[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 18]
[House]
[Page 24697]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




              MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA, COMES TO WASHINGTON

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Ros-Lehtinen) is recognized for 5 
minutes.
  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Madam Speaker, this week, a delegation of Monroe 
County elected officials, led by Mayor George Neugent, will be 
traveling here to Washington, D.C. In addition to meeting with Members 
of Congress, the Monroe County delegation will also meet with senior 
officials at FEMA on the issue of downstairs enclosures.
  I have met with middle class homeowners in the Keys who are unable to 
secure flood insurance because of their downstairs enclosures. These 
homeowners utilize this additional living space to house an elderly 
resident, a family member, or to provide affordable housing to others. 
No one can afford to be without flood insurance in the Florida Keys. 
And since an inspection is required before any current flood insurance 
policy can be renewed, many residents are being left to fend for 
themselves.
  While the issue of downstairs enclosures is certainly an important 
one, the state of our economy is the single most important issue for 
Keys residents. In recent months, I have had the opportunity to travel 
throughout the Keys to hear firsthand from teachers, from students, 
from entrepreneurs, retirees who are struggling because of uncertain 
economic conditions and a dwindling tourist economy. I have met with 
commercial fishermen in Key Largo who are abandoning their boats and 
leaving their lifetime passion in pursuit of part-time jobs that will 
at least pay the bills. Many of these fishermen are unable to make a 
living because of onerous fishing regulations and unfair moratoriums. I 
have met with small business owners in Key West who are closing down 
shop because of their inability to secure a bank loan which would at 
least carry them forward until next year.
  The economic success of our community rests on the success of our 
fishermen and our hotel owners as well as on the environmental 
preservation of our beaches, our coral reefs, and other precious 
ecosystems. As a Member of Congress who proudly represents the Florida 
Keys, I have consistently fought for increased Federal action to 
protect our environment. For example, our Florida Keys National Marine 
Sanctuary is a world-renowned institution, and we have beautiful coral 
reefs that are a major economic engine for our local economy.
  Last month, the House of Representatives passed the Coral Reef 
Conservation Act, a bill that I cosponsored. This bill increases 
Federal oversight of coral reef monitoring and rehabilitation efforts 
as well as promoting community-based conservation initiatives.
  In addition to conservation efforts, I am working with my colleagues 
here in Congress to support the Aquarius Underwater Sea Lab, which is 
based in Key Largo. Aquarius is the only permanent underwater lab in 
the world, and its facilities are used in partnership with NASA and the 
Navy to train astronauts, divers, and to develop cutting-edge 
technology. I have been in contact with officials at NOAA to voice my 
strong support for the continuation of this important program, 
Aquarius, which is of great benefit to the scientific community and to 
our local economy.
  During this time of economic uncertainty and volatile gas prices, it 
is more important now than ever that we reduce our dependency on 
foreign oil. The foundation of a comprehensive energy policy depends 
upon our ability to develop alternative sources of energy.
  In Congress, I have been a consistent advocate of green energy 
initiatives. I voted to raise national fuel economy standards for our 
automobiles and establish a Federal renewable electricity standard. I 
have also voted to increase tax incentives for small businesses that 
utilize energy-efficient technologies in the workplace, such as solar 
panels or hybrid cars.
  The Florida Keys has the potential of becoming a major market for 
green tourism, both nationally and internationally. And of course in 
order to achieve this goal we need to improve both our transportation 
infrastructure as well as our wastewater infrastructure.
  I am proud to say that I have been a leader in securing millions in 
Federal dollars for our roadways, our bus facilities, as well as for 
the Florida Keys Wastewater Project. Securing Federal funds for the 
Florida Keys Wastewater Project is a top priority of mine in Congress 
because we have to protect our National Marine Sanctuary from further 
environmental damage. In the past year, I have secured more than $25 
million toward this project.
  Later this week, the House of Representatives will vote on a Homeland 
Security Appropriations bill, which includes funding for a new 
emergency operation center which will serve all of Monroe County. I 
know that the need for Federal dollars is great, and I will continue to 
do my part for the Federal funds for the Keys.
  Welcome, Keys representatives, to Washington.

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