[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 29 (Wednesday, March 6, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E287-E288]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     TRIBUTE TO CARDINAL JOHN KROL

                                 ______


                            HON. CURT WELDON

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, March 6, 1996

  Mr. WELDON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute 
and honor Cardinal John Krol. One of the Philadelphia region's dearest 
religious leaders, Cardinal Krol passed away early Sunday morning at 
his home in Pennsylvania.
  Born on October 26, 1910, in Cleveland, OH, Cardinal Krol's 
beginnings were humble and his aspirations never lofty. All that he 
ever wanted was to be a priest so that he could better serve God and 
people. During his 27 years as Archbishop of Philadelphia, the Nation's 
sixth largest archdiocese, Cardinal Krol accomplished that goal, 
helping to create a better life for the residents of the Delaware 
Valley and everyone whose lives he touched.
  As Archbishop, his accomplishments in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia 
were great. During his tenure, over 100 new churches were built, the 
Catholic school system was extended far into the suburbs, and services 
for refugees, the elderly, youth, and the hungry were expanded.
  Best known for his strict conservatism on matters of Church doctrine, 
such as his opposition to the ordination of women and his strong stand 
against abortion, Cardinal Krol was steadfast in his beliefs. However, 
he also pursued a social policy that championed the rights of workers 
and the poor. Additionally, Cardinal Krol reformed the confusing and 
cumbersome annulment process in the archdiocese for Catholics who were 
trapped in marriages without love.
  Cardinal Krol is also well known as being a close friend of Pope John 
Paul II, and by some accounts was instrumental in his election as the 
first Polish pope by the Cardinal College in 1978. While Pope John Paul 
II is credited by some as playing a pivotal role in freeing Poland and 
Eastern Europe from communism, Cardinal Krol also worked to achieve 
those same goals. Of Polish ancestry himself, Cardinal Krol often made 
Polish-language broadcasts on Radio Free Europe. Additionally, Cardinal 
Krol, like Pope John Paul II, supported Lech Walsea and Solidarity in 
their ultimately successful anti-Communist activities.
  A great religious and spiritual leader, Cardinal Krol will be 
remembered in the hearts of the people of Delaware Valley for many 
years to come. Mr. Speaker, at this time, I ask my colleagues to join 
me in paying tribute to the late Cardinal John Krol. He will be greatly 
missed by his family, friends, and all of the people of the 
Philadelphia area.

[[Page E288]]



         LEGISLATION TO REAUTHORIZE THE SAFE DRINKING WATER ACT

                                 ______


                           HON. EARL POMEROY

                            of north dakota

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, March 6, 1996

  Mr. POMEROY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to discuss a bill I introduced 
to reform the Safe Drinking Water Act [SDWA]. This bill, which is 
identical to legislation passed unanimously by the Senate, would cut 
burdensome regulations, eliminate unnecessary testing requirements, and 
assist communities in making sure their drinking water is clean and 
safe.
  Since I was elected to Congress, I have been working to pass 
legislation to reauthorize and reform the Safe Drinking Water Act. 
During the 103d Congress, I joined Congressman Slattery and others in 
introducing H.R. 3392 which passed the House and was the main bill 
around which negotiations centered. Unfortunately, Congress adjourned 
before final action could be completed. I am hopeful that with the 
overwhelming support this bill received in the Senate, swift action 
will be taken in the House in the near future.
  Over the past 3 years, I have visited several small water systems in 
North Dakota. Through my visits and conversations with system 
operators, I have become very familiar with the workings of this law. 
Many small and rural water systems simply cannot comply with these 
mandates--they don't have the technology and they don't have the 
resources. This law has driven many North Dakota communities to the 
edge of bankruptcy, while others have had to ignore the law in order to 
survive financially.
  I firmly believe the rules of SDWA should fit the communities it is 
designed to serve. The original law was based on large water systems 
and subscribes to a one-size-fits-all approach to the problem. I 
believe a more prudent approach is to take the actual threat to public 
health into consideration and allow communities to target scarce 
resources to those needs.
  This bill does just that. It reduces the regulatory burden imposed on 
States and public water systems, increase State authority and 
flexibility, provides financial assistance for unfunded mandates, and 
directs the Environmental Protection Agency to consider costs and 
benefits when setting new standards. Importantly, small systems are 
given special consideration under the legislation. The bill requires 
the EPA to consider system size when determining the best available 
technology to address a risk, permits States to issue variances, and 
provides for technical assistance grants.
  Of particular concern to me regarding the current law are the 
arbitrary numbers of specific contaminants that must be regulated--
without regard to the risk they present. Currently, communities must 
monitor for 83 contaminants and the EPA will require monitoring for 25 
more contaminants every 3 years. The bill passed by the Senate and 
which I have introduced eliminates this requirement and establishes a 
process for EPA to select and list contaminants for regulatory 
consideration based on occurrence and health effects.
  I am hopeful that the House of Representatives will follow the 
Senate's lead and take swift action to move this bill.

                          ____________________