[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 109 (Wednesday, August 5, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1558-E1559]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




DEPARTMENTS OF COMMERCE, JUSTICE, AND STATE, AND JUDICIARY, AND RELATED 
                   AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 1999

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                               speech of

                         HON. GARY L. ACKERMAN

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, August 4, 1998

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 4276) making 
     appropriations for the Departments of Commerce, Justice, and 
     State, the Judiciary, and related agencies for the fiscal 
     year ending September 30, 1999, and for other purposes:

  Mr. ACKERMAN. Mr. Chairman, I rise today to explain my vote against 
Rep. Engel's amendment to the Commerce-Justice-State Appropriations 
Bill which would have slashed $5 million from the Title XI ship 
building program, and given it to the Public Telecommunication 
Facilities Program (PTFP).
  The Federal Ship Financing Program was established pursuant to Title 
XI of the Merchant Marine Act of 1936 to encourage ship production and 
ship improvements. By promoting the modernization of the U.S. merchant 
marine fleet, we also enhance our national security. As was clearly 
evidenced in the 1991 Gulf War, our merchant marine is critical for 
transporting troops and supplies throughout the world wherever they are 
needed. We must maintain a strong fleet so that we can be prepared in 
times of conflict, in addition to maintaining our commitments in peace 
time.
  The Public Telecommunication Facilities Program (PTFP) is another 
worthwhile program. Over the past 30 years, the PTFP has provided 
funding for both public radio and television stations. Throughout my 
tenure in Congress I have been a strong supporter of public 
broadcasting which offers Americans a broad range of quality 
educational and cultural programming for people of all ages.
  However, Mr. Chairman, it is ill-advised and just plain wrong to pit 
one worthwhile program against another in the appropriations debate. 
While the PTFP is an admirable program, I cannot vote to strip the 
Title XI program of $5 million of the $6 million remaining in their 
FY99 Appropriations. I applaud my colleague Mr. Engel's effort to 
increase funds for public

[[Page E1559]]

broadcasting, and I look forward to future votes to further this goal, 
but in this instance, I had to cast my vote against this amendment so 
that we can maintain the Title XI program.

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