[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 59 (Thursday, March 30, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E739]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                         FISCAL YEAR 1996 BUDGET

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                             HON. MIKE WARD

                              of kentucky

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 30, 1995
  Mr. WARD. Mr. Speaker, on Thursday, March 30, 1995, I had the 
opportunity to testify before the House Committee on the Budget. The 
following is the text of my testimony.
 Statement of Congressman Mike Ward before the House Committee on the 
                         Budget, March 30, 1995

       Mr. Chairman: Thank you for allowing me to share my views 
     on the fiscal year 1996 budget submitted to Congress by 
     President Clinton. My statement will reflect my firm belief 
     that the well-being of our children should be a national 
     priority.
       Specifically, I call your attention to Head Start, child 
     nutrition programs, the Consolidated Child Care block grant, 
     and the Vaccines for Children Program. The fiscal year 1996 
     budget presented by President Clinton calls for moderate 
     increases in these programs. Head Start funding will go from 
     $3.535 billion to $3.935 billion. Funding for child nutrition 
     programs would be $8.06 billion in 1996, an increase from 
     $7.7 billion this year. The block grant would increase from 
     $949 million to $1.094 billion and $845 million is proposed 
     for the vaccine program.
       I believe these levels of funding are entirely appropriate 
     because these programs work. Furthermore, educating and 
     nurturing our children, preventing disease through 
     immunization, and providing quality child care are critical 
     to assuring the health and welfare of our young people. We 
     must not let our commitment to our future be lost in the 
     frenzy to cut the budget. Focusing our attention on these 
     goals, in my view, will ensure the prosperity of America for 
     years to come.
       In closing, I am very proud to represent Louisville and 
     Jefferson County, KY. Taking care of the needs of the 
     children in our community has always been a serious concern 
     of our elected leaders like Louisville Mayor Jerry Abramson 
     and Jefferson County Judge/Executive David Armstrong.
       Also, many of our citizens like Libby Grever, executive 
     director of Community Coordinated Child Care, and Dr. Rice 
     Leach, commissioner of the Commonwealth of Kentucky 
     Department for Health Services, have worked for years on 
     behalf of our children. Dr. Leach, for example, is currently 
     working to immunize all of Kentucky's children. I know that 
     each of them joins me in urging your most thoughtful 
     consideration of these concerns.
       Chairman Kasich and Ranking Member Sabo, I appreciate your 
     courtesy and time.
     

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