[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 8]
[House]
[Page 10738]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                          MIAMI RIVER CLEANUP

  (Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in continuing support of 
securing Federal funds to dredge the Miami River located in my 
congressional district.
  The 5\1/2\ mile River runs through the heart of Miami and is in 
desperate need of cleaning. Dredging of the River is necessary because 
sediment buildup in the River has impaired the $5 billion cargo trade 
of the shipping industry. Many ships cannot load to capacity and are 
restricted to sailing only at high tide. The dredging is a key element 
of the River's revitalization.

                              {time}  1045

  The project has the support of our local business and environmental 
communities. And we have a funding partnership with the State of 
Florida, Miami-Dade County as well as the city of Miami.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge a full cleanup of the Miami River, as it will 
result in economic improvements to the private riverside development by 
stimulating the shipping industry and providing much needed inner-city 
jobs. Federal funding for this project would also restore the 
environmental quality of the river and improve the quality of life for 
local residents and neighborhoods.
  We have the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and all of our local 
partners ready to do the work. Let us get going.

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