MR. BERRY.  Mr. Speaker, I rise today to support the FY06 Energy and Water Appropriations Bill. Chairman Hobson, Ranking Member Visclosky, and their staffs have worked tirelessly to produce a good bill and they deserve much praise for their efforts.

This bill goes a long way in strengthening our Nation's water infrastructure. If this past hurricane season has taught us anything, it is that we must ensure an adequate level of protection for our coastal cities and those areas prone to flooding. The modest investments included in this bill can save billions in disaster recovery needs.

Our Nation's water infrastructure is also critical to building the economy. Our waterways provide a low cost way to move agriculture commodities and manufactured goods to the world market. This bill will help maintain and strengthen these arteries, ensuring access for American producers.

This legislation also includes critical funding for Nuclear power and our ability to store nuclear waste, namely the Yucca Mountain repository. The funding level is lower than what the House agreed to earlier this year, but the lower funding is justified by the Energy Department's recent changes to the project. What is important is that the Yucca Mountain project and Federal spent fuel management moves forward.

The legislation's funding for the Corps of Engineers, nuclear energy R&D and the Yucca Mountain program helps ensure a vibrant future for American water ways, flood control and nuclear energy.

I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Chairman Hobson and Ranking Member Visclosky for their hard work and encourage all of them to support this bill.