[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 130 (Thursday, September 19, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1650]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 
                                  1997

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                             HON. RON LEWIS

                              of kentucky

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 18, 1996

  Mr. LEWIS of Kentucky. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of 
the conference report for H.R. 3675, the Transportation Appropriation 
Act, which passed on the House floor yesterday. I commend Chairman Wolf 
and the conferees for their hard work and support for the growing 
transportation needs of our country.
  I'm especially pleased that the conference agreed to increase Federal 
highway funding from the trust funds by approximately $500 million over 
last year's level. For Kentucky, that means an additional $60 million 
will be available to fund important transportation priorities 
throughout the Commonwealth.
  One of those priorities for the Governor of Kentucky and especially 
for Kentucky's 2d Congressional District is the William H. Natcher 
Bridge in Owensboro, KY. The Natcher Bridge was previously a 
demonstration project, receiving nearly $54 million in Federal 
earmarks.
  At the request of President Clinton, however, Congress eliminated 
surface transportation earmarks 2 years ago. Since then, I've testified 
and repeatedly discussed this project with Chairman Wolf and other 
members of the Transportation Subcommittee. Chairman Wolf understands 
the importance of this bridge and its economic value for the community. 
Therefore, in the 1996 spending bill, he secured a $7-million increase 
in Kentucky's overall spending level, and urged then-Governor Jones to 
use those funds for the Natcher Bridge.
  This year, Chairman Wolf and the conference committee have upheld 
their commitment to our Nation's transportation needs by providing 
nearly $500 million more in overall funding for highways. And once 
again, Chairman Wolf has remembered our bridge, and made sure Kentucky 
will receive its needed share of that increase.
  Governor Patton has programmed $25 million in Federal funds for the 
Natcher Bridge, through his 1997 transportation budget. I am pleased 
that this measure will provide him with twice that much, so that 
together, we can work to complete this transportation priority.
  Again, I thank Chairman Wolf for his hard work.

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