[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 36 (Monday, February 27, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E441]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


        IN SUPPORT OF H.R. 227--THE INTERSTATE WASTE ACT OF 1995

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                           HON. HAROLD ROGERS

                              of kentucky

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, February 27, 1995
  Mr. ROGERS. Mr. Speaker, the American people said loudly and clearly 
that they want Washington bureaucrats out of their hair. This is 
especially true in the hardworking, patriotic areas of eastern 
Kentucky. Well, I agree with these citizens, and that is why I rise 
today in strong support of H.R. 227, the Interstate Waste Act of 1995, 
and urge its immediate passage by the House.
  I firmly believe that local citizens ought to have the right to make 
decisions regarding their lives. As we return power to our communities, 
we should start with the regulation of out-of-State trash. Simply 
stated, local citizens should have the final say whether their town 
becomes a national garbage dump--not the Supreme Court or Washington 
know-it-alls.
  H.R. 227 is the way to accomplish this goal. It says that, and I'm 
quoting from the bill.

       [E]ffective January 1, 1996, a landfill or incinerator in a 
     State may not receive for disposal or incineration any out-
     of-State municipal solid waste unless the owner or operator 
     of such landfill or incinerator obtains explicit 
     authorization from the affected local government to receive 
     the waste.

  What a concept. Local people making local decisions. In Kentucky, we 
call this horse sense. Washington could sure use a strong dose of that, 
Mr. Speaker.
  But seriously, this is a fundamental right of our local communities, 
and they have waited far too long for us to give them that right. We 
were close last year--the House passed the bill unanimously in the 11th 
hour of the session. But unfortunately, the session ended before the 
Senate could take action.
  But we are moving again this year. I have spoken to my good friend 
and colleague, the gentleman from Ohio [Mr. Oxley], who is the chairman 
of the Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Hazardous Materials which 
has jurisdiction over this bill. He has assured me that this 
legislation will get a fair hearing in the subcommittee and he is 
confident that we can bring it before the full House for floor 
consideration.
  Mr. Speaker, this is a critical issue that we must deal with and I am 
committed to seeing that H.R. 227 is acted on this year.
  We need jobs, clean water, and good roads in Kentucky--not tons of 
trash from Florida.


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