[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 192 (Tuesday, December 5, 1995)]
[House]
[Pages H13940-H13941]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




VOTE AGAINST H.R. 2099, VA-HUD AND INDEPENDENT AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS 
                                  ACT

  (Mr. FLAKE asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. FLAKE. Mr. Speaker, while I would like to commend the conferees 
on their efforts to increase funding for 

[[Page H 13941]]
veteran medical care, I must rise in opposition to H.R. 2099, the VA-
HUD and Independent Agencies Appropriations Act.
  Mr. Speaker, in its current form, this bill eliminates two programs 
which promoted comprehensive and effective economic growth in 
disadvantaged communities--the community development financial 
institutions and the economic development initiative fund.
  Through these programs, low-income individuals were given the 
opportunity to start their own businesses, small children benefited 
from community centers that kept them off the streets after school, 
families gained access to safe and affordable housing and good business 
was generated for America's financial services industry.
  Mr. Speaker, by eliminating these programs, we are launching a double 
assault on poor communities. In essence, we no longer reward those 
individuals who take responsibility for improving themselves and 
creating a better life for their children; while, we simultaneously 
remove incentives for financial institutions to invest in these 
communities as well.
  Mr. Speaker, we need to commend programs such as the CDFI and EDI 
fund because they do offer low-income individuals a hand-up, not a 
hand-out, which I am sure my colleagues on both sides of the aisle can 
appreciate.
  I would urge my colleagues to consider the long-term effect that this 
disinvestment in America's urban communities will have on this Nation's 
economy. With that said, I hope my colleague will join me in voting 
against H.R. 2099.

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