Udall Foundation Reauthorization Act of 2023

Floor Speech

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Mr. CISCOMANI. Mr. Speaker, I thank Mr. Westerman, my good friend, for yielding me the time to speak in support of my bill, H.R. 2882, the Udall Foundation Reauthorization Act of 2023.

The Udall Foundation is a nonpartisan agency established by Congress in 1992, committed to the values of civility, integrity, and consensus, which are emblematic of how Mo Udall approached his 30 years of public service in this House.

Since its creation, the Udall Foundation has done incredible work. They have awarded over 1,800 undergraduate scholarships to students pursuing careers in environmental public policy, Tribal public policy, or Native healthcare. They have placed over 300 Native American and Alaska Native students in summer internships on Capitol Hill and with Federal agencies. They have conducted over 800 environmental collaboration and conflict resolution assessments, and facilitated processes and trainings across all 50 States.

My bill, H.R. 2882, extends the Udall Foundation's authority for 5 additional fiscal years, through FY 2028. This reauthorization will allow the agency to promote public service through research, education, and service programs. Moreover, they will continue to foster leadership, education, collaboration, and conflict resolution in the areas of environment, public lands, Native Nations, and natural resources.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of this commonsense, bipartisan legislation.

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