[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 52 (Tuesday, March 21, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E650]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


     EMERGENCY SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS FOR ADDITIONAL DISASTER 
            ASSISTANCE AND RESCISSIONS FOR FISCAL YEAR 1995

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                               speech of

                          HON. THOMAS W. EWING

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, March 15, 1995

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 1158) making 
     emergency supplemental appropriations for additional disaster 
     assistance and making rescissions for the fiscal year ending 
     September 30, 1995, and for other purposes:

  Mr. EWING. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of H.R. 1158 and 
H.R. 1159 and to commend Chairman Livingston and the Appropriations 
Committee for all their hard work on these two supplemental 
appropriations bills. It is truly a new era when the Appropriations 
Committee demands that supplemental appropriations bills, emergency or 
otherwise, be paid for with offsetting spending cuts.
  No doubt, each Member of this body would like to change certain 
provisions of these bills, but these rescissions are applied in a 
balanced and fair manner. Furthermore, H.R. 1159 recommends several 
important policy corrections.
  I am particularly pleased the committee included language that allows 
HUD to waive the one-for-one public housing replacement requirement 
when public housing is no longer habitable and in need of demolition. 
This has been an ongoing problem in my congressional district.
  The city of Danville, IL has been trying to receive approval to 
demolish the decaying and vacant Carver Park housing project for some 
time. Despite unanimous public support for the project's demolition and 
orders from the city government, Federal law has prevented the 
demolition of this dangerous and environmentally hazardous property.
  I am also pleased the committee has taken action to prevent President 
Clinton from enforcing his Executive order prohibiting companies from 
permanently replacing striking workers. Our Nation's present labor 
negotiation system is balanced and fair for both labor and management. 
Each side faces consequences for their actions which serve as an 
incentive to bargain in good faith. The President's Executive order 
would alter the current balance.
  Last, the President's Executive order is an effort to usurp 
congressional authority and should be overturned by this Congress. 
Major changes to our Nation's labor law should not be instituted 
without congressional approval.
  Again, I thank the committee for acting to restore balance to our 
Nation's labor law and I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 1158 and 
H.R. 1159.


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