[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 100 (Monday, July 19, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1417]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   WELCOME TO BECKLEY, MR. PRESIDENT

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. NICK J. RAHALL, II

                            of west virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, July 19, 2004

  Mr. RAHALL. Mr. Speaker, again I wish to discuss the Transportation 
bill. This time, I want to discuss this much-needed bill in light of 
President Bush's recent visit to my hometown of Beckley, West Virginia 
last Friday, July 16, 2004.
  This week, Congress will again have to extend the authorization for 
the previous Transportation bill because we still do not yet have a 
reauthorization. The previous authorization originally expired almost a 
year ago. Now, we will be extending that previous authorization for the 
fifth time--that's right, the fifth time--because Congress still hasn't 
done its work and completed a new bill.
  The reason Congress still hasn't done the Transportation bill is that 
the White House clearly does not want us to finalize this bill in an 
election year, and the Republican Leadership in the House and the 
Senate just follow the Administration's orders. As I have said 
repeatedly, we should complete the bill, and if the White House wants 
to veto it, it can go ahead; there are clearly enough Republican and 
Democrat votes to override a veto and get the Transportation bill 
finished. But by doing nothing, the House and Senate Republican 
Leadership are siding with the White House, and preventing Congress 
from carrying out its Constitutional role as a coequal branch of 
government.
  As I said last week, here on the House floor, States like my home 
state of West Virginia have been waiting for far too long now to see 
just what, if anything, they could expect to receive from the Federal 
Government. This money will help finance important highway and transit 
projects such as the Beckley Intermodal Gateway, provide good-paying 
jobs that are sorely needed in this uncertain job market, and sustain 
our economic growth at this critical point in time.
  Mr. Speaker, I have an editorial from a distinguished newspaper in my 
hometown, the Register Herald, which I would like to submit for the 
Record to accompany my remarks. This editorial from Friday, July 16, 
2004, graciously welcomes the president to Beckley. Importantly, it 
also goes on to note how badly Southern West Virginia needs the highway 
funding that President Bush is blocking. The editorial reads as 
follows:

                   Mr. President--Welcome to Beckley

       Today, for the first time in history, a sitting United 
     States president will be in Beckley.
       President George W. Bush is scheduled to make a campaign 
     appearance around 4 p.m. today at the Raleigh County Armory 
     Civic Center.
       The city, Raleigh County and all of southern West Virginia 
     are proud to have been chosen for a visit. We're happy to see 
     him in person and are most interested to listen to his 
     thoughts on the issues that face us as a Nation.
       However, we want to ask Mr. Bush one thing in return. Soon 
     to come before him will be a highway appropriations bill 
     which he's threatened to veto if it carries a price deemed 
     too expensive. Included in this bill is more than $2 billion 
     to help finance a number of projects that are crucial to the 
     economic development of Berkley, Raleigh County and southern 
     West Virginia. If the economy is to continue the turnaround 
     that Mr. Bush says is gathering steam, we need this money to 
     keep it running.
       We trust Mr. Bush enjoys his visit here. We wish he could 
     stay longer and enjoy the beautiful mountains we call home.
       No matter which party you're supporting in the upcoming 
     presidential election, partisan politics should be put aside 
     when the president comes to town.

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