[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 10]
[House]
[Pages 13565-13566]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



              WATER RESOURCES RESEARCH ACT REAUTHORIZATION

  Mr. WALDEN of Oregon. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and 
pass the bill (H.R. 4132) to reauthorize grants for water resources 
research and technology institutes established under the Water 
Resources Research Act of 1984.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                               H.R. 4132

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. REAUTHORIZATION OF WATER RESOURCES RESEARCH ACT OF 
                   1984.

       (a) Water Resources Research Program Grants.--Section 
     104(f)(1) of the Water Resources Research Act of 1984 (42 
     U.S.C. 10303(f)(1)) is amended by striking ``$5,000,000 for 
     fiscal year 1996, $7,000,000 for each of fiscal years 1997 
     and 1998, and $9,000,000 for each of fiscal years 1999 and 
     2000'' and inserting ``$9,000,000 for fiscal year 2001, 
     $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2002 and 2003, and 
     $12,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2004 and 2005''.
       (b) Grants for Research Focused on Water Problems of 
     Interstate Nature.--The first sentence of section 104(g)(1) 
     of such Act (42 U.S.C. 10303(g)(1)) is amended by striking 
     ``$3,000,000 for each of fiscal years 1996 through 2000'' and 
     inserting ``$3,000,000 for fiscal year 2001, $4,000,000 for 
     each of fiscal years 2002 and 2003, and $6,000,000 for each 
     of fiscal years 2004 and 2005''.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Oregon (Mr. Walden) and the gentleman from California (Mr. George 
Miller) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Oregon (Mr. Walden).


                             General Leave

  Mr. WALDEN of Oregon. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all 
Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend 
their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 4132.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Oregon?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. WALDEN of Oregon. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I 
may consume.
  Madam Speaker, in partnership with the U.S. Geological Survey, the 
Water Resources Research Institutes have the capability to provide 
important support to the States in their long-term

[[Page 13566]]

water planning, policy development and resources management efforts. 
The state water resources research institutes, under the authority of 
the Water Resources Research Act, have established an effective 
Federal-State partnership in water resources, education, and 
information transfer. These institutes are located in each of the 50 
States, the District of Columbia, the Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, and 
Guam/Federated States of Micronesia. They have worked with State and 
Federal agencies and water resources stakeholders in their home States 
for more than 3 decades while acting as a network for the exchange of 
water resources research and information transfer among States.
  This legislation will reauthorize the Water Resources Research Act of 
1984 for the fiscal years 2001 through 2005. It will provide increased 
funding for the water resources research program grants and provide an 
increase in the authorization for grants for research focused on water 
problems of an interstate nature.
  We recognize the important role of these institutes and the role they 
play in our understanding of water policy and planning throughout the 
United States, and I urge passage of this legislation.
  Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. GEORGE MILLER of California. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such 
time as I may consume.
  I rise in support of H.R. 4132, a bill to amend the Water Resources 
Research Act of 1984. This legislation extends the authorization's 
important program for 5 years and provides a modest increase in the 
authorization of appropriations. The water research program has 
provided us with extraordinary benefits for many years, and I would ask 
that all Members support the legislation.
  Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. WALDEN of Oregon. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my 
time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Oregon (Mr. Walden) that the House suspend the rules and 
pass the bill, H.R. 4132.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof) the rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

                          ____________________