[House Report 108-343] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office] 108th Congress Report HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 1st Session 108-343 ====================================================================== HONORING THE LATE RICK LUPE, LEAD FORESTRY TECHNICIAN FOR THE BUREAU OF INDIAN AFFAIRS FORT APACHE AGENCY _______ November 4, 2003.--Referred to the House Calendar and ordered to be printed _______ Mr. Pombo, from the Committee on Resources, submitted the following R E P O R T [To accompany H. Con. Res. 237] The Committee on Resources, to whom was referred the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 237) honoring the late Rick Lupe, lead forestry technician for the Bureau of Indian Affairs Fort Apache Agency, for his dedication and service to the United States and for his essential service in fighting wildfires and protecting the environment and communities of Arizona, having considered the same, report favorably thereon without amendment and recommend that the concurrent resolution be agreed to. PURPOSE OF THE BILL The purpose of H. Con. Res. 237 is to honor the late Rick Lupe, lead forestry technician for the Bureau of Indian Affairs Fort Apache Agency, for his dedication and service to the United States and for his essential service in fighting wildfires and protecting the environment and communities of Arizona. BACKGROUND AND NEED FOR LEGISLATION Mr. Rick Lupe was a forestry technician for the Bureau of Indian Affairs who participated in fighting multiple fires over the years in Arizona. In particular, he helped to save communities like Show Low, Arizona, from the Rodeo-Chediski fire and created a back burn that stopped the fire line at Hop Canyon so that the fire did not cross a major interstate. The Rodeo-Chediski fire was actually two fires that grew together on June 23, 2002, and eventually encompassed over 450,000 acres. Over a period of two weeks this fire became the largest and most severe fire in Arizona history. Nearly two- thirds of this fire occurred on private and Indian reservation lands. It was during this fire that Mr. Lupe gained national recognition for his efforts. The Fort Apache Agency recognized him as the 2002 Employee of the Year. The communities tragically lost Mr. Lupe on June 19, 2003, from burns sustained in a prescribed fire in May of 2003. This fire was conducted on Sawtooth Mountain on the Fort Apache Reservation, near Whiteriver, Arizona. The Committee notes how he was well-liked and respected by his fellow workers at the Fort Apache Agency, his colleagues in the national fire organization and his tribe, the White Mountain Apache Tribe. Mr. Lupe is survived by his wife of 21 years and three sons. COMMITTEE ACTION H. Con. Res. 237 was introduced on June 26, 2003, by Congressman Rick Renzi (R-AZ). The bill was referred to the Committee on Resources. On October 29, 2003, the Full Resources Committee met to consider the bill. No amendments were offered and the bill was ordered favorably reported to the House of Representatives by unanimous consent. COMMITTEE OVERSIGHT FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS Regarding clause 2(b)(1) of rule X and clause 3(c)(1) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives, the Committee on Resources' oversight findings and recommendations are reflected in the body of this report. CONSTITUTIONAL AUTHORITY STATEMENT Article I, section 8 of the Constitution of the United States grants Congress the authority to enact this bill. COMPLIANCE WITH HOUSE RULE XIII 1. Cost of Legislation. Clause 3(d)(2) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives requires an estimate and a comparison by the Committee of the costs which would be incurred in carrying out this bill. H. Con. Res. 237 is merely a bill honoring the late Rick Lupe, lead forestry technician for the Bureau of Indian Affairs Fort Apache Agency, for his dedication and service to the United States. 2. Congressional Budget Act. As required by clause 3(c)(2) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives and section 308(a) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, this bill does not contain any new budget authority, spending authority, credit authority, or an increase or decrease in revenues or tax expenditures. 3. General Performance Goals and Objectives. This bill does not authorize funding and therefore, clause 3(c)(4) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives does not apply. 4. Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate. The Committee has determined that H. Con. Res. 237 entails no cost to the federal government, and therefore, no cost estimate was requested from the Congressional Budget Office. COMPLIANCE WITH PUBLIC LAW 104-4 This bill contains no unfunded mandates. PREEMPTION OF STATE, LOCAL OR TRIBAL LAW This bill is not intended to preempt any State, local or tribal law. CHANGES IN EXISTING LAW If enacted, this bill would make no changes in existing law.