EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS

∑ This ‘‘bullet’’ symbol identifies statements or insertions which are not spoken by a Member of the Senate on the floor.

Matter set in this typeface indicates words inserted or appended, rather than spoken, by a Member of the House on the floor.

January 15, 2009 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E93 

JOINT RESOLUTION PROVIDING 

FOR CONGRESSIONAL DISAPPROVAL OF REGULATIONS RELATING TO INTERAGENCY COOPERATION UNDER THE ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT 

HON. NICK J. RAHALL II OF WEST VIRGINIA

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Thursday, January 15, 2009 

Mr. RAHALL. Madam Speaker, today I am 

introducing legislation, using the authority 

granted to Congress under the Congressional 

Review Act, to overturn last minute regulations 

promulgated by the Bush Interior and Commerce Departments which give federal agencies an unacceptable degree of discretion to 

decide whether or not to comply with the Endangered Species Act, ESA. 

Joining me in introducing this measure are 

Mr. MARKEY, Mr. GEORGE MILLER, Mr. 

DEFAZIO, Mr. HINCHEY, Mrs. CAPPS, Mr. INSLEE, Mr. HOLT, Mr. GRIJALVA, Mr. DINGELL, Mr. 

DICKS, Mr. FARR, and Mr. BLUMENAUER. I thank 

them for their support. 

The Bush Administration has had a long, 

though one could hardly say proud, history of 

trying to undermine the Endangered Species 

Act and the protection it provides our Nation’s 

most imperiled species. For years, high ranking political appointees in the Department of 

Interior used their positions and influence to 

meddle in scientific decisions under the ESA 

and alter outcomes, potentially harming species and most definitely harming the integrity 

of the law and morale and reputation of the 

agency charged with implementing it. 

The rules we seek to overturn with this joint 

resolution were rushed through in the final 

months of the Administration and are the final 

assault on and insult to one of our nation’s 

landmark conservation laws. They gut what is 

the cornerstone of the law, the Section 7 consultation process, and allow federal agencies 

to undertake or permit thousands of federal 

activities, such as logging or building a dam, 

on federal land and other areas without obtaining review or comment from federal wildlife 

biologists at the Fish and Wildlife Service. 

This incredibly controversial proposal— 

which could have far-reaching implications on 

the future integrity of the Endangered Species 

program—clearly merits more public scrutiny 

than the Administration provided. First proposed in late August, the Administration 

rushed a public comment period and environmental assessment and then reviewed more 

than 300,000 public comments at a rate of 

more than 6,000 per hour. This last minute, illconceived overhaul of the rules governing 

America’s endangered wildlife, brokered behind closed doors, is an affront to the American people who trust their government to do 

the right thing. 

Eleventh hour rulemakings rarely, if ever, 

lead to good government, and this is not the 

type of legacy the Bush Administration should 

be leaving for future generations. Not surprisingly, this is not the first time—though fortunately it will likely be the last—that the Bush 

Interior Department abdicated their responsibility for ensuring that an agency action will 

not jeopardize a listed species or harm their 

habitat. Similar regulations proposed to allow 

the Environmental Protection Agency to decide whether to consult when licensing pesticides were rejected by the Court in 2006, just 

as we should reject these regulatory changes 

now. 

As the Bush Administration fades off into 

the sunset, they leave behind a trail of last 

minute regulatory changes that represent the 

worst in public policy and that Congress and 

the new President will have to undo. In my 

role as chairman of the Natural Resources 

Committee, I look forward to working with the 

Obama Administration to correct course and 

promote a positive resource conservation 

agenda. We need to invoke the change that is 

needed to restore the vigor and vitality of 

America, including the unique natural heritage 

that has carved our Nation as we know it 

today. Passage of this joint resolution will be 

one important step in restoring that natural 

heritage. 

f 

CHILDREN’S HEALTH INSURANCE 

PROGRAM REAUTHORIZATION 

ACT OF 2009 

SPEECH OF

HON. BETTY McCOLLUM OF MINNESOTA

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Wednesday, January 14, 2009 

Ms. MCCOLLUM. Madam Speaker, I rise 

today to express my strong support for the 

Children’s Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2009 which will provide 

health care coverage for an additional 4.1 million children. Every child in America should 

have the right to health care, and this bill will 

bring us one step closer to that goal. 

It is unacceptable that more than 47 million 

Americans, including 11 percent of American 

children, are without health insurance. Many 

hard-working families in Minnesota and across 

the nation have lost their jobs, 2.6 million jobs 

in the last year. For every 1 percent increase 

in the unemployment rate, it is estimated that 

as many as 1.5 million Americans will lose 

their health care coverage. Expanding SCHIP 

will expand health care access for children at 

a time when too many American families are 

losing employer-sponsored health care. In 

these tough economic times, by helping families gain access to health care, we can give 

families the resources they need to give their 

children a better future. 

The bill provides access to health care for 4 

million children in America who are currently 

uninsured and preserves the coverage for all 

7.1 million children currently covered by 

SCHIP. It is supported by 80 percent of the 

American people and over 300 organizations—including large majorities of Democrats, 

Independents and Republicans. The bill will 

extend coverage to 4.1 million additional lowincome, uninsured children, covering a total of 

11 million, and is likely to be one of the first 

signed into law by President Barack Obama. 

Last year, President Bush vetoed this vital 

health legislation that was passed by both 

chambers of Congress. 

The State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) was created in 1997 to provide 

health care coverage for children in families 

that earn too little to afford health insurance 

for their children themselves but too much to 

qualify for Medicaid. This bill will give states 

the resources and incentives necessary to 

reach and cover millions of uninsured children 

who are currently eligible, but not enrolled. It 

will also improve SCHIP benefits-ensuring 

dental coverage and mental health parity. This 

bill is largely paid for by increasing the tobacco tax by 61 cents, and will help keep kids 

and families healthy while saving taxpayers 

money in the long-run. 

Expanding SCHIP is an important step forward, but we still must keep fight to make 

healthcare available and affordable for all 

Americans. As we reform our health care system, we need to focus on accessible, patientcentered care that focuses on wellness and 

prevention, while improving the quality of patient care. will continue to fight to expand 

SCHIP and make health care available and affordable for Minnesota children and their parents. 

As we start the new Congress and the new 

administration I can think of no better way to 

bring about change than by investing in our 

children’s health care. It is morally right, and 

crucial for the future of our Nation. I urge my 

colleagues to join me in voting for this important bill. 

f 

HONORING TONY DUNGY, INDIANAPOLIS COLTS HEAD COACH 

HON. ANDRE ́ CARSON OF INDIANA

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Thursday, January 15, 2009 

Mr. CARSON of Indiana. Madam Speaker, 

today I rise to honor Tony Dungy, head coach 

of the Indianapolis Colts, who after more than 

30 years in football has announced his retirement. 

Mr. Dungy’s stellar career in professional 

football began on the field, where he won a 

Super Bowl Championship as a member of 

the 1978 Pittsburgh Steelers. Years later, this 

experience led to his hiring as the youngest 

assistant coach in the NFL at the age of 25. 

His respectful coaching style and emphasis 

on both personal and athletic growth has 

made Mr. Dungy one of the most successful 

and well regarded coaches in the NFL. His 

unique coaching style led the Colts to seven 

consecutive playoff appearances, including a 

victory in Super Bowl XLI. In 2012, Indianapolis will host its first Super Bowl, in part because of the prestige that Mr. Dungy has 

brought to the Colts organization. 


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