[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 127 (Tuesday, September 16, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1803-E1804]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




TRANSPORTATION, TREASURY, AND INDEPENDENT AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 
                                  2004

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. MARK UDALL

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 16, 2003

  Mr. UDALL of Colorado. Mr. Speaker, because of a family medical 
emergency, I was unable to be present for this week's votes on H.R. 
2989. Had I been present, I would have voted for its passage.
  I did have a number of concerns about the bill, and about the process 
under which it has been considered. In particular, I was very 
disappointed that the Republican leadership refused to allow the House 
to consider an amendment to suspend the cost-of-living increase for 
Members of Congress. I thought the House should have the chance to vote 
on that question, especially now when the unemployment rate is so high 
and the federal budget deficit is so large.
  Overall, however, I think the bill's good provisions outweigh its 
flaws.
  The bill includes substantial funding for a number of transportation 
projects in Colorado, including ongoing work to upgrade highways in the 
Denver metropolitan area and other parts of our state.
  I strongly support these provisions, which will help Colorado address 
some of its most pressing transportation needs and will also help our 
state's economy not only by a shortterm stimulus of jobs and purchases 
of supplies but also by infrastructure improvements that will yield big 
dividends in the years ahead. I commend Chairman Istook, Ranking Member 
Olver, and the other members of the appropriations committee for 
including these items in the bill.
  Another reason I support the bill is because it also provides for 
other forms of transportation such as rail and buses. Highways are 
important, but highways alone do not constitute a sound or balanced 
transportation system, in Colorado or anywhere else. That is why I 
favor continued support for Amtrak's service to our state and other 
parts of the Nation and why I also support having a portion of federal 
transportation funding go for such ``enhancements'' as pedestrian, 
bike, and trail facilities.
  In addition, the bill provides essential funding for other 
Transportation Department purposes as well as for the Treasury 
Department, the Executive Office of the President, and other important 
parts of the federal government.
  Among other things, it includes funds for continued implementation of 
the Help America Vote Act. I strongly supported enactment of that 
measure, and am glad that the bill includes provisions that will allow 
the General Services Administration to distribute grants under that Act 
if the new Federal Election Assistance Commission--which is supposed to 
perform that function--is not in operation by the start of the next 
fiscal year.
  The bill also includes funds for the Scholarship and Excellence in 
National Environmental Policy Trust Fund and for the United States 
Institute for Environmental Conflict Resolution. These are the accounts 
associated with the Morris K. Udall Foundation, and I am sure our 
colleagues understand why I have a particular

[[Page E1804]]

interest in them and why I want to extend my thanks to the Members of 
the Appropriations Committee for their support for these programs.

                          ____________________