[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 37 (Tuesday, March 3, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E524-E525]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    OMNIBUS APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2009

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                           HON. BOB ETHERIDGE

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 25, 2009

  Mr. ETHERIDGE. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1105, the 
Fiscal Year 2009 Omnibus Appropriations Act. This bill completes 
Congress' work funding essential government services for 2009 and 
invests in important priorities to get our economy back on track. H.R. 
1105 provides for the needs of North Carolina's most vulnerable 
citizens and will help our State make the investments it needs to make 
for a brighter future.
  As the former superintendent of schools in North Carolina, I am 
particularly pleased that this bill continues our commitment to 
educational opportunities for all Americans. Economists tell us that 
strategic investments in education are one of the best ways to help 
America become more productive and competitive. This bill builds on the 
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to support state and local 
community efforts to improve schools, and on the efforts of individuals 
and families to provide a better life for their children. H.R. 1105 
provides $66.5 billion for the Department of Education, a 7 percent 
increase over last year. In these times when state budgets are 
stretched to the limit, it increases the federal share of special 
education costs and increases Title I grants for disadvantaged students 
to ensure our local communities are able to continue to help our most 
vulnerable students. It provides increases to student financial aid to 
help 1.4 million students go to school, and helps 6.9 million families 
pay for college with an increase in the maximum Pell Grant to $4,360. 
It provides additional funding for Head Start, gives child care 
assistance to 11,000 more children, and provides 1.7 million with 
quality afterschool services that supplement their school activities. 
These are fundamental investments that provide the key to the future 
for our nation's children.
  This bill makes many other critical investments to address our 
immediate needs while laying the foundation for our long-term 
prosperity. H.R. 1105 provides $15.3 billion for the Labor Department, 
providing critical job training, unemployment, and workforce protection

[[Page E525]]

services to our working families. It appropriates a total of $496 
billion for the Department of Health and Human Services, including 
critical support for Medicare and Medicaid. It includes $108 billion 
for the Department of Agriculture, including a 15 percent increase in 
funding for rural development. It appropriates $57.9 billion for 
Commerce, Justice, and the science agencies, including a 16 percent 
increase for state and local law enforcement activities. By improving 
support for research and development at our nation's universities, 
federal laboratories, and small business incubators, funding in H.R. 
1105 creates jobs and contributes to U.S. competitiveness. Finally, 
this bill invests in energy security with a 12 percent increase in 
funding for renewable energy and energy efficiency initiatives, which 
will help us reduce our dependence on foreign fuel sources.
  This bill is not just about spending. H.R. 1105 also cuts and 
eliminates government programs that are not working, and provides 
accountability and oversight through improvements in regulatory 
agencies. In these difficult economic times, it is more important than 
ever that we wisely invest the tax dollars that have been entrusted to 
us, and this bill is a sound investment in our future.
  Mr. Speaker, Congress has a solemn duty to pass a funding bill that 
honors the values of the American people. By addressing America's 
domestic needs, providing for our foreign obligations, and investing in 
the future, H.R. 1105 reflects these values. I support H.R. 1105, and I 
urge my colleagues to join me in voting for this bill.

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