[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 92 (Thursday, June 20, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1143]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 
                                  1997

                                 ______


                               speech of

                           HON. PETER DEUTSCH

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 19, 1996

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 3662) making 
     appropriations for the Department of the Interior and related 
     agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1997, and 
     for other purposes:

  Mr. DEUTSCH. Mr. Chairman, I would like to underscore the comments of 
my colleagues who join with me in supporting the Florida delegation's 
Everglades amendment to H.R. 3662--the fiscal year 1997 Interior 
appropriations bill. Congress has long recognized that Everglades 
restoration is a basic quality of life issue. The State of Florida has 
taken the lead on this by funding the lion's share of restoration. It 
is crucial that Congress recognize the Federal commitment by funding 
authorized land acquisition priorities in this Interior bill. Although 
the committee report claims to make the Everglades a top national 
priority, this promise can only be fulfilled by fully funding the land 
priorities in this bill.
  This Congress is deeply interested in the link between the economy 
and the environment. There is no better example than in south Florida 
where our multibillion dollar economy depends solely on reversing the 
environmental mistakes of the past.
  I appreciate Chairman Regula's willingness to work with us on this 
issue. I led the delegation in organizing our unified position, and I 
know the chairman is aware that a majority of us are on record 
supporting our efforts today. I look forward to resolving this issue to 
everyone's satisfaction, and I thank the chairman.

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