[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 152 (Tuesday, October 9, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2092]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E2092]]
    PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 3246, REGIONAL ECONOMIC AND 
                 INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT ACT OF 2007

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. SILVESTRE REYES

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 4, 2007

  Mr. REYES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 3246, 
the Regional Economic and Infrastructure Development Act of 2007, which 
will help spur economic development in my district of El Paso, Texas. I 
would like to thank Chairman Oberstar for his vision regarding the need 
and importance of regional authorities for development in areas of the 
country with huge economic need. For the past three Congresses, I have 
introduced my bill, the Southwest Regional Border Authority Act, in an 
attempt to bring some relief to the U.S.-Mexico border and my district 
of El Paso, Texas. This year, under the leadership of Chairman 
Oberstar, my bill has been included into his overall legislation. I 
would also like to thank many of my colleagues who represent districts 
along the U.S.-Mexico border for their support in the creation of the 
Southwest Regional Border Authority.
  The Chairman's bill would authorize $1.25 billion over the period of 
FY 2008 through FY 2012 for five regional commissions one of which will 
be created in the U.S.-Mexico border region. The Authorities would be 
Federal-State partnerships for providing assistance to economically 
distressed and underdeveloped areas that have experienced high levels 
of unemployment, poverty, or out-migration. Three of the commissions 
would be new and would assist areas in the Southeastern United States 
and areas along the Mexican and Canadian borders; two of the 
commissions would replace existing authorities in the Delta and 
Northern Great Plains regions. The bill would establish uniform 
administrative structures and responsibilities for the commissions, and 
authorize the commissions to provide financial assistance for projects 
and programs in their respective regions to develop transportation and 
infrastructure, provide job skills training and support business 
development.
  The Southwest border region, as defined in the bill, includes all 
counties within 150 miles of the U.S.-Mexico border. This region 
contains 11 counties in New Mexico, 65 counties in Texas, 10 counties 
in Arizona, and 7 counties in California, with a combined population of 
approximately 29 million.
  According to research compiled by the Interagency Task Force on the 
Economic Development of the Southwest Border, 20 percent of the 
residents in my region live below the poverty level, unemployment rates 
often reach as high as five times the national average, and a lack of 
adequate access to capital has created economic disparities making it 
difficult for businesses to start up in the region. Border communities 
have long endured a depressed economy and low-paying jobs. Our economic 
challenges partly stem from our position as a border community.
  Economic development in border communities is difficult to stimulate 
without assistance from the Government, private sector, and community 
organizations. H.R. 3246 would help foster planning to encourage 
infrastructure improvements, technology deployment, education 
and workforce training, and community development through 
entrepreneurship.

  Modeled in part after the Appalachian Regional Commission, the 
Southwest Border Regional Authority and other Authorities would follow 
four guiding principles:
  First, the Authorities would fund proposals designed at the local 
level followed by approval at the state level in order to meet regional 
economic development goals;
  Second, projects leading to the creation of a diversified regional 
economy would be prioritized. Currently, states and counties often are 
forced to compete against each other for limited funding;
  Third, the Authorities would be independent agencies. This would 
prevent them from having to attempt to satisfy another Federal agency's 
mission requirements when determining which projects to fund; and
  Finally, the Authorities would be comprised of one Senate-confirmed 
Federal representative and the governors of the States of jurisdiction.
  For too long, many areas of our country including the southwest 
border region have been ignored, overlooked, and underfunded. We need 
to recognize the challenges facing these under-served areas and help 
them make the most of their many assets. I believe the authorities 
created in the Regional Economic and Infrastructure Development Act of 
2007 would go a long way toward achieving the goal of economic 
prosperity in some of the poorest regions of our county.
  Again, I would like to thank Chairman Oberstar for his leadership on 
this issue and look forward to the implementation of this important 
legislation. I ask my colleagues to support this important measure.

                          ____________________