[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 113 (Friday, July 24, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2005]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  TRANSPORTATION, HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT, AND RELATED AGENCIES 
                        APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2010

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                               speech of

                           HON. BOB ETHERIDGE

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 23, 2009

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 3288) making 
     appropriations for the Departments of Transportation, and 
     Housing and Urban Development, and related agencies for the 
     fiscal year ending September 30, 2010, and for other 
     purposes:

  Mr. ETHERIDGE. Mr. Chair, I rise in support of H.R. 3288, 
Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies 
Appropriations Act, 2010.
  This bill makes investments to improve transportation, housing, and 
critical national infrastructure, and, at least as critically, it is a 
jobs bill. H.R. 3288 builds on the work of the American Recovery and 
Reinvestment Act to create jobs and bolster our flagging economy. 
Unemployment rates across the country are reaching record highs, with 
my state of North Carolina at an average of 11.1 percent. New 
construction and renovation in transportation infrastructure and 
housing initiatives can provide thousands of desperately needed jobs. 
Every $1 billion of federal investments in highways creates an 
estimated 34,800 jobs.
  This bill provides a substantial increase in funding to repair and 
expand our Nation's aging infrastructure. Our transportation 
infrastructure provides the means to move goods and products; making it 
essential to the health of our larger economy as well as to the safety 
of every American traveler. H.R. 3288 provides $41.1 billion to improve 
and repair our nation's highways, increases funding for the next 
generation of high speed rail, and includes $3.5 billion for airport 
modernization and safety grants and $2.9 billion to modernize the 
Federal Aviation Administration's air traffic control system.
  H.R. 3288 also provides critical funding in the housing sector and 
invests in local communities, including those in rural America. Under 
this bill, there are more housing resources available for low income 
families, veterans, the elderly, and disabled individuals, including 
capital, operating funds, and counseling services. This bill also 
increases funding for Community Development Block Grants, HOPE VI 
grants, and brownfields redevelopment.
  This appropriations bill fully funds our most important 
transportation and housing priorities. I support H.R. 3288, 
Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies 
Appropriations Act, 2010 and I urge my colleagues to join me in voting 
for its passage.

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