[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 14]
[House]
[Page 21016]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]


[[Page 21016]]

SUPPORT THE PRESIDENT'S REQUEST FOR INCREASED FUNDING FOR THE COMMUNITY 
                    DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM

  (Mr. BROWN of Ohio asked and was given permission to address the 
House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. BROWN of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the 26th 
anniversary of the Community Development Block Grant Program. This 
program put local development decisions in the hands of those who know 
best, those who live and work in our community.
  This long-term commitment to responsible flexibility has paid off. 
The average housing program leverage is $2.31 for every Federal dollar 
spent.
  Unfortunately, the Republican leadership has chosen to commemorate 26 
years of job creation and increased affordable housing and water 
improvements by stripping the block grant program of $300 million in 
the fiscal year 2001 VA-HUD bill.
  In Lorais, Ohio, a community in my district struggling with the loss 
of industry and experiencing rents as much as 50 percent of income, 
these cuts translate into a loss of jobs, jobs that would have been 
created next year through construction projects, small business 
developments, and retraining programs.
  This program is simple, it is effective, it is efficient. Communities 
in northeast Ohio and across the country are depending on it. Proposed 
2001 funding levels will, unfortunately, hang them out to dry.
  I urge my colleagues to continue our commitment to improving people's 
quality of life. Let us support the President's request and increase 
funding for the Community Development Block Grant Program.

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