    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1996, Book II)]
    [August 6, 1996]
    [Pages 1264-1265]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on Signing the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug
    Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1997
    August 6, 1996

        Today I have signed into law H.R. 3603, the ``Agriculture, Rural
    Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies
    Appropriations Act, 1997.''
        For the upcoming fiscal year, the Act provides $13.1 billion in
    discretionary budget authority for important nutrition, food safety, and
    rural development programs, and $40.3 billion for mandatory programs
    such as the Food Stamp program, the Child Nutrition program and the
    Commodity Credit Corporation. In addition, the Act provides urgently
    needed supplemental funds for the current fiscal year in two vital
    areas.
        First, the Act provides $12 million in FY 1996 funds to support and
    enhance the ability of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms to
    investigate the appalling incidents of church burning that have
    disturbed and angered Americans across the Nation. As I said when I
    spoke to this issue in Greeleyville, South Carolina in June, we will do
    everything we can to bring those responsible for these acts to justice.
    And so I appreciate the timely action by the Congress in providing this
    funding in the first available appropriations bill.
        Second, the Act includes $32 million in FY 1996 emergency funds for
    farmers who have been hurt by natural disasters, particularly those in
    the Southwest suffering from the prolonged drought and those in the
    Southeast affected by Hurricane Bertha. These funds will support $100
    million in low-interest direct loans. I hereby designate all of these
    funds as an emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(D)(i) of
    the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985, as
    amended.
        For fiscal year 1997, I am particularly pleased that the Act
    includes my request for increased funds for the Food Safety Inspection
    Service. On July 6, I announced a sweeping reform of the meat and
    poultry inspection system, which

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    has not been upgraded in 90 years. This investment will revolutionize
    the way we ensure the safety of American meat and poultry.
        The Act also provides significant increases in rural development
    programs, to improve the quality of life in rural America and to help
    diversify the rural economy. In addition, the Act includes much of my
    proposal to create a Rural Development Performance Partnership, which
    will provide greater flexibility to tailor Federal assistance to local
    needs, reflecting my Administration's belief that there is no ``one-
    size-fits-all'' solution to the challenges facing rural areas.
        I am concerned, however, that the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)
    program is funded at $150 million below my request. I am disappointed
    that the Congress failed to provide my requested increase for the WIC
    program in order to reach a full participation level of 7.5 million
    women, infants, and children.
        Finally, I note that $69.1 million of valuable agricultural research
    funding has been earmarked for unrequested buildings and facilities. In
    the Statement of Managers accompanying the Bill, the conferees have,
    however, expressed their intent to make FY 1997 the last year in which
    they earmark research funds for such purposes. It is my hope and
    expectation that the Congress will hold to that intent.
        On balance, this is a good bill that will provide funding for
    important nutrition, food safety, and rural development needs as well as
    providing a strong boost for two immediate priorities.

                                                          William J. Clinton

    The White House,

    August 6, 1996.

    Note: H.R. 3603, approved August 6, was assigned Public Law No. 104-180.