[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 94 (Friday, July 9, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1351]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




DEPARTMENTS OF COMMERCE, JUSTICE, AND STATE, THE JUDICIARY, AND RELATED 
                   AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2005

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                             HON. RON KIND

                              of wisconsin

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, July 8, 2004

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 4754) making 
     appropriations for the Departments of Commerce, Justice, and 
     State, the Judiciary, and related agencies for the fiscal 
     year ending September 30, 2005, and for other purposes:

  Mr. KIND. Mr. Chairman, I want to thank Chairman Wolf and Ranking 
Member Serrano for all their hard work in putting the Commerce-State-
Justice and Related Agencies Appropriations bill together. This 
legislation, while never perfect, includes important funding for 
programs helping our local economies grow, and keeping our communities 
safe.
  I particularly commend the Appropriations Committee for providing 
$106 million for the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) program 
within the Department of Commerce's National Institutes of Standards 
and Technology. Through a national network of manufacturing extension 
centers. MEP is designed to benefit domestic manufacturers by providing 
expertise and services tailored to their most critical needs. This 
includes assistance in process improvements, worker training, and 
information technology applications. In Wisconsin, MEP has served over 
110 firms. Unfortunately, the Bush Administration has repeatedly cut 
funding for MEP; the President's budget request has consistently cut 
funding for MEP, proposing an 83 percent reduction in FY04 and a 60 
percent reduction in FY05.
  In western Wisconsin, the Northwest Manufacturing Outreach Center 
(NWMOC), one of two MEP Centers in Wisconsin, has provided assistance 
to more than 900 companies over the past 10 years. Frank Borg, Joe 
Benkowski, and their team at NWMOC travel throughout northern Wisconsin 
helping companies ensure businesses are able to compete and grow in the 
global marketplace. Restoring funding to $106 million is critical to 
MEP's success in Wisconsin and throughout the Nation.
  I also want to thank the Committee for restoring funding for State 
and local law enforcement activities which the President's budget 
proposed slashing by over 80 percent. The legislation restores funding 
for the Byrne Justice Assistance Grants and Bryne Discretionary Grants. 
In addition, the legislation rejects drastic cuts proposed by the 
President for the COPS program. In western Wisconsin, and throughout 
the Nation, the COPS program is more important than ever. As many rural 
law enforcement offices are being called up for service in the National 
Guard and military Reserves, the COPS program provides resources 
necessary to help communities meet law enforcement challenges.
  In addition, the legislation provides $60 million to help fight 
methamphetamine production and distribution. Methamphetamine abuse has 
been increasing in rural Wisconsin, and we must continue to help fight 
against this dangerous drug.
  Mr. Chairman, the legislation before us provides many important 
resources for our local communities, and I urge my colleagues to 
support it.

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