[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 27 (Friday, February 18, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E277]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             FULL-YEAR CONTINUING APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2011

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                               speech of

                         HON. JAMES P. McGOVERN

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 15, 2011

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 1) making 
     appropriations for the Department of Defense and the other 
     departments and agencies of the Government for the fiscal 
     year ending September 30, 2011, and for other purposes:

  Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Chair, I wish to express my strong support for the 
Sustainable Communities Initiative and oppose any cuts to this 
important economic development program in H.R. 1.
  The Sustainable Communities Initiative illustrates a successful 
partnership among government agencies to invest in our local economies. 
At a time when there's so much talk of making government work better, 
this initiative is a shining example of cutting red tape and fostering 
collaboration among similar community interests.
  Through this initiative, the Departments of Transportation, Housing 
and Urban Development and the Environmental Protection Agency award 
competitive grants to communities for innovative projects that connect 
the creation of good jobs, sustainable housing and efficient modes of 
transportation.
  In just the short time that this initiative has been in existence, it 
has awarded numerous competitive grants to communities across the 
country.
  In 2010, a total of 630 communities requested $1.2 billion in finding 
and HUD awarded 61 grants worth $69 million. Clearly, communities see 
the great potential benefits for the projects funded by this unique 
initiative.
  Although my hometown of Worcester, Massachusetts was not a grantee in 
the last round of awards, it earned the designation of ``preferred 
sustainability status.'' Eliminating funding for the Sustainable 
Communities Initiative would prevent Worcester and dozens of 
communities across the country from having the opportunity to receive 
grants to meet their multiple economic, environmental and community 
needs.
  Furthermore, language in H.R. 1 to rescind unobligated funds would 
threaten projects in communities that were recently awarded grants.
  Mr. Chair, cutting funding for the Sustainable Communities Initiative 
would be harmful to job creation efforts and would take away a vital 
tool to help communities transition to a 21st century economy.
  I urge my colleagues to support the Sustainable Communities 
Initiative and oppose any cuts to this program.

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