[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 19 (Thursday, February 28, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E230]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        APPALACHIAN REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT ACT AMENDMENTS OF 2002

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                             HON. RON LEWIS

                              of kentucky

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 26, 2002

  Mr. LEWIS of Kentucky. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this 
legislation to reauthorize the Appalachian Regional Commission. Since 
1965, the ARC has fostered cooperation among the Federal Government, 
Governors of Appalachian States and local community leaders for 
economic development initiatives.
  I am especially pleased the bill today adds Hart and Edmonson 
counties in my district to the Commission. Based on economic data, both 
of these counties fall into the ARC's distressed classification, the 
Commission's lowest economic status rank. I believe I can speak for 
these counties when I say they appreciate this opportunity for 
assistance in improving their economic situations.
  This bill also changes the Commission's fund distribution, requiring 
half of its program funds to be directed to ARC's distressed counties. 
Distressed counties are the ones most in need of the extra development 
assistance ARC provides, and it only makes sense that we target a 
substantial portion of the project funds available to the areas most in 
need.
  Membership in the ARC does not guarantee funds for local areas, but 
membership does give local development leaders an opportunity to apply 
for grants and make the case for their proposals to boost economic and 
social development.
  I want to thank Chairman LaTourette for his support in adding these 
counties deserving of assistance to the Commission and for his support 
of economic development in Kentucky.
  While I would have preferred that we were voting on the chairman's 
original legislation which included neighboring Metcalfe County in the 
Commission, I am pleased with this outcome. We passed that legislation 
in August. Unfortunately, the other body did not agree to our version 
of the legislation, and we had to make this compromise. I hope the 
committee will consider adding Metcalfe County to the Commission in the 
future, as this area is also economically deserving of aid.
  I appreciate the work of Chairman LaTourette and Chairman Young in 
this process, and I urge the House's support for this bill.

                          ____________________