[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 161 (Monday, November 2, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2679]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      CONFERENCE REPORT ON H.R. 2996, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, 
       ENVIRONMENT, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2010

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                               speech of

                         HON. CHRIS VAN HOLLEN

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 29, 2009

  Mr. VAN HOLLEN. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of this FY 10 
Interior-Environment Conference Report and the key investments it makes 
to clean up our water, improve our national parks, combat climate 
change and promote the arts.
  In order to remedy the previous administration's underinvestment in 
our Nation's water infrastructure, this legislation provides $2.1 
billion for the Clean Water State Revolving Fund and $1.38 billion for 
the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund. These investments will go a 
long way toward modernizing our aging wastewater systems and delivering 
safe drinking water to all of our citizens.
  Additionally, I am pleased that today's conference report contains 
$2.7 billion for our national parks. In addition to sustaining ongoing 
park operations, this funding will help the National Park Service 
continue to upgrade our parks ahead of the Service's 2016 centennial 
celebration.
  As Congress works to finalize comprehensive clean energy and climate 
change legislation, this bill invests $385 million in climate change 
research and abatement, including $17 million to continue development 
of a Greenhouse Gas Registry and $51 million for EPA's Energy Star 
program.
  Finally, this FY 10 Interior-Environment Conference report includes 
$167.5 million for the National Endowment for the Arts and $167.5 
million for the National Endowment of the Humanities to foster 
excellence and greater access to our Nation's cultural heritage.
  Madam Speaker, in addition to these national priorities, I am 
particularly gratified that this legislation includes $50 million in 
core funding for the Environmental Protection Agency's Chesapeake Bay 
program, and $750,000 for the city of Rockville to rehabilitate its 
sanitary sewer system. This is important, fiscally responsible 
legislation, and I urge my colleagues' support.

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