[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 58 (Thursday, May 12, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[Congressional Record: May 12, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
PERSONAL EXPLANATION
Mr. McDERMOTT. Mr. Chairman, during rollcall vote No. 167, an
amendment on H.R. 2442, I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present,
I would have voted ``yea.''
Mr. POMEROY. Mr. Chairman, I rise today to commend my colleagues on
the Public Works and Banking Committees for their work on bringing this
long awaited reauthorization legislation to the floor.
The Economic Development Administration has played an important role
in diversifying North Dakota's economy. The regional planning councils
in my State, which received EDA planning grants, have been crucial in
coordinating economic development efforts. Communities with a low
population density and a small tax base rely on the regional councils
for their planning and technical expertise.
In addition, many successful projects have received EDA funding in
North Dakota:
The expansion of Killdeer Mountain Manufacturing, a small family-
owned manufacturing business. This expansion created jobs for an area
suffering from the downturn in the oil industry in the late 1980's.
The construction of an industrial park offered the needed sewage and
water services for a farmer-owned pasta company. EDA funding helped
make an agriculture commodity into a processed product and further
diversify my State's economy and created over 100 jobs.
While I support authorizing EDA, I have some strong reservations
regarding the grant eligibility requirements. My State is mostly rural,
sparsely populated and dependent on agriculture and the energy
industry.
The economic downturns experienced in my State are not just one event
like a plant closing. North Dakota's economy is affected by the weather
and the price of oil. Our economic stress tends to be more gradual and
widespread. I am concerned whether the criteria of major economic
dislocation would apply to my State.
North Dakota's unemployment rate is historically lower than the
national average because people leave the State in search of job
opportunities. Consideration of unemployment figures only does not give
sufficient weight to the economic effects of gradual outmigration.
I realize this bill allows grants for high outmigration as pockets of
distress. Unfortunately, these pockets of distress are eligible to
compete for only 35 percent of EDA's total appropriation. I am sure
there are many other districts like mine which are in desperate need of
EDA assistance but do not fit the distress criteria.
I call on the other body to make adjustments in these eligibility
requirements. I cannot support final passage of this authorization if
it does not recognize the diverse needs of rural America.
Mr. ROTH. Mr. Chairman, as we come to final passage, I urge my
colleagues to vote for the bill.
While some excellent amendments were rejected, other amendments have
strengthened and improved this legislation.
I especially commend to my colleagues the amendment that would make
it easier for small businesses to utilize our federally paid-for
research and development.
This amendment will not cost any new Federal money and, if Congress
is vigilant, won't create any vast new bureaucracy.
We also voted on abolishing both the Economic Development
Administration and the Appalachian Regional Commission.
The House clearly intends to continue these agencies under the
reforms and other provisions of their reauthorization legislation.
Nevertheless, Congress must be vigilant in its oversight of the EDA
and ARC.
We must be sure that reforms in targeting the funds and leveraging
them with private, State, and local funds and efforts are, in fact,
carried out.
Congress must ensure that the EDA defense conversion funds are
utilized and expedited to the communities struggling with base
closings.
The EDA and ARC must be made keenly aware that Congress in watching.
On behalf of the minority members of the Banking Committee, I thank
my colleagues on the Public Works Committee for their cooperation in
bringing this bill before the House.
The debate has been wide-ranging and enlightening.
I thank the majority members of both the Banking and Public Works
Committee and their staff assistants for their cooperation and
information during consideration of this bill.
While I have reservations about the ARC and other provisions, I urge
my colleagues to vote for this amended legislation.
Ms. SNOWE. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of the reauthorization of
the Economic Development Administration [EDA]. EDA is an important
agency that contributes significantly to economic growth and job
expansion. Clearly, EDA fulfills a key function in providing State and
local governments, nonprofit organizations, and public institutions
with vital economic grants and technical assistance. This
reauthorization is a demonstration of our commitment to see that EDA
has the capacity to serve those who depend on its resources.
Over the years, EDA has proven to be a valuable source of economic
assistance for regions all over the United States. EDA provided a total
of $301.8 million in 1993 to various organizations across the country.
This assistance was in the form of public works grants to public and
private nonprofit organizations and technical grants and assistance to
enable communities and firms find solutions to problems that inhibit
economic growth.
EDA also provided planning grants to States, cities, districts, and
Indian reservations and special economic adjustment assistance to help
State and local governments solve recent and anticipated severe
adjustment problems, including defense conversion assistance.
I know that my home State of Maine has benefited from EDA funding.
Last year, EDA provided economic assistance for 12 projects in Maine
totaling over $2.5 million. Some of these projects assisted with EDA
funds include the expansion of the international and domestic arrivals
terminals at Bangor International Airport and the Eastport cargo
facilities. EDA assistance has helped finance Maine businesses and
developed revolving loan fund programs, as well. In short, Maine, like
many areas of the country, benefits tangibly from EDA resources.
Mr. Speaker, as we consider reauthorizing EDA for the first time
since 1982, we cannot overlook its valuable contributions to
communities all across this Nation. I am very much aware of the
economic benefits for which EDA is responsible for in Maine. I hope my
colleagues can see what EDA does for their States and districts and
join me in supporting its reauthorization.
Miss COLLINS of Michigan. Mr. Chairman, I am pleased to support the
bill extending the Economic Development Administration today and I
strongly oppose efforts of some Members to eliminate or reduce EDA
funding. Instead of debating the termination of EDA or reducing help to
distressed communities, we should be celebrating the fact that the
House is debating the issue. For 12 long years, economic development
assistance for distressed communities was held hostage by
administrations in Washington who had scant concern for the millions of
jobless Americans in areas like Detroit.
For many communities, and especially for my home community of
Detroit, EDA programs are as important today as they were in 1965 when
the EDA was established. In my district, EDA grants support a number of
economic development activities, including FOCUS: HOPE, a project which
I recently visited with President Clinton that has been cited as a
model for job retraining.
Some today are touting the economic recovery and cite the recovery as
a reason for cutting or eliminating EDA programs. I say to those who
promote this view, to those who see no need for EDA, ``Come to Detroit.
Come and see what the face of joblessness really looks like.''
When the U.S. Postal Service advertised in Detroit that they were
giving an exam to determine eligibility for future employment, 20,000
people waited in line all day in the freezing cold. Unemployment among
African-Americans hovers at 19 percent, more than double that of
others. As basic manufacturing jobs diminish and our economy becomes
more high tech, African-Americans are becoming even more disadvantaged
in the job market.
This is why I am shocked that we are even debating elimination of EDA
funds. Efforts to reduce funding for economic development projects must
be soundly rejected. I say to my colleagues who would eliminate
funding, ``The recession may be over in your district, but in mine it
rages on.''
This is no time to be cutting economic development funds. To the
contrary, we need to be strengthening these programs until the economic
recovery comes to every community. I am pleased that in the Public
Works Committee we were able to put special emphasis on pockets of
poverty within cities.
I have introduced legislation to dramatically increase funds to
distressed communities for economic development, and I have introduced
a bill to provide job training for the unemployed. I worked to create
empowerment zones. I supported the school-to-work bill.
I invite every Member who would cut the EDA to visit Detroit, to talk
to the people who want to work, to talk to those whose jobs are gone,
to visit FOCUS: HOPE, and to see a city that needs this bill. If you
did, I am sure you would agree that the EDA is not a Washington
boondoggle. It can and does make a real difference in many communities.
I am working to pass this bill and I hope my colleagues will join me.
The CHAIRMAN. Are there further amendments to come before the
committee?
Mr. OBERSTAR. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the requisite number of
words.
Mr. Chairman, I take this moment to congratulate the chairman of the
Subcommittee on Economic Development of the Committee on Public Works
and Transportation, as well as the ranking Republican member, on the
splendid work they have done in fashioning a bill that has brought
together such broad bipartisan support, as EDA has done throughout its
many years of functioning and successful operation.
I especially take this time to note the impending retirement of the
chief counsel of the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Carl Lorenz.
Carl has served the Committee on Public Works and Transportation for
well over 25 years. We first became acquainted when he came on board
the committee staff as a junior attorney, and I was the administrator
of the staff of the Committee on Public Works and Transportation,
coming here from Baltimore, having worked with the former chairman,
George Fallon, and then under John Blatnik's leadership as chairman of
that subcommittee, and years later I transformed from a staff member to
a Member of Congress and Carl and I worked together when I chaired the
Subcommittee on Economic Development.
Carl epitomizes for all of my colleagues, I say, in the House, who
know the splendid work and support that we have from our staff, he
epitomizes the professionalism, the dedication to duty, the carrying
out of policy that is set by the Chair and by the members of the
committee. He has never blurred that distinction.
Carl has always served the committee to the highest degree of his
ability, and given 110 percent. Many are the long hours in the evening
and the long Saturdays and Sundays that he dedicated to his commitment
to his career service of economic development.
Carl, we will miss you greatly. I shall miss a friend, and I shall
miss a colleague and a professional of the highest order.
Congratulations on a job and a career truly superbly undertaken.
Mr. MINETA. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the last word.
(Mr. MINETA asked and was given permission to revise and extend his
remarks.)
Mr. MINETA. Mr. Chairman, just as the very distinguished gentleman
from Minnesota [Mr. Oberstar] who just preceded me has served long and
well on the Committee on Public Works and Transportation, both as a
former staff member and now as a very distinguished Member of the
Congress, I would like to take this time to recognize and congratulate
also Mr. Carl Lorenz, who is the counsel and staff director of our
Committee on Economic Development.
Members may have noticed an extra lightness in Carl's step, or caught
him whistling a tune. It is for good reason. Carl has decided to shed
the pressures of Capitol Hill and retire after a long and distinguished
career in government. Having joined the Committee on Public Works and
Transportation in 1962, Carl served originally as associate counsel to
our Subcommittee on Federal Aid Highway Programs before moving on to
Economic Development. He has since labored to protect and promote the
ideals and practical necessities of developing our Nation's
infrastructure.
Carl has been a valued member of the Public Works team and a special
friend to us all. On behalf of the members and staff of the committee,
I wish Carl and his wife Nancy a happy and healthy retirement, which I
am sure will include many hours at his beach house. Mr. chairman, after
32 years of government service, it is richly deserved.
Mr. Chairman, we all wish Carl good health and Godspeed.
The CHAIRMAN. The question is on the committee amendment in the
nature of a substitute, as amended.
The committee amendment in the nature of a substitute, as amended,
was agreed to.
The CHAIRMAN. Under the rule, the Committee rises.
{time} 1354
Accordingly the Committee rose; and the Speaker pro tempore [Mr.
Bonior] having assumed the chair, Mr. Torres, Chairman of the Committee
of the Whole House on the State of the Union, reported that that
Committee, having had under consideration the bill (H.R. 2442) to
reauthorize appropriations under the Public Works and Economic
Development Act of 1965, as amended, to revise administrative
provisions of the Act to improve the authority of the Secretary of
Commerce to administer grant programs, and for other purposes, pursuant
to House Resolution 420, he reported the bill back to the House with an
amendment adopted by the Committee of the Whole.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under the rule, the previous question is
ordered.
Is a separate vote demanded on any amendment to the amendment in the
nature of a substitute adopted by the Committee of the Whole?
If not, the question is on the amendment in the nature of a
substitute.
The amendment in the nature of a substitute was agreed to.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the engrossment and third
reading of the bill.
The bill was ordered to be engrossed and read a third time, and was
read the third time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the passage of the bill.
The question was taken; and the Speaker pro tempore announced that
the ayes appeared to have it.
recorded vote
Mr. WISE. Mr. Speaker, I demand a recorded vote.
A recorded vote was ordered.
The vote was taken by electronic device, and there were--ayes 328,
noes 89, not voting 15, as follows:
[Roll No. 168]
AYES--328
Abercrombie
Ackerman
Andrews (ME)
Andrews (TX)
Applegate
Bacchus (FL)
Bachus (AL)
Baesler
Baker (CA)
Barca
Barcia
Barlow
Barrett (WI)
Bartlett
Bateman
Beilenson
Bentley
Berman
Bevill
Bilbray
Bishop
Blute
Boehlert
Bonior
Borski
Boucher
Brewster
Brooks
Browder
Brown (CA)
Brown (FL)
Brown (OH)
Bryant
Bunning
Buyer
Byrne
Callahan
Calvert
Camp
Canady
Cantwell
Cardin
Carr
Chapman
Clay
Clayton
Clement
Clinger
Clyburn
Coleman
Collins (GA)
Collins (IL)
Collins (MI)
Condit
Conyers
Cooper
Coppersmith
Costello
Coyne
Cramer
Cunningham
Danner
Darden
de la Garza
Deal
DeFazio
DeLauro
Dellums
Derrick
Deutsch
Diaz-Balart
Dickey
Dicks
Dingell
Dixon
Dooley
Dunn
Durbin
Edwards (CA)
Edwards (TX)
Emerson
Engel
English
Eshoo
Evans
Everett
Ewing
Farr
Fazio
Fields (LA)
Filner
Fingerhut
Fish
Foglietta
Ford (MI)
Ford (TN)
Fowler
Frank (MA)
Franks (CT)
Franks (NJ)
Frost
Furse
Gallegly
Gallo
Gejdenson
Gephardt
Geren
Gibbons
Gillmor
Gilman
Glickman
Gonzalez
Goodlatte
Goodling
Gordon
Green
Greenwood
Gunderson
Hall (OH)
Hamburg
Hamilton
Harman
Hastings
Hayes
Hefner
Herger
Hilliard
Hinchey
Hochbrueckner
Hoekstra
Holden
Horn
Houghton
Hoyer
Huffington
Hughes
Hutchinson
Hutto
Hyde
Inglis
Inslee
Jacobs
Jefferson
Johnson (CT)
Johnson (GA)
Johnson (SD)
Johnston
Kanjorski
Kaptur
Kennedy
Kennelly
Kildee
Kingston
Kleczka
Klein
Klink
Kopetski
Kreidler
LaFalce
Lambert
Lancaster
Lantos
LaRocco
Laughlin
Lazio
Leach
Lehman
Levin
Lightfoot
Linder
Lipinski
Livingston
Lloyd
Long
Lowey
Machtley
Maloney
Manton
Margolies-Mezvinsky
Markey
Martinez
Matsui
Mazzoli
McCloskey
McCrery
McCurdy
McDade
McDermott
McHale
McHugh
McKinney
McNulty
Meehan
Meek
Menendez
Meyers
Mfume
Mica
Miller (CA)
Mineta
Minge
Mink
Moakley
Molinari
Mollohan
Montgomery
Moran
Morella
Murphy
Murtha
Nadler
Neal (MA)
Neal (NC)
Oberstar
Obey
Olver
Ortiz
Orton
Owens
Packard
Pallone
Payne (NJ)
Payne (VA)
Pelosi
Peterson (FL)
Peterson (MN)
Pickett
Pickle
Pombo
Pomeroy
Poshard
Price (NC)
Quillen
Quinn
Rahall
Rangel
Ravenel
Reed
Regula
Reynolds
Richardson
Roemer
Rogers
Ros-Lehtinen
Rose
Rostenkowski
Roth
Roukema
Rowland
Roybal-Allard
Rush
Sabo
Sanders
Sangmeister
Santorum
Sarpalius
Sawyer
Saxton
Schenk
Schiff
Schroeder
Schumer
Scott
Serrano
Shaw
Shays
Shepherd
Shuster
Sisisky
Skaggs
Skeen
Skelton
Slattery
Slaughter
Smith (IA)
Smith (NJ)
Smith (OR)
Snowe
Spence
Spratt
Stark
Stokes
Strickland
Studds
Stupak
Sundquist
Swett
Swift
Synar
Tanner
Tauzin
Taylor (MS)
Taylor (NC)
Tejeda
Thomas (CA)
Thompson
Thornton
Thurman
Torkildsen
Torres
Torricelli
Towns
Traficant
Tucker
Unsoeld
Upton
Valentine
Velazquez
Vento
Visclosky
Volkmer
Vucanovich
Walsh
Washington
Waters
Watt
Waxman
Weldon
Wheat
Williams
Wilson
Wise
Wolf
Woolsey
Wyden
Wynn
Yates
Young (AK)
NOES--89
Allard
Andrews (NJ)
Archer
Armey
Baker (LA)
Ballenger
Barrett (NE)
Barton
Bereuter
Bilirakis
Bliley
Boehner
Bonilla
Burton
Castle
Coble
Combest
Cox
Crane
Crapo
DeLay
Doolittle
Dornan
Dreier
Duncan
Ehlers
Fawell
Fields (TX)
Gekas
Gilchrest
Gingrich
Goss
Grams
Hall (TX)
Hancock
Hastert
Hefley
Hobson
Hoke
Hunter
Inhofe
Istook
Johnson, Sam
Kasich
Kim
King
Klug
Knollenberg
Kolbe
Kyl
Levy
Lewis (CA)
Lewis (FL)
Mann
Manzullo
McCandless
McCollum
McInnis
McKeon
McMillan
Michel
Miller (FL)
Moorhead
Myers
Nussle
Oxley
Paxon
Penny
Petri
Portman
Pryce (OH)
Ramstad
Roberts
Rohrabacher
Royce
Schaefer
Sensenbrenner
Smith (MI)
Smith (TX)
Solomon
Stearns
Stenholm
Stump
Talent
Thomas (WY)
Walker
Young (FL)
Zeliff
Zimmer
NOT VOTING--15
Becerra
Blackwell
Flake
Grandy
Gutierrez
Hansen
Hoagland
Johnson, E. B.
Lewis (GA)
Parker
Pastor
Porter
Ridge
Sharp
Whitten
{time} 1418
The Clerk announced the following pair:
On this vote:
Mr. Hoagland for, with Mr. Porter against.
Mr. CARR of Michigan and Mr. BACHUS of Alabama changed their vote
from ``no'' to ``aye.''
So the bill was passed.
The result of the vote was announced as above recorded.
The title of the bill was amended so as to read: ``A bill to
reauthorize economic development programs under the Public Works and
Economic Development Act of 1965 and the Appalachian Regional
Development Act of 1965 for fiscal years 1994 through 1996, and for
other purposes.''.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
____________________