[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 16]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 21587]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




TRANSPORTATION, TREASURY, AND INDEPENDENT AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 
                                  2004

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                               speech of

                          HON. THOMAS E. PETRI

                              of wisconsin

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 4, 2003

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 2989) making 
     appropriations for the Departments of Transportation and 
     Treasury, and independent agencies for the fiscal year ending 
     September 30, 2004, and for other purposes:

  Mr. PETRI. Mr. Chairman, I ask that a letter from the National 
Association of State Park Directors in support of my amendment to H.R. 
2989 regarding the transportation enhancements program (voted on 
September 4, 2003) be included in the Record.

                                              National Association


                                      of State Park Directors,

                                                September 4, 2003.
       Dear Congressman Petri: The National Association of State 
     Part Directors (NASPD) is the organization that comprises the 
     leadership of the State Park Systems in all fifty (50) 
     States. We are writing to support your amendment to strike 
     section 114 from the 2004 Transportation Appropriations Bill, 
     H.R. 2989.
       Transportation Enhancements (TE's) help to provide 
     environmentally sustainable infrastructure and fund 
     critically important and popular projects in all 
     jurisdictions represented by NASPD. TE's help to enhance the 
     street-scapes of communities throughout the Nation and to 
     provide pedestrian and bicycle connections for both 
     transportation and recreational purposes, thereby, reducing 
     congestion, protecting air quality, enhancing public health 
     through exercise and improving the quality of life for 
     millions of Americans.
       As stewards of the State Park Systems Nationwide, we can 
     attest to the popularity of the projects funded by TE's and 
     utilized by so many of our patrons, constituents of all 
     members of Congress. While section 114 of the bill would 
     still allow States to use highway funds for Enhancement 
     projects, in our opinion, this provision would threaten the 
     integrity of the program and we applaud your efforts to 
     remove it from the final legislation. We urge all members of 
     Congress to support your amendment.
           Sincerely,
                                                    Phil McKnelly,
     President.

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