[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 149 (Tuesday, December 9, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1765]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 COMMEMORATING THE PASSAGE OF H.R. 2901, THE PAUL SIMON WATER FOR THE 
                           WORLD ACT OF 2014

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. EARL BLUMENAUER

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 9, 2014

  Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Speaker, nearly three-and-a-half years ago, 
Congressman Ted Poe and I set out on a joint effort to increase access 
to clean drinking water and sanitation for the world's poorest. His 
commitment to work together on this effort was for all of the right 
reasons. The most important, however, was his clear understanding that 
politics stops at water.
  And last night, our years of work and shared efforts were rewarded 
when the House passed the bipartisan Senator Paul Simon Water for the 
World Act.
  My efforts began over a decade ago, and were encouraged by the late 
Senator Paul Simon, the namesake of this bill and my 2005 Water for the 
Poor Act. It's fitting that on this day--the anniversary of his passing 
on December 9, 2003--Congress would honor his memory by considering a 
bill that aims to fulfill one of his greatest passions. This country 
owes him a great deal for his vision and foresight. Thank you, Senator 
Paul Simon, and to his wife, Patti, who continues to support his 
important work.
  The passage of the Water for the World Act is historic.
  Never before has the U.S. had a Global Water Strategy for how to 
effectively deal with growing water scarcity in all corners of the 
world. We now have a blueprint on how to help those in need, while at 
the same time planning for, and then implementing, efforts to prevent 
and mitigate water-related conflict. The U.S. can no longer afford to 
play a modest role, and instead must take up the mantle of leadership. 
This bill ensures that will happen.
  None of this would have been possible if it weren't for efforts of 
literally thousands of people all across the country that took action 
and urged Congress to pass the Water for the World Act. In October, I 
joined Charlie Dent and over 60,000 of our closest friends in Central 
Park for a rally calling on Congress to act on this critical 
legislation. It worked.
  The Water for the World Act was endorsed by over 80 NGOs, nearly half 
of whom are faith-based organizations. While all played a critical 
role, there are a few that deserve individual recognition.
  Going all the way back to 2005, we would have barely moved the needle 
if it weren't for Malcolm Morris and Mark Winter of Living Water 
International.
  David Douglas has been a constant source of encouragement and 
support.
  I also want to thank Lisa Schechtman of WaterAid, John Sparks of the 
Millennium Water Alliance, Lisa Bos of World Vision, John Oldfield of 
WASH Advocates, and Erin Rein (``Reen'') of InterAction. They have been 
on the front lines of this effort, ready to jump into action at a 
moment's notice.
  Others have been indispensible as well, including Habitat for 
Humanity, Water.org, and the Global Poverty Project.
  I also want to thank my House colleagues who personally invested a 
great deal of time into bringing this bill to the floor. Without Ted 
Poe, the issue of increasing access to clean drinking water and 
sanitation would not have the bipartisan support and appreciation it 
deserves. He made this happen. Thank you, Ted. I also want to thank 
Chairman Royce. The Chairman went out of his way to make Water for the 
World a priority and is the latest extension of his efforts to 
meaningfully reform our aid programs.
  Just as important to this effort have been our friends and allies at 
USAID and the Department of State. Starting with former Secretary of 
State Clinton, who made water a focal point of her time in Foggy 
Bottom, and her Special Advisor for Water Resources, Dr. Aaron 
Salzberg. And Christian Holmes at USAID, the first-ever Global Water 
Coordinator, with whom I look forward to continuing to work.
  Finally, as every Member of Congress knows, we wouldn't make much 
progress on anything if it weren't for the dedicated, hardworking staff 
that actually run the place. Without the tireless efforts and expertise 
from Joan Condon and her colleagues on the House Foreign Affairs 
Committee, and from Luke Murry in Congressman Poe's office, it would 
have been nearly impossible to secure this important victory for water 
and sanitation.
  I want to conclude by thanking my staff. It seems like generations of 
Team Blumenauer have been involved in this effort at one point or 
another. From Judah Ariel to Steph Cappa, to Michael Harold, thank you!
  Let's hope this shining example of bipartisan cooperation is not only 
a source of holiday cheer, but also an example all of us in Congress 
can draw on in the New Year.

                          ____________________