[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 32 (Wednesday, March 16, 2005)]
[House]
[Page H1512]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANTS

  (Ms. SOLIS asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Ms. SOLIS. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to oppose cuts to the Community 
Development Block Grant program in the Republican budget.
  The Community Development Block Grant program provides critical 
funding for public safety, affordable housing, economic growth 
initiatives for cities, counties and Native American communities.
  The district I represent strongly opposes these cuts. And I have 
heard from a lot of people, the Los Angeles County Community 
Development Commission, the League of California Cities, the Southern 
California Association of Nonprofit Housing, and mayors from various 
cities in California, in addition to the County Native American Indian 
Commission. All of them strongly oppose the proposed Republican budget 
which seeks to cuts back important funding for cities like mine, 
particularly onethat I represent.
  The city of Rosemead has used this vital money to help provide 
residential rehabilitation assistance to over 100 elderly and disabled 
households. In addition, they have done testing for lead poisoning in 
low-income homes.
  So I urge my colleagues to enact a budget package that contains 
sufficient funding for community development that helps the underserved 
neighborhoods, like mine in the 32nd district, throughout the country.I 
urge my colleagues to support the Spratt alternative.

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