[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 141 (Monday, October 18, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Page S12782]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 THE FY 2000 HUD/VA APPROPRIATIONS ACT

  Mr. KENNEDY. Mr. President, I express my strong support for the VA/
HUD Appropriations Act for FY 2000, which passed the Senate last 
Friday. I commend Chairman Bond and Ranking Member Mikulski for their 
skilled work on resolving the important issues involved in this 
legislation. We could not have achieved such an excellent measure 
without their leadership and commitment.
  I am pleased that the legislation includes significant new funding 
allocations for some of HUD's most critical programs. We have promised 
America's citizens to stand up for their priorities, and this 
legislation is an important part of keeping that promise.
  The bill includes an additional 60,000 Section 8 vouchers. These 
vouchers are critical for struggling families across the country, many 
of whom pay more than half their income in rent.
  The bill also restores $70 million for Round II Empowerment Zones. 
This restoration honors our promise to the communities who have worked 
hard to build partnerships to revitalize their communities, based upon 
the promise that they would have HUD resources to leverage the funds 
they have raised in private-sector investments. The City of Boston and 
many other communities will benefit from this effort, and I am pleased 
that we support their initiative with these well-deserved resources.
  I am also pleased that the Community Builders program is supported in 
the Act. The program provides a single point of contact with HUD for 
clients and customers, and streamlines access to HUD resources. With 
these improvements, HUD will be serving citizens more ably and 
expeditiously, and the preservation of this important program is an 
essential part of the legislation.
  These initiatives offer hope to many distressed communities and low 
income families who are still left behind in this period of 
extraordinary economic growth. We must never forget our commitment to 
safe and affordable housing for our neediest citizens. I commend my 
colleagues for their skillful work which has led to this major 
legislation.

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