[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 40 (Wednesday, April 1, 1998)]
[House]
[Page H2033]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    INTRODUCTION OF H.R. 3627, BROWNFIELD COMMUNITY EMPOWERMENT ACT

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Rush) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. RUSH. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to stand here today to outline the 
Brownfield Community Empowerment Act, H.R. 3627, which I introduced 
today along with my colleague the gentlewoman from Oregon (Ms. Furse).
  The Brownfield Community Empowerment Act will provide financial 
assistance to local governments and citizen organizations. Grants will 
be given to local governments and local citizens' organizations in the 
amount of $100 million for fiscal years 1999 through 2003. Thirty 
percent of this money will be made directly available to local 
citizens' organizations.
  In addition, my legislation will establish a revolving loan program 
which will allow local governments to provide money to persons or 
entities who wish to develop potential Brownfield sites. This revolving 
loan fund will insure that development continues into the future.
  Public housing entities, which have been overlooked when it comes to 
economic development, will be able to apply for grants. Twenty-five 
million dollars will be made available for fiscal years 1999 through 
2001. Public housing developments are ofttimes in the most dire need of 
economic development. As a representative of one of the highest 
concentrations of public housing residents in the Nation, I feel it is 
incumbent upon me to address the needs of those who have been 
overlooked.
  Community involvement is also vital to sustaining any community. When 
it comes to economic development, the need for the input of those who 
would be most directly effected is even more vital. The Community 
Empowerment Act will give voice to the citizens of each and every 
community. It will ensure that meaningful public participation not 
merely perfunctory gestures will occur. Local citizens' organizations 
will be given full participation in assessment, remediation and 
cleanup.
  The voices of the masses must not ever be quelled. It is my hope that 
this legislation will raise those voices to octaves never heard before. 
This legislation will guarantee the local citizens' organizations will 
receive 30 percent of the grants.
  The reality of life, whether we want to acknowledge it or not, is 
that those who have the least are often left out in the cold. 
Environmental justice is yet another principle my legislation will 
address. Low-income and historically disenfranchised areas will be 
given priority when it comes to the awarding of grants. In addition, 
cleanup methods must be cognizant of the needs of certain populations 
such as the elderly, children and persons with AIDS. Quick fix 
approaches will not do when it comes to cleaning up our environment. We 
must invest in the long term. We must invest in everyone's future.
  Empowerment zones were once thought to be the vehicle that would 
restore prosperity to economically stagnant areas. In many communities 
across this Nation, such has not been the case. I recognize the need 
for these economically thriving areas. That is why empowerment zones 
and enterprise communities will be given priority in the awarding of 
grants. A viable and effective Brownfield program can breathe life into 
economically wounded communities.
  Winston Churchill once said, and I quote:
  ``Some people regard private enterprise as a predatory tiger to be 
shot. Others see it as a cow they can milk. Not enough people see it as 
a healthy horse, pulling a sturdy wagon.''
  I say let the Brownfield Community Empowerment Program be one of the 
reins which guides the healthy horse, and let economic revitalization 
and opportunities be the load of the sturdy wagon.

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