[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 85 (Thursday, June 25, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1229-E1230]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         ENERGY AND WATER DEVELOPMENT APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 1999

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. JOSE E. SERRANO

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, June 22, 1998

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 4060) making 
     appropriations for energy and water development for the 
     fiscal year ending September 30, 1999, and for other 
     purposes.

  Mr. SERRANO. Mr. Chairman, I would like to express my support for the 
Energy and Water Development Appropriations bill that we are voting on 
today on the House floor. With limited resources, this bill funds a 
diverse array of programs, everything from flood control projects to 
renewable energy technologies, in a truly bipartisan way.
  I would also like to take this opportunity to recognize the 
outstanding contributions of two statesmen, Chairman McDade and the 
Ranking Member Vic Fazio. Both of these Members have served this 
institution with distinction and have managed to once again carefully 
balance the diverse needs of our nation in a carefully crafted bill. 
Vic Fazio and Joe McDade have been my friends, as well as colleagues, 
and their sense of fairness and ability to listen will be missed.
  The people in the South Bronx are particularly grateful that funding 
was provided in this bill for the Corps of Engineers to initiate and 
complete a reconnaissance report for flood control, environmental 
restoration and other related purposes of the Bronx River. The 
restoration of the Bronx River is very important to the community that 
I represent, and this reconnaissance study will give the community the 
valuable information that it needs as it proceeds with its numerous 
efforts on behalf of the Bronx River.
  Secondly, the Bronx community is deeply appreciative of the funding 
that was provided for the Corps of Engineers to continue design and 
construction activities at Orchard Beach in New York. More than two 
million people, many low-income and minority, visit Orchard Beach every 
year. Unfortunately, the beach is suffering from severe erosion and the 
sand needs to be replenished. In their March 1992 report, the Corps of 
Engineers New York District referred to this project as 
``environmentally acceptable with the potential to serve as a 
demonstration for tidal wetland restoration, provide direct 
environmental benefits and indirect educational value to the local 
population.''
  In conclusion, I would like to reaffirm my strong support for this 
legislation and for the way in which it both carefully balances the 
needs of our nation and takes into account the very specific needs of 
the residents of the South Bronx. Also, I would like to again express 
my deep appreciation for the fine work and many contributions of Vic 
Fazio and Joe

[[Page E1230]]

McDade. They will both be missed, and I wish them success in their 
future endeavors.

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