[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 126 (Thursday, July 28, 2022)]
[House]
[Page H7402]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           ADDRESSING THE DROUGHT AND WILDFIRES IN CALIFORNIA

  (Mr. COSTA asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. COSTA. Mr. Speaker, the people and communities of California's 
San Joaquin Valley have been dealing with devastating drought 
conditions for years.
  Water is life, as we say, agua es vida.
  A reliable, sustainable water supply is absolutely essential to put 
America's food on our dinner table. It is a national security issue. 
Think about it. We can't live without food. Without water, we cannot 
grow food.
  Farmers in my district are feeling the impact of the drought 
firsthand. Many have fallowed land, sadly. It is becoming more and more 
difficult to grow food and maintain farmland.
  It is really simple. We say back home: Where water flows, food grows.
  Small businesses are struggling to survive. Residents suffer from 
declining air quality, spurred by dust and wildfires that continue to 
spread across the West.
  We must confront the devastating impacts of climate change. The 
Wildfire and Drought Resiliency Act will improve drought resiliency and 
protect the giant sequoia trees that are part of America's natural 
heritage.
  Without a doubt, we cannot wait to confront this issue. We must act 
now.

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