[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 34 (Thursday, March 4, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E354]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                     PEACE CORPS ACT AUTHORIZATION

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                            HON. GREG WALDEN

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, March 3, 1999

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 669) to 
     amend the Peace Corps Act to authorize appropriations for 
     fiscal years 2000 through 2003 to carry out that Act, and for 
     other purposes:

  Mr. WALDEN of Oregon. Mr. Chairman, I would like to explain why I 
joined 89 of my colleagues from both parties in voting against the 
Peace Corps Reauthorization Act. But first, let me say that I did not 
vote against this bill because I oppose the noble function that the 
Peace Corps serves. I have the utmost respect for this program, and for 
the people who choose to give two years of their lives to help others. 
Furthermore, I recognize the successes the Peace Corps has had in 
helping impoverished, struggling communities gain a foothold in the 
modern world.
  I voted against passage of the Peace Corps Reauthorization Act 
because I don't believe that authorizing a substantial increase in 
funds for this program is the best use of federal money at this point. 
This bill will increase funding for the Peace Corps from $241 million 
this year to $365 million in 2003, an increase of 51 percent. Because I 
recognize the value of the Peace Corps, I would have voted for a 
measure that reauthorizes the Peace Corps at the existing funding 
level, or at a level that provides for a small increase to account for 
inflation. I believe that a major increase in funding for a program 
such as the Peace Corps is unwise at a time when the federal government 
continues to cut Medicare funding for rural hospitals and patients and 
the U.S. Forest Service is unable to protect our nation's federal 
forests from catastrophic wildfires and destructive beetle 
infestations.
  While the additional Peace Corps authorization is small, relative to 
other outlays by the federal government, we must be careful to 
prioritize our spending to direct it toward those programs that benefit 
Americans who need assistance. Many Members of Congress, as well as the 
President, have committed themselves to saving Social Security and 
Medicare. These efforts will require substantial investments, and we 
must be prudent with our spending now so we can fulfill our obligation 
to current and future retirees.
  I believe that my vote was the right choice in my efforts to help my 
constituents solve the serious problems they face every day, and I look 
forward to continuing to address the needs of Oregonians with my votes 
in the House of Representatives.

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