[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 33 (Thursday, March 7, 2013)]
[Senate]
[Page S1271]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS

      By Mr. UDALL of Colorado:
  S. 503. A bill to establish the Sangre de Cristo National Historical 
Park, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Energy and Natural 
Resources.
  Mr. UDALL of Colorado. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce 
legislation recognizing one of Colorado's most historically significant 
regions--the San Luis Valley.
  It is no exaggeration to say that the unique history and culture of 
the region we commonly call `the Valley' is one of the richest in our 
state, region, and nation, particularly as an example of early Hispano 
and Latino settlement. As an avid student of history--like so many of 
my colleagues--I find that the more I learn and experience the stories, 
people, and places of the Valley, the more I want to learn.
  First explored by Spanish Colonial expeditions in the 17th century, 
Hispano families from Northern New Mexico made many attempts at 
permanent settlement in this region, but weren't successful until the 
late 1840s, after the territory became part of Mexico. With the oldest 
town, San Luis, and the oldest water right, the People's Ditch, in 
Colorado, the San Luis Valley hosts some of the most intact Mexican 
territorial settlements in the Southwest. Many descendants of those 
original settlers continue to live in the region today.
  But despite this incredibly rich history, millions of people visit 
Colorado every year who are not familiar with the San Luis Valley. The 
legislation I am introducing today would create the Sangre de Cristo 
National Historic Park, named for the stunning mountain range that 
forms the eastern border of the valley. The Sangre de Cristo National 
Historic Park would link together a series of historically significant 
sites throughout the valley--protecting and preserving them for future 
generations to experience and learn from.
  Creating this park will help to tell the story of Colorado's earliest 
settlers.
  Telling these stories and protecting these sites is important because 
of their intrinsic value to our history, culture and future 
generations. But they are also important to the economy as our state 
and country are emerging from the worst economy in a generation. The 
Sangre de Cristo National Historic Park could serve as an anchor for a 
regional tourism economy that can bring jobs to the entire San Luis 
Valley and Southern Colorado while recognizing and celebrating the 
Valley's rich and important history.
  Over the last several years, I have held a series of town hall 
meetings in San Luis, La Jara and Alamosa to learn more about the 
recently created Sangre de Cristo National Heritage Area and to hear 
the views of the local communities. I heard a great deal of support for 
the National Historic Park concept, and today marks an important step 
forward in the process of creating this meaningful, if overdue, park.
  I look forward to working with stakeholders, local communities and my 
colleagues to move this legislation forward.
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      By Ms. COLLINS (for herself and Mr. Schumer):
  S. 506. A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide 
recruitment and retention incentives for volunteer emergency service 
workers; to the Committee on Finance.
  Ms. COLLINS. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce the Volunteer 
Emergency Services Recruitment and Retention Act of 2013. This bill 
fixes a long-standing problem with the tax code that impedes the 
ability of volunteer fire departments to recruit and retain both 
firefighter and emergency service personnel.
  For years, local and State governments have provided their volunteer 
firefighters and EMS personnel with different forms of benefits 
including Length of Service Award Plans, commonly known as LOSAPs. 
These are pension-like benefits for volunteer emergency responders.
  Unfortunately, the way the tax code handles LOSAPs hinders 
departments' abilities to administer the plans and makes it more 
difficult for volunteer emergency personnel to receive the benefits.
  My bill would simplify the taxation of LOSAPs in two steps. First, it 
would allow LOSAPs to be elected as deferred compensation plans, and 
second, it would exempt them from the Employee Retirement Income 
Security Act of 1974. These two changes will improve access to LOSAP 
benefits for volunteer emergency responders, without increasing federal 
spending.
  Today, an estimated 180,000 volunteer firefighters across 27 states 
participate in some form of LOSAP. Many States that do not offer these 
benefits would be more likely to do so if the Federal tax code were 
simplified. This, in turn, would help volunteer fire departments to 
recruit more easily and retain personnel. These men and women, our 
local first responders, are the foundation of our emergency response 
capabilities.
  These volunteers put their lives on the line to help protect our 
communities, and their spirit of selflessness and service should be 
rewarded. I am pleased to introduce this legislation with Senator 
Schumer, and I look forward to working with my colleagues to pass this 
bill through the Senate and into law.

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