[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 148 (Thursday, September 29, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1421]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                WATER RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT ACT OF 2016

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                               speech of

                       HON. LUCILLE ROYBAL-ALLARD

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 27, 2016

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the state of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 5303) to 
     provide for improvements to the rivers and harbors of the 
     United States, to provide for the conservation and 
     development of water and related resources, and for other 
     purposes:

  Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD. Mr. Chair, I am proud today to vote for the 
bipartisan Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2016, which 
reauthorizes water infrastructure projects nationwide. I am heartened 
that after several months of inaction, Republican leaders included aid 
in this bill to the citizens of Flint, Michigan, who have been 
afflicted by devastating environmental health risks.
  As an Angelena, I am also pleased that this WRDA authorizes an equal 
cost-share between the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the City of Los 
Angeles for the Los Angeles River Ecosystem Restoration project. I 
fought alongside my colleagues Congressman Xavier Becerra and 
Congressman Adam Schiff to include this cost-share agreement in the 
final bill. With this cost-share, the city and the Corps become true 
partners in the LA River revitalization project to restore park space 
and wetlands, build new public spaces, create recreational 
opportunities, improve public health, strengthen the regional economy, 
and bolster civic pride. This WRDA is an important step in our efforts 
to make Los Angeles a greener and more vibrant place to live.

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