[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 48 (Thursday, March 19, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E716]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          PERSONAL EXPLANATION

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                           HON. BOB ETHERIDGE

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 19, 2009

  Mr. ETHERIDGE. Madam Speaker, due to an illness in my family, I was 
unable to be in attendance on the floor of the House on March 12, 2009, 
and unable to record my vote on H.R. 1262.
  Had I been able to cast my vote on this bill I would have voted in 
strong support of the Water Quality Investment Act of 2009. H.R. 1262 
is a comprehensive bill that will result in a total investment in our 
nation's water infrastructure of $18.7 billion over five years, this 
legislation will fund the Clean Water State Revolving Fund, and provide 
$13.8 billion in Federal grants over five years to the Clean Water SRF 
to provide low-interest loans to communities for wastewater 
infrastructure.
  Our nation's wastewater infrastructure is deteriorating and in dire 
need of repair. In many regions of the country, sewer systems and water 
infrastructure facilities were built in a different era and for much 
smaller populations. Many water systems have reached the end of their 
useful life or have been completely overwhelmed from increased use. 
H.R. 1262 goes a long way towards renewing the federal commitment to 
addressing our nation's substantial needs for water infrastructure to 
ensure that communities across the country have safe drinking water and 
effective wastewater treatment facilities.
  I am pleased that this legislation has passed the House and I only 
regret that I was not able to be present to cast my vote in support. In 
addition to voting ``yes'' on Rollcall No. 123, I would have voted 
``no'' on Rollcall No. 122, against the Mack Amendment to the bill, 
which would have removed prevailing wage provisions from the bill. I 
also would have voted ``yes'' on Rollcall No. 124, H. Res. 224, 
supporting the designation of March 14, 2009 as Pi Day.

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