[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 91 (Wednesday, June 17, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Page S6678]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        COMMUNITY REHABILITATION

  Mr. BURRIS. Mr. President, I rise today to applaud Senator Lincoln 
and Senator Snowe for their leadership and commitment in introducing S. 
1222. This legislation would revise and extend existing empowerment 
zone, renewal community, and enterprise community rules. It seeks to 
make these programs more effective and ensure that the incentives work 
as intended. I am proud to be a cosponsor of this important measure.
  Congress created empowerment zones, renewal communities, and 
enterprise communities to spur economic growth and create job 
opportunities. Cities such as East St. Louis and Chicago, IL, have 
received tax incentives worth $5.3 billion. These incentives encourage 
businesses to open or expand and to hire local residents. They include 
employment credits, low-interest loans, reduced taxation on capital 
gains, and other incentives.
  Unfortunately, some of the programs have not operated as intended. A 
few major hurdles have prevented full utilization of the tax benefits 
available. These incentives desperately need to be refined and 
extended. That is exactly what this legislation would do, and that is 
why it is so important for the Senate to act without delay.
  Empowerment zones such as the one in East St. Louis, IL, focus on 
grassroots, sustainable progress. They create a bond between 
businesses, employees, and surrounding communities. Despite receiving 
only one-fourth of anticipated Federal funding, they have found 
aspiring entrepreneurs to expand and develop local businesses, using a 
creative array of tax incentives and loans.
  This legislation is an important step toward reversing the blight 
faced by our inner cities without gentrifying these areas or shutting 
out the community members who need our help the most. Senator Lincoln 
and Senator Snowe deserve our utmost support in their fight to 
rehabilitate these communities. I am proud to cosponsor this 
legislation, and I urge my colleagues to join with me in this effort.

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