[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 131 (Friday, September 26, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1873]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




DEPARTMENTS OF COMMERCE, JUSTICE, AND STATE, THE JUDICIARY, AND RELATED 
                   AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 1998

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                           HON. JOHN W. OLVER

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 25, 1997

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 2267) making 
     appropriations for the Departments of Commerce, Justice, and 
     State, the Judiciary, and related agencies for the fiscal 
     year ending September 30, 1998, and for other purposes:

  Mr. OLVER. Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong opposition to the Hefley 
amendment which would reduce funding for the economic development 
agency [EDA] by $90 million.
  The EDA plays a vital role in providing support to communities in 
high economic distress. An anecdote from my district illustrates how 
the EDA can work for all of our cities and towns. A large community in 
western Massachusetts just experienced sizable defense industry 
layoffs. Modest economic development money can inject economic life 
into communities facing similar hardships. EDA grants fund utilities 
construction to create industrial parks, provide capital for small 
business loans, fund regional economic planning for small communities 
to coordinate job creation efforts, and turn former military bases into 
centers for new businesses.
  EDA funds help to build infrastructure, attract private investment, 
and create jobs. This is the kind of help that every district needs.
  I urge my colleagues to preserve EDA funding and reject the Hefley 
amendment.

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