[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 127 (Friday, August 3, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1722]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    WATER RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                            HON. CONNIE MACK

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, August 1, 2007

  Mr. MACK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to talk about a bill that is 
critical to improving our country's water quality and infrastructure, 
the Water Resources Development Act.
  I am glad we're finally able to pass a WRDA conference report. For 
far too long, Congress has stalled on moving this critical legislation, 
creating a backlog of projects in the country, including many in 
Southwest Florida.
  This legislation is vital to protecting our environment and improving 
water quality in Florida and the rest of the country. The bill will 
help to restore the Everglades and parts of coastal Louisiana affected 
by hurricanes. It will also assist in protecting our beaches and 
coastal areas from floods and storms and is vital in facilitating 
commerce at our Nation's waterways and ports.
  Mr. Speaker, this bill will pay untold dividends in the years to 
come. We all agree that our children and grandchildren deserve to 
inherit a fiscally responsible government, but we also agree that they 
deserve to inherit clean water, clean air and a healthy environment.
  I hope that the President won't act on his veto threat and instead 
will sign WRDA into law. We need this legislation to protect our 
environment for future generations. We can't delay in moving forward on 
these critical infrastructure projects.

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