shortages of
water.
In my own State, shortages of snowfall and rain of over the past few
years have had an adverse impact on local water supplies, agriculture,
and recreation and tourism, and have resulted in a lowering of water
levels in Great Lakes to historic levels. One thing that is certain is
that no area of this country is immune to the threat of diminished
water supplies, and we must be vigilant to prepare for such
occurrences.
This bill is a part of the debate on the very important issue of
water resource planning in this country. The gentleman from Georgia,
Mr. Linder, has taken an important step in encouraging this debate,
calling for the creation of a Federal commission to examine issues
related to national water resource planning, and to report its findings
on potential ways to insure against large-scale water shortages in the
future.
[[Page H12125]]
While I believe that the legislation introduced by our colleague is a
good starting point, we must be sure to fully examine all of the
relevant issues for ensuring adequate supplies of clean and safe water
to meet current and future needs.
For example, water resource planning should work toward increasing
the efficiency of water consumption as well as increasing the supply of
water. Simply increasing the supply of water can be a more costly
approach to meeting future water needs, and in any case, merely
postpones any potential water resource crisis.
In addition, it is important to remember that issues of water supply
are closely related to water quality. Contaminated sources of
freshwater serve little use to this Nation's health or livelihood, and
merely increase the overall cost of providing safe a reliable water
resources to the population. In addition, human activities, whether
through the pollution of waterbodies from point or non-point sources,
the elimination of natural filtration abilities of wetlands, or through
the destruction and elimination of aquifer recharge points, can have a
significant impact on available supplies of usable water.
We cannot base our future water resource planning needs on the
possibility of continually finding ``new'' sources of freshwater while,
at the same time, continuing to destroy or contaminate existing
sources. Such a practice is unsustainable and unconscionable.
I urge my colleagues to support the bill.
Mr. STENHOLM. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R.
135, the Twenty-First Century Water Commission Act.
One thing I've learned since being elected twenty-five years ago, is
that Congress can't pass a bill and make it rain.
This morning I look at the United States Drought Monitor again and I
was reminded of a disturbing trend that several states have experienced
for many years. Twenty-five states are suffering from drought
conditions, and with no definite starting or ending point, droughts are
extremely hard to predict.
But, as a cotton farmer from West Texas, I am always optimistic that
the rains will come eventually. In the meantime, we cannot afford to
leave a single stone unturned in our efforts to ensure that our
citizens have a safe and adequate water supply.
Will my district be able to meet our water needs fifty years from
Now? We aren't able to answer that question today, and we sure can't
wait until that time is upon us to find out.
This is why I joined my colleagues in co-sponsoring the 21st Century
Water Policy Commission Act. This legislation does what so many
communities in my West Texas district are already trying to do. It
establishes commission to consider all aspects of water management,
water supply and demand, and it recommends comprehensive policy for
meeting our nation's water needs in the 21st Century. For these
reasons, I'm glad to support H.R. 135.
Mr. COSTELLO. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from California (Mr. Calvert) that the House suspend the
rules and pass the bill, H.R. 135, as amended.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor
thereof) the rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
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