[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 112 (Friday, July 25, 2003)]
[House]
[Page H7622]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             ASSAULT ON TRANSPORTATION ENHANCEMENTS PROGRAM

  (Mr. BLUMENAUER asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Speaker, Members depart the Chamber today to go 
back to their districts, meeting with people to get in touch with what 
is on their minds. I hope that our colleagues will take the opportunity 
to discuss with their constituents an assault on the transportation 
enhancements program.
  Mr. Speaker, this has been a program since 1991 that has funneled 
billions of dollars into opportunities for people to convert abandoned 
rail corridors to trails, to have programs to revitalize historic 
highways, and for bike and pedestrian paths. All of these have been 
critical elements of being able to improve the livability of our 
communities. Inexplicably, the Appropriations Subcommittee on 
Transportation stripped these elements out, and condemned them as 
ineffective. Hopefully the full committee is starting to right this 
wrong, but people at home need to be careful. If we are not diligent, 
we are going to lose an important part of the broad base of support for 
a balanced transportation system.

                          ____________________