[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 16]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 22781]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



  FISCAL YEAR 2002 VETERANS AFFAIRS/HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT AND 
                INDEPENDENT AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JAMES H. MALONEY

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 15, 2001

  Mr. MALONEY of Connecticut. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of 
the Fiscal Year 2002, VA/HUD appropriations bill. The Appropriations 
Committee has put together a bill that is truly bipartisan. I am proud 
to rise in strong support of this measure which funds such important 
priorities as veterans health care and benefits, needed housing 
initiatives, and key environmental programs. This measure also provides 
resources to assist state and local governments with infrastructure 
improvement and economic development needs.
  The Central Naugatuck Valley in my district has been undergoing a 
major water/sewer infrastructure upgrade. I am pleased that under the 
State and Territorial Assistance Grant Program, $485,000 has been 
appropriated for this much needed purpose.
  The City of Waterbury, which operates the hub of the region's sewer 
system, has been burdened by the majority of the cost for these 
improvements. Therefore, $260,000 (of the total $485,000) will go to 
the City of Waterbury for wastewater infrastructure improvements 
including the cost of the new sewage treatment facility in the City 
which new funds, together with the $750,000 made available through the 
FY 2001 VA/HUD Appropriations Act, are to be used so as to lower the 
sewer rates charged to system customers.
  The Town of Wolcott, Connecticut is partially served by the water 
system of the City of Waterbury. However, the Clinton Hill Road 
neighborhood of Wolcott relies on well water and septic systems for 
their water needs. This area of town has been experiencing well 
failures and contamination. Under this legislation, the Town on Wolcott 
will receive $125,000 (of the total $485,000) towards the extension of 
the water distribution system to the Clinton Hill Road neighborhood, 
together with $250,000 made available through the FY 2001 VA/HUD 
Appropriations Act.
  The Town of Middlebury is served by dangerously inadequate rock 
wells. In 1999, several of the town wells went dry and MTBE 
contamination was discovered. The town has already secured significant 
state funds to extend a twelve-inch water main to the affected area of 
the town. $100,000 (of the total $485,000) will go to the Town of 
Middlebury to help complete their project.
  Finally, I would like to also point out that $100,000 has been 
appropriated for the City of Derby to assist with the restoration of 
the historic Sterling Opera House. Built in 1889, the Sterling was the 
first structure in Connecticut to be placed on the National Register of 
Historic Places. Today, the Opera House is suffering from 35 years of 
neglect. The State of Connecticut and the City of Derby have already 
committed a substantial sum of money to begin this restoration. The 
money in this bill will help the City to restore the Sterling Opera 
House to its original grandeur.
  Mr. Speaker, I am pleased today to support this measure not only 
because of what it means to my District, but also for what it means to 
America's veterans, our environment, and those who receive vital 
housing assistance in order to partake in the American Dream.

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