    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1994, Book II)]
    [September 28, 1994]
    [Pages 1654-1655]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on Signing the Departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and
    Urban Development, and Independent Agencies Appropriations Act, 1995
    September 28, 1994

        Today I have signed into law H.R. 4624, the ``Departments of
    Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development, and Independent
    Agencies Appropriations Act, FY 1995.''
        The Act provides funding for the Departments of Veterans Affairs
    (VA) and Housing and Urban Development, Environmental Protection Agency,
    National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and National Science
    Foundation and various other agencies. This Act will fund important
    activities in the space program, housing pro-

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    grams, environmental protection, and programs for our Nation's veterans.
        I am pleased that the Act provides funding for a number of my high-
    priority investment proposals, including both the National Service and
    Community Development Financial Institutions initiatives. The National
    Service Initiative will provide an opportunity for young people to
    obtain funding for a college education while serving the country in
    areas of great need such as education, environment, public safety, and
    human services. Funding for the Community Development Financial
    Institutions fund will increase the flow of capital to distressed
    neighborhoods and their currently underserved low-income residents, and
    provide financing for neighborhood redevelopment and revitalization
    efforts.
        The Act also provides funding for the redesigned Space Station and
    other programs that will set a new direction for the Nation in space
    exploration, science, and technology. The Act includes about $260
    million for cooperative activities with Russia, with about half of that
    going directly for joint space station, human space flight, and
    scientific cooperation.
        The Act includes $7.2 billion in funding for the Environmental
    Protection Agency (EPA). The Act provides funds for EPA programs that
    protect our environment through enforcement of our environmental laws,
    cleanup of hazardous waste sites, and construction of needed water and
    waste water treatment facilities.
        The Act meets the needs of our Nation's veterans by providing $16.2
    billion in funding for the VA medical care program, an increase of $0.6
    billion over the FY 1994 enacted level.
        The Act includes $25.7 billion in funding for the Department of
    Housing and Urban Development, including funding for programs such as
    the HOME block grants for housing, Community Development Grants, and
    Severely Distressed Public Housing. These programs will assist
    communities and individuals in revitalizing neighborhoods and increasing
    opportunities for home ownership.
        The Act provides $3.4 billion in funding for the National Science
    Foundation (NSF), a $343 million increase over the FY 1994 enacted
    level. NSF programs will promote basic research that is vital to
    enabling our Nation to compete in world markets.
        The Act includes a requested FY 1994 emergency supplemental
    appropriation of $225 million to finance housing repairs in areas
    affected by the Northridge earthquake (``ghost towns'') to be derived by
    transfers of previously appropriated emergency funds from the
    Departments of Education and Transportation.
        Concurrently with signing this bill, I am transmitting to the
    Congress a request to make available $14.5 million for FEMA, which I am
    designating as an emergency requirement. These funds will provide
    additional resources to address consequences of the Northridge
    earthquake. The funds, which were appropriated in Public Law 103-211,
    the Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act of 1994, will be
    transferred from the Unanticipated Needs account within Funds
    Appropriated to the President. These funds will provide $150 million in
    additional emergency disaster loans to the victims of the Northridge
    earthquake.

                                                          William J. Clinton

    The White House,
    September 28, 1994.

    Note: H.R. 4624, approved September 28, was assigned Public Law No. 103-
    327.