National Water Research and Development Initiative Act of 2009

Floor Speech

NATIONAL WATER RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE ACT OF 2009 -- (House of Representatives - April 23, 2009)

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Mr. COSTA. Mr. Speaker and Members, welcome to the world of water in California. This is a very serious issue. Sadly, it has been a confrontational issue for more decades than I would care to describe to you, but I am pleased that the gentleman from California offered the amendment. And I want to thank Chairman Gordon for accepting the amendment because it does underline the serious nature of drought conditions, not just in California. We had them in Georgia just recently in the last 2 years. The fact is that water in our country and water around the world is one of the most precious resources that we have, and that's why this bill is important.

That's why we need to use all the water management tools in our water toolbox. We can recite our version of past history. I have differences with my colleague Congressman Miller on a number of those issues. I have differences with a number of my colleagues from California who have tried to bring consensus together and who are under difficult circumstances to balance the needs for farmers, the needs for urban water use and to restore the environment.

I want to thank the chairman for adopting this amendment, and I want to thank my colleague for offering it.

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