[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 174 (Wednesday, December 2, 2015)]
[House]
[Pages H8865-H8866]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              FIXING AMERICA'S SURFACE TRANSPORTATION ACT

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Florida (Mr. Curbelo) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. CURBELO of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the 
Fixing America's Surface Transportation Act, or FAST Act. This critical 
legislation will provide 5 years of fully paid-for transportation 
projects across the Nation to repair our aging infrastructure.
  The FAST Act makes important reforms to highway and vehicle safety 
and expands public transportation to make Federal investment more cost-
effective. It also expands funding available for bridges and roads.
  And, most importantly, Mr. Speaker, this bill was done through the 
regular order process, with transparent amendments considered and all 
Members having their say.

[[Page H8866]]

  I would like to highlight several initiatives that are important to 
my south Florida congressional district included in the FAST Act.
  Language was included in this bill that I offered with Representative 
Titus to protect our seniors and pedestrians in congested traffic 
areas. While total traffic crash fatalities are down nearly 25 percent 
in the last decade, pedestrian deaths are up, hurting children and the 
elderly most.
  This language will encourage States to adopt safe and adequate 
accommodation standards for roadways and sidewalks when developing 
future Federal projects.
  Also included in the FAST Act is robust funding levels for University 
Transportation Center programs, with much-welcomed increases over the 
next 5 years.
  One hundred twenty-five universities across the country participate 
in the UTC program, conducting critical research to develop future 
transportation technologies. Florida International University, in my 
district, is a world-recognized leader in accelerated bridge 
construction, and I am proud to advocate for them and all the UTCs here 
in Congress.
  I also introduced a bill earlier this month with Representative 
Lipinski that was similar to this language and appreciate all the 
bipartisan support UTCs have received.
  Lastly, I would like to thank Chairman Gibbs and Ranking Member 
Napolitano for their work in the creation of the Water Infrastructure 
Finance and Innovation Act, or WIFIA, in last year's WRRDA legislation. 
This is a perfect example of good government and will be truly 
revolutionary in addressing the dire water infrastructure needs 
throughout the country.
  I represent Miami-Dade County, one of the 10 largest water and sewer 
departments in the Nation, that services 2.3 million people daily. The 
14,000 miles of pipeline date back more than 40 years, and repairs are 
much-needed.
  Included in the FAST Act was a fix to the WIFIA program to allow for 
the use of tax-exempt municipal bonds in these infrastructure projects. 
Earlier in the year, I introduced a bill with bipartisan support that 
proposed this fix, and I am grateful it was included in the FAST Act to 
allow local governments the tools necessary to repair our water 
systems.
  Lastly, I would like to thank Chairman Shuster and Ranking Member 
DeFazio and their Senate counterparts for all of their hard work in 
crafting this important legislation. This final product embodies the 
essence of bipartisanship, and I am proud to serve on the 
Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.
  I urge the House and Senate to pass the FAST Act to strengthen our 
Nation's transportation networks. I know my neighbors in south Florida, 
especially those living in Kendall and South Dade, will be very 
grateful.


  Seventh Annual Southeast Florida Regional Climate Leadership Summit

  Mr. CURBELO of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to give accolades 
to Monroe County and the city of Key West for holding their Seventh 
Annual Southeast Florida Regional Climate Leadership Summit.
  For 7 years, they have created a forum for people to come together 
and discuss the importance of mitigating the effects of climate change. 
I thank them for their continued efforts and for being leaders on this 
critical issue that warrants serious attention.
  Like me, they believe that humans are a contributing factor to 
climate change and that our years of living irresponsibly have caught 
up with us, leaving a blemish on our planet. They have dedicated time 
to making a positive impact on our world, and I applaud them for their 
valiant and enduring efforts to see this task through.
  To all the attendees of the climate summit in beautiful Key West, 
thank you for your efforts to make the world a better place. I am 
confident that if we work together we can do right by future 
generations and leave them a cleaner, more beautiful planet.


               Nelson Sobrino, Student Council President

  Mr. CURBELO of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize a student in 
Homestead, Florida, Mr. Nelson Sobrino, and congratulate him on his 
recent election as student council president of Somerset City Arts 
Conservatory.
  President Nelson, who is 13 years old, ran on a platform of adding 
additional school spirit days and helping the less fortunate with food 
during the holiday season.
  The story of President Nelson's path to success at such a young age 
has a lot to admire. In first grade, he was diagnosed with autism. 
However, Nelson has overcome difficult odds and has not only been a 
very successful student academically, winning awards like ``Reading 
Plus'' for Web-based comprehension program, but has excelled socially 
as well.
  His teachers, parents, and fellow students have been a tremendous 
support network and have greatly contributed to President Nelson's 
success.
  So, President Nelson, I proudly recognize your leadership of the 
student body of Somerset City Arts and look forward to visiting with 
you soon.

                          ____________________