[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 38 (Thursday, March 30, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E464]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             2000 EMERGENCY SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS ACT

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                               speech of

                           HON. ED WHITFIELD

                              of kentucky

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 29, 2000

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 3908) making 
     emergency supplemental appropriations for the fiscal year 
     ending September 30, 2000, and for other purposes:

  Mr. WHITFIELD. Mr. Chairman, I applaud the House's adoption of the 
amendment to H.R. 3908, the Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act, 
offered by my colleague, the gentleman from Arkansas, Mr. Hutchinson.
  My District is currently struggling with an explosion in the use, 
distribution, and production of methamphetamine. The number of 
methamphetamine incidents in the First District of Kentucky is 
estimated to be one of the highest in the country.
  The outbreak of clandestine meth labs is creating a tremendous burden 
of local law enforcement agencies, especially in rural areas with small 
police departments. Methamphetamine investigations are time consuming 
and require unique techniques and specialized equipment. Law 
enforcement officers in making a meth bust cannot simply arrest the 
suspect or suspects; they must be certified to dispose of these 
volatile and hazardous chemicals.
  This amendment will reallocate much needed funding to DEA for cleanup 
of hazardous materials at clandestine methamphetamine laboratories. The 
funds available to DEA for lab cleanups were recently exhausted.
  Western Kentucky was fortunate enough to receive a $1 million earmark 
for methamphetamine eradication and cleanup. However, we could still 
experience a funding shortfall based on statistics provided to me by 
DEA. During Fiscal Year 1999, there were 58 meth lab cleanups in the 
State of Kentucky; 50 were in my District. During the first quarter of 
this year, there were 25 meth lab cleanups in Kentucky and 20 were in 
my District.
  This is a serious problem we can't ignore.

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