    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1996, Book II)]
    [September 30, 1996]
    [Pages 1727-1728]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on Signing the Department of Transportation and Related
    Agencies Appropriations Act, 1997
    September 30, 1996

        Today I have signed into law H.R. 3675, the ``Department of
    Transportation and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1997.''
        The Act provides $35.5 billion in funding for the Department of
    Transportation and several smaller agencies, including the National
    Transportation Safety Board. The bill is consistent with my request in
    most key areas.
        I am pleased that the Congress fully funded my request for the
    Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) safety programs. This bill,
    together with the FY 1997 omnibus appropriations bill

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    that I have also signed, provides an increase of $286 million over
    fiscal 1996 for FAA operations. The FAA manages the world's largest and
    safest aviation system.
        To address the recent tragic aviation incidents, I asked Vice
    President Gore to chair a Commission on Aviation Security and report
    back with recommendations for improving aviation security. I am pleased
    that in the omnibus appropriations bill, the Congress fully funds my
    request of $201 million for the Department of Transportation to
    implement the Vice President's September 9 recommendations.
        The Act includes $150 million to capitalize my proposed new State
    Infrastructure Banks (SIBs). It also lifts the limit on the number of
    banks, allowing all States to apply. SIBs are an innovative use of
    private sector financing ideas that will permit States to leverage
    infrastructure investment.
        I am particularly pleased that the Congress, in the omnibus
    appropriations bill, fully funded my request for the Alameda Corridor
    project, which connects the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach,
    California. This intermodal project will speed the transportation of
    goods from these ports throughout the country and will also help sustain
    our Nation's competitive edge in Pacific Rim trade.
        The Act provides funding for most of the Department's high-priority
    programs. I commend the Congress for not including any new earmarked
    highway projects. States can better determine how to use these funds to
    meet their transportation infrastructure priorities.

                                                          William J. Clinton

    The White House,

    September 30, 1996.

    Note: H.R. 3675, approved September 30, was assigned Public Law No. 104-
    205. This statement was released by the Office of the Press Secretary on
    October 1.