[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 29 (Thursday, February 12, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E258]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   INTRODUCTION OF THE MORRIS K. UDALL SCHOLARSHIP AND EXCELLENCE IN 
          NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY AMENDMENTS ACT OF 2009

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                         HON. RAUL M. GRIJALVA

                               of arizona

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 12, 2009

  Mr. GRIJALVA. Madam Speaker, I am pleased to introduce the Morris K. 
Udall Scholarship and Excellence in National Environmental Policy 
Amendments Act of 2009. The Morris K. Udall Foundation is an 
independent federal agency based in Tucson, Arizona, which operates 
exceptional educational programs focused on developing leadership on 
environmental and Native American issues. It also includes the U.S. 
Institute for Environmental Conflict Resolution, the only program 
within the federal government focused entirely on preventing, managing 
and resolving federal environmental conflicts.
  The legislation I introduce today would enhance the Foundation's 
programs and operations, and at the same time honor one of the greatest 
public servants and conservationists in history, Stewart L. Udall, by 
adding his name to the Foundation with that of his late brother, Morris 
K. Udall.
  The Udall Foundation was established by Congress in 1992. Initially, 
the Foundation's mission was to provide educational opportunities for 
studies related to the environment and Native American tribal policy 
and health care. In 1998, Congress amended the Udall Foundation's 
enabling legislation to add a new mission: resolving conflicts related 
to the environment, natural resources and public lands through services 
including mediation, facilitation and training. The work of the Udall 
Foundation has become even more important today, as the nation seeks 
long-term responses to climate change, sustainable energy supplies, and 
a sustainable economy for all Americans.


                           Education Programs

  Through its education programs, the Udall Foundation identifies and 
educates tomorrow's leaders in fields that are critical to the energy, 
climate change and economic issues facing our nation. The programs 
include:
  The premier college scholarship and doctoral fellowship for studies 
related to the environment and a scholarship for Native Americans 
studying tribal policy or health care. The Obama Administration has 
committed to creating five million new jobs by strategically investing 
$150 billion over the next ten years to catalyze private efforts to 
build a clean energy future. The 1,000-some Udall Scholar alumni, who 
are chosen in part for their demonstrated commitment to public service, 
will clearly be in the forefront of clean energy and climate change 
response activities both in the private sector and government.
  The Native American Congressional Internship program placing gifted 
undergraduate and graduate students in Congress, the Council on 
Environmental Quality, and Cabinet offices to learn first-hand how 
Washington impacts their tribes and communities. My own Washington 
office has hosted a Udall Native American intern each summer since I 
first came to Congress in 2003, and I can testify to the talent and 
commitment of these interns, many of whom have already gone on to 
positions of leadership in their tribal communities, government and 
nonprofit organizations. More than 150 young Native leaders will have 
completed the Udall Congressional internship through this summer.
  Native Nations Institute for Leadership, Management and Policy (NNI), 
which serves as a self-determination, governance, and economic 
development resource for tribal nations. Through the impact of its 
tribal executive leadership program, Indian nations are rebuilding 
their economies. NNI has three primary program areas: Leadership and 
Management Training, Strategic and Organizational Development, and 
Research and Policy Analysis. NNI's activities in these three areas 
have made it the leading provider of nation-building services and 
education to the senior leadership of Indian nations and a world-class 
center for applied research on how indigenous peoples can meet the 
practical challenges of nation building.
  The Parks in Focus program, which connects underserved youth to 
nature through the art of photography, instilling in them a long-
lasting understanding of and appreciation for national parks and other 
public lands.


        The U.S. Institute for Environmental Conflict Resolution

  The Udall Foundation includes the U.S. Institute for Environmental 
Conflict Resolution, the only entity in the federal government 
dedicated to resolving federal environmental conflicts. The Institute 
is funded by an annual appropriation from Congress and fees for 
services. Since its inception in FY 1999, the Institute has been 
involved in hundreds of conflicts around the country, providing 
services such as assessment, mediation and facilitation. The Institute 
also provides leadership on conflict resolution within the federal 
government and training to federal managers and stakeholders, providing 
practical hands-on tools to better prevent and manage disputes and 
engage in collaborative problem-solving. Each year, the Institute 
engages thousands of stakeholders directly in agreement-seeking 
processes representing many thousands of constituents. Services are 
provided by the Institute's small staff, as well as by contracted 
mediators who are listed on the Institute's national roster of almost 
300 conflict resolution professionals.
  The U.S. Institute's work is particularly needed right now, given the 
need for infrastructure projects, natural resource management, and 
other important priorities with environmental impacts. Major 
initiatives by the new Administration related to energy policy and 
climate change most likely will require considerable multi-sector 
dialogue and consensus building. The Institute has a 10-year track 
record of facilitating such dialogue, particularly where multiple 
federal, state, local and tribal governments are involved. The need for 
Institute services has already been growing, and will continue to grow 
with these new energy and climate initiatives.
  It is appropriate for Congress to provide solid support for the Udall 
Foundation's important programs through the legislation I introduce 
today, while simultaneously recognizing the unsurpassed contributions 
of Stewart L. Udall by adding his name to the Foundation's title. 
Stewart Udall served in this House of Congress with distinction from 
1955, representing an area that included what is now my district, until 
he was appointed Secretary of the Interior in 1961 by President John F. 
Kennedy. As Secretary of Interior, Stewart Udall had an unmatched 
record of environmental leadership, overseeing the creation of 4 
national parks, 6 national monuments, 8 national seashores and 
lakeshores, 9 recreation areas, 20 historic sites, and 56 wildlife 
refuges. He continued to make substantial contributions to 
environmental and Native American policy as a lawyer and author 
following his tenure at Interior.
  With the legislation introduced today, the name of the Foundation 
would change to the Morris K. Udall and Stewart L. Udall Foundation. 
The legislation also would support the Udall Foundation's important 
programs into the future by authorizing funding for the education trust 
fund and the U.S. Institute for Environmental Conflict Resolution in 
such amounts as Congress determines is necessary.

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