[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 127 (Wednesday, August 2, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1590-E1591]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                    THE OP-ED THEY REFUSED TO PRINT

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                            HON. DAVE WELDON

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, August 2, 1995
  Mr. WELDON of Florida. Mr. Speaker, last Sunday, July 23, readers of 
the Florida Today were treated to a classic case of misinformation by a 
newspaper that still has not gotten over the results of the 1994 
election.
  The charges leveled against me in the newspaper's open letter with 
respect to the veteran's hospital and the space program are a gross 
distortion of facts.
  Regarding my efforts in support of the space program, the 
Congressional Record speaks louder than any words I could offer: Full 
funding for the space station; an actual increase in funding for the 
shuttle program; introduction of more stable, multiyear funding for 
space station; and an innovative, first-ever $10 million authorization 
in the NASA budget for investment in our Nation's developing spaceports
  Contrast this with the facts not reported by the Florida Today about 
my predecessor's record: He voted in each of his 4 years to fund the 
shuttle program below the President's budget request. This year the 
Republicans, including myself, voted to support the President's budget 
level for shuttle operations; less than 1 year ago, he voted to cut 
$400 million from the shuttle program--KSC derives two-thirds of their 
budget from this account; since 1992, my predecessor voted to reduce 
actual shuttle program dollars by $1 billion. This year Republicans are 
proposing to increase it.
  Selective reporting and journalism does little to foster a real 
debate on ideals and public policy and can seriously undermine morale 
at KSC.
  A July 20, Florida Today editorial, stated: ``Brevard county did 
pretty well in a congressional vote Tuesday on space and VA spending * 
* * veterans were relieved after the vote because U.S. Rep. Dave Weldon 
managed to salvage $17.2 million for a veterans clinic in Viera.''
  I see this clinic as the first step in the process of keeping the VA 
hospital alive and so, apparently, did the Florida Today, until its 
turnabout in its open letter. So much for consistency.
  Florida Today mentioned being baffled these past 8 months. If by that 
they mean they are baffled about a vision for space that goes beyond 
today's paradigm of Government run programs; baffled as to why so many 
cherished liberal enclaves such as NEA, NEH, and countless ineffective 
Government programs are on a collision course with a fiscally 
responsible Congress; then being baffled is simply a euphemism for 
being desperate. Such desperate reporting takes place frequently inside 
the beltway. It's unfortunate to see it here in Brevard as well.
  I support our space program and our veterans. But balancing our 
budget is crucial if we 

[[Page E1591]]
are going to have funds for space and VA care in the future. In 1996 we 
will spend $270 billion in interest payments on the debt. Imagine the 
good we could do today if previous Congressmen had the will to make the 
tough decisions and act responsibly.


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