[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 100 (Monday, July 19, 2004)]
[House]
[Pages H5928-H5929]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA, LAND CONVEYANCE
Mr. HAYWORTH. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
bill (H.R. 3874) to convey for public purposes certain Federal lands in
Riverside County, California, that have been identified for disposal,
as amended.
The Clerk read as follows:
H.R. 3874
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. CONVEYANCE OF BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT LAND IN
RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
(a) In General.--
(1) Conveyance.--The Secretary of the Interior shall
convey, without consideration and subject to valid existing
rights, to S.V.D.P. Management Inc-DBA Father Joe's Villages
(referred to in this section as the ``Villages''), all right,
title, and interest of the United States in and to the parcel
described in paragraph (2) for use by the Villages for the
purposes described in subsection (b).
(2) parcel.--The parcel referred to in paragraph (1) is
the parcel of land identified for disposal and consisting of
approximately 44 acres under the jurisdiction of the Bureau
of Land Management, as generally depicted on the map entitled
``H.R. 3874 Coachella Valley Land Transfer'' and dated March
5, 2004.
(b) Purposes of Conveyance.--The purposes of the conveyance
under section (a) are to provide a homeless shelter, a
training center, and affordable housing.
(c) Reverter.--If the Villages or any subsequent owner of
the land transferred under this section uses that land for
purposes other than those described in subsection (b), all
right, title, and interest to the land (and any improvements
thereon) shall revert to the United States to be administered
by the Bureau of Land Management if the Secretary of the
Interior determines that such a reversion is in the best
interests of the United States.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Arizona (Mr. Hayworth) and the gentlewoman from Guam (Ms. Bordallo)
each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Hayworth).
General Leave
Mr. HAYWORTH. 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 H.R. 3874, the bill under
consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Arizona?
There was no objection.
Mr. HAYWORTH. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, H.R. 3874, introduced by the gentlewoman from California
(Mrs. Bono), as amended by the Committee on Resources, would authorize
the Secretary of the Interior to convey 44 acres of Federal land
identified for disposal in Riverside County, California, to Father
Joe's Villages, a successful nonprofit organization that assists the
homeless in California. Father Joe's plans to develop a comprehensive
operation that will address both housing and training needs for the
homeless in the greater Coachella Valley.
Mr. Speaker, H.R. 3874 is supported by the majority and minority of
the Committee on Resources and by the administration.
I urge adoption of the bill.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
(Ms. BORDALLO asked and was given permission to revise and extend her
remarks.)
Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, the gentlewoman from California's (Mrs.
Bono) bill, H.R. 3874, would transfer a parcel of BLM land in North
Palm Springs, California, to a charitable organization.
As the administration testified before our committee, the Federal
Government would normally require some amount of compensation for a
land conveyance such as this one, a requirement this legislation
waives. However, it appears that, in this instance, making this
conveyance free of charge may be in the best interests of the entire
community.
Father Joe's Village has a long history of working in the community
to address the problems of unemployment, substance abuse and
homelessness. It is our hope that this conveyance will enable this
organization to continue its fine work and expand whatever projects
that are currently ongoing.
Mrs. BONO. Mr. Speaker, it is truly rewarding when we, as Members of
Congress, can move a bill that will make such a positive impact in our
own communities. This bill, H.R. 3874, does just that.
As we all know, no matter how well our economy does, there will
always be a segment of our population in need of a safety net. H.R.
3874 takes a step in the right direction as it relates to helping those
less fortunate in our society.
This legislation conveys 44 acres of BLM land, which is already on
the disposal list, to Father Joe's Villages. Together, with a local
charity called Martha's Village and Kitchen, the plan is to build a
residential center for the homeless, a job training center and 100
units of affordable housing.
Many would be surprised to learn that even Palm Springs and its
surrounding community have numerous people in dire need of a helping
hand. But my community, much like everyone else's, unfortunately has a
need for shelters, worker training and other forms of assistance.
Father Joe's, located in San Diego and part of Congresswoman Susan
Davis's district, and Martha's Village and Kitchen, which is
headquartered in my district, are two very reputable and successful
organizations. That is why Congressman Davis and I want to help them
make this village a reality.
Thanks to the most generous individuals I know, Mr. Tom Martin and
his wife Rita, much of the money to build this project is secured. Mr.
and Mrs. Martin have helped Martha's Village and Kitchen and have again
put themselves on the front line of fighting for compassion by getting
involved in this effort. Furthermore, we have the energy and enthusiasm
of
[[Page H5929]]
Father Joe Carroll to run this project. We are ready to go.
Our contribution of this land will enable new workers to enter the
workforce, provide shelter and assume other functions that will take
the burden off the local, State and Federal governments. The relative
cost of this land will come back to us tenfold. In short, this is a
perfect example of how a private-public partnership can work for the
betterment of so many.
So while I fully realize H.R. 3874 does not create new broad sweeping
national policy, it helps people I really care about the people I
really care about and that is reward enough.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to offer a very special thank you to
Chairman Richard Pombo who is responsible for this bill being on the
floor of the House today. My heartfelt thanks go out also to Chairman
Radanovich and Ranking Member Rahall for shepherding this legislation
through committee. These three gentlemen showed great care and
dedication in moving this bill through the process. And thanks also to
their very able staff, especially Rob Howarth, as well as my staff,
Linda Valter, for their help on this important piece of legislation.
I look forward to your support of this bill.
Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I have no additional speakers, and I yield
back the balance of my time.
Mr. HAYWORTH. Mr. Speaker, I have no additional speakers, and I yield
back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Hayworth) that the House suspend the rules
and pass the bill, H.R. 3874, 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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