[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 13 (Monday, January 28, 2008)]
[House]
[Pages H465-H466]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               HONORING THE TEXAS WATER DEVELOPMENT BOARD

  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend 
the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 832) honoring the Texas 
Water Development Board on its selection as a recipient of the 
Environmental Protection Agency's 2007 Clean Water State Revolving Fund 
Performance and Innovation Award, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 832

       Whereas the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) was 
     honored as a 2007 recipient of the Environmental Protection 
     Agency's Performance and Innovation in the SRF Creating 
     Environmental Success (PISCES) Award on November 5, 2007;
       Whereas the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) 
     program in Texas has been a front-runner and a precedent-
     setting program in wastewater management for many years, and 
     its CWSRF leveraging practices as well as other established 
     management practices are used by many other States as 
     examples to enhance the management of their funds;
       Whereas the CWSRF program in Texas has successfully awarded 
     communities approximately $4,300,000,000 in low-interest 
     loans to finance 472 water infrastructure projects across 
     Texas;
       Whereas these projects, which serve approximately one-half 
     of the population of Texas and treat about 2,100,000,000 
     gallons per day of wastewater, provide direct environmental 
     and public health benefits;
       Whereas the TWDB is proposing to increase the marketability 
     and demand for the CWSRF program by pursuing the use of 
     extended loan terms beyond the authorized 20-year term to a 
     30-year term;
       Whereas the TWDB developed a State Revolving Fund 
     Information Management System to satisfy the need for more 
     timely and accurate information on the status of water and 
     wastewater loan projects as those projects move through the 
     phases of the preapplication process and beyond;
       Whereas the TWDB has actively encouraged asset management 
     as evidenced by its creation of a Best Management Practices 
     Guide for water conservation;
       Whereas the TWDB established direct authority and 
     responsibility for the coordination of the CWSRF program by 
     creating State Revolving Fund Coordinator positions;
       Whereas the TWDB's Intended Use Plan Post-Mortem Review was 
     lauded for identifying various activities that will be used 
     in improving future CWSRF Intended Use Plan development 
     processes;
       Whereas the TWDB holds interoffice planning meetings that 
     serve as monthly forums to provide for interoffice discussion 
     on State Revolving Fund policies, procedures and processes, 
     and deadlines;
       Whereas the TWDB assigned cross-functional, 
     multidisciplinary teams to manage project performance review 
     from application phase through construction, and these teams 
     are responsible for identifying and developing solutions to 
     project circumstances that may cause a project to fall behind 
     its schedule; and
       Whereas the TWDB was also noted for its outstanding 
     regional water planning activities, best management practices 
     in the areas of nonpoint source pollution funding, instream 
     flow program, work with the United States Army Corps of 
     Engineers to amend the Federal water resources development 
     legislation to further enhance its watershed approach, 
     funding of water reuse projects, agricultural and municipal 
     water conservation projects, and water conservation education 
     activities: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) honors the Texas Water Development Board on its 
     selection by the Environmental Protection Agency as a 2007 
     Performance and Innovation in the SRF Creating Environmental 
     Success (PISCES) Award recipient; and
       (2) recognizes the importance of adequate investment and 
     management of water resources in sustainable development, 
     including environmental integrity and human health and 
     overall quality of life in the United States.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from 
Texas (Ms. Eddie Bernice Johnson) and the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. 
Petri) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Texas.

                              {time}  1445


                             General Leave

  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous 
consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise 
and extend their remarks and to include extraneous materials on H. Res. 
832.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from Texas?
  There was no objection.
  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such 
time as I may consume.
  The Texas Water Development Board was created in 1957 with the 
mission ``to provide leadership, planning, financial assistance, 
information and education for the conservation and responsible 
development of water for Texas.'' Additionally, the Texas Water 
Development Board provides water planning, data collection and 
dissemination, financial assistance, and technical assistance services 
to the citizens of the State.
  The Texas Water Development Board was selected this past November as 
a recipient of the Environmental Protection Agency's 2007 Performance 
and Innovation in the Clean Water State Revolving Fund Creating 
Environmental Success Award at the Council of Infrastructure Financing 
Authorities annual conference in Denver, Colorado.
  Mr. Speaker, this is extraordinary for Texas because normally we get 
on the other end of things of this sort. But the Texas Water 
Development Board provides loans and grants to local governments and 
entities for various projects.
  The financial assistance programs are funded through State-backed 
bonds, a combination of State bond proceeds and Federal grant funds, or 
limited appropriated funds.
  To date, the Texas Water Development Board has successfully awarded 
communities approximately $4.3 billion in low-interest loans to finance 
472 water infrastructure projects across the State of Texas.
  The State of Texas currently administers the second largest Clean 
Water State Revolving Fund in the Nation, second only to New York. In 
2007 alone, the Texas Water Development Board made 32 loan commitments 
through the Clean Water State Revolving Fund, for a total of $692 
million.
  Of the 32 total commitments made out of the Clean Water State 
Revolving Fund in 2007, approximately 8 percent of the funds were 
committed to disadvantaged communities, and 10 percent were committed 
to small communities with populations consisting of less than 10,000 
residents.
  The Texas Water Development Board is working with the EPA to 
strengthen the program, including the ability to offer extended term 
financing up to 30 years to help communities that may need more time to 
repay the loan. Additionally, the Clean Water State Revolving Fund 
program is being proactively marketed to ensure that all Texas 
communities are aware of the benefits offered by this program. And, Mr. 
Speaker, I am delighted to be able to honor such a vital organization 
in the State of Texas. It's sometimes a rare occasion.

[[Page H466]]

  The Texas Water Development Board is recognized as a leader in the 
State water planning and water-related infrastructure financing. I 
would like to thank my colleagues from the Texas delegation for joining 
me in this resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. PETRI. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, the resolution before us, House Resolution 832, 
recognizes the Texas Water Development Board on its selection as the 
2007 recipient of the Environmental Protection Agency's Performance and 
Innovation in the State Revolving Fund Creating Environmental Success 
Award. This award is given to one State in each of the 10 different EPA 
regions and highlights successfully designed projects that further the 
goal of clean water.
  The Texas Water Development Board was created in 1957 to provide 
leadership, planning, financial assistance, information and education 
for the conservation and responsible development of water for Texas. 
Its mission is a vital part of Texas' overall vision, mission, and 
goals related to maintaining the State's natural resources, health, and 
its economic development.
  To accomplish its goals for the State's water resources and for 
providing the portable water and wastewater services, the Texas Water 
Development Board provides water planning, data collection and 
dissemination, financial assistance, and technical assistance services 
to the citizens of the State of Texas.
  The tremendous population growth that the State has had and will 
continue to experience and the continual threat of severe drought only 
intensify the need for the Texas Water Development Board to accomplish 
its goals in an effective and efficient manner.
  The Clean Water Act State Revolving Loan Fund in Texas has awarded 
communities more than $4 billion in low-interest loans to finance 472 
water infrastructure projects across the State of Texas. These projects 
serve approximately one-half of the population of that State, treat 
about 2 billion gallons per day of wastewater, and provide direct 
environmental and public health benefits to Texans at large.
  In Texas, the Northwest Water Reuse Initiative consists of a $10.7 
million project in El Paso County to deliver treated wastewater for 
reuse to agricultural, commercial, industrial and residential users 
from El Paso's Northwest Water Treatment Plant.
  Texas also financed a wastewater reclamation initiative to deliver 
reclaimed water from the city of Austin's Walnut Creek Wastewater 
Treatment Plant, the first step in the city's development of a 
transmission and distribution service, serving customers with reclaimed 
water.
  This resolution recognizes the importance of Federal-State 
partnerships in addressing water resources needs in the United States, 
and specifically the effective and efficient manner in which the State 
of Texas is managing its State Revolving Loan Fund program.
  I encourage all Members to support this project.
  Mr. PETRI. Mr. Speaker, H. Res. 832 recognizes the Texas Water 
Development Board on its selection as a 2007 recipient of the 
Environmental Protection Agency's Performance and Innovation in the 
State Revolving Fund Creating Environmental Success Award. (PISCES)
  This award is given to one State in each of the ten different EPA 
regions and highlights successfully designed projects that further the 
goal of clean water.
  The Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) was created in 1957 to 
provide leadership, planning, financial assistance, information, and 
education for the conservation and responsible development of water for 
Texas. Its mission is a vital part of Texas' overall vision, mission, 
and goals related to maintaining the State's natural resources, health 
and economic development.
  To accomplish its goals for the State's water resources and for 
providing affordable water and wastewater services, the Texas Water 
Development Board provides water planning, data collection and 
dissemination, financial assistance and technical assistance services 
to the citizens of Texas.
  The tremendous population growth that the State of Texas has and will 
continue to experience, and the continual threat of severe drought, 
only intensify the need for the Texas Water Development Board to 
accomplish its goals in an effective and efficient manner.
  The Clean Water Act State Revolving Loan Fund in Texas has awarded 
communities more than $4 billion in low-interest loans to finance 472 
water infrastructure projects across the State of Texas.
  These projects serve approximately one-half of the population of 
Texas, treat about 2 billion gallons per day of wastewater, and provide 
direct environmental and public health benefits to Texans at large.
  In Texas, the Northwest Water Reuse Initiative consisted of a $10.7 
million project in El Paso County to deliver treated wastewater for 
reuse to agricultural, commercial, industrial, and residential users 
from El Paso's Northwest Wastewater Treatment Plant.
  Texas also financed a wastewater reclamation initiative to deliver 
reclaimed water from the City of Austin's Walnut Creek Wastewater 
Treatment Plant, the first step in the city's development of a 
transmission and distribution system serving customers with reclaimed 
water.
  This resolution recognizes the importance of Federal-State 
partnerships in addressing water resources needs in the United States 
and specifically the effective and efficient manner in which the State 
of Texas is managing its State Revolving Loan Fund Program.
  I encourage all Members to support the legislation.
  Mr. OBERSTAR. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 832, honoring 
the Texas Water Development Board on its selection as a 2007 recipient 
of the Environmental Protection Agency's Performance and Innovation in 
the State Revolving Fund (``SRF'') Creating Environmental Success 
Award. This resolution was introduced by my colleague from Texas (Ms. 
Johnson), who is Chairwoman of the Subcommittee on Water Resources and 
Environment of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
  In 2005, to recognize outstanding successes of the States' Clean 
Water State Revolving Fund programs, the Performance and Innovation in 
the SRF Creating Environmental Success Awards, or the ``PISCES'' 
awards, were created. The Awards recognize successfully designed 
projects or organizations that utilize exceptional planning, 
management, and financing to further the goals of clean and safe water 
for our citizens.
  The PISCES award, which is biennially bestowed on one State entity 
per region, is an attempt to reward innovation and stewardship in 
meeting the Clean Water and wastewater needs of the Nation.
  In 2007, the Region 6 recipient of this award was the Texas Water 
Development Board.
  However, I would be remiss if I failed to also recognize the Region 5 
award winner--Minnesota's Agricultural Best Management Practices Loan 
Program, operated by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture through 
funds and assistance obtained through the Minnesota Public Finance 
Authority.
  The Texas Water Development Board has managed its funds 
exceptionally, awarding communities more than $4 billion in loans to 
finance more than 450 water infrastructure projects across the state. 
These projects help Texas treat more than two billion gallons of 
wastewater per day, resulting in significant environmental and health 
benefits.
  The Board has also been an active partner with the Committee and 
Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment--twice testifying 
before the Committee on issues ranging from the enormous nationwide 
need for wastewater infrastructure investment to the long-term 
stewardship of water resource measures through thoughtful, statewide 
watershed planning.
  I support this resolution honoring Texas' water and environmental 
management, and urge my colleagues to agree to the resolution.
  Mr. PETRI. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I have no further 
requests for time, and I simply want to ask everyone to support the 
resolution.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Eddie Bernice Johnson of Texas) that the 
House suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 832, as 
amended.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the resolution, as amended, was agreed to.
  The title of the resolution was amended so as to read:
  ``Honoring the Texas Water Development Board on its selection as a 
2007 recipient of the Environmental Protection Agency's Performance and 
Innovation in the SRF Creating Environmental Success Award''.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.




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