[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 86 (Thursday, June 30, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: June 30, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
             DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 1995

                                 ______


                               speech of

                            HON. RICK LAZIO

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 29, 1994

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 4650) making 
     appropriations for the Department of Defense for the fiscal 
     year ending September 30, 1995, and for other purposes:

  Mr. LAZIO. Mr. Chairman, today, we voted on a complex and challenging 
bill that set funding levels for our Nation's defense. Yet the hard-
working members of the Defense Subcommittees are not finished with 
their work. When they meet with Members of the Senate to conference the 
two bills, there will be many issues to discuss, including the level of 
funding for university-based research.
  As keepers of the Nation's trust, the committee was aware that they 
must shift limited resources to meet the needs of military 
preparedness. Most important, the committee voted to keep our Nation's 
promise to our proud service men and women by ensuring military 
salaries would provide a good quality of life. Yet, the committee made 
the difficult decision of cutting university-based research in half.
  I would have preferred to vote today on a higher level of funding for 
academic research so we could continue the military's partnership with 
our Nation's university-based scientists. On Long Island, we have 
joined in partnership with the military to develop new computer 
systems, new methods of coating metal so submarines do not need to be 
repainted, and we have set new standards for physics research. It is 
important for our Nation's prominence in developing new technology and 
military strength to keep this partnership strong. I hope that when 
this issue is revisited in conference, the subcommittee members will 
find a new way of minimizing the impact of this cut.

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