[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 78 (Friday, June 16, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1193-E1194]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




TRANSPORTATION, TREASURY, HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT, THE JUDICIARY, 
 THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA AND INDEPENDENT AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 
                                  2007

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                         HON. KENNY C. HULSHOF

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 13, 2006

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 5576) making 
     appropriations for the Departments of Transportation, 
     Treasury, and Housing and Urban Development, the Judiciary, 
     District of Columbia, and independent agencies for the fiscal 
     year ending September 30, 2007, and for other purposes:

  Mr. HULSHOF. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of the Hooley-
Hulshof-Skelton amendment to increase funding for the HIDTA program. 
For the past 5 fiscal years, the HIDTA program has essentially been 
level funded at $226 million. Our amendment increases the fiscal year 
2007 amount by $8 million for a new total of $235 million. This 
increase is offset by reducing the bill's funding level for the 
National Archives by $8 million, which will leave Archives with an 
estimated $1.4 million increase over last year's funding level.
  I would like to thank the gentlelady from Oregon for working with my 
office on this amendment. I know Oregon has a significant meth problem 
just like Missouri, and I'm glad that we can work together to combat 
this horrific drug. I also would like to thank my good friend from 
Missouri, Mr. Skelton, for his support.
  Methamphetamine use and production is a serious problem in my home 
State of Missouri. Since 2002, Missouri has led the Nation in the 
number of reported clandestine meth labs. These labs are an insidious 
problem. Not only are these labs highly volatile and prone to 
explosions, they create environmental hazards and pose significant 
health risks for those living in surrounding areas. The highly toxic 
byproduct that meth makers leave in their wake pollutes the environment 
and groundwater, leaves homes uninhabitable and puts law enforcement 
and clean-up crews in peril.
  But most importantly, we must take every step possible to stop the 
spread of this drug because of the terrible toll it is taking on people 
in our communities. Sadly, I think it is safe to say that all my 
colleagues are all too aware of the irreparable harm this drug takes on 
the physical health of its users. Many of you have seen the before and 
after photographs of these emaciated, scarred--both mentally and 
physically--and often toothless users.
  The recent enactment of the Combat Meth Act was a step in the right 
direction. This law is a preventive measure designed to limit meth 
makers access to cold medicines containing pseudoephedrine, which is a 
common precursor to meth. While I am hopeful that this law will help 
curb domestic production, we must remain vigilant in our efforts to 
combat meth trafficking. That is why it is so crucial we continue to 
provide funding for law enforcement programs, such as HIDTA.
  This joint endeavor between Federal, State and local law enforcement 
has been highly effective in combating the trafficking of illegal

[[Page E1194]]

narcotics. In 2005, Midwest HIDTA, which encompasses Missouri and five 
other States, arrested more than 9,000 individuals for various drug 
violations, seized more than 650 pounds of meth, almost 7,000 pounds of 
cocaine and seized nearly 1,700 firearms. Of these individuals, roughly 
1,400 were charged with methamphetamine offenses.
  This program is a key component of our national drug enforcement 
policy. HIDTA's greatest strength is that it is a cooperative endeavor 
among local and national officials who coordinate and devise a strategy 
to effectively curtail drug trafficking in the U.S. I believe this is a 
worthwhile amendment, and I encourage my colleagues to support its 
adoption.

                          ____________________