February 5, 2019 - Issue: Vol. 165, No. 22 — Daily Edition116th Congress (2019 - 2020) - 1st Session

[Page H1355]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            CONGRATULATING ACTING SECRETARY DAVID BERNHARDT

  (Mr. LaMALFA asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. LaMALFA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Acting 
Secretary David Bernhardt for being nominated to serve as the next 
Secretary of the Department of the Interior.
  President Trump announced that news on Monday after Acting Secretary 
Bernhardt has led the Department in a temporary capacity since 
December. I applaud this decision by the President. He has chosen a 
nominee that brings a strong background of industry experience and 
expertise to the table.
  Under this administration, I have worked with the Department of the 
Interior to improve stewardship of our public's lands, to increase 
water storage, and improve forest management policies in California, as 
well as the West, and to help prevent more wildfire damage.
  I know that will continue under the leadership of Secretary Bernhardt 
as it has since he has led the Department. I intend to invite him out 
to my district in California to see firsthand the issues that we face 
with our forests and public lands, including the ongoing Camp fire 
cleanup in Paradise, as well as the Carr fire in Redding from last 
summer, and the conditions that helped create these fires to begin 
with.
  Until then, congratulations, and I urge the Senate to quickly move on 
the confirmation process.

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