[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 107 (Friday, July 25, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1528-E1529]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         ENERGY AND WATER DEVELOPMENT APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 1998

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                        HON. ROBERT B. ADERHOLT

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 24, 1997

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 2203) making 
     appropriations for energy and water development for the 
     fiscal year ending September 30, 1998, and for other 
     purposes:

  Mr. ADERHOLT. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in opposition to the Klug 
amendment. As has already been stated, there are no funds for 
Appalachian highways in the Transportation appropriations bill that 
passed the House earlier this week.
  This bill today, the Energy and Water appropriations bill, which has 
been so well crafted by the chairman, Joseph McDade and the ranking 
member Vic Fazio, includes $160 million for the Appalachian Regional 
Commission [ARC]. This bill represents a cut below the President's 
request and is less than half the amount appropriated 15 years ago. If 
non-Defense discretionary programs had been reduced like this, we would 
have a balanced budget this year.
  It is important to note that since the ARC was created over 30 years 
ago, the economic condition in the Appalachian Region has significantly 
improved. Poverty rates have been cut in half, infant mortality has 
been reduced by two-thirds, and good paying jobs have been created 
through infrastructure improvements.
  But our job is not done. Businesses are closing and others refusing 
to locate in northern Alabama due to the lack of a four-lane highway to 
connect the cities of Atlanta, Birmingham, and Memphis.
  For job creation and safety issues this is an unacceptable omission 
from our National Highway System.
  Economic growth is hampered because it is so difficult to transport 
goods and services between Birmingham and Memphis and throughout the 
northerwestern part of Alabama.
  The current inadequate two-lane route is extremely dangerous with a 
traffic incident or fatality occurring every month for the last 50 
months.
  The ARC provides needed funds for highways located in the Appalachian 
Region like Corridor X, which is the proposed four-lane

[[Page E1529]]

route from Memphis to Birmingham. These funds do not take resources 
away from the transportation trust funds, and are matched by each 
State.
  I understand the concern of the gentleman from Wisconsin and support 
eliminating Federal programs that are inefficient and wasteful. 
However, a closer look at the facts will demonstrate that funding for 
the ARC is crucial for the infrastructure and economic development of 
many rural areas including my congressional district.
  I urge my colleagues to defeat the Klug amendment and support H.R. 
2203.

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