[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 81 (Friday, June 1, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E957]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    MILITARY CONSTRUCTION AND VETERANS AFFAIRS AND RELATED AGENCIES 
                        APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2013

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                         HON. YVETTE D. CLARKE

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 31, 2012

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the state of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 5854) making 
     appropriations for military construction, the Department of 
     Veterans Affairs, and related agencies for the fiscal year 
     ending September 30, 2013, and for other purposes:

  Ms. CLARKE of New York. Mr. Chair, yesterday, the House of 
Representatives took a vote on H. AMDT. 1159 to H.R. 5854, the Military 
Construction/VA Appropriations Bill. I voted in support of this 
amendment because it strikes the anti-project labor agreement language 
within section 517 of this bill.
  This amendment was pro-labor and will keep Project Labor Agreements 
from being eliminated within the bill. Project Labor Agreements (PLAs) 
have been essential and successful tools used by both governments and 
private sector companies for years. They help not only employees, but 
also employers. PLAs have been used since the 1930s in the U.S. and 
studies show they not only promote fair labor practices, but also are 
cost-effective.
  For these reasons, I voted to protect PLAs because we, in Congress, 
need to stand strong in our fight for fair labor practices and in 
protecting policies that prove to be successful.

                          ____________________