[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 13]
[House]
[Page 18300]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



 LOWER RIO GRANDE VALLEY WATER RESOURCES CONSERVATION AND IMPROVEMENT 
                              ACT OF 2001

  (Mr. HINOJOSA asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. HINOJOSA. Madam Speaker, the people in the Rio Grande Valley of 
South Texas are facing what looks to be one of the worst drought years 
of all time. After 6 years of record low rainfall levels this summer, 
for the first time in recorded history, the once mighty Rio Grande 
River stopped flowing completely before it reached the Gulf of Mexico. 
The region's two reservoirs are currently at less than one-third of 
capacity, with no relief in sight.
  Today, several of my South Texas colleagues and I have introduced the 
Lower Rio Grande Valley Water Resources Conservation and Improvement 
Act of 2001. Our legislation will help provide badly needed water 
relief to the farmers, ranchers, and communities of South Texas. This 
legislation incorporates modern technologies into our water management 
system to conserve and maximize our limited water resources.
  Much remains to be done. However, the legislation that we are 
introducing today will provide a valuable first step; and I hope that 
all my colleagues will join me in supporting it.

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