[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 10]
[House]
[Pages 14360-14361]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




   NATIONAL FISH AND WILDLIFE FOUNDATION REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2005

  Mr. PEARCE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 1428) to authorize appropriations for the National Fish and 
Wildlife Foundation, and for other purposes, as amended.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                               H.R. 1428

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

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``National Fish and Wildlife 
     Foundation Reauthorization Act of 2005''.

     SEC. 2. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       Section 10(a)(1) of the National Fish and Wildlife 
     Foundation Establishment Act (16 U.S.C. 3709(a)(1)) is 
     amended by striking ``fiscal years 2001 through 2005'' and 
     inserting ``fiscal years 2006 through 2010''.

     SEC. 3. APPLICATION OF NOTICE REQUIREMENT LIMITED TO GRANTS 
                   MADE WITH FEDERAL FUNDS.

       Section 4(i) of the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation 
     Establishment Act (16 U.S.C. 3703(i)) is amended by striking 
     ``grant of funds'' and inserting ``grant of Federal funds in 
     an amount greater than $10,000''.

     SEC. 4. CLARIFICATION OF AUTHORITY TO USE FEDERAL FUNDS TO 
                   MATCH CONTRIBUTIONS MADE TO RECIPIENTS OF 
                   NATIONAL FISH AND WILDLIFE FOUNDATION GRANTS.

       Section 10(a)(3) of the National Fish and Wildlife 
     Foundation Establishment Act (16 U.S.C. 3709(a)(3)) is 
     amended by inserting ``, or to a recipient of a grant 
     provided by the Foundation,'' after ``made to the 
     Foundation''.

     SEC. 5. REPEAL.

       Effective September 30, 2015, section 10(a)(1) of the 
     National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Establishment Act (16 
     U.S.C. 3709(a)(1)) is hereby repealed.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from New 
Mexico (Mr. Pearce) and the gentleman from New Mexico (Mr. Udall) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New Mexico (Mr. Pearce).


                             General Leave

  Mr. PEARCE. Mr. 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. 1428, the bill under 
consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from New Mexico?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. PEARCE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to support H.R. 1428 introduced by the 
gentleman from California (Mr. Pombo), the distinguished chairman of 
the House Resources Committee, which extends the existing authorization 
levels for the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation.
  Since its creation in 1984, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation 
has funded more than 6,420 conservation projects. These efforts have 
been coordinated with more than 1,800 different conservation 
organizations. The fundamental goal of these projects has been to 
increase resources for fish and wildlife conservation, develop 
innovative conservation solutions, respect private property rights, and 
sustain healthy ecosystems.
  Unlike most conservation groups, this organization requires its 
grantees to sign an agreement stipulating that no Federal funds will be 
used for lobbying or litigation purposes. Instead of simply talking 
about conserving critical habitat, the foundation has accomplished that 
effort by taking their limited Federal dollars, and, through its 
challenge grant approach, generating over $900 million in private 
matching funds. This is a remarkable achievement.
  H.R. 1428 is a simple, noncontroversial and bipartisan bill. I urge 
an aye vote.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. UDALL of New Mexico. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I 
may consume.
  As stated by my friend and colleague the gentleman from New Mexico 
(Mr. Pearce), the overall purpose of this legislation is to reauthorize 
the appropriations and to make minor technical and clarifying changes 
to the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Establishment Act.
  H.R. 1428 will help ensure that this important congressionally 
chartered foundation continues its successful work in supporting 
effective on-ground conservation partnerships, not only in my State of 
New Mexico, but also across the country.
  I urge Members to support this noncontroversial bill, and I thank the 
majority and minority staff of the Resources Committee, and especially 
Dave Jansen.
  Mr. BRADLEY of New Hampshire. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of 
H.R. 1084, a bill I introduced regarding a defining historical event 
for my State of New Hampshire, and indeed, all of the United States. 
The American Civil War was the deadliest war in all of American history 
with casualties totaling more than all other American Wars combined. 
The bloodiest day of the bloodiest war came on September 17, 1862 just 
outside the small town of Sharpsburg, Maryland. This battle involved 
93,000 men and resulted in 23,000 American casualties on the fields 
surrounding Antietam Creek. The battle of Antietam, even today, is the 
single most deadly day in all of American history. Among the soldiers 
fighting that day were men of the Fifth, Sixth, and Ninth New Hampshire 
Volunteer Infantry Regiments and the First New Hampshire Light 
Artillery Battery. Unfortunately, these brave men who fought and died 
in the Battle of Antietam do not have a marker on the field to signify 
their sacrifice. Although there are over 400 monuments, tablets and 
markers on the field of battle, none are dedicated to the brave men who 
fought and died that early fall day. As the 150th anniversary of the 
Civil War is approaching, I ask that the House help correct an 
unfortunate oversight and bring deserving recognition to these 
soldiers.
  In this effort, Congressman Bass and I have introduced H.R. 1084, 
which would authorize the establishment of a Memorial at Antietam 
National Battlefield for the New Hampshire soldiers who fought in the 
historic battle. Importantly, this bill does not authorize any Federal 
appropriations, nor require any local municipality in Maryland to help 
finance the costs of the construction or maintenance of the monument. 
Any monument built and maintained at the Antietam National Battlefield 
Park would be entirely paid for by private sources. Additionally, the 
design, size, and location of any monument authorized under this bill 
would be at the total discretion of the Secretary of the Interior and 
any proposals that do not meet their desires may be rejected. Citizens 
of New Hampshire have passionately expressed to me, through both direct 
conversations as well as State passed legislation, that they would 
relish the opportunity to at last place a deserving monument on the 
battleground at Antietam.
  In closing, I would like to call to mind an excerpt from a report 
issued by a correspondent of the Manchester Daily Mirror on September 
20, 1862, three days after the horrific battle:

       For two hours there was never sharper musketry heard or 
     seen, and New Hampshire blood flowed freely in the contest. 
     The Ninth suffered terribly but never flinched, and every man 
     stood before the awful carnage without one thought of 
     yielding.

  Mr. Speaker, these men exemplified the steadfast bravery that is a 
hallmark of American soldiers across generations. On behalf of the 
citizens of New Hampshire, I ask for the assistance of the House in 
helping to furnish a proper monument to these commendable Americans.
  Mr. UDALL of New Mexico. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my 
time.
  Mr. PEARCE. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from New Mexico (Mr. Pearce) that the House suspend the rules 
and pass the bill, H.R. 1428, as amended.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof) the rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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