The Lakehaven Utility District is one of the largest utility districts that I represent and have some critical wastewater needs, as was mentioned. The projects that they have put forward are very innovative and show a great deal of promise in developing new technology to help us deal with wastewater, both in terms of recycling it and properly disposing of it. 

   Some of the problems that we have in this country that do not get as much attention or are not as well noticed are some of the critical infrastructure problems. When most people think of infrastructure, they think of transportation, they think of airports, maybe they think of education; but wastewater treatment is one of the more critical infrastructure issues that our country faces, and we are facing a critical backlog of projects that need help and support. 

   This bill would give us the authorizing language that we need in order to move forward in this project. We are fully aware of the fact we also have to get in line with the other 25 projects to try to get it appropriated, but this is the first necessary step in that process. 

   I really want to compliment the Lakehaven Utility District and their commissioners, who have worked so hard on this project. I think they have been very forward-thinking, and the project they have put forward looked at new technologies and new ways to deal with wastewater in ways that hopefully will help become a model for the country and move forward. 

   They are fully prepared to fund, obviously, a portion of this project and just need a little Federal help to make it happen. 

   Again, I want to thank the chairman, I want to thank all the people on the committee, for allowing this to come forward, and, again, the folks in Lakehaven for doing the work. 

   Lastly, I am going to take a personal moment. It is my wife's birthday today; and, unfortunately, she is back home in my district. So this is my only opportunity to say happy birthday to her in any sort of visual format. So, happy birthday. 

   Again, I thank the chairman for bringing this bill up, and urge passage. 

   Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.