[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 11 (Tuesday, February 8, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: February 8, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
           EMERGENCY SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS ACT OF 1994

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                               speech of

                          HON. BILL RICHARDSON

                             of new mexico

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, February 3, 1994

       The House in the Committee of the Whole House on the State 
     of the Union for the consideration of the bill (H.R. 3759) 
     making emergency supplemental appropriations for the fiscal 
     year ending September 30, 1994:

  Mr. RICHARDSON. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in broad support of H.R. 
3759, the emergency supplemental appropriations bill. The images of the 
recent earthquake in southern California, the unbelievable flooding in 
the Midwest last summer, and other natural disasters that have 
inflicted amazing damage over the last couple of years should be all 
the motivation we need to support the legislation.
  Each of these disasters has brought out the best of the American 
people--heroism, teamwork, and sacrifice. This vote must being out the 
best in all of us. Now is not the time to pit one part of the country 
against another. California may need our help today--tomorrow, others 
will.
  Like others, I am troubled by certain provisions contained in the 
legislation. We should not use this earthquake relief to raise or 
demagog on other issues, specifically the immigration issue.
  Nonetheless, I firmly believe that we cannot afford to let these 
concerns overshadow the goals of this legislation and the good it will 
do. Tragedy has struck and we, without changing the rules of the game 
in midcourse, must act.
  For these reasons, Mr. Chairman, I urge for final passage.

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