[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 107 (Tuesday, June 25, 2019)]
[House]
[Page H5086]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1100
             REAUTHORIZE NUTRIA ERADICATION AND CONTROL ACT

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
California (Mr. Costa) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. COSTA. Mr. Speaker, I would like to talk about a challenge that 
we have in California's waterways. It is a challenge of an invasive 
species called nutria.
  Nutrias are commonly known as swamp rats to many. They came from 
South America decades ago, but they raise havoc wherever they go.
  They are a problem for California's already challenged water system. 
They destroy canals and levees, which, in turn, could lead to flooding 
and threaten water delivery to our farmers and our farm communities.
  Usually detected in large numbers, they rapidly reproduce, which 
makes eradication difficult.
  Last week, I cosponsored legislation with fellow Congressmen Josh 
Harder and TJ Cox to help fight the nutria population growth. The bill 
will reauthorize the Nutria Eradication and Control Act of 2003 and 
provide $7 million toward efforts to rid the species from California 
once and for all.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this 
important legislation for California.


                 Celebrating Portuguese Heritage Month

  Mr. COSTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize June as National 
Portuguese Heritage Month.
  Representative Cox and I have introduced legislation, along with the 
Portuguese Caucus, to officially recognize the key role that Portuguese 
Americans have played in the growth of our Nation and highlight their 
valuable and significant contributions to our society.
  Portugal was the first neutral nation to establish diplomatic ties 
with the United States over 240 years ago. They have contributed to 
every facet of American society, from manning the early whaling ships 
in New England to the introduction of agriculture throughout the 
country.
  They have served with distinction and proudly in our military and 
have been leaders in government at every level in our country. In 1979, 
Tony Coelho, my friend from California, was elected as the first 
American of Portuguese descent to the United States House of 
Representatives.
  In addition to lawmaking, Portuguese Americans have made lasting 
contributions to science, music, and in other areas of business, 
through people like former Secretary of Energy and nuclear physicist 
Ernest Moniz and the famous March King, John Philip Sousa, who wrote 
the iconic song ``Stars and Stripes Forever'' as he headed the Marine 
Corps band.
  They are also leaders in agriculture throughout our Nation--in 
California, most notably in the dairy industry.
  The Portuguese American story is the American story of immigrants 
past and immigrants present who have come here through generations to 
have a better life for themselves and their families.
  Values that my own parents and grandparents instilled in myself and 
my sister have never been far from my heart, that family and tradition 
and that an ethic of hard work are important in our country for all 
immigrant groups, and realizing that with that ethic, anything can be 
accomplished in America.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues today to join me in recognizing and 
celebrating the many ways in which the Portuguese American communities 
have changed, shaped, and influenced our country through our industries 
and, most importantly, through their ideals and their love of family 
and becoming a part of that American Dream.
  Mr. Speaker, I inquire as to how much time I have remaining.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman has 1\1/2\ minutes remaining.


                   Strengthen U.S.-Armenian Relations

  Mr. COSTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize another ethnic 
group that has made so many contributions to America, the Armenian 
community, to underscore the importance and the strong relationship 
between the United States and Armenia.
  The United States has enjoyed a long history working with the 
Armenian people toward a shared vision of a free and democratic 
society.
  The Armenian community has risen over the past 100 years, after 
facing one of the most atrocious acts in human history: the first 
genocide in the 20th century.
  Notwithstanding that, they have prevailed and continue to grow 
stronger, not only in Armenia, but also throughout the world.
  In 2018, we witnessed the Armenian people standing up and peacefully 
demonstrating for change in their country, and it happened. Nearly 1 
year later, the dawn of a new era represents an opportunity for the 
country and its people to reach their full potential.
  The United States can provide valuable support and help to empower 
the Armenian people in this new and exciting chapter in their country.
  I am pleased, therefore, to support H.R. 452, and I look forward to 
the opportunity to work with my colleagues to continue to strengthen 
the bilateral relations between the United States and the Republic of 
Armenia.


   Resolve Humanitarian Crisis at Southern Border on Bipartisan Basis

  Mr. COSTA. Mr. Speaker, finally, let me say to my colleagues in the 
House that what is going on at the border between the United States and 
Mexico is simply not the American way. We can find solutions to resolve 
the humanitarian crisis that is taking place at our border, but we must 
work together on a bipartisan basis.
  We must support the supplemental legislation today that will provide 
additional funding while working for meaningful changes to take care of 
people, to not separate children from their families, and to act in a 
humane way that reflects our values.

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