[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 77 (Friday, June 17, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: June 17, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
         ENERGY AND WATER DEVELOPMENT APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 1995

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                               speech of

                          HON. GARY A. FRANKS

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 14, 1994

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 4506) making 
     appropriations for energy and water development for the 
     fiscal year ending September 30, 1995, and for other 
     purposes:

  Mr. FRANKS of Connecticut. Mr. Chairman, the Energy and water bill 
before us this year helps to continue the relationship between the 
Federal Government and private enterprises. It contains over $1.7 
billion in funding for energy research. Companies in Connecticut have 
played an important role in the development of new fuel cell technology 
and other energy projects designed to be more environmentally sound. 
The bill will keep the United States and a world leader in research and 
development of useful technology. I will support this bill.
  This bill differs from last year's bill in that we are no longer able 
to debate funding for the superconducting super collider. Last year the 
house voted to eliminate the super collider, and I voted against the 
final version of the bill as a result. I hope that in the future 
Congress will reconsider the ill-advised decision to end this project. 
The super collider would have provided vital research for atomic 
medicine and superconductivity. While I have consistently supported 
prudent cuts in the programs, of the Department of Energy, I felt that 
the super collider would have provided valuable research to give our 
country a technological edge.
  Today we will vote on one amendment offered to cut spending in this 
bill. I will support the Byrne amendment to eliminate the bill's 
proposed $12 million appropriation for the Gas Turbine-Modular Helium 
Reactor Program. This Helium Reactor Program was developed in the early 
1970's with the theory that it would be a cost-competitive way to 
generate electricity. This has not proven to be the case. But Congress 
can never admit that its old decisions were wrong, and here the program 
is again for our approval. Taxpayers do not want to pay for programs 
that will not be useful for the future. This amendment had clear 
bipartisan support, and I will vote for it.

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