[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 85 (Wednesday, June 29, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: June 29, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
          PANAMA CANAL COMMISSION AUTHORIZATION ACT, H.R. 4246

                                 ______


                           HON. PETER T. KING

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 29, 1994

  Mr. KING. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 4246, the Panama 
Canal Commission Authorization Act for fiscal year 1995.
  Mr. Speaker, the Merchant Marine and Fisheries Committee reported 
this bill unanimously on May 11 of this year. The bill is 
noncontroversial and deserving of the support of the House.
  The Panama Canal Commission is an independent agency which relies on 
revenues generated by the canal's users, not by taxpayer funds. The 
Commission is required to run on a break-even basis and once again has 
presented a budget which will ensure that it does so.
  H.R. 4246 makes two minor changes which will help the Commission 
retain its valuable workers. The first will allow employees to use 
their educational assistance funding outside of Panama should the 
Department of Defense close its doors in Panama.
  The second change will allow certain eligible employees to start 
processing their immigration paperwork before their actual retirement 
date. This provision has been cleared by the Judiciary Committee and by 
the minority.
  Mr. Speaker, the Panama Canal Commission should be commended for 
continuing to submit budgets which require no U.S. taxpayer funding. In 
addition, I would like to recognize the tireless efforts of the 
chairman of the Commission, Robert McMillan. Bob has done an 
outstanding job in ensuring that the Commission operate as well as it 
does. I am particularly proud of his accomplishments as he is a 
resident of my congressional district.
  I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 4246.

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