Helium Stewardship Act of 2013

Floor Speech

Ms. BONAMICI. Mr. Speaker, today I am glad to lend my support to legislation that will provide for a one-year extension of the Secure Rural Schools program. The Secure Rural Schools program provides needed funding to counties nationwide, and these payments are critical to Oregon's rural timber counties. The funding supports vital public services, including emergency personnel, schools, and infrastructure, and it represents our commitment that Federal forest policy shouldn't drive rural counties into bankruptcy.

But this is only a one-year extension, and Oregon's rural timber counties need long term certainty. Congress must help these counties develop a long term solution to their revenue problems, one that strikes a balance between increasing timber yields on Federal forest land and environmental conservation. This is a difficult process, and although we are making progress, counties need relief right away. For this reason, I strongly support this one-year extension of the Secure Rural Schools program, and will continue to work on a lasting solution with my colleagues in the House of Representatives.

I am also pleased to support the main purpose of this legislation, which is to allow for the continued functioning of the Federal Helium Reserve. This program supports important work across a broad spectrum of industries, from chemistry research in our public universities to semiconductor manufacturing done by high-tech firms in Oregon's First Congressional District. The House and Senate have reached a noble, bipartisan solution to guarantee the uninterrupted supply of this critical resource. I urge my colleagues to support this important bill.

Source